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BIG SHAKEUP AT WSBA-AM 910

C

caj012885

Guest
from DCRTV:
"" DCRTV hears that there's been a big shake-up at Cumulus news talker WSBA (910 AM) in York PA. Two Baltimore area natives have been let go. Cathy Clark, who'd been news director and a station employee for more than two decades, and Dennis Edwards, WSBA's morning co-host and a 10-year employee""

wonder if any more big changes are in the works!
 
Cathy Clark harkens back to the days of a 24/7 WSBA news operation, with reporters and anchors second to none between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. I worked with her at the Mighty 910 some 20 years ago. She's a solid reporter with great writing skills and journalistic intuition. And a damn fine person. Are those qualities no longer in demand? (That's a rhetorical question.) Hope she's back on the air soon.
 
Having worked with Cathy for ten years, I was always impressed with her devotion to delivering a quality product, accuracy, and how she worked to keep her personal feelings out of the newscast.

It's unfortunate that Cumulu$ view is that such things don't add to the balance sheet.
And that's ALL that counts to them.

Sad, very sad.
 
Well, it's been several months now, and 'SBA sounds absolutely NO better than when they ditched their talent, in fact it seems worse. Stale, tired, boringly know-it-all, with those familiar stuttering sports reports and a "heavy" dose of Horn & Sutton all the time. They can't possibly be making much ad revenue. Other stations have all their breaks covered while 'SBA is STILL running a lot of PSA's to cover slots.

The Appel family should be embarrassed that they ever sold these stations to Cumulus, as they have steadily fired/shafted people and in turn the effectiveness and profitability of the stations in that building. All in teh name of a dollar......pathetic.
 
Does anybody recall the radio powerhouse that WSBA once was? I had the opportunity of having worked in the news department starting back in 1975. The legends and my mentors were Bill Shephard (news director), Ed Wickenheiser, Robert Markham (died in a plane crash in the early 80's), Ron Corbin (now sports director at KYW, Phila.), Bob Shipley and Chandra Phillips to just name a few. Wow...those were some great days at the MIGHTY 910 and wonderful people to work with. I miss them all! Best of luck to Dennis Edwards and Cathy Clark. I wish the best for the both of you.
 
When I was growing up in the 60's-70's and even into the 80's, when the sky turned dark or you heard a big boom, you turned on the Mighty 910. You KNEW they'd be on it. Not anymore. The news dept is a skeleton of its former self and they won't break out of programming for weather. I remember in '99 I was literally being chased down the East Berlin Rd by a tornado and had to go to WHP to get info, and they did a helluva job. WSBA was in O's pregame. Now, when the sky turns dark, I go to channel 8. Not 27 or 21 or 43--8, because they DO break into programming and go long form weather. Again, a tornado was on the ground near my house in 2003, and 8 was the only one on it. They've earned their reputation. WSBA has lost theirs. Hence the 2 or 3 share they pull. No my station isn't there yet, but it IS a goal.
 
I respectfully disagree. I think WSBA still does a respectable job covering
local news and information. They have adapted to the changes in the
radio landscape which have been rapid over the past decade.
This is an everchanging business and bottom line is if your not running
a cost effective operation you wont be in business. I traveled to major
markets in the past several years LA, NY, CHI, etc. and its no different
in those markets times have changed and either you learn to adapt to it
or you go by the wayside. Plain & Simple its dollars and cents that matter
and how much you have left after payin the bills that count not how many
you have on your staff. Its just the nature of broadcasting in this day in age.
 
And I respect your respectful disagreement. ;D But there is a difference between a "a decent job" and a "powerhouse, as the original poster put it. WGAL 8 is a news powerhouse. 21, 27, and 43 all do a decent job. 8 is the powerhouse because they put news first. They'll break into programming for big stuff. 1st w/Doppler. 1st w/satellite truck. Etc. WSBA does news but they don't have that kind of commitment anymore. They may insert something during a scheduled break, but I think the only radio news that sort of rises to "powerhouse" in the area is WHP 580--and they now lean on WGAL 8 for much of the content, but at least it's there.
 
The SBA news department took a big hit in September- two people cut. The survivors are doing the best they can, since they have multiple responsibilities, in addition to covering about 18 local newscasts a day. Remember, they read this message board too. You do the best you can with the resources you have. They are great guys who work very hard.
 
Oh I'm don't mean to knock the people in the trenches there----it's just corporate dismantling things that took decades to build.....
 
Let's see....maybe Bobby D. could program all 4 stations...plus do "York's Morning News"....as well as PM drive om WARM and voicetracked nights on SOX. Just a guess.
 
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