KLOL’s format change was front page news today.
In a clear signal of the growing media clout of Houston-area Hispanics, radio behemoth Clear Channel Communications has yanked legendary rock station KLOL-FM (101.1) off the air and replaced it with a format that radio insiders call “Spanglish Top 40.”
The switch took place Friday morning when the new station — now called Mega 101 FM (with the tag line “Latino and Proud”) — began playing 10,101 songs in a row.
The new format is a mixture of Spanish hip-hop, reggaeton and pop/dance music aimed at listeners between 18 and 34 years old. Music in Spanish by artists ranging from the rapper Pitbull to pop star Shakira will be accompanied by DJs using a combination of English and Spanish.
Clear Channel officials said Houston is the first city in the nation to get the new format.
With the format change, the station is targeting young second- and third-generation Latinos, said Adam Jacobson, editor of industry trade publication Radio and Records.
“There are many Hispanics in the United States who grew up speaking English but are very proud to be called Latino,” Jacobson said. “That’s what Clear Channel wants to go after.”
But he cautioned it would take time for the new format to take hold.
With the format change, Houston now has 16 stations that appeal to a Spanish-speaking audience.
I suppose with so many Latino-oriented stations, this move may cause one of the lower-rated ones to switch formats in order to fill in the niche that KLOL has left open. Maybe. I hope.
Clear Channel’s pitch for Spanish-speaking listeners is the latest sign that large corporations are recognizing the importance of the growing Hispanic market.
Such heavyweights as NBC and Viacom are among the media giants that have bought communications companies that appeal to a predominantly Hispanic audience. Univision Communications, the largest U.S. Spanish-language television and radio broadcaster, already owns 68 radio stations, including eight in Houston.
“Corporate America and the boardroom are staring to realize, ‘Wow, we’re really behind the curve. We’ve got to catch up,’ ” said Alex Lopez Negrete, president of Lopez Negrete, a Houston-based advertising agency.
Even so, Negrete is saddened by the loss of KLOL.
“On a personal basis, I am every bit a rocker as I am a salsero. Will I miss KLOL that I’ve listened to for 34 years? Absolutely.
“Will I switch to Mega? They’ll have to convince me like they have to convince the rest of the market, because we have our favorites.”
Somehow, I think Mega will succeed just fine. I’ve no doubt a lot of market research and focus-group testing went into this format, and I’m sure it will have a broad appeal. It’s just a question of how long it takes to build its audience.
Clear Channel will be boycotted by me and everyone I know and everyone they know and everyone they know and everyone they know and… well I think you get the idea. To hell with Clear Channel and the Tejano Turd it rode in on!!!
You know why they did the removed Rock 101, instead of the other stations?
– We have an enormous market for Hispanics here in Houston. That whole border control issue.
– Rock 101, was been overtaken by 94.5 and 93.7. Maybe not in listeners, but in the music. I suspect you’ll see a change in both 94.5 and 93.7 to had some older/newer (respectively) to their playlists. The line defining Rock 101’s music had been blurred by those other two stations.
That said, screw Clear Channel, I want the Radio Gawds back!
Are you all really so racist? And if so, are you proud of it? I am of Mexican origin, but I an American. My father and all of my uncles have served ALL Americans in the armed services for decades. You folks are really being insulting. You should apologize and just be upset with Clear Channel for making a poor business decision. Not all Hispanics are illegal aliens, fat mommas, smelly, or whatever else perjorative you folks want to throw on this blog. I am so disappointed in you all.
I’ve signed all the petitions I could find. Friday night I felt like some had died. It was like finding out your girlfriend is fucking your best friend. I was pissed and hurt by it. I’ve called the jocks, won money and tickets from the show, listened to Manditory Metallica, and for what? For Clear Channel to tell me I need to eat more Tacos? Fuck that.
