SDradio.net, run by radio media hack (his own descriptor) Chris Carmichael, posted this weekend that progressive talk radio station KLSD will switch to an all-sports format as of Oct. 15. The station has been beset by rumors of a change for weeks now, but station program director Cliff Albert e-mailed CityBeat on Monday saying, “Still no final decision yet.” A source inside KLSD told CityBeat that the renewed speculation is backed by some circumstantial pieces of evidence: Apparently a Clear Channel IT person bought the domain name XTRA.com, which was the name KLSD used before it became progressive talk radio.
But the source also said that a move toward all sports may have stalled when ESPN star Dan Patrick signed a syndication deal in July. Apparently, Patrick was the lynch-pin behind taking KLSD all-sports, and now he’s gone. Another key figure to the whole thing is grizzled San Diego sports-reporting veteran Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton. A fixture in the original XTRA radio station, Hacksaw has spent the last few years doing sports updates for KOGO-600. If XTRA comes back, Hacksaw would be an important piece of the puzzle, the source said. However, Hamilton’s contract will be up soon, and while he is in negotiations with Clear Channel, the execs on the other side of the table aren’t really sure what’s happening, so talks are stalled.
Albert went on the air earlier this week to tell listeners that a decision was on the desk of an executive in San Antonio, Clear Channel’s HQ, but no one in San Diego knows what’s going on. He did promise that morning host Stacy Taylor would always have a place at Clear Channel. Before KLSD went on the air, Taylor had been a host on KOGO.
September 27, 2007 - 11:15 am at 11:15 am
If we lose KLSD (as it’s current format), I will be so incredibly sad, I just can’t put it into words.
October 1, 2007 - 2:02 pm at 2:02 pm
San Diego does NOT need another sports talk station, what is needed instead is a forum for people who believe in balance and fairness, especially in a market that’s swimming in a sea of non-stop right wing conservative talk! That’s why KLSD and it’s progressive talk format must not be shut down!!!! It’s all that’s left! If it goes away, it’ll effect San Diego more than they know!!!!
October 1, 2007 - 5:41 pm at 5:41 pm
If you lefties would listen and support advertisers there would be no question…Good riddence…
October 2, 2007 - 9:33 am at 9:33 am
With 3 “right wing” talk stations in San Diego, one would think KLSD would be viable. Is this a money or political decision?
October 8, 2007 - 9:39 pm at 9:39 pm
J Clyde SPencer IV its spelled “riddance” and this is a political move.. not about advertising. Get your “non-facts” straight… koolaid drinker
October 13, 2007 - 10:52 pm at 10:52 pm
The 3 stooges Stacy Taylor, Bulldog and Scooter are now in fade to black mode. Their incessant hate speech and tired whining about the man is all played out. Air America on a larger scale is testament to a failed and devalued mindset. You have to wonder why El Rushbo has been around for almost 20 years. Hell, even Rick Roberts has been around seems like 10 years. Go join Ralph Nader in obscurity and irrelevance.