Sad to report another victim to the Cox budget axe. Eagle PD Ed Scarborough stated on Facebook this morning that his position was eliminated and he was out. Apparently, OM Johnny Chaing will assume Eagle PD duties. Good luck, Ed.
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Ed Scarborough is out
- Thread starter smartestguyintheroom
- Start date
Another sign of what has happened to this business - and it sucks! While I don't know Ed personally, I have spoken to him in the past when I was looking for even a part-time gig, and he was always pleasant...I wish him the best of luck.
S
snoman
Guest
It is sad, but there's not much to program. They sound like a carbon-copy of KKRW... not much in the way of music variety. Classic Hits, Classic Rock... it's the same thing. KGLK sounds slightly softer than KKRW, but they cater to the same demos.
I wish Ed the best. He was great when he was in San Antonio as well. I'm sure he'll land on his feet somewhere.
I wish Ed the best. He was great when he was in San Antonio as well. I'm sure he'll land on his feet somewhere.
D
downthedial
Guest
radiopropd said:Another sign of what has happened to this business - and it sucks! While I don't know Ed personally, I have spoken to him in the past when I was looking for even a part-time gig, and he was always pleasant...I wish him the best of luck.
I'll AMEN that it sucks! Ed's a good guy and so kind. I also wish him the best of luck as he rides of the waves of radio's current "storm" to land on solid ground, elsewhere. Can these radio cuts get more tragic and harder to stomach? Dang it!
Why does the logic of getting rid of good programming talent escape the stockholders and owners of these companies? When you get rid of your best people, you lose the talent that produces the content that makes people want to listen to you. When you lose the listeners, the advertisers don't get their money's worth. When the advertisers start bailing out on you, the station loses money; and so do the stockholders. So, you've shot yourself, and your company, in the proverbial foot.
Isn't anyone at the ad agencies seeing any of this? If so, why do they keep buying time with outfits like these? Their money is better spent on other media.
Just once, I'd like to see an owner fire the incompetent people, at the top, who make these boneheaded decisions, first?
Isn't anyone at the ad agencies seeing any of this? If so, why do they keep buying time with outfits like these? Their money is better spent on other media.
Just once, I'd like to see an owner fire the incompetent people, at the top, who make these boneheaded decisions, first?
S
soloflyr1
Guest
mrbeasley,
Upper management would rather have boot lickers over butt kickers anytime, they don't want creativity or talent they want yes-men/yes-women & for the most part that is what is left in control of radio these days.
Upper management would rather have boot lickers over butt kickers anytime, they don't want creativity or talent they want yes-men/yes-women & for the most part that is what is left in control of radio these days.
mrbeasley said:Why does the logic of getting rid of good programming talent escape the stockholders and owners of these companies? When you get rid of your best people, you lose the talent that produces the content that makes people want to listen to you. When you lose the listeners, the advertisers don't get their money's worth. When the advertisers start bailing out on you, the station loses money; and so do the stockholders. So, you've shot yourself, and your company, in the proverbial foot.
Isn't anyone at the ad agencies seeing any of this? If so, why do they keep buying time with outfits like these? Their money is better spent on other media.
Just once, I'd like to see an owner fire the incompetent people, at the top, who make these boneheaded decisions, first?
where ya been? cox just spent money to get the programming talent people want to listen to in d&r. ed lost his gig to corporate restructuring. nothing more, nothing less.
as for your doomsday view of the business for dumping a talented guy and your misguided opinion of ad agencies motivations, you have a lot to learn about the biz.
or you know better and just wanted to rant.
tooniloo
Yeah. I suppose you're right. I lost my last job because I wouldn't suck up to the suits. But, it still amazes me that the stockholders don't understand how that kind of crap impacts their return on their investment. After all, if you're an astute businessperson; you should be able to see it.
Whats really sad is that someone like Cox gives you a gig, you uproot your family, buy a house, do a good job, get the ratings, and get fired over a two year period. Radio sucks right now.
Don't know Ed, but I've read and heard good things about him and I wish hime well. As a guy who's been "on the beach" since January I wish him well. Radio has always been a business and at one time was a great business. Today it's more about organizing and playing "files" and managing debt service than entertaining and serving the public. Just the way it is.
C
CaptainShowbiz
Guest
You have no idea just how correct you are when you say Cox prefers "Bootlickers." And now that Cox no longer has to be responsible to the stock market, Bob Neil is free to operate with no checks & balances whatever. The clique that operates the local Cox cluster has dumped several valuable air personalities and programmers, because they wanted to, well, program and have personalities. All music at Cox stations is chosen by upper management. All decisions are made or approved by upper management. It remains to be seen whether the Dean & Rog move will be successful, but one can be fairly confident that Cox paid way too much for them and won't be able to recoup that investment in today's market. When D&R were just a gleam in MK's eyes, late last summer, it may have seemed that "The Eagle" could get huge dollars for spots on their morning show. Now? Not a chance. So what's left to do but cut even further. Chiang will end up "PD" of all their stations, and outside of morning drive they will all be staffed by part-timers or voice trackers. And that's the state of "major market" radio today. Pray for WiFi in your car, asap.
Bob Neil isn't really free to do as he pleases. Cox Radio is simply not a public company. Actually, there could be a circumstance where the purchase could mean Bob will be more accountable. Internal Cox Communications check and balances may shine a light on Bob's top down practice of hiring "bootlickers" and yes men.
