TWO KEY EXECS from the Disney TV Group division met over the weekend at The W Hotel to discuss the ongoing situation of their SF O and O, KGO-TV and its still vacant GM position.They left early Monday for NY and presumably a final decision will be made by the end of the week.
We've heard that before.
*We keep hearing about "massive" layoffs about to take place at both Bay Area Sports Radio stations: Entercom's 95.7 FM 'The Game' and Cumulus' KNBR. My question: whom do you cut? On the KNBR side, there's 4 (four) to chose from; I wouldn't se shocked if someone out of the blue --BIG name and all were to get his comeuppance --at 'The Game', the guy in the afternoon might be a little anxious.
*Every time I think KRON can't get any worse they get worse. KRON has ceased to be taken seriously as a legitimate news operation. They are so bad now; the product on their air so bereft of just basic operational and functional skills; lame, innocuous newscasts would be tolerable but now the entire station looks and sounds like plain crappola. Who's in charge? Never mind.
*YES, I've been away dealing with way too many issues to comprehend and I'm not going to bore you with the details but it's a Catch 22 supreme. If I were to describe what's happening then you'd pelt me for asking for sympathy (which I don't want) then again, If I were to remain mum then I'll be accused of slacking. (Not) It's just a little tough now I'll save you the details. But the sun is shining today.
*I have to give a plug to local legend, Dennis Fanucchi for his fanaticism and will to move on and on and on no matter what age, the present-day Jack LaLanne.
*I don't know if you're aware but we used to be the 4th biggest TV Market now we're below Houston and name the other one...anyway we're about
*OK, I'm in the minority: I thought Dion Lim has mightily improved at KGO-TV but her critics continue to bitch and moan. Look, she's doing the best she can which is better then those who are abject phonies. At least Dion is trying.
*Give a listen to KCBS: if you can't tell after ten minutes about the radical change before your very ears then you're not an old school KCBS listener. The brand is being destroyed. What a shame, amid silly questions and cackling that would have been shocking not so long ago.
*George Rask delivering traffic reports: sounds like some UC professor giving a monologue about the history of cryonics --hey George, move it up a notch and try to sound like you're alive.
*The epitome of asininity: Steve Aveson.
The photo of Salesforce tower just proves that SF has surrendered any claim to historic preservation and now defines itself as either Manhattan West or another Los Angeles. It looks like an 1100 foot erection.
ReplyDeleteThe epitome of Fecalia: Tony Rendina
ReplyDeleteHow has KRON gotten worse? Looks like the same lame example of local tv journalism to me.
ReplyDeleteThe SF TV market is now #8 according to Nielsen; #1 New York, #2 Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Washington D.C. Houston, #8 San Francisco-Oak-San Jose, #9 Atlanta, Boston. Atlanta is not far behind and may surpass SF soon.
I find it hard to know what the fascination is with local tv, very few watch it. I was walking downtown behind Reggie Aqui for several blocks, at least 8, and I did not see one soul take a double glance or notice him, just me, but that is because I work right next to the ABC studios. I don't watch the morning news either. I bet if Jake or Logan Paul or Mark Fischbach walked through downtown they would be noticed and stopped.
I would be curious to know how the broadcast reach compares to the digital reach, all encompassing from apps to website to social networks.
I used to watch KRON news occasionally. I can't anymore. High school kids could do a better job and I'm thinking that fairly soon, that's what they'll be hiring.
DeleteThank you yet again for eliminating the main troll Stan from the comments section. I see him bitching and moaning in his posts about your decision. All the stages of grief on display. It is a much more civil discourse in here since the changeover.
ReplyDeleteIt's refreshing not to see Stan's posts. I'd just skip them all.
Delete"...Huzzah For Dennis Fanucchi"
ReplyDeleteI loved his brother Don...in "The Godfather Part II"
Dion was a lot fun to watch during the Oscars coverage. She has a magical aurora around her when she covers fun events like the Oscars. I like her
ReplyDeleteStay strong Rich, I hope you get better soon. I 100% agree that Dion is doing a great job. Let's put all the haters to rest. We need people like her in the community
ReplyDeleteDamon Bruce is all The Game has that I would even listen to. Greg Papa's show I could do without because its basically a symposium on how smart Greg Papa thinks he is. Chris Townsend somehow survives every management change so I doubt he goes anywhere.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of competing with KNBR, it might be smart to move Bruce's time slot so as not to compete with Tolbert, because no matter who is there in that slot they will lose. Bruce could beat anyone else at KNBR in terms of ratings if not in the same time slot as Tolbert & Lund.
Papa's latest sidekick needs to go, he's horrible, what's his name, Bonta? His only role is to make Papa look good and kiss his ass, "hey Pop, what do you think?", "great point Pop", "you're the best Pop", and so on...Papa is becoming more and more arrogant and pompous, a true "know it all"...
DeleteIf GP is soo good how did he lose his job to shorty giggles? His head is a circle, has it's own weather system...
