A couple of themes have been revealed in this thread. One is that we are watching a one-time dynasty dissolve as our market changes, probably forever. Another is that when a king dies, another takes the throne, and the uncertainty of the future is something all lovers of Knoxville radio will share just as we share the bittersweet fall of what was once the House of Dick under the leadership of stock-price-possessed corporate nincompoops who should have never been allowed inside a radio station.
There is much vitriol on this board against the Frog group, but who among us has not felt proud while watching WIVK win station of the year awards, even if we preferred to listen to (or even worked for) another station? The elder Mr. Dick, Denton, Brantley and company brought much attention to Knoxville radio, regardless of how the company has been viewed after selling out to a house of cards.
So now the crown will go to Journal or South Central. It may change hands frequently, maybe even passing back through Old Kingston Pike occasionally, but it is highly unlikely that any of the 3 clusters will ever sustain the dominance enjoyed for decades by WIVK, because, as stated above, times have changed in may ways.
I, for one, am thankful that Jim Dick, John Englebrecht, Johnny Pirkle and others resisted the corporate ownership in this market for so long. It had to end, sooner or later, but I am glad it has been later, because it is not a pretty sight.