Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Happy Anniversary to Me

137 comments:

  1. The MTC post of July 17 -- the one about Dan and Jake not going to The Freak -- was my 1,000th post.

    Thank you for shopping at My Ticket Confession.

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  2. The question I have is this:

    I think RADIO listeners will follow a RADIO host into RADIO.

    I think people who are accustomed to STREAMING RADIO will follow a RADIO host into a PODCAST platform.

    My question is:

    What percentage of Ticket listeners are sufficiently comfortable with streaming that they'll easily flip to a Dan + Jake podcast when they're not listening to The Ticket?

    Another:

    Will a delayed-time podcast, even by talented hosts that people like, be more appealing to a radio stream/broadcast listener than a radio-based platform that will give more or less real-time news and reactions?

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    1. I think the delayed time is a big deal. I was trying to get into ranger podcast and you have to time it or what you’re listening to might be a minute point. One cool thing about radio is we are listening as it is live. I do think like everything though I can adjust if I had to.

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  3. For me, I open the app, bad as it is, and listen all day. Mainly for the Musers. I like the sports I get from other shows, better than other stations.

    IF, THL, Invasion, or THZ went to podcast, I would probably not subscribe.

    On the other hand, if the Musers went podcast, I would be dialed in.

    Otherwise, I would listen to the app, just to get my DFW sports fix. I can't listen to the actual radio due to travels. Likely would bail on some segments that aren't sportsy.

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  4. Ultimately, this isn't going to end well for DnJ. They will soon come to regret their "bravery." If you keep up with what's going on in this particular industry on every level, that they've done this is akin to jumping aboard The Titanic. Mark it down.

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  5. I don’t believe there’s a podcast network alone worth ditching your stable job for. It just isn’t a move that you see happening much and we’ve been at peak podcast era for a while now. However, if you listen to The Freak, they will tell you their podcast streams are through the roof and I don’t have a reason to not believe them - iHeart is built to distribute content both terrestrial and via stream. We don’t know where all iHeart promotes these shows, but it’s possible they are able to pull in streaming listeners from areas we wouldn’t expect.

    Personally, I believe Dan and Jake have had their eye on The Freak because I think The Freak will end up being kind of a test station where they will try to go full multimedia and I think Dan and Jake have more ideas for that than most people on the current Freak staff. Not sure how many people here listen to The Freak regularly, but a lot of their content would be more enjoyable if you could be a fly on the wall with them, especially KT’s gameshows.

    If I remember correctly, someone on The Freak has made mention of this before, and I think it’s also why they’re trying to get the studio full of decoration. A bare-ass studio does not look good on camera.

    Imagine introducing a hybrid format, with a monetized subscriber level that is rooted in terrestrial radio but extends to streaming for those who want it. And imagine crippling one of the titans of the region in the process. Especially when that titan also beats multiple other stations you own in the region. What would you pay to make that problem go away?

    WM

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  6. Hey p-man good thoughts. I’ve been thinking similar thoughts with all of this. I’m a creature of habit, I wake up and press play on the app. Get to work, stream through my desktop and unmute when possible til I go home. Then I’ll play sports day app on way home and while I’m getting dinner ready.

    I would not switch to a podcast during the day at work or whatever. I can’t listen that long continually and I just dont care enough to. I’d prob check a podcast out on a road trip or something.

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  7. Me, I frequently stream The Ticket. In the evening, or if I have a particular topic I'm interested in, I'll kick up a (non-sports) podcast. I also frequently listen to -- as opposed to "listen to and watch" -- YouTube videos on topics of interest (for example, during a bike ride or hike). I do not subscribe to any podcasts or YouTube channels.

    I listened to It's Just Banter once, maybe twice. Nothing wrong with it, I just never went back. I've listened to several of Brad C's podcasts, but I haven't tuned in for quite a while. I never checked out Mike R's podcast. Haven't heard a single one of Gordon's non-broadcast projects and I'm an immense Gordon fan.

    If it's free, I'm sure I'll at least check out a Dan + Jake offering. If it's not, then not. And in the last few years, I probably listen to The Hang Zone more than any other Ticket showgram.

    The moral of my story is: I ain't paying.

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  8. I'm a heavy podcast listener in addition to The Ticket -- but I'm not listening to a podcast that produces hours of content each day.

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  9. They’re still working on a deal. That’s something at least.

