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How low CAN it go?
Before you take that as another sour-grapes post, it's meant as a serious question.
Look into the crystal ball. What DO you see?
Before you take that as another sour-grapes post, it's meant as a serious question.
Look into the crystal ball. What DO you see?
Another nail in the coffin of radio the way we all loved and remembered it. I'm imagining the obituary of the industry will read. Something like "here lies the once great industry of radio. Killed off by Cheap Channel and other corporate morons who could care less about serving their local communities".
You can bet the higher ups and more specifically the c.e.o of Crap Channel ,Cheap Channel or whatever name you wish to call them will not be suffering. Getting that nice year-end bonus, as many do. Being rewarded for what will eventually lead to the total killing off of the medium.
One of the reasons that after 25 years, I decided to get out back in 2005. it was getting impossible to make a decent living anymore. Stations would rather pay some kid minimum wage to babysit an automation computer running nationally syndicated programming rather than to pay someone like me that has been around long enough to actually know what they are doing.
When I Lived in Southeast Kentucky a few years back, there was a Clear Channel Cluster of stations not far from me. They were operating 2 a.m. stations and 3 f.m.'s. The a.m stations were totally satellite fed talk stations and the f.m.'s were all voice-tracked. If it weren't so sad, it would be funny. On the 3 f.m.'s the voice tracking was handled by about 4 people. They would change their on-air names to voice their "shows" according to what station they were tracking for. Also,when the stations were running the voice tracks, many times they would have a voice track scheduled going into a break BUT between the end of the voice track and the start of the break, they would still have an automation type liner in between. I wonder how hard is it to go into the log and bump out those liners? Shoddy radio at best.
It's really a shame. Before they got hold of those stations, they were owned and operated by a real stand-up guy. He since has retired and, the last I knew,now lives in Florida. Back in that day they were a great and respected group of stations that had local news coverage that could have served as an example for all of us. Last time I was up there, the poor woman reading the news simply could not.
In that town which I won't mention the name of, there is a man that lives over in the next county who owns a chain of banks and other radio stations bought the only stand-alone a.m.,overhauled and improved it and, recently put on an f.m. that is really giving them some good healthy competition. Glad to see it.
I've said all that to simply say this. It would be nice if we could get the "Suits" who know absolutely NOTHING about providing quality LOCAL radio out of the business before they totally gut and kill it. That is, if it has not happened already.
Otherwise, whats the difference in listening to the "local" radio station and listening to your Sirius/Xm? simple.....nothing.
Suppose it will be up to all those lpfm's to actually do the job that the commercial stations used to do. I've considered looking into getting one started myself.
Thanks for reading my 2 cent rant.
Radio 30.
You can bet the higher ups and more specifically the c.e.o of Crap Channel ,Cheap Channel or whatever name you wish to call them will not be suffering. Getting that nice year-end bonus, as many do. Being rewarded for what will eventually lead to the total killing off of the medium.
One of the reasons that after 25 years, I decided to get out back in 2005. it was getting impossible to make a decent living anymore. Stations would rather pay some kid minimum wage to babysit an automation computer running nationally syndicated programming rather than to pay someone like me that has been around long enough to actually know what they are doing.
When I Lived in Southeast Kentucky a few years back, there was a Clear Channel Cluster of stations not far from me. They were operating 2 a.m. stations and 3 f.m.'s. The a.m stations were totally satellite fed talk stations and the f.m.'s were all voice-tracked. If it weren't so sad, it would be funny. On the 3 f.m.'s the voice tracking was handled by about 4 people. They would change their on-air names to voice their "shows" according to what station they were tracking for. Also,when the stations were running the voice tracks, many times they would have a voice track scheduled going into a break BUT between the end of the voice track and the start of the break, they would still have an automation type liner in between. I wonder how hard is it to go into the log and bump out those liners? Shoddy radio at best.
