I know this is a radio board. But I do know many here were wondering about John Murphy, given his radio work as voice of the Bills and his years at WBEN. The Buffalo News is reporting that Murph will begin anchoring on Channel 4 tonight at 5, 6, 10 and 11. I've always had a lot of respect for Murph. He and Stan Barron paved the way for sports radio in Buffalo. So, best of luck Murph. It'll be good to see you back in the anchor chair. Smart move by Channel 4. It's too bad Dennis Williams was a casaulty. He's a likeable guy. But Murph is certainly a leading player who was going to find a home somewhere.
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Murph is Back!
- Thread starter Philip_Airtime
- Start date
No question Murph is a leading player and since telecasts of Bills games run on Channel 4 mostly, there should be some more interaction on the post and pre-game coverage.
It's smart because they're hemorraging viewers since "Wake Up" went 5a-7a because of CBS's decision to only run the entire CBS Early Show, rather then allow local cutaways. Other stations clearly have caught up on the morning side, so evening sports gets a nice uptick
Anyone think the WGR-550 gig did Dennis Williams in? Williams has been pretty solid on the radio.
It's smart because they're hemorraging viewers since "Wake Up" went 5a-7a because of CBS's decision to only run the entire CBS Early Show, rather then allow local cutaways. Other stations clearly have caught up on the morning side, so evening sports gets a nice uptick
Anyone think the WGR-550 gig did Dennis Williams in? Williams has been pretty solid on the radio.
Murphy Starting on St. Patty's Day
I'm pretty sure that Dennis took the 'GR radio gig as a hedge after he found out that WIVB wasn't interested in renewing his contract. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that Murph knew of WIVB's interest before he turned down the Circle 7 offer. I'd bet that he's getting more than Circle 7 offered, and he's now on the #1 station. It's a good move for both of them.
A Murphy starting on St. Patty's day. How much more auspicious could his starting day be?
I'm pretty sure that Dennis took the 'GR radio gig as a hedge after he found out that WIVB wasn't interested in renewing his contract. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that Murph knew of WIVB's interest before he turned down the Circle 7 offer. I'd bet that he's getting more than Circle 7 offered, and he's now on the #1 station. It's a good move for both of them.
A Murphy starting on St. Patty's day. How much more auspicious could his starting day be?
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From what I hear, he's getting less. So not only did he lose about $70k sitting for the last several months, he also took less money than offered by 7. It doesn't save WIVB any money though since they're paying him about $20K more than they paid Dennis Williams.
More or Less?
I thought that Murphy looked like he fit right in a Channel 4. I think that it's a good move for them because he increases their sports visibility and he'll be there for a long time. He's a worthy successor to Van Miller. Williams was tepid at best.
I wouldn't be too sure that Murph's getting less than Circle 7 offered. He's very likely getting less than he was under his last contract at Circle 7.
Channel 4 cut Jodi Hovenden from the reporting staff and Tom Garlock from management, as well as Williams, to free up money for Murphy. Hovenden has now been replaced by a new reporter - Tricia Cruz from Rochester - likely for a smaller salary. Garlock has not been replaced. Best of all, Murphy doesn't face the daily embarassment of working at Circle 7.
For the record said:From what I hear, he's getting less. So not only did he lose about $70k sitting for the last several months, he also took less money than offered by 7. It doesn't save WIVB any money though since they're paying him about $20K more than they paid Dennis Williams.
I thought that Murphy looked like he fit right in a Channel 4. I think that it's a good move for them because he increases their sports visibility and he'll be there for a long time. He's a worthy successor to Van Miller. Williams was tepid at best.
I wouldn't be too sure that Murph's getting less than Circle 7 offered. He's very likely getting less than he was under his last contract at Circle 7.
Channel 4 cut Jodi Hovenden from the reporting staff and Tom Garlock from management, as well as Williams, to free up money for Murphy. Hovenden has now been replaced by a new reporter - Tricia Cruz from Rochester - likely for a smaller salary. Garlock has not been replaced. Best of all, Murphy doesn't face the daily embarassment of working at Circle 7.
