Three Finalists For 'NewsTalk 910' 10-1 PM Slot; Rothmann, Baxter And Hughes

 Talk 910, has been auditioning various hosts to fill its 10 AM-1 PM slot. A decision is expected sometime in the next few weeks but I've got the final three favorites, according to a local broadcast source familiar with the probable pecking order.

The "live and local" mantra is a key to the eventual winner; it's highly unlikely that Clear Channel would make an out-of-market hire but nothing surprises me anymore.

The 3 finalists, according to my source--

1. John Rothmann: the former KGO Radio talk host and frequent fill-in at Talk 910 is the odds-on favorite. Rothmann has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the Middle East, politics, Presidential Elections and current events. He's also a terrific interviewer and would make for an outstanding three hours of informative and entertaining radio.

2. Ed Baxter: Baxter spent over three decades as an anchor at KGO and did some sporadic fill-in both at KGO and 910 AM as a talk host. He also recently launched a website with content from Bay Area TV and Radio talent. I loved Baxter as a news anchor; I'm not so sure if I could listen to him as a talk host three hours a day--not a knock on Ed, just my own opinion.

3. Spencer Hughes: The weakest link, and the least-likely choice. Hughes has been all over the talk map bouncing from station to station. His most recent foray was at KSFO where he chose to resign rather than being fired. I'm not a fan of this guy; his annoying style, the faux outrage, the constant mumbling has never quite caught on with me yet Hughes keeps getting jobs. And keeps getting fired too. Go figure.

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KGO/KSFO Sea Change Coming Soon; 'Talk 910' Gross and Frosty Likely Out; Ratings Free Fall Dictate Moves; KFOG Looming as 'KGO-FM'; Friday Radio Notes

 A Sea change is about to hit Bay Area radio and it's coming soon.


Among the notable items:


KGO Radio, mired in its worst ratings ever, will soon evolve into a news and talk hybrid.


The specific layout is still a work-in-progress but will be patterned after Atlanta's "News Radio", a Cumulus station that a mixes a news and talk formula.


We had it here first and, soon, others joined the party. The ring leader has been hired.


Inside KGO's newsroom, there's considerable trepidation, according to a station source but news blocks will be largely left alone, only reduced to drive time and hourly updates.


A morning and afternoon news show, (think 6-9 and 4-7), are probably in place. Again, specifics aren't known yet but the source told me KGO might morph an underperforming outlet on FM and create a KGO-FM to try and compete with KCBS.


Other than Ronn Owens, (whose contract runs out this year), expect a whole lot of new voices. New and "young", "Live and "Local." It's highly doubtful that any of the old voices will be back on the air so don't be expecting a Ray Taliaferro or Gil Gross anytime soon.


Speaking of Gross, it's all but certain he'll be out at Talk 910 AM, (Clear Channel's KKSF-AM)--Gross nor his early-afternoon buddy, Frosty Stillwell, haven't attracted much attention and this is ample proof.


**KSFO has reached rock-bottom. The once-mighty legacy station with a conservative, "Hot-Talk" format has been on the Cumulus market for over a year now. Its morning show is in a free fall and even new programs are floundering.


Expect wholesale changes.


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