View source for KSFO

{{Short description|Conservative talk radio station in San Francisco}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{For-multi|the airport serving San Francisco, California, assigned the ICAO code KSFO|San Francisco International Airport|the station that was KSFO from 1935 to 2024|KZAC}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KSFO
| logo = 810 KSFO logo.png
| city = [[San Francisco, California]]
| country = US
| area = [[San Francisco Bay Area]]
| branding = 810 KSFO
| frequency = {{Frequency|810|[[Hertz#SI multiples|kHz]]}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1924|1|8|p=y|br=y}}
| format = [[Conservative talk radio|Conservative talk]]
| power = 50,000 [[watt]]s (unlimited)
| class = A
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| facility_id = 34471
| coordinates = {{Coord|37|31|35|N|122|6|2|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark}}
| callsign_meaning = San Francisco
| former_callsigns = KGO (1924–2024)
| affiliations = {{ubl|[[Compass Media Networks]]|[[Premiere Networks]]|[[Westwood One]]}}
| owner = [[Cumulus Media]]
| licensee = Radio License Holdings LLC
| sister_stations = {{hlist|[[KNBR (AM)|KNBR]]|[[KNBR-FM]]|[[KSAN (FM)|KSAN]]|[[KTCT]]|[[KZAC]]}}
| repeater = 
| webcast = {{listen live|https://player.ksfo.com}}
| website = {{url|https://www.ksfo.com}}
}}

'''KSFO''' (810 [[AM broadcasting|AM]]) is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] [[Radio broadcasting|radio station]] licensed to [[San Francisco|San Francisco, California]], featuring a [[conservative talk]] [[radio format]]. Owned by [[Cumulus Media]], KSFO's studios are on Battery Street in San Francisco's [[Financial District, San Francisco|Financial District]]. KSFO used the call sign KGO from 1924 to 2024.

KSFO's [[transmitter]] site is in [[Fremont, California|Fremont]], near the [[Dumbarton Bridge (California)|Dumbarton Bridge]], where its prominent [[radio masts and towers|towers]] are used by pilots as a landmark when navigating. KSFO broadcasts with 50,000 [[watt]]s, the highest power permitted for AM stations by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC). It uses a [[directional antenna]] with a three-[[tower array]]. Most of its signal is sent north and south to avoid interfering with the other [[List of North American broadcast station classes#AM|Class A]] station on [[810 AM]], [[WGY (AM)|WGY]] in [[Schenectady]].  Most nights, using a good radio, KSFO can be heard throughout the [[Western United States]] and [[Western Canada]]. Due to its extensive groundwave signal, its daytime coverage extends into many areas of [[Northern California]].

==History==
===1920s and 1930s===
After several late-night test broadcasts, using the experimental [[call sign]] 6XG, the station signed on, as KGO, on January 8, 1924. It broadcast from [[General Electric]]'s (GE) [[Oakland, California|Oakland]] [[transformer]] manufacturing plant.<ref>[https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=OT19240108.1.16&srpos=52&e=-------en--20-OT-41-byDA-txt-txIN-KGO------- "New K. G. O. Will Open Tomorrow"], ''Oakland Tribune'', January 8, 1924, p.&nbsp;15.</ref> (The original two-story brick building, constructed specifically for the station on East 14th Street, was demolished sometime in the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/04/22/historic-but-toxic-brick-buildings-defy-attempts-to-level-them/|title=Historic but toxic Oakland brick buildings defy attempts to level them|last=Hedin|first=Mark|date=April 22, 2017|work=East Bay Times|access-date=April 12, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>) The station was authorized for a then-impressive transmitting power of 1,000 watts.<ref>[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3221817&view=1up&seq=249 "New stations"], ''Radio Service Bulletin'', February 1, 1924, page 2.</ref> KGO was part of GE's three-station holdings, in addition to [[WGY (AM)|WGY]] in Schenectady, New York and [[KOA (AM)|KOA]] in Denver, Colorado. At its debut it was known as the "Sunset Station", because it was GE's West Coast outlet.<ref>[https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1924-01-08/ed-1/seq-3/ "KGO, 'Sunset' Station, Ready to Broadcast"], ''Washington (DC) Evening Star'', January 8, 1924, page 3.</ref>

As was the custom with early radio stations, the programming consisted of performances by local talent, including the KGO Orchestra. which provided some of the music, and a dramatic group known as the KGO Players, which performed weekly plays and short skits, often under the direction of Bay Area drama instructor Wilda Wilson Church. The station's music, which was also performed by other local orchestras and vocalists, included [[Classical music|classical]] selections as well as popular dance music the next night. Due to GE's association with the [[RCA Corporation|Radio Corporation of America]] (RCA), and RCA's 1927 launch of the [[NBC Red Network]], KGO was soon operated by NBC management out of studio facilities in San Francisco.

