Instead, what probably happened was that whoever controlled the satellite uplink decided to pull the plug and replaced the current show with a specific earlier show.
You're right. I work in radio, I can tell you that is exactly what happened.
So, who would control the uplink. Since Savage's show originates in San Francisco, I would assume his uplink would be located there. However, I would also assume that his uplink could be controlled by somebody in, say, New York City.
Would his syndicator -- which, I believe, is Cumulus -- be responsible? Who else might have done the deed?
Looks like you're wrong since the only station that was affected was WABC in NY. And the explanation was given by Savage in today's first 15 minutes of the program...........
As a side note, here in Detroit on WJR, there was no interruption whatsoever.......