Why does Clear Channel's L.A. Cluster Sound Sooooo Bad?

[StopWhining]

Whoever is in charge of Clear Channel's L.A. radio stations should be fired and run out of the business. There isn't a single station that is performing.

Let's start with KIIS. How far this station has fallen! People used to talk about this radio station around the globe! Now it's just another bad rhythmic Top 40 bowl of vanilla ice cream. Simply hiring a "name" like Ryan Seacrest does not a great radio station make. This is, by far, the worst morning show in Los Angeles. Seacrest is soooo out of his league...he thinks repeating celebrity gossip is all the show content he needs...and anyone who's heard the show can tell that Seacrest couldn't care less. Ellen K. sounds old and tired. She should be moved to either KOST or K-BIG, or fired altogether, because she is out of KIIS' demo and it sounds like it. Seacrest has the biggest support crew of any morning show in town, yet sounds the least prepared. His producer, Dennis Clark, should resign immediately. This guy has had a year to prove himself, and the show sounds just as bad as it did a year ago (if not worse, because now it is boring AND stale) American Idol updates and bits they stole from the previous morning show, that's about all you can expect from this trainwreck. They could hire a Seacrest sound-a-like for 1/10th the cost, play more music, and the ratings would stay the same. Ryan is that much of a non-factor.

KOST 103...wow. Listen to an aircheck of this station 10 years ago, and then listen to an aircheck from 2007, and it would be hard to tell the two apart. The industry loves to praise PD Stella Schwartz, as if she is some kid of trailblazer, but this couldn't be further from the truth. This intern-turned-program director is nothing more than a bargain-priced puppet who has nothing new or exciting to bring to Los Angeles radio. Rumor has it she spends 40 hours a week trying to determine which day to start the Christmas music this year.

Star 98.7 ...this station has been dead for years. They made a smart move getting rid of Jamie White, but then made matters worse by hiring Valentine. What a joke this morning show is. It would sound bad in Fresno, it sounds HORRIBLE in the #2 market in the country. Some genius at CC figured because Valentine did well in Idaho, he'd be the perfect fit for Los Angeles. That person should also be fired. If CC was smart, they'd flip Star to a Spanish format and double their ratings overnight.

K-BIG 104 ...need I say more? Incidentally, the 104 stands for the number of listeners still tuning into this nightmare. Hard to believe that a company as big as Clear Channel would let this poorly programmed piece-o-dung remain on the air as-is.

Sure, the CC cluster still bills okay (not as much as it used to), but how much more money could they command if they spent a few bucks to actually improve their product, and as a result, the ratings?

I personally would never work with, or for, Clear Channel again. They are a total joke, both as an American business and as programmers, and all of their radio stations in Los Angeles sounds like it.

 

[Bryan Simmons]

Whoever is in charge of Clear Channel's L.A. radio stations should be fired and run out of the business. There isn't a single station that is performing.


KOST 103...wow. Listen to an aircheck of this station 10 years ago, and then listen to an aircheck from 2007, and it would be hard to tell the two apart. The industry loves to praise PD Stella Schwartz, as if she is some kid of trailblazer, but this couldn't be further from the truth. This intern-turned-program director is nothing more than a bargain-priced puppet who has nothing new or exciting to bring to Los Angeles radio. Rumor has it she spends 40 hours a week trying to determine which day to start the Christmas music this year.


I personally would never work with, or for, Clear Channel again. They are a total joke, both as an American business and as programmers, and all of their radio stations in Los Angeles sounds like it.

You know, I registered just to respond to you StopWhining. Maybe you should change your anonymous screen name to sour grapes. But enough about you.

If you knew Stella Schwartz you sure wouldn't be talking about her like this. I've worked for many fine PD's in my time and she is one of the very best. How did you start out in Radio? The usual way is as an intern, or in some other non-paying job, something she did a long time ago, not last year. She worked her way from intern to Lovesongs producer and then to Mark & Kim's producer before landing music director and then APD before earning the PD job. Not only that, but she's learned what to do from the very best, or are you going to disparage Jhani Kaye as well? You can say whatever you want about me or the station, or even our parent company, but leave the school yard insults about my program director somewhere else.

Yeah, I'm pretty steamed. She's had a rough couple of weeks and you need not kick her when she's down. I don't know who you are, but you can call me anytime and we can "discuss" it.

