KBAY's Christmas Bonus and Surprise:
Blow up the Sam and Lissa Morning Show. What a way to end 2016- Throw them into the unemployment line!!!
Actually according to Sal Pizzaro at the Mercury News, Lissa was terminated but Sam had decided months ago to retire at the end of this year due to health issues. What I find refreshing about this is that KBAY general manager John Levitt let the two do a final show to say goodbye to their listeners. That's something talent rarely gets to do. http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/12/...how-team-signs-off-with-bittersweet-farewell/
All too many times it seems that employer and employee in radioland are at odds with each other and there is a severe lack of trust between the two. I would think that an otherwise "good" on-air employee would be allowed to say goodbye to his/her fans if only to continue the good relationship the station has with its listeners. I can think of very few other events that would turn loyal listeners into dial-switchers than the sudden and unexplained disappearance of long time talent.
I can clearly remember that weekend daypart in 1966 when KEWB flipped from rock to talk. They gave each daytime jock the ability to say goodbye and play some of their favorite songs in their abbreviated last show(s). Although it was a major shock to those of us who didn't know the change was coming it was the mature way to go and should be the standard any time a major change in the station or talent happens. I mean, we all know that change is inevitable but it doesn't have to be an in your face event.
There is a big difference between changing formats and letting go a particular staff member.
In radio, people are generally let go for performance issues such as low ratings, disciplinary causes or other character related matters. Those are not people that the station wants to maintain a "good relationship" with and they represent a big danger in terms of performing a "swan song" once they know they have been fired... right down to potentially endangering the license.
In today's radio, the other main reason for firing is costs. Fewer live on-air staffers, more voice tracking. People who become unemployed this way are understandably bitter or angry. Saying "goodbye" is generally an opportunity to express their feelings about the company.
Even when someone leaves for another job, it's often because they did not like the station, the PD, the manager or the owner. I've been in two situations where I shudder at the way the station ownership treated people, and could have ranted for an hour about it. But, instead, I just moved on. Still, given the chance, I would have said things I would have later regretted.
And today, that's why most companies have a rule about someone who is let go clearing the building immediately,generally under supervision. We have all heard enough stories from the "old days" about someone opening the board in the production studio and taking a wiz in it or bulk erasing all the music and commercials for us to have any other position.
All too many times it seems that employer and employee in radioland are at odds with each other and there is a severe lack of trust between the two.
It seems there are just tons of stories out there by former air talent (and engineers) about cheapskate owners. I can't recall that kind of assessment in any other industry. Must be a reason..
It seems there are just tons of stories out there by former air talent (and engineers) about cheapskate owners. I can't recall that kind of assessment in any other industry. Must be a reason.
You must have a short memory. Consider the debate we've had in this country about raising the minimum wage. That's not a radio issue, but covers most menial work. Consider the very public battle WalMart had with its employees about full and part time employees, and the benefits they receive. Consider all of the labor strikes we've had over the past 100 years, in the auto, coal, and steel industries. Certainly one of the reason so many jobs have been outsourced to other countries. In all cases, the "enemy" has been "cheapskate owners."
Radio was for so long live and local and that business model has largely been broken except for AMD. The exceptional talent is relegated to big markets that can afford them or gone on to vanilla voice tracking gigs where they can earn a better income.
Radio isn't much different except that air talent is their only important product.
I was fired once while on vacation. When I returned from vacation I was met by the security guard who directed me to a cardboard box containing my personal possessions. Sometimes life sucks.