The title here stands for "What Would Clear Channel Sell?", believe it or not.
We already know that the company has announced spinoffs of many small market clusters, above the top 100, as part of its recent announced sale to two private equity funds.
But the folks at Inside Radio report today that it would appear CC is willing to sell off "extra" stations in many large markets, grandfathered into its ownership...but with that grandfathering going away with a company sale.
The trade website has gone through the numbers and has come up with a list of markets where Clear Channel would have to sell at least one station to come under the ownership caps. The timing on this would appear to be "sometime by the end of 2007", presumably in time to clear the way for the sale to the private equity funds.
Ohio appears on Inside Radio's list four times, including Dayton (2 FMs), nearby Springfield (2 FMs), and the already-tagged-for-sale Lima market.
But for us here at OMW, it is Cleveland that is the problem.
The current group of 5 FMs in the Cleveland Clear Channel cluster is apparently one above what FCC regulations would allow, according to the Inside Radio list, though we're still unclear about the status of Akron-licensed WAKS/96.5 "Kiss FM".
If you're Clear Channel, which FM station do you sell at Oak Tree? (Of course, the company is in no danger on the AM side, with WTAM/1100 being its sole signal on that band.)
Keep in mind that formats can be moved and the like.
Is the 96.5 signal the automatic sell, and if so, what do you do with "KISS FM" and the remaining formats?
Welcome to Speculation City.
Since it may be a few months before any of this hits the fan, feel free to join in for once. Just, please, no personal attacks, and keep it professional...
Monday, December 18, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Catching Up, Big Time
We apologize for being less active lately. We've kind of been preoccupied lately (which is a very, very good thing), so here's our catchup item for Saturday:
WEWS CHANGES?: We have a tip on some changes in the works at Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS/5 "NewsChannel 5".
After recent changes involving former anchor Stephanie Schaefer - now NBC "iVillage Live"'s Sissy Schaefer (we hear it's a long-time nickname for her, dating back to childhood) - WEWS seems to be settling on an anchor pattern.
OMW hears that Danita Harris is taking the co-anchor role at noon and 6 PM, with "Live on Five" continuing with Lee Jordan alongside Leon Bibb. Jordan will also continue alongside veteran anchor Ted Henry at 11 PM.
The Harris move would impact "Good Morning Cleveland", but we have no word who will take her place on that program... as far as we can tell, she won't be working 5 AM to 6 PM...
WWOW CHANGES: It's no surprise to us, since we reported here first that Conneaut AM station WWOW/1360 was being sold to Gates Mills-based Cause Plus Marketing for $200,000.
An OMW reader quickly pointed out Cause Plus and president John Marra Jr. was the operator of "BOGO Wines" ("Buy One, Give One"), a religious-backed website that sells wine to raise money for adult stem cell research.
A quick look at the comments on the front of the BOGO Wines page shows testimonials from the conservative Family Research Council, and Catholic radio operator Ave Maria.
That brings us to an item in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, where Marra tells the PD's Julie Washington that the ABC "Real Oldies Channel" format is indeed going away on WWOW, and will be replaced by Catholic-based religious programming from the Eternal Word Television Network.
We believe Canton outlet WILB/1060 "Living Bread Radio" runs the EWTN feed, which was also heard on WLOA/1470 Farrell PA, the Youngstown market rimshot which recently flipped to Sporting News Radio from a simulcast of Beacon Broadcasting sister oldies outlet WANR/1570 Warren.
Marra tells Ms. Washington that he doesn't know how it would affect local on-air staffing. We THINK WWOW has had a local show in morning drive, but we find it hard to see how that would continue with the EWTN feed...
BIG CHUCK/LIL JOHN PARTY: It's kind of a sore spot for us here at OMW, since we got a lot of heat from our exclusive item that WJW/8 "FOX 8" was nudging long-time fixture "Big Chuck and Lil John" off the schedule next year.
"Big Chuck" Schodowski then took the High and Classy Road, and told the aforementioned Julie Washington that he was contemplating retirement in 2007.
Today, Julie reports that the show aired a 40th Anniversary Special this morning at 10...but don't worry, if you missed it, they'll air it again late tonight at 12:30 AM.
The "Big Chuck and Lil John Fan Club" contributed material, including a new opening built on decades of clips from the show and its predecessor, "Hoolihan and Big Chuck".
And yes, we're aware the fan club folks were not thrilled with our original item, which we stand by even today. Like some of our other exclusive items, please aim your ire at the source, which would be WJW and FOX itself.
It's water under the bridge, anyway, because Big Chuck himself has taken the heat away with his own retirement announcement. We wish him well, and admire his class and grace. He could have easily launched into his employer, but he did not... for that matter, he could have easily launched into us, and he did not...
BYE, BYE DAN: AllAccess and Radio and Records Online report that former WAKS/96.5 "Kiss FM" program director Dan Mason, who left the Clear Channel Cleveland top 40 outlet to program sister Miami top 40 WHYI "Y100", has now left that station.
We don't know why. Mason tells both trade publications that he's "ready for his next opportunity", and AllAccess hints that a "major market Midwest PD" could be in line to replace him in Miami...
TAKING THE WEEKEND OFF: And that's it for us until Monday.
Short of a radio station making a major format change, or a TV station dumping its entire staff, we're walking away from the Mighty Blog of Fun(tm) entirely until Monday. We do, though, have someone watching the comments, and will be alerted if anything needs to be removed.
Do us a favor...go out and enjoy the weekend after you read this. Don't come here until Monday. Step away from the keyboard, enjoy the warm weather, and perhaps get together with a nice friend and enjoy the day.
That's what we plan to do... so we're just letting you know that you won't see anything new here until Monday. Enjoy!
WEWS CHANGES?: We have a tip on some changes in the works at Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS/5 "NewsChannel 5".
After recent changes involving former anchor Stephanie Schaefer - now NBC "iVillage Live"'s Sissy Schaefer (we hear it's a long-time nickname for her, dating back to childhood) - WEWS seems to be settling on an anchor pattern.
OMW hears that Danita Harris is taking the co-anchor role at noon and 6 PM, with "Live on Five" continuing with Lee Jordan alongside Leon Bibb. Jordan will also continue alongside veteran anchor Ted Henry at 11 PM.
The Harris move would impact "Good Morning Cleveland", but we have no word who will take her place on that program... as far as we can tell, she won't be working 5 AM to 6 PM...
WWOW CHANGES: It's no surprise to us, since we reported here first that Conneaut AM station WWOW/1360 was being sold to Gates Mills-based Cause Plus Marketing for $200,000.
An OMW reader quickly pointed out Cause Plus and president John Marra Jr. was the operator of "BOGO Wines" ("Buy One, Give One"), a religious-backed website that sells wine to raise money for adult stem cell research.
A quick look at the comments on the front of the BOGO Wines page shows testimonials from the conservative Family Research Council, and Catholic radio operator Ave Maria.
That brings us to an item in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, where Marra tells the PD's Julie Washington that the ABC "Real Oldies Channel" format is indeed going away on WWOW, and will be replaced by Catholic-based religious programming from the Eternal Word Television Network.
We believe Canton outlet WILB/1060 "Living Bread Radio" runs the EWTN feed, which was also heard on WLOA/1470 Farrell PA, the Youngstown market rimshot which recently flipped to Sporting News Radio from a simulcast of Beacon Broadcasting sister oldies outlet WANR/1570 Warren.
Marra tells Ms. Washington that he doesn't know how it would affect local on-air staffing. We THINK WWOW has had a local show in morning drive, but we find it hard to see how that would continue with the EWTN feed...
BIG CHUCK/LIL JOHN PARTY: It's kind of a sore spot for us here at OMW, since we got a lot of heat from our exclusive item that WJW/8 "FOX 8" was nudging long-time fixture "Big Chuck and Lil John" off the schedule next year.
"Big Chuck" Schodowski then took the High and Classy Road, and told the aforementioned Julie Washington that he was contemplating retirement in 2007.
Today, Julie reports that the show aired a 40th Anniversary Special this morning at 10...but don't worry, if you missed it, they'll air it again late tonight at 12:30 AM.
The "Big Chuck and Lil John Fan Club" contributed material, including a new opening built on decades of clips from the show and its predecessor, "Hoolihan and Big Chuck".
And yes, we're aware the fan club folks were not thrilled with our original item, which we stand by even today. Like some of our other exclusive items, please aim your ire at the source, which would be WJW and FOX itself.
It's water under the bridge, anyway, because Big Chuck himself has taken the heat away with his own retirement announcement. We wish him well, and admire his class and grace. He could have easily launched into his employer, but he did not... for that matter, he could have easily launched into us, and he did not...
BYE, BYE DAN: AllAccess and Radio and Records Online report that former WAKS/96.5 "Kiss FM" program director Dan Mason, who left the Clear Channel Cleveland top 40 outlet to program sister Miami top 40 WHYI "Y100", has now left that station.
We don't know why. Mason tells both trade publications that he's "ready for his next opportunity", and AllAccess hints that a "major market Midwest PD" could be in line to replace him in Miami...
TAKING THE WEEKEND OFF: And that's it for us until Monday.
Short of a radio station making a major format change, or a TV station dumping its entire staff, we're walking away from the Mighty Blog of Fun(tm) entirely until Monday. We do, though, have someone watching the comments, and will be alerted if anything needs to be removed.
Do us a favor...go out and enjoy the weekend after you read this. Don't come here until Monday. Step away from the keyboard, enjoy the warm weather, and perhaps get together with a nice friend and enjoy the day.