 

[StopWhining]

First of all Bryan, my comments were in no way a personal attack on Stella. Please do not try to make it seem like that. I do not know Stella personally, or what she is going through, so I assure you my comments are only in regards to her as a programmer. Nothing more.

Second, I am well aware that many people start out as interns in radio. Nothing wrong with that. With that said, I do not believe Stella went from intern to PD in the #2 market in such a short time because she is truly the best candidate for the job. Nothing personal, I just think KOST "coasts", and that she was chosen for financial reasons. As far as trying to sell me on Stella because she was a producer for Mark & Brian, weak argument. Everyone who knows anything about L.A. radio knows that job is a revolving door, as Mark & Brian have had LITERALLY hundreds of producers. In fact, the list of people who HAVEN'T been a producer for Mark & Brian is shorter. With all due respect, the Lovesongs producer gig is not rocket science either. Unless I'm mistaken, that means she answered request lines and pulled carts? (Until the computers went in, and then she just answered request lines?) How does that make her the best candidate for program director in the #2 market? If I'm missing something here, please tell me. Give us some specifics about what Stella has done to improve KOST.

I am sorry if I upset you, Bryan. That was not my intention. I just believe KOST, as well as the rest of the CC stations, are underperforming when it comes to programming. And maybe if you weren't a current employee of Stella's, you would agree with me. Who knows. Take care.

 

[mostb1]

Whoever is in charge of Clear Channel's L.A. radio stations should be fired and run out of the business. There isn't a single station that is performing.

Let's start with KIIS. How far this station has fallen! People used to talk about this radio station around the globe! Now it's just another bad rhythmic Top 40 bowl of vanilla ice cream. Simply hiring a "name" like Ryan Seacrest does not a great radio station make. This is, by far, the worst morning show in Los Angeles. Seacrest is soooo out of his league...he thinks repeating celebrity gossip is all the show content he needs...and anyone who's heard the show can tell that Seacrest couldn't care less. Ellen K. sounds old and tired. She should be moved to either KOST or K-BIG, or fired altogether, because she is out of KIIS' demo and it sounds like it. Seacrest has the biggest support crew of any morning show in town, yet sounds the least prepared. His producer, Dennis Clark, should resign immediately. This guy has had a year to prove himself, and the show sounds just as bad as it did a year ago (if not worse, because now it is boring AND stale) American Idol updates and bits they stole from the previous morning show, that's about all you can expect from this trainwreck. They could hire a Seacrest sound-a-like for 1/10th the cost, play more music, and the ratings would stay the same. Ryan is that much of a non-factor.

KOST 103...wow. Listen to an aircheck of this station 10 years ago, and then listen to an aircheck from 2007, and it would be hard to tell the two apart. The industry loves to praise PD Stella Schwartz, as if she is some kid of trailblazer, but this couldn't be further from the truth. This intern-turned-program director is nothing more than a bargain-priced puppet who has nothing new or exciting to bring to Los Angeles radio. Rumor has it she spends 40 hours a week trying to determine which day to start the Christmas music this year.

Star 98.7 ...this station has been dead for years. They made a smart move getting rid of Jamie White, but then made matters worse by hiring Valentine. What a joke this morning show is. It would sound bad in Fresno, it sounds HORRIBLE in the #2 market in the country. Some genius at CC figured because Valentine did well in Idaho, he'd be the perfect fit for Los Angeles. That person should also be fired. If CC was smart, they'd flip Star to a Spanish format and double their ratings overnight.

K-BIG 104 ...need I say more? Incidentally, the 104 stands for the number of listeners still tuning into this nightmare. Hard to believe that a company as big as Clear Channel would let this poorly programmed piece-o-dung remain on the air as-is.

Sure, the CC cluster still bills okay (not as much as it used to), but how much more money could they command if they spent a few bucks to actually improve their product, and as a result, the ratings?

I personally would never work with, or for, Clear Channel again. They are a total joke, both as an American business and as programmers, and all of their radio stations in Los Angeles sounds like it.

I can name a number of FM stations that have lower ratings, make tons less cash and sound worse than anything Clear Channel programs on FM in this market. Lets start with Emmis at Movin, move on to Radio One and V and we can add a number of other players including KJLH, KDAY, Go Country 105, Jill and the list goes on...

In general, radio sucks. There isn't much creativity out there as it isn't allowed. This isn't a Clear Channel or L.A. thing. It's been going on since Wall Street took over the business. And especially since Bill Clinton allowed the over consolidation that has ruined the creative side of the business.

