RIP WXYT as it was ?

I didn't know where to put this thread. I am not surprised but I can't believe that they did things in such as ruthless manner. Not noted in this quote is 1270 also let go two top producers in the last month, and put everybody on notice.

From Gregghenson.com...

Quote:

I talked to Art Regner last night and while he was surprised that he wasn't renewed by WXYT, he was doing OK. It is always hard to lose a job, especially when you deserved a contract extension, but I all think we know what to got into with this business and you take it in stride. There are a couple of odd situations here, why did Rob Parker report Art's termination before even Art knew and why did the show with the highest ratings in WXYT's history get split up and dumped. Additionally, why didn't Art and Doug ever meet the new General Manager before he was fired? The whole thing stinks and it sounds like there was a ton of politicking going on behind the scenes. Sad, the most talented are cut loose in favor of the loudest. Either way Art will be fine, he's a talented entertainer.

WXYT are not getting the Red Wings and two, they are cutting salary fast under the new General Manager. Salary cuts are a fact of life in radio, especially in Detroit at the moment. Art and Doug are the only credible broadcasters On-Air at WXYT, unfortunately they are also both making $100 plus. Foster is credible but as a journalist. Valenti is too new to the market to have any identity, plus he isn't from Detroit which is a handicap. Cutting them means the station is attempting to save money because it can't sell the station in it's current form. With Homberg out, there is nobody there to defend the sports format and the cuts will only get worse as the new GM guts the station to make it profitable.

You can talk about the 12+ ratings all you want, the Big Show was the only show getting any numbers in the key male 25-54 demographic, this is a cost cutting move if it is true. WDFN while trailing in the 12+ demo is killing WXYT in the key sales demos.

Update: Reliable sources tell me this is true and that the new lineup will be Karsh and Scott Anderson in Midday and The Sports Inferno in Afternoon. I am quite sure Stoney and Wojo aren't worried about WXYT's latest attempt to knock them off their perch.

I think this may also be happening because the new General Manager isn't an "AM radio" guy who believes he can run a syndictaed station and make money in Detroit like they do with music on the FM. The new GM also doesn't have Homberg's tolerance to lose money as he didn't build this folly, Homberg did. The new PD also isn't from Detroit and likely doesn't have any feel for local guys like Regner and Karsch.

Quote:

WXYT layoffs!

The 2 employees let go last week at WXYT are Sports Inferno Producer Tom Mazaway and Production Guru Son Swindell. Both of these guys were well paid guys who WXYT just couldn't support any longer with the dismal sales number at the radio station.

The gloom is all over the place at WXYT as one employee told me "everybody here is on a 90 day deal, we can be gone at any moment, we are just waiting for the other shoe to drop." Another employee claims "we know that the Tigers and red Wings aren't coming back and it could mean we are finished as a sports stations."

WXYT has long suffered programming and sales leadership, the only hope is that the Illitch teams remain and the new General Manager can right the ship and save Homberg's folly.

Unless he's got a non-compete clause as part of his termination (prolly not) I wouldn't be surprised to see WDFN re-hire Regner, if nothing else to take a good jab at WXYT.

Where's Muhme with more details? Hopefully he didn't lose his gig too.

Wow... I actually like the Big Show. I would always turn to them when Stoney and Wojo were going on non-sensical rants that had nothing to do with sports. And during "What's Your Beef"... that got old fast.

Henson's info of Art being let go, him making a 100 K, salary cuts, etc. is accurate I'm sure, but his accusations of politicking behind the scenes is fraudulent IMO.

Henson has an axe to grind w/ a few folks still in the Detroit market and he takes full advantage of opportunities such as this one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn

Where's Muhme with more details? Hopefully he didn't lose his gig too.

Hopefully not. He's not my favorite poster and I think his "I'm in the lockerroom, you don't know" theories are pretty bullshit, but its never cool losing a job especially one you enjoy as much as he clearly enjoys that one.

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...55/1004/SPORTS

From reading this article, it seems like the future of 1270 may rest on the decision of the Tigers. I mean if they lose the Tigers they will likely lose what little of advertising leverage they have left. I think the Tigers want 760 because it is cost efficent and has a massive signal but right now the price is too high for WJR, but the Tigers our counting on 1270 to up the stakes, but not to win the bidding.

You mean the Tigers aren't going to follow the lead of Michigan State and PAY THE RADIO STATION to broadcast their games?
Man, I thought that would be the wave of the future!

