KLOL’s format change was front page news today.
In a clear signal of the growing media clout of Houston-area Hispanics, radio behemoth Clear Channel Communications has yanked legendary rock station KLOL-FM (101.1) off the air and replaced it with a format that radio insiders call “Spanglish Top 40.”
The switch took place Friday morning when the new station — now called Mega 101 FM (with the tag line “Latino and Proud”) — began playing 10,101 songs in a row.
The new format is a mixture of Spanish hip-hop, reggaeton and pop/dance music aimed at listeners between 18 and 34 years old. Music in Spanish by artists ranging from the rapper Pitbull to pop star Shakira will be accompanied by DJs using a combination of English and Spanish.
Clear Channel officials said Houston is the first city in the nation to get the new format.
With the format change, the station is targeting young second- and third-generation Latinos, said Adam Jacobson, editor of industry trade publication Radio and Records.
“There are many Hispanics in the United States who grew up speaking English but are very proud to be called Latino,” Jacobson said. “That’s what Clear Channel wants to go after.”
But he cautioned it would take time for the new format to take hold.
With the format change, Houston now has 16 stations that appeal to a Spanish-speaking audience.
I suppose with so many Latino-oriented stations, this move may cause one of the lower-rated ones to switch formats in order to fill in the niche that KLOL has left open. Maybe. I hope.
Clear Channel’s pitch for Spanish-speaking listeners is the latest sign that large corporations are recognizing the importance of the growing Hispanic market.
Such heavyweights as NBC and Viacom are among the media giants that have bought communications companies that appeal to a predominantly Hispanic audience. Univision Communications, the largest U.S. Spanish-language television and radio broadcaster, already owns 68 radio stations, including eight in Houston.
“Corporate America and the boardroom are staring to realize, ‘Wow, we’re really behind the curve. We’ve got to catch up,’ ” said Alex Lopez Negrete, president of Lopez Negrete, a Houston-based advertising agency.
Even so, Negrete is saddened by the loss of KLOL.
“On a personal basis, I am every bit a rocker as I am a salsero. Will I miss KLOL that I’ve listened to for 34 years? Absolutely.
“Will I switch to Mega? They’ll have to convince me like they have to convince the rest of the market, because we have our favorites.”
Somehow, I think Mega will succeed just fine. I’ve no doubt a lot of market research and focus-group testing went into this format, and I’m sure it will have a broad appeal. It’s just a question of how long it takes to build its audience.
Wow, Hard to believe. I remember when KILT switched to country, and that was a long time ago.
I too am interested to see who will try to fill the void.
15 radio stations wasn’t enough? Is there anything we have they won’t take over?
this city changes it mind so fast it’s hard to keep up with….just “over night” they decided to drop a rock station, for ANOTHER spanish station….that’s all there is out there, spanish and country, please bring back ROCK, and of course walton and johnson!! thanks again houston for ruining something else
ARGH! SO that’s what happenned! I was extremely confused this morning, driving in…
sick…saddened…shocked…34 years of rock history gone down the tubes…for what? to appease a special interest for one section of the population? it’s political correctness gone mad…where will it stop? how much of OUR culture do we have to sacrifice to “fit in” (more like have shoved down our throats) a different culture?! it makes me sad to think of those people who gave so much of themselves to the airwaves on 101 to make our lives happier on a daily basis. Thanks for nothing Clear Channel!
I can’t believe an icon to Houston Rocker’s has been replaced by Spanish music. Where am I supposed to listen to the new rock music and know what concerts are coming to town. Who will promote rock in Houston now? I am really pissed that this has happened, and I will remember Clear Channel Communications for it! They already own most of the radio stations here now anyway, along with most of the billboards. Why couldn’t they have started a new Spanish radio station instead of taking ours?
[Racist comment removed. — CK]
Where’s Walton & Johnson?