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  10. So a guy (Corby) who speculates wildly about things for a living asks us not to speculate and "you know nothing".

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  11. Sorry to speculate, but Corby sure didn’t sound hopeful. Sounded like an emotional appeal to DnJ

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  12. I don't have any inside dope, but I've worked on a lot of company-critical deals, and my guess is that EVERYTHING here -- including the resignations, the Cumulus internal memo, the whole schmier, is being driven by lawyers for both sides. That includes brinksmanship moves that look definitive, that look like deal-enders, but aren't.

    Is that happening here? Are negotiations continuing? Of course, I don't know, but my guess is yes. At a minimum, the resignations freed up the lads to at least talk to other potential employers and/or strategic partners and may have been submitted for that purpose, rather than as the final farewell that they LOOKED like. And that Cumulus announcement, at least the one I saw, was an internal memo, and not a public release.

    The lads have now stopped receiving income from Cumulus.

    Cumulus has lost the load-bearing wall of its midday.

    Is there any blinking left to be done and, if so, who will blink?

    And, as I never fail to remind you, Jake+Dan is not a monolithic economic entity. One could make a deal and return to the fold like the Prodigal Son, and the other could roll the dice on non-Ticket prosperity.

    I hear anything, you'll know right away.

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  13. If the Ticket hypothetically ceased to exist tomorrow, the only people I would follow is the Musers. For as long as I've been a P1, in the neighborhood of 23 years now, my interest in any other non-Muser show would be just about zero. I listened to Mike on Vokal, but I'm not up during the Downbeat, and I'm not really interested in whatever they're doing, at least to the point of actively seeking it out.

    I think many people have built routines around the Musers, and their weekly staples are comfortably predictable. They make consumption easy. If THZ bolts to a different medium like a podcast, I really think they'll struggle to find any type of listenership like they have at KTCK. They have the good fortune of being on the same frequency as the Musers. And I don't mind THZ. Sometimes I'll even actively listen like I do with the Musers. But if they leave, they won't be in my routine anymore. And that's nothing personal, but my routine is KTCK 5:30a until at least 12p. I'm not going to download an app to listen to some rebranded version of THZ.

    Their best option is probably the Freak if they can't come to terms at KTCK because they'll get to ride on residual Ticket listeners over there. And the reality is that things just change. If THZ is gone something else will occupy their time. At some point I switched from ESPN radio to KTCK, and with so many options out there I know I'll find something I like. THZ is basically jumping out of the livewell and back into the lake if they leave. Sure I might randomly catch them again sometime, but they'll just be another fish.

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  14. The one thing that made my ears listen closely, Corby, at least twice, alluded to D&J working hard, not just CTO.

    Mentioned above or on another thread, but is there division between D&J? I know, speculation, and I agree with 12:08, being told not to speculate, by he who speculates the most, but to me, it sounded that way.

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  15. I think there is a big difference between OGW leaving the HL and Dan and Jake leaving the Ticket. Without OGW, the HL was still there in some form (meaning Corby and for a while Danny were still there). I know... it hasn't been the real HL since Greggo but there was at least some continuity between main voices. If Dan and Jake actually leave, there is no HZ. Sure, they can restaff with some combination of Mino/Monty/Donny/etc. and call it the HZ but not having any continuity in hosts would be significant.

    I also think that the HZ audience skews younger than the HL and they are more likely to be willing to follow if they go the podcast route. Plus, the logistics of transitioning to podcasting for Dan and Jake would be extremely easy. They own their own equipment, have a dedicated recording space at the Dragon's Den, and have a ready and likely very willing producer/distributor in TC.

    Just a few thoughts. Still holding out some hope.

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  16. I think the hangzone audience does skew younger, but I also think the “I’ll follow yall wherever you go!” Sentiment is probably a little overblown.

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  17. For my Big Brother fans out there, Mino just tweeted out a screenshot from Dan's Funeral. For those who don't know, Dan was an all-time great Big Brother player and this moment was when it looked like for certain he was going to be voted out, so he gathered the house and said his goodbyes and said he was hosting his own funeral. It was part of a plan that miraculously worked and he pulled out the votes to stay and ended up making it to the finale. Not sure exactly how to interpret it in this context but there ya go.