The recent personnel developments at the Cox/Houston cluster put a lot of daily responsibility on Chiang's shoulders. KKBQ, Legends, now Eagle. All the work for all three everyday, plus oversight of KHPT which is programmed by Dain Craig. There is still a lot of work to be done with the KKBQ morning show. Now, a new cast on 107.5, plus a new station to deal with as well. We haven't touched on how the strategy to adjust 107.5 to a more competitive direction with KHPT will effect Point, Johnny, Dain and the entire dynamic in the building and on the street. Make no mistake though, Dean & Rog are quality people who have a proven track record and huge fan base in Houston. They are clearly Cox's gain and Clear Channel's loss. One thing is certain: Chiang is a long time Cox employee who fits their "mold". Removing any non-Cox ideas from the building is probably a done deal.
The recent personnel developments at the Cox/Houston cluster put a lot of daily responsibility on Chiang's shoulders. KKBQ, Legends, now Eagle. All the work for all three everyday, plus oversight of KHPT which is programmed by Dain Craig. There is still a lot of work to be done with the KKBQ morning show. Now, a new cast on 107.5, plus a new station to deal with as well. We haven't touched on how the strategy to adjust 107.5 to a more competitive direction with KHPT will effect Point, Johnny, Dain and the entire dynamic in the building and on the street. Make no mistake though, Dean & Rog are quality people who have a proven track record and huge fan base in Houston. They are clearly Cox's gain and Clear Channel's loss. One thing is certain: Chiang is a long time Cox employee who fits their "mold". Removing any non-Cox ideas from the building is probably a done deal.
FYI: The Radio-Info columnist Tom Taylor has said that the omniscient Mr. Neil is on his way out at Cox.
A
aunti-terrestrial
Guest
smartestguyintheroom said:Make no mistake though, Dean & Rog are quality people who have a proven track record and huge fan base in Houston. They are clearly Cox's gain and Clear Channel's loss.
Thank you. Having worked with Dean, Rog, Suzy, and Jen, I'm not prepared to classify any one of them as "bootlickers." In fact, applying that term is selling short an awful lot of talent.
No doubt with a golden parachute.michaelshiloh said:FYI: The Radio-Info columnist Tom Taylor has said that the omniscient Mr. Neil is on his way out at Cox.
Say isn't this the same guy that took KLTR from the dominant station in the market to the toilet in two books back in the mid 80's? The guy they call Ed One Share? Think they called him that at KNX FM in L.A. Didn't he tank a couple in San Antonio too? Perhaps I'm missing his greatness somehow, of course it was probably all because he would not suck up to the suits. Surely you guys will find some way to blame this all on Clear Channel ;D
A
aunti-terrestrial
Guest
Walter 1 said:Say isn't this the same guy that took KLTR from the dominant station in the market to the toilet in two books back in the mid 80's? The guy they call Ed One Share? Think they called him that at KNX FM in L.A. Didn't he tank a couple in San Antonio too? Perhaps I'm missing his greatness somehow, of course it was probably all because he would not suck up to the suits. Surely you guys will find some way to blame this all on Clear Channel ;D
Mid-80's? 20+ years is a long time to hold onto a grudge.
Ed was PD at KLTR for a long time. In September 1990, KHMX Mix 96.5 (Guy Zapoleon, PD) came on the air and took the lions share of the 25-34 female cell from K-Lite. KLTR immediately chased after those 25-34's, virtually ignoring the 35-54's. By the time Arbitron caught up to reflect that Mix was winning that battle, KODA flipped to Sunny 99.1 (Dave Dillon, PD) in February 1991. Sunny 99.1 courted and won the 35-54 females leaving K-Lite hanging their hats on their nightly K-Lite Cafe jazz program. Interestingly, KJZS debuted in January 1991 as Smooth Jazz (Mike Ryan, PD). These three highly focused competitors cleaned out the overly wide demo swath K-Lite enjoyed for many years under Ed.
Many Houston radio strategists, consultants, managers, PDs, group folks, etc. have speculated on what happened to K-Lite. Surviving that triple punch would have been difficult for anyone. While Ed's name was on the PD door, he takes the blame. Remember though that he worked for CBS with some of the most far reaching resources and deepest pockets in the business at that time. Ed shouldn't take the blame alone. His GM, group PD, consultants, researchers and corporate management must share that. Eventually, everyone was terminated. CBS brought back John Hiatt who attempted to resurrect K-Lite of old when he worked there before. It failed miserably as Sunny and Mix were completely in control. KJZS became a talk station in 1992 sometime. KLTR changed to KKRW,Arrow 93.7, in November 1994 (Shelly James, PD).
I couldn't comment on any disparaging nicknames as posted above, nor do I know the history of Ed or his stations prior to KLTR.
Many Houston radio strategists, consultants, managers, PDs, group folks, etc. have speculated on what happened to K-Lite. Surviving that triple punch would have been difficult for anyone. While Ed's name was on the PD door, he takes the blame. Remember though that he worked for CBS with some of the most far reaching resources and deepest pockets in the business at that time. Ed shouldn't take the blame alone. His GM, group PD, consultants, researchers and corporate management must share that. Eventually, everyone was terminated. CBS brought back John Hiatt who attempted to resurrect K-Lite of old when he worked there before. It failed miserably as Sunny and Mix were completely in control. KJZS became a talk station in 1992 sometime. KLTR changed to KKRW,Arrow 93.7, in November 1994 (Shelly James, PD).
I couldn't comment on any disparaging nicknames as posted above, nor do I know the history of Ed or his stations prior to KLTR.
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