This is sickening. Im 16 , hispanic, but I don’t like or listen to spanish top 40 or whatever. I like Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Nirvana, Rob Zombie etc. Where am I suppose to hear such great music again?? Other stations are classic Rock and thats cool, but what about rock and metal that aren’t considered classic yet? What about Mandatory Metallica? Be sensible 15 stations was enough, they should have got rid of The Buzz instead. But thats my opinion. This has got to change. Come on, 34 years and out of nowhere that has been changed. I’m outraged. I know where the station is at and I will be protesting. Bring back Rock 101 KLOL!
This is America.Give me a break.Klol was here for 34 years.Who cares about spanish.Let them go home and they can hear anything they want.This is a pathtic display of Democrats and the FCC,no matter what they say.Thats why noone knew about this.They knew us “Americans” would be pissed.AND WE ARE.We will all protest this online and in person until this wrong is righted.Thanks for asking our opinion first.Sort of took away my rights for non Americans.We all appreciate it.Hope you guys get your ratings,ha ha ha.
why we cant replace all tv stations like ABC CBS NBC also to spanish speak spanish not english change names to spanish names and be happy rancheros.Jerry
I had a death in the family Friday. That’s how it feels. I will look for ways to get in and stay in touch with the KLOL family. I wish the best for Outlaw Dave, Wendy Miller, and even Uncle Nasty who I don’t care for much but that was in the context of “before Friday”.
To Clear Channel I say, prior to Friday I was indifferent to your ownership of KLOL and your existence. YOU changed all that Friday. Like other events in recent history, I feel sucker punched. I vow this, I will vote against Clear Channel EVERY opportunity I get. I see or hear your name or smell your association with any event in the future, I am boycotting. If you thought I’d just move down the dial to 93.7, which you pencil necked geeks probbly think is “close enough” and you also own, WRONG! Hey, it’s just business, right?
I pray for the laid off employees of the former, venerable Texas Rock & Roll flagstation. I can not wait to find out where W&J land to continue enjoying their show, hopwfully on a station with ownership with class. I hope some day, to prey on Clear Channel.
White and pissed.
jerry, you racist, nascar watchin, cousin marrying, dumb ass. you go home, to hmmm. sounds like Germany you neo-Nazi ignorant assinine vato!!! Just listen to Skynyrd on 8 tracks in your trailer.
Pretty sneaky how all this went down. Have heard W/J making inuendos on their show regarding we will all be “speaking spanish” soon. Too bad no one at CC or KLOL had balls to forewarn the listeners or even present a valid survey of what the targeted age groups preferred to listen to! Same old story… the big corps dictate what we all will like. This whole situation is BS- hope mega crap goes down the tubes soon!
I just wanted to cry when I changed that station Friday afternoon to “Rock 101” and the shit was all Latino and crap. I was like what the hell I wanted to hear some good fucking music but no take it away I hate Clear Channel more now… Rice Radio
Clear Channel has lost their friging minds! Why, why, why? Thank you ROCK 101 for 34 years of Rock and Roll, we will fight to have you back! Clear Channel thanks for nothing! Come on Houston we have to ban together and make them bring ’em back NOW!!!
Donnie blames Democrats and the FCC? Let’s check a few facts.
Since Clear Channel donated less than 25% of its campaign contributions to the Democratic Party, it must surely be a conspiracy committed by those “damned” liberal Democrats (http://www.capitaleye.org/mediacontribs.6.2.03.asp) And since Michael K. Powell (http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/powell/) is the chairman of the FCC, I’ll bet he leans much further left than his father, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell.
So, if anyone chooses to boycott and vote against those who are to blame, don’t just do it against Clear Channel. Do it against those who allow mass consolidation amongst the media (http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A5555-2003Jun2¬Found=true).
