T&K walk, KLSD ratings scandal, Hacksaw cut, KYXY for sale... quiet huh?

[Bob_Hudson]

It's been a long time since San Diego radio has had any real news and now it all comes at the same time.

So what is next?

My prediction is major changes for Metro San Diego. As they announced recently, "Westwood One to consolidate traffic resources from 60 operations centers into 13 regional hubs."

I just checked their website and they are looking for "National Directors of Marketing" for 12 cities, none of which is spelled like San Diego:

# Boston
# Chicago
# Dallas
# Los Angeles
# Miami
# New York
# Philadelphia
# Phoenix
# Pittsburgh
# San Francisco
# Seattle
# Washington

I juat looked at a Westwood One Powerpoint for investors and it says they will close 18 operating centers in 2008, so no doubt they are planning some Christmas surprises. They expect to spend $5 million for severance and real estate exit costs this year and $8 million next year.

I recall that former KYXY news guy John Q Lawrence was said to have gone to a Metro job in Phoenix, so maybe they put him a some sort of gig that's more than being yet another reader.

So anyone know how many employees at Metro San Diego? I was on their payroll (after they bought Shadow) when I did morning news and traffic at FM 103.7 The Planet - I broadcast first from the Planet studios and then from my home studio, but was a Metro employee. I went into the office only to pick up my paycheck and I have to say I thanked the Lord each time that I did not have to work there, doing split shifts, repeating the same tedious info several times an hour on several stations, all for a pittance of an income. Myself and a couple others still made the salaries from out days being covered by AFTRA at Shadow, and those were the same as I'd made when working under AFTRA at KCBQ 20 years before: and most Metro folk made less than that.

 

[sdwulfdawg]

According to my sources (Metro employees!), the San Diego office is going to be closed, and the San Diego traffic reports are going to come out of Los Angeles. The folks on the helicopters are also going to be dumped and potentially be employees of one of the TV station who utilizes their services, although the helicopter is going to be still owned by Metro.

 

[Bob_Hudson]

According to my sources (Metro employees!), the San Diego office is going to be closed, and the San Diego traffic reports are going to come out of Los Angeles. The folks on the helicopters are also going to be dumped and potentially be employees of one of the TV station who utilizes their services, although the helicopter is going to be still owned by Metro.

I'd always thought the traffic outfits just leased aircraft. At any rate, Westwood One says they will "reduce reliance on aircraft" and one way is with AirSage, an Atlanta-based company that somehow derives traffic information from cellphones.

I'm still waiting for some stations to just drop Metro and do their own thing: instead of formal traffic reports with their obligatory 10-second spots read by the Metro anchor, why not just have your jock look at the traffic reports on the internet and once in a while throw in a mention of unusual trouble spots or just say that "it's slow as always..."? Let's face it, traffic reporting is pretty much repeating the same basic things everyday: slow at the merge, North 15 tightens at Lake Hodges, etc, and for 99% of motorists there are almost no alternate routes so if it is slow, you just go with the flow. I think some stations could eliminate some of the clutter by dropping Metro reports and listeners would not care or miss it (or is Metro paying the stations a share of the ad revenue?). Metro is going to start doing 15-second spots and having some recorded rather than just being read by the traffic announcers: that will just add to the clutter.

Of course, when they close the local office, that will mean that many fewer jobs in San Diego radio, but being a traffic reporter generally is such a lousy career choice that in the long run it's better to not have that as an option.

 

[RBA]

How far into the future will they have UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) monitoring the traffic and other news events?

 

[pbf1]

I can hear it now...

How far into the future will they have UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) monitoring the traffic and other news events?

"....with your Google Satellite Traffic, I'm....."

 

[Bob_Hudson]

Re: I can hear it now...

How far into the future will they have UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) monitoring the traffic and other news events?

"....with your Google Satellite Traffic, I'm....."

Why not? It's already here: http://tinyurl.com/3s6ymd - and why even bother to have someone else translate it for you? It's simple enough that even a disk jockey could look at it and tell you what's going on.


