I DIDN'T LISTEN MUCH To RONN OWENS on THURSDAY because I knew it was mostly going to be "It's all about Ronnnnnnnn" and indeed it was.See, even as his colleagues were in tears packing up their belongings and being led out of the Cumulus-SF Media Building, Ronnnn was joking; both on and off the air; Ronn joked about how an associate told him once, "you'll probably die while on the microphone." Ronnnnnn laughed at that. Said it was probably true. See Ronnnnn is a radio mercenary --hell, give him a mike and a few bucks, hell show up. Who cares about stinking call letters. Lowenstein is about Lowenstein.
Ha Ha Ronnnnn.
See, lots of people asked me, why is Ronnnnnn still even working? He sounds like shit now and his ratings are terrible. So, how does he help KSFO when he sounds like an old man.
Well, for starters, Ronnnn truly doesn't know what to do outside of radio and so, there was KSFO. Cumulus, A., feels sorry for Ronn and given his health status, doesn't want to fire him because they're afraid of legal repercussions and also weary of having to cut him a major check, (like someone else a few years ago); So, ratings-challenged Ronn will be sent to KSFO to do a three-hour splurge --maybe they believe Ronnn and his terrible ratings will be helped by a strong lead-in from Michael Savage who has great ratings from Noon-3, but back to the basics.
I don't know what the hell Cumulus is trying to accomplish with KGO. They have permanently wrecked it. Furthermore, I don't think they know either. In five years they have KILLED a legacy station, TWICE! They RUINED a LEGACY station, TWICE! Most of their listeners moved on from KGO and Thursday's latest charade was only proof positive that Cumulus doesn't know how to run a radio station, much less how to maintain any degree of competency --I don't care how many "Armstrong and Getty's" you bring to the table.
*FRANKLY, KGO is in a perpetual no-mans-land; truly Neanderthal status; it's been beaten and bruised and hit so many times; its brand forever altered by a bunch of outsiders who do not RESPECT its sacred call letters; have no regard for its many loyal listeners who long abandoned it because the ill-conceived Atlanta corporate raiders RUINED it and buried it into the ground.
Twice! Damn.
IT IS DEAD NOW.
Just like the rest of terrestrial radio, KGO has been dead, let's bury it and move on.
*It's too early in the game to talk about and speculate about what will be the new line-up at KGO, and KSFO.
KFOG? Really, tragically, does anyone care about KFOG anymore? The last time KFOG was relevant was about when Bill Clinton was president.
Sorry, but I'm right.
As we gather in all the information and try to decipher what is real and factual as opposed to what is rumor and fiction, we'll come sooner or later and provide proper analysis.
*KEEP IT HERE at 415 MEDIA for all the information
*Follow me on Twitter
KGO is now just a cat in a burlap bag...tossed into the river. For the next few days all further life will drain out...drowning a slow final noisy death.
ReplyDeleteI saw Ronn briefly on the news last night, and barely recognized him. He looks terrible.
ReplyDeleteBoth my parents died as a result of Parkinson's Disease. It's not a pretty sight. Many times I felt cancer would have been preferable. Parkinson's affects the whole body... speaking, movement, and dementia is common. My father lasted two years, my mother 18 years. No matter what procedure one goes through to alleviate the symptoms, Parkinson's wins out.
While I feel bad that Ronn was struck with this insidious disease, he really should retire and enjoy the rest of his life. He has had a long and successful run. He's 70, made a lot of money, time to hang it up before he embarrasses himself.
His shows and effort have been shit, for the most part, since his failed LA simulcast in 1998. Up until then his shows were well thought out, tight and well prepared.
DeleteThat is when Ronn jumped the shark.
Ronn still sounds good and he loves to work so I'm glad he still has an opportunity. Steven Hawking looks way worse than Ronn and he still works and contributes to society. Should he retire, also?
