Stern's Successor

[Crashin2me]

This is courtesy of Netscape News and the Drudge Report.

http://channels.netscape.com/news/s...3290002021841&dt=20050926232900&w=RTR&coview=


Thoughts?

 

[OldAkronite]

> This is courtesy of Netscape News and the Drudge Report.

It's not really anything new, though it's (I believe) the first time Infinity brass have publically confirmed their hinted strategy of replacing Stern with a half-dozen or so regionally syndicated morning shows.

Here, of course, WXTM/92.3's "Rover" is supposedly in that mix...somewhere. It'll be interesting to see what happens with 98.5 and its need to replace Stern, if Rover moves over (so to speak) or if they bring in one of the other replacements.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>

 

[nate81]

> > This is courtesy of Netscape News and the Drudge Report.
>
> It's not really anything new, though it's (I believe) the
> first time Infinity brass have publically confirmed their
> hinted strategy of replacing Stern with a half-dozen or so
> regionally syndicated morning shows.
>
> Here, of course, WXTM/92.3's "Rover" is supposedly in that
> mix...somewhere. It'll be interesting to see what happens
> with 98.5 and its need to replace Stern, if Rover moves over
> (so to speak) or if they bring in one of the other
> replacements.

If this list includes Rover, then whoo boy.

No way he'd be on two stations at the same time in 98.5 and 92.3. But whatever station ends up NOT carrying him risks bringing up speculation of a hi-"Jack"ing.

Or there could be a total realignment of the cluster, sans WDOK, if the true underperformer in WQAL/104.1 gets targeted for a flip as well.

Those who think I'm crazy about the latter have to understand:
1) Allan Fee's lack of focus as a PD for five-plus years,
2) a God-awful AMD show that Allan dominates (nevermind he isn't even remotely worthy of it),
3) no MD and PMD presence following Brian "Fig" Figula's exit, and
4) the fact that a "Jack" format isn't different from a typical HAC that WQAL... well, *pretends* to be, anyway.

==============

Therefore, my prediction:
- If Rover gets to be a (or one of) Stern replacement, he will land on 98.5... with WNCX taking 92.3's format and imaging as "985-X: Cleveland's Modern Rock" - (hopefully) ditching the unnecessary "Xtreme Radio" label.

- 92.3 could take the classic rock format from WNCX, but what would go in AMD? Doubtful that they'd start something in the veins of a full-time FM talker, even though the 800-pound syndicated gorilla in Hannity doesn't have a Cleveland clearance yet. Or they get "Jacked" up.

- WQAL gets "Jacked" up. No further explanation necessary.

==============

- nate81<P ID="signature">______________
Nathan Obral
University Partnership Representative: LCCC Student Senate, Elyria, Ohio

Soon-to-be-webmaster - http://www.lcccradio.com</P>

 

[OldAkronite]

> If this list includes Rover, then whoo boy.

When Rover signed his new contract, it included an announcement that his show was targetted for syndication, and that he'd likely be one of the shows included in the post-Howard Stern universe.

Shortly after the contract, he popped up in Columbus and in Madison, WI. Not Stern stations, but Stern's still on.

One other note out of the Hollander comments - it appears Infinity is basically treating all of these post-Stern shows as "test cases", and they'll likely winnow the herd in the next year or two...replacing the non-performing shows with the ones that are getting ratings, one presumes.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>

 

[network]

> Or there could be a total realignment of the cluster, sans
> WDOK, if the true underperformer in WQAL/104.1 gets targeted
> for a flip as well.

"Underperformer" according to who or what? You're not gonna whip out 12-plus numbers, are ya? You know better than that.

> Those who think I'm crazy about the latter have to
> understand:
> 1) Allan Fee's lack of focus as a PD for five-plus years,

Obviously you haven't listened to the station in the past 18 months. They've done nothing but improve.

> 2) a God-awful AMD show that Allan dominates (nevermind he
> isn't even remotely worthy of it),
> 3) no MD and PMD presence following Brian "Fig" Figula's
> exit, and

He's only been gone a week. Nothing fills that quickly...you should know that, too.

