4 Local Clear Channel employees to be let go!

[SaltyDog]

What you're seeing now has more to do with technology and falling ad rates than some law that was passed 15 years ago.

Technology is driving everything. The push for local air personalities comes from local air personalities. No surprise there.

What's rarely said is that when there were a lot of live and local air personalities, most of them weren't very good.

 

[jamesh]

Im sorry BigA - but this has never had anything to do with what the public wanted.
The public was never a consideration.

I'm sorry, but there's nothing in the deregulation laws about firing staff. Deregulation has nothing to do with cutting airstaff, and I know lots of mom & pop stations that are doing the exact same thing, including several in South Carolina.

What you're seeing now has more to do with technology and falling ad rates than some law that was passed 15 years ago. Otherwise, they would have done all this back then.

Meanwhile, as I said, if the public really wanted local airstaffs, Google and Apple have the money to hire them. But they aren't.

Wrong again Big A-it has to do with overpaying for stations and the Bain business model of slash and slash again. When you are 20 billion in the hole ad rates will NEVER matter. They didn't qualify for "the mortgage," the banks tried to back out, they sued the banks, now they have NO HOPE of repaying the loans. In business language-they are MORONS! Bought at the top! Buy low SELL HIGH! MORONS!

Now the only strategy is cost cutting-which makes a crappier product and destroys morale. That is called a DEATH SPIRAL run by MORONS!

 

[jamesh]

What you're seeing now has more to do with technology and falling ad rates than some law that was passed 15 years ago.

Technology is driving everything. The push for local air personalities comes from local air personalities. No surprise there.

What's rarely said is that when there were a lot of live and local air personalities, most of them weren't very good.

Much like local sales managers and local GM's-now found to be a waste of $$$$ by BAIN. Fat salaries and they contribute little...they are in line to be cut too.

 

[TheBigA]

Now the only strategy is cost cutting-which makes a crappier product and destroys morale.

Once again, no one else is rushing in to spend money to make better product. When Apple's iRadio debuts, it won't have any local DJs. Why? Because they don't matter. When you start with no employees, you don't have to fire them. But Pandora, Apple, Google, Spotify, and all the rest aren't even trying to get in the local radio game. They just want to take the money without spending it. Who is the cheap one?

 

[jamesh]

Now the only strategy is cost cutting-which makes a crappier product and destroys morale.

Once again, no one else is rushing in to spend money to make better product. When Apple's iRadio debuts, it won't have any local DJs. Why? Because they don't matter. When you start with no employees, you don't have to fire them. But Pandora, Apple, Google, Spotify, and all the rest aren't even trying to get in the local radio game. They just want to take the money without spending it. Who is the cheap one?

"In exchange for obtaining a valuable license to operate a broadcast station using the public airwaves, each radio and television licensee is required by law to operate its station in the “public interest, convenience and necessity.” This means that it must air programming that is responsive to the needs and problems of its local community of license."

That's why the cheap channel corporate raiders have failed the communities they serve.

You need to know the difference in Pandora, Apple, Google and Spofity and RADIO. PUBLIC AIRWAVES!!!

Read up amateur....

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/public-and-broadcasting-july-2008

 

[awp69]

Everybody wants to blame Internet radio, but until it becomes a common feature on cars and without any sort of fee involved, I'd say it's still not the only problem. Sure, more people probably stream music at work than ever, but I don't know about anyone else, but I listened to my own music on CDs and cassettes prior to the ease of streaming at work.

Outside of that, I still think the vast majority of radio gets listened to in cars.
There's models coming out now with things like Pandora built in (don't know the details on how that works as far as fees and stuff), but most cars aren't at that point.

So you've got satellite and local radio. While iPods and the like are factors, so were CDs and cassettes.

IMO, radio still is grounded in its product. And cuts and poor programming are to blame for any decline in ratings. The ad revenue thing is partly due to the Internet -- not just because of music, but just because it's yet another venue that's competing for those ad dollars. I imagine even the impression that radio is in decline pushes advertisers away from it.

But as many have stated, radio's audience really hasn't declined overall.

However, with declining revenue and seeing that people do stream at work without really caring about local DJs, I'm sure CC and others are thinking why do we care about local staff if we can deliver music and get the same amount of money without them. And here we are.

I certainly couldn't say I would know how to run a radio company these days. But with massive debts and declining ad revenue, either management is really screwing up or it's just becoming next to impossible to make money.

 

[johnarbuckle]

I'm hearing that any remaining talent outside of morning drive will be gone in small and medium markets with a VERY small exception of those that generate revenue. Tons of revenue. PD or not, you're gone. They had a plan in place a few years ago after the inauguration day layoffs that dealt with margins. If they hire you at 30k a year to do an afternoon show, they expect at least 3x that back in revenue, sponsorships, and appearances. It's safe to say that if you come in every day and just read out of the promo/liner book, you'll be gone and premium choice will be piped in within 10 minutes. You'll be listening to your replacement as you drive home jobless. It doesn't matter what else you do for them, the remaining staff will have to figure that out. Swing the axe, worry about the weekend countdown shows getting loaded in and spots to be voiced later.

I agree and don't see how they could possibly cut anywhere else. Newspapers for the newsroom? Why would they need those? They've been gone for years. Bumper stickers for station events? Can't afford them! Station vehicle broke down in the rain? Change the tire yourself, we don't have roadside service! Reimbursement for the IT guy's broadband internet? Nope, why would he need internet at home? I know one PD who pays for his voice guy out of his own pocket. The cost-cutting is bad enough and can't really get any worse. Nothing left but BODIES.