DeleteRonn had one hour to explain to people that he was no longer going to be on KGO and where and when they were moving him. He is trying to cope with his situation and be positive so he can still have listeners. They gave him a small amount of time and no doubt made sure he didn't let people know what else was going on at the station, assuming he knew. Before he went on air, everything sound normal. It's a bad situation for everyone involved in that awful Cumulus company.
DeleteStephen Hawking is a genius whose brain isn't affected.
DeleteRonn is a fucking idiot whose brain is falling apart.
9:03 I think you brain is falling apart, if you ever had one. You might think Ronn is an idiot, you might despise his politics or personality, all is fair game, but to attack him because he has a horrible disease that could affect any of us without warning, one which we would have no control over, just what kind of human being are you?
DeleteRonn Owens dreamed of having a final show at KGO, filled with important guests. Willie Brown, Gavin Newsom and every hip cat in Frisco.
DeleteInstead he was relegated to speaking for one hour trying his best to put a positive spin on his firing.
What happened Ronn?
"to attack him because he has a horrible disease that could affect any of us without warning, one which we would have no control over, just what kind of human being are you?"
DeleteEveryone wishes him well with regard to the disease. However, that in and of itself is no reason to keep him on the radio. If he can't produce, he shouldn't be there. I suspect that having the disease might have sparked some discussion with corporate lawyers about liability should they let him go, though.
"...KGO has been dead, let's bury it and move on."
ReplyDeleteMany of your readers wish you would. There are other things to discuss, hundreds of other stations.
RONN is a big old fart that wants to hang on and get every penny he is owed. He never mentioned anything about his co-workers losing their jobs. It was all about him moving a few doors down, Classless!!!
ReplyDeleteI have stopped listening to KGO and KCBS since I retired and no longer commute.
ReplyDeleteBernie Ward predicted this outcome after the 12-'11 massacre when he wrote that Cumulus would likely have all syndicated shows and infomercials on their stations. The only thing we can hope for is Cumulus to quickly die completely insolvent and a new forward thinking company comes in and gives us what we want- a station that's primarily locally focused, with talk show hosts who are articulate, intelligent, thoughtful, with a mix of a progressive and conservative lineup. They would start with hiring Bernie Ward, the prescient one.
ReplyDeleteIt is long recognized the KGO itself was on a feeding tube in ratings, results and revenue. Change needed to happen. Hard choices needed to be made to survive and turn things around for not only for KGO but KSFO, KFOG and The Bone. KNBR/KCTC needs help too. So I understand the wholesale moves they made.
ReplyDeleteIf I recall, KSFO has been a slight upswing for some time (though it is flat now) in SF and San Jose books. Moving Ron Owens to KSFO does not makes sense on the surface from his political view point given the stations other fare including Sussman, Limbaugh and Savage.
But it actually does make sense in a way for the listener since this is about entertainment.
Controversy, a long time missing element might be the goal and spark needed to reignite KSFO as a listeners destination leading to ratings and hopefully revenue. I'm not a listener of such fare but given the success of Trump antics and media attention this is a contrarian counter programming copycat move in the reverse, that might drive KSFO ratings forward. Ron might be a pinata for a while until he retires, but people like discussion, particularly if they disagree. It's like having the visiting uncle spouting his contrary views at the dinner table and the vigorous argument that ensues. People and therefore listeners would love that.
Now to the changes at KFOG and The Bone. That is the sad reality and reflective of this business but in the end, it is a business. While I would expect KFOG's brand to survive in some rock format way that will return it, to a wider audience, it might be different, so I'm willing to give it a chance. The Bone's days might be numbered and may become a companion FM for either KSFO or KGO or even KNBR. KFOG could too but that rock brand is awfully hard to ignore so I don't expect it.
Now KNBR, while carrying the station cluster might be out of steam. Ratings and revenue are still good. The whole cluster, with the exception of KGO and KSFO, still reflects the tried and true original Susquehanna efforts and demographic revenue domination, though shrunk now in ratings and revenue success for various reasons and circumstances.
