5 Austin radio stations team up for anti-bullying campaign

Words can hurt.

That's why Clear Channel's Austin-area radio stations have launched a full-on assault on bullying.

It's been the topic of discussion on each station's morning show and, combined, the five AM and FM frequencies have committed to air more than 3,000 public service announcements featuring students and their parents.

"The reaction has been very positive," said Pam McKay, who oversees Clear Channel's stations in Austin and San Antonio. "We have had some parents admit to their children that they were bullied, and students have admitted that they were bullies."

The idea for the campaign came from a community advisory board the broadcaster assembled about a year ago.

"We developed an initial list that comprised about 72 different issues, most of which pointed back to education," McKay said. "The anti-bullying campaign was largely driven by the overwhelming response from the many local school districts that this was a tremendous problem in elementary, middle and high schools."

Other issues tackled so far include teenage drinking and the need for mentors.

"This really isn't about Clear Channel as much as it is about the community we operate in and how we can make it healthier," McKay said. "As we improve our results from our educational system, we create better students, parents, husbands, wives, CEOs, teachers, doctors, etc. We create a better workforce, better opportunity and better quality of life for the Austin area."

Clear Channel operates 96.7 KISS-FM, 98.1 KVET-FM, KASE 101, 102.3 the Beat and 1300 AM the Zone.

KISS-FM keeps No. 1 spot

No surprise here: 96.7 KHFI-FM is No. 1 in Austin. Again.

Known on-air as KISS-FM, the pop-friendly station has a sizable lead over No. 2 103.5 KBPA-FM. KBPA – or BOB-FM as most of us call it – jumped four spots month to month.

Also leaping four places from August to September was 98.1 KVET-FM.

The news wasn't as upbeat for 95.5 KKMJ-FM, which dropped five spots. Corporate sibling 94.7 KAMX-FM slid, as well, falling out of the Top 10.

Former frontrunner 90.5 KUT-FM slid from ninth to 10th.

Average quarter-hour ratings as of Sept. 14, courtesy of Radio-Info.com (numbers in parentheses indicate rank as of Aug. 17):

1.) 96.7 KHFI-FM (1)

2.) 103.5 KBPA-FM (6)

3.) 100.7 KASE-FM (2)

4.) 590 KLBJ-AM (3)

5.) 102.3 KPEZ-FM (7)

6.) 107.1 KLZT-FM (8)

7.) 98.9 KVET-FM (11)

8.) 93.7 KLBJ-FM (10)

9.) 95.5 KKMJ-FM (4)

10.) 90.5 KUT-FM (9)

KUT brings in $900,000

KUT wrapped up its fall membership drive Oct. 5, bringing in more than $900,000 to help fund the NPR affiliate's operations.

More than 6,000 individuals and businesses made contributions to the station, according to a spokeswoman, and more than 250 people volunteered their time to take phone calls from listeners during the week-long drive.

About 87 percent of KUT's budget comes from community contributions, helping to pay costs associated with the station's news broadcasts and other programming.

Around the dial ...

Spirit 105.9 FM is planning to air around-the-clock "traditional, family friendly" holiday music starting on Thanksgiving and continuing through Christmas. More details to come. ... The annual "Bobby Bones Show" kickball tournament happens Oct. 23 at Richard Moya Park, 10001 Burleson Road. Learn more at 967kissfm.com. ... Follow me on Twitter for updates on local radio and TV stations: @gdinges.

Austin listeners want 'Someone' like Adele

Another week, another win for "Lighters."

Bad Meets Evil has now had No. 1 honors on Austin's most-played list for five consecutive weeks, according to All
Access.com.

"Lighters" was played 193 times on local radio stations Oct. 4-10, down five spins from the previous week.

Keep an eye on Adele's "Someone Like You," which is within striking distance. It was heard 189 times last week.

Moving up the charts: Rihanna's "We Found Love" and "(Expletive) In Paris" from Jay Z and Kanye West.