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Dobson back at WBEN?

S

Steven21

I heard Ron Dobson in for Sandy Beach yesterday. He went on a couple really funny rants that only reminded me of how much it sucks that we have one company basically dictating which talk hosts we get to hear and when.

Is that the way it will be until this medium finally folds? I sure hope not.
 
I don't know what's gonna happen first: The medium folds - or Steven21 posts something POSITIVE about the radio industry.

My money's on the former.
 
Rob Stutson said:
I don't know what's gonna happen first: The medium folds - or Steven21 posts something POSITIVE about the radio industry.

My money's on the former.
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Who peed in your Cheerios? I don't even post that often, no less always post something NEGATIVE, so your snide remark is unwarranted.

Also, what planet are you on anyway? There isn't much positive to say about this industry these days. Seriously, this industry is purging itself of an awful lot of creative people. The quality and listenability of the product is on a continuous downward spiral and I don't see it getting any better anytime soon.

Instead of criticizing me, why don't you list all the great things going on in radio these days to make it BETTER?

I dare you.
 
The medium folds - or Steven21 posts something POSITIVE about the radio industry.
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I would be hard pressed to think of anything positive to say about radio, well corporate radio anyway.
 
Steven21 said:
I heard Ron Dobson in for Sandy Beach yesterday. He went on a couple really funny rants that only reminded me of how much it sucks that we have one company basically dictating which talk hosts we get to hear and when. Is that the way it will be until this medium finally folds? I sure hope not.
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Dobson arrived in Buffalo when WGR was going mano a mano with WBEN. Even though he's only fill-in, he still sounds good. Makes you appreciate what he was doing at night when he had his own show.
 
Is it true that the May trends show Laura Ingraham is already stiffing out in nighttimes like she did in NYC (where WABC dumped her and put Curtis Sliwa in the nighttime slot)...and that may have made the difference as WYRK moved past WBEN into first place this time around?

If so, maybe they're thinking seriously about easing him back into the lineup...
 
Good point Steven21! Why doesn't anyone list what they CAN do instead of complaining about what they CAN'T. I stick to my guns on this, the people on here who dis everything about this industry are people who have not succeed in this industry, or are in it, but not making the money they THINK they deserve.. DO SOMETHING! If your THAT good, and your visions are so superior, and you hate corporate radio, DO SOMETHING! It's all about excuses on this board, my God!

If you don't like radio climate, figure out a way to buy a station, and then you can make the rules. If you can't figure out a way to buy the station, than your not workin hard enough trying to do it!
 
superset weekend said:
Good point Steven21! Why doesn't anyone list what they CAN do instead of complaining about what they CAN'T. I stick to my guns on this, the people on here who dis everything about this industry are people who have not succeed in this industry, or are in it, but not making the money they THINK they deserve.. DO SOMETHING! If your THAT good, and your visions are so superior, and you hate corporate radio, DO SOMETHING! It's all about excuses on this board, my God!

If you don't like radio climate, figure out a way to buy a station, and then you can make the rules. If you can't figure out a way to buy the station, than your not workin hard enough trying to do it!
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As much as I would love to accept your congratulations, I think you missed my point. I was being critical and somebody else said I was always negative. My response was A) I'm not always negative, and B) What positive IS there to say?

Tons of radio people give their all, but are constantly undermined by a business model that DOES NOT value them. In the old days, we would say "hey, I need more money for promotions or for a killer night guy or for a top drawer programmer". In those days, even without what we considered the "proper tools" we still had a fighting chance. The real radio warriors managed to prevail. Now, nothing seems to matter anymore. There is almost nobody who is immune from termination or outright expulsion from the business.

My point is, there are little if any positives moving forward. From a creative standpoint, this business is truly in a dire mess.


onone of that seems to matter. You can fight your heart
 
You want positive? OK. Citadel, Clear Channel, Cumulus, and several other consolidators are one day closer to bankruptcy. Pull the trigger, get it over with, and let's move on to the next set of owners. At least they won't have the huge debt burden that the current owners have. Maybe radio can get back to being competitive.
 
I understand 'Weekend's call to be positive, to work toward a goal, to achieve, maintain a positive attitude and be successful. It's particularly important to have that frame of mind to be a successful sales person.

However, these days, sales men and women may be the only people in the business who are rewarded for that kind of thinking. But even successful sales people get a "what have you done for men lately" scowl from owners and indifferent managers when they're having a down month.

Air talent, production men and women and programmers usually get screwed, even when they perform above and beyond their duties and responsibilities.

Cumulus, Clear Channel and Citadel? Feh! Why bother expounding. We all know what they're made of. Once the wound is lanced and the puss and infection are cleaned out, the body will heal. With proper care and nourishment, although disfigured, it may again become healthy.
 
Gentlemen, with all due respect, there are plenty of people thriving in corporate radio right now, including air people, salespeople, managers, etc. Some people make ALOT of money, and some don't. Like any industry. This is nothing new. Even Jonny Fever at WKRP was a boss jock who could not afford groceries in the show. We should all know by now that this is primarily a labor of love. It is well documents for decades that MOST air people are not paid well, no matter what the ownership is like.

