Ch-ch-changes at 'CMF and 'PXY

[slickkicker]

Entercom is in the broadcasting business. They have a budget.

I'm sorry if I sounded cold in a previous post but Kane schleps lunch and moldy rock on a very tired station. Pete has been sitting at PXY forever and should've advanced his career decades ago. Are you kidding me! The guy is pushing 50 and he's still playing the hits. Ewww.

These are two guys who never took a stand back when the consultants came to town..to be followed by out of town ownership, million dollar morning shows and programming that's run by numbers guys.

I guess I still sound cold. Today however some guys who've been doing fairly well, didn't accomplish all that much, were not really name, franchise personalities and kissed --- are now on the street. And yet there contributions get faced by the big budget morning shows.

Both Spezzano and Wease keep there posse. What does that tell you.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Suit Law

Both Spezzano and Wease keep there posse. What does that tell you.

What does that tell me? That some suits at Entercom think that the only daypart that requires live, local content is the morning show, and that they can skate through mid-days and evenings.

A six-figure mid-day guy in market #53 is way overkill. Syndicated pap in market #53 is way underkill. A morning show that costs $300K+ in market # 53 is way overkill. A morning show off the bird is way underkill.

Entercom has a budget. We'll see how their moves affect the bottom line. An extra $50K is $1,000/week, or $200.00/day. That's what, a spot an hour? $4.00 per unit?

We'll see if Dave Kane or Pete Kennedy were worth $4.00 per spot when buyers start renewing contracts, and listeners start tuning in other radio stations. It will get really interesting if they land elsewhere in the market.

As far as Wease is concerned, I don't hear him offering to cut his salary in order to help the other guys on the staff keep their jobs. His ride on the gravy train has an end in sight. He might be better off doing his job, and looking to see if he really does have any alternatives. He might be surprised to find that nobody out there is going to offer him what he thinks he's worth.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

" Both Spezzano and Wease keep there posse. What does that tell you."

What happened at CMF and PXY is just the first round. Don't believe for a moment that the ax has been put away. I predict that within a year or less that some of these "morning crew" will also find themselves out the door. Meanwhile Entercom has six months to find a buyer for the Zone, Fickle and Warm otherwise those stations go to the highest bidder. The asking price for these three stations far exceeds what at least two of them are worth. So from a business stand-point, Entercom looked at the salaries being paid to Kennedy, Kane, Cronin, and others and decided to cut them loose. Yes it's sad considering all the years they worked at these two stations, but remember folks radio has changed from an entertainment to a botton-line business. For one to say they worked at the same station for nearly 30 years and were making 100k or more, is pretty damn good.
With regards to Wease taking a salary cut, come on get real!

 

[Kent]

And it is here that my post turns cold. Why is it that everybody here is surprised by what happened? Are we surprised because what was expected to happen actually happened? Are we surprised because albeit talented men who earned large salaries (reportedly into six figures) were released by Entercom once the FCC and DOJ (tentatively) approved their purchase of the CBS stations? Didn't Entercom execute staff cuts in its Buffalo cluster in early November?

To put it simply, everyone is surprised because these cuts were expected to happen to somebody else! I've been through a few sales, and everyone, including the people who get cut, expects major changes. I'm sure no one was surprised Entercom came in and made cuts; they were simply surprised by who got the axe.

 

[Radknowski]

Re: Suit Law

Both Spezzano and Wease keep there posse. What does that tell you.

What does that tell me? That some suits at Entercom think that the only daypart that requires live, local content is the morning show, and that they can skate through mid-days and evenings.

Just as there are immutable laws in mathematics and physics, so there is a set of Immutable Laws of Radio: e.g., if a repeat offender is winning your station's contest, he/she is very likely winning your competitors' contests and your radio station is nothing more than a vending machine.

But I digress. Back to the subject at hand.

Local suits answer to men and women wearing more expensive suits. It's easier for local suits to preserve their suits and move up to more expensive suits by throwing guys who wear Levi's and Nike's under the bus, especially when those guys make inordinately large salaries.

The Immutable Laws of Radio should be taught in every college communications program and anybody who's been in the business more than six months should have no trouble understanding it.

