Is it possible that after nearly a quarter century at the helm of the state's most powerful radio station KKOB-AM morning radio host Larry Ahrens is headed towards the exits? Yes, it's possible. Contract talks between Ahrens and Citadel Broadcasting, owner of 770 KKOB and half a dozen other radio stations in the ABQ market, are at a standstill and Ahrens tells me he was approached by and has had "introductory talks" with KRQE-TV about a possible, but as of yet undefined role.

"There is nothing firm, and I hope I can come to an agreement with Citadel. I would like to think that after all these years we both realize we need each other, but I am keeping my options open," said Ahrens who took over the morning job when Jimmy Carter was president and has held it ever since.

Not surprisingly, money is the issue that is keeping the two sides apart. "They made me an offer and I made one. I have not heard a response," Ahrens told me. He said he is in the third year of a three year contract. "But this third year is an option year. That means either side can call it quits. My contract ends at the end of the year. I have never worked an option year before. My contract was always renewed before the third year kicked in," said the affable Ahrens who briefly sought the 2002 GOP gubernatorial nomination.

But this is business and with all the major stations in ABQ owned by giant out-of-state corporations the bottom-line rules. A radio industry veteran told me: "Larry has delivered the bacon for many years and gets top ratings, but there is grumbling about the age of his audience. Advertisers are obsessed with the 25-54 year olds, and if you tilt older, as Larry's audience does, they freak out."


Radio veteran Milt McConnell, VP of Citadel, took over a couple of years ago and this is the first time he has negotiated Ahrens's contract. "It is unusual for Larry not to be renewed at this point in his contract, but radio advertising revenue nationally is flat and owners are under the gun to cut expenses and raise revenues. Larry is highly-paid and his salary may be sticking out at them like a sore thumb," speculated our radio insider who has both national and local ties.

Ahrens' morning show is a "must stop" in the political business. Every local and national politician of note has appeared on the 50,000 watt radio giant. But with a flat economic environment and a youth obsessed media culture, even figures of Ahrens' stature, who have dedicated their careers to NM, are not immune to the harsh reality of the accountants ledger. The stand-off over his contract seems to be a case in point.

TV LAND

Over in NM TV land, the ratings pressures never go away. In May, the second most important of the four yearly ratings "sweeps," the talk has centered on KOAT's slip into third place in the 10 p.m. news ratings in the latest book, after holding the number one slot since the 1970's.

Our TV insider also tells me that Nelson Martinez, launched with heavy publicity at KOB when he took over anchoring chores on the noon and five p.m. news, suffered a ratings decline in May, after a big ratings pop in February. That raises concerns among the TV watchers about his long-term appeal, but he is a beloved figure in NM and no one would bet the ranch agianst him. KOB again won the big 10 p.m. news prize and is only only a tenth of a point behind KOAT at six. KRQE-TV remains in second place at 10, after years of languishing in the cellar.

Regardless of ratings, you politicos with your your thousands of advertising dollars will make this election year sweet for the owners of all big three network affiliates here.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2004
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