[[File:Federal Radio Commission General Order 40 Map.png|thumb|Regional districts used for the November 11, 1928, implementation of the Federal Radio Commission's General Order 40. KGO was in Region 5, and WGY was in Region 1]]
The March 28, 1928, reauthorization of the [[Radio Act of 1927]] included a provision, known as the [[Davis Amendment]], which mandated an "equality of radio broadcasting service" within the United States. This specified an "equitable allocation" among five regional zones. On November 11, 1928, the [[Federal Radio Commission]] (FRC) implemented a major broadcasting station reallocation, based on its [[General Order 40]]. Included in this [[band plan]] was the designation of what became known as "clear channel" stations, which were high powered stations with extensive nighttime coverage. This plan designated 40 U.S. clear channels, divided eight to each region, with KGO, on 790 kHz, included as one of the Region 5 assignments.<ref>[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c021003683&view=1up&seq=253 "The Listener's Dial"]</ref> The only other station assigned to 790 kHz was WGY.<ref>[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c021003683&view=1up&seq=238 "Revised list of broadcasting stations, by frequencies, effective 3 a. m., November 11, 1928, eastern standard time"], ''Second Annual Report of the Federal Radio Commission for the Year Ended June 30, 1928, Together With Supplemental Report for the Period From July 1, 1928, to September 30, 1928'', pages 200-214.</ref> KGO and WGY were both owned by GE, with WGY considered the company's showcase station. GE was able to effectively transfer KGO's clear channel assignment from Region 5 to WGY's Region 1, by increasing the power of WGY to 50,000 watts, while limiting KGO to 7,500 watts. (Directional antennas were not developed until the early 1930s, so both stations operated with non-directional antennas.) Any question about the propriety of this action became moot after the Davis Amendment was repealed on June 5, 1936.

===1940s and 1950s===
In 1941, stations on 790, including WGY and KGO, were moved to 810 as part of the implementation of the [[North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement]] (NARBA).<ref>[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=osu.32437010939748&view=1up&seq=569 "United States station assignments by frequency"], ''Arrangement between the United States of America, Canada, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Mexico, comprising recommendations of the North American Regional Radio-Engineering Meeting (supplemental to North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement, Habana, 1937). Signed at Washington January 30, 1941; effective March 29, 1941'', pages 1421–1443.</ref>

[[File:KGO advertisement (1942).gif|thumb|In 1942, KGO became the key western affiliate for the newly divested Blue (later American Broadcasting Company) radio network.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/broadcasting22unse/page/n1486/mode/1up KGO (advertisement)], ''Broadcasting'', June 22, 1942, page 23.</ref>]]

When the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) required NBC to sell one of its two networks (and that network's [[owned-and-operated station]]s), KGO's license switched from Radio Corporation of America to the Blue Network, Inc., effective January 23, 1942.<ref>{{cite news|title=FCC Okays Transfer of WJZ, KGO, WENR|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DgwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA9|page=6|access-date=July 13, 2023|agency=''Billboard''|date=January 31, 1942}}</ref> The [[NBC Blue Network]] initially simply dropped "NBC" from its name to become the "Blue Network", then in June 1945 became the [[American Broadcasting Company]]. KGO became one of the founding stations of the [[ABC Radio Network]] as a result.

In the post World War 2 period, KGO produced many live music programs, including that of [[Western Swing]] bandleader [[Bob Wills]], whose music was a staple of the time. KGO was instrumental in bringing the first exercise show to broadcasting, hosted by [[Jack LaLanne]], a fitness instructor and gym operator in nearby Oakland. LaLanne conducted his radio fitness show for many years on KGO, moving in the late 1950s to [[KGO-TV]] and a successful TV syndication career.

