Local radio stations move to Burbank

Jackson Bell

The reputed media capital of the world is furthering that

reputation with the announcement that eight radio stations will set

up shop in the city.

An agreement between Clear Channel Communications, Inc. and M.

David Paul Associates will move the former’s eight Los Angeles-area

radio stations into the Pinnacle building, in the heart of Burbank’s

Media District.

The stations, including Burbank’s KIIS-FM (102.7), KYSR-FM (98.7)

and KHHT-FM (92.3), which are already at 3400 W. Riverside Drive,

will move into the state-of-the-art building at 3400 Olive Ave.

during the next year and a half.

“It will be a lot easier for cooperation when all the stations are

in the same location,” said Charlie Rahilly, who heads California

radio operations for Clear Channel. “And we think the Media District

is a great place to be.”

The consolidation has an estimated worth of $2 billion, and San

Antonio-based Clear Channel is leasing the 95,000-square-foot office

space for $45 million throughout its 12-year duration. More than 400

employees will be relocated.

KOST-FM (103.5) and KBIG-FM (104.3) will join the three Burbank

stations in moving in to the new headquarters. The three AM stations

are KFI-AM (640), KXTA-AM (1150) and KLAC-AM (570). Rahilly said each

will be equipped with its own broadcasting facilities and studios for

production, commercial and other uses.

“It’s a relatively smart building fit for our technological needs

with such [amenities] as high-speed Internet access,” he said. “Its

also adjacent to such places as ABC and NBC and is convenient for our

workforce to get anywhere in the city easily.”

City officials in Glendale, however, are viewing Burbank’s gain as

their loss.

“We’re always disappointed when anyone leaves,” said Jeanne

Armstrong, the director of Glendale’s Development Services. “The city

prides itself on having a mix of businesses downtown that gives it a

good balance, and the fact that we had radio stations added to that

diversity.”

Location is what ultimately led Clear Channel to choose Burbank,

with its proximity to other important media hubs such as film

studios. But Rahilly said the move won’t act as a catalyst for any

new business strategies -- it will just allow the stations to operate

more efficiently.