Brother Wease Off The Air Pending Contract Talks.

[JohnGault]

Music Shows that bring in big ratings don't have leverage. Talk shows do.

Boneheaded managers often think they can replace heritage jocks with anybody and if the station brand and format are strong enough, they won't take a huge hit. Often they are right, and the talent bringing in the "huge" ratings were not essential.

Talk Hosts are different. Show me the huge line of talk hosts that brought in huge ratings and were turfed. Name one, I dare anybody. Great ratings, original talk show, just cast aside.

If you know anything about what happened with Howie Carr (also involving Entercom) you will know that they do not want to pay one thin dime more than that talent can make across the street, but they will do ANYTHING, even go to court and don't care how harsh it makes them look, to keep that talent on their station.

That's the difference between WEAZES situation and what you guys are talking about.

I know, you are speaking out of empathy for radio brethren who've been mistreated, and somehow you seem to wish this calamity on WEASE, but you are non informed.

It's just Bidness.

If WEAZE has across the street options, he is in the drivers seat.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Wease ain't got across the street options. CC ain't buyin', they're sellin', and nobody's excited about investing in Rochester.

Entercom will have to bite the bullet on Wease now, or a few years from now. I don't think that they'll spend a couple of million in salary and benefits to postpone that day.

 

[Element9]

If WEAZE has across the street options, he is in the drivers seat.

Daddy used to tell us boys, "If ifs and buts was candy 'n nuts, it'd be Christmas every day." IF. Biggest damn word in the dictionary.

IF Wease has across the street options, you're right, John, Wease has options. For exactly the reasons cited. They don't want to give him the cash, but they'll pay him NOT to be on the competition. Perfect example using that bloated d-bag Howie Carr at Entercom's AM clunker in Boston. (BTW, I categorically reject your assessment of being "non-informed," the posters here are far more astute than most.) There is no indication from knowledgeable sources that Wease has ANY "across the street options."

Now then, anything is possible... Clear Channel could have something on the table, implied or real. They could be watching this thing unfold with glee just waiting to make their move. Rather cloak and dagger, no? But if CC has something working, I will bet the key to the executive washroom that it's nowhere near the amount of cash Wease gets now, reportedly mid six figures. For Wease to have leverage, he needs to have an offer for the same amount of cash or more waiting for him. Anything less, no leverage.

At the risk speaking for other posters here, we do not hate Wease, we do not hate that he makes mid six figures (crazy as that is for a market the size of Rochester.) If ARS-CBS or whoever the hell was running the pop stand ten years ago was throwing around that kind of money around when they did the deal, who wouldn't take it.

Visited the D&C website and read the Wease comments blog. Phew. Ugly. And rather illiterate...

But I digress.

I kinda feel bad for the Wease. Poor bastard is really getting skewered... but what's worse, he's violated the cardinal rule of negotiating: When trying to get out of a ditch, rule number one is to stop digging. And please, SHUT UP. Don't whine. Don't text. Don't post. Talk to no one but your attorney. Don't keep your fans "up to date." Sooner or later, the light will come on and he'll realize it's not 1998 and the playing field has changed dramatically.

Rochester ain't Boston and (thankfully) Wease ain't Howie Carr.

-9-

 

[Steven21]

I keep reading about this "mid six-figure" salary that Wease is being paid.

Are we talking mid-six as in the neighborhood of $500,000, give or take?

I have moocho problema believing that figure.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Unbelievable

Sources say that Wease is making over $400K+. I, too, find that hard to believe.

 

[JohnGault]

I did just read the D & C blogs.

I think Element9 put it best:

"Seven pages, pro and con, and everybody knows the guy's name. That's what it's all about. Love him or hate him, like Rush Limbaugh, everybody knows the name."

The Negative Nancy's on THIS board should realize that the controversy on THAT board proves the guy is HUGE in Rochester. When everyone talks about you like that you are a necessity.

I'll wager he has at least one or 2 offers for equal or better money. Time will tell. I haven't seen WEAZE talk at all too much, in fact he is being very coy. He's saying just the right things. EVERYONE ELSE is talking about him.

Pop Quiz A: What does WCMF bill annually?
Pop Quiz B: What will they likely bill without Wease?

