WTF is going on at Wilks/Reno?

[killinit]

Can any of you folks in the Reno market share any insight as to what the hell is going on with the Wilks cluster?

Heres the timeline as I understand it...feel free to correct me:

Wilks has owned the cluster for less than 6 months. In that time, the following things happen:

First, KTHX fires most of its long-time staff, and morning man Bruce Van Dyke exits. Harry Reynolds replaces him, and is then let go/quits within a few months.

Then, the KURK afternoon jock is fired, leaving one ( 1 ) person on staff for that station. KURK still does not have a PD.

Then, KRZQ drops it's long time, successful, semi-local morning show in favor of Adam Carolla.

Then, KRZQ's PD quits for another gig out of market. He is replaced by Marty Whitney, who then proceeds to quit after one week on the job.

The same week, the cluster's Promotions Director and Sales Manager quit.

Then, last week, Harry Reynolds is re-hired as PD of KURK, and as of today, I am hearing that he has quit after one week on the job. Same goes for KRZQ's morning show producer.

so, WTF is going on in that building???? some of these stations have very good reputations and heritage...what is happening?

It looks like there are a lot of employment opportunities at the Wilks cluster....but is it worth it? Doesnt look very desirable from where I am standing....any insight from you Reno folks?

Take care.

 

[jh]

> Can any of you folks in the Reno market share any insight as
> to what the hell is going on with the Wilks cluster?
>
> Heres the timeline as I understand it...feel free to correct
> me:
>
> Wilks has owned the cluster for less than 6 months. In that
> time, the following things happen:
>
> First, KTHX fires most of its long-time staff, and morning
> man Bruce Van Dyke exits. Harry Reynolds replaces him, and
> is then let go/quits within a few months.
>
> Then, the KURK afternoon jock is fired, leaving one ( 1 )
> person on staff for that station. KURK still does not have a
> PD.
>
> Then, KRZQ drops it's long time, successful, semi-local
> morning show in favor of Adam Carolla.
>
> Then, KRZQ's PD quits for another gig out of market. He is
> replaced by Marty Whitney, who then proceeds to quit after
> one week on the job.
>
> The same week, the cluster's Promotions Director and Sales
> Manager quit.
>
> Then, last week, Harry Reynolds is re-hired as PD of KURK,
> and as of today, I am hearing that he has quit after one
> week on the job. Same goes for KRZQ's morning show producer.
>
>
> so, WTF is going on in that building???? some of these
> stations have very good reputations and heritage...what is
> happening?
>
> It looks like there are a lot of employment opportunities at
> the Wilks cluster....but is it worth it? Doesnt look very
> desirable from where I am standing....any insight from you
> Reno folks?
>
> Take care.
>


Seems to be standard operating procedure wherever Wilks buys stations.
They did about the same thing in Des Moines. Run eveything as cheap as possible, get the bottom line looking as good as possible, then turn around and sell off the stations for as much as possible.

 

[compaq7317]

> Seems to be standard operating procedure wherever Wilks buys
> stations.
> They did about the same thing in Des Moines. Run eveything
> as cheap as possible, get the bottom line looking as good as
> possible, then turn around and sell off the stations for as
> much as possible.
>

That's the deal, really. I think for the first time in broadcasting history, people will actually want to work there again once Clear Channel buys them.

 

[adz]

> > Seems to be standard operating procedure wherever Wilks
> buys
> > stations.
> > They did about the same thing in Des Moines. Run
> eveything
> > as cheap as possible, get the bottom line looking as good
> as
> > possible, then turn around and sell off the stations for
> as
> > much as possible.
> >
>
> Which is why NextMedia sold the thing to Wilks in the first place..both companies share the same philosophy..I'm hearing NMs Saginaw MI and Canton OH properties will be sold by July..

 

[maximumradio]

> > > Seems to be standard operating procedure wherever Wilks
> > buys
> > > stations.
> > > They did about the same thing in Des Moines. Run
> > eveything
> > > as cheap as possible, get the bottom line looking as
> good
> > as
> > > possible, then turn around and sell off the stations for
>
> > as
> > > much as possible.
> > >
> >
> > Which is why NextMedia sold the thing to Wilks in the
> first place..both companies share the same philosophy..I'm
> hearing NMs Saginaw MI and Canton OH properties will be sold
> by July..

I know from a Reno station owner that Salem has been looking to get into the market but has been unable to find AM stations to purchase for their teaching/preaching and conservative talk formats ( although I guess this could be on FM as it is in Honolulu ) and would buy the FM cluster if only to program the Fish on one and maybe as in Honolulu some "family friendly" music formats on the others until the could spin one or more off. They even have a Country AM in Honolulu along with Hawaiian and Oldies on FM. Any comments on how this would effect the market?
>