KPOJ Beavers Baseball- What’s the deal with the new KPOJ programming?

Our world was rocked in February when KPOJ started carrying Beavers Baseball.  Every week until the end of May, they’ll be carrying between 2 and 5 games spreading through the week and weekend.   We aren’t pleased about it and judging from the calls and comments we’ve been getting you aren’t pleased about it either.  There’s not much we can do about it, but here’s what we can tell you…

• The decision was not ours, nor was it KPOJ’s.  The decision was made by ClearChannel, the owner of five stations in Portland (KKCW-FM, KKRZ-FM, KIJZ-FM, KEX-AM, KPOJ-AM).  It is a 5-year deal.
• The Beaver’s regular season runs until the end of May, and maybe longer if they make the post-season.  The full schedule of upcoming games is included below.
• We’ve fielded a lot of calls here at the shop about the format change.  We’re always glad to talk KPOJ with anyone who calls, but the Beaver’s decision isn’t ours and we can’t do anything about it.  Sorry, we REALLY wish we could!
• The reason given for the change is to expand the KPOJ audience.  The people listening to radio baseball (by and large) aren’t currently Progressive Radio listeners, and have little reason to spin the dial to check it out.  They hope that people dropping in to hear baseball (and yes, there will be at least a few) will hear about the other shows and be curious enough to tune in.  (Yes, we know that’s lame, but that’s the thinking).
• If you’re flipping the dial as soon as the baseball starts, there’s no need.  The KPOJ content is still there.  You can stream the audio from their website or from IHeartRadio.
• We’ve been asked if this is part of a larger plan to kill Progressive Talk.  The same thought has crossed our minds, but it’s not part of any plot we’re aware of.  Probably.
• We’ve also been asked if we’re going to do anything about the change; pulling our ads or putting together a protest of some kind.  Sorry, but no.  We’re supporters of KPOJ and we’ll stay with them through this mess, and we hope you will too.  They’ll be back to regular programming soon.
• Finally, we’ve been asked if there’s anything the listeners can do.  Sorry, but the answer there is “no” as well.  The decision’s already been made, and they’re locked into it.
• On the other hand, a call to the station to voice your opinion wouldn’t hurt and may make them think harder about doing junk like this in the future.  You can reach out and touch KPOJ’s Main Switchboard at 503-323-6400, toll free at 866-452-0620, or local at 503-248-0620.  If you want to send them snailmail, the address is KPOJ Radio, 4949 SW Macadam Ave, Portland, OR 97239.  If you’d like to email KPOJ, just click here.  If you’d rather try ClearChannel instead, their phone is 210-822-2828 and their address is Clear Channel Corporate, 200 East Basse Road, San Antonio, TX, 78209.

So that’s the deal.  If you want to make plans around the games we’ve posted the Beaver’s schedule below, along with a press release giving the facts of the whole deal.  Play Ball!

OSU Baseball on 620KPOJ- Upcoming Games

OREGON STATE ATHLETICS ANNOUNCES CLEAR CHANNEL’S KEX, KPOJ AS RADIO FLAGSHIP FOR NEXT FIVE YEARS
A Decades-Old Relationship Now Renewed Through 2017

CORVALLIS, Ore. (Feb. 2, 2012) – Beaver Sports Properties, a property of Learfield Sports and exclusive multimedia rights holder for Oregon State University Athletics, announced today a five-year, flagship radio agreement with Clear Channel Radio in Portland. Effective with the 2012-’13 athletic season, Clear Channel’s KEX 1190 AM, KEX 102.3 FM and KPOJ 620 AM will carry all game action and related programming for the Beavers through the 2017 athletic season.

“We are excited to return to our longtime radio partner KEX and the Clear Channel Radio and Entertainment team,” said OSU Director of Athletics Bob De Carolis. “KEX gives “Beaver Nation” optimal coverage of OSU athletic events not only in the Portland Metropolitan area, but also much of the West Coast. I look forward to another long run with one of the premier radio stations in the nation. I also want to thank Pamplin Broadcasting for its efforts in promoting Beaver Athletics for the past five years and its commitment to Oregon State University.”

Terms of the agreement call for KEX AM/FM stations to air football game-day broadcasts, including all regular and post-season games and pre- and post-game programming. Additionally, the KEX stations will carry all men’s basketball game-day broadcasts, inclusive of regular season and post-season play and pre- and post-game programming. KPOJ may air certain non-conference men’s basketball games as mutually agreed upon by the network and station. Beginning this spring, the 2012 Beaver baseball games will air exclusively on KPOJ to include all regular season and post-season play, as well as all pre- and post-game programming.

Other flagship highlights include airing the weekly, one-hour coaches’ shows entitled Beaver Sports Talk on both KEX AM/FM stations during football, basketball and baseball seasons, and airing a daily, two-minute OSU Sports Today show, hosted by Mike Parker, on all three stations (KEX AM/FM, KPOJ).

“We’re pleased to renew our partnership with the Beavers and look forward to providing our listeners with exciting OSU athletics for the next five years,” said Clear Channel Radio’s Vice President, Market Manager Robert Dove.

“We feel confident the new Clear Channel relationship will ensure a greater reach and broader exposure for Beaver sports, while we certainly want to recognize KPAM for the excellent coverage they provided us the last five years,” said Steve Sullivan, general manager for Beaver Sports Properties. “We continually look at ways we can enhance the radio broadcast experience for fans and know we have a quality programming partner in the three Clear Channel stations.”

In addition to OSU, Learfield Sports manages multimedia rights and sponsorship for more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations and titles the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup. The company also provides exclusive sports programming to more than 1,000 radio stations throughout the country. For additional corporate information and a complete collegiate portfolio, visit learfieldsports.com.