Today, It’s All About Fate
by Brian Maloney, May 4th, 2009 at 11:41am
*** UPDATED BELOW ***
Beyond the potshots they routinely take against one another, the Globies and WTKK’s Jay Severin are connected in another way: today, their fate is under review.
On Morrissey Boulevard, the Boston Globe’s future remains a question mark, despite some apparent concessions made by the paper’s assortment of labor unions. The twists and turns, which continued through Sunday evening and into today, had reporters from the Herald and Globe itself working overnight hours covering what could develop into a major regional historical event.
Still unclear: even if the Globies agree to absolutely every concession, how could that possibly be enough to keep it afloat? At best, these cuts would represent perhaps one-third of 2009’s operating losses, while parent The New York Times Company is bleeding cash, with no end in sight.
While the NYT’s financial troubles are out in the open, WTKK owner Greater Media’s status is closely guarded. But Jay Severin’s abrupt removal last week over a fictitious “controversy” that caught Boston unaware has revealed an important clue.
I’ve been covering the latest on this story over at the Radio Equalizer.
Clearly, Greater Media is looking to preserve cash any way it can. Given Severin’s $1 million-plus salary, every day of no Vay Cay Jay saves WTKK nearly $5000, minus a payout of perhaps $300 for a fill-in (it’s possible they are paying the subs even less than that).
Privately, I’m hearing from high-level radio people who are amazed Severin ever could have commanded that kind of money in Boston, the nation’s tenth-largest media market. A local host in New York City wouldn’t have a prayer making that kind of salary demand.
My response: at the time the deal was signed, the media environment was still stable and Severin was beating Howie Carr in afternoon drive. Vay Cay essentially won the lottery, securing one of the last big radio deals for local talent.
Could he return to WTKK? You bet, especially in the absence of any real political uproar locally.
Railing against “Mexicans” in Massachusetts doesn’t create the kind of backlash that it would in Los Angeles, as our immigrants are mostly from elsewhere (which is why my local ATM gives the option for instructions in English or Portuguese). Californians, who believe the entire planet revolves around themselves and their culture, cannot grasp this concept.
Besides, the whole flap was manufactured in the first place. Since when does anyone in Boston care what a New York City-based Spanish newspaper reports?
The wild card: will Severin agree to a sharply reduced salary? Only his ego knows for sure.
Fate: what will it deliver for our embattled friends?
UPDATE: according to the Herald, Severin will remain off the air for some time to come. Clearly, Greater Media is playing hardball, recognizing that Severin probably has no place else to go if released from his contract. If Vay Cay balked at their new terms, they’ve decided to call his bluff.
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23 Comments Add your own
1. Cap'n Spackle | May 4th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Maybe he’ll end up having to downscale to Manchester-By-the-River.
2. Circlet Soft | May 4th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Severino will come back, tail between his legs, like he did after his failed syndication attempt.
Face it: what else is he gonna do with Scott Lehigh, et. al. having the requisite silver bullets, wooden stakes, and garlic necklaces?
3. Jay-B | May 4th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
“Californians, who believe the entire planet revolves around themselves and their culture, cannot grasp this concept.
Oh, that is the best line i’ve read in ages.
Reminds me of “Brad” on History Channel’s “Ax Men” - the SoCal kook who thought he’d part Craig Rygaard’s hair by telling him he doesn’t respect Craig. O-o-o-o-o-o…
Welcome to Political Correctness.
Sorry, this doesn’t have much to do with WTKK, but Brian’s sentence above struck a very sonorous chord.
4. Circlet Soft | May 4th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Brian, check out this Jeff Jacoby interview:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/05/04/the_future_of_talk_radio?mode=PF
I like the last question:
Q: How many good years does talk radio have left?
A: AM/FM radio has about five good years left, if that. And what we consider to be radio today will be on the Internet. And the Internet websites will be media stations. The Internet is not only going to change radio; it’s going to change humanity. That’s how profound this revolution in communication will be.
5. piratetoby | May 4th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Softy,
Thanks for the posting the link. I found it quite informative.
Again, the Internet!! newspapers, radio!! I hate to sound like an old fogey, but I LIKE newspaper and I LIKE radio and I LIKE the Internet, too.
In addition, I found his stats on Rush (5%) lower than I would have thought and I was surprised he thought liberal talk doing so well. (what about Boston??)
6. Experienced Manager | May 4th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Here’s a point that hasn’t been covered here yet.
While I do not know for sure, I strongly suspect that Severin is getting paid during this suspension, so GM isn’t saving any money.
Of course it depends on his contract, but in all likelihood, especially if this is the groundwork for a divorce, GM’s lawyers will have a difficult time proving that what Jay got suspended for was markedly different or more objectionable than any other number of statements that he made on the air and did not get suspended for (remember that Imus received a large settlement from CBS as part of his termination).
If money saving is the goal they may be negotiating a buyout, but either way, this is going to cost GM a lot of money. In the final analysis, they are probably better off spending a little more and keeping him on-air than paying almost as much to get him to go away.
7. Sorenson | May 4th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Does anyone know if Severan’s father is really a dead veteran?
