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John Watson, "Newsradio" Name Gone From WILM

B

BRUSSTAR

My apologies if this has already been posted elsewhere, but if so, I didn't see it (other than speculation).

It was a rare day when I agreed with what he said on the air, but John Watson really was the "Dean of Delaware Talk"-- and it's unfortunate he wasn't able to finish out his career in Wilmington radio on his own terms.

What started as just another mid-market affiliate of the short-lived NBC NIS network ended up becoming more than three decades of "WILM Newsradio." It's been that in name only for a few years now, and Clear Channel has finally dumped the name (and logo dating back to the final years of the Hawkins Administration) for the more appropriate "News Talk 1450."

As Watson once famously ended a TV interview, "Whatever."
 
George, I'm with you. I did not share John's views and the few times I called his show, I was treated rather rudely. But he was still a class act. I respect him and what he gave to Wilmington.
 
When Watson was moved to the 9 to midnight spot, that should have been the red flag that the door out would be next, couldn't see CC keeping him and now, you can see what happened. John treated me fine when I was doing some engineering work for WILM in the early 90's. Maybe WDEL will be smart and offer him something. WILM really scrwed up on that move.
 
I worked with John during my time at WILM. He is a decent guy, who knows a lot about radio as he's had a lifetime of experience in this business. He had been a PD at a station, years ago, etc. He has some interesting stories from his early days in radio. I didn't agree with all of John's political views (he didn't agree with all of mine either) and we'd have some interesting discussions when our paths crossed as he'd be there sometimes on the weekends making promos for his show, or I'd work some weeknight and we'd talk. John always treated me with respect, even though I was only a weekend part timer. A Class Act. John is a genuinely nice person, who is a professional. As George mentioned in the first post on this thread, Watson was the Dean of Delaware Talk Radio. He deserved better than what WILM via CC Delaware gave him.

Watson was the last man standing of the old guard from WILM's glory days. Now WILM has Elliot in the Morning as their ONLY local show. All the rest of WILM's broadcast day and night comes from the bird.
 
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