How to run a radio station Super Network style

Media Hunter hears that there are serious rumblings of discontent at 2HD and NEWFM that have resulted in more staff heading for the door.

Station sales manager Kathy Coleman has taken stress leave indefinitely after having a series of heated run-ins with owner Bill Caralis in the last month. Apparently Caralis has changed commission structures for some sales staff, effective immediately, which has caused serious unrest amongst the troops.

Coleman, who has worked at the Sandgate-based station for over 20 years, was one of those affected adversely by the new structure and expressed her displeasure to Caralis.

Another employee was dismissed on the spot this week after writing to Caralis to question her pay. Apparently the 19 year old copywriter, who had moved from Dubbo just two months ago to take the position, felt she was being paid below the award and wanted to be able to discuss this with her employer. She received her answer in true Super Network style with instant dismissal.

Hopefully she will be able to retain some good legal advice and join the queue of ex-employees currently taking action against Caralis for unfair dismissal. This includes long time local radio legend Roger Clements who was shown the door late last year and currently has a case against the station.

To Media Hunter's knowledge radio 2HD and NEWFM are now operating with:

• no copywriter, the sales team are now writing their own ads

• no program director for NEWFM

• no sales manager for either station

• no qualified technicians

• and no real General Manager since May 2004. The pay and accounts lady was later given the "title" of GM to meet licensing requirements.

Unfortunately, this would be funny if it wasn't so serious.

Firstly, people's livelihoods are at stake. Long term, loyal employees have been forced out for no good reason for about 5 years now. Many of these people have dedicated their lives to the radio industry, and in a duopoly market such as this have little scope for further employment in their fields of expertise.

Secondly, this is a disgrace for radio in the region and especially for such proud heritage stations. 2HD is the 2nd oldest radio station in Australia. NEWFM was the region's first FM broadcaster. Now both are a shambles. Meanwhile their opposition, NXFM and KOFM, continue to dominate the market with no real competition. Listeners have a right to quality broadcasting and they are not getting it from enough sources.

Thirdly, advertisers are being affected. With two commercial stations being run into the ground, radio advertising options have shrunk by 50%. KO and NX are becoming very expensive due to the lack of competition. Now if a business decides to advertise on NEWFM, their ad might be written by an untrained writer. The ad will then air on a station that has no music direction and a dwindling audience. Its just not good enough.

Listeners, advertisers, radio industry employees...give us your thoughts on what is happening at 2HD and NEWFM.

Comments

[Julie]

You've only got to listen to 2HD to hear what's going on there. The station dumped the Continuous Call Team which now rates brilliantly for KOFM during the footy season and the back up tape goes off at least once every day ensuring that 'Everlasting Love' is heard at least once

[Samuel]

These links better explain Bill Caralis ...

http://www.2smasuperstory.com/index.html

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=1x6KmNGfxaE

http://groups.google.com.au/group/aus.radio.broadcast/browse_thread/thread/dda00c68c662f821?hl=en

[Chuck]

Not surprised. "Super" network is a shambles, the sooner the ACMA grow balls and take licenses off these sorts of owners and award them to caring owners like DMG or Prime or Grant Broadcasters the better off the industry will be.

[Raymond]

this network is a nitemare, how did this buffalo ever get the licenses? good to see that there is a doco coming up that may blow it all open....www.2smasuperstory.com
does anyone care? that is the question?

[anonymous]

Just a few corrections to your article in regards to the copywriter. She was 20, and was not from Dubbo. However her instant dismissal for requesting further information about her pay is correctly described.

[Cathy]

You really have to question how someone with highly unstable management and other skills is allowed to hold so many radio licenses and command a potential 6-million listeners. Wonder if the federal government or ACMA has anticipated Bonkers Bill potential ... perhaps as a born-again Al-quada supporter? One flick of the switch and millions of Aussies tune into Moslem fundamentalist broadcasts. How dangerous are our communication laws?? Surely someone is monitoring the crap being broadcast as local news, information and entertainment?? ACMA and the new federal government need a wake up call.

[Sammy]

More problems at the 2SM Supernetwork - this time some of Sydney's most high-profile sports personalities are up to $100,000 out of pocket after the collapse of a privately owned radio
show on 2SM Supernetwork
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23416042-5016360,00.html

###
Thx Sammy...have updated the story as per your tip.

[Scott]

The tradegy continues...
The recently acquired stations in Young, 1350 2LF and ROOCY FM are sadly enough in the same position. With a mass exodus of staff (5 of original 8)mainly over the implementation of a wage system that's based purley on award and not skill, innovation, commitment and results, which drives and will ensure that radio as an industry survives, sadly this station will also be a victim of How to run a radio station Super netowrk style 101...NOT!

[Warren]

I am a 1350 2lf listener I left young 5 years ago and it was a great radio station ,now I am back it is rubbish this SUPER NETWORK is just a money saving low standard discrace bring back the quality.Now I have to buy a powerful radio to pick up out of area stations