Moved to Houston in 1965. Two radio stations defined Houston, KIKK and KLOL. Thanks to Clear Channel, KIKK is Smooth Jazz and KLOL is ??? whatever. I’m sure that Jazz and Tejano, mexican, spanish ??? whatever music have thier place in Houston, but you don’t have to take away the cornerstones of radio. Solorino, I’ll take my NASCAR watchin, 8 track listinin money and spend it on any business which is not connected to Clear Channel. Other Clear Channel station are: 94.5, 96.5, 93.7, 99.1, 950 AM, 740 AM. I guess I’ll fold up some paper to put under my 8 track so it doesn’t double track on me and listen to some great Rock and Roll music.
I am not surprised. Youth are typically drawn towards what is currently popular, and radio is just responding to this perceived need. I think the world would be better off if all of our children wore bling bling and spoke the Mexican’s version of Spanish. Combine that with black juvenile vernacular that wont translate into Spanglish and you have this nauseating pile of garbage called radio. Perhaps we could all trade our cars in now for ’85 firebirds with old english lettering on the back, running lights on the bottom, and carpet on the dash. This is a travesty of American society, this is not what they had in mind when they fought the War for Independence. I’d rather live in Nazi Germany, at least there I’d be spared Latino Hip Hop.
Unsere Ehre Heisst Treue
Clear Channel just made a business decision. Sometimes those decisions are hard to make, but must be made when answering to the board of directors and the shareholders.
What this really ought to be is a wake-up call to all of us about how many people are coming across our border every day of the week. At one time in the “Good ole days”, a person had to speak english to become a citizen. I’m quite certain that even if that is still a law on the books, it’s not being followed. That’s not our biggest problem though. The biggest problem is the millions of illegals in this country who don’t speak a lick of english. Now don’t get me wrong, if someone wants to legally apply for citizenship and pass all of the requirements, including the ability to pass and english exam, then I welcome them. However, when I go to a US National park and all of the signs are in dual language, I start to get a little pissed. How much of OUR tax money is being spent to allow for dual language translation on many things in this country?
If you live in France, you have to speak French or you’re screwed. If you live in Germany, guess what, you’d better speak some German. If you live in the USA, you’re supposed to speak english, but we’ve let the soft-hearted liberal bastards take over so much, that we “feel for those swimming over the southern border”, and “cater” to them.
So it’s not really Clear Channel’s fault. It’s our fault for letting the liberals have their way for so long. If we don’t act soon, Walton and Johnson will be right about all of us speaking Spanish, but not just on KLOL. First KLOL, then Texas, then the whole southern US, etc.
God bless the USA will eventually be replaced with Viva LA USA en Mexico!
Clear Channel just made a business decision. Sometimes those decisions are hard to make, but must be made when answering to the board of directors and the shareholders.
What this really ought to be is a wake-up call to all of us about how many people are coming across our border every day of the week. At one time in the “Good ole days”, a person had to speak english to become a citizen. I’m quite certain that even if that is still a law on the books, it’s not being followed. That’s not our biggest problem though. The biggest problem is the millions of illegals in this country who don’t speak a lick of english. Now don’t get me wrong, if someone wants to legally apply for citizenship and pass all of the requirements, including the ability to pass and english exam, then I welcome them. However, when I go to a US National park and all of the signs are in dual language, I start to get a little pissed. How much of OUR tax money is being spent to allow for dual language translation on many things in this country?
If you live in France, you have to speak French or you’re screwed. If you live in Germany, guess what, you’d better speak some German. If you live in the USA, you’re supposed to speak english, but we’ve let the soft-hearted liberal bastards take over so much, that we “feel for those swimming over the southern border”, and “cater” to them.
So it’s not really Clear Channel’s fault. It’s our fault for letting the liberals have their way for so long. If we don’t act soon, Walton and Johnson will be right about all of us speaking Spanish, but not just on KLOL. First KLOL, then Texas, then the whole southern US, etc.
God bless the USA will eventually be replaced with Viva LA USA en Mexico!
Won’t listen to another clear channel until they bring back 101 Bad Move clear channel
IM SO SICK I CAN’T EVEN COMMENT!