What might be interesting and daring is if KNBR and KCTC along with the other Cumulus cluster stations were to cut back on commercial load. A "less is more" as a position statement in the advertising and listener community. Sports listeners (along with other stations) have endured far to many and often repeated commercials. It is is not effective for an advertiser or for the listener. Recent articles on this very site reflect that.
And I suspect, the ad community would embrace that with great enthusiasm and their wallets.
Did you hear Sal Castaneda's what SOUNDED like a not so subtle dig this morning at this whole situation around 0615... when he said, " we're going to build this brand in to the best it can be ... " then he recanted and said, " Having too much fun..." Maybe he wasn't referring to this but it sure sounded like it.
ReplyDeleteAnd "Armstrong and Getty", are just a placeholder or a bookmark until actual talent is located.
ReplyDelete"Actual talent" probably aren't interested at their prices. Almost certainly, they are looking for people who will work for far less than previous talent, in an effort to reduce revenue.
DeleteIs it Armstrong and Armstrong or Getty and Getty? These 2 clowns sound exactly alike just like those 2 arrogant pricks on Red Eye Radio on 560.
Delete9:28. Actually it is to reduce expense, not revenue. They want and have to increase revenue..
DeleteAnd this moves give them time to do just that and keeping their powder dry since funds are limited.
They had no choice to do this and their options are even more limited due to the greedy errors of prior Cloud management. Time will tell if this helps KGO and their other Bay Area stations at least regain footing.
Again, this Armstrong and Getty move is a placeholder or bookmark in my mind. Not permanent. And when they have proven the concept, then they will invest in actual talent like Thurston and others at real acceptable prices, not bargain basement prices. Think of this situation like a tv pilot. To test the audience, fine tune it, hopefully gain some small revenue success and build it from there. Besides, while this is awful for everyone, the smart money and better operators are waiting in the wings. It will get better for everyone.
Odd to hear someone (whoever Rabbit is!) say that Armstrong & Getty is a "bookmark" until "actual" talent is located! Listen to A & G for a week or two and you'll likely become hooked!! I've been....a 'fag' (fan of Armstrong & Getty) for many years! They and their great in-studio broadcast team discuss a wide variety of subjects both serious and crazy funny: current news, entertainment, social and personal issues, plus informative guests - all with a ton of fun and laughs along the way. Try it, I bet you'll like it! :)
DeleteGeorge Rask was covering the traffic on PIX this morning. I'm speechless, I'm without speech
ReplyDeleteReally? Good for George !
DeleteHundreds of other stations??? Really?? Most of the few that are left carry syndicated shows so they are mostly all the same.
ReplyDelete@8:44 "George Rask was covering the traffic on PIX this morning."
ReplyDeleteHope it's a permanent gig. Meanwhile, Robin is smiles galore at KRON, so all is well with the Universe.
Brian copeland has been suspiciously quiet... Not responding to anyone's questions on his Facebook page. Perhaps he's taking over for Ron?
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of radio buttons that are being reset even as I write. Those buttons are really the value of the radio station.
ReplyDeleteRich, you should write a book about how Cumulus did everything humanly possible to destroy perhaps the greatest AM talk station in the country. And as for KFOG, it died a long time ago -- the day they fired M. Dung.
ReplyDeleteKFOG died after Dave Benson and Dave Morey left. Where do I start? First, who could stand listening to Renee with her holier than thou attitude and nails on a chalkboard voice? (When is a mediocre traffic reporter suddenly a morning show host in a major market anyway?) And “No-name”? A bald, middle aged yuckster, trying too hard to come across as youthful. What adult can relate to a grown man who can't even use a real name? Is that supposed to be "cutting edge"? "I'll call myself No-name...Dude...I am sooo outrageous and crazy..." And he kept his job? Just pathetic. The only person of any substance at KFOG was Rosalie. She at least was a real broadcaster and a Bay Area native that actually knew music. Hopefully she lands somewhere. Maybe KQED can give her a gig. As for the rest of them, see you at Starbucks getting my coffee or at Trader Joe’s bagging my groceries.
