KRMG Changes?

[31kings]

And sadly we are seeing that more and more in businesses in general. There's a little more to it over there though. We'll call it a "difference in philosophy" between the old dogs and the current department. Which I think is demonstrated with announcing their morning personality as the News Director and the departure of Richard.

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

I'd be a bit careful making too many changes if I were the owners of KRMG. They seem to be doing great at this point. People should FIX what's not broken.

 

[Ed Thomas]

First....Joe Kelley - who has never worked in a news department as a reporter and has no journalistic background or leadership skills - is named KRMG News Director.

Then...Richard Dowdell is sent packing.

Coincidence? Don't be a fool.

Notice something else...Kelley's good friend and morning buddy Rick Courie is now doing news pieces. Also far from a coincidence. So much for being Sports Director, hey Rick?

As for the former News Director Dan Potter who was supposedly going to only do his foodie show but can't stop doing severe weather reports on KRMG, he's desperately trying to squirm his way back into KRLD in Dallas, but can only get fill-in work subbing for sick anchors. So close yet so far, right Dan?

 

[ionosphere]

Notice something else...Kelley's good friend and morning buddy Rick Courie is now doing news pieces. Also far from a coincidence. So much for being Sports Director, hey Rick?

This is something I actually don't have a problem with. Rick's just trying to get in where he can fit in. Since KRMG isn't a real news station anymore, he has to do what he has to do for airtime. I do think it's interesting that several years ago when Rick was cut loose by KRMG, he ended up in what I thought was a cushy gig doing the afternoon show on Sports Radio 1430, and then quit when he found a way back into KRMG. That should tell you how important sports is to him.

 

[Ed Thomas]

...he ended up in what I thought was a cushy gig doing the afternoon show on Sports Radio 1430, and then quit when he found a way back into KRMG. That should tell you how important sports is to him.

If sports is that important to him, then why is he doing NEWS (and not a very good job IMO)?! If you want to get down to it, Rick is ripping and reading sports in the morning, mostly from the Tulsa World (and that's not a rumor, that's a fact).

 

[Kent]

If sports is that important to him, then why is he doing NEWS (and not a very good job IMO)?!

That sounded to me like what his point was.

If you want to get down to it, Rick is ripping and reading sports in the morning, mostly from the Tulsa World (and that's not a rumor, that's a fact).

That's pretty much what sports and news are everywhere these days. Honestly, you should feel lucky you're getting radio news at all. In the wake of budget cuts, news departments tend to be some of the first areas scaled back.

 

[Ed Thomas]

That sounded to me like what his point was.

I could see his point going both ways.

If you want to get down to it, Rick is ripping and reading sports in the morning, mostly from the Tulsa World (and that's not a rumor, that's a fact).

That's pretty much what sports and news are everywhere these days. Honestly, you should feel lucky you're getting radio news at all. In the wake of budget cuts, news departments tend to be some of the first areas scaled back.

Kent...I respectfully disagree with your analysis that "pretty much" everyone is doing news like KRMG. I can tell you that is simply not true. I so often see on these messages boards comments from others saying (to paraphrase), "Give up. Times in the industry have changed. Roll with the punches. You should feel lucky." Etc., etc. The way news is delivered has changed, but somehow standards in the way in which you report have gone right out the window. Radio news isn't like a new pair of shoes you get used to. It's doing the basics and sticking to the standards that got you there. Those don't change. Some radio news stations stick to those standards and to this day they remain number one. I can name many. Others are number one, but not because of their news coverage but instead their secondary programming. Is KRMG one of those stations? Could they still be number a strong #1 news/talk station without Rush and Shawn? I'll leave that to each individual to decide. But if you agree news standards are essential, then I'm perplexed in what we're hearing at KRMG. You're only as good as the people at the top, and that seems to be speaking for itself.

 

[GeneSavage]

I think Rick is doing what he is told to do at KRMG so that he remains gainfully employed... not unlike what Joe Kelly is doing. Dan Potter, too. I don't blame any of them, especially in this economy, especially in broadcast radio.

I DO blame management, both locally and on the national level. They've turned a legendary Tulsa station into a cookie cutter clone of every other Cox-owned news-talker. I'd be careful before shooting the messenger(s); there are some incredibly talented people at 71st & Yale, no matter how underutilized or misplaced they may be right now.