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  18. I don't see any way they keep THZ name or segments. You have to retool. One, it was a horrible show name, as stated on this board when it was released. B, You don't want to take Totally different personalities and shove them into a pre-conceived show. 3, if they did keep the name, those new guys would always be compared to Dan, Jake and Bob partially and will never be taken for what they are.

    Cat is at the poker table, looking at a gut shot straight draw. Take the turn and river, hope it meshes with what's on the table, and hope your opponent doesn't have that one card you might hope is on the river, or fold and take the next hand.

    Hold a good thought for Cat. I respect him, I think he has done a great job, but the main has to be worn out.

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  19. I would not pay to listen to any show on the Ticket. I use the SportsdDay app and already skip thur most of the advertising

    I know it was time for Norm to go but Donnie but will not keep me listening. I am not really sure what he brings to the show that people want to hear. (Good job for making 30 years)

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  20. I listen to a large number of podcasts nowadays. I haven't listened after 12:00 to the ticket in a couple of years other than the odd segment in my car or if I wanted to seek out their take on some sports issue. Most of those podcasts are niche things that I can't get from terrestrial radio. There aren't many radio shows talking about Ancient History, the Napoleonic Period, or any of the other random subjects I find interesting.I do the patreons for several of the podcast I think the most expensive is 10 bucks a month, but again that's for something I can't get any place out and hosted by a scholar of the subject. I would be hard-pressed to pay for any Ticket hos Podcast. Maybe Gordo, but that would be about it. I am not enough of a fan of THZ that I would follow them behind a paywall.

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  21. Cumulus brass should tune in right now, they might be more willing to pony up some cash. Worse than Christmas Drydock.

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  22. Is there a link to Corby’s comments anywhere online?

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  23. Similar habits. Hang Zone is best as a daily, “in the moment” broadcast. I don’t know what niche conversations either host can bring to a podcast. Neither IJB nor Jake are my style, so I am having a hard time envisioning a reason I would tune in to something else they create. Then again, I thought BaD was a superior product to Hang Zone.

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  24. https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2023/07/19/corby-davidson-dan-mcdowell-jake-kemp/

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  25. For those new to My Ticket Confession: "CTO" stands for "Cumulo-Ticket Overlords."

    Speaking of which: For a deal like D+J are proposing that involves an entirely new structure for radio talent, plus a handsome salary, Cumulus corporate is almost certainly involved and probably making the final decisions.

    And probably without much sentimental attachment to either Dan or Jake, and to the extent either come to their attention very often, it is probably for someone complaining about one or the other of them. Although certainly they are aware of the earning power of The Ticket among their large collection of much drearier-performing properties.

    Corby's and Bob's hopeful thinking, in addition to friendship with the lads, has a more pragmatic source: They don't want a weak lead-in to 3:30 p.m.

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  26. Thanks PMan. As a day one MTC, I forget we get new readers.

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  27. Yeah, Scott. I wish Confessors would use fewer initializations. I'm baffled by many of them myself. Maybe I'll start querying posters about the ones I don't know or can't figure out.

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  28. Jake and Dan are about to speak officially for the first time. Before nightfall.

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  29. "about to" or "before nightfall"?

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  30. Donnie and seabass are a brutal combo. All donnie does is scream and overlaugh at everything because all he cares about is wanting everyone to like him. It gives me a headache hearing him scream for 2 hours and I don't blame norm for retiring. Sean brings nothing but muttering

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  31. when/where are they going to speak officially?

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  32. corbett said trust me so you know it's true

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  33. I listen to almost all of The Musers, Hangzone, and Hardline commercial-free recordings via podcast feeds on the West Coast. Usually finish up the Hardline the next morning. Sometimes that ends up being people talking about events that have already concluded, but, as a sports lite P1, I don't mind it much.

    Would happily pay $10-30/month for regular Hangzone podcasts via Patreon or other subscription model, and I'm guessing 5k (?) people would do the same. Forget the ad revenue approach. Most listeners still probably prefer real time and radio, but I'm guessing Hangzone's audience would be the most likely to handle an asynch podcast subscription approach.

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  34. Maybe it is a generational thing but I am not sending D&J a nickel. Certainly not $10-30/month. ($30!?!?!). I get plenty of talk radio & podcasts for free. More than I have time for, frankly. I’ll buy Bob’s substack because that is a value add in addition to the radio show.