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He's getting less. Personally I don't get it. Everybody is so happy for Murphy, where's all the indignation over those who lost their jobs so he could go to 4? It's not as if Murphy were some big ratings draw, people didn't tune in to or change their channels to watch him on 7. Of all the sportscasts, his was the last one I would watch.
I just think it kind of stinks that there seems to be no compassion for Dennis Williams. He put 12 years in at 4 and has a family with small children. Murphy had a contract offer for more than he is making now and also gets his nice paycheck from the Bills and everyone is jumping up and down at how wonderful this is for him. What about the others?
And to be clear, I do not know either of them personally. It also seems to me that if Channel 7 fired a bunch of people to make room for someone at 4, everyone would be screaming about how awful the management is at 7. Why isn't anyone critical of the management at 4?
I just think it kind of stinks that there seems to be no compassion for Dennis Williams. He put 12 years in at 4 and has a family with small children. Murphy had a contract offer for more than he is making now and also gets his nice paycheck from the Bills and everyone is jumping up and down at how wonderful this is for him. What about the others?
And to be clear, I do not know either of them personally. It also seems to me that if Channel 7 fired a bunch of people to make room for someone at 4, everyone would be screaming about how awful the management is at 7. Why isn't anyone critical of the management at 4?
For the record said:He's getting less. Personally I don't get it. Everybody is so happy for Murphy, where's all the indignation over those who lost their jobs so he could go to 4? It's not as if Murphy were some big ratings draw, people didn't tune in to or change their channels to watch him on 7. Of all the sportscasts, his was the last one I would watch.
I just think it kind of stinks that there seems to be no compassion for Dennis Williams. He put 12 years in at 4 and has a family with small children. Murphy had a contract offer for more than he is making now and also gets his nice paycheck from the Bills and everyone is jumping up and down at how wonderful this is for him. What about the others?
And to be clear, I do not know either of them personally. It also seems to me that if Channel 7 fired a bunch of people to make room for someone at 4, everyone would be screaming about how awful the management is at 7. Why isn't anyone critical of the management at 4?
You kinda took the words out of my mouth. Nothing against John Murphy, but who cares? I never thought of him as a draw.
On several occasions, I've seen main news anchors (in other cities) thought to be the reason for a newscasts big numbers, stolen away by a competing station, only to leave the ratings behind.
Funny though: Murphy goes from 7 to 4, and Williams goes from 4 to......welll.....radio.
Poor B-word.
Ins and Outs
Murphy is a much better sportscaster than Williams in my opinion, and he has the added visibility of being the Voice of the Bills. He's worth more than Williams. Williams was the weak link in 4's newscast. He was a decent reporter, but could not - and did not - replace Van Miller. He seems like a nice guy, but he was a sports reporter that personified the Peter Principle in a market like Buffalo, where sports is such an integral part of the area's identity.
Channel 4 is looking at the same problem that led to the demise of Channel 7. Postles and Walker are aging, and they're making a lot of money. I wouldn't bet that either of them will be there five years from now. Getting Murphy now helps strengthen their anchor team, and he'll be around to add stability during the transition to a likely future team of Lisa Flynn & George Richert.
Channel 2 is also coming on strong - at least promotionally - and this move gives Channel 4 a boost, while keeping him out of Gannett's hands. I don't think that Murphy would have stayed with Circle 7 under any circumstances. The place is a nightmare, and not likely to get better.
As far as the people displaced are concerned, that's life in TV. Hovenden is a decent reporter, but had been displaced on big stories by Maxwell, McClintick, and especially Palumbo - all who make less money. If you haven't made yourself indispensible in Buffalo after 10 years at a station, it's time to move on. We're becoming a feeder market for the bigs, and can attract good talent with some experience that's on the way up. Yes, it's important to retain a core of reporters, but losing Hovenden hasn't hurt Channel 4.