Just at KRMG: Charlene Lewis, Denver Foxx, Mike Downing, Rick Couri, Dick Loftin, John Filbeck, and the list goes on. Also in the building: Steve Hunter, Andy Barber, Dave Michaels, Chuck Stevens... seriously, they have the talent, they're just tied up by Atlanta (or have been so brainwashed they've begun to believe Atlanta's bull).

The fact is, Cox always does extremely well in the ratings with K95.5FM and KRMG, and I've heard KRMG is (or was) a cash cow. Mix 96 managed to drive long-time Tulsa AC KBEZ to become a Bob-FM format, and Star 103 holds its own as well. I believe they could be DOMINATING this market if they let their talent loose... as it is, they simply win... but that's enough for the owners, so nothing changes.

...And nothing WILL change until they're hurt in their pocketbook. When that happens, with they be smart enough to realize what they need to do, or with they sell the sticks to somebody(s) who do, or will they sentence the stations to slow, painful deaths? That, I couldn't even guess.

I do know that I hear more and more that KRMG sounds less like an information station and more like a circus with every passing day... I hear P1s who are now mocking them... and some of them have discovered KWGS.

I'm still waiting for Clear Channel to put news / talk on 101.5. It wouldn't likely beat them, at least not at first, but it could certainly hurt KRMG in Tulsa county. ESPECIALLY if they stole Rush (since he's still a Clear Channel property, right?)

 

[ionosphere]

I could see his point going both ways.

My point went one way, Ed. My point was that Rick Couri gave up a gig co-hosting an afternoon sports show on a sports radio station to become the morning sidekick on a news/talk show. Thus, leaving the impression that he's not really a "sports" guy so much as he is a radio guy.

You seem to be so anti-KRMG that you are tripping over youself at the opportunity to rip them. While I can certainly understand this desire, and I appreciate the passion in your approach, you just come off as a guy with an ax to grind. And maybe you are.

 

[ionosphere]

I think Rick is doing what he is told to do at KRMG so that he remains gainfully employed... not unlike what Joe Kelly is doing. Dan Potter, too. I don't blame any of them, especially in this economy, especially in broadcast radio.

I DO blame management, both locally and on the national level. They've turned a legendary Tulsa station into a cookie cutter clone of every other Cox-owned news-talker. I'd be careful before shooting the messenger(s); there are some incredibly talented people at 71st & Yale, no matter how underutilized or misplaced they may be right now.

Just at KRMG: Charlene Lewis, Denver Foxx, Mike Downing, Rick Couri, Dick Loftin, John Filbeck, and the list goes on. Also in the building: Steve Hunter, Andy Barber, Dave Michaels, Chuck Stevens... seriously, they have the talent, they're just tied up by Atlanta (or have been so brainwashed they've begun to believe Atlanta's bull).

The fact is, Cox always does extremely well in the ratings with K95.5FM and KRMG, and I've heard KRMG is (or was) a cash cow. Mix 96 managed to drive long-time Tulsa AC KBEZ to become a Bob-FM format, and Star 103 holds its own as well. I believe they could be DOMINATING this market if they let their talent loose... as it is, they simply win... but that's enough for the owners, so nothing changes.

...And nothing WILL change until they're hurt in their pocketbook. When that happens, with they be smart enough to realize what they need to do, or with they sell the sticks to somebody(s) who do, or will they sentence the stations to slow, painful deaths? That, I couldn't even guess.

I do know that I hear more and more that KRMG sounds less like an information station and more like a circus with every passing day... I hear P1s who are now mocking them... and some of them have discovered KWGS.

I'm still waiting for Clear Channel to put news / talk on 101.5. It wouldn't likely beat them, at least not at first, but it could certainly hurt KRMG in Tulsa county. ESPECIALLY if they stole Rush (since he's still a Clear Channel property, right?)

The funny thing about Cox is, as you mentioned, they are loaded with talent that is largely being suppressed, and they have no problem paying these people well. It's almost as if Cox is happy being just good enough.

In regards to CC launching a news/talker, it is my understanding that this has been discussed, and I don't think they'd have a problem taking Rush from KRMG. I think they're hesitant to flip 101.5 because the ratings haven't been horrendous (even for a rather niche demo)...but I think the bigger problem is that the signal is very limited. They would probably need to pair it up with either 1430 or 1300. I think the better option would be 106.1 in the event that the Gen-X experiment fails (which it will).

But I wouldn't expect CC to do something like that until KFAQ gives up the format (which they will eventually).

