George Ewing Sr.

[listener-in]

This isn't strictly about radio, but the medium lost a worthy former competitor with the passing of George Ewing Sr. When Ewing bought the Post newspapers from Andrew Wolfe, there was an eventual change in style but no slippage of quality. Even now, under the ownership of a struggling corporate parent, the Post papers maintain the heritage of interesting opinion and editorial pages that Gannett's local product does not seem interested in emulating.

 

[Bob1370]

This is another example of how the local, community minded owner of a media outlet is becoming an increasingly rare breed. And it does remind us of how radio is just like the print media in this regard. Case in point...I can't think of a single full-market coverage commercial station in Buffalo that's locally owned, and among Rochester area commercial stations with significant audience reach, only WDKX is owned by a local family.

Buffalo misses guys like Larry Levite more every day. In Rochester I hope the Langstons never sell out. I also hope that today's economic climate (and possible regulatory changes) will cause the mega-groups to downsize and put more stations back in the hands of local owners in touch with, and concerned about serving, the places where they live. I mean no disrespect and wish no harm to any of the big groups but I think our communities, the radio business, and even the big group owners will be better off if those companies downsize to a more manageable portfolio of stations they can afford to program well--and leave the other properties to local owners well enough capitalized, and dedicated enough, to make the most of their signals. Everyone will be better served and every operator will be more profitable.