I'm not sure what happened with Garlock. I know that he'd been there a long time, and was offered a buyout. Maybe they felt that they were management-heavy, maybe he was a victim of a corporate edict, maybe he was the victim of in an internal coup, or maybe there were other considerations.
Murphy is a much better sportscaster than Williams in my opinion, and he has the added visibility of being the Voice of the Bills. He's worth more than Williams. Williams was the weak link in 4's newscast. He was a decent reporter, but could not - and did not - replace Van Miller. He seems like a nice guy, but he was a sports reporter that personified the Peter Principle in a market like Buffalo, where sports is such an integral part of the area's identity.
Channel 4 is looking at the same problem that led to the demise of Channel 7. Postles and Walker are aging, and they're making a lot of money. I wouldn't bet that either of them will be there five years from now. Getting Murphy now helps strengthen their anchor team, and he'll be around to add stability during the transition to a likely future team of Lisa Flynn & George Richert.
Channel 2 is also coming on strong - at least promotionally - and this move gives Channel 4 a boost, while keeping him out of Gannett's hands. I don't think that Murphy would have stayed with Circle 7 under any circumstances. The place is a nightmare, and not likely to get better.
As far as the people displaced are concerned, that's life in TV. Hovenden is a decent reporter, but had been displaced on big stories by Maxwell, McClintick, and especially Palumbo - all who make less money. If you haven't made yourself indispensible in Buffalo after 10 years at a station, it's time to move on. We're becoming a feeder market for the bigs, and can attract good talent with some experience that's on the way up. Yes, it's important to retain a core of reporters, but losing Hovenden hasn't hurt Channel 4.
I'm not sure what happened with Garlock. I know that he'd been there a long time, and was offered a buyout. Maybe they felt that they were management-heavy, maybe he was a victim of a corporate edict, maybe he was the victim of in an internal coup, or maybe there were other considerations.
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I'm curious ... do you work at 7? How do you know it's a nightmare? Or are you just going by what people have said?
It appears to me that Murphy is closer to the same age as Walker and Postals than Williams was, so what makes him the one that will stay? Research shows that most viewers tune out after the weather. If they're that interested in sports, they have been watching ESPN, or keeping up with it online. A major investment is a sports anchor, especially as stability for an anchor team seems kind of dumb, most viewers don't care about sports.
How is 4 going to justify asking their anchors to take pay cuts when the obviously found money for him? Will they cut more of their reporters?
And my point was that everyone seemed to display such sympathy for "poor" Murphy and none whatsoever for Dennis Williams and the others. Remember he chose to leave, while Williams didn't get that choice. I guess I just don't see what makes him better.
It appears to me that Murphy is closer to the same age as Walker and Postals than Williams was, so what makes him the one that will stay? Research shows that most viewers tune out after the weather. If they're that interested in sports, they have been watching ESPN, or keeping up with it online. A major investment is a sports anchor, especially as stability for an anchor team seems kind of dumb, most viewers don't care about sports.
How is 4 going to justify asking their anchors to take pay cuts when the obviously found money for him? Will they cut more of their reporters?
And my point was that everyone seemed to display such sympathy for "poor" Murphy and none whatsoever for Dennis Williams and the others. Remember he chose to leave, while Williams didn't get that choice. I guess I just don't see what makes him better.
Hearsay
I don't work in TV, but I know several people who do. How do I know that Channel 7 is a Hell-hole? Ask ANYONE in local TV who ISN'T part of Channel 7's management. Ask Susan Banks. Ask Mike Randall. Ask Keith Radford (if he's being honest). Ask the entire techical department - or what's left of them. Watch their newscast - or what's left of it. Am I going by what people say? Sure - because they're the best source. Who else should I ask?
BTW, do YOU work for Channel 7? In what capacity?
Sports has more visibility in Buffalo than in most markets. A comparable market would be Green Bay. It's a part of our civic identity - arguably too big a part - and ESPN doesn't usually go as in-depth on our local teams as our local stations do. An extra $20K over Dennis Williams - who was considerably less expensive than Van - isn't a "major investment" in this market.
