KLOS is seeking Kevin & Sluggo’s replacement. You won’t believe the pay.

By now you’ve heard that the afternoon team of Kevin Ryder and Doug “Sluggo” Roberts was let go from KLOS (95.5 FM), effective Sept. 6th.

According to what I’ve heard, the general consensus among industry advisors is that it was a cost-cutting measure designed to help cash flow as the owner — Meruelo Media Group — looks for a buyer for the classic rock outlet.

Is the station truly for sale? No one knows for sure, but radio is in such a sad state of financial affairs that I bet if the right offer came about it would be a done deal.

In the case of KLOS, though, station management is already on the lookout for the next afternoon host. An ad placed on Indeed.com and accessible directly through the company website mentions the following:

“Legendary 95.5 KLOS is looking for its next afternoon drive host! This is the job and the station that dreams are made of, the iconic 95.5 KLOS… and if you’re obsessed with LA radio, this is your once in a lifetime opportunity,” it reads, along with, “If you love to inspire and motivate others are quick on your feet with guests and artists, but above all, you are prepared for the interview and are great on social … and you thrive in a fast-paced live broadcast environment.”

There is more – like the part where you “won’t leave an appearance until everyone gets their selfie with you” – but you get the idea. Responsibilities include all the on-air antics you would expect – being interesting and topical along with running a broadcast board, for example – plus personal appearances, video editing, interviews, and more.

Oh yeah, and you probably should have a good voice.

For all that – entertaining all of Southern California with music, representing the station at personal appearances, creating videos for the station’s social media connections, voicing commercials, and so much more, the station is prepared to pay extremely handsomely: $70,000 to $90,000 per year.

(record scratch)

Is that a typo? No, it is not. That is the salary range listed in the ad. For comparison (though keeping in mind that KHJ was the top-rated station in the country at the time), afternoon drive in 1972 on that station paid just about that same amount … but in 1972 dollars, which would be close to $360,000 today. I am told that a decade or so ago afternoon drive pay was typically about $100K at a more typical station.

What gives? I realize the radio industry is struggling, though most of the wounds are self-inflicted. Case in point: What kind of talent will they attract that’s not just out of college? (Sure, I could do it … once I am retired and looking for some fun hobby or activity.)

These are what I’d expect small-market wages would be.

Now keep in mind, I am not trying to bash KLOS. The station is a legend and has done so much for the local community for years. But if this is typical, I can see that there truly is no future in radio. Programming and content bring in listeners, and ad dollars follow. If you don’t pay enough to get top talent, don’t complain when listeners leave you for other stations … or worse, alternative sources such as Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music … and the ad dollars disappear.

The question is: Is this a typical salary for a major market like Los Angeles (where it’s not cheap to live)?

“That seems pretty low,” said one observer. “Sounds very low,” said another. These two, who wished to remain anonymous, would know this sort of thing.

I asked one other insider who said it seemed low but that the candidate “might be able to add to that substantially through sponsor endorsements,” also known as live-read commercials that do command an extra price — and get paid extra as the voice talent.

But still – do radio executives truly believe they can cut their way to the top? Or are they getting their operational advice from Eddie Lampert, the guy who “saved” Sears by doing the same thing?

Is there a way to turn this around? Absolutely. But it will most likely mean a total changing of the guard. Not the talent, nor even the local managers. I mean the corporate suits who add nothing to the product. Get rid of large ownership groups, and we’ll talk.

More Country

Go Country KKGO-FM (105.1 FM) owner Saul Levine is so excited about the prospect of classic country on 1260 AM (currently KMZT but soon to be KKGO) that he has changed his mind and will simulcast the classic country format on his HD Radio digital stream at 105.1 HD4, starting October 1st.

This adds substantially to the possible on-air listenership numbers, as the AM sounds great close to the Valley, while the FM extends even further … at least if you have an HD Radio.

Do you have an HD Radio? You might, especially if your car was bought within the past few years. The automotive market is where most HD Radios are found, and it makes sense – the car is where most radio listening is done.

Unfortunately, this means the end of LA Oldies, which will sign off once Go Country Gold takes over the spot.

Richard Wagoner is a San Pedro freelance columnist covering radio in Southern California. Email rwagoner@socalradiowaves.com