Sunday, July 24, 2016

Why 'Talk 910' Went Spanish

 With an opportunity to acquire an AM frequency that it needed badly for its Spanish Radio division in a SF market--even one with relatively poor dial position--deep pockets ESPN, owned by Disney, wrote a fat check to IHeart Radio for its under-utilized 910 AM property.

Overpaid --as I'm learning.

"Talk 910" never performed and has been a ratings dud with steady decline since its inception.

25 comments:

  1. It hurts...it hurts...I can't hold it in...

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  2. "Why 'Talk 910' Went Spanish"? Demographics.

    Next up? KSCO goes Arabic.

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  3. Melania Putin-TrumpJuly 24, 2016 at 6:02 PM

    Me no speak good English...perfect!!

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  4. Read iHeart web comments from listeners around the country. Thousands, maybe millions, of Americans listened to 910 AM and were mystified to find it suddenly supplanted by a Spanish station. I know I was. At least I can listen to John Rothman on occasion on KGstinkO.

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  5. you knew it was hopeless when they hired Spencer Hughes over Rothman!!! what effing idiots!!!

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  6. I had a weird relationship with Talk910 from the outset.

    When KGO "let me go" 910 was, I believe, looking for an Ed Baxter replacement. I was late to arrive, and they had already decided on Spencer Hughes. I was told, "he lines up better with what A & G are doing." Think about that comment for a second.

    Then I get to fill in for a while, and they ultimately decided to stop using Spencer. I'm told they're going to pay "31 thousand for the midday show." I laughed, had some email back and forths, etc. Was told in an email, "It's only 15 hours a week..." Yeap.

    Certain amount of time later I'm told "we're gonna do something big." That was the "Dog Pound." I met one of the guys, Elvis, in the studio they let continued to let me use (nice gesture). Elvis is a nice guy. They move Gil into middays, and then I assume Pay the Dog Pound (2-3 people) considerably more than "31 thousand."

    So then I start to see the writing on the wall, and quite frankly, don't think they have the slightest idea of what they're doing. Not thinking about the future, that's for sure.

    I'm guessing the plan was to make the Dog Pound (seriously, that was the show's name) more than a SF show so they can maybe syndicate to a few other markets. Imagine if a programmer could create a syndicated show? CALLED THE DOG POUND? Man, the credit one might get.

    Annnnyway...I still fill in some more, maybe before/after DP2016 is on air, I can't recall. Most of the staff was very helpful and engaged.

    I said to someone one day, "Can you play a promo, rejoin, or something with the phone number in it?" Since I don't have guests it's helpful.

    "We don't have one."

    Yeah. Hence, NON-STOP AUTHORS AND OTHER AMAAAAZING guests.

    Then I do some racy bits, try to jazz it up a bit. Folks like Celeste, Lisa and others compliment me here and there; tell me a do a good job, that the bits are funny, etc. But guess what? THEY NO LIKEY BITS.

    Apparently, PEOPLE CALLED TO COMPLAIN!

    THE HORROR!

    I asked, "THey did? Does anyone else ever get calls?"

    "No."

    One might think complaints are actually GOOD, right? Maybe? A RESPONSE.

    Management scrubbed the podcasts and archives of the "racy bits." Yes, the same people bringing THE DOG POUND! scrubbed the "racy" bits.

    Imagine my surprise when I heard from L.S. that the station is now Spanish sports.

    Keep poundin', dawg.

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    1. Tell us who you are....
      Pleeeeeeezzzzeeee?????

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    2. No wonder you can't find work, your little story bored the hell out of me. BTW, the name of the show was The Dog House, dummy!

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    3. The Dogg House was a desperate attempt to get the young demographic. Apparently their subdued raunchiness for AM, and junior-high style of humor wasn't enough to save the show. Nevertheless, I wish those guys the best especially Elvis, he has endured through a tragic loss.

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    4. What tragic loss has Elvis endured? From what I understand his wife left him years ago.

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    5. I'm guessing this is written by Joel, or Corey.

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    6. OHHHHHHHH, the DOG HOUSE!

      Pretty coincidental name at this point.

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  7. Just one more slap in the face for bay area radio fans (the few of us left). Nothing like gibberish 24/7.
    "Viva Futbol"....

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  8. ESPN Deportes was already on 860 AM. Why did they give that up?

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    1. Now 860 is known as The Answer and in English. KTRB should've never moved from Modesto.

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  9. I know I may be in the minority here but I enjoyed listening to Gil Gross daily. I thought his interviews with reporters and journalists on current events were great. Another kick in the teeth for local radio listeners!

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    1. "I enjoyed Gil Gross daily."

      Oh get a life. Gil was just horrible.

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  10. Will Gil Gross be back on the radio anywhere?

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  11. DNC Platform CommitteeJuly 25, 2016 at 3:56 PM

    Silence, you sniveling, whining little former 910 listeners! Learn Spanish and embrace diversity. Then support bull fights and your neighborhood cock fighting. In the meantime, STFU!

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  12. Why Spanish? The Mexican, Hispanic, Latino invasion of California has reached an all important milestone, they now make up the majority of people in this state. More Spanish language stations are in the future. California is now Northern Mexico. If you think the Mexican, Hispanic and Latino people are going to be as nice to you as you have been to them, you are in for a rude awakening!

    Met a young lady at a campground way up in Northern, CA, where the North and South forks of the Salmon come together, a few years ago. She was the third generation of her family from San Jose. She moved to Bend, Oregon because it was too dangerous for her two young sons to go to school in San Jose with all the Mexicans.

    Since you don't have the guts to stand up and fight for what is yours, get out of the way because a lot more Mexican, Hispanic and Latino people are coming! Her story will be your story...it's just a matter of time.

    Do you think the Mexican, Hispanic and Latino people are going to let millions of illegal and legal people from other Countries come to CA and take away from them what they have taken from you....don't think so!!

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    1. Rich, why do you let this shit on? You must agree with this sentiment. Of course you won't post this because you'll see it as an attack on you, but attack Mexicans, have at it.

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    2. This state will be a lot better off when racist losers like you die off or leave.

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  13. Ugly, racist rants such as this one should have no place on this board.
    I don't understand why Rich finds it necessary to publish crap like this.

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