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Newspaper article today on the State College Market

> Just wondering if anyone got to read today's newspaper
> article on the effects of Forever's dominance in the
> marketplace...and comments anyone???
>
> The article can be read online if you missed it at
http> ://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/business/11925863.htm
>
>
> Hitman

I should have made that $20 bet when I guessed that you'd be first to post the article's link...just joshin ya!

~tan
 
> > Just wondering if anyone got to read today's newspaper
> > article on the effects of Forever's dominance in the
> > marketplace...and comments anyone???
> >
> > The article can be read online if you missed it at
> http>
> ://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/business/11925863.htm
>
> >
> >
> > Hitman
>
> I should have made that $20 bet when I guessed that you'd be
> first to post the article's link...
>
> ~tan
>
I think it's a pretty sad commentary on the state of local radio, especially in
a growing area. Doesn't Pat Boland cover local news for WMAJ anymore? Does Steve Jones report local news on 3WZ? Maybe I'm behind the times. A long time ago, a newsman named Jim Bryan was breaking big local stories on WRSC before the CDT knew about them.
 
I don't think we have to worry about the decline of news journalism in small market radio as long as the CDT sources Mike Conti and Steve Hilton as authorities in the media. Why not interview Frank the bagger at Weis?

> > Just wondering if anyone got to read today's newspaper
> > article on the effects of Forever's dominance in the
> > marketplace...and comments anyone???
> >
> > The article can be read online if you missed it at
> http>
> ://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/business/11925863.htm
>
> >
> >
> > Hitman
>
> I should have made that $20 bet when I guessed that you'd be
> first to post the article's link...
>
> ~tan
>
 
Who would you have them interview? They also interviewed 3-WZ who I assume you also dismiss as an authority on anything although they dominate the book year after year. I also point out that the programming minds at Forever would not comment. They could have easily put their angle on the story...they chose not to.

By the way...just goes to show your opinion of the PEOPLE IN THIS AREA...Some of us care what Frank the Bagger at Weis has to say...some of us look at the people who make up our audience AS PEOPLE and not as statistics.




> I don't think we have to worry about the decline of news
> journalism in small market radio as long as the CDT sources
> Mike Conti and Steve Hilton as authorities in the media.
> Why not interview Frank the bagger at Weis?
>
 
> I think it's a pretty sad commentary on the state of local
> radio, especially in
> a growing area. Doesn't Pat Boland cover local news for WMAJ
> anymore? Does Steve Jones report local news on 3WZ? Maybe
> I'm behind the times. A long time ago, a newsman named Jim
> Bryan was breaking big local stories on WRSC before the CDT
> knew about them.
>
I believe the article stated that no one EXCLUSLIVELY does news any more. Pat Boland does news and covers sports. Steve Jones does news headlines as well, but has other shared duties at 3-WZ as well.

The article would in fact be correct. I remember one time that 103/WMAJ had a news director (Boland), AND a sport director (Jeff Williams) so that each one could concentrate SOLELY on his primary responsibilities.

But I guess talking up blood drives, pot pie suppers and the United Way can take the place of putting time into the news. It would seem that this is what makes us local according to the article anyway!

Ribbit Ribbit!
 
> > I think it's a pretty sad commentary on the state of local
>
> > radio, especially in
> > a growing area. Doesn't Pat Boland cover local news for
> WMAJ
> > anymore? Does Steve Jones report local news on 3WZ? Maybe
> > I'm behind the times. A long time ago, a newsman named Jim
>
> > Bryan was breaking big local stories on WRSC before the
> CDT
> > knew about them.
> >
> I believe the article stated that no one EXCLUSLIVELY does
> news any more. Pat Boland does news and covers sports.
> Steve Jones does news headlines as well, but has other
> shared duties at 3-WZ as well.
>
> The article would in fact be correct. I remember one time
> that 103/WMAJ had a news director (Boland), AND a sport
> director (Jeff Williams) so that each one could concentrate
> SOLELY on his primary responsibilities.
>
> But I guess talking up blood drives, pot pie suppers and the
> United Way can take the place of putting time into the news.
> It would seem that this is what makes us local according to
> the article anyway!
>
> Ribbit Ribbit!
>
Maybe there's not that much demand for local news. If sponsors and listeners were complaining about the lack of coverage, you'ld think someone would see the light and figure adding it would up the ratings. The CDT certainly doesn't seem to bust a gut reporting on accidents, fires, crime incidents, etc. A lot of the time you never read the names of people involved in accidents and fires.
 
