MY REPORT about Gary Radnich schmoozing with a KGO suit (its GM, really) was more social than business --that said, it was a chance for the ABC folks here to engage with Raddy and explore if both parties are interested in a potential deal. There's a lot more to negotiate if KGO (Disney) shows a strong interest --and by extension, if Radnich is serious about some sort of deal, a comeback, if you will but we're no close to any deal now because all the variables have to be discussed, but there's a bigger point to be made here and it doesn't involve Radnich.
Yet.
The fact KGO is having talks (albeit, nothing official) speaks volumes about its feelings about current weeknight anchor, Larry Beil, who hybrids both news and sports. Beil, if he doesn't already know, is not the flavor of choice at 900 Front. His arrogance is beyond reproach. He is not liked by many of the KGO staff. But as bad as that is, at least that's off the air. Here's the issue(s) with Beil on the air: he is perceived (with good reason) as an asshole by many viewers, many of them women, a key demo in local TV news, especially the 25-54 women who watch. Beil comes across as a loudmouth and total wise guy (he is so there's no denying that) plus he has ZERO traction on the comfort meter (an industry term) therefore KGO has a problem; Beil is hardly a warm and fuzzy guy which is a Disney attraction, (no shit) --it's not an official trademark but it counts in the numbers and it's an advertising platform that the salespeople love to mention to the brick and mortar businesses. Beil is not the face of the station but he's on enough newscasts to form an identity and he's not exactly a benchmark guy. If you watch, you know that. I do.
So a Raddy fascination by the Circle7 gang is more than smoke and mirrors. If Gary lacks for substance he certainly doesn't lack for style. He still has an "IT" factor whether you like him or not and he may just join the local Mickey Mouse club if there's a ways and means. We'll see.
As they always say, stay tuned.
 |
| Radnich with wife, Alecia, and the family dog |
