Brother Wease Off The Air Pending Contract Talks.

[SirRoxalot]

What's the Alternative?

John, just where do you think those listeners will go if Wease isn't re-signed? If they go to another Entercom station, like BEE, Buzz, PXY, The Zone, or even Fickle, it's a net win for Entercom.

Clear Channel won't pay more than Entercom, and nobody else can afford to pay more than Entercom in the Rochester market. It ain't jealousy, it's business. Whether it's good business in the long run or not is debatable, but that's the way it is right now in radio. It's a very short-run business, and there's no credible threat to 'CMF. 'CMF doesn't have to have Wease to be better than The Fox.

 

[Radknowski]

Hey John, with no ill-will or malice aforethought intended: Are you a friend of or attorney for Wease?

I ask only because it seems that you continue to insist that Wease has the upper hand in this imbroglio with Entercom. I've read all the posts here and on the D&C site. There are many good ones that defend the man as well as those that oppose him.

You insist that "talk show hosts" have leverage. They do, but only to the extent that the station and managers for whom they work like and appreciate their work and their contribution to the station.

Apparently, Mr. Doyle and Entercom appreciate Wease, but not at $450k per year. Maybe they appreciate him at $200k a year... maybe far less than tat. If they appreciated Wease for what his past contract was worth, it's likely he'd still be on the air, because parties in or near agreement work through their differences in good faith.

From where I view this tug-o-war, Wease' pull has diminished substantually. I read the remarks of radio vets and owners like Fybush and Savage in the D&C article. They offer realistic and unbiased views of the situation.

 

[shoreman]

Ok all you radio insiders , do you really think that Entercom would allow all the contract talk as well as the Wease drops and Wease call ins if they weren't sure that Wease will be back ? He will be back real soon and all the TV stations and the D&C will do a big story on it bringing them lots of free publicity .This is morning radio

 

[JohnGault]

""""You insist that "talk show hosts" have leverage. They do, but only to the extent that the station and managers for whom they work like and appreciate their work and their contribution to the station.""""

Ha. You live in FANTASYLAND. Like? Appreciate?

No. Wrong. Completely false. Their leverage is about billing. Especially so with Wall Street companies. Most of the debate here has been about EGO.

I am not an agent or lawyer, though I'll take that as a compliment. Though I lean towards rooting for talent, I probably know David Field as well as I know WEASE.

"""""""""it seems that you continue to insist that Wease has the upper hand in this imbroglio with Entercom. I've read all the posts here and on the D&C site. There are many good ones that defend the man as well as those that oppose him.""""""""

You should learn to read with more comprehension. WEASE would have NO upper hand if he didn't have another bidder, as I've said. At this level it is likely he does. It is also something he would keep close to the vest. I do have great admiration for Wease, but he doesn't need my help. I am neither defending or opposing him, just helping you understand how this works. The controversy is good for both parties if WEAZE stays. WCMF bills huge money in Rochester largely because of WEASE. Entercom can't lose that business, othwise why buy CMF after all, when they have to spin off other stations to stay within FCC limits? (Most of you posting have no idea about this angle). The jocks they could jettison, as Classic Rock fans are there mostly for the music. Lose your talk morning show, and at least half the station billing goes with it, in his case I hear it is more than half.

I have not predicted a winner or loser. It really comes down to how you define winning and losing.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Speaking of Reading...

You should learn to read with more comprehension. WEASE would have NO upper hand if he didn't have another bidder, as I've said. At this level it is likely he does.

You keep saying that, yet decline to identify who that other bidder might be. C'mon, John, give us a clue.

I am neither defending or opposing him, just helping you understand how this works. The controversy is good for both parties if WEAZE stays. WCMF bills huge money in Rochester largely because of WEASE. Entercom can't lose that business, othwise why buy CMF after all, when they have to spin off other stations to stay within FCC limits? (Most of you posting have no idea about this angle).

Mr. Gault, you may wish to put aside your copy of "The Virtue of Selfishness" for a few minutes and read some of the other threads on this board. The fact that Entercom has to spin off stations has been discussed at length.

Entercom will bill huge money in Rochester with or without Wease. If it comes from 'CMF, OK. If it comes from their other stations, that's OK too. Once again, they don't have to have Wease to get the 25-54 male numbers that they have now. They just have to have somebody better than the competition. In fact, the discussion on the D&C is not running in Wease's favor. There are considerably more detractors than backers there.