> 4) the fact that a "Jack" format isn't different from a
> typical HAC that WQAL... well, *pretends* to be, anyway.

"Fact"? Again, according to who/what? For you -- or anyone -- to think that an all-over-the-road format like a "Jack" and HAC are the same really shows you don't have knowledge of the HAC format. Plus your hate for this station just adds to your bias, which gets in the way of you seeing the facts. You probably should resist commenting on this station.

Here IS a fact: when WQAL did those "Whatever!" weekends, they had terrible results. I mean Terrible (yes, with a capital "T"). Let WMVX do the "Jack"-like format.

Another fact: the Hot-AC format is a difficult one to program. You want to see some inconsistencies in the demo, this is the format. The demo can't seem to make up its' mind from book-to-book (of course, we gotta add the outdated methodology of Arbitron and its' diary placement into the mix as well). "Fickle" is the appropriate word.

> ==============
>
> Therefore, my prediction:
> - If Rover gets to be a (or one of) Stern replacement, he
> will land on 98.5... with WNCX taking 92.3's format and
> imaging as "985-X: Cleveland's Modern Rock" - (hopefully)
> ditching the unnecessary "Xtreme Radio" label.

> - 92.3 could take the classic rock format from WNCX, but
> what would go in AMD? Doubtful that they'd start something
> in the veins of a full-time FM talker, even though the
> 800-pound syndicated gorilla in Hannity doesn't have a
> Cleveland clearance yet. Or they get "Jacked" up.
>
> - WQAL gets "Jacked" up. No further explanation necessary.

Unless your $$ is valuable to you, don't bank on the latter. I don't even think Infinity knows what it's going to do with the rock stations in their cluster here. WDOK and WQAL are the least of their concerns and rightfully so. Nothing's wrong with them. I am even hesitant to say that Infinity will toy with WNCX at first, given it's history in the market. The problem child in the Infinity cluster is 92.3. That "X" moniker might have another meaning for that format come 2006.

 

[JohnnyMorganWXJX]

> > Or there could be a total realignment of the cluster, sans
>
> > WDOK, if the true underperformer in WQAL/104.1 gets
> targeted
> > for a flip as well.
>
> "Underperformer" according to who or what? You're not gonna
> whip out 12-plus numbers, are ya? You know better than
> that.

Do you have any evidence that it's not an underperformer? Please share.

> > Those who think I'm crazy about the latter have to
> > understand:
> > 1) Allan Fee's lack of focus as a PD for five-plus years,
>
> Obviously you haven't listened to the station in the past 18
> months. They've done nothing but improve.

Your opinion. I think middays have improved since Toohey showed up, but I find the rest of the station substandard (compared directly against sister Hot AC Star 100.7 in Pittsburgh).

> > 2) a God-awful AMD show that Allan dominates (nevermind he
>
> > isn't even remotely worthy of it),
> > 3) no MD and PMD presence following Brian "Fig" Figula's
> > exit, and
>
> He's only been gone a week. Nothing fills that
> quickly...you should know that, too.

They knew three weeks, probably a month ago that he was leaving. Should have been lined up and ready to go. It's not like there's a shortage of talent here. More like the WQAL programming management doesn't have a clue.

> > 4) the fact that a "Jack" format isn't different from a
> > typical HAC that WQAL... well, *pretends* to be, anyway.
>
> "Fact"? Again, according to who/what? For you -- or anyone
> -- to think that an all-over-the-road format like a "Jack"
> and HAC are the same really shows you don't have knowledge
> of the HAC format.

Please define each for us please.

> Plus your hate for this station just
> adds to your bias, which gets in the way of you seeing the
> facts. You probably should resist commenting on this
> station.

Same could be said about you commenting on JACK formats because you have a bias against them, but I don't advocate such a rule.

> Here IS a fact: when WQAL did those "Whatever!" weekends,
> they had terrible results. I mean Terrible (yes, with a
> capital "T"). Let WMVX do the "Jack"-like format.

