MEDIA : Channel 10 Picks a Threesome as Michael Tuck’s Replacement

In KGTV’s (Channel 10) quest to replace Michael Tuck, one of the ideas originally developed was to turn “Perspective” into a point-counterpoint segment, with two commentators squaring off on an issue. That concept, however, was quickly scrapped as a not-so-good idea.

They opted for a three-person tag-team system that will include Tuck, former San Diego Urban League president Herb Cawthorne and reporter Marti Emerald.

It probably won’t be as entertaining and as ripe for parody as the debate format, but it will certainly make for an easier transition for Channel 10. The “Perspective” segment is a big draw for Channel 10’s 11 p.m. newscast, and keeping familiar faces in a consistent format is a logical way to ease the ratings pain of Tuck’s departure.

Cawthorne hardly brings an angelic reputation to the station. The former San Diego Urban League president left that position a year ago this month amid charges of fund mismanagement, which led to a pending lawsuit against him by the league. He later worked for the San Diego Chamber of Commerce for four months before leaving to work for the Black Federation.

Cawthorne was hired to do news reports and anchor news updates, in addition to commentaries. Although he had some experience on television and radio in Portland, Ore., he says he’s lookings forward to some on-the-job coaching.

“I never had any professional on-air training,” he said. “I just sat down in a chair and interviewed people.”

Of course, cynical types may smirk that Cawthorne’s hiring simply provides more evidence that anyone who can pass an audition in with a strong on-camera persona can get a job on television, regardless of journalistic credentials. Cawthorne said he will do “hard hitting” reports on community issues. In television, though, behind-the-scenes producers and photographers do most of the nuts and bolts work, and the good ones can guide even the most inexperienced talking head through a story.

On the other hand, hiring a black man to do commentaries represents a huge symbolic leap for San Diego. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but it is, simply because San Diego has a long and questionable history of minority relations, from racially charged debates over the use of Martin Luther King’s name to violence against migrant workers.

Though all the stations have minority reporters, there are few blacks or Latinos in positions of real power, either on air or in management. KFMB-TV’s (Channel 8) license renewal has been held up by the FCC for the past year due to questions about its minority hiring practices.

Minority groups have always complained that San Diego television news was produced by and for Caucasians. With well-established ties to the San Diego business community, Cawthorne will hardly be a radical voice. Yet, he will be able to represent a perspective that has been sorely missing from the San Diego airwaves.

KGMG-FM (Magic 102) has “repositioned” itself. After three years of calling itself a “classic” rock station, last Monday it dropped the classic moniker and began programming more of a traditional album-oriented rock format, including newer rock ‘n’ roll songs.

“We have been transitioning in this direction for awhile,” said program director Greg Stevens. “It seems like a lot has changed in three years.”

The classic rock scene simply became too crowded for Magic. Last year KSDO-FM (102.9) entered the fray, redubbing itself “Classic 103,” featuring the hits of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Perennial AOR power KGB-FM (101.5) also plays a tremendous amount of oldies rock.

“We want to be a little different than the other stations,” Stevens said.

The Oceanside-based Magic traditionally has a strong North County audience but has had problems establishing itself in San Diego. Among adults 25-54 in the last Arbitron rating book, Magic posted a wishy-washy 1.6 rating share in San Diego, compared to Classic 103’s 2.0.

The station’s efforts to relocate its transmitter further south to improve reception for San Diego listeners, has been stalled, partially because KGB protested the move.

While not as dramatic a repositioning as KJQY’s (103.7) oh-so-stunning switch to “Sunny 103,” a move from instrumental elevator music to sing-a-long elevator music, Magic’s move may have a dramatic impact, should it be able to pry listeners away from KGB, which has been showing signs of ratings weakness in the last six months.

In February, KNSD-TV (Channel 39) news director Don Shafer was asked point blank about the future of the station’s weekend anchor team. “We will make some changes on weekends, but it may not involve anybody other than Kim (Devore),” he replied.

He wasn’t kidding when he said “some changes.” The next day weatherman Dave Bender was out. A few weeks later sports guy Kevin Hunt was also shown the door.

Now the station has announced, as expected, that anchorman Bernard Gonzales will be reassigned to reporting and Vic Salazar will take the weekend anchor role. He will team with newly hired Monica Gayle, most recently from Denver. She will replace Devore, who gave her notice more than seven months ago.

The switch will take place in July.

After months of doing commentaries for Channel 8, Larry Himmel has been hired full-time again. Himmel, of course, was a mainstay of the Channel 8 for several years, before an ill-fated move to Channel 39 a year ago. Himmel’s job will be a “shotgun approach,” he said, doing features and commentaries on a variety of topics. Besides his morning stint with KIFM (98.1), his pilot for Fox Television is on “eternal hold.” . . .

KJQY-FM (103.7) general manager Bert Wahlen, who thought he might be able to work with Legacy Broadcasting, the station’s new owners, has resigned. He is going to work with his son on a company called Creative Pro-motion Inc., which will custom design radio promotions for clients. . . .

Former Channel 39 writer-producer Jan Hudson has joined former Channel 39 employees Karen Dalton and Sue Strom as a partner in Proper Channels Media Consultants, which specializes in producing and marketing educational videotapes.