I’m a metalhead. Headbanger. Thrasher. Call me what you will, and though Rock101 went to shit AFTER CC bought it, it was still THE rock station. The Buzz gets more rating due to the fact that they play more stupid “mallcore” bullshit. Take Good Charlotte and shove it up your ass. I want my Rock101 back.
to whomever the bonehead is that tried to make this a “republican/democrat” thing above… your stupidity is showing. clear channel is heavily republican. do you not remember the stern controversy? do you not remember how much pull the fcc and washington had on clear channel to make immediate actions by killing off one of their top personalities (personally… i dont understand him. hes a waste). but the implication that this had something to do with political party lines is assinine.
i liked walton and johnson too… but i sometimes felt like i was listening to a rush limbaugh show, and not a rock morning show. sorry… but if i want politics, i’ll get it from someone who knows what the hell they are talking about.
i’m sorry to those that may not have been outside of houston and listened to radio… but klol 101.1 was a far cry from a “rock station”. it catered to a minority here in town. i would have liked to see it add to its format though… expand rather than be handed over to another genre all together. when i think “rock”… of course bands like metallica, ozzy, sabbath, etc come to mind. but also bands like tool, pantera, korn, zombie, and the list goes on. klol lacked heavily with that group of listeners, and apparently, this is the only city in the state that was like this. even smaller towns… austin, san antonio, etc… all had decent well rounded rock stations. why couldnt houston?
sad to see it go… but looking back, i cant say that i blame clear channel.
There is a lot happening over at http://www.bringbackklol.com!
Please go visit and help bring back KLOL.
I gave up listening to Rock & Roll on the radio since my hearing started failing me…it became on huge unharmonic buzz anyway…LOL
There should be no surprise in the way that CC swapped stations because they have done it before in this very same way…no notice, no explanation, no nothing.
Back in the spring of 2001 they fired Jon Matthews, Edd Hendee, and Mike Richards. Back then Dan Patrick was still within the “no compete” clause of his contract with CC inc so there was little that could be done. I didnt listen to radio on the weekends, but I woke that Monday morning at 5 am to catch the Jon Matthews show and some wacky liberal feminist was on the radio. Turned it off and tried again the next day…same tramp?!?! Called the station, no answer. Sent email…no answer. I was crushed just like you all were. Flipped over to 700 AM on a lark Wednesday afternoon and found Jon, Mike, and Edd.
So this is modus operandi for them.
CC inc simply didn’t like the older demographic that then “Supertalk” 950 AM targeted. Which I really couldnt understand since most “older” people have more disposable income. I am sure that politics had little to do with the situation since they replaced the “stoggy” old conservatives with the “younger and hipper” conservatives…?!?!? Splain that one to me please?
The fact is they wanted a peice of the “Hispandex” (dont hollar at me…email beavis and butthead….LOL) market. That and they wanted a younger target audience.
I am on the outside of their target demographic and I assume most of the listeners of KLOL are as well especially those of us that started listening from the beginning.
Its just business…nothing more and nothing less.
Regards,
Ronnie G.
i hope all the fu**ing mexicans die, bastards are taking all of our radio stations. if they take the buzz ill bomb thier station i promise.
all beeners must die
BRING BACK KLOL, MEXICANS HAVE ENOUGH DAMN STATIONS. YOU ALL SHOULD BE SHOT IN THE FACE.
KLOL is GONE!! Signing the petition may make you feel better, but it’s going to do absolutely nothing in getting KLOL back on the air. Sorry, but you guys just need to move on. . . you can talk about doing this and that till you’re blue (or red) in the face. . well, I’m here to tell you right now that you will NOT succeed in getting KLOL back on the air. . . . give up and stop being a F—ing baby about it! It’a just a damn radio station people!!!!!
“i hope all the fu**ing mexicans die, bastards are taking all of our radio stations. if they take the buzz ill bomb thier station i promise.