One of the best sounding stations in the country is here in Los Angeles and it's a Clear Channel station, KFI. So, your thread is titled completely wrong.

 

[radi0active]

Whoever is in charge of Clear Channel's L.A. radio stations should be fired and run out of the business. There isn't a single station that is performing.

Wow... I didn't know Dees had an account on here...

 

[mostb1]

Whoever is in charge of Clear Channel's L.A. radio stations should be fired and run out of the business. There isn't a single station that is performing.

Wow... I didn't know Dees had an account on here...

Best post I've seen in weeks! Congrats!

 

[StopWhining]

<<mostb1: One of the best sounding stations in the country is here in Los Angeles and it's a Clear Channel station, KFI. So, your thread is titled completely wrong.>>

Spoken like a true Clear Channel devotee living on the Death Star. There will be an extra nickel in your paycheck, Grand Moff Tarkin.

This thread is titled completely right. KFI is boring and predictable. And I did not even put in my two cents on Clear Channel's other AM stations in the market, because they are so bad, it's not worth it.

I love how programmers blame Wall Street for radio being bad. Yes, consolidation pushed radio toward bland, but a good programmer would find a way to work within those perimeters and create something worse listening to. Clear Channel has FAILED to do that with ANY of it's L.A. stations. So I will say it again, WHY DOES CLEAR CHANNEL'S L.A. CLUSTER SOUND SOOOOO BAD?!?

 

[Bryan Simmons]

First of all Bryan, my comments were in no way a personal attack on Stella. Please do not try to make it seem like that. I do not know Stella personally, or what she is going through, so I assure you my comments are only in regards to her as a programmer. Nothing more.

Second, I am well aware that many people start out as interns in radio. Nothing wrong with that. With that said, I do not believe Stella went from intern to PD in the #2 market in such a short time because she is truly the best candidate for the job. Nothing personal, I just think KOST "coasts", and that she was chosen for financial reasons. As far as trying to sell me on Stella because she was a producer for Mark & Brian, weak argument. Everyone who knows anything about L.A. radio knows that job is a revolving door, as Mark & Brian have had LITERALLY hundreds of producers. In fact, the list of people who HAVEN'T been a producer for Mark & Brian is shorter. With all due respect, the Lovesongs producer gig is not rocket science either. Unless I'm mistaken, that means she answered request lines and pulled carts? (Until the computers went in, and then she just answered request lines?) How does that make her the best candidate for program director in the #2 market? If I'm missing something here, please tell me. Give us some specifics about what Stella has done to improve KOST.

I am sorry if I upset you, Bryan. That was not my intention. I just believe KOST, as well as the rest of the CC stations, are underperforming when it comes to programming. And maybe if you weren't a current employee of Stella's, you would agree with me. Who knows. Take care.

My point is that she worked her way up. She's been with KOST for more than a decade(13 years plus)and has done many jobs along the way. True, being the Lovesongs producer may not be that demanding, but the other jobs that she did as she progressed did get harder. Without going into detail, I can tell you that her last two predecessors in the APD job went on to program stations and did it in far quicker time. What I'm saying is that she's paid her dues. Just because she did it at one station instead of a few more in different cities makes no difference. Her boss for those years is a great programmer, and like most he was very demanding and tough to work for. That's not a bad thing either. Demanding perfection is expected. Yes, Stella brought me back to KOST, and I'm grateful, but that's not why I came to her defense. You see, I know her, and I felt that your comment calling her "a bargain-priced puppet who has nothing new or exciting to bring to Los Angeles radio." was a somewhat personal attack. I'm sure that you could've made your point without the name calling. Perhaps my feelings are raw since I attended her mother's funeral only yesterday. I don't know, but I think we can all make our point about how we feel in a more dignified way. This is a free country and you are entitled to your opinion. I'll close by saying that I do appreciate the fact that you replied and explained your comments. Thank you...

 

[mostb1]

<<mostb1: One of the best sounding stations in the country is here in Los Angeles and it's a Clear Channel station, KFI. So, your thread is titled completely wrong.>>

Spoken like a true Clear Channel devotee living on the Death Star. There will be an extra nickel in your paycheck, Grand Moff Tarkin.

This thread is titled completely right. KFI is boring and predictable. And I did not even put in my two cents on Clear Channel's other AM stations in the market, because they are so bad, it's not worth it.