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  35. Anyone have any insight why this only comes up with mid-day show? I can’t imagine mid day is paid that terribly? Is Jake paid way less than Dan? We don’t hear about this stuff with any other show

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  36. I would put 98% odds on Jake making significantly less than Dan

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  37. I’m guessing so too, I guess I’m just trying to see why we only hear about it with this time slot

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  38. " Is Jake paid way less than Dan? We don’t hear about this stuff with any other show"

    Dan's been doing his job for 25 years. Jake for 3. I would assume they are both paid proportionally for their level of experience.

    On the other shows, they've all been hosts for the same time and probably make similar salaries.

    Except for Davey who's probably ust happy to have a stable day job again.

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  39. I mean right. So is Jake wanting to be paid closer to Dan despite less years as host? Is Dan wanting drive time money? I know I’m being judgemental but both seem to be not hurting.

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  40. Jake has never been shy about shouting from the mountain tops that he feels he is underpaid/undervalued. It was a running theme on his IJB podcast for a few years. Granted, that was when he was a producer, but that chip on his shoulder seems to live on despite what seems to be a very comfortable lifestyle with his lake house and what not.

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  41. 5:03
    In an entertainment field years of experience doesn't and should not have any bearing on who makes more. Jake is worth whatever he can extract from Cumulus management based on reaching agreement that both sides think is equitable. If they cant agree then he walks. Years are irrelevant but perceived impact to the bottom line is what matters.

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  42. Player empowerment movement I guess

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  43. Official comments may be pushed to tomorrow now, but they will be coming very soon.

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  44. It may surprise you but wives can now have successful careers and bring home some serious cheddar

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  45. The fact that they are still listed on the website tells me nothing is set in stone yet. At least that's a clear indication from my profession

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  46. ha have you seen their website? it still has the Orphanage on it!
    https://www.theticket.com/shows/the-orphanage/

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  47. Yeah….never trust their shit website…

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  48. Did DnJ make some sort of statement? If so, anyone know the gist of it?

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  49. OK, folks, listen up:

    I haven't been able to listen today, so all my news comes from this thread, but:

    Based on my experience in dealing with teetering deals:

    If D+J were GOING to make a statement today, but did NOT make a statement,

    THAT MEANS EITHER, POSSIBLY BOTH:

    (1) Their lawyer told them not to be composing statements that might screw up anything that's going on,

    (2) Their lawyer told them not to be composing statements that might queer any litigation between the parties (unlikely), OR

    (3) Any information that they have regarding the status of matters at this time is on the brink of being tossed into a cocked hat by developments that are likely to take place at a later time, like maybe the next day or so.

    In other words, them putting off a statement, if that is what has happened, is probably a good sign.

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  50. He gets a lot of shit and sometimes deservedly so, but I thought Corby was great this afternoon. He spoke from the heart and even gave everyone some hope. In no way did he have to do that. But he did and he did it well.

    I think the only thing anyone got right in here, period, was that this is contract related. But that's where it begins and ends. I"m still not convinced that "no it's real" missive from Dan Bennett is genuine. At this juncture, I'm starting to believe nothing other than there's a contract dispute going on is real. And that all the breaking news on various outlets was merely one outlet wanting to be first going ahead and running with something that may or may not be exactly what they've been led to believe it is -- once published, other outlets immediately followed.

    Let's hope THZ is back on come Monday. Or whenever. Just as long as it's back on TT.

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    1. The DMN article cited a Ticket spokesman confirming they have resigned. That definitely happened. Doesn’t mean they can’t be let back in if they come to terms.

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  51. TBH I'm so worn out by this that I no longer care if they stay or go. Bet I'm not alone.

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  52. Breaking news at 11:30 pm

    https://twitter.com/NotJackKemp/status/1681882418733522947?s=20

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  53. Good news, good news, good news
    That's all they wanna hear
    No, they don't like it when I'm down
    But when I'm flying, oh, it make 'em so uncomfortable
    So different, what's the difference?

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  54. Idk if that is good news lol

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  55. Am I the only one who would actually enjoy a Monty / anyone else midday show? I mean, Dan's a funny guy, but oh well. And Jake? Almost worthless at midday (quite good on Cowboys pre and post, though). But hell, it's midday. People work when Dan and Jake are on the air. It's no big deal.

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    1. Surely you’re not the only one, but this is still a terrible, if not disingenuous, opinion.

