Bob Dearborn “beached”

In a press release emailed to PBRTV, came the announcement that Bob Dearborn is now unemployed after two years as a morning show host at Soft AC CKWR-FM in Ontario, Canada. (Among the many US Stations he served, was WTAE-AM 1250 here in Pittsburgh.) Although he was able to bring up the ratings in the latest book, the community station’s newly-elected Board of Directors says his contract will not be renewed. The decision was not based on his performance, but rather the station’s financial distress which has also displaced its General Manager, General Sales Manager, Program Director, News Department, Promotions Department, receptionist and most of its sales staff. The previous Board is blamed for financial mismanagement compounded with the economic downturn.

Dearborn says he has no plans to retire. “Not on your life! I tried it and found out I’m no good at it,” he said having moved to Ontario with retirement on his mind. The position at CKWR came up and his mind was changed. He admits that his appeal is now with the 40+ crowd, speculating that they will become the medium’s “bread and butter” with so many newer technologies being chosen by younger listeners. He plans on staying in Canada, but is still willing to adapt to any audience, format, management style, city, region or country. He’s been in the business over 40 years.

A web copy of the press release is available at Radio Daily News.