From Sports Business Journal ------------------------------ Galaxy will have weekly show on L.A. radio By LANGDON BROCKINTON Staff writer The Los Angeles Galaxy is teaming with Los Angeles-based KMPC-AM, a property of Sporting News Radio, to create a new weekly soccer-themed radio show. The program, which does not yet have a name, is set to make its debut April 2. It will run Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Pacific time for 33 consecutive weeks. Whit Haskel, the Galaxy's senior director of marketing communications, said the MLS team and KMPC would each control half the show's advertising inventory. The show is part of a larger two-year agreement recently struck between the two parties under which KMPC will broadcast all 30 Galaxy regular-season games this year. That game-broadcast deal kicks off this season. Galaxy-related content will serve as the core of the Wednesday evening program, said John Ryan, vice president and general manager of KMPC. Content will include an analysis of previous and coming Galaxy games, featuring interviews with the team's players and coaches. "Soccer continues to grow in the [Los Angeles] marketplace," Ryan said, accelerated by the accomplishments of the Galaxy, who captured the 2002 MLS championship; the team's new stadium, set to open for its first soccer game June 7; and the success of the U.S. national team at the 2002 World Cup.
Not totally unexpected, but not totally good news either. First, with the Angels moving to ESPN Radio 710, I didn't ever see how there would be air time for GaLAxy, so it was just a question of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Second, KMPC 1540 has what, a night time signal powered by two "D" cell batteries? The signal is not nearly as strong or clear as ESPN Radio 710, and there will be lots of places in the LA basin where you will have trouble picking up the play-by-play broadcasts. Lastly, we have a "mole" in AM 710, or at least a buddy on the inside. Have no reason to think the KMPC 1540 locals have any passion for the LAG. And, as far as I know, no one that participates on BigSoccer. Having said all that, the weekly radio talk show is a step up from the sporadic promo in ESPN. Particularly if it is a Max Bretos vehicle, it could be fun.
I take it from the two 'D' cell batteries reference, I won't be able to pick up the show in San Diego.
Its not a clear channel station (I don't think) and its not a strong signal, so I would be surprised. You might go ahead and try it - stranger things have happened. My guess is you will get mariachi music from stronger adjoining stations on the AM band.
There is a host of a radio show on KMPC that does post quite regularly on BS. I'm 100% certain that they are doing this Wednesday show, but he did tell me some time ago that they were in negotiations with the G's. Not sure why everyone is complaining. Yeah, their signal may not be the best in the world, but we will be getting all the MLS matches and now a midweek show on the station, that's a pretty decent step (or three) in the right direction. Remember when we had to tune to XTRA690 (out of SD) to get our weekly G show on Saturday mornings??
There are a lot of places in LA where the XTRA 690 signal is a heck of a lot stronger than KMPC 1540. Who will be hosting the show and what is his BS handle?
The signal from KMPC doesn't reach OC too well either. Still, this is a step towards the growth of the Galaxy and the sport in general. Let's take what we can.
From my LA days I recall being able to hear this station (the former One on One sports flag, yes?) in the SF Valley, but not in the Inland Empire or even down south of Torrance. For some reason I'm thinking the tower was in Malibu or Palisades Park or something like that. The hosts of that Sunday morning radio show are hosting this. Good idea by the Galaxy.