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Route 81..Detour or Dead End?
- Thread starter RoyD
- Start date
> I'm very interested in the opinion of all the consultants on
> this board.
> What do you think?
>
> PA_RoyDio
>
I think the corporate types from Avalon are prepping Lloyd's former dream of local radio to be sold back to the same kinds of jerks that wrecked those stations in the first place. Ready for more leaky transmitter roofs, ignored AM's and cookie-cutter simulcasts? Perhaps the current regine should think about developing those properties instead of going back to the Cheap-Channel Route!
> this board.
> What do you think?
>
> PA_RoyDio
>
I think the corporate types from Avalon are prepping Lloyd's former dream of local radio to be sold back to the same kinds of jerks that wrecked those stations in the first place. Ready for more leaky transmitter roofs, ignored AM's and cookie-cutter simulcasts? Perhaps the current regine should think about developing those properties instead of going back to the Cheap-Channel Route!
> > I'm very interested in the opinion of all the consultants
> on
> > this board.
> > What do you think?
> >
> > PA_RoyDio
I think, unfortunately, that the bottom line has reared its ugly head for Route 81, at least judging from what has happened to WAZL. WAZL had about 6 months when they were going strong. They had tons of local content and shows, local news, and they had live shows during much of the day. I remember when there was fires in the area and other big news stories and they actually had someone on the spot reporting it. Now they share their news reporter with WCDL and they basically read the headlines from the paper and have wire reports. Most of their local shows are gone and they are basically down to 2 dj's, more or less. It's really sad. I thought Route 81 was really going to make a go of it, but I guess they decided it wasn't worth the investment. Maybe they will resell them to Citadel so they can trash them again. The circle continues.
On a related note, the Make Believe Rainbow Room apparently is going to be broadcast on WYLN-TV. Also I recently found out that the Beatles show that WAZL jettisoned is now on WKAB-FM on Saturday nights. WKAB is doing a better job now covering Hazleton than our so called hometown station WAZL. (Sorry for getting cynical).
> on
> > this board.
> > What do you think?
> >
> > PA_RoyDio
I think, unfortunately, that the bottom line has reared its ugly head for Route 81, at least judging from what has happened to WAZL. WAZL had about 6 months when they were going strong. They had tons of local content and shows, local news, and they had live shows during much of the day. I remember when there was fires in the area and other big news stories and they actually had someone on the spot reporting it. Now they share their news reporter with WCDL and they basically read the headlines from the paper and have wire reports. Most of their local shows are gone and they are basically down to 2 dj's, more or less. It's really sad. I thought Route 81 was really going to make a go of it, but I guess they decided it wasn't worth the investment. Maybe they will resell them to Citadel so they can trash them again. The circle continues.
On a related note, the Make Believe Rainbow Room apparently is going to be broadcast on WYLN-TV. Also I recently found out that the Beatles show that WAZL jettisoned is now on WKAB-FM on Saturday nights. WKAB is doing a better job now covering Hazleton than our so called hometown station WAZL. (Sorry for getting cynical).
B
bierkenstock
Guest
Re: Route 81
I find it ironic that people who live their own lives and run their own business by the "bottom line" rail against broadcasters for being concerned with profit and loss. You all have no idea of whether Route 81 or any of its individual stations were profitable during recent accounting cycles. You liked the programming. That's fine. But radio is a business. And you have not seen the books, nor (in all likelihood) have you invested your own money.
You all will take another job that offers more money. You buy where you can get best deal. You go to the gas station with lower prices (even if the station you drive by has this great mechanic who's always taken good care of you). You'll go to Wal-Mart and yet moan about the death of Main Street. If you have money saved at a bank or invested in some fund, you likely own stock in one or more broadcasting companies. You want interest from your bank and you want the value of your fund to increase. You all can't have it both ways.
Why is it people b*tch the most about something for which they pay nothing?
I find it ironic that people who live their own lives and run their own business by the "bottom line" rail against broadcasters for being concerned with profit and loss. You all have no idea of whether Route 81 or any of its individual stations were profitable during recent accounting cycles. You liked the programming. That's fine. But radio is a business. And you have not seen the books, nor (in all likelihood) have you invested your own money.