We got a new GM. He wanted to make cuts and change stuff up. Homberg is no longer running our station. That is why the cuts were made. The Inferno IS the strongest show on the station and nobody can deny that. Henson has big beef with everyone because he isnt here (in Detroit.) You cannot listen to a word that guy says honestly. Gregg is a bitter old man that wants to be here in Detroit and he is pissed he isnt.

Sorry MUHME but Henson's a sports talk radio vet who's run stations and had them performing well. I'm listening to him before the dude who pops wood everytime he's allowed in team locker room.

lol...Fool killing me.

This is how I see it from the guys I talk to at both stations (DFN and XYT)

Henson was buddies with Art, Maz and Swindell. Hell, he brought Art to XYT when he was PD. Also, he is not a big fan of the Inferno. This is well documented. He was been on our site (sportsinferno.com) starting BS and trolling. (IP checks do wonderful things) making threats to people that work at XYT ect... The fingerprints that he left at XYT are virtually gone. He was brought in to make XYT better than DFN and he failed. No shame in that, Henson BUILT sports talk here in Detroit, but failed when trying to replicate what he created.

Now, he sees a new PD come in and totally change everything. Karsch is the only mainstay that is here from the Henson days pretty much. Hell, we even changed the Logo. He sees our numbers continue to grow, the trends continue to get better and he is bitter ( I honestly do not care if you believe me or not on that. Check the numbers. )

I liked the Big Show and I loved working with Art. But, I am telling you guys when a move like that is made, it isnt because a radio station is falling. One thing Gregg can do is manipulate the average listener because the average listener has no idea what is truly going on. Gregg throws some stuff out there and see if it sticks.

It doesnt matter if you like SI or hate it, they have been Tea Bagging Beligan (a show that I like) for a while now. The Big Show has had their run at Stony and Wojo, it was time for someone else to take their shot.

As for us losing the Tigers and Wings...CBS radio will not lose them so it doesnt really matter. Just more programming for XYT, honestly.

Last thing on Henson. I liked the guy from the few times I met him. However, he likes to create drama back here for some reason. How long has it been since he left Detroit? Yet, he sits on his blog and uses 80% of it about Detroit and Detroit radio?

Fool, call me names and laugh as you will. Believe Henson, he is right on a lot of things. I am just telling you that there is more than what he is saying to the story.

I never really liked any of XYT's shows except the Inferno, which is my favorite sports show. Art had too short a fuse (much like the Book) and he can't take critism from callers, even if the callers are right. Too many times he flies off the handle because of this. I also can't stand their promos either. Whatever happens, I hope the Inferno stays in tact.

No byline, but it sounds like a high school kid wrote it.

http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs..../-1/COLUMNISTS

Quote:

Detroit sports radio changing

Look for some major shake-ups in Detroit sports radio in the new year.

Art Regner, one of the signature voices at all-sports-talk WXYT, was fired last week in a cost-cutting move.

The man whose rants are legendary was the best thing going for the station, but the size of his contract made him the most expendable. Regner was one of the original talkers when all-sports radio began in Detroit at WDFN 12 1/2 years ago.

WDFN (1130-AM) and WXYT (1270-AM) are still limping along, leaving us to wonder how much longer the Detroit market can support two sports talkers.

WDFN has gotten stale. Mike Stone and Bob Wojnowski have been together for a decade in afternoon drive and still have the city's franchise sports show.

But WDFN no longer gives sports fans a compelling reason to tune in during the daytime. It's even worse after sunset. Most of Monroe County can't hear the Pistons on their flagship station.

The success of the Detroit Tigers helped WXYT, and the station finally cracked the top 20 in the Arbitron ratings. But WXYT keeps shuffling its schedule.

Effective Jan. 2, mid-day "Sports Inferno" hosts Mike Valenti and Terry Foster move to afternoon drive, replacing the "Big Show." Regner's former partner Doug Karsch is demoted to mid-days and will join Scott (The Gator) Anderson in a pairing of dull and duller.

Foster and Valenti are developing chemistry but lack star power. Their arguments seem forced. Putting them opposite Stone and Wojnowski will be the beginning of the end for the WXYT duo.

The Karsch-Anderson pairing is a mismatch made in hell. Anderson is as boring as all get-out. His Detroit Tiger postgame shows last summer sounded like they came from a member of the Tigers' PR staff. Karsch is as condescending as Gary Danielson was during the years of the horrible "Locker Room" show (with Eli Zaret and Kirk Gibson) on WXYT.

