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WSYR drops Paul Harvey
- Thread starter pangderx
- Start date
I'm on the fence with this one.
On the one hand, I think it's great for Glenn Beck's audience. When WSYR made the good decision to carry Rush Limbaugh live, it resulted in the bad decision to air Paul Harvey during the last 15 minutes of Glenn Beck. That was a pain whenever you'd be listening to Beck and he teased something good was coming up... but then he'd be pre-empted by Paul Harvey. Could it be possible that Beck's syndicator (Premiere, owned by Clear Channel) agreed to this, with the condition that WSYR would not renew Harvey (syndicated by ABC) when the contract expired? Obviously, Premiere would never allow an affiliate to pre-empt 15 minutes of Rush to air Harvey, so I wouldn't put it past them to hand down the same edict for Beck's show.
On the other hand, it's not like Paul Harvey would have been taking up that 15 minutes for the next 10 years, or even 5 years. I have a feeling he'll either retire or move up to the big radio station in the sky within the next 2-3 years, and that's a pretty generous estimate. Obviously, I hope for retirement over the other option, but the guy is pretty old. Would it really cripple Beck if WSYR carried Harvey until he exits radio on his own?
Still, Paul Harvey is pretty well-known, and I'm sure someone else will pick him up. In some markets, Harvey is aired on FM music stations. He'd definitely be a great fit for stations like WSEN or WFBL. He's a big name with lots of longevity and pull in the radio game. I'll be surprised if he doesn't resurface elsewhere in the market.
On the one hand, I think it's great for Glenn Beck's audience. When WSYR made the good decision to carry Rush Limbaugh live, it resulted in the bad decision to air Paul Harvey during the last 15 minutes of Glenn Beck. That was a pain whenever you'd be listening to Beck and he teased something good was coming up... but then he'd be pre-empted by Paul Harvey. Could it be possible that Beck's syndicator (Premiere, owned by Clear Channel) agreed to this, with the condition that WSYR would not renew Harvey (syndicated by ABC) when the contract expired? Obviously, Premiere would never allow an affiliate to pre-empt 15 minutes of Rush to air Harvey, so I wouldn't put it past them to hand down the same edict for Beck's show.
On the other hand, it's not like Paul Harvey would have been taking up that 15 minutes for the next 10 years, or even 5 years. I have a feeling he'll either retire or move up to the big radio station in the sky within the next 2-3 years, and that's a pretty generous estimate. Obviously, I hope for retirement over the other option, but the guy is pretty old. Would it really cripple Beck if WSYR carried Harvey until he exits radio on his own?
Still, Paul Harvey is pretty well-known, and I'm sure someone else will pick him up. In some markets, Harvey is aired on FM music stations. He'd definitely be a great fit for stations like WSEN or WFBL. He's a big name with lots of longevity and pull in the radio game. I'll be surprised if he doesn't resurface elsewhere in the market.
Paul Harvey was on Cape Cod when Marconi sparked up for the first time, and in Brant Rock when Fesseden did his first broadcast.
It is really time for him and his commentary to retire.
When 50KW stations like WBZ Boston drop him ......
It is really time for him and his commentary to retire.
When 50KW stations like WBZ Boston drop him ......
BobRoss...
You make some good points. I was always under the impression that Beck had a hard break at 11:45 so stations could go to Harvey. I believe it's built into the clock.
I don't think the decision had anything to do with Beck. I think more people heard him at 8:30am and at 6:45pm.
I think the PD has made some bad decisions in his first year...who knows if this is one of them. When he gets fired (they all do), he'll be most remembered for whittling a once terrific news department down to about nothing.
You make some good points. I was always under the impression that Beck had a hard break at 11:45 so stations could go to Harvey. I believe it's built into the clock.
I don't think the decision had anything to do with Beck. I think more people heard him at 8:30am and at 6:45pm.
I think the PD has made some bad decisions in his first year...who knows if this is one of them. When he gets fired (they all do), he'll be most remembered for whittling a once terrific news department down to about nothing.
J
justplaythehits
Guest
Perhaps part of the problem with Paul Harvey shows is the average age of his audience is now 65+. Most major news talk stations have or are in process of dropping the feature and have only held on to the show because on contractual agreement or monetary compensation (in major markets) from ABC.
