Twin Cities Radio: Tom Barnard Expands Podcast To The Ticket

Tom Barnard

Starting today longtime KQRS morning host Tom Barnard is expanding his on-air workload to more than seven hours a day, including an unusual arrangement with WGVX 105.1 FM/The Ticket, an all-sports station that’s calling on some heavy hitters to get attention in a crowded field.

“I’ve got a lot to say,” Barnard told the Star-Tribune, who in addition to his primary job hosting KQRS’ “Morning Show,” will stretch his weekday podcast from one hour to three with former WCCO anchor Don Shelby as his sidekick.

The final hour of that program will be simulcast from 6 to 7 p.m. on the Ticket, which launched its sports format in April. Barnard said he won’t get additional money for his contribution to 105 FM, but the gig will give him a chance to promote his podcast, as well as the KQ show, to a younger audience. “It’s good exposure for the station and it’s good exposure for me.”

Both KQRS 92.5 FM and the Ticket are owned by Atlanta-based Cumulus Media.

The Ticket, which formerly played grown-up pop format that skewed toward women and girls, has yet to register in the ratings. According to the Star-Tribunem, the latest numbers show that its chief rival, KFXN 100.3 FM K-FAN, has an audience of about 328,000 people while sports station KSTP 1500 AM ESPN boasts about 149,000. The Ticket trailed with fewer than 34,000 listeners.

One disadvantage is that the station isn’t always easy to find. It’s on three separate frequencies (105.1, 105.3 and 105.7) and each has limited geographical reach.

In March 2013, Tom Barnard, the longtime king of morning radio DJs in the Twin Cities, told listeners Friday that he’s going to be treated for substance abuse and hopes to get a grip on his fits of anger. See original posting, Click Here.

The 61-year-old KQRS host 92.5 FM said that drinking wine and taking pills to help him sleep and wake up were part of what led him to this decision.