That's what we plan to do... so we're just letting you know that you won't see anything new here until Monday. Enjoy!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Columbus Clear Channel AM Changes?
It's kind of tough not to notice that Clear Channel Columbus talker WTVN/610, and liberal talk sister WTPG/1230, are signaling "Changes are coming" on both stations' web pages.
The banners are identical, except for color and logo/name changes.
Hmm.
Clear Channel Cincinnati's WSAI/1360 just dumped its moved-from-WCKY/1530 liberal talk format in favor of "1360TheSource.com", a radio station named after its Internet site, which features various advice and consumer-oriented shows.
Clearly, the liberal talk format is in trouble - or has been pulled - in many places.
One of those places is New Orleans, where Entercom pulled the plug on recently resurrected liberal talk WSMB/1350 in favor of...turning it into a time-shifted repeater of the company's big AM/FM news/talk combo, WWL.
We have not heard what Clear Channel is planning between 610 and 1230 in Columbus. Not even a rumor. (And we also remind you that the company put up that infamous "We're taking over a station!" banner ad a ways back...which turned out to be, as we guessed, a gas station promotion.)
But...assuming all of the above...wouldn't it be interesting if Clear Channel in Columbus copied Entercom's move in New Orleans? "WTVN-2", anyone?
OK, we mean interesting as in "a radio move", not necessarily as far as programming is concerned. We're generally against using a full-power in-market radio transmitter to emulate a radio time shifting device, to rebroadcast shows from a sister station out of pattern.
We have not heard anything, as we said. We're just throwing it out there, and maybe we'll look like Radio Geniuses(tm) if it actually happens! The odds, based on educated guesses, would actually seem to prefer a "1360thesource.com" clone.
Oh, and for those just waiting to leap to the keyboard to proclaim how awful a certain format is, and why it deserves to be burned into tiny ashes, and those who believe that such a format should be guaranteed in the Constitution...both sides sure to clash here:
There are probably, in our opinion, three major factors to what's happening to liberal talk radio right now.
1) Air America. While many liberal talk outlets are weaning away from the iconic libtalk syndicator, and run hours of programming by Jones Radio and others, the future of Air America is in flux. AAR's big star host is either on his way out, running for the U.S. Senate or otherwise not expected to return to the airwaves...even if the financial situation straightens out.
2) The election. Those who listen to Air America and other liberal shows - aside from those who listen for the entertainment, like your Primary Editorial Voice(tm) - got what they wished for... Democrats are taking over Capitol Hill. The "throw the bums out" heat has been removed from liberal talk radio, and even the better hosts are trying to figure out what to do next.
Election seasons always, no matter what the viewpoint, heat up talk radio ratings...and it's almost like cleaning up the confetti from the Acceptance Speech Ballroom right now in talk radio. (If you've watched C-SPAN, you know no one watches the guy pushing the broom after everyone's gone home.)
Even the established conservative talk hosts see downturns after white-hot election-fueled ratings. Liberal talk as a full-fledged format hasn't been around long enough to weather a lot of downward change.
3) The format's Dirty Little Secret. Though some stations in the format may see ratings success, liberal talk - especially of the Air America variety - is not really advertiser friendly.
Oh, sure, even the soon-to-be-dark liberal talk outlet in stronghold Madison WI has had advertisers lining up protesting the change. But the list is basically "socially conscious" smaller advertisers (with a few exceptions).
Large companies may not be very likely to buy ads on programming where large companies are excoriated for their actions.
This sort of thing is not a Big Issue, for example, for the more commercially-friendly Jones Radio stable of talkers. We've checked in with Stephanie Miller, for example, and you don't hear a lot of yelling about how bad Major Multiglobal Corporation is...the same Major Multiglobal Corporation that owns potential advertiser car company A, or oil company/gas station chain B, etc.
The Madison situation should be quite indicative.
The station, "92.1 The Mic", has built up pretty decent ratings...nearly double what the former AC format did on the rimshot frequency. But if it can't be sold to advertisers with decent amounts of money to spend...they look to a format which can be sold.
We don't know how liberal talk WARF/1350 "Radio Free Ohio" in Akron is doing. We haven't heard any rumblings that the format is going away here.
But WARF does one thing some of the other liberal talk outlets won't do (for fear of scaring away diehard format listeners) - it runs Akron Zips football and basketball, and Akron Aeros baseball, just like it would in any other format...
The banners are identical, except for color and logo/name changes.Hmm.
Clear Channel Cincinnati's WSAI/1360 just dumped its moved-from-WCKY/1530 liberal talk format in favor of "1360TheSource.com", a radio station named after its Internet site, which features various advice and consumer-oriented shows.Clearly, the liberal talk format is in trouble - or has been pulled - in many places.
One of those places is New Orleans, where Entercom pulled the plug on recently resurrected liberal talk WSMB/1350 in favor of...turning it into a time-shifted repeater of the company's big AM/FM news/talk combo, WWL.
We have not heard what Clear Channel is planning between 610 and 1230 in Columbus. Not even a rumor. (And we also remind you that the company put up that infamous "We're taking over a station!" banner ad a ways back...which turned out to be, as we guessed, a gas station promotion.)
But...assuming all of the above...wouldn't it be interesting if Clear Channel in Columbus copied Entercom's move in New Orleans? "WTVN-2", anyone?
OK, we mean interesting as in "a radio move", not necessarily as far as programming is concerned. We're generally against using a full-power in-market radio transmitter to emulate a radio time shifting device, to rebroadcast shows from a sister station out of pattern.
We have not heard anything, as we said. We're just throwing it out there, and maybe we'll look like Radio Geniuses(tm) if it actually happens! The odds, based on educated guesses, would actually seem to prefer a "1360thesource.com" clone.
Oh, and for those just waiting to leap to the keyboard to proclaim how awful a certain format is, and why it deserves to be burned into tiny ashes, and those who believe that such a format should be guaranteed in the Constitution...both sides sure to clash here:
There are probably, in our opinion, three major factors to what's happening to liberal talk radio right now.
1) Air America. While many liberal talk outlets are weaning away from the iconic libtalk syndicator, and run hours of programming by Jones Radio and others, the future of Air America is in flux. AAR's big star host is either on his way out, running for the U.S. Senate or otherwise not expected to return to the airwaves...even if the financial situation straightens out.
2) The election. Those who listen to Air America and other liberal shows - aside from those who listen for the entertainment, like your Primary Editorial Voice(tm) - got what they wished for... Democrats are taking over Capitol Hill. The "throw the bums out" heat has been removed from liberal talk radio, and even the better hosts are trying to figure out what to do next.
Election seasons always, no matter what the viewpoint, heat up talk radio ratings...and it's almost like cleaning up the confetti from the Acceptance Speech Ballroom right now in talk radio. (If you've watched C-SPAN, you know no one watches the guy pushing the broom after everyone's gone home.)
Even the established conservative talk hosts see downturns after white-hot election-fueled ratings. Liberal talk as a full-fledged format hasn't been around long enough to weather a lot of downward change.
3) The format's Dirty Little Secret. Though some stations in the format may see ratings success, liberal talk - especially of the Air America variety - is not really advertiser friendly.
Oh, sure, even the soon-to-be-dark liberal talk outlet in stronghold Madison WI has had advertisers lining up protesting the change. But the list is basically "socially conscious" smaller advertisers (with a few exceptions).
Large companies may not be very likely to buy ads on programming where large companies are excoriated for their actions.
This sort of thing is not a Big Issue, for example, for the more commercially-friendly Jones Radio stable of talkers. We've checked in with Stephanie Miller, for example, and you don't hear a lot of yelling about how bad Major Multiglobal Corporation is...the same Major Multiglobal Corporation that owns potential advertiser car company A, or oil company/gas station chain B, etc.
The Madison situation should be quite indicative.
The station, "92.1 The Mic", has built up pretty decent ratings...nearly double what the former AC format did on the rimshot frequency. But if it can't be sold to advertisers with decent amounts of money to spend...they look to a format which can be sold.
We don't know how liberal talk WARF/1350 "Radio Free Ohio" in Akron is doing. We haven't heard any rumblings that the format is going away here.
But WARF does one thing some of the other liberal talk outlets won't do (for fear of scaring away diehard format listeners) - it runs Akron Zips football and basketball, and Akron Aeros baseball, just like it would in any other format...
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Jaybird Tribute on WAKR Friday
It's almost an advertisement, it would seem, but we'd like to direct you to Rubber City Radio's WAKR/1590 Akron on Friday morning - for an on-air tribute to legendary local broadcaster Jaybird Drennan, who passed away last Sunday.
To go along with the tribute during the station's Ray Horner Show, WAKR's "AkronNewsNow" has put up a new tribute page. This one has audio and video, including from a WKYC/3 "Del's Folks" profile of Jaybird that would appear to have originally aired shortly after he learned of his induction into the Country Radio Broadcasters DJ Hall of Fame.
We've had a few inquiries here about Jaybird, from people who never had a chance to hear That Voice. The items on the AkronNewsNow page should more than satisfy the curiosity.
Friday night at 7 PM, Akron says a final "goodbye" to "the ol' Jaybird"...at perhaps the only stage truly worth of hosting such an event in Akron, the Akron Civic Theater. But while we may say goodbye...the voice, and the kindness he paid to so many over his long career, we'll never forget...
