WBEN Drops Limbaugh show for local shows

[RadioGuy1864]

WBEN announced that effective April 5 the Rush slot will be filled by David Bellava and Tom Bauerle. Bellavia's show which currently airs 9 to noon will move to 10 to 2, while Bauerle who currently does 3 to 7 will do 2 to 6. A new local show will fill the 9 to 10 time slot, while 6 pm to 7 will be a News hour.
It's unclear if Bauerle will be doing 4 live hours as he currently does 3 hours with the fourth hour being a replay of hour 1.

 

[TheBigA]

Smart move. I'd expect to see this at other Entercom stations. By doing this, they retain all of the advertising in the show, rather than split it with the syndicator. Depending on their contract, they may have to clear Premiere commercials for a few weeks. Don't be shocked if you hear Rush-voiced commercials airing during those hours.

 

[RadioGuy1864]

Here's a link to a Buffalo News article about the moves: Bellavia and Bauerle's schedules change to fill Limbaugh's time slot at WBEN-AM

 

[DN14224]

A brilliant decision.
Cover Limbaugh's time slot without spending another dime (since the talent is already on the payroll) plus regain the avails from Rush's national spots.

Who says they're not smart at ETM Buffalo?

 

[davideduardo]

A brilliant decision.
Cover Limbaugh's time slot without spending another dime (since the talent is already on the payroll) plus regain the avails from Rush's national spots.

Who says they're not smart at ETM Buffalo?

They also save the cash fee for Limbaugh's show from Premiere. However, I'd be rather certain that they would have negotiated additional pay for the local talents, along with signing a conditional "trial" agreement to see if the extended shows work.

My skepticism is whether a longer local show in an era of tidbit sized podcasts and shorter attention spans will work. I'm of the feeling that we will see more 2-hour hosted talk shows in the future as radio tries to emulate the way audio is consumed.

 

[flybynight]

However, I'd be rather certain that they would have negotiated additional pay for the local talents, along with signing a conditional "trial" agreement to see if the extended shows work.

A standard talkradio contract allows a station to have the host do up-to a certain number of hours, usually four---sometimes even five---and often for no extra pay. But the host typically does less than the max allowable. "You're paid for a 4-hour show, but we only have you do a 3-hour show". No "trial agreement" necessary.

As far as 2-hour shows? Not likely. Unless all future hosts have a 2nd job, because no operator these days is going to pay full salaries and benefits to round-the-clock 2-hour-show hosts. Besides, if someone can only listen for 20 minutes, they can simply just listen for 20 minutes, regardless of how long the whole show is.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://news.****************/articles/n40338/WBEN-Newsradio-930-Buffalo-Announces-New-On-Air-Lineup

WBEN has announced a new Lineup

Audacy's NewsRadio 930 WBEN has announced a new weekday programming lineup. Following "A New Morning with Susan Rose and Brian Mazurowski" from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ET, the station will debut a new 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. program featuring co-hosts Mazurowski and Joe Beamer. Subsequently, the station's midday show featuring David Bellavia will extend to four hours and now air live from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET. Afternoon show with Tom Bauerle will also extend to four hours and now be heard from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.

At 6:00 p.m. ET, WBEN adds a full hour of news programming anchored by veteran news anchor Tom Puckett. The news program will feature a full complement of local and national news, live interviews, business updates as well as traffic and weather coverage.