Update 11/2/08: Some snooping on the CBS Webserver has brought us the above image showcasing some of the hosts coming to WPGC. WPHT Philadelphia (which happens to use the same Big Talker branding) morning host Michael Smerconish is featured along with syndicated hosts Glenn Beck, Bill O’Reilly, Lou Dobbs, and Dr. Laura. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the new format launch in time for Tuesday’s election.
Original Post 10/21/08: 1580 WPGC Morningside, MD/Washington, DC has always been the bastard child of the CBS cluster in the Washington market. Bouncing in and out of simulcasts with FM sister 95.5 WPGC-FM, the station had seen some success in recent years as a gospel outlet until Radio-One launched that format on 104.1 WPRS. That led WPGC to shift to Black Talk and last month back to a simulcast of the FM.
However, a new format seems to be in the works as CBS has registered BigTalker1580.com, DCBigTalk.com, and DCBigTalker.com. Our guess is we’ll see some of the syndicated talkers recently dropped by the failure of 1500/107.7 WWWT on the powerful 50kw daytime and flea powered 270 watt nighttime signal of 1580.