Deletealso bonta has this annoying habit of repeating everyone right after they say something..look at the losers they have there, mike urban matt colsky,all knbr retreads
Deletehaha. Yeah, sometimes he does that, but in a way Bonta doesn't have a choice. This is his first full-time show I think and this might be his big break. Before this, he worked with Marty Lurie on KNBR on weekends during baseball season.
DeleteI think Bonta is good overall. When Papa is off, Bonta does a good job of filling in and controlling the show. It's kind of too bad that Bonta is not in the 10-Noon timeslot. He really does deserve his own show, and I think that would be a good timeslot for him. Maybe have him host a show with Matt Kolsky or Guru, or maybe even The Butcher Boy who will now be doing a weekend show?
I wish they would add Bonta's name to Papa's show. It should be the Greg Papa show with Bonta Hill, or the Papa and Bonta show.
Agreed! They need someone who challenges Papa and they’ve never had that. This Bonte person isn’t very interesting. Lund was better by far.
DeleteOne thing about Bonte that I've noticed is he always sounds like his sinuses are stuffed up. It's kind of weird to have a radio guy who sounds like that, IMO. Maybe a septum problem? Who knows. Just an observation.
DeleteRich,
ReplyDeleteHow come you never mention these KRON4 field reporters...Rob Fladeboe, Spencer Blake, Ali Reid, Lydia Pantazes, Hermela Aregawi, Ella Sogomonian, Rob Black (he's awful!!), Terisa Estacio, Dan Kerman, etc...
It seems like you only mention, Gary Radnich, Pam Moore, etc.
Why not the others,,,
I agree with you that KRON4 is awful....
KRON is unwatchable.
ReplyDeleteKNBR is unlistenable except for sports.
95,7 is unlistenable except for sports.
KCBS is becoming unlistenable (too much Jon Bristow and KGO refugees).
Dion Lim must be reading this blog. She is better than when she first arrived at ABC7.
They're unwatchable/unlistenable, yet you're all watching and listening.
DeleteDo you see the irony here or is it just me?
I quit listening to KNBR and 95.7 except for sports broadcasts and I listen to KCBS during the commute. My wife watches Entertainment Tonight and Dr. Phil so I move to another room. The shows dovetail to the news.
DeleteHang in there Rich. It is worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteLOL! at the smatterings of positive Dion Lim posts and their frequently strange idiomatic expressions. Her family must really be pulling for her.
ReplyDeleteKeep bringing the positivity Dion! Squash these negative cockroaches!
Delete- KRON's owners are more absent than ever. They need to prove their existence let alone their ability.
ReplyDelete- Speaking of insufferables, related to the Oscars broadcast, ex-Olympic Medalist skater Nancy Kerrigan now has something in common with Rich Lieberman - the misfortune of watching the annoying voice of Allison Janney winning an award. In this case, Janney won for the role of Tonya Harding's mom in I, Tonya. Regardless of whether it was expected, if Kerrigan is upset about reliving her low point, maybe she should give Lieberman a call. As for the broadcast itself and our local station, Dion Lim seemed like an ideal fit. Know if only Circle7 can really get a final decision this Friday.
Well "lot fun" to you 5:34. Is that what it's called, "idiomatic expressions?" I noticed that also, they always give themselves away.
ReplyDeleteRich, this is what someone just wrote: I find it hard to know what the fascination is with local tv, very few watch it.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch too. Please Rich, review media that your blog readers are watching/listening to. IE; SiriusXM You have great insights, please publish what we want to read.
Too much Bristow? On the weekends? His profile is not even on the KCBS webpage.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote recently how ABC 7 was shopping for a legal analyst. I got him. Sam Nunberg. He debuted on all the cable news channels today. He was so sharp and lucid. He was doing a phoner with Jake Tapper and he dropped his tumbler, but he went on without skipping a beat. He brought a lot of light to the Russian-Trump collusion probe. He had great insights on such things like how you deal with a subpoena (rip it up!). He’s great on TV.
ReplyDeleteare we now 8 because we are losing population? SO WHY IS THE TRAFFIC SO BAD
ReplyDeleteI thought we dropped to 8 b/c of our sloppy local broadcasters.
DeleteDion has been nothing but professional from day one. The Bay Area is very lucky to have her on the airwaves.
ReplyDeleteKcbs went downhill when Jack swanson took over and turned it into KGO
ReplyDeleteHey!! I think George Rask does a good job!!
ReplyDeleteAs far as whom to get rid of on KNBR and 95.7, the answer is definitely easier on KNBR than it is for 95.7.... For KNBR, I agree there are 4 people to get rid of and it is Murph and Mac, Gary, and probably John Lund.
ReplyDeleteEven though Murph and Mac are still popular, their show isn't listenable anymore, and it seems like their show has been the same for a number of years now without any real changes. No new ideas or anything. I think Joe, Lo, and Dibs is a better morning show on 95.7. On KNBR, maybe replace Murph and Mac with whomever is on CBS Sports Radio from 6-10 AM, or possibly try to bring in someone from 95.7 to host the KNBR morning show. Not sure if Joe Fortenbaugh would be a good fit on KNBR though, Dibley probably wouldn't want to go back to KNBR anyway, and people on KNBR might not understand Lorenzo Neal's humor and Lo-isms. LOL. Maybe KNBR could also move Lund into that timeslot if they don't get rid of him, or put Haberman and Middlekauf there. I remember Haberman and Middlekauf filled for Gary and Larry one day last year.