When The Planet let me broadcast from home after my son was born, the quality of my news and traffic reports improved when I no longer had to reply on what was then Shadow's internal news and traffic system (which was the only thing I had access to on my computer at The Planet studios). At home with by cable internet service (still fairly new in early 1999) I got access to Caltrans and CHP reports that were lightyears ahead of Shadow's internal system which relied on having its lowest paid employees take raw traffic data and interpret it before I or other traffic reporters got to see it: it was often wrong or so delayed as to be useless. Really stations no longer need something like Metro to interpret information that is freely available to their jocks who could slip it into their shows as a less intrusive element than the current system. Metro wants to drop life reports from some low-rated or small market stations and make them take recorded feeds. Well with Google's traffic, who needs Metro?

But of course, the problem is that many radio stations have come to the point where the only live person on the stations is the Metro person

 

[hamNcheese]

According to my sources (Metro employees!), the San Diego office is going to be closed, and the San Diego traffic reports are going to come out of Los Angeles. The folks on the helicopters are also going to be dumped and potentially be employees of one of the TV station who utilizes their services, although the helicopter is going to be still owned by Metro.

I'd always thought the traffic outfits just leased aircraft. At any rate, Westwood One says they will "reduce reliance on aircraft" and one way is with AirSage, an Atlanta-based company that somehow derives traffic information from cellphones.

I'm still waiting for some stations to just drop Metro and do their own thing: instead of formal traffic reports with their obligatory 10-second spots read by the Metro anchor, why not just have your jock look at the traffic reports on the internet and once in a while throw in a mention of unusual trouble spots or just say that "it's slow as always..."? Let's face it, traffic reporting is pretty much repeating the same basic things everyday: slow at the merge, North 15 tightens at Lake Hodges, etc, and for 99% of motorists there are almost no alternate routes so if it is slow, you just go with the flow. I think some stations could eliminate some of the clutter by dropping Metro reports and listeners would not care or miss it (or is Metro paying the stations a share of the ad revenue?). Metro is going to start doing 15-second spots and having some recorded rather than just being read by the traffic announcers: that will just add to the clutter.

Of course, when they close the local office, that will mean that many fewer jobs in San Diego radio, but being a traffic reporter generally is such a lousy career choice that in the long run it's better to not have that as an option.

granted the traffic reports say the same thing at times of the day because traffic situations work out the same because of the roads, commute and flow....but important thing is getting the public information on accidents, not just so people can know areas to avoid when there is an accident. traffic reporting aids the police and emergency services, not just to help slow and/or divert traffic flow to an area, but it helps let listeners traveling through that area on the roads know to be on the look out for the guys (and gals) helping on scene. last thing you need is a public servant helping on scene to become part of the accident scene.

the police and emergency services are very glad that traffic reporters to their job well because it helps provide a safer work enviroment for them in what is already a dangerous enuff job.

 

[Bob_Hudson]

but important thing is getting the public information on accidents, not just so people can know areas to avoid when there is an accident. traffic reporting aids the police and emergency services, not just to help slow and/or divert traffic flow to an area, but it helps let listeners traveling through that area on the roads know to be on the look out for the guys (and gals) helping on scene.

That's the Monica Zech theory, but in practice you are much, much more likely to realize there's been an accident when you see the lights and the traffic slows than by hearing it on the radio, especially traffic reports that are part of that horrific clutter of commercials and promotional spots that either lead to the channel being changed or just fade into the background as so much noise. This is especially so now that a lot of the interplay between jocks and traffic reporters has been eliminated. A lot of that was corny, but it made it part of the show.

 

[hamNcheese]

but important thing is getting the public information on accidents, not just so people can know areas to avoid when there is an accident. traffic reporting aids the police and emergency services, not just to help slow and/or divert traffic flow to an area, but it helps let listeners traveling through that area on the roads know to be on the look out for the guys (and gals) helping on scene.

