TV exec: ‘To not even air an existing news program handed to them is hard to explain’
A decision by Clear Channel Communications to discontinue broadcasting WALB-TV’s newscasts on the radio hurts the community, WALB-TV’s top official says.
Clear Channel’s WOBB-FM B-100 broadcasted WALB’s news – including live at 6 p.m. weekdays — until a recent decision to nix the partnership.
“We have heard from so many of you (about) what happened to the WALB 6 p.m. news on the radio on B-100. We must let you know we are sorry, but it was not our decision to make,” WALB General Manager Jim Wilcox told viewers in an editorial this week.
“We have for a long time granted permission to local radio stations to air our news programs for free, even selling their own commercials inside our news,” Wilcox said. “We consider this an extension of our public service to make news available to you, on the way to work, on the way home, on the way in town, or out of town.”
Wilcox says he heard of Clear Channel’s decision through an e-mail citing “budget concerns.”
“It is, of course, their business and their choice to make,” Wilcox said. “It is sad enough that most radio stations do not hire the first news, weather or sports employee to warn or educate the public they serve, but to not even air an existing news program handed to them is hard to explain.
“I cannot see how they maintain an FCC broadcast license without that minimum commitment.”
Wilcox added: “We warn local radio stations, if you are hanging your hopes on being successful just by playing music, the tremendous growth of Ipod use and new satellite music services XM and Sirius will simply put you out of business.”
Clear Channel’s general operations manager in Columbus, Brian Waters, said Wednesday in an e-mail to his Albany staffers that the decision to pull the plug on WALB at 6 p.m. was due to the station’s listeners preferring to hear country music at that time.
“The decision … was based solely on poor ratings performance … ” he said in the e-mail. “As to the to reference made regarding Clear Channel Albany’s commitment to the community, I know that you personally have witnessed the hundreds of hours of community service provided by each and every one of you. Who could forget the Children’s Miracle Network radio-thon, Stuff the Bus (providing school supplies to disadvantaged children, Special Olympics … and countless other fund-raisers, public service announcements, public affairs interviews and public affairs programs?
“Regardless if the local TV station notices, the thousands of individuals whose lives you personally touch truly appreciate the commitment that our entire radio cluster provides to Albany … We are committed to giving our audience what they want and will always serve the needs of Albany and the surrounding communities with quality programming and public service.”
In an interview, Waters added, “We still run WALB news, sports and weather on WOBB hourly during the morning show.”
Meanwhile, Cumulus Broadcasting’s Albany market general manager says he’s in full agreement with Wilcox’s perspective on the Clear Channel decision.
“Clear Channel’s decision was made locally and with relatively no thought to the rural audience they serve in outlying areas,” said Cumulus’ Jay Wachs, a former Clear Channel manager. “It is unfortunate that those in rural areas will lose this listening opportunity.”
Cumulus’ WKAK-FM K-Country 104 airs WALB news updates, while Cumulus’ WALG-AM 1590 broadcasts the 5 and 5:30 a.m. news from WALB, “which has been invaluable partner since my arrival last year,” Wachs said.
Wachs noted that WALB news and weather is also broadcast on V-101.7 and Mix 107.7; that WKAK’s Dotty Davis reports on community events for WALB; and that WALG airs the only local radio show, Wake Up Albany With Matt Patrick.
“We look forward to continuing to expand and improve upon these cross-promotional relationships so that Cumulus can continue to deliver the community the news and information they need,” Wachs said. “Going forward, I am more committed to what we can to do increase our local presence and responsiveness than to any other segment of our programming. Remember, satellite radio and Ipods can never deliver local content in any way, shape or form.”
In an interview, Wilcox said that corporate consolidation of radio stations has resulted in many communities having scenarios similar to Albany ’s in terms of local radio programming.
“Fifteen years ago the top 10 radio stations had 10 different owners,” he said. “Today, the top 10 have two owners.
“When we ask Congress to protect local TV against cable and satellite companies, our hours of local news, sports and weather is our best defense. Local radio will not have that chip to play when asking for help from encroachment by satellite radio.”
Wilcox added, “When you have competition, you must increase your localism. Most radio is not doing that. As a result, listeners will have no guilt leaving for XM or Ipods.”