 

[Ed Thomas]

You seem to be so anti-KRMG that you are tripping over youself at the opportunity to rip them. While I can certainly understand this desire, and I appreciate the passion in your approach, you just come off as a guy with an ax to grind. And maybe you are.

I have no ax to grind, have never worked there and I'm not going to banter in personal attacks. What I know is what I hear, on and off air. What I've said about the quality of the product stands. If you can cash a paycheck and live with extending your 'ethics goal line' day after day, year after year like some people in the industry and some people at KRMG (I don't have to mention names because its obvious), then I guess you have nothing to worry about. I personally can't and won't do that.

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

Yup. And unfortunately these days the harsh truth is anyone that doesn't say "how high would you like me to jump sir?!" proably either won't be hired or won't survive cuts. Today's medium and major market radio isn't about quality anymore. It's all about mulitasking talents and keeping one's head very low. Sadly, that's the reason our industry is becoming more irrelivant by the day. About the only place in the comm band real radio seems to be happening anymnore is in smaller market clusters, for the most part. Places like Ada, Ponca City, Weatherford/Elk City/Clinton, McAlester, Ardmore, Lawton, etc. still play real radio the best they can. They are still involved with their communities and relivant. The big boys keep trying to shoot themselves in the foot instead. I say if they want to ruin their business, that's their own problem. The next hickup in the industry might shake out some of their lesser stations to be sold to people that actually care. The sooner the better IMHO.

 

[ionosphere]

You seem to be so anti-KRMG that you are tripping over youself at the opportunity to rip them. While I can certainly understand this desire, and I appreciate the passion in your approach, you just come off as a guy with an ax to grind. And maybe you are.

I have no ax to grind, have never worked there and I'm not going to banter in personal attacks. What I know is what I hear, on and off air. What I've said about the quality of the product stands. If you can cash a paycheck and live with extending your 'ethics goal line' day after day, year after year like some people in the industry and some people at KRMG (I don't have to mention names because its obvious), then I guess you have nothing to worry about. I personally can't and won't do that.

I'm simply saying that the manner in which you are crafting your messages seem to have a personal lean.

I can't disagree with anything you are saying about KRMG's on air product (if you've read this board often, you would know I've said the same thing myself before), but I do think it is more than a little curious that you are only pointing the finger at 71st and Yale when KFAQ has been doing the same thing since they flipped to News/Talk nearly 10 years ago.

And while I am in no way defending KRMG, I will say that they are only following industry trends and listener demand. At the end of the day, radio is like any other business. To stay relevant, you have to stay competitive. And the only way to stay competitive in radio these days is to push the envelope. It isn't a good thing, but that's the way it is.

We need to remember that KRMG is no longer a "news" station. They are a talk station that airs some news. Since they are no longer a news station, there is no need for a true news staff, including a journalistic News Director. The writing is on the wall...Marshall Stewart, John Durkee, Richard Dowdell...they're all gone. Replaced with TV has-beens and market climbers. And while I'm sure there are people at KRMG who are trying to walk an ethical path, the Joe Kelleys and Drew Anderssens of the world (the folks who really run things there) simply aren't interested...and the ratings are, unfortunately, on their side.

KRMG and KFAQ do what "news/talk" stations do now. It isn't anything new. Talk radio is filled with hate, misinformation, half-truths and, yes, lies. Hosts (local and syndicated alike) do what they can to generate interest in their shows, and listeners buy into it. Hosts like Larry King and Bruce Williams can't survive in today's talk radio landscape because they aren't controversial enough. It isn't right, but it isn't illegal. And honestly, the only thing you or I can do about it is pick another station.

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

You seem to be so anti-KRMG that you are tripping over youself at the opportunity to rip them. While I can certainly understand this desire, and I appreciate the passion in your approach, you just come off as a guy with an ax to grind. And maybe you are.

I have no ax to grind, have never worked there and I'm not going to banter in personal attacks. What I know is what I hear, on and off air. What I've said about the quality of the product stands. If you can cash a paycheck and live with extending your 'ethics goal line' day after day, year after year like some people in the industry and some people at KRMG (I don't have to mention names because its obvious), then I guess you have nothing to worry about. I personally can't and won't do that.

I'm simply saying that the manner in which you are crafting your messages seem to have a personal lean.

I can't disagree with anything you are saying about KRMG's on air product (if you've read this board often, you would know I've said the same thing myself before), but I do think it is more than a little curious that you are only pointing the finger at 71st and Yale when KFAQ has been doing the same thing since they flipped to News/Talk nearly 10 years ago.