To go along with the tribute during the station's Ray Horner Show, WAKR's "AkronNewsNow" has put up a new tribute page. This one has audio and video, including from a WKYC/3 "Del's Folks" profile of Jaybird that would appear to have originally aired shortly after he learned of his induction into the Country Radio Broadcasters DJ Hall of Fame.
We've had a few inquiries here about Jaybird, from people who never had a chance to hear That Voice. The items on the AkronNewsNow page should more than satisfy the curiosity.
Friday night at 7 PM, Akron says a final "goodbye" to "the ol' Jaybird"...at perhaps the only stage truly worth of hosting such an event in Akron, the Akron Civic Theater. But while we may say goodbye...the voice, and the kindness he paid to so many over his long career, we'll never forget...
WHBC-FM Hunted For New PD
As hinted here on OMW, a former WMMS voice has taken over as program director of NextMedia Canton AC outlet WHBC-FM/94.1 "Mix 94.1".
And the voice is a recent former employee of the Cleveland FM rock station.
Hunter Scott takes the programming reins at 'HBC-FM, and OMW hears that unlike former "Mix" operations manager Terry Simmons, Scott won't have a regular on-air shift at 94.1.
In case you're searching your brain trying to figure out who he is - no, he's not former 'MMS voice "Spaceman Scott" - think "more recent".
Hunter Scott was the "Hunter" of WMMS' last local morning drive program..."Sean, Hunter and Cristi".
That's the show which was cancelled this past June in favor of the Clear Channel rocker airing Premiere syndicated morning show "Bob and Tom"...
And the voice is a recent former employee of the Cleveland FM rock station.
Hunter Scott takes the programming reins at 'HBC-FM, and OMW hears that unlike former "Mix" operations manager Terry Simmons, Scott won't have a regular on-air shift at 94.1.
In case you're searching your brain trying to figure out who he is - no, he's not former 'MMS voice "Spaceman Scott" - think "more recent".
Hunter Scott was the "Hunter" of WMMS' last local morning drive program..."Sean, Hunter and Cristi".
That's the show which was cancelled this past June in favor of the Clear Channel rocker airing Premiere syndicated morning show "Bob and Tom"...
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
BREAKING NEWS: Luczak Exits WKNR
In our "not like it was any surprise" department:
Radio and Records Online reports that long-time Salem sports WKNR/850 Cleveland program director Michael Luczak has left the building...in the wake of the station's recent takeover by Craig Karmazin's Good Karma Broadcasting.
Luczak says he's a "free agent" again, and looking for his "next broadcast challenge"...
Radio and Records Online reports that long-time Salem sports WKNR/850 Cleveland program director Michael Luczak has left the building...in the wake of the station's recent takeover by Craig Karmazin's Good Karma Broadcasting.
Luczak says he's a "free agent" again, and looking for his "next broadcast challenge"...
Midweek Mix
A few mostly unrelated items:
'HBC PD?: OMW hears that staffers at NextMedia AC WHBC-FM/94.1 Canton "Mix 94.1" were being introduced to a new program director on Tuesday.
Who is that programmer?
We only hear that he may have a "Buzzard" past. But that's about all we know. We'll let you know when we hear more.
JAYBIRD TRIBUTE: Rubber City Radio news/standards WAKR/1590 Akron is planning a full-fledged tribute to late local country radio icon Jaybird Drennan on Friday's "Ray Horner Show".
WAKR/Rubber City news director Ed Esposito tells OMW that they hope to have some recordings of Jaybird, which are hard to find. If you are hanging onto any audio of Jaybird and would like to share, please contact Rubber City...we're sure they'd be appreciative of the contributions.
And we're sure listeners would also appreciate the audio being put up on Rubber City's AkronNewsNow. We've had at least two requests for us to share such audio, but unfortunately, A) we have none and B) OMW has no capability to host anything other than text and pictures.
If we hear anything more about online samples of Jaybird's golden voice, we'll let you know...
WHILE WE'RE STOPPING (VIRTUALLY) AT WAKR: Mr. Esposito reminds us that the Akron outlet of the Cleveland Indians recently signed a contract extension to keep carrying the Tribe in the market.
The five year deal was announced late last month, but it somehow missed the OMW Radar...
LAW LEAVES ST. LOUIS: Former WSPD/1370 Toledo program director Al Brady Law is leaving his St. Louis station, CH Holdings talk KTRS/550.
The departure is described by both parties as "amicable", though there's no question Law went through a lot in his time at the station.
You see, "CH Holdings" is actually the corporate name for the station owned by the St. Louis Cardinals baseball club, and the venerable talk station has gone through quite a number of changes since the baseball team got involved.
And that's not even counting the KTRS host who had an infamous slip of the tongue, and got fired (with national attention) for inadvertently airing a racial slur.
Law tells Radio and Records Online:
"I'm up for finding a troubled radio station that is looking for some help. My last two stations have improved greatly under my leadership and I'm ready to do it again."
What are the chances of Law heading back to Ohio?
We haven't heard anything, but are reminded that he has long-standing ties to Clear Channel Cleveland-based programming VP Kevin Metheny...
CVCO BUYS IN ALABAMA - AGAIN: Christian Voice of Central Ohio, the radio group based at Columbus market CCM outlet WCVO/104.9, is buying its second Alabama radio station.
This time, it's sports WTKI/1450 Huntsville AL joining the CVCO stable, which also includes WCVO "River" sister station WCVZ/92.7 South Zanesville.
The company's first acquisition in Alabama, religious WAJF/1490 Decatur AL, now sports the calls WDPT. Decatur is just down the highway from Huntsville...
'HBC PD?: OMW hears that staffers at NextMedia AC WHBC-FM/94.1 Canton "Mix 94.1" were being introduced to a new program director on Tuesday.
Who is that programmer?
We only hear that he may have a "Buzzard" past. But that's about all we know. We'll let you know when we hear more.
JAYBIRD TRIBUTE: Rubber City Radio news/standards WAKR/1590 Akron is planning a full-fledged tribute to late local country radio icon Jaybird Drennan on Friday's "Ray Horner Show".
WAKR/Rubber City news director Ed Esposito tells OMW that they hope to have some recordings of Jaybird, which are hard to find. If you are hanging onto any audio of Jaybird and would like to share, please contact Rubber City...we're sure they'd be appreciative of the contributions.
And we're sure listeners would also appreciate the audio being put up on Rubber City's AkronNewsNow. We've had at least two requests for us to share such audio, but unfortunately, A) we have none and B) OMW has no capability to host anything other than text and pictures.
If we hear anything more about online samples of Jaybird's golden voice, we'll let you know...
WHILE WE'RE STOPPING (VIRTUALLY) AT WAKR: Mr. Esposito reminds us that the Akron outlet of the Cleveland Indians recently signed a contract extension to keep carrying the Tribe in the market.
The five year deal was announced late last month, but it somehow missed the OMW Radar...
LAW LEAVES ST. LOUIS: Former WSPD/1370 Toledo program director Al Brady Law is leaving his St. Louis station, CH Holdings talk KTRS/550.
The departure is described by both parties as "amicable", though there's no question Law went through a lot in his time at the station.
You see, "CH Holdings" is actually the corporate name for the station owned by the St. Louis Cardinals baseball club, and the venerable talk station has gone through quite a number of changes since the baseball team got involved.
And that's not even counting the KTRS host who had an infamous slip of the tongue, and got fired (with national attention) for inadvertently airing a racial slur.
Law tells Radio and Records Online:
"I'm up for finding a troubled radio station that is looking for some help. My last two stations have improved greatly under my leadership and I'm ready to do it again."
What are the chances of Law heading back to Ohio?
We haven't heard anything, but are reminded that he has long-standing ties to Clear Channel Cleveland-based programming VP Kevin Metheny...
CVCO BUYS IN ALABAMA - AGAIN: Christian Voice of Central Ohio, the radio group based at Columbus market CCM outlet WCVO/104.9, is buying its second Alabama radio station.
This time, it's sports WTKI/1450 Huntsville AL joining the CVCO stable, which also includes WCVO "River" sister station WCVZ/92.7 South Zanesville.
The company's first acquisition in Alabama, religious WAJF/1490 Decatur AL, now sports the calls WDPT. Decatur is just down the highway from Huntsville...
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
BREAKING NEWS: Browns, Clear Channel Renew Through 2008 with Option
If new sports talk WKNR/850 owner Good Karma Broadcasting was thinking of putting together some package to pick up the radio rights to the NFL Cleveland Browns, they're gonna have to wait.
The team and Clear Channel have announced a multi-year extension of the agreement between the football team and the local radio cluster. The new pact runs through the 2008 season, with a club option to extend it another year through the 2009 season.
Quoting a Clear Channel press release:
“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with the Cleveland Browns,” said Mike Kenney, President & Market Manager for Clear Channel Radio. “Our highly successful partnership with the Browns allows fans from all over the region to follow Cleveland Browns Football at home, at work, at the stadium, or wherever they travel. The heritage of WMMS and WTAM within the community is the perfect match with the heritage of the Cleveland Browns.”
And from the Browns' end:
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Clear Channel”, said Browns CFO Michael Keenan. “We believe the wide array of quality sports and news programming Clear Channel provides will benefit Browns fans everywhere.”
The release does indeed state that rock WMMS/100.7 will continue to be the Browns flagship, with WTAM/1100 continuing to take its traditional AM flagship role when it doesn't have Indians or Cavaliers conflicts.
While the sports radio landscape was shaken up recently by Good Karma's purchase of long-lumbering sports outlet WKNR, there weren't a lot of people betting on any other outcome for the Browns rights.
