This could be a transition to note. Kirby Wilbur, a conservative talker in KVI radio in Seattle since 1993, is out, effective yesterday.
The KVI statement says that "Since 1993, Kirby’s voice has been heard on KVI and part of its conservative talk line-up. His introduction to KVI listeners came as a regular caller to the station’s burgeoning talk shows in the early ‘90s. We at Fisher Communications Inc. wish him the very best and thank him for his commitment and service to KVI."
So why is he out? Turning to Blatherwatch, we first hit the point that Wilbur isn't out because he was overly abrasive (in contrast to a number of other radio talkers): "We gotta say it. Kirby Wilbur, despite [that] we disagree with his antediluvian politics, is one of the nicest guys in Seattle radio. He’s a friend of BlatherWatch, though we gave him plenty reasons not to be (sorry about the crack about the donuts, Kirb)."
Expanding the picture: "This market obviously cannot support 3 right-wing talk stations . . . (Market ranks: KTTH,16th, KIROFM, 20th; KVI, 25th) KTTH has Rush and Glenn Beck; KIRO doesn’t, despite it’s more conservative than not, that’s one of the reasons the smaller station kicks its ass (the other reason it never left AM). They couldn’t wrest Rush from KTTH last year, (lord, how they tried) and it’s hard to see how the station can survive in this liberal town saturated with right-wing talk."
Is the talk radio marketplace tightening?