I love how programmers blame Wall Street for radio being bad. Yes, consolidation pushed radio toward bland, but a good programmer would find a way to work within those perimeters and create something worse listening to. Clear Channel has FAILED to do that with ANY of it's L.A. stations. So I will say it again, WHY DOES CLEAR CHANNEL'S L.A. CLUSTER SOUND SOOOOO BAD?!?

You shouldn't have put your two cents in as you have no sense of anything. Which station won talk station of the year at this months TRS? KFI is marketed greatly, has great imaging, incredible ratings, one of top billing stations in the market, has great talent...you couldn't ask for a better talk station anywhere (although I'd like to see Dr. Laura migrate to KTLK).

And how well does KIIS, KOST and KBIG bill?

Focus on the worst stations in this market - Movin and V.

 

[StopWhining]

<<mostb1: You shouldn't have put your two cents in as you have no sense of anything.>>

Said the stove, to the kettle...

<<Which station won talk station of the year at this months TRS?>>

Who cares? Bogus fluff industry awards mean nothing to me. I've heard the station and it is just bad.

<<KFI is marketed greatly, has great imaging, incredible ratings, one of top billing stations in the market, has great talent...you couldn't ask for a better talk station anywhere>>

Make that TWO extra nickels, Grand Moff Tarkin. You are a good lil soldier.

<<And how well does KIIS, KOST and KBIG bill? Focus on the worst stations in this market - Movin and V.>>

Don't tell me what to focus on. Check out the name of the thread---it says NOTHING about billing or ratings. If you don't like the topic, feel free to go start another one. The question here is WHY DOES CLEAR CHANNEL'S L.A. CLUSTER SOUND SOOOOOO BAD?

 

[mostb1]

<<mostb1: You shouldn't have put your two cents in as you have no sense of anything.>>

Said the stove, to the kettle...

<<Which station won talk station of the year at this months TRS?>>

Who cares? Bogus fluff industry awards mean nothing to me. I've heard the station and it is just bad.

<<KFI is marketed greatly, has great imaging, incredible ratings, one of top billing stations in the market, has great talent...you couldn't ask for a better talk station anywhere>>

Make that TWO extra nickels, Grand Moff Tarkin. You are a good lil soldier.

<<And how well does KIIS, KOST and KBIG bill? Focus on the worst stations in this market - Movin and V.>>

Don't tell me what to focus on. Check out the name of the thread---it says NOTHING about billing or ratings. If you don't like the topic, feel free to go start another one. The question here is WHY DOES CLEAR CHANNEL'S L.A. CLUSTER SOUND SOOOOOO BAD?

So ratings mean nothing you say? Do you work in the industry or are you unemployed? I vote for the latter.

Note: Nobody is supporting your nonsense thread. KIIS, KOST, STAR & KFI SOUND GREAT.

 

[StopWhining]

Never said ratings mean nothing, however, if you read the subject line above...it says NOTHING about them. Stick to the point.

Curiously, the only people who are *supporting* Clear Channel in this thread are on their payroll.

Again, the question is WHY DOES CLEAR CHANNEL'S L.A. CLUSTER SOUND SOOOOOO BAD?

 

[calguy]

Never said ratings mean nothing, however, if you read the subject line above...it says NOTHING about them. Stick to the point.

Curiously, the only people who are *supporting* Clear Channel in this thread are on their payroll.

Again, the question is WHY DOES CLEAR CHANNEL'S L.A. CLUSTER SOUND SOOOOOO BAD?

Seems to me that Bryan Simmons was only defending his program director and not Clear Channel. As for Mostb1, he does seem to know an awful lot about what goes on at Clear Channel and I'd guess he's either an employee or an ex-employee. But he's really shown little love for CC in past posts, so I don't see him as their defender. Radio is a very hard business to stay employed in, so I don't know that one can pick or choose when it comes to jobs the way they would have before Clinton signed the Communications Act of 1996. Many worked at stations that were acquired by CC and have been fortunate enough to keep their jobs and I'll bet that they're not too crazy about how their stations are run now. But you gotta’ pay the bills and if that means working for Darth Mays, so be it. Could the Clear Channel stations in every city sound better? Oh yeah, but you could say the same about stations owned & operated by CBS, Citadel, Emmis and dozens of others. Part of the blame has to go to horrible PD's, GM's that can't keep their noses out of the PD's office and so forth. In the "old days" most PD's came up from the airstaff. Now days I doubt most could go over an aircheck with a jock and constructively critique it. It's becoming a lost art. And it doesn't help that the current fashion is to look for the so called "real sounding" jock who sounds so real that he or she sucks big time! There's one deejay in LA who got a midday gig without any on-air experience so to speak. There's another who works at a major station because of his family’s connections and his friendship with his boss. A lot of really arrogant PD’s think that they can pull someone off the street and train them on the job in a major city. Problem is that the PD sucks too and you get the blind leading the blind… Plus, sales calls all the shots now and in most cases it make the station sound horrible. But that's the way it is.

