Radio Talk Show Host Pay Scale

I'd guess BW's salary to be much higher - likely a negotiated amount.

As far as Detroit talk show hosts - while I realize that WJR is not a Clear Channel owned station (at least not to my knowledge) I'd bet that the likes of Mitch Albom commands a salary well into 6 figures.

I'd still like to see all the facts but it appears more each day that the only Swamp Gas issue suffered by BW is that which exits his pie hole.

it's possible with any on Air personality, the pay range won't necessarily fit what's considered scale.. So..the Radio show host jobs range from around 40000 - 81000....That's probably for your average host would make and my guess someone like Fred LeFebvre is most likely in that range. The person mentioned here, I have a feeling is probably quite above that range.. That and you got to factor in that he fills in for other shows out of town that adds to his income also...now with that being said, that doesn't excuse the Perrysburg location getting foreclosed on, and I am wondering as to the true reasoning for that.

People making money bullcrapping without being an actual authority on anything. Why exactly are they getting paid?

Just because his salary may be low (we do not know that) doesn't mean that BW can't save his money and parlay his home equity and/or savings into a more expensive house. Remember, the guy is like sixty-something with many years in the business, and he has also worked in some bigger markets (i.e., higher salaries).

Also, the median home price of houses currently for sale in Huddleston VA is $349,000, so BW's house is not necessarily a mansion for his area.

By the way: just for grins I looked at some houses for sale in Huddleston, VA. Here is a house listing for $369,000:

Nice place: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, attached garage, but hardly a plantation manor.

But I do agree that BW now sounds like a hypocrite when chiding Keith Sadler a few months back, since the two of them had a lot more in common than Brian let on.

"People making money bullcrapping without being an actual authority on anything. Why exactly are they getting paid?"

Translation: elected officials should work for free.

Hey Wolfman, keep on this guy BW! How's Charlotte?

I wonder if BW makes any additional money from advertisers, like Glenn Beck?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1022
http://boingboing.net/2010/07/28/glenn-becks-gold-inv.html
etc

Maybe we should research what all you haters make and see if the rest of society feels its fair, maybe look at your past see if there is any criminal involvement. Let it go, turn the station and move on with your life. Mr Mumblemouth just isn't worth your frustration, hes entitled to his opinion, even if wrong just as you are. If your this interested in what hes doing then your obviously still listening part time to him, just listen to something else and you will be all right. I suggest NPR where you can here the side of the news that supports your feelings and you can feel all is right with the world again.

For the record, during my misguided youth I was arrested or detained 3 times but have no convictions.

Does anyone know how much Dr. Laura gets paid?

Hey yo, yo, yo, I ain't no hater. I'm just saying that I'm trying to represent here. Dig it?

Mumbles a sixty + year old talk show host and owed $197,832 plus interest dating to Dec. 1, 2009 on the 3334 Rivers Edge Perrysburg condo. Why would anyone at this age owe that much money on anything? Damn he owes more than he paid for the thing. What kind of deadbeat are we talking about here? All day every day he points his righteous finger at the less fortunate all the while gaming the system. This is a wake up call Toledo!

wolfman: You'd be amazed at the $$ some people owe. It used to surprise me too how far in debt many people are - at all ages.

But someone who's led the life BW has claimed to have led - one would have thought he'd pay cash for a property.

Am I the only one here that thinks this guy the Wizard of OZ? Who is that man behind the curtain?

Historymike makes a good point about the Keith Sadler interview. BW blathering the Libertarian BS about personal responsibility...look in the mirror BW! What the hell do you see? I think we all know now!!!

You might want to check your cut and paste source for pay scales.
Radio station WJR AM 760 signed a new long-term contract this month with morning-show host Paul W. Smith, a move that sends a clear message about Smith's role in helping drive business at the station.

WJR's ratings are back on top of the heap. And Smith, along with format changes in the past few years, has helped bring back listeners and advertisers.

The station's next plan is to win the revenue war against competitors such as WWJ 950 and WOMC FM 104.3.

``I'd been approached by other stations,'' said Smith, 49. ``I have no interest in going anywhere else. My intent is to be here for the rest of my career.''

Neither side would reveal the terms of the deal, which is for five-plus years, but top radio talent can command more than $1 million a year. A top sports-radio talent in Chicago, for example, recently signed a $1.5 million-a-year contract.

