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3 Best & 3 Worst owners in Vt

M

Mr. DUBbonet

Guest
Ok kids, it's time to lay it on the table and see where things stand right now. Though not nearly as many owners as in the past there are still the good ones and bad ones. Here's the list....

3 Best (in no particular order)

Northeast Broadcasting--This may catch some of you by surprise but I have been impressed in several areas. They have made some outstanding technical upgrades to their signals with MP103, WLFE, WUSX and WRJT. They maintain the local flavor of The Point while sneaking in the ever-growing MP103 into Burlington and finding a niche. They also do it their way and have some fairly longtime employees...though mostly in Montpelier.

Radio Vermont--Squier and the gang continue to do radio on their own terms. Love 'em or hate 'em...you can't deny they take the road less travelled by many in broadcasting. One thing this group prides itself on is it's localness. Some call it yokelness but.....more power to them. Keep on keeping on.

Vermont Broadcast associates--WGMT, WKXH, WMTK, WSTJ in the Northeast Kingdom. They have found an area to call home and are super-serving it. The staff is quality and the community involvement is top-notch. They know the market and many of the employees absolutely love the company. Stable, solid and, most importantly, broadcasters.

Honorable mention: Sison (95XXX and WVMT) and Tri State Broadcasters (WTSA A/F)


3 Worst (again in no particular order)

This was the really hard part.

Vermont Public Radio--These are usually the people we cannot speak about. They are doing it for the "greater good". VPR is doing the same thing everyone else is...trying to gain listener share for advertising revenue. They get a free pass because of the "public" in their name. Their local content is a relatively small portion of the broadcast week. Their local news effort is embarrassing. Their management makes some of, if not, the highest salaries in the state. They built and maintain a facility that no one in commercial radio could begin to afford. They are buying more and more stations to create another entire network of classical/jazz. The only thing public about the goals of this company is their name. When was the last time YOU saw them out in the public?

Pamal--They now virtually own the Rutland market and still can't seem to have a handle on what they are doing. Morale is low. People are treated shabbily. Their programming is all over the place with little regard for content. The place seems to be running by itself with no one at the helm to steer the ship. Great signals and some great people...too bad it's so uninspired.

Northeast Broadcasting---Yes, you read this right. As much as this company has done right (see above) they are still doing so much wrong. They could be the single biggest force in Vermont radio but they keep blowing it by doing dumb things. They can't keep managers or salespeople. They have some good formats but never take them to the next level. They are content with being "so-so". Too bad the owner encourages that thinking because they could be great. They do SO MUCH right....but an equal amount of wrong.

Honorable mention: Clear Channel (no surprise there) and Nassau (again no surprise). More corporate crap for both.
 
Hooray for the comments about VPR!

The only thing to be added is that they compete for advertising dollars with commercial stations. When one hears the beg-a-thons, knowing that they have the salaries and facilities they have, and knowing that they take in a bundle in "sponsorship" dollars - it's more than a bit hypocritical and, frankly, it's unfair competition.
 
I thought you were supposed to be a "neutral party". ;) lol

Well, I can understand the animosity over poor programming and perhaps even network expansion without representation... (hmm, that sounds vaguely reminiscent of something... *shrugs*)... I'm not going to necessarily make qualms about their salaries. They may be getting paid what commercial broadcasters SHOULD be getting paid but aren't.

As far as their "beg-a-thons" it's irritating to know you have to go through that because of a zeal for expansion rather than maintenance, but I don't see why public radio can't go for $$ from companies as well as individuals. I mean companies are people too! :-\ Wait, check that. Company figureheads are people too and they should be able to feel free to invest money with whomever they choose. Just because commercial radio can't get in on the "beg-a-thons" doesn't mean that people can't support it in other ways.

And while the alleged excesses of VPR in studio quality is perhaps something to be envied, if they got the bucks and the people support it, then I don't see why it's a problem... until they cry hardship because they can't afford what they got in a dry spell.
 
Best
Radio Vermont - localness and a great owner who still knows how to do radio the old fashioned way.

Nassau - WMOO, Froggy, FRANK, and The Fox all sound great formatically and technically, look good, and employees seem to like working there, I see few people leaving these stations. Sounds like they are making money too...lot's of spots.

Saga - for small market and small operations, they sound good and sound like they make money in a tiny town.

Worst

Pamal- too many good people who are clearly unhappy, products that are in steady decline, and they don't seem to be making money...not a lot of commercials being sold.

Vermont Public Radio - If you need to beg for a living in disguise, that's pathetic.

Northeast Broadcasting - distant ownership who happens to be a lawyer. No wonder people leave. Nuff said...
 
