SLATON LEAVING KZOK?

[ambandwidth]

please tell me - Is this true? if so, radio sucks more a** than even imagined...

[Bongwater]

I haven't heard anything yet. I hope not......

[SeattleRadioPro]

please tell me - Is this true? if so, radio sucks more a** than even imagined...

In the "More CBS" thread there's a report he was shown the door yesterday.

[WKomm]

He's out.

[Bongwater]

I should have saw this coming once Connie Cole was dropped, but what's up CBS Seattle?

It seems like you people know the price of everything and the value of NOTHING. And out of all the radio conglomerates in Seattle, I gave you the benefit of a doubt. Mostly because of Steve Slaton.

Steve Slaton took a station that was once a JOKE in Seattle radio and made KZOK a classic rock FORCE to reckon with nationally. No one else could have done this with such panache and without him, 102.5 would be another 100.7 or 96.5, just a wheel of revolving and mediocre flavor of the year formats. Through the '90s and up to today, Steve Slaton has made KZOK a top leader nationally in radio.

And you thank him with THIS?

I don't know who's calling these shots, but I would fire HIM/HER FIRST before I would EVER fire Steve Slaton. These firings of legendary talent doesn't help the bottom line now and they will prove DISASTEROUS later on. Radio needs LEADERS now and CBS, you are firing everybody with those desperately needed credentials now.

How is radio ever going to reach this big new gilded age of technology and innovation when you keep ripping the soul out of it? To keep the shareholders happy for NOW? Here's a brand new thought: What if the shareholders decide to dump all their stock in overhyped and underperforming radio industries and go straight back to non-radio commodities?

Because that's what they've been doing now. It's the simplest rule: invest in products where there is the strongest demand. There hasn't been much demand for radio lately (and you can't blame that entirely on the iPod, the internet or the marketplace in general.) And instead of looking to people like Steve Slaton and John Mack Flanagan for vision, seasoned guidance and knowledge, knowledge that is time tested and listener loved for decades, you dispose of them like a two week old intern on crack.

I don't want to hear any excuses. There are NONE for this. It is simply an outrage.

Steve Slaton did not deserve this, nor did the other legendary jocks that were once a part of one of the greatest stables of radio talent, ones who were once PROUD to be a part of the (once) respected name of CBS.

Shame on you CBS.

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

Shame on you CBS.

This is CBS.

Corporate
Bull
S%%t

[SeattleObserver]

If it's any consolation, the Oregon Media Insiders blog is reporting that all layoffs were handed down from corporate mandate (thanks NYC, you really know how to run a radio world into the ground...) and the local management had no say in things.

In Portland this meant 1/3 of the Rick Emerson Show gone (apparently popular despite AM 970's 12+ ranking) and Marconi (remember him? lol) gone with his sidekick moved to night shift.

http://www.oregonmediainsiders.com/node/1748

[PSAIRCHECKS]

This is just terrible news. I remember the day I first learned Slatons name on the radio, it was the day John Lennon was shot and killed. I listened to his show in my bedroom that night, his commentary and the callers he let on the air between the Beatles records he played that night. I became a regular listener to him and KISW after that.

While Steve did not go to KXRX when almost all other KISW personalities did, I still checked in and listened to Steve on KISW even though most of my other listening time was at 96.5.

When times changed and he landed at KZOK, followed by some of the other well known rock jocks, KZOK was poised to be the next KXRX for a time and even though that seemed short lived, Slaton's show continued loyally as it always had.  Steve Slaton was a friend on the radio to me for a long time and he will be missed.

All my best to Steve Slaton and hope you will be back on the air very soon.

[kookookachoo]

the big wigs at CBS NY are going down the line & cutting without any thought of how it will affect the product! It's insane! Steve Slaton is an ICON in Seattle & I am shocked, dismayed and oh so disappointed in the state of local radio. It's a damn shame.

On another note, Amy Lynn, who recently took over the evening show on KMPS was let go, too! The afternoon traffic person, Flo, who worked with Tony Thomas for about 10 years was also shown the door! She bolstered their ratings & she's gone. Yet they keep the midday person? I don't get it. I just don't get it.

[placebo1969]

I mentioned this in the other thread, but it bears repeating:

Steve is a class act.  I emailed him last night and 30 minutes later, he responded with a personal message.  I also emailed Curelop, but he didn't respond.  Not that he had anything to do with the firing, but I wanted him to know how I felt (feel).  Who's Curelop's boss?