I think that Paul W. Smith is a regional talent unlike Brian Wilson who attempts to name-drop his way into credibility.

"Radio station WJR AM 760 signed a new long-term contract this month with morning-show host Paul W. Smith, a move that sends a clear message about Smith's role in helping drive business at the station."

I seriously doubt there is any radio talent in Toledo that makes a lot of money. I tend to agree with Wolfman's pay range description.

"I think that Paul W. Smith is a regional talent unlike Brian Wilson who attempts to name-drop his way into credibility."

Got that right!

The last morning man in Toledo to make serious bucks was Jack Mitchell. That's why he's now comfortably retired in Ottawa Hills. Maybe Mary Beth Zolik still pulls in some good money over on the River, but for the most part, Toledo is a stepping stone to the big market & bigger money.

*****

Paul W. Smith is a major market talent, not just a regional plug in/fill in like Brian Wilson is at this point in his career (although Wilson has had some major market stints in his life). Paul W was a top rated morning host on KYW in Philadelphia and New York City fill-in host at WABC before landing the gig--his dream gig--at WJR as (more or less) the heir to the J.P. McCarthy morning throne.

Hope this turns off bold.

Click the "preview" button before posting.

So wolfman, if I "bottom line" your concerns, what it appears to boil down to is that you believe government force should be brought to bear on radio programming because you disagree with the format and/or it's inconvenient for you to listen when you'd really prefer to do so.

Again, that's a very dangerous path to go down. If one wants to stay informed (on a local, regional or national level), there are a multitude of options from which to choose. And it doesn't take much digging to find them. The local daily rag is but one option.

Wolfman is getting a little creepy. What did mumbles do to you? He has posted on other sites. Stalking?

Foodie I've been a long time listener of AM going back 30+ years. For most of those years I've enjoyed the more or less even handed dissemination of radio news. The last 15 years there has been a sea change to the medium. Most stations have become partisan beacons of propaganda. This was done when corporate America was able to buy up whole regions of stations. You maybe are "creeped out" by the idea of government control but what we've seen is the other side of the coin; corporate control that limits free and balanced speech. Most station now spend an inordinate amount of radio time propagandizing the same stupid talking points over and over. In the old days there would be a diverse subject matter mostly apolitical. Now we have here in Toledo a dominate signal station that refuses to get off the insane one line subject matter. When was the last time a union official spoke on WSPD? When was a debate about public policy by someone from an opposing view was allowed to speak on a regular basis. The Thom Hartman show, a progressive radio show routinely debates with those of an opposing view on his show. It gives perspective, a chance to make up ones mind with all the fact available. Even moderately conservative Paul W Smith WJR give wide ranging interviews of multiple interests. Then you come back to WSPD what a sad example of a radio station. What a bad image it gives Toledo.

You defeat your own argument by showing us that you are capable of finding alternate programing choices. As well as finding outlets on the internet to voice your own opinion. Also you seem to be a beacon of propaganda yourself.

I submit to you Wolfman that the sea change hasn't occurred solely because of evil corporate America buying up the AM airwaves as you claim.

Look at politics in general over the last 15 or more years. Absolutely EVERYTHING has become politicized. Politicians on both sides make it their daily job to foster and maintain class envy in many different ways. Keeping their respective base riled up and having us all pitted against one another is what keeps their sorry rear ends in seats of power.

Sadly, too many don't have a clue how they are being used as useful idiots by the politicos.

I still maintain that if one is truly interested in being well informed on all viewpoints of an issue, there are a zillion choices out there.

The truth is that most people can't be bothered. They rely on 30 second sound bites (if even that) and the volumes of disinformation that are doled out from both sides of the aisle. Actually, I believe that most people simply pay no attention at all and could care less.

I too long for a simpler time and the "old" days of AM radio. I grew up in the era of Jimmy Launce and JP McCarthy and enjoyed them. But that's no longer reality and I've adjusted accordingly to suit my own needs/desires. Certainly NOT by demanding that my government use force to change programming that I don't care for or agree with.

Molsonator has a point. Wolfman seems fixated on Brian Wilson. He knows his addresses and looks up tax records and follows everything the man says. If that's not stalking, what is? Wolf, how would you feel if someone started posting your personal information?

