Right Here, Right Now (Aug 1993)

It seems every time you adjust the dial to a talk station these days, conservative viewpoints fill the air. From Roger to Rush, San Diegans can't seem to get enough right-wing politics. KSDO recently picked up G. Gordon Liddy's show. The convicted Watergate burglar's program is similar in tone to the Rush Limbaugh Show. It's on from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. weeknights.

Not to be outdone, KCEO 1000 AM began airing ex-presidential candidate and right-wing hard-liner, Pat Buchanan. KCEO also picked up Larry King. That means fans of conservative politics can now hear six hours of uninterrupted right-wing commentary on KCEO weekdays, until Larry King's voice comes on for the drive home. The programming: Buchanan's show runs from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by Rush Limbaugh, who's on 'til 3 p.m; Larry King is aired from 3-6.

Comings and Goings (Aug 1993)

Radio's a nomadic business, most will say, but last month got a little out of hand. June was Program-Director-Jumps-Ship-Month. Six local stations (KCLX, KYXY, XHTZ, XHRM, KCBQ and K-Best) have new PDs or at least temporary fill-ins as RSD goes to press. KCLX 102.9 FM music director Keith Miller is taking over for Dave Parks, who left at the beginning of June. Miller hasn't officially been given Parks' old title, but he's earning it. "I'm a one-man show right now." he said. Besides his morning show, KYXY 96.5's Sonny West is handling the program director duties in place of Art Schroeder, who was let go in mid-June because of budget cutbacks. West formerly was program director at KCBQ. "It's a challenge," he said of doing both jobs. "It makes for long days."

Jammin' Z-90's new program director is Steve Wall, who has one of the weirdest answering machines known to man. Wall came on board June 22. He has 10 years of programming experience. He came from KKXX in Bakersfield.

For those who can't get enough blues, KPBS replaced its "Saturday Night Blues" show with a new three-hour blues show - "Blues Time." Dan Pothier, formerly with KIFM and XHRM, is host. "Blues Time airs from 9 p.m to midnight on Saturdays.

Shannon Leder is back as Rock 102's (KIOZ 102.5 FM) morning show host. Management let go her former morning show partner, Kevin Cranker, in mid-June. Listeners familiar with Rock 102 can expect less comedy-babble and more hard rock.

Information for sale (Aug 1993)

These are lean times for many radio stations, but Metro Networks, the company which owns Metro Traffic, has found a way to capitalize on budget-conscious stations. It's called Metro News Service. The idea is basically the same as the Metro Traffic reports heard on many local stations. However, instead of information on freeway gridlock, the service provides breaking news, stories and features.

So far, KOWF 92.1 FM has been the only station to pick up the service, which was first offered June 21. Metro marketing director Russ Wittberger reports several other stations have inquired about the service. Radio veteran Gayle Newman is the bureau chief. The news team has two announcers and two reporters on board, but plans to hire more if business picks up. Metro also trades information with CNN and, locally, with Channel 10. The news, said Wittberger, can be tailored to the station's preference, including length of newscast. "It's up to the station," he said. "It can be anything: local news, arts, sports or business. They tell us what they want."

And, perhaps best of all for the stations, there's no cost for the service. Metro makes its money by selling 10-second advertising spots at the end of the newscast like its traffic reports. "Metro News Service gives stations the image of having more news without having to spend more money," Wittberger said