Monday, May 19, 2014

KGO/Cumulus Mid-Day Buzz Talk; Savage, Atlanta Radio Connections; 'NewsTalk' With a Right-Wing Slant; Bloomquist Cumulus Power Broker

KGO/CUMULUS MEMO TALK AND NOON BUZZ: THE LATEST...THERE IS MUCH GOING ON...


MID-DAY RUMBLINGS ...


The fear from two sources inside 55 Hawthorne is that the Dickeys, (Lew and John), are looking to put a right-leaning local station on the air here.  The reason: as vocal as the liberals are in the Bay Area, "there aren't enough of them listening to Thurston, Craft, Karel, Langan, and others"  That 2.0 represents, still, an older, "out of demo" audience of 447,000 people and going down fast.
 
Now, I DID the research with a friend of mine in the morning.  Here's the hint:  News 106.7 WYAY, (the station that is being patterned as the new KGO talker), was an Atlanta satellite oldies feed with Scott Shannon's "True Oldies Channel" before it was "blown up" and went News 106.7 when Cumulus moved the frequency closer to Atlanta some years ago.
 
Today, under Randall Bloomquist control since last November, the station is now #17 in the market, older demos prevail, (even on FM), and it has a cume of 442,000 people, just like KGO, in a smaller market (Atlanta).
 
At the same time, it, too, is just like KGO in that it only carries a 2.0 share in the newest Nielsen quarterly / monthly reports. Atlanta is an accredited PPM market and is rated by Nielsen as Market #9.  It has a similar news / talk base as SF, with WSB & WSBB-FM #1 in the market (News / Talk plus the Braves).  The station has a consistent 7-7.5 share and has for years.  It has a cume of 820,700 people - younger demos than KGO plus an FM simulcast.
 
Next is WABE 90.1, the NPR station is ranked with a 3.4 share and a cume of 402,000.  The station is #14 in the Atlanta market.
 
Below that at #17 is Cumulus' WYAY-FM 106.7.
 
CBS News / Talk WAOK is 24th with a cume of 42,400 and a .5 share. where it has been stuck for a year on AM 1380.   Cumulus might want to remove the "AM" name from KGO and go back to News / Talk 810.
 
Two talk stations are below WAOK.
 
Salem Communications WGKA is #27 with a .3 share and a cume of 52,200.
 
 The former powerhouse WGST is Talk at #28 with a cume of 48,100 and a .2 share after Bloomquist "decimated" it.  WGST is a Clear Channel station at 640.
 
The Braves Radio Network is the largest in the nation, with 150 affiliates.  Games air on "680- The Fan" and on FM as well. The Fan, like KNBR, is 50,000 watts days, but decreases to 10,000 watts at night.  Its call letters are WCNN and is owned not by Cumulus Media, but by the Dickey brothers as Dickey Broadcasting.
 
Keys:  There will be some satellite programming. There has to be. My take is that they will mix up both left and right talk, but emphasize conservative.  Savage will be a part of KGO.  At the same time, the thinking is the the left will still listen as progressive talk is dead outside of KQED and they will still listen to KGO to see what's going on, especially if Thurston, Tillem and Rothmann are there.
 
I'm going to reach out to Tillem and Rothman.  "Would you go back to KGO in a proposed new deal?"
 
Bernie Ward will NOT be back, I'm told. (Too many issues--Don't need the trouble.)
 
There is concern from Thurston and Karel, especially, and should be.
 
Ray Talifierro would not be asked back.  There are no numbers to measure and they may just put Red Eye back on KGO since they own it.
 
KGO could become a simulcast with KSFO, rumor has it, and the FM idea is floating around inside with KFOG leading the pack.  

There IS a lot of talk going on ---needless to say I'm on ALL of it with my own sources. 
 
More to come...

Check back here periodically and/or follow me on Twitter

53 comments:

  1. With all due respect, please don't include me in the analysis of what works and what doesn't...I do fill-in...I'm on about twice a month...at most....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I almost never listen to KGO since Cumulus took over but the very few times I have , it was because I was passing by on the dial and heard Christine's voice and that caused me to stay and listen until Karel came on...YUK!

