S-F Radio: Cumulus, Bonneville Merge Operations

In another major shakeup for the San Francisco radio landscape, broadcast giants Cumulus Media and Bonneville International are merging their operation centers.

After announcing in November that its sports stations, KNBR 680 and 104.5 KNBR-FM, would relocate to Levi’s Stadium, Cumulus confirmed on Friday, Jan. 10, that it plans to move its entire San Francisco operations to Bonneville’s suburban Daly City facility.

The two companies will share space, with Cumulus subleasing from Bonneville, according to the SF Chronicle.

“We’re moving in and my heart is so excited,” Chasta Michaelis, program director and morning co-host at classic rock station KSAN 107.7 “The Bone,” said in a statement. “There are a lot of humans I already dearly love and respect at Bonneville. A bunch of OG radio freaks in the same building…now this is gonna be FUN!”

In addition to KNBR and KSAN, Cumulus operates the KSFO talk station and KZAC conservative talk radio in the Bay Area.

Sue Hall, host at Bonneville’s adult contemporary station 96.5 KOIT, also celebrated the collaboration, writing on Instagram: “We’re all moving in together! One big happy family! Bonneville SF + Cumulus SF.”

Bonneville’s Bay Area portfolio includes the Top 40 station 99.7 NOW, old-school R&B 102.9 KBLX and classic rock station 98.5 KFOX.

Cumulus originally moved into Clear Channel’s former offices on Battery Street in 2015. But as programming consolidated and local shows were cut — such as Talk 810 KGO and adult alternative 104.5 KFOG — the need for a larger facility diminished. Moving operations to Bonneville’s already bustling facility in Daly City makes sense for Cumulus, whose presence in the market has scaled down in recent years.

While the companies will share physical space, Radio Insight reports that experts believe each will continue to operate its properties independently. Cumulus owns two FM stations and four AM stations in the Bay Area, while Bonneville holds four FM stations. If the two companies were to merge, regulatory constraints would likely require one FM station to be divested.