Again, can we see some proof? Or are we to rely on your bald assertions?

> Another fact: the Hot-AC format is a difficult one to
> program.

No doubt. Agreed here.

> You want to see some inconsistencies in the demo,
> this is the format. The demo can't seem to make up its'
> mind from book-to-book (of course, we gotta add the outdated
> methodology of Arbitron and its' diary placement into the
> mix as well). "Fickle" is the appropriate word.

Then why have it? If the format is so haphazard in/with a demo, why bother with it? Change it to something else.

> > ==============
> >
> > Therefore, my prediction:
> > - If Rover gets to be a (or one of) Stern replacement, he
> > will land on 98.5... with WNCX taking 92.3's format and
> > imaging as "985-X: Cleveland's Modern Rock" - (hopefully)
> > ditching the unnecessary "Xtreme Radio" label.
>
> > - 92.3 could take the classic rock format from WNCX, but
> > what would go in AMD? Doubtful that they'd start something
>
> > in the veins of a full-time FM talker, even though the
> > 800-pound syndicated gorilla in Hannity doesn't have a
> > Cleveland clearance yet. Or they get "Jacked" up.
> >
> > - WQAL gets "Jacked" up. No further explanation necessary.
>
>
> Unless your $$ is valuable to you, don't bank on the latter.
> I don't even think Infinity knows what it's going to do
> with the rock stations in their cluster here. WDOK and WQAL
> are the least of their concerns and rightfully so.

Actually, WDOK is the least concern. Everything else is up in the air, including WQAL.

> Nothing's wrong with them. I am even hesitant to say that
> Infinity will toy with WNCX at first, given it's history in
> the market.

Given whose history? Infinity's? Their toying has been to take failed Jammin Oldies and change to a weird rock format which has now been changed to a throw-back-ish alternative format; and to take an older female friendly AC in WQAL and massacre it to put in place your vaunted yet reviled Hot AC format. Oh yeah, and replace Larry Morrow with assclown extrodinaire Allan Fee.

WNCX's history has been stable for years. It is THE classic rock station in town. Has been since the late 80s. The last "problem" at WNCX was in the mid 80s after it changed from teenie-bopper G98. Under Infinity's crappy stewardship they've limited the NCX playlist, but it's still classic rock and still the same personalities.

Unless you have some info you'd like to share...

> The problem child in the Infinity cluster is
> 92.3. That "X" moniker might have another meaning for that
> format come 2006.

I don't follow. Explain please.

 

[nate81]

A post right on "Q"... (Really Long!)

> > > Those who think I'm crazy about the latter have to
> > > understand:
> > > 1) Allan Fee's lack of focus as a PD for five-plus years,
> >
> > Obviously you haven't listened to the station in the past 18
> > months. They've done nothing but improve.
>
> Your opinion. I think middays have improved since Toohey
> showed up, but I find the rest of the station substandard
> (compared directly against sister Hot AC Star 100.7 in
> Pittsburgh).

And I say any improvements must be credited to then-APD Fig. But he's gone.

=============================

Here's a brief history of Allan Fee "highlights" as WQAL's PD, complied by moi:

Late 2000: Fee ditched the long-time positioner "The Best Music/Variety of the 80's, 90's and Today." Okay, not a bad move. Midday host Johnny Williams and AMD co-host Maria Farina were let go.

Early 2001: Becomes "The New Q-104" - but what was "new" about it?

Mid 2001: Becomes "90's and Now: The New Q-104," albeit with one 80's song an hour. Dan Binder, formerly of WENZ/107.9, is made APD. Plus, there was "Loveline" at 10PM - you thought Leeza Gibbons doesn't fit?

Late 2001: Some guy named "Logan" was brought in the evenings. Lasted three weeks.

Early 2002: Becomes "True Variety - Q-104 The Best Music of the 80's, 90's and Now" with no relevant change to the playlist. Dan Binder exits.

Late 2002: Longtime overnighter Jay Lynn was cut loose. While, admittedly, he didn't fit in with the format at all, and hadn't for a while, Jay deserved far better than THAT. At least John Connor sat in with him for much of his final shift.

