WOULD YOU WANT TO OWN A TULSA STATION?

[Radio55]

While reading the posts this morning, it made me wonder how many of us would actually want the keys to a radio station. I've thought about it over and over and now I'm not so sure. How station owners keep their heads from exploding amazes me. The stress in today's radio is tremendous.

Nothing happens until you sell something, and I've seen sales people just about put themselves in the hospital worrying over this account or that one and having a client beat the crap out of them over $40.00 spots. Technology has allowed the business to trim a lot of fat, but still, you gotta sell the spots. And if your ratings aren't that much, you have to justify your station in some other way. This is where I think Big Country has always had the edge (not unlike Oldies or Sports). Clients don't necessarily buy ratings on a station like BC; they buy the music. But this is where KVOO (AM and FM) always shined. They sold KVOO. Not so much country, they sold the STATION. It was/is a well known trusted brand with decades of excellent service. You say KVOO, you know what you have and you know what you're buying as a client. I expect the same is essentially true for Big Country. KRMG is another one... a trusted name in broadcasting for 60 years.

I think it's easy for all of us to get on this board and rattle on about how this station should do this or that, and I hear a lot of jocks say "If I owned this station, I'd program it right!!" To that I always think, "Yeah, but could you SELL it!" Until you've carried around a rate card with your little spec tape and have done a presentation for a client who will buy your station, but they want a free remote, or free spots on weekends, or free this and that (in addition to t-shirts and caps for just about everyone they know), you haven't really worn the radio shoes. Go on some calls with some sales people, and get a feel for what they do and how they do it. It will help you understand the business a lot more and it will open your eyes to a lot of things. (and be sure to tell them what a great remote talent you would be... and BE it.)

 

[Bob Oshea]

I would make my station a publicly funded, not for profit operation. We would be heavily sponsored with all after cost monies going to a different charity each year or possibly the same one each year like the John 3:16 Mission to feed and clothe the homeless and mentally ill, which would serve a two-fold purpose. Since every jock I've ever known is imbalanced, part of the salary would come from the donations. I would be the imbalanced boss and tv star and all of my psychotic staff ould receive six figure salaries. My imbalanced on air Ops Director would be Joe Riddle. Of course I would have to rotate my morning men or women to adjust for their unpredictable psychotic episodes. I would try to staff the entire operation with retired pros who didn't care anymore about ego or shift. Scooter Seagraves would be my afternoon drive guy forever. The format would be Oldies and we would be taking donations 24/7. All local newscasts would include a sad story followed by sports and current weather conditions.

VTY,
Bob O'Shea

 

[Radiogre]

I don't think I'd want to own a station anymore. Who wants to put up with all that crap for so little return on such a huge investment? Take the money and invest it, then go get a fishing license and an ice chest, and live off the dividends. You'll be happier in the long run.

 

[Sgeirk]

Hell yeah, I'd own a radio station in Tulsa! This is a great radio market...revenues here aren't off like they are in major markets.

It's a fairly insular town...works against it, and for it! Count me in. I'll take one C1 FM covering the entire metro, please?

 

[kudzooter]

Bob O, honored that you'd have me as your afternoon guy forever. Does that mean, we'd have a just-in-case studio in that li'l ole facility just outside Vinita? ;D

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

If a person had to service the debt (another words they couldn't pay for a great part of it out of pocket instead of taking on debt) at the prices stations currently sell for I wouldn't and won't bother. Until radio properties get closer to what they are WORTH buying into radio is actually a bad investment. Add to that the FCC/government and all their crusades and over-regulation, other corporate competition where they can stack 3 stations against my one and lower rates enough to squeeze me out, etc. etc. etc. and it becomes even a worse idea. Now, the worst of the worst problem with today's radio as far as potential costs would be RecordIndustryA-holesofAmerika/ASCRAP/BMI's extortion fees. It's not like things aren't bad enough. Now we have to get more of their TAX because the hundreds of thousands a major station pays a year just isn't enough. No thanks. Until things change I can, in some ways, see why things are headed just to the bot or bird. Too many other costs vs. intake thanks to all the leaches. (and the leaches AREN'T good employees like a lot of big companies seem to think)

 

[Bob Oshea]

Bob O, honored that you'd have me as your afternoon guy forever. Does that mean, we'd have a just-in-case studio in that li'l ole facility just outside Vinita? ;D

Zoot-
None of that 19th century Vinita junk for my Scooter! I'd have a suite at Laureate with a gold plaque on it. Only the best for you buddy. ;D

 

[stacker]

Zoot-
None of that 19th century Vinita junk for my Scooter! I'd have a suite at Laureate with a gold plaque on it. Only the best for you buddy. Grin

Zoot/Bob-

You'll have to scrounge around at Laureat for a suite. We have most of the space reserved for the 1270 guys. Some of it is being used right now. (We have a trade.) If you ever want to do lunch, let me know. The cafeteria serves a wonderful bean chowder with wacky cake for dessert.