tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post8038347382898528373..comments2023-11-02T04:44:59.171-04:00Comments on John Gorman's Media Blog: Radio: Cat Litter ChannelJohn Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-10732343729199322792009-05-08T14:02:00.000-04:002009-05-08T14:02:00.000-04:00npr's the only thing on public airwaves worth list...npr's the only thing on public airwaves worth listening to anymore, and has been for some time. Now if they could just get rid of Matt Patrick!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-18473417535556721072009-05-06T16:43:00.000-04:002009-05-06T16:43:00.000-04:00We can only hope!We can only hope!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-8245365160477867262009-05-06T16:28:00.000-04:002009-05-06T16:28:00.000-04:00Rehr just resigned. Here comes over-the-air RIAA r...Rehr just resigned. Here comes over-the-air RIAA royalties. Bye, Bye HD Radio!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-77707949521873222672009-05-06T13:52:00.000-04:002009-05-06T13:52:00.000-04:00you all got your wish...........David Rehr is appa...you all got your wish...........David Rehr is apparently out at NAB. John here's your big chance to be Big Man On Campus and put your money where your mouth isAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-49730844229823859172009-05-06T04:29:00.000-04:002009-05-06T04:29:00.000-04:00It’s a sad sign of the times when Clear Channel em...It’s a sad sign of the times when Clear Channel employees openly discuss the company’s ultimate demise in bankruptcy court as being the only viable path to salvation. <br /><br />Investment bankers have never understood the radio business. The sooner they lose their collective asses and get out of radio, the better off we will all be. Radio can be salvaged, but it will take real radio people to do it. The only question is, will there be any real radio people left to pick up the pieces when the fire sales commence?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-90067981013303325732009-05-05T17:12:00.000-04:002009-05-05T17:12:00.000-04:00I am in the radio business and I believe this busi...I am in the radio business and I believe this business is as good as dead. I don't blame the medium itself. I blame those that destroyed it with artificial flavoring, coloring and blandness. I cannot sell what radio is delivering. The clients are wise to the real reach and frequency and the attempt to sell interactive are futile at best.<br /><br />I already have another job lined up. I am reluctant to leave because I remember a better industry. With the politics and deception of Clear Channel and other radio chains I do not want to tarnish my own reputation because radio can no longer deliver.<br /><br />John, I wish you were right about radio coming back. I think by the time the fire sales do happen there will be little to no interest in the medium.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-42887870116125210942009-05-05T15:02:00.000-04:002009-05-05T15:02:00.000-04:00The cat litter works. Clear Channel's programming...The cat litter works. Clear Channel's programming doesn't. In fact, it stinks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-32620267850549999592009-05-05T15:00:00.000-04:002009-05-05T15:00:00.000-04:00Radio has thrown away morning drive. According to...Radio has thrown away morning drive. According to PPM figures afternoon drive has more listeners though far fewer than listened five to ten years ago. Why doesn't radio get it. It's decline, decline, decline. There is no upside. There is no glimmer of hope. Instead of fighting to win back listeners radio sabotages itself further and repels even more listeners. It is a vicious cycle that has to be reversed. Are these trust fund Mays and Dickey kids that far removed from reality that they cannot see the obvious? You are right. This is suicide and it is even painful to watch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-34595254891653034492009-05-05T13:39:00.000-04:002009-05-05T13:39:00.000-04:00The quality keeps dropping. That in turn causes m...The quality keeps dropping. That in turn causes more defection from radio to other medium. It is the downward spiral that radio has been suffering since deregulation and the Randy Michaels/Clear Channelization of radio.<br /><br />Do they really believe this will do anything for their bottom line? Consider that this has been their game plan for the past decade or more. Each time they downsize they lose more listeners and time spent listening. This is the obvious trend that they overlook. <br /><br />Had quality and improvement in product and the sharing of great ideas come out of deregulation we would be ahead of the game and as Gorman puts it "marrying old media with new". Instead of that we are faced with automation, national formats, NO LOCALISM, Mr. Hogan and Mr. Hogan - DECLINING REVENUE. <br /><br />We can blame Randy Michaels for creating the problem but all John Hogan and Mark Mays have done is escalate it. <br /><br />Clear Channel has become a disgrace. I hope the Mays kids are happy with what they did to their father's once somewhat respected company.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-26763983719831658472009-05-05T13:20:00.000-04:002009-05-05T13:20:00.000-04:00The cat does have the same cross eyed clueless loo...The cat does have the same cross eyed clueless look as John Hogan. Separated at birth - straight out of the old Spy Magazine.