One of Good Karma's biggest hurdles was beyond its control, if owner Craig Karmazin was even thinking of trying to get the Browns rights - it owns no FM stations in the market.
Any attempt to dislodge the Browns from Clear Channel would have to involve an FM station, and some point out that they're not entirely sure Good Karma would feel good about partnering with, say, CBS Radio...there is family history there, and it's not really favorable.
With the Browns locked up at Oak Tree, and the Indians and Cavaliers both in long-term contracts with Clear Channel as well, the new WKNR will have to focus on Other Things... like, perhaps, local sports talk programming that may remind one of an early spot on Mr. Karmazin's resume, WIP/610 in Philadelphia...
The team and Clear Channel have announced a multi-year extension of the agreement between the football team and the local radio cluster. The new pact runs through the 2008 season, with a club option to extend it another year through the 2009 season.
Quoting a Clear Channel press release:
“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with the Cleveland Browns,” said Mike Kenney, President & Market Manager for Clear Channel Radio. “Our highly successful partnership with the Browns allows fans from all over the region to follow Cleveland Browns Football at home, at work, at the stadium, or wherever they travel. The heritage of WMMS and WTAM within the community is the perfect match with the heritage of the Cleveland Browns.”
And from the Browns' end:
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Clear Channel”, said Browns CFO Michael Keenan. “We believe the wide array of quality sports and news programming Clear Channel provides will benefit Browns fans everywhere.”
The release does indeed state that rock WMMS/100.7 will continue to be the Browns flagship, with WTAM/1100 continuing to take its traditional AM flagship role when it doesn't have Indians or Cavaliers conflicts.
While the sports radio landscape was shaken up recently by Good Karma's purchase of long-lumbering sports outlet WKNR, there weren't a lot of people betting on any other outcome for the Browns rights.
One of Good Karma's biggest hurdles was beyond its control, if owner Craig Karmazin was even thinking of trying to get the Browns rights - it owns no FM stations in the market.
Any attempt to dislodge the Browns from Clear Channel would have to involve an FM station, and some point out that they're not entirely sure Good Karma would feel good about partnering with, say, CBS Radio...there is family history there, and it's not really favorable.
With the Browns locked up at Oak Tree, and the Indians and Cavaliers both in long-term contracts with Clear Channel as well, the new WKNR will have to focus on Other Things... like, perhaps, local sports talk programming that may remind one of an early spot on Mr. Karmazin's resume, WIP/610 in Philadelphia...
Some 101.7 Quick Hits
It turns out that December 12th is a pretty eventful day surrounding Northeast Ohio's 101.7 FM frequency, as two separate events are happening even as we post this item.
First, OMW readers tell us that steel has finally arrived this morning at the World Famous Future Transmitter Site location at 22nd and Whipple NW in Canton, and that said steel is being erected starting today.
Second, OMW ears in the Dover/New Philadelphia area report that today is the last "solo" morning show for the WJER stations, and that it's being announced that the reported "merger" of the AM and FM shows will begin tomorrow...completing the full simulcast of the two facilities, at least while 101.7 still broadcasts from the area.
To that end, OMW hears that the new show, which will air only on WJER(AM) 1450 after FM 101.7 ends service to Dover/New Philadelphia on December 26th, will be hosted by current AM host Randy Fox...with FM host (and WJER sports director) Bill Morgan contributing sports and otherwise taking part in the effort...
First, OMW readers tell us that steel has finally arrived this morning at the World Famous Future Transmitter Site location at 22nd and Whipple NW in Canton, and that said steel is being erected starting today.
Second, OMW ears in the Dover/New Philadelphia area report that today is the last "solo" morning show for the WJER stations, and that it's being announced that the reported "merger" of the AM and FM shows will begin tomorrow...completing the full simulcast of the two facilities, at least while 101.7 still broadcasts from the area.
To that end, OMW hears that the new show, which will air only on WJER(AM) 1450 after FM 101.7 ends service to Dover/New Philadelphia on December 26th, will be hosted by current AM host Randy Fox...with FM host (and WJER sports director) Bill Morgan contributing sports and otherwise taking part in the effort...
Monday, December 11, 2006
The Jaybird Follow-Up
Services for long-time WSLR/1350 Akron "Whistler" voice Jaybird Drennan have been set.A public viewing will be held Thursday from 1 to 8 PM at Riverwood Community Chapel, which is at 1407 Fairchild Avenue in Kent. Services, being called a "celebration of Jaybird's life", will be held Friday at 7 PM at a place that may well be necessary for its size and class - the Akron Civic Theater.
Other links we haven't shared, or information we have yet to share:
The Akron Beacon Journal had a story on Jaybird's passing in Monday's newspaper, which you can read here.
It, and the AkronNewsNow article on Jaybird's services, clarify the cause of his death. Jaybird was at a local shopping center when he fell and suffered a broken ankle. But it was surgery on that ankle that resulted in the complications - a blood clot - which stilled the mighty iconic voice of Akron radio history.
The Institutional Memory of OMW also did not realize that Rubber City Radio VP Nick Anthony also served as WSLR's program director in the 1980's. (OK, so we're still stuck on Nick's role in the old WHLO/640 talk format.)
An excellent collection of tributes, audio and otherwise, is posted on the AkronNewsNow site. And no, we aren't just saying that because Rubber City news director Ed Esposito mentioned OMW, and gave a link to our earlier item.
The entry has audio of listeners to Akron's present-day country station, WQMX/94.9, remembering Jaybird, and also audio from new WQMX program director Sue Wilson, along with WAKR/1590 program director (and WSLR veteran) Chuck Collins. And thanks, by the way, to Chuck - via AkronNewsNow - for the above picture from Jaybird's 1994 retirement party.
That's one of the interesting things about the Akron radio market.
We've found rather quickly, in recent days, how close-knit the market really is.
Not only do you have the examples of former WSLR types Nick Anthony and Chuck Collins working together now at Rubber City Radio. We're also reminded that Sue Wilson was the wife of late WSLR afternoon drive host Phil Cordle, who...like even 78 year-old Jaybird Drennan, died too young.
And even those who didn't work directly with Jaybird, or who only know of his legend... the lines and E-Mails have been burning up in shared grief among what seems like every single person with even the most remote connection to Akron radio.
And that includes your Primary Editorial Voice(tm), who has never regularly been associated with any station in the market.
You always hear "good things" about the recently departed.
We get the idea, from everything we've heard about Jaybird Drennan, that the good words said in his honor may actually only be scratching the surface...
WJW News Director Heads to Dallas
We've been a bit delayed on posting this one, so bear with us...
OMW hears from numerous sources that long-time WJW/8 "FOX 8" news director Greg Easterly is leaving the FOX owned-and-operated outlet in Cleveland for a big job - news director of CBS-owned KTVT/11 in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market.
But it's not just a big market jump that prompted the move. OMW hears that one reason for Easterly taking the job in Texas could be its proximity to his family.
We don't have any inside word on who might replace Easterly, who held the ND post for 10 years at WJW, though rumblings from within South Marginal Road say an internal promotion seems "unlikely"...
OMW hears from numerous sources that long-time WJW/8 "FOX 8" news director Greg Easterly is leaving the FOX owned-and-operated outlet in Cleveland for a big job - news director of CBS-owned KTVT/11 in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market.
But it's not just a big market jump that prompted the move. OMW hears that one reason for Easterly taking the job in Texas could be its proximity to his family.
We don't have any inside word on who might replace Easterly, who held the ND post for 10 years at WJW, though rumblings from within South Marginal Road say an internal promotion seems "unlikely"...
Sunday, December 10, 2006
BREAKING NEWS: Jaybird Drennan Passes Away
Iconic country music radio personality "Jaybird" Drennan passed away Sunday afternoon at the age of 78. AkronNewsNow, the news website operated by Rubber City Radio (owner of country WQMX/94.9) has more here.Jaybird collapsed in front of a local store last week, and was in a coma until his passing.
For decades, Jaybird Drennan was synonymous with country music radio in Akron, if not most of Northeast Ohio.
His signature "Howdy, Partner" graced the airwaves for 27 years on Akron country outlet WSLR/1350, which was universally known as "Whistler". And in the years when Cleveland listeners had no access to country music on the radio, he served audiences in that market as well.
Jaybird did country music on AM radio well into the 1990's. He retired from his morning drive show in the mid-1990's, and continued for another year or so with a Saturday morning "classic country" show...until then-WSLR owner Barnstable converted 1350 to satellite-fed urban AC music as WTOU "The Touch".
Though the station is now today's liberal talk WARF, owned by Clear Channel, Rubber City Radio had a long-time connection with "Jaybird" due to the company's operation of a country FM station.
As such, Rubber City VP Nick Anthony calls the man known only on his birth certificate as Jerry William Drennan a "giant" in the industry, and says Jaybird had "a giant heart" as well.
Former WQMX programmer Kevin Mason, now working for Nashville's Rust Records, tells AkronNewsNow that Jaybird was "the essence of professionalism and dedication," and says "his impact on not only Akron radio but country radio was a real testament not only to broadcasting but also his humanity."
And Anthony and Mason, who say one of their "proudest moments" was when Jaybird was inducted into the Country Radio Broadcasters DJ Hall of Fame in 2004, placed a memory of him at the Akron Radio Center.
Rubber City news director Ed Esposito tells OMW that "a plaque commemorating Jaybird sits right outside the control room window at WQMX as a constant reminder to our staff of the contributions Jaybird made not only to the industry, but also to the community we call home."
