By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
Dr. Laura Schlessinger likes to end her radio talk show with the phrase, “Take on the day.”
Now she has “taken” her terrestrial radio program off the air, going to satellite radio.
For 15 years, “Dr. Laura” filled an afternoon time slot on 1490 AM WSTP Radio in Salisbury. Friday’s syndicated show was her last on the Salisbury station.
“She is going to do strictly satellite radio,” WSTP General Manager Mike Mangan said. Starting today, her program will now be available on Sirius XM — Sirius Channel 102 and XM Channel 155.
“She is 64 years old, and she has decided she is going to do her own thing,” Mangan said of Schlessinger, who holds a doctorate in physiology. Her show, which she owns, had up to 9 million listeners on terrestrial radio.
Mangan said another afternoon talk-show staple on WSTP, Fred Thompson, will be going off the air Jan. 20, so he can run for president again.
For now, to replace Dr. Laura in the 3-5 p.m. time period, WSTP will have “The Steve Malzberg Show.” Malzberg is a conservative talk show host syndicated out of New York City by WOR News.
When Thompson comes off the air later this month, Mangan says he could be replaced by Dr. Joy Browne in the 1-3 p.m. time period.
Browne is a licensed clinical psychologist who gives advice on relationships, finance, work and careers. She also is syndicated by WOR News.
Mangan said those decisions aren’t final. He’s looking to determine how popular Malzberg will be and also has been considering the shows of Gayle King, Stephanie Miller and Leslie Marshall as possible replacements.
Mangan said Miller is the sister of Mary Miller James of Salisbury.
“We’re going to try and tweak some things,” Mangan said.
The rest of the WSTP lineup includes Kent Bernhardt and Howard Platt from 6-9 a.m.; Laura Ingraham from 9-11 a.m.; G. Gordon Liddy from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; and WBTV News from 5-6:30 p.m.
Nighttime syndicated personalities include Michael Savage, Rusty Humphries, Jim Bohannon and Coast to Coast Overnight with George Noory and Art Bell.
Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.