Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Barbieri won't be the last; The Cumulus Model hits KNBR 3-7 PM; Inside Analysis

Remember this:

Cumulus is a money machine. They rely squarely on the bottom line. They don't care about sweet and fuzzy things. You have to understand these people are mercenaries and don't care much for outside entities.

The Ralph Barbieri parting on Wednesday was a pure business decision. That's BUSINESS. In the end, even a veteran like The Razor; the man whose personal style and manner translated into huge ratings, (at one point); whose style and on-air gestalt rubbed many the wrong way, but still delivered big numbers was shown the door. That's nothing new in the radio biz--it's, in fact, a natural crawl and practice. In the Cumulus model, it's straight-forward business down the line.

When you make over six figures and begin to think you have a vice on management, these guys come back with the hammer and it's not named Lee, (this ouster, by the way, was not a Lee Hammer decision).

Barbieri won't be the last. Take a good look over at KGO. If Ronn Owens didn't have a "Personal Services" contract, he'd be gone too. And just as Jan 1, 2013 rolls around, Owen's stay at KGO will be history even though he makes KGO, (and by extension, Cumulus), lots of money.

Cumulus is in the business of bottom-lining. They are the acquisition-supreme machine. They're content whores, quote me. Anyone who's paycheck has extra zeroes will be heavily scrutinized and marginalized. And if deemed necessary, called in and told to take a hike. Or as Ralph Barbieri would say a few many times, "Adios Muchachos." Indeed.

I've already been asked by a few of you who's next. Radnich? He just re-upped, but so what, no one is safe at Cumulus. Cumulus is a big monster and their prey is human beings that make too much money and can be pink-slipped in the blink of an eye. It's that simple.

With all due respect, Tom Tolbert, don't cry just for Ralph. Be prepared to let out a ton of emotion for some of your colleagues on the next list.

There's more to come.

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49 comments:

  1. Barbieri did general talk at KGO years ago...would not be a bad addition to Newstalk 910 he's a smart dude, like him or hate him, and might have grown weary of the backward baseballcap/strip-club demographic they were going after.

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  2. Rich, you're so busy pushing your "these evil corporations are only in it for the money" theme that you're forgetting that Ralph sucked, was way past his expiration date, and richly deserved to be fired.

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    Replies
    1. Gee, I hope no one ever says that about you.

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    2. I liked Ralph, he was much better than Fitz who never admits he is wrong, tells everyone how great the Warriors are year after year and fails miserably when he tries to do race comedy playing off Fitz. Who does KNBR have that has any talent now? Tom is OK but may not be without Ralph and the only other person that is decent is Lurie. Gary, F&B, Byrnes...All terrible.

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    3. No, Ralph was still damn fine to listen to. He and Tolbert had great chemistry, and while there were times when Ralph would ramble, he could still bring out the tough questions for big interviews. Most of all, he was entertaining, and I know the last several years my commutes have been easier since I started listening to the Razor and Mr. T; or when working from home I've enjoyed listening to them.

      I'd like to continue to hear Ralph on the air in the Bay Area somewhere, and it would be GREAT if Steve Young did his show with Ralph come football season, whichever station Ralph is on at that time.

      Delete
  3. $20M For Cumulus Chief - 4/9 - All Access tells us that Lewis Dickey, head of Cumulus, made almost $20,000,000 in 2011. Including a base salary of $1,122,042, a $2,000,000 bonus, $1,558,400 in stock awards, and $15,193,479 in option awards. Cumulus, which bought Citadel last year, has recently made a batch of cuts at its radio stations, including locals WMAL and WRQX.....
    ....from dcrtv.com

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  4. Hey Mr. Insider, how come you didn't know anything about this?

    Now that it's happened you have only speculation and really nothing else.

    Oh yeah, more to follow!

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  5. less listeners means less advertising dollars all around the radio. the younger generation listens to i-phones and i-pods. i'm 50, my 20 something kids are too busy texting. i grew up with a transistor radio and thought it was great listening to giants games as i fell asleep. media is changing for better or worse.

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  6. Cumulus SVP/Programming Mike McVay a.k.a. "Mike from San Francisco" (see the Mike Huckabee story from American Spectator at this link: http://spectator.org/archives/2012/04/10/huckabee-show-opens-with-stage) was in town yesterday no doubt to oversee Ralph's departure and add that special Cumulus touch to the proceedings.