      Delete
    2. With all due respect, Christine, you have your tin foil hat with dual heat seeking antennas pointed in the wrong direction. You come here to blast others from punctuation to grammar, from persuasion to insults so, take it like the strong woman you are. Stop projecting, Christine on others. It doesn't look good on you. A lot like your overalls.

      Delete
  2. Why would a talk show host have to be liberal or conservative?

    "there aren't enough of them listening to Thurston, Craft, Karel, Langan, and others" has little to do with their politics, more their ability to take and interact with callers and their inconsistent on-air hours. When the station was great listeners would keep the dial tuned to 810, and listen to on-air talent whomever it was. Outside of Gene Burns and Wattenberg of old (science instead of politics) there wasn't really anyone that was appointment radio.
    If KGO hires talent with a conservative bent I hope they choose to take calls from opposing views---something that is lacking with the KSFO, Rush, Savage, Beck and Hannity ilk. Otherwise why listen?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what audiences of polarization demand. You are, however, correct. It doesn't matt what side of the aisle one sits. It's about sharing ideology, not about shameless promotion, cause, power and control. As proven, not enough listeners give a damn about political talk now. It won't until October and 31 months from now.

      Delete
    2. Hey, Ms. Craft,

      You' apparently didn't get the memo. You think you are above the fray because of why? You contribute infrequently on the air and you haven't seen a post here you like, so, what makes you better than everyone of your colleagues, associates or those here who both like you and/or revile you? You're not that special, lady. Please get over yourself. We welcome you just as you are.

      Delete
  3. I've been telling people for years that San Francisco lacked quality conservative talk radio. Jay Severin or Mark Davis could grind Brian Sussman into hamburger so maybe now this is what we're finally gonna get.

    My sense is this place is changing. The aging hippie Baby Boomer thing is fading, being replaced with ambitious techies who work their hearts out and desperately want to hold onto all that money. I think it's being reflected in the ratings.

    You're right - progressive talk is dead but the lefties will still have KQED and KALW.

    This is incredible, if true. A station with KGO's signal gone conservative in San Francisco!

    I wonder what Ronn's thinking. Maybe he'll retire.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know Jay Severin but I have heard Mark Davis and he is very good. Even a liberal audience would appreciate him.

      Delete
    2. Perfect and corrent Noelle (nice name.) I'll give you credit because the entitled lefties here sure won't. I listen to Mark Davis and have for years in Dalls and ay Seversin in Boston, too. Great post!

      Delete
    3. Jay Severin is already on The Blaze radio weekdays 11-2 our time.

      Delete
    4. KQED and KAWL are insufficient. Public radio and the local programming KGO had are NOTHING alike. KGO was on top of the ratings, or very close, right up until their format change, and then they tanked. Almost no one on the station was conservative, so conservative talk is not required to make money in this area. In fact, I'm surprised it makes money at all. Everyone I know thinks Limbaugh, etc. are ridiculous and irritating.

      Delete
    5. How about every TV network and every cable news network, except for one in addition to KQED and KAWL and nearly every large-city daily paper in America as well as the news magazines. Is that enough?

      Delete
  4. Its easy to do right wing radio.Liberalism takes thought. Right wings blames everybody who isn't wealthy or a corporation..that's where liberal talk ends. I've never heard of any radio station letting any liberal host bash corporate America day after day..or those with the money and power. The right wings? homeless and the fantasy welfare queens run our country- according to them. Easy targets even if they have to make them up.
    Also,like a Savage,they play on an already built in feelings of conservatives of superiority. I heard Savage parrot the "White man invented everything" that of course is a mirrored in the "Republicans do the work,yada yada" bumpersticker. .
    Yep,right wing is easy. The audience is very easy to work to a froth. Liberalism is hard. It wants facts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I've NEVER heard a liberal blame anyone else. Including your comment above.

      Delete
  5. Just what I predicted..."KGO Right Leaning Radio".
    More rabble rousing of the Nuts in California.
    All the vicious, vitriolic hate broadcast from Koch type funded mouthpieces.

