A home for those who love almost everything about The Ticket (1310 AM, 96.7 FM, Dallas-Fort Worth), and who would like to discuss -- respectfully and fondly -- their thoughts on how (and whether) to eliminate the "almost."
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Stuff Like This Keeps Cat and Dan Bennett Up at Night. Well, Maybe Just Cat.
Confessors, apologies. Blogger has improved itself into near-unusability. I had a sentence or two of commentary to add to that non-link -- hypertext seems to be beyond Blogger's capacity at this time -- but the editor no longer recognizes line breaks. I'll keep working on it.
You'll have to cut-and-paste that link. Interesting.
@ 6:57 Anonymous: were you the same anon who implied back on Jan. 24 that a Musketeer will leave between March 21 and June 21? If so, why not spill why Craig is leaving as that is the obvious choice?
I don't have any specific information. I'm getting some rumbles -- both from observers and from my own listening -- that Cumulus may be making its presence felt in ways that long-time Ticketeers find discomfiting.
Very much the same kind of speculation as on Mike R's departure.
@Plainsman, BINGO. I get the same feeling when I listen. No matter what one thinks of THL and THZ, they are going nowhere. As to DnM and NaD, I sense major changes coming soon. Evidently Norm's health is worrisome. Whatever is going on right now (cancer related or not I've no idea) is concerning enough for Sirois and Jer to put out the call for listener atta boys/you got this/get well soon/we're with you messages to be sent Norm's way. I sure hope he's going to be OK. I'm a Norm guy. Love him. Regardless, either due to health or other considerations, NaD, I would think, is not long for the station. However, for all you Sirois fans, don't assume Bewm is the default move. Don't assume that for one second. In all likelihood you'll end up sorely disappointed. As far as DnM goes, I'm just gonna flat out say it: The Musers are stale beyond stale. I'm talking 2009-2019 Checked Out Mike Hardline stale. They have been for a long while. The constant futurist segments aren't helping, that's for certain. Hell, it's so bad that even Fake Jerry has lost his edge. Don't know about anyone else, but I find myself flipping channels more often than not. My dial used to be Gorilla Glued onto 1310/96.7 from 6 to 10 am. Not no more.
This truly is a dying genre in a biz that is rapidly and drastically changing. The salary situation from 6-10am alone is, again in this climate, unsustainable.
I'd lay any amount on a major shakeup to occur before the end of May.
Seems to me, even before the pandemic, Craig grabbed the reins of the show and George has become a passenger. I think George is ready to pack it in. That's just the vibe I get.
Jubjub still has a kid in college so I doubt he's leaving unless it's to become the full time PA announcer for all of UNT athletics while he starts his side hustle of being the NTX mountain lion king.
Ok, the riddles are wearing me out. I'm out in this discussion. Not like my opinions or desires will impact anything anyway. Just ready for some plain talk. I'll return when that's a thing again.
Pretty plain to my eyes, hot shot. Looks like big change(s) on the horizon for 1310 and someone claims to have inside info on it but either doesn't know for sure, doesn't know all the details, and/or doesn't want to reveal too much lest they out themselves to um, like, their employer (Cumulus?). Or it's someone who's full of shit. Then again, Plainsman -who isn't full of shit- said even he's heard some faint rumblings and that the aurals and optics of late indicate something might be afoot.
What do you want? "Hey all I'm Inside Info Guy and here's what's about to happen." Fat chance.
OK just my HSO with, I hope a little common sense. Opinions vary on which shows are good and which are not; these are mostly a matter of taste. I thought the Mike and Corby Hardline was stale for years, but think the Musers are fresh as the new fallen snow. Not everyone would agree. Probably what matters the most to the KTCK overlords is 1. ratings/ad revenue. 2. If they have a replacement they think would be better. This is the catch...even if Cat thinks the Musers are washed up, he really can't make a move, unless there is a replacement that he feels will be better. Also, said replacement must work from a salary/contract perspective as well. I can't imagine where something like that may materialize but people smarter than me get paid to figure this stuff out.
Again, look to the move that occurred one year ago. A move that, while in part unpopular (THL2.0) with the reddit crowd, has proven to be pretty damn smart. The numbers don't lie. Are there things (especially re: THL) I'd like to see improve? Yes. THL intro/beginning segment is beyond lazy; it engenders zero excitement, zero goosebumps, zero "I can't wait to get rolling, let's f***ing go!" feelings. Once upon a time in a Ticket far far away the THL did just that. They need to find their way back to the heart (to quote a great song from a shitty band).
