As a former radio rat I like to peek in on the conversations here from time to time. Along the way I have learned most of those posting are pissed off, out-of-work jocks who long for the good old days of radio. How else can you explain that a company is actually hiring people yet still gets criticized for the equipment they have? How else can you explain the vitriol aimed at a company (Clear Channel) that is owned by the most notorious venture capital firm in history? Folks, there are a few things you should know:
1) Bain Capital doesn't want to own Clear Channel. They want to SELL Clear Channel but can't find a buyer to assume the enormous debt. Until something sorts itself out, Clear Channel will continue to trim where they can....payroll. There's really nothing else to cut. Local management hates it, the employees hate it, but at least they are still employed. That's what companies like Bain Capital do. Get over it.
2) Family companies like Curtis only invest in capital items when they need to. Given the choice of new studios or keeping people employed they typically choose the people. That's how most family businesses operate. Unlike public companies that pass along equipment purchases to the shareholders or investors, family operators write the checks themselves. Those checks come from the same place as payroll checks, the owner's bank account. Last I heard, Curtis was holding off some pretty big competitors in the Triangle, so I have to assume their model works.
3) Unless the people still working at Clear Channel, Curtis, CBS, Entercom, Radio One, Capitol or anywhere else for that matter are being held against their will they are probably not posting here. I'm guessing they're pretty darn grateful to still be earning a paycheck in radio.
4) The radio inustry has shown zero growth since 1999. Folks, that's 14 years. Of course, things will have to change in the way stations operate. Most every other industry from autos to airlines to retail have gone through major adjustments. Why not give credit to those in radio still making an effort rather than criticize because they don't operate like it's 1999 or1969.
Thanks for letting me weigh in. I have no dog in this fight.
1) Bain Capital doesn't want to own Clear Channel. They want to SELL Clear Channel but can't find a buyer to assume the enormous debt. Until something sorts itself out, Clear Channel will continue to trim where they can....payroll. There's really nothing else to cut. Local management hates it, the employees hate it, but at least they are still employed. That's what companies like Bain Capital do. Get over it.
2) Family companies like Curtis only invest in capital items when they need to. Given the choice of new studios or keeping people employed they typically choose the people. That's how most family businesses operate. Unlike public companies that pass along equipment purchases to the shareholders or investors, family operators write the checks themselves. Those checks come from the same place as payroll checks, the owner's bank account. Last I heard, Curtis was holding off some pretty big competitors in the Triangle, so I have to assume their model works.
3) Unless the people still working at Clear Channel, Curtis, CBS, Entercom, Radio One, Capitol or anywhere else for that matter are being held against their will they are probably not posting here. I'm guessing they're pretty darn grateful to still be earning a paycheck in radio.
4) The radio inustry has shown zero growth since 1999. Folks, that's 14 years. Of course, things will have to change in the way stations operate. Most every other industry from autos to airlines to retail have gone through major adjustments. Why not give credit to those in radio still making an effort rather than criticize because they don't operate like it's 1999 or1969.
Thanks for letting me weigh in. I have no dog in this fight.
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