    I'll make another prediction:
    There's going to be another Civil War in America!
    You cannot get one segment of a nation all rabble roused into a frenzy with lies and fear against people without a resulting in national repercussion.
    That's what Hitler's Germany did in hyping up fear/hate within their population.

    KGO be careful what you project!
    Read what Rightwing rabble rousing can do to America. See video:
    http://newsjunkiepost.com/2009/12/09/back-to-the-30%E2%80%99s-national-socialist-and-republican-discourse-part-1/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've said for several years that all this militarization of first responders isn't for the Tea Party. It's in preparation for when the lefties finally realize who's in charge (Wall Street, banks and insurance companies, C-level corporate types, etc) and hit the streets in response. I never thought KGO would become what Rich is telling us they're planning.

      OK, so the Koch brothers are powerful. Can you do anything about it except bitch and whine? NO. This is the way it is.

      Delete
    2. Amen !....and that typey thing you have to copy to publish is a pain in the @ss!

      Delete
    3. OH, stop the fear mongering. Just like the GOP, you think it's ok for you to do the same thing. NOT! You don't like the Repubs getting all this publicity. OK, got it. Saying "A Civil War's a-comin'" is not likely to start a tin-foil hat stampede at Walmart or Safeway, honestly.

      Now, what to do about it? You can't do a think if you don't listen and so far, so few are listening from either the left or right. There is too much political polarization. It's not the only top to discuss. How about "Why do wives cheat?" No, that's been done on KGO already by Thurston and Karel. OK, "Where have you had the wildest sex in public?" Nope, sorry, that's been covered by Thurston and Karel. How about, "What's new about the new iPhone?" Sorry, that's been done by Ronn, Karel and any number of fill in talent. "Obama's an idiot!" No, that won't work. It's not all his fault. 'Hillary has a mental dishoorder says Karl Rove." Nada. Limbaugh, Hannity and Levin have already jumped the shark on that. "Monica Lewinski took advantage of the President!: No, that's been covered. "The President took advange of a fully adult pudgy intern who didn't have the sense to now wear a blue dress to a blow job." Sorry, that'sbeen covered, too.

      Get a grip, people. Chill out. See you at Safeway next to the latest Sarah Palin scandal at the checkout now..

      Delete
    4. 9:45, how about a neutral investigation into why guns were sold to mexican cartels, guns which have been used against American citizens? That would be in the public's interest, wouldn't it?

      Delete
  6. Please no more right wing radio. It's just boring- bad for the radio business. KGO, bye, bye!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Then why is liberal / progressive radio with so few stations so little business and is un-entertaining? Why couldn't KKSF pull more than 2 share with Randi Rhodes, Alan Colmes, Gil Gross? Why can't Stephanie Miller get more than 45 radio stations out of 15,000?

      Whether you hate Republicans or not, somebody is out there listening, if you're that closed minded to not suck it up just to see what's going on and rant about it. You don't have to believe in it, but liberal talk has proven itself. It doesn't work commercially. Enjoy KQED and take lots of naps as you do.

      Delete
    2. Right wing radio IS the business, has been for a number of years.

      Delete
    3. Get John Rothman the others you mention....TOO Left...TOO Right......
      John...Just enough!

      Delete
    4. Progressive talk was always second to conservative talk because, in essence, conservatives got a head start. I will guarantee you that Thom Hartmann, Norman Goldman, etc. make good money on the radio (I'm rather sure they wouldn't do it otherwise). And again, I don't understand how right-wing radio makes any money here at all. It's a VERY progressive region. Here's what I will say, though, about the difference between progressive radio and conservative radio:

      Progressive hosts have a tendency to point out facts and reason through what they're saying. If someone challenges them, they can usually defend themselves reasonably and civilly. They just talk about the issues.

