Two stations whose fates are up in the air were the big winners at the local industry’s Achievement in Radio awards on Feb. 15.
Romantic-themed KYXY-FM and classic rock station KPLN, called “The Planet,” each won four awards.
Both stations had been owned by AMFM Inc., a company formed when Capstar Broadcasting Corp. and Chancellor Media Corp. merged last August.
However, two months later, AMFM was bought by Clear Channel Communications. San Antonio-based Clear Channel had already reached the FCC-determined limit of stations it could own in San Diego , eight stations total, and no more than five AMs or FMs. FCC regulations also prevent one company from dominating a market’s sales revenue.
Rather than the complicated task of reorganizing the balance of stations and revenue that Clear Channel controls in San Diego, an immediate decision was made to sell both AMFM stations.
An announcement on who will buy KYXY or KPLN is expected within the next month, said Mike Glickenhaus, vice president and market manager for Clear Channel’s stations in San Diego.
Clear Channel will announce the stations’ buyers after the government approves transactions for all of the markets in which Clear Channel has to divest stations, Glickenhaus said.
At the AIR awards, KYXY’s honors were for John Q. Lawrence as best newsperson, Kevin Dean as best traffic reporter, morning disc jockey Dayle Ohlau’s “Time for Women” as best public affairs program and Ohlau’s “Time for Women” segment on foster parenting for best coverage of infant and maternal health care.
KPLN won best station-produced commercial for a Maaco Auto Painting commercial called “Labor,” best on-air audience promotion for “Fantasy Garage,” best midday music show for disc jockey Cindy Pace and best afternoon drive show for Brian Blades.
Other winners included news-talk station KOGO-AM, Spanish-language station KLNV-FM, called La Nueva, and classic rock station 101 KGB-FM, all of which won three categories. KOGO won for best spot news coverage, best station image promotion and best talk show host, for Rick Roberts of the “The Rick Roberts Show.”
KLNV took home best Spanish-language news or sports, best Spanish-language commercial and best Spanish-language event or promotion.
KGB’s three awards were for best station sponsored event for the KGB Skyshow, best bit and best morning show, for “Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw.”
KPBS-FM picked up two awards for best public affairs feature and best locally produced specialty show. XHRM-FM, called Magic 92.5, won for best ad-lib commercial, and Star 100.7 KFMB-FM’s “Jen’s Jukebox” for best evening show, and XLTN-FM Radio Latina won for best Spanish-language talent.
Local advertising agencies were also given accolades. Big Bang Idea Engineering won best public service announcement for the San Diego Blood Bank’s “Nose Bank.”
