Phyllis Stark Letter on Crap Channel

[TheLaffer]

Good Letter on Crap-Channel's latest BS.

A word to the Mays.

Please. Please. Please. Get out of radio. You have screwed it up enough. You have ruined thousands of innocent peoples lives. Please if you have any moral decency left. GET OUT. Go sell widgets. You might be more qualified to do that.

Do everyone a favor and get out of the broadcasting business so blindless followers like CBS, COX and CUMULUS will hopefully see the error of your ways and drop the CC model before THEY get their ass in a crack like CRAP-CHANNEL.

 

[nuzguy]

Moral decency. That bunch? Too bad they have so much company that's likewise infecting other radio corporations and driving the last few nails in the industry's coffin.

 

[Slambang]

Its what Howard Stern has been saying all along, the future of this business is in other mediums (internet, sat, ect..). "Local radio" has been dead and buried for the past 20 years, its just taking this long for the news to catch up to people.

 

[TheLaffer]

Its what Howard Stern has been saying all along, the future of this business is in other mediums (internet, sat, ect..). "Local radio" has been dead and buried for the past 20 years, its just taking this long for the news to catch up to people.

I don't think it's dead. It HAS EVOLVED into less pay, more voice tracking, talented experienced jocks sitting on the sidelines.

The NFL went through this a decade ago. Many successful Elder coaches getting the axe. Sanity and i might say many owners came to there senses and brought back many of the veteran coaches. In many cases these vets turned losing franchises into winners.

I wonder if radio has enough smarts to do the same. :-\

 

[OldGringo]

Do everyone a favor and get out of the broadcasting business so blindless followers like CBS, COX and CUMULUS will hopefully see the error of your ways and drop the CC model before THEY get their ass in a crack like CRAP-CHANNEL.

In what way is Clear Channel in trouble? I listened to the earnings call today, and they are making lots of money, revenue and EBITDA are up.

Clear's stock is undervalued, and there is good reason for them to go private since they can buy for less than the enterprise is worth.

Oh, when did you get fired by a Clear Channel station? Maybe it is time to move on.

 

[grantchester]

David says: "In what way is Clear Channel in trouble? I listened to the earnings call today, and they are making lots of money"
...didn't they write down tens of billions of dollars worth of station value last year?
The stations may be providing cash flow, but there's something about the financial structure of CC that Wall Street just doesn't like. I remember '99, when CC peaked at $96 dollars a share. What is it now, $30?
The original poster is correct, in that CC led the way to de-contenting local radio, and taking the rewards from the people who created value, to give to the investment bankers, station owners and corporate executives. I recall Lester Lowry Mays going to Washington when he led the NAB Combined boards, telling them half of the stations would go dark unless they could cut costs. Once dereg came, license values multiplied by a factor of four. CC bought stations, slashed staff, turned sales departments into revolving doors, and, through the Gulfstar/Capstar/Chancellor/AMFM voice tracking model, took away the compelling local and live content that had made stations valuable to the listener.
A station owner told me once how CC and AMFM came to him and told him he could sell now, or he could wait for their more efficient profit model to put him out of business. He sold. 13 people were fired. Those stations have about half the listeners they had before the sale.
David, it's a bad model. You can't eat the seed corn. You can't starve the hired help. You can't take away the personal, compelling appeal of broadcasters, and expect to have a thriving business. I think the first post was a bit harsh, but the sentiment is echoed by the thousands and thousands of radio professionals who find themselves unable to practice their trade.
Regards,
G

 

[Robert Bass]

Oh brother... [EDIT] :

To try to steer this thing back on track....

"Clear Channel" & "Moral Decency" in the same paragraph? Wow, good one.

R

[EDIT--vulgarity.]

 

[Robert Bass]

Klif,

Most of us see what you guys always do, for what it is. There's always room for disagreement yes. But when that disagreement turns into "No you're wrong and I'm right", it's pointless drivel. Why not find something more productive to do?

R

 

[spinderella]

I agree that the personal crap and flame wars has damn near driven me away from this board and by the look of thing many others have dropped off too. Any productive debate is drowned out by the neverending pissing and moaning between EdKlif and DavidGringo or basically anybody who disagrees with EdKlif.

A few people moved over to RadioInsight but that place is as dead as the Croc Hunter. What used to be a lively debate has been squelched by crybaby bitching and moaning.