 

[mostb1]

True Calguy I am no defender of any company. But I wouldn't point fingers about who doesn't know what's going on...lets not go back to your Richard Blade posts...

 

[SuperRadioFan]

(Stella Schwartz) ... worked her way from intern to Lovesongs producer and then to Mark & Kim's producer before landing music director and then APD before earning the PD job.

... As far as trying to sell me on Stella because she was a producer for Mark & Brian, weak argument. Everyone who knows anything about L.A. radio knows that job is a revolving door, as Mark & Brian have had LITERALLY hundreds of producers. In fact, the list of people who HAVEN'T been a producer for Mark & Brian is shorter.

ROFLOL!! Surprised no one caught this mistake!!

 

[calguy]

True Calguy I am no defender of any company. But I wouldn't point fingers about who doesn't know what's going on...lets not go back to your Richard Blade posts...

Different topic. And I stand by my source, money may have had something to do with it, but it wasn't the only reason. We just agree to disagree.
But at least you're an equal opportunity offender mostb1! Face it, radio just ain't what it used to be...

 

[StopWhining]

(Stella Schwartz) ... worked her way from intern to Lovesongs producer and then to Mark & Kim's producer before landing music director and then APD before earning the PD job.

... As far as trying to sell me on Stella because she was a producer for Mark & Brian, weak argument. Everyone who knows anything about L.A. radio knows that job is a revolving door, as Mark & Brian have had LITERALLY hundreds of producers. In fact, the list of people who HAVEN'T been a producer for Mark & Brian is shorter.

ROFLOL!! Surprised no one caught this mistake!!

What was the mistake, is it THOUSANDS instead of hundreds?

 

[Archervox]

I'm not currently a CC employee, though I was there a bit before the most recent changes and happenings in Burbank. I've worked directly with some of the people being discussed here. Stella Schwartz has my respect for the good job she's doing. I'd be proud not only to work with her again, for for her if that's how things were to be. Yes, she's worked with only KOST. Could she be a success at another station in another market? Who knows? That's a purely hypothetical question. The point is she's done a good job with KOST and right now, in this reality, that's all that matters. She's good people and if she were my boss (and I've got my share of programming experience) she'd have my trust and support.

As far as KFI goes, it's been my opinion for quite some time that it's one of the best imaged stations in the market, and the programming is compelling. Robin has done a fantastic job.

 

[SuperRadioFan]

(Stella Schwartz) ... worked her way from intern to Lovesongs producer and then to Mark & Kim's producer before landing music director and then APD before earning the PD job.

... As far as trying to sell me on Stella because she was a producer for Mark & Brian, weak argument. Everyone who knows anything about L.A. radio knows that job is a revolving door, as Mark & Brian have had LITERALLY hundreds of producers. In fact, the list of people who HAVEN'T been a producer for Mark & Brian is shorter.

ROFLOL!! Surprised no one caught this mistake!!

What was the mistake, is it THOUSANDS instead of hundreds?

Please tell me you're not THAT stupid...

Here's a hint ... Compare what's in red in both quotes and see if they are the SAME !!

 

[StopWhining]

<<Mark & Brian / Mark & Kim>>

Oops, missed that. However, that hardly makes me feel any better about Stella's qualifications. Mark & Kim do not even need a producer! Again, that means Stella pulled carts and answered request lines...and maybe booked a Barry Manilow interview or two?

With all due respect to Bryan Simmons and Archer, they each have financial reasons to praise Stella. Both came forward to say how wonderful Stella is as a person, which I think is great, but I am talking about Stella the Program Director. No one has named anything specific Stella has done to make KOST better. Is that because I am correct and she really hasn't improved the product? I'd say YES, because again, KOST 103 sounds the same as it did 5 years ago...10 years ago...and 15 years ago. Hell, I could program KOST 103 with a copy of last week's playlist and a dart.