Does anyone know if it's true that they at blowing out long time folks at Star?
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KJSR
- Thread starter Countryjock
- Start date
The rumor-mill says Chris Kelly is gone at the end of the month; beyond that, I don't know anything.
They're sounding awfully good these days; Jeanne Nass is (still) just an AMAZING voice, I get goose-bumps listening to her. Processing is REALLY heavy but seems to benefit some songs, especially the newer (80s) tracks.
Chris is such a jack-of-all-trades... if it's true they're blowing him out, I think they're (again) making a huge mistake.
Cox Radio Tulsa is gonna start resembling Clear Channel if they keep this up...
They're sounding awfully good these days; Jeanne Nass is (still) just an AMAZING voice, I get goose-bumps listening to her. Processing is REALLY heavy but seems to benefit some songs, especially the newer (80s) tracks.
Chris is such a jack-of-all-trades... if it's true they're blowing him out, I think they're (again) making a huge mistake.
Cox Radio Tulsa is gonna start resembling Clear Channel if they keep this up...
NightAire said:The rumor-mill says Chris Kelly is gone at the end of the month; beyond that, I don't know anything.
They're sounding awfully good these days; Jeanne Nass is (still) just an AMAZING voice, I get goose-bumps listening to her. Processing is REALLY heavy but seems to benefit some songs, especially the newer (80s) tracks.
Chris is such a jack-of-all-trades... if it's true they're blowing him out, I think they're (again) making a huge mistake.
Cox Radio Tulsa is gonna start resembling Clear Channel if they keep this up...
Wow, really? Chris Kelly has been with Cox for a long, long time now. Wasn't he at KRAV though for a bit? Not just a good radio guy, but a good person.
Heard that Andy is gone too. Didn't they just have a pretty good book? I would have expected blow outs at 95 with the terrible showing they had, not Star
I agree; unless they have something else planned for Star (and they're already simulcasting their AM, what else can they simulcast?), I don't understand what's going on over there.
As far as I know, K95 is still a cash cow... not maybe as big as KRMG, but still big. And I suspect this book was a bit of a fluke... so unless this trend continues, I wouldn't worry too much for K95.5FM staffers.
I've only seen the 12+ numbers, but I would suspect Star is doing OK. That's why this "staff blow-out," if true, doesn't make any sense to me.
And Bobby, you're right: Chris IS a good guy on top of being a good employee. As far as I knew, he was also handling all their computers. To my knowledge, he's the "effortless" employee, just tell him what you need him to do and he does it to the best of his ability. I've also occasionally filling in for or with John Filbeck, doing traffic on the Cox stations.
...Maybe this is all fiction??
...Maybe they're selling 103.3 (0r 102.3 and moving KRMG to 103.3)?
I can't make any sense of it. Unless whoever's spreading this is just wanting to "stir the pot." *SUCCESS* 8)
As far as I know, K95 is still a cash cow... not maybe as big as KRMG, but still big. And I suspect this book was a bit of a fluke... so unless this trend continues, I wouldn't worry too much for K95.5FM staffers.
I've only seen the 12+ numbers, but I would suspect Star is doing OK. That's why this "staff blow-out," if true, doesn't make any sense to me.
And Bobby, you're right: Chris IS a good guy on top of being a good employee. As far as I knew, he was also handling all their computers. To my knowledge, he's the "effortless" employee, just tell him what you need him to do and he does it to the best of his ability. I've also occasionally filling in for or with John Filbeck, doing traffic on the Cox stations.
...Maybe this is all fiction??
...Maybe they're selling 103.3 (0r 102.3 and moving KRMG to 103.3)?
I can't make any sense of it. Unless whoever's spreading this is just wanting to "stir the pot." *SUCCESS* 8)
Interesting and strange. Star is sounding more and more what they say they are...a Classic Rock station. I still think some of the music choices don't fit (Huey Lewis, I'm looking at you), but overall, the playlist is much better than it was a couple of years ago. The imaging is really good too.
Sad to hear that Chris is out (if that's true). He's been at Cox forever. And to answer a question, I think he did afternoons at Mix years ago, and then took over as PD of Rock 102.3. Wait...am I right about that?
