Reply #23: I think Jeff Davis is right [View All]

[Lost in ATL]

I contacted Clear Channel corporate, stating the fact that I was doing so on the recommendation of Jeff Davis, and received a cordial, but non-committal response. My pitch, that they convert WGST to a progressive format. I pointed out that many of the Clear Channel affiliates have been doing very well with a progressive format. I mentioned KPOJ Portland, WXXM Madison Wisconsin, KQKE San Francisco, and even WKBF in the Quad Cities (Rock Island, Ill) An example is that Fall '04 that WKBF had a 0.8 Share, and after a switch to progressive talk, they moved to a 2.6 share Fall '05.

My point- a liberal talk format makes economic sense for Clear Channel in Rock Island, Illinois, and it will make sense here.

Some other points that I didn't mention, but I will share with you, was that WGST has moved from a 2.3 share to a 1.9 share during the same period. This is not a good trend. Kimmer can't leave the studio without getting into a fistfight, has lost his producer and most of his staff. Rush is loosing listeners to Clark Howard! With the Braves being in a slump, WGST will probably see another ratings hit.

I would much rather have progressive talk on AM 640 than 1690. I think go ahead and let JB Broadcasting continue their swill and we press to get progressive on AM 640 and remove an odious Fox and Friends affiliate from the Atlanta airwaves. Win-Win.

Step 1, Per the Clear Channel response to my e-mail, we should contact WGST programming and let them know we would like to see a change to a full-progressive format on WGST. I would be very hesitant to see them put up just one or two shows- we need a full schedule of progressive content with a left-leaning news feed as well.

Step 2, Repeat step 1 until we get our way.

Thanks for listening...