The jocks they could jettison, as Classic Rock fans are there mostly for the music. Lose your talk morning show, and at least half the station billing goes with it, in his case I hear it is more than half.

You'd better check your sources. It ain't half the billing, and not all of it would go away if they put a decent morning show on in place of Wease. They might even improve in some demos over the long run.

 

[JohnGault]

Sir Roxalot seems to speak with some authority on the virtues of corporate downsizing.

Mr. Gault, you may wish to put aside your copy of "The Virtue of Selfishness" for a few minutes and read some of the other threads on this board. The fact that Entercom has to spin off stations has been discussed at length.

Yes it is has been, but most people posting about WEASE have no understanding of it. It makes all of this a little more interesting.

Entercom will bill huge money in Rochester with or without Wease. If it comes from 'CMF, OK. If it comes from their other stations, that's OK too. Once again, they don't have to have Wease to get the 25-54 male numbers that they have now. They just have to have somebody better than the competition. In fact, the discussion on the D&C is not running in Wease's favor. There are considerably more detractors than backers there.

The ZERO SUM argument sounds like typical bad management. We'll just get more of that 100% share some other way. I hope you aren't in charge. As I've said, there is a huge difference between what one kind of show bills and another. Ratings do not always equal billing. RELATIONSHIPS with sponsors and between talent and audience are what advertisers increasingly value, and it is part of why Radio is in trouble and declining. Listen to Tom Petty's song "THE LAST DJ" and how about a moment of silence for all those other voices already silenced, huh?

As to detractors and backers on a small bulletin board, please don't bore me. Just as a few people in Idaho or New Hampshire don't represent the US, those who post are not at all a representative sample of anything. They are individuals who are expressing their opinion. It's a random public discourse, not a poll or rating. Please tell me you are a little brighter than that. All they prove is that WEASE is TOP OF MIND. Not a bad place to be, in this situation, if he handles it correctly.

This comes down to BILLING, and OPTIONS. My sense is that you know it too. As to improving demos over the long run, that's the funniest part of your post. If you are in Radio or even know anything about radio, you know that NOBODY is doing things to pay off in THE LONG RUN. Everything is short term thinking and quarterly numbers.

That's why they are fighting so hard to cut costs, so they can stop the bleeding. Have you seen ENTERCOM's STOCK PRICE lately? Please, you seem to know a few things, you must know that.

Even though these guys have huge profit margins, and got real FAT in the 90's, they can't grow revenue. They need existing cash cows, and will cut everything they can to the bone.

So let's be clear. ENTERCOM will fight tooth and nail to pay less, and they have every right to. If WEASE had no options and/or wanted to take it, he would. At heart he's a thoughtful honest humble guy with a big ego, but never dumb. In that sense he is in the drivers seat. If they think for a minute he is gone, they will pony up. They have to.

We may never know what really happens. That would be the most professional outcome.

 

[Bob1370]

I think ir was Sor RoxALot who sais earlier in this thread, "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. "

Big question here is, what IS their viable alternative? Rover already crashed and burned. Opie and Anthony aren't getting traction anywhere as a morning act, so moving them from afternoons on the Zone won't do CMF any good. Mancow even wore out in his home market. Imus? Not a chance, too expensive for the market and skews too old to match Wease's audience profile, his audience profiles more like Chet and Beth's on WHAM. So, not much available in the way of national syndication that'll be any help. (And Stern, if he were still in broadcast radio, wouldn't do much either, because Wease always clobbered him when they went head to head.) And who among the current local hosts that CMF hasn't already canned, could step in and connect with the kind of audience Wease does, as well as he does it? Each of the successful hosts in town aims for a whole different target, and they're all smart enough not to try to be something they aren't.

Ironically, CMF's best plan B was already tossed out the door when they canned Dave Kane, and their second best got away when they dumped Pete Kennedy from PXY...so right now there's not much in house, at least no one with proven chops at carrying a morning talk show for 25-54 men. If Wease goes for good, they're left without their #1 cash cow in the whole cluster and left with the job of trying to recruit and develop a whole new morning show. It doesn't seem reasonable to assume the current advertisers on the show, who bought Wease specifically because of who he was and who he brought to the station as listeners, will just hang in there paying anything close to the current rates while whatever new show they try gets a chance to prove itself. Can WCMF's brass afford to watch a lot of their current revenue base walk away while they try to rebuild their mornings, with no guarantee that what they eventually come up with will ever bring enough of the audience back to make it all pay?