 

[Element9]

Almost expected to read a post here this morning announcing that the Fox has made a deal with a former WCMF midday jock. Well, maybe next year. Afterall, there's no need to rush into anything. It's the last quarter, last four weeks of the year and plenty of time to make a well-reasoned decision. Not for six figures, anyway. Those days are over. Still trying to get my head around six figure midday guys. What GM signed on to those deals!? Amazing.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Almost expected to read a post here this morning announcing that the Fox has made a deal with a former WCMF midday jock. Well, maybe next year. Afterall, there's no need to rush into anything. It's the last quarter, last four weeks of the year and plenty of time to make a well-reasoned decision. Not for six figures, anyway. Those days are over. Still trying to get my head around six figure midday guys. What GM signed on to those deals!? Amazing.

Hell I remember the days when we got double-digit raises; that was before the big media companies came into town and ruined commercial radio. As for the six-figure salaries for mid-day personalities, apparently the management at the time thought these people were worth shelling out that kind of dough. They must have generated some revenue for the stations in order to make that kind of money.
I was listening to Wease's first morning at Mill Street (his new studio) and he's having one hell of a morning with all of the technical problems.

 

[ThePickleReport]

Entercom is in the broadcasting business. They have a budget.

Yes they do. And even though it sounds cruel, once I wrapped my head around it I can understand why a new owner would not want to spend that much $$$$$........on middays. Sad still.

If I were Roger Christian at Star 102.5 I'd be REAL worried, or looking for an island to retire on.

Speaking of being shown the door, it's Black Christmas folks, Clear Channel is laying off the entire company. Fa-la-la-la-la..............

 

[alw]

Entercom is in the broadcasting business. They have a budget.

If I were Roger Christian at Star 102.5 I'd be REAL worried, or looking for an island to retire on.

I wouldn't worry about 'Ol Roger landing on his feet......he hasn't gone down yet!

 

[Mark Giardina]

When WNYR-WEZO moved from East Avenue to Winton Road back in the 1980s, our engineers made sure that everything was up and running (equipment-wise) before we switched over.

It took more than just two days for such a move, which is perhaps one reason for all the technical problems on Wease's show this morning, although Joe Fleming is a competent engineer.

Once the 'bugs' are worked out, I'm sure the station will sound just fine.

 

[Element9]

Roger Habit

If I were Roger Christian at Star 102.5 I'd be REAL worried, or looking for an island to retire on.

Roger's the last guy in Buffalo who has to worry. He's one of the classiest guys in the radio market. He's been at 102.5 since the Rock 102 days. What's that, 30 years? Talk about a survivor! Not only is he good at what he does, he consistently wins in Women 25-54. Good luck to WJYE and WHTT trying to knock him off cuz it ain't gonna happen any time soon. He's probably well-paid, although not in the six figure range... then again, y'never know. Entercom may have made those cuts in Roch just to take care of Roger in Buffalo.

-9-

 

[ThePickleReport]

Re: Roger Habit

Roger's the last guy in Buffalo who has to worry. He's one of the classiest guys in the radio market.
-9-

If you say so.

Believe me, I'm not picking on him just pointing out his longevity. I wonder if anyone who has started at a station in the last ten years will ever survive long enough to celebrate 20 to 30 years at the same station?

 

[SirRoxalot]

The Magic Christian

If they gave Roger a week's severance pay for every year of service, they couldn't afford to fire him.

Roger's got consistently great numbers, and has worn so many hats at 102.5 that he's probably the one guy that knows where ALL the bodies are located.

 

[slickkicker]

And here's another thing that you can ponder about Dave, Pete, Dino and Marc. Stan Main ran CMF for years and yet Tony still wakes up Rochester over at WARM.

I said this here years ago and I'll say it again. You couldn't ask Stan to name a title to a Grand Funk record even though the research sat in his lap. He could, however, recite the South Pacific musical soundtrack.

 

[Radknowski]

"Not that there's anything wrong with that!"

...I'm gonna wash that guy right out of my hair, I'm gonna wash that guy right out of my hair...