And OMW hears that even now, a picture of Jaybird with a star graces the walls of Clear Channel's Akron/Canton HQ on Freedom Avenue in Jackson Township...a full 10 years after the end of the WSLR country format, when the company didn't even own the station.
The station which once broadcast Jaybird's golden tones, as mentioned, is now talk WARF/1350 "Radio Free Ohio". They've put up a tribute page to Jaybird here.
You might have to be of a certain age to really appreciate what Jaybird did in this region. Your Primary Editorial Voice(tm) isn't really a country music listener, but even we would check in with Jaybird from time to time just to hear "that" voice.
We missed most of Jaybird's years on Whistler. By the time we caught up with him, WSLR was in its final years as a country outlet.
But talented broadcasters don't fade away. To the end, Jaybird did voice work for radio clients. We heard a spot just a month or two back for a center catering to seniors.
RIP, Jaybird....
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Weekend Potpourri
Just some random followup, or other new items:
CP APPROVED: It's a formality, of course, but the construction permit for WJER-FM/101.7's move to North Canton has been approved. According to the FCC online database, the agency gave its official stamp of approval on the application on Friday.
We assumed that the timing would be such, since Clear Channel will be actually lighting up the station sometime after the current operator abandons programming 101.7 on December 26th. The construction permit for Cumulus rock WRQK/106.9's new stick on the forthcoming tower at 22nd and Whipple NW was approved in 2004.
The new incarnation of 101.7 FM will, of course, take new call letters and presumably a new format. We have not heard any official word about that new format, but rumors incoming to OMW would seem to suggest that country would be the leading candidate for it...followed closely by some sort of AC format to pair with sister hot AC outlet WKDD/98.1...
WHIZ-FM AND WCVZ: Apparently following up on our earlier report of speculation on WHIZ-FM/102.5 Zanesville's interest in crosstown WCVZ/92.7 South Zanesville "92.7 The River", that interest was real.
The Zanesville Times Recorder reports that the WHIZ Media Group did make an offer for the Christian Voice of Central Ohio-owned CCM station, which was not accepted. The new station would have been the presumptive replacement for 102.5, which holds a construction permit to move to a new site serving the Columbus radio market near the town of Baltimore.
While WHIZ officials continue to insist that they're just "exploring" the possibility of the relocation of 102.5, we are a bit more skeptical. If you were expecting a possible $7-10 million payday for a new Columbus FM station, would YOU pass it up? And clearly, WHIZ itself does not intend on operating a Columbus market station. The phrase "fish out of water" would come to mind.
Our best guess - if WHIZ can't get 92.7 in their stable, they'll go after the only other commercial FM that serves Zanesville...rimshot WYBZ/107.3 Crooksville. It's not as good a signal in the Y-Bridge City as WCVZ, but it'd still work for them...
ANOTHER WKNR FOLLOWUP: This time, to our ongoing coverage of the sale of sports talk WKNR/850 to Good Karma Broadcasting.
Would you like a look at some of the financial figures Good Karma Broadcasting boss Craig Karmazin saw before he agreed to purchase the station from Salem?
Here, take a look. (Thanks to an alert OMW reader for finding this one!)
The income figures were included in an 8K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Here's the relevant info from the filing:
On December 4, 2006, Salem Communications Corporation ("Salem") issued a press release regarding its agreement to sell radio station WKNR Sports Talk 850AM ("WKNR-AM") to Good Karma Broadcasting, L.L.C. for $7 million.
In addition to the terms of the sale as described in the press release, net broadcasting revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 for WKNR-AM was $1.8 million and station operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 for this station was $0.3 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, WKNR-AM generated net broadcasting revenue of $2.6 million and station operating income of $0.5 million. WKNR-AM was acquired on August 24, 2000, as part as an eight station acquisition. The allocated purchase price was $4.7 million.
Anyone trying to compare figures - notice that the 2006 numbers are through September 30th, and the 2005 numbers are for the entire year.
And the other comparison here?
Salem is saying it spent $4.7 million to buy the station now known as WKNR (then WRMR) as a part of its other purchases, which in this case includes the station now known as WFHM/95.5. Assuming that's correct, they actually made a profit on the sale to Good Karma. (We'll invite folks with much better grasp on financials than we do, to take this apart.)
Not that Mr. Karmazin didn't get a good deal, though.
Salem had, if you believe the rumblings, been asking upwards of $14 million for the 850 signal originally. At some point, they "cut their losses", and if the figures above are to be believed, actually made a little coin...
WWOW SOLD: And our colleague and long-time friend Scott Fybush at NorthEast Radio Watch passes this news of a local radio sale along. It's not as big as the WKNR sale, but it's a radio station sale nonetheless...
Conneaut oldies outlet WWOW/1360 has been sold for $200,000. Owner Developing Radio is flipping it to another local concern, Gates Mills-based Cause Plus Marketing, which is headed by John Marra Jr. (Anyone know who this is?) Pittsburgh-based media broker Ray Rosenblum handled the sale.
The outlet in extreme Northeast Ohio has been running ABC Radio's "True Oldies Channel", the 24/7 satellite feed headed up by long-time broadcaster Scott Shannon, outside of morning drive. Before that format change a year and a half ago, it was a news/talk outlet...
CP APPROVED: It's a formality, of course, but the construction permit for WJER-FM/101.7's move to North Canton has been approved. According to the FCC online database, the agency gave its official stamp of approval on the application on Friday.
We assumed that the timing would be such, since Clear Channel will be actually lighting up the station sometime after the current operator abandons programming 101.7 on December 26th. The construction permit for Cumulus rock WRQK/106.9's new stick on the forthcoming tower at 22nd and Whipple NW was approved in 2004.
The new incarnation of 101.7 FM will, of course, take new call letters and presumably a new format. We have not heard any official word about that new format, but rumors incoming to OMW would seem to suggest that country would be the leading candidate for it...followed closely by some sort of AC format to pair with sister hot AC outlet WKDD/98.1...
WHIZ-FM AND WCVZ: Apparently following up on our earlier report of speculation on WHIZ-FM/102.5 Zanesville's interest in crosstown WCVZ/92.7 South Zanesville "92.7 The River", that interest was real.
The Zanesville Times Recorder reports that the WHIZ Media Group did make an offer for the Christian Voice of Central Ohio-owned CCM station, which was not accepted. The new station would have been the presumptive replacement for 102.5, which holds a construction permit to move to a new site serving the Columbus radio market near the town of Baltimore.
While WHIZ officials continue to insist that they're just "exploring" the possibility of the relocation of 102.5, we are a bit more skeptical. If you were expecting a possible $7-10 million payday for a new Columbus FM station, would YOU pass it up? And clearly, WHIZ itself does not intend on operating a Columbus market station. The phrase "fish out of water" would come to mind.
Our best guess - if WHIZ can't get 92.7 in their stable, they'll go after the only other commercial FM that serves Zanesville...rimshot WYBZ/107.3 Crooksville. It's not as good a signal in the Y-Bridge City as WCVZ, but it'd still work for them...
ANOTHER WKNR FOLLOWUP: This time, to our ongoing coverage of the sale of sports talk WKNR/850 to Good Karma Broadcasting.
Would you like a look at some of the financial figures Good Karma Broadcasting boss Craig Karmazin saw before he agreed to purchase the station from Salem?
Here, take a look. (Thanks to an alert OMW reader for finding this one!)
The income figures were included in an 8K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Here's the relevant info from the filing:
On December 4, 2006, Salem Communications Corporation ("Salem") issued a press release regarding its agreement to sell radio station WKNR Sports Talk 850AM ("WKNR-AM") to Good Karma Broadcasting, L.L.C. for $7 million.
In addition to the terms of the sale as described in the press release, net broadcasting revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 for WKNR-AM was $1.8 million and station operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 for this station was $0.3 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, WKNR-AM generated net broadcasting revenue of $2.6 million and station operating income of $0.5 million. WKNR-AM was acquired on August 24, 2000, as part as an eight station acquisition. The allocated purchase price was $4.7 million.
Anyone trying to compare figures - notice that the 2006 numbers are through September 30th, and the 2005 numbers are for the entire year.
And the other comparison here?
Salem is saying it spent $4.7 million to buy the station now known as WKNR (then WRMR) as a part of its other purchases, which in this case includes the station now known as WFHM/95.5. Assuming that's correct, they actually made a profit on the sale to Good Karma. (We'll invite folks with much better grasp on financials than we do, to take this apart.)
Not that Mr. Karmazin didn't get a good deal, though.
Salem had, if you believe the rumblings, been asking upwards of $14 million for the 850 signal originally. At some point, they "cut their losses", and if the figures above are to be believed, actually made a little coin...
WWOW SOLD: And our colleague and long-time friend Scott Fybush at NorthEast Radio Watch passes this news of a local radio sale along. It's not as big as the WKNR sale, but it's a radio station sale nonetheless...
Conneaut oldies outlet WWOW/1360 has been sold for $200,000. Owner Developing Radio is flipping it to another local concern, Gates Mills-based Cause Plus Marketing, which is headed by John Marra Jr. (Anyone know who this is?) Pittsburgh-based media broker Ray Rosenblum handled the sale.
The outlet in extreme Northeast Ohio has been running ABC Radio's "True Oldies Channel", the 24/7 satellite feed headed up by long-time broadcaster Scott Shannon, outside of morning drive. Before that format change a year and a half ago, it was a news/talk outlet...