The difference is what this all comes down to, and it's way more than you think.

 

[Adman4120]

Hello...Even though I sometimes post on the Utica board because I'm from that area, I find the Wease situation very interesting since my wife is from Brockport and we visit the Rochester area frequently. My sife obviously remembers listening to Wease and we are both 53 years old.

Since I have never heard Wease I do not have any comments, but do have a couple of questions that I'm sure most of you can answer for me.

I guess my main question would be.........Is Wease still attracting the listeners he's had from many years ago? And, since he is not getting any younger, has he been able to attract demos under 40, if, that's a demo his station is trying to maintain and grow? And is Rochester a market that really cares (I don't mean this in a bad way) if a personality is not on anymore, or are they more concerned about the music and promotions?

It seems to me that in some markets listeners fall in love with on air talent and will not listen again if they are gone, but in some markets, especially smaller markets, that does not seem to be totally true.

All I can say is that I feel terrible if anyone on air gets released or not renewed with a contract if they are doing the job. It sure isn't the same business like when I was on air many years ago. I'm sure many of you can attest to that. I'm happy I got into the agency and consulting field and just dabble on one of our local stations doing play-by-play. I think the stress level of today, never knowing from one day to another if I am going to get fired, would lead to an early health problem.

Thanks everyone for listening. I look forward to all replys

 

[shoreman]

Has anyone given any thought to this whole thing being a radio bit. I mean , after all , this is a morning radio show we're talking about . Once upon a time a time the Wease was different than most morning radio shows . Thats not so these days . Don't you think that if Entercom was serious about letting Wease go they wouldn't allow all the talk about Wease on the show as well as play worst of the Wease ? Hell , they still call the show Radio Free Wease . I'm betting he'll be back Monday morning after a nice vacation .

 

[therealjm12]

The question is not how much Wease is making. The question is how much money his show is making. I know a lot of Wease's money comes from personal appearances, private clients, a lot of extra stuff. He doesn't cruise through all this, he works hard for his money . So if the station is doing the billing, I have no problem with Wease making 6 figures - and I think the half million is really bloated.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Controversy

"Seven pages, pro and con, and everybody knows the guy's name. That's what it's all about. Love him or hate him, like Rush Limbaugh, everybody knows the name."

The Negative Nancy's on THIS board should realize that the controversy on THAT board proves the guy is HUGE in Rochester. When everyone talks about you like that you are a necessity.

I'll wager he has at least one or 2 offers for equal or better money. Time will tell. I haven't seen WEAZE talk at all too much, in fact he is being very coy. He's saying just the right things. EVERYONE ELSE is talking about him.

Pop Quiz A: What does WCMF bill annually?
Pop Quiz B: What will they likely bill without Wease?

The difference is what this all comes down to, and it's way more than you think.

With half the posts on the Rochester board leaning toward the "he's old, boring, and I don't listen anymore" variety, I don't see how you determine that "he's a necessity"?

As far as "offers for equal or better money" are concerned - from WHOM? Just who do you think is willing to pay him $400K+ per year? $300K+ per year? $200K+ per year?

Would losing Wease hurt 'CMF in the short run? Yes. Would retaining Wease hurt 'CMF in the long run? Maybe. 'CMF, like most Classic Rockers, is on the cusp of reinventing itself, or going the way of the dinosaurs. The audience is aging, and - like Oldies stations - getting closer to that 55+ cutoff where advertisers don't care if you're listening or not. Wease is NOT going to bring new blood to the station, and the old blood is getting ready for Geritol.

Will Wease be back on 'CMF? Probably, because he has no other viable alternative. Will he take a huge pay cut? Undoubtedly, because the suits at Entercom aren't stupid, and have to pay for their recent acquisitions.

Is it a radio stunt? No, I'm sure Wease doesn't consider it a stunt, and is carefully evaluating the response - which is why he decided to shut up after originally promising to "keep everyone informed". The public response has not been as positive as he hoped. His "return" might produce a bump in the first trend of the Winter book. If he decides to stay on the sidelines beyond the first trend, Entercom will have a new morning show in place, and he - and his posse - will be collecting $405/week (maximum) working for the State Dept. of Labor.