Meanwhile, the Tigers' six-year contract with WXYT has expired. The station grossly overpaid when it bid $50 million to broadcast the Tigers and Red Wings. With Regner gone, one has to wonder how much longer WXYT will remain a sports station. After all, it drew far better ratings a decade ago as a conservative talker.

Closer to home, Toledo's all-sports WLQR (1470-AM) has become a better alternative. The home of the Red Wings, Mud Hens, Tigers (when the Hens aren't playing), Lions and Ohio State suffers from a lack of local programming. Norm Wamer is solid, but he's only on for two hours in the afternoon.

Toledo's WDMN (1520-AM) has now added Detroit Pistons broadcasts with its Toledo Storm play-by-play. Mostly sports WCWA (1230) is left with Bowling Green, Toledo women's basketball and the Cleveland Indians.

The trouble with Detroit sports radio is all the hosts seem the same. All try too hard to sound hip. When former Tiger reliever Larry Sherry died last week, no one talked about him because nobody remembered him.

Detroit sports radio needs an old sage, a Ron Cameron or Denny McLain type, who is a little older, knowledgeable and outspoken. There aren't many of those available so the best move would be to hire Cameron or McLain.

Well, are you up for the job, Denny?

Can I calmly say that I totally disagree on EVERYTHING...and I mean EVERYTHING he said.

What kind of shit is it where his name isnt listed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMUHMEshow

What kind of shit is it where his name isnt listed?

I would say its shit....You know how it is Jason..Another person who is afraid to give his name.....

Now I get to listen to "It is what it is" and "The Inferno"......this is a very good thing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizzle

Now I get to listen to "It is what it is" and "The Inferno"......this is a very good thing

I like Sean's show,but have not listened to it for a long time because of SI...Now I get to listen to it!!!!!!

Tell the Inferno to move to mornings on WFDN. Then we'd be all set. Inferno 7-11, Sean 11-2 and Stoney and Wojo 2-6. We don't need Rome anyway.

Or have Sean do mornings and Inferno stay midday. Either way I'd like to see them on WDFN.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTFchris

Tell the Inferno to move to mornings on WFDN. Then we'd be all set. Inferno 7-11, Sean 11-2 and Stoney and Wojo 2-6. We don't need Rome anyway.

Or have Sean do mornings and Inferno stay midday. Either way I'd like to see them on WDFN.

Id like to see Sean do 6-10 at xyt...Sorry,not a fan of DFN anymore..I mean yesterday they had Clarence Black doing S&W..Unlistenable

I guess it doesn't matter to me which station everyone is on. But, I think Jamie and Brady aren't that great, the Big Show sucks (which is why it is changing again), Inferno is great, Sean is great, Stoney and Wojo are very good. In a perfect world I'd have all 3 of them on the same station so they aren't going head to head.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTFchris

I guess it doesn't matter to me which station everyone is on. But, I think Jamie and Brady aren't that great, the Big Show sucks (which is why it is changing again), Inferno is great, Sean is great, Stoney and Wojo are very good. In a perfect world I'd have all 3 of them on the same station so they aren't going head to head.

S&W need to freshen themselves up...They have been the same redundant show over and over for years...

I honestly think Sean's show is the best on detroit sports radio, or detroit radio in general. Stoney and Wojo are awesome as well if they're doing sports radio - I hate their dumb gimmicks such as "What's Your Beef", etc.

Living in Chicago, I don't get to watch many Lions games so I end up streaming the radio feed online. Turns out that my favorite part isn't actually listening to them lose but its switching to the DFN feed after and listening to Sean's postgame.

Like I said, CBS radio wasnt goign to lose the Tigers and Wings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMUHMEshow

Like I said, CBS radio wasn't going to lose the Tigers and Wings.

The point of the thread wasn't CBS radio it was 1270, the major super powers in radio are 3 companies, Clear Channel, CBS broadcasting and ABC, so for CBS to keep broadcast rights isn't surprising in a non competitive market. Just because CBS retained rights doesn't mean 1270 can't or won't die. The popular feeling in the radio business before I left for EL Paso was 97.1 was going to become the sports station but due to contract issues with on air talent it would have been costly making it near impossible. However now with Parker, Wilson, McKormick gone from 97.1, and Regner, along with others from 1270 from before the merger/change is possible. I have no inside source on this but it would be logical based on the changes in personnel. I mean the biggest concern at this point is D&D,and can they be moved without losing them or would they fit in on a sports station for now.

