KGO Radio uses Facebook as focus of its News Blocks; Carter B Smith and the marginalization of knbr and ksfo; Wednesday Rundown

*In their overtly transparent plan to get younger, by any means necessary, KGO Radio, once, a hallmark, dominant outlet with teeth, has now hit a new low: The news-talkie has begun an earnest, straightforward push toward the use of Facebook as a driving force behind its various news blocks, but most noticeably in the "Morning News" with Ed Baxter and the insufferable Jennifer Jones Lee.

Even more embarrassing, KGO has even resorted to using the social-networking site in its hourly news ID, "This is KGO...SF, San Jose, Oakland, 'Facebook", I swear to god I heard it several times just the other day.

Wow.

First off, a little analysis.

KGO, via new jingles, promos, guests, contests, 14,000 hours of traffic and TMZ crap, is desperately trying to go young. Terrific. Great. Go for it. Never mind the fact that when KGO was killing everyone in the market, (including KCBS,) for over three decades, they were still perceived as "old", yet their broader audience was so huge and expansive they still were immensely profitable and didn't care.

Now that they have fallen back, complete with new GM and management philosophy, anchored by a horrid corporate owner, (Citadel,) that pinches pennies, they have succumbed to gimmicky ideas to try to bolster new listeners, but have, in effect, alienated their loyal, hard-core audience.

The Facebook card is nothing new. And yes, nobody disputes the power of it as a promotional tool, hell, every TV, radio, PR, person on the planet has embraced Facebook.

But when a major SF radio station utilizes it as part of its brand, there's something wrong there. It's tacky. It reeks of desperation and false intentions. You really think KGO's "friends" are that much more cherished, say, by my friends? I mean, give me a break!

KGO can get a boatload of something better than mere false "friends", maybe, god forbid, listeners, by going back to basics. Like cutting out the insidious chirpy, condescending, and disingenuous chatter. Like giving us more NEWS!, more information; like hiring more spirited and compelling talk-show hosts with hard-nosed opinions and topical cachet. That might move the meter and increase listeners and get a higher cume, hello!

Instead, KGO is going down the slippery slope road of irrelevance. I don't mean to beat a dead horse, I listen to KGO and was an ardent fan and admirer. I wish KGO went back to try to be KGO. Seems the new GM and her minions in programming and news thinks that splashy, goofy new jingles, cackling anchors, incoherent talk-show hosts and Facebook will spike the numbers. Uh, I don't think so.

*I grew up in the 70's and every now and then listened to Carter B. Smith. He wasn't one of my favorites, I was more a Dr. Don Rose, Jim Dunbar, Bobby Ocean kinda guy. But Smith was relavent, at times, very funny, charming, interesting and yes, unique in a 70's sort-of-way. I didn't hear him when he worked with Sherwood, but I remember him as part of the old KNBR with the likes of Frank, (Dill) and Mike, (Cleary), CJ Bronson, and Hank Greenwald hosting "Sportsphone 68", (How 70's.)

I mention this because Smith died Monday afternoon after battling a cancerous brain tumor for many months.

He wasn't as huge as Sherwood or Al Collins, but he was big enough to warrant many comments and remarks from those in the industry all the way from LA, NY, and here in the city.

Ronn Owens, on his KGO show, made mention of Carter B, and KCBS was all over his passing on their morning news. Ditto Ed Baxter on KGO.

I didn't hear, but KNBR's morning team did a phono with Frank Dill and offered a tribute. The 9-Noon guy didn't say a word. Not a word. For all I know, maybe he didn't know Smith--who knows?, but he never uttered a word. Not even a two-second acknowledgement. Nothing. How shallow. Talk about "reading the room", the 9-Noon guy likes to use that line, but apparently doesn't practice what he preaches.

On KSFO, (I don't listen anymore) apparently someone uttered a few words.

A point: Smith's passing wasn't a gargantuan news item. There's a gazillion folks, including those in the biz who've never heard of him. That's not the point. He wasn't a giant, but he wasn't puny either. He was part of a generation of giants that used to take this business seriously and were some of the most talented individuals around.

My late dad used to tell me stories about the likes of Don Sherwood's antics and how Lon Simmons did his sports reports from the Fairmont Hotel where the old KSFO was ensconced. Those were the days, I was told.

My point is that I think it was wrong that the 9-Noon guy didn't at least mention the passing of Carter B. Maybe he was too busy chortling with his insipid sidekick and other human morsel. Kind of emblematic of what is today's knbr and what the old KNBR meant in this town. Same thing for ksfo and yesterday's KSFO, you know, the "Sounds of the City", yes, THAT KSFO.

I think I made my point.

And to the friends and family of Carter B. Smith, my condolences.











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