Fairness Doctrine is nothing but government mandated censorship, The Ministry of Truth would approve of it.

It's plain and simple, radio stations will run programming that advertisers want to pay for. Advertisers pay for it because they presume people are listening. There is no corporate conspiracy involved! If nobody was listing to WSPD they would be forced to change the format or go out of business. I like Fred (and the now defunct Eye on Toledo) but find Mr. Wilson to not be my taste. The reason Right leaning radio has taken off is because there is a growing market for it, hence advertisers want to pay for ad time and BOOM shows get funded. Do people protest the evil Palmolive Corp. because they started soap operas to hock their product?

There was a very Liberal media group called Air America that attempted to create Left sided Rush Limbaughs and Glen Becks, they filed for bankruptcy because they had no advertising dollars because nobody was listening. So Wolfie did the big evil corporations band together to shut them down?

There is more mindless dribble coming out of prime time TV than ever stumbles out of Brain Wilson's mouth.

good job ! - wolfie.....

we don't see (Fred, son of Brian) running his yapper on TT or in the Swamp like he usually does.
Maybe he finally realized that he has been had by BigBlowhardBrian.

After being led around by the nose for a few years like he has, ANYONE would get sick of answering to "Briiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiian Wilson", A.K.A. Mr. Personal Responsibility Emeritus.

I what to thank Toledo Talk for allowing for civil discussion. I find on other blog sites it always breaks down into partisan talking points.
As for Boxingfan I think the fact that I do find alternate programing choices from another city that doesn't talk local issues is really no choice. The fact that this station is very weak an cannot be listened to at all times is another point.
And the fixation factor has nothing to do with the fact that I've been hung up on and received nasty childish E-mails from WSPD hosts of which I respond in kind! They simply will not respect the differing view. As for the posting of private info, that has not happened by me. All that I've posted was found in known public sites that reported on the public talk show hosts. I find it offending that no one calls these clowns out when they make these outrageous claims.

Businesses tend to do what will make them money. The big corporations made great moves when they started buying up radio stations and voice tracking, (a very small minority of listeners actually care if content is local). However now the dynamic of the industry is changing as people have more options than just local radio (especially in their cars where most people historically listened to radio). Now you have satellite radio, cd's, I can take my MP3 player and have several thousand songs or books that I choose playing over my car radio, at home and at the office I listen to internet radio from all over the world,and seldom listen to local stations, (in my car I will listen to NPR out of ann arbor or wspd, every now and then). But over all radio is dying, big corporate radio and little mom and pop radio, they all need to adapt but finding a way to make money in radio is becoming harder and harder.

The big picture is with all these so-called new news sources none have the resources to do investigative reporting. Here locally we have the longtime newspaper that has traditionally done the award winning investigative reporting. The new news sources I.E. WSPD does limited investigative reporting most generally they rely on the Toledo Blade for most of their news content. They're overall goal is to sell soap and make a profit, investigative reporting is expensive and affects the bottom line. It seems ironic the borrowed news radio station generally hates the Toledo Blade and at every chance they denigrate the paper. If or when the paper is not a true news source that does the hard work of reporting and investigating what will the radio station do for its news.
This is not just a local problem all over the country most news reporting has denigrated into a partisan cat fight with those who have the most entertaining presentation wins. Never mind content or accuracy. One station against the other no balanced reporting.

I've got to burst Wolfie's bubble, here. The Fairness Doctrine was a deliberate step in the wrong direction for American politics. Media in the USA for the longest time was strongly partisan, and the citizens were well served by it.

Like dbw8906 well said, the Fairness Doctrine is "government mandated censorship" and by definition we should abhor it. Corporate ownership is not an issue, since strong private ownership and direction was normal for our Republic for a long, long time. If anything, that we allowed corporations in the 1990s to gobble up massive market shares, was the wrong decision ... not that those corporations demonstrated partisanship. Trust-busting was the right move for our Republic, but as ever, ownership of your head is morally forbidden.

To be informed, moral men, we must return to understanding the differences there.

Let it be known that GZ has spoken. All is well, all is good. He believes therefore it is. Class dismissed.

Ryan's Liberal education is sorely lacking in the basics of American history and the formation of power based upon the moral actions of individuals spending their own capital.

So, Guest, who did YOU vote for in 08?