AFAIK, Channel 4 hasn't cut the number of reporters. They did replace Hovenden with a younger reporter. That happens all the time in TV. For my money, they still have the deepest, and most talented reporting staff in town.
Williams is younger than Murphy, but has ANYBODY honestly missed him since he left? Murphy is about 10 years younger than Postles or Walker - who both take better care of themselves than Murphy appears to - and he's likely to be around longer. In a sense, Channel 4 already cut the sports anchor salary when Van retired.
If Williams is equal to Murphy, then he'll end up at Circle 7 for the money that Murphy turned down. Want to bet on whether that happens?
Salaries for Postles and Walker are more likely to be tied to revenues and decreasing market rank than anything else. My guess is that Lin won't be offering raises, and that eventual replacements for Postles and Walker won't earn what they earn.
I don't work in TV, but I know several people who do. How do I know that Channel 7 is a Hell-hole? Ask ANYONE in local TV who ISN'T part of Channel 7's management. Ask Susan Banks. Ask Mike Randall. Ask Keith Radford (if he's being honest). Ask the entire techical department - or what's left of them. Watch their newscast - or what's left of it. Am I going by what people say? Sure - because they're the best source. Who else should I ask?
BTW, do YOU work for Channel 7? In what capacity?
Sports has more visibility in Buffalo than in most markets. A comparable market would be Green Bay. It's a part of our civic identity - arguably too big a part - and ESPN doesn't usually go as in-depth on our local teams as our local stations do. An extra $20K over Dennis Williams - who was considerably less expensive than Van - isn't a "major investment" in this market.
AFAIK, Channel 4 hasn't cut the number of reporters. They did replace Hovenden with a younger reporter. That happens all the time in TV. For my money, they still have the deepest, and most talented reporting staff in town.
Williams is younger than Murphy, but has ANYBODY honestly missed him since he left? Murphy is about 10 years younger than Postles or Walker - who both take better care of themselves than Murphy appears to - and he's likely to be around longer. In a sense, Channel 4 already cut the sports anchor salary when Van retired.
If Williams is equal to Murphy, then he'll end up at Circle 7 for the money that Murphy turned down. Want to bet on whether that happens?
Salaries for Postles and Walker are more likely to be tied to revenues and decreasing market rank than anything else. My guess is that Lin won't be offering raises, and that eventual replacements for Postles and Walker won't earn what they earn.
For the record said:I just think it kind of stinks that there seems to be no compassion for Dennis Williams. He put 12 years in at 4 and has a family with small children. Murphy had a contract offer for more than he is making now and also gets his nice paycheck from the Bills and everyone is jumping up and down at how wonderful this is for him. What about the others?
I'm glad someone made this point. As some peers with inside info have told me, Williams' departure from 4 was strictly a business decision, and not a personal thing.
This is the nature of the broadcast business. But still, a little compassion for those who must still feed their families is a class move.
Here's hoping Dennis is doing well...
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Re: Hearsay
The decrease at 7 for Murphy was justified for the same reasons. Why should they (Postals and Walker) take one when obviously 4 found bigger $$ for someone else?
SirRoxalot said:I don't work in TV, but I know several people who do. How do I know that Channel 7 is a Hell-hole? Ask ANYONE in local TV who ISN'T part of Channel 7's management. Ask Susan Banks. Ask Mike Randall. Ask Keith Radford (if he's being honest). Ask the entire techical department - or what's left of them. Watch their newscast - or what's left of it. Am I going by what people say? Sure - because they're the best source. Who else should I ask?
BTW, do YOU work for Channel 7? In what capacity?
No I don't work for 7, but I have been in the building MANY times. And I also know people who work there in all different departments. I also know that current and former employees of ANY company will have a gripe. Ask employees at the revolving door know as Regent if they have any complaints. It doesn't matter which company you work for, someone will always have something negative to say. I'm sure the business office at 4 that was wiped out, or the promotions director at 2 that just got let go would have something to say about the treatment they received.
