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Update: KXL to launch afternoon news block

(This story was originally published on December 3, 2009 at 4:11 pm.)

KXL PortlandAccording to an internal memo from News Director Rebecca Marshall, KXL will launch a new afternoon news block from 4 to 6 pm on December 14. The newscast will feature anchors Barbara Voight and Colby Reade, editor Mike Beard, reporter Chris Brown and traffic from Bill Deiz. KXL will continue to partner with KPTV for news.

Including KXL's morning news block from 5 to 9, the radio station will have more daily news hours than two local TV outlets. Not accounting for ad time, KATU and KGW each air five hours and five minutes of weekday news, versus the planned six hours on KXL. KGW additionally produces a half-hour newscast at 10 pm on KRCW, while KATU airs AM Northwest as a half-hour program at 9 am and as a one-hour program on its digital subchannel at 7 pm.

KXL currently runs Michael Savage from 4 to 7 pm, followed by Curtis Sliwa. Who will get moved or cut is unclear at this time.

Read the full memo below the jump.

UPDATE (12/4, 7:09 am): Local radio historian Craig Adams informs OMC that KXL last ended its afternoon news on December 14, 2000, exactly nine years prior to the day the station is set to restart it. This is confirmed by The Portland Radio Guide.

UPDATE (12/5, 3:29 pm): The press release is now below the jump as well, stating that Savage moves to 6 pm.

UPDATE (12/10, 8:56 am): According to multiple sources at KXL, the afternoon news block has been extended to three hours, from 4 to 7 pm, its original length nine years ago.

And a correction: KOIN airs 5 hours and 35 minutes of local news and was wrongly omitted earlier. KPTV airs a whopping 8 hours and 5 minutes of news. KXL now plans 7 hours.

UPDATE (12/11, 1:07 pm): A KXL source writes in to add that there's also 4 minutes at the top and 2 minutes at the bottom of each hour, with live, local news 24 hours a day.

I'll add, too, that KPTV produces an additional hour of news at 8 pm for KPDX.

The memo:

Beginning December 14, KXL will launch a news block in the afternoon from 4-6pm. It will be structured much like the morning news block. Barbara Voight and Colby Reade will bring their talents and energy to the anchor desks. Mike Beard will bring his news experience and connections to the table as he drives the ship from the editor’s desk. Chris Brown will be knocking down doors and doing reports top and bottom as the KXL afternoon reporter. Bill Deiz has agreed to provide traffic reports for us on the 8’s which is great because traffic is a huge issue in the afternoons. This is an exciting opportunity for all of us and a chance to utilize our news partners at channel 12 more in the afternoon. We’ll work on the details in the coming days. A formal announcement from marketing will be coming out soon. I just wanted to let you all know in advance.

Thanks for all your hard work! Good things to come!

Rebecca

The press release:

KXL ADDS AFTERNOON NEWS BLOCK TO LINE-UP

Station Responds to Local Traffic Woes

(Portland, Oregon) … Responding to a recent report placing Portland 19th on the list of the worst traffic congestion in the country, NEWSRADIO 750 KXL has announced a 4-6pm news block added to the programming line-up effective December 14, 2009. Anchored by current KXL news staffers Colby Reade and Barbara Voight, the afternoon news block will utilize a full news team to provide up-to-the-minute information on local and national stories, sports, weather as well as frequent detailed traffic reports for drivers heading home. The Michael Savage Show will move into the 6-9pm time slot as a result.

“KXL’s heritage has always been news and we will restore that great heritage on December 14th with the afternoon news block,” commented Alpha Broadcasting’s Director of Talk Programming, Brian Jennings. “This gives us a real opportunity to provide a valuable service, keeping the listeners informed as they hit the snarled roadways trying to get home.”

“I’m excited to be able to deliver live interviews with newsmakers in the afternoon as well as carry breaking news and press conferences,” said News Director Rebecca Marshall. “We’ll have reporters who can take us behind the stories plus all the weather, sports and traffic that anyone will ever need. It’s definitely designed to be one stop shopping for the ride home.”

KXL-AM is owned and operated by Alpha Broadcasting, along with KXTG-FM, KUPL-FM, KINK-FM, KUFO-FM and KCMD-AM. Alpha Broadcasting, headquartered in Portland, Oregon was formed by Larry Wilson, Bob Proffitt and Endeavour Capital, also in Portland. Wilson founded Citadel Communications Corporation, before it was sold to Forstmann Little & Company in 2001 for $2 billion.

