Posted on 08/18/2014 3:02:05 PM PDT by a fool in paradise
In what Bloomberg calls a “digital push,” Disney announced that it is closing 23 of its 24 terrestrial stations, laying off nearly 200 people in sales and operations. (See the intra-company memo from GM Phil Guerini below.)
Disney is shifting its efforts and resources from terrestrial to the broadly-termed “digital” realm, which in this case means program distribution on SiriusXM and online streaming platforms. The company maintains a Radio Disney mobile app.
The strategy shift represents what Disney calls “the habits of the consumers we serve.” Inside Radio reports that only 18% of Disney’s radio audience tune in via AM.FM radio, with over half (66%) listening to webcasts and mobile apps — Disney’s “national audience of kids and families” has migrated substantially to non-terrestrial listening.
"Dear Colleagues,
Across all forms of media, digital technology continues to dramatically change consumer habits – from the iPad, mobile devices and the push of connected devices into the home – and these changes compel us to evaluate and evolve our businesses. Today, we’re announcing meaningful changes to our Radio Disney business.
Radio Disney will be increasing investment in both digital distribution platforms and music-centric programming. These decisions will optimize Radio Disney for long-term growth and better reflect the habits of the consumers we serve — a national audience of kids and families. We are partnering with the most popular digital radio services including our distribution partner of over 12 years, SiriusXM, and the newly forged agreements with ShowMobile, Slacker and Harman’s Aha Radio. We also have our fast growing Radio Disney App for iPhone, iPad and Android, our WATCH Disney Channel partnership and our Top 30 syndication partnership that’s building across the U.S. We will also be exploring new digital extensions of Radio Disney’s programming, including the Radio Disney Music Awards and Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing (N.B.T.).
As part of this investment shift, at the end of September, we will be selling 23 of our 24 local radio stations, retaining KDIS-AM Los Angeles to originate Radio Disney’s national network programming. The operations of the Los Angeles station will be picked up by the national team.
These changes will result in the elimination of some positions, adjustments to other roles and the addition of some new positions. Today and tomorrow, we will be talking individually to those directly affected. Please know that we approached this decision with care and rigor and will provide transition support to those who will be departing the organization.
I have always been impressed with the dedication and camaraderie of the people at the Radio Disney network and local stations. Thanks to that teamwork, Radio Disney leads the radio industry in delivering age-appropriate music and entertainment for kids and families. As we wish our colleagues all the best, we remain committed to continuing the momentum.
Sincerely,
Phil"
I wonder what will replace the one in the Houston area that bleeds over 700 KSEV and almost 740 KPRC (both offering conservative talk during the daytime).
Houston’s other conservative talk AM station (1070) has bleedover from Radio Cuba at night. Why must they lower their station’s strength for “clear channel” stations if they are only going to be outdone by foreign broadcasts from Communists?
Current World Order
Where else can pre-teens be exposed to role models like Justin Beeber and Miley Cyrus?
I confess to proudly wearing my Mousketeer ears back in the early to mid-fifties.
It is legacy broadcast regulations stretching back to before the days of rock and roll (possibly even before the Great Depression).
Really outmoded concept these days.
And unfair when other nations aren’t expected to uphold the broadcasting standards.
The kids who’s parents have the money to purchase Disney products - including trips to Disney theme parks - can afford broadband internet connections, iPods, iPads, and computers with large-screen monitors.
Overlapping AM broadcast frequencies and weak night signals (and that terrible time around dusk (when station signal strengths change non-concurrently)) are annoyances of the past.
It's the new world order as demonstrated by Disney's changes.
A PC with a large display is actually kinda counter-intuitive, unless you’re using it as a home theater PC.
As for me, I’ve put only a few hundred into a PC, and it’s able to run games well on low graphics settings. It’s going into a 19” 720p TV, because I prefer small screens.
PFL
Why close down stations instead of selling them?
Are they on the International Space Station, or did we build that Moon base and Mars colonies after all?
wow. The radio dial sounds like a huge mess there.
I haven’t listened to a radio in a long time, none at all since I moved closer to San Antonio... which is hopefully temporary
Until about 2000 the Disney family (not the company) owned about 5 or 6 TV stations in southern California, IIRC.
CC
Anyone remember when they kicked radio off the internet? Wasn't that in the late 90's? What a drag that was, almost as frustrating as internet radio technology was to use back then. Nothing like today, for sure!
Because they can sell the broadcast licenses for money? Just a guess.
CC
Wikipedia show Disney on AM 1590 in Houston (as does the Disney web site). Not much chance of interference in the low 700s. And at 5000 watts, they aren’t going to step on many toes.
KSEV, a Tomball station apparently made a tradeoff, buying a station with 15,000 watts daytime but only 1000 at night.
KPRC is at 950 AM, which may explain your difficulty picking it up at 740.
And finally, 1070 is 10,000 days, 5000 nights. So even at its weakest, it’s as strong as Disney.
With AM radio, you get what you pay for, and it appears that the Houston market won’t support a strong station.
Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio have the only clear channel licenses in Texas.
Radio Shaka-Zulu
Shiela Jackson-Lee hosting 3 hour a day
We already get that from Michael Berry over on 740AM or is it 950AM these days?
Those Clear Channel stations are forever rearranging the deck chairs.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmLtmnLv4eI165d_unY0w9r7SOv9YfAZY
There is bleed over from Radio Disney onto 700. I experience it. Clear as day.
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