Posted by: Tyler on November 16, 2004 11:18 AM ”
wow…. you must be the smartest guy int he special education class at your local elementary school. do mommy and daddy know you are using the computer?
as mr reality stated…. get over it. move on. nothing to see here. for some of you, it sucks, for some it doesnt. fact is, those of you that are pissed off about it, are now in the small minority, and the majority (in this case, spanish radio) won. get used to it. take it up the ass, and move on. clear channel is not a public organization, and therefore no matter how many petitions you sign, or congressmen you write, nothing can or will be done about it.
Well, I was little dissapointed because I love Rock, but I also love Salsa,Merenge,Reggetton Ect.. then I read every single one of this comments and it just make me sick how people get confuse with the word MEXICAN, SPANISH, HISPANIC, do they really know what that means??? 2. If they change the station or it was sold maybe because it didnt have that much of ratings. And I dont mean to be racist, and this radio station is own probably by an American not for a MEXICAN, HISPANIC OR SPANISH, please get a dicctionary to find what this words mean.
Thanks;
Nancy Huerta
Clear Channel is LOCO!!!!
http://www.petitiononline.com
[Offensive comment deleted. — CK]
I’ve listened to 101 ever since I was a kid. I was shocked also. I’m kinda glad and kinda sad. I used to like Ozzy, ZZ Top, Led Zepplin! They played the shit out of them, that I don’t even like those bands anymore. I still love Ozzy but just tired of hearing him every five minutes.
I am so upset. Every morning i wake up and go to my school. Ever since I could not listen to my morning rock on klol i have had bad days. Now i have to listen to gay ass shit spanish bullshit on 101.1. Then at 4:20 i cant smoke and be happy because I can not listen to Outlaw Dave. I think we should protest this bullshit. I want my Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, and JIMMY HENDRIX
I have listened to 101 KLOL since the 70’s. As Americans our rights are slowly being taken from us. CC, I don’t listen to any of your other stations, the formats suck.
I don’t know what demographics you are going by, but no one asked me what station I listen to..
Houston its time for us to take a stand, perhaps it is time to pool our resources and see what we can do to create the new rock 101 KLOL, that walton and johson/stevens and Pruiet and out law dave would be proud to be a part of… think about it money talks BS walks… INSTEAD OF WHINNING HOUSTON PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS.
You know it’s sad that now there is no station in Houston for the people who want to hear just good hard rock.Thank you clear channel for forgetting about the and not caring for US the white male(and females) who likes rock.Maybe you can change the rest of your stations to mexican or cuban or someother spanish format.You know Sanna Anta was right when he said he would take back Texas without ever firing a shot.Guess not we Texas haft to learn spanish
I could see this coming a mile away…
After spending 6 years away from Houston, leaving during the kickass times of Stevens & Prewitt, and coming back to what KLOL became, who couldnt see the demise of this station down the road?
Their format-, became more “Classic Rock” which played nothing more than a few oddball tracks thrown into the constant stream of Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top. Granted, nothing is wrong with those bands, but playing nothig but them gets a lil old.
Their morning show-, good Lord who let these guys on the air. I would expect this garbage from a new station, but an icon like KLOL? Cmon now! This morning show made me puke from the day I was able to pickup Houston radio stations again. Want an example of a real morning show? Check out KML on 97.9 Baltimore. The W&J second rate voice impressions sounded like something out of a third grade school play. And you have to actually act suprised they are gone?
Hopefully, Wendy and Outlaw make it over to the Buzz, so we can still hear them. They are about the only thing worth hearing from KLOL.
It was sad to see KLOL go, but it was expected…
Muy Bien!
Translation:Good job!
This new station is a way for us latinos to express our pride, I enjoyed a great deal of songs I heard on Mega 101. Why lie KLOL was here a good long time, sooner or later its thrown was going to be taken. Now it is our turn to rule the station and make music for the future latino children…
Too bad (10 percenters) white people. If you don’t like it move to montana or north dakota. Houston has a lot of spanish speaking people. Clear channel is just changing to reflect the changing demographics of the city. This latino population of this city will contiue to grow. There is nothing that can be done. Stop whining and if you can’t beat them join them.
