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Doug McElvein let go from KMOX after 22 years

Not really a surprise. KMOX is a expensive operation and is a shadow of it's former self. It was a cost cutting move seen all too often these days.

I think KMOX should follow the lead of other major stations, like KFI, and dump Rush. Invest in local talent and attract new listeners.

Jim Shannon
 
Shannon said:
Invest in local talent and attract new listeners.
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Rush is the only syndicated host they have. The rest of the day is local talent. If 20 hours of local talent isn't attracting new listeners, then that's not the problem.

But you're right that it's an expensive operation. They should all pray every day that CBS doesn't sell them, because any other owner, no matter who it is, will clean house.
 
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Rush attracts an older male audience. Not the best demo. When I worked morning drive in the 70's & 80's at WIL-FM, KMOX posted 20-25 share 12+ all day long. Now it's 20% of that number. Like KFI in LA, who dropped Rush, and have climbed back into the top 10. Rush attracts a very loyal but dwindling audience.

Also, I believe the all night show is syndicated, but it does originate from St. Louis.

Jim Shannon
 
Shannon said:
I believe the all night show is syndicated, but it does originate from St. Louis.
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The days of 20 shares for AM stations ended a long time ago, and not just for KMOX. It was easy to get a 20 share back then. Not so much today. A lot of that has to do with the number of stations today vs 40 years ago, and the growth of FM.

As you say the Overnight show originates in St. Louis and only a small number of CBS-owned stations carry it. For all intents & purposes, it's a local show that uses a local studio by a guy who lives in St. Louis.
 
"It was easy to get a 20 share..." I never heard anybody in radio say that! There were many reasons KMOX pulled number like that...but it was never easy.

Jim Shannon
 
Shannon said:
"It was easy to get a 20 share..." I never heard anybody in radio say that! There were many reasons KMOX pulled number like that...but it was never easy.

Jim Shannon
Click to expand...

OK, maybe not easy, but lots of clear channel AMs were doing it back then, including WABC in NY. Now they get a 1 share. So KMOX is doing just fine considering the competition today.
 
Point taken...I know radio has changed. But I don't think KMOX is "doing just fine." As evidenced by their need to fire a veteran air talent like Doug to cut costs.

Jim Shannon
 
Shannon said:
I don't think KMOX is "doing just fine." As evidenced by their need to fire a veteran air talent like Doug to cut costs.
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The cuts are company wide, not just KMOX. They just fired the market manager in Chicago, an Ops manager in Philadelphia, and a 20 year veteran newscaster at WCBS in NY.

CBS Radio has been losing money for several years. It's been a drag on the overall company.
 
Myself, I enjoyed Doug. He was a good foil to Debbie Monterrey, contrasting her usual line of questioning in interviews. He seemed very authoritative, and I for one am sorry he had to go.

I too believe it had to be an economic issue. He'd probably been angling for raises, and cost-conscious management seemed to have a well-stocked stable of cheaper talent.

Such is our industry, and such is industry in general.
 
I am guessing he had a non-compete for at least a year. Other than NPR or KTRS, I don't know where he could go and earn a living, unless he went to TV.

Shannon
 
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