Here's the original link to the story (http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/FREE/901936771/1084)

Some observers believe that Tom Chiusano's departure can be considered one more casualty of Howard Stern’s defection to satellite radio at the end of 2005. By: Matthew Flamm



Tom Chiusano, the CBS Radio executive who weathered the departure of Howard Stern and the disaster of Free FM, is leaving WXRK-FM, the New York station he has run for 23 years.

Starting next month, Mr. Chiusano will become a consultant to the station, CBS announced on Friday.

“I did not want to retire but was looking for something else to do,” he said through a spokeswoman. “Dan [Mason, chief executive of CBS Radio] was good enough to grant me my wish.” Mr. Chiusano has worked for the company since 1982.

Some observers believe that Mr. Chiusano can be considered one more casualty of Mr. Stern’s defection to satellite radio at the end of 2005. Joel Hollander, the radio operator’s former chief executive, was the first. He left in April.

“Ever since Howard left, that group has been in a tailspin,” says an executive at another radio operator. “[Mr. Chiusano’s leaving] is a classic case of downsizing in a compressed marketplace.”

A CBS Radio spokeswoman disputed that interpretation.

In a statement, Mr. Mason praised the departing GM for his “integrity, intelligence and understanding,” and added that he looked forward to Mr. Chiusano’s “continued counsel and insight.”

WXRK was among the nation’s top billing stations in the days when Mr. Stern hosted its No. 1 rated morning show. In the shock jock’s last year on terrestrial radio, the station had revenue of $51 million, according to BIA Financial Network.

In 2006, K-Rock flipped to all-talk WFNY, or Free FM, dropping the alternative rock format that had filled the non-Howard parts of the day. Ratings plunged, and revenue that year fell 63% to about $19 million.

The stagnant radio business hasn’t helped. Following a 7% dip in revenue at CBS Radio in 2006, billing have continued to drop. For the third quarter of 2007, revenue was down 12%, to $446 million, though part of that slide was due to the sale of stations in smaller markets.

Last May, following Mr. Mason’s arrival, WXRK returned to its old call letters and rock format, though without Mr. Stern to buoy mornings, its ranking has not improved. In Arbitron’s fall survey it was 22nd among all listeners, with a 1.5 share.

Howard mentioned this on the show today. He's actually still friendly with Tom. Terrestrial radio has been in shambles since Howard left. They don't even keep anyone around long enough to try and make a difference.

He retired. To think that has anything to do with Howard Stern is laughable.

i thought O&A was bringing in ratings?

He retired. To think that has anything to do with Howard Stern is laughable.


it all has to do with Stern!!

i thought O&A was bringing in ratings?Let it be known that Raven cast the first stone. :rolleyes:

He retired. To think that has anything to do with Howard Stern is laughable.

Then start laughing big boy! He didn't retire...he was asked to leave. You may commence your Laugh-O-Thon!

i thought O&A was bringing in ratings?


just dropped in DC....

Let it be known that Raven cast the first stone. :rolleyes:




Honestly, these two have failed so repeadtly its no longer fun to make fun of them.

According to the Stern show, K-rock had to cut some fat. Therefore Tom goes.

Let it be known that Raven cast the first stone. :rolleyes:

Not casting a first stone... i was actually asking a legitmate question.... i actually thought they were bringing in ratings...so are they?

They are. But they're the ONLY ones bring ratings to KROCK. The rest of the day stinks.

They are. But they're the ONLY ones bring ratings to KROCK. The rest of the day stinks.



They are?

if you turn the ratings upside down!:D

The radio business, in general, is in a tailspin.

This not only has too do with the talent pool being poor, but also the current state of the music industry.

Face facts, the music industry has gone in the Shi##er, and this is being reflected on ALL of the radio industry.

The current state of music is just DEPLORABLE, IMHO(this is just my opinion. I could be just showing my age, 35, by not being "with it", if you will).

Especially the current state of popular music. You can't tell one artist from another. They all sound the same, and nobody stands out. Unless someone does something in the tabloids, and thats it. That is how they get attention(Amy Winehouse anyone? GREAT/SULTRY voice, but is known more as a F*ckup more than anything)

MTV, as I KNEW IT, is DEAD, and has been for a LONGGG Time

The music video is dead/pointless. Used to be you HAD to release a video. No longer, that is for sure. Nobody cares about them. Good way for the music industry to save money.

MTV should really change their name/call letters. Should no longer be considered Music TV.

I sure if you did a survey of the most popular MUSIC channels on either Sirius or XM, it would most likely be the nostalgia channels(60's 70's 80's 90's) or any type of music(other than country which seems to be going strong) other than MODERN POPULAR MUSIC.

It is just garbage.

The radio business, in general, is in a tailspin.

This not only has too do with the talent pool being poor, but also the current state of the music industry.