Sports has more visibility in Buffalo than in most markets. A comparable market would be Green Bay. It's a part of our civic identity - arguably too big a part - and ESPN doesn't usually go as in-depth on our local teams as our local stations do. An extra $20K over Dennis Williams - who was considerably less expensive than Van - isn't a "major investment" in this market. Ask anyone in this market if they could use an extra $20K, I'm sure that it would be considered a significant increase!
AFAIK, Channel 4 hasn't cut the number of reporters. They did replace Hovenden with a younger reporter. That happens all the time in TV. For my money, they still have the deepest, and most talented reporting staff in town.
Williams is younger than Murphy, but has ANYBODY honestly missed him since he left? Murphy is about 10 years younger than Postles or Walker - who both take better care of themselves than Murphy appears to - and he's likely to be around longer. In a sense, Channel 4 already cut the sports anchor salary when Van retired.
Did anybody honestly miss Murphy? If he hadn't found another job in the market, would you really be worried about him?
If Williams is equal to Murphy, then he'll end up at Circle 7 for the money that Murphy turned down. Want to bet on whether that happens?
So 7 was supposed to wait around to see who got cut and offer them a job? The position has already been filled. And I know for a fact that if there were a position available, they would have at least talked to Dennis Williams. (I talk to people too!)
Salaries for Postles and Walker are more likely to be tied to revenues and decreasing market rank than anything else. My guess is that Lin won't be offering raises, and that eventual replacements for Postles and Walker won't earn what they earn.
The decrease at 7 for Murphy was justified for the same reasons. Why should they (Postals and Walker) take one when obviously 4 found bigger $$ for someone else?
Re: More or Less?
Tom Garlick has been replaced by Nancy Sanders.
aL
SirRoxalot said:Channel 4 cut Jodi Hovenden from the reporting staff and Tom Garlock from management, as well as Williams, to free up money for Murphy. Hovenden has now been replaced by a new reporter - Tricia Cruz from Rochester - likely for a smaller salary. Garlock has not been replaced. Best of all, Murphy doesn't face the daily embarassment of working at Circle 7.
Tom Garlick has been replaced by Nancy Sanders.
aL
This Is a Recording
Record, you don't work for Channel 7, but you're SURE of your sources, and you've spent a lot of time in the building, huh? What, you're their consultant? Webmaster? Maintenance contractor? You sure seem to be chummy with management's POV.
Tom Garlick was replaced at Channel 4 by Nancy Sanders, but I believe that a management position was cut in the process. According to Pergy's article that appeared on Jan. 11, Garlick was offered a significant pay cut, and opted for a buyout instead. At the very least, Sanders is making a lot less than Garlick was making.
Although $20K would be a significant increase for most reporters, it's not a "major investment" in an experienced sports director that anchors 5,6,10, and 11PM newscasts, and has high visibility in the market. I think that most people would agree that Murphy is worth more than Williams. You're free to disagree, of course.
If you can't see that Circle 7 is a shadow of its former self, and the least capable TV news department in the city, you either don't have any history in Buffalo, or don't know much about TV. I don't mean to denigrate the efforts of the people who work there, but there just aren't enough of them. That's an indictment of management, not staff. The ratings are headed downward because they don't have the resources and experience to compete with 2 and 4.
I'm not, and wasn't, "worried" about Murphy. I simply think that he brings more to the table for Channel 4 than Williams did, and he was smart to get out of a disfunctional Channel 7 that's owned by beancounters, not broadcasters. It cost him some money, but I expect that he'll make up the difference in the long run, and be happier while he's doing it.
It's a tough break for Williams, but he had enough time to establish himself at Channel 4, and failed to rise beyond "adequate". Is he better than Jeff Russo at Channel 7? IMO, yes, but he'd cost more, and Circle 7 isn't likely to come up with the cash. I expect that Dennis will end up leaving Buffalo, although Gannett could think about taking him on as an anchor/reporter. I assume that he has a non-compete, so we won't know for a while.