If big change is heading The Ticket's way, I'll guarantee it'll be an in-house move a la BaD/THL/Jake. I agree with the notion that Sirois as Varsity host is a no-go. I can think of several reasons why, but none of them are too flattering so I'll keep them to myself. I'd look for either someone (Jub?) to partner with Donnie or a Muser leaving with Donnie as the replacement. Don't rule out either a restructuring of the daily programming schedule/timeframe for each show (perhaps no 10-noon, more on this below) or a 10-12 show comprised of "left field" in-house talent. Hello, ESPN emigres (just sayin', don't be shocked).
Surly is correct: The Musers are beyond stale. The Musers also are no longer the juggernaut they once were. NaD is in a state of flux. Norm's health and their back to reality numbers do not bode well for the show. There's also the fact that it's a two hour program. I highly doubt Norm and Donnie are getting paid part-tine wages. So there's a cost/bang for the buck factor here. My guess is that any major changes will come with a realignment of the daily programming schedule. I can see the morning show ending at 9, which in turn would mean all shows are now 3-4 hours long, which in turn would mean more bang for the buck where late-mornings are concerned. I can, to reiterate from above, see a scenario where there is no longer a late morning show. Perhaps the day begins at 6am and ends at 6pm: 6-10/10-2/2-6? This is how many talk stations operate. Please bear in mind that talk radio (incuding sports/guy) in particular and the radio business in general is going through massive changes. The cost cutting, salary shedding, realinging/restructuring, and (waning) public appetite all come into play here. The Ticket, as successful as it's been/is, is not immune to these very real, universal determinates.
Oh, one more thing: I know we're just speculating here. But it's what we do at MTC. Moreover, either via gut feeling/eardrum test or a genuine insider, our gut feelings/ears and inside info has proven to be spot-on or damn near so on several occasions over lo these many years. I've heard Corby say several times that only one person guessed Bob as Mike's replacement, and Danny claims no one in his world did. Well, an insider on this very blog laid down a cryptogram that absolutely told us Bob was it. And yeah, that cryptogram was posted a good week before the announcement.
What keeps Catman of the Americas up at night? Podcasts. Perhaps Norm is a luddite, but his style of sports talk predates (and likely will postdate) Ticket schtick. My listening habits changed right before COVID. I was late to the game on podcasts (luddite myself, perhaps?), but found that I enjoyed choosing what I listened to more than Gordon's tired Jerry imitations, Craig's takes on technology, and George's crash into old man opinions/emotion. These guys have been amazing for a LONG time. More creative than any of my professional endeavors. Everything has an expiration date. Even Norm (though I believe his style is more enduring than any other host's save for Bob). Yes, the Ticket crew "aged" with their audience. The problem is their kick-ass stories became old after being repeated ad nauseam. Rhynes lost his curveball after his stories of his youth could be repeated by any P1. Hard to live an intriguing life the whole way, through. I hate the Hardline. Corby is the single luckiest broadcaster, ever. He seems like a nice guy but possesses NOTHING of interest: not sports, not music, not "film." I don't care about his lack of preparation or whatever the common complaints are-he presents nothing compelling. Bob has been dulled by his empty-headed show colleagues. Hang Zone is the only show I see trying trying to keep things current. Even then, I am likelier to choose a podcast. Does anyone really think the older guys will simply agree to change shifts? I think it likelier they simply all get out at the same time. They put in their time, made a bunch of money, and can bail now as things fall apart in radio. Plus, if anyone really wanted to hang this station, they simply pull "old" audio. Lousy career to be getting into. I resubmit for the approval of all an idea I floated years ago: have a guys night out; at the roundtable, all the guys have a final few words, "No funeral;" have Jer play the sound of a shotgun...station goes off air. Like viewers in the movie, The Truman Show, EVERYONE will find something else to do, and the Ticket will fall into a distant memory.
The two-thirds of your analysis is solid, Celery. It, however, falls apart in the final third. They already have changed shifts, agreed to take on additional partners (Norm with Donnie and de facto cohosts like Corby (Hardline prior to GW's departure), Jake (with BaD), and Danny (beginning a few years ago). The exit scenario you posit would make a kick ass Hollywood, bittersweet ending. But it's pure fantasy, and of the highest order.
You have to keep in mind that any idea of the hosts being in the driver's seat/calling the shots and whatnot is no longer a reality in this business. As such, if asked to shuffle, they absolutely will--they will, that is, if they wish to retain their quite cushy jobs, salaries, and the lifestyle/minor celebrity with all the perks that come along with it.
To All: I really have not listened much since Mike retired, but I my last listen was Normathon as like you, it could be his last one.