ReplyDeleteAnnalisa, Rosalie, and Dred. They were the talent that mattered. 10@10 is a real loss. Yes, people care about KFOG. It's a legacy rock station that Cumulus sucked the life out of.
ReplyDeleteWho cares about KFOG? A lot of us do. It's the only intelligent adult rock station going in the Bay Area. The problem is that it has been horribly mismanaged. Completely agree that the morning show is unlistenable. Renee and No-Name are completely contrived, totally the opposite of what Dave Morey's show used to be. Still, loved Annalissa's 10 At 10 and Rosalie's Sunday morning and evening shows. The rest of the time with their tight current hit playlist and even worse, their tight list of 150 songs from the past 20 years that are played over and over. Geez you can play thousands of songs, and make radio exciting to listen to, but instead it's the same thing over and over again...when driving, it's primarily change the station time. I'm fine with a tight rotation on the new stuff, but keep it exciting by spicing things up with something that's not played to death...and I think the millennials can handle something from the '60s or '70s...you know like the Beatles (they made music that still sounds pretty good today, and can easily be spliced in with the current stuff). Instead of dumming things down to least common denominator, how about respecting the intelligence of the Bay Area listener and provide a more challenging, exciting and uniquely Bay Area experience.
ReplyDeleteRight! I was shopping yesterday and they were playing Ozzy, "Crazy Train" back-to-back with Elvis, "Suspicious Minds." Unexpected, but it got my attention
DeleteWhat a sophomoric, juvenile and lame way to change KFOG. I can hear this new PD talking to the suits in the corner office. "Say, let's do it on 4/20. Get it? 4/20 man. HAHAHA the people in Frisco love their pot so let's switch over on 4/20...until then, let's play lots of R.E.M. songs that have been played to death." This program director sounds like a moron. Is he the same genius who thought it was a good idea to get rid of The DSC Show at KGB? What a turd.
Delete10:33 - you couldn't be more right. Renee and No Name were a bad SNL skit that makes bad SNL skits look good. The KFOG jocks were boring and wimpy. Rosalie included. That hippy dippy voice and attitude was so 30 years ago. Seriously - once the dust settles, zeroes and zeroes of people will care or even remember KFOG. Even the old jocks like Morey and Dung are so, so, so, so beyond over rated it's laughable.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget about their god awful playlist. And their jocks sounded as if they were popping a boner or creaming their panties every time they would come out of a Cranberries, R.E.M. or Spin Doctors song like it was so ground breaking. Nobody needs to hear Sledgehammer or Hey Jealousy ever again. Nobody cares. Just a tired old station. Gives me a headache and a nervous stomach just thinking about that played out shit.
ReplyDeleteI only tuned into Renee in the morning if I woke up constipated....her voice really clean me out if you know what I mean. Her voice worked better than the first cup of coffee and cigarette...
DeleteI agree! Renee and No Name were sphincter cleaning good! Just like a Chipotle burrito bowl. I wonder if this new program director has a hard on for irrelevant, over rated and boring 90's artists such as Nirvana, Dave Matthews, Alanis Morrisette and R.E.M. like the other tools that came after Dave Benson did. Good luck new guy, you are going to need it.
DeleteBut why (according to the story) do No Name and the "equally talented" Irish Greg get to stay, in whatever capacity? "World Class Rock...Second Rate Jocks" at least in am drive.
DeleteRonn may not be where he was 20 years ago, but Karel, Copeland (everything race), Craft, and the other pretenders can't come close.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the venom towards him, except that he backed one of the wars and has admitted his second vote for Obama was a mistake. A liberal who can admit that we have an empty suit in the White House. Rare in these times. His interview with Tom Campbell a few weeks ago was adult radio, but probably tough for the Liberal set to swallow.
