WSB picks up Rush Limbaugh, moves Clark Howard to 8 p.m.
Rush Limbaugh jumps to 95.5FM and AM 750 News/Talk WSB starting at noon, October 1, 2012. CREDIT: AP
Rush Limbaugh, the most popular radio talk show host in America for more than two decades, is moving to AM 750 and 95.5FM News/Talk WSB.
Limbaugh will take WSB’s noon-to-3 p.m. weekday time slot starting Monday. Oct. 1.
“When you have the biggest talk personality on the biggest news/talk station in Atlanta, I expect the chemical reaction will be positive,” said Ben Reed, Atlanta market manager for Cox Media Group, which includes The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Our listeners will benefit from it.”
Limbaugh has been on news-talk 640/WGST-AM since the late 1980s and consistently has been the station’s biggest draw.
For WSB, Limbaugh’s arrival means several changes to its weekday lineup:
- Syndicated talk show host Neal Boortz, now based primarily out of Naples, Fla., will see his daily stint cut back an hour. He will be on the air from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Boortz is retiring in January and will be replaced by businessman and former presidential candidate Herman Cain, who had already planned to do three hours a day.
- Consumer advocate Clark Howard, who has been with WSB radio since 1991 and is now heard on more than 220 stations nationwide, is moving to the 8-10 p.m. slot from his current 1-3 p.m. time period. Howard — who recently began co-hosting an HLN TV news program from 5-7 p.m. weekdays called “Evening Express” — will still tape his Atlanta-based radio show from 1-3 p.m. because other markets will continue to run it live. He explains the changes on his popular website www.clarkhoward.com.
- Syndicated radio and Fox News host Sean Hannity’s program will air live from 3-5 p.m., but WSB will be adding a news program from 5-7 p.m. Erick Erickson, who runs the website RedState.com will be the show’s host/commentator. Hannity’s third hour, from 7-8 p.m., will be tape-delayed (Erickson has been hosting a talk show from 6-8 p.m.).
- Local talk show host Adam Goldfein gets pushed two hours later to 10 p.m. to midnight.
- Syndicated financial expert Dave Ramsey also gets moved two hours later and will start at midnight instead of 10 p.m.
WSB, which ranked ninth in Atlanta Arbitron ratings in August, has lost some steam since All News 106.7 (WYAY-FM) hit the airwaves in May.
“Summer is usually very tough for news talk stations,” Reed said, “so I don’t panic when I have a month that dips in the summer.”
WSB’s new 5-7 p.m. news program will try to counter that.
“Atlanta depends on WSB for news, weather and traffic information, and now WSB will provide even more,” Reed said.
Limbaugh has remained a durable powerhouse in radio despite controversies he has faced over the years. He is heard on more than 600 stations nationwide and draws more than 14.75 million listeners each week, according to Talkers magazine. Hannity is the nation’s second most popular radio host, with at least 14 million listeners a week.
WGST, which was a soft rock station in the early 1970s, went all news in 1977 and morphed into news/talk in the 1980s.
Howard, Boortz, Hannity and Ramsey were all personalities previously on WGST, which was competitive with WSB in ratings in the 1990s but now lags far behind. WGST ranked 21st in the August ratings.
Word is that WGST has laid off several people today in preparation for a likely format change. Right now, while Rusty Humphries is normally airing, WGST is running a Glenn Beck repeat. (He normally airs from 9 a.m. to noon.)
“I think I speak for a lot of people who used to work at GST to say that this is a very very sad day to see this happen,” said Mike Rose, who worked at the station from 1985 to 1998 in roles including producer and program director. “It was a great operation, a family-like atmosphere. It cultivated a lot of the great performers on radio today.”
The two likely formats available are syndicated comedy or Spanish sports talk, said Eric Seidel, who was station manager from GST from 1986 to 1997 and developed Howard and Hannity. “Hannity was a diamond in the rough when we found him and he got his radio legs with us,” Seidel said. And Howard was an accidental talk show host who started covering travel as a travel agent and adjusted into talk show work with Seidel’s help.
