LAYOFFS

[da]

many in radio in buffalo and rochester,

tv: there have been a few at 13 and i hear same sordid word of the same echoing at ch 10

 

[Mark Giardina]

If you think Buffalo and Rochester has had its share of layoffs, read Scott Fybush's column this week about what is going on in the Boston market. It's shocking to read the number of veterans who lost their jobs.

 

[Bob1370]

It amazes me how little the people in top management have learned from their, and other companies', recent troubles. If there's one thing we have learned, it's that the more you take out of the quality of the product, the more that product is rejected by the marketplace--with the resulting bad effect on revenue and profit. The downsizing of radio has been followed exactly and immediately by the financial implosion of the country's biggest players in the business, and the cause-and-effect relationship of the two could not possibly be clearer. But no one seems to have fully understood and learned the lesson.

As long as they keep slashing people and programming quality, they will also continue to lose audience and lose the revenue and profit that comes with that audience. What they save in cost, has been lost many times over in shrinkage on the bottom line. If you want an illustrated definition of false economy, of being penny-wise and dollar-foolish, of pernicious corporate anorexia, check the broadcasting business and you'll find it.

The troubling thing is, when things get beyond a certain point, anorexia is incurable and eventually fatal.

I hope the radio industry's anorexia hasn't yet reached the terminal stage. Up to now I've been hopeful and even optimistic. But the longer the suits refuse to see the obvious lesson, the greater the likelihood of permanent failure of the entire radio business, and even of broadcast television. I hope there's still time to turn things around, but the time's growing short.

 

[OttoM]

But the longer the suits refuse to see the obvious lesson, the greater the likelihood of permanent failure of the entire radio business, and even of broadcast television. I hope there's still time to turn things around, but the time's growing short.

I think that's a BIT overdramatic, Bob.

There's been a number of stories recently on how "mom and pops" are still doing well and making money. I bet Mr. Savage could concur with that. So I think the "big guys" will start shedding more properties at bargain prices to local owners (e.g. the recent CBS deal in Denver). And that may be what has to happen to "save" this business.

 

[Mark Giardina]

There's been a number of stories recently on how "mom and pops" are still doing well and making money. I bet Mr. Savage could concur with that. So I think the "big guys" will start shedding more properties at bargain prices to local owners (e.g. the recent CBS deal in Denver). And that may be what has to happen to "save" this business.

Personally I would love to see more "mom and pop" operations buying up stations at reasonable prices.

The question that comes to my mind is the availability of credit and what impact that would have on these operators being able to afford to run these stations and hire local talent?

Bob (Savage) is fortunate that he started up WYSL years ago and established the station in the Rochester market. Could someone new coming into either the Rochester or Buffalo markets today achieve the same success as Bob has I think remains a question to ponder.

Another question I wanted to "toss out there" for discussion is how many of you think that CBS is going the route NBC did 20+ years ago and eventually will just get out of the radio business?

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Another question I wanted to "toss out there" for discussion is how many of you think that CBS is going the route NBC did 20+ years ago and eventually will just get out of the radio business?

We can only hope and pray this comes true. CBS has major full power FM's running with a part-time air staff that makes $10 an hour for voice tracks. Man talk about running cheap.

We've seen CBS this ain't CBS, this is Infinity.

 

[scooterodell]

There's been a number of stories recently on how "mom and pops" are still doing well and making money. I bet Mr. Savage could concur with that.

