Hello everyone,
Michael Waite wrote that “I feel silly posting this,” when announcing last month he was leaving the air.
At the time, the game-changing reality of the coronavirus era was beginning to sink in.
Waite, one of those guys with a voice and speaking style born for radio, had been the co-host of WJBR’s morning drive show for the past two years.
In his farewell message, he stressed that getting up in the wee hours and heading to the station was not a long-term plan.
Waite and his wife Kathy now plan to enjoy a retirement that will probably include serving as a master of ceremonies for local events – once things get back to something approaching normal.
Waite had returned to the FM station after working as the marketing chief at the Blood Bank of Delmarva. Prior to leaving WJBR, the first time around, he held a number of positions with the station in addition to the morning slot.
“I’ve been on the air in Delaware for over 20 years and you have become extended family and a very important part of our lives. We just want you to know how much we appreciate it,” Waite wrote.
I count myself among the members of the family.
Michael was an early supporter of this enterprise during its nearly seven years of existence and understood the need for an online business news site that keeps busy businesspeople informed. I’m fairly certain that stories from this daily newsletter sometimes made its way into the light banter that is part of the morning drive.
Radio, like all media, is going through tough times.
Just this week, WDEL, a news and talk station that had maintained one of the largest news staffs in any mid-sized or large market, reportedly laid off 10 people, including mainstays Allan Loudell and Robyn Bryson.
Cited was a sharp decline in advertising revenues, although most media watchers were certain the ax would fall at some point.
Ratings for WDEL have been solid sold since the station moved added the FM side, although the temptation for the new owners will be to cut the staff further and find syndicated talkers. The nuclear option would be to change formats and run with a skeleton staff.
WDEL and the entire group of Delmarva Broadcasting stations were sold last year to Forever Media for a reported $18.5 million. That roster includes WSTW, which has kept its ratings lead over WJBR.
That’s a lot of money, but it pales in comparison to the eye-popping $42.5 million that current owner Beasley paid for WJBR in 2006.
Stay safe and healthy. Breaking news updates will be pushed out if warranted. Regrettably, this has been a regular occurrence as we ride out this storm. – Doug Rainey, chief content officer.