Friday, December 08, 2006
Peter Brown Checks In
Back in the day, when dinosaurs roamed the e....no, wait...when new Cleveland sports talk radio station WKNR/1220 started making its mark in Northeast Ohio, your Primary Editorial Voice(tm) checked in more than once as a listener with Peter Brown, the station's controversial afternoon drive host.
Fast forward to 2006, and Peter Brown checks in with OMW.
In a missive directly to Your Mighty Blog of Fun(tm), Mr. Brown tells us that he's "flattered" that his name is being mentioned as part of the mix of possible changes at the new Good Karma-owned incarnation of his former station, now at 850 AM.
But no, Peter says, he has NOT talked with Good Karma boss Craig Karmazin about any possible role on the revamped sports talk station, though he said he would make his own contact with Mr. Karmazin "in the near future".
Peter Brown competed with Good Karma sports talk outlet WAUK/1510(-WMCS/1290) "ESPN Milwaukee" as the afternoon drive host at WSSP/1250 "SportsRadio 1250".
Well, until recently, when the Entercom station said goodbye to the former WKNR host.
And he has nothing but good things to say about the man who's taken over his former Cleveland radio home, saying it would be "an honor and a privilege" to work with Mr. Karmazin:
I have great respect for Craig Karmazin and Good Karma Broadcasting. He has a great sense of what a market needs, and the correct way to operate a successful sports station. I admire the fact that he continually defeated a much larger company in Entercom with less money and a weaker signal. Present company excluded, of course.
With the last line, Brown notes that he bested WAUK's highest-profile local host, Steve "The Homer" True, in the last ratings period.
After his stints outside Northeast Ohio radio, including runs at both ESPN Radio and Sporting News Radio, Peter says this area still has "a special place in my heart", and notes that not only did he find his first afternoon drive gig here - he met his wife here.
(He also notes that he was NOT fired from WKNR the first time around...saying he turned down a raise from a modest salary and went without work for a few months, before ESPN Radio hired him. He tells us he continued to live in the area after taking that job.)
Mr. Brown calls Karmazin "an innovative mind" in a business he says is now "filled with mediocrity".
So, yes, it would appear Peter Brown IS interested in returning to Cleveland. We don't know yet if Mr. Karmazin is returning the interest.
We have heard his name kicked around on the Who Could Good Karma Hire List, but we've heard a few names kicked around - as far as we know, no one's actually been hired yet, even seemingly sure lock Tony Rizzo, the only name of all of them who has actually done sports talk radio work for WKNR's new owner - even if only for one weekend morning.
But Peter Brown being even in the "possible" mix has sure kicked up some dust here...
Fast forward to 2006, and Peter Brown checks in with OMW.In a missive directly to Your Mighty Blog of Fun(tm), Mr. Brown tells us that he's "flattered" that his name is being mentioned as part of the mix of possible changes at the new Good Karma-owned incarnation of his former station, now at 850 AM.
But no, Peter says, he has NOT talked with Good Karma boss Craig Karmazin about any possible role on the revamped sports talk station, though he said he would make his own contact with Mr. Karmazin "in the near future".
Peter Brown competed with Good Karma sports talk outlet WAUK/1510(-WMCS/1290) "ESPN Milwaukee" as the afternoon drive host at WSSP/1250 "SportsRadio 1250".Well, until recently, when the Entercom station said goodbye to the former WKNR host.
And he has nothing but good things to say about the man who's taken over his former Cleveland radio home, saying it would be "an honor and a privilege" to work with Mr. Karmazin:
I have great respect for Craig Karmazin and Good Karma Broadcasting. He has a great sense of what a market needs, and the correct way to operate a successful sports station. I admire the fact that he continually defeated a much larger company in Entercom with less money and a weaker signal. Present company excluded, of course.
With the last line, Brown notes that he bested WAUK's highest-profile local host, Steve "The Homer" True, in the last ratings period.
After his stints outside Northeast Ohio radio, including runs at both ESPN Radio and Sporting News Radio, Peter says this area still has "a special place in my heart", and notes that not only did he find his first afternoon drive gig here - he met his wife here.
(He also notes that he was NOT fired from WKNR the first time around...saying he turned down a raise from a modest salary and went without work for a few months, before ESPN Radio hired him. He tells us he continued to live in the area after taking that job.)
Mr. Brown calls Karmazin "an innovative mind" in a business he says is now "filled with mediocrity".
So, yes, it would appear Peter Brown IS interested in returning to Cleveland. We don't know yet if Mr. Karmazin is returning the interest.
We have heard his name kicked around on the Who Could Good Karma Hire List, but we've heard a few names kicked around - as far as we know, no one's actually been hired yet, even seemingly sure lock Tony Rizzo, the only name of all of them who has actually done sports talk radio work for WKNR's new owner - even if only for one weekend morning.
But Peter Brown being even in the "possible" mix has sure kicked up some dust here...
Glenn Beck Loves Akron
Well, we don't know for sure if Glenn Beck "loves" Akron, but the Premiere syndicated mid-morning talk host has made Akron a stop on one of his tours again. At very least, he knows how to get to the former Rubber Capital of the World.
Beck's annual Christmas tour descends upon Akron's E.J. Thomas Hall tomorrow night...it would appear tickets are still available (here).
But Beck is also going have another public appearance in the area.
As he usually does when he goes on tour, Glenn is going to tape a segment for his CNN Headline News program here. The taping will take place at noon on Saturday at the USO of Northern Ohio in Jackson Township in Stark County, 4932 Shuffel Drive...or a very short drive from the Clear Channel World Domination HQ/Southern Command, home of affiliate WHLO/640 Akron.
While we're talking about Mr. Beck, we'll pass a link to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's "Friday" magazine feature about him - which we saw last week, but promptly forgot to link here...
Beck's annual Christmas tour descends upon Akron's E.J. Thomas Hall tomorrow night...it would appear tickets are still available (here).But Beck is also going have another public appearance in the area.
As he usually does when he goes on tour, Glenn is going to tape a segment for his CNN Headline News program here. The taping will take place at noon on Saturday at the USO of Northern Ohio in Jackson Township in Stark County, 4932 Shuffel Drive...or a very short drive from the Clear Channel World Domination HQ/Southern Command, home of affiliate WHLO/640 Akron.
While we're talking about Mr. Beck, we'll pass a link to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's "Friday" magazine feature about him - which we saw last week, but promptly forgot to link here...
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Random Evidence of a Cluttered Media Mind
Just some stuff, and some previews:
HARVE'S BACK: This item could also be titled "Northeast Ohio: Now and Again".
NextMedia has announced that Harve Alan takes over as company VP of programming, replacing Steve Davis. Alan comes aboard from research firm Mercury Radio Research.
We read this item yesterday in the various radio trade publications, and we were having trouble remembering why Harve Alan's name sounded familiar.
As it turns out, we're reminded that among various larger market programming jobs and work at radio networks and national companies, Harve Alan also has Akron on his resume... as former program director at Rubber City Radio rock WONE/97.5.
And that's where our first line comes in. In his new role, he'll oversee programmers at NextMedia stations across the country, including Canton's WHBC/1480 and WHBC-FM/94.1. Well, at the AM side for right now, as 94.1 is still looking for an operations manager following the departure of Terry Simmons a while back.
OMW hears there could be a replacement for Simmons already in the works at "Mix 94.1". We also hear that the new programmer could be overseeing a format tweak on the FM side after the Christmas music goes away later this month...
HD BROWNIES: We were wondering about this, and it's official tonight - WJW/8 "FOX 8" is broadcasting the NFL Network-produced contest between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers in HDTV.
This seems to be a new thing this year - cable TV games offered to local NFL markets with teams in the game are being made available in HD format.
Of course, with how badly the Browns are playing so far, maybe we were charitable in calling it a "contest"...but at least it looks good!
AND A TEASER: We won't say who yet, but one of the names rumored as a possible talk show host under Good Karma Broadcasting's new reign at WKNR/850 has found OMW, and has dropped us a note.
You'll be surprised at his comments, which we'll publish sometime on Friday. Let's just say that he's been nice to us.
We'd like to repeat, again, that though we've heard rumblings about new possible Good Karma employees, we have heard NOTHING about the status of current WKNR employees under the new ownership.
We tend to believe that it will continue to be status quo at least until the start of the year, and we get the idea that the new WKNR management is looking to significantly expand local programming.
We've heard a lot of rumblings about this transaction, and have yet to hear that "X person is gone" in the current WKNR firmament of on-air personalities (or off-air staff, or other).
So, if you hear it, you're probably not hearing the truth. We get the idea that Those Decisions haven't been made yet...and let these people enjoy their holidays, OK?
HARVE'S BACK: This item could also be titled "Northeast Ohio: Now and Again".
NextMedia has announced that Harve Alan takes over as company VP of programming, replacing Steve Davis. Alan comes aboard from research firm Mercury Radio Research.
We read this item yesterday in the various radio trade publications, and we were having trouble remembering why Harve Alan's name sounded familiar.
As it turns out, we're reminded that among various larger market programming jobs and work at radio networks and national companies, Harve Alan also has Akron on his resume... as former program director at Rubber City Radio rock WONE/97.5.
And that's where our first line comes in. In his new role, he'll oversee programmers at NextMedia stations across the country, including Canton's WHBC/1480 and WHBC-FM/94.1. Well, at the AM side for right now, as 94.1 is still looking for an operations manager following the departure of Terry Simmons a while back.
