new Star lineup: C&R til 9a; Heather 9-12;Seacrest 12-4p;Chase 4-8p;Darik 8-12

[caller10]

As reported earlier on radio-info.com's main page:

"Chase Daniels breaks into the daytime lineup on Atlanta's "Star 94"

On Atlanta’s WSTR-FM (94.1), the bio for Chase Daniels says “He does just about anything that is needed, but you can hear him mostly doing traffic for Ryan Seacrest and on the weekends.” That bio will be changing, as will Daniels' job description, as he joins the WSTR daytime lineup as the new afternoon drive host starting next week. By adding Daniels, the new “Star 94” lineup will have the morning team of Cindy & Ray ending an hour early at 9am and midday host Heather Branch moving to 9am-12noon. The syndicated Ryan Seacrest moves to early afternoons 12-4pm with Daniels taking 4-8pm, followed by Darik through midnight."

[Wildstyle Kdm]

Now that's a lot of people!

[caller10]

Now that's a lot of people!

A few implications:

1) Star goes more music intensive at 9am against the last hour of Q100's Bert Show.

2) When Chase Daniels 4-8p; Star 94 is once again local in the afternoons.

This is not without precedent in the Atlanta CHR market.  When Q100 first launched in 2001; after Bert they had "Mr. Ed" (then later I think Maverick now afternoon at 955 The Beat) 10am-noon; Tracy St. George noon-4pm; JoJo 4pm-8pm; Suzi Tavares 8p-midnight.

[RoddyFreeman]

I'm wondering whether they'll drop Seacrest when his contract runs out.  Up to now, they've gotten afternoon drive talent (in the form of Seacrest) very inexpensively.  When the new schedule starts, the inexpensive price they pay Seacrest will be an extra expense that won't be necessary.  They'll have enough jocks to cover all the shifts without paying for Seacrest too, as inexpensive as the show is.  The only reason to keep Seacrest is if they feel he's really a draw.  Now that Star has gone in a Hot AC direction, I'm not sure he'll be that much of a draw.

[sidechick1]

Does it make more sense for them to hire Chase full time - full salary, benefits AND pay for Seacrest's show, AND Cindy and Ray's huge contracts (for a shorter work day) than to pay just have Chase as a part-timer who can do traffic too? Seems like they'll need to hire a new traffic person (another full salary/benefits pkg??) even if they stop using Seacrest. Can anyone explain their thinking from an economic standpoint?

[RTibbs]

Wasn't this a fait accompli anyways?  This was the job he was speculated to have from the moment he was hired?

[wbtz]

was he even part time??? do you really think he came to Atlanta to do traffic??? I'm sure this has been in the works since day one...come on!!!

[story@11]

In order to right the ship Rick has to go live in afternoon drive.  I would imagine Seacrest is mostly (if not entirely) barter.  He also provides a marquee name for the station.  The problem is Cindy and Ray.  I bet that their contract is not morning drive exclusive - that is pretty tough to get through anymore (even for Schrutt).  Move them back to afternoons and start from scratch ... again.

[craig_ashwood]

I know Chase from previously working with him in Jacksonville--what a great guy!  I wish him nothing but the best--well deserved, and also having worked with Rick Mack in a previous incarnation at Fox 97--love that Chase is at Star.  Both these guys are good men.  They deserve good things.

[RadioDoogie]

I'm wondering whether they'll drop Seacrest when his contract runs out.  Up to now, they've gotten afternoon drive talent (in the form of Seacrest) very inexpensively.  When the new schedule starts, the inexpensive price they pay Seacrest will be an extra expense that won't be necessary.  They'll have enough jocks to cover all the shifts without paying for Seacrest too, as inexpensive as the show is.  The only reason to keep Seacrest is if they feel he's really a draw.  Now that Star has gone in a Hot AC direction, I'm not sure he'll be that much of a draw.

Seacrest is on quite a bit of Hot AC markets across the nation especially after Casey Kasem retired last July. A lot of stations added Seacrest's AT40 on the weekend when Casey's AT20 left and added him to their afternoon lineups at that time as well. I just wish Star 94 would bring Rick Dees back on the weekends. He is also on a great deal of Hot AC stations across the country on the weekends with his "Weekly Top 40" countdown show.