Face facts, the music industry has gone in the Shi##er, and this is being reflected on ALL of the radio industry.

The current state of music is just DEPLORABLE, IMHO(this is just my opinion. I could be just showing my age, 35, by not being "with it", if you will).

Especially the current state of popular music. You can't tell one artist from another. They all sound the same, and nobody stands out. Unless someone does something in the tabloids, and thats it. That is how they get attention(Amy Winehouse anyone? GREAT/SULTRY voice, but is known more as a F*ckup more than anything)

MTV, as I KNEW IT, is DEAD, and has been for a LONGGG Time

The music video is dead/pointless. Used to be you HAD to release a video. No longer, that is for sure. Nobody cares about them. Good way for the music industry to save money.

MTV should really change their name/call letters. Should no longer be considered Music TV.

I sure if you did a survey of the most popular MUSIC channels on either Sirius or XM, it would most likely be the nostalgia channels(60's 70's 80's 90's) or any type of music(other than country which seems to be going strong) other than MODERN POPULAR MUSIC.

It is just garbage.

Although im not a huge fan of it country music seems to be where its at!

Howard Stern is the King of all Media.

The radio business, in general, is in a tailspin.

This not only has too do with the talent pool being poor, but also the current state of the music industry.

Face facts, the music industry has gone in the Shi##er, and this is being reflected on ALL of the radio industry.

The current state of music is just DEPLORABLE, IMHO(this is just my opinion. I could be just showing my age, 35, by not being "with it", if you will).

Especially the current state of popular music. You can't tell one artist from another. They all sound the same, and nobody stands out. Unless someone does something in the tabloids, and thats it. That is how they get attention(Amy Winehouse anyone? GREAT/SULTRY voice, but is known more as a F*ckup more than anything)

MTV, as I KNEW IT, is DEAD, and has been for a LONGGG Time

The music video is dead/pointless. Used to be you HAD to release a video. No longer, that is for sure. Nobody cares about them. Good way for the music industry to save money.

MTV should really change their name/call letters. Should no longer be considered Music TV.

I sure if you did a survey of the most popular MUSIC channels on either Sirius or XM, it would most likely be the nostalgia channels(60's 70's 80's 90's) or any type of music(other than country which seems to be going strong) other than MODERN POPULAR MUSIC.

It is just garbage.

Bravo..A voice of reason!!!

Ipods, MP3, the Internet, etc. is killing satellite radio. Why should OTA radio be any different? Add in what Steeler mentioned about the whole music of today being mostly garbage and you have radio stations that are in trouble.

Looks like the music industry has addressed the issue of stealing music on the internet by creating a product that few people want. IMO this is the worst state of mainstream music ever. This could be an opportunity for satellite radio to bypass the recording industry and promote new artists directly. Internet could do the same but lacks the listener base that satellite radio does. Ironically I now listen to Sirius mostly through wireless internet as the quality is much better. The 128K WMA streams may not be quite CD quality but they are among the best sounding streams.

How soon till Tom Chiusano appears on Howard's show and jumps to Sirius to work with his old pal Mel? How soon will CBS sell the radio division as the other original networks have done?

Looks like the music industry has addressed the issue of stealing music on the internet by creating a product that few people want. IMO this is the worst state of mainstream music ever. This could be an opportunity for satellite radio to bypass the recording industry and promote new artists directly. Internet could do the same but lacks the listener base that satellite radio does. Ironically I now listen to Sirius mostly through wireless internet as the quality is much better. The 128K WMA streams may not be quite CD quality but they are among the best sounding streams.

How soon till Tom Chiusano appears on Howard's show and jumps to Sirius to work with his old pal Mel? How soon will CBS sell the radio division as the other original networks have done?


soon and soon-

the fallout continues....

i've been listening to howard since 1988, went to his book signings in philadelphia, his last show in new york in 2005, you name it and i've been a fan. it's sad to see tom being kicked out of k-rock, but then again -- who didn't see that coming. howard was smart to get his sirius stock and cash out all those shares, because i'm not sure what the future will be for satellite radio. good news for howard is that terrestrial radio just refuses to change and realize that no one wants to listen to dj's or morning zoo-type acts anymore. the terrestrial stations need to just play music and be done with the dj's.

i've been listening to howard since 1988, went to his book signings in philadelphia, his last show in new york in 2005, you name it and i've been a fan. it's sad to see tom being kicked out of k-rock, but then again -- who didn't see that coming. howard was smart to get his sirius stock and cash out all those shares, because i'm not sure what the future will be for satellite radio. good news for howard is that terrestrial radio just refuses to change and realize that no one wants to listen to dj's or morning zoo-type acts anymore. the terrestrial stations need to just play music and be done with the dj's.

I do agree that K-Rock trying to re-invent another howard stern or howard stern type show wont work.

it is and has to be about the music. if i were running K-Rock id go country. yes thats right, country!