KRON's big, "All-staff-is-required" meeting on Monday is, according to several station sources, centered on the talk of a move, sooner rather than later, from its historic building at 1001 Van Ness to, get this, 900 Front.
900 Front, the ABC Broadcast building, that houses KGO-TV, (and radio long ago).
What makes this more than just a simple relocation is the fact that the office space is comparatively small. This would indicate KGO & KRON might enter a shared services agreement (or something similar). Conceivably, Media General, (KRON's corporate owner), could eliminate staff news/production and studio/master control/promotion departments and only maintain a limited staff: administration, sales, and overall personnel. In fact, KRON already has a shared-service deal using KGO's helicopter.
A KRONvict close to the scene: "Hopefully this isn’t the case, but it does have lots of the staff talking."
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whoa...
ReplyDeleteThis would not be a shock, as KRON came very close to an SSA with NBC about two years ago. But Young got a bit financially selfish and the quiet deal didn't quite come together. Media General is leading this move, and sale of 1001 Van Ness will help buy down the company debt that helped bring Young into their fold.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn Johnson, 24/7.
DeleteI vote for that. You couldn't ask for a better news person, in every respect.
If KRON does move then this would allow current ownership to sell the real estate - the most valuable part of the station - and continue to operate on a shoe string until FOX comes in, buys the station and builds new digs either South of Market or further south such as Potrero/Dogpatch or Hunters Point.
ReplyDeleteHey Rich, what's going on with KGO Ch#7 doing their newscasts out of their newsroom...are they building a new set?
ReplyDeleteMaybe that has something to do with whatever they are doing with KRON...
DeleteHas to be a new set. Those things take some time to assemble and then they have to set all the camera shots and the lighting. It is amazing to see how much work goes into them. Especially since HD shows every detail.
DeleteI was told via Twitter that they are upgrading to more energy efficient lighting, no new set
DeleteGood! Now they can get rid of that FUCKFACE Aaron Pero.
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't make sense, they just had a meeting saying that they were going to hire more people.
ReplyDeleteYeah, KGO freelancers.
Delete@5:01 PM
ReplyDeleteSERIOUSLY!?!?! Shame on you for writing that... and Rich..SERIOUSLY!?!?
Shame on you for printing something like that. Considering all the scoops you have Rich, you would be a lot better served (reputation wise, and financially through donations) if you didn't print comments from scumbags. Name calling shows nothing more than a lack of intelligence. Thanks so much for bringing me down to your gutter..@5:01 PM scumbag.
Aaron, tell us how you REALLY feel. I know, comments sting more when they hit close to home.
Delete@6:26 Your stay at my gutter is very welcomed you FUCKFACE!
DeleteYeah, seriously! You just now realized you're so popular?? I bumped into Stacey Owen recently and she didn't even want to talk about you. She used to like you a lot.
DeleteWhy would Lieberman restrain others from name-calling when that's his own modus operandi. Furthermore it resonates with the dimwits who follow him on this blog. That's the audience he's aiming for.
ReplyDeletePlease please no!!! Would be awful for all kgo people!! Kron is nothing but toxic!!
ReplyDeleteDid anyone catch these two air heads on air on KGO filling in for the NY Witch? Melissa and Betsy are their names...I think. They are so like VALLEY OR SOMETHING. A pair of airheads on par with chef Scott Ryan. Where do they spawn these shitty hosts? They make Dave Weintraub sound like the next coming of Gene Burns.
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DeleteAlright, alright, everyone just take it easy... Take it easy... Friend of mine tipped me off that I was being criticized on this here blog, so I figured I'd address the small handful that actually gives a shit.
No one "makes" me sound like anyone, or anything, especially Gene Burns, who like me graduated Rutgers University. Another East Coaster, bringing you your entertainment.
I was on vacation when these two women filled in for me, and did not have a chance to hear their show. I've heard mixed things, but after all, it was their first go round.
It's not an easy time slot, as someone else mentioned in another thread. The numbers are available for all to see, so to do a show at that hour there aren't going to be many callers, which is presumably why there were 2 hosts.
As for me, I see someone else mentioned that I like to hear the "sound of his own voice"; that I don't have guests (or callers), etc. etc.
This is true. I'm not big into guests because unlike some other hosts, I don't like bringing people on for the sake of it, or to make my job easier. That's not what I'm about. I'll have guests at some point, but not just yet. I'm about working very hard, and hoping to get results. I'm my biggest critic, in ways you could never understand; in the same way most of you critics could never do what I do. To not have guests, to not take many callers, etc. etc. It's a blessing and a curse that drives this, trust me. I want to make it as hard as possible for myself, and if I fail before I succeed, that's a risk I'm willing to take.
