B100 Hires Rival Team to Replace ‘Morning Zoo’

Faced with falling ratings and increasing competition, KFMB-FM (B100) has hired the “Jeff and Jer” show from rival KKYY (Y95) to replace the “B-Morning Zoo,” once one of the most powerful morning teams in town.

Jeff Elliott and Jerry St. James, along with producer Tommy Sablan, are due to start at B100 on April 25, according to B100 program director Mike Novak.

The “B-Morning Zoo,” featuring the Rich Brothers, debuted in 1984, but hasn’t been the same since Rich Brothers namesake, Bobby Rich, left the station last summer to take a job in Seattle.

In the most recent Arbitron ratings book, the “B-Morning Zoo” had fallen to eighth place in the market, with a 4.4 rating share among listeners 12 and older, just ahead of “Jeff and Jer.” In the key 25-54 category, “Jeff and Jer” had moved slightly ahead of B100.

Elliot and St. James’ numbers were impressive, considering Y95 earned only a 3.2 rating share overall, contrasted with B100’s 4.1.

Novak said it was time for a change. “Everything in life has a time limit; the timing was right for all parties,” he said.

Of the three remaining members of the “B-Morning Zoo,” Pat Gaffey will continue to do news during the morning show and Frank Anthony will stay to work on other projects. Scott Kenyon’s future with the station is still in doubt, Novak said.

Elliot and St. James’ decision to leave Y95 “had absolutely nothing to do with money,” according to St. James.

“We just thought it was a smart business move for our future,” he said, noting the station’s consistently high ratings.

They don’t expect to make any major changes in their show or style, St. James said.

“In terms of us, it’s going to be the same show,” he said.