WSJ: Citadel Bankruptcy Near

[1069_KIFR]

The new owners are going to have to cut, cut and cut. Who knows what they are going to do to KGO. Therefore, does KCBS have a chance to be #1 in the market and hold it?!

 

[TheBigA]

The new owners are going to have to cut, cut and cut. Who knows what they are going to do to KGO.

Here's my theory: The cuts have already been made by upper management to prepare for Jan 15. We've all heard rumors of sales, trades, and other transactions. The banks will focus on those deals after Jan 15. Perhaps the stations in play are the ones where the cuts were made. Asset disposition is what the banks do best. Corporate management is being kept to complete those transactions that they began. Once the dust settles, then they see what's left and if any more cuts are necessary. How's that for a theory?

 

[norcalvet]

Have heard several rumblings that all contracts will be renegotiated and some major players will be shown the door.
Time will tell.

 

[MikeAmatori]

The new owners are going to have to cut, cut and cut. Who knows what they are going to do to KGO. Therefore, does KCBS have a chance to be #1 in the market and hold it?!

Well the NEW owners are really the OLD owners...That would be the banks who lent the money to buy the ABC Stations. Farid was CFO when he worked with Mel at CBS, So he stays on cause he speaks "Banker" and that makes the bankers happy since the don't speak Radio.

They have been talking and working on BK for at least 6 months, Budgets were done with that in mind, Less money in the budgets, Less people work. Citadels fiscal year is Jan-Dec. New Budgets Jan 1. So cuts have been made, just not implemented yet would be my guess.

As for KCBS, yes I would imagine having KGO Trashed would be a good way to get to, and stay #1. They are a fine news utility station, and a win is a win. The stations compete for demographics, but the formats are really apples and oranges. KGO 17hrs Talk & 7hrs News,
KCBS News 24hrs.

 

[RadioStarOne]

I'm surprised that Production Boy didn't say this: If and when Mickey Luckoff goes so goes KGO! Until then I hope that all the big player's get to stay. Why blame KGO for Citadel's incompetence? Sell it to a real radio company that gets it! Which FM's in the city would CBS Radio part with to add KGO to their cluster? Give the city CBS Radio over Bonneville anyday! shudder shudder shudder......

 

[rcoryell]

Shudder about Bonneville? I think they're one of the best companies in radio today, and a decent news operator. The religious thing is no big deal, doesn't have any negative impact on programming. A well-funded private owner with the ability to do long-term planning is a good thing.

 

[SFStatic]

I agree with Roger. A very well run company. If the faith thing was a big deal, they wouldn't have had a catholic as VP Programming in SF for years and years! You would all be lucky to work for them!

 

[michael hagerty]

I worked for Bonneville for a year and a half. Solid company...well-run...all about the radio business. Never once saw any expression of the religion.

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

Shudder about Bonneville? I think they're one of the best companies in radio today, and a decent news operator. The religious thing is no big deal, doesn't have any negative impact on programming. A well-funded private owner with the ability to do long-term planning is a good thing.

Bonneville may have a problem with the "less than conservative" lean of KGO. In that case, KGO would become like every other News/Talk station in America aside from the Air America Radio affiliates.

 

[michael hagerty]

Shudder about Bonneville? I think they're one of the best companies in radio today, and a decent news operator. The religious thing is no big deal, doesn't have any negative impact on programming. A well-funded private owner with the ability to do long-term planning is a good thing.

Bonneville may have a problem with the "less than conservative" lean of KGO. In that case, KGO would become like every other News/Talk station in America aside from the Air America Radio affiliates.

If it bills well, they'll just tune the air monitors in the office to KSFO and count their money.

 

[LKellerIII]

Shudder about Bonneville? I think they're one of the best companies in radio today, and a decent news operator. The religious thing is no big deal, doesn't have any negative impact on programming. A well-funded private owner with the ability to do long-term planning is a good thing.

Bonneville may have a problem with the "less than conservative" lean of KGO. In that case, KGO would become like every other News/Talk station in America aside from the Air America Radio affiliates.

If it bills well, they'll just tune the air monitors in the office to KSFO and count their money.

I agree. The people at Bonneville appear to be good business-people who can look beyond their own politics. It wouldn't make any business sense to turn one of America's most acclaimed talk stations into yet another cookie cutter right-wing outlet...and it would make even less sense in the left-leaning Bay Area.

 

[MikeAmatori]

I'm surprised that Production Boy didn't say this: If and when Mickey Luckoff goes so goes KGO! Until then I hope that all the big player's get to stay. Why blame KGO for Citadel's incompetence? Sell it to a real radio company that gets it! Which FM's in the city would CBS Radio part with to add KGO to their cluster? Give the city CBS Radio over Bonneville anyday! shudder shudder shudder......

I don't speak for Mickey. I am sure that he would not leave voluntarily, BUT, He can retire anytime he wants too. Remember He is just an employee, nothing more than that...They may ask him for input, which they do, but ultimately it is Corporates decision. He has held the line with Citadel for quite a while, and Those Big Players you mention should be grateful for that. But if they/CORP. give him an order, it is his job to act on it OR they will send someone in to carryout those orders. It is THEIR business after all.
A person/company who had thought this out would/should realize that by dismantling KGO Programing you would compromise what advertisers pay premiums for, that would certainly impact their current investment, Their current income from SF, and any future income or possible sale of the station.
No one is blaming KGO/KSFO for Citadels financial trouble, we have been one of their bright spots from the beginning...There are 225+
stations owned by Citadel. Lets hope that a company who sees the value in this great radio station buys us, and understands what creates
that value, which would be the programing, and the employees who create it.