BULLET POINT--
Cumulus, and most importantly, CEO, Lew Dickey, are positioning Michael Savage to go head-to-head with Rush Limbaugh.
Locally, here in SF, start pondering the idea of Savage versus Rush from 9-Noon on KSFO--would take over the slot being currently held by Mike Hucabee who is all but done--he's never moved the needle.
It had been widely assumed that they would keep Huckabee at noon and possibly put Savage back in PM Drive against Hannity when the big WABC/WOR shakeup happens. I know Dickey would love the occasion to dump El Rushboo, (Savage has more listeners and better ratings)-- Dickey is stepping up his attacks on Rush, (which is the main reason behind Rush's OTD status).
BULLET POINTS--
** Dickeys have to be aware that although Savage moves the needle and would make a formidable competitor against Rush, his show is something of an albatross with advertisers, (as with Rush too, but Rush still carries considerable influence and advertisers).
**Would Savage want to go up against Limbaugh? He's talked many times about being the top dog of the radio broadcasting world but would he want to work in the morning? I e-mailed Savage for a comment and hope to hear back, (don't hold your breath).
*Either way, these things are clear: Savage, for better worse is Cumulus' anchor national host. It could be toxic, (on both sides), given Savage's notorious mood swings and personality. ...Rush is all but gone and Lew Dickey has been wooing Savage. In fact, Savage and the Dickeys had dinner last Tuesday night at the North Beach Restaurant in San Francisco. They were not discussing the prosciutto and melon, either.
MORE TO COME, STAND BY---
Dickey isn't happy with KGO Radio, (he told an industry trade essentially he's still not happy with the 810 AM albatross. No shit, Sterling.
*Developing...
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My bet is if given the opportunity, the Whiner would decline the opportunity to go head to head vs the golfer. Whiner says he stays in radio because he thinks he can be number 1, well I think like all big talkers, he'd be too chicken to go mano a mano vs the top dog.
ReplyDeleteDickey turned chicken salad into chicken shit at KGO. What genius told him it was a good idea to.blow up the number one station in the Bay Area ( for over 20 years?)?
ReplyDeleteFor a "shrewd" businessman he sure is a dumbass
One of the advantages of being an evening host is the ability to look back and analyze the day's events. That works perfectly for a staunch critic like Michael Savage. I'm not so sure, however, he's the best person to handle breaking news or news in progress.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about his mood swings. When I was living in Norfolk VA the radio station I was working at was hosting something they called "Talkfest". Management arranged airfare, hotel and anything a person could want to get him to appear at first he agreed then just left us hanging. They were shocked but they knew this could happen. I really like listening to him but I wish he wasn't so difficult to work with. The move to 9am to Noon wouldn't be a good move. Keep him right where he is.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he could ever survive working the day. The nights are easier. he could go up against Hannity but he doesn't have the stones or the energy to take on Rush. He can say he's #1 and has better numbers but in truth we all know he doesn't. He's not competing in the real day parts right now. Should give him some credit for whatever he does in San Francisco but is he even on-air in LA? If he's not that means he's not even on the biggest market in his home state! Whatever the case I don't think the guy has the balls, the energy, or the right kind of show to be a mid-day host. Cumulus wouldn't mind putting their dog against premier's because if it doesn't work out they'll just move on. At that point Savage will be done anyway. How long does this guy really have on the radio anyway? I heard his show last night and it was complete nonsense from start to finish. Stream of conscience radio without the stream.
ReplyDeleteSavage has been doing only two hours of live shows for years now. The third hour is a shoddy mishmash of old shows tapped together. Do you really think he can get away with that during a 9 to noon shift? He is in his 70s, I doubt he'll have the energy to do 3 hours live ever again.
DeleteHe does, however, take vitamins and consumes energy drinks. I think his stamina will be just fine.
DeleteSavage is in his 70s? How about some younger talent - I'd even take someone in their 50s at the point.
DeleteStream of consciousness: description of unfettered ,unscripted exposition. Stream of "conscience"? something to do with one's morals?
ReplyDeleteChristine, I think one reason you are so widely disliked is your tendency to dwell on other peoples grammar or spelling errors.
DeleteLook at me, how smart I am!
Smart no, obnoxious YES.
be that as it may,nothing you say intimidates me. My post about "stream of consciousness" had nothing to do with either spelling or grammar. See if you are smart enough to figure it out.
DeleteYes, 10:25 AM, we all "get" how you and your ilk follow Christine around on this blog posting nasty-grams. How about trying a little kindness and positivity towards your fellow humans - it might even turn your seemingly perpetual frown upside. Just sayin'.
DeleteSo is it the presumption that more likely than not, rush will be leaving the 910am 9am to noon spot, due to manger and contract disputes. If that happens, is Rush likely to be heard elsewhere in the Bay Area (other than online, something I'll need to finally learn how to do, I suppose). The manager who wants Savage may not realize that while Mike can be brilliant, astute, even mesmerizing, as he expresses himself in the vernacular of the everyman, Mike is untamed, even at his age. Mike is unpredictable, he values the potent elements of mystery and surprise, even unpleasant surprise. No doubt Rush is also heavily ruled by the ego, as any big media personality would be, but I get the impression that Rush is more a team player when he needs to be, compared to Mike. I find it amazing that Rush can perform his shows while being virtually deaf. Reminds me of Herr Ludwig Van Beethoven. For another kind of rush, I say listen to his piece THE EMPEROR, only if you have some good LOUD speakers!! Tis a real earth-shaker of a composition. You should first be sitting down.
ReplyDelete910 is Clear Channel. Why would Rush leave?
ReplyDeleteHell, how could Savage work the morning shift, he can't even do three hours at night. The third hour is most often a repeat without telling the listeners that it's a "best of" or "repeat" and that's a shame that Cumulus is trying to pull the wool over the listeners eyes.
ReplyDelete