From Kathy Gronau in L.A…
KCSN Adjusts Format. “In an effort to bring greater consistency and a higher profile to our Arts and Roots programming format, KCSN has made the decision that its weekday evening programming, effective immediately, now will feature the acoustic music of poets and social commentators spanning the late 20th Century into the present,” emailed Fred Johnson, general manager of California State University, Northridge radio station.
“Our evening programming of Adult Acoustic Alternative music, sometimes called ‘Triple A,’ will parallel our current weekend programming. This new and exciting programming block can be heard starting at 1830 weeknights. Students from the University’s nationally-known Music Industry Studies Program will assist in identifying new artists that can be showcased to our Los Angeles audience. We will continue to play Classical music from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a half-hour of student-produced news. KCSN remains the only station in Los Angeles to feature such an innovative format,” concluded Johnson.
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I can’t quite make heads or tails of this.
the acoustic music of poets and social commentators spanning the late 20th Century into the present
So non-poets and non-social commentators aren’t allowed? I doubt that to be the case, but if it’s true, that’s a mighty narrow format. Triple A can be much broader and even include non-acoustic music (these days most people interpret the Triple A moniker as Adult Album Alternative, not Acoustic Alternative).
1830
Are we in the military now?
Does anyone know what the new Triple A block has replaced?
Kudos to KCSN. Is it going to fly? Who knows? But the point is, they are taking a stab at doing something different.
If they have the content to keep it up, then all they need to do is watch and listen for the positive or negative responses from their listeners.
I mean, you know, the whole thing sounds risky. So, everything new is risky. This sounds like it is purposeful and thought out.
I assume there is a web stream, and, if so, I will be a listener.
Best of luck, KCSN.
I don’t know what they were airing before during that time slot, as I said. But this decision does defy the conventional wisdom of streamlining one’s format. They’re essentially opting for two formats on one station — almost like those stations that end up operating under timeshare agreements mandated by the FCC. Which generally makes for problems — because KCSN may end up appealing to two very different audiences with little overlap between the two. I wonder whether they will try to make classical listeners into Triple A fans, and vice versa.
But maybe it’s a better strategy than whatever they were doing before.
Not sure we should be applauding automated programming replacing live, local specialty shows that featured real DJs (as opposed to music being played via computer). Here are some of the shows that were canceled:
“Eyes of the World Radio” — Grateful Dead, etc.
“Galactic Voyager” — synth, electronic music
“Vocal Point” — singing groups
“Down Home” — roots, Cajun, zydeco, etc.
“Two on the Dial” — Broadway
“Madly Cocktail” — pop standards
“Aloha Friday Radio” — Hawaiian
So, here is the latest from New Jersey on KCSN.
I tried to listen last night. I tried all six links, all three players, etc. No connection.
I just tried again now, 11:35AM EDT, no go.
I called the station to see what’s up, and had to leave a message. We’ll see what happens.
>>RSM
O.K., here is the (awful)deal:
KCSN has suspended streaming because of the streaming audio revenue thing. They will not resume, if at all, until the new year.
I use many streamers, from PubRadio to streams at Live365 and Shoutcast. This is the first I have heard of an internet shut down.
Does anyone know where Kat Griffin (Madly Cocktail)is going to land?
Please bring back the hosts that made kcsn so great, not only for the great Arts & Roots music that they played, but also for the Education vaule they offered. As far as the new format I might as well be listening to an Ipod on shuffle play.
I’m so very very disappointed. The opera show, the broadway show – two on the dial, were unique in their approach.
KXLU in the same radio area and KCRW provide similar programming to the evening line-up.
Weren’t the DJ’s volunteers? This is truly sad.
@Jerome: Yes, I think most of the DJs were volunteers.
YAWN.
I miss two on the dial. it’s really the oNLy reason I tuned in. With USC for classical and the NPR stations for news and eclectical music, there is nothing on KCSN that I can’t get somewhere else. Shame on them for getting rid of live people. I can get all that stuff they play now on internet radio in a better format. It’s made me so disappointed, I dont’ even tune in to listen to the kids do the news in the morning any more.