Radio and Revenue
Regarding the Oct. 29 letters responding to Patrick Goldstein’s Pop Eye column about KROQ-FM’s format modification: None of the letter writers supported KROQ’s change, accusing the management of selling out. But they are forgetting: Commercial radio is there to make money.
If stations could run nothing but ads, most would. KROQ was losing listeners and thus ad revenue. Trip Reeb, the station’s new manager, came from a highly rated modern rocker, 91X in San Diego, and his actions may well save KROQ from being forced to entirely change its format, as happened with KFAC-FM.
As a modern rock music director, I appreciate the need for an outlet for underground/new music--but the place for this is college radio. Stations like ours regularly play bands months or even years before they gain acceptance on commercial radio.
KROQ must appeal to the majority of its listeners, and believe it or not, you alternative types do not make up all that large a demographic group.
Face reality and just be glad KROQ did not decide to go more Top 40.
RAYMOND SO
Music Director
KSCR, USC Student Radio
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