OMW hears there could be a replacement for Simmons already in the works at "Mix 94.1". We also hear that the new programmer could be overseeing a format tweak on the FM side after the Christmas music goes away later this month...
HD BROWNIES: We were wondering about this, and it's official tonight - WJW/8 "FOX 8" is broadcasting the NFL Network-produced contest between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers in HDTV.
This seems to be a new thing this year - cable TV games offered to local NFL markets with teams in the game are being made available in HD format.
Of course, with how badly the Browns are playing so far, maybe we were charitable in calling it a "contest"...but at least it looks good!
AND A TEASER: We won't say who yet, but one of the names rumored as a possible talk show host under Good Karma Broadcasting's new reign at WKNR/850 has found OMW, and has dropped us a note.
You'll be surprised at his comments, which we'll publish sometime on Friday. Let's just say that he's been nice to us.
We'd like to repeat, again, that though we've heard rumblings about new possible Good Karma employees, we have heard NOTHING about the status of current WKNR employees under the new ownership.
We tend to believe that it will continue to be status quo at least until the start of the year, and we get the idea that the new WKNR management is looking to significantly expand local programming.
We've heard a lot of rumblings about this transaction, and have yet to hear that "X person is gone" in the current WKNR firmament of on-air personalities (or off-air staff, or other).
So, if you hear it, you're probably not hearing the truth. We get the idea that Those Decisions haven't been made yet...and let these people enjoy their holidays, OK?
That WJER Update
Fire up those word processors at the Times-Reporter again, as OMW is about to weigh in again on the last days of Dover-based WJER-FM/101.7, soon to move to a Canton transmitter location and off the airwaves of Tuscarawas County...
As we hinted below, WJER operator Gary Petricola has officially announced on his own station the disposition of FM 101.7, and his impending re-purchase of AM 1450 - which has moved from hint to rumor to fact here on OMW for months.
From the station's news section on WJER.com, which may change by the time you read this (the page updates with news daily):
WJER Radio, Inc. will no longer provide programming for the FM 101.7 frequency as of December 26th. All local programming will remain on WJER AM 1450 as former station owner Gary Petricola and a group of investors is buying the station back. Clear Channel Communications, which has owned both WJER FM and AM since 2003, is moving the FM operations to North Canton in the coming weeks. New call letters and staffing for the 101.7 station have yet to be announced. Petricola says he’s pleased to retain the AM 1450 operations that have been part of the community since 1950.
Again, anticlimactic, as we've kicked this around here for a long time, complete with the impending date - which, of course, has been pushed back a few days for various reasons, including weather and construction, and other logistics involved in moving a radio station.
OMW hears that WJER will merge the two separate morning shows with FM host Bill Morgan, and AM host Randy Fox, into a single morning program featuring both as a team.
That morning drive merger is expected to start as soon as next week, while 101.7 is still in Dover, so it would basically complete the full AM/FM simulcast until 101.7 heads north a couple of weeks later.
And we haven't been to the Transmitter Site Tourist Attraction yet at 22nd and Whipple NW in Canton, but we're told that concrete has been poured. We hear the tower itself should start going up in about a week...
As we hinted below, WJER operator Gary Petricola has officially announced on his own station the disposition of FM 101.7, and his impending re-purchase of AM 1450 - which has moved from hint to rumor to fact here on OMW for months.
From the station's news section on WJER.com, which may change by the time you read this (the page updates with news daily):
WJER Radio, Inc. will no longer provide programming for the FM 101.7 frequency as of December 26th. All local programming will remain on WJER AM 1450 as former station owner Gary Petricola and a group of investors is buying the station back. Clear Channel Communications, which has owned both WJER FM and AM since 2003, is moving the FM operations to North Canton in the coming weeks. New call letters and staffing for the 101.7 station have yet to be announced. Petricola says he’s pleased to retain the AM 1450 operations that have been part of the community since 1950.
Again, anticlimactic, as we've kicked this around here for a long time, complete with the impending date - which, of course, has been pushed back a few days for various reasons, including weather and construction, and other logistics involved in moving a radio station.
OMW hears that WJER will merge the two separate morning shows with FM host Bill Morgan, and AM host Randy Fox, into a single morning program featuring both as a team.
That morning drive merger is expected to start as soon as next week, while 101.7 is still in Dover, so it would basically complete the full AM/FM simulcast until 101.7 heads north a couple of weeks later.
And we haven't been to the Transmitter Site Tourist Attraction yet at 22nd and Whipple NW in Canton, but we're told that concrete has been poured. We hear the tower itself should start going up in about a week...
BREAKING NEWS: "The Revolution of Talk Radio" Runs Out of Gas in Cincy
Not like we didn't see this coming.
Clear Channel talk WSAI/1360 in Cincinnati is dropping the liberal talk format that has been "home base" for ex-Queen City mayor and TV anchor (and trash TV host) Jerry Springer, according to Cincinnati Enquirer TV/radio guru John Kiesewetter.
Starting Monday, the station will be known, both on-air and online, as "1360TheSource.com". It'll keep talking, but with advice and consumer shows instead of liberal politics, with Jones Radio's Clark Howard playing a key role (airing in afternoon AND morning drive, the latter a repeat of the previous day's show).
The station's new incarnation also returns former Premiere host Dr. Laura Schlessinger not only to the Cincinnati airwaves, but to her first major Ohio market in some time. Until now, she's been relegated to places like Findlay and Canton as far as her affiliate base goes...a long cry from when she was heard on major Clear Channel news/talkers all over the state.
"1360TheSource.com" will also air a number of existing advice-based talk programs from sister WKRC/550, including the Cincinnati-based Clear Channel show "At Home with Gary Sullivan" and other such shows - on delay.
It's also the second Clear Channel talk outlet in the country to brand on-air with its website URL. Talk WRNO/99.5 in New Orleans is known on the air as "TheNew995FM.com".
As for the format dump of liberal talk?
Just about anyone who's spent over five minutes in a news/talk radio station could have told you it would happen, once local name Jerry Springer's radio show was abandoned. And even with "Jerry, Jerry, Jerry" aboard, the station had trouble drawing any significant audience...
Clear Channel talk WSAI/1360 in Cincinnati is dropping the liberal talk format that has been "home base" for ex-Queen City mayor and TV anchor (and trash TV host) Jerry Springer, according to Cincinnati Enquirer TV/radio guru John Kiesewetter.
Starting Monday, the station will be known, both on-air and online, as "1360TheSource.com". It'll keep talking, but with advice and consumer shows instead of liberal politics, with Jones Radio's Clark Howard playing a key role (airing in afternoon AND morning drive, the latter a repeat of the previous day's show).
The station's new incarnation also returns former Premiere host Dr. Laura Schlessinger not only to the Cincinnati airwaves, but to her first major Ohio market in some time. Until now, she's been relegated to places like Findlay and Canton as far as her affiliate base goes...a long cry from when she was heard on major Clear Channel news/talkers all over the state.
"1360TheSource.com" will also air a number of existing advice-based talk programs from sister WKRC/550, including the Cincinnati-based Clear Channel show "At Home with Gary Sullivan" and other such shows - on delay.
It's also the second Clear Channel talk outlet in the country to brand on-air with its website URL. Talk WRNO/99.5 in New Orleans is known on the air as "TheNew995FM.com".
As for the format dump of liberal talk?
Just about anyone who's spent over five minutes in a news/talk radio station could have told you it would happen, once local name Jerry Springer's radio show was abandoned. And even with "Jerry, Jerry, Jerry" aboard, the station had trouble drawing any significant audience...
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Random Stuff Out of Nowhere
...and for no particular reason than it's time for an update:
WJER ANNOUNCEMENT?: We haven't verified it, so we won't run all of it, but an anonymous comment to one of our earlier items says WJER/Dover-New Philadelphia operator Gary Petricola has announced - on air, officially, on his own station - the impending departure of the FM 101.7 signal later this month, and his impending (re-)purchase of WJER(AM) 1450 with other investors, which will remain in Dover.
None of the above is any surprise to anyone who reads this blog, of course, or for that matter, anyone who's been reading the recent channeling of OMW through the Times-Reporter newspaper. But it is news that it's apparently been told to listeners on the air.
The anonymous contributor says the announcement happened during the station's 5 PM news report this evening...
ZANESVILLE MOVE?: While we're talking about radio stations moving, OMW readers already know that WHIZ-FM/102.5 Zanesville is heading for a new license city of Baltimore, a small spot on the map just southeast of Columbus. It'll be a Columbus move-in for someone, and probably not the WHIZ Media Group.
Instead, it looks like they could have their eyes on one of the rumored possibilities for a WHIZ-FM replacement.
OMW reader Kyle McPeck, on his "King of Zanesville" blog, says he's heard employees of CCM WCVZ/92.7 "92.7 The River" South Zanesville, the sister of Columbus-based WCVO/104.9, have been given their walking papers.
While he isn't saying for sure, Kyle speculates that the WHIZ Media Group will take over 92.7 as the replacement for the departing 102.5, and that WCVZ is rumored to be looking at putting up a new non-commercial outlet in Licking County.
It makes sense to us, too. The WHIZ folks aren't the kind of operation to either A) run a Columbus-based FM or B) vacate the FM dial in their home city, and taking over 92.7 would be a good solution for them.
WHIZ/1240 and WHIZ-TV/18 (NBC affiliate) remain no matter how this pans out...
BORDER FORMAT CHANGE: Back in the day, we'd have done a whole item on this.