Three Best / Three Worst in VT..
Hall Communications - Seems to have very low turnover in both sales and programming departments.. Surely a good sign of stability overall..
Clear Channel - Burlington - Survived and thrived in the big mega-company soon to be sold off to "Goodradio LLC".. Staff seems stable, and they have a great manager in place.
Northeast - When was the last time you heard about them unloading a station ? Exactly. Seems to have some stability on staff, more on the Point side, the Burlington operation is still relatively young. Seem to hit a nice home run with MP 103.
Nassua - They have put a lot of money into the physical plants. Havn't seen them overly hammered on these boards of late.. Perhaps things are settling down.

I would have to think that most group or single station operations are good. Certainly the ones that are not are well verbalized here.
 
for the hell of it...
where would you put the vermont state college's board of trustess
who I belive own WWLR, WJSC, and a few others (castleton?)



Jo Jo Kracko said:
Three Best / Three Worst in VT..
Hall Communications - Seems to have very low turnover in both sales and programming departments.. Surely a good sign of stability overall..
Clear Channel - Burlington - Survived and thrived in the big mega-company soon to be sold off to "Goodradio LLC".. Staff seems stable, and they have a great manager in place.
Northeast - When was the last time you heard about them unloading a station ? Exactly. Seems to have some stability on staff, more on the Point side, the Burlington operation is still relatively young. Seem to hit a nice home run with MP 103.
Nassua - They have put a lot of money into the physical plants. Havn't seen them overly hammered on these boards of late.. Perhaps things are settling down.

I would have to think that most group or single station operations are good. Certainly the ones that are not are well verbalized here.
Click to expand...
 
Probably no where, if that was my call. WWLR is the most powerful of VSC's college radio stations. Not even sure is Johnson State has it's own. Castleton's WIUV covers a very limited geography, VTC's get out there a somewhat better. They are student run, and all volunteer operations as you well know.

Probably the absolute worst group to be employed at in Vermont, with no fault aimed at the awesome staff in place there, most certainly rhymes with "Camel"..
 
Johnson State College has its own radio station. WJSC-FM. It's 255 watt LPFM. On the air since the early 60's. Fully automated, Alternative Format, Pacifica Affiliate. Website is on www.jsc.edu. Streaming as well. Check it out.

Happy Harry ;D
 
Ha Ha NHradio child..very mature, Pamal is #1...end of discusion :-*
 
Much like a Camel... That is a horse that was built by long useless commitee meetings.
 
Much like washed up no where has beens....you could not ever be where I am. So, I will give you credit with the cigarette references, somewhat clever. However, like I said before The Great Houdini never fails!! If my employees are not happy, so be it. They are replacable...CLASS DISMISSED
 
Hey Houdini!

you're right...you're sitting on the top of the world, and your employees are all replaceable. Keep up the great job...I admire your work.

Other than you, Who REALLY Cares?
 
Mr. Marbles said:
Much like washed up no where has beens....you could not ever be where I am. So, I will give you credit with the cigarette references, somewhat clever. However, like I said before The Great Houdini never fails!! If my employees are not happy, so be it. They are replacable...CLASS DISMISSED
Click to expand...

The most replaceable person in ANY business is the decision maker. No one ever fixed the dog by replacing its tail. Tick Tock Mr. Marbles...better hope the numbers stay on your side, that will be all you have as the dollars fade...tick tock...tick tock... ;)
 
Dudeman2000 you are obviously not a true "student" of radio. Study hard there is a quiz in your future ;) Don't ever doubt a magician :-*
 
Ooh all that macho talk from you guys! Pretty Boy like. Me likes lots! Oh Houdini you sound like a man with such power. You like to rule with an iron fist? Maybe your employees are in chains. Or maybe you wish they were?

Maybe, dear, you should be more sensitive the the has beens you speak of. They may be the only ones that can save you. I would, but I'm up here and your down there. Did I mention that I love your fonts? ::)
 
Mr.Marbles, Kracko knows people that are looking to hire great and appreciated talent. Perhaps we can take those hard working, passionate, radio loving, dreaded employees of your hands and set them up in places where they will be appreciated.. I'm glad I don't work with you Mr. Marbles, you appear to think you know all the answers..
 
Wow...I hope that Marbles was just trying to stir the pot...Now, I agree that Palmal is full of questionable talent, which probably have seen their best days...and has a product is nothing short of god awful. That having been said, it doesn't mean that the employees, regardless of their ability, etc., should be treated like cattle just waiting for the next slaughter. I am sure that they are giving their best. I have no doubt. They must really love what they do to stick around.

That being the case, to simply look at them is "replaceable" is nothing short of pathetic. The days of people who really lvoe radio for RADIO are coming to a close. If a station has 1, 2, or 20 who do, you better make sure they are taken care of. If you can't pay a ton, there is a lot to be said for perks, or some other means to ensure they are recognized for their work.

Marbles, you are correct, that they are replaceable. So are you. So am I. Stating the obvious is such a manor really shows you, if in fact you are in a supervisory role, did not EARN it. You know very little of motivation, supervision, or leadership.

Sad sad sad.

Nuff Said.
 
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