Power FM looking for McKaiser replacement
EXECUTIVES at Power FM are in talks with “interesting candidates” to replace Eusebius McKaiser, the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the fledgling radio station.
McKaiser, who hosted the 9am-noon Power Talk slot, stunned listeners when he posted a short tweet straight after his show on Friday saying: “Today was my final #powertalk show.”
Neither McKaiser nor the station would give reasons for his departure, but said it related to a “contractual disagreement”.
Station managing director Dawn Klatzko also left this week to pursue other interests while programme manager Dumisani Hlophe said he had stepped down to focus on political and current affairs content.
Power FM was launched amid much hype in June last year when it promised to go head-tohead with Talk Radio702. By December, it had 61 000 listeners against 832 000 for 702.
Figures have fluctuated since then, with 39 000 in February and a peak of 106 000 in June. It now has 76 000 listeners, according to SA Audience Research Foundation figures.
Times Media Group, owners of the Sunday Times, expressed an interest in acquiring a stake in the station earlier this year, but station boss Given Mkhari dismissed talk of this.
McKaiser is the ninth show host to leave the station.