By Tom Stosberg
Radio station WKRD started out as University of Louisville outlet. Now WKRD appears to be turning Blue. Could be destined to stay that way.
First, a quick history lesson: A few years ago the WAKY call letters were changed to WKRD, and the station was re-branded as “The U of L Cardinals Radio Station†by Clear Channel Radio. The action was taken in order to placate Louisville fans when Clear Channel decided to give Kentucky preference over U of L on Clear Channel’s WHAS Radio when there were game conflicts between U of L and UK.
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In these cases, WHAS would broadcast the Kentucky game and the Louisville game would move to WKRD. In addition, regular daytime broadcasts on WKRD would carry programs promoting and discussing U of L sports programs, including interviews with Louisville coaches and staff.
In recent months, however, WKRD management has allowed many of the call-in shows to be hijacked by UK fans who consistently badmouth U of L coaches, players and fans. Guest announcers who are both self-avowed and closet Blue fans, are taking over the talk shows. So, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect the call letters to be changed soon to WCAT. I’d say it’s a pretty sure bet by summer’s end. Not sure Mr. Jurich is going to be too happy about it either.
What was once a good idea that would benefit the U of L athletic program is a broken promise. Perhaps another local radio station with a decent signal will seize the opportunity to create a format for U of L fans — a huge market segment that is vastly under served.
(Note: The programming director at WKRD is Jim Fenn, telephone number 479-2222. His e-mail address is jimfenn@clearchannel.com)
I just left Mr Fenn a voicemail letting him know I am not happy with all of the yUK blue coverage that we are hearing way too often now on Channel 790. Don’t know if it will help but I hope more and more U of L fans will call him and let him know we are getting sick of it. I guess WHAS 84 isn’t enough for the kitty fans; now they want WKRDS too – but then they want EVERYTHNG/ANYTHING U of L has it seems……they are like ugly spoiled kids (a cute spoiled kid is easier to take but an ugly one – oh man )…..) go CARDS!
Thanks for the telephone number. I’m calling him now.
They have a local lawyer, I forget his name, who spends all his time boot-licking the UK program instead of serving his clients. Pretty stupid having someone like that as a guest host.