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  56. He's gone. I don't know about Dan. If anyone knows what Jake is all about they would know that he wouldn't post something that is so emotional to him if he wasn't leaving the place where he basically grew up. That is his cryptic but emotional farewell note.

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  57. Yeah, I feel like I jumped the gun at being excited

    :(

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    1. Another 15 year old. What happened to this place? Did reddit stop allowung cimments? So weird, this usung the term "old" perjoratively. Again, that's the stuff of a freshman in high school. It'd be almost funny if it wasn't so sad.

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  59. Jake is not "worthless" but I think it's possible to both appreciate how hard he works and prepares and also not completely enjoy him as a radio listen. I like him but I think Dan and Monty would not miss a beat

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  60. Just not a big Monty fan.

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  61. Being an old man myself, Jake appears to be the typical 30-something who may “work hard” but believes he should be “paid” after working < 5 years in a corporate gig. His agent needs to remind him he’s on a 3-hour midday talk show for a company with a stock price less than $5.

    Jake seriously, with two small kids at home, you could take a page from The Musers who have busted it for 20+ years working an impossible schedule (with barely any complaining). “Work hard” for a decade at least before attempting to flex for more $$$.

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    1. Not sure if that's how the entertainment biz works. That is the biz they are in.

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  62. They've gotta go. I don't see a way for Cumulus to make them happy long-term unless there's an agreement that the Musers will be retiring at some point in the near future and THZ will be their successor. But I don't see that likely so whatever comes up during negotiations would just be a bandaid and they will go through this contract dispute again in the future. This is the end, it was a good run but time to move on!

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  63. Would Jake, (3 yrs experience), have the leverage to hold out, if his partner wasn't Dan(30+ yrs experience)? I like Jake, but I'd hardly call him a veteran, as a host.

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  64. These last few comments are why I started shopping elsewhere besides MTC a few years ago. I'll never understand the need of some to denigrate others, especially those of which they have no first hand knowledge.

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    1. Let me know when you find the nice part of the internet. Not sure where you're going because the Subreddit is a trash fire.

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  65. When a stock price is involved, Cumulus Mary and the corporate types only care about the bottom line. If the entertainment biz was #1, Cumulus stock would not be sub-$5.

    In the tea corporate world, Cumulus Mary and her cronies control when folks such as Rhyner and Norm “retire”.

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  66. Oops, in this corporate world…not “tea”, sorry.

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  67. I’m kinda over it. They make good money, should they make more? Idk, may be. But they aren’t hurting. The P1’s that love and support you want you on the ticket.

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  68. Resignations tend to happen at the end of a process, not the beginning. Corporate folks don’t tend to forget such actions.

    I can only hope these guys had another gig lined up before resigning. Otherwise, they both may wind up like the great TC Fleming…who by the way left The Ticket (and got fired), was welcomed back and then left again. Jake seems to be following in TC’s suicidal-type corporate succession plan.

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  69. well, whenever you have the opportunity to go with management over talent/labor some people always have to go with management.

    it's literally the best negotiating time for them as a show, especially if they are going to take over the 10-3 timeframe.

    but sure, let's jump exclusively on the young guy and ignore that he is negotiating as a team with the older guy whose been in this market for 24 years and on the radio for even longer.

    comparing Jake to The Musers is funny in and of itself. do you not think they have been making a ton of money for two decades? how do you think they got there? hint: it wasn't taking the 3% increase y/o/y that you seem to think is reasonable. they negotiated hard. they won.

    also, i will happily use the term "old" pejoratively when it's deserved. in this case, it is. if he's so "useless" as a host why didn't the CTO replace him years ago? why didn't they let him work out his 2 weeks and wave goodbye to him?

    if you think the ticket is going to be better off ratings wise with the great donovan + ??? then WIP or some other rando show i will happily show contempt for people being old. it's a bad take.

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  71. Not one comment. Again, ZERO, has said anything to the effect of wishing Greggo was back. Not one comment. Again, ZERO, have, said anything about wanting things to stay static other than the overwhelming majority hoping THZ stay, much less wishing they could turn back time. Where are you getting your information? What have you read here that puts such inane thoughts into your head? Why are you obssessed with age? What, exactly, is your understanding of "the real world"? Most importantly, did you take your meds this morning?

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  72. who wants Greggo back?

