Scott Paulsen and Bill Crawford joining WDVE

[DavidZ]

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is reporting that Scott Paulsen and Bill Crawford are joining WDVE.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_777475.html

 

[Parttimer]

At one point during Scott's previous tenure, they built him his own little production room so he could work on bits and songs whenever he felt like it. As technology stands now, I wonder if he'll even come into the building other than when he's actually on-air?

 

[VelvetJonesLives]

Interesting, this was announced the same day. I wonder if we'll finally get to hear Krenn's side of the story. I also wonder if this means he is free to join another station.


Jim Krenn Officially Gone From WDVE
http://www.wtae.com/entertainment/30253520/detail.html

 

[Stearns]

Ok I'll be the first to ask...who in the heck is Bill Crawford??

 

[Alton]

Ok I'll be the first to ask...who in the heck is Bill Crawford??

All that matters is, he is NOT Krenn.

 

[Parttimer]

This looks more and more now like it is just about money.

 

[Boss Radio]

I think it was about money in the sense that they realized they were getting a bad return on the large pile of money they were paying Krenn.

 

[pman44]

They smile in your face
All the time they want to take your place...

I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'

;D

 

[Alton]

I think it was about money in the sense that they realized they were getting a bad return on the large pile of money they were paying Krenn.

I can't tell you how many times I was sitting in the car last year and felt the absolute air of boringness that Krenn emitted by himself when Randy was in contract negotiations. It was VERY painful. That must've opened their eyes to the amount of work Krenn brought to the table and the fact they were drastically overpaying him.

 

[VelvetJonesLives]

I think it was about money in the sense that they realized they were getting a bad return on the large pile of money they were paying Krenn.

I can't tell you how many times I was sitting in the car last year and felt the absolute air of boringness that Krenn emitted by himself when Randy was in contract negotiations. It was VERY painful. That must've opened their eyes to the amount of work Krenn brought to the table and the fact they were drastically overpaying him.

Yes, but Krenn was under contract. When Randy was resigned it was reported that both he and Krenn had singed long term/multi-year deals. So CC would still be on the hook for his salary even if they took him off the air. Unlike football contracts that are basically meaningless, TV and radio contracts are usually air tight unless you seriously break some rules. Even Madden was still payed after he was fired by ESPN. I'm curious how much Krenn was even making. Madden was making $150k at ESPN, which really wasn't that much considering he was a nationally known talent.

 

[F.M.Hertz]

Madden was making $150k at ESPN, which really wasn't that much considering he was a nationally known talent.

$150K is probably standard for afternoon drive in this market if the station is billing well.

Nationally known talent? What do you base that upon, the small minority of our population that still follows wrestling and believes it's 100% real?

 

[Boss Radio]

I think it was about money in the sense that they realized they were getting a bad return on the large pile of money they were paying Krenn.

I can't tell you how many times I was sitting in the car last year and felt the absolute air of boringness that Krenn emitted by himself when Randy was in contract negotiations. It was VERY painful. That must've opened their eyes to the amount of work Krenn brought to the table and the fact they were drastically overpaying him.

Yes, but Krenn was under contract. When Randy was resigned it was reported that both he and Krenn had singed long term/multi-year deals. So CC would still be on the hook for his salary even if they took him off the air. Unlike football contracts that are basically meaningless, TV and radio contracts are usually air tight unless you seriously break some rules. Even Madden was still payed after he was fired by ESPN. I'm curious how much Krenn was even making. Madden was making $150k at ESPN, which really wasn't that much considering he was a nationally known talent.

The salary is tied to the revenue generated. The rate card was never that high during Madden's stay at 1250 and a lot of the clients were marginal businesses like strip clubs.

 

[pman44]

I think it was about money in the sense that they realized they were getting a bad return on the large pile of money they were paying Krenn.

I can't tell you how many times I was sitting in the car last year and felt the absolute air of boringness that Krenn emitted by himself when Randy was in contract negotiations. It was VERY painful. That must've opened their eyes to the amount of work Krenn brought to the table and the fact they were drastically overpaying him.

