More change at KNBR

[KilowattKat]

Okay. You said "with KNBR now at Levi's stadium, there is no live broadcasting from Battery St."

The story says:

When asked about whether KNBR would be based entirely out of Santa Clara, Blumhagen

Okay. You said "with KNBR now at Levi's stadium, there is no live broadcasting from Battery St."

The story says:

When asked about whether KNBR would be based entirely out of Santa Clara, Blumhagen pointed out that some shows were already hosted at Levi’s Stadium studios. “As our plans continue to evolve, we currently do not see a significant shift in that usage.”

Blumhagen also said Cumulus is targeting the “end of first quarter 2025” for getting the “secondary location” up and running, one that would replace its downtown San Francisco studios. He also said there currently is no “official final date” for the company’s time at the 750 Battery St.

Yes, they are planning a move to a different location, I see that now. I thought I had scrolled all the way through the article. I will take my punishment now...my apologies 🙁

 

[Mark Roberts]

And now, SFGate reports that nobody---not even Cumulus---seems to know what's up with the KNBR-Levi's Stadium move.

Lot of unanswered questions on Battery Street. Hmmm.

Based on these articles, plus the following article, it appears that the left hand at KNBR needs to be (re)introduced to the right hand.

https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-broadcaster-nervous-future-knbr-19934407.php

If I recall correctly, Susquehanna had a small ownership interest in the Giants. I don’t know if that carried over to Cumulus.

 

[KilowattKat]

My take, and we'll see how well it holds up:

Cumulus didn't mean to include the Levi's Stadium studio in the news release. Someone f***ed up. It's happening, but it's happening 2nd quarter of 2025, and will likely involve the sale of KNBR to 49ers owner Denise DeBartolo York.

So then do you see Cumulus looking to exit SF? Maybe selloff 560 and KSAN and keep 810 KSFO for show clearance like they are doing with KABC in LA?

 

[TheBigA]

So then do you see Cumulus looking to exit SF? Maybe selloff 560 and keep 810 KSFO for show clearance like they are doing with KABC in LA

That needs some explanation. KABC isn't in its own office or studio. It's in what was once Westwood One's office in Culver City. Westwood One is owned by Cumulus, and still originates a lot of programming there. Plus there's a national sales office, and some additional space is leased to other radio clients. Could they do the same in SF? Sure. But it depends if there's enough sales revenue from that location to justify the space. The company currently lists a national sales office in SF.

 

[KilowattKat]

That needs some explanation. KABC isn't in its own office or studio. It's in what was once Westwood One's office in Culver City. Westwood One is owned by Cumulus, and still originates a lot of programming there. Plus there's a national sales office, and some additional space is leased to other radio clients. Could they do the same in SF? Sure. But it depends if there's enough sales revenue from that location to justify the space. The company currently lists a national sales office in SF.

Is KSAN profitable? With the elimination of the morning show, I would hope so.

 

[TheBigA]

Is KSAN profitable? With the elimination of the morning show, I would hope so.

Everything is on the table with Cumulus, including a rumored merger with Audacy. If that happens, then they just move up the block.

With a change in administration, the FCC might be open to loosening ownership limits.

 

[michael hagerty]

So then do you see Cumulus looking to exit SF? Maybe selloff 560 and KSAN and keep 810 KSFO for show clearance like they are doing with KABC in LA?

Maybe. If they stay at all, that would be why. There really isn't a business case to just be a stand-alone AM in San Francisco apart from clearances.

 

[Mark Roberts]

There really isn't a business case to just be a stand-alone AM in San Francisco apart from clearances.

Ethnic time-brokered programming, if anything.

 

[KilowattKat]

KNBR''s total audience (6+) share dropped from 3.0 to 2.5. I know the sports format matters more about reaching the right demographic than ratings, but still.....

San Francisco

Nielsen Audio PPM Monthly Ratings San Francisco (Market #6) Population: 6,600,600 Black: 430,500 – Hispanic: 1,605,200 Average Quarter Hour Share for Persons 6+, Mon-Sun 6AM-Mid All ratings are Copyright © 2005-2024 The Nielsen Company. All rights reserved. Nielsen radio audience estimates and...

radioinsight.com

 

[michael hagerty]

KNBR''s total audience (6+) share dropped from 3.0 to 2.5. I know the sports format matters more about reaching the right demographic than ratings, but still.....

San Francisco

Nielsen Audio PPM Monthly Ratings San Francisco (Market #6) Population: 6,600,600 Black: 430,500 – Hispanic: 1,605,200 Average Quarter Hour Share for Persons 6+, Mon-Sun 6AM-Mid All ratings are Copyright © 2005-2024 The Nielsen Company. All rights reserved. Nielsen radio audience estimates and...

radioinsight.com

Half a point in a book beginning October 10 when the Giants played their last game September 29.

Now go look at the L.A. ratings and KLAC doubling its audience (1.5-3.0) over two books as the Dodgers lead the division, win the pennant and play and win the World Series.

 

[KilowattKat]

Half a point in a book beginning October 10 when the Giants played their last game September 29.

Now go look at the L.A. ratings and KLAC doubling its audience (1.5-3.0) over two books as the Dodgers lead the division, win the pennant and play and win the World Series.

The ratings have been steadily dropping every month since a 4.0 in June. The decline must be about something else, other than baseball,

 

[michael hagerty]

The ratings have been steadily dropping every month since a 4.0 in June. The decline must be about something else, other than baseball,

I wish RadioInsight kept a running tab that you could scroll back through. It'd be helpful to see the same months year-over-year. If memory serves, mid-2s is kind of KNBR's resting pulse outside baseball season.

The Giants were sucking early.

 

[Street Novelist]

KNBR''s total audience (6+) share dropped from 3.0 to 2.5. I know the sports format matters more about reaching the right demographic than ratings, but still.....

San Francisco

Nielsen Audio PPM Monthly Ratings San Francisco (Market #6) Population: 6,600,600 Black: 430,500 – Hispanic: 1,605,200 Average Quarter Hour Share for Persons 6+, Mon-Sun 6AM-Mid All ratings are Copyright © 2005-2024 The Nielsen Company. All rights reserved. Nielsen radio audience estimates and...

radioinsight.com

I wouldn't read too much into that. Since KNBR lost the Warriors to 95.7, ratings don't generally pick up until MLB season begins.

 

[brettbutlerisok]

Based on these articles, plus the following article, it appears that the left hand at KNBR needs to be (re)introduced to the right hand.

https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-broadcaster-nervous-future-knbr-19934407.php

If I recall correctly, Susquehanna had a small ownership interest in the Giants. I don’t know if that carried over to Cumulus.

I know almost nobody does it anymore, but there's nothing better than having a radio at the ballpark, and streaming will always lag behind the action on the field.

 

[lanceventa]

I wish RadioInsight kept a running tab that you could scroll back through. It'd be helpful to see the same months year-over-year. If memory serves, mid-2s is kind of KNBR's resting pulse outside baseball season.

I wish I did too. Nielsen only allows for a certain amount of months back to be published. They send the most recent three each month. @Huff uses his archive to allow me to publish six. Nobody else publishes more than 4 I believe.