Stations usually try to plan ahead for any possibility, including the loss of key talent, by developing as strong a bench as possible. CMF should have been starting to think about an eventual Wease-less future when he got sick a couple of years ago, or even beforehand, and started developing someone to take over if and when he retired. Maybe at one point under CBS ownership they had such a succession plan. But a lot of the bench strength CBS and earlier owners (Sconnix, ARS et.al) built, got cut with the latest ownership change and now...well, now what?

Clear Channel gave Entercom a bit of a break in that it wasted an opportunity to start building up the strength of its cluster because of all the distraction of its own ownership changes and staff cuts nationally. So now, there could soon be a lot of young and middle aged men in prime demo groups without a station to call home, and ripe for the picking by whoever winds up with any full market coverage station that comes on the market. I'm not as certain as some other folks, that many of these people will wind up with any other Entercom station. WBEE , Buzz 98.9 and 98 PXY are all much more music-intensive, PXY is fighting with WDKX for 12-34s (and currently not winning that battle) and isn't even trying for adult men 35-54. WBEE skews a lot more female 25-54, like most modern country stations do. Buzz 98.9 could pick up a FEW of CMF's listeners but its morning show also sounds like it's a lot more female-skewing in appeal than CMF, so it can't really try for Wease's people without losing a lot of what it already has. Using the rest of the Entercom group to try to hold Wease's people, then, is a strategy with a lot more downside than upside....not to mention that it assumes CMF might whither to little more than stick value. Maybe a few will wind up with WHAM by default, although just as many outside the core city area will try out of market stations like 97 Rock, and others will float around or sign up for Sirius, and even more will just fire up their CD decks and iPods and join the legions who are bidding broadcast radio goodbye.

Wease wasn't going to last forever at WCMF, no personality's immortal. Planning should have been done for that eventuality a long time ago, and maybe CBS did, but that plan's now out the door along with CBS itself in the Rochester market. And it's interesting, to say the least, that their successor's running the risk of opening a huge void in the cluster's revenue base with no clear plan for replenishing it...especially at a time when one of their other principal cash cows (Warm 101.3) HAS to be divested. Not a perfect storm business-wise, but the closest thing to it we've seen in the Rochester radio game in a while.

 

[x13thfloorrand]

Less with much less

I've always read in years past that Brother Wease VERY MUCH wanted to be syndicated; a brief effort to have a show in Buffalo on an equally brief attempt at FM Talk , after his normal morning show in Rochester. This could have developed into something, but it turned out to be 7 hours of the Brotha, which is just a long-a$$ time.

What about either a reduced offer in just Rochester or a slightly increased offer, and Wease gets some luv in the 'Cuse and Buffalo, maybe on the Lake?
This may save some cash to other properties that Entercom has upstate.

All parties are spot on regarding the stock price of Entercomm, it's pretty awful. Low Teens at last check. Last year in Jan, it was over 28
So, yes, shareholders and their needs have to be factored in.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Staring Contest

Mr. Gault - if that's your real name and not selected from among Ayn Rand's characters - you seem to have a vested interest in Wease's future. I suspect that you've represented his point of view quite well.

I am not in Entercom management, nor am I in favor of downsizing. If you've read this board for any length of time, you'll find that I've posted numerous times in favor of more live and local content, not less. I believe that it's the salvation of radio in face of the challenges from MP3s, satellite, WiFi radio, and other jukebox delivery systems.

I'm also aware of what morning people with similar ratings to Wease are making in comparable or even larger markets, and it's a LOT less than Wease's last contract. Times are different. Wease can't afford to retire, he doesn't have the alternatives that he had 10 years ago, and the other possible suitors aren't willing to get into a bidding war.

We seem to have the two sides of the arguement well defined. I guess we'll just have to wait to see who blinks first. I'm betting that David Field's pockets are deeper than Wease's.

 

[nytalkin]

I think this syas it all..............www.boblonsberry.com/writings.cfm?go=4

 

[Radknowski]

""""You insist that "talk show hosts" have leverage. They do, but only to the extent that the station and managers for whom they work like and appreciate their work and their contribution to the station."""" Ha. You live in FANTASYLAND. Like? Appreciate?

Didn't realize somebody as bright and knowledgeable as you would miss what was intended by the words "like" and "appreciate." As in, "we like that you're #1, 25-54 Persons" and "appreciate that your show accounts for 33 per cent of the station's billing." My bad, I guess.