      Conservative hosts, on the other hand, just have a yelling party on the airwaves. If they mention "facts", they are often twisted and blurred. If someone challenges them, or merely disagrees with them, they resort to name-calling and frankly being a jerk (there is no better way to describe this). Despite it being called "entertainment" by the industry (meaning it's apparently not supposed to be relied on as news), people think this stuff is accurate when they hear it. It's anything BUT accurate most of the time.

      So anyone that thinks right-wing radio is entertaining or enjoyable or a big draw has ZERO interest in accurate facts and civil political discourse. Go on, listen to someone that you will never disagree with. But be warned - this can psychologically lead to more extreme views in yourself, and the other side is still out there, loud and proud.

      Delete
    5. If Progressive hosts had a quality product, it wouldn't matter who was first.

      Delete
    6. Radio Guy, that post was about as delusional as can be. You just agree with the lefty hosts. facts or no facts. If you think they are polite to those that disagree, it is your own bias clouding reality. Get a grip.

      Delete
  7. I'm not a "progressive" and not a democrat. I'm generally liberal, but I support gun rights,the military, and am opposed to untrammeled immigration. Whenever I fill for Karel's syndicated program, many of his listeners hate me, because I'm not "progressive". I think Bradley Chelsea Brianna Manning and Edward Snowden are traitors, not heros.
    As a fill-in host, I'm not responsible for either successes or the opposite. As much as I enjoy all those hosts, I often disagree with them passionately on any number of things. I don't walk in lockstep with anyone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whether or not you agree with what Snowden did, the fact remains that he willingly violated his clearance and very probably put lives at stake. Period. It's there in black and white.

      I'll tell you what I told someone else here. San Francisco is changing, has been going on for awhile but most people didn't want to talk about it or maybe they didn't know what to look for. Most of it is about demographics. The aging Baby Boomer hippie culture thing is fading as the Boomers themselves fade and it's being replaced with money (serious money) driven by successive tech booms. Honestly, it's the same thing we're seeing in other markets like Dallas. I never thought I would see a million dollar home in Austin but it's apparently common these days.

      Delete
    2. Christine incidentally, you screwed the pooch on one point. As you're so good at blaming everyone but not yourself, please take a handful of responsibility, please. You ARE rated, even when you fill in, as opposed to what you said. The PPM or the old paper diary does not, by AFTRA rules, not "shut down" just because a fill in like yourself is on the electriic radio.

      You see, the ratings are estimates based on time, dayparts, hours and not because you're on the air. You've been a vaunted name and voice for, what, 17 years now at KGO? In fact, today's ratings can show daily ratings by hour. That includes YOU, sista.

      If you were so much a part of the success for 15 years, even part time or as a utility fill in, you still count. On the other hand, since the arrival of PPM, you also share in the downfall of KGO. That's how it works, honest. You get no "Get out of jail FREE" card "just because." You have done well. In the last 18 months, not so well.

      Also, "hated" by Karel's mini-audience and in his former syndication? Are you surprised? Christine, put your ear next to the monitor and listen. I hate to tell you this, but Karel has 1) a very low audience and rates very ver low behind most music FM's, KCBS and KQED.

      Fact. Has been. Yes, I've seen the books.

      Secondly, you don't count filling in to that whacko group of 8 or 9 of his little chat room friends who don't like you because you aren't a known drug addict, a queer, or a 51 year old trying to be 15. Plus, you don't sound the type to play video games.

      You are, however, clever in sidestepping issues you can't deal with and you are rude to many listeners as he is, and you hang up on people after you shout over them like their dummies. Some, unfortunately are, and there should be a 2-mnute rule established.

      On the other hand, you do fit in by talking hate because you fail to admit that there is another side or six politically in the state and country -- not just liberal. You, a centrist? Get a life, Christine. You're about as centrist as the "entertainer" you keep in practice with on now, only one radio station for an hour. That's it.

      Irrelevant is your middle name. Start being at least brave enough to hear both sides before you take your pseudo expsert on everything attitude and shoving it down people's throats. .

