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Who's next at Clear Channel

R

radio-darn

News from around the country indicates Clear Channel is gearing up for yet another big hit at programming and business staffs (and even Metro Traffic). It sounds like "Premium Choice" syndication will replace a lot of live personalities on iHeartRadio stations around the country, even larger markets (whose managers are meeting in Chicago today to get their hit lists). It's been reported that even voice-tracked shows may not survive.

So what is still live and local and CC San Diego these days?

KGB would seem like a first choice (pun intended) for replacement with syndication 24/7.

I hear rumors Roger Hedgecock is still at KOGO, but he has become a non-entity in local politics since syndicating. I recall that at one time he made beaucoups bucks for just his KOGO show. Does he still rake it in for himself and Clear Channel or is he an overpaid dinosaur (or low paid dinosaur)?

I do have to say that local CC radio has become so bad, what with huge commercial breaks and few good jocks to make it worthwhile to stuck around through the endless breaks, that I don't know if there's much that I'd miss if they replaced all local shows on CC San Diego. In the car I listen to KPBSm and Jack and KYXY in the mornings, and if I'm running around in the afternoon, I'll go to the Sirius-XM internet app on my iPhone and pipe that through the car's audio system. At home, the only time I turned on a radio during the last decade was during the power outage, so maybe CC could put Cliff Albert in cold storage and thaw him out when disaster strikes. Otherwise, at home, I've got Sirius-XM on the internet blasting Outlaw Country or Little Stevens Underground Garage (with occasional bouts of Laugh USA).

For me the issue is not really "live and local" but "entertaining," and I'm afraid that CC's choices will be anything but premium.
 
There's not very many people left to lay off since 2009. If they do make more cuts here in SD, they might as well move because that huge building is nearly echoing at this point.
 
Radio3787 said:
There's not very many people left to lay off since 2009. If they do make more cuts here in SD, they might as well move because that huge building is nearly echoing at this point.
Click to expand...

They got rid of all the business office people in Boston. Now they're going after PD's and I suspect their goal is to locally have just sales people and a production person or two to produce spots.

The Radio-Info home page has news about the cuts that started in smaller markers today: http://www.radio-info.com/ and there's a big long list here: http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/98162/clear-channel-reduction-in-force-begins

Add to this the fact that Cumulus has started mass firings in the wake of its takeover of Citadel and radio as a whole is going to lose a lot of the remaining jobs. It has gotten to the point that if you're unemployed, where do you go? Traffic services used to be the last refuge for on-air people put out to pasture, but even those are being shrunk way down.
 
Check out the LA message board to read about the heads rolling at KLOS/KABC.
 
600kogo said:
Well it appears that CC San Diego has been spared so far?
Click to expand...

Apparently they handed out marching orders to smaller market managers a couple of weeks (in the form of flash drives) and today the largest market managers were in Chicago to get their flash drives, so presumably San Diego's time is yet to come, but we know they always get it done in time for Christmas.
 
First off, it is just tragic for us radio fans to see and hear about people losing their jobs. I enjoy so many personalities in town. It is just a shame in every way. And I disagree with first entry though because the show of Brian and Coe has brought them ratings and I guess they performed way better than anyone thought, cause it felt like everyone thought the station was a lost cause. It has to be making KGB way more money than with a show that was paid waaaaaayyy too much. I heard that show was costing about 5 million dollars a year or close to. CC has to be giggling happy with making money now. Hey they might not be the top of the heap with Dave and crew, but KGB has a solid show that doesn't break the bank and makes money And hey don't forget they cut and got lean a while ago. Many of CCs stations got pretty lean already. If it makes money, keep it going. I worry about shows that have multiple members because I have to think they are being watched like a hawk. Anyone heard how Mikey is doing or if J&J are performing to expectations? I hear Cumulis is cutting a ton, what about the owners of KSON, 949 and KIFM? What's going on there?
Again, it is just sad to watch all this good talent leave. I wish them good luck and hope to hear them again soon.
 
idigradio said:
First off, it is just tragic for us radio fans to see and hear about people losing their jobs. I enjoy so many personalities in town. It is just a shame in every way. And I disagree with first entry though because the show of Brian and Coe has brought them ratings and I guess they performed way better than anyone thought, cause it felt like everyone thought the station was a lost cause. It has to be making KGB way more money than with a show that was paid waaaaaayyy too much.
Click to expand...

Clear Channel is in fact - and has today - cut longtime successful morning shows in other markets. CC needs to show the money lenders that it can cut expenses to the bone and then some so they can refinance their $18 billion in debt. CC's problem is not the current economy - it's the debt it acquired and mistakes it started making back when the economy was still red hot and they bought Jacor. Syndicated Premium Choice programming is even cheaper than Brian and Coe - it's pretty much free and doesn't need a local PD or HR to oversee it. Remember: Clear Channel has never been about better radio, it's always been about cheaper radio and now their back is against the wall and since no one at the top even knows how to do better radio, cheaper is what it's all about.

I may be wrong about KGB (heck I'm still hoping they'll bring back the New Brothers and JM in the PM), but it's a logical target.
 
At this moment, there's a flash drive winging it's way home to San Diego, containing instructions for the next wave...and it will happen before Thanksgiving.
 
This is all very sad.

According to Tom Taylor, the criteria is that if your show is not Top 3 in its target demo, you're gone.

-- Doc
 
If Doctor Wu is correct then there are alot of shows in that building about to depart. The sad thing is with some of them (as when Tony and Kris were at 95.7) CC made them throttle back their shows and watered them down. CC in all departments some of the best people still left in broadcasting!! I was proud to work with all of them and still am. At this point all I can do for my friends at CC is pray for them, there are just no jobs left to get in radio. All any of us can do for them or for all that are still left in radio is pray for them. Im not a deeply spiritual sota person, but prayer is all thats left.

And by the way I still love Coe both on and off the air! She's the greatest!
 
I'm waiting for the headline from CC that states something like this:"We are making some re-orginaization improvements and downsizing some of our unuseful robots who, today, were let go from the company. It's part of our goal to bring more quality local radio to our building (abandoned)..."
 
OKCRadioGuy said:
I'm waiting for the headline from CC that states something like this:"We are making some re-orginaization improvements and downsizing some of our unuseful robots who, today, were let go from the company. It's part of our goal to bring more quality local radio to our building (abandoned)..."
Click to expand...

They explained the smaller cuts by saying, "We're launching a new strategy for our regional market radio stations that will improve local programming in smaller markets by using assets and resources in those markets that their competitors don't have."

As far as KGB - I've been listening in the car on and off since about 11AM today and haven't heard any live people.
 
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