Record, you don't work for Channel 7, but you're SURE of your sources, and you've spent a lot of time in the building, huh? What, you're their consultant? Webmaster? Maintenance contractor? You sure seem to be chummy with management's POV.
Tom Garlick was replaced at Channel 4 by Nancy Sanders, but I believe that a management position was cut in the process. According to Pergy's article that appeared on Jan. 11, Garlick was offered a significant pay cut, and opted for a buyout instead. At the very least, Sanders is making a lot less than Garlick was making.
Although $20K would be a significant increase for most reporters, it's not a "major investment" in an experienced sports director that anchors 5,6,10, and 11PM newscasts, and has high visibility in the market. I think that most people would agree that Murphy is worth more than Williams. You're free to disagree, of course.
If you can't see that Circle 7 is a shadow of its former self, and the least capable TV news department in the city, you either don't have any history in Buffalo, or don't know much about TV. I don't mean to denigrate the efforts of the people who work there, but there just aren't enough of them. That's an indictment of management, not staff. The ratings are headed downward because they don't have the resources and experience to compete with 2 and 4.
I'm not, and wasn't, "worried" about Murphy. I simply think that he brings more to the table for Channel 4 than Williams did, and he was smart to get out of a disfunctional Channel 7 that's owned by beancounters, not broadcasters. It cost him some money, but I expect that he'll make up the difference in the long run, and be happier while he's doing it.
It's a tough break for Williams, but he had enough time to establish himself at Channel 4, and failed to rise beyond "adequate". Is he better than Jeff Russo at Channel 7? IMO, yes, but he'd cost more, and Circle 7 isn't likely to come up with the cash. I expect that Dennis will end up leaving Buffalo, although Gannett could think about taking him on as an anchor/reporter. I assume that he has a non-compete, so we won't know for a while.
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I hold none of the positions that you have listed and yes I am sure of my sources and they work in all levels not just management. There are 2 sides to every story and it seems you've only heard one.
My original point was that some compassion could be shown towards Dennis Williams. Today's news article talks about how Murphy's wife cried when she saw him on the air last night, and how happy he is .... how do you think Dennis Williams and his wife feel? You're right, Williams will probably have to leave the area that he has made his home.
It also seems that while 7 has his a rough patch, it wasn't that long ago that 2 was in the same situation, but I didn't see anyone talking about what a "hell hole" it was. I have been in this business for over 20 years and have been in and out of this market. I have also worked in some horrible places. Anybody who has worked in this business for more than 5 minutes has probably been in similar situations. No Channel 7 is not a perfect place to work, name one place that is. And all 3 stations have had major cut backs, just none were splashed all over the place like 7's ... to the point that names of those let go (who were not on the air) were published in the paper before those affected had a chance to absorb the news and tell their families.
And show me a radio or TV station that isn't owned by beancounters instead of broadcasters .... WECK excluded.
My original point was that some compassion could be shown towards Dennis Williams. Today's news article talks about how Murphy's wife cried when she saw him on the air last night, and how happy he is .... how do you think Dennis Williams and his wife feel? You're right, Williams will probably have to leave the area that he has made his home.
It also seems that while 7 has his a rough patch, it wasn't that long ago that 2 was in the same situation, but I didn't see anyone talking about what a "hell hole" it was. I have been in this business for over 20 years and have been in and out of this market. I have also worked in some horrible places. Anybody who has worked in this business for more than 5 minutes has probably been in similar situations. No Channel 7 is not a perfect place to work, name one place that is. And all 3 stations have had major cut backs, just none were splashed all over the place like 7's ... to the point that names of those let go (who were not on the air) were published in the paper before those affected had a chance to absorb the news and tell their families.
And show me a radio or TV station that isn't owned by beancounters instead of broadcasters .... WECK excluded.
I think the bean counters are getting a bad rap. Seriously.
Some pretty decent people work in the accounting departments of our local radio and television stations, handling accounts payable and receivable, as well as human resources. Every radio and television station has a budget and department heads have to manage their budgets.