That said, in the last three weeks, Cumulus has reported their numbers from Q4 and for 2020 and like most radio companies, it was not good at all. iHeart, Entercom, and Cumulus are in the same waters with varying holes in their ships.
Their revenue was off nearly 27% for the year and down 13% in Q4. Remember this was a presidential election year too but no NCAA tournament hurt too since they own Westwood One.
Here’s the text from Radioink.com (pay attention to the last line as that likely means salaries for both sales and especially on-air talent): “And for the entire year, that will be remembered for a pandemic, more than anything else, Cumulus revenue was off by 26.7%. On the positive side, each quarter seems to be doing better than the previous quarter for Cumulus, digital revenue is up and podcasting is growing. Excluding political Cumulus would have been down over 17%. The company took in a record $14.3 million in political in the 4th quarter, compared to only $3 million in the 4th quarter of 2019. For the full year, Cumulus took in $26.3 million in political revenue. Digital was up 11.3% in Q4. CEO Mary Berner said podcasting now makes up 40% of Cumulus’ digital revenue line. She did not specify how much revenue podcasting was pulling in other than to say she expects steady and profitable growth to continue in that division. However, the Cumulus earnings release showed $24 million in Q4 digital. 40% of that total would be $9.6 million. In 2020 over 1 Billion podcasts in the Westwood One Podcast Network were downloaded, a 40% increase over 2019. The company slashed $143 million in expenses in 2020, at least $30 million of that will be permanent.” https://radioink.com/2021/02/23/cumulus-q4-revenue-declines-13-1/
@Celery, podcasting and its revenue was heavily mentioned in their Q4 call which can be read here. https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2021/02/23/cumulus-media-inc-cmls-q4-2020-earnings-call-trans/
Could Craig's discussions about the Future is Faster than you think be telegraphing his own retirement from the Ticket? Retirement - The Future is Faster than You Think
Can we stop pretending that the new Hardline is any kind of quality radio? Sorry not sorry. Cmon Cat, admit the mistake, pick up the pieces and move on. Unlistenable in its current form.
You might not like the new HL, I might not like the new HL; and yet the numbers are stronger than ever. So, good luck getting Cat to believe he made a mistake. The noon to 7 numbers are as a whole better than ever. I'd just stop listening if I were you. The next time THL changes, it'll be because there is no longer a HL. Such a thing would most likely mean that The Ticket is either in its very last days or it's gone kaput.
804: As 1044 said, one may dislike the Hardline. I can understand it -- it's a unique-sounding show, and if it doesn't hit your ear right, this site respects that.
Me -- I like it a lot. It is so much better than before Mike clomped his way out that door down the hall. Corby may be lucky -- anyone who gets picked to work at the Ticket may be so regarded -- but the guy put in some considerable years of toiling in the fever swamps of The Ticket in utterly nameless and thankless roles before he circumstances allowed him a bigger role with Mike and Greg. Kind of like Justin Montemayor and David Mino have done, T.C. Fleming before them. They work hard for nothing, then get some breaks with more airtime. I think he's stepped up his game -- he's never going to be the king of preparation -- and the teaming with Bob works for me.
And I like Bob, always have. He's got his quirks, but quirks are what make that station. His sports-talk is always worth hearing, and I think the teaming with Corby is fine.
Danny -- always fun. I am concerned about his health -- his voice is sounding progressively worse. But he's an enjoyable team member and he and Corby don't gang up on Bob the way they used to patronize and torture Mike.
While I'm on the subject, I like The Hang Zone (poor name choice) too. I'd been advocating the breakup of Bob and Dan for a long time, and its accomplishment has been a triple-net plus for the station.
P1s, help me out here: What am I supposed to find funny about the way Blake says "back"? Why am I supposed to find it funny when they splice him saying "back" into a song?
Ratings are up. See the reddit site. The short of it is, The Ticket absolutely killed it. The only show that wasn't #1 was NaD, and even it was far ahead of The FAN show in its timeframe.
Man one of the post game show hosts sounds absolutely hammered tonight on the Mavs Pacers post game show. Not going to name names but one of the 3 had too many craft beers then hosted the post game show.
I've no idea. Asking out of ignorance. Honestly, the Saturday lineup is now a mystery to me. Sunday, I got down: Elf, WiP, JaM, and then we go national. Saturday, I'm clueless. Hope CF is still a thing, as I like both Ty and Eli. OK, I do know one thing. There's a new early a.m. sports medicine show. Other than that and the sometimes CdS and sometimes KA (soccer) shows, I've got no idea about CF or even the TeeBox.
