Hope was in the air across the nation on January 20th as Barack Obama was being sworn in as our 44th President. Fear, anxiety, and panic was in the minds and hearts of many of those working in the Sacramento Clear Channel building that very same day.

It wasn't an ordinary day for those driving to the Ethan Way broadcast facility. You see, Clear Channel, owner and operator of over 1,000 radio stations nationwide, had previously announced a massive restructuring that would cut their work force by 9%, or 1,850 employees. But who would be shown the door? Sales staff; on-air personalities; management? How about a mix of everything.

Bruce Maiman, the popular host of "Sacramento's Only Local Talk At Night", as KFBK-AM (News Talk 1530) branded it, was one of the casualties. Bruce is a great broadcaster, and probably one of the few genuine hosts that Sacramento talk radio has seen in a long time. You could hear his passion every night as he made his listeners really think with phone call-in topics such as: What is one thing the government would have to do to cause you to go up in arms against your country?

If that doesn't make you think, there may not be much hope for you.

Insiders tell me Maiman's slot is going to be filled by a "best of" Armstrong & Getty from sister station KSTE-AM (Talk 650). (Edit : This report has been confirmed by industry trade magazine, AllAccess)

News Director Drew Sandsor was another victim that will be restructuring his life. As the News Director he oversaw the news staff of anchors and reporters. KFBK has been a market leader for many years so it is safe to say that Sandsor was a valuable asset to the team.

With Clear Channel also owning the 2nd highest-rated News/Talk station in the market, KSTE-AM, there isn't a lot of hope for Maiman or Sandsor, unless they seek another role in the radio industry in Sacramento.

In addition to these two talented staffers it is estimated that approximately half a dozen Account Executives (sales people) were also released; Yes, commission-only employees even saw the boot.

Clear Channel Gets Jacked

On December 15th of last year Clear Channel announced a trade deal with CBS radio (locally owns KSFM-FM 102.5, KYMX-FM Mix 96.1, KZZO-FM 100.5 The Zone, KNCI-FM Country 105.1, KQJK-FM 93.7 Jack FM and KHTK-AM Sports 1140). This agreement would give CBS two of Clear Channel's Houston, TX stations, and would give Clear Channel five of CBS' stations, including KQJK-FM.

This swap is still awaiting regulatory approval, but is expected to be allowed.

It has raised question about whether or not Clear Channel will keep the current "Jack FM" branded format of "Playing What We Want." Clear Channel is not a company that usually licenses brands and formats (which is how CBS uses the JACK-FM name and likeness), but this deal could make KQJK one of the most profitable in the Clear Channel Sacramento cluster.

Whoever Invented Baseball On Oldies Radio Should Be Ashamed Of Themselves

It has been long-rumored, but is now expected, that Oldies KCCL-FM (92.1 K-Hits) would be signing for another year as the flagship station for the Sacramento Rivercats. A source from within the Rivercats organization told me, "It is very likely that our team will be heard on 92.1 again, and management is very excited about it." 

A phone call to KCCL's offices for confirmation went unreturned.

Ratings For Fall 2008

Radio ratings for Fall 2008 (October-December) were released two weeks ago. The top ten stations with persons ages 12 and older are as follows:

KFBK-AM, KSTE-AM, KDND-FM (107.9 The End), KRXQ-FM (98 Rock), KSFM-FM, KSSJ-FM (Smooth Jazz 94.7), KNCI-FM, KYMX-FM, KSEG-FM (96.9 The Eagle), KHYL-FM (V101.1).