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  7. Don't get it, they just gave him a 3 year contract for $250,000 a year, kind of surprised. Radnich really needs to go now.

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  8. Radio does not exist for persons under the age of 21 anymore. Facebook and youtube and Netflix and TMZ, ALL of that is the new radio. Who needs radio, unless you're driving? Seriously, enjoy it while you can. Soon it will go the way of Tower Records and Borders Bookstores. Hurts for me to say that, but it's true. Because I LOVE listening to the radio. But I'm 53. My numbers are not what Cumulus is targeting, but they should, because I'm who is LISTENING to the radio. When will they figure this out.

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  9. Now, I can't email or now ask Ralph why he has
    that sound bite from the Goodfellas movie played
    before his show starts. I thought the Mafioso was
    a stain on Italian Americans but I don't think
    Ralph thought so.

    Maybe, Ralph can convince his mafioso friends to
    pay Cumulus management and Lew Dickey a visit
    and change their minds on getting rid of him.

    I think both Ralph and Tom stunk. Now if they
    can get rid of both Tom and Bob Fitzgerald things
    would be great. They should probably keep Rod
    Brooks as the token miniority hire since he is
    relatively harmless.

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    1. Tom should go as well he is terriable with his juvenile humor and off track topics. Hope they give Ted Robinson a full time slot again. But proably to busy with other sports to do it. At least Ted R brings knowledge and respect to callers and guests alike without stouping to juvenile humour like others.

      Hope knbr cleans house with producers who cares who they are and those sound effects or whatnot just degrade further the show. Wish byrnes and brooks would leave as well.

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    2. I think Tom is great and he should continue. The problem lies in Ownership and their direction. Stench comes from the top and lack of vision comes from the top. The Bay Area doesn't matter, this national company will do what THEY want not what the local market demands, Quality Sports Talk. Sure Ralph made me nuts at times and often beat subjects/points of view to death, but he also asked questions that no one else, save perhaps for Damon Bruce, would ask. The good thing about Tolbert is that he is secure enough in himself to not put up with crap from Mgmt. Note, I posted on the KNBR facebook page, asking for the person who made the decision on Ralph to stand up and say why he made the decision and that Lee Hammer was directed to terminate him. The post was quickly removed. Shows the lack of spine the Cumulus hacks have.

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    3. Juvenile humor. Well said.
      I have been waiting for someone to bring this up about Tolbert.
      I cringe whenever that man speaks.

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  10. At the age of 66 Ralph had to know this was coming sooner rather than later. He has at least 30 years in AFTRA. Collect the union pension, unemployment and social security and get the hell out of a dying industry.

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  11. So is Cumulus on the hook for the $250k the next three years or was there an out in the contract?

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  12. Ralph was done, a long time ago! He was making big money for very little return . Showing up late for work, not making good shows, almost daring them to fire him. You say Ron Owens is making a million plus and he is not good. The people who were let go at KGO were making big bucks and were not very good, what is left at KNBR is making big bucks and are awful! Fitz is the worst host on the radio, well second to Brooks! Why are we crying for guys who were awful and stole money for at least several years? Yet the "Big Bad Owners" are awful humans for making changes? By the way, were any of these now gone talents pulling career high rating, or even near their career high ratings when they were canned? No, not even close! 95.7 has a real chance now, they need to get Damon Bruce and put him in for the painful Lund...then we will have a real race! I respect what you do, but take your bias out and call it like it is!

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  13. Ralph is a pompous, uninformed ass who was mailing it in the past few years. He ripped Barry Bonds on the air, while he was with the Pirates, for not running out a fly ball vs. the Giants at Candlestick.
    Then when the Giants acquired Bonds, he kissed his butt on a regular basis. He's a first class PHONY. In addition, the USF bashing was ridiculous. If he is as smart as some think, he should have given some credit to the Jesuits for his education instead of insulting his alma mater.

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  14. At least Tom Tolbert did a tribute to his long time partner. He wasn't "excited" about the new direction the show was taking like Ronnnn Owennnns at KGO. It is sad Ralph couldn't have done a final show but that is not the Cumulose way.

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  15. I see anonymous comments here from Cumulus interns!

    But yeah. KNBR is going by way of KGO. We all saw this coming. In 3 months or less, you're going to see the 7-10 slot gone, probably Damon, Gary, and others gone as well.