I am not an agent or lawyer, though I'll take that as a compliment. Though I lean towards rooting for talent, I probably know David Field as well as I know WEASE.

I'm impressed. Sounds like something a sales person with multiple annuals tied to Wease would write.

You should learn to read with more comprehension.

My comprehension is fine. What's next, we start posting SAT scores here? Maybe initials after our names so we more resemble the guy on WGR who's fond of telling interviewers he's a member of Mensa? Pass.

WEASE would have NO upper hand if he didn't have another bidder, as I've said. At this level it is likely he does.

And I say it's likely he doesn't. You may be stone cold, dead nuts on the money. But until I hear or read RVP Michael Doyle's press release that says "Entercom is pleased to announce that we've renewed our deal with Alan 'Wease' Levin at the same level of compensation..." I ain't buyin'. Nyet!

Seen or heard any word leaking from Clear Channel that they're interested in the guy for mid-six figures? Kinda quiet on the Western Front so far.

So where's the leverage coming from? NY? Philly? The Western New York Wease Radio Network?

Please, enlighten us. We await.

The guy may be an institution of sorts in Rochester, but he couldn't get arrested in Buffalo when he did two hours a day on WBUF and it's likely his act isn't quite ready for NY, Philly or LA. He's got serious cash flow problems that everybody's heard about. Hell, he talked about his six figure yacht being re-po'd on the air!

Does that sound like a guy who's got leverage? No, it sound slike a guy who's got one foot in bankruptcy court and the other on a banana peel. I'll give him mad props for enduring and beating cancer and surviving Nam.

So I'm sayin' he's got nothin but wishes. He will go back to work for Entercom because there's no place else in Rochester to go at his current rate of compensation.

Entercom's trying to unload three FM's in rochester. Buyers ain't lining up. Same for Clear Channel's radio cluster there. You don't have to tell me these are dire times not only in Rochester, but throughout the business. I read Barons and The WSJ, too.

Roxalot, as usual, nails it. David Field has deeper pockets and also owns the transmitter and the sandbox. If Wease wants to play in it, David will be happy to let him, but not at $450+k a year for ten years.

Not. Even. Close.

And regarding Lonsberry's endorsement? Yeesh. Well, I guess that seals the deal. No doubt Entercom's been swayed by that testimonial.

 

[JohnGault]

Rox A Lot,

I am impressed that you got the Ayn Rand reference even though it was intentionally mispelled. I hereby withdraw my earlier digs at your intelligence. Clearly you do read.

A lot is happening to Radio right now that few who are in it are paying attention to.

If you've read this board for any length of time, you'll find that I've posted numerous times in favor of more live and local content, not less. I believe that it's the salvation of radio in face of the challenges from MP3s, satellite, WiFi radio, and other jukebox delivery systems.

That's a popular myth. The truth is that there is no salvation for the business model, and that live and local is being redefined by YouTube, MySpace, and instant messaging. Local is "I'm right behind you making a video of us on my cell phone camera". It's not giving a pair of passes away to John from "insert name of local town", while I read liners and play songs programmed by a consultant because we can't afford research anymore. Ironically, LIVE and LOCAL with real talented performers (if you could find them) would be a plus, but it is the very thing the investors who own Radio can't afford to do. So we will see more and more plug and play syndicated talk, while music stations go automated. I know of one university that has a broadcast school, and they are trying to figure out wht to do with it. Even though they have a stereo FM with a great signal in a large metro area, enrollment in the program has been in steady decline.

Young people have left radio because they are no longer interested in it, they are into media that truly is live, local, and immediate. The "friendly local DJ" is dead, and not coming back. He will be replaced in part by a river of talent a 10 miles wide and an inch deep. Stand out performers will be around, but the delivery system will be Internet, supplemented by Satellite and maybe Terrestrial.

It is radio formats that have become jukebox delivery systems, little more than hard drives with tested tunes, or politics. Ironically, radio formats are evolving into limited one dimensional Ipods with promos and commercials.

That is why, regardless of what anyone is making in any market, (and I assume you mean DJ's and not #1 talk shows) the value of a talent like WEASE is high. I know several #1 talk shows across the country, and I know what they make. WEASE might even be underpaid, in this situation.

We seem to have the two sides of the arguement well defined. I guess we'll just have to wait to see who blinks first. I'm betting that David Field's pockets are deeper than Wease's.