I grew up with sing along with me -K Y W new radio ten sixty! Still drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Sure there is no local news only station here but does Phily have three religious stations?

I guess we have alot less news and alot more God here.....


You know its very inexpensive to sit and collect checks from little old ladies (or who/forever -get it) instead of paying a staff of news pros I would think.




> > > I think it's a pretty sad commentary on the state of
> local
> >
> > > radio, especially in
> > > a growing area. Doesn't Pat Boland cover local news for
> > WMAJ
> > > anymore? Does Steve Jones report local news on 3WZ?
> Maybe
> > > I'm behind the times. A long time ago, a newsman named
> Jim
> >
> > > Bryan was breaking big local stories on WRSC before the
> > CDT
> > > knew about them.
> > >
> > I believe the article stated that no one EXCLUSLIVELY does
>
> > news any more. Pat Boland does news and covers sports.
> > Steve Jones does news headlines as well, but has other
> > shared duties at 3-WZ as well.
> >
> > The article would in fact be correct. I remember one time
>
> > that 103/WMAJ had a news director (Boland), AND a sport
> > director (Jeff Williams) so that each one could
> concentrate
> > SOLELY on his primary responsibilities.
> >
> > But I guess talking up blood drives, pot pie suppers and
> the
> > United Way can take the place of putting time into the
> news.
> > It would seem that this is what makes us local according
> to
> > the article anyway!
> >
> > Ribbit Ribbit!
> >
> Maybe there's not that much demand for local news. If
> sponsors and listeners were complaining about the lack of
> coverage, you'ld think someone would see the light and
> figure adding it would up the ratings. The CDT certainly
> doesn't seem to bust a gut reporting on accidents, fires,
> crime incidents, etc. A lot of the time you never read the
> names of people involved in accidents and fires.
>
 
> I grew up with sing along with me -K Y W new radio ten
> sixty! Still drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

it's KYW NEWS radio...with an "S"...having grown up inside the city, this was our regular source for weather, traffic and SEPTA delays.

> Sure there
> is no local news only station here but does Phily have three
> religious stations?

Yes there are, those who grew up inside the city tend to refer to these stations as "Gospel" stations and tend to spell the nickname of our city with two "L's".

> I guess we have alot less news and alot more God
> here.....

I don't recall that there has ever been a station here that has been all news, all the time. If there were, it was before I was ever born...think prior to the late 60's.

The words "a lot" are two words.

We may have a lot less news, which should actually be a good thing for those who are so proud of this being such a "happy" valley. Be we certainly don't have more God. In Philadelphia, you need all the Jesus/God/Holy Spirit you can get so we city-philes tend to take Him everywhere.
 
Thought it was funny how the new GM at Forever invested his quote in kissing up! A "golden reputation?" And "buck(ing) trends of deep budget cuts and widespread automation found elsewhere?" He must think Bob & Tom are actually doing the show from Cato Park! (And Mike & Mike, Jim Rome, Dan Patrick, Sean Hannity, Mike Gallagher, Bill O'Reilly, Laura Ingraham, et cetera). Maybe that's how he came up with 46 State College employees...


> Just wondering if anyone got to read today's newspaper
> article on the effects of Forever's dominance in the
> marketplace...and comments anyone???
>
> The article can be read online if you missed it at
http> ://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/business/11925863.htm
>
>
> Hitman
>
 
> Thought it was funny how the new GM at Forever invested his
> quote in kissing up! A "golden reputation?" And "buck(ing)
> trends of deep budget cuts and widespread automation found
> elsewhere?" He must think Bob & Tom are actually doing the
> show from Cato Park! (And Mike & Mike, Jim Rome, Dan
> Patrick, Sean Hannity, Mike Gallagher, Bill O'Reilly, Laura
> Ingraham, et cetera). Maybe that's how he came up with 46
> State College employees...