Now joo see amigos, das a good ting dat Clear Shannel done mayn. Joo people dunno what it’s like here in da United States of da America. You dona like dese chitty jobs dat we do. No one wanna to do dem, sept me and Paco, Rodrigo, Jose, and da ress of me es’es. Well mayn, times change here in dis part of da America, we breed lika da cocka roach mayn, wesa everywhere. An since wesa everywhere.. me amigos at da Clear Shannel no dis. Theysa shange tings to what wesa lissen to, since we da mashority now.
Joo wanna get rid us? Den joo gotta offa joo dirty ass and do da chitty work den mayn. Den we no hava jobs. Cause we dumb asses mayn, we cant do u nuting else mayne.
So adios! Viva los beaners!
stop bitching like babies and go buy their Cd’s and listen to in you cars if you enjoy their music so much. All you punk bithches need to grow up and stop crying over a punk ass station. How about yall turn to Quanell X for help. It seems to help for the others that cry and bitch.
The fucking rednecks are now crying over some lame ass shit. Don’t be mad at us mexicans for this shit. Be mad at your own fucking people who put all of you all in the BACK OF THE BUS! Roles are switched now, right GRINGOS. Just go with the flow that’s what we did. Better yet just join the Brown people and you all will be alright, but first ya’ll got to stop bitching over this.we can’t stand those who bitch and complain over bullshit.
Look up the books fellas. The United States is the only country in the world with NO OFFICIAL LANGUAGE in the books. Its not the FCC or the Democrats, Im a Republican myself, and I’ll say it, THEY DID IT FOR THE MONEY. KLOL’s rock format was a money losing endeavor at this point. Don’t worry, its all a publicity stunt. KLOL will come back on the dial, probably on 93.3. So stop bitching you ignorant bastards….
alright lets get things straight Hispanics are not a minority anymore, lets be real all the ones that can swim run and jump are already over hear, there was no reason to change a part of Houston and its culture to appeal to Spanish people in Texas, you could have made your own station, instead you continue to run the white culture further and further out of Houston, I mean be real it was here a hell of a lot longer than CC and you have no right to take it away from the listeners, honestly I as an American and as a resident of Houston since birth am very offended that you would take something away from rock music to replace it with Hispanic, remember that there are still a few rockers out there I have no problem living in a multi cultural Houston but damn share the stations, we have no other rock station except fro Buzz and god love them for being there. Anyway who listens to the Hispanic top 40, I am not racist normally but when you take something away that has been there for so long you should be ashamed and may god forgive you!!!!!!! I hope your station chokes and you have to get down on your knees and beg Walt and Johnson back … in closing to the Guys of KLOL it was a good time and I hope to hear you on other stations soon, God Bless you!!!! ROCK ON!! One more thing to the Hispanics of Houston learn to speak English damn it its AMERICA not Mexico….
This really sucks !!!!!!!!i was a die hard KLOL listner and im pissed!!!f— clear channel!
No seas estupido idoita, Texas use to be Mexico.
Gringos got greedy, started to take over so now pay back is bitch isn’t it.
This ain’t about white people, hispanic people, or any people. It’s about the money!!! These bastards are just greedy slobs who follow the money, and they figure that this new format will make them more than Rock 101 did.
You wanna bring back KLOL? Outlaw Dave? Wendy, W&J, and even Locke? You gotta show them a way to make some money.
It’s the money stupid.
robert is smart. jose is smart too. all these punks who this the hispanics did it, well listen up. the CEO and the board of directors for clear channel ARE ALL WHITE. now dont get me wrong, i like the rock and roll, but, dont go blaming hispanics for the format switch. blame the programming director, the marketing director, their assistants, and the fans who listened to the station but did not support its events. dont blame the hispanics. think about it, did the hispanics go try to get KLOL off the air so it could be replaced? No. They did not. So once again, do not blame Hispanics. THIS IS PURE BUSINESS. ONCE AGAIN, CLEAR CHANNEL FLEXES ITS MONEY MAKING MUSCLES. As a musician in the local music scene, I can tell you that lots of people in the business knows that Clear Channel only cares about one color: GREEN (as in dollars). So leave the Hispanis alone. It’s not their fault. KLOL, as long of a history as it might of had, was not doing its job for Clear Channel and got cut. Sad, but true.