That's the Monica Zech theory, but in practice you are much, much more likely to realize there's been an accident when you see the lights and the traffic slows than by hearing it on the radio, especially traffic reports that are part of that horrific clutter of commercials and promotional spots that either lead to the channel being changed or just fade into the background as so much noise. This is especially so now that a lot of the interplay between jocks and traffic reporters has been eliminated. A lot of that was corny, but it made it part of the show.

this isnt theory. traffic reports to people driving in their cars listening to the radio will lessen the flow of traffic to the area (if people have an alternate route...they are going to take it rather then sit in traffic) the reports put those driving thru an area on alert to be aware of not just the accident itself, but emergency workers on scene (and going to a scene). of course flashing lights and sirens will be noticed, as will break lights and cell phone calls, and aid in the situation as well. it is a combo of all these things that really helps. a traffic report gives as many people as possible a heads up on a situation before they just run up on it just as rush hour begins, endangering the lives emergency service workers. that is what the police and emergency service workers and dispatchers get out of having traffic reports. I worked in a traffic center as well. I have talked with them. they are glad to get quality reports out there for their own protection as well as the publics and helping lessen traffic to an area so they can get an ambulance to a victim. its not theory to them. they live it each and every day.

you only seem concerned about how traffic reports affect the interplay between the jocks, traffic reporters, 'the show' and how it was done back in the day. that seems very selfish and self absorbed. traffic reports are a public service. (yes radio does still provide a public service)

this not just about traffic, its about helping protect emergency workers in a dangerous situation. accident victims, getting the proper care to somebody in a situation, maybe saving a life.

your suggestion of doing away with traffic reports altogether is something I would expect from a teenager ranting on a messageboard. def not a professional. especially one who has worked in traffic as yourself.

 

[Snarkin USA]

(if people have an alternate route...they are going to take it rather then sit in traffic)

I can't tell you how many traffic reports I have heard that contained outdated and incorrect information.

As a result, unless it is announced that a freeway is closed until further notice, I stay on my regular route and do not use an alternate.

 

[Bob_Hudson]

(if people have an alternate route...they are going to take it rather then sit in traffic)

I can't tell you how many traffic reports I have heard that contained outdated and incorrect information.

As a result, unless it is announced that a freeway is closed until further notice, I stay on my regular route and do not use an alternate.

Right - because for most commuters there really are no alternate routes. If I-15 northbound is a mess - where do you go?

My point is that the Metro model for traffic often just gets buried in the commerical stop set clutter. It is also often delivered so rapidly that trying to catch information about your commute is often akin to trying to write down a phone number that someone recorded on your voice mail: they say it so fast that you have to keep replaying it to understand what they said, but radio traffic reports have no instant replay option (Cal Walker often sounds like an auctioneer spitting words at breakneck speed). With Metro now downgrading its service, it may be time for some radio stations to look at another model for providing timely, relevant information. I think the current model is more for show, giving the perception of information reporting without actually conveying usable information to most listeners. With Metro's new model calling for some stations to now get recorded traffic reports via the Internet, it gets worse.

 

[jinglemaker]

Popped into SD area on this board.
Use to work there....so what is this boards
feeling on Jeff and Jerr.....still topical,phoning it in?
Top of game? ove to hear feedback

 

[Bob_Hudson]

Popped into SD area on this board.
Use to work there....so what is this boards
feeling on Jeff and Jerr.....still topical,phoning it in?
Top of game? ove to hear feedback

Never understood that show: that and "Saved By The Bell"...

 

[136kgb]

You know guys that if they shut down the San Diego Metro office, Clear Channel will pick up some stations. Here is how a report will lock out at the end. And I'm Rick Lawrence for KOGO,KPBS,ROCK 105.3,KGB,XTRA SPORTS, KYXY,SOFIE, OH AND LETS NOT FORGET KSON, AND KCBQ, Z90, Magic, 91X for more traffic tune into the other 20 stations and listen to Pamela Howe tell you the same information. They will have all of the stations and four traffic reporters; Lupita, Rick Pamela, and Cal Walker. Oh wait its already like that!

 

[Garrett]

I've never understood the Jeff and Jer bashing. I like the show: They don't do just phone in topics, they get out of the studio and do stuff. They're more than hosts, they are community organizers! Better than "Ok, lets take phone calls about panties for the next 10 minutes, and then take phone calls about something else for another 10." To me, they are a role model for every morning show out there. Not sure what the whole "phone it in" comment is about.