On December 1, 1947, KGO's power was increased to 50,000 watts, as it switched to a [[directional antenna]] that limited its signal toward WGY in the west, while WGY continued to operate with a non-directional antenna. It was reported at the time that KGO's upgrade "retired the nation's oldest regularly operating transmitter-a 7,500-watter... in use since Jan. 8, 1924".<ref>{{cite news|title=KGO Increases Power to 50 kw Today With Governor Warren Giving Signal|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1947/1947-12-01-BC.pdf#page=24|access-date=October 25, 2014|page=24|agency=''Broadcasting''|date=December 1, 1947}}</ref>

By the late 1950s, KGO suffered from poor ratings. In 1962, ABC installed new management, including program director [[Jim Dunbar]] from Chicago sister station [[WLS (AM)|WLS]]. Dunbar revamped the station into one of the country's first news/talk stations. While the new format was initially unsuccessful, Dunbar stressed the "live and local" aspect of the programming by running the talk shows every day from locations such as [[Johnny Kan]]'s Chinese restaurant, Señor Pico's Restaurant, and the [[hungry i]] nightclub. This higher profile caused KGO's ratings to begin a steady climb. Among KGO's personalities during this period was future [[Radio Hall of Fame]] member [[J.P. McCarthy]], the station's morning host in the early 1960s.

===1960s–1980s===
After trying various formats, KGO eventually shifted to news and talk programming, relying heavily on the ABC radio network for its news programs. KGO started carrying [[Paul Harvey]]'s twice-daily programs but also began to develop a strong local news staff that produced extended morning and afternoon newscasts. The local talk show hosts included [[Les Crane]], Owen Spann and [[Jim Eason]], who often interviewed visiting celebrities in the KGO studios. Owen Spann also originated special broadcasts from Europe and Africa, interviewing government officials from those countries. Local director-actor Jack Brooks hosted a Saturday-morning entertainment program until his sudden death in June 1984, after directing a production of ''[[Kismet (musical)|Kismet]]'' for the Capuchino Community Theatre that featured Jim Eason as the poet [[Omar Khayyám]]. Dr. [[Dean Edell]] began his regular medical programs at KGO,{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}} leading to nationally syndicated broadcasts

Two of KGO's three towers partially collapsed during the [[Loma Prieta earthquake]] on October 17, 1989. All three were replaced.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://bayarearadio.org/sf-radio-history/kgotwr |title=KGO Radio Tower Collapse 1989 |work=The Bay Area Radio Museum |last=Schneider |first=John |access-date=November 30, 2021}}</ref>

===1990s–2010s===
[[File:Kgocopter03162006.jpg|thumb|KGO helicopter (2006)]]
[[File:KGO-AM transmission towers SF Bay.jpg|thumb|KGO transmission towers in San Francisco Bay, 2008]]
In March 2008, [[solar panel]]s were installed at KGO's transmitter site in [[Fremont, California]], to offset some of its power consumption during daytime hours. The installation was a test bed for [[Pacific Gas and Electric Company]] and is located near the [[Dumbarton Bridge (California)|Dumbarton Bridge]]. The solar system uses both CPV (SolFocus) and PV (Premier Power) arrays and provides about 17 Kilowatts, or 33% (one third), of the radio frequency (RF) power output from the 50KW transmitter (or about one-tenth of the total power consumption of their transmitter site over a 24-hour period). United States Speaker of the House Rep. [[Nancy Pelosi]] turned the system on during an on-air ceremony.<ref>[https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/kgo-flips-the-solar-switch "KGO Flips the Solar Switch"] by Tom Vernon, December 18, 2008 (radioworld.com)</ref>

For over 30 years, from July 1978 to January 2009, KGO was the number-one station in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] in the [[Nielsen Audio|Arbitron ratings]], a feat unmatched by any other station in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hartlaub |first=Peter |date=October 8, 2022 |title=KGO was once a local talk radio juggernaut. How could it die so fast? |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/KGO-radio-17495034.php |access-date=October 9, 2022 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> According to the 2010 Arbitron ratings, however, KGO had lost its lead to [[KCBS (AM)|KCBS]], with [[KOIT-FM]] as a close second, and KGO listing at third.{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}} When KGO switched to all-news in December 2011, it fell further behind in the local ratings. As of Spring 2013, KGO placed 16th in the market, with approximately half of their listenership when they were number one.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/business/bottomline/article/KGO-Radio-reshuffles-as-ratings-decline-4356439.php|title=KGO Radio reshuffles as ratings decline|website=sfgate.com|date=March 15, 2013 |access-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref>