Comments

KXL

Great move! Radio News needs to rise up in this town. I just hope KXL doesn't spend too much time simulcasting
their news partner's product. Oh, Savage to 970 would not shock. Congrats Rebecca and crew.

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I like the idea of ACTUAL

I like the idea of ACTUAL Newsradio. Not just Talk radio with a 3 minute news break every 30 minutes.

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Why not 4 - 7?

Work scheds + lengthening commutes have a lot of folks still on the road between 6 and 7. If they're going to invest in this and promote it, why give away an hour to KEX and risk the button-push that may keep the radio on the competitor's morning block?

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Looks like they listened

Looks like they listened to you. ;)

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Go Beardo!

Go Beardo!

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TV on radio

I always thought it would be a great idea for some radio station to take the broadcast of a tv station's afternoon news and put it on the radio. It actually sounds great and you don't really miss the pictures. With KXL being partners with FOX 12, I'd work out a deal to run the 4-6 tv news hours on radio and turn a quick profit. But what do I know.

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The old KXL afternoon news

The old KXL afternoon news block was 4-7. It was eliminated sometime in 2001 in favor of Michael Savage.

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Congrats Barbara!

Barbara Voight is a true pro and a great talent. She will be a huge asset to this program. Good call on KXL's part. Congrats Barb!!

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KXL

Super move to give us commuters more news and traffic...Good luck... and may Arbitron be kind to you.

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I, for one, would be a lot

I, for one, would be a lot more inclined to listen to KXL at that hour if Michael "Savage" Wiener is nowhere around.

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I punched in last night to

I punched in last night to check out KXL's news block (having not seen the December 14 start date), and there was Savage, as befuddled and fogied-up as ever, confusing himself and everyone else with nutritional arcania, evincing ignorance of his own state's congressional delegation, and punctuating it all with -isms and fat jokes. It was really dated and not entertaining. KXL's going to be a lot better off with an aggressive, KGO-style information block led by the fabled Mike Beard, the best pure hard-news guy in Portland radio. They don't call him Volcano Mike without reason.

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I agree, but . . .

I agree but, let's not forget that it's not just the Mike Beard show. It looks like they have a pretty solid cast all around.

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Radio news in Portland

I think it's interesting how bad KEX's news product has gotten. Anytime I want the latest, I tune in to KXL now. I don't think KEX is even a threat when it comes to breaking news - they seem to get everything (including their top stories in the morning, when they have a reporter on duty) from their TV partner KGW. Their writing and production of stories is completely lackluster.

I look forward to what KXL has to offer - let's hope it lasts!

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Returning to the days of old (at least slightly).

Like the days of old, KXL is bringing back a news block that was popular with me for a very long time. I would listen to it interminably in the afternoon, along with OPB 91.5FM. It’s a very smart move. Without this sort of news block, I would never consider listening to KXL. Its conservative programming drove me away years ago. I wish Alpha much success.

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Correction.

I meant to write intermittently, not interminably.

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Congrats to Colby and Barb -- You both deserve it !

Colby Reade is one of the best reporters in town and his on air delivery is second to none.

Barbara is a great talent and a true Pro.

They will make a GREAT Team !!

I turn off KXL on my drive home because listening to Savage is depressing.

Good Job to Rebecca, Brian and the rest of your staff !!!

PS ... This week's "Good News update" should be about KXL

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Roger Hedgecock, apparently gone during weeknights.

Good luck with the new format! I've listened since 1981. There have been some really engaging shows and there were years where I had the station on for many hours every day and COULDN'T turn the radio off. With most of the compelling national talent now gone, I have the will again, at least in the evening. But as before when there were lulls and changes that didn't appeal, I'll check back. I've been glad I did more than once.

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You made a big mistake in

You made a big mistake in taking Michael off the air from 4 to 6. You can find news and traffic on any other station and on cell,traffic naviagtors and such.. You have and will loose a lot of listner's over this move.

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You made a big mistake

I agree, I've already stopped listening, this news coverage repeats itselft every 10 min. and is boring on top of that. I only tuned in for Michael, so this is a dissapointment. KXL WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

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Savage

Totally agree, im leaving, the news is the same over and over and over

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Local tv in Salem

Comcast says they won,t put retro tv on in Salem. Yet it's on in Seattle what gives.