The station was ahead of its time when it was simulcast on FM from 1993 to 200 at 105.7 and its ratings were competitive with WSB for a time. Losing that simulcast hurt the station’s power, which slipped steadily throughout the 2000s as its core listeners moved further outside its AM grasp and outside the Perimeter.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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305 comments Add your comment
aparrothead888
September 27th, 2012
9:15 am
The only calls Clark fields anymore are the old blue hairs wanting to know if they are being scammed when they get a call from Nigeria. Then he regurgitates the travel information easily found on Expedia or Priceline. Zzzz
Former wsb fan
September 27th, 2012
9:18 am
Any entity that promotes that blthering hate monger does not get my support. Bad choice WSB
Gene
September 27th, 2012
9:28 am
Hannity and Limbaugh…good bye WSB
Curious George
September 27th, 2012
9:38 am
When is THE KIMMER coming back to Atlanta radio, especially that we need him now more than ever?
blazerdawg
September 27th, 2012
9:40 am
The reason both GST and SB did so well in the 90s was because of the LOCAL talk programming – SB with Boortz, Howard and deep local news and GST with Hannity, Kimmer and deep local news.
Rush? C’mon WSB – you used to be one of the great radio stations in the world. Y’all can do much better – get creative. I know what Rush is going to say before he says it and he argues like a middle schooler – boring.
Jay Santos
September 27th, 2012
9:46 am
What about THE PHIL HENDRIE SHOW?
Producer
September 27th, 2012
9:52 am
You could bring back Freddie Mertz!
Thor
September 27th, 2012
9:55 am
Why no progressive voice ever? Oh yeah I almost forget we live in the dirty south.
Confused
September 27th, 2012
9:55 am
I thought the media was all liberal biased?
Confused
September 27th, 2012
9:56 am
Where can I find liberal talk shows? I didn’t think so.
MA
September 27th, 2012
9:58 am
All the nuts in one basket.
Maniwar
September 27th, 2012
9:59 am
I have listened to WSB and Boortz for years, and I echo all the comments about him leaving and how he’ll be missed. Even when I moved away from ATL I streamed their station. I do agree with the comment(s) that I wish Erick Erickson was taking Boortz’ spot, not replacing, because no one will do that. I hope Hermain Cain can keep my attention, otherwise I don’t know what to listen to while he’s on. I’m excited that Rush is joining because I’d switch to the “ex-wife” @ 12:30 and listen there to Rush. Sadly I had to miss Clark, but oftentimes I’d switch back just to get my Clark fill. I do wish you would’ve put Clark in Hannity’s place, because I am so sick of his three-hour advert for his TV show. Why does he have 14 million listeners? All he does is repeat Boortz and Rush. Lastly, excited about the Erick Erickson move…yeah!!! one less hour of hot-air-Hannity’s advert!
Kennesaw Dave
September 27th, 2012
10:01 am
I can’t say I’m a fan of this move either and told WSB so on Facebook the other day when the news popped up. Not that they really care what I think one way or the other. I understand you need to change things around to compete with the all news station, but this is just too much. WSB had what I thought in my opinion was a nice balance of programming. Guess I’ll be listening to something else from 12-3 like everyone else has said. And to all the WGST employees that this move put out in the cold, I wish you well and hope all of you land on your feet quickly and don’t have to struggle long to get something else in the business.
henry hill
September 27th, 2012
10:13 am
I hear Glenn Beck is going into witness protection, I mean WGKA..same thing..
moses whitecotton
September 27th, 2012
10:40 am
Swap rush for Clark? Thats hilarious. WSB Dude , the world hates RUSH!
qwizwizard
September 27th, 2012
10:41 am
Another reason to turn to NPR – As if Sean Hannity weren’t bad enough, now you’re adding Rush Limbaugh. I feel bad for Clark Howard who has to sit in the middle of all this.
mambo
September 27th, 2012
10:44 am
WGST was a great Atlanta icon. Remember Paul Drew?
Paula
September 27th, 2012
10:51 am
Sad to see a once-great radio station become a right-wing hate-fest carrier. I am a native Atlantan who grew up on WSB – how pathetic.