You all will take another job that offers more money. You buy where you can get best deal. You go to the gas station with lower prices (even if the station you drive by has this great mechanic who's always taken good care of you). You'll go to Wal-Mart and yet moan about the death of Main Street. If you have money saved at a bank or invested in some fund, you likely own stock in one or more broadcasting companies. You want interest from your bank and you want the value of your fund to increase. You all can't have it both ways.
Why is it people b*tch the most about something for which they pay nothing?
J
JAFO
Guest
Re: Route 81
> I find it ironic that people who live their own lives and
> run their own business by the "bottom line" rail against
> broadcasters for being concerned with profit and loss. You
> all have no idea of whether Route 81 or any of its
> individual stations were profitable during recent accounting
> cycles. You liked the programming. That's fine. But radio
> is a business. And you have not seen the books, nor (in all
> likelihood) have you invested your own money.
>
> You all will take another job that offers more money. You
> buy where you can get best deal. You go to the gas station
> with lower prices (even if the station you drive by has this
> great mechanic who's always taken good care of you). You'll
> go to Wal-Mart and yet moan about the death of Main Street.
> If you have money saved at a bank or invested in some fund,
> you likely own stock in one or more broadcasting companies.
> You want interest from your bank and you want the value of
> your fund to increase. You all can't have it both ways.
>
> Why is it people b*tch the most about something for which
> they pay nothing?
>
I got into a similar discussion about this when Satellite Radio first came on the scene.
If you have ever worked at a radio station and taken phone calls from listeners or actually met listeners at a remote, whatever, you will understand this.
Have you ever heard someone refer to a radio station as "THEIR" radio station? You find a station you like, stake your claim and it is yours. A lot of people put the station on and never change it. Have you gotten into your wife's car and changed the radio station and gotten bit*hed out later? You buy a radio, find a station you like and you're in. People become very proprietary about "their" radio station. In some way it affects their lives. It's there for them when they go to work, when they party, when they relax, when they have sex, it's there for major events in their lives. They have some personal victory or triumph and turn on the radio. WOW! There's a song that fits! Some personal defeat, they turn on the radio and WOW! There's a song that fits.
When jocks go out on the street for remotes, every body has an opinion about what "Their" station should sound like. People call the request line to tell you what "Their" station should play. And when the station changes format, they feel betrayed. No, we haven't invested our money, but we HAVE invested other things.
Radio affects people in far greater ways than the "bean counters" could ever fathom. In the long lost days when you had Owners and General Managers who worked their way up through the ranks as jocks, PD's and sales execs they had experienced this first hand and took it into account when it came time to make a change. The days when real broadcasters ran the stations. Sure, it happened, but not as frequently.
In today's broadcst world it's all the bottom line. The bankers and investors who now run the radio stations don't personally know their audiences nor do they even care about them.
And, by the way, I have had the same mechanic for 15 years.
> I find it ironic that people who live their own lives and
> run their own business by the "bottom line" rail against
> broadcasters for being concerned with profit and loss. You
> all have no idea of whether Route 81 or any of its
> individual stations were profitable during recent accounting
> cycles. You liked the programming. That's fine. But radio
> is a business. And you have not seen the books, nor (in all
> likelihood) have you invested your own money.
>
> You all will take another job that offers more money. You
> buy where you can get best deal. You go to the gas station
> with lower prices (even if the station you drive by has this
> great mechanic who's always taken good care of you). You'll
> go to Wal-Mart and yet moan about the death of Main Street.
> If you have money saved at a bank or invested in some fund,
> you likely own stock in one or more broadcasting companies.
> You want interest from your bank and you want the value of
> your fund to increase. You all can't have it both ways.
>
> Why is it people b*tch the most about something for which
> they pay nothing?
>
I got into a similar discussion about this when Satellite Radio first came on the scene.
