I didn’t think it was possible for someone to make Star worse than it was, but Ron figured it out!
I happen to disagree with you, Doctor. I think in terms of formatics, imaging, music and writing (the imaging), Star 94-1 sounds as least as good as it's ever sounded. And frankly, I take your "opinion" with a grain of salt since you have a history of posting anything negative you can think of about Star.
I have no inside information on why Ron was fired, but I highly doubt it was because of the changes or that Star is planning a format flip. As big as the changes were, they had to have been approved by Rick Caffey. And Rick wouldn't have approved Ron's changes and then fired him for making them. And given that Rick had to have approved the changes, Ron bought himself at least 6 months as far as what the ratings will be.
I'm guessing--and again, this is only a guess--that Ron's dismissal had to do with the way the changes were made. In other words, planning the changes while Jeff Dauler was still employed put Jeff's longtime friend and partner Jenn Hobby in a bad position that might have killed their relationship. Ron should have terminated Jeff before putting a replacement show in place, and then informed Jenn. The way the change was made--and I agree with you here, Doctor--resulted in really bad press for Star and anger among some listeners. Of course, we don't know whether it was Ron's decision to handle it like he did or whether he was scapegoated when the pushback got loud.
As far as the changes themselves, Jenn is very talented and a natural. Whether her leading a morning show will succeed is a question. I like the idea that Ron put something on the air that's different from what the other stations are doing; that's what Star needed to do in the highly-contested race for women. But, there are not a lot of female-led shows. Her co-host Mark Owens is in my opinion acceptable and not much more. Ron probably wanted someone who will not overshadow Jenn (and again I'm just guessing).
Amanda Kelly should be fine for middays. I like Kannon in the afternoon; again, he's different from what's on the other stations, which is good. My question is why was Kannon scheduled for just 2 to 6? He should be on from 2-7 or 3-8. Atlanta's rush hour is still in full force from 6 to 7 at least, and there is a tremendous difference in jock quality on Star between 5-6 and 6-7. I think Kannon needs to expand to at least the 6PM hour.
In any case, Ron is a talented programmer who got caught in a bad situation. Life sucks sometimes.
By the way, has anyone noticed that Atlanta radio is kind of weaponized in afternoon drive with Adam Bomb and Kannon?
