Austin Hill Gets Afternoon Show in Idaho

[brian4]

This was reported in the "KTAR Big Announcement" thread but I think the topic deserves its own discussion.

Austin Hill ("formally of KTAR-FM") joins the afternoon lineup of KIDO 580 Boise.
?

And it appears Austin will actually relocate to Boise:

http://idahoradionews.com/index.php/2009/09/21/kido-adds-local-talker-moves-beck-d-miller/

BTW, did Austin ever do a regular "market leading afternoon drive show"
on KT'R-FM? That is what's inferred in a KIDO/KFXD press release quoted
on the above site.

Did you notice who the PD of KIDO, et al, is? Former 55/FYI Dudeboss
Jason Wilmot.

I wish Austin good luck. I liked when he did Talk Soup/Talk Brew in the early 2000's. I appreciated Hill teaming with Tom Liddy until I felt the act got old. Didn't get the chance to listen when he filled in during various KTAR vacations, but he does a better job solo or with a second whom he can bounce a topic off for a quick opinion.

 

[KOHS]

While I congratatulate Austin on his new job, I can't help but feel that KTAR missed the boat on an exceptional and talented talk host. I don't have access to the ppm numbers, but I have to wonder how effective Mac y Gaydos really are for KTAR and how much better the numbers would/could be with someone like Austin Hill in pmd?

 

[DrAkbar]

Liddy & Hill on KFWhyEye were not quite as annoying as Dumber & Dumbest on KT'R. Just hope Austin doesn't think about taking another Alaskan cruise on his new job!

 

[Mark Scoon]

Actually, you don't have to imagine what Austin could produce for KT'R-FM. The guy works in Washington, DC market (or did). He's good. Go back and look at Ankarlo's show during the Spring Arbitron. In particular, look at the ppm numbers in May. Austin did nearly the entire month of May (I think it was all Hill except a day or two) and Ankarlo's show had never been more highly rated. That's why they cut Austin back to only three days a week - cuz he was rating better than Ankarlo (sources say KTAR sales staff was getting uppity about it). Ankarlo daypart continued to do well over the summer too. Truth is, "Ankarlo Mornings" did far better in Arbitron while he was out, than it ever had before.

BTW...Mac n GAYdos aren't going away. They're doing quite well.

Not saying I don't like Ankarlo. I do. He sounds pretty great given all he's been thru. I wish him well. But if anybody wants to talk ratings numbers, the numbers speak for themselves. We'll see if Ankarlo does as well as his fill-in peeps.

And another BTW...who is this blogger dude that constantly trashes Ankarlo at NewTimes?

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bastard/2009/09/darrel_ankarlo_returns_part-ti.php

I've seen this guy's writing before. As much as he wants to tell everybody that "Ankarlo hates Mexicans" and yadda yadda yadda, he's got alot of hatin' goin on for Ankarlo.

Very different from the article Hill wrote about Ancarlo in EV Trib: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/144602

 

[pattiwacki]

The first writer you mentioned is Stephen Lemons, a left wingnut who hates all conservatives. He doesn't have much credibility, he's so over the top.

 

[insidethenumbers]

Nobody on this board seems to get it. Ratings do not matter!! Nobody cares if Austin Hill got better ratings than Ancarlo or if Mac and Gaydos are horrible. Not only do ratings not matter, they are always random and arguable. These days radio is not about who is the best performer but instead who will work the cheapest. It’s all about saving money. Lowest bidder wins, and in turn, radio is now representative of the lowest level of talent. Sad but true.

 

[DrAkbar]

Nobody on this board seems to get it. Ratings do not matter!! Nobody cares if Austin Hill got better ratings than Ancarlo or if Mac and Gaydos are horrible. Not only do ratings not matter, they are always random and arguable. These days radio is not about who is the best performer but instead who will work the cheapest. It’s all about saving money. Lowest bidder wins, and in turn, radio is now representative of the lowest level of talent. Sad but true.

So let's see if we got this right - you're saying KT'R is saving money by keeping Aunt Carlos 'cause he works for less than Austin Hill? Hmmmm....the Akbarizer 3800 computer indicates a fatal system error!

 

[hdsucks]

Big talent isn't cheap. Austin does work for Fox, as well as major market stations all over the country (from DC to LA). Quality talent isn't cheap but knowing Austin he was willing to negotiate and give them something very fair. I think its just a classic case of zero budgeting the programming.

Now the quesiton I have... how in the world did a Boise station come up with the bucks. I have to assume he was looking to move up there for his family or something and cut them a sweetheart deal.

On the plus side, i think Boise is much prettier than Phoenix and the weather is more to my liking. I hope it is to his as well.

Wish him all the best!

 

[brian4]

Liddy & Hill on KFWhyEye were not quite as annoying as Dumber & Dumbest on KT'R.

Good Doctor, I disagree with you. Liddy & Hill seems forced together. I never liked when Tom Liddy YELLED INTO THE MICROPHONE! Austin Hill laughter was more like laughing just because, not because Liddy said something funny. With Mac & Gaydos, they seem like they are friends and are genuinely having fun.

BTW, I don't listen during their entire shift but do they take phone calls?

Nobody on this board seems to get it. Ratings do not matter!! Nobody cares if Austin Hill got better ratings than Ancarlo or if Mac and Gaydos are horrible. Not only do ratings not matter, they are always random and arguable. These days radio is not about who is the best performer but instead who will work the cheapest. It’s all about saving money. Lowest bidder wins, and in turn, radio is now representative of the lowest level of talent. Sad but true.

I'm a radio fan, not an insider, so I can't say what you wrote is true or not. But this doesn't explain why CBS Radio dumped Dave Pratt for Tim & Willy. Even if T&W are $1,000 cheaper, CBS is still paying Pratt to sit home.

 

[insidethenumbers]

Mack and Gaydos may be friends, but they are only entertaining each other with their contrived shtick which is insulting to the intelligent listener who wants to be informed. As for Pratt, it can get confusing to say the least, but he was not dumped for Tim and Willy. Who would ever do that after he consistently beat Tim and Willy for years? This board never fails to amaze me. The reality is that CBS corporate is now paying Pratt, relieving KMLE of his high salary during this crappy economy and replacing him with Tim and Willy’s much lower pay. It is a move to relieve local books and local budget. Either way, Pratt is on the beach sipping coconut drinks which is absurd considering all of the radio people currently struggling. Some say he has earned it. My opinion is different. Nobody should get to just sit for 2 or 3 years and make that kind of insane money. No offense to Pratt, but even The Mayor isn’t worth that kind of deal. On the other hand, it is nice to see the air talent side finally win one vs. the suits. And that is coming from a suit!

 

[brian4]

Mr. I.T.N.,

So the short answer to the Dave Pratt question is money was moved around to get him off the local payroll, which freed up KMLE to hire Tim & Willy. But somebody somewhere is paying for Pratt to golf mornings when he could be generating income for KMLE. Even if Pratt was "consistently beating Tim & Willy" in the ratings for years, some "suit" decided that instead of waiting 2 years, they'd rather make a change now and eat the costs.

Again, I'm just a radio fan. I've never worked in radio or any media source. I choose to use my real name. I could easily be Charles Goyette, Les Moonves, or just some guy sitting in my underwear pecking away at my keyboard saying I know the inner workings of radio from a talent or management perspective.