If you have ever worked at a radio station and taken phone calls from listeners or actually met listeners at a remote, whatever, you will understand this.
Have you ever heard someone refer to a radio station as "THEIR" radio station? You find a station you like, stake your claim and it is yours. A lot of people put the station on and never change it. Have you gotten into your wife's car and changed the radio station and gotten bit*hed out later? You buy a radio, find a station you like and you're in. People become very proprietary about "their" radio station. In some way it affects their lives. It's there for them when they go to work, when they party, when they relax, when they have sex, it's there for major events in their lives. They have some personal victory or triumph and turn on the radio. WOW! There's a song that fits! Some personal defeat, they turn on the radio and WOW! There's a song that fits.
When jocks go out on the street for remotes, every body has an opinion about what "Their" station should sound like. People call the request line to tell you what "Their" station should play. And when the station changes format, they feel betrayed. No, we haven't invested our money, but we HAVE invested other things.
Radio affects people in far greater ways than the "bean counters" could ever fathom. In the long lost days when you had Owners and General Managers who worked their way up through the ranks as jocks, PD's and sales execs they had experienced this first hand and took it into account when it came time to make a change. The days when real broadcasters ran the stations. Sure, it happened, but not as frequently.
In today's broadcst world it's all the bottom line. The bankers and investors who now run the radio stations don't personally know their audiences nor do they even care about them.
And, by the way, I have had the same mechanic for 15 years.
B
bearcubpa
Guest
Re: Route 81
> I find it ironic that people who live their own lives and
> run their own business by the "bottom line" rail against
> broadcasters for being concerned with profit and loss. You
> all have no idea of whether Route 81 or any of its
> individual stations were profitable during recent accounting
> cycles. You liked the programming. That's fine. But radio
> is a business. And you have not seen the books, nor (in all
> likelihood) have you invested your own money.
>
> You all will take another job that offers more money. You
> buy where you can get best deal. You go to the gas station
> with lower prices (even if the station you drive by has this
> great mechanic who's always taken good care of you). You'll
> go to Wal-Mart and yet moan about the death of Main Street.
> If you have money saved at a bank or invested in some fund,
> you likely own stock in one or more broadcasting companies.
> You want interest from your bank and you want the value of
> your fund to increase. You all can't have it both ways.
>
> Why is it people b*tch the most about something for which
> they pay nothing?
>
BRAVO bierkenstock . I could not of said it better.
> I find it ironic that people who live their own lives and
> run their own business by the "bottom line" rail against
> broadcasters for being concerned with profit and loss. You
> all have no idea of whether Route 81 or any of its
> individual stations were profitable during recent accounting
> cycles. You liked the programming. That's fine. But radio
> is a business. And you have not seen the books, nor (in all
> likelihood) have you invested your own money.
>
> You all will take another job that offers more money. You
> buy where you can get best deal. You go to the gas station
> with lower prices (even if the station you drive by has this
> great mechanic who's always taken good care of you). You'll
> go to Wal-Mart and yet moan about the death of Main Street.
> If you have money saved at a bank or invested in some fund,
> you likely own stock in one or more broadcasting companies.
> You want interest from your bank and you want the value of
> your fund to increase. You all can't have it both ways.
>
> Why is it people b*tch the most about something for which
> they pay nothing?
>
BRAVO bierkenstock . I could not of said it better.
Y
yonkstur
Guest
Re: Route 81
>> >
> In today's broadcst world it's all the bottom line. The
> bankers and investors who now run the radio stations don't
> personally know their audiences nor do they even care about
> them.
> And, by the way, I have had the same mechanic for 15 years.
>
Very well put. I understand though radio is a business and
they need to turn a profit. The question is how much profit?
I'm sure the people in the old days weren't living on foodstamps
when they ran their stations. But here's the most bothersome
thing: People hired by the bean counters who know nothing about
the station's heritage, its audience or its region come in and
wreck havoc for a year or two, make their bones and then skip off
to the next market to do the same thing. And in the meantime, jobs
are lost, lives disrupted, careers ruined and listeners kicked
to the side of the road. That's the real tragedy here.