<br /><br />The cat is smarter than John Hogan. He knows Premium Choice is for s#!t.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-46346550663159536302009-05-05T12:57:00.000-04:002009-05-05T12:57:00.000-04:00You are soooo very right that the next mass head-c...You are soooo very right that the next mass head-chopping will be after July 30th. I believe they would have waited until then for THIS round of layoffs if they could.<br /><br />I am so glad I was in the first round of cuts...and I get to keep on collecting from them and not go into work (fortunately, I can do other things besides radio). I would not want to be anywhere close to that building right now--being worked to death on stations that ultimately will not matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-8702090143648115192009-05-05T11:51:00.000-04:002009-05-05T11:51:00.000-04:00I fully understand the financial constraints busin...I fully understand the financial constraints businesses are faced with. However, as you have pointed out, John, radio was in trouble when the economy was doing well.<br /><br />What the radio industry does not understand is that its downturn times like these that help launch new ideas. Creativity should be encouraged not discouraged as is being done at Clear Channel, CBS, Citadel, Cumulus, Entercom, Greater Media and Radio One. <br /><br />Radio should "own" on-line and not in the way Clear Channel is doing with its soft porn web sites for its rock and teen stations. I also agree that radio chains should be challenging the royalty rates for streaming on line. The fact that they are not convinces me, too that the current owners do not plan to own these stations for the long term. They do not understand that their stations will continue to devalue the longer they hold on to them.<br /><br />I understand the banks will not take them back and the credit crunch is preventing the bargain hunters from taking advantage of some great discounts. Should prospective buyers be readying themselves for the eventual fire sales? The answer is a resounding Y-E-S!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-9843721840252264542009-05-05T11:34:00.000-04:002009-05-05T11:34:00.000-04:00Whatever Clear Channel does those other chains cut...Whatever Clear Channel does those other chains cut from the same cloth do a few days later. Lew Dickey is the master "me too, me too".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-65412727124617661102009-05-05T10:56:00.000-04:002009-05-05T10:56:00.000-04:00Everybody's anonymous. This suggests that you have...Everybody's anonymous. This suggests that you have something left to lose. In radio?Dave Newtonhttp://www.marconidreams.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-86565529528318984012009-05-05T10:52:00.000-04:002009-05-05T10:52:00.000-04:00Randy Michaels is lying low these days and if you ...Randy Michaels is lying low these days and if you were him, you would be too. All his blustery talk of "innovation" and "reinvention" for the newspaper business is proving to be just more empty bellowing. Oh, wait a minute ... forgot his bold move of putting the Bob & Tom Show Radio Show on TV for WGN America.<br /><br />BTW, headcount on the recent CC layoffs looks more like 960 than the reported 580. So much for true transparency in San Antonio.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-58236216444833517652009-05-05T10:24:00.000-04:002009-05-05T10:24:00.000-04:00I see where Randy Michaels is trying to distance h...I see where Randy Michaels is trying to distance himself from his own creation in Radio-info. He wants to be in the line when the fire sales begin but who would trust him as an owner/operator given his past performance (original Jacor, Clear Channel, Zell-Tribune). So he will hire publicists and spinners to reinvent his image. Randy, it will not work. You have done too much damage to this industry. The "leak" to Radio-info that Clear Channel's hub and spoke is not your hub and spoke is laughable. I still have all the clippings from your Jacor days, Clear Channel days, and Zell hell days and I'll be more than happy to create a web site and put them on line should you dare reenter the broadcasting business. Have fun in here Chicago while it lasts. You have already worn out your welcome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-85519694563703873462009-05-05T10:18:00.000-04:002009-05-05T10:18:00.000-04:00The clients will not be fooled. A voice-tracked m...The clients will not be fooled. A voice-tracked morning show from a distant market versus a local one? I want a deep, deep discount. Better still, why bother? Tried and true traded in for a gamble? Not me.<br /><br />I would like to see Clear Channel fold and its stations put up for auction or fire sale. Maybe then we will get real broadcasters back in business that will put product on the air that I will buy time on knowing I will get results because its live, local and functional.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-8189229598746842842009-05-05T10:07:00.000-04:002009-05-05T10:07:00.000-04:00Guess that whole "localism" thing means the statio...Guess that whole "localism" thing means the stations get to keep their own call-letters. None of this is surprising. CC started out in the billboard business, in which there is no content, only advertising. They have always been mystified as to why they can't run stations with commercials 24/7. Why should they have to pay "talent" to interrupt their clients' spots? Doesn't seem fair, somehow. Remember, this is a company which has always preached that their most important audience is the advertiser. The listeners are just a way to justify advertiser spending. They have no intrinsic value.