NorthEast Radio Watch 2/26/2024: KDKA’s “Next” Overnight Idea

In this week’s issue… KDKA goes young, local in overnights – Giovanni to end long PRO-FM run – “Broadway” exits Y108 – More LPFM grants – Remembering PA’s Lerner

By SCOTT FYBUSH

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*It’s prompted no shortage of cynicism on the usual message boards, but what’s happening late at night on Audacy’s KDKA (1020/100.1) in Pittsburgh looks pretty exciting from where we sit.

Maybe you’ve heard: as of this past week, instead of “Red Eye Radio,” KDKA listeners are hearing a new show from 1-5 AM called “KDKA Next Take.” It’s hosted not by experienced veterans, but by three students from the broadcasting program at the University of Pittsburgh, Margaux Rentzel, Jaime Ely and Ryan Tarabokia, with Pitt student Dylan Foster producing.

“It’s the right time and the right place with the right people. This show will bring a fresh look at local news from the perspective of the next generation, which is so crucial in 2024 and beyond,” said Audacy Pittsburgh VP/market manager Michael Spacciapolli, who says he’s been working on the project for a while now along with the cluster’s marketing director, Amy Mauk, who’s the executive producer of the new show.

By itself, will a few hours overnight on a century-old AM station bring a new generation into the habit of late-night radio listening? No, of course not – but it’s exactly because the risks are so low these days that a show like this becomes possible on a signal as big as KDKA’s. And yes, it’s something your editor would have sold several body parts to be able to have done in college 30-some years ago – but back then, live overnight talk was still a reality at lots of big radio stations.

Yes, it’s probably being done in part because it’s inexpensive, though syndication is still cheaper, and no, it’s not live all night – these kids are still in college, after all. At a time when radio is desperate for both new talent and new audiences, though, every sign of new ideas is a welcome one, which is why we’ll be listening closely, and hopefully we’ll have more to tell you about “Next Take” as the experiment progresses.

(And we send our very best wishes to KDKA morning host Marty Griffin, who’s out for an extended period as he recovers from hospitalization for throat pain and pneumonia, all on the heels of his previous throat cancer diagnosis.)