So, the question arises: Was Bubba The Love Sponge “crucified” for the good of all Radio?
Was he placed on an alter to appease the F.C.C. diety?
And another question: would he have been let go if the economy were a little better? Maybe, maybe not.
Clear Channel just issued its 4th quarter earnings yesterday and although the company as a whole is still quite profitable, radio advertising sales declined 1 percent during the period.
Radio is a business and as such, many companies have to answer to stock holders. The sheer economics of it is simple: when a company is rolling in the dough, a $700,000 fine can be digested a lot easier if the profits make eating the fine palatable.
But, given the current situation, from just a business point-of-view, it’s perfectly reasonable for Clear Channel to weigh potential fines against potential profits. In this case, apparently, the “more fines” scenario lost out and the company felt it was no longer economically feasible to risk fines against potential profits or even against the loss of a station license.
For Bubba The Love Sponge, this was probably all very bad timing. A bad economy, high fines, pressure from the F.C.C., lawmakers and the public over indecency and the like.
But, in his defense, one thing needs to be stated. Up until now, the Radio industry, in general, has continually encouraged high profile radio hosts to push the boundaries because executives know ratings mean money. Bubba The Love Sponge and many other controversial air personalities have been nurtured for a long time. Until things got hot, nobody seemed to mind the indecency...or the profits.
So, let’s not blame Mr. Sponge for what he was allowed to become because, for a while there, everyone liked the results. There are few broadcast executives throughout the industry who can truly say they are not somewhat at fault for what Radio is today.
