Re: [IRCA] KGA : "The Big 15"

[Bill Harms <philcobill@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Stan:

    How are things in Spokane? I was back there in May for my daughter's 
wedding, it was a quick trip, and I did not have much time for anything 
else. I hope to get back there next spring.

    I am spelunking in the FCC records for Spokane stations which are 
held by the National Archives in College Park. There is a lot of 
interesting stuff. I am up to about 1964 with KGA. You are exactly 
correct, KGA had a lot of financial difficulties over the years, despite 
their 50 kW status. At one point in the early 1960's, the folks KCFA 
1330 tried unsuccessfully to buy KGA so they could put their format on 
at night. At the time, the owners of KGA were desperately trying to sell 
the station.

 They had some good years too. I know they were a success when they had 
the country format, but didn't the FM take over the country ratings, and 
about that time, talk radio was starting up on AM?

Bill Harms
History of Spokane Radio
http://spokane.philcobill.com

Stan Weisbeck wrote:
> KGA was a Top 40 station from March 1968 to March 1969
> using the slogan & jingles "The Big 15."  I was in
> high school at the time & they did seem to give
> dominant Top 40 station KJRB some strong competition.
>
> Years later a boss of mine at another Spokane radio
> station said KGA was horribly mismanaged, losing lots
> of money, during that time & that changes were
> inevitable.  He claimed that the FCC stepped in &
> forced the sale of KGA.  I have no documentation to
> prove this, however.  This particular boss had worked
> at KGA in the latter '70s.
>
> I had heard that Mapleton was trying to buy Citadel's
> stations here in Spokane, including KGA-1510,
> KJRB-790, & KEYF-1050, along with some FMs (of
> course), but I hadn't heard they were going to
> downgrade KGA.
>
> Sadly, it won't help me, DX-wise, as I'm right in the
> northerly path of both KGA & KJRB, living on Spokane's
> South Hill.
>
> Stan Weisbeck
> Spokane, WA
>
>
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