Not sure why the hourly interns keep bowin' their chest out about market share. A majority market share is nothing to brag about in an company who's revenues are down almost 30% yr-pver-yr, in the dying terrestrial radio industry.
Anonymous Ron said... Dallas Morning News story about Danny's new venture:
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/now-that-they-have-plan-commissions-blessing-danny-balis-and-jess-barr-detail-their-plans-for-the-perfect-dive-bar.html/ January 25, 2013 at 3:48 PM
Anonymous said... Anon Ron, you just beat me to the punch! Danny is gone from THL. No ifs ands or buts January 25, 2013 at 3:50 PM
Anonymous said... I don't care what Danny says in the article. He might think he can do both (and want to open up additional bars...btw, Danny, better walk before you run), but if want's to be successful, he's gonna learn in quick order this first bar, alone, will take up all of his time. Right now, he's either purposely not being truthful or he's living in a fantasy land. Because the way he and his partner seem to have put it, this is their baby, and they're doing it themselves. Even if they have investors, it matters not. Investors are...investors. They invest to earn a nice return, not to work for the investment. Write it down, Danny will come on air no later than September and announce that he's leaving THL because he realizes that his business is one that requires attention 24/7. I do wish him the best, though. January 25, 2013 at 3:58 PM
Anonymous said... Gotta love this place. Constantly predicting things that never happen while ignoring comments from the people actually involved. January 25, 2013 at 7:04 PM
Anonymous said... @7:04 You must have some sort of cognitive and-or psychological deficiency. It's the only rational explanation as to why you would constantly read a blog and its comment sections, make your own comments, and yet claim the blog is always wrong, ever inane. Seek help. January 25, 2013 at 7:32 PM
Anonymous said... To add. This is a fan site of a particular radio station. Discussing the happenings, the potential happenings, and even, holy smokes prepare yourself jack a, S P E C U L A T I O N on what might happen will and does occur. The fact that you seem to have not figured this out yet only provides further evidence of your cognitive-psychological deficiency. Again, seek help. If not for your own good, for the good of society as a whole. Personally, I don't care to have my tax dollars help foot the bill for your extended stay in a state mental facility. So get your ship righted before it comes to that. January 25, 2013 at 7:36 PM
Good stuff, Surly. Btw, how you feeling about the new hoops hire?
Have to say the final comment (1/25/13) is right on the mark. At least the gist of its sentiment.
@Princess Dumpy and 4/4-848 anon: Have to say that the anon is correct in as far as pre-COVID Dingu's lifestyle goes. Not sure how the anon "knows," but pre-COVID I was a far too regular, regular, at a certain establishment that happened to be Dingu's home away from home too. Let's just say that we were both LATE night people. Will say that while I've had a couple of interfacings with him over the years, I don't know him at all nor consider him an acquaintance. Just two dudes who happened to have hung out at the same place for a long time. Always seemed like a nice guy though.
While listening to Danny's story and leading up to what he named the baby, am I the only one surprised (disappointed, maybe) that he didn't name little dingu "Carter"?
Confessors, apologies. Blogger has improved itself into near-unusability. I had a sentence or two of commentary to add to that non-link -- hypertext seems to be beyond Blogger's capacity at this time -- but the editor no longer recognizes line breaks. I'll keep working on it.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to cut-and-paste that link. Interesting.
Nice redhead today, P-MAN!
ReplyDeleteGrab hold and clench 'em tight, fellas and felines. Shit's about to get real again.
ReplyDelete6:57
ReplyDeleteIs this a bit?
Would not surprise me if things got real.
ReplyDeleteWild guess, with no inside information whatsoever:
Musers.
I shall inquire.
@ 6:57 Anonymous: were you the same anon who implied back on Jan. 24 that a Musketeer will leave between March 21 and June 21? If so, why not spill why Craig is leaving as that is the obvious choice?
ReplyDeleteI don't have any specific information. I'm getting some rumbles -- both from observers and from my own listening -- that Cumulus may be making its presence felt in ways that long-time Ticketeers find discomfiting.
ReplyDeleteVery much the same kind of speculation as on Mike R's departure.
But nothing in particular, yet.
