Limbaugh leaves WPHT (Philly) [Replaced with Smerconish]

Radio and Television Business Report ^ | April 10, 2012 | Carl Marcucci

[BigSkyFreeper]

The long-time CBS Radio talker in Philadelphia has replaced El Rushbo not with Cumulus’ newly syndicated Mike Huckabee, but with Dial-Global’s Michael Smerconish, who was previously on the station’s afternoon drive. The move did not appear to be related to the Saandra Fluke controversy, but who knows.

Smerconish is based in Philly, so the move is understandable. Premiere Radio Networks had informed WPHT they will be syndicating Rush Limbaugh on a new station in Philadelphia. Rumor has it that Merlin-Media acquired WKDN-FM may be the station he ends up on—along with Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity, who’ve been off the air in that market since they were dropped by WPHT over a year ago.

The station is owned by Merlin Media, and is currently operated under an LMA by WKDN’s former longtime owner, Family Stations. While the original thought was that Michaels would turn WKDN to all-News (similar to its Chicago and NYC properties), many are now thinking it will be a talker.

WPHT has been moving to a more live and local offering. Smerconish’s syndicated show airs during the same time slot as Limbaugh, so he had been airing a locally oriented live hour from 3-4 p.m. and then the station carried his syndicated three-hour show on tape. Although Smerconish was once a local GOP official and leans conservative, he backed Obama in 2008 and has since become a registered independent.

RBR-TVBR observation: From what we’ve heard the move had nothing to do with Limbaugh’s controversy with Fluke and more to do with fees, barter and renewing contracts. Smerconish is a hometown guy, it’s a smart move and WPHT is going local anyway.

[raccoonradio]

Some are saying by Apr 15, current WKDN programming will end and perhaps be replaced by a temporary format. Some domain name registrations list possible nicknames like “106.9 The Fox”.

New studios are being constructed for WKDN. According to a post on radio-info.com “Their studios will be on the fourth floor of the Penn Treaty Park Building on Delaware Ave. WURD 900, WEMG 1310 and WWSI channel 62 TV are already there.”
The speculation is: Al Gardner mornings, then Beck, Rush, Hannity etc.

[Uncle Slayton]

“Although Smerconish was once a local GOP official and leans conservative, he backed Obama in 2008 and has since become a registered independent.”

If true, Smerconish should not have a slot on a talk radio station.

[LeonardFMason]

WPHT is now dead to me. Smerconish couldn’t be more boring.

[mykroar]

Although Smerconish was once a local GOP official and leans conservative, he backed Obama in 2008 and has since become a registered independent.

I stumbled on him a few times in Topeka before I moved - and damn near everytime I heard him he was reminding everyone how open-minded he was for voting for Obama.

[sand lake bar]

I think I got some smerconish on my shoe the other day.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I would say that WPHT is on it’s last leg.

[Mannaggia l'America]

Bug-eyed Obamaconish is very full of himself, and undeservedly so. He’s a legend in his own mind.

[ConservativeWarrior]

They dumped Hannity, then Glenn, and now Rush.

Smirk is a metrosexual sissy. He’s pro-gay, pro-choice, and pro big government (Patriot Act, DHS, etc...)

He’s not conservative by any measure.

[Lazlo in PA]

The Big Talker took a turn to the left last year when they booted Hannity and Beck and replaced them with garbage local guys. Limbaugh was the only reason to tune in to them and now he is gone. Do they really expect people to tune into that hack Chris Matthews fill in host Smerconish? He is a loser and closet Obummer sycophant.

[lurk]

And the damage to Rush’s $25 million salary will be catastrophic.

[G Larry]

Let me know how that works out for the bottom line at that station......

[Buckeye McFrog]

hometown guy, it’s a smart move and WPHT is going local anyway.

KDKA in Pittsburgh has also "gone local", which means for the vast majority of the day it's incredibly boring radio.

Aside from one recent incident where the County Executive and a judge got into a spitting match over property tax assessments, and it looked for a time like the judge might be sending him to jail. That gave them something worth talking about for at least a few days. A rare bit of excitement in an otherwise mundane local news scene.

[ScottinVA]

I never realized WPHT was so intent on committing corporate Hari-kiri.

Nice knowin’ ya!

[Eva]

I cannot stand Smerconish. He drives me crazy with his phony conservatism.

[Eva]

Oh, it’s true. Smerconish was a regular fill-in host for O’Reilly when he was on the radio.

[geege]

Not only boring, but the day I heard him say he “proudly voted for 0bama” I never listened to him since.....I despise him.....Long Live Rush!!!!!

[Lazlo in PA]

Thanks for the info. I couldn’t think of what WKDN was it is such a loser. There is no reason to go higher that 106.1 in this market.

[proud2beconservativeinNJ]

He’s a legend in his own mind.

This needed repeating. Plus, Smer annoyingly self congratulates himself on producing a great radio presentation all the time.

[Bridesheadfan]

Smerconish is a narcissist to the first degree. He doesn’t have any true convictions; it’s all about himself, and what he thinks will make him popular. I’m hoping that this latest move will be his undoing.