Until December 5, 2011, KGO created nearly all of its own local programming, with very limited syndicated content. The majority of its programs were hosted by San Francisco Bay Area broadcasters.{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}} The daily schedule included many issues-oriented talk shows, with weekday hosts that included [[Gene Burns]], [[Gil Gross]], [[Ronn Owens]], [[John Rothmann]] and lawyer [[Len Tillem]]. The station also carried a variety of specialty programs, particularly on weekends, with John Hamilton discussing travel and leisure, [[Gene Burns]] covering fine food and dining (on a show separate from his weekday program), [[Joanie Greggains]] hosting a health-and-fitness program, and Brent Walters, who teaches "Comparative Religions" at [[San Jose State University]], hosting the early Sunday morning show, ''God Talk.'' In 2014, KGO brought in John Batchelor at midnight. News/talk weekend hosts now include [[Brian Copeland]], "Karel" [[Charles Karel Bouley]], and Pat Thurston.

Up to 2011, the weekday morning news (from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.) was co-anchored by Jon Bristow and Jennifer Jones-Lee.<ref name="Morn">{{cite web |url=http://www.kgoam810.com/showdj.asp?DJID=3616 |title=KGO Newstalk 810 San Francisco |access-date=December 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213095033/http://www.kgoam810.com/showdj.asp?djid=3616 |archive-date=December 13, 2011 }}</ref> The afternoon news (from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.) featured veteran reporter Chris Brecher and award-winning reporter/anchor Bret Burkhart.<ref name="drive">{{cite web |url=http://www.kgoam810.com/showdj.asp?DJID=3617 |title=KGO Newstalk 810 San Francisco |access-date=September 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923183421/http://www.kgoam810.com/showdj.asp?DJID=3617 |archive-date=September 23, 2010 }}</ref>

Until the format change in December 2011, KGO hosted an annual [[fundraiser]] called the "KGO Cure-a-Thon" to help raise money for The [[Leukemia & Lymphoma Society]] with all of the station's regular programming pre-empted for an entire day during the event. Listeners were encouraged to call in and donate money to help in the fight against these kinds of [[cancer]]. An auction was also held to help raise money. Notable items up for auction have included a trip with [[Gene Burns]] on a private jet to various destinations, such as [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] and [[Italy]], for a gourmet dinner. Cumulus Media has announced that it will not be continuing the KGO Cure-a-Thon charity event despite the fact it has raised millions of dollars for charity in the past.{{Cn|date=April 2023}}

On December 2, 2011, new owner Cumulus Media announced that KGO was rebranding itself as "news and information", moving to an [[All-news radio|all-news]] format from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. (in addition to the existing morning-drive, noon-hour and afternoon-drive news blocks). The change was scheduled for December 5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kgoam810.com/Article.asp?id=2346801 |title=KGO 810 San Francisco |access-date=December 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415014855/http://www.kgoam810.com/Article.asp?id=2346801 |archive-date=April 15, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/54596/major-shakeup-at-kgo-san-francisco/|title=Major Shakeup At KGO San Francisco - RadioInsight|date=December 5, 2011|website=radioinsight.com|access-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref> This had resulted in the abrupt termination, on December 1, of most of the talk hosts (including [[Gene Burns]], [[Gil Gross]], [[John Rothmann]], [[Ray Taliaferro]], [[Len Tillem]], and Dr. [[Bill Wattenburg]]). [[Ronn Owens]]'s morning show, as well as weekend talk programming remained, although some of the weekend hosts (including [[Joanie Greggains]], and [[Len Tillem]]) were also terminated on December 1, 2011. [[Bob Brinker]]'s syndicated "Moneytalk" was moved to KSFO (560 AM), a politically conservative talk radio sister station which arguably better reflected Brinker's conservative politico-economic views. KGO also dropped [[Leo Laporte]]'s weekend syndicated tech talk program in the format change.<ref name="sfc-kgonews">{{cite news|title=KGO radio going to news format&nbsp;— veterans leaving|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/01/MNMM1M7B9E.DTL&feed=rss.news|access-date=December 2, 2011|newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=December 2, 2011}}</ref> Gil Gross, Len Tillem and Leo Laporte would all move to competitor [[KKSF (AM)|KKSF]].

