What should KSL (FM-102.7/AM-1160) do with its AM frequency?

Should it continue to simulcast, or should it spin it off as a separate format? If so, what should that format be?

Clear Channel separated AM-570 from its simulcast of KNRS FM-105.7 (news-talk) last month, deciding that the AM frequency was more valuable on its own. As such, it created KACP, "Freedom 570," a new, conservative talk-radio station.

Citadel Broadcasting, another radio company in Salt Lake City, switched its AM-860 station from oldies music to an all-talk format earlier this month.

It's no secret that more than 80 percent of all radio listeners tune to FM only.

However, in KSL's case, its call letters and frequency are historic.

I don't have a breakdown of how many listeners KSL has on the FM vs. the AM dial, but I would expect it is pretty lopsided to the FM side.

KSL has also been promoting itself as Utah's FM talk station, almost as if the AM frequency is expendable.

KNRS, KACP, KKAT and KLO (AM-1430) already have a wide range of syndicated talk programming.

If KSL kept to mostly news, interspersed with some local talk, like Doug Wright, on the FM frequency and used the AM frequency for mostly syndicated talk, what would the lineup be? The biggest names in radio seem to have already been taken by the other stations.

One downside is that news/talk is still the most expensive format to operate, and in this time of less ad revenue, spinning off of the AM frequency may not be financially feasible for KSL at this time.

Yet, long-term, the duplication of AM-FM is probably excessive repetition.

KKAT-FM RANKED — The S.L. country-music station located at FM-107.5 is rated as the No. 2 most-listened-to country-music station nationally on RadioTime.com, an online radio station listening option.

Only KTHT in Houston has more listeners through the site.

As far as streaming goes, RadioTime offers more than 500 country-music-station options, and so to be No. 2 really does mean a great accomplishment on KKAT's part.

TEN YEARS AGO IN SALT LAKE RADIO — "Voice tracking" — recorded DJs — becomes common on S.L. radio … Marcus leaves the KENZ morning show amid rumors and speculation … KBEE DJs "Simon and Brady" swim seven miles in the Great Salt Lake to raise money for a childhood cancer support group.

e-mail: lynn@desnews.com