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
Disappointed
September 27th, 2012
4:35 pm
Rusty Humphries was a great addition to the Atlanta market. He will be missed.
Zooey
September 27th, 2012
4:37 pm
BOO to you WSB! I will certainly never support your station again. Rush is a hasbeen windbag that just espounds hate.
Surprising - not?
September 27th, 2012
4:44 pm
Have you noticed that nearly every comment in this thread, regardless of the commenter’s political affiliation or level of vitriol, is a model of clarity (and good spelling) compared to nearly every comment made about Rodney’s blog articles on Real Housewives of Atlanta?
raymond
September 27th, 2012
4:51 pm
If Rusty Humphries was such a “great addition” to Atlanta radio, then why couldn’t pull better numbers for GST than day old Dave Ramsey?
A dark day....
September 27th, 2012
4:57 pm
@ A dark day…..
Come on into the sunshine..who ever heard of Amy Goodman.
Here’s the thing: If you claim to be a “progressive”, are looking for progressive talk radio, and you have never heard of Amy Goodman (of Democracy Now), then you are not truly a “progressive” . You are a mere tool of the Democratic party.
Atlanta Radio Insider
September 27th, 2012
5:44 pm
New update on the WGST situation…
http://atlradioinsider.blogspot.com/2012/09/flip-watch-640923-wgst.html
Stephen Ross
September 27th, 2012
6:58 pm
Are we NOT sure that the programming is changing to ALL BLACK? Everything else (especially television) in Atlanta is. Tell me how many WHITE Television News Anchors there are in Atlanta….hum?
Ann Cox Chambers
September 27th, 2012
7:49 pm
Boy that moron John Hogan is the gift that keeps on giving. First we trick him into paying three times what the Braves broadcast rights were worth when we weren’t going to renew them anyway, then
we get him to buy Dr. Laura back right as she’s tanking and now Hogan’s handing us the number one talk show in the country. I knew the Mays boys were idiots when they hired John Hogan, but what the hell is Bain Capital thinking?
NY Peach
September 27th, 2012
8:34 pm
Looks like everyone has gotten the shaft to make room for that wind bag. I WILL NOT BE LISTENING TO THAT DURING THE DAY. Will Clark Howard have a live show anymore?
The KKK network
September 27th, 2012
8:38 pm
For rednecks, only.
ROSEMARY
September 27th, 2012
8:53 pm
Is Rusty Humphries gone? He makes my ride home from work in traffic bearable. I’m going to miss him and his team. They are the best.
Chuckie D
September 27th, 2012
9:10 pm
To all the libs who don’t understand “Capitalism”—WSB wants the strongest line-up for their revenue stream (I know, WHAT a concept that is)! ALSO, those that don’t approve of these changes have the option to listen elsewhere. I suppose it is too bad that AIR AMERICA was not successful—perhaps their listenership and corresponding lack of revenue $$$$ was their demise?
Anyhoo, I get real enjoyment reading the moans and groans of those that I would venture have not even listened to those “Right Wingers”.
Please remember that all radios continue to have the On-Off and station selection switches. Also, isn’t it appropriate that the local NPR station as one post mentioned is on the LEFT side!
JDF
September 27th, 2012
9:44 pm
Now’s the time for a new format atlanta,progressive libertarian .For once atl could be ahead the curve!
RGB
September 27th, 2012
10:23 pm
The alleged defectors from WSB remind me of Yogi Berra’s comment that “nobody eats at that restaurant anymore because it’s crowded all the time”. Good move WSB. Also libs: learn the difference between news and commentary. A station airing commentary can still have news at the top and bottom of the hour.
Just My Opinion
September 27th, 2012
11:49 pm
I was a big WGST fan. It’s been sad to see their talent leave them over the years, but they never got the wattage firepower of WSB and just couldn’t keep pace. It was a great talk station for a long time. Who can forget Ralph from Ben Hill?
In the long run, though, it’s a good move for WSB to pick up the Rush Limbaugh show and will improve both WSB’s and Rush’s rating in the Atlanta market.
Buckhead Bill
September 28th, 2012
12:14 am
So it was Rush’s switch that precipitated all the firings! I thought maybe Rusty had failed in some ratings goal. They added Merlino to the morning line up to strengthen that. I guess for a bunch of cheap skates they were spending a lot of money with questionable results.
Im almost happy that its over. I was growing weary of Rusty’s day trips and all the interviews with all his BFF’s. Didnt they do this 6, 7 years ago with the Kimmer and Tom Hughes? Manageent over there a little schitzoid?
I agree with a previous poster: Herman is gonna bore me to death. I would have voted for him for president but he aint no Talk Master.
And the beat goes on!
Bill C
September 28th, 2012
8:10 am
Life is too short to waste even one minute listening to Rush!
NaLoJeMa
September 28th, 2012
8:32 am
Why can’t they just have news… the only person worth listening to is Clark Howard… now he is on at a time I don’t listen…
raymond guzzone
September 28th, 2012
11:16 am
This is FREEDOM? I’ll take death! We are fully behind the iron curtain with the “free” airwaves nothing more than old east block political propaganda; lies.