The format change and termination of many popular talk show hosts sparked outrage among long-time listeners, many of whom called for sponsors to drop their advertising on the station.<ref>{{cite news|title=KGO Radio Format Change Sparks Outrage Among Loyal Listeners |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/05/kgo-radio-format-change_n_1129961.html|access-date=December 5, 2011|newspaper=[[Huffington Post]]|date=December 5, 2011}}</ref> Ratings declined substantially following the change, with competitors KCBS and [[KQED-FM]] continuing to lead the market, and in December 2014, KGO reintroduced talk programming on weekdays.<ref name="calbears.com">{{cite web |title=Cal, KGO Extend Broadcast Partnership |url=https://www.calbears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=208732464 |access-date=April 4, 2018 |website=www.calbears.com}}</ref> In December 2014, KGO added [[Chip Franklin]] to the noon to 3 pm lineup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mediaconfidential.blogspot.com/2014/11/sf-radio-talk-host-chip-franklin.html|title=Media Confidential: SF Radio: Talk Host Chip Franklin Joining KGO 810 AM|date=November 19, 2014|website=mediaconfidential.blogspot.com|access-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref> In January 2015, KGO announced they had hired Chicago/San Antonio radio personality Kevin "DreX" Buchar, best known for his successful morning show on Chicago's [[WKSC-FM]], which ran for more than a decade, from 7PM to 10PM.<ref>{{cite web|title=KGO/SF Goes Talk 7-10 PM|url=https://radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2889092&spid=24698|website=Radio Ink|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204075423/https://radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2889092&spid=24698|archive-date=February 4, 2015}}</ref> [[John Batchelor]]'s syndicated show aired overnights, returning KGO to the same level of news programming as before 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/radiowaves/article/After-going-mostly-news-KGO-is-talking-again-6078090.php#/0|title=After going mostly news, KGO is talking again|website=sfchronicle.com|date=February 12, 2015 |access-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref>

Both KGO and [[Dallas]]-based sister station [[KLIF (AM)|KLIF]] shared similar visual "News/Information" identities after KLIF's parent Cumulus acquired Citadel, until 2014, when talk programming was reintroduced.

At noon on March 31, 2016, KGO dropped its previous programming and began [[stunting (broadcasting)|stunting]] with recordings of speeches from influential figures and people talking about San Francisco, as well as songs about the city, while promoting "The Next Generation of KGO" to launch on April 5 (though with a break during the weekend for [[infomercial|paid programming]]). At least 20 people, including the entire news staff, as well as some staffers from sister station [[KNBR-FM|KFOG]], were laid off with the change.<ref name="ri-kgo2016relaunch">[https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/105684/cumulus-making-major-changes-at-kgo-ronn-owens-to-ksfo/ KGO Announces New Lineup With Ronn Owens Staying After All] - ''RadioInsight'' (published March 31, 2016)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/end-of-an-era-kgo-radio-lays-off-news-staff/article_84a56299-6a7b-524e-828a-3f419912901a.html|title=End of an era: KGO Radio lays off news staff|website=sfexaminer.com|access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/kgoradio/photos/a.10150631235019214.411548.41945509213/10154160460689214/?type=3&theater&__mref=message_bubble KGO 810 News, Talk & Traffic uploaded a photo] (published March 31, 2016)</ref> Originally, long-time KGO host Ronn Owens announced that he would be moving to sister station KSFO in the afternoon slot beginning April 4. However, due to what was advertised as a "listener reaction" against the move (in reality, Owens contested the move of his show off KGO as against the terms of his contract), Owens stayed with KGO. KGO kept its news/talk format, but relaunched it with a new live and local lineup, which included Owens and ''[[Armstrong & Getty]]'' in mornings;<ref>[http://www.kgoradio.com/2016/04/04/kgo-810-announces-next-generation-live-and-local-line-up/ KGO 810 announces next generation live and local line-up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407152707/http://www.kgoradio.com/2016/04/04/kgo-810-announces-next-generation-live-and-local-line-up/ |date=April 7, 2016 }} - ''KGO 810 official site'' (accessed April 4, 2016)</ref> ''Armstrong & Getty'', a regionally syndicated program based at [[KSTE]] in Sacramento, had previously aired in the Bay Area on KKSF.<ref name="ri-kgo2016relaunch" /> Owens left the station in 2018, and ''Armstrong & Getty'' moved to KSFO in 2020 to be replaced by Nikki Medoro, previously an afternoon news anchor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 14, 2020 |title=Nikki Medoro to host new morning show on KGO radio |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/02/13/nikki-medoro-to-host-new-morning-show-on-kgo-radio |access-date=October 9, 2022 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref>