Sad to hear that Chris is out (if that's true). He's been at Cox forever. And to answer a question, I think he did afternoons at Mix years ago, and then took over as PD of Rock 102.3. Wait...am I right about that?
I'm hearing more, reliable sources saying Chris was a victim of the latest budget cuts.
I know he did voice work at Mix... not sure he was afternoons, but certainly might have been. He was PD of Rock 102.3 and Spirit 102.3 both (which I'm sure would shock each station's audiences!).
When they're laying off Program Directors... how bad ARE things?
I know he did voice work at Mix... not sure he was afternoons, but certainly might have been. He was PD of Rock 102.3 and Spirit 102.3 both (which I'm sure would shock each station's audiences!).
When they're laying off Program Directors... how bad ARE things?
Am I way off base here, or could the changes at KJSR/103.3 FM be what Billy Madison (formerly of KHTT, now in San Antonio w/Cox) said before he left about getting his show "back on the air in Tulsa."
Is KJSR pondering a format flip to compete with KMYZ and KMOD? Bring in Billy Madison's show via quasi-syndication from its new home base in San Antonio with Cox?
This is wild speculation on my part, but the changes at KJSR add credence to what Billy said IMO.
Is KJSR pondering a format flip to compete with KMYZ and KMOD? Bring in Billy Madison's show via quasi-syndication from its new home base in San Antonio with Cox?
This is wild speculation on my part, but the changes at KJSR add credence to what Billy said IMO.
Glenn Quagmire said:Am I way off base here, or could the changes at KJSR/103.3 FM be what Billy Madison (formerly of KHTT, now in San Antonio w/Cox) said before he left about getting his show "back on the air in Tulsa."
Is KJSR pondering a format flip to compete with KMYZ and KMOD? Bring in Billy Madison's show via quasi-syndication from its new home base in San Antonio with Cox?
This is wild speculation on my part, but the changes at KJSR add credence to what Billy said IMO.
I HIGHLY doubt it. Billy says alot of things, many of them never come to fruition. I suspect his comments on self-syndicating his show to Tulsa were a way to pacify his Tulsa fans to prevent the kind of backlash he encountered the last time he took off for Texas. Classic Rock is a consistent money maker, I don't see Cox abandoning their hold on it here.
Does the BMS have a non-compete in the Tulsa market? Maybe Cox is just waiting for that to expire? Billy is the only person that could give Phil and Brent a run for their money. At this point, I don't think Phil and Brent would care. They have plenty of money in the bank and probably wouldn't mind sleeping in late.
Talk about strange. I just heard Billy voice a commercial on Star 103. He even used his name.
That just sucks.
I have absolutely 0 information, but do have some thoughts.
First, the Chris Kelly thing is just crap. He's worked for them for 16 years, he's done everything they've ever asked him to do, and now he's out. The problem programming people have in this business is, in order to do it well, it takes such a personal investment that you come to misunderstand the nature of your relationship with the company you work for. You put so much of yourself into it, time and again going far above and beyond what they could reasonably expect from you, feeling that investment will be recognized and remembered, only to be toasted the moment they feel it's better economically for the company, or the GM and/or GSM need a scapegoat for their poor sales numbers. To top it off, when they're cutting you loose, they always say "It's not personal, it's just business".
Yeah, whatever.
And Andy Barber? Give me a break. Here's a guy who shows up for work early every day, does every appearance and promotion they ask him to, and who pulls big numbers for the station, to boot. More than Chris, Andy's being let go to me is indicative of a change in direction. Regardless of your ratings, you can't meet your sales numbers without recognizable people to do your appearances, remotes, and endorsements. Where are you going to find a more recognizable, more cooperative Classic Rock morning personality in Tulsa than Andy Barber?
The fact is, just as was Oldies 10 years ago, Classic Rock is a dying format. It still pulls strong 25-54 numbers, but nationally, they're massive 45-54, weaker 35-44, and poor 25-34, and that gives competitors something to sell against. And it's going to get worse every year that passes.