If he hasn't started already, I'll bet Dick Greene knows how many beans he's bringing in, how many beans he can spend and how many beans he owes the bank.
Let's see, the sale price of WECK was $1.3 million, less 30 per cent as down payment, equals $910 thousand. Multiply by 7.25% annual interest. That equals $65,975. Now divide by 12 (easy) monthly payments and that equals $5497.92. Add a projected payment on principal of $5 thousand per month and that equals $10,497.92 per month to the bank.
Now add the twice monthly payroll, medicare-medicaid, employer's contribution for social security and health insurance. For sales guys, add monthly commissions (less charge-backs.) So you thought you wanted to own a radio station, eh? Good thing we have bean counters.
As to Murph and Williams, both are very likeable fellows and each is quite talented. Murphy has more cache and the fact that he does the Bills gives him higher recognition. I'll bet Channel 4 is paying him a good buck, but not what he was making at 7. That's just a guess, I have no idea what the gentleman makes.
I thought Murph's introduction before his first sports cast on Channel 4 was way over the top... almost embarrassingly so, especially for a sports guy.
Jaquie Walker was making happy talk with him, asking about the kids, talking about his wife, the O-P town super. Almost had the feeling that Murph wanted to blurt out something like, "hey, I've worked in Buffalo all my life, please, it's not like I just got off the plane from Houston... just let me do the damn sports!" And about the wife crying? C'mon. Some things are better not said or revealed.
I too feel badly about Williams. But the guy has a lot going for him. He's young, photogenic, knows his sports and doesn't do a bad job anchoring. You watch, he'll probably land a better gig in a larger market with more major league teams. Sometimes getting fired in Buffalo is a good thing for a person's career. Sorry to suggest this, but most people go on to bigger and better things. Then again, some folks get sucked into the black hole that Buffalo sometimes is and are never heard from again. Guess it's all about anti-matter, postrons, gamma rays and nutrinos.
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Some pretty decent people work in the accounting departments of our local radio and television stations, handling accounts payable and receivable, as well as human resources. Every radio and television station has a budget and department heads have to manage their budgets.
If he hasn't started already, I'll bet Dick Greene knows how many beans he's bringing in, how many beans he can spend and how many beans he owes the bank.
Let's see, the sale price of WECK was $1.3 million, less 30 per cent as down payment, equals $910 thousand. Multiply by 7.25% annual interest. That equals $65,975. Now divide by 12 (easy) monthly payments and that equals $5497.92. Add a projected payment on principal of $5 thousand per month and that equals $10,497.92 per month to the bank.
Now add the twice monthly payroll, medicare-medicaid, employer's contribution for social security and health insurance. For sales guys, add monthly commissions (less charge-backs.) So you thought you wanted to own a radio station, eh? Good thing we have bean counters.
As to Murph and Williams, both are very likeable fellows and each is quite talented. Murphy has more cache and the fact that he does the Bills gives him higher recognition. I'll bet Channel 4 is paying him a good buck, but not what he was making at 7. That's just a guess, I have no idea what the gentleman makes.
I thought Murph's introduction before his first sports cast on Channel 4 was way over the top... almost embarrassingly so, especially for a sports guy.
Jaquie Walker was making happy talk with him, asking about the kids, talking about his wife, the O-P town super. Almost had the feeling that Murph wanted to blurt out something like, "hey, I've worked in Buffalo all my life, please, it's not like I just got off the plane from Houston... just let me do the damn sports!" And about the wife crying? C'mon. Some things are better not said or revealed.
I too feel badly about Williams. But the guy has a lot going for him. He's young, photogenic, knows his sports and doesn't do a bad job anchoring. You watch, he'll probably land a better gig in a larger market with more major league teams. Sometimes getting fired in Buffalo is a good thing for a person's career. Sorry to suggest this, but most people go on to bigger and better things. Then again, some folks get sucked into the black hole that Buffalo sometimes is and are never heard from again. Guess it's all about anti-matter, postrons, gamma rays and nutrinos.