Once again
This is sickening. Im 16 , hispanic, but I don’t like or listen to spanish top 40 or whatever. I like Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Nirvana, Rob Zombie etc. Where am I suppose to hear such great music again?? Other stations are classic Rock and thats cool, but what about rock and metal that aren’t considered classic yet? What about Mandatory Metallica? Be sensible 15 stations was enough, they should have got rid of The Buzz instead. But thats my opinion. This has got to change. Come on, 34 years and out of nowhere that has been changed. I’m outraged. I know where the station is at and I will be protesting. Bring back Rock 101 KLOL!
What the heck, Not only did they take rock off the air but then they turn around and play 11001 sings in a row.
So not only are the pandering to the minority but giving them commercial free tunes. I wonder which CC exec is going to run for office here in Houston next year.
What the heck, Not only did they take rock off the air but then they turn around and play 11001 songs in a row.
So not only are the pandering to the minority but giving them commercial free tunes. I wonder which CC exec is going to run for office here in Houston next year.
We have a site started! It is still in the works but it will be the place to gather and form a campaign against Clear Channel to bring back a ROCK format to Houston.
http://www.bringbackklol.com
Another freaking tejano station – thats just great. Clear Channel Radio – what a bunch of idiots. KLOL has been Houston’s rock station, without a format change, since 1970. So now you feel like you have to make this change overnight. I hope you all choke on the PITIFUL returns and ratings you can expect from this lame, pathetic move.
How stupid is this!!!! How old are ya’ll and all ya’ll are doing is fighting over a stupid radio station!! And ya’ll are suppose to be talking shit about the radio station not about HISPANICS!! it’s not our fault that they changed the radio station to spanish!!!IT’S ABOUT TIME HISPANICS ARE BEING RECOGNIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To Ed, who moved here in 1965: KLOL didn’t exist at that time. KIKK and KILT (when it was Top 40 on 610 AM and album rock on 100.3 FM) were the defining stations — although KNUZ, KENR and KULF did have their own faithful listeners back in the day…
Sad stuff.
Clear Channel really does suck. Hard.
Someone must have slipped me some of the Konspiracy Koolaid, but what if this format change was desinged to drive people to satellite radio. You might think that’s silly since Clear Channel is a major radio station owner, but Clear Channel is also a major investor in XM satellite radio. Check out the Forbes Monday matchup from 2 weeks ago.
http://www.forbes.com/2003/11/03/cx_ah_1103mondaymatchup.html
Hmmmmm.
stupid move. Thats bull. Is anyone really going to listen to this new crap. Bring back Walton & Johnson!!!!!!
This is an outrage! 14 Latino stations weren’t enough? Where is the logic in destroying the only bastion of comprehensive rock music in this great city? Rock 101 has been a staple of the Houston airwaves with a proud 34 year tradition. I’ve grown up listening to 101. Nearly every new rock song I’ve heard on the radio has come from that station. There is a sudden and unexpected void in my life now that is comparable to the death of a loved one. Where now will I turn for my music? There is nowhere. Meanwhile Latinos now have 15 choices instead of 14. This is clearly a racist move. I have nothing against Latinos, and my anger is not directed to them. This is, without a doubt, a response by the liberal media (Clear Channel being a member) to the increase in the conservative Hispanic vote. Squelching conservative voices like Walton & Johnson is a cheap ploy to accomplish that end and it will not work. The way this was done, without warning, lacks any semblance of class. Shame on Clear channel.