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  73. The phrase “(fill in name) busted his ass” keeps showing up in Reddit and now this thread. It was Sirois when people were calling for Norm’s retirement. Now Jake….as though their hard work necessitated a host position and/or raise. There are few hosting jobs in big markets. FEW hosting jobs likely making huge incomes. No idea what any of them make…no idea how the industry works. But the attitude that anyone deserves X because they worked hard isn’t they way most of life works. If they are truly worth the financial demands, then Cumulus will probably pay them. Otherwise? Lots of other hard workers out there waiting to transform the world with their creative talents.

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  74. i'd like greggo back

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  75. > But the attitude that anyone deserves X because they worked hard isn’t they way most of life works. If they are truly worth the financial demands, then Cumulus will probably pay them. Otherwise? Lots of other hard workers out there waiting to transform the world with their creative talents.

    if Cumulus thinks they are so easy to replace, without impacting ratings, why didn't they pick any of the other hard workers out there yet? there must be a ton of them just waiting for their chance to slot into the ticket since per so many people the draw is the ticket exclusively and not the hosts.

    people thinking that just about anyone can jump in and get #1 ratings for their daypart is incredible. if any of this was the case then Cumulus, who is losing money everywhere, would have dumped Corby/Danny, kept BaD Radio together and replaced the drive time show with people who were MUCH cheaper.

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    1. At least you used the conditional "if." It's a start......

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  77. Come on, men and women.

    Just got done dumping a bunch of posts. Probably should have dumped more. Don't leave a comment asking why your comment was dumped.

    Summarizing:

    Some people want Dan and Jake back, some think they're overrated and don't care, some don't like them at all.

    Some people like Monty/Mino/other JV, others don't.

    Some people think Jake is adequately compensated and surely must have received a good offer from Cumulus, others don't.

    Some people think there's still a chance they'll return to The Ticket, others don't.

    Some people think Dan is a genius, others think he's a bog.

    The only subject on which I don't see much disagreement is over whether Donovan Lewis and Sean Bass would be a good pairing, the consensus being: no.

    Please don't make me shut off comments on one of the more critical topics this site has ever hosted. Usually comments on this site don't turn into a flame war, so I let some stuff slide now and then. But I was very disappointed in what I saw when I got up this morning.

    Write your comments like your mum was looking over your shoulder.

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  78. Ha! The Pman has not changed. Decorum is still expected around here.

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  79. I second that, Wut.

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  80. Norm's podcast coming soon. I'll give it a listen and decide.

    https://twitter.com/NormsClubhouse/status/1682062589163872257

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  81. Page 2 is worth a read
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/threads/dallas-ft-worth-radio-ratings-june-2023.765342/

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  82. It's impressive how a well thought out post can lose all credibility with one idiotic buzz word.

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  83. 141, that's all it takes to get bounced.

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  84. A reminder: It will make your comment remarking on a prior comment more understandable if you identify the prior comment and, if possible, quote from or summarize the part of that comment to which you are responding.

    It's not a requirement around here, but, speaking for myself, if I see a comment that is obviously responding to something five+ comments earlier -- and, with comments arriving at the speed they are on these recent threads, that's a frequent occurrence -- unless it's clear what's being addressed I skip it except to skim for bounce-worthy locutions.

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  85. This isn't feeling good. I think if either side was gonna budge it would have happened by now. I guess I'll give it through the weekend before I really get sad tho

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  86. Gordo posted on the Twitters that there will be a Twitch stream tonight at 7:35pm and says "(might be a little rough)"

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  87. I'm agnostic on whether a deal will or won't be done, but I don't view the passage of time as meaningful in the analysis at this point.

    Remember: Dan and Jake have nothing to do. Maybe they're trying to line something up while negotiations continue, maybe they're not, but they do not have a deadline. Neither does Cumulus.

    It takes a long time for one side in a major business negotiation to (1) craft an offer/counteroffer (they're all counteroffers at this point) or (2) consider a counteroffer made by the other side. There are lawyers on both sides who look at this stuff with excruciating care. And in Cumulus's case, there are numerous parties to consult -- Cat, Bennett, and whoever is showrunning this at Cumulus HQ. It wouldn't shock me if Cat consults with Craig Miller and Bob Sturm, possibly Corby, possibly Donovan, as to what would be palatable to the rest of the hosts. In D+J's case, I would expect that their families are part of the conversation in addition to lawyers, and perhaps other industry consultants.