@Plainsman, BINGO. I get the same feeling when I listen. No matter what one thinks of THL and THZ, they are going nowhere. As to DnM and NaD, I sense major changes coming soon. Evidently Norm's health is worrisome. Whatever is going on right now (cancer related or not I've no idea) is concerning enough for Sirois and Jer to put out the call for listener atta boys/you got this/get well soon/we're with you messages to be sent Norm's way. I sure hope he's going to be OK. I'm a Norm guy. Love him. Regardless, either due to health or other considerations, NaD, I would think, is not long for the station. However, for all you Sirois fans, don't assume Bewm is the default move. Don't assume that for one second. In all likelihood you'll end up sorely disappointed. As far as DnM goes, I'm just gonna flat out say it: The Musers are stale beyond stale. I'm talking 2009-2019 Checked Out Mike Hardline stale. They have been for a long while. The constant futurist segments aren't helping, that's for certain. Hell, it's so bad that even Fake Jerry has lost his edge. Don't know about anyone else, but I find myself flipping channels more often than not. My dial used to be Gorilla Glued onto 1310/96.7 from 6 to 10 am. Not no more.
ReplyDeleteThis truly is a dying genre in a biz that is rapidly and drastically changing. The salary situation from 6-10am alone is, again in this climate, unsustainable.
I'd lay any amount on a major shakeup to occur before the end of May.
If Sirois isn't Norm's replacement he will not be at the Ticket 6 months later
ReplyDeleteI agree, Surly. But I also think the Bewm fait accompli is a misreading of the temperature. A gross misreading.
ReplyDeleteAlso. Don't rule out another partner swap. Indeed, do not rule that out. Don't.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me, even before the pandemic, Craig grabbed the reins of the show and George has become a passenger. I think George is ready to pack it in. That's just the vibe I get.
ReplyDeleteJubjub still has a kid in college so I doubt he's leaving unless it's to become the full time PA announcer for all of UNT athletics while he starts his side hustle of being the NTX mountain lion king.
ReplyDeleteFollow. The. Paradigm.
ReplyDeleteWho said anything about anyone leaving?
Ok, the riddles are wearing me out. I'm out in this discussion. Not like my opinions or desires will impact anything anyway. Just ready for some plain talk. I'll return when that's a thing again.
ReplyDeleteBEWM! ROASTED!
ReplyDeletePretty plain to my eyes, hot shot. Looks like big change(s) on the horizon for 1310 and someone claims to have inside info on it but either doesn't know for sure, doesn't know all the details, and/or doesn't want to reveal too much lest they out themselves to um, like, their employer (Cumulus?). Or it's someone who's full of shit. Then again, Plainsman -who isn't full of shit- said even he's heard some faint rumblings and that the aurals and optics of late indicate something might be afoot.
What do you want? "Hey all I'm Inside Info Guy and here's what's about to happen." Fat chance.
OK just my HSO with, I hope a little common sense. Opinions vary on which shows are good and which are not; these are mostly a matter of taste. I thought the Mike and Corby Hardline was stale for years, but think the Musers are fresh as the new fallen snow. Not everyone would agree. Probably what matters the most to the KTCK overlords is 1. ratings/ad revenue. 2. If they have a replacement they think would be better. This is the catch...even if Cat thinks the Musers are washed up, he really can't make a move, unless there is a replacement that he feels will be better. Also, said replacement must work from a salary/contract perspective as well. I can't imagine where something like that may materialize but people smarter than me get paid to figure this stuff out.
ReplyDeletethe musers are beyond stale
ReplyDeleteAgain, look to the move that occurred one year ago. A move that, while in part unpopular (THL2.0) with the reddit crowd, has proven to be pretty damn smart. The numbers don't lie. Are there things (especially re: THL) I'd like to see improve? Yes. THL intro/beginning segment is beyond lazy; it engenders zero excitement, zero goosebumps, zero "I can't wait to get rolling, let's f***ing go!" feelings. Once upon a time in a Ticket far far away the THL did just that. They need to find their way back to the heart (to quote a great song from a shitty band).
ReplyDeleteIf big change is heading The Ticket's way, I'll guarantee it'll be an in-house move a la BaD/THL/Jake. I agree with the notion that Sirois as Varsity host is a no-go. I can think of several reasons why, but none of them are too flattering so I'll keep them to myself. I'd look for either someone (Jub?) to partner with Donnie or a Muser leaving with Donnie as the replacement. Don't rule out either a restructuring of the daily programming schedule/timeframe for each show (perhaps no 10-noon, more on this below) or a 10-12 show comprised of "left field" in-house talent. Hello, ESPN emigres (just sayin', don't be shocked).