And while I am in no way defending KRMG, I will say that they are only following industry trends and listener demand. At the end of the day, radio is like any other business. To stay relevant, you have to stay competitive. And the only way to stay competitive in radio these days is to push the envelope. It isn't a good thing, but that's the way it is.

We need to remember that KRMG is no longer a "news" station. They are a talk station that airs some news. Since they are no longer a news station, there is no need for a true news staff, including a journalistic News Director. The writing is on the wall...Marshall Stewart, John Durkee, Richard Dowdell...they're all gone. Replaced with TV has-beens and market climbers. And while I'm sure there are people at KRMG who are trying to walk an ethical path, the Joe Kelleys and Drew Anderssens of the world (the folks who really run things there) simply aren't interested...and the ratings are, unfortunately, on their side.

KRMG and KFAQ do what "news/talk" stations do now. It isn't anything new. Talk radio is filled with hate, misinformation, half-truths and, yes, lies. Hosts (local and syndicated alike) do what they can to generate interest in their shows, and listeners buy into it. Hosts like Larry King and Bruce Williams can't survive in today's talk radio landscape because they aren't controversial enough. It isn't right, but it isn't illegal. And honestly, the only thing you or I can do about it is pick another station.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Unfortunately the radio/tv/media product most of us grew up with, went to college/paid our dues to study/work in has changed. Radio isn't what it was. When I turn on "Tulsa's modern rock station" and hear a song in heavy rotation that was popular almost 20 years ago I know things have changed. I imagine myself 20 years ago tuning into the "modern rock" station only to hear songs from the early 70s. It never happened. But, 1992 was a time when things were different.

Sadly, things have changed. Radio hasn't changed for the better. I could wax poetic about the reasons why.

There is more competition for ears (cell phones, IPOD, SiriusXM) combined with the inability of new music to reach critical mass. 20 years ago everyone my age listened to the radio. Today everyone who's in their teens has a million different things tugging at their attention spans. Fewer people listen, thus fewer songs become "hits." When fewer songs become "hits" you're stuck with previous hits.

This is why Soft Cell's "Tainted Love," Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," and .38 Special's "Hold on Loosely" are played on Tulsa radio with such frequency. Visit DFW, Wichita, Little Rock, Memphis, and you'll find the same thing.

Radio stations like KRMG are in survival mode. Thus a station once known for its news relies on Rush, Hannity, Boortz, and Savage. That is KRMG's bread and butter. The news while important comes in second.

 

[tulsarick]

I'm curious. So many people claim talk radio spouts "hate". Can anyone provide one quote from a mainstream conservative backing that up?

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

I'm curious. So many people claim talk radio spouts "hate". Can anyone provide one quote from a mainstream conservative backing that up?

Really Tulsarick? Really?

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

The whole Savage show? I could transcribe it I suppose, but why? Seriously, I'm a financial conservative that agrees with the majority of what Savage says, but he's about a caustic as they get.

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

(In response to the President's Wednesday speech on Afghanistan)

"What better way to fire up the Democrat base than to announce you intend to lose the war in Afghanistan?" he said. "What do General Petraeus and Gates, the Defense Secretary, what do they know? ... you know, Hitler's generals tried to argue with him too."

Rush Limbaugh on his show Thursday on your station Rick.

 

[ionosphere]

I'm curious. So many people claim talk radio spouts "hate". Can anyone provide one quote from a mainstream conservative backing that up?

Let's be clear, Rick. It's CONSERVATIVE talk radio that spouts hate. Not all of it, but a vast majority of it. And when I say "hate", I don't mean that anyone is saying "Let's go out and kill people!" (although Michael Savage did once say we should kill 100 million Muslims so that there will only be 900 million of them), but they speak in very devisive words.

And, incidentally, I consider myself conservative.

 

[Ed Thomas]

Let's not change the subject, Rick (if that really is who you are).

KRMGs stations news coverage has fallen off dramatically and some of the things we're hearing internally from their experienced (and I use that term loosely) News Director leave doubt to the balance of the product. If KRMG starts calling their own local news fair and balanced it will be laughable.

And as for Rick Couri's news experience, he can't even do 'man on the street' pieces without infecting them with his one-sided slant. The people inside the KRMG newsroom are cringing at his pieces. As one reporter there told me last week, "his pieces are an affront to what the rest of us try to day everyday."

Forget what my personal opinion is of their product. That comment from a person who works there speaks volumes.