Early 2003: Abandons "All-80's Weekends" for "All-90's Weekends."

Mid 2003: Q-104 had openings in both middays and PMD, following Greg Valentine's departure and Rebecca being promoted to AMD co-host. These openings lasted for several weeks.

Mid 2003: Longtime imaging voice Sean Caldwell was dumped. Bad move. Sean's now WEWS/5's promotional voice; Q-104 replaced him with, IIRC, the guy who handles much of the NFL imaging.

Late 2003: Chris Pickett and Fig are hired for middays and PMD. Pickett takes the APD role.

Early 2004: Fee takes over for Danny. No further discussion necessary.

Mid 2004: Chris Pickett bolts for a PD job. Fig takes over as APD, and Jen Toohey is swiped from CC/Cleveland. The best two moves Fee's ever made.

Mid 2004: Becomes, once again, "90's and Now: Q-104." This time NO 80's songs are in the rotation.

Late 2004: Adds Leeza Gibbons; they may have had to, because syndicator WW1 and WQAL's owner, Infinity, are corporate siblings. But a 10PM-1AM time?

Early 2005: In the wake of stations being "Jack"ed up; Q-104 starts "Whatever Weekends." Fee told Friday! Magazine that it was due to the fact listeners got tired of all-80's weekends. What, on WMVX? Look above to see the last all-80's weekend on the Q. Oh, and WMVX started their own non-playlist playlist weekend. Whatever.

Mid 2005: Fee's show goes seven days a week. Why?

Late 2005: Fig leaves. (Ha!)

============================

> > > 3) no MD and PMD presence following Brian "Fig" Figula's
> > > exit, and
> >
> > He's only been gone a week. Nothing fills that
> > quickly...you should know that, too.
>
> They knew three weeks, probably a month ago that he was
> leaving. Should have been lined up and ready to go. It's
> not like there's a shortage of talent here. More like the
> WQAL programming management doesn't have a clue.

Again, it didn't have to take WQAL forever to fill the midday and PMD slot back in 2003. But it did. And I expect Jen to be in PMD for quite a while until when/if the slot is filled.

> > Plus your hate for this station just
> > adds to your bias, which gets in the way of you seeing the
> > facts. You probably should resist commenting on this
> > station.

I don't hate ol' 104. I'm more than ticked at Fee and his PD prowess. If that constitues a resisting of commentary, then watch activity on the whole website slow to a crawl. Maybe I show my "hate because I still care about WQAL.

> Given whose history? Infinity's? Their toying has been to
> take failed Jammin Oldies and change to a weird rock format
> which has now been changed to a throw-back-ish alternative
> format; and to take an older female friendly AC in WQAL and
> massacre it to put in place your vaunted yet reviled Hot AC
> format. Oh yeah, and replace Larry Morrow with assclown
> extrodinaire Allan Fee.

Blame then-owner AMFM for firing Larry in 1999, without a goodbye. Danny was his replacement. Fee came in 2000, and filled Danny's slot with-- himself.

WDOK is so much the top star in the cluster that WQAL's music and energy were literally siphoned off. Probably because Fee didn't care at all.

> > The problem child in the Infinity cluster is
> > 92.3. That "X" moniker might have another meaning for that
> > format come 2006.
>
> I don't follow. Explain please.

He probably means "X" format and call sign changes (as in ten) in 92.3's overall history. Or at least that's what it feels like. And it COULD happen - but I say it's not at the expense of the rock format.

- nate81<P ID="signature">______________
Nathan Obral
University Partnership Representative: LCCC Student Senate, Elyria, Ohio

Soon-to-be-webmaster - http://www.lcccradio.com</P>

 

[network]

> Do you have any evidence that it's not an underperformer?
> Please share.

Let's not play this game. If one is going to make a statement that Q104 is "underperforming", please tell us according to what and/or who and back up such claim. The evidence is in its' core numbers. Q does well in its' billing and its' demo.