As for other hosts, be it Gene Burns, Ronn Owens, or anyone else out there, we're all different. Some of had YEARS to work on their craft, and some like me have not. Some have had options across the nation to practice getting better; these days, hosts aren't that fortunate. You're comfortable with the old hosts, and I get that. I love radio, probably more than you do. Believe that. And I get your love for older hosts, who all did it differently. I'd prefer to exist in their time, quite frankly, as would the PDs and GMs who run the station(s), but we don't. I miss Neil Rogers, Jack Ellery and even Bob Grant. I was waaaay into that shit, believe me. But again, times are different.
And while I do love all those I've mentioned, and many more, I'm not them, and they're not me. The things I don't do well are things I try to work on, but the things I can do well, a lot of others cannot do. It's not something you learn. That's just the reality of it. I'm merely on the radio because I willed it, want it, and others see something in me which has resulted in it.
I could have done many other things with my life, and I'm sure some of you wish I did, but this is where I'm at. I'm doing radio the best way I know how to, and it's a learning process. There are some tools at my disposal, and I'm trying to make it better. You don't just press the button on your first day, and poof, you're a legend. You work to make it better. That's what I'm doing. Trying different things out, seeing what works, what doesn't, etc. It's not magic.
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DeleteSome of you will always be haters because it's your lot. Others are just really bummed because the radio industry has kind of gone to shit. I get it. Your comments on me aren't going to change me, or affect me in any serious way. Yet I will read them from time to time because like anyone else, I like The Enquirer. And Rich has afforded us this outlet to discuss and read about our industry. Other cities have message boards, and i wish people here weren't anonymous, for I would post more. It's still a good outlet.
If you think the proper business model in this day and age is keeping older radio hosts on the air to satisfy you, you're mistaken. Whether, or not, radio succeeds in going younger isn't the point. Maybe a certain type of radio host would do better in this market because of the listening audience, but that audience is fading. Radio has to take the risk of trying to get younger or else it's going to fade. There won't be radio. Maybe that's tomorrow, or in 5 years, or 10, whatever/whenever. At the end of the day you have to take drastic steps and hope you're right. Because either way, in the long run you are going to lose.
As for KGO-TV, if you ever fire Carolyn Johnson I will come for you, in the night, while you sleep.
P.S. Don't confuse conceit for confidence. I'm an excited and happy person, grateful for my opportunity.
David: Don't confuse lack of experience with mediocre talent. And no one wants to keep radio hosts on air based on their age. Most of us don't care how old a host is, just that he or she puts on a good, relevant, professional show. So far, the replacements hired at KGO for the fired hosts are self-absorbed bores and subpar at best with little display of a promise of much improvement.
DeleteI am not defending who is on the air. I think there are a couple of hosts on the air in the Bay Area that shouldn't be on the radio ANYWHERE, let alone here. I can only defend myself, and the idea of radio in general. I'm not claiming now is better than then. Yet change has to happen.
DeleteHopefully people like what I'm bringing to the table. I work hard at it.
KGO Radio has nothing to do with this story or KGO TV, if you are a regular reader of this blog,then you would know it was sold to Cumulus two years ago and is now part of the Hawthorne St. radio cluster along with KSFO of KNBR, KTCT, KFOG and 107.7 FM
DeleteI think KGO David is aware of that. It seems he's responding to a post that did reference him. Regardless, what's the difference?
DeleteHorrid! Horrid! Horrid! Those air heads were horrid! Why in God's green earth would KGO seek out such utter losers to occupy their precious air space? Yes, KGO radio has gone from bad to worse and they are intent on proving their disrespect for the community. I used to turn on the radio every night at 10 pm and John Rothmann guaranteed an evening of intelligent conversation. Now on weekdays, there is only the same dreary news repeats. On weekends I will even lower myself to listen to Karel, but Maureen Langan is impossible. The two women who showed up to host on Sunday really took the biscuit. How low can KGO go?
DeleteRyan Scott, Maureen Langhan, Tim Montemayor and Candace DeLong, all selections of the former APD Jared Hart, who I'm told slyly disappeared. Not only is the talent weak, but it was selected by a know-nothing novice.