Surly is correct: The Musers are beyond stale. The Musers also are no longer the juggernaut they once were. NaD is in a state of flux. Norm's health and their back to reality numbers do not bode well for the show. There's also the fact that it's a two hour program. I highly doubt Norm and Donnie are getting paid part-tine wages. So there's a cost/bang for the buck factor here. My guess is that any major changes will come with a realignment of the daily programming schedule. I can see the morning show ending at 9, which in turn would mean all shows are now 3-4 hours long, which in turn would mean more bang for the buck where late-mornings are concerned. I can, to reiterate from above, see a scenario where there is no longer a late morning show. Perhaps the day begins at 6am and ends at 6pm: 6-10/10-2/2-6? This is how many talk stations operate. Please bear in mind that talk radio (incuding sports/guy) in particular and the radio business in general is going through massive changes. The cost cutting, salary shedding, realinging/restructuring, and (waning) public appetite all come into play here. The Ticket, as successful as it's been/is, is not immune to these very real, universal determinates.
Anyhoo.
Oh, one more thing: I know we're just speculating here. But it's what we do at MTC. Moreover, either via gut feeling/eardrum test or a genuine insider, our gut feelings/ears and inside info has proven to be spot-on or damn near so on several occasions over lo these many years. I've heard Corby say several times that only one person guessed Bob as Mike's replacement, and Danny claims no one in his world did. Well, an insider on this very blog laid down a cryptogram that absolutely told us Bob was it. And yeah, that cryptogram was posted a good week before the announcement.
ReplyDeleteSo there's that.
What keeps Catman of the Americas up at night? Podcasts. Perhaps Norm is a luddite, but his style of sports talk predates (and likely will postdate) Ticket schtick. My listening habits changed right before COVID. I was late to the game on podcasts (luddite myself, perhaps?), but found that I enjoyed choosing what I listened to more than Gordon's tired Jerry imitations, Craig's takes on technology, and George's crash into old man opinions/emotion. These guys have been amazing for a LONG time. More creative than any of my professional endeavors. Everything has an expiration date. Even Norm (though I believe his style is more enduring than any other host's save for Bob). Yes, the Ticket crew "aged" with their audience. The problem is their kick-ass stories became old after being repeated ad nauseam. Rhynes lost his curveball after his stories of his youth could be repeated by any P1. Hard to live an intriguing life the whole way, through. I hate the Hardline. Corby is the single luckiest broadcaster, ever. He seems like a nice guy but possesses NOTHING of interest: not sports, not music, not "film." I don't care about his lack of preparation or whatever the common complaints are-he presents nothing compelling. Bob has been dulled by his empty-headed show colleagues. Hang Zone is the only show I see trying trying to keep things current. Even then, I am likelier to choose a podcast. Does anyone really think the older guys will simply agree to change shifts? I think it likelier they simply all get out at the same time. They put in their time, made a bunch of money, and can bail now as things fall apart in radio. Plus, if anyone really wanted to hang this station, they simply pull "old" audio. Lousy career to be getting into. I resubmit for the approval of all an idea I floated years ago: have a guys night out; at the roundtable, all the guys have a final few words, "No funeral;" have Jer play the sound of a shotgun...station goes off air. Like viewers in the movie, The Truman Show, EVERYONE will find something else to do, and the Ticket will fall into a distant memory.
ReplyDeleteThe two-thirds of your analysis is solid, Celery. It, however, falls apart in the final third. They already have changed shifts, agreed to take on additional partners (Norm with Donnie and de facto cohosts like Corby (Hardline prior to GW's departure), Jake (with BaD), and Danny (beginning a few years ago). The exit scenario you posit would make a kick ass Hollywood, bittersweet ending. But it's pure fantasy, and of the highest order.
ReplyDeleteYou have to keep in mind that any idea of the hosts being in the driver's seat/calling the shots and whatnot is no longer a reality in this business. As such, if asked to shuffle, they absolutely will--they will, that is, if they wish to retain their quite cushy jobs, salaries, and the lifestyle/minor celebrity with all the perks that come along with it.
2007 was a looooong time ago, my friend.
To All:
ReplyDeleteI really have not listened much since Mike retired, but I my last listen was Normathon as like you, it could be his last one.
That said, in the last three weeks, Cumulus has reported their numbers from Q4 and for 2020 and like most radio companies, it was not good at all. iHeart, Entercom, and Cumulus are in the same waters with varying holes in their ships.
Their revenue was off nearly 27% for the year and down 13% in Q4. Remember this was a presidential election year too but no NCAA tournament hurt too since they own Westwood One.
Here’s the text from Radioink.com (pay attention to the last line as that likely means salaries for both sales and especially on-air talent):
“And for the entire year, that will be remembered for a pandemic, more than anything else, Cumulus revenue was off by 26.7%. On the positive side, each quarter seems to be doing better than the previous quarter for Cumulus, digital revenue is up and podcasting is growing.