> Your opinion. I think middays have improved since Toohey
> showed up, but I find the rest of the station substandard
> (compared directly against sister Hot AC Star 100.7 in
> Pittsburgh).

Obviously you haven't been listening either. For anyone to say that WQAL hasn't improved over the past year and some months needs to make an immediate appointment to have their hearing checked. Sister station or not, we're comparing a Cleveland HAC to a Pittsburgh HAC because...? That's like comparing KISS/Cleveland to WNCI/Columbus. But there are people that will bitch about WQAL regardless.

> They knew three weeks, probably a month ago that he was
> leaving. Should have been lined up and ready to go. It's
> not like there's a shortage of talent here. More like the
> WQAL programming management doesn't have a clue.

Easy to say that from the sidelines. I don't doubt there's some good talent here. There's good talent everywhere. If you want to hire "anybody" in 3 weeks, then go for it. But if you want someone of quality which Fig brought to the daypart for that station, then you place an ad and get packages and seek out THE best candidate. IMO, I think Q did good by putting Jen in that daypart for time being.

> Please define each for us please.

Are you serious? If I -- or anyone -- really need to explain the difference, then you're another who doesn't know the format and the demo. Just like CHR. I am not saying that to offend you...I detest country and rap and therefore I don't comment on them since I am also unfamiliar.

> Same could be said about you commenting on JACK formats
> because you have a bias against them, but I don't advocate
> such a rule.

Please indicate where I stated I have some "bias" against JACK-like formats. I don't recall ever making such statement, but if I did, then please provide it and I'll stand corrected. Criticizing is not bias. I am just not gung-ho on this format like many others are. I have heard good JACK-like stations and I have heard those that sound like a computer scheduled the music (read = train wreck). Does it have potential in SOME markets? Definitely. I am not sold that Cleveland is market where a format like that will do well long-term.

> Again, can we see some proof? Or are we to rely on your
> bald assertions?

Believe what you want. If it wasn't a fact, I wouldn't have stated it as such. If it was such a smash, don't ya think they'd still be doing it or at least not dumped it after a month or so of doing it?

> Then why have it? If the format is so haphazard in/with a
> demo, why bother with it? Change it to something else.

Cleveland needs a HAC like WQAL. If Q flipped, there would be someone else to pick up their slack. Look at all the artists that wouldn't get airplay in this market (whether one likes them or not is irrelevant). Here are some things about the HAC demo:

- the core listener is married with kids. Their priorities are family.
- the core HAC listener isn't as familiar with the music as the younger demo. They recognize the song, but you ask them who sings it and all you need to do is picture a deer in headlights.
- the HAC format is somewhat inconsistent when it comes to artists and new music. Stuff burns slower on HAC then CHR, for example (hard to explain on a flippin' message board...but I'm assuming you know what I'm getting at).

Remember, I also threw in the outdated methodology of Arbitron. Two words: diary placement, which we've discussed recently on this very board. Plus, I believe too many HAC's stick with this "safe-like" formula and are afraid to step outside of the boundaries just a little bit musically. There are artists I'd like to see WQAL play (not your typical pop-alternative...select 90's tracks from Janet, Prince, Madonna, TLC & the such).

If KISS can spike in, on occasion, a couple of songs from almost 20 years ago, then why shouldn't Q104 spike in a dance-pop tune from 1990, for example. It's in their demo. Maybe these songs test poorly in the demo. Maybe they've never been tested. I don't know as I am not privvy to their research or any testing they might/might not do. You don't know if you don't try.

> Given whose history? Infinity's? Their toying has been to
> take failed Jammin Oldies and change to a weird rock format
> which has now been changed to a throw-back-ish alternative
> format;

No, I meant WNCX's history (the word that escaped me in a previous response was "heritage" in regards to 'NCX in this market). What you mentioned about is why I think WXTM is the most vulnerable of them all in the cluster. They have been doing nothing but tweaking and continue to get beat by their Clear Channel competitor. I think there are people who need to admit that this market just can't support two alt/active rockers.

> and to take an older female friendly AC in WQAL and
> massacre it to put in place your vaunted yet reviled Hot AC
> format.

