Both News Corporation, (Fox corporate) and NBC officials from NY are meeting in SF later next week to take a look at KRON and presumably, fight over what could be an interesting prelude to a news content and acquisition war, Bay-Area-rooted.Make no mistake: Fox WANTS a SF property desperately so its sports division can have control over the NFL 49ers market interest. Right now, KTVU, a Cox Media-owned company, carries all 49ers-NFC games. (If Fox bought KRON, that would solve the issue. (Duh!)
There isn't any impending transaction soon on the horizon with KTVU even though conservative-oriented Cox has never been endeared to its Oakland high top--why? Because KTVU is Cox's biggest cash cow and is in the 6th -largest market in the country.
Then again, Fox might up the ante with a blown-away offer to acquire KRON. And then KTVU could conceivably be Fox-less.
One HUUUUGE factor still to be debated down the pike: KRON's building and studios at 1001 Van Ness: Although not officially on the market, it's widely believed corporate-- (Media General-New Young), want its building to be involved in any potential transaction. Most real-estate analysts in town say KRON's building could fetch anywhere from $100-$150M. That's a conservative estimate.
And don't forget about the TV station.
*The human blowhard with the most annoying voice in town, Spencer Hughes, (it's a fake name), has been filling in for KSFO's Brian Sussman. Sussman has taken a few days off amid some smoke that says the local tuna fish dept. at 55 Hawthorne is auditioning Hughes. Not so. Yet.
*The problem with KSFO's Morning Show, as I've opined several times, is that it has severely-MISPLACED, Katie Green as part of its AM show. Green is flat-out awful. Her voice is terrible; her involvement in interviews is embarrassing--even by KSFO standards and her back and forth with Sussman, (Hughes too) simply sounds lousy, crummy, like out-of-place.
*Those betting guys that appear on KNBR do so because they PAY for the interview, pure and simple. I'd only wish KNBR would let its listeners know. The password is: disclaimer.
*Sure, Tom Tolbert would be great to take over for the retiring Jim Barnett, (next year), but Tolbert has a family too and that afternoon gig on Knibber, (3-7 PM), works well as opposed to a lot of travel. It's Tolbert's job if he wants it.
*Follow me on Twitter
They only redeeming thing I can say about Spencer Hughes is that as a conservative he is for gay marriage, which makes for interesting radio, whenever he brings it up and take calls. Anyway, can't stand Brian Sussman and would love to see him go, but don't think Spencer Hughes is an improvement, then I'm not a conservative, so I don't listen much to conservative radio, although right now since there are fractions within the party, it is kind of fun listen to them eat their own. Listened to Hughes one morning for about 15 minutes, it is obvious he WANTS Brian's job, he almost begged listeners to get in touch with management and ask to put Hughes on in Brian's place. Nice friend's you have Sussman
ReplyDeleteI think I heard the Spencer "Jose" Hughes show you mentioned. He was filling in for the fork tongued CONservative rabbi Lapin last Sunday morning. Hughes talked about how he and Savage were on KSFO back in the day and how he would LOVE to comeback to KSFO full time. He begged listeners to email, Facebook, Twitter and snail mail KSFO management to put him on. Very pathetic indeed.
DeleteNo it was a different show, one was the Rabbi's show, the other was the morning show with Brian Sussman, however Spencer Hughes' spiel was the same, I guess he just want's something steady. He was on KGO a few weeks, a couple of years ago, when they fired everyone worth listening to, at that time he kept saying being on KGO was a dream of his for a long time, and how
Deleteyou just have to believe in your dreams and think positive, and it will happen. Obviously he didn't think positive enough because it only lasted a few shows.
KNBR should use a disclaimer?
ReplyDeleteThat's hysterical coming from Rich Lieberman, the poster boy for conflict of interests! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!
I like my coffee black.
DeleteLieberman needs to put a disclaimer on his comments:
DeleteCOMMENTS SELECTED TO PORTRAY RICH IN MOST FAVORABLE LIGHT!
Regarding the " guests " Sports Bookies on KNBR , etc... I've always known ( does not take a Rocket Scientist ) the guys PAY to be " interviewed " by KNBR, etc... I've wondered how much they have to pay per 12 ?? minute " interview" .. Anybody know the answer $$$ ?
