Posted on 07/27/2006 9:14:46 PM PDT by DuxFan4ever
R&R has learned that layoffs at Westwood One have claimed upward of 70 jobs throughout the company. In an internal memo obtained by R&R, President/CEO Peter Kosann said the action "is part of several steps our company will take — and must take — to increase productivity and improve the utilization of all our resources."
Concurrently, WW1 has initiated an evaluation of its services to Metro Networks affiliates in its smaller markets — namely those ranked by DMA under No. 60 — as part of a plan to reduce local operating costs.
"Our plan is to continue to provide quality services to our affiliates in these markets," Kosann said. He added that no further layoffs or employee changes are expected to be made by Westwood One. A company spokesman contacted by R&R could neither confirm the exact number of dismissals nor provide additional information on how many 60+ markets Metro Networks provides services to.
"The advertising marketplace has proven to be both challenging and ever-evolving," Kosann continued. "That said, given our position as a 'pure-play' content company, Westwood One is uniquely qualified to capitalize on distribution opportunities within radio and television, as well as new platforms across emerging media. The decision impacting our company today does not — and cannot — diminish our resolve, focus and vision for continuing to push Westwood One forward.
"As we continue to face the immediate challenges in the industry, please know that your continued hard work, focus and passion is truly appreciated. Today's announcement has not been easy, but with your support and understanding we can — and will — ensure our future success."
The company is one of the largest producers and distributors of radio programming in the United States. It broadcasts entertainment, news, weather, sports, talk, and traffic programming to about 7,700 radio stations across the USA. The company is America's top provider of local traffic reports through its subsidiaries, Metro Networks, Shadow Broadcast Services and SmartRoute Systems.
Commentators distributed by Westwood One include Don Imus, Bill O'Reilly, Lars Larson, Jay Severin, and Larry King. Hot Talkers Tom Leykis, and Don (Geronimo) & Mike (O'Meara) are also carried on the network. Westwood One distributes the radio news operations of CNN and NBC as well as its corporate cousin, the CBS Radio Network.
In addition, Westwood One distributes a number of 24-hour radio formats via satellite to affiliate stations. These formats include:
Adult Rock & Roll (classic rock) Adult Standards (middle-of-the-road/easy listening oldies; formerly called "AM Only") Bright AC (hot adult contemporary) CNN Headline News (an audio feed of the CNN cable TV news operation) Hot Country (today's hit country) Mainstream Country (today's hit country mixed with country oldies) SAM/Simply About Music (variety hits, a variation on the "Jack" concept) Soft AC (mainstream adult contemporary) The Oldies Channel (chiefly mid- and late-1960s hits) Westwood One syndicates several popular programs for a variety of music formats. Shows include The Beatle Years, Beatle Brunch, CMT's Country Countdown USA, Absolutely Live, Superstar Concert Series, Weekly Country Music Countdown, MTV TRL Weekend Countdown, Hollywood Confidential and Leeza Live both of which are hosted by Leeza Gibbons, Off the Record, VH1 Concerts and Specials, Saturday Night All Request 80's, and Out of Order
The company broadcasts live concerts, college football and NHL hockey games, and also holds exclusive national radio rights for the National Football League, the Olympic Games, the NCAA Basketball Tournament (along with corporate sibling CBS TV), the Masters golf and Wimbledon tennis tournaments, and the Grammy Awards.
Westwood One purchased the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1985 and continued to operate Mutual as a separate network program service into the 1990s. However, by the early 1990's Mutual ended up simply being a brand name for programming provided by Westwood One. The top-of-the-hour newscasts were written and read by CBS Radio News reporters and anchors in Mutual's final years. Westwood One discontinued using the Mutual name in favor of CNN Radio in 1999 and the Mutual name passed permanently from use on the air.
Thought you might be interested in this.
Free markets, unlike IP packets, don't hatchet in real time.
The radio stations have been fighting furiously a new listening ratings system that would accurately determine what audiences are......with no wonder...they have been inflating their base for ad sales.
I wonder if there is still enough ad dollars in radio to sustain all the stations?
Like newspapers inflate circulation numbers for ad revenue? I didn't know the practice was part of radio, too.
I thought BOR left WW1 and is now carried, surprise, by Fox.
Okay, it's Wikipedia...
What's funny is that the local CCR carries Imus, but uses Fox News Radio (replaced CNN). The
other talk station carries BOR, but uses ABC News.
The CCR station preempted Limbaugh at 12:45 Thursday in favor of the minor league game.
Too bad about Mutual.
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