This is nothing new. Radio's been doing this for decades. If WQAL was owned by Clear Channel, there'd be some protecting of the demos between WAKS and their HAC.

> Oh yeah, and replace Larry Morrow with assclown
> extrodinaire Allan Fee.

I am not going to comment on any station's personalities, but Larry Morrow, with the upmost respect to him, doesn't fit the sound of today's HAC core listener. Just like Casey Kasem and Dick Clark to today's CHR audience. When Trapper Jack retires, Larry would fit on 'DOK perfectly. So would Robin Swoboda. These are just examples.

> WNCX's history has been stable for years. It is THE classic
> rock station in town. Has been since the late 80s. The
> last "problem" at WNCX was in the mid 80s after it changed
> from teenie-bopper G98. Under Infinity's crappy stewardship
> they've limited the NCX playlist, but it's still classic
> rock and still the same personalities.

I couldn't agree with you more on your comments of 'NCX. This is why I am probably one of the few who don't believe that Infinity will dispose of the classic rock format in Cleveland as quickly as they might in other markets where the lifeline for those stations for years has been Stern.

> I don't follow. Explain please.

The "X" might be the marking over another format that has appeared on the 92.3 frequency in the past decade. This is simply a hunch, but if I was on the air staff of WXTM, I'd be updating my stuff weekly.

 

[network]

Re: A post right on "Q"... (Really Long!)

> And I say any improvements must be credited to then-APD Fig.
> But he's gone.

If that's the case, we'll "hear it", won't we?
> =============================
>
> Here's a brief history of Allan Fee "highlights" as WQAL's
> PD, complied by moi:

> Early 2001: Becomes "The New Q-104" - but what was "new"
> about it?

The positioner. LOL

> Mid 2001: Becomes "90's and Now: The New Q-104," albeit with
> one 80's song an hour. Dan Binder, formerly of WENZ/107.9,
> is made APD. Plus, there was "Loveline" at 10PM - you
> thought Leeza Gibbons doesn't fit?

You should know corporate decisions don't always make the best of sense.

> Early 2003: Abandons "All-80's Weekends" for "All-90's
> Weekends."

As they should've. By this time, most 80's no longer fit on a HAC.

> Mid 2003: Longtime imaging voice Sean Caldwell was dumped.
> Bad move. Sean's now WEWS/5's promotional voice; Q-104
> replaced him with, IIRC, the guy who handles much of the NFL
> imaging.

At first, I didn't care for this guy, but now he's kinda stuck on me. He's developed his own personality in Cleeeeeeeeveland.

> Mid 2004: Becomes, once again, "90's and Now: Q-104." This
> time NO 80's songs are in the rotation.

Good!

> Late 2004: Adds Leeza Gibbons; they may have had to, because
> syndicator WW1 and WQAL's owner, Infinity, are corporate
> siblings. But a 10PM-1AM time?

Bad move...I'll give ya that. Can't WW1 allow stations to run this overnight?! I can only imagine the hell it's causing the 7-12mid numbers for stations.

> Early 2005: In the wake of stations being "Jack"ed up; Q-104
> starts "Whatever Weekends." Fee told Friday! Magazine that
> it was due to the fact listeners got tired of all-80's
> weekends. What, on WMVX? Look above to see the last all-80's
> weekend on the Q. Oh, and WMVX started their own
> non-playlist playlist weekend. Whatever.

It's about time a PD publicly admitted that people were finally getting burned on the same 80's crap that have been over-tested, over-researched and over-played. There are CHR's who can't seem to let go of 80's music that hasn't fit since a decade ago. Plus, I wouldn't be too quick to put all of that "Whatever!" weekend stuff on Fee.

> Mid 2005: Fee's show goes seven days a week. Why?

$$$$$

> Late 2005: Fig leaves. (Ha!)

Well...I'll give you credit on the history of jocks at this station.

> ============================

> Again, it didn't have to take WQAL forever to fill the
> midday and PMD slot back in 2003. But it did. And I expect
> Jen to be in PMD for quite a while until when/if the slot is
> filled.

