Mickey Luckoff, longtime Bay Area radio vet and a respected VP/GM of the old KGO AM, has been unable to secure an outlet that may have served as a new station for some of the dismissed staff, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Luckoff informed some of the air talent in an e-mail. "Much to my dismay there is not a single facility with a market-wide signal available to purchase, lease, or to be made available by one of the multiple owners to adapt the format at this time," said Luckoff.
Sources confirmed to me that Luckoff was keying in on several potential properties, including an AM frequency, (most likely, 860 AM, now being leased out to Spanish broadcasters), and high on his list, (also, according to several sources, an FM outlet in SF owned by CBS).
Most of the dismissed KGO air talent have landed onto other broadcast outlets; Len Tillem and Gene Burns begin new shows next Monday on ClearChannel's new AM, KKSF, (now 910); Gil Gross is mulling a reported offer to return to ABC Radio News.
Bill Wattenburg has resurfaced on KSCO, a 10,000-watt independent news-talk station and is being heavily courted by Talk Radio Network. TRN is a big radio syndicate that is home to Michael Savage and Phil Hendrie.
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I hope he keeps trying and doesn't give up!
ReplyDeleteBooooo I was hoping for a happy new year surprise.
ReplyDeleteCan he find a smaller station without a full market-wide signal to get started at least, and stream it? I was SO hoping he and others could pull something off.
ReplyDeleteA couple of weeks back Jim Gabbert revealed on KSCO that he was consulting with Luckoff on a new station, at the time he did not sound very optimistic about finding a suitable station. I am certain that with several hosts finding new stations recently it took a bit of enthusiasm away from Luckoff. Conceivably he could have a new station but who will work there? The only ones out of work now are Taliafero, Rothman, Greggins and that's it! On a positive note, maybe this cements mattress guy's demise into oblivion come 2013...that is good news...
ReplyDeleteDamn, that's the last thing I wanted to hear. Come on Mickey! Please, get something together...for the love of God. Screw terrestrial radio, Mickey. Set up a studio like Leo Laporte. Online streaming. It's a workable solution. My 75 year old parents have iphones for chrissake.
ReplyDeleteScrew the corporate bullies(Cumulus) and take it to the internet. (Why am I talking to Mickey here? because he doesn't have FB or Twitter)
What is going to happen to Gil, Ray and John?
The world has officially gone mad.
The key words to look at in the email is: "at this time." So that gives me some hope.
ReplyDeleteI hope Mickey and Gabbart don't give up. I know Len and Gene would go to a Luckoff station. Don't we have enough Spanish stations?? I run into 860 all the time when going to 910. This is so disappointing.
ReplyDeleteDrats!
Message to Luckoff
ReplyDeleteI sincerely belive that KTRB 860 AM is still the long-term solution (although I do not know all the details).
It just seams like a perfect fit.
An AM frequency makes so much sense (in terms of a day/night signal and better audience exposure).
Stick with it.
Even though some of the hosts have found new homes, I don't hold out long-term optimism for Clear Channel to be a whole lot better than Cumulus. I would guess they're at will type of employees and don't have long-term contracts. Much of the 910 programming is still syndicated -- the prime hours. Although I'm grateful to be able to hear Gene and Len again, 3-7 p.m. is only 4 hours in the afternoon. We still have nothing in the morning, night or evening. Don't give up Mickey. We need more than this and on a reliable station. THANK YOU!!
ReplyDelete:-( .....sigh......so sad....
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems to have a gig except John Rothmann. Why is it so difficult for him?? Is it another reason?? Can anyone say why??
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line is that radio is a dying medium. Investors are mostly interested in growth.
ReplyDelete"An FM outlet in SF owned by CBS"? Luckoff thought he was going to get his hands on NOW, Live 105, Alice, or 106.9 (KCBS)? Really? Come on, CBS isn't stupid. That was NEVERRRR going to happen.
ReplyDeleteHeartbreaking to hear - please keep trying Mickey.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if Luckoff and or Jim Gabbert
ReplyDeleteever made an offer for KTRB when they were still in receivership earlier this year?
Please Mickey, keep trying! We need a Bay Area virtual "Watercooler." The loss of KGO leaves a gaping hole in the tapestry of Bay Area community.
ReplyDeleteJana - as much as I miss the old Ray T I would not surprise me in the least if he were quite content being the SF gadfly without having to worry about the horrible hours he worked so many years. I don't care how much stamina the man has or how much he loved the job it would take a big toll on anyone after many fewer years than he put in. I'd be surprised to hear him back on the air. He's got plenty to keep himself busy bounding up and down those steep hills of San Francisco.
ReplyDeleteJohnny R is a great guy but you wonder where he fits in with his narrowly focused interests. Time will tell.
Go Mickey Go. You can make it happen! And please get John Rothmann and Joannie Greggins back on the air. They and the others are SO MISSED.
ReplyDeleteAs for Ronn Owenns and all of his whining about cyber bullying -let him stay on a rottten, mean, disgustingly unethical station no one listens to!
KCSM is for sale; can Mickey buy it and turn it into the Luckoff Radio Channel?
Thanks very much for trying, Mr. Luckoff.
Valid observation at 6:56 post.
ReplyDeleteHowever Michael Luckoff does not need the old gang from KGO.
With his experince running a top flight radio station all these years, finding quality on-air talent will not be hard for him.
He knows the formula for a successful radio station.
I'll take good talk-radio any day over "ESPN Deportes".
ReplyDeleteKCSM-TV is for sale, not the radio station (memo to everyone -- keep your hands off my jazz station!)
ReplyDelete