    Of course, Dan and Jake themselves are talking this over and certainly taking an active role in responses to Cumulus. And it is not beyond imagining that they may be disagreeing with one another, and that takes time, too. Both are headstrong and smart, and Dan in particular has been known to pick nits.

    All of the people who have to agree ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER means there may be some internal negotiation on each side, which may also slow matters. There may only be one counteroffer per day, and there can be lots of counteroffers before someone blinks and says, OK, I can live with that.

    Here's another thing that takes time: Once general terms are agreed, that handshake agreement has to be reduced to a definitive written employment or other kind of engagement agreement (perhaps, in this case, with some intellectual property licensing involved) and THAT takes time, and THAT document is then gone over with a fine-toothed comb in which other areas of disagreement might be identified and new drafts exchanged.

    Look, this is basically a strike, or holdout if you will (not clear whether their existing contracts had expired at the time of their resignation). There may be distrust mixed in with disagreement on some of these material terms. It should not be surprising that, even if negotiations are making progress, it is taking a long time.

    By the same token, talks could break off permanently at any moment.

    Which is why I don't think the passage of time should make us either optimistic or pessimistic.

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  88. At this juncture, all bets are off. Nothing will surprise me. And I mean nothing: THZ has a deal in place with TF or TFAN or something/somewhere else and is waiting to see if a last minute match and/or exceed deal is brought to the table by Cumulus; THZ returns on Monday; ONE of THZ members returns on Monday; or even THZ returns on Monday and we have a reconfigured/shuffling of the decks lineup.

    Relatedly. For the past week and a 1/2 I've been paying close attention to TSE and TDB. As far as I've heard, and it's been a healthy dose, Rhyner has refrained from even obliquely referring to this situation. Same with TSE. Danny, only in that he said he wasn't surprised because of his firsthand knowledge of the dry dock process and how long THZ had been gone (which tells you he might listen to a lot of Ticket). Sirois, he just can't seem to help himself -- that dude. Some people have a difficult time not baring their ass at all times, and I'll leave it at that.

    Oh, happy to see Plainsman stepping in and cleaning house. I hope all the shitters have gotten their fill and have moved on. That was becoming unbearable.

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  89. Darren 1:24

    I saw that this morning and was rather shocked by it. Nice to hear a little inside baseball on the whole eagle situation.

    That board has been strangely silent on this matter. They don't talk much about the talk radio side of the market but contract talk is a thing there. Interesting.

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  90. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  91. I've commented here before. I bartend at a wateringhole that has become a home away from home of sorts for a couple of Freak hosts. I've also served nearly every Ticket host, Tickerperson, producer and board op over the years except Bob and Dan and few other non tier 1s. I hear things. Sometimes I'm even told things. From what I hear Corby told the truth yesterday about none of us knowing the real story. That's all I'll say on it. Really that's about all I know.

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  92. I really like Jake. He's the future of the station and he is a man of principle, clearly. But a part of me feels if Cumulus acquiesced and gave him everything he asked for, in two years, he would just be disgruntled again. He strikes me as the personality type that would never be happy.

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  93. 330, are we thinking that the story is significantly different than that sketched out in the Dan Bennett internal memo? Which, concededly, was not very detailed, but it at least took a position on where the parties differed.

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  94. I share your feelings about Jake. He did this last year to lesser extent

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  95. I think saying “they’ll never be happy” about someone who has been open about their struggles with depression and anxiety is incredibly shitty.

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  96. And I think tyou're grandstanding a bit, Surly.

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  97. They're gone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7RcRO2v_cY

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  98. That video…was very odd to me. I know Dan is the always joking guy but it felt very much like Jake was very torn up by it and Dan was just “ha let’s leave.” Idk, I wonder if they’re being genuine in “we don’t know what we’ll do now” kinda doubt it.

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    1. Jake definitely looked torn and tried to be serious, and Dan was the complete opposite. I hope Jake’s commitment to Dan is really what he wants. They definitely didn’t look like a united front, but more of a “I’m going to trust you” type thing in that video.

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    2. Ya that’s what I thought too. Seemed like Dan has been through this for 20+ years and is kinda over it. Jake didn’t exactly seem that way, but that he would stick with Dan because he’s kinda his mentor. Idk. If I’m a HZ P1, that gave me some questionable vibes.

