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Richmonders mad about another syndicated morning show

04 May, 2009 03:12:00
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Listeners in Richmond, VA are ticked off that Clear Channel pulled the morning show duo of “Melissa and Sid” yesterday from Q-94 (WRVQ-FM) and replaced it with The Elvis Duran Morning Show from Z-100 in NYC. So much so that they’ve organized an online petition (See it here).

They moved Melissa Chase to afternoons (2-7 PM) and fired Sid Kelly altogether. Chase replaces another afternooner who was let go last week. Ryan Seacrest airs 10A-2P.

From the petition: “Help us bring back Melissa Chase and Sid Kelly to Q94 where they belong! We are outraged by the fact that the Melissa and Sid Morning Show on Q94 has been terminated. We don't like how it was canceled so quickly and then to be told that it was being outsourced to New York! It doesn't make sense that a "local" radio show is in New York City!! We also don't like this decision because in Richmond there is very little variety in the choices of radio stations and this decision makes the variety even slimmer. The canceling of the Melissa and Sid Morning Show will surely result in a decrease in listeners because there are very loyal fans. When someone mentions Melissa and Sid you immediately think of Q94 that morning show holds that station together! Richmond (me too) has been waking up to this morning show for 6 years sharing their crazy stories, breakups, proposals, troubling family matters, new babies, marriages, cheating (War of the Roses) and even those crazy Man Segments. To me this is heart breaking, knowing that we will never be able to do that again. No one really wants to listen to someone in New York when they know they could be listening and chatting to Melissa and Sid locally. I am thoroughly disappointed that Clear Channel has fired Sid Kelly.  Waking up in the morning just won’t be the same without them.”

RBR/TVBR observation: Yes, Clear Channel is desperately trying to lower costs in this tough ad environment—and trying to make loan covenants on stations it bought over a decade ago that were much more valuable than today. But seriously, folks, let’s not implode the business altogether. Get some local folks on the air who will work for cheap or even free. Rediscover local radio!

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Subscribe to comments feed Comments (10 posted):

Nick Matthews on 05 May, 2009 06:16:48
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Somebody needs to tell these petitioners that "resistance is futile". The modern deregulated radio industry can do what it wants . This is not like trying to get a traffic light at the local intersection . There is very little the public can do in these cases , and , if they're not careful , they could possibly find themselves facing legal retribution from the the "offending" company , they're called "S.L.A.P.P" suits ( Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation ). I've seen in happen before .
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David on 06 May, 2009 10:02:47
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I know this show, Elvis Duran in the morning. I am a transplanted New Yorker. I understand no one wants to lose a show they like, but Elvis is not a New York show, eventhough it's based there. They don't do anything 'local' New York...what they do is talk to listeners about relationships, life, love, and pop culture. My wife who's 42 listens, as does our daughters who are 20 and 17. Give them a chance, I think you'll like Elvis and his very large cast.
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Gayle Lanning on 06 May, 2009 02:26:18
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Elvis Duran and company talk too much, too loud, and it's boring compared to the morning show Richmonders are used to! We don't need another "touchy-feely" show! We had fun and edge in the morning like audio coffee for our brains. I am erasing my setting or only listening to Melissa 2-7pm. Sorry folks, we have Delilah and John Tesh already to do the "relationships,life, love" thing.
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Lisa on 07 May, 2009 11:26:57
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Being a transplanted NYer myself, I did give it a chance, and I still found the Elvis and Company program distasteful and inappropriate for mornings. As far as the petition being 'futile', it is mostly about people feeling they need to have a voice. However, if people would like to load someones inbox in protest:Dave Symonds -- DaveSymonds@clearchannel.com but it looks like alot of local people will be changing channels. I, for one, already have. You are right on the money RBR/TVBR 'let’s not implode the business altogether'
Looks like Clear Channel messed up on this one.
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Reet on 10 May, 2009 11:35:41
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If they've been working together as long as they have, home come they still step all over each other's comments? It's really hard to follow, wayyy too much talk...give me a little info, a little music, and some actually funny humor, that's all I ask.
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D on 10 May, 2009 07:21:01
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Elvis Duran! You must be kidding me! I am a NJ tranplant and nver liked his shows. Melissa and Sid had a good show. With Elvis and Ryan Seacrest on Q94 has lost a listener. Great job Q94 way to lose people!
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Olivia Ballard on 11 May, 2009 10:42:38
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Clear Channel should be getting a Thank You note from Sirius/XM as I've upped my subscription all because of their stupidity.
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Jim Stallings on 13 May, 2009 11:02:59
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Last thing I want is to listen to a bunch of New Yorkers on the radio in the morning. Do not get me wrong... New Yorkers are okay, but they have NO TOUCH with what and how we live in Richmond!!

I was never into the music they played on Q94 Morning, but I listen due to Melissa and Sid. Now my car and office station has been changed from Q94 to another LOCAL station.
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Vera Caniglia on 12 June, 2009 12:36:26
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Yes, you may be right. However, as an advertiser I refuse to advertise on a station that has done nothing but go downhill. Especially, since Jeff and Betty. The numbers prove it. This will hit Q in the place that it really hurts. Their wallets. It's bad for the advertisers and for the station. Bring back Jeff and Betty!!!!!! "Build it and they will come"
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Tay M. on 24 June, 2009 09:18:07
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To me it's all about the fact that this is costing jobs in the local economy. This is the business I want to get into. And I'm watching it go downhill before I even get into it out of college. I hate syndicated programs and refuse to listen to the stations that carry them during the time they do it. No matter the program. Even non Clear Channel stations do it. To me, I'm watching a job I could potentially have go out the door. It's happening in newspaper even worse and its such a sad case that media is in. Satellite radio is killing it too with straight music and no real DJ input. To me, the best programming is that with witty banter by DJ's, a generous amount of music and a few commercials here and there. I just don't want to think about not having the job that I'd love out of college or worse...be a father and husband and have to hear the words from the GM of the station "Well, we've chosen a different path." Now I have to find a way to provide for my family by doing something I 1) am not skilled at (like I am at being personable) and talking and 2)do not love (like I love radio). Syndicated programming is outsourcing for sure even if its not going to India or China. And it will be the death of my career before I even make it to birth :(
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