As a short-term method of programming, the current stream of fill-in guest hosts, (the ex-KGO "All-Stars"), on ClearChannel's Newstalk 910 AM), is not sustainable and eventually the 4-7 PM slot will need to go solo.
The line-up of John Rothmann, Gil Gross, Ed Baxter and Rosie Allen, while a delight to the old-KGO crowd, has not moved the meter and short-term ratings, while steady, are not viable.
Of course, the status of Gene Burns, (who was to be the permanent host of the PM-drive 4-7 shift, but is recovering from a serious health malady), figures to play in the eventual pick of the host, (or hostess, maybe) that gets the time-slot on a regular basis.
All of the current fill-ins are solid and steady pros, but afternoon drive on a station with a relatively weak signal in most of the Bay Area demands a strong, vibrant and heady persona. I'm not sure any of the subs possess that type of style. That's not a knock on any of them, just that PM drive is a ratings-driven template and a strong, multi-layered host is needed.
Burns, however steady his recovery reportedly is progressing, doesn't figure to return anytime soon, (I'm hearing months at best, not days), and therefore, NewsTalk 910 has a decision beckoning. Don't be surprised if an eventual, solo, host comes from out of the market. We are, after all, talking about ClearChannel, which has a bevy of talent to choose from and San Francisco figures to attract top-notch talent.
*Biggest NON-story of the week: The Giants re-upping with KNBRCumulus on a seven-year contract. As if that was really deemed "news." Really? What were the options? KNBR is mush without the Giants and the Giants need KNBR. End of story. (KNBR actually owns 5% of the Giants). I have to laugh at the embarrassing "big announcement" that preceded the deal, as if the "major announcement" was that major. No other station had a chance and the only drama was the terms. And Larry Baer, (Giants front man), and Lew Dickey, (Cumulus CEO) both announcing the deal on KGO and KNBR, (all part of the Cumulus radio cult), was so unintentionally funny and sad. Sadder? The circus charade by KGO's Rich Walcoff and KNBR's "Morning Show", who had to kowtow to Dickey. I know, they have families to feed, but seriously, how utterly pathetic.
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As a total outsider I don't quite understand the reverence in which Gene Burns is held. I listened to him and liked him well enough, although there were things I didn't like, i.e. his long, loud commercials for Just Remnants and replacement windows, and his constantly hyping very expensive food and wine events which most of his listeners couldn't afford, I understand he is lll and that may explain some of it. Of course I send him my best wishes for recovery. Why do hosts constantly say,l "this is the Gene Burhs Show;" Is it in his contrtact?
ReplyDeleteSad as Gene's health issues are, and we only wish him the absolute best, with all the issues over the last few years, he really needs to retire. He is over 70, so has Medicare and Social Security. There are so many hosts out there needing jobs and this station needs to steady itself to survive, that waiting for him is not really fair.
DeleteI think they say it's the Gene Burns show partly out of respect to a colleague they know and respect. Hard as it may be to believe, there are some honorable, loving, loyal people in the radio biz.
DeleteThat was one thing that I enjoyed about the recently destroyed legendary radio station -- over the years it felt like family. They genuinely respected each other and for the most part liked each other. (Even the few intramural "feuds" were fun and reflected what goes on in real families.)
I once attended one of their live panel broadcasts of all-stars (5 or 6 of the regular hosts all on stage) and it was a great event.
Things like those all-star community events, the charity telethons, and even the annual visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus and Mondrion the elf were all things that made me feel a part of the family, and I will probably miss that station for the rest of my days, because I realize times have changed, and what they had is gone forever and can never come back or be re-created.
Well that's a discouraging post because I am loving the afternoon show with the former KGO hosts who IMO are top notch. I wonder if the ratings problems is just something that takes advertising and time rather than some other "top notch talent". The Bay Area and south bay have unique tastes and people who work in other parts of the country don't always work here unless they are very conservative (for the very conservative listeners). So here is my question, where are people listening in the 4-7 p.m. slot? News? Also, with daylight savings time approaching the 910 signal will improve for many and thus, perhaps, the ratings. I know there are many people switching the radio dial trying to find something decent to listen to so I hope 910 gives the current format some time and perhaps advertises the time slot and make it sound exciting. It is very good and would be a shame to discontinue. I just want the signal to be better.