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  99. is this about money? not directly, but ultimately, in a round about way.

    no, this is about ownership and not having to "work for the man".

    They want something more. Something Cumulus simply can't abide by, and I suspect in time what that is will come out in the wash and any general P1 who cares to really understand what's happening will be able to see it from both sides.

    No one is really wrong here. Each side has a reasonable position as it relates to them. This really comes down to the two of them deciding if they want to be their own boss, and the inherent risk of that - or answer to a radio corp that generally sucks (as they all do) but benefit from the relative security that is the 'nurturing bosom' that we all know it to be.

    It appears they'll pick the former and then will begin the great watch of who ends up eating crow.

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  100. The video is pretty weird. I agree with the other posts here saying that it seems like Jake’s going along with this more out of a ‘ride or die’ attitude than truly believing it’s the right move.

    Also, I’m 99% sure the person in the background who corrected their spelling of ‘occasion’ was Cash Sirois and this was filmed at Well Creative (Cash’s company). If so, that would certainly put the Freak rumor mill into overdrive.

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    1. I'm now sold on the idea this has been in play for a year plus, and they're simply doing exactly as Baylis did.

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  101. Wow.

    (1) Dan looks good. SOTA should post this video somewhere.

    (2) Only Dan could bog his own goodbye video.

    More later if I can get through it.

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  102. Jake’s not a hostage. He could have taken any deal with Cumulus, then they would have paired him with Donovan and kept 12-3 going. He would rather be with Dan.

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  103. (3) I'm about six minutes into it. It sounds like they have no idea what they're going to do.

    (4) If this is their off-the-cuff conversation on a topic of this importance, it's not exactly what I'd call a great audition for a paid podcast.

    I gotta get back to what I was doing. I'll try to catch the rest of this later.

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  104. Those are exactly the kind of statements they replay on their show and make fun of

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  105. That video seems pretty definitive that they are gone. I’m confused now about the Cobra’s statement yesterday in light of that video. They don’t seem to match up with D&J’s explanation. I don’t see any room in that video for they are stilling trying to get this done.

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  106. Idk what it is but that video just rubbed me the wrong way. Joking during their negotiations, Dan being so jovial while Jake is kinda having a rough go. I know thats their personalities but still. Seems like Dan headed this up. Acting like they don’t know how a podcasts works. Goodness.

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    1. Dan loving the attention from Twitter too

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    2. Hope he’s enjoying it. He may very well be at his peak relevance.

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  107. Over it. Time to move past the melodrama.

    Mino, Monty time?

    Let's worry about those that are here

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  108. At this point, if they aren’t headed to The Freak they’re in for a rude awakening. They can’t go it alone with what they offer. They need iheartradio money to compensate for the loss of Cumulus money.

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  109. Haven't put up a new post this fast in months, probably years.

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  110. I haven’t watched the video yet, but from reading the comments, I think all signs point to one thing: they have a deal with the Freak. Probably not papered, but iHeart made an offer that Cumulus is unwilling to touch.

    That explains the “eff it” attitude. It’s why they aren’t acting like an interested party in terms of negotiations with Cumulus. They’re going through the motions with zero interest or reason to compromise, because they have a killer deal in their pocket. They put a gun to Cumulus’s head and said, hey, feel free to match this, but don’t look to us to bend even an inch in your direction.

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  111. Geez Louise, the angst and drama over the employment status of 2 radio talkers that are the most inconsequential “hosts” on the little Ticket is mind boggling. In this case, next man up to entertain the noon to 3 humans that have had at least 4 different “hosts” in this time slot since the late 90’s.

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  112. Twitch wasn't around the last time. Or at least none of them were on it talking about the process.

    It's going to be weird at Cowboys Camp.

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  113. 8:00. I think a lot more of the under 40 crowd related to the hang zone much more than other shows. No need to squat on them. The show maybe wasn't for you but many of us connected with it in ways you don't get. Jake was an easy guy to understand for a guy in his late 30s, as I am. Losing that voice sucks. Dan was his own thing, reminded me of the comedy I grew up on.

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  114. This is all likely a subconscious revenge play on dans part. Think he was heartbroken when he got left behind. That’s one of the worst feelings there is and he’s making sure he’s doing the leaving now.

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