This is an outrage! Rock 101 has been a legend in Houston since 1970. There are 15 other latino stations in houston and very few good rock stations. Rock 101 was a station that offered a mix of classic and alternative rock with good DJ’s that spoke ENGLISH. There are a lot of Anglos out there who feel the same way I do. I understand that many latinos in the inner city like latino music, but there are also many Anglos in and outside the city in the suburbs that will not stand for this injustice. This is America and if you would like to help bring them back sign the Petition http://www.petitiononline.com/rock101/petition.html
This is an outrage! Rock 101 has been a legend in Houston since 1970. There are 15 other latino stations in houston and very few good rock stations. Rock 101 was a station that offered a mix of classic and alternative rock with good DJ’s that spoke ENGLISH. There are a lot of Anglos out there who feel the same way I do. I understand that many latinos in the inner city like latino music, but there are also many Anglos in and outside the city in the suburbs that will not stand for this injustice. This is America and if you would like to help bring them back sign the Petition http://www.petitiononline.com/rock101/petition.html
This is an outrage! I couldn’t believe my ears when I woke up this morning. I spent probably 10 minutes adjusting the dial on my clock radio trying to tune in Walton & Johnson before I accepted what had happened. Fourteen Latino stations weren’t enough? Where is the logic in destroying the only bastion of comprehensive rock music in this great city? Rock 101 has been a staple of the Houston airwaves with a proud 34 year tradition. I’ve grown up listening to 101. Nearly every new rock song I’ve heard on the radio has come from that station. There is a sudden and unexpected void in my life now that is comparable to the death of a loved one. Where now will I turn for my music? There is nowhere that can compare. Meanwhile Latinos now have fifteen choices instead of fourteen. This is clearly a racist move. I have nothing against Latinos, and my anger is not directed towards them. If Clear Channel wanted to try to get a bigger piece of the pie of Hispanic listeners, why would it dismantle the only station in the city like Rock 101, forsaking it’s many listeners and employees. They could have destroyed any number of lesser stations to accoplish this. No this is, without a doubt, a response by the liberal media (Clear Channel being a member) to the increase in the conservative Hispanic vote. Squelching conservative voices like Walton & Johnson is a cheap ploy to accomplish that end and it will not work. The way this was done, without warning, lacks any semblance of class. Shame on Clear channel.
SAVE ROCK 101 SIGN THE PETITION
http://www.petitiononline.com/rock101/petition.html
This sucks really bad NO ROCK in the 3rd largest city for spanish. They have enough, I need rock and Im’m very proud to be a faithful 10%’er WHERE IS MY WALTON & JOHNAON? This makes me sick to even think that after 30 some odd years not even a good buy just cut off! Clear Channel you blow!! This is an outrage a pathetic move. Give me Rock Rock Rock
WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY?
See the groundswell of reaction trying to get CC to change KLOL back to rock.
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?rock101&1
Clear Channel Communications huh???? Guess i’ll just have to find out who the other stations in the area are and boycott them as well as their sponsors. So easy to change the presets on the old radio.
Stingray
This has to be the most ridiculous thing that could happen to Houston. I know the radio sucks in Houston, but now it’s just downright shitty!! 34 years of rockin’ us hard, and nothing, not even a farewell. Clear Channel, you can take all your billboards and crappy-ass latino stations and shove ’em. You’ve messed with the wrong people this time.
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?rock101
SIGN THE PETITION, FREE ROCK 101, KLOL FROM THIS LATIN FUTURE!!!!
WELL THEY DID IT, THEY GOT RID OF THE TRUE KLOL, WHICH IS ROCK AND METAL FOR SOME SPANISH CRAP. CLEAR CHANNEL WOULD BE WISE TO PUT ROCK 101.1 BACK OR THERE IS GOING TO BE TROUBLE, PEOPLE WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS SWITCH. THE IDIOT THAT MADE THIS DECISION SHOULD BE FIRED AND KICKED OUT OF THE UNITED STATES!!! GO TO HELL CLEAR CHANNEL!!!