DeleteI would bet anybody, if Tolbert were offered the Warriors Job, he would JUMP on it ..I'm pretty sure his kids are old enough , for him to do a little traveling ... Any idea ??????? what the Warrior Gig Pays $$$ ??? Thanks Mike
You keep flogging NBC Universal (i.e. Comcast) as a potential buyer for KRON. But NBC already owns KNTV-11 (airing its NBC network) and KSTS-48 (airing Telemundo, which NBC also owns), and two's the limit per market. So which other station is NBC going to sell? 11, into which they've invested six tons of money in the last decade, building up the technical plant and establishing brand identity? Or 48, in a growth market for Spanish language program consumption? They can't have all three, and with most people already on cable or satellite, why do they even need KRON?
ReplyDeleteAnd as for KSFO, why don't you just own up to your wet dream of hosting their morning show yourself, instead of gratuitously trashing everyone else who's already there? That station's largely irrelevant, but if that's what you want, admit it and stop stabbing the current occupants in the back through this blog.
KNTV b/c KRON has a better signal ...among other things.
DeleteSorry Rich, but signal quality is no longer the issue for NBCUni in SFO/SJO. Tech ops is already in transition mode to digital web transmission that will ultimately eliminate OTA across their network. Even if signal was a key issue, NBCUni could spend a whole lot less on additional tower/signal improvements. Plus I suspect KRON's new ownership structure, under Media General, isn't anxious to dump their premier new market/revenue maker. Look for MG to either: 1) work a deal with Fox for affiliation (after current Cox contract/options expire) or 2) cut a deal for NBCUni to supply news coverage for 4.
DeleteThe signal areas look pretty similar to me:
Deletehttp://www.tvfool.com/maps/?call=KRON
http://www.tvfool.com/maps/?call=KNTV-DT
I agree. No reason for NBC to buy KRON. If this were 15 years ago, you bet they'd want it. Now, with cable. satellite and digital penetration, only a minority (and few in the coveted demo) are watching over the air.
DeleteIf Fox wants to buy a station, they have options and they have money, so it may be only a matter of time. But, without seeing the affiliation contracts, the sports revenue, it is difficult to determine what financial impact would be if Fox owned the station. That's because for most affiliates these days, the networks no longer compensate affiliates for program carriage. In many cases, usually including big name sports, the stations pay the networks, usually in the form of an extra 30 or 60 second commercial availability. So the bottom line is whether it would be worth Fox to buy into the market when all it would get would be some extra ad money. Plus, they would need to put buckets of money into KTVU's Oakland house or KRON's 1001 VanNess, I think you'll see the reopening of the Jack Tar before any of that happens.
I live in northern San Mateo County. I can pick up KNTV over-the-air, but can't pick up KRON.
DeleteMy girlfriend lives on the Berkeley flats and gets KRON but not KNTV.
DeleteKatie Green can do no wrong in my book, because she's got GREAT TITS.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm that shallow.
Nothing wrong with your observation. Green sounds awful on the radio but after checking out a few pictures of her online the tits do look great. Btw has anyone heard the promos of Sussman and Green? If those are highlights then the quality of that show must be very shitty.
DeleteJust for that Fan-zine type remark, you get to hear all of Katies radio commercials about that Miracle Shampoo that made her hair stop falling out in big furry clumps! The volume and treble will both be locked on HIGH.
Delete...and how great do those tits sound on the radio Mr. Observant? Sheesh, wudda world....
DeleteI'm a liberal, but have to admit that right-wing chicks are always hotter than left-wing chicks.
DeleteBarf to all you anonymous cretins.
DeleteWhat would your mother, sister, or wife have to say about your icky comments?
I'm a liberal women, one of my best friends is as right wing as they come, a bachelor most of his life, claim that liberal women are hotter and more fun. Could have to do with that he prefer Scandinavian and European women to American. Funny position for a dedicated right winger, but then he lived in 2 Scandinavian countries, and was in his twenties in the seventies.
DeleteSignal strength? That is your best conjured up answer? I will give you the REAL answer.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason for NBC to get involved is a property swap. They likely have more capital than Fox and Fox probably doesn't want to buy KRON and then have to deal with a major newsroom overhaul and pay to get the equipment it needs on top of taking the building. KNTV is ready to go. Also there is this. Santa Clara County has the most meters in the Bay Area. You win your home turf and you have a leg up at the register. Gotta remember KRON was an NBC affiliate so the big wigs may think a return could be easier than making a cold entry into the market. Also Comcast Sports is in SF so they could consolidate their operations under one roof which would help the bottom line in the long run.
