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Audacy Makes Job Cuts In Multiple U.S. Markets - Is Buffalo Next?
Audacy, once known as Entercom, is one of the largest radio owners in the U.S., with more than 230 stations scattered across the country. On Monday, they started laying off staff at many of their stations, including Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Dallas, Baltimore and now San Francisco. They employ at least 5,000 people nationwide, and as hard times continue in the industry, the ax is falling on many heads.
The excuse for the latest job chops is typical.
In a statement, the company called the layoffs part of a "transformation journey," (don't you love BS corporate speak?)
"We remain committed to this exciting transformation which has made us a much stronger organization, but in light of current macroeconomic headwinds, like so many other companies, we have been proactively taking actions to mitigate against the impact of any downturn," the spokesman said. "These include evaluating budgets, reducing expenses, and also reducing our workforce."
In other words, expect more. Audacy owns a ton of stations in Buffalo, including WGR, WBEN, WWKB, WKSE, WWWS, Star 102.5 and WLKK. So far now word on whether the firing line is coming to the Queen City, but it wouldn't surprise me. Stay tuned. Your favourite local host may be doing their last show today and not even know it.
How Many Will Lose Their Job at Audacy?
- paterson1
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Re: Audacy Makes Job Cuts In Multiple U.S. Markets - Is Buffalo Next?
Their stock was trading at .71 cents a share yesterday, so a bargain if you are a gambler. Don't know if they are actually making money, but if they aren't or there is no growth, cuts will always happen.
- paterson1
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Re: Audacy Makes Job Cuts In Multiple U.S. Markets - Is Buffalo Next?
I was south of Guelph this afternoon and listened to Audacy's WTSS Star 102.5 for about an hour. The signal was coming in loud and clear south of the 401 towards Hamilton. Isn't this the station plays Christmas music earlier every year for not much gain? June rating they were #7 in Buffalo. The host sounded voice tracked and didn't do many breaks in the hour and didn't say much about the music. They also did the annoying brief promo right into commercials with no announcer break that we also hear on some stations here.
To Star 102.5's credit, production sounded good and the commercial breaks were about the same length as Canadian radio, not the 7-10 minute breaks like some Detroit. Lots of national ads, and I heard one Canadian ad for Fallsview Casino. Music wasn't particularly good, and I didn't recognize a number of songs. Is this station supposed to be CHR or have they gone mellower? Seemed to be playing more slower tunes than I thought they would.
However being painfully honest, Kitchener's Beat 91.5 during the afternoon drive was superior. Live announcer who was having fun and better music, more upbeat. But I know "better" is subjective and in the ear of the listener, and The Beat is def. Top 40/CHR.
- Jody Thornton
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Re: Audacy Makes Job Cuts In Multiple U.S. Markets - Is Buffalo Next?
I thought that Star 102.5 was Hot AC. They were Q102, Majic 102 and Rock 102 long before that.
Cheers,
Jody Thornton
- paterson1
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Re: Audacy Makes Job Cuts In Multiple U.S. Markets - Is Buffalo Next?
Jody Thornton wrote:
I thought that Star 102.5 was Hot AC. They were Q102, Majic 102 and Rock 102 long before that.
That's what confused me. They had some elements of Top 40/CHR but as I mentioned the music was surprisingly more downbeat even more pop than I thought it would be. And there were more songs and artists that I had never heard before, I was expecting some but not so many. As I said the music was just kind of ordinary, they weren't jamming the hits like I thought they would have. The Beat in Kitchener was right on to the traditional Top 40/CHR format. But again Top 40/CHR/Hot A/C is a bit of a blur.
- Dale Patterson
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Re: Audacy Makes Job Cuts In Multiple U.S. Markets - Is Buffalo Next?
"Transformational Journey"
Sounds like an LSD trip.
"Life without echo is really no life at all." - Dan Ingram
- RadioAaron
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Re: Audacy Makes Job Cuts In Multiple U.S. Markets - Is Buffalo Next?
Star 102.5 is Hot AC. Every song they play is a hit on the US Hot AC chart.
The difference between Hot AC in the US and in Canada is that in the US the format has its own hits, where in Canada the format is just a slower/lighter CHR.
They also did the annoying brief promo right into commercials with no announcer break that we also hear on some stations here.
Most stations. On account of it being a solid programming tactic.
Last edited by RadioAaron (August 17, 2022 6:55 pm)
- mace
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Re: Audacy Makes Job Cuts In Multiple U.S. Markets - Is Buffalo Next?
I was south of Guelph this afternoon and listened to Audacy's WTSS Star 102.5 for about an hour. The signal was coming in loud and clear south of the 401 towards Hamilton. Isn't this the station plays Christmas music earlier every year for not much gain? June rating they were #7 in Buffalo. The host sounded voice tracked and didn't do many breaks in the hour and didn't say much about the music. They also did the annoying brief promo right into commercials with no announcer break that we also hear on some stations here.
To Star 102.5's credit, production sounded good and the commercial breaks were about the same length as Canadian radio, not the 7-10 minute breaks like some Detroit. Lots of national ads, and I heard one Canadian ad for Fallsview Casino. Music wasn't particularly good, and I didn't recognize a number of songs. Is this station supposed to be CHR or have they gone mellower? Seemed to be playing more slower tunes than I thought they would.
However being painfully honest, Kitchener's Beat 91.5 during the afternoon drive was superior. Live announcer who was having fun and better music, more upbeat. But I know "better" is subjective and in the ear of the listener, and The Beat is def. Top 40/CHR.
Buffalo has only one true Top 40/CHR station which is 98.5 WKSE. WTSS's main competition now would be 96.1 WMSX.
- paterson1
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Re: Audacy Makes Job Cuts In Multiple U.S. Markets - Is Buffalo Next?
Star 102.5 is Hot AC. Every song they play is a hit on the US Hot AC chart.
The difference between Hot AC in the US and in Canada is that in the US the format has its own hits, where in Canada the format is just a slower/lighter CHR.They also did the annoying brief promo right into commercials with no announcer break that we also hear on some stations here.
Most stations. On account of it being a solid programming tactic.
That's odd, since Star 102.5 sounded slower and lighter, with more pop tunes. And not what I would have thought for a Hot A/C station. A solid programming tactic? Well it is only a "solid tactic" until it doesn't work anymore, or until a consultant in the US comes up with something different, right? As a matter of fact I don't seem to hear stations, like the Beat and Z103.5 doing this as much anymore, and almost never when live. Both of these outlets are more personality driven.
- Tomas Barlow
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Re: Audacy Makes Job Cuts In Multiple U.S. Markets - Is Buffalo Next?
Their announcers do 6 hour shifts so they're almost definitely voice tracked through the midday. I suspect Star is a bit lighter than some hot AC's to avoid cannibalizing some of Kiss's audience.
- Radiowiz
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Re: Audacy Makes Job Cuts In Multiple U.S. Markets - Is Buffalo Next?
Their announcers do 6 hour shifts so they're almost definitely voice tracked through the midday. I suspect Star is a bit lighter than some hot AC's to avoid cannibalizing some of Kiss's audience.
Long before the current round of cuts
I could have sworn I read somewhere that Audacy VT's were going to come from LA, but I could be wrong.