The Christian talk radio format launched in October 2011 at KGED (AM 1680) has been replaced by a conservative talk radio lineup that includes syndicated programs hosted by Laura Ingraham and Hugh Hewett.
"We are very excited about KGED's new lineup. There have been a lot of changes in Fresno's radio market. Folks in the Valley are looking for quality content. We have six of the top 10 talk radio personalities on 1680 in terms of ratings. KGED will be the voice for traditional values in these challenging times," says KGED co-owner Jim Patterson.
Patterson stresses the station's values have not changed and that they believe strongly in the Judeo-Christian heritage of our country. The problem with the Christian talk format was that station management felt they were preaching these values to the choir.
"We saw an opportunity to bring these top conservative talk show hosts to the Valley, and seized the opportunity. There is a struggle over ideas and values in our society today. We wanted 1680 to be a voice for traditional values that would appeal to a broader audience," Patterson says.
The move to conservative talk actually started with the addition of "The Mike Huckabee Show" in October. The new KGED lineup now includes:
"Morning in America with Bill Bennett," 3-6 a.m.
"The Laura Ingraham Show," 6-9 a.m.
"The Mike Huckabee Show," 9 a.m.-noon
"The Michael Medved Show," noon-3 p.m.
"The Hugh Hewett Show," 3-6 p.m.
"The Clark Howard Show," 6-9 p.m.
"The Dennis Prager Show," 9 p.m.-midnight
"The Steve Deace Show," midnight-3 a.m.
The weekday lineup is all syndicated talkers. Patterson is not against hiring a local talk show host to add to the schedule.
"We are always looking for ways to improve our lineup, so we would never rule out adding additional daily, local content as the opportunity presents itself," Patterson says.
One of the reasons for the change at the beginning of the year was to fill the weekday slot vacated by Patterson when he won election to the California Assembly. Patterson is still doing a one-hour talk program at 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays for KGED. Weekday short features include "Bill O'Reilly's Talking Points," "Lou Dobbs Financial Reports" and "A Better Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta."
Jim and Cyndi Franklin, also co-owners in KGED, will provide a daily commentary, "Something to Talk About."
KGED will continue to carry religious programming on weekends, including "Billy Graham's Hour of Decision," "Right to Life of Central California," "Fresno's Evangel Home," "The Fresno Rescue Mission," "Israel in the Bull's Eye," "Campus Bible Church" and "Cornerstone Church." There also will be Gospel music programming on the weekends.
Go to my1680.com for a complete programming schedule.
Voting body
For the first time, local broadcast journalists are among the voters for this year's "The 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards." The local TV talent get to vote for the SAG awards because their union -- the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) -- merged with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in March. SAG-AFTRA represents more than 165,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voice-over artists and other entertainment and media professionals.
KSEE (Channel 24.1) anchor Stefani Booroojian is one of the voters who must cast her ballot by Friday. "The voting process has been exciting. I normally see one or two of the nominated films in the theater. This year, I've been able to watch the majority at home. My favorite film so far has been 'Lincoln'," Booroojian says.
To make sure voters get to see as many of the films and TV shows that have been nominated, copies are sent on a DVD or via the Internet.
The SAG awards will be simulcast on TNT and TBS at 5 p.m. Sunday from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles.
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