KMOD plays enough current music to maintain relevance with 35-44 and 25-34 that STAR doesn't, and with the Edge being weak in the mornings and Lex & Terry long gone, Phil & Brent have a lock on 25-34 and 35-44 men who want a high-personality morning show.
With the simulcasting of KRMG on FM, they took whatever revenue that signal generated out of the market total, and the simulcast would not have allowed any significant increase in KRMG's revenue. In the past, Star always underbilled it's numbers, KMOD has always gotten an inordinate share of the Rock business in the market. I'd say it's possible that COX is going to make an adjustment to "Young Up" STAR, but It would have to be driven by some perishable opportunity. While not making optimal revenues, the station is making money. Yeah, the future for that format is not good, but today, right now, the numbers are good, and GSMs and GMs are not known to be strategic thinkers. They're all about making this month's numbers. and next month's after that. Look how long COX beat oldies to death with FOX in Atlanta before they gave up on it. It would be out of character for them to dump a format that, while holding diminishing prospects for the future, still performs reasonably well today.
Also, while a youth-directed format adjustment might dictate Andy's leaving, it wouldn't dictate Chris', and he's the one with 16 years' service to the company.
In my opinion, there's more going on here than meets the eye (or ears). My bet? People being thrown under the bus as the reason(s) sales numbers aren't being met. It's a time-honored tradition in this business, and one every programming person has intimate experience with.
I have absolutely 0 information, but do have some thoughts.
First, the Chris Kelly thing is just crap. He's worked for them for 16 years, he's done everything they've ever asked him to do, and now he's out. The problem programming people have in this business is, in order to do it well, it takes such a personal investment that you come to misunderstand the nature of your relationship with the company you work for. You put so much of yourself into it, time and again going far above and beyond what they could reasonably expect from you, feeling that investment will be recognized and remembered, only to be toasted the moment they feel it's better economically for the company, or the GM and/or GSM need a scapegoat for their poor sales numbers. To top it off, when they're cutting you loose, they always say "It's not personal, it's just business".
Yeah, whatever.
And Andy Barber? Give me a break. Here's a guy who shows up for work early every day, does every appearance and promotion they ask him to, and who pulls big numbers for the station, to boot. More than Chris, Andy's being let go to me is indicative of a change in direction. Regardless of your ratings, you can't meet your sales numbers without recognizable people to do your appearances, remotes, and endorsements. Where are you going to find a more recognizable, more cooperative Classic Rock morning personality in Tulsa than Andy Barber?
The fact is, just as was Oldies 10 years ago, Classic Rock is a dying format. It still pulls strong 25-54 numbers, but nationally, they're massive 45-54, weaker 35-44, and poor 25-34, and that gives competitors something to sell against. And it's going to get worse every year that passes.
KMOD plays enough current music to maintain relevance with 35-44 and 25-34 that STAR doesn't, and with the Edge being weak in the mornings and Lex & Terry long gone, Phil & Brent have a lock on 25-34 and 35-44 men who want a high-personality morning show.
With the simulcasting of KRMG on FM, they took whatever revenue that signal generated out of the market total, and the simulcast would not have allowed any significant increase in KRMG's revenue. In the past, Star always underbilled it's numbers, KMOD has always gotten an inordinate share of the Rock business in the market. I'd say it's possible that COX is going to make an adjustment to "Young Up" STAR, but It would have to be driven by some perishable opportunity. While not making optimal revenues, the station is making money. Yeah, the future for that format is not good, but today, right now, the numbers are good, and GSMs and GMs are not known to be strategic thinkers. They're all about making this month's numbers. and next month's after that. Look how long COX beat oldies to death with FOX in Atlanta before they gave up on it. It would be out of character for them to dump a format that, while holding diminishing prospects for the future, still performs reasonably well today.
Also, while a youth-directed format adjustment might dictate Andy's leaving, it wouldn't dictate Chris', and he's the one with 16 years' service to the company.
In my opinion, there's more going on here than meets the eye (or ears). My bet? People being thrown under the bus as the reason(s) sales numbers aren't being met. It's a time-honored tradition in this business, and one every programming person has intimate experience with.