Pay me half a million and I'll talk current events.
You wonder if there is anyone left in radio/tv/newspaper management who remembers when those mediums were decent. I get the impression you get a lot of people who are more adept at cutting a budget and dealing with higher-ups than generating audience because that is what is valued these days.
ReplyDeleteObscenely overrated and overpaid corporate bean counters.
ReplyDeleteI gave up on commercial radio and went to Satellite four years ago. Never looked backed. Out of curiosity I checked out KFOG about two months. Could not believe how far they had fallen. Granted, consultants told them what format to play but it was a shell of the KFOG I remember. Some Cumulus tool 3000 miles away tells them what to do then it gets so bad, they pull the plug. Probably gave that person a raise too. Typical.
ReplyDeleteThis! All of this!
DeleteI suggest the PD at KGO call Robin, the PD at KFI, and get a few tips on running a great operation...
ReplyDeleteI thought KFOG was a Google command. Oh, well. Guess I'm too old for KFOG and KGO. As far as KGO goes, I only listened once in the past year: on a long drive to the San Fernando Valley. Ms. Thurston was on. She did well. Not one woman got a gig. She should have.
ReplyDeleteAgree with 11:13, 12:24 & 2:24 about KFOG. I cared about it, I remember listening to it in the early 80s when it first changed format. It once WAS a great station that had steadily been going downhill for a long time. Still, people like me still listened mainly due to the lack of anything else on local radio worth listening to. Will people forget it in time? Probably. But some of us will remember and think about how (s)cumulus ruined another once-great station. So now both KFOG & Live 105 are gone if not going. At least now I won't have to listen to Dreck..er I mean Dred Scott at night. Maybe I'll listen to KQED since everything else seems so boring.
ReplyDeleteWhat happed to Mark Levin on KSFO 560 ?
ReplyDeleteRonn had nothing to say in support of his 12/11 fallen co-workers. He says nothing now. The last thing he wants to do is bite the hand that feeds him, regardless of what that hand does to others. He is immune, I thought, because he had a fat long term contract. If you think A&G are placeholders then you have not been paying attention. Their ratings are great. They own the Sacramento market and are expanding constantly. They have dialed down their conservative bias - it's there - but they are funny in the process and unlike pap shoveling anger filled Rush, A & G often see and agree with the sentiments of liberals. As for KGO, let's leave that sinking ship behind - it's dead
ReplyDeleteMany of us DO CARE about KFOG, although there isn't much hope.
ReplyDeleteI've been a listener since I was a student at Stanford in the mid-90s. Even then when I was in my twenties, one of the things I appreciated most about the station was that it was "Radio for Grown-Ups". KFOG was about the music. The morning show and other shows weren't filled with inane chatter about celebrities or stupid practical joke calls or sordid details about DJs personal dating lives, etc. I also appreciated KFOG's local focus on San Francisco and the Bay Area.
As I've grown up even more since, I appreciated that I could have KFOG playing while my children are around so they hear current music without also hearing rude, immature, R-rated, or even cruel "humor" from DJs who are more found of their own voices than music. I even listened to KFOG online when I lived out of the country for six months.
I am very worried that KFOG will become like all the other "lowest common denominator" radio stations around. PLEASE, will KFOG remain an intelligent, high-quality, music-first radio station?
We need Radio for Grown-ups!
Many of my friends and I are very worried about "The evolution". Will it be a de-volution instead?
I want to stay a Fog-head.
The KFOG jocks were inane and contrived. I liked 10@10, but Annalisa's idiotic fake giggling at combinations of words she apparently thought were jokes was excrutiating. They were all a bunch of sad parodies of stetetypes that were exhausted a decade ago. They actually managed to make Garrison Kellior seem lively and engaging.
ReplyDelete