KFBK Sacramento, Mark Williams, Rush Limbaugh
FIRED OVER IRAQ SUPPORT?
Groups, SF Host Call Attention To Possible Funny Business
Has ongoing support for America's
involvement in Iraq cost a Sacramento talker his job?
After the termination of longtime conservative KFBK / Sacramento host Mark Williams (top right photo), that's what several political groups, as well as a prominent San Francisco talker, seem to be suggesting.
Though "budget cuts" were originally cited as the reason for his departure, Williams was quickly replaced by an outspoken liberal, sparking suspicions about the real motivations behind the move.
Because his replacement is said to be adamantly opposed to American actions in Iraq, groups such as Move America Forward, led by KSFO/ San Francisco morning host Melanie Morgan, have sprung into action.
With some early success already claimed, an advertiser boycott is underway.
In addition, after reports that Rush Limbaugh may soon be removed from Armed Forces Radio, the talk titan is fighting back against recommendations made by Lund Media Research.
The company was recently hired by the military to "modernize" the network's programming schedule.
In my latest Inside Radio column, "Battleground: Rush", we cover both of these issues in-depth. Read it here.
Your Amazon orders that begin with clicks here, regardless of your final purchases, are vital to supporting this site's efforts. Thanks again! Note: Amazon is now shipping copies of Ann Coulter's Godless.
Groups, SF Host Call Attention To Possible Funny Business
Has ongoing support for America's
involvement in Iraq cost a Sacramento talker his job?After the termination of longtime conservative KFBK / Sacramento host Mark Williams (top right photo), that's what several political groups, as well as a prominent San Francisco talker, seem to be suggesting.
Though "budget cuts" were originally cited as the reason for his departure, Williams was quickly replaced by an outspoken liberal, sparking suspicions about the real motivations behind the move.
Because his replacement is said to be adamantly opposed to American actions in Iraq, groups such as Move America Forward, led by KSFO/ San Francisco morning host Melanie Morgan, have sprung into action.
With some early success already claimed, an advertiser boycott is underway.
In addition, after reports that Rush Limbaugh may soon be removed from Armed Forces Radio, the talk titan is fighting back against recommendations made by Lund Media Research.The company was recently hired by the military to "modernize" the network's programming schedule.
In my latest Inside Radio column, "Battleground: Rush", we cover both of these issues in-depth. Read it here.
Your Amazon orders that begin with clicks here, regardless of your final purchases, are vital to supporting this site's efforts. Thanks again! Note: Amazon is now shipping copies of Ann Coulter's Godless.
published by Brian Maloney at
13:15
2 Comments:
This boils down to a personality conflict, plain and simple. Williams pissed off somebody in the KFBK hierarchy, and said hierarchy decided to hire a friend of a friend, Bruce Maiman.
And KFBK is now hemorrhaging listenership (and sponsors) as a result.
Williams was especially good at pushing buttons, and he wasn't especially picky about whose buttons he pushed.
I have been unable to locate the daypart specifics, but KFBK went from 7.7 to 8.0 from Winter 2005 to Spring 2006. The next best talker was KFBK's sister CheapChannel talker, KSTE, at 3.5 going to 4.2. That is hardly the track record of a station that is losing ratings.
Unfortunately, there are very limited options for Williams in this market. He probably won't be hired at KSTE, and the two Salem affiliates run taped daytime shows (KTKZ-1380 runs Prager and Gallagher, KFIA-710 is explicitly religious, running Dobson and such).
Here is the true danger of the corporatization of radio - if one host speaks his mind too forcefully, then he can find himself locked out of an entire market, and others besides.
Because make no mistake - Williams is talented, he is not a bootlicker, and he calls things as he sees them.
By
SierraSpartan, at 08 June, 2006 00:02
Good comments on this. Well for Mark Williams, it's the last laugh somewhat, Al-Zarqawi IS DEAD! Believe it--unless you happen to subscribe to DailyKos or any other terror loving liberal website! And here's proof:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/6/8/33449/30287
By
The Real Bob Anthony, at 08 June, 2006 05:28
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