Bummer: Tony Bruno Off KNBR/1050

Sporting News Radio has parted ways with Tony Bruno (photo, right), which means that Bay Area radio has lost one of its better morning shows -- albeit one that was heard locally via syndication on a second-tier sports station.

Bruno's show was heard on KNBR/1050 (and Sirius Sports 123) and was simply a fun, entertaining, smart show, whether you're into sports or not. I'm one of many who believe that Bruno's daily 10 AM segment with Gary Radnich on mothership KNBR/680 was the best half-hour on radio, day in and day out, bar none.

Sporting News Radio and Bruno had been involved in negotiations for a contract extension, but could not reach an agreement. Bruno will remain with company -- "working with management on other initiatives," according to AllAccess.com -- while under contract for two more months.

• Read the Sporting News' press release on the Bruno situation.

Quick aside to Tony Salvadore and Lee Hammer: how tough would it be to set Bruno up with an ISDN line from his home studio in Venice Beach, and pay him (and ace sidekick Mark Willard, a Bay Area product) to do the KNBR/680 morning show by wire? Heck, you can even handle his national syndication, and it would pay for the investment. Not to mention that it would be a significant upgrade over the seat warmers you're currently paying.

Bruno was always smart enough to include enough Bay Area references to keep his show's feeling "local," and he has a sizeable, dedicated and loyal audience here.

Lee Hammer should say yes.

UPDATE (1/29): John Ryan blogs in today's Morning Buzz that KNBR is working on getting the Bruno-Radnich segment back on the air.

UPDATED UPDATE (2/4): From deep inside Tony Bruno World Headquarters comes this news via Mark Willard:

Tony Bruno returns tomorrow Tues Feb. 5 for his daily segment with Gary Radnich on KNBR, "The Sports Leader", from 10 to 10:30 PST. Catch up with Bruno and give him a call. We are all very excited to hear what's up in the near future and find out when Tony will be returning to a morning show near you. If you're calling the Radnich Show from outside the Bay Area use the following number (415) 808-KNBR and listen online at http://www.knbr.com/listenNow.html

Radio Dots & Dashes (May 5 Edition)

The first casualty in the takeover of KNBR/680 and the other former Susquehanna stations in the Bay Area is Bruce MacGowan, the most prominent name — and the only on-air employee — turned loose by GM Tony Salvadore on Wednesday (May 3) in advance of today's changing of the guard at the cluster.

"That's what happens when one company buys another," Salvadore told the San Francisco Chronicle. "One of the things they do is make adjustments in spending levels."

Along with MacGowan, a 17-year veteran of KNBR, the Chronicle article noted that Valerie Blackburn, director of business operations for Susquehanna/SF, and Bob Sargent, sports sales manager for KNBR, were among "several others" let go by Salvadore as part of "a cost-cutting move dictated by (the) new owners."

Additional changes at KNBR and the other stations in the local Cumulus group — KTCT, KFOG/KFFG and KSAN — are probable.

RADIO CHICK GOES FREE — The latest rearrangement of the deck chairs at FreeFM 106.9 (KIFR) brings Leslie Gold, a/k/a "The Radio Chick," to the noon to 3 p.m. segment, with Turi Ryder "officially" fitting into the slightly tighter 10 a.m. to noon slot.

Ryder had been temporarily holding the midday job, but announced today that her job at the station — and her inclusion on its website — had been made official.

Penn Jillette's daily one-hour show has been moved to 11 p.m. on weeknights under the new schedule.

GENE BURNS INJURED — During a break in his show on KGO/810 on Monday evening (May 1), Gene Burns reportedly fell accidentally and sustained an injury that landed him in the hospital and kept him off the air the remainder of the week.

Pinch-hitting for Burns in his absence were John Rothmann and James Gabbert.