Excluding political Cumulus would have been down over 17%. The company took in a record $14.3 million in political in the 4th quarter, compared to only $3 million in the 4th quarter of 2019. For the full year, Cumulus took in $26.3 million in political revenue.
Digital was up 11.3% in Q4. CEO Mary Berner said podcasting now makes up 40% of Cumulus’ digital revenue line. She did not specify how much revenue podcasting was pulling in other than to say she expects steady and profitable growth to continue in that division. However, the Cumulus earnings release showed $24 million in Q4 digital. 40% of that total would be $9.6 million.
In 2020 over 1 Billion podcasts in the Westwood One Podcast Network were downloaded, a 40% increase over 2019.
The company slashed $143 million in expenses in 2020, at least $30 million of that will be permanent.”
https://radioink.com/2021/02/23/cumulus-q4-revenue-declines-13-1/
@Celery, podcasting and its revenue was heavily mentioned in their Q4 call which can be read here.
https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2021/02/23/cumulus-media-inc-cmls-q4-2020-earnings-call-trans/
Could Craig's discussions about the Future is Faster than you think be telegraphing his own retirement from the Ticket? Retirement - The Future is Faster than You Think
ReplyDeleteCan we stop pretending that the new Hardline is any kind of quality radio? Sorry not sorry. Cmon Cat, admit the mistake, pick up the pieces and move on. Unlistenable in its current form.
ReplyDeleteYou might not like the new HL, I might not like the new HL; and yet the numbers are stronger than ever. So, good luck getting Cat to believe he made a mistake. The noon to 7 numbers are as a whole better than ever. I'd just stop listening if I were you. The next time THL changes, it'll be because there is no longer a HL. Such a thing would most likely mean that The Ticket is either in its very last days or it's gone kaput.
ReplyDelete804: As 1044 said, one may dislike the Hardline. I can understand it -- it's a unique-sounding show, and if it doesn't hit your ear right, this site respects that.
ReplyDeleteMe -- I like it a lot. It is so much better than before Mike clomped his way out that door down the hall. Corby may be lucky -- anyone who gets picked to work at the Ticket may be so regarded -- but the guy put in some considerable years of toiling in the fever swamps of The Ticket in utterly nameless and thankless roles before he circumstances allowed him a bigger role with Mike and Greg. Kind of like Justin Montemayor and David Mino have done, T.C. Fleming before them. They work hard for nothing, then get some breaks with more airtime. I think he's stepped up his game -- he's never going to be the king of preparation -- and the teaming with Bob works for me.
And I like Bob, always have. He's got his quirks, but quirks are what make that station. His sports-talk is always worth hearing, and I think the teaming with Corby is fine.
Danny -- always fun. I am concerned about his health -- his voice is sounding progressively worse. But he's an enjoyable team member and he and Corby don't gang up on Bob the way they used to patronize and torture Mike.
While I'm on the subject, I like The Hang Zone (poor name choice) too. I'd been advocating the breakup of Bob and Dan for a long time, and its accomplishment has been a triple-net plus for the station.
I missed Norm this morning. Does anyone know the gist of what he said regarding his health, etc.?
ReplyDeleteLet me pre-say this before I presently say it, so that I may future say it: Norm is greatness.
Norm is great because he broadcasts without irony. And that today is unique and refreshing.
DeleteI will say, my mother, same age as Norm, went thru the same thing during Covid. She is still around and kicking. Not strong, but good.
ReplyDeleteP1s, help me out here: What am I supposed to find funny about the way Blake says "back"? Why am I supposed to find it funny when they splice him saying "back" into a song?
ReplyDeleteRatings are up. See the reddit site. The short of it is, The Ticket absolutely killed it. The only show that wasn't #1 was NaD, and even it was far ahead of The FAN show in its timeframe.
ReplyDeleteBut when is shit gonna get real?
ReplyDeleteSurly, you didn't phrase it correctly. Should be something like this:
ReplyDeleteBut. What. Date. Of. 2021.
Will.
The.
Excrement.
Become.
Existent.
Follow.
The.
Toilet.
Paper.
The. Ides. Of. March. Are. Here.
Et. Tu. Brute?
Eh, sorry 833, you need to work on your stuff. Not quite up to the MTC breathess standard.
ReplyDeleteIt was my first attempt and it was impromptu, so agreed. If I'd had time to workshop it ahead of time it would have been better.
ReplyDeleteMan one of the post game show hosts sounds absolutely hammered tonight on the Mavs Pacers post game show. Not going to name names but one of the 3 had too many craft beers then hosted the post game show.