Long-time readers know our particular obsession with Beacon Broadcasting, the Warren-based chain of five outlets stradding the Ohio/Pennsylvania border owned by steel supply magnate Harold Glunt.
Beacon has split up the three-station simulcast of oldies music based at Warren's WANR/1570.
AllAccess reports that simulcasters WLOA/1470 Farrell PA and WGRP/940 Greenville PA have flipped to sports, using Sporting News Radio, and continuing as the area affiliates of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. Even in the WANR simulcast, WLOA and WGRP split away for baseball.
"Family Friendly Oldies" continue at WANR, presumably without the wordy three-station liners...
Beacon also owns Christian rocker WEXC/107.1 Greenville PA, a Youngstown-market rimshot known as "Freq 107", and gospel daytimer WRTK/1540 Niles, which runs the satellite format "Rejoice - Musical Soul Food"...
SPEAKING OF 1540: As if we haven't enough these days, another (original) item on Good Karma's original sports outlet in Cleveland, WWGK/1540 "Cleveland's ESPN Radio 1540". You know, that Good Karma sports station that is NOT WKNR/850...
When he dropped us a note after reading our last item, Good Karma boss Craig Karmazin let us know that the station was airing a James Brown interview with Jim Brown...the former, the FOX Sports TV star, the latter, the iconic Hall of Fame running back who set the standard in a Cleveland Browns uniform.
It airs at 11:30 on Sunday, right before WWGK carries Westwood One's NFL coverage - the Indianapolis Colts play the Jacksonville Jaguars. That's right, it's another network sports package the station adds to its WW1 college football coverage.
Mr. Karmazin tells OMW that the Browns/Steelers clash on Thursday Night Football tomorrow allows the 1 PM game to air on his station. NFL rules normally prohibit such contests from airing in that slot.
And a tip of the OMW hat to Cleveland Plain Dealer media writer Julie Washington, who has an excellent article on the whole Good Karma/WKNR situation in Wednesday's PD. It may be the only media-related newspaper article we've ever seen with not a single error...
WJER ANNOUNCEMENT?: We haven't verified it, so we won't run all of it, but an anonymous comment to one of our earlier items says WJER/Dover-New Philadelphia operator Gary Petricola has announced - on air, officially, on his own station - the impending departure of the FM 101.7 signal later this month, and his impending (re-)purchase of WJER(AM) 1450 with other investors, which will remain in Dover.
None of the above is any surprise to anyone who reads this blog, of course, or for that matter, anyone who's been reading the recent channeling of OMW through the Times-Reporter newspaper. But it is news that it's apparently been told to listeners on the air.
The anonymous contributor says the announcement happened during the station's 5 PM news report this evening...
ZANESVILLE MOVE?: While we're talking about radio stations moving, OMW readers already know that WHIZ-FM/102.5 Zanesville is heading for a new license city of Baltimore, a small spot on the map just southeast of Columbus. It'll be a Columbus move-in for someone, and probably not the WHIZ Media Group.
Instead, it looks like they could have their eyes on one of the rumored possibilities for a WHIZ-FM replacement.
OMW reader Kyle McPeck, on his "King of Zanesville" blog, says he's heard employees of CCM WCVZ/92.7 "92.7 The River" South Zanesville, the sister of Columbus-based WCVO/104.9, have been given their walking papers.
While he isn't saying for sure, Kyle speculates that the WHIZ Media Group will take over 92.7 as the replacement for the departing 102.5, and that WCVZ is rumored to be looking at putting up a new non-commercial outlet in Licking County.
It makes sense to us, too. The WHIZ folks aren't the kind of operation to either A) run a Columbus-based FM or B) vacate the FM dial in their home city, and taking over 92.7 would be a good solution for them.
WHIZ/1240 and WHIZ-TV/18 (NBC affiliate) remain no matter how this pans out...
BORDER FORMAT CHANGE: Back in the day, we'd have done a whole item on this.
Long-time readers know our particular obsession with Beacon Broadcasting, the Warren-based chain of five outlets stradding the Ohio/Pennsylvania border owned by steel supply magnate Harold Glunt.
Beacon has split up the three-station simulcast of oldies music based at Warren's WANR/1570.
AllAccess reports that simulcasters WLOA/1470 Farrell PA and WGRP/940 Greenville PA have flipped to sports, using Sporting News Radio, and continuing as the area affiliates of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. Even in the WANR simulcast, WLOA and WGRP split away for baseball.
"Family Friendly Oldies" continue at WANR, presumably without the wordy three-station liners...
Beacon also owns Christian rocker WEXC/107.1 Greenville PA, a Youngstown-market rimshot known as "Freq 107", and gospel daytimer WRTK/1540 Niles, which runs the satellite format "Rejoice - Musical Soul Food"...
SPEAKING OF 1540: As if we haven't enough these days, another (original) item on Good Karma's original sports outlet in Cleveland, WWGK/1540 "Cleveland's ESPN Radio 1540". You know, that Good Karma sports station that is NOT WKNR/850...
When he dropped us a note after reading our last item, Good Karma boss Craig Karmazin let us know that the station was airing a James Brown interview with Jim Brown...the former, the FOX Sports TV star, the latter, the iconic Hall of Fame running back who set the standard in a Cleveland Browns uniform.
It airs at 11:30 on Sunday, right before WWGK carries Westwood One's NFL coverage - the Indianapolis Colts play the Jacksonville Jaguars. That's right, it's another network sports package the station adds to its WW1 college football coverage.
Mr. Karmazin tells OMW that the Browns/Steelers clash on Thursday Night Football tomorrow allows the 1 PM game to air on his station. NFL rules normally prohibit such contests from airing in that slot.
And a tip of the OMW hat to Cleveland Plain Dealer media writer Julie Washington, who has an excellent article on the whole Good Karma/WKNR situation in Wednesday's PD. It may be the only media-related newspaper article we've ever seen with not a single error...
More Cuts
And something that isn't connected to the sale of a certain sports radio outlet:
OMW had been hearing rumblings of cuts last Friday at the now-former CBS Radio outlets in Columbus, which were taken over by Wilks Broadcasting that day.
Unfortunately, those rumblings turned out to be true at the stations, country WHOK/95.5 "K95", rock WLVQ/96.3 "QFM96" and alt-rock WAZU/107.1 "The Big Wazoo".
AllAccess reports that cluster operations manager Dave Cooper is out, along with WHOK news director Kim Taylor and night personality Heather Black, WLVQ traffic reporter "Officer Al" and assistant program director/midday personality Dave Man, along with cluster engineer John Marocchi.
Staying in Columbus, where we were still waiting for confirmation on one reported layoff at the Clear Channel cluster there - WLZT/93.3 "Lite FM" programmer Steve Cherry.
Unfortunately, that appears to have come true, shortly after he became a new father - his wife Anna (middayer at sister 80's rocker WBRW/105.7 "The Brew") gave birth to a new son.
OMW had been hearing rumblings of cuts last Friday at the now-former CBS Radio outlets in Columbus, which were taken over by Wilks Broadcasting that day.
Unfortunately, those rumblings turned out to be true at the stations, country WHOK/95.5 "K95", rock WLVQ/96.3 "QFM96" and alt-rock WAZU/107.1 "The Big Wazoo".
AllAccess reports that cluster operations manager Dave Cooper is out, along with WHOK news director Kim Taylor and night personality Heather Black, WLVQ traffic reporter "Officer Al" and assistant program director/midday personality Dave Man, along with cluster engineer John Marocchi.
Staying in Columbus, where we were still waiting for confirmation on one reported layoff at the Clear Channel cluster there - WLZT/93.3 "Lite FM" programmer Steve Cherry.
Unfortunately, that appears to have come true, shortly after he became a new father - his wife Anna (middayer at sister 80's rocker WBRW/105.7 "The Brew") gave birth to a new son.
Cherry's name has disappeared from the WLZT website, and the "Program Director" contact info E-Mail now directs to sister WNCI/97.9 programmer Michael McCoy.
Unfortunately, there's even more job loss news in this item.
OMW told you earlier of a number of people let go from Clear Channel's Cincinnati cluster. It appears "a number" wasn't nearly as high as it should have been.
In an item which gave us a lot of pause, Cincinnati Enquirer radio/TV guru John Kiesewetter counted up the forced departures at the Kenwood HQ of the company, and came up with...19 people out the door at eight stations.
19!
If you want the gruesome details, and a list of some of the folks we didn't have, it's at Kiesewetter's blog here.
Kiesewetter notes that the number of 19 layoffs does NOT include, believe it or not, Jerry Springer's producer Stephanie Tyler. The end of her position is tied to that show's demise, not to the station's budget cuts.
And we now wonder why any young person even considers a career in this business in 2006...
Unfortunately, there's even more job loss news in this item.
OMW told you earlier of a number of people let go from Clear Channel's Cincinnati cluster. It appears "a number" wasn't nearly as high as it should have been.
In an item which gave us a lot of pause, Cincinnati Enquirer radio/TV guru John Kiesewetter counted up the forced departures at the Kenwood HQ of the company, and came up with...19 people out the door at eight stations.
19!
If you want the gruesome details, and a list of some of the folks we didn't have, it's at Kiesewetter's blog here.
Kiesewetter notes that the number of 19 layoffs does NOT include, believe it or not, Jerry Springer's producer Stephanie Tyler. The end of her position is tied to that show's demise, not to the station's budget cuts.
And we now wonder why any young person even considers a career in this business in 2006...
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