I couldn't agree with you more. Simply put, it seems a previously better ran company, Cox, has went the way of the other idiots at Crap Channel, CumeLess, and the other losers. It's all about cut, cut, cut with no regard to prgramming. The Star situation and the dumbing down of KRMG leads to think Cox, at least in the Tulsa area, is quickly becoming NOT a place to want to work anymore.
"Talk about strange. I just heard Billy voice a commercial on Star 103. He even used his name."
The facebook profile for his show features pics of the cast standing in front of the Cox Tulsa building. I'd say Billy's on 103.3 soon.
OKCRadioGuy said:I couldn't agree with you more. Simply put, it seems a previously better ran company, Cox, has went the way of the other idiots at Crap Channel, CumeLess, and the other losers. It's all about cut, cut, cut with no regard to prgramming. The Star situation and the dumbing down of KRMG leads to think Cox, at least in the Tulsa area, is quickly becoming NOT a place to want to work anymore.
I wasn't commenting on COX, specifically.
Regardless of the company you work for, a program director's experience is going to be based largely on his or her interactions with the GM and the GSM. I've worked for great companies with crappy GSMs and/or GMs and been miserable. I've worked for crappy companies with great GSMs and/or GMs and been happy.
There are a few truisms in this business.
First, when the book is bad, 99+% of the time, the GM will place the blame squarely in the programmer's lap. I've never heard a GM say: "Well, I guess I shouldn't have cut the promotions and research budgets and made so many sales-oriented decisions." I've never heard a GSM say: "Well, I guess i shouldn't have rammed those extra units and terrible sales promotions down his/her throat."
Second, even when the ratings are good, if sales isn't converting that to revenue at a rate acceptable to corporate, 99+% of the time, you can bet the first words out of the GSM's mouth will be "He/she isn't cooperative enough with NTR, extra units, etc.", and 99+% of the time, the GM, who 99+% of the time is a former GSM, and who is bonused on sales, not ratings, will back that GSM up.
Third, months, years after that programmer is history, when the ratings are in the tank and the sales numbers never improved, and the GM and/or GSM are finally fired, 99+% of the time, no one from corporate will call that programmer back and say: "Gee, I guess I should have investigated further before I accepted their excuses."
That's the biz, baby.
shaneradio said:Billy is the only person that could give Phil and Brent a run for their money. At this point, I don't think Phil and Brent would care. They have plenty of money in the bank and probably wouldn't mind sleeping in late.
What an outrageous statement. Is Billy talented? Yes. But he could only win 1 book with K-Hits' demo, you think his act will work with an older demo? Phil and Brent have a track record for consistency and stability, neither term can be correctly applied to Billy Madison.
It's official: Andy Barber announced this morning that today was his last day. He says he wasn't "booted," it was "budget cuts." Hard to me to understand how that would feel any different... what, are they going jockless in the mornings? (I know: don't put it past 'em...)
I've always considered losing my job due to budget cuts as being fired. I suppose it looks a little better on the resume, but being fired didn't used to be much of a negative in radio anyway. It was almost like earning your stripes to some people.
Barber is at or very close to retirement age. After all, his first radio job was 1971 after getting out of the Air Force. During that era, he would've had to do a 4, 6, or 8 year active enlistment (the Air Force has never done 2 year enlistments) depending on the kind of job he had, which means, at the very latest, he graduated high school in '67. That would put him at 62 or 63. So, I wonder if he'll even go back into radio.
Barber is at or very close to retirement age. After all, his first radio job was 1971 after getting out of the Air Force. During that era, he would've had to do a 4, 6, or 8 year active enlistment (the Air Force has never done 2 year enlistments) depending on the kind of job he had, which means, at the very latest, he graduated high school in '67. That would put him at 62 or 63. So, I wonder if he'll even go back into radio.
I can hardly wait for Wednesday morning to hear the level of radio entertainment enhanced at 103.3. Radio make its sales numbers? Not hardly, any more. Too much competition now, to which they haven't adjusted. PLUS: Seen the breed of radio sales people these days? With a few exceptions, mostly bimbos and himbos making lower commissions than 10, 20 or more years ago.
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