ABC has been concerned with a replacement for him since 1985 and has never found one. Now in the 11Th hour it is doubtful they can come up with one. How do you replace a legend?
It would have been nice had they let him set a date to go out on his own, but the network won't do that for concern over sponsors and affiliate agreements. His recent health problems and loss of wife have put everything into question.
The network has put stations in the position of making the decision. Maybe that's how they wanted it all along.
http://alanfurst.wordpress.com/
ABC has been concerned with a replacement for him since 1985 and has never found one. Now in the 11Th hour it is doubtful they can come up with one. How do you replace a legend?
It would have been nice had they let him set a date to go out on his own, but the network won't do that for concern over sponsors and affiliate agreements. His recent health problems and loss of wife have put everything into question.
The network has put stations in the position of making the decision. Maybe that's how they wanted it all along.
http://alanfurst.wordpress.com/
justplaythehits said:
Did it ever occur to you that Paul Harvey just might have lots of listeners well under 65+? First of all many of us got into listening to his unique style of news and comments because our parents listened, maybe even our grandparents. Second of all Mr. Harvey is very good at what he does. Stations would kill to get the ABC Network just so they could have Paul Harvey. At one point ABC is in panic mode because they thought Mr. Harvey was leaving to form his own network!
I was on the air many years ago when the station I worked for decided to drop ABC so they could sell more spots on the station locally. For 3 days the phones went crazy because Paul Harvey wasn't on. I have never seen anything like that before or since.
Don't assume just because he's old that his audience is too. The man is still very good at what he does. Like others have said ABC has never been able to find anyone to replace him.
Looking at an old newspaper from 1954 I saw the radio program listings. On it there was Paul Harvey News and comment....to me that's amazing. I think he has spoken to more than a few generations of listeners.
Paul Harvey himself, now does only two broadcasts per week (normally Tues and Fri noon).
I listened yesterday, and by the end of the broadcast, his voice has become so weak and
raspy, that he basically growled out the last few words.
After being off the air for months, with multiple health problems, it had appeared that he'd rallied a little when returning on a 'limited' basis at the end of July.
But, at age 90, he's not regaining the strength or stamina to return to full-time broadcasting the way network and his advertisers had hoped. Clearly, that's just not going to happen!
The only remaining question now is, how long will radio stations (and more importantly, his advertisers that pay the exorbitant fees) remain loyal before they start to bail!
Not long I think!
I listened yesterday, and by the end of the broadcast, his voice has become so weak and
raspy, that he basically growled out the last few words.
After being off the air for months, with multiple health problems, it had appeared that he'd rallied a little when returning on a 'limited' basis at the end of July.
But, at age 90, he's not regaining the strength or stamina to return to full-time broadcasting the way network and his advertisers had hoped. Clearly, that's just not going to happen!
The only remaining question now is, how long will radio stations (and more importantly, his advertisers that pay the exorbitant fees) remain loyal before they start to bail!
Not long I think!
Paul Harvey is a legend but at this point I'd say they are being pro-active by dropping him. If I were the PD I don't think I would have had patience with Paul's absence and the lack of communication from ABC this past year.
If I were an adult standards station (possibly oldies) I would pick him up though.
If I were an adult standards station (possibly oldies) I would pick him up though.
Let's Get Practical
C'mon guys. Think like a broadcast exec.
Paul Harvey costs money. He was gone for months, and now is only a shadow of his former self. How much will it hurt WSYR to drop him?
Cutting Paul Harvey helps the bottom line. There's not enough left of his show to make it a "must carry".
C'mon guys. Think like a broadcast exec.
Paul Harvey costs money. He was gone for months, and now is only a shadow of his former self. How much will it hurt WSYR to drop him?
Cutting Paul Harvey helps the bottom line. There's not enough left of his show to make it a "must carry".
I Farid could save money by pulling the plug on his life support, we'd be going to the wake tomorrow.
Maybe it's time for Paul Harvey to get his own Abe Vigoda-style website.
Some people will do ANYTHING to get out of a contract with Citadel.
They sure didn't wait long to drop him.
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