ReplyDeleteTo the point that if he didn't say who he was at the top, you'd have thought someone else was filling in for him.
ReplyDeleteIs Country Force still a show?
ReplyDeleteWas it not on this past Saturday? Without explanation?
ReplyDeleteI usually try to catch at least some of it but was not able to yesterday.
I've no idea. Asking out of ignorance. Honestly, the Saturday lineup is now a mystery to me. Sunday, I got down: Elf, WiP, JaM, and then we go national. Saturday, I'm clueless. Hope CF is still a thing, as I like both Ty and Eli. OK, I do know one thing. There's a new early a.m. sports medicine show. Other than that and the sometimes CdS and sometimes KA (soccer) shows, I've got no idea about CF or even the TeeBox.
ReplyDeleteCF was on Sat. Listened to med guys, Tee Box and CF.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why the hourly interns keep bowin' their chest out about market share. A majority market share is nothing to brag about in an company who's revenues are down almost 30% yr-pver-yr, in the dying terrestrial radio industry.
ReplyDelete1101, Saturday lineup is on The Ticket website.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info Plainsman and Scott.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Danny on the new kiddo. 53 and a baby. Got to think the days of bar life and more nights ending at last call than not are over.
ReplyDeleteThey already were.
ReplyDeleteUh, no they weren't, Princess. Not pre Pandy. I know what I speak of.
ReplyDeleteI found these comments from 8 years ago amusing
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Ron said...
Dallas Morning News story about Danny's new venture:
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/now-that-they-have-plan-commissions-blessing-danny-balis-and-jess-barr-detail-their-plans-for-the-perfect-dive-bar.html/
January 25, 2013 at 3:48 PM
Anonymous said...
Anon Ron, you just beat me to the punch! Danny is gone from THL. No ifs ands or buts
January 25, 2013 at 3:50 PM
Anonymous said...
I don't care what Danny says in the article. He might think he can do both (and want to open up additional bars...btw, Danny, better walk before you run), but if want's to be successful, he's gonna learn in quick order this first bar, alone, will take up all of his time. Right now, he's either purposely not being truthful or he's living in a fantasy land. Because the way he and his partner seem to have put it, this is their baby, and they're doing it themselves. Even if they have investors, it matters not. Investors are...investors. They invest to earn a nice return, not to work for the investment. Write it down, Danny will come on air no later than September and announce that he's leaving THL because he realizes that his business is one that requires attention 24/7. I do wish him the best, though.
January 25, 2013 at 3:58 PM
Anonymous said...
Gotta love this place. Constantly predicting things that never happen while ignoring comments from the people actually involved.
January 25, 2013 at 7:04 PM
Anonymous said...
@7:04
You must have some sort of cognitive and-or psychological deficiency. It's the only rational explanation as to why you would constantly read a blog and its comment sections, make your own comments, and yet claim the blog is always wrong, ever inane. Seek help.
January 25, 2013 at 7:32 PM
Anonymous said...
To add. This is a fan site of a particular radio station. Discussing the happenings, the potential happenings, and even, holy smokes prepare yourself jack a, S P E C U L A T I O N on what might happen will and does occur. The fact that you seem to have not figured this out yet only provides further evidence of your cognitive-psychological deficiency. Again, seek help. If not for your own good, for the good of society as a whole. Personally, I don't care to have my tax dollars help foot the bill for your extended stay in a state mental facility. So get your ship righted before it comes to that.
January 25, 2013 at 7:36 PM
Good stuff, Surly. Btw, how you feeling about the new hoops hire?
ReplyDeleteHave to say the final comment (1/25/13) is right on the mark. At least the gist of its sentiment.
@Princess Dumpy and 4/4-848 anon: Have to say that the anon is correct in as far as pre-COVID Dingu's lifestyle goes. Not sure how the anon "knows," but pre-COVID I was a far too regular, regular, at a certain establishment that happened to be Dingu's home away from home too. Let's just say that we were both LATE night people. Will say that while I've had a couple of interfacings with him over the years, I don't know him at all nor consider him an acquaintance. Just two dudes who happened to have hung out at the same place for a long time. Always seemed like a nice guy though.
While listening to Danny's story and leading up to what he named the baby, am I the only one surprised (disappointed, maybe) that he didn't name little dingu "Carter"?
ReplyDeleteET P1
Although the mother might disagree, I don't think Danny's baby rises to the level of holding and clinching. Still waiting for the shit to get real.
ReplyDeletePatience, dear child, patience. It's coming. In the meantime, clean up your language and syntax.
ReplyDeletePSA for people reloading this page: New post is up.
ReplyDelete