I respect your feelings on the issue because it is your job and friends we are talking about but when 2/3 of each station are let go there is reason to believe that major change is imminent. If WKRK gets the Wings and Tigers it means nothing for 1270 other than they may be the back up station when games conflict, which isn't unheard of. If that happens it would indicate to outsiders that 1270 is no longer needed and new format is more likely. It is my opinion that if the flagship for 3 major pro sorts teams is at one station, then they need to be committed to sports F/T for it be successful. .

Clear Channel Detroit

* WDFN-AM
* WJLB-FM
* WKQI-FM
* WLLC-FM
* WMXD-FM
* WNIC-FM
* WXDX-AM

CBS Owned

Detroit

* WKRK
* WOMC
* WVMV
* WWJ (AM)
* WXYT
* WYCD-FM

ABC Owned

WJR 760 AM
WDVD 96.3 FM
93.1 DOUG FM

Quote:

WKRK-FM (97.1) could be ready to simulcast Red Wings and Tigers broadcasts.

WDIV-TV Local 4 reported Thursday that WKRK -- which handles Lions games -- had parted ways with weeknight sports talkers Mark Wilson and Rob Parker to make room for the broadcasts beginning with the Wings' New Year's Eve game.

The Channel 4 report would indicate that CBS Radio, WKRK's parent, had maintained rights to Tigers games.

The Tigers are on WXYT-AM (1270), and it was believed only the nighttime games would be simulcast on WKRK, avoiding a conflict with popular afternoon talkers Deminsky and Doyle. WXYT's nighttime signal has been an issue since the Tigers moved from WJR-AM (760) almost six years ago.

CBS Radio officials were unavailable for comment. John Hahn, the Wings' senior director of communications, said a new deal wasn't in place.

Wilson is a former sportscaster on Channel 2. Parker is a columnist for the Detroit News.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...612290396/1050

A rumor on the Mi Buzz Board has Rob Parker heading to New York for a trial run on Cold Pizza.

http://mibuzzboard.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16207

JS, I would be suprised if I wasnt working at 97.1 (a sports station) next year if that tells you anything. Just a hunch though.

97.1 doesnt have the people to take on all the sports stuff. We already run all their Lions stuff. The guy on the sideline (TO) is from XYT, the guy in the studio during the game (Fithian) is from XYT, the guy running the network is from XYT.

I would LOVE for us to go to 97.1 and I think the city of Detroit would too honestly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMUHMEshow

JS, I would be suprised if I wasnt working at 97.1 (a sports station) next year if that tells you anything. Just a hunch though.

97.1 doesnt have the people to take on all the sports stuff. We already run all their Lions stuff. The guy on the sideline (TO) is from XYT, the guy in the studio during the game (Fithian) is from XYT, the guy running the network is from XYT.

I would LOVE for us to go to 97.1 and I think the city of Detroit would too honestly.

I hope you get moved there that would be great for you. I think 97.1 is a smart move. In radio and tv it is better to start over rather than try to re-build. 1270 sadly was re-built or re-tooled too many times to believe that it was a tweak away from success. A new station provides a new attitude, a refreshed feeling of optimism where people can work forward instead of looking back at the carnage.

I think a FM sports station was needed in Detroit and it will push the market further than 1270 ever could have. I just hope the GM and CBS can fully commit to making it work. Perhaps even the competition will raise their bar to make sure they are still players and don't get rolled over, because as it as been said 1130 has been stale at best. I hope that the new station has syndicated night sports programming, I can't stand WDFN's re-broadcast of Pistons games most night.

I wish the best of luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn

A rumor on the Mi Buzz Board has Rob Parker heading to New York for a trial run on Cold Pizza.

http://mibuzzboard.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16207

SAS is taking good care of his boy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS

SAS is taking good care of his boy.

Yeah, I saw him on Quite Frankly last night

Rob will be on Cold Pizza next week.

Did anyone catch the fall ratings book?

DFN....down again. Wings and Tigers locked up on XYT...

Thoughts?

XYT>>WDFN

Don't listen to them a lot but when I do I prefer XYT because they talk about sports. Their is not one show on DFN that talks about sports exclusively. Sean Baligian used too but now he tries to act like Jim Rome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeMyers

XYT>>WDFN

Don't listen to them a lot but when I do I prefer XYT because they talk about sports. Their is not one show on DFN that talks about sports exclusively. Sean Baligian used too but now he tries to act like Jim Rome.

Yeah...its too bad. I really did like Beligan's show a lot. It is funny because Valenti is my boy and I would always bust his balls and tell him I listened to Sean, but he has turned to pure shit the past year or so. I guess competition gets to you at some point and you struggle to change.