Ron
September 27th, 2012
11:05 am
Time to change to 106.7 FM permanently! Goodbye!
LG
September 27th, 2012
11:13 am
It is good to see so many people on here who recognize the harm Rush, Hannity, Ann Coulter, etc., have done to the spirit of our country. Encouraging.
Randall Bloomquist
September 27th, 2012
11:21 am
I was so shocked when I heard the news about WGST, I put a Big Mac in a Quarter Pounder box! Unlike John Hogan, Mickey D’s doesn’t reward incompetence.
To Tell the Truth
September 27th, 2012
11:31 am
Great!!!!! We LOVE RUSH!!!!
A dark day....
September 27th, 2012
11:50 am
This is kind of a dark day all around. 10 years ago, I listened to Neal from 8:30 to 1, Clark from 1-5. In just a few short months, both will be erased from daytime, which was my listening time. This feels like the death of what WSB was as much as the death of what GST is.
Miss J
September 27th, 2012
11:54 am
Come on WSB…
Where’s the diversity.
Neal B, Hannity, Rush Limb (all White males) – oh Herman Cain (White male in Black face)….
This is Atlanta —we need more diverse folks with diverse ideas………
Come on give us a BREAK………………
A dark day....
September 27th, 2012
11:55 am
Thor wrote Why no progressive voice ever? Oh yeah I almost forget we live in the dirty south.
??? Amy Goodman an her ilk are over on WRFG 89.3 FM Atlanta. If you were serious about your yearn for progressive blather rather than just conservative bashing, you would know that.
pb
September 27th, 2012
11:55 am
Great. Now can hear that windbag Rush on the big AM Atlanta station. Can hardly wait to hear who he insults next with his ignorant, prejudiced big mouth! Too bad about WGST though. They used to be a good station too.
Miss J
September 27th, 2012
12:01 pm
@ A dark day…..
Come on into the sunshine..who ever heard of Amy Goodman.
Let her join Neal or Rush on some serious debates….like the old CNN or Fox show Point – Counter Point…that’s the point I was trying to make.
Let’s have some open dialogue on the issues and let the best SPIN WIN……………
Miss J
September 27th, 2012
12:13 pm
How can you be a true conservative and believe in the American ideal that this is a free country.
According to you:
1. You don’t want me to have an abortion
2. You want to tell me who I can marry.
3. You want me to speak English.
Here’s the most shocking thing of all —you say you’re for less government – but yet you want to use the government to control my personal life – when it does not agree with your personal beliefs…
Wow how un-American is that……….
Miss J
September 27th, 2012
12:18 pm
Oh..I forgot…
The same government you want to use to control my personal life better not take your guns away………..
Wow……………………
Lance
September 27th, 2012
12:22 pm
Atlanta Radio keeps getting worse.
For the first time ever I’m considering Sirius.
Mike
September 27th, 2012
1:01 pm
Being a native Atlantan, I never thought I see the day that I would stop listening to WSB, but over the past few years I’ve found myself listening (only during drive time anyway) less and less. I can’t stand Hanity. Stopped listening to Limbaugh years ago. Have always like Clark Howard, and now he’s been sent to the dungeon. Back when WSB was mostly news, traffic and weather it was the best. Over the past 10 years or so it’s gotten worse and worse. Now for news weather sports and traffic we have 106.7. As for all the other idle chatter….I’ll live without it.
sean hannity
September 27th, 2012
1:22 pm
Dirty air dirty water, hanging from trees, throw granny off the cliff, dirty air dirty water, he promised unemployent would not go above 8%, dirty air dirty water…
tom
September 27th, 2012
1:25 pm
WSB is not in the business of making thought provoking radio. They are in the business of making money.
And for that, they will make plenty. Good luck, good riddance.
Unaffiliated
September 27th, 2012
1:28 pm
many people are simply too dense to understand national talk radio…they are the ones who should never vote.
Producer
September 27th, 2012
1:29 pm
Blast that making money!! I know, let’s make corporate profits illegal!!!! Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that’s it!!!
