With that, and knowing no-one will be able to sell stations, there are about 50 stations from 3 groups that would end up going to the auction block.

WHEN-TV!

The Magic Toy Lady, Mister Trolley, Uncle Skip and the Our Gang Young Rascals!

Magnificent local programming of all kinds originating from lower Court Street studios in the earliest days of Syracuse TV with Electronics Park churning out black & white sets by the tens of thousands, made by Syracusans for the world.

Several weeks ago, the Toledo Blade published this editorial by a WNDR DJ from the late ‘fifties:

Published Thursday, February 5, 2009

Time for Toledoans to Take Back Radio

By way of brief introduction, My name is Peter Cavanaugh.

I am former executive vice president and chief operating officer of Reams Broadcasting (WIOT/WCWA, 1983 to 1992) and ex-vice president/general manager of WSPD/WLQR (1994 to 1995).

Following Clear Channel’s Inaugural Day slaughter of nearly 2,000 loyal broadcast employees, and with the company’s Toledo market manager Andy Stuart “unavailable for comment,” might I propose a few “new rules” about media ownership?

In the past dozen years, we’ve seen facility value thrive on the promise of “consolidation,” then brutally collapse under the weight of egregious greed.

Major broadcasting stocks have become virtually worthless through no fault of sales, programming, clerical, marketing, or promotional talent.

When 2009 financial covenants can’t be met, taxpayer-owned (or owed) banks should seize the stations and/or groups which they funded and transfer the facilities in Federal Communications Commission-sanctioned public auctions to local interests.

In such transactions, former employees would receive special consideration, including the opportunity to be considered for small-business loans to not only gain control but participate in common, community-oriented ownership.

Details to be determined. Nothing to it but to do it.

Toledo, take back your stations!

Peter Cavanaugh
WildWednesday.com

Oakhurst, Calif.

This was written about Radio, but the same thoughts apply to TV.

Granite WILL default on its corporate obligations.

Syracuse, take back your Television Station!

Peter C. Cavanaugh
Cathedral ‘59
LeMoyne ‘63
WNDR/WJMK/WTLB/WFBL

Ron Curtis was my PD at WFBL.

Here’s the comment:

Heartbreaking news.

The major reason for Channel 5’s decline, in my less than impartial opinion, is the structural decision by the new owners (and the old owners, magazine publishing company Meredith Corp., were excellent) to suck every dollar possible out of the operation in order to pay the massive debt required to fund the purchase.

You cannot cut your way to a profit. And you surely cannot cut your way to excellence.

Granite was handed a dominant #1 station, with the top-rated anchor team in town (Ron and Maureen) and experienced (read: higher priced) reporters and photographers. 30+ share at 6; 50+ share (one of the last in the nation for a market that size) at Noon.

On Day 1, Granite’s leaders told us that the pay scale that Meredith had used for non-union reporters and photographers was scrapped. The old pay scale moved you quickly from a starting salary of $18,500 (this was in 1990 dollars) to $35,000 in 4 years. That’s the kind of money a reporter or photographer can count on to help raise a family, and to be able to settle down in the market for a long time or even forever.

Benefits were also cut way back, though I forget the exact details.

End result:

I was hired in 1985 at $18,500. When I left — 9 years later — my replacement was hired at $16,000. 9 years later!

That’s a big reason why the reporting corps got younger, and left town sooner.

The station did not prepare adequately for Ron’s retirement and mishandled Maureen, whom people loved to watch.

And the revolving door of GMs and NDs has provided no stability.

This outcome may not be what Granite wanted, but it’s exactly what they’ve been headed towards since day one of their miserly run to the bottom.

Sadly, all the wrong people continue to get hurt.

-Dave Bullard
Reporter/Producer, WTVH, 1985-1994