Tuesday, July 29, 2008 by SDRadio.

KOGO covers the county with reports from all corners

As the ground shook this morning at 11:42 a.m., a majority of San Diegans tuned to AM 600. I know this first hand as the tech buildings near Old Town emptied out and portable radios had KOGO tuned in. For that time, San Diego’s station of choice was KOGO.

During the initial reports and the followup, the news crew had a calming effect, ear-witnessed from my vantage point. The entire team assured the listening audience that their city was safe, and quickly pointed out the epi-center was near Los Angles.

Program Director Cliff Albert writes, “Even though there was no major damage, almost everyone felt it..and were talking about it…and when it hits, we don’t know for a while if
it’s going to be lots of damage until reports come in and are checked out during that first hour or two.”

KOGO reporter Phil Farrar checks in. Phil writes, “I don’t want to say our newsroom lives for all of these tragic or possible life threatening stories…but I have never worked with a group of people so dedicated to communicating the latest information to our listeners and the public.”

During the earthquake and seconds after, Phil says the Clear Channel building is “Controlled chaos.” Like clockwork, the news gathering begins.

Phil adds, “Everybody is so cool—there is so much information coming in—and crazy at the same time. But we get it on the air and it sounds really good. I’m so glad to be a part of the KOGO news team.”

Again, the news team did a yeoman’s job today as the calming effect that our city and county was safe and it was apparent in the reports that filled the early afternoon.

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Tuesday, July 29, 2008 by SDRadio.

The U.S. companies combine forces

SIRIUS Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio today announced that they have completed their merger, resulting in one of the nation’s largest radio companies. The new company plans to change its corporate name to Sirius XM Radio Inc. The combined company’s stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SIRI”.

SIRIUS XM Radio begins day one with over 18.5 million subscribers, making it the second-largest radio company, based upon revenue, in the country; and, based upon subscribers, the second largest subscription media business in the U.S. With under 10-percent penetration of the home and car market, the opportunity for continued growth is significant.

The Canada radio groups are discussing the merger.

Stay Tuned

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