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Michael Savage

Look, Barbara Voit and company are very talented and I am pleased with their professionalism however I am very disappointed in this move to the afternoon news. The whole reason for my listening to KXL was Michael Savage followed by Lars. I know when the news updates were scheduled and if i wanted to hear them, I would turn the radio on then. Please bring back Michael Savage!

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He'll be back !!

What station will broacast Savage's program next? Wherever it is that's where I'll be. Sorry KXL, you lost a listener. Savage is the only sensible show around.

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I'm gone !!!

I listened to Michael Savage regulary and was upset when they moved him from 3 to 4 pm. Now that they moved him to the evening I'll not listen to 750 any more. bad move !!!

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Maybe he'll end up on Freedom 970?

He'll fit right in.

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Or maybe KPAM?

It's going to have 6 hours worth of mid-day vacancies very soon.

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You just kept changing a good thing.

Until you finally destroyed it. Dr. Savage was the best thing you had going. Larson and Beck are not even in the same league as the good Doctor. I will now listen to 1190 and 860 until I can again find Savage on at a time slot which is deserving, or I will Pod cast Savage and listen. GOOD BYE FOREVER KXL. I HOPE YOU FAIL MISERABLY.

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BAD MOVE

YOU BLEW IT

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Michael Savage

There is no reason to listen to KXL unless they put Savage back on. I can get the news anywhere anytime.

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savage rocks

Bad sad move KXL. The people praising the move are shills that nevr listen to kxl. They are on airhead america. You caved to pressure. You loose. Sorry

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What the hell is going on!

I am a big fan of Michael Savage and it is upsetting to see how he has been moved around and now has been removed from KXL. 750 KXL used to be my favorite station and I would listen to Savage on my way home, now I've got to look elsewhere. Sorry KXL, you lost a listener. On the bright side, it do listen to your sister station FM 95.5 the Game for sports.

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This is what's going on:

http://oregonmediacentral.com/2010/01/michael-savage-leaves-kxl-for-kpam

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Michael Savage

I have been a listener of KXL for 35 years and have enjoyed the format over the past 10 years. The current news in the afternoon is repepetitive, boring and just plain annoying. You could broadcast the news in the first ten minutes of the new hour and bring back the Savage Nation for 40 minutes with 10 minutes of ads to pay the bills. Bad move to eliminate Savage. It was the only reason to listen to KXL in the afternoons. I will be looking for Savage and my news elsewhere. Sorry KXL, you really blew a good thing!!!

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Big mistake dropping Michael Savage

I've been a daily listener of KXL for many years now and I'm extremely disappointed in your decision to push Michael Savage out of your broadcast. "BIG MISTAKE", you will regret your decision big time!! KXL has disappeared from my radio. Bring on KPAM

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The new format = LAME

Yeah, the new format? I HATE it.

It's like listening to CNN's HLN channel on the radio. They just regurgitate the same stories and sound bites until you feel like your living a some hellish, hourly version of Ground Hog day.

Michael Savage was the ONLY reason I listened to KXL. There is more original and compelling thought in the opening monologue of Savage than in both Lars' local and national show combined. And now KXL listeners are stuck with 7 HOURS OF LARS A DAY. Talk about torture. At least they still have Beck.

I'm DONE with KXL. I will be getting aboard any channel that carries Savage.

Avoir, KXL. It's been real. It's been fun. But it hasn't be real fun.

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New KXL Format

The new format SUCKS, I listen to Beck & then switch off 750 for the rest of the day!!!! Look at your ratings KXL, they are falling!!!! Put Savage back on!!!!!! Like the person above, I will travel to whomever puts Savage on!!!!! Who in the hell wants to listen to 7 hours of one host & 6 hours of news????????? Who in the hell is doing your market research??????? OMFG!!!!!!!!

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Big fan of KXL and Beck,

Big fan of KXL and Beck, Lars, but I love Savage! I'm very disappointed that KXL changed his hours... I don't blame him for wanting to switch to KPAM. I did like Taft, but will tune in for Savage. Thank goodness for the Savage Nation!! For all the haters out there, just to let you know his show is the 3rd highest ranked talk show in the country and is growing.... not in decline like you wish. Give it a try, in a short time I bet you'll be hooked like the rest of us!! KPAM here I come!

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Local Radio is better

Sure, Michael Savage is fun to listen to, but don't overlook the fact that KXL is providing local radio for us to listen to, providing jobs for local people right here!
The talk radio does get a bit tiresome for me after a while, so some real News Radio is refreshing.

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