Talk Radio Station to Switch to Oldies

Once the west county’s primary source for breaking news, KVEN-AM (1450) announced Friday it will switch to a musical format, playing hits of the ‘50s and ‘60s as “The Boomer.”

The programming change, which comes with a new logo and motto, “The Heart and Soul of Rock ‘n’ Roll”--comes almost two years after the station’s previous morning drive time hosts, Dave Ciniero and Bob Adams, and much of its news staff, bolted for rival talk radio station KVTA-AM (1520).

KVEN officials say they will continue to offer a local news report, a morning show and baseball and football programming. But nationally syndicated talk show programming will be replaced with oldies music by such performers as the Beach Boys, Ricky Nelson and Sam Cooke.

The station cut two positions from its news staff three months ago, but said the cut won’t affect its hourly news coverage.

Station officials pointed to the difficulty of competing for crucial advertising dollars against Los Angeles talk stations as the reason for the switch and said AM radio offers a good niche for music.

General Manager Miles Sexton said the station’s ratings, which typically are near the bottom for Ventura County radio stations, are dwarfed by successful talk radio stations in Los Angeles.

“Is Ventura County big enough for two news and talk stations?I’m not sure it’s big enough for one,” Sexton said. “We’ll have an emphasis on entertainment and fun.”

Part of the inspiration for the change comes from the morning show host of slightly more than a year, Lee Marshall, a longtime deejay and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Marshall will help program the new format, officials said.

The changeover occurs Monday at noon.