I saw an interview with the station manager on KVAL (where coincidentally, another KPNW refugee, Tom Adams, landed).
The GM said that Sports Talk didn't "fit" with the other programs on the station. Huh? Doesn't KPNW spend hours broadcasting the Blazers, the Mariners and the Ems? And a sports show doesn't fit in?
I personally don't care about sports, but I have to wonder if BiCoastal Media has done any market research. When KUGN aired Michael Savage a few years back, they found themselves in the headlines because of public outrage over Savage's strong content, and the U of O was under public pressure to drop KUGN as the Voice of the Ducks.

I understand that a boycott of Savage's sponsors has had some results in some markets. He is definitely a hateful right-winger to be sure.

-------------Judge Ready To Dismiss Michael Savage Lawsuit--------------
The San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/08/BA6FVG42T.DTL

Wow.....so only morning news thats "local" now?

Just looked....KPNW was #2 in Eugene in the last ratings.....

When KUGN dropped Savage, they claimed it was due to low ratings, not the protests. Whether completely true or not, ratings probably were less than stellar.

I wonder how Sports Talk did in its time slot? The TV report said the decision was based on ratings, but I wouldn't take anything the managers say to the media as truth.
I feel bad for the host, Steve Tannen, but let's face it. He's been lucky to last as long as he has. It's only a matter of time before there are no local people on Eugene newstalk, the way things are going. (Sorry to sound so cynical).

KPNW does broadcast the minor league Eugene Emeralds as well as the PDX Trailblazers. They don't carry the Mariners at this point.

I am saddened to hear that SportsTalk has been axed. It won't surprise me if Steve winds up on another local station. KUGN may be a good fit, if only because they are the Duck's flagship. Perhaps if Portland's 95.5 flips to sports or something like that. While my personal views lean towards the conservative side, I believe replacing SportsTalk with Savage is a huge mistake. I guess only time will tell. SportsTalk was also simulcasted on Corvallis/Albany 1240AM KEJO. Now, KEJO just carries sydicated Fox Sports during the timeslot.

Today's Register Guard has more with quotes from Chris (I,m Bi Coastals puppet) Sargent, and from Tannen as well. If so many are coming out to say they like talk so much then why has talk failed in Eugene? sure there the Limbaughs and the Larsons, isn't that enough? Savage did not do well last time out of the shoot what would make it work now? I hope Steve lands on his feet and I,m sure he will. Just another chapter in the radio ratings war.

Talk radio doesn't get the job done in Eugene because Eugene is a music market. Limbaugh has okay ratings but that's about it. The Air America affiliate had a 3 share as I recall and they could not sell it. Comments?