You guys talk about how syndicated program is replacing live people and cutting salaries. I have news for you, some syndicated programming is HUGE, and very much listened to. Rush, Seacrest, Deliliah, Casey, and a multitude of other syndicated or recorded programs. Some of these shows are really good, rating are there, and they make money. Some don't! Just like some local oir people suck, and some don't! Radio owners are doing what they think is best, from a programming standpoint to a revenue standpoint. If you know more, again, you should buy a station and change the dynamic.

By the way, the positive attitude that is claimed to be needed as a radio salesperson, SHOULD be used on the programming side as well, maybe that would help air people state their case when wanting more money. Not every situation is going to be perfect, i am not saying that every manager and CEO is right. I know that if i owned a station, i would do alot of things differently, than what i see now. But again, radio is still reaching over 90% of people per week, it is not dead.

I am not against any of you, i believe that you are like me, and have a great passion for our industry, but complaining and monday morning quarterbacking is not going to do much. Let's buy a station and change the rules. Instead of complaining, we should spend out time on figuring out how to do that!
 
There are several corporations right now that are cutting in an attempt to survive poor management decisions. Cuts aren't based on talent, performance, ratings, or any other measurable commodity. Cuts are made because the corporations are facing bankruptcy, and the people making millions aren't about to give up THEIR fat paychecks.

It's easier to whack a 7-Midnight guy in Buffalo than cut a regional VP who oversees a group of markets that are underperforming, despite his/her "oversight" (i.e. issuing "make it so" orders to local management, despite a lack of support, cuts in promotions and programming, etc.). And woe to those who suggest that top management actually take a pay cut or forego a bonus.

I know of a lot more people who are surviving, not thriving in corporate radio. Most of them are burdened with ever-increasing workloads while corporate looks for more ways to cut expenses. It's not "less is more". It's "more with less".

Some syndicated programming is huge. Some syndicated programming sucks. Look at the top stations in the market and see how much syndicated programming they're doing - and how that programming is performing. Look at how VT is decimating mid-days and evenings. Can anybody really tell me radio is better now than it was 5 years ago?

'Set, one thing may be coming true. Station values are so depressed that even on-air people may be able to afford a small-market AM soon.
 
Element9 said:
With proper care and nourishment, although disfigured, it may again become healthy.
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Lots of assumptions there. And what is "healthy" for them probably won't involve spending lots of money on local talent.
 
TheBigA said:
Element9 said:
With proper care and nourishment, although disfigured, it may again become healthy.
Click to expand...
Lots of assumptions there. And what is "healthy" for them probably won't involve spending lots of money on local talent.
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Y'mean like Opie & Anthony on Blink? And how about "CD102" ?
 
Element9 said:
Y'mean like Opie & Anthony on Blink? And how about "CD102" ?
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Who's spending money on talent? Local guys like Ed Levine or Craig Fox? How much are they spending on talent? You know they both went to SU, don't you? They both jocked on WAER.

Do I have THOSE facts right, E9? Tell me.
 
Poor Example

It's a little early to know what Fox will ultimately do with the former "Dog", a sub-standard signal that's not licensed to actually serve Syracuse. Look at who Fox and Levine have to compete with. Clear Channel - poster child for consolidation excess who managed to take some of the best stations in the area and turn them into a shadow of their former selves, and Citadel - perhaps the home of the poorest management in Syracuse.

Why invest more in talent when your beating up the voice-track and syndication across the street, and they're sending so much money to corporate that they can't afford to go head-to-head with decent local talent?

You're a major proponent of the practices of the big consolidators. How's that workin' for ya this week?
 
TheBigA said:
Element9 said:
Y'mean like Opie & Anthony on Blink? And how about "CD102" ?
Click to expand...

Who's spending money on talent? Local guys like Ed Levine or Craig Fox? How much are they spending on talent? You know they both went to SU, don't you? They both jocked on WAER.

Do I have THOSE facts right, E9? Tell me.
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Whoo-hooo! Gold star for you Big Apologist. Even a broken clock is correct twice a day.
 
Good points by all. I can see it both ways, corporatate and employee. Unfortunatly, you live in a capitalist country, where EVERYTHING is about making money, even someone's health. Radio has suffered in alot of ways becuase of these cutbacks, but so has every industry. No one is imune to the money saving that is going on. Rox, you are right, small market radio will be available to more buyers, but then again, so is internet radio with much less overhead. It's all about the vision. I will tell you this, it's NOT about much the station will cost, but is IS about how you structure the purchase. It can make all the difference.

Guys, again. We are all passionate, we all love radio, and life has changed and evolved. Let's get proactive and figure out ways to win and make a difference. Just my 2 cents, or sense. However you prefer
 
superset weekend said:
but then again, so is internet radio with much less overhead.
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I wish people would stop mentiong the incredibly fragmented and often crappy "internet radio" as some viable alternative.
 
Re: Poor Example

SirRoxalot said:
You're a major proponent of the practices of the big consolidators.
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Actually I'm not. I'm just saying that removing them from the equation won't change a whole lot.
 
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