If they want to create a “new format” why didn’t they just take one of the 15 stations that are already spanish and flip one of them? That would have been a smarter move than killing off a radio icon like Rock 101…
Arbitron – October 2004
1. KBXX 97.9 FM “The Box”, Radio One, rhythmic.
2. KLTN 102.9 FM “Latinos”, Univision, regional mexican.
3. KMJQ 102.1 FM “Majic”, Radio One, adult urban.
4. KODA 99.1 FM “Sunny”, Clear Channel, adult contemporary.
5. KRBE 104.1 FM “104”, Susquehanna, top 40/chr.
6. KPTY 104.9 FM “Party”, Univision, rhythmic.
7. KPRC 950 AM, Clear Channel, news/talk. Was #9 last month.
8. KKBQ 92.9 FM “93Q”, Cox, country. Was #7 last month.
9. KOVE 106.5 FM “K-Love”, Univision, Spanish contemporary.* Was #10 last month.
10. KTBZ 94.5 FM “The Buzz”, Clear Channel, alternative. Was #8 last month.
11. KILT 100.3 FM, Infinity, country. Was #13 last month.
12. KTRH 740 AM, Clear channel, news/talk. Was #11 last month.
13. KHJZ 95.7 FM “The Wave”, Infinity, smooth jazz. Was #15 last month.
14. KTHT 97.1 FM “Country Legends”, Cox, country.
15. KHMX 96.5 FM “Mix”, Clear Channel, hot ac. Was #15 last month.
16. KLOL 101.1 FM “101”, Clear Channel, rock. Was #18 last month.
17. KTJM 98.5/KJOJ 103.3 FM “La Raza”, regional mexican.
18. KKRW 93.7 FM “The Arrow”, Clear channel, classic rock. Was #16 last month.
19. KLDE 107.5 FM, Cox, Oldies.
20. KHPT 106.9 FM “The Point”, classic rock.
hell kill off the Point for that matter. Where the hell do these “ratings” come from anyway….I have lived here for 20 years and no one has ever asked me or anyone I know what station I listen to…I think that they need to do a little more researh…
Disgusting! Anger! Frustration! I could say them all ten times and it wouldn’t scratch the surface of what I felt like friday. Someone had better offer some explanation as to where I can find my Freedom-loving, Kerry-killin, Leftist liquidating Walton & Johnson and Outlaw Dave! What’s next? Hooters turning into a taqueria with Fat-ass momma citas pooring Fanta for the Lunching lawn care patrons? This was a big bite, but it was the last bite! I refuse to take part in the abomination, (That IS CC) to this freedom slowly slipping away, until KLOL returns to another dial position or they restore the majesty of our Beacon of rock and roll history!
LONG LIVE ROCK & ROLL
Last time I looked out the window, I still lived in America. Go to other countries and you listen to what their primary language is. Why do we need so many hispanic stations ? Is rock and roll going to be a minority now ??? You could have taken away any other station, not Rock 101 ! How many rock stations does Houston have now compared to hispanic stations ?????? This is b.s., you should bring back Rock 101 and settle with 15 hispanic stations !!!!!!!!!!
Last time I looked out the window, I still lived in America. Go to other countries and you listen to what their primary language is. Why do we need so many hispanic stations ? Is rock and roll going to be a minority now ??? You could have taken away any other station, not Rock 101 ! How many rock stations does Houston have now compared to hispanic stations ?????? This is b.s., you should bring back Rock 101 and settle with 15 hispanic stations !!!!!!!!!!
I can’t believe you have taken away Rock 101 and given it away to more chalupa eaters ! There is enough hispanic stations on AM, Why are you going to ruin FM now ! This is America people. If they want to listen to that crap, let those taco eating butt monkeys go back to their own country where that is their language, NOT OURS !I have been listening to Rock 101 since it came on air and I am one pissed off AMERICAN !!!!!!
I’ve listened to klol for years and to find that it has been replaced by a mexican station sucks big time. I hope this station is a bust and some idiot at clearchannel loses his job.
To anyone who wants to E-Mail the “VP of Marketing and Communications” at Clear Channel to tell him exactly what you think, Here you Go:
Omar Thompson,
omarvthompson@clearchannel.com
Good Luck!!