===2022–2024: Sports betting as "The Spread"===
On October 6, 2022, at approximately 10:16 a.m., KGO abruptly ended the news/talk format in the middle of midday host [[Mark Thompson (newscaster)|Mark Thompson]]'s show. Thompson later said he had been informed just before going on-air that a format change would be implemented shortly, but was asked not to use the opportunity to say goodbye to listeners.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SF-KGO-taken-off-air-17491656.php|title=KGO host talks about Bay Area radio station's abrupt signoff|work=[[SFGate]]|date=October 6, 2022|access-date=October 7, 2022}}</ref> Instead, mid-show, Thompson was signaled to give a final [[station identification]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keys |first=Matthew |date=October 6, 2022 |title=KGO Radio ends news and talk format, will start offering sports betting shows |url=https://thedesk.net/2022/10/kgo-radio-off-air-news-talk-sport-betting-format/ |access-date=October 8, 2022 |website=The Desk |language=en-us}}</ref>

The station then began a [[stunting (broadcasting)|stunt loop]] featuring songs and promotional announcements referring to betting, money, and winning. The promotions stated that a new format, billed as "the most unique radio station in the Bay Area", would launch on October 10, assuring listeners that they "can bet on it".<ref>{{Cite web |title=KGO Signs-Off News/Talk Format |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/243623/kgo-signs-off-news-talk-format/ |access-date=October 7, 2022 |website=RadioInsight |date=October 6, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="sv-kgotalkend">{{cite news |title=KGO 810, legendary long-time Bay Area talk radio station, ends format, leaves cryptic message |url=https://www.siliconvalley.com/2022/10/06/kgo-810-legendary-long-time-bay-area-talk-radio-station-ends-format-leaves-cryptic-message/ |access-date=October 6, 2022 |work=[[Bay Area News Group|SiliconValley.com]] |date=October 6, 2022}}</ref> On that day, KGO launched a [[Sports radio|sports talk]] format emphasizing [[sports betting]], branded as "810 The Spread". The new format had no local programming, and the station's schedule was primarily sourced from the [[The BetQL Network|BetQL]] and [[Infinity Sports Network|Infinity Sports]] (formerly CBS Sports Radio) networks, serving as a complement to sister sports stations [[KNBR (AM)|KNBR]]-[[KNBR-FM|FM]] and [[KTCT]].  Some hours on weekends were money-related paid [[brokered programming]].<ref name="ri-kgothespread">{{cite news |last1=Venta |first1=Lance |title=Sports Betting Is Spread Across KGO |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/243796/sports-betting-is-spread-across-kgo/ |access-date=October 10, 2022 |work=RadioInsight |date=October 10, 2022}}</ref>

===2024–2025: Move of KSFO to 810 kHz===
On November 15, 2024, Cumulus announced that [[KZAC|KSFO (560AM)]] would move to 810 kHz on November 18.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://radioinsight.com/headlines/287092/ksfo-to-move-to-810-knbr-sets-new-lineup|title=KSFO To Move To 810; KNBR Sets New Lineup|work=RadioInsight|date=November 15, 2024|access-date=November 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rbr.com/once-kgo-a-big-am-signal-becomes-ksfos-new-home|title=Once KGO, A Big AM Signal Becomes KSFO's New Home|work=Radio + Television Business Report|date=November 15, 2024|access-date=November 16, 2024}}</ref> Most KSFO programming was simulcast on both 810&nbsp;AM and 560&nbsp;AM beginning that date under the "810 KSFO" brand, except for Golden Bears sports events airing only on 810.

