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More Changes at Clear Channel in Rochester?

M

Mark_Giardina

Guest
I was informed by a reliable source that more personnel changes might be in the works at Clear Channel stations here in Rochester and those changes would come as early as January 2007.

For those of you who may either forgot or were not aware, several weeks ago WHAM let go some personnel, including two news reporters, Lonsberry's producer and a few other staff members. These layoffs came just before it was announced that Clear Channel had been sold. ( Lonsberry's producer ended up getting a job at WHAM-TV)

It will be interesting to see what station(s) will be impacted by layoffs. Will WHAM jettison more on-air staff and instead go with syndication or will the layoffs take place at some of CC’s FM stations? Time will tell if my source is correct.
 
It's hard to see how WHAM can cut any deeper without cutting into program quality to the point that its competitive branding takes a fatal hit. They need more and fresher local talent, not less, because some of their national program warhorses are showing signs of age and decline. I'm sure Jeff Howlett sees that, and would acknowledge it and do something about it if he could. It'll be interesting to see if the new owners of the Clear Channel corporation LET him do anything about it, or force him in the counterproductive direction of more cost-cutting.

As far as the FM cluster, it's also underperforming, needing an infusion of the kind of personality that the strongest of the Entercom and CBS stations have used for years to bring in more of the bucks. Again, more cutbacks at those stations would just be counterproductive, which doesn't mean that a Wall Street ownership group that's new to the radio biz won't order them anyway.
 
Bob1370 said:
It's hard to see how WHAM can cut any deeper without cutting into program quality to the point that its competitive branding takes a fatal hit. They need more and fresher local talent, not less, because some of their national program warhorses are showing signs of age and decline. I'm sure Jeff Howlett sees that, and would acknowledge it and do something about it if he could. It'll be interesting to see if the new owners of the Clear Channel corporation LET him do anything about it, or force him in the counterproductive direction of more cost-cutting.

As far as the FM cluster, it's also underperforming, needing an infusion of the kind of personality that the strongest of the Entercom and CBS stations have used for years to bring in more of the bucks. Again, more cutbacks at those stations would just be counterproductive, which doesn't mean that a Wall Street ownership group that's new to the radio biz won't order them anyway.
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When it comes to local news, 1180 could very easily just depend on simulcasting Channel 13's 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts. The radio station could also eliminate the need for a beat reporter by just taking excerpts from WHAM TV reporters' packages. Remember it's not like the old days when radio news actually meant something and wasn't dictated by bottom-liners at some company thousands of miles away.

Regarding local programming, until Chet Walker tires of getting up early mornings, there will always be the Beth and Chet Show. Lonsberry is another main stable of WHAM's local talent.

I've always been impressed how Channel 13 looks towards the future by training future talent. For some reason I don't think that policy is the same at 1180. I mean what if Walker (Chet not Gary) decided to call broadcasting quits? And what if Lonsberry either moved on to another market, or says something that would get him tossed off the air again? Who currently working at WHAM radio can replace those individuals?

Sure Beth Adams can stay on until she either retires or finds another career more appealing but who currently at WHAM would be her side-kick? Bill Lowe perhaps could. And Sherry Smith would be sole morning news anchor. As for Lonsberry, well Bob ( Smith) I doubt you are conservative enough to be considered a replacement. But with the upcoming political change-over in Albany, maybe Jack Kinnicutt might be looking for work.
 
Way to go, Mark. Spreading a little holiday fear. Nothing but rumor and speculation, and yet you post this right before the holiday. Nice work. Coal in your stocking for sure.
 
Desert Pete said:
Way to go, Mark. Spreading a little holiday fear. Nothing but rumor and speculation, and yet you post this right before the holiday. Nice work. Coal in your stocking for sure.
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The "rumor", as you put it, came from an employee of Clear Channel who said "things will be happening in a few weeks and they are not for the better."
And what is more upsetting, my post or CC employees getting the word the same day the pink slips fly?
It wasn't my intention to ruin anyone's holiday by the way. If I wanted to do that I would post my salary since leaving broadcasting along with my retirement and other government benefits.
 
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