CBS and Cumulus to launch new Sports Radio Network; KNBR on the list of Stations; Can you say 'Consolidation'?

CONSOLIDATION, Consolidation, and consolidation.

It's the KEYWORD for the kings of the consolidators in Atlanta; part of the synergy and very much a key to the end game for the Dickey boys.

Here's the latest, a good cause for concern for the 55 Hawthorne Knibber folks. Might portend for the future plans and provide the basis for a wholesale content re-distribution and then some.

The story: CBS and Cumulus will join forces to partner a new sports radio network. Did you hear about the word, "consolidation?" Excuse me while I pause for the big boom I just heard coming out of the Hawthorne center.

Here's a key part of the post in case you didn't see it:

Among the CUMULUS stations adding CBS SPORTS RADIO programming will be KNBR-A and KTCT-A/SAN FRANCISCO, KTCK-A (THE TICKET)/DALLAS, WCNN-A (680 THE FAN)/ATLANTA, WGFX (104.5 THE ZONE)/NASHVILLE, and several more.

Psst, "consolidation."

I've been saying all along that the Dickey bros are not radio people. They regard broadcasting entity as a part of the bigger jigsaw puzzle. In other words, to answer a question I get frequently, what in the hell are they doing? They simply are trimming up the meat. You know, lean and mean--the more lean, the better when they decide to flip and make a tidy profit. This latest move is part of the overall end game.

They will, ahem, be able to shelve more bodies out the door. They'll add content, (thanks CBS) and need less local personnel. A Red Eye here, a Bloomberg News there, some sports here, (CBS Radio), are you seeing a trend?

First things first: Expect a few more chop-a-thons at KNBR. Who, how many, no one knows right now. Nobody knows for sure. And don't expect KCBS to be fretting because they don't carry any national sports content. They did a long time ago, but not anymore. CBS' other O and O's that do? That's another story. It's a strange combo nonetheless: CBS and Cumulus. And more ominous news down the road for the 55 Hawthorne sports girls and boys.

CONSOLIDATION.

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