DeleteI listened a little after I read your blog (11:04) Melissa Caen Griffin has been on with Matt Ray, and was not half bad, I believe she is a lawyer, not that necessarily means a whole lot. However, you are right about tonight's show, they sound awful, talking about Erik Estrada, how long has it been since he was relevant, (no I'm not some young chick, I'm 60+) and calling CHP, Chippy, pronouncing Jackie Speier's last name Spears. Talking about some fireman getting arrested by CHP (story all over the internet several days ago, and Gil Gross talked about it earlier last week, saying they feel bad for the fireman, because and I quote "he was sooo cute". Is it possible KGO is going from bad to worse? I guess, I would not underestimate their knack for constantly misjudging there listening audience, and continue to gum down their programming. I know Rich does not like Brian Copeland, but then who does Rich like, guess he does not have to like anybody, since his blog is about critic. However I like Brian, and he sounds better and better, as there are fewer and fewer good hosts, not to mention excellent hosts, totally devoid in todays Bay Area radio. I suspect Rich does not like Brian because he is friends with Ronn. Brian is multitalented, doing another one man show, has written and starring in his own plays, is a comedian, done TV on and on. When KGO had really, really talented hosts, (John Rothmann, Gene, Pete Wilson) Brian was in the middle, not anymore, he stayed on after his show and Pat Thurston interviewed him, how he got started in radio etc. and he did his Ray Talifero impression, which is just hilarious.
ReplyDeleteWho is Dave?
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that you can chase younger viewers/readers/listeners but where has that got tv/newspapers/radio? Maybe you aren't doing it right or maybe young people depend on newer technology for information. So you turned off your older listeners, you are chasing a younger audience that doesn't want you, and the big enchilada in the corner is how you insist that your audience be mostly moderate to conservative white men. Yeah, yeah, liberals don't do good radio. Maybe liberal listeners want balance. I'll never listen to racists like Savage and Hannity because I don't care to be entertained through my humiluation as a person. I want to be informed first then entertained. I used to like Copeland a lot but I am truly amazed at how uninformed he is about issues he's so adamnant about. Radio should be entertaining on some level but it has to be honest and have some connection to reality. Bernie Ward turned out to be an awful person but he did his homework, was informed and entertaining even when I did not agree with him, which was often. I'm sick of uninformed talk show hosts who rope you know what out of their butts, get all indignant, seem to have no solid grasp of issues and talk all over callers.
All those other guys Rich and others love so much have a stale perspective and not at all interesting. There really are other people in the world beside white men. I'm beginning to like Pat Thurston when I catch her. Sorry to break this to you but white men are of little interest to me and most do not/can not represent my viewpoint. Case in point is the fried chicken menu to celebrate Black History Month. It's either wilful ignorance or abject cluelessness and I won't listen to that ish anymore. Even Copeland missed that it was partly due to black student involvement which made the topic even more tragic.
The world is changing and you seemingly cannot adapt.
I continued to listen to Ronnnn until I couldn't stand his total obssession with how much he dislikes Obama because he won't come on his show and last year's nonstop smearing of BART employees.
Stick a fork in me. You qualified white males have destroyed the mass media. Good job.
I'm not going to keep going back and forth here, and you are free to email at kgodavid@gmail.com. If you want my take on Fried Chicken, or any other topic, you are welcome to goto the KGOradio.com 7 day archive, and click on Sunday at Midnight. I think it's my first topic.
DeleteI said they should probably serve people the corpse of Strom Thurmond and call it Black Redemption Month, but that's just me. Fried Chicken happens to be my favorite food (that and good pizza, but even bad FC is usually good).
As to your other points, I think I know quite a few things. I believe the hosts at KGO would back me up when it comes to being a person of substance. I live my life by something Lou Reed said, "I have something to say, and I said it..." That's how I feel. As I also said the other night on the air, you are free to turn off this free product any time. It's your right.
All that said, the radio industry has done very little to develop talent. You've been listening to the same hosts for 20+ years. Turning TV hosts and politicians into radio hosts. C'mon. Why? Because it's easier for them to do that. However, it so happens that they've practically cannibalized their own industry by not having real talent waiting in the wings. Because of the internet/tech, radio has certainly taken a hit. But so has every other industry. Some are adapting, some are failing, and it seems radio has taken it pretty hard.
Now they have to figure out how to save it, and make it viable in a new age. They were the last ones to come around, and now it's becoming all too obvious as to its flaws. Yet I believe in it, and know that the right decisions will make radio very viable. Again, never what it was, but nothing will ever be what it is, which is both good and bad. The companies who acquired stations also didn't pay "what it was' dollars to acquire. These days signals are being GIVEN AWAY.
I've chosen to remain in it, and continue a career in it because I believe in it. If you think the answer is staffing KGO, or any other talk outlet, with hosts from back when, I think that is misguided.
I am not questioning the talent/ability of other hosts, but I would question the concept of going backward.
Feel free to email me. kgodavid@gmail.com. Cheers.