03-31-2010 STATION WILL NOT COMMENT ON WHITLOCK RUMORS... KCSP'S NICK WRIGHT TO TAKE ON WHB'S KEVIN KIETZMAN As reported here two weeks ago (3/15), in a somewhat surprising move, KCSP-610 has promoted upstart Nick Wright, 25, into the prime 2-6 p.m. afternoon drive slot to take on veteran Kevin Kietzman at sports talk leader WHB-810. The change will take place on April Fool's Day. There has been no word who will take over the "What's Wright With Nick Wright" show that currently airs from 9- 11 a.m. weekdays. Rumors have persisted that Wright will be joined on the afternoon show by Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock, who once quit on the air at KCSP. Wright and Program Director Ryan Maguire have refused to either confirm or deny the story. Ironically, Wright, who graduated from The Barstow School and Syracuse University, has been on the air only about three years since graduation. He once interned at WHB and has told BLC in an interview last year that he was upset at not being hired at the Union Broadcasting station, but that a major conglomerate (Entercom) was willing to give him a chance. WHB often pokes Entercom as being "conglomo" radio. Wright will have a tough challenge taking on Kietzman by himself. A number of hosts have gone head-to-head against Kietzman unsuccessfully over the years. The most recent tandem of "Chris & Cowboy" failed to make a dent in the ratings against him and both have been let go at KCSP. In fact, in the most recent ratings book WHB crushed KCSP and nearly doubled the Entercom station (LINK). Wright, however, says in the key demographic of men 25-54, KCSP is extremely competitive. "In our target demo men 25-54, during the 9 to 11 a.m. timeslot, 610 is currently tied with WHB and has beaten WHB in 2 of the past 4 months," says Wright. In his morning slot versus Soren Petro at WHB, Wright frequently attempted to pick fights with Petro (he disparaged him on blogs, once challenged him to a boxing match, etc.) whom many consider the top sports talker in KC. At one time KCSP considered hiring Petro, but his price tag was too high, according to a source at the station. Petro told Bottom Line he was not going to respond to Wright's antics, which will likely be the case with Kietzman.
BACK TO COUNTRY? "Looks like Entercom has given up on KCSP. This shows a "lack of faith" in competing with WHB. Might as well go Country again!"
04-02-2010 610 GIVING UP With Wright's promotion to the 2:00PM spot, it shows that Entercom and 610 are giving up. He's not very talented, is a little whiney and tries to hard to "act black." In fact reading a few message boards out there it seems Wright has received the nickname "White Guilt," because of his liberal views and wannabe attitude. I know Wright wants to upstage his competition and show them up for not hiring him after his internship. But, there's a reason why WHB didn't offer him a job. He's not that good of a talent. WHB knew that. And I bet many of them told Wright to try Omaha, Des Moines or Wichita and come back in five years. As for the Whitlock rumors, My guess is that Whitlock, wanted the job, but was asking for too much money. Whitlock knows he would be portrayed as the Savior of the station. And if he would to go down in flames like his predecessors, why not get paid handsomely while doing it? Also Whitlock wants to beat KK and 810. But, he knows that 610 has a history of not wanting to beat 810, just keep in the game. That mindset is one of the many reason's why Whitlock quit in the first place. Too bad because Whitlock would have been interesting radio to say the least. As for Wright, I think he will be long gone before he ever has a "One year anniversary" at 610.
04-03-2010 LOST AUDIENCE "Chris and Cowboy lost audience during their two ratings books- not gained. No wonder neither one has gone on to jobs in the media."
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