 

[TheBigA]

That's why the cheap channel corporate raiders have failed the communities they serve.

Where does it say anything about staffing? They are among the highest rated stations in their markets, and they all do a lot for the local communities. If you think they're breaking the law, then you should challenge their licenses. You seem to want a federal job program for out of work DJs. There's nothing in any FCC rules that requires such a thing. And there never has.

 

[SaltyDog]

Much like local sales managers and local GM's-now found to be a waste of $$$$ by BAIN. Fat salaries and they contribute little...they are in line to be cut too.

One of the main reasons I'm no longer IN radio is because there is little autonomy and therefore not much managing to do. I'm all for less management. I was still in my job in radio when I started thinking that if I were my own boss, I'd replace me with someone less expensive.

 

[jamesh]

That's why the cheap channel corporate raiders have failed the communities they serve.

Where does it say anything about staffing? They are among the highest rated stations in their markets, and they all do a lot for the local communities. If you think they're breaking the law, then you should challenge their licenses. You seem to want a federal job program for out of work DJs. There's nothing in any FCC rules that requires such a thing. And there never has.

Good idea-perhaps we should challenge the licences.

Anyone know how they did in OK City? Were they live and local saving lives? Were they running Seacrest while people were dying? Or did they simulcast local tv? Or was it just more Premium Chuck?

Moronic businessmen. Poor radio operators. Don't serve the community. Triple losers!

Careful Big A you may be on the list for the June RIFF-another round of koolaid if not eh?

CC WILL go bankrupt eventually. Sad but true.

 

[jamesh]

Much like local sales managers and local GM's-now found to be a waste of $$$$ by BAIN. Fat salaries and they contribute little...they are in line to be cut too.

One of the main reasons I'm no longer IN radio is because there is little autonomy and therefore not much managing to do. I'm all for less management. I was still in my job in radio when I started thinking that if I were my own boss, I'd replace me with someone less expensive.

Ha! Nice honest assessment.

If you in a CC market get what you want NOW from your workplace, audio, video-YOUR WORK and intellectual property! If you are on the list you must be escorted out. Prepare and good luck to you all.

 

[TheBigA]

Careful Big A you may be on the list for the June RIFF-another round of koolaid if not eh?

I can't be on the list of I don't work there, can I?

 

[jamesh]

Careful Big A you may be on the list for the June RIFF-another round of koolaid if not eh?

I can't be on the list of I don't work there, can I?

That is true!

 

[freqdev]

mr del colliano has an axe to grind with cc

http://www.medialifemagazine.com:8080/news2001/july01/july23/5_fri/news1friday.html

Freqdev sounds like a cc koolaid sipper. 20 plus billion in debt and lost over 420 million last year, it's a certainty Colliano made it up to keep "ax grinding". CC wouldn't layoff people-again...things are going GREAT there.

Iheart is a failure and google and Apple are getting into the radio business. Layoffs? NAH! Just an old fart with an ax to grind.
Don't worry, here's some more koolaid. CC is a worldwide "digital media company." Pittman started MTV ya know? MMMM, koolaid good....

Layoff good people? NEVER!

My guess is Freqdav is a cc employee-for how long-who knows? Watch your back, these guys will cut you!

not a cc kool aid sipper however I do know people who work for cc. you sound like cc put you out of work though so you come here to vent

 

[TheBigA]

Anyone know how they did in OK City?

The entire CC cluster went to full storm coverage (KFOR) around 2:20pm on Monday. The other groups went 15 - 20 minutes later. Using TV partners is a no brainer. They have the tools and resources to cover the tornado better than anything else. KTOK has continued with 14+ hours a day of local coverage all week. No Rush, Beck, or Hannity. I think KTOK's coverage has been really solid from the start.

 

[jamesh]

My guess is Freqdav is a cc employee-for how long-who knows? Watch your back, these guys will cut you!
[/quote]
not a cc kool aid sipper however I do know people who work for cc. you sound like cc put you out of work though so you come here to vent
[/quote]

Not in that line of work no played around with it a bit in my younger days before it long before it morphed into this mess. I have many dear friends who have suffered because of these horrible business practices. I have seen them let go for no good reason. My true career has been in accounting and I know now after digging down into the 10-q's why this is happening to talented hard working people. The math in unworkable because these private equity firms gambled and over levered. Real people I know have suffered, more are getting ready to suffer, and as a listener my opinion is the local interests aren't being served and the product is awful. CC practices should be taught in business and accounting as the precise way NOT to run a company.

How long have you worked for them?

 

[scappy]

Outside of Jerry's column, has there been any confirmation of the rumors?

 

[SaltyDog]

One of the main reasons I'm no longer IN radio is because there is little autonomy and therefore not much managing to do. I'm all for less management. I was still in my job in radio when I started thinking that if I were my own boss, I'd replace me with someone less expensive.

Ha! Nice honest assessment.

If more people did an honest assessment of their own jobs from the manager or owner's point-of-view, there wouldn't be so much shock when they are let go.

 

[jamesh]

Outside of Jerry's column, has there been any confirmation of the rumors?

Today's column titled "624 Clear Channel Layoffs Underway"

Cuts to be made in programming and operations managers-NOT SALES, names by tomorrow, all must be released from employment by end of June deadline. 4 per market.

 

[SaltyDog]

Today's column titled "624 Clear Channel Layoffs Underway"

Cuts to be made in programming and operations managers-NOT SALES, names by tomorrow, all must be released from employment by end of June deadline. 4 per market.

If it happens the way Jerry says, with managers getting an email to submit 4 names to be let go, I think I'd include my name on the list and leave my keys on the desk.