Yes, but Krenn was under contract. When Randy was resigned it was reported that both he and Krenn had singed long term/multi-year deals. So CC would still be on the hook for his salary even if they took him off the air. Unlike football contracts that are basically meaningless, TV and radio contracts are usually air tight unless you seriously break some rules. Even Madden was still payed after he was fired by ESPN. I'm curious how much Krenn was even making. Madden was making $150k at ESPN, which really wasn't that much considering he was a nationally known talent.

The salary is tied to the revenue generated. The rate card was never that high during Madden's stay at 1250 and a lot of the clients were marginal businesses like strip clubs.

Actually, ESPN had a policy against accepting ads from strip clubs, etc. I don't really remember that far back, but I believe his ads were mostly cars and restaurants.

 

[VelvetJonesLives]

Nationally known talent? What do you base that upon, the small minority of our population that still follows wrestling and believes it's 100% real?

Hey, I'm not trying to pump him up or anything like that. Maybe I should have said nationally infamous. I have seen him on several different ESPN shows, not to mention his wrestling gig. He's still more of a nation exposure than Krenn or any of the morning show guys will ever have. I do feel sorry for Krenn though, as he has no appeal outside of this market. I don't think he would gain much of an audience doing Donnie Iris and Pant's In' Dat jokes in Tampa.

 

[F.M.Hertz]

No harm. What I thought you were implying is that Madden is a household name. Maybe around Pittsburgh, but not necessarily thorughout the country.

You're right. Krenn's humor is strictly a Pittsburgh thing. Much like the same as when Rege Cordic went to L.A. to take over for Bob Crane at KNX. What made him a superstar in Pittsburgh didn't go over well in Southern California.

 

[pman44]

So what do you think the end result will be for DVE--the same basic morning show, just cheaper?
Do you think there will be a change in the ratings?

 

[corporateradiosucks]

They smile in your face
All the time they want to take your place...

I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'

;D

My thoughts exactly. Maybe I'm naive as hell, but it upsets me that Paulsen would be part of this.

"Executive contributor"? That sounds like a "Belzer deal" on Law & Order SVU (i.e. only in every 4th episode for 5 minutes, but still in the opening credits and still getting the $$$ and still able to put permanent cast member on your resume).

 

[F.M.Hertz]

So what do you think the end result will be for DVE--the same basic morning show, just cheaper?
Do you think there will be a change in the ratings?

It will be the same show, but there will be a change in the line-up. There won't be a change in the ratings, maybe an uptick with the addition of Paulsen.

Remember, this is Pittsburgh. Pittsburghers hate any kind of change. There are people that are upset that Bill Burns isn't reading the news at Noon anymore. With the addition of Paulsen, maybe they'll tune in for a 'DVE of 20 years ago.

 

[Boss Radio]

So what do you think the end result will be for DVE--the same basic morning show, just cheaper?
Do you think there will be a change in the ratings?

It will be the same show, but there will be a change in the line-up. There won't be a change in the ratings, maybe an uptick with the addition of Paulsen.

Remember, this is Pittsburgh. Pittsburghers hate any kind of change. There are people that are upset that Bill Burns isn't reading the news at Noon anymore. With the addition of Paulsen, maybe they'll tune in for a 'DVE of 20 years ago.

The bigger issue is that morning radio is a habit. People tend to stay with the same station. When Bogut left KDKA for WTAE, people didn't follow him there. They stayed with KDKA.

There are exceptions, but not many.

That's not just Pittsburgh. Paraphrasing Steve Dahl, morning radio is like your morning bathroom visit. You get used to a certain routine, and you're reluctant to change.

 

[pman44]

Boss has a good point about habit, but I don't think it's anywhere near the level of Bogut/KDKA any more. I think the Steelers being out of hte playoffs will hurt them as well, as listeners will be more apt to try a new station if they don't have to worry about missing the latest Steeler stuff.

If DVE's goal is to save money, I think it worked. If their goal is to get younger demo's, Paulsen isn't going to help. I don't know enough about the other guy to say one way or another.