      Delete
    3. And you are utterly bereft of analytical skills if you think for a moment, that comparing the ratings of a regular host(, who is known to be and promoted to be in a particular time slot) to someone filling in at the last minute in any possible timeslot is an actual ratings comparison. That's just foolish.. As I said before, I take no credit for years of great ratings or responsibility for the current numbers. I fill in a couple of times a month. Now you are free to tell me that it's all irrelevant, but you'd be wrong.
      I've always been a liberal talk host, but one who is in favor of many things you don't think liberals should be allowed to embrace. You can take your categories and shove them. I'm no centrist, and make no claim to be. I'm utterly unpredictable and always have been and it drives you nuts. Good!
      I don't count Karel's audience, but it sure sounds like you stalk the chat room he operates. Why is that? Are you more than a little fixated on him?(all that 'shoving down the throat' language)
      I think you should consult an "expsert"(sic) about that.

      Delete
  8. Right wing radio plays on fear. It's easy.

    Like horror movies. They're easy.

    Left wing is about countering nonsense, and it sounds complaining.

    Right wing audience largely lacking critical thought so it works. Kqed the opposite of that which is why it's dominant in the bay.

    Don't expect a southern idiot to understand this, and why kgo worked.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Say what you want, but the numbers don't lie and those southern markets are busy gobbling up jobs and population from places like California, Massachusetts and Maryland.

      Yes, KGO worked. Not working but worked. It's gone, it's over.

      Delete
    2. Call the Whaaaambulance! If you knew what the hell you're talking about, why, then, is right wing radio --- troubles it has and jerky opinions to boot --- so damn popular? Why is so called left wing talk so bad and uninteresting that you lefties only feel compelled to try to get Nency Pelosi to keep digging up the Fairness Doctrine so you can be heard?

      Hint: Ain't gonna happen. Talk radio is not an entitlement to you. It's an equal oportunity oportunity that has failed miserably through Air America and beyond. Not because of the goofballs, the Coch brothrs, your conspiracy scare tactics and so much more. Yes, Karl Rove is an SOB asshole, we know it. He didn't create the bully pulpit of the GOP. Limbaugh and Hannity did, FOX (faux) News did and all your could do is throw an excellent Keith Olbermann under the bus at PMSNBC and for Al Gore's $50-million Aljazera, Jr. once called "Current TV' remember. NO ONE IS LISTENING to your side in the droves you need it to.

      So, instead of being a crybaby about it, what can YOU and your lefty friends do to make it better? Not just here, but across the nation.

      Look, your guy won. Good. You have, for now, the Senate. You lost the house and are in trouble of losing both in November. Stop this "We're Democrats and we're entitled" BS. You're not. Right win radio can and often is just as bad. They just know how to do it better than you. Get over it and on with your life.

      Delete
    3. As a matter of fact, there would seem to be a war on the progressive side of the discussion. KGO was mostly progressive/centrist radio. Cumulus killed it. Green 960 was mostly progressive. Clear Channel killed it. KPOJ in Portland? Clear Channel killed it. KKZN in Denver? Clear Channel killed it (granted, the ratings looked pretty horrid, but I bet they still made okay money). Liberal talk stations are going away. And I don't think it usually has anything to do with ratings. These conservative conglomerates just don't want liberals on the air. That's really how it comes off. If you have evidence that proves the contrary, I'd love to see it.

      Delete
  9. Considering that "Liberalism is a Mental Disorder", I would love more conservative talk on the KGO.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's coming. The market itself is changing. The city is changing.

      Delete
    2. As I have posted many times on this blog, don't you conservatives have enough host to choose from? Savage, Levin, Hannity, Rush, Glenn Beck, Tom Sullivan (although I like him) Sussman, Spencer Hughes (like some of his show, when he don't talk politics) Ethan Bearman is no Barbara Simpson, but he definitely has a conservative bent. Ronn is in the middle, although socially very liberal. I just don't get why conservatives who has so many choices of hosts (there are others as well that I haven't mentioned) can't stand that a few liberal hosts are on in the Bay Area, just don't listen and turn the dial to some of the hosts that share your conservative outlook. Let us who are liberal have a few hosts we can listen to, I don't mind a conservative host, but most of them always insult anyone who is just a little bit to the left of them, I don't get entertained by getting insulted.

