There's a lot of heavy breathing in Bay Area broadcasting circles.
According to one of my insiders: The Cumulus-Citadel merger is "100% done" as of Thursday and the new company launches on Friday.
Ronn Owens, meet Ralph Barbieri. Gil Gross, say hi to Damon Bruce. Rich Walcoff, have some coffee with Murph and Mac..
Cumulus, which is the second-largest radio broadcasting company, owns sports-heavy KNBR and other significant FM outlets, (like KFOG and 107.7 "The Bone") will now own newstalk KGO and sister station, KSFO. (Along with all other Citadel radio stations).
Industry analysts expect a sizable round of personnel cutbacks, particularly at flailing KGO, which has dropped significantly from the top of the Arbitron ratings.
Said one major radio wag at KGO: "There's a lot of depressed people over here."
Already inside 900 Front St: management is giving everyone a new company e-mail address starting Friday.
*RL 415 Media Exclusive
new email.. what is it... johndoe@screwed.com
ReplyDeleteHey, maybe they will do a few Radnich/Bruce type experiments at KGO!?! Craft and Wattenberg, Burns and Karel, Gross and Taliafero, Tillum and Greggins, Walters and Hamilton!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely share any shocking layoffs, Rich! And absolutely go off on Lew "Tricky" Dickey", please! :O
ReplyDeleteFlash...Mr. Media is lame. D-Day is not imminent, let alone on the horizon. There will be changes in structure but I bet little will happen that will be noticable to listeners. Speaking of changes, have you seen the 'new look' of 7Live? Probably not since you are too busy focusing on KNBR and your second obsession, the NBC weather presenter. You really are out of touch with present day media, Mr. Media.
ReplyDeleteI get the funny feeling Ray T. couldn't care less about any of this. I could be wrong, but I get the feeling that he not is hurting for the money and is no longer interested in any future headaches. Hell, Ray is in his early 70s and just might decide to hang it up. And I think there are a few other radio "personalities" (who are employed at these stations) who are in the same financial "boat' (or should I say "Yacht") as Ray.
ReplyDeleteI wish everybody at KGO the best of luck. Have been on both the buyer and seller side of mergers several times. Being on the buyer side is definitely more fun. JW
ReplyDeletefear-mongering at its worst. once again mr dickie buries the lead (Bill Neukom let go) in favor of his uninformed, source-less gossip. high marks again for another great job.
ReplyDeleteAs long as they dont mess with Dr Bill, Ronn, Gil Gross and Gene Burns I'll be happy.
ReplyDeleteSounds like they need a lawwwwyer, Len Tillem!
ReplyDeleteBob Fitzgerald = New God Talk host
ReplyDeleteRich, what do you predict will happen on-air?
ReplyDeleteIf Ray hangs it up it's the start of syndication time on a bigger scale.
ReplyDeleteGene Burns should be the first to go.
ReplyDeleteThat guy adds nothing to KGO's format.
Do us all a favor, retire buddy.
I guess you noticed in those hello-hello's,there wasn't a scintilla of diversity. It looked to my part of the bay area like just a good old boy merry go -round.
ReplyDeleteAnd I had an idea-95.7 THE GAME,Should drop the imitation frat boy sound they seem to be leaning too ( I heard some guy there do a KNBR like ode to a local team with new lyrics to some old song. Hell no, I didn't listen-changed channels)..and go for some of that local flavor from the Raider fanatical crowd. ALL the faces in Raider gear in Denver Monday night were brown and black.
Or,that's a comment on what MNF on ESPN wants the nation to fear.
So many levels there...
signed
the masked
'S'
L Ron Jeremy: Yea sure, the old ---- is getting rich on an all night shift. I get some time shares to sell you too. He will be gone within months, done, out. Should have been fired years ago, irrelevant host with an audience of elderly Left Wingers. What a marketing profile.
ReplyDelete