*think
I was here when Z-Rock went off air. Now this. Can it get any worse? As for all you racists out there. GET IT THROUGH YOUR UNEDUCATED,IGNORANT HEADS! HISPANICS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CHANGE. MOST OF US ARE JUST AS PISSED ABOUT IT AS THE REST. LONG LIVE ROCK 101
For all you LATINOS out there offending everyone else…
I AM HISPANIC/WHITE,CAN YOU PLEASE STOP POSTING STUPID,INSULTING COMMENTS. YOU LOOK LIKE IDIOTS, ANGRY AT THE MAN, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN NOT SPELL. YOU MAKE THE REST OF US LOOK BAD. THE USE OF PROFANITY IN WRITING DOES NOT GET YOUR POINT ACROSS, IT ONLY SHOWS THAT YOU NEED TO PICK UP A BOOK. MOST OF US LATINOS ARE EDUCATED, SECOND GENERATION AMERICANS, SO LIKE ROBRT SAYS, “ITS ABOUT THE MONEY” NOT THE RACES.
What is the deal with all you …. that are so f… mad about the change. Who said anything when the US took most of the south-western states from Mexico.
Yes, you are so right nothing was said back then. So stop the b>>>> and move on, because we will continue to take over, we don’t care if you w….. like it or not.
[Racist comment deleted — ck]
damn… i remember Zrock. hell, i hope we get another station like that one!
Latin culture has been allowed to destroy what little culture Americans in this area had. I can’t talk to people in the Neighborhood that I grew up in. I can’t read the signs. The red white and blue is now read white and green. Burgers, hotdogs, and apple pies are now tacos, enchiladas, and tres letches. The baseball field is now a soccer field. Now one of the Countries best representatives of American culture (KLOL) is gone and replaced by a format that is suited for a boarder town.
oh no! we’re taking over!!! hahahaha… chill out, it ain’t that bad. 🙂
XM Satellite radio guys. I just got it because of the switch Clear Channel made. It’s worth the $9.99 a month. Clear Channel can go to hell.
rock 101.1 was kool… very repetitive but kool i guess
BAN CLEARCHANNEL!!!! BAN 94.5 AND THE ARROW, LET THEM KNOW THAT WE DON’T WANT THEIR ASSES.
Time to bring KLOL back or we can all get together and never listen or watch anything Clear Channel Broadcasting has to say or broadcast including THE BUZZ. I have been listening since before LOL had a liscense, Under Ground Radio. Back in the Crash days.
they better fuckn bring it back
I listened to 101 from the begining and now you take it away after all this time and tell us to listen to the other channes THEY are CRAP and can never replace 101 in my eyes!! Bring back 101 Rock!!!
Love Sex and rock N Roll
not love Sex and CC
im listioning to this taco bender b.s from upstairs who ever did this b.s will be haunted by me and my buddies and u will go to hell p.s that was the big mans fav station
im listioning to this taco bender b.s from upstairs who ever did this b.s will be haunted by me and my buddies and u will go to hell p.s that was the big mans fav station
this taco bender b.s has to stop. think about the soldiers that come back to houston and they turn this crap on im sure they will want to go find the osama of cc and blow his f***ing face off.
I like most all hispanics that I know, and have the upmost respect for them. I believe in my heart that they should learn to speak english and are as American as the rest of us. But DAMN give back the Radio station, you already control most of the dial. Clear Channel can go strait to hell! Iwonder if their Corporation could be considered a monopoly? If so maybe they should suffer the same fate as SWBT-AT&T.