In what has to be one of the dumbest moves ever by CBS, radio station KLLI-FM (105.3) has decided to change its format and will now be known as 105.3 The Fan, according to news reports from Dallas television station KXAS-TV (Channel 5) and the KLLI's Web site.
The new 105.3 will be an all-sports talk radio station, the TV station said. What? There isn’t enough boring crap on the radio already?
This move would not be surprising if the station was struggling for ratings, but they have had a ratings giant on the team for ages. For the past eight years The Russ Martin Show has been the corner stone of the station always posting glowing ratings.
Not only a big audience draw for the radio station, Russ founded The Russ Martin Show Listeners Foundation which benefits the families of police officers and firefighters who have fallen line of duty.
According to news reports, the station informed listeners by playing college fight songs Monday. The "death march" would be a more fitting tune.
"The (Russ Martin) show is no longer with the radio station at this time," said David Henry, KLLI-FM's senior vice president and general manager. "We feel the sports format is the biggest possible audience we can get." Right, let’s cater to the dumbest and lowest denominator.
Martin made headlines in July when he was arrested on three misdemeanor charges, accusing him of assaulting his girlfriend. He pleaded not guilty and his case is set to go to trial in January.
Henry denied Martin's dismissal had anything to do with his much-publicized arrest this summer in Southlake following an argument with his girlfriend.
Some people want to be judge and jury, but there a two sides to every story and the police make plenty of mistakes if the number of people released from prison by new DNA evidence is any indication.
"You know what? It's just a change in direction," Henry said. Guess that is okay if the direction you wanted to go was into the crapper.
He was DFW’s radio shock jock. Sometimes annoying, he was always funny.
Live 105.3, you are dead to me.