You're in a very important fall book. This was a good move. Put your strong personality in this PM drive slot. They have nothing to lose...see how it works. Who else would you put in that slot that's currently on staff?

> I don't hate ol' 104. I'm more than ticked at Fee and his PD
> prowess. If that constitues a resisting of commentary, then
> watch activity on the whole website slow to a crawl. Maybe I
> show my "hate because I still care about WQAL.

On a post a several months back, I remember you stating that "everyone should be fired!" So, blow out the entire staff (Jen, Fig, John) -- the best staff this station has had in awhile -- because of one person?! C'mon nate...I really don't think you truly meant that.

> Blame then-owner AMFM for firing Larry in 1999, without a
> goodbye. Danny was his replacement. Fee came in 2000, and
> filled Danny's slot with-- himself.

Again...this very well could've been corporate. Save, save, save!

> He probably means "X" format and call sign changes (as in
> ten) in 92.3's overall history. Or at least that's what it
> feels like. And it COULD happen - but I say it's not at the
> expense of the rock format.

Yep.

 

[adz]

> > As has been pointed on howardstern.com, Howard has made a ton of money for Infinity..both in New York and elsewhere..WNCX is probably running 20 minutes, every hour, that Howard is on--at a premium rate..

And as Stern has pointed out, K-Rock makes it a requirement for clients to purchase other dayparts besides AM Drive..and as also has been pointed out, Infinity is cutting commissions in NYC once Howard is gone..

That's one way to make the numbers seem better than they really are..and piss your sales staff off as well..brilliant..

WNCX has, for the most part, been a well programmed classic rocker..I'd much rather spend a day in an office listening to it as opposed to WONE or Rock 107..the jocks are more knowledgeable regarding the format, and have more of a passion for it..

Are there national clients that won't sign up regardless..of course..anyone looking a day's worth of faxes at a radio station can attest to that..

But for Infinity to boldly predict that all is well when Howard goes to Sirus is to put up an Eminence Front..as Pete Townsend wrote, ''its a put on''...

Interesting how it won't identify, with the fourth quarter already on the streets, just who is coming on board in December, if Infinity decides to ditch the final two weeks of ''best of''...or first quarter in Janaury..

If you were asked to sell an Infinity Stern outlet, wouldnt you want to tell clients what to expect? Wouldn't you want to start priming listeners not to run out to Radio Shack or Best Buy and scoop up something that can send them away forever?

I could honestly care less what Infinity's Cleveland AC outlets do in 2006..with the Jack Format showing uneven numbers in many large markets, with growth only to speak of in L-A..and all the speculation we've devoted to it on this board, don't you think somebody would have pulled the trigger by now?

But the future of WNCX is a more compelling story...would you gamble with one of the current talents to do a ''more music'' AM drive? Would you send Rover and perhaps do a straight talk show style show, without regard to music, and keep the present format? If you go that route, what happens with 92.3?

 

[nate81]

Re: A post right on "Q"... (Really Long!)

> > Mid 2001: Becomes "90's and Now: The New Q-104," albeit with
> > one 80's song an hour. Dan Binder, formerly of WENZ/107.9,
> > is made APD. Plus, there was "Loveline" at 10PM - you
> > thought Leeza Gibbons doesn't fit?
>
> You should know corporate decisions don't always make the
> best of sense.

Well, it WAS a rhetorical question... ;D

> > Mid 2003: Longtime imaging voice Sean Caldwell was dumped.
> > Bad move. Sean's now WEWS/5's promotional voice; Q-104
> > replaced him with, IIRC, the guy who handles much of the NFL
> > imaging.
>
> At first, I didn't care for this guy, but now he's kinda
> stuck on me. He's developed his own personality in
> Cleeeeeeeeveland.

I dunno. I think it's annnnnnnnoooooooooying, IMHO. And it came after WAKS picked up Corley as their imaging voice.

As an aside, wasn't he the same guy the imaging voice for WJW/8 back in their "ei8ht IS NEWS" phase?