Boycott WSB, don’t listen.
Bill Durham
September 28th, 2012
2:22 pm
random info.. Clark Howard hasn’t been an employee of WSB in probably 20 years. The Clark Howard Show originates at WSB, but he purchases the time that it airs. Its probably a break for him since night time probably costs less than day time to purchase, even though he will get much larger coverage at night than during the day. I will miss WGST.. it was my first exposure to talk radio back in the late 70s, early 80s. When the truth comes out, it will be interesting to learn how this all took place. FWIW.. love him or hate him, most likely AM radio as it exists today would not be here without Rush Limbaugh.. he is credited with saving the service.. which is a good thing.
middle age crazy
September 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
They never should have gotten rid of Kimmer . . .
babs
September 28th, 2012
4:17 pm
I listened to the early Neal when he was on WGST, continued until he got so right-wing, trying to compete with Lush Windbag. I will have to find Clark on tv and on radio at his later time, but no more WSB. No one worth my time now………..bye.
Horst Buckholtz
September 28th, 2012
4:39 pm
Got in the car after 3 expecting to hear Rusty Humphries but somehow got teleported to Mexico. WGST management is a shining example of blithering sub-moronic stupidity. Note to said management team: Atlanta Georgia is a large American city where the vast majority of radio listeners speak English. Do you honestly expect Spanish sports talk to pull your ratings out of the toilet?
Jerry Frost
September 28th, 2012
5:14 pm
I learned the hard way and thought the country had been taken over when I got in my auto and was prepared to listen to Rusty and all I heard on 640 was Spanish.
So, sorry to say I’ll be de-selecting 640 from my car radios in the morning and go over to 750.
Thanks for the memories, WGST. Audious.
bob
September 28th, 2012
8:57 pm
How out of touch is wsb? Herman Caine is the most boring person on the radio, Limbaugh just yells to hear himself sound angry, and they only two shows that were interesting are moving or getting retooled. Keep Clark Howard, give Erik Ericson the morning a lot and run limsuck on a tape delay. Oh well I will have a button free on my presets now.
Jane M.
September 29th, 2012
10:10 am
Rush Limbaugh is a golden acquisition for WSB. Congratulations!
daisey
September 29th, 2012
11:55 am
Ok, they took the most popular talk show radio station in Atlanta and turned it into wall to wall espanol. Now that’s a brilliant business move. Idiots.
po po
September 29th, 2012
4:09 pm
guess i’m out of the loop, but will the new format make money for WGST and couldn’t we have been warned, just like The Kimmer, here one day gone the next, I don’t like it at all
Literate Cracker not shocked
September 29th, 2012
10:46 pm
Wow–the corporate Cox media right wingers have gone all in. Rush riues them, too. Just who do they think the new listeners are? They’ve got all the ignorant hate mongers listening already. Goodbye Belinda and Jamie.
With their print arm, the AJC, they dropped book reviews, and anything outside I-285, unless Fox has a short piece they can clone. Moved out of Atlanta, and threw away the maps of the state and region–o longer cove rig any do in DIxie, unless it’s some GOP-Tea Party nutty stuff, or corporate pressers.
Don’t underestimate the dumb audiences, though–just harp about socialism. abortion, government schools, apologizing, or other silly crap, and screw the working class.
DON”T offer any solutions to complex challenges–you don’t have the staff for it–in any of your media outlasts. Jim Galloway’s column should be moved to News, as he covers much that doesn’t make any other outlet.
Bill Thompson
September 30th, 2012
8:35 am
I was HORRIFIED to learn that you will be carrying Rush Limbaugh, that disgusting purveyor of lies and hatred. Remember, WSB does NOT own the airwaves. You are licensed to act in the public interest. Airing Rush Limbaugh’s extreme talk is destructive, intentionally inflammatory, divisive and in no way serves the public interest. To the contrary, it only adds negativity and conflict to public discourse. I will NEVER listen to WSB radio as long as you have him on the air. I will find other stations for News, Weather and Traffic.
Tony
September 30th, 2012
9:29 am
Is this a sign that people are actually getting sick and tired of right wing talk radio and the loud mouthed jerks who make a living at it? God, I hope so. Perhaps we might actually get some civilized intelligent political debate to replace it in which decent people with different political views get the chance to discuss issues without yelling at each other. Not very likely I know, but I can dream.
Sue
September 30th, 2012
9:42 am
Really??? Clark Howard who provides an INVALUABLE service to the public especially in these terrible economic times is replaced by Limbaugh??And this adds value how??????? Thank God Clark is on TV …….goodbye WSB radio.
John
October 1st, 2012
9:49 am
WSB just gave me the final two reasons to completely eliminate them from my listening- adding Rush and moving Clark to tape delayed night status. Sad decline of a southern institution.
larry30
October 1st, 2012
1:23 pm
A very sad day for me. For years, I didn’t have to move my radio dial from morning drive with Tom Hughes all the way to my drive home with Dennis O’Hare at 6:00 with local news. From “wake up to the world with news radio 92″ to being the home of the braves and listener luncheons with the Kimmer and Snake Davis, the station was the the most enjoyable and informative station I had ever listened to. This is what happens to an organization with poor leadership that has no vision and no real appreciation for their listenership. They had a real niche in the talk radio market here in Atlanta and blew it.
