There's a reason, several actually, that Gary Radnich was castigated, however so sophomoric by KNBR management, for dare mentioning the new FM all-sports 95. 7 radio, ( http://www.957sportsradio.com/)
Call it a case of KNBR and its corporate owner, (Cumulus Broadcasting) acknowledging that more than just staying power, the new FM outlet, (owned by Entercom) figures to take advantage of the growing phenomena of the radio masses move away from AM radio.
Sure, KNBR has the prized franchise(s); both the Giants and 49ers, but after that, little else. And while KNBR has made a boatload of cash coming off the Giants' World Series success, there's a feeling that they have maxed out their revenue on that front.
Outside of their sports clients, (and the afternoon Barbieri-Tolbert show), KNBR takes in very little revenue off their main content. And with new, fresh competition highlighted with a relatively strong signal and the advent of an Sports' FM-only distinction, of course, KNBR is worried.
Not to mention, 95.7 has the A's and is radio home of the San Jose Sharks. If the Sharks were to somehow advance to the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, there's no doubt a potential of significant Silicon Valley advertising cash going into the new outlet's coffers.
Combine that with the prospect of the A's doing well. Who knows? Bottom line is this: Any additional revenue is a win-win for 95.7, not to mention a huge chunk NOT going into KNBR's bank. It's all about the money.
KNBR brass can pooh-pooh and belittle their new competitor all they want, but privately, they don't want anything to do with 95.7---and it was evident this week when they made it clear to Mr. Radnich that even the slightest mention of the new guy in town wouldn't be tolerated.
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Rich will be all pro of the new station until they stop inviting him on to appear. I would like to hear what he thinks of the programming line up they have.
ReplyDeleteThere's a revolt against the local sports media status quo..people are fed up with Hammer's KNBR. The paid shill on air people,the gamblers who talk like life guidance counselers,the lack of truth instead of hustlers.
ReplyDeleteSF Gate is another sports dept filled with shills-Rusty? Susan? Kevin?-lol..in the ownerships pocket.
And I'm glad to see the uprising is catching on..
You are such a pipe dreamer rich. KNBR management shuns the name of any station in the market no matter how large or small and what the sports station soon to be country or classic or 80's music you elude to is no different. I can assure you they feel zero competitive pressure from a 'new' fm sports station.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is, I started to listen to Fatnich on monday,heard Bruno was on vacation & quickly turned the dial to 95.7 for the rest of the week.That's it that's all!
ReplyDelete12:21 is the one whistling in the dark. KNBR better damn well be worried. Today,around 7 am,I put on the Wolf,and they were talking A's and then some Sharks...KNBR was all national guys who never mentioned our local teams.
ReplyDeleteWho did I leave the "dial" at? You know.
I used to intern at KNBR. They run the most paranoid radio station west of the Mississippi. They are half-run by the Giants and have so many rules about what you can and can't mention (even to this day, mentioning the A's four world titles on air can get you fired) that the entire place feels Orwellian. One of the few guys who could always get away with some irreverence toward the station and the Giants was Radnich. That he got his hand-slapped while he was on the air is incredibly telling. They're terrified of 95.7.
ReplyDeleteAs far as sports broadcasts are concerned I'll take a big AM signal over a marginal FM signal any day.
ReplyDeleteMy reception of 95.7 is not great in parts of SF and Marin. They need to get that fixed if they are to be a player.
ReplyDeleteHope the sharks and A's do well enough to make some $$$$ and hire more decent talent...The morning guys fake argue every segemnt (but its more entertaining than soundboards and pop-culture showdowns)...Maybe KNBR will ban Ralph from brownosing the Sharks ("95.7 property") if the station does too well.
ReplyDeleteI like how you have modified your claims of the 95.7 signal by using the word "relatively" as in "relatively strong signal".
ReplyDeleteThere are only a handful of FM stations that can be heard throughout the bay area and 95.7 isn't one of them.
Why the bias towards 95.7? Is it because it isn't KNBR? Part of "no one pays attention to my teams" waaaambulance? Jeez Rich, you even have a link to their website right there at their first mention.
To 10:57 am: There's a link to KNBR as well on the story (don't one-side it). Rich is just pointing out the competitive angle and there are some of us that pay attention to 95.7's teams. The "waaambulance" is over at Cumulus as shown by mgmt to Radnich's mention.
ReplyDeleteThe Sharks radio is 98.5. As a long time KNBR listener I have stopped listening about 3 months to most of the programming, sorry can't stand Tolbert, can't ask a question under a 100 words. Fatnich just want money, he is a kiss ass
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like competition to bring the best and/or worst in human behavior. ...
ReplyDeleteWhat's AM?
ReplyDelete@4:38PM, Sharks will be on 95.7 starting in October. 98.5 is 95.7's sister property; both are owned by Entercom.
ReplyDelete