Ronn Owens, one of the most popular morning radio personalities in SF radio history, is set to sign a new deal with KGO and Cumulus, according to sources close to 415 Media.
Owen's old contract, which is up on Dec. 31, made him one of the highest-paid media figures in the Bay Area. He will be receiving considerably less money than he's getting under the old deal, (signed in 2006 when KGO was owned by Citadel and whose GM was Mickey Luckoff).
I called Owen's agent, David Katz to respond to this story. Katz offered a "no comment", but said that "negotiations were 'on-going." Furthermore, Katz said he believes Owens will be working in San Francisco.
There has been speculation that Owens, who's been battling a myriad of health issues, was set to retire from the broadcasting business, but apparently wants one more reign in the city where's been at the KGO mic since 1975. In fact, it was Owens who told a former colleague not too long ago that "I'm probably going to retire."
KGO's ratings have taken a dramatic downward spiral since Cumulus abruptly fired its talk hosts in December of last year. Owens was the only talk host who was retained. His personal-services contract was a major reason why he stayed on.
No word on the length of the deal when and if it is signed nor the money but rest assured it will be well south of Owen's previous compensation, although I'm told it's a "fair contract" and that he's happy with it.
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That's too bad. I was hoping we'd be getting rid of the old blowhard.
ReplyDeleteMe too. Not that it makes a difference, I haven't heard that jerk since he decided talking cell phones was more important than talking about the bloodbath. He is a tough talking chicken sh*t.
DeleteI wonder which side in the Barbieri case will use "we rehired Owens despite his poor ratings, advanced age, lackadaisical effort and bad health" in their arguments.
ReplyDeleteBUT... You have NOT talked to and confirmed any of this with Ronn Owens. You don't have the inside scoop from him. You're going off on tangents pregnant with speculation. You said in previous columns that Brian Copeland was going to replace Ronn and when that didn't pan out, that Ron was retiring for sure. Too bad you've burned your bridges with Ronn. Otherwise, you might have gotten him to spill the beans, on or off the record.
ReplyDeleteThis must be the new kinder, softer side of post-Bungeroth Cumulus.
ReplyDeleteInteresting info, Rich. Sorry to digress from the topic at hand: But how many of you are getting tired to listening to Gil Gross's daily rambling nonstop 3-hour monologues about the looming Fiscal Cliff? Is it all about drumming up business for one of his sponsors, a well known Bay Area financial advisor, or is it just that he can't come up with anything else to talk about? You'd think a local talk show host might emphasize Bay Area issues. You think? Gil Gross: Not so much. Eh.
ReplyDeleteFunny how Gil Gross and Rich bemoan the wholesale firing of talk show hosts and the abrupt end to the news-talk format at KGO a year ago, mourning the demise of 'KGOne.' So, what do Gil and Rich do with their new radio programs? Do they build their shows around dialogue with callers? No! Both deride callers as unimportant. Seems like Rich and Gross are the pot calling the kettle (KGO management) black about the demise of talk radio in the Bay Area. Do as I say not as I do.
DeleteEh... Wait just a minute, 6:35. You're absolutely right about Gil Gross. He's totally dumped any pretense of a talk show format with a self-serving argument that his 3-hour late afternoon monologues are sure to bring higher ratings.
DeleteAs for Rich, you're only partly right and only up to a point. He's not an ex-KGO all-star like Gross who's found a new radio home. Rich never said his intention was to adopt a call-in format. He has said that he can do his program without callers, to be sure, but his show, which is still developing its own brand, emphasizes interviews with "great" guests from the media and his short monologues. Rich says calls are not essential, but he does take them; Gross does not.
I am sorry to say that I am not listening to Gil as much these days and it is because they seem to have dumped the call-in format. John Rothman is having callers on this week (subbing for Gil) and I am listening more to him because of the callers.
DeleteYou stole my thunder @9:46pm, I was pleasantly surprised to hear Rothman on air in place of Cabinet Man. What a breath of fresh air! Staying on topic for an hour, give and take with callers and best of all: NO RHODA!!
DeleteI guess we'll know soon enough the fate that awaits the venerable (if somewhat tarnished in the eyes of some) icon of Bay Area talk radio.
ReplyDeleteI still think you're keeping the real story from us and blowing smoke our way. What do I mean?
My prediction is that Ronn Owens is going into retirement at year end. Who will fill his shoes? Unfortunately, I can't reveal my sources, but I'm convinced that the respected (and feared by some) writer of this highly informative media blog, Rich Lieberman--once contract negotiations are completed--is taking LIEBERMAN LIVE to KGO weekday mornings.
Of course, I know you'll deny it. Or you might give us a clue *WINK*WINK* posting this and not commenting on it. Your silence will speak volumes.
How many here want to bet that Ronn Owens went begging on his hands and knees for this contract.
ReplyDeleteAt one time that man could command any contract terms he disired.
The days of having Mickey Luckoff on your side are over. This is a new ballgame.
5:46 pm: The flip side of this coin is that KGO management may have come to the grudging realization that they need Ronn Owens as much as he needs them. They've seen the station's ratings tumble since abandoning the talk show format at this time last year. They can't afford to let Ronn go, can they, without falling even farther in the ratings?
DeleteIf Ronn and KGO can't agree on new contract terms, what are the chances that KNEW News-talk 910 will grab him when his current contract expires on January 1?
DeleteRonn will never leave. His massive ego won't allow it! He's gotten
ReplyDeletebitter and boring. Monty is close on his heels. Monty is younger and has tons more energy. It's a shame a guy with that much money
can't quietly retire. But he wants the world to know he's "fair and balanced." Plus he still is waiting for that 15 minute interview with President Obama.
My dog is younger and has more energy than Ronnnnnnnn, that is not a reason to give my dog a prime time talk show. Whoever you are shilling for Montemanure need to understand that yeling into the mic does not equal great radio.
DeleteWhether he has a massive ego or not, why should he leave if he can still make a hefty salary doing a job he apparently likes?
Delete12:35 I disagree with your post entirely. He is not bitter and in fact he seems quite cheerful these days. Monte will never be at his heels because Ronn is far more talented and interesting. Youth has never been a big factor in radio audiences. In fact, when KGO was at it's prime, almost all, or maybe all of the best hosts were older. A lot of people who have done well financially want to continue working. Your whole assessment of him was not"fair or balanced" and in fact was way off the mark.
DeleteRon fits right in with Dwayne Garret, Bernie Ward, Karel, KGO what a bunch of losers, dead, in prison,some still on the air, Owens proves that (liberalism is a mental disorder)
ReplyDelete