As for Metro vs. Clear channel, I would like to know if the average listener would ever know the difference or even care. I bet as long as they get their traffic every 10 minutes, and their news on the half they will not care. Am I the only one who thinks that? When I came to San Diego, there was Airwatch, and that was pretty much it. Q106 had their own, which they shared with KCST/KNSD. KGTV used Metro, but it seemed to come out of KNBC in L.A.

Yes Phil, It has been a busy few weeks in San Diego, with Tony & Kris being the big news. San Diegans may have test driven US 95.7, but they still spell country K-S-O-N.

 

[Lupita]

You know guys that if they shut down the San Diego Metro office, Clear Channel will pick up some stations. Here is how a report will lock out at the end. And I'm Rick Lawrence for KOGO,KPBS,ROCK 105.3,KGB,XTRA SPORTS, KYXY,SOFIE, OH AND LETS NOT FORGET KSON, AND KCBQ, Z90, Magic, 91X for more traffic tune into the other 20 stations and listen to Pamela Howe tell you the same information. They will have all of the stations and four traffic reporters; Lupita, Rick Pamela, and Cal Walker. Oh wait its already like that!

Very wise observation 136kgb, ROFLMAO!!! There goes my vacation. Hey, what can I say? When you're good, you're good!

Salud,

Lupita :-*

 

[Snarkin USA]

I've never understood the Jeff and Jer bashing. I like the show: They don't do just phone in topics, they get out of the studio and do stuff. They're more than hosts, they are community organizers! Better than "Ok, lets take phone calls about panties for the next 10 minutes, and then take phone calls about something else for another 10." To me, they are a role model for every morning show out there. Not sure what the whole "phone it in" comment is about.

"phone it in":

Perform an act in a perfunctory, uncommitted fashion, as if it didn't matter.
She sang the National Anthem, but she was just phoning it in as far as I could tell.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=phone+it+in

 

[Bob_Hudson]

I would like to know if the average listener would ever know the difference or even care. I bet as long as they get their traffic every 10 minutes, and their news on the half they will not care.

Most radio news has been watered down to the point of "why even bother?" When I was at The Planet, Charlie Quinn, the default program director, wanted the each newscast to be three sentences- not each story, each newscast. I don't think the average listener cares about news on their radio station. I know I can drive around all day listening to XM or Internet radio (yes I do that in my car) and never once think, "Damn where's the token news and obligatory traffic babble?" However when I drive around all day listening to AM of FM radio I am constantly irritated at all of the clutter. If I want to have some idea of what's going on in the world I can punch up KNX or KPBS and if I need to know what the traffic is like, I look at the car in front of me and see whether it's going fast, slow or stop.

 

[Garrett]

I've never understood the Jeff and Jer bashing. I like the show: They don't do just phone in topics, they get out of the studio and do stuff. They're more than hosts, they are community organizers! Better than "Ok, lets take phone calls about panties for the next 10 minutes, and then take phone calls about something else for another 10." To me, they are a role model for every morning show out there. Not sure what the whole "phone it in" comment is about.

"phone it in":

Perform an act in a perfunctory, uncommitted fashion, as if it didn't matter.
She sang the National Anthem, but she was just phoning it in as far as I could tell.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=phone+it+in

You make assumptions about our intelligence. Too bad it’s based on your own.

 

[136kgb]

You know I am not a Jeff and Jer fan at all, but Garrett go back to airchecks of their show back at Y95 and B100. Compare those shows to today, in comparison they are simply phoning it in. But the same can be said for DSC. Listen to the CDs Decade of Decadence and listen to Who Wants Pie. The characters are the same, but the show was far better 10 years ago.

The difference in both shows then and now, is that they both make WAY TOO MUCH MONEY! They are no longer hungry for money or ratings, and when contentment takes over, creativity goes away. But CC doesn't care if the shows are tired as long as they print money.

But both morning shows have great talent and potential, but unfortunately it may remain in the past unless their ratings slip.