It's really a shame. Before they got hold of those stations, they were owned and operated by a real stand-up guy. He since has retired and, the last I knew,now lives in Florida. Back in that day they were a great and respected group of stations that had local news coverage that could have served as an example for all of us. Last time I was up there, the poor woman reading the news simply could not.
In that town which I won't mention the name of, there is a man that lives over in the next county who owns a chain of banks and other radio stations bought the only stand-alone a.m.,overhauled and improved it and, recently put on an f.m. that is really giving them some good healthy competition. Glad to see it.
I've said all that to simply say this. It would be nice if we could get the "Suits" who know absolutely NOTHING about providing quality LOCAL radio out of the business before they totally gut and kill it. That is, if it has not happened already.
Otherwise, whats the difference in listening to the "local" radio station and listening to your Sirius/Xm? simple.....nothing.
Suppose it will be up to all those lpfm's to actually do the job that the commercial stations used to do. I've considered looking into getting one started myself.
Thanks for reading my 2 cent rant.
Radio 30.
So many thoughts.........
Basically many of the stations the "big boys" overpaid for are now probably worth less than half of what they paid. I'm not advocating what CC is about to do, but I can understand it, to a point. They can't liquidate the stations as an exit strategy----there are no buyers, or lenders.
So they will run the stations bare-bones to try and make a large profit. Other operators with dry powder may "clean their clocks" in some markets. It will be interesting to see what the net loss in profits vs. ratings is where they make significant local programming cuts.
If you believe all that you read many of the CC cuts will be in sales. I'm not sure how that makes sense, unless radio has been overstaffed in sales. Have they?
Basically many of the stations the "big boys" overpaid for are now probably worth less than half of what they paid. I'm not advocating what CC is about to do, but I can understand it, to a point. They can't liquidate the stations as an exit strategy----there are no buyers, or lenders.
So they will run the stations bare-bones to try and make a large profit. Other operators with dry powder may "clean their clocks" in some markets. It will be interesting to see what the net loss in profits vs. ratings is where they make significant local programming cuts.
If you believe all that you read many of the CC cuts will be in sales. I'm not sure how that makes sense, unless radio has been overstaffed in sales. Have they?
ThePickleReport said:
Pretty much every station I've ever worked at had a handful of sales reps who brought in the lion's share of the billings, the rest tended to be either a revolving door of newbies who couldn't cut it or a few who had enough accounts that they could get by on, but too lazy to go after any new business. I'm guessing it's these ranks that will be trimmed
P
paul42141
Guest
OldBones,
I'd say that's probably pretty accurate. I think we can
all relate to having both types of account execs in our
buildings. The dead wood will get cut, and not just at
Clear Channel.
Everyone,
I don't like it, but I can see operators of all sizes going
this route in the not-so-distant future. Think about
network TV. A handful of national networks with small
local windows carved out, mostly for news & PSAs (so
one can still offer some level of service to the local
community) and, of course, local spots.
Local duties will be reduced to a level where a minimal part-
time staff is all that's needed to keep it running.
Even local production won't be done locally, at least not
the bulk of it. The local part-timers may have the talent
to produce some of it (clients dropping by the studios to
voice their own spots, etc.), but most would likely be produced
either by a small, centralized production staff, or outsourced
to a 3rd party production house.
That's the way I can foresee it going. Thoughts?
I'd say that's probably pretty accurate. I think we can
all relate to having both types of account execs in our
buildings. The dead wood will get cut, and not just at
Clear Channel.
Everyone,
I don't like it, but I can see operators of all sizes going
this route in the not-so-distant future. Think about
network TV. A handful of national networks with small
local windows carved out, mostly for news & PSAs (so
one can still offer some level of service to the local
community) and, of course, local spots.
Local duties will be reduced to a level where a minimal part-
time staff is all that's needed to keep it running.
Even local production won't be done locally, at least not
the bulk of it. The local part-timers may have the talent
to produce some of it (clients dropping by the studios to
voice their own spots, etc.), but most would likely be produced
either by a small, centralized production staff, or outsourced
to a 3rd party production house.