ReplyDeleteI think the second biggest story is.....Radnich,bringing you up on his show as his "Good freind" without sarcasm..and THAT's weird. You sold his daughter a Jetta years ago is just a minor detail. At least he didnt say it was a junker.
ReplyDeleteBut his rant-and other posters here heard it about Blog/internet posters who are crtical was way out there man.
The guy invites criticism...He reads your blog. He reads that minions under him are overworked and underpayed..and with no shame talks about his new Bently (or used) parked and looking good in the KNBR parking lot!
The guy seems to not read the room.
And that he's among the least irritating of KNBR hosts..can you listen to Paulie? Eric-ee? Larry?,is amazing.
One last-even the "business" guy is biased. As the papers say the economy is recovering..he's "job losses" full of it every day huh Scott?. Well,maybe Scott is going by Cumulus only..
Maybe he figures-if he mentions your blog time to time,calls you his good friend in his sincere voice...those critical posts might not make it "to print"...He can't be that conniving and manipulative with a dash of devious could he?..hee...
DeleteGood observation at 10:49am.
DeleteThe guy (Radnich) who is always extolling us about his ability to "read the room" does just the oposite.
Also, who in their right mind calls themself
"Paulie Mac"?
The Giants will be on KNBR now...in the future..and FOEVER!
ReplyDeleteKNBR gives them the kind of full coverage that any m ajor league sports franchise would die for. The only station that might equal what KNBR does for the Giants, is WFAN in NYC. But I think in even though the Mets have been their primary team since the station went all-sports in 1987, (first station to do so...KNBR was the third), that they're audience is highly diversified as far as fan interests, so they cover all the NY teams closely, something KNBR has failed to do for many years regarded the A's and Raiders.
That's why when they KNBR calls themselves 'The sports Leader' what they they're mean is: 'the Sports leader of the west bay!"
And as far as being 'the number one sports radio station in America,' that distinction goes to WFAN, not KNNR.
pizazz desperately needed on 910
ReplyDeleteGene Burns is a pompous sounding blowhard. That said, "Get Well Soon".
ReplyDelete"The Giants re-upping with KNBRCumulus"
ReplyDeleteRich Walcoff's behavior does not surprise us.
He has always been a company man.
No guts, just preaching on the radio.
Hoping Gene can come back to radio soon. I would love John Rothman to fill in flu time until then. And I wish they would give John Rothman a show of his own!
ReplyDeleteOne of my more humorous memories of Gene - him promoting a hedonistic sounding cruise sailing out under the Golden Gate while being pampered with God knows what kinds of food, booze and messages. Sounded a little awkward to us unwashed masses glued to CNBC watching the stock market and our 401k's losing half their value.
ReplyDeleteI think Gil and John splitting the week will work. Ed and Rosie are not working together and are annoying. My colleagues cannot deal with Ed. When they are on, we go back to KGO.
ReplyDeleteAnother idea is a repeat of Len Tillem's show during that time, since he is so good. Why not suggest that? Many don't get to hear him at 3, and I bet that would improve ratings a lot. My best to Gene, too.
They should just pick a host to fill in for Gene and that would be that. I prefer Ed & Rosie or Gil Gross.
ReplyDeleteCould listen to John Rothmann all day. Ed and Rosie - not so much. There's something about the two of them that is just irritating. Gil Gross is good in small doses, but John R should have his own show.
ReplyDeleteQyit taking shots at Rich Walcoff! He's a solid sports reporter with years of experience and integrity...more than any of you weasels who like to criticize others without having the guts to identify yourselves!
ReplyDeleteI agree Rich is good. He was the best host of the 49er show after games when they were on KGOne. I don't think anyone on KNBR has done as well as Rich did.
DeleteDefinitely agree with "Kev Mar 10, 2012 03:57 PM" about the "family" feeling, I mourn the loss.
DeleteThere was a reason why Rich Walcoff was fired from the 49ers show on KGO.
DeleteDeal with it you Walcoff friends.