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-6743812029838918442009-05-05T08:56:00.000-04:002009-05-05T08:56:00.000-04:00I used to listen to FM 95.9 from London (there was...I used to listen to FM 95.9 from London (there was another one from Chatham that changed format). That station along with the River 93.9 from Windsor-Detroit do better adult rock radio than any station in Cleveland (there is the Summit in Akron but their signal does not reach Cleveland). Over the last 3-4 years I can no longer get London. I get Clear Channel's KISS instead and even if I drive into downtown Cleveland and lose Y-town I still cannot pick up 95.9 anymore. It is a shame for those of us who would like a good quality rock station in Cleveland the likes of which we have not heard since WENZ's alternative rock format and especilally. WMMS THe Next Generation format was replaced.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-7312490235117593322009-05-05T08:51:00.000-04:002009-05-05T08:51:00.000-04:00I think John may be referring to parts of southern...I think John may be referring to parts of southern Medina county where I have been able to pick up all three with a little help from propagation. There are other parts of Greater Cleveland (if Gorman's definition of it includes Summit county) where you can often pick up both Ytown and Toledo stations as well as Cleveland. Rare but there are those locations. Weather and propagation play into it somewhat of course.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-30169221174603954322009-05-05T07:52:00.000-04:002009-05-05T07:52:00.000-04:00Given that the Wikipedia definition of Greater Cle...Given that the Wikipedia definition of Greater Cleveland includes Youngstown, OH, it's conceivable that WAKZ Youngstown, WVKF Wheeling, WV / Steubenville, OH and WKST-FM Pittsburgh, PA could all be heard there. Don't reside in the area, never tried it, but it certainly seems possible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-67799051339466404372009-05-05T07:51:00.000-04:002009-05-05T07:51:00.000-04:00Clear Channel specializes in double talk. I bet y...Clear Channel specializes in double talk. I bet you are right. CC's next mass firing will take place after July 30. They are so damn transparent. They probably realize that and just don't care. Bankruptcy would be the best thing for CC. They may wiggle out of some contracts and obligations but in the long run we could get better owners, operators, and programming once the stations are put up for fire sale.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-39518460281331365762009-05-04T23:48:00.000-04:002009-05-04T23:48:00.000-04:00Nice blog. However, you're wrong about being able ...Nice blog. However, you're wrong about being able to hear three different KISS stations in Greater Cleveland at once though. You're talking about WAKS (of course), WVKS/Toledo and WAKZ/Youngstown I assume? You have to be.<br /><br />Only the furthest reaches of the western portion of Cleveland could be able to hear KISS/Toledo - and that's even a stretch, they don't really come in until Sandusky. Anyway, there's zero chance of KISS/Ytown coming in over there. London, Ontario's FM96 blasts in on 95.9 over most of Cleveland's northern region. In fact, the only part of "Greater Cleveland" that can hear KISS/Ytown are people traveling I-76 near Kent. No KISS/Toledo coming in down there, it's all Q92.5/Canton.<br /><br />Make it two at once MAX - but that's even a maybe with WVKS. Sandusky isn't "Greater Cleveland."<br /><br />Not possible John. Just sayin'...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-25026394283686352762009-05-04T22:35:00.000-04:002009-05-04T22:35:00.000-04:00"Premium Choice"? Who's "choice"? I believe this..."Premium Choice"? Who's "choice"? I believe this is what Clear Channel envisioned at the very beginning of deregulation...a network of national radio stations, one net for each format operating the same way many religious stations do with local stations only a transmitter site and a satellite dish with computer-inserted local spots as needed all fed and monitored from a central headquarters.<br /><br />The really sad part is they're not even springing for outstanding big-name talent to work these shows. Imagine if this tech and enviornment existed in the heyday of radio...everyone could have listened to Cousin Brucie, Kid Leo, "Machine Gun" Kelly, Gerry House, Lynn Tolliver, Jim Ladd, true greats from all around the country. <br /><br />But, no, Clear Channel will give us bland and blander, "talent" that isn't even as good as the old generation of syndicated formats like The Oldies Channel, Z-Rock, Brother Love or Music of Your Life.<br /><br />And as we keep telling them, people won't listen. They will IPod, Internet, hum to themselves or text and talk on cellphones. Wake up, radio...we don't need you anymore. Make us want you again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-49502028136152542422009-05-04T20:41:00.000-04:002009-05-04T20:41:00.000-04:00We are off to a good start with Premium Choice. I...We are off to a good start with Premium Choice. I can hardly wait to see the numbers. Not the shares but the actual numbers of people still listening to the radio. This really is bottom of the line.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com