Wease had 10 years at $400K+. He's in his '60s, and he has had serious health problems. Hopefully, he was smart enough to invest his windfall wisely, and is financially prepared for the future, because "the future is now".

 

[Radknowski]

"Seven pages, pro and con, and everybody knows the guy's name. That's what it's all about. Love him or hate him, like Rush Limbaugh, everybody knows the name."

A lot of people knew who Josef Stalin and Jeffrey Dahmer were as well. Name recognition is wonderful, but it doesn't mean that much if it doesn't bring listeners to the station.

I'll wager he has at least one or 2 offers for equal or better money.

Let's see, there's Clear Channel and who else in the market? How would Wease sound doing urban at WDKX? Nope. Not at $450k per year. No way. I'll bet if Clear Channel wants to get in, they won't go into a bidding war. Why should they? If anything, they may have said, "We'd love to have you do mornings on the Fox and our offer is $125k a year. Let us know if you're interested." Even that might be a stretch because the future ownership of Clear Channel's Rochester radio properties is uncertain.

I'll bet the morning show at and management at 97 Rock is watching the WCMF-Wease scenario unfold with great interest, especially because the Regional VP at Citadel's Buffalo stations came from WCMF.

Roxalot makes a very good point about Classic Rock getting old and nearing the threshold of advertsing agencies' ambivilence, if not disdain. Entercom may be of the opinion that a change is going to occur one way or another, so why not make it now and get on with the process of re-making the station.

Checking with the D&C blog pages, it appears the posts are evenly split. Among those that don't like Wease, many seem to be former listeners who've had their fill of his act. Another thing, many posters mention Dave Kane favorably and a few even suggested WCMF should bring Kane-O back for mornings if Wease and Entercom don't come to terms.

Could it be that Entercom told Wease to take a good hard look at the ratings of two other Entercom stations, WBEE and The Buzz and offered him a salary comparable to that of the morning guy on its market leading Country station, WBEE?

 

[SirRoxalot]

Could it be that Entercom told Wease to take a good hard look at the ratings of two other Entercom stations, WBEE and The Buzz and offered him a salary comparable to that of the morning guy on its market leading Country station, WBEE?

OUCH! That would STING!

 

[JohnGault]

Uhhh. WEASES ratings are #1 Men 25-54 and he's huge in many other demo breakouts as well.

You NEVER know who is about to do what here.

It is about the ad revenue anyway. Since no one on this board knows what CMF bills, I will try to find out for you.

Whatever it is, WEASE is likely responsible for at least half. So if it is 5 million, he could cost them 2.5 million by leaving.

 

[JohnGault]

One other thing... Classic Rock and Oldies are making a huge resurgence- far from declining, many operators are realizing that diaries have undercounted baby boomer male formats. That is why these formats (thought to be out of favor or declining) are growing all across the country. You'd have to know a little about radio beyond Rochester to get that but that's what's happening.

25 year olds wear AC/DC T-shirts. Baby Boomers will eventually decline, but it ain't happenin yet.

Sad to see so many jealous negative people knocking talent. Are you really rooting for the uber-rich consolidators to kick WEASE's ass?

Wonder what kind of people do that?

 

[SirRoxalot]

Half a Loaf

John, you look at it as an all-or-nothing proposition regarding Wease and revenues. It has been proven repeatedly that it ain't so. NOBODY is irreplaceable.

Everybody gets replaced eventually. If Entercom comes up with a viable alternative, Wease's leaving will cost them some audience in the short run, but not all of the audience, or all of the revenue. NOBODY has 15% of the audience, which means that at least 85% of the audience is already elsewhere. A new morning show may lose some of Wease's audience, but pick up new audience to replace them, possibly in a younger and more desireable demographic.

You talk about Men 25-54. I'd wager a Robert Hall suit that the numbers are heavily 45-54, and maybe even 50-54. That leaves a lot of room for growth in the lower half of the demo. As far as Wease being responsible for half the ad revenue is concerned - even a twice the rate of other dayparts, he only has so many minutes per hour for his show, and only so many days in the week. I doubt that's the case.

