Cumulus Media Sports 680 KNBR/104.5 KNBR-FM San Francisco made a series of talent cuts today.
Confirmed by new Program Director/afternoon co-host Adam Copeland at the end of their show today, KNBR cut ties with morning co-host Paul McCaffrey, evening host F.P. Santangelo, and former programmer Lee Hammer along with members of the digital team. The cuts will see the station eliminate its local programming in evenings.
McCaffrey had co-hosted mornings with Brian Murphy since 2005. He previously worked at 1050 KTCT and as a weekend host at Classic Rock “107.7 The Bone” KSAN before joining KNBR.
Santangelo parlayed his six year major league career mostly with the Montreal Expos into a radio career with stints at KHTK Sacramento and KNBR from 2010-11 before spending a decade as part of the television broadcast team for the Washington Nationals from 2012-21. He would return to KNBR as Giants pre and post-game host in 2022 and soon adding the hosting slot for “KNBR Tonight” from 6-10pm and occasionally filling in on Giants game broadcasts.
Hammer has been with the company since 1998. He programmed 1050 KTCT from 1998 to 2016, KNBR from 2005-2017, and Conservative Talk 560 KSFO and Talk 810 KGO in 2015 and 2017-2022. He has also been Operations Manager and Vice President of Play-by-Play Programming for Cumulus San Francisco. He has been serving as a liason between the station and the San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants most recently.
Copeland, who rose to Program Director earlier this month, discussed the cuts at the end of his afternoon show with Tom Tolbert stating, “It’s been a really difficult day. I love this building, I love this station, I love working with you, Tom, and I’ve listened to you for years. I love a lot of people. I love the guys we let go of today. I’m looking forward to the future, but I really think we need to tip our cap and applaud the work that those guys have done.”
KNBR is now running CBS Sports Radio network programming in the 6-10pm timeslot in addition to overnights.
KNBR registered a 3.4 share in San Francisco and a 4.0 in San Jose in the November 2023 Nielsen Audio ratings, while Audacy’s “95.7 The Game” KGMZ had a 2.1 and 1.7 respectively, but KGMZ was ahead in certain key demos.
I want to thank everyone @KNBR for the amazing opportunity to be a part of their station for a second time around! I was informed today that due to budget cuts there will no longer be a 6-10pm show. That said I’m super grateful for the time spent bonding with all the amazing Bay
— F.P. Santangelo (@FightinHydrant) November 29, 2023
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com