That's the way I can foresee it going. Thoughts?
Well, to me it's more about having faces out there in front of possible clients selling. Even if these
newbies, etc., bring in very little, across the country that ads up to potential millions of lost dollars.
I "see" the point, but it's typical American business 101, which doesn't work. Radio should be mavericks.
It's like closing a retail business three hours early at night and opening three hours later just because
the majority of people shop there from 11A-6P. You actually hurt yourself because people begin to
notice that everytime they see your business...it's closed.
I also understand that there is nowhere, human wise, to cut. Someone has to run the place. But, to
cut off any potential source of ANY possible revenue is a 100% guarantee of NO PROFIT. Dumb in
an economy (good or bad) especially like now.
Just another LAZY example of radio with a "C" playing follow the leader into the pit of no return.
newbies, etc., bring in very little, across the country that ads up to potential millions of lost dollars.
I "see" the point, but it's typical American business 101, which doesn't work. Radio should be mavericks.
It's like closing a retail business three hours early at night and opening three hours later just because
the majority of people shop there from 11A-6P. You actually hurt yourself because people begin to
notice that everytime they see your business...it's closed.
I also understand that there is nowhere, human wise, to cut. Someone has to run the place. But, to
cut off any potential source of ANY possible revenue is a 100% guarantee of NO PROFIT. Dumb in
an economy (good or bad) especially like now.
Just another LAZY example of radio with a "C" playing follow the leader into the pit of no return.
Real Question Big A --- was anyone hired? Is CC growing their business? No.
Sure revenues are down, but I have not noticed all forms of advertising have
disappeared other than radio. There's opportunities that are being overlooked
by the lazy fat cat mentality. My company sales are UP! Why? I am working
28 hours a day, not taking income for granted, thinking outside the box and
it should not be happening according to all of the "experts." It certainly could
change tomorrow, but I am not willing to assume it will. That's defeat. CC by
cutting more and more off their payroll is the Band-aid approach. National
programming is el-cheapo radio and will just decrease listenership and revenue.
Look at the success of South Central Radio Group. Top billers, top ratings (okay,
a little expected issue with elections/sports and talk radio vs. AC). Yet, doing
pretty well despite the economy. Some other companies could try a different
approach instead of accepting mediocrity as their calling card. Doesn't take a
rocket scientist to figure this one out.
Sure revenues are down, but I have not noticed all forms of advertising have
disappeared other than radio. There's opportunities that are being overlooked
by the lazy fat cat mentality. My company sales are UP! Why? I am working
28 hours a day, not taking income for granted, thinking outside the box and
it should not be happening according to all of the "experts." It certainly could
change tomorrow, but I am not willing to assume it will. That's defeat. CC by
cutting more and more off their payroll is the Band-aid approach. National
programming is el-cheapo radio and will just decrease listenership and revenue.
Look at the success of South Central Radio Group. Top billers, top ratings (okay,
a little expected issue with elections/sports and talk radio vs. AC). Yet, doing
pretty well despite the economy. Some other companies could try a different
approach instead of accepting mediocrity as their calling card. Doesn't take a
rocket scientist to figure this one out.
Tibbs2 said:
No that wasn't the question. But yes, the week the layoffs were announced, I noticed a hire. And so far, no one in Nashville was laid off, and no national programming was instituted in Nashville. Despite your statement.
This is a deep recession. Google and Microsoft are laying people off. They're good growing companies, making money.
South Central owns a couple stations in Nashville. One is Jack. How many local DJs do they have on staff?
L
LouP
Guest
TheBigA said:
Perhaps you meant this related to anything since Inauguration Day, but Ryan Seacrest has been airing in the early afternoon on WRVW since August 2008.
TheBigA would have you believe he/she has an inside track at CC.
obviously not.
obviously not.
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