Carnage at Clear Channel Cincinnati - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

MartyFan · 11-30-2006, 10:22 PM

From the Enquirer

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.d...te=printpicart

Last Updated: 6:55 pm | Thursday, November 30, 2006
Radio station owner fires 19
BY JOHN KIESEWETTER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Longtime WEBN-FM midday DJ Wendy Walker and WCKY-AM sports talk host Jeff Piecoro were among 19 employees fired Wednesday in a downsizing similar to other Clear Channel markets.

“It was a blood gushing,” said Greg Waddell, a sports reporter and producer for WCKY-AM (1530) and WLW-AM (700). He was terminated in a late Wednesday afternoon phone call.

The cutbacks are part of an extensive restructuring by Clear Channel, the world’s largest radio station owner, which is being sold for $18.7 billion to private investors. Staff reductions have been made at stations from New York and San Francisco to Lexington and Louisville.

Also losing their jobs here were Mike Stevens and Madison from WVMX-FM (MIX94.1); Storm Bennett from WKFS-FM (KISS107.1); Richard “Scoop” Cowell, a WEBN-FM (102.7) morning “Dawn Patrol” sidekick; promotion employees; and station board operators.

General Manager Karrie Sudbrack and other Clear Channel managers in the Kenwood office could not be reached for comment, despite numerous attempts. The employees were told at a 4:30 p.m. meeting Wednesday that their jobs had been eliminated.

Clear Channel staffers had been worried about cutbacks for several weeks, after streamlining at many sister stations.

“We knew this was coming. Rumors were all over the hallways,” said Waddell, of Monroe, a four-year employee and a 20-year radio veteran who worked six days a week.

“I don’t blame the people (bosses) here. It’s not their fault. This is a call made by the home office in San Antonio,” said Piecoro of Crescent Springs.

Piecoro was a valuable utility player for the company. In addition to his 10 a.m.-noon weekday show, he hosted Bengals post-game call-in shows on WLW-AM and WCKY-AM, and weekly University of Cincinnati coaches’ call-in shows.

Piecoro also does University of Cincinnati basketball broadcasts for WXIX-TV (Channel 19), radio commentary for University of Kentucky football, and Reds TV work for Fox Sports Net Ohio.

Bennett also said he has other options to fall back on. He owns Quality Sounds DJs and Killer Creative Media.

Walker, who could not be reached for comment, had joined WEBN-FM in 1995 as a part-time promotions employee. Later that year she became a DJ on the station she had listened to since attending Miamitown Elementary School, where she formed a WEBN club.

“Scoop” Cowell had been part of ’EBN mornings for only seven months. “I love Cincinnati. I’ll hate to leave,” he said.

Heath · 11-30-2006, 10:31 PM

Matt? You still employed?

Reds Nd2 · 11-30-2006, 10:36 PM

Cool! Does this mean we'll get to hear more Dr. Drew and Love Line?

Well you cant turn him into a company man
you cant turn him into a *****
and the boys upstairs just dont understand anymore
well the top brass dont like him talking so much
and he wont play what they say to play
and he dont wanna change what dont need to change

And there goes the last DJ
who plays what he wants to play
and says what he wants to say
hey hey hey
and there goes your freedom of choice
there goes the last human voice
and there goes the last DJ

Heath · 11-30-2006, 10:42 PM

Didn't 96.5 just go all-talk. Bet there's a ton of tapes and resumes' being tossed around.

MartyFan · 11-30-2006, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heath

Didn't 96.5 just go all-talk. Bet there's a ton of tapes and resumes' being tossed around.

A lot of outgoing tapes and resumes I am sure...incoming? No way...CC is selling off over 400 stations over the next two years.

Heath · 11-30-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyFan

A lot of outgoing tapes and resumes I am sure...incoming? No way...CC is selling off over 400 stations over the next two years.

I hope that this begins the reincarnation of small, independent, radio stations once again.