Wease managed to extract a golden goose in his last contract. Entercom doesn't deal with fairy tales. Facts are facts, and Wease hasn't got the leverage he had last time. BTW, I'd LOVE to have somebody kick my ass by offering me $150K+. It sure beats selling $4.95 subscriptions to a text mail service.

 

[BJC]

How many of us thought we were going to be missed when we left a station or when we fired a jock, only to find out that the public forgets in about 2 to 3 hours. At one station I worked at the boss told us to tell any callers that the guy died and the family didn't want us to talk about it on the air.....it worked on the 10 people who called ....

 

[Element9]

How many of us thought we were going to be missed when we left a station or when we fired a jock, only to find out that the public forgets in about 2 to 3 hours. At one station I worked at the boss told us to tell any callers that the guy died and the family didn't want us to talk about it on the air.....it worked on the 10 people who called ....

Made me laugh. It's so... uh... just like a radio GM would do. Funny for about five seconds. Then I came to my senses. I would have told the GM, "That line only works for departed GM's..." Radio is such a smarmy business.

-9-

 

[JohnGault]

Those who argue WEASE has less leverage have no idea about the dollars and keep saying the same things over and over about being overpaid but finally getting caught.

Really uneducated stuff.

Uhh.. everybody gets replaced eventually. Duh.

When a #1 Talk Show host leaves and it usually costs the company millions in lost revenue. That's why they are "overpaid" (sic) Even though the baby boomer demo is aging, it is still the richest demo with the most money to spend. Advertisers have to work harder for younger demos, because they ARE NOT LISTENING TO RADIO!!!

You guys are also thinking about disk jockeys who might be comfortable to listen to but basically host a hard drive filled with tested music. They are ALL replacable, and ENTERCOM has replaced them. The RADIO STATION hosted by local personalities playing music is in steep decline.

Do you see huge articles, tv clips, controversy, blogs,and back and forth about that? No. Because, as you say, no one cares for even 10 minutes.

A talk show is different, and talk show hosts who are resposible for giant billing get paid like sports figures.

Since none of you have talked about the money, I assume none of you understand the business. You're putting way too much emotion into it, mostly because you are jealous of a big salary (I can hear the denial in your responses already, but search your heart Luke, you know it to be true).

I am not guaranteeing you that WEASE has the upper hand. I am just saying that at that level, talent usually has another option (It doesn't necessarily have to be CLEAR CHANNEL). Entercom has to spin off some stations, so even if WEASE sat awhile someone would pay him real dough to come back. He can afford to wait, and even if he takes a little time off, his show is unique to Rochester and will do well.

As to the 15% vs 85% statement, that's irrelevant. It is about BILLING. Oddly, lots of stations have numbers but not the billing to match. In one market I know a station with a strong morning show bills more than double one that has similar ratings for a "JUKEBOX".

Note that ENTERCOM has publicly said they expect and hope to do a deal and have WEASE back on the air soon. They are not always this nice (trust me). They want him.

 

[yugoidar]

Those who argue WEASE has less leverage have no idea about the dollars and keep saying the same things over and over about being overpaid but finally getting caught.

And the one guy who thinks WEASE has some leverage keeps saying the same things over and over.  Gault, I think you just like to see your words in print.  You have added little to nothing substantive to the issue in several posts now.

If you really think that there's some station/company in town where WEASE's act fits and they're willing to pay him the kind of money he's supposedly used to, why don't you fill us in?  Name names and let's talk about that.

Most of the posters here, whether inside or outside of the radio business, just don't seem to see it.  Not from a "fit (style)" or "financial" point of view.  The reality of the situation is that there just aren't many, or maybe, any options.

As far as your point about articles and TV clips for "disk jockeys", I believe Pete Kennedy, Dave Kane, Deano and Marc Cronin's sacking a few weeks back was covered adequately by the D & C and local television.

Further, I disagree with you on another point.  I know a few of the people who post on this board and believe me, they are bright, experienced, longtime veterans who have a very clear understanding of today's radio business.  Frankly, it appears, more of an understanding than you seem to exhibit.

 

[BJC]

No on the air personality has the upper hand when he is OFF THE AIR