    And in 5 years, KNBR will no longer carry the Giants. I will bank on that now. It will simply be an ESPN/Westwood One/FOX Radio feeder station with Jim Rome on all day, everyday. Whatever saves the Dickster money right?

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  16. Never liked Ralph, but some of these comments are hard to take. Many from of these arm-chair jack offs who represent a tiny fringe lunatic portion of the audience. Did you ever think that just maybe the reason Ralphie wasn't sounding so focused in the past few weeks, was due to the fact he knew what was coming?. I'd like to see how some of these ass hats would react to that kind of pressure.? You'd shat yourself.

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  17. Now that Ralph is out, time to give Larry Krueger his own show.
    This week with Radnich on vacation, Krueger has been allowed to do something that rarely happens between 9:00-noon, the actual discussion of sports.
    Imgaine that, genuine SPORTS being discussed at KNBR.

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  18. Gary Radnich better update his resume. Soon.

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  19. It is interesting to see the changing of the guard at KNBR.
    Five years ago this would never happen.
    With Tony Salvatore, Ralph Barbieri and Gary Radnich always had a freind to stick up for them.
    That is no longer the case.

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    Replies
    1. they are overpaid, that's the problem. Radnich might be next unless he takes a pay cut, big whoop. amazing to see all the fools on here crying about people who made millions$$$ in their lifetime and would stop to pi$$ on you if you were on fire.

      WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!! lol.

      Delete
  20. On a side note, it is amusing in a train wreck type of way to hear Mike Amatori's spots on KSFO schilling for upcoming tea bagger rallies in the Bay Area. The craziness gets worse by the day.

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  21. Loving 910. Well, from 3-7 anyway.

    What a strange world! Imagine groceries stores feeding us pink slime and we we couldn't do anything but swallow!

    wait.

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  22. Won't be missed, Tom is a better host. Sorry Ralph, take you your sorry A$$ out of this town. When you hated someone, you never held back you feelings. What goes around comes around. Goodbye!!!

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  23. 20 some years ago Ralph used KNBR to screw Dave Newhouse out of his job, today KNBR returned him the favor, oh how quickly Ralph forgot, what an ass he has been all these years. What goes around comes around.

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  24. I understand it's all about the dollars, but seven minutes to pack up and be escorted out of the building? Voice mail cut off, name vanished from the website as though he never existed. After 28 years.

    Cold. Very cold.

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  25. One of the most evil, cynical business models I've encountered: 1) Cut costs to the bone, assuring profitability at minimal revenue levels. Fire all mid to high dollar on-air talent without regard to their contribution. 2) Ignore ratings. Ignore localization. They don't matter in this model. 3) Acquire as many properties throughout the country and apply the same formula. 4) Sell advertising based on reach only, not penetration. 5) Rely on the "cumulative" thin margins from multiple properties to provide an evergreen revenue stream.

    Sick bastards. They create nothing. They produce nothing. Pure parasites. I'm sure the Cumulus blood sucker executives are proud to look on their careers and everything they stand for.

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    Replies
    1. Best post I've seen all year! Well stated!

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  26. Dear Senator Feinstein ... Dear Senator Boxer ... Dear Representative ___________ (your Representative here).

    Now is the time to let them know how you feel about the current media monopolization.

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    Replies
    1. Too bad Feinstein is too busy selling us out to her pals in China to give a damn.

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    2. Dear Idiot and Corrupt Democratic or Republican Senator, thank you for monopolization. It got rid of one talentless boob named Barbieri. I'm hoping the orifice named Radnich is next.

      By the way, could you get rid of that arrogant a-holes from noon-3, too?

      And after the purge, could you do something about the g-darn monopolization? I just hate it.

      Thank you.

      Delete
  27. who cares? ralph was an overpaid turd who floated his parkinson bs just before end of his contract(what a low-class move btw) because he knew he wasn't pulling his weight. that's life. either produce or they'll find someone else who will. and if cumulus f's up the stations, their value will decrease and eventually they'll be bought by someone else who will run them better. this has been going on for hundreds of years - one business gets complacent and another fills the breach.

    also, re ralph - has anyone ever heard of a 50-60 year old man who is unmarried and is allowed to adopt(?) a child? very strange

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  28. Stop crying over Ralph, That fool outlasted his time already.... Effn soapbox racist.. Good rid dins.

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  29. Rich or "anybody": Barbieri said he can to word tuesday MORNING as per ususal.