So a sign and trade if you will is not that far fetched. Fox's simple and most direct solution is to buy KRON and take the affiliation away from KTVU. This has already happened in a few markets with Fox.
Too bad Barnett is leaving. Why couldn't Rudy Rudeness take a powder?
ReplyDeleteHey Rich, how about Chris Mullin replacing Barnett if Tolbert doesn't accept the warrior broadcasting job? Ideally I would like to see Fleming replacing Fitz as Warriors PBP and pair him with either Tolbert and Mullin.
ReplyDelete*or Mullin
DeleteBecause Mullin is now associated with the Sacto Queens now that new ownership is there.
DeleteRich, I was wondering why KTVU's David Stevenson was off the airwaves for a few weeks-He's back this week & has done a Ken Wayne-Stevenson had a Widow's Peak & a Bird Nest and had Hair transplant surgery while he was gone--Stevenson Hair now does looks a whole lot better--I must say!r
ReplyDeleteI second that emotion 2:12; Fleming replacing Fitzgerald !!!
ReplyDeleteI think, thought I could be wrong, that even though KRON is an independent it is still carried on more cable systems in the region and also has that better signal strength. KNTV in 2001 had no business becoming the Bay Area's NBC afflliate, but the network insisted on it. . In a perfect world KRON would still carry the peacock. However, Fox's buying 4 and making it into a red-white-and-blue O&O does make sense. KTVU would then be completely independent, which is mostly has been anyway -- maybe the least Fox-like Fox station in the US.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing that can happen to the Bay Area is that Comcast/NBC Universal takes over KRON and Fox moves to KNTV or FOX 11. This transaction could be in the form of a swap or trade. The 49'ers new stadium would be right in their backyard so to speak and FOX would be where the money is.....this is a no brainner FOX 11 and NBC4.
ReplyDeleteRich, your meltdown today on the radio was riveting. You even took callers whom you constantly denigrate. I must say your first and your last shows on KOMY were your best. You have a lot of work to do if you want to be good consistently. Stop being such a pigheaded ass. Good luck on your (supposed) KSCO gig. You didn't sound very sure it was even going to happen! Not a good sign three days before launch.
ReplyDeleteI hope Tolbert takes the job. If anyone can take Jim Barnett's place, it is Tom. And moreover, if anyone can put that raving egomaniac Bob Fitzgerald in his place it is Tom.
ReplyDeleteCan we get Fitz to retire and Barnett stays?
ReplyDeleteI asked earlier ?? if anyone knew what Tolbert would make with the Warriors ... Or what Fitz receives $$ for the Warriors job... Can anyone guess ????
ReplyDeleteAlso, the more I thought about it.... the Warriors Job ... Is a PLUM job... the team should be very good for many years +++ they will be moving into a FIRST class facility....
So , if the Warriors offer the Job to Tommy T ... there is NO CHANCE he will not accept !! That is a guarantee !! Thanks Mike
What is FOX or NBC willing to pay for KRON? The station. Not the building. 10M? 100M?
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone has a direct answer to that. But- just for comparison, when KRON's owners were hoping for NBC to buy it, back in 2000, the asking price was 800 million. No deal.
DeleteNBC bought KNTV for something in the area of the 200s. They don't appear to be unhappy with their decision. Why would Comcast want to put out a huge expenditure now?
Jim Barnett should have been a head coach. He has a Phil Jackson aura on him. What a waste by the NBA and the Warriors to have never offered him the job,the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteIf Fox bought KRON I think they would sell the building, it's old out dated and way to big. Move the station to a cheaper location and start from scratch. Retired from TV
ReplyDeleteKRON is in a giddy mood tonight, airing their first NFL game in 12 years. It's a full on party. And who can blame them?
ReplyDeleteAnd wow, they just promoted "Sports Night Live" with Radnich premiering in November and airing Thursdays at 9pm. Prepping for that new network affiliation it looks! lol
Rich- your silence is deafening. What's the scoop on the KSCO show? Is it happening or not? I need to set reminders on my phone since your alleged new show would start at 2pm pst instead of the previous 1pm. Let us know baby.
ReplyDelete