If by that you mean he is richer, I agree. He does also have an extensive ego, and has always played hardball. I respect him for that.

 

[JohnGault]

Radknowski:

Sounds like something a sales person with multiple annuals tied to Wease would write.

Bravo, Oh the irony which you can't see!!!

 

[Element9]

The Buffalo Version of Wease

All this stink about Wease and WCMF has a distant connection to what might happen in Buffalo if Citadel decided to pull the plug on 97 Rock's Larry Norton. Not suggesting, you understand, just contemplating. Given the climate of the radio business these days, it's not outside the realm of possibility.

-9-

 

[yugoidar]

9, while Norton is undoubtedly making a good buck, I think it's safe to assume that he's substantially below the level of income that WEASE is reported to be making.  I believe that he's got a couple of years left on his contract. 

As you say, given the climate of the radio business these days...Hey, anything could happen!  Hopefully, Norton's also contemplating and he's set a few bucks aside.

 

[JohnGault]

97 Rock's Larry Norton's favorite song is "the one I am playing next". Sounds like a really unique talent, who plays at least a few great Classic Rock songs per hour, like "Sister Golden Hair" or "Radar Love". A beloved local jock, who raises money for Charity. I'm sure he's a great guy too, and I'd be proud to know him.

I would have spent time listening to his podcasts, but the generic website has none. Unless I can hear him 24/7 he won't exist in 5 years.

This is the kind of radio that is dead. Cookie cutter website, no podcast, no multimedia presence online.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Blub-blub-blub

OK, John, now you've really gotten out of your depth.

Norton & Co., with a very talented Rob Lederman, is available on-line live, which I believe qualifies as a "multimedia presence". As I recall, Wease forayed into the Buffalo market twice, and had no impact on the market, or Norton & Co. In fact, 97-Rock's Buffalo numbers crush 'CMF's Rochester numbers, both 12+ and in the target demos, and Norton outperforms Wease in book after book after book after book.

As far as "cookie cutter websites" are concerned, wcmf.com ain't exactly a designer's masterwork, unless you're Wease and your ego requires that you be the focal point of the entire radio station. Let's not even talk about radiofreewease.com and web design in the same sentence.

Norton will be a memory in Buffalo as long as Wease is a memory in Rochester. I doubt that either one will be on the air in five years. The difference is that Norton is likely to go out gracefully.

The book starts Thursday. Wease has until Monday morning to get back on the air, or be in great danger of losing it all.

 

[JohnGault]

Yes, I admit I know nothing about Buffalo, and am definately out of my element. I will check the numbers. If his show is huge 12plus, even playing music, that is rare and good.

I still wouldn't compare him to WEASE. All indications are that he is a music show, and therefore more replacable without as much risk to billing. That's just a statistical fact. The David Field's of the world know exactly what I mean, as they are doing it regularly (not renewing or "whacking" #1 heritage talent is all over the trades). I also know the markets where they have canned the wrong show and underestimated the damage. They do too.

I will listen to Larry & Co, but likely not get it, since I am from out of town. My opinion will mean nothing. If they had podcasts I am actually the kind of radio guy who would listen for a week so I would get it!!!

I know you think I am harsh because I stir the pot, but I love radio, and even aging great guys like Larry. If we could talk at a bar over wings for a few hours you are the kind of guy I'd respect. The jib jab back and forth is part entertainment to me, but I try to say what I really believe.

Podcasts are mandatory these days as far as I am concerned, and I agree that WEASE is also a DINOSAUR there. I can listen to podcasts of almost any show I want to check out online now, and WEASE should be in that game too.

I believe you about Larry Norton - probably great for his market and a nice guy, and beloved. If you re-read that last post you'll see that I covered all that. I just pushed your buttons with his marketing vulnerabilities. you seemed to acknowledge his short future...

Norton will be a memory in Buffalo as long as Wease is a memory in Rochester. I doubt that either one will be on the air in five years. The difference is that Norton is likely to go out gracefully.

Depends on your definition of "gracefully".

Clearly you resent WEASE for some reason. Could be where you work, or just poor PD potty training in your past. Or maybe you just don't like his act. All is fair in ENTERTAINMENT. Your entitled to feel that way.

I stand by my basic premise. "If" he has an option in Rochester, his market value is preserved. It's a pretty safe and conservative statement if you know what the real numbers and real situation is.