Yonkstur
>> >
> In today's broadcst world it's all the bottom line. The
> bankers and investors who now run the radio stations don't
> personally know their audiences nor do they even care about
> them.
> And, by the way, I have had the same mechanic for 15 years.
>
Very well put. I understand though radio is a business and
they need to turn a profit. The question is how much profit?
I'm sure the people in the old days weren't living on foodstamps
when they ran their stations. But here's the most bothersome
thing: People hired by the bean counters who know nothing about
the station's heritage, its audience or its region come in and
wreck havoc for a year or two, make their bones and then skip off
to the next market to do the same thing. And in the meantime, jobs
are lost, lives disrupted, careers ruined and listeners kicked
to the side of the road. That's the real tragedy here.
Yonkstur
Re: Route 81
Dear Mr. Stock,
There's such a thing as running a business on a bottom line, and then there's something that's akin to criminal neglect. The ongoing condition of WARM is a reminder of that fact. There are too many radio station owners out there who are more interested in hoaring out a property to squeeze as much as possible out of it for stockholders, rather than serving listeners and creating jobs for employees, both of which create more revenue in the long run! While Lloyd may have been a spendthrift, he did foster a productive, positive workplace, which is, from the stories coming out of W-B land, more than can be said about Rich or Twitch, or whatever his name is! The only conclusion one can derive from this situation is: That's the way management wants things!
Dear Mr. Stock,
There's such a thing as running a business on a bottom line, and then there's something that's akin to criminal neglect. The ongoing condition of WARM is a reminder of that fact. There are too many radio station owners out there who are more interested in hoaring out a property to squeeze as much as possible out of it for stockholders, rather than serving listeners and creating jobs for employees, both of which create more revenue in the long run! While Lloyd may have been a spendthrift, he did foster a productive, positive workplace, which is, from the stories coming out of W-B land, more than can be said about Rich or Twitch, or whatever his name is! The only conclusion one can derive from this situation is: That's the way management wants things!
B
bierkenstock
Guest
Re: Route 81
I understand the personal attachment listeners develop to "their station." Most of us who ended up working in radio started out that way.
That said, the hard fact is these listeners are not representative. They don't pay the piper; they don't get to call the tune.
Yonkstur, I invite you to read the current annual reports of the major radio companies. They are not all that profitable. The total audience is smaller and fragmented. The ad market has shrunk. Ad rates have not kept up with inflation.
And corporate bean counters are not the only way to wreck a radio station. The recently-departed head of Route 81 is proof of that. Having been around a while, I can tell you some of these local, independent, mom and pop owners were some of the biggest SOBs - and whack jobs - on the planet. I don't miss them at all.
IMHO the way to demonstrate care for an audience is to provide a good on-air product, something someone will want to listen to. Mostly the people who call radio stations abhor change. I can relate to that, as well. I feel nostalgia for the stations of my youth and the personalities who inspired me to get into the biz. I also know, no matter how much I miss it, what worked then wouldn't work now. And Darwin was right: Adapt or perish.
I understand the personal attachment listeners develop to "their station." Most of us who ended up working in radio started out that way.
That said, the hard fact is these listeners are not representative. They don't pay the piper; they don't get to call the tune.
Yonkstur, I invite you to read the current annual reports of the major radio companies. They are not all that profitable. The total audience is smaller and fragmented. The ad market has shrunk. Ad rates have not kept up with inflation.
And corporate bean counters are not the only way to wreck a radio station. The recently-departed head of Route 81 is proof of that. Having been around a while, I can tell you some of these local, independent, mom and pop owners were some of the biggest SOBs - and whack jobs - on the planet. I don't miss them at all.
IMHO the way to demonstrate care for an audience is to provide a good on-air product, something someone will want to listen to. Mostly the people who call radio stations abhor change. I can relate to that, as well. I feel nostalgia for the stations of my youth and the personalities who inspired me to get into the biz. I also know, no matter how much I miss it, what worked then wouldn't work now. And Darwin was right: Adapt or perish.
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