KCBS Radio The Model Of All-News Consistency In San Francisco Under ND, Ed Cavagnaro; Veteran Exec Retiring In April; 'Remarkable Run'

 A "remarkable run"--that's what a SF-area radio consultant told me about the stewardship of KCBS News Director, Ed Cavagnaro, who will be retiring in April.

Cavagnaro has been at KCBS since 1977--as ND, 26 years, which is remarkable given the state of radio today.

Under Cavagnaro, KCBS has been the undisputed 24/7 all-news radio outlet with a brand that other stations would kill for.

The most remarkable aspect of Cavagnaro's run is the stability of staff at the CBS radio station. Nobody leaves KCBS and if they do, it's because of retirement usually. You hardly hear of KCBS personnel moving in and out because it simply doesn't happen. Look at the extraordinary list of people who have worked at the station: Stan Bunger, Steve Bitker, Barbara Taylor, Doug Sovern, Bob Butler, Kim Wonderly, Susan Leigh Taylor--almost all of these remarkable reporters and anchors have been at the station for multiple decades, quite a list.  And all under Cavagnaro's reign which best explains why KCBS has risen to the top of the SF Bay Area radio rankings which is a testament to their brand here.

 

Cavagnaro and his boss, VP, Doug Harvill, have largely let KCBS be KCBS--in other words, if it ain't broke don't fix it--and the end result is a very successful news operation that continues to be at the top of the Bay Area broadcast domain.

KCBS' success is largely due to the fact that it's consistent. It's not very splashy or excited and that's its main successful entity--you know when a major news event happens, you turn to 740 AM. I wish KCBS didn't repeat so much its news stories and I've complained about it but in a PPM world in which radio is a player today, I understand the business model. It's a small price to pay to enjoy the consistency that KCBS brings to the table.

The future of KCBS, minus Cavagnaro, seems to be destined for a smooth transition which is good news for a Bay Area audience that is lucky to have at its disposal a quality staff still churning out great content.

We wish Ed Cavagnaro all the best in the next phase of his personal life every 15 and 45 years.

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Danos Firing Has A Lot Of People Worried At KCBS; Tuesday First Take

Dean Danos' abrupt firing has sent unintended shockwaves throughout the KCBS newsroom.

KCBS likes to preach how much they're "family" and staffers routinely are exposed to a homey "all for one and one for all" mentality. It sounds good in theory even if it's rings a bit hollow around 855 Battery.

One view from an industry source:

" Another act of Age Discrimination at CBS masked as a reorganization.  Look back at the Layoffs of Bill Schechner, Manny Ramos, Tony Russomanno, Barbara Rogers at KPIX.  All let go under the guise of "down sizing", only to see those same positions filled with younger-cheaper people."

 "Sadly, CBS and Corporate America have gotten used to getting away with this kind of bull shit.  Most of the KPIX people never worked in TV again.  Many of them, did ---however--- got a nice windfall.  But Danos was member of the "throw away" PART TIME army in broadcasting and AFTRA is going to be no help at all.  Just ask the KPIX Crew."

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