Anchorage Radio: Talker Bernadette Wilson OUT At KFQD

Bernadette Wilson

Talk show host Bernadette Wilson is out at  KFQD 750 AM, with the station deciding not to renew her contract in 2016.

Alpha Media Station manager Joe Campbell told Alaska Dispatch News in a Friday phone interview that KFQD wants to head “in a different direction” this year. Wilson hosted “Bernadette Live,” which aired weekdays from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

Earlier this year, Wilson, a Republican, and Ethan Berkowitz, a Democrat who is now the mayor of Anchorage, co-hosted the popular “Bernadette and Berkowitz” program. When Berkowitz entered the race for mayor in February, Wilson became a solo host.

Campbell said that revenue and audience size haven't been the same since.

“The bottom line is always the bottom line,” Campbell said. “(‘Bernadette Live’) was not generating the revenue necessary to keep it on the air.”

Campbell said he expects the station will make an announcement next week about a new host for Wilson’s morning time slot. He said the goal is to have a new show in place by Jan. 11.

KFQD 750 AM (50 Kw)

Wilson said in an interview Friday she is “at peace” with the decision. She also said station management explained it to her as revenue-related, though she said her ratings were good.

Since word got out, Wilson said, she’s gotten supportive calls and texts from politicians and fans of the show.  Several job offers have come in too, she said.