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Clear Channel Trimming the fat...

I understand it's a budgetary thing, but there's no reason why they couldn't let people go after the holidays. It's absolutely cold what our industry does this time of year.
 
Josh C. said:
I understand it's a budgetary thing, but there's no reason why they couldn't let people go after the holidays. It's absolutely cold what our industry does this time of year.
OK. Just so I can overcome the stigma of "negative guy" or "pissed off guy" I'm going to look at this positively. I think firing someone just before the holidays is a good, humane thing to do if it has to happen anytime near the end of the year. Before the holidays will let that person know not to spend much for gifts. Isn't that better than having a person spend a bunch only to get into January with huge credit card debts and no income to pay with? Also rules out getting the boss anything for Christmas and regreting it if fired in January. Money saved there too! As they say in the White House, "It's all in the spin."
 
It is indeed all in the spin, and how well we all know the truth of that!

I dunno. I see your point, but I figure that if you're in radio today, you're saving up money for just a situation anyway. It's not as if no one knows they're dispensable these days. Quite the opposite, actually. Sure, it's a matter of having the wisdom to save that money when you have the chance, but the wise are the ones who make it through.
 
rkramden said:
If you're going to let someone go...for God's sake...do it AFTER the holidays.

uh, how about your Birthday then? No? Anniversary? Kids Birthday? The day you got into radio? January when you have a whole lot of Christmas Bills? Oh I know how about the day after you get back from a vacation?

It's a business---business can be callous, mean, hideous and besides...it ain't personal....isn't that what Tony Soprano says before he puts a cap behind your ear?

It sucks, been there...move on.
 
;D Does Clear Channel have Christmas Parties???
 
The thing about being let go at the holidays is that it's such an emotional time of the year, anyway (It's a Wonderful Life?). Plus, you're seeing all your relatives and they're asking about you, etc. It just sucks to have to tell them you've lost your job. BUT, if you look at it on the positive side (if there is one), you are surrounded by family and friends during the holidays and you can look at the New Year as a New Beginning...perhaps a beginning away from radio...that might be a good thing.
 
There's no good time to be fired. Trust me on this. However, getting sacked at holiday time is not so bad, mainly because that time of the year is perfect for five day benders on scotch, valium and french fries.
 
So let's combine some days - like Thanksgiving, three days before your 60th birthday!

Truth is, there is no good time to be fired. stench is right, there is no good time. No matter when it happens, it hurts and few of us in radio are prepared for it. The experts tell you to save enough money to be out of work for six months! Who in radio has ever done that?

Of all industries, this is the one where we should always be prepared for it. Set aside 10% of your paycheck for the rainy day. Sure wish I understood that 20 years ago!
 
As we can see from what Clear Channel and others are doing, the radio business
is going through many changes, in my almost 25 years of doing this, i've seen
it go from local and regional ownership to those who got too big, and now two of
those companies are going "private", and expect more to follow, where will all
this head in the next few months and years?, we shall see...
 
As I said before: the Internet. It's quite simple really. Those who know and understand that people want local, personality-based radio, be it in music or otherwise, will move online. It's already started to happen, and it's not The Big Boys™ that are doing it.
 
;D I'm just curious about whether you have ever worked at a real station before..Internet doesn't count. You use a tag from the fictional station in NY that Jimmy James owned..I think the show was "Radio News"?

People that do internet radio will never have the thrill and excitment that Top 40 radio was in the 60's and 70's...BIG APE! P.S. Do you live in NYC?
 
BIG APE said:
;D I'm just curious about whether you have ever worked at a real station before..Internet doesn't count. You use a tag from the fictional station in NY that Jimmy James owned..I think the show was "Radio News"?

People that do internet radio will never have the thrill and excitment that Top 40 radio was in the 60's and 70's...BIG APE! P.S. Do you live in NYC?
Close.. "NewsRadio". Nice reference...
 
Yes, it was NewsRadio. And yes, I've worked at several "real" stations (traditional, I take it, is what you mean). I've even worked in a major market.

You're right, though... radio will never be what it was in the 60's and 70's. Not just Internet radio... traditional radio, satellite radio... all of it. No matter what the delivery method, that style is long gone, and sadly it isn't coming back.

No, I don't live in New York. I've lived in Michigan since 2003. In case you're wondering why I post here, I moved to Michigan from Greensboro.
 
Both Ape and Josh are right! There will never be radio like there was in the 60s and 70s! But there will be some for of radio delivered via the Internet, and it will eventually be decent radio!

Think back to the early days of the medium and how it all started with studios in the corner of the local newspaper newsroom, or in the backroom of the general store! Radio in the early days was pretty primitive. That is where Internet radio is today.

I do believe there will be the day that you would find a great station or two (like WKIX, WAPE, WAYS) on the Internet. You will also find a lot of junk (like you also found in the 60s and 70s). T

The technology (and cost thereof) will soon allow easy access to the Internet in your car. You will be able to listen to an Internet station anywhere you can pick up the Internet. The music industry will figure out how to collect royalties, and operators will figure out how to sell advertising.

I can even see a "traditional" radio studio and office complex without a transmitter - just a server room that feeds streams on the Internet.

Ape, I know you long for "the day" - most of us who worked during that period certainly long for most of it (I don't miss turntbles and cart machines, nor do I miss editing tape with a razor blade!!). One day, one of us will have not only the vision, but the means to take advantage of the medium.

I don't know Josh (at least I don't think I do) - but we shouldn't dampen his vision for the future. Go for it Josh - you may be the visionary I am thinking about.

Now, please tell me, Josh. why you would move from North Carolina to Michigan????
 
YOu have to keep in mind that there are OHHHHHHH so many more choices for entertainment these days. YOu can whine and moan about the "good ol days" when there were just a few stations to listen to...But I doubt you'll cancel your cable or Directtv and go back to rabbit ears.....
 
My point is that listeners will go where they find products and service they want.

We already have the technology to put the Internet in the car, on your cell phone, maybe implanted in your head and fully mobile Internet is right around the corner. With services like Clear Wire growing, it is only a matter of time before the technology is readily available and very affordable.

Don't discount the idea or potential of Internet radio!
 
You know, it's funny... that's probably the one question most asked of me: why would I move from Miami to Greensboro, and why would I move from Greensboro to a tiny town in Michigan? ;)

I moved up here to Baja Ontario for college. Ironically, I ended up leaving school because my grades were suffering thanks to the fact that, instead of studying, I was spending more time doing the job I was going to school to get a degree for in the first place. I'd wanted that piece of paper, but I came to realize that, in this day and age, if you've got ten years of prior experience, you don't really need it.
 
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