MORE CORPORATE CUTS TO COME TO NEW ORLEANS

[inside-NO-radio]

Look for more rounds of budget cuts to be coming to New Orleans radio stations owned by national giants Clear Channel and Entercom. After taking a close look at the last ratings period it would seem that Corporate is getting ready to make the next round of cuts. Look for the following to be in danger of seeking new employment just based on the Fall ratings book.

At Rush Radio: Castner & Walensky (may cut down to a one MAN show...emphasis on the man)
John Osterland (look for him to go away and syndication to rule the day)

Also more - if you can believe it - voice tracking at the music FM's with one PD running all formats.

Across the street at Entercom, since the Fall ratings showed that syndication beats local in 3 spots -one of those spots has got to go (and it ain't Garland or Spud). It looks like the rebroadcast of the syndicated Mark Levin and Dennis Miller beat the stuffing out of 'the Night Shift' with Tommy Tucker, in fact the ratings have dropped steadily since Tucker took over for Bob Mitchel. Hard to believe I know but it's a drastic enough drop that he's now on the corporate rader to possibly go bye-bye and be replaced with a syndicated show from 8 - Midnight.

More voice tracking may also be in store for the Entercom FM's with Bayou and B-97 each losing a live person on their staffs just like Magic did earlier this year. (Pal Al).

Now some or all of the talk shows may get a reprieve for another ratings period but if the trend continues, and there's no indication to say it won't, these shows will be gone by the fall.

Ain't corporate radio great.

 

[Fieldtech1]

In 1999 I read an article that predicted in 10 years most corporate stations not in a top 10 market would be 100% voice tracked or syndicated on a national level. The writer also felt that at that time most stations were WAYYY over valued and eventually we'd see a market correction. The only mark he missed was that satellite radio would be the death sentence to terrestial radio, who knew it would be the ipod.

My bold prediction is that radio will see a revival in the next 10 years after the corporate blood suckers have been run off or bankrupt, and more independent owners take over. I think that creative, personallity driven radio could co-exist with mp3 players.

 

[nolaradiobuff]

inside-no-radio makes some interesting points. However, regarding WRNO, I've said for the last year that Castner & Wallensky and Osterlind have no business on the air in New Orleans. But, if they were on the way out, I don't think the company would be promoting them as much as they are.

Last week, an anniversary party for RNO. The AM and PM Drive shows combined didn't do 1 remote broadcast in a year.

On the 15th, Osterlind was in Baton Rouge for the Tea Party and Castner was on the North Shore.

I don't think those two are going anywhere. Wallensky, she's another story but then the more show would be even more unlistenable with just Castner.

Tommy Tucker is terrible. His topics, his opinions, his interaction with callers. The man is brutal.

Hey, maybe WWL will bring back that ratings machine Kaare Johnson, the man who's only on the air because the 65+ audience WIST gets now is taking a nap from 3-6 everyday.

 

[LAcajun]

the rebroadcast of the syndicated Mark Levin and Dennis Miller beat the stuffing out of 'the Night Shift' with Tommy Tucker, in fact the ratings have dropped steadily since Tucker took over for Bob Mitchel.

And you find this surprising?

I've said for the last year that Castner & Wallensky and Osterlind have no business on the air in New Orleans.

Don't listen in the morning to 99.5 so I don't know but Osterlind grows on you. He's got the onions to call out the government idiots for what they are, unlike others who suck up to them. He's got them figured out for the short time he's been here. Keep him and Jerry V. and get rid of the rest.

Tommy Tucker is terrible. His topics, his opinions, his interaction with callers. The man is brutal.

Speaking of idiots.