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Circle (7) The Wagons
So, now that Murphy is both Citadel Voice of Bills as well as lead Sports Anchor over @ 2077 Elmwood, and D Williams is holdin down nights @ GR550, does Williams stay doing radio for a bit? Would he benefit having a full time partner? Would he move up to afternoons?
After just getting the door code to 500 Corporate Parkway and listened for a bit, it's not bad radio. But clearly not anchoring sports @ the top News station in the market either.
Agree w/Rox on the timeframe; you should make your self valuable after 10 plus years @ a broadcast property. Plus 9 mentioning that good things often happen when you not kindly asked to leave either.
So, now that Murphy is both Citadel Voice of Bills as well as lead Sports Anchor over @ 2077 Elmwood, and D Williams is holdin down nights @ GR550, does Williams stay doing radio for a bit? Would he benefit having a full time partner? Would he move up to afternoons?
After just getting the door code to 500 Corporate Parkway and listened for a bit, it's not bad radio. But clearly not anchoring sports @ the top News station in the market either.
Agree w/Rox on the timeframe; you should make your self valuable after 10 plus years @ a broadcast property. Plus 9 mentioning that good things often happen when you not kindly asked to leave either.
Wrap-up
No cutbacks were as deep and wide as Circle 7. Simply check the websites, and compare the number of reporters and anchors. The reason Circle 7 got so much press was because of their fall from the #1 position, the "retirement" of long-time anchor Susan Banks, and the number of not-so-distiguished bodies who have passed before the cameras at 7 Broadcast Plaza in the last few years. Buffalo broadcasting is a small community, and word gets around fast. Eventually, it ends up in the paper if Pergy deigns to actually cover local happenings.
Management - both local and national - crippled Circle 7, and the rest of the group for that matter. There's a reason that Granite went bankrupt, and Silverpoint has no apparent investment in the "public interest, convenience, and necessity."
Channel 2 was a Hell-hole back in the '70s when they broke the union, and didn't begin its comeback until Gannett bought them and spent considerable money to improve the product. They have more reporting staff today than they had 10 years ago. Not many stations can say that.
I have compassion for anyone who gets fired, or "not renewed". Anybody who's been in broadcasting has been through that, sometimes for cause, and sometime due to "circumstances beyond our control". It sucks, but it's part of life in broadcasting - and a lot of other jobs these days.
Dennis had a pretty good ride, and could end up as an anchor in a smaller market or a reporter/anchor in a larger market. I don't think that he'll end up as the lead sports anchor in a larger market, but he's likely to do OK. He'll probably end up somewhere warmer, laughing at us every time it snows while he's out playing golf.
No cutbacks were as deep and wide as Circle 7. Simply check the websites, and compare the number of reporters and anchors. The reason Circle 7 got so much press was because of their fall from the #1 position, the "retirement" of long-time anchor Susan Banks, and the number of not-so-distiguished bodies who have passed before the cameras at 7 Broadcast Plaza in the last few years. Buffalo broadcasting is a small community, and word gets around fast. Eventually, it ends up in the paper if Pergy deigns to actually cover local happenings.
Management - both local and national - crippled Circle 7, and the rest of the group for that matter. There's a reason that Granite went bankrupt, and Silverpoint has no apparent investment in the "public interest, convenience, and necessity."
Channel 2 was a Hell-hole back in the '70s when they broke the union, and didn't begin its comeback until Gannett bought them and spent considerable money to improve the product. They have more reporting staff today than they had 10 years ago. Not many stations can say that.
I have compassion for anyone who gets fired, or "not renewed". Anybody who's been in broadcasting has been through that, sometimes for cause, and sometime due to "circumstances beyond our control". It sucks, but it's part of life in broadcasting - and a lot of other jobs these days.
Dennis had a pretty good ride, and could end up as an anchor in a smaller market or a reporter/anchor in a larger market. I don't think that he'll end up as the lead sports anchor in a larger market, but he's likely to do OK. He'll probably end up somewhere warmer, laughing at us every time it snows while he's out playing golf.
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