More Cost Cutting at WCRN

[DavidZ]

They have dumped their toll free number and have a new number in the local 508 area code. Their website is still coming soon. Infomercial running this morning just prior to 5 a.m.

What’s next? The Drew Mortgage show expands (pays) for 2 hours…

 

[WCRiNsider]

It was getting expensive ...300+ dollars a month.... let the regulars who call in every day (and all the guests!) pick up the tab instead of us... Speaking of savings... Did you notice we "UnPLUGged" the Upton Bell segments.

 

[BRNout]

With today's cell phone calling plans and, frankly, home phone calling plans, the need for an 800 number is reduced. Most people now have a way of calling without having to pay for it out of pocket. Better to do that than to further denigrate the programming.

 

[WCRiNsider]

The Boys in Boston aren't worried about declining programs (How much lower than a 0.8 can you go!?) They are just worried about their declining inheritance. They cringe when they see all of Daddy's money pouring into keeping WCRN afloat. Billing is messed up, no one is paying their bills.. Not even collecting a fraction of expenses. (Electricity, Payroll, Rent, etc. is being payed out of pocket rather than with money coming in from Ads)

How much more can they put into a failing station? This is just the first of many more chapters to come. Ken Carter is such a nice guy, and great broadcaster. Too bad his kids are only out for themselves... Sadly, if anything was to happen to Mr. C., the kids would sell the station before he was even buried.

 

[BRNout]

Wow, that's a shame! Had no idea that the situation was that bad. And, it's a shame because - with it's signal upgrade - that facility holds great potential in the right hands.

 

[Blackroc]

let the regulars who call in every day

Is "Joel" still around?

 

[The Original]

The plan was to dump 'CRN years ago. YEARS AGO! He's an eternity from dumping it now, unless some company comes out of nowhere to give him what he really wants for it. The two technical upgrades took much more time than expected, and then, they still end-up with a crumby signal in Boston! BOSTON is where Ken really wanted WCRN to be. The original Broadcast Electronics transmitter, cranked up to 10k day, would have essentially provided the the same coverage in Boston, and especially Metrowest, that they're getting now. But what the hell do I know? I just used to do all the leg-work for Carberry Media/Worcester.

 

[DanStrassberg]

The original Broadcast Electronics transmitter, cranked up to 10k day, would have essentially provided the the same coverage in Boston, and especially Metrowest, that they're getting now.

How do you figure that? Are you saying that the 50-kW transmitter is not working correctly? I assume they bought a used box, so that's possible, especially if whoever is the chief engineer is as incompetent as he has been made out to be by posters on this board. There have been incompetent broadcast engineers, of course, but the broadcast engineers I know around here seem to be top-flight and at least one of them who used to be employed is now unemployed. I imagine that he would be interested in work--if he thought there was a reasonable chance of his invoices being paid.

 

[WCRiNsider]

The engineer is not incompetent, he just does things his own way. As you know most engineers are a little "out there" to begin with. However, I will say at most stations they have an engineer that comes in more than once a month (if that) Some come in weekly, or even on a daily basis. Our relationship with him is pretty much on an as-needed basis. Which means if something is not working he makes the person on duty troubleshoot everything on the phone first, and if he HAS to come in... he will. (Especially annoying though when we are off air!)