Local political talk radio, once thriving in Sacramento, is fading to silence

Sacramento Bee ^ | 4/15/8 | Rachel Leibrock

[SmithL]

Sacramento talk radio is all but dead.

Or maybe just born again.

KSAC (1240 AM) found religion last month when it switched from a progressive talk format to hip-hop gospel, complete with a new set of call letters, KRJY Rejoice 1240.

There are now only two local political shows remaining: Bruce Maiman hosts a program, with a moderate focus, weeknights on KFBK; and over at KTKZ, conservative Eric Hogue holds court every weekday at noon.

What does this mean for Sacramento? Is KSAC's switch just another business-as-usual programming blip on an ever-changing radio radar? Or does the switch signal a bigger wave in listener tastes?

A little of both, says Rick Eytcheson, who, before taking on his current gig as general manager at Capital Public Radio, held the same job at KFBK (1530 AM).

"There were bigger issues at play at KSAC," Eytcheson says. "They were trying to compete in a large market with a small signal."

Plus, the notion that KSAC's demise was fueled by lack of advertising – the reason proffered by station general manager Paula Nelson – tells only part of the story.

"Ratings go hand in hand with advertising and ... the listeners voted with ratings," Eytcheson says.

Besides, as the saying goes, we are not alone.

The playing field for radio locally – like that for stations across the country – has changed dramatically in the past 25 years, with the emphasis moving from local voices to nationally syndicated programming.

The reason? Well, there's that issue of declining ad revenue again, but satellite radio and the Web also are luring listeners away.

All this when more stations are owned by fewer companies, and most face demands for a bigger profit margin.

Money might talk, but listeners aren't too happy.

[SmithL]

They're playing "Where are they, now" with several local personalities, including Bernie Ward. They forgot to mention that he's awaiting trial for sharing his kiddie-porn collection on-line.

[CT]

KFBK is where it all started for Rush. Even though I left Sacramento as a home over 18 years ago, I still feel like I am coming home when I can pick up KFBK hundreds of miles away.

[HKMk23]

Yeah, well, except for the fact that KFBK isn’t WORTH picking up, anymore, unless Rush is on.

All of the other hosts tend toward the vomitous, squooshy middle.

I dropped KFBK when they dropped Mark Williams’ show and brough on that progressivish Maiman guy.

If you really want to know, The bloodstains lead to the doorstep of the SacBee.

[Arthalion]

I think it’s interesting that both the liberal AND the conservative talkers are having this problem. People just seem to be losing interest in local political talk radio.

It’s interesting to note that Armstrong and Getty, a local show that only occasionlly deals with politics, is ruling the roost, while Phil Cowan, a longtime local radio host with a strong libertarian streak on the SAME station in the timeslot immediately following A&G was cut for lousy ratings. The problem isn’t a lack of listeners, it’s a lack of listeners for that particular format. Local talk radio is fading here in the valley.

[tubebender]

What happened to Tom Sullivan? I know that local advertising is slim on RUSH’s show here in Eureka as they play a great many of his Parodies as filler for local spots. I am going to ask the station owner why they don’t discount the spots to fill the holes. My business was one of the first and consistent advertisers on his show 18 or 19 years ago. We also helped sponsor his two RUSH to Excellence tours here,,,