The KGO call sign was retired on January 1, 2025, in favor of KSFO; on the same day, 560&nbsp;AM, formerly KSFO, became [[KZAC]], but retained the simulcast with the new KSFO.<ref name="ir-kgotoksfo">{{cite news |title=So Long KGO: Historic Call Letters To Vanish From Bay Area Radio Dial. |url=https://www.insideradio.com/free/so-long-kgo-historic-call-letters-to-vanish-from-bay-area-radio-dial/article_4f902a52-c6fa-11ef-be92-4bcc08318652.html |access-date=December 31, 2024 |work=Inside Radio |date=December 30, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> On March 3, 2025, KZAC went off the air.<ref name="ri-kzacoff">{{cite news |last1=Venta |first1=Lance |title=Audacy/Cumulus Truth & Rumors |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/295755/audacy-cumulus-truth-rumors/ |access-date=March 4, 2025 |work=RadioInsight |date=March 3, 2025}}</ref>

==Programming==
Most of KSFO's schedule is [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] conservative talk shows.  Weekdays begin with ''[[Armstrong & Getty]]''.  They are followed by ''The Vince Coglianese Show, [[The Sean Hannity Show]], [[The Mark Levin Show]], [[The Ramsey Show]] with [[Dave Ramsey]], Fix California with John Phillips, [[Red Eye Radio]]'' and ''[[This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal]]''.  Some hours begin with an update from [[Fox News Radio]].

KSFO is one of four AM stations owned by Cumulus Media in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]], along with KZAC, [[KNBR (AM)|KNBR]], and [[KTCT]]. From 1962 until 2022, KGO carried [[All-news radio|news]] and [[Talk radio|talk]] programming. In October 2022, the station switched to a [[Sports radio|sports talk]] format, with an emphasis on [[sports betting]]. It carried the [[BetQL Network]] most of the day, with some shows from the [[Infinity Sports Network]] at night.

KGO was the radio home for the [[San Francisco 49ers]] football team from 1987 to 2005. It has been broadcasting [[University of California, Berkeley]] [[California Golden Bears football|Golden Bears Football]] games since 1974. Since 2013, it also broadcasts select [[California Golden Bears men's basketball]] games.<ref name="calbears.com" /> The station began to air [[San Jose Earthquakes]] [[MLS|soccer]] games in 2023.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Earthquakes Announce New English Language Flagship Radio Station |date=February 22, 2023 |url=https://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/news-earthquakes-announce-new-english-language-flagship-radio-station |website=San Jose Earthquakes}}</ref>

