The ratings decline at Cumulus’ all-news KGO-AM San Francisco has been well documented, as the station has not been successful in taking meaningful share from CBS Radio’s all-news KCBS-AM there. Recent reports say that the station is readying a flip to News-Talk to up the ratings and ad sales.
KGO has never really been an all-newser, as Ron Owen has remained on the station. Also of note, CCME hired virtually all of the former KGO talent at KNEW-AM and KKSF-AM but failed to move the needle.
In Atlanta, Cumulus is successfully evolving All News 106.7 from an all-news station to a NewsRadio station with strong all-news blocks from 5a-9a and 3p-7p. RBR-TVBR sources say KGO will evolve in a similar fashion over time, reflecting the views and sensibilities of the Bay Area and become extremely local.
The station has not identified any potential talk hosts yet, but when it does, it’s likely that it will be one move at a time just as it has been in Atlanta by first adding the Kimmer and now 9 months later, the addition of Gallagher.
There is no timetable yet for KGO’s move in that direction.
