WMAL Melodrama: Parks Present, Grandy Absent - 4/15/10 - Well, Andy Parks and newsman Bryan Nehman were there today, but Fred Grandy was absent. No more news about yesterday's bombshell that DCRTV first broke about the WMAL "Grandy And Andy" morning team getting "fired." A reliable source told DCRTV that the talk station's owner, Citadel, has set a termination date (we don't know when) for the highly-paid G&A to end their show due to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy-related cutbacks.
And, apparently, the show will continue until then, or until listener reaction forces some sort of change in Citadel's plans.
DCRTV sources tell us that Citadel, which also owns WRQX and WVRX in the DC area, is in serious financial trouble and could soon be selling stations, perhaps all three in DC, and even shutting down some money-losing operations in smaller markets. More as we hear it....
Fred's independently wealthy and does the show because he enjoys it. I would imagine that he would just say screw it and stay home after getting the news yesterday, since what can they do to him?
Silvie, can you post Duckworth's email so that we can right in! I would, but am leaving for work right now.
This is a bigger problem than G and A, very sadly.
I have noticed and I am sure have you that there are the same 3 commercials run over and over throughout the day.
I don’t know how that can carry a station. OK, I have new windows, my rugs are spotless and a great dentist, now what?
Frankly, the local show is a rare thing these days. Its so flippin cheap to do it on Radio America or another internet franchise, that is where they all need to go, to XM or Sirius or somewhere where the music stations carry the talk, kind of like the booze carrying a fine food restaurant.
Well, that would be the end of WMAL. I’m hoping Citadel changes their mind or G&A find a home elsewhere. I’ll follow them and replace WMAL on the dial.
Whoever picked the DC Hyatt has a head up their butt.
Do you know there are no AM radio's in the place?
DUH!
Gee I wonder why we had 2 hotel emptying false alarm fire evacuations during our Eden-like stay?
With the audience WMAL gets, I really don’t see how they are having financial issues. Their ad revenues should be high.
It makes me so sad when they break up an absolute institution like G&A, but I don’t want them to sell off or close down the station, either. Looks like they should bring in some efficiency expert to figure out where the $ leaks are.