I've never been much of a poster but I have enjoyed the insight from some at this site over the years. That insight recently has become harder and harder to come by. In my opinion it's because of the personal crap.

 

[Robert Bass]

Spent more time on it? I spend too much time on it as it is. ;D

 

[klifhanger]

"edklif" ? Good one,but no.
Robert, I do in many ways believe it or not. I don't mind if someone disagrees with me at all believe it or not. Its only when a fraud like Ol gringo comes along,I get my Irish up. I pointed out how he is not well liked by MANY others on many different boards and at Univision itself,plus his background is very very questionable.
I'll try to watch it here,but I can't promise it.

 

[Robert Bass]

Which is hearsay at best?

And considering your post that I had replied to, is no longer available, is that coincidence? Did you intentionally delete it, or did the RI Board Monster swallow it?

R

"edklif" ? Good one,but no.
Robert, I do in many ways believe it or not. I don't mind if someone disagrees with me at all believe it or not. Its only when a fraud like Ol gringo comes along,I get my Irish up. I pointed out how he is not well liked by MANY others on many different boards and at Univision itself,plus his background is very very questionable.
I'll try to watch it here,but I can't promise it.

 

[airwave999]

Look, this kind of personal attack on CC is just fine. Boards like this one allow those screwed by the big corps to vent and that is healthy. Reality is...the fundamental change in corporate media ownership since the passage of the telecommunications act of 1996 has done its work. Part of the fallout has been the expense consolidation among groups of stations to bring the bottom line in favor with stockholders. This expense consolidation brought you voice tracking and lower sales commissions. End result...loss of great and good voice talent and loss of high revenue producing sales people. It's not just CC, it's Cox, Cumulus, CBS, Fox TV, ABC TV, NBC TV, Univision, etc.... If you were gainfully employed in the 90's and have a long successful track record in whatever capacity you were in then, you are today out of the business or well on your way out. It's a shame that such good people are destined for unemployment and possibly poverty, but that's what the 1996 Telecommunications Act did for this once great business. I was lucky. I left in 2000, started several businesses and last year finally hit on a winner, but it was a tremendous struggle to get to this point. I found a great business that has nothing to do with media and love it, but I do still stay in touch and try to offer advise to the truly talented folks who are getting shoved out of the business unfairly. The nice thing is most of these folks are talented enough to make it on their own, but they are just afraid to try because they have relied on employers their entire careers. Talent isn't disposed from the corporations, it is inbred in each one of us. Once you discover that your talent is transferable to any profession, you have the inner tools to make it on your own. As the old saying goes, don't get mad, get even.

 

[TheRover]

Perhaps the public testimony for their congressionally mandated quadrennial review that the FCC Board is going around the country seeking, and online at their website, will make a difference in reversing some of the bad effects (to radio and, music talent, and of course to the "music" lovers all across this nation), or at least I'd like to think so.

Here's a realted thread posted in the FCC Policy Debate Forum http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,50986.0.html

 

[klifhanger]

ROBERT: NO, The moderator eliminated it,and eliminated Master of Grand Illusions as well, so they are being fair. I am sorry you are a fan of his,and believe anything and everything he may post. That is why I have said over and over again to research this guy. Don't go by the links he has produced ,some actually are produced by him or his colleagues. It takes, a good chunk of it,and many don't want to take the time to do it or have the time. The bottom line he has faked reports as his,took credit for anothers achievements and no one asked the pertitent questions while this was going on and he has gotten away with it. So research it, and find out for yourself. Part of that is by talking to former associates and current employees/associates. If three people echo the same sentiment at different locations, and don't know wach other,then there has to be something there.

 

[Robert Bass]

When did I say I was a "fan" of anyone around here?

All I am saying is, please knock off the personal attacks.

That applies to everyone.

R

 

[TheLaffer]

When did I say I was a "fan" of anyone around here?

All I am saying is, please knock off the personal attacks.

That applies to everyone.

R

Dittos for you and your HS station.

 

[klifhanger]

ROBERT: I outlined before to you my respect what you have done at KEOM along with the students.