> > Mid 2004: Becomes, once again, "90's and Now: Q-104." This
> > time NO 80's songs are in the rotation.
>
> Good!

As it should have been the FIRST TIME around.

> It's about time a PD publicly admitted that people were
> finally getting burned on the same 80's crap that have been
> over-tested, over-researched and over-played. There are
> CHR's who can't seem to let go of 80's music that hasn't fit
> since a decade ago. Plus, I wouldn't be too quick to put
> all of that "Whatever!" weekend stuff on Fee.

Not after I remember Infinity's HAC in Cincinnati, WKRQ/102.1, doing the same "non-playlist playlist" programming move. It was probably a regional experiment by Infinity than anything else.

> > Late 2005: Fig leaves. (Ha!)
>
> Well...I'll give you credit on the history of jocks at this
> station.

Larry Morrow: July 1999.
Johnny Williams: November 2000.
Maria Farina: Early 2001.
Dan Deely: June 2001.
Jon Russell: October 2001. (An aside, whatever happened to him?)
Logan: December 2001. Just three weeks into the job, replacing Jon.
Dan Binder: Feburary 2002.
Big Dave: Feburary 2002.
Bill Ryan, Danny's 1st producer: Spring 2002.
Carole Chandler: May 2002.
Jay Lynn: October 2002.
Brandy: May 2003.
Greg Valentine: May 2003.
Scooter, Danny's 2nd producer: Fall 2003.
Danny: Feburary 2004.
Chris Pickett, who replaced Brandy: May 2004.
Eva Capron: Fall 2004.
Chris Pelton: Spring 2005.
Chuck Costanzo: September 2005.

I can understand a normal level of turnover at a station. But this seems, well, wrong. Which probably reflects on the total inconsistency of WQAL. It can't take multiple tries (and failures) to get a good equation.

This has to rub off on the people who operate the station. Like it or not, Fee's the biggest target.

> > ============================
>
> > Again, it didn't have to take WQAL forever to fill the
> > midday and PMD slot back in 2003. But it did. And I expect
> > Jen to be in PMD for quite a while until when/if the slot is
> > filled.
>
> You're in a very important fall book. This was a good move.
> Put your strong personality in this PM drive slot. They
> have nothing to lose...see how it works. Who else would you
> put in that slot that's currently on staff?

They had to put her there. But as said below, Rick Allen - who's filling in for Jen - is overexposed at WQAL, WNCX and WDOK, and he is the best of the weekend staff.

> On a post a several months back, I remember you stating that
> "everyone should be fired!" So, blow out the entire staff
> (Jen, Fig, John) -- the best staff this station has had in
> awhile -- because of one person?! C'mon nate...I really
> don't think you truly meant that.

Hah. Just checking.

Aside from Jen (who I could see jump to WDOK) no one else on the current airstaff could fit in at any of 104.1's sister stations. (Well, there is Rick Allen at both WDOK and WNCX...)

It's based on a final equation. If Infinity canned WQAL for "Jack," it IS w/o personalities. Jen, Fig and John would be gone nonetheless. And so would Fee - unless if he was asked to stay and program "Jack" - much like when Big Dave had to program "The Beat" after AMFM killed "Jam'n 92..."

> > Blame then-owner AMFM for firing Larry in 1999, without a
> > goodbye. Danny was his replacement. Fee came in 2000, and
> > filled Danny's slot with-- himself.
>
> Again...this very well could've been corporate. Save, save,
> save!

I'd have offered it to Fig or John first. Either would have been more than capable, and could have framed the station better. Like it or not, W&F - like most AMD shows - frame the station. If it's a medicore product, then the rest of the day doesn't matter.

Until I see proof that they DIDN'T want the plum slot (they COULD have, BTW) then the pervasive feeling that "Fee took the job because of his ego" will still exist.

- nate81<P ID="signature">______________
Nathan Obral
University Partnership Representative: LCCC Student Senate, Elyria, Ohio

Soon-to-be-webmaster - http://www.lcccradio.com</P>