You'd be surprised at how many real men wore teal in the 90's... Charlotte Hornets, Miami Dolphins, San Jose Sharks. It's a great color for bathrooms and foyers, strong enough for a man, and women like it too!

...We come into your town, we're gonna party it down, we're an American band...

 

[The Voice of Reason]

And here's another thing that you can ponder about Dave, Pete, Dino and Marc. Stan Main ran CMF for years and yet Tony still wakes up Rochester over at WARM.

But also be reminded that the fate of Tony and Dee remains up in the air. We have no idea what company, or individual might come in and buy WRMM, the Zone and Fickle. There is a possibility that the new owner(s) of WARM 101.3 might also make some personnel changes, although I think it unlikely they would go after Tony & Dee since it appears (so far) that morning shows appear to be untouchable.
Stan Main has already landed on his feet. As for Dave, Dino, Pete and Marc, they might find other broadcasting gigs, but I doubt at the pay scale they were getting; at least in the Rochester market.

 

[slickkicker]

I was a little harsh. Let's just say that when Stan got to run WARM, and he did a great job there, he was more in his element. And he did a great job babysitting Wease too. The rest of the broadcast day at 96.5 has been somewhat questionable for some time now.

As for Tony at WARM I'd say he's pretty secure. He's delivered for eons and he made a great decision many years ago to ditch the contemporary formats in favor of connecting with adults. He's truly one of the best communicators in radio. Frankly I'm jealous of the guy. He's GOOD.

 

[Mike_Saffran]

In case you missed it, this editorial cartoon (which appeared in yesterday's D&C) I believe nicely summarizes this thread's original topic (and to those who disagree, remember: it's only a cartoon!):

http://rit.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32209599&id=24413241&l=c63e8

Also, thanks to my friend Pete Bella for his collaboration.

Mike

 

[The Voice of Reason]

In case you missed it, this editorial cartoon (which appeared in yesterday's D&C) I believe nicely summarizes this thread's original topic (and to those who disagree, remember: it's only a cartoon!):

http://rit.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32209599&id=24413241&l=c63e8

Also, thanks to my friend Pete Bella for his collaboration.

Mike

A great cartoon; and it makes a good point. I wonder how many people will turn off their radios now that Kane, Cronin, Kennedy and Dino are gone? Unfortunately I don't think as many as some believe.
People might switch over to Sirius or XM for music, but a majority will continue to listen to their I-Pods or CD's.
Radio, as most of us remember it, is dead and buried, thanks in large part to the bottom-line pencil-pushers who run most radio stations today.
The days of local personality radio is on life-support. Sure there will be morning teams that will be around for some years to come because they are among the few making decent money in this business. But their replacements, if there are any, won't be making half what these people are paid now. And if the Entercoms and Clear Channels have any say, eventually morning drive shows will be voice-tracked in from some other city; or be hosted by someone with just a few years experience under their belt.

 

[AndrewLawson]

Radio, as most of us remember it, is dead and buried, thanks in large part to the bottom-line pencil-pushers who run most radio stations today.

I guess the key phrase is "as most of us remember it," and as such, there's some truth to it. But I don't believe radio is anywhere near dead. It may be in the I-C-U in some cases and some markets, but I believe, perhaps delussionally, that radio is still alive. Not necessarily vibrant, but alive. Radio "as we remember," is done...because, as it appears, we fondly remember "the good ol' days" as witnessed by the delightful WWOL thread. The "good ol' days" of 65 thru 75 weren't all that good, if examined closely. Those that had still got, and those that didn't still got screwed, not as badly as today, but screwed nonetheless.

I read the moguls braying about "re-inventing radio" and laugh. It's not a bad idea, but I fear their ideas about "re-inventing radio" don't correspond with listeners' (i.e., "consumers") ideas about re-inventing radio. Keep playing those ten minute commercial clusters guys... it doesn't matter if they're filled with 30's or 60's, ten minutes is ten minutes... and listeners will be turning away in droves.

It's like the U.S. auto industry manufacturing muscle cars and SUV's when the price of oil and a gallon of gas are increasing exponentially. And the band played on.