As far the Master Of Grand Illusion is concerned. I can't respect someone who decided to layoff many people before Christmas. One woman in particular worked at a station for 10 years was well liked and respected in the community. She was a victim of breast cancer and missed several days for treatment,including losing her beautiful long hair. She was dismissed as a "cost cutting" measure. She's dead now, leaving two teenagers ages 13,and 14 at the time. He has seized ideas from others making them his own, plagerizing articles and rewording them intoning that he was the original author. Taking credit for successes of some stations,when he didn't do a solid thing for its success. He has had many failures,but he will not admit as much. Has the obession to butt in discussions in markets that don't concern him ,provoking an image that he does,and must always have the last word in a discussion,because no one absolutely no one knows more than himself,even though facts upon facts are hurled at him disputing this. He is the epitomy of what is wrong with radio,radio owners in particular,who do not look at the fine print to whom they hire.

 

[Robert Bass]

KLIF,

Yes you have done so, and although it is appreciated, in reality I have to take it at face value, just as I must do the same for your personal attacks against David (and anyone else you may have as well). The reason for this is quite obvious; I don’t know your real identity. Why don’t you contact me and reveal your identity, at my work e-mail address?

If I were you, I would seriously consider retracting that post. It is one thing to discredit someone, but when it comes down to personal attacks and name calling, that is just plain childish and unnecessary.

There are people in this business that I don’t care for either, but I see no point in bringing the specific details to this, or any other discussion board. Posting such drivel is a complete waste of time and space, and makes me appear as a tattletale.

When this board changed hands, I decided to take a vacation from it. Now that I am browsing again, I am saddened to see how dead it is around here, and my feeling is the ongoing attacks and insults around here are a major reason for this. On that note, perhaps its best I make that vacation permanent.

R

ROBERT: I outlined before to you my respect what you have done at KEOM along with the students.

As far the Master Of Grand Illusion is concerned. I can't respect someone who decided to layoff many people before Christmas. One woman in particular worked at a station for 10 years was well liked and respected in the community. She was a victim of breast cancer and missed several days for treatment,including losing her beautiful long hair. She was dismissed as a "cost cutting" measure. She's dead now, leaving two teenagers ages 13,and 14 at the time. He has seized ideas from others making them his own, plagerizing articles and rewording them intoning that he was the original author. Taking credit for successes of some stations,when he didn't do a solid thing for its success. He has had many failures,but he will not admit as much. Has the obession to butt in discussions in markets that don't concern him ,provoking an image that he does,and must always have the last word in a discussion,because no one absolutely no one knows more than himself,even though facts upon facts are hurled at him disputing this. He is the epitomy of what is wrong with radio,radio owners in particular,who do not look at the fine print to whom they hire.

 

[TheLaffer]

KLIF,

Yes you have done so, and although it is appreciated, in reality I have to take it at face value, just as I must do the same for your personal attacks against David (and anyone else you may have as well). The reason for this is quite obvious; I don’t know your real identity. Why don’t you contact me and reveal your identity, at my work e-mail address?

If I were you, I would seriously consider retracting that post. It is one thing to discredit someone, but when it comes down to personal attacks and name calling, that is just plain childish and unnecessary.

There are people in this business that I don’t care for either, but I see no point in bringing the specific details to this, or any other discussion board. Posting such drivel is a complete waste of time and space, and makes me appear as a tattletale.

When this board changed hands, I decided to take a vacation from it. Now that I am browsing again, I am saddened to see how dead it is around here, and my feeling is the ongoing attacks and insults around here are a major reason for this. On that note, perhaps its best I make that vacation permanent.

R

ROBERT: I outlined before to you my respect what you have done at KEOM along with the students.

As far the Master Of Grand Illusion is concerned. I can't respect someone who decided to layoff many people before Christmas. One woman in particular worked at a station for 10 years was well liked and respected in the community. She was a victim of breast cancer and missed several days for treatment,including losing her beautiful long hair. She was dismissed as a "cost cutting" measure. She's dead now, leaving two teenagers ages 13,and 14 at the time. He has seized ideas from others making them his own, plagerizing articles and rewording them intoning that he was the original author. Taking credit for successes of some stations,when he didn't do a solid thing for its success. He has had many failures,but he will not admit as much. Has the obession to butt in discussions in markets that don't concern him ,provoking an image that he does,and must always have the last word in a discussion,because no one absolutely no one knows more than himself,even though facts upon facts are hurled at him disputing this. He is the epitomy of what is wrong with radio,radio owners in particular,who do not look at the fine print to whom they hire.

We'll miss ya. Good luck buddy