Conversations with Clear Channel employees-Mega 104.1 update; multicasts coming to Albuquerque

[JM_pstar]

Conversations with Clear Channel employees-Mega 104.1 update; multicasts coming to Albuquerque

Today, I decided to call up Clear Channel in Albuquerque, mainly to ask about rumors that Mega 104.1 could be switching formats. I talked to two people at Mega and neither of them seemed to know anything about a format switch.

I also decided to talk to the engineer while I was at it to talk to him about high-definition radio. He told me that Clear Channel has plans for multicasting, beginning on January 20 on the five stations in Albuquerque that they have broadcasting in HD (100.3 KPEK, KBQI 107.9, 95.1 KYSU, 104.7 KTEG, and 94.1 KZRR). The formats of these multicast channels are currently unknown.

The engineer (who was great to talk to, by the way) also informed me that they plan to upgrade 104.1 to a high-definition signal in the spring or summer of next year.

Thoughts?

 

[Kent]

Re: Conversations with Clear Channel employees-Mega 104.1 update; multicasts coming to Albuquerque

> Today, I decided to call up Clear Channel in Albuquerque,
> mainly to ask about rumors that Mega 104.1 could be
> switching formats. I talked to two people at Mega and
> neither of them seemed to know anything about a format
> switch.

The staff is usually the last to know what's going on at a station during a format change. I've been fortunate enough to only work at two stations during format changes, and I kept my job both times. However, I had no warning of any format change at either station. At one, I literally went to bed one night and my station was oldies, and I didn't find out it became CHR until I turned into the parking lot to start my workday and saw the new station van! If anyone gets a jump on format changes, it's the sales staff. However, at both the stations I worked at that had format changes, the sales staff was also left in the dark. Only management knew, and management wouldn't talk. This is the problem with investigating format changes. The people who would tell you don't know, and the people who know won't tell you. While I admire your desire to investigate the situation further, there were no stones to turn where you went.

Although I don't know who you spoke with, keep in mind that plenty of jocks really take it personally and are offended when people call them and say they hear a format change is coming at their station. I don't because I've worked as a radio reporter, and there were several times PD's found out they would be gone from my reports. However, lots of jocks really take it personally and feel like it's a rejection of them when a station changes.

 

[JM_pstar]

Re: Conversations with Clear Channel employees-Mega 104.1 update; multicasts coming to Albuquerque

> > Today, I decided to call up Clear Channel in Albuquerque,
> > mainly to ask about rumors that Mega 104.1 could be
> > switching formats. I talked to two people at Mega and
> > neither of them seemed to know anything about a format
> > switch.
>
> The staff is usually the last to know what's going on at a
> station during a format change. I've been fortunate enough
> to only work at two stations during format changes, and I
> kept my job both times. However, I had no warning of any
> format change at either station. At one, I literally went
> to bed one night and my station was oldies, and I didn't
> find out it became CHR until I turned into the parking lot
> to start my workday and saw the new station van! If anyone
> gets a jump on format changes, it's the sales staff.
> However, at both the stations I worked at that had format
> changes, the sales staff was also left in the dark. Only
> management knew, and management wouldn't talk. This is the
> problem with investigating format changes. The people who
> would tell you don't know, and the people who know won't
> tell you. While I admire your desire to investigate the
> situation further, there were no stones to turn where you
> went.
>
> Although I don't know who you spoke with, keep in mind that
> plenty of jocks really take it personally and are offended
> when people call them and say they hear a format change is
> coming at their station. I don't because I've worked as a
> radio reporter, and there were several times PD's found out
> they would be gone from my reports. However, lots of jocks
> really take it personally and feel like it's a rejection of
> them when a station changes.
>

Oh no...now I feel really bad. I wasn't aware of that.

I only spoke to two people about Mega-the receptionist at Clear Channel and the person in charge of Mega's programming. I can only hope that I didn't cause too much damage...

 

[Kent]

Re: Conversations with Clear Channel employees-Mega 104.1 update; multicasts coming to Albuquerque

> Oh no...now I feel really bad. I wasn't aware of that.
> I only spoke to two people about Mega-the receptionist at
> Clear Channel and the person in charge of Mega's
> programming. I can only hope that I didn't cause too much
> damage...

If they had a problem with it, they'll get over it. I've worked with jocks who even make, "How are you?", into a loaded question. One of my former managers would probably run me over on the road if he saw me, and, to this day, I don't know why. I wouldn't beat myself over it too much. However, I would recommend, especially, that you not ask a question like that in person. Jocks have a really good memory about things like that, and, when I was busting my butt to get into radio, I always wanted the jocks to be happy to see me.

 

[JM_pstar]

Re: Conversations with Clear Channel employees-Mega 104.1 update; multicasts coming to Albuquerque

> If they had a problem with it, they'll get over it. I've
> worked with jocks who even make, "How are you?", into a
> loaded question. One of my former managers would probably
> run me over on the road if he saw me, and, to this day, I
> don't know why. I wouldn't beat myself over it too much.
> However, I would recommend, especially, that you not ask a
> question like that in person. Jocks have a really good
> memory about things like that, and, when I was busting my
> butt to get into radio, I always wanted the jocks to be
> happy to see me.

I'm sorry that you've had experiences with people like that.

Luckily, everybody I talked to about it was really nice. Thanks for giving me the heads-up before I went and talked to anybody in person about things like that.

 

[Kent]

Re: Conversations with Clear Channel employees-Mega 104.1 update; multicasts coming to Albuquerque

> I'm sorry that you've had experiences with people like that.

I wouldn't give me too much sympathy. It's radio, and I knew there were plenty of people like that in the business when I decided to do it. I think the nature of the business just attracts that type of person. My point is that there are plenty of people like that in the business, and that's why I recommend making sure you don't make them mad. Of course, there are plenty of good people in radio, too. I've had a real sense of camraderie in radio when working with good people. It's one of the few businesses where people who both work together and compete against each other get together outside of work and have a good time. They get together because they want to. In most businesses, it doesn't work that way. At the end of the day, everyone goes home, and, if anyone gets together outside of work, it's because it's mandated.

 

[davideduardo]

Re: Truth about format changes

> Today, I decided to call up Clear Channel in Albuquerque,
> mainly to ask about rumors that Mega 104.1 could be
> switching formats. I talked to two people at Mega and
> neither of them seemed to know anything about a format
> switch.

When major format changes happen, it is very unusual that the general staff know about them. In fact, frequently it is only the GM, the GSM and maybe the OM if there is one to know.

I know of many format changes that were total secrets until hours before the change... I know of very few that were broadly announced.

Why don´t they tell anyone?

1. It makes advertisers antsy.
2. The competiton can react even before the change.
3. Staff changes may require confidentiality.
4. People who are going to be fired often do swansongs on the air, destroy equipment, etc., out of spite. Old staff is usually let go minutes before the change.
5. Surprise enhnces the impact.

So, a station staff may not know of a change, yet the change might be just hours away.