Reader comments
Radio dial: 'Nightside Project' drops host Castner

Worst show ever | 6:50 a.m. Nov. 16, 2007

About time.

Robert L. | 8:54 a.m. Nov. 16, 2007

Is there any way to list radio stations by the actual number of people who listen, versus a percentage of the total. And how about public stations, too!?

Tcabin | 4:05 p.m. Nov. 16, 2007

I worked at a Casper, Wyoming AM station in the late 1970s. The Gen. Mgr, who had brought the 1000 watt station to #1, always said it took 3 years for a new format to take hold.
Apparently, whoever is programming KSL, doesn't know this, or they would have left Nightside alone. It's daytime programming should be so lucky.
Cutting back on Nightside, is a classic example of how radio in SLC is operated. The old $ sign is more important than content.

Comments continue below

LCI | 8:31 p.m. Nov. 16, 2007

What a HUGE loss to KSL Radio and th Nightside Project. We will miss you Michael, good luck to you!!

Allison | 9:08 p.m. Nov. 16, 2007

Having done exactly what he was hired to do, how is Castner rewarded for building up an audience and finding the top of the ratings chart? As the uncontested head of The Project, he is unceremoniously cut from his own show, leaving the rest of the team scrambling to regroup and pick up the pieces after his radio family is literally decapitated. Whatï¿½s wrong with this picture?
The Nightside Project was presented from the start as an experiment, and the popularity of the show has proven that there is plenty of room in the market for a younger, edgier point of view that doesnï¿½t always come down on the conservative side of opinion. Apparently, no one told Castner that the goal of the experiment was to fail instead of succeed, and this led to his downfall.
A bright, witty and intelligent voice in Utah radio has been abruptly silenced. Whatï¿½s the matter, Bonneville? The ratings scale stops at number oneï¿½it doesnï¿½t go to .05. Why can Castner for doing exactly what you hired him to do, and doing it well?

Rocky and Nell Raymond | 9:28 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I was not aware that number 1 was not good enough.
I never listened to KSL in the evening until I left work late and was suprised to hear a great local show with cutting edge humor and wit. Sorry to see that KSL decieded to roll the clock back to 1950. KSL is living up to their reputation, While their listeners find a different station. Maybe the KSL execs will repent and do the right thing and bring the original voice of nightside back..........

Cliff and Shauna Craig | 5:11 p.m. Dec. 6, 2007

Michael WAS The Nightside Project and made evening radio fun to listen to - we loved him. The program is now a total empty shell without him. He will be greatly missed, and we'll be totally surprised if KSL's ratings don't drop right back to the bottom.

Vila | 3:24 a.m. Dec. 7, 2007

KSL has done what it's older, established listeners wanted and removed Michael. The problem with this is that the established listeners will slowly, inevitably, be dropping off, and KSL will be left without a solid base audience.

On the upside, some other radio station somewhere will have the intelligence and foresight to appreciate Michael's talent. That radio station will hire Michael and in doing so will bring their ratings up. The difference will be that the new radio station will know a good thing when they see it, and won't fire Michael just because some old fuddy duddies can't handle the reality of the world as it is today.

M.J. | 8:26 a.m. Dec. 12, 2007

Tuned into Nightside one evening while driving home. It caught my attention although I really dislike talk shows. I didn't listen every night, but I did listen often and it was because of Michael Castner! He was the ONLY reason. Started listening to it the other night and I was wondering why Michael Castner wasn't on. I listened to it for about 5 minutes and turned it off. Sounded like a bunch of giggling boys. I'll never listen to it again. The show is dumb without Michael Castner.

susan | 8:48 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

I am an older listener and I truly loved Caasner. Very entertaining made the show worth listening to. I drive around alot with my job so I love to listen to Michael. It is very boring without him. I will find another radio station who cares about their listeners. Great loss for nightsides.

Eric | 4:53 p.m. Dec. 26, 2007

I deliver pizza at night and when I found the Castner I felt like I was actually getting something out of being in my car for 3 hours a night. I loved the show with Castner and have since rarely listened. thanks for making work, work again. FOOLS.

Business Owner | 11:39 p.m. Dec. 27, 2007

KSL has made a big mistake. Unless the studio was not "big enough" for Castner and Management, he should not have been removed from the program. Castner IS The Nightside Project! When KSL parted ways with Castner, they parted ways with their new "golden project!" Ratings will rapidly decline.
However, talent such as Castner's is rare. Castner will go on to do his usual great work. He will make millions for someone else, and himself, but definitely not KSL. Good luck, Mr. Michael Castner; you, sir, have talent to spare!!

Count Me Out | 6:01 p.m. Jan. 3, 2008

Over the past year I've looked forward to taking an evening drive, because that meant tuning in to Nightside. I'm a regular KSL listener during the morning, and this show hooked me at night. I enjoyed the edginess, never thought it was over the top. The last time I tuned in the program seemed weak, like a Formula One car with a Cavalier engine. Then I learned Castner had been cast off. Beam me back to rockin' oldies at night, Scotty.

scott | 9:27 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

I was told that Castner had been fired...is this true. This statement came from KSL

barbara | 2:35 p.m. March 9, 2008

I am an older listener-55-and I thought that the Nightside project was fantastic until Castner left. I am a conservative but I am used to So Calif radio and I miss it-the Nightside was my solace. Yes, I listen to KSL in the day but it is often so repetitive that it becomes unbearable. I still listen but it is not what it was-yes, too giggly.{The night people sang Christmas carols was really good, though.)

Teri | 6:23 p.m. March 27, 2008

I really miss Castner... it sounds like KSL has some cute little return missionaries doing the show now... too many giggles at their own (potty??) humor? Give me abreak - I want to hear adults...

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