    Excuse me for being so blunt, but when is the last time Ralph came to work in the morning for his 3-7 slot.

    Even if he showed up at 12:01 pm that would be way out of character for somebody who regularly showed up at 2:59 pm...

    Thoughts?

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  30. AnonymousApr 11, 2012 04:25 PM Barbieri did general talk at KGO years ago...would not be a bad addition to Newstalk 910 he's a smart dude, like him or hate him, and might have grown weary of the backward baseballcap/strip-club demographic they were going after.

    Huh? Which Barbieri are you talking about. The Mills HS of Millbrae and USF grad is NOT a smart individual. His wordsmith deliveries was just a smoke screen for his lack of common sense.

    He pissed off Peter and Debby McGowan and Larry Baer and Ned Colletti and Sabean thought of Ralph as a pyrahia (sic).

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  31. While I feel bad for anyone losing their job, let's remember he was making over $300,000 a year for working 4 hrs a day. He often showed up late for work or call in sick and would berate local media members that didn't share his views. He would belittle callers who thought differently then he did, would speak the world of guys like Nellie and the Sharks because they kicked back free items to him. Ralph was "old school" media.......all about the kickbacks and what he thought was right and if you didn't go along with him you were obviously in the wrong. Ralph was great in his time, but he wasn't the first host of Sportsphone 69 or Sportspage 68, there were hosts before him and there will be new hosts after him. I lost all respect for Ralph years ago when he blasted a Chronicle writer for an article he had to write after Ralph had his 2nd or 3rd DUI. Ralph also went after Amy G because she was "buddy buddy" with many of the Giants.......did Ralph bother to check his relationships with Joe Thorton, Monta Ellis, etc. If anyone was a homer it was Ralph, the Sharks could do no wrong in his book. I wish him well in his retirement and look forward to the change in the afternoon on KNBR.

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  32. Never listened to Barbieri. Couldn't stand him.

    Funny, he couldn't stand a lot of people and said so.

    Cumulus couldn't stand Barbieri and said: Good Riddance!

    I agree. Next man up: Radnich.

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  33. Rich or someone breakdown a personal services contract and how it pertains to Owens. Thanks

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  34. I remember the day Ralph took over and because the previous guy was well-liked it appeared that the first few callers hung up on Ralph in protest. It may have been tech. difficulties but I doubt it. Of course, it wastnt Cumulus back then, but KNBR didnt want a "nice" guy doing the show anymore, and I and surely others have suffered with listening to this "bitter" loser for all this time, good f'in riddance, he would be rude to athletes and callers but couldnt take his own medicine

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  35. This stuff about Ralph only working four hours a day is a bunch of bunk. That's like saying a ballplayer works only three hours a day (when he's playing in a game) and then has the rest of the time off.

    Having done many of these kinds of shows myself over the years, I can tell you that a lot of work and prep times goes into each day and that the four hours is only a part of it. You're up early reading the paper, perusing the internet, listening to other stations, listening or watching games, checking out ESPN, making calls, going to games at night and on the weekend, talking with producers...there's a lot of behind the scenes activity.

    Folks who don't work in broadcasting on-air have no idea of what it's like. Yes, it's a fun job and you usually get paid well (at least you used to!) but there are many times when you're working on holidays, weekends, and you don't get a normal evening routine with your family. And no one...unless they're one of the bigger names or have an iron clad contract, dares to take more than two weeks off at a time and anymore than about four weeks off a year. If you do that, you could come back and findthat your job has changed or that in a worst-case scenario, you've been replaced.

    Unfortunately, most of us are addicted to the work and many of us are ' broadcasting vagabonds,' moving from one city to the next for new opportunities. But despite all of the drawbacks, working in radio is a lot of fun and I'm sure even Ralph would agree at this very moment that he wouldn't trade the experiences and adventures he's had for a more placid, predictable, but boring career.

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  36. It seems to me that KNBR has been in a steady decline for.the last few years. The difference is apparent when you switch to Damon Bruce.

    I find myself switching away from KNBR in frustration with the "one long SF Giants infomercial" format.

    One more reason not to listen to KNBR now, one less honest guy, bring on the next host to talk about how great the giants are

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  37. Please Please get rid of Brian Murphy; juvenile babble babble babble, like he took a stool softener for his mouth! A dollar an hour is too much for this clown.

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