Better yet, “from each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs” Yeahhh, that’s really the ticket!!! Seems oddly familiar….
belinda skelton
September 27th, 2012
1:34 pm
Ah caint believe thar ain’t no station that will hahr me once Nale re-tars. Ah’ve been on the ar in Alana purt near twinty years and have did me a whole mess of lav spots fer a wad range of clahints. Mebee ah I kin get mah own show on GKA, ain’t lak innbody listens to thim no way.
builderga
September 27th, 2012
1:47 pm
AMF to Boortz. His was the best show on radio. Rush and Sean are Republican infomercials. I like Herman but don’t know if he can pull it off day in and day out like Neal.
Michael
September 27th, 2012
1:56 pm
I see Racist Radio WSB has finally got their big fish. Congratulations!
Atlanta Native
September 27th, 2012
2:10 pm
Putting Rush L. in the WSB lineup seals the deal for me – the station has become the pentultimate in hate radio, and now a definitive shill for the Regressipublican Party.
Michael
September 27th, 2012
2:17 pm
Thanks for the warning so I don’t click over to Clark Howard and wreck my car when I hear Windbaugh. And thanks bloggers for the info on 106.7 — I didn’t know.
Shannon
September 27th, 2012
2:27 pm
Hold your horses – Clark Howard at NIGHT? Clark is the best thing to hit Atlanta radio since, well – Neal Boortz. Bolshoi!
They’re trying to cram too much in to accomodate Rush. I like Rush, but he’s no Clark!
And, these short programs – I don’t think it’s going to be good for the ratings. Watch for cancellations!
NewstalkJunkie
September 27th, 2012
2:53 pm
Yeah for getting Rush. I have disliked WGST ever since they killed off the Kimmer.
denise
September 27th, 2012
3:13 pm
lived in atlanta since 1984, was told by my co-workers to listen to wsb for traffic and wether. I would listen while getting ready for work. One day i heard royal speak and i started lisening to wsb every since then. i think Clark Howard, Capt. Herb, Dave Ramsey and Adam Goldfein (sometimes you are so crazy) but it makes me laugh–are the Best! These are the programs I really enjoy. I’ve even enjoyed Mighty W over the years (Blessing to you Neil on your retirement, you have made my day many times even when i don’t agree with you– i listened to you just for the fun Thank You! Now, let me get down to business I DO Not Think Rush Limbaugh Is a Good Fit For this Station because at least Neil Was a lot of fun. You can’t even enjoy his humor. He has no couth (just my opinion) I have nothing to say about Herman Cain or Sean Hannity. Good Bye
denise
September 27th, 2012
3:14 pm
Enter your comments here
Elmo and Ludlow are dead. Get over it!
September 27th, 2012
3:17 pm
Wake-up people. Atlanta radio died years ago.
It all started 20 yrs ago when WSB first dropped the Braves.
Do yourselves a favor and get satellite radio. You can then quit your bitching and listen to the oldies again or find liberal talk if that is what you prefer. It’s that damn simple.
Cheryl
September 27th, 2012
3:45 pm
Please tell me that Jamie Dupree and Captain Herb will still be around…they are the only two reasons I listen to WSB.
George
September 27th, 2012
3:48 pm
This is the dam SOUTH FITTING
Scooter
September 27th, 2012
4:16 pm
Rodney, any word about Coast to Coast? That’s the only reason I continued to ever tune WGST in after Kimmer got axed.
Bill O'Reilly
September 27th, 2012
4:32 pm
YES! 8 straight hours of right wing commentary hammered down your THROAT! And then you get to go home and listen to ME continue to bash it into your head! We are going to breed a nation of Conservabots!!!!!!!
Marty
September 27th, 2012
4:33 pm
Hmm, typical. I’ve been listening to gst since 90. Enjoyed it with Bortz, Rush and the kimmer after that. When the fired kimmer and the morning guy I stopped listening to anything but rush there. They finally got back in the game with the new morning guys and rusty. I always skip mr conspiracy beck like bad rash. Now they just hit the wall, without rush there is no need to even check it out. There is only one talk radio station left in the atl. End of the road for gst, it will likely go to a Spanish format.