Perhaps if "the major radio groups" stopped pushing their podcasts so damn hard they MIGHT retain a few more listeners.
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Toucher & Rich bring back laid-off producer
- Thread starter CTListener
- Start date
it isn't retaining the listeners that is the problem, although "Cume" is down, it is a lack of advertisers, especially automobile dealers that is killing local spot sales.
With almost zero inventory to sell over the last year, the dealers can't amortize the cost over hundreds of cars anymore, it is more like dozens.
What little allocation they are getting from the distributors are sold before the vehicles ever arrive on the lot.
Dealers are trying to cover their fixed costs just like any other business.... big buildings, large pieces of land, and although the service department has been tasked over the years with paying more and more of the fixed expenses, they are taking a hit due to people not spending money on repairs unless 100% necessary to keep the car running, and even then parts availability has been a huge issue.... trust me I am in the automobile business and trying to source parts is a problem.... cars are sitting at body shops for months on end waiting for what normally would be on the shelf or next day parts.
With almost zero inventory to sell over the last year, the dealers can't amortize the cost over hundreds of cars anymore, it is more like dozens.
What little allocation they are getting from the distributors are sold before the vehicles ever arrive on the lot.
Dealers are trying to cover their fixed costs just like any other business.... big buildings, large pieces of land, and although the service department has been tasked over the years with paying more and more of the fixed expenses, they are taking a hit due to people not spending money on repairs unless 100% necessary to keep the car running, and even then parts availability has been a huge issue.... trust me I am in the automobile business and trying to source parts is a problem.... cars are sitting at body shops for months on end waiting for what normally would be on the shelf or next day parts.
Cume is not down significantly compared to 2019. What is down is time spent listening. However, much of the TSL decline was due to people not commuting for the last 3 years, and that is snapping back. Listening levels are now about where they were in Q4 of 2019.
Just a couple of them. The rest have comfortable debts and are in no danger. And those debts that are dangerous are caused by, in the biggest case, a group of investment banks overpaying and, in another, overpaying for a station group that had no upside.
And it is almost back to 2019 levels, now that most people are returning to offices and workplaces and commuting again. You can't blame the radio industry for the effects of a world-wide pandemic.
Tired Of It All
Banned
Maybe not, but, you can certainly blame the idiotic ads that are aired, SMH. Steve Harvey screaming about Publishers Clearing House, the upside app that airs every half hour and the most insulting one of all and a major reason to turn off the radio is the flashcash33.com ad where one of the women speaks in a high rising tone and the website is mentioned ELEVEN TIMES, YES, ELEVEN TIMES. And then there's the constant promoting of podcasts, why listen to the radio when you can listen to a podcast with less idiotic advertising.
Do you think radio stations like playing "spackle and paste" weight loss snake oil spots?
Kars 4 Kids?
Boner pills?
I'm sure stations would love cigarette spots back, national car maker buys, consumer products....
at this point to keep the money rolling in they will take almost any advertiser who won't bounce a check
Kars 4 Kids?
Boner pills?
I'm sure stations would love cigarette spots back, national car maker buys, consumer products....
at this point to keep the money rolling in they will take almost any advertiser who won't bounce a check
Go ahead; ask the poster (Tired Of It All) if (s)he is even going to ever give those products or services any serious consideration.
Tired Of It All
Banned
Impressive? When one is being verbally insulted/assaulted by mindless ads, I wouldn't call remembering them "impressive". Rape victims don't remember being raped because it was "impressive", they remember the trauma and horror of it all and that's what these ads are all about, they're horrible and those who produce them, air them and think they're "impressive" should be ashamed of themselves. They did their job alright, I will NEVER purchase or take part in anything that is being advertised in a way that insults me.
Hell will freeze over before I take part in any of it. The ads are obnoxious and insulting.
Oh trust me Johnster, I believe you and I'm aware of how bad it is, the insulting ads, the drama queen host, the clone host, the "it's all about me" host, the double airings, the dead air, the garbled traffic reports, the same prerecorded repetitive news casts over and over, etc etc, for me these days, radio is basically background noise.
MassMusicMan
Banned
Stop it.
MassMusicMan
Banned
Not for a damn second.
Just reported today that Hubbard is offering buyouts to staffers at WTOP in DC:
radioinsight.com
So here's another stable radio company that's cutting back on staff.
WTOP Initiates Newsroom Contract Buyouts - RadioInsight
Hubbard News 103.5 WTOP Washington DC announced to staff this morning that the company is offering contract buyouts in the form of a Voluntary Separation Program for all full-time non-managerial staff who work in the station's newsroom for the station, website, or website development. The...
radioinsight.com
So here's another stable radio company that's cutting back on staff.
Keep in mind that Boston is a place where you have access to multiple radio stations in multiple formats with ZERO commercials.
News/talk, classical, AAA and Christian contemporary? Any others I'm missing? Are you including HD2s with no translators, which many either don't have the equipment to receive or don't know exist?
College
Yes. WUMB is public radio with Americana and more. (Wiki:". It broadcasts an Americana/Blues/Roots/Folk mix hosted by its staff weekdays. On weekends the station concentrates on traditional folk, Celtic, blues, and world music including syndicated programs")
Listened to Felger and Jim Murray's "Off Air Show" which is broadcast over Facebook Live last night. They take questions from people who comment on FB and to their credit do a pretty good job of just straight up answering the questions and not cherry picking the ones that put them in the most favorable light.
So last night about halfway in, there's a question - "Will there be more layoffs at 98.5?"
Felger replies that that's funny you should ask that. Apparently yesterday there was a big office meeting where some exec types had a powerpoint presentation the result being if they don't generate more revenue they will be forced to cut spending.
Again, just wild to think that a station that is so successful is still up against it financially.
So last night about halfway in, there's a question - "Will there be more layoffs at 98.5?"
Felger replies that that's funny you should ask that. Apparently yesterday there was a big office meeting where some exec types had a powerpoint presentation the result being if they don't generate more revenue they will be forced to cut spending.
Again, just wild to think that a station that is so successful is still up against it financially.
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