LoganBuck · 12-01-2006, 12:14 AM

Does someone know where to find the ratings between Colin Cowherd and Jeff Piecoro? I am assuming that Colin was beating Jeff pretty good. I used to listedn to Jeff but I switched about a year ago. Colin is more entertaining and he doesn't talk high school football.

Caveat Emperor · 12-01-2006, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heath

I hope that this begins the reincarnation of small, independent, radio stations once again.

Nope.

Just the end of mega-coprorate control of 50-70% of a market.

You'll still have large corporations controlling stations, there'll just be more corporate variety in the market instead of one big corporation owning everything.

cumberlandreds · 12-01-2006, 07:40 AM

I am just glad to see that Venus Flytrap and Johnny Fever were not on the ax list. They were always two of my favorite Cincinnati Radio personalities.

registerthis · 12-01-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

Nope.

Just the end of mega-coprorate control of 50-70% of a market.

You'll still have large corporations controlling stations, there'll just be more corporate variety in the market instead of one big corporation owning everything.

Well, that's......better. I guess.

Joseph · 12-01-2006, 10:10 AM

I wondered what happened to Pic yesterday when I tuned in and heard Fox Sports Radio from 9 AM - 11 AM [CST] on the stream.

BUTLER REDSFAN · 12-01-2006, 10:18 AM

when i read the title i figured someone came in and blew bill cunningham away

Team Clark · 12-01-2006, 01:46 PM

Pic was terrible and ill informed. Not to mention he had an overly cocky disposition in person. Good riddance.

Matt700wlw · 12-01-2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heath

Matt? You still employed?

Yes I am, and I'm thankful for that.

I feel terrible for those who aren't....it's been a tough week for everyone

12-01-2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Clark

Pic was terrible and ill informed. Not to mention he had an overly cocky disposition in person. Good riddance.

Couldn't agree more. He was the worst I've ever heard.

11-30-2006, 10:22 PM	#1
MartyFan You're soaking in it! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 3,335	Carnage at Clear Channel Cincinnati From the Enquirer http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.d...te=printpicart Last Updated: 6:55 pm \| Thursday, November 30, 2006 Radio station owner fires 19 BY JOHN KIESEWETTER \| ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Longtime WEBN-FM midday DJ Wendy Walker and WCKY-AM sports talk host Jeff Piecoro were among 19 employees fired Wednesday in a downsizing similar to other Clear Channel markets. “It was a blood gushing,” said Greg Waddell, a sports reporter and producer for WCKY-AM (1530) and WLW-AM (700). He was terminated in a late Wednesday afternoon phone call. The cutbacks are part of an extensive restructuring by Clear Channel, the world’s largest radio station owner, which is being sold for $18.7 billion to private investors. Staff reductions have been made at stations from New York and San Francisco to Lexington and Louisville. Also losing their jobs here were Mike Stevens and Madison from WVMX-FM (MIX94.1); Storm Bennett from WKFS-FM (KISS107.1); Richard “Scoop” Cowell, a WEBN-FM (102.7) morning “Dawn Patrol” sidekick; promotion employees; and station board operators. General Manager Karrie Sudbrack and other Clear Channel managers in the Kenwood office could not be reached for comment, despite numerous attempts. The employees were told at a 4:30 p.m. meeting Wednesday that their jobs had been eliminated. Clear Channel staffers had been worried about cutbacks for several weeks, after streamlining at many sister stations. “We knew this was coming. Rumors were all over the hallways,” said Waddell, of Monroe, a four-year employee and a 20-year radio veteran who worked six days a week. “I don’t blame the people (bosses) here. It’s not their fault. This is a call made by the home office in San Antonio,” said Piecoro of Crescent Springs. Piecoro was a valuable utility player for the company. In addition to his 10 a.m.-noon weekday show, he hosted Bengals post-game call-in shows on WLW-AM and WCKY-AM, and weekly University of Cincinnati coaches’ call-in shows. Piecoro also does University of Cincinnati basketball broadcasts for WXIX-TV (Channel 19), radio commentary for University of Kentucky football, and Reds TV work for Fox Sports Net Ohio. Bennett also said he has other options to fall back on. He owns Quality Sounds DJs and Killer Creative Media. Walker, who could not be reached for comment, had joined WEBN-FM in 1995 as a part-time promotions employee. Later that year she became a DJ on the station she had listened to since attending Miamitown Elementary School, where she formed a WEBN club. “Scoop” Cowell had been part of ’EBN mornings for only seven months. “I love Cincinnati. I’ll hate to leave,” he said. __________________ "Sometimes, it's not the sexiest moves that put you over the top," Krivsky said. "It's a series of transactions that help you get there."

