WPRO’s Future is Doomed, Warns National Radio Expert

Thursday, April 28, 2016

GoLocalProv News Team and Kate Nagle

WRPO has shuffled the line-up on WPRO post the death of Buddy Cianci, but Jerry Del Colliano, arguably America’s top radio analyst, says the reorganization is shuffling the chairs on the Titanic.

Last week, GoLocalProv reported that a new lineup had been set at the only local all-talk station in the market WPRO AM.

“Providence as one of the last remaining local talk radio markets is an aberration and it will likely not last long. Big national owners are more interested in economies of scale than local personalities. And, talk skews so old — 60’s and beyond -- that it is only a matter of time before the next move for Providence will be cookie cutter solutions and economies of scale,” said Del Colliano.

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The new line-up knocks Tara Granahan out of afternoon drive and replaces her with Dan Yorke in the 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. slot that Cianci held for years.

Granahan is not flipping with Yorke at mid-day, but gets pushed to the evening slot of 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Taking over at mid-day is long-time producer and night time host Matt Allen.

John DePetro remains at 9 am to 12 noon and Gene Valicente remains at morning drive at 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

All the changes take effect on Monday.

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Jerry Del Colliano, Top Radio Analyst

“There are so few women in broadcasting I always scratch my head wondering why anyone would expect women to be appointed in key jobs. CEO Mary Berner is the only woman that counts apparently and you don’t see her giving a helping hand to women in a male dominated industry,” said Del Colliano. A year ago, WPRO fired its long-time General Manager Barbara Haynes.

Cumulus recently cut a reported 40 staffers and on-air personalities from KGO, an all-talk AM station in San Francisco.

Will Cumulus be in business in six months?

Del Colliano and other media analysts have pointed to bankruptcy as the most likely future for the financially trouble WPRO parent company.

“Some Wall Street money people tell me Cumulus could be in bankruptcy by the end of this year. Poor performance and the inability to raise needed funds due to debt payments. Their overall debt doesn’t come due until 2020 but no one thinks they will last anywhere that long. My estimate is sometime in 2017,” Del Colliano.

As of close of session on Wednesday, Cumulus' stock was trading at just $0.40 per share -- an 84 percent loss in value.