Clear Channel layoffs

It's official now. Clear Channel Communications, owners of El Paso radio station KTSM (FM 99.9), KTSM (AM 690), KHEY (FM 96.3), KHEY (AM 1380) and KPRR (FM 102.1), has announced it is cutting 1,850 jobs nationwide - 9 percent of its staff - including 8 in El Paso. "We are facing an unprecedented time of distress in the general economy -- the ripple effects have hit some of our largest customers hard," said Chief Executive Officer Mark Mayes in a memo to employees. In El Paso, there are indications that at least one veteran employee was among those let go - a KTSM radio sales and promotion manager who has been with the station since 1993. Also said to have been laid off are 4 account executives and a radio programmer. "Out of respect for our colleagues who are affected, we will not be discussing any of these changes with the media," wrote Clear Channel of El Paso radio manager Mike Ryan in a memo to employees Tuesday. Clear Channel was purchased by Bain Capital Partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners last year who immediately began the process of trimming more than $400 million in costs to help reduce the size of its $20 billion debt, according to industry publications.

Comments

[barfly]

Maybe some of the laid off can go work as a news producer. I hear it pays well. . .

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from yahoo.com

Television Producer
Median Hourly Wage: $31.66
Salary: $65,850

Producers coordinate the television features we enjoy, from sitcoms to dramas to the nightly news. To build the necessary skill set, producers enter the field with an associate's or bachelor's degree in mass communications or broadcast media.

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The story was about jobs in this economy that pay $30 an hour. I'm sure every producer in town gets paid like that!

[High paid grunt]

Most producers I have worked with were making about $12 dollars an hour...which is about $8 an hour more than they were worth.

[susie]

Worked at KFOX as a producer was hired at 30k

[fromthesatcenter]

No offense susie, but i wouldn't brag about working at KFOX. they are the worst news out there. what goes on at your story meetings because it isn't coming up with good content.

[WTF?]

What????

[dollars&sense]

Susie...break that down to the hours you actually worked with no break and no overtime. I'm guessing you got paid about $7 an hour.

[Nesto]

Power 102 was the number one station for a very long time until Patty Diaz came along. Maybe someone will wake up and finally fire her. I am just one listener in hundreds that stopped listening to 102 since she became morning show. Sorry Patty, don't know where you came from but you have never been morning show personality quality. "Carmen" will agree. Wake up Clearchannel or get hearing aides and glasses! Look at your ratings!