Radio News Vs. Gossip

An article appeared recently in The Times discussing the Arbitron ratings report just released, which revealed that KSDO-AM did not receive its anticipated ratings during the Gulf War time frame (“War Didn’t Trigger Ratings for News-Oriented KSDO,” April 22). The article observed that many stations with a news format did quite well during that period, with the exception of KSDO-AM, which actually dropped in the ratings. That, to me, is quite easy to explain: KSDO-AM is not a news station, although that is how it markets itself.

Look at its broadcast schedule from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. Only the time periods from 5 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. are devoted to news. The majority of air time is devoted to trash talk radio or non-news shows. “The Roger Hedgecock Show,” “Paul Harvey News,” the “Michael Reagan Show,” “Money Talks With Bill Holland,” “The Tom Snyder Show” and “When Radio Was” with Art Fleming are not to be confused with any valid news format.

Perhaps a more truthful marketing stance would be “San Diego’s Gossip Station,” not “San Diego’s News Station.” Face it, there are no all-news radio stations in San Diego. That is why, I believe, that Los Angeles-based KNX, even with its faults, can still post a 2.6 rating in San Diego, as noted in the same article.

DON HAGEDORN, San Diego