KCBS Radio (Major Market)

KCBS Radio (Podcast)

KCBS - Marconi - LegendaryStation

KCBS (Personality Major Market)

Is the key to our broadcast future … in the past?

Perhaps so.

2024 was a year of innovation for KCBS Radio, a venerable all-news powerhouse radio station serving the 9-county San Francisco Bay Area.  The goal was to break new ground, cover new territory, reach new audiences, and explore new business opportunities.

Our path forward was through our past – in San Jose, California – the heart of what today is known as “Silicon Valley.”

It was in San Jose that Charles “Doc” Herrold blazed broadcasting trails – truly, launching radio broadcasting, well over 100 years ago.  “San Jose calling” was broadcast on KQW – now KCBS-AM in San Francisco.

Naturally, KCBS – as it is known today – is proud of its broadcasting roots, back to the Doc Herrold days.  And, KCBS has proudly been operating its current 24/7 live and local all-news format since 1968.

In 2024, it was time to innovate (and expand!).

KCBS forged an innovative relationship with History San Jose – an organization and location with the stated goal:  “We preserve and enrich the cultural heritage of San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley through research, collections, partnerships, educational programs, and events.”

The history of radio broadcasting is very much a part of History San Jose.

With an eye on innovation, KCBS Radio wanted to be a part of History San Jose.

On August 28, 2024, KCBS Radio and History San Jose threw a grand opening celebration at the innovative KCBS Radio South Bay Bureau – established in the historic Pacific Hotel on the grounds of History San Jose.

The celebration was indeed a grand one  San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan was on hand for the ribbon cutting.  One of Doc Herrold’s descendants was in attendance.  Loyal KCBS listeners, San Jose history buffs, community leaders, and KCBS staff past and present were on hand.  And, the KCBS midday and afternoon news anchors broadcast from History San Jose that day.

This innovative partnership serves many valuable purposes:

KCBS traffic anchors now broadcast LIVE from the KCBS South Bay Bureau at History San Jose Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The museum remains open during the KCBS broadcasts – allowing listeners, curious community members, news and radio buffs AND students on school field trips to see live radio broadcasts in person
The KCBS South Bay Bureau provides a great opportunity for KCBS to continue connecting with news makers and business leaders in a conversation-starter of an environment!

We supplemented our broadcast with digital coverage:

https://www.audacy.com/kcbsradio/news/gallery/kcbs-grand-opening-ceremony-for-the-south-bay-bureau

And, lastly, our innovation included education – in the form of companion public affairs programming.  Our weekly “In Depth” public affairs programming after the South Bay Bureau grand opening was focused on our history … in San Jose.

KCBS Radio proudly submits for the judges’ consideration our Excellence in Innovation entry:  “Back to the Future.”


MURROW ENTRY - EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION - BACK TO THE FUTURE

"Axe Throw" by KCBS Radio Reporter Jenna Lane
KCBS Radio entry for Best Sports Feature Story in the 2018 APTRA News Contest.

AP BEST SPORTS FEATURE - AXE THROW

"Axe Throw" by KCBS Reporter Jenna Lane, KCBS Radio entry in the Best Feature Story category of the 2018 APTRA News Contest.

AP  BEST FEATURE AXE THROW

"Axe Throw" by KCBS Reporter Jenna Lane, KCBS Radio entry in the 2018 National Headliner Awards, Feature Story category R03.

HEADLINER - FEATURE STORY AXE THROW

KCBS In Depth: 3 programs, KCBS Radio entry for the 2018 National Headliner Awards, Category R04, Best Documentary or Public Affairs.
1: California Wildfires
2: Campaign 2018
3: Close Call: Paramedics in Paradise

KCBS In Depth

Three lighthearted looks at family life during a pandemic, as KCBS Radio Reporter Doug Sovern brings us some much-needed whimsy in these sound-rich features from the spring of 2020.

KCBS Radio

Popular tracks