Former KRON anchor lands in Portland; Ronn Owens--What's up KGO?; Wednesday media minutiae

Former KRON anchor, Chris Murphy, managed to escape from Van Ness purgatory, and has landed a gig in Portland. Beginning next month, Murphy will work as morning reporter and fill-in anchor at KGW-8-NBC.

**Ronn Owens has been #1 at KGO Radio for many a year now and is generally regarded as one of the highest-paid broadcasters in the Bay Area. Of course, Owens last deal was signed before Citadel bought out KGO, (and other ABC radio stations and the radio network.)

In the past year alone, KGO and sister station, KSFO, have shed massive personnel, including some high-priced on-air talent. Just last Thursday, Lee Rodgers was shown the door, along with his "low six-figure" salary, (although Rodgers' contract was to conclude in July anyway.)

Back to Owens, who is one of KGO's major players in a market that's lately devoid of any real radio talent. What's Ronn's future? His contract status is unknown, but an industry wag told me it runs through 2010...and then what?

Surely, Owens is still at the top of his game. His interviews are first-rate and although at times, his jokes and incessant "Sleeptrain" bits with guests go overboard, Owens top-flight style and performance are a major part of the KGO brand.
Can't imagine what it would be like if he were to depart from the SF airwaves.

So I asked Owens, given the state of the radio and TV biz, the financially-plagued status of Citadel and its thrifty CEO, Fareed, (or, "Fa-Greed", as he's known lately) if there's a chance he might leave KGO. Owens politely declined to comment, but already the handwriting is on the wall.

I doubt Citadel/KGO will sign Owens to a deal remotely close to his last one, (a shade over the seven-figure area); Owens' agent is Don Buchwald, who also represents Howard Stern.

Should be one helluva round of negotiations. Stay tuned.

**Follow me on Twitter and Facebook