Posted by f on November 19, 2008 at 11:58:28:
In Reply to: WTDY SHAKEUP posted by J Stone on November 18, 2008 at 17:34:48:
: Sly in the morning is back!!!! Meanwhile Gardner and Morrissey are out.
Story from the Wisconsin State Journal...
Mid-West Family Broadcasting confirms layoffs
By TOM ALESIA
608-252-6122
talesia@madison.com
Mid-West Family Broadcasting, which owns seven Madison radio stations, has laid off four employees, including Glen Gardner and Tim Morrissey, who handled the morning show on talk outlet "The Pulse," WTDY (1670 AM). In addition, four other employees were shifted from full-time to part-time status, said Randy Hawke, operations manager for the Madison-based company.
"All of the layoffs were economic-based, obviously. We couldn't sustain the number of employees we had. If affected every department: on-air, sales and support staff," Hawke said. "Hopefully, we can get things turned around."
Newscaster Eric Greenfield was among those laid off.
WTDY ranked among the bottom of the Madison's commercial radio stations in the quarterly Arbitron ratings among all listeners. Still, the station features John "Sly" Sylvester, one of Madison radio's most notable personalities over the last two decades. On Wednesday, Sly began as "The Pulse's" new morning host from 6 to 10 a.m., switching from his 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift.
"That's what Sly is known for, mornings," Hawke said.
WTDY will move the syndicated "Dennis Miller Show" to middays as it reconsiders its lineup to fill the midday hours.
About 60 employees remain at Mid-West Family Broadcasting, which includes stations WMGN ("Magic 98"), WWQM (Q106) and WJJO (94.1).
Hawke said Tuesday's layoffs rattled through the Madison office.
"It's a tight group because there are not a lot of people working here, so everybody works pretty closely," he said. "It's easy to watch all of the news about the economy, but when it hits you and your friends, it becomes more reality than you want."