The responses to date have not surprised me. Intentionally, I waited to weigh-in to see what many of you thought.
For months I’ve been making the case Jacksonville desperately and I mean desperately needs new blood in the ownership department. If this decision doesn’t prove my point, then I will never convince you.
If you recall, in the very lengthy “Jacksonville” string many subjects were discussed. But, at the center of it all, was the consensus that our market is far too fragmented with too many rock formats. Men, in particular, are over-served beyond what makes long-term economic sense. Remember too, men are served in news/talk and sports programming. Despite what many of the posters were saying about rock on 94.1, I knew in my heart Renda would continue with their strategy as acting as the spoiler to everyone else. Clearly, they are the company who has muddied the waters in both the rock and country formats. Apparently, they aren't creative enough to travel a different road and be successful where other programming holes exist.
For a long time too, I’ve tried to make the point that when the GM is vested in the success of a station/format, money and resources will become available where it didn’t exist before. I believe format success or failure doesn’t always reflect listener preferences. Sometimes, manipulation is at play and there’s no other way to call it. Follow the money trail and look at the promotions and talent budgets and you will agree with me.
I have no idea what kind of money deal is involved here. Still, I think of so many displaced, talented people who should have been given the opportunity instead. Think too about how many people lost their livelihood at Renda over the last few years. No budget for them but there is one for L&T. Radio is just one big contradiction. Management and owners do whatever they want regardless of what listeners say and they contradict their own press conferences.
One minute talk-oriented morning shows on music formats are out and then they are in big time. It's a joke folks. How great it would be if someone in this town could actually make some bold and innovative decisions that actually reflect this changing market. If this were 1992, I would think this would be big news. But it's 2012 and this town offers programming to a Jacksonville that apparently only exists in their minds. I guess we have to wait a little longer for something really good to happen here.....