I've seen the employee phone list and that number seems right.

I wish Mike Gallagher's personal phone number was on that list. I'd love to call him up and ask him to please stop talking about his damned new book every 5 seconds. "Thanks for the comment caller, and since you brought up dog poop, let me tell you about my new book..."
 
> > > Doesn't Pat Boland cover local news for WMAJ
> anymore? Does Steve Jones report local news on 3WZ? Maybe
> I'm behind the times. A long time ago, a newsman named Jim
> Bryan was breaking big local stories on WRSC before the CDT
> knew about them.
>

And now Dave Shannon rips and reads on 'RSC.

This quote from the article is hilarious:

It (Forever) bucks trends of deep budget cuts and widespread automation found elsewhere, he (Sumereau) says.

The "widespread" automation on 'RSC is so bad that last week alone I heard a Shannon sports report that was a day old, spots playing over the network feed at least three times, & ABC's closed circuit news feed going over the air on Friday afternoon.

The last one prompted me to phone Forever to let them know, and the rather snippy receptionist explained that 'RSC's PD was on-air on another station, and couldn't listen to what was going out over the air on 1390!
 
I so want to rip this post apart but current status keeps me from doing so. I will say this about the second half of your last paragraph:

Liar, liar, pants on fire!!!!


> And now Dave Shannon rips and reads on 'RSC.
>
> This quote from the article is hilarious:
>
> It (Forever) bucks trends of deep budget cuts and widespread
> automation found elsewhere, he (Sumereau) says.
>
> The "widespread" automation on 'RSC is so bad that last week
> alone I heard a Shannon sports report that was a day old,
> spots playing over the network feed at least three times, &
> ABC's closed circuit news feed going over the air on Friday
> afternoon.
>
> The last one prompted me to phone Forever to let them know,
> and the rather snippy receptionist explained that 'RSC's PD
> was on-air on another station, and couldn't listen to what
> was going out over the air on 1390!
>
 
> Just wondering if anyone got to read today's newspaper
> article on the effects of Forever's dominance in the
> marketplace...and comments anyone???
>
> The article can be read online if you missed it at
http> ://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/business/11925863.htm
>
>
> Hitman
>
It is in the CDT's best intersts to continue to represent that the radio market is in their words "some what in disarray'.....it makes it easier for their ad reps...selling is always easier when its show and tell........did you see todays paper? Look at all the radio stations and their confusion.....nothing like a print ad at whatever cost to keep you happy.....again tere is very solid air talent at Forever, WGMR is sounding quite good, and the folks at 2510 are pumping out good radio on WOWY.I really havent heard Magnum but I am sure 3wz is fine.(they'll sit in the stands while the lions fight on the coliseum floor.....I think everyone in the market (on the air etc) should be proud we are providing the LISTENER with a top notch product. No matter who you work for.....if you execute your format well it will rise above the press secretary level....have a great air shift...

Hank
 
> Thought it was funny how the new GM at Forever invested his
> quote in kissing up! A "golden reputation?" And "buck(ing)
> trends of deep budget cuts and widespread automation found
> elsewhere?" He must think Bob & Tom are actually doing the
> show from Cato Park! (And Mike & Mike, Jim Rome, Dan
> Patrick, Sean Hannity, Mike Gallagher, Bill O'Reilly, Laura
> Ingraham, et cetera). Maybe that's how he came up with 46
> State College employees...
>
I had a chuckle over the "golden reputation" comment as well. He must be confusing the company with another "Forever Broadcasting" somewhere.

The reason there weren't more job cuts is because Dame was already running as lean as anybody could run and still function!

I'm taking bets on how long Trimarchi will last as "Director of Sales" (the prime responsibility is napping in the office).
 
> I so want to rip this post apart but current status keeps me
> from doing so. I will say this about the second half of
> your last paragraph:
>
> Liar, liar, pants on fire!!!!
>

Why rip him if he's just reporting what he was told when he called? Maybe the receptionist was speaking of Glen Turner.