Love Gene Burns and wish he were back but I REALLY ENJOY John Rothmann and would sorely miss him if they were to take him off the air again. In fact, the ONLY times I listen to AM radio any longer are when John Rothmann, Len Tillem or Gil Gross are on, or Pat Thurston, Michael Finney & sometimes Karel on KGONE weekends. I miss Peter B. Collins & Stacey Taylor. Big mistake if they take all of our local talent off the air and replace it with more right wing wind bags -- it's a quick way to kill off what little listening audience these stations have left in the Bay Area. Station managers -- know thy audience.
ReplyDeleteRe: why they call it the Gene Burns show. Because Gene Burns was signed up to do that slot and the program was called the Gene Burns show, same as the Len Tillem show or Tom Sullivan Show or THe Ronn Owens program. whatever. It would be the same as if he were on vacation and someone was filling in for him. The only difference here is that Gene took ill before he could even do one show. But he was the one originally signed and all the others technically are just filling in for him. If it is determined he can't return or if KKSF decides to cancel him, then the 4-7 will be given another name. Until then, if will be the Gene Burns show.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Gene has a personal services contract. Lol. Don't miss Rothmania. He's far too obsessed with his middle eastern stuff and boring local issues.
ReplyDeleteIf people knew when John Rothmann was on the air then he'd get more ratings. We need his insight during the primaries and conventions.. What can we do to let management know about John Rothmann's talent. He is especially good with teenagers as he instructs them about various topics. I find him more informative than Ronn Owens who has become as sugary and boring. This media environment is just not fair. The audience is getting neglected We don't count for anything except sleeping on mattresses or using Sweet jack. I have stopped listening to Kgo after a forty year relationship It's hard but I am overing coming my radio addiction with episodes of Psych and Law and Order!!!
ReplyDeleteI try to listen to 910 from noon on, but as has been stated, their signal is a nightmare in the late afternoon. It's also rough to find in the East Bay during regular daylight hours. Could it be that the ratings are lower than they'd like due to the weak signal? Or is that ruled out because Rush has solid ratings in the morning?
ReplyDeleteDoes Rush actually have solid ratings in the morning? How would they know that after only 2+ months on 910?
DeleteRich, we all know that Cumulus will not renew Ronn Owens contract when it expires at the end of this year. 910 should keep the rotating host carousel going and hire Owens to take the PM drive starting in Jan '13. That could give the station a boost. If CC wants to improve the 910 signal, they need to see about buying and shutting off some first or second adjacents within 75-100 miles of the 910 xmtr site. A non-direction 20kW signal would be strong enuf to cover the areas they currently are missing. Over and out.
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea about putting Ronn on in the a.m. once his contract expires from 810. However, I doubt he is affordable, however. I like the idea of boosting the 910 signal.
ReplyDeleteNo one has mentioned anything about KSCO lately and their "poll" about whether or not to dump Rush. The poll never got to the finish line because the site was overwhelmed by national groups...on both sides...and the site crashed. I think they still decided to go on with Rush. Such a shame, but I think these stations carry him for financial reasons because syndication is cheaper and they get an automatic large audience (right wing). It's not so easy, it seems, to run a local station because of the lack of advertising. At least that is what I think is going on. Anybody, understand this better?
RE: KSCO - they will not drop Rush - if only for competitive reasons. If they do, the CC station in Salinas will grab Limbaugh and that will be enough (even with an inferior, highly directional signal) for them to pass KSCO in the local ratings. MZ has always prided himself on having the #1-rated local talk station in his market. If he loses Rush, he loses the Rush cume and that will hurt him badly.
ReplyDeleteI miss Gene and wish him well. I hope to hear him again, whether it's in 2 weeks or 2 months. I didn't enjoy how he would entertain illogical callers for 10-12 minutes, but he's the pro.
ReplyDeleteI listened to Rosie Allen one Friday, and it was a complete disaster, jumping from topic to topic to topic, with rarely a caller. I have some very basic, large mistakes she made, when I get the time to jot them down. I'd also like to listen to her once again to see if she has overcome them, but even if she fixed some of them, I don't think it's a fix. She came off rather shallow, though I do like her voice. And she isn't middle or right of center, and has little balance. Too much fluff.
Rothman is good, but another committed far leftie. Anyone who brings up 20-40 million illegal aliens impact on our nation (and state) will immediately be called a xenophobe ... the educated Liberal's way to call a cogent caller a racist.
I've found Gil Gross more balanced, and would also consider Dr. Bill Wattenburg.
Godspeed to Gene.