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Just a few hours ago as at 1626, 02-07-2019, I learnt that Chris Smith has left radio 2GB, https://www.2gb.com/macquarie-radio-statement-regarding-chris-smith/
Regardless of how much he earned and regardless of whether you agreed with him or not, it is sad.
While there is nothing wrong with a change in shift from afternoon to evening, time would have told us whether the ratings would have remained or changed. BUT to lose somebody who was top rating for 60 consecutive surveys and the resulting revenue, it is the worst outcome. Time will tell whether his replacement Steve Price will maintain the ratings.
Arguments saying Steve Price was not successful at breakfast because he was on 2UE and MTR are rubbish. All of 2GB's 'stars' did not rate on MTR. The fill in presenters on Alan Jones' program including Steve Price and Chris Smith have maintained 2GB's breakfast ratings. This is most likely due to the built-in audience expectations of Alan Jones' return from holidays or illness AND the goodwill built by Alan Jones.
Nevertheless both presenters have been highly rating in their own shifts. Time will tell whether Steve Price will be as successful as Chris Smith in the 1200-1500. It's management's decision!
Furthermore, even though Chris Smith has a partner with her own business, it is still a sin to deprive a person who is the breadwinner paying school fees and keeping his family under one roof. Especially a results-producing revenue raising winner such as Chris Smith.
Nevertheless today's outcome of Chris Smith's departure is warped. As I commented elsewhere on this website, Chris Smith is not the first poppy to be cut while still producing the goods, with the resulting dismissal to the detriment of the network: It happened recently with Red Symons (774 ABC = 3LO, ratings 14.8 to 7.1), to more than 40 years ago with the dumping of Gordon Chater and Gwen Plumb (2GB) for a mellow rock format.
In respect to cost cutting while a business is successful, there is nothing wrong in principle with cutting costs. Examples include reducing energy consumption, using technology to improve productivity even reducing subscriptions to goods and/or services which don't affect output, for example 2GB ceasing subscriptions to AAP. Even when Steve Price's 2000-2100 co-host Andrew Bolt departed due to a lower contract offer, ratings did not fall.
Cost cutting may include removing and/or transferring people who don't perform at the given task. But cost cutting does not apply to Chris Smith especially for a ratings winner. The photo in the papers showing a cake in acknowledgement and congratulations for 60 straight ratings wins is lip service.
Ultimately, management sinks or swims by their decisions. There are mixed signals in management decisions when there is a radical change to formats. The radio soapies made way for top 40 in the 1960s and disc jockeys to the success of the networks: 2UE, 2SM and 2UW.
On the other hand 2CH with its highly successful "beautiful music" format in the 1970s and 1980s, with ratings greater than the fm stations, suddenly dropped the format in 1987 (Wesgo takeover) and 2CH has never recovered its 'glory days', even when its DAB signal is technically the best in Sydney at 128kbs.
The same could be said of 2UE's change from "news talk" to "Talking Lifestyle" to sports. Business decisions carry a risk. Just because Australians love their sport does not translate to Australians, or at least Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne listeners to flocking to MSR. Similarly, Australians love to gamble, does not translate to 2KY (Sky Sports Radio) to top ratings.
Thus, "sticking to one's knitting", "if ain't broke don't fix it", "if you're on a good thing stick to it" is a "two-edged sword".
Now that Chris Smith has left, will the ratings in the 1200-1500 shift remain or go down? Time will tell.
Thank you,
Anthony
Could this be a part of a bigger picture, Chris would do well on breakfast at 2UE if Mcquarie were to relaunch 954.
2GB as a radio station is 'redeemed' somewhat that Chris Smith is returning to 2GB, https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/chris-smith-to-return-to-2gb-as-afternoon-shift-radio-host/news-story/080beec79c9607a021c1067a29545811 subscription needed.
According to the article, Chris will be the weekend presenter and act as Alan Jones' fill in.
What is the weekend presenter's shift? 0600-0900 or 0900-1400. The former comprises the "Garden Clinic" (2Hrs) and "Life & Technology" (Sat) or "The House of Wellness" (Sun) while the latter is represented by "George and Paul". Given George Moore's departure, will the show be known as "The Chris & Paul Show"?
It certainly won't be "Natalie & Erin Show" 1400-1800 (Erin till 1600 filled in with Murray Wilton (Sat)) and won't be the night shifts since Chris originally did not want to do nights for private reasons.
Management appears to be going in the right direction.
Thank you,
Anthony of exciting Belfield