Nationwide by Metro Networks will affect the Salt Lake market
Metro, a subsidiary of Westwood One, announced Sept. 17 that it would "re-engineer" itself. This means cutting its work force by 15 percent across the nation (about 300 total jobs) and also consolidating its 60 offices into 13 regional hubs.
Metro provides traffic reports and news to thousands of radio stations across the nation.
Alan D. Hague, vice president of Simmons Media, agrees there will be an impact in Salt Lake City to all of the stations that use the service but he was still trying to get a handle on the extent of the changes this week and after the deadline for "Radio Dial."
All seven Simmons stations in the Salt Lake market use Metro services KXRK, KJQN, KZNS, KYMV, KEGH, KOVO and KEGA.
KSL program director Kevin LaRue said he's not aware of any changes this will make on his station.
Eric Hauenstein, general manager of Citadel Broadcasting in Salt Lake City, made a similar comment. These cutbacks will not affect any of his eight stations KBEE, KBER, KENZ, KFNZ-AM, KUBL, KKAT-AM, KKAT-FM and KJQS.
The cutbacks will also not hurt any Clear Channel stations. That's because that company operates its own Total Traffic Network. In fact, that competing company is said to be one reason for the Metro Network's reductions.
Locally, Clear Channel provides Total Traffic service to its own six stations KNRS-AM, KZHT, KJMY, KOSY, KODJ and KXRV. It also provides services to four other stations in the Salt Lake radio market. Total Traffic uses UDOT facilities for its traffic reports.
It is easy to take traffic reports for granted, but if you hear changes and reductions on the radio here, it will probably be because of Metro's restructuring.
• RADIO HAPPENINGS KRSP radio (FM-103.5) has started a new giveaway "Halloween Time Disneyland." Families can win vacations to the resort. Listen to the station for more details.
• KSFI has a paycheck song of the day each weekday, worth a prize of $1,000. Listen to "Brian and Rebecca" on FM-100.3 for more details.
• KSOP is giving away a trip to "Dancing With the Stars."
• Abby Bonnell of KNRS will walk with other radio staff members in the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk on Oct. 11, 9 a.m., in Liberty Park. Go to www.570knrs.com for more details.
• TWENTY YEARS AGO IN SALT LAKE RADIO KCPX announces a $2 million "Scan 'n' Win" contest . . the KCPX morning show disbands, with Jack Sunday moving to Idaho Falls and Peggy Ijams taking a TV job in Spokane. ... John Berg leaves KSL to start his own company.
Deseret News radio editor Lynn Arave can be reached by e-mail at lynn@desnews.com, or by phone at 237-2168.
Recent comments
Great. More consolidation, more phoned-in reportage by...
Marcia | Sept. 30, 2008 at 5:48 p.m.
Great. More consolidation, more phoned-in reports by out-of-towners...
Marcia | Sept. 30, 2008 at 5:45 p.m.
OHHHHHHHHHHHH YOU WILL NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR TRAFFIC REPORTS IF...
MIKE | Sept. 30, 2008 at 9:34 a.m.
- Funds for new courthouse approved 1:48 a.m.
- Godfrey vetoes Ogden budget 1:48 a.m.
- Odd Fellows Hall move 1:47 a.m.
- 2 country groups to perform 1:47 a.m.
- Rumor has Boozer with Bulls 1:20 a.m.
- Jazz in back of line for free agents 1:19 a.m.
- Okur signs two-year extension 1:18 a.m.
- Marion to Mavs, Stackhouse to Griz 1:16 a.m.
- Price for redistricting plan challenged 1:04 a.m.
- Basketball campers learn service 1:02 a.m.
- Rumor has Boozer with Bulls
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
- AK will not play for Russia this summer
- MWC, WAC rushed into BCS
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
138 - Letters: Palin mistreated
136 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
134 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
122 - Rumor has Boozer with Bulls
82 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
73 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70 - Letters: Time for a revolution
69
There were some errors in the reporting of the University of Utah's...
The final version of the movie won't include a scene mocking La Toya...
Blazers get the unbalanced trade they seek while not signing Millsap away...
Ricky Bobby - THE JAZZ DO NOT WANT TO TAKE BACK EQUAL SALARIES. They want to...
Despite the fact that logging has all but stopped in the pacific northwest...
My understanding of what FAIR is trying to do, is to provide well thought out...
Jazz will resign Milsap. If they don't it will be ahuge mistake. First off,...
I was waiting for it to be burned on the big metal structure right by the...
Hey Ute fan... the Utes had a good season. And keep throwing that BCS bowl...
Tyrus Thomas is in the last year of his contract too so what is the point for...
CougarKeith, people don't know how to properly retire the flag, what they did...
It is just talk but since it was brought up: IF we can get Prizbilla &...