Allyson Venglik
October 1st, 2012
1:41 pm
Boooooo! After years of listening to boortz for my right side adjustment (although he has gotten a little too rush-like of late), then at night watching Rachel maddow for my left adjustment…. Clark! He is my center! My warm fuzzy! He makes me smarter…..and then I get to sound smarter when I give his advice out. I am suffering his shortened hours already, now all hope is lost! Can’t tune to radio so late….boooo!
Sadly, I just replaced the station on the lock.
Bill
October 1st, 2012
2:02 pm
…I remember also when GST was kickin butt…Rush and then the Kimmer…of course I would always listen to Bortz on WSB till12 and flip to Rush….but when they got rid of the Kimmer…that was the day ” that Dixie (began) to die)……..Loved the KIMMER…he was the best thing on in ATL….where is he these days?
Bill
October 1st, 2012
2:07 pm
LIBS always seem to get so incensed over truth….when confronted with the truth about anything, especially Hussein Obama, they all go ballistic…….Clark Howard has always been nothing but irritating for me…and I loved in ATL for OVER 14 yrs….BORING………..and his financial advise is terrible…he knows NOTHING about financial issues….a great pretender…follow his advise and LOSE money…
I miss THe Kimmers Spoof on Clark Howard was always so hilarious……..perhaps he also told the truth too much…. nice grab WSB…..
Martha
October 1st, 2012
3:03 pm
Since your only useful radio program was Clark Howard, and you have moved him to a time when no one listens to the radio, I will no longer ever listen to WSB. Sean Hannity is bad enough……sorry about what has become of your station.
Mary Dykes
October 1st, 2012
3:07 pm
Seriously? I’m very put out. I planned my errand running so I would be in the car noon to three to hear Clark Howard. I’m sick to death of Rush Limbaugh. His retoric has been reduced to sound bites that are so canned that I can’t hit the off button fast enough. I feel that way about Sean Hannity too – and I’m a Libertarian. They are all so ‘one note’. I’m so frustrated that we can’t have a small break in the day to hear some sanity from Clark. I’ll be downloading audio books to entertain and inform me while I’m driving cause WSB is now off my list.
Mike
October 1st, 2012
3:45 pm
Looks like WSB mgmt saw the same thing I did. The likely replacements for Boortz are not very good. Ericson whines and Cain isn’t good on his feet. He’s a great “do’er” but not good at off the cuff chatting. Putting Clark in the 8-10pm slot is a travesty and WSB needs to juggle the lineup again when Boortz retires to get Clark Howard on during the day. When Boortz is gone, they just need to kill the show and air Limbaugh… who I’m not a huge fan of… My WSB listening days are likely over.
vera
October 1st, 2012
4:02 pm
i have always listened to wsb…but now i say good bye..we need clark in the afternoon.
Randy
October 1st, 2012
5:23 pm
Clark at 8pm? I’ve been listening to Clark on my commute home for years. Guess I’ll switch to a music channel now and watch Clark on TV.
Bad move WSB!
Beachlover
October 1st, 2012
6:03 pm
I will not be listening to WSB Radio anymore. Can’t stand Rush Limbaugh. While Neal Boortz is, of course, very opinionated, he is not judgmental regarding such topics as gay marriage, abortion, etc.
And what a horrible slap in the face to Clark Howard. A kind, decent man getting slammed under the bus by the hate-filled Limbaugh. Way to go WSB Radio. It’s been nice, but I am saying so long.
Frances Sheffeld
October 1st, 2012
6:09 pm
I am so happy about the changes. I have been tryng to listen on other stations, but I like 750. Thanks for making the change.
chadwick
October 2nd, 2012
11:30 am
I’m going to miss listening to Clark Howard at 1-3 pm each day. It’s the only time I can listen to him. What a shame for all his listeners. I thought the lineup was good as it was. I could listen to Sean Hannity, Neal Boortz and the other hosts, too. Now, the timing is inconvenient.
Philman
October 2nd, 2012
1:48 pm
scary man…
Philman
October 2nd, 2012
1:52 pm
Rush and all the talk show extremists are dangerous, they are using your ignorance to pass their messages…because ignorants you are…
Dan
October 2nd, 2012
2:02 pm
The good thing about this is that I discovered 106.7 FM. I used to listen to Clark Howard on the way home to catch the traffic reports. When I started falling asleep to Rush I scanned the channels and changed my preset button to 106.7 all news. Thank you programmers at WSB.
Philman
October 2nd, 2012
2:18 pm
to Frances, ignorant you are…
Bill Doyle
October 2nd, 2012
2:33 pm
640/WGST-AM as well as Macy’s have decided having a foreign influence is a must because American citizens are not spending enough money with them. Macy has Hespanic Month. I guess that’s a perlude to Italian, German French and Palistinian month.
640/WGST-AM has decided to broadcast in a foreign language. No, not Italian,German,French or English ( the language of opportunity in America} FOLLOW THE DOLLAR FOLKS