Radio Talk Show Host
From 1972 to December 2, 2011, Wattenburg was the host of The Open Line to the West Coast, a talk show heard late Saturday and Sunday evenings 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. PT from San Francisco on KGO, AM 810 kHz. On the program, Wattenburg took calls from throughout the Western United States. Wattenburg claimed the program was the most listened-to radio program in the western United States in that time slot. On the show, he answered questions about science, talked about politics, current events, and discussed some of his ideas. Some of his recurring topics were whether premium gasoline is worthwhile, nuclear power, and criticism of the environmental movement. He is well known for his distinctive, low voice and especially enjoys taking calls from children who ask him basic scientific questions of the Why is the sky blue? variety. Wattenburg was let go from KGO, along with most of the station's other talk hosts on December 2, 2011 as the station switched to a mostly news format. KGO's Web site showed his former time slot would be replaced with Spencer Hughes.
In late 2011, Wattenburg began broadcasting on KSCO-AM, 1080, Santa Cruz, California. This was a few days after parting ways with KGO-AM. This continued until January 22, 2012 when he joined the Talk Radio Network
In 2012, Bill Wattenburg signed with Talk Radio Network and his show is available to radio stations nationwide in syndication. His new program is called The Open Line to America. Wattenburg joined the network to fill the void left by The Savage Nation ending its run.
Stations carrying the Open Line to America: KSCO Santa Cruz, CA (Sun 8-11pm) KNEW San Francisco, CA (Sun 8-11pm) KPAY Chico, CA (Sun 8-11pm)
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