I have also heard similar problems on WRSC. It's gotten much worse since Forever has taken operation of the station.
 
I actually agree with Conti's quote about diversity. Forever and 2510 are not gonna compete against themselves/itself, so instead there will be stations targeting all these various niches. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Of course, we all enjoy a good radio war, but at the same time they are in some way serving the audience by preventing listeners with a variety of options.

Now, if you wanna say that those stations aren't well-run in the sense that they may all be voice-tracked or bird-fed, that's a different story.
 
Thanks so much for your help Ella! It’s so nice you have so much time on your hands to be so kind to others. I type at a fast rate since this is just a gossip page, I didn’t feel you would be grading me! It has been comical to me to see some of the posts going back and forth.

There are three things a little off here. I am new to this entire forum here within the last few weeks. I have read some posts from you. In one you say you “enjoy having sales reps lips on your rear” In one you acknowledge that a PD in a position of power is abusing his power for a date but laugh it off in a very condescending way. Then you dedicate a line or two to correcting spelling. Yes I am a college student, grad school here at PSU, yes I am in radio. I just don’t get it so please explicate in your baroque requisites how just plain dumb I am and why you can’t just remark instead of insult.



> > I grew up with sing along with me -K Y W new radio ten
> > sixty! Still drawn to it like a moth to a flame.
>
> it's KYW NEWS radio...with an "S"...having grown up inside
> the city, this was our regular source for weather, traffic
> and SEPTA delays.
>
> > Sure there
> > is no local news only station here but does Phily have
> three
> > religious stations?
>
> Yes there are, those who grew up inside the city tend to
> refer to these stations as "Gospel" stations and tend to
> spell the nickname of our c


ity with two "L's".
>
> > I guess we have alot less news and alot more God
> > here.....
>
> I don't recall that there has ever been a station here that
> has been all news, all the time. If there were, it was
> before I was ever born...think prior to the late 60's.
>
> The words "a lot" are two words.
>
> We may have a lot less news, which should actually be a good
> thing for those who are so proud of this being such a
> "happy" valley. Be we certainly don't have more God. In
> Philadelphia, you need all the Jesus/God/Holy Spirit you can
> get so we city-philes tend to take Him everywhere.
>
 
> I actually agree with Conti's quote about diversity. Forever
> and 2510 are not gonna compete against themselves/itself, so
> instead there will be stations targeting all these various
> niches. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Of course, we all
> enjoy a good radio war, but at the same time they are in
> some way serving the audience by preventing listeners with a
> variety of options.
>
> Now, if you wanna say that those stations aren't well-run in
> the sense that they may all be voice-tracked or bird-fed,
> that's a different story.
>
I am not sure I agree with that statement. There are only a certain amount of formats that are viable to do in a market this size. Therefore no matter what type of diversity they try and pull off over the air, there will be overlap and they will end up eating away at their own audience so to speak.

Remember that Forever tried Jazz here before and it tanked miserably. There HAS to be overlap. You are not gonna get that much diversity no matter what you want to believe. All you will see is subtle variations of formats I believe
 
> > I so want to rip this post apart but current status keeps
> me
> > from doing so. I will say this about the second half of
> > your last paragraph:
> >
> > Liar, liar, pants on fire!!!!
> >
>
> Why rip him if he's just reporting what he was told when he
> called? Maybe the receptionist was speaking of Glen Turner.

I was referring to the problems he's heard on WRSC, not the receptionist. I don't know her so I have no idea how she said anything. Can't comment on that.

The receptionist could not be talking about Glen if supposedly he was told the WRSC PD was on the air on another station. Dave Shannon is the PD for WRSC and he doesn't go on air for any other station. So, I don't believe that's what he was told.

> I have also heard similar problems on WRSC. It's gotten much
> worse since Forever has taken operation of the station.

All I can say is that they were moved on Memorial Day weekend and the problems are being taken care of. I know and understand the technical reasons why the problems persist but I'm not at liberty to discuss it. I can say with 100% certainty that it's not coming from Kevin and Dave. And no, I'm not saying that because Kev's my hubby, it happens to be true. Patience, it'll get worked out.
 
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