BY JEFF BACON
When Rich Broadcasting acquired three radio stations in the Wood River Valley, they knew they had added a rich history of radio to their group of stations located in Idaho and Jackson Hole, Wyo.
“We were really excited to be a part of the radio story in the Wood River Valley,” said Delyn Hendricks, market manager for Rich Broadcasting, headquartered in Idaho Falls. “KECH and KSKI have been Valley staples for so many years and the addition of STAR 107 has given us a well-rounded offering for the musical tastes in the Valley.
“I like that we’re so much a part of the interconnected Valley,” notes continuity director Charissa Lang. “There is so much information about all that happens every day in our community and we get to be the source that gets that information out to our listeners.”
And it’s a big job. In addition to managing three separate music formats, the Rich Broadcasting team also manages social media channels for each station, produces ads for each and has local daily features, like KSKI’s Free Music Friday or Daily Trivia on KECH.
For KECH morning guy Doug Donoho, the day starts early.
“We normally get into the stations about 5 a.m. to begin prepping the show for the day,” Doug notes. “With so much happening, once the 6 a.m. hour starts it’s important to know what your show highlights are going to be before we start.”
Jamie Canfield, KSKI’s morning guy, mimics Doug’s thoughts.
“It’s a good thing that Doug and I work so well together,” Jamie adds. “It’s not just that we spend a lot of time across the hall from each other; we start every weekday at a time of day that the body thinks it should be asleep. Don’t believe it – it’s not easy to get up at 4:30 every morning. Your body never does get used to it.”
Any big changes coming for the Rich Broadcasting team in the near future?
“We’re excited about the new signs that are going on the outside of the building,” adds Charissa. “These stations have been above the Hailey Hotel for years and unless you’ve won a prize or maybe came in to record an ad or give an interview, you’d never know we’re here. The stations’ logos on the building will really look great.”
On Thursday, May 19, Rich Broadcasting will be hosting this month’s Chamber Business After Hours in association with The Weekly Sun. The event, to be held at the Hailey Hotel at Croy and Main Street in Hailey, is being promoted as a media party and will begin at 5 p.m. Local restaurants will be serving small bites and the Hailey Hotel will be sampling wines and beers. Chamber members are encouraged to attend and bring a guest to introduce them to this great monthly networking opportunity.
Jeff Bacon is the Hailey Chamber of Commerce’s membership director. For more information, visit haileyidaho.com or call the Chamber at 208.788.3484.
