Over the past couple of weeks, I learned that this "labor of love" had become more--a virtual sounding board, of sorts, for all of you who were upset about what had transpired at Cumulus' KGO Radio.
You wrote letters, e-mailed, and began sharing your angst, your disgust, your feeling of despair and had a place to air your grievances, which I was happy, and still am, able to provide.
The idea that a corporate raider could invade this area and take away a most beloved community asset was anathema to a great many listeners. It's something to which oversight needs to be applied and I'm hopeful you bombard your legislators and tell them they need to take a look and review the telecommunications act. But that's for another story.
I thank all of you, again, for your kind remarks, but truly, this whole reaction; all the groups from Facebook, Twitter, and the like, is because of YOU. YOU the listener, the reader, the friend from Ukiah, the family from San Jose and Davis, the Kenny Fongs, the John Rothmanns, and Len Tillems of the world, it's all of you who make all this, worthwhile.
Keep up the good fight.
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*Tips-E-Mail: Rich.Lieberman@Gmail.com
Rich-- Can you address the ratings question in regards to KGO in driving the host changes?
ReplyDeleteIt's all of us, Rich. But, YOU're the one who has given us a place to gather/rant. And, YOU're the one who gets the inside scoops that help us to focus, and to learn what's happening in terms of re-establishing these hosts on air.
ReplyDeleteYou may have other areas to cover, but PLEASE don't abandon this topic. It's vital to Bay Area radio listeners.
Thanks for all!
I still hope Mickey Luckoff creates a station. I want a locally owned or at least operated station. I am thrilled that Gene Burns is headed back to the airwaves, but I wish it was with Mickey.
ReplyDeleteThis whole KGO thing has opened a can worms for me. I won't be truly happy until we have huge corporations out of the picture completely. For me, Dec. 1st will be remembered as a day of radio infamy.
Yes, you are on to something Rich. Even it out. Careful with the personal attacks. Tell it like it is and don't apologize. You are too sensitive. You do speak very well on radio.
ReplyDeleteRay and Kay were indeed riveting. They ought to have a regular show with those two battling it out over politics. So much more interesting than listening to a windbag like Limbaugh pontificating. Too bad the presidential debates weren't more like that!
Rich, the funny, sad or ironic thing about this is that I first found this blog after hearing you on KGO a year or so back with Pat Thurston or Christine Craft.
ReplyDeleteLiving out of state and only available to pick up KGO at night, I'm left with Karel, Hughes, Redeye or the "newscontent" - which makes it easier to stay away.
Forecast: A new news talk station for the moderate and the left-wing will appear. KGO will improve on its news, information and news conversation model. stalk. Radio stations come and go. All will be peaceful.
ReplyDeleteYes, it seems that we've been getting contradictory information. Bernie mentions on his blog that the station was doing well while Karel says that the station's ratings were moving consistently downward while his own ratings were increasing. When prompted for any real numbers Karel provides nothing.
ReplyDeleteSo, what's the deal?
The Mickey Luckoff interview from August on KSCO is VERY informative on why he left KGO and how he saw the problems coming we now have. His belief in having content balance, local produced hosts and news, and making radio a community resourc is an incredible testament to his character.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ksco.com/saturday-special/26557-saturday-special-august-13th-2011-mickey-luckoff-on-media-where-its-been-and-where-its-going
As for Cumulus, Mr. Luckoff has nothing good to say, and even admits that their damands for the increase of commercials was his initial reason for retiring from KGO.
I wish Luckoff luck on recreating the radio institution we all miss very much.
Cardinal 888 - it would have to be a new station far away from the clutches of cumulus. KGO as it was for 50+ years is kaput. We know we can't go back but we're damn sure we will continue to demand a local, intelligent and centrist talk radio station. Too many of us want it.
ReplyDelete@6:42 Bernie's (rightfully) in prison for trafficking in child porn. What the hell would he know.
ReplyDeleteIt's fine that Gene's found an outlet, albeit a ClearChannel-owned station with a limited 20,000 watt signal by day, a tepid 5000 watt output at night, & a reputation as "The Bay Area Home of Fox News Radio"... As Mike Malloy might advise,"Watch your back!" Best option now for Mickey, Ray, John, Gil, Lloyd Lindsay Young ("Helloooooo, Modesto!"), & the rest of the team is to negotiate purchase of neighboring 50.000 watt KTRB. The price should be right, the station is seriously in debt. With crack engineers fine-tuning the transmitter, loyal listeners and advertisers up and down the coast, parts of Canada, parts of Mexico, Hawaii, & even Japan would be able to regularly tune in on their portable AM radios.
ReplyDeleteBest bet now is to purchase neighboring 50,000 watt KTRB, which is seriously in debt. Mickey, Ray, Gil, John, Lloyd Lindsay Young ("Hellooooooo, Modesto!"), Len T, Bill W., Gene, Dr. Dean, & the rest of the team could be clearly heard once again on portable AM radios up & down the West Coast, parts of Canada, parts of Mexico. Working for Clear Channel would be tenuous at best & 910am, with only 5000 watts at night, 20,000 by day, would not be as attractive for advertisers...
ReplyDeletePetition Congress: Stop Media Consolidation
ReplyDelete"For those of us who don't want a few big companies deciding what we see, hear, and read in the news, it's a bad day. The Bush-appointed FCC just voted to loosen media ownership rules so media titans like Rupert Murdoch can swallow up more local news outlets. They did this despite a huge public outcry -- when the FCC asked for public comments, 99% opposed media consolidation!
Congress has the power to step in, and a bipartisan group of 26 Senators already announced they'll try. We need to show the rest of the Senate we want action.
Can you sign this petition asking Congress to reverse the FCC's media consolidation decision -- and forward this message to a couple friends who would care about this issue?
A compiled petition with your individual comment will be presented to your Senators and Representative.
Petition: http://civic.moveon.org/mediaconsolidation/
What I find laughable is how many conservatives are upset by this. They got what they wanted: defanging of all regulators and the emasculation of unions; and now that it strikes home, they're screaming like stuck pigs.
ReplyDeleteAll corporations are not inherently evil, but they act that way. When you save a buck on a package of underwear at Costco or Walmart, the buck you saved used to go to a local merchant, who paid his bills, bought a house, and a car, and employed a lot of people in your neighborhood.
At least Ronnnnn isn't deleting posts on his FB page (not mine at least). He's not happy on how he's being treated and insists he isn't a sell-out. I beg to differ.
ReplyDeleteI heard the interview with Mickey Luckoff on KSCO. He's a stand-up man. Must have been great to work for him. He's one of the reasons KGO was so good for so long. Sounded like he was done with radio though. I sincerely hope he's ready to get back into it after having a nice vacation from it. I would really like to have these great people on one station. Having to keep up with each one on a different station could be difficult.
ReplyDelete