It's obvious why Gary needs to be let go. It's been talked about on here and other forums in the past. The guy lost his passion for sports, and it seems like Gary always has a hard time staying on track with a topic. They talk Giants, Warriors, or Niners, and then end up talking about Kim Kardashian or someone else who has nothing to do with sports. It's like WTH?!? Hopefully Larry Krueger takes over the 10-1 timeslot if/when Gary retires. The show flows better and they stay on the topic of sports when Gary is off and Larry Krueger is hosting the show, but yes, Gary needs to be let go.
I don't really listen to John Lund with Tolbert since I'm usually listenining to Damon Bruce on 95.7 in the 3-7 timeslot, but the times I have listened to Lund with Tolbert, you can still tell that the chemistry is not there between the two. KNBR might be better off having Tolbert hosting the show on his own. Tolbert still has a strong fanbase, and Lund doesn't really add much to Tolbert's show. It kind of turns out that Lund made a big mistake leaving 95.7 where he had a good thing with Greg Papa co-hosting his show.
But yes, for KNBR as far as who to get rid of it would be Murph and Mac, Gary, and John Lund.
"Even though Murph and Mac are still popular, their show isn't listenable anymore, and it seems like their show has been the same for a number of years now without any real changes."
DeleteHave you ever listened to Tolbert? That paragraph describes Mr. T to a T. Toms whole show seems to be a conversation you could listen to in any break room at any trucking company in the Bay Area. Boring radio.
Problem with that show is 32 minutes of commercials, bumpers, traffic updates per hour. Can't listen.
DeleteIf I'm reading you right Otis, you essentially want to get rid of everyone on KNBR and replace them with everyone on The Game. Wouldn't it just be easier for you to just listen to The Game?
Delete@10:30- I used to listen to Tolbert some, but I agree he is kind of boring. He really had a good thing co-hosting with Ralph. It's kind of too bad that it took Ralph being let go for us to really see that.
Delete@12:10- I listen to 95.7. I rarely listen to KNBR. I used to like KNBR, but when Damon Bruce went to 95.7, that's kind of when I really "made the switch" (the term 95.7 used to use when they started out as a sports station back in 2011) and started listening to 95.7 more often. Plus KNBR started to get more boring. They weren't bringing in new blood at that time.
DeleteI don't want to get rid of everyone on KNBR. I just think it's time for them to shake up things Cavs at this year's trade deadline style if you will. LOL. I'm a Warrior fan, it's all good. haha.
Don't you think a new KNBR weekday lineup up of, a new morning show or national radio, Larry Krueger, Fitz and Brooks, Tolbert, and the KNBR tonight combination of Covay, Hoffar, and Frandsen, is a little bit better than the weekday lineup KNBR currently has right now?
As far as who to get rid of on 95.7, it's kind of harder for me as I think they have a pretty solid weekday lineup as is. Lieberman was probably referring to Greg Papa, but I doubt Greg Papa gets let go. It will be interesting to see what his role will be with the station when the Raiders leave for Vegas, but I don't see them letting Greg Papa go.
ReplyDeleteEven though some on here feel that he pompous, Greg Papa is still the most knowledgeable host on 95.7. When you listen to his show, you really learn the nuances of football, basketball, and baseball, and can hear an intellectual discussion on the 3 sports. I think not having Lund on his show anymore has gotten Greg Papa to be a bit more serious on the show and stay on sports a little more, instead of veering off to sexual innuendos like him and Lund used to do at times.
I probably would get rid of Steinmetz, or in a way, just have him do Warriors related shows, like the NBA this week, and Warriors pre and post. It's still weird to hear him talk other sports as his knowledge is not as strong in the other sports.
But yeah, there's no one on 95.7 that I would really get rid of as of right now.
So, KCBS now doing Warriors games?? NO!! that was just a replay from a sports event!! Who in the hell thought this was a good idea? Stop with the rag on Bristow. You want more of sing song Kim Foster? And on KGO, we can count on the Sunday morning wheez laugh from John Hamilton.
ReplyDelete12:56 I worked w/Fladeboe way back in the day...at the "old" KNTV (pre-NBC--remember "The San Jose News Channel").
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking he hasn't changed since then--he was the consummate Pro...a terrific writer, and fun to work with.
Karel was a guest on Maureen Langen's KGO show Sunday night. As annoying as he still is, Langen was worse.
ReplyDeleteKarel is a POS
Deletepapa is not going anywhere, his show is the highest rated at the Game.
ReplyDeleteI agree. 95.7 can't afford to get rid of Papa, or even Damon Bruce for that matter. They both help bring credibility to 95.7 as a sports station.
DeleteMost of the local news reported on KCBS is taken directly from the Chronicle as the assignment desk is so lazy they simply take what they can from the Chronicle and Bay City News Service.
ReplyDelete