Annie, I voted for Ron Paul in the primary, but that effort failed. I then voted for Bob Barr in the actual election to get an outright Libertarian into the land's highest office. Unfortunately, I was outvoted by the 95% of the electorate who are far too scared to exist outside of the two-party control system.

Open apology to Cassie Wilson:
I falsely stated on this website that Cassie Wilson “lost her job” at WSPD and Clear Channel. This was taken by Cassie Wilson and others to be a lie. It’s has come to my attention Mrs. Wilson voluntarily resigned her position as Director of News Operations in May, 2009 to pursue opportunities outside radio. I regret to imply otherwise and offer this public apology to Mrs. Wilson and will cease writing any statements in the future about her employment status, her marriage, or her public records. I do this to correct the record.
_WOLFMAN

You probably do this to avoid having your ass sued in court.

Eeeek, eeek, eeek, eeek, KLUNCK! That was one of the wheels of Wolfman’s legitimacy falling off!

Maybe GuestZero should have gotten a liberal education so that he wouldn't be some wingnut laborer who only has some unknown regional forum to put his absurd thoughts on display.

There's a big problem with people who have been stuck in the liberal public school system in the US. Like with a couple comments above-as soon as they post, it is apparent that a liberal "education" focuses on lying and other types of slanderous personal attacks. That along with nothing remotely resembling a cogent or reasoned response.

The greatest thinkers of our time all graduate from Liberty University!

Last time I saw the pay records, morning show hosts in Toledo ranged from a high of $250,000, a dj, not a talker, to a low in the lower sixties. Denny was making 180k when he went to Atlanta.

Nope. Max. $250,000 no way.

Yes way Molsonator. I don't know who the $250,000 prize went to, but I do know that Jack Mitchell was paid quite handsomely....and more than Denny....while doing mornings on K-100.

No DJ has ever made 250 in Toledo and Denny definitely did not make 180 here either.

I see you are an expert in media biz too, Ryan. Granted, with my nearly 20 years in I'm not quite as expert as you, but try to follow along...

Back in the day when folks listened to radio instead of IPods, Jack Mitchell and Denny Schaefer were worth big money to their stations because they made those stations MILLIONS of dollars in advertising revenue over the years due to their dominant ratings. Denny owned the persons 12-34 demo and Mitch & Mary Beth had a stranglehold on the all important persons 25-54 "money" demo. What is "big money" to you is actually a fraction of the billing they pulled in...and their station owners at the time (Fritz Broadcasting for M&MB; Noble Broadcasting, then Clear Channel for Denny) knew it.

He and Mary Beth were #1 every ratings book during their tenure at K-100. Every single ratings book. K-100 was not #1 until he and Mary Beth arrived. Most smart people (like Jack) know their worth and he was able to parlay the threat of him walking to another station into bigger and bigger contracts. Denny did this too.

Mitch lived in a beautiful Ottawa Hills home. You don't get to that neighborhood on 70-100Gs per year. Nor do you stay there because you had a few good years...you need to keep the income rolling AND sack away enough for retirement--something Jack has been able to do easily. And before you say something like "he's a poser-he's just putting on appearances", then you have no idea who the man is. A straight up professional and, although possessing an ego, is not a personality to flash "bling" around. He could afford to live there comfortably and retire early. He is set for life.

Also, it ain't just about the salary--the endorsements pay BIG bucks. Morning show endorsements at $100-$150 for the host per live 60 second spot. TV commercials. V/O work. It all adds on top of the salary, if you have the listeners to pull it off.

I will grant you that NOBODY outside of the major markets is making that kind of money anymore. Radio simply doesn't command listening because people have their own portable content providers (IPods & Smartphones). Wait until the way radio ratings are measured in Toledo changes next year--you'll see "more music" morning shows with NO personalities. It's already happening in the big markets and Toledo will fall into line too. The era of the morning "star" shows is just about concluded.

Apology to Cassie Wilson
I have falsely stated on this website that Cassie Wilson was fired and/or laid off from her employment at WSPD and Clear Channel. This is a lie. Mrs. Wilson voluntarily resigned her position as Director of News Operations in May, 2009. I regret implying otherwise and offer this public apology to Mrs. Wilson and will cease writing any statements in the future about status, her marriage, or her public records.

Why have you posted the apology 3 times on Toledo Talk? What happened?