11-30-2006, 10:31 PM	#2
Heath This one's for you Edd Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dayton Area Posts: 8,471	Re: Carnage at Clear Channel Cincinnati Matt? You still employed? __________________ Some people play baseball. Baseball plays Jay Bruce.

11-30-2006, 10:36 PM	#3
Reds Nd2 Little Reds BandWagon Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 3,244	Re: Carnage at Clear Channel Cincinnati Cool! Does this mean we'll get to hear more Dr. Drew and Love Line? Well you cant turn him into a company man you cant turn him into a ***** and the boys upstairs just dont understand anymore well the top brass dont like him talking so much and he wont play what they say to play and he dont wanna change what dont need to change And there goes the last DJ who plays what he wants to play and says what he wants to say hey hey hey and there goes your freedom of choice there goes the last human voice and there goes the last DJ __________________ "...You just have a wider lens than one game." --Former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky, on why he didn't fly Josh Hamilton to Colorado for one game. "...its money well-spent. Don't screw around with your freedom." --Roy Tucker, on why you need to lawyer up when you find yourself swimming with sharks.

11-30-2006, 10:42 PM	#4
Heath This one's for you Edd Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dayton Area Posts: 8,471	Re: Carnage at Clear Channel Cincinnati Didn't 96.5 just go all-talk. Bet there's a ton of tapes and resumes' being tossed around. __________________ Some people play baseball. Baseball plays Jay Bruce.

12-01-2006, 12:14 AM	#7
LoganBuck I hate the Cubs Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 5,585	Re: Carnage at Clear Channel Cincinnati Does someone know where to find the ratings between Colin Cowherd and Jeff Piecoro? I am assuming that Colin was beating Jeff pretty good. I used to listedn to Jeff but I switched about a year ago. Colin is more entertaining and he doesn't talk high school football. __________________ Whenever you get mad over a called strike or ball on a close pitch, it's the equivalent of being mad at the QB pump-faking one time before throwing a pass in your average NFL game. ---Caveat Emperor

12-01-2006, 07:40 AM	#9
cumberlandreds Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sterling VA Posts: 7,865	Re: Carnage at Clear Channel Cincinnati I am just glad to see that Venus Flytrap and Johnny Fever were not on the ax list. They were always two of my favorite Cincinnati Radio personalities. __________________ Reds Fan Since 1971

12-01-2006, 10:10 AM	#11
Joseph Tired of talk. Win! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 8,127	Re: Carnage at Clear Channel Cincinnati I wondered what happened to Pic yesterday when I tuned in and heard Fox Sports Radio from 9 AM - 11 AM [CST] on the stream. __________________ Championships for MY teams in my lifetime: Cincinnati Reds - 75, 76, 90 Chicago Blackhawks - 10 University of Kentucky - 78, 96, 98, 12 Cincinnati Bengals - None Chicago Bulls - 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98

12-01-2006, 10:18 AM	#12
BUTLER REDSFAN Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,195	Re: Carnage at Clear Channel Cincinnati when i read the title i figured someone came in and blew bill cunningham away

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