KCAL Flips To Jockless Classic Rock

• Some seismic radio activity rolling through in California’s Inland Empire today, as Anaheim Broadcasting announced it was “expanding the musical focus” of Active Rock KCAL 96.7/Riverside-San Bernardino “to feature a broader collection of Classic Rock.” This new “All Music, All The Time” direction starts Saturday, August 1.

“KCAL has a longstanding history in the Inland Empire, and this next chapter builds on the station’s strong rock heritage,” said Kelly Sanders, Chief Operating Officer of Anaheim Broadcasting Corporation. “We rebuilt KCAL around the music our listeners grew up on — the songs and the artists that made classic rock — and we built it right here at home. KCAL will deliver a focused, consistent listening experience with broader appeal for both our audience and advertising partners.”

What isn’t mentioned in this announcement is the termination of all fulltime KCAL personalities — Patrick Tish (mornings); Nikki Preston (middays), Daryl Norsell (afternoons), John DeSantis (nights), Eve Hart (morning traffic and production for KCAL and Classic Hits KOLA 99.9), and several production and street team members.

DeSantis posted this message to Facebook: “Well, it’s finally our turn. This morning the ownership of KCAL released the entire air staff. Yes, all of us. They will be moving to an automated, human-less format. To say this is shocking is an understatement. I have a lot to process, and will be saying more shortly. But for right now, I just want to thank all of you for letting me be part of the KCAL family. It has been a radio dream come true. You will always rock.”

These changes come less than a month after the retirement of GM Jeff Parke after 40 years of service. We will share more details as we get them.