CRN Digital, Astor to Create New Talk Radio Format

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

CRN Digital Talk Radio and Astor Broadcast Group are partnering to flip Astor's AM properties, including KSPA-AM/Anaheim and KFSD-AM/San Diego, to a new "Southern California Talk" format, set to debut March 15. CRN says the lineup will bring back many "Southern California favorites" while introducing a number of new faces.

"I have worked with Art for a long time and he is a true radio pioneer," said CRN Digital President/CEO Michael Horn. "Individually the AM stations have been hard to sell. Our new partnership allows us to package Art's two AM stations together along with the line-ups also being offered on one of our CRN channels. Together, our three outlets will provide a strong sales story for local and national advertisers alike."

Horn, who is acting as program and sales consultant, created the format that it says offers much needed variety to the current talk offering in Southern California. The lineup changes begin March 15 at 3am with Mancow. At 6am Laura Ingraham will be heard live.

"What's Cooking Today," a lifestyle program featuring celebrity guests will be hosted by Horn, Paul Stern, Jack Roberts and Erik Hines airing 9-11am "Talk Back" will air from 11am to noon with Chuck Wilder, followed by Dr. Laura Schlessinger (noon-3pm) and Michael Savage in afternoon. Rusty Humphries takes the mic from 6-9pm.

KFSD is scheduled to kick off their talk format on April 1 with a lineup that will feature some of the best from the KSPA lineup, in addition to a live feed of Doug Stephan's "Good Day" from 3am -- 7am, followed by Dennis Miller live from 7-10am. The "What's Cookin Today" Show will run from 10-11am with "Talk Back" from 11am -- noon. Lou Dobbs returns to Southern California, from noon -- 3pm and Laura Ingraham will air in afternoon drive.

"The goal of this lineup is to keep tape delayed programming to a minimum," said Horn. "We want the listeners to be able to participate with the talent to create the most local feel possible. Budgets are tight and syndicated programming makes sense in that respect, but we chose to include talent based in Southern California."