== Former staff ==
{{Div col|colwidth=16em}}
* James Abbe<ref name="sies1">Sies, Luther F. (2014). ''Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960, 2nd Edition, Volume 1''. McFarland & Company, Inc. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-5149-4}}.</ref>
* Robert J. Ackerly<ref name="sies1" />
* [[Ken Bastida]]
* [[Barbara Boxer]]
* Ira Blue
* [[Jon Bristow]]
* [[Gene Burns]]
* [[Brian Copeland]] 
* [[Christine Craft]]
* [[Les Crane]]
* [[Mark Curtis (broadcaster)|Mark Curtis]]
* [[Jim Dunbar]]
* [[Jim Eason]]
* [[Dean Edell]]
* [[Art Finley]]
* [[Michael Finney (journalist)|Michael Finney]]
* [[Chip Franklin]]
* [[James Gabbert]]
* Duane Garrett<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/PAGE-ONE-The-Dark-Side-Of-Duane-Garrett-3017208.php| work=The San Francisco Chronicle | first=Michael | last=Taylor | title=The Dark Side Of Duane Garrett / Friends say he bilked them| date=December 26, 1995}} "Popular talk show host and influential political insider Duane Garrett, who committed suicide last summer, was so entangled in a web of debt and deceit that he routinely bilked investors who were also his friends and associates, recently filed court records show."</ref>
* [[Joanie Greggains]]
* [[Gil Gross]]
* [[Orral Humphrey]]<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/hawaii-tribune-herald/160702013/ "KGO, Week of Thursday, January 3, 1925 (Pacific Time): Thursday, January 8"]. ''Hawaii Tribune-Herald''. January 3, 1925. p.&nbsp;6. Retrieved December 11, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle/160701867/ "Radio: Dose of Variety for Radio Fans; Hawaiian Melodies to Vie With Market and Mining Reports; Station KGO"]. ''Spokane Chronicle''. January 15, 1925. p.&nbsp;13. Retrieved December 11, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-morning-republican/160701703/ "Radio Offerings: KGO to Feature Small Town Play on Air Tonight"]. ''The Fresno Morning Republican''. October 22, 1925. p.&nbsp;16. Retrieved December 11, 2024.</ref>
* [[Greg Jarrett (radio host)|Greg Jarrett]]
* [[Michael Krasny (talk show host)|Michael Krasny]]
* [[Leo Laporte]]
* [[David Lazarus]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sfppc.blogspot.com/2007/07/david-lazarus-will-also-quit-kgo-am-gig|title=San Francisco Press Club: David Lazarus will also quit KGO-AM gig|first=San Francisco Peninsula Press|last=Club|date=July 26, 2007|website=sfppc.blogspot.com|access-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Dick Leonard]]
* [[J. P. McCarthy]]
* [[Larry Mendte]]
* [[Melanie Morgan (radio personality)|Melanie Morgan]]
* [[Ronn Owens]]
* [[Kevin Radich]]
* [[John Rothmann]]
* [[Michael Savage]]
* [[Lon Simmons]]
* [[Barbara Simpson]]
* [[Joe Starkey]]
* [[Monty Stickles]]
* [[Ray Taliaferro]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 3, 2018|title=Longtime Bay Area radio host Ray Taliaferro found dead in Kentucky|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/12/02/longtime-radio-host-ray-taliaferro-found-dead-in-kentucky/|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Robert Trebor]]
* [[Mark Thompson (newscaster)|Mark Thompson]]
* [[Len Tillem]]
* [[Wayne Walker (linebacker)|Wayne Walker]]
* [[Bernie Ward]]
* [[Bill Wattenburg]]
* [[Jack Webb]]<ref name="pn">{{cite journal|last1=Gustafson|first1=Craig|title=Pat Novak ... for Hire|journal=Nostalgia Digest|date=Spring 2009|volume=35|issue=2|pages=4–9}}</ref>
* [[Jim Wieder]]
* [[Dennis Willis]]
* [[Pete Wilson (broadcaster)|Pete Wilson]]
* [[Lloyd Lindsay Young]]
{{colend}}

==Former logos==
{{multiple image |align=left|direction=horizontal |width=200| total width=850
|image1=KGO AM 810 1990s logo.svg |caption1=KGO logo during the 1990s |image2=KGO 810 logo 2000-2011.png|caption2=KGO logo from 2000 to 2011 |image3=KGO (AM) logo.png |caption3=KGO's logo under an all-news format, 2011–2016|image4=KGO (AM) Logo 2016.png |caption4=KGO's final logo as a news/talk station, 2016–2022}}
{{clear}}

==See also==
* [[KGO-TV]]
* [[KKSF]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://www.ksfo.com/ 810 KSFO] (official website)
{{AM station data|34471|KSFO}}
* {{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=38516 |title=History Cards for KSFO (covering 1927-1981 as KGO)|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}} ([[Wikipedia:WikiProject Radio Stations/History Cards|Guide to reading History Cards]])<!--Converted from {{FCC letter}}-->
* [https://bayarearadio.org/sf-radio-history/kgo "History of KGO Radio"] by John Schneider, 2006 (bayarearadio.org)
* [https://bayarearadio.org/sf-radio-history/kgo2 "Pacific Coast Station KGO"] by R.C. Koernig, Engineer, KGO, ''Radio'', March 1924 (bayarearadio.org)
* [https://bayarearadio.org/audio/kgo/kgo-radio-810 "The Complete KGO Collection"] (bayarearadio.org)

{{San Francisco Radio}}
{{News/Talk Radio Stations in California}}
{{Clear Channel AM}}
{{Cumulus Media}}
{{San Francisco 49ers}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Radio stations in the San Francisco Bay Area|GO (AM)]]
[[Category:Clear-channel radio stations]]
[[Category:Cumulus Media radio stations]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1924]]
[[Category:1924 establishments in California]]
[[Category:California Golden Bears men's basketball]]
[[Category:Sports radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Infinity Sports Network stations]]