Brother K show ends in ratings decline

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A show hosted by former city Councilman Herman Hill will begin Saturday.

By GUY D'ASTOLFO

VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — The decision to cancel the "Let's Talk About It" radio show on WASN-1330 AM was a business decision based on declining ratings, the station's owner said.

The show was taken off the air last week. The show's host was Kenneth King, who goes by the air name Brother K. Mayor Jay Williams was an occasional guest.

Some members of the black community were unhappy about the cancellation.

WASN and its sister stations, WRBP 101.9-FM and WGFT 1500-AM, were purchased in March in a bankruptcy auction by Bernard Ohio LLC of Dallas. The previous owner was Stop 26/Riverbend, which was run by black lawyer-businessman Percy Squire. Bernard Ohio, a creditor of Stop 26, also received two other Stop 26 stations in Columbus in the sale.

Bernard Ohio LLC is run by Chris McMurray.

"We greatly appreciate the work of Brother K," said McMurray. "However, the ratings and revenues from the show didn't support its continuation.

McMurray said she is sensitive to the black community and has already lined up a show hosted by former Youngstown Councilman Herman Hill.

Coming this week

"The Herman Hill Show" will begin Saturday. It will run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on WASN. "Let's Talk About It" ran Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

"We are looking at options for a show in that time slot during weekdays," said McMurray, who noted that she has received only a few complaint e-mails over the cancellation of Brother K's show.

McMurray said she has added three new shows since taking over operation of the station: "The Michael Eric Dyson Show" (10 a.m.-1 p.m. daily); "The Rev. Al Sharpton Show" (1-4 p.m.); and "The 2 Live Stews" sports talk show (4-7 p.m.)

Tuesday, September 19, 2006