8. Pat Lucci | May 4th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
My bet is that Jay is history. Here is why. During a real lapse of judgement, Peter Smyth apparently agreed to pat Jay almost 20K per week. Peter worked his way up in radio in sales. Having worked for him, I can tell you that he is not a programming guy, he is a numbers as in $$$ guy. If he thought that by running Abbot and Costello’s “Who’s On First all day would turn a tidey profit that is exactly what he would do. To him, ratings = $$$.
Let’s say Jay puts his tail between his legs (replacing his head) and takes an 80% cut to $200K. Will his rating therefore revenue rise based on his recent one trrick pony style? No!! If anything he will be worse because his million dollar life style will not be supported by $200,000. This creates anxiety, fear and a lack of motivation. This will cause TKK to fall further behind Howie, making ad rates in the all important P.M. drive sink even lower.
Smyth would be better off putting Graham who is moderately entertainingf in Jay’s spot for $200K and get someone on the cheap to take his 10 to Noon spot which is listened to by a crappy demo anyway.
Nobody asked. Just my opinion.
9. Brian Maloney | May 4th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Pat, think you’re on to something in that Smyth must realize that there are several B-grade hosts in the market that could probably match Severin’s weak ratings at a fraction of the cost.
It all hinges on the strength of Greater’s “case” against Severin. That’s where they have bargaining power.
10. Pat Lucci | May 4th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Brian
Thank you. Another thing to consider is that B grade talent becomes A grade talent in many cases when they see opportunity. The cllassic example is Graham. He has improved by orders of magnitude since he saw opportunity at TKK. He may not have a great deal of intellect, but he is more entertaining than Jay and could probably beeathis ratings if given the opportunity in the same slot.
11. raccoonradio | May 4th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Still no resolution to Jay situation; VB filling in today.
http://www.bostonradiowatch.com
Greater’s statement:
“”WTKK and Greater Media value an open and vigorous dialogue, but we also strongly adhere to basic principles of civility, common decency and respect for all cultures. We believe Jay’s suspension is the best way to uphold both of these corporate policies. WTKK Management met with Jay Severin and his agent today. He will continue to remain on suspension until further notice.”
12. Cap'n Spackle | May 4th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
rr:, so Greater Media found Jay’s contract to be offensive.
13. ChrisNH | May 4th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
In broad strokes, I generally agree with Severin’s ideology. But he wore out his welcome with me years ago: too abrasive and too full of himself. And ‘living large’ while taking European-like vacations conspired to sour many other on his act. In this new order of things, a million bucka a year for a local radio guy is enough to make EVERYONE resentful. Today’s radio host is tomorrow’s burger-flipper. We’re not talking about Mensa candidates here, so a better and more affordable replacement ought to be very, very easy to find.
14. atrueamerican | May 4th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I very often agree with Jay’s overall political /philosophical points that support and outline the basic laws and implied morals of the Constitution, and although I highly respect his intellect and reasoning ability, find much of his communicative style offensive. HOWEVER, the station is so disappointing in the direction they seem to be taking so far. If WTKK is considering a new direction worthy of Jay’s calibre they have a very long path to traverse.
15. Circlet Soft | May 4th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Jimmah. Jimmah. Come tell us your side of the story, Jimmay (Jay) Severino III. Let us help you in your contretemps with Grace, et. al. We will help you, Jimmah.
16. Circlet Soft | May 4th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Rubes: Jimmah Severino does not believe the things he peddles on air. Come on: are you really that naive?
17. WRKO Staffer | May 4th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Circlet Soft - To answer your question, yes they are. Jay made his career at WTKK making dum dum types feel as though they were somehow smart and on top of things. Best and Brightest…LOL!
18. Broadcast Please | May 4th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Why did WTKK & company try to erase Jay Severin off of the face of radio-hood??? I think that they think that we have a short memory-span. I’ve listened to Jay Severin before. He’s just entertainment, yet the higher-ups took him seriously??? Yeah right …
19. Bat Moonbasterrson | May 5th, 2009 at 2:33 am
Without seeing the contract, and without listening to the alleged mis-talk, I can’t tell who is right. I assume they should reinstate him.
But I’d much rather have VB as a permanent replacement.
20. Jay-B | May 5th, 2009 at 6:05 am
VB needs to smoke so his voice will get lower, and potentially deeper.
21. Lee | May 5th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Anybody out there deal with contract law? Everything Jay said that day, he has basically said before - many times. Ad nauseam, in fact.
So can management do this? They let him talk this way for months - even years - and then suddenly decide to suspend him?
I can take or leave Jay - I certainly don’t agree with everything he says - but I do think he might have a case here should the station decide to fire him or reduce his pay.
22. piratetoby | May 5th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Lee,
I agree, he has talked this way for months and years. He may have been warned by mgmt. to cool it. We don’t know what has gone on behind the scenes.
If TKK wanted to reduce his salary and/or can him, I’d be v.surprised if TKK had not been getting their ducks in order well in advance. If not, then shame on them.
23. Save WRKO » The Imp&hellip | May 5th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
[...] Brian Maloney, May 5th, 2009 at 04:33pm This site has previously noted the mysterious nature of Jay Severin’s removal from the airwaves, especially in the way it originated with a [...]
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