Radio Coup d'état in SF Courtesy Cumulus; And a New Purge Coming; Will SF Pols make Waves?

A radio Coup d'état. Outrage, angst, anger and frustration by loyal consumers who have seen their favorite radio stations hijacked by a corporate mob out of Atlanta. And they're not done yet. More moves...many of them, shocking, are due soon.

There might be hope. A few industry people in the city have told me that some "notable" SF pols, perhaps some supervisors at City Hall have begun to take a look at what's transpired. Nobody right now is willing to go on the record but they're aware of the current situation. It's about time.

Not that some silly resolution "condemning" the total takeover of some of the biggest radio outlets in town will scare the Atlanta radio mobsters, but it couldn't hurt. And when politicians, even a few frivolous ones, begin to start sniping, suits tend to get a little nervous. Good.

Clearly, they've overstepped their bounds. This used to be prime picking for the FCC, but the feds have become almost as complicit  as the bad guys. The public used to own the airwaves, but that all changed, thanks to the Telecommunications act of 1996. Therein lies the problem, only there's a reason why it's damn near impossible for big retail chains to open stores in SF--much like the process of building a new arena on the waterfront. Even that great ballpark was a miracle and it took years of hard work and endless meetings. The point is this city tends to make big business work for its prizes. Cumulus is no different, only its heinous activity and blood game has overstepped its bounds.

This city is proud of its broadcast heritage. At least I hope so. The bulldozers have gobbled up over 500 radio stations, which is their right. But this is a big market. And there's some pissed-off people who are griping and leading advertiser-boycott pages on Facebook. The company shills and tools will no doubt put out a positive spin. "Business as usual." Probably right. But there's a new sheriff in town.

We can only hope.

Stay tuned.

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