Does this mean we should start calling him "Pop" Savage? ;D

 

[AxelM]

What did we expect? This all started in the 80's as radio was way ahead of the curve in cutting operations to the bone and expecting the same results. We're all waiting for the CC bloodbath. As painful as it will be to witness many losing their careers, I say bring it on. Despite Mark Mays New Years letter, THE WALMART OF RADIO will be fatally wounded by their quest for dollars. I think Bob 1370 has it right. They cut and cut and offer bologna in place of roast beef. At first a just a few listeners go and they say “see, this is what they want!” Professionals with years of experience are banished in place of these kids willing to work for $10 an hour who due to no fault of their own have no worldly experience or broadcasting acumen. Radio is no different from America’s other industries being brought to its knees. One CT lawmaker is talking about a government bailout of newspapers; that will be the final death knell to democracy with our sainted lawmakers controlling the fourth estate’s purse strings. A long time ago I was lucky enough to be on WHAM…I listen now and lower my head in shame to what this once virtuous lady and all her 50K sisters have become. Mark G I pray like you that the Mom and Pops, who truly love radio, prevail. But alas they won’t. The Gov now controls the banks and the banks won’t be lending to independent minded programmers who don’t churn out the proper propaganda. The landscape will be greatly changed a year from now. Will we the professional voices remain mute as we witness them philosophically unplugging the microphones? Stand up for radio, democracy and America and for god sakes say something!!!

 

[therealjm12]

I have been working on and off part time in radio in upstate N. Y. for about the last 25 years. It has been mostly on my own terms. I have been lucky. The money I have made from these gigs went for extra car payments, home improvements, maybe an extra vacation. I pumped money into the local economy. I wonder if advertisers have given any thought to the money that is pumped into their businesses by local broadcasters. Every time an air shift is automated or voice tracked that means that much less money is spent at their auto dealership or store. Personally, if I ran a car dealership or any business I would not want any of my spots run on a station that was automated.
Why spend money on media that was not supporting the local economy -just sucking it out? I wonder if this matter has ever been brought to the local chamber of Commerces.

 

[Element9]

If you think about it, Slick Tom Tiberi formerly of 97 Rock, would be the prime example of corporate stupidity. Here's a guy who was putting great numbers on the board and he gets dumped. I don't know the details of the decision, other than what's been heard through the radio grapevine and on these boards, but firing a night guy who performs and sounds like a morning guy, a real personality who's been part of the station for years seems counter productive. Would it surprise anybody here to think that Tiberi's strong night time ratings helped the 97 Rock morning show?

Sadly, this is a textbook example of doing the wrong thing. It also clearly exemplifies (if not amplifies) the fact that corporate decision makers just don't care. They'd trip over a quarter to pick up a dime. It's only a guess, but I'd bet that the stations that have strong, known and recognizeable air personalities will be the ones that survive and when the Fall book comes out later this month, it's very likely that WYRK, 97 Rock, WBEN, WBLK and Star will likely be on top. Of course, the All-Christmas-Music stations are likely to see a seasonal (temporary) bump as well, which in no way is attributable to personality... other than Burl Ives and Andy Williams being in high rotation. BTW, it's nice to listen to any radio station these days and not hear "Happy Christmas, War Is Over," a song that's worn out its welcome over the years.

 

[ThePickleReport]

If you think about it, Slick Tom Tiberi formerly of 97 Rock, would be the prime example of corporate stupidity. Here's a guy who was putting great numbers on the board and he gets dumped. I don't know the details of the decision, other than what's been heard through the radio grapevine and on these boards, but firing a night guy who performs and sounds like a morning guy, a real personality who's been part of the station for years seems counter productive.

Not that I wish bad things on anyone, but I'm surprised that they didn't make more cuts within the cluster INSTEAD of Mr. Tiberi. Why cannibalize the cash-cow?

 

[Radknowski]

And then there's this:

Employees don’t blame management. Layoffs, pay cuts and 401(k) cuts aside, a majority of radio employees don’t appear to be holding a grudge against their GM or corporate leaders. A survey of Inside Radio readers finds 84% believe management is suffering along with the rest of the staff. More from our survey in today's Inside Radio.

Meditation? Let Go & Let God? Yoga? Zen Budhism? Prayer? Or is it Prozac?

 

[Savage]

Since we're talking about radio here, my guess would be a combination of (a) therapeutic message board posting and (b) Pabst Blue Ribbon.

 

[qman]

How about JW Dundee?