KMBZ’s “Dana & Parks” afternoon “Radioactive” show celebrated its one-year anniversary on Thursday, Jan. 30.
The show now features former KCTV investigative reporter Dana Wright, who replaced veteran talk show host Mike Shanin. The show airs from 2-6 p.m. weekdays on the AM dial at 980 and FM at 98.1.
Shanin had been paired with former KMBZ News Director Scott Parks since December 2006 until he was replaced in 2012.
Shanin was supposed to take over Entercom’s new business radio station on AM 1660, but declined and former Kansas City Business Journal reporter Krista Klaus assumed those duties.
While station management has refused to discuss how the show is doing now with the pairing of the liberal Wright and conservative Parks compared to Shanin and Parks, one reliable source says the switch has not boosted the show’s overall ratings.
In fact, the ratings for the new pairing have steadily declined in the past year in the all-important 25-54 demographic.
“Their Arbitron numbers have been going down,” notes the source. ”As of the December book, they are ranked 19th in 25-54 persons, and that was lower than when Shanin was on the show.”
On the other hand, Wright was put on the show to increase women listeners, which a source said have increased from about 20th in the market to about fifth today in the female 25-54 demographic.
Indidentally, ratings for Rush Limbaugh are crumbling rapidly. Overall, ratings reportedly are down by nearly 40% and he has fallen from his lofty #1 ratings perch to 11th today in his time slot.
In the same book Rush Limbaugh, who has been the ratings leader for years, slumped to 11th in that key demographic.
LOW INFORMATION REPORTER
Horrible show.
I thought Scott Parks bad.then unfortunately they brought in Dana Wright. All she does is spew the same brainless left wing garbage day in and day out.
She is the embodiment of the low information reporter.
Gun control, taxing success, white guilt is all she knows. All of her augments are full of holes, hypocrisy and grandstanding. But none of that matters when discussing freedom with a liberal at least this one.
She’s a shock jock, nothing more nothing less.
Worst thing is that they have a great host in the 6-9 pm slot and they ignore her. Darla jaye did everything 980 asked her to do. But in stead of promoting her, they hire the low information reporter.
I guess they had to make Scott Parks look smart some how.
Darla, save afternoon talk radio…go to 710. Give KC an alternative to Sonny and Cher.
COUNTER TO PARKS
They hired her to counter Parks’ right wing bullcrap.
SONNY & CHER
Scott Parks was the biggest, scared, wishy washy RINO in all of radio. He’s so much of a spineless moderate that he tried to make a joke about it. What right wing? He was a joke. So they joined a moderate with a low information reporter and their shocked that no one is listing? KMBZ please do what’s right. Get rid of Sonny and Cher and move Darla Jaye to 2PM.
FOUND THEIR STRIDE
At first they kind of struggled but they found their stride and I really enjoy the show. I think they are two great pro’s who do a great job with it.
Too bad I don’t listen to KMBZ since the Bill Grady..”OMG I bought a gun” show. I miss them but not that much that I will tune to KMBZ.
I know others who feel the same way.
Still, it’s a good show.
LOVE PARKS, BUT…
Love Parks but find MS Wright to be a perfect suburban empty vessel who reinforces the negative soccer mom stereotype. Too bad.
BACKGROUND NOISE
Too much filler, not enough substance. Pretty indicative of KMBZ programming in general, except for Darla.
Station is good for background noise, not much else at all.
GROIN KICK TO AUDIENCE
Wow, who’d have figured taking a conservative audience and kicking them in the groin wouldn’t work?!?
DANA’S GIGGLE
Low information reporter, is right! Dana only knows talking points and has an obnoxious giggle when she doesn’t know what to say to defend her liberal bias comments. How dare she talk down about Rush Limbaugh on the station that carries his show, now less. I miss Mike Shanin and I do agree that Darla Jay might be a good replacement for Dana with Parks. I love Parks’ radio persona.
DANA SHOULDN’T VOTE
I also meant to include in my comments above, Dana is a prime example why women should not be allowed to vote!
In my ever-so-humble opinion………………
MISSES RADIO ICON MIKE SHANIN
How many ways can I say I miss Mike Shanin?! At least when it was Shanin and Parks the show was somewhat intellectual and thought provoking. With the current format, Parks needs to grow a set and take off his dress. Dana Wright is one of the most annoying, ill informed liberals and that laugh/cackle, OMG!! She strikes me as someone who blasts her biased opinion then runs back to Leawood to sponge off her ex-husband or any fool(Ketz) who decides to date her. I can see why the arbitron ratings have tanked and why the station is reluctant to release them. Let her peddle her weight loss programs and fences, something she’s more qualified to do.