Jim Zippo SMN, Ron Chapman KVIL on NBC Tom Brokaw 1991!

This is an NBC Nightly News TV network story from 1991 about the impact of satellite-fed programming like SMN (Satellite Music Network) on local radio stations. Jim Zippo (Pure Gold format) is featured with others from SMN and local station folks including Ron Chapman (KVIL Dallas), even a glimpse of Jody Dean! This is before SMN became ABC Radio Networks, back in the days of cart machines and network cue tones. Fun stuff!!

[@phillipmorales8886]

I was working at KVNA Radio in Flagstaff,AZ at that time when this story aired, KVNA was part of the Satellite Music Network. The AM side was Pure Gold, while the FM was called "The Heat". Small market to medium stations were not live anymore that's when Satellite got it's start not too long ago. At least KVNA was nice enough to give me a job there, because I always wanted too be a DJ. Today some radio stations are not live anymore just automated!

[@BoorayPerry]

lol.. a couple of years after this aired I was working at KVIL when I heard there was an opening at ABC. I started part-time and ended up doing mornings eventually on Hot AC just down the hall from Zippo. Nice to see those faces again.

[@markg6860]

Zippo now does overnights on KLUV ... but he's voice-tracked. He's also on numerous other stations around the country.

[@paulm.7422]

@@markg6860 Zippo is gone! KLUV now has zombie-caretaker DJs, even on drive-time. Ron Chapman would turn in his grave!

[@sandrad4355]

What happened to Ron Chapman?

[@jcat8403]

He’s retired from radio

[@markg6860]

Ron Chapman retired from KLUV in 2005 and was replaced by Jody Dean ... who is now also gone. The golden days of radio are over, due to the greed of radio management and big corporations buying up all the stations. It's now only about the money; not quality programming. And as there are no training grounds for new, young talent, it will just continue downhill.

[@paulm.7422]

KLUV has now gone virtually "Muzak", even on morning drive. Ron would be shaking his head.

[@themightyx5652]

GREAT AIRCHECK💯💯💯💯💯❤❤❤❤❤

[@markg6860]

I hate to tell you, Ron, but your two former stations KVIL (now renamed) and KLUV are a shadow of their former selves. Even Cresswell, the PD, is doing air shifts and there is no part time talent. Eventually, there will be no DJs, as there are no training grounds for new DJs. But, by that time, everyone will have moved online or simply carry their own music around with them.