      Delete
    3. Sussman, stick to weather. You're a bore.

      Delete
  10. I liked KGO more when the talkers didn't just have to talk about politics...MY GOD...there is so much more to talk about in this world than just politics. Friendly conversation, full of lots of intelligent, creative things, and yet, instead they're going to give us Savage...closed minded thinking at it's best !!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I walk in lockstep with Gustavo Vasquez.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Would not be surprised to find a few of the Westwood One personalities (now under the Cumulus umbrella) such as Jim Bohannon and Dennis Miller to show up on KGO. The conservatives currently airing on KSFO such as Levin and Savage will likely remain in place there.


    Westwood One Talk Shows

    Bill Press
    Clark Howard
    Mark Levin
    Michael Savage
    Stephanie Miller
    Thom Hartmann
    Dennis Miller
    Jim Bohannon
    Jon Grayson
    Herman Cain
    John Batchelor
    Dom Imus

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, dear. Not the "I" man, Imus. Cain, no. Bohannon - too small town, Miller, interesting show for a week, then he bores you to pounding your head into a brick wall. Harmann no, too peachy. Miller, no. Not funny. Savage, yes -- for a little while at least. Levin, no.t bad, but no space at the KGO table of "live and local." Howard, no. Would rather hear Dave Ramsey. Howard's a snooze. Bill Press, nah. Already tried the Bay Area. I wish Bill Handel was syndicated..

      Delete
    2. My preference would be Bill Press, Thom Hartmann perhaps Clark Howard. John Batchelor, Mark Levin and Savage is all on KSFO. I believe Dennis Miller and perhaps others in on 650 out of Sacremento.

      Delete
    3. Wouldn't mind hearing Bill Press again in the market, don't hate Jim Bohannon...and Dennis Miller is growing on me, I listen to him on KSRO 1350AM out of Santa Rosa.

      Delete
  13. Conservative newstalk?
    The best news I have heard all day. We ain't liberal!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Rich, please don't reach out to Rothman.

    Guy's smart, but the show is duller than watching paint dry on a fence in Kansas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not if you are into politics, presidential history, but of course if you the average run of the mill intellectual lightweight, you might think that. In that case should they bring back Rothmann, you don't have to listen, turn the dial and listen to Frosty, Gil, Savage, Sussman, Hannity etc. etc. and to 7:02. No, not everyone in the Bay Area are liberal, in case you are not you have plenty of hosts and stations to listen to I get the feeling you don't know so let me enlighten you 560 KSFO Sussman, Spencer Hughes, Savage, and Levin, this is from 9 a.m to 6 p.m, then John Batchlor comes on, he is conservative, but reasonable and does a lot of show about foreign policies. If these suggestions are not enough turn to 960 a.m. and you have Rush, Hannity, some dufus named Andy Dick and at 7 p,m, Tom Sullivan he although to the right of me, I like, so if KGO decides to go mostly liberal, I don't see how you can begrudge us liberals a few hours of a host, you conservatives have plenty of choices, and oh yeas I forgot Armstrong and Getty, and also Dr. Bill Wattenberg. Just what are you whining about????

      Delete
    2. Rich, I hear you - I don't listen to any of those guys.

      Rothman is frustrating because he is more erudite than the rest of the pack, but he is not a natural entertainer, and the listeners get worn down.

      Len Tillem is a natural entertainer who is unfortunately a lawyer - if you could somehow combine Rothman and Tillem then you'd have something.

      Delete
  15. I'm not interested in listening to right wing nuts and I'm not interested in listening to their "lesser evil" liberal counterparts. A few honest to goodness leftists to counter the conservative and neoliberalism spin artists would be nice.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'll only come back if those shmucks pay me double

    ReplyDelete
  17. LOL! Only problem, Ray, you weren't asked, but good point.

    ReplyDelete
  18. "Bernie Ward will NOT be back, I'm told. Too many issues--Don't need the trouble."
    Could these be weighty issues?

    ReplyDelete