Galaxy 19 played musical chairs at the beginning of June, and as several networks moved their transponders, a new network called the V Channel was launched.

Satellite networks are usually loathe to move frequencies because FTA (free to air) ku band is a bit tricky to tune in, and a significant number of listeners don't actually know how to dial in new frequencies, and are thus reluctant to pay a ku band installer to visit the premises.

Although a change in Satellite frequency and transponder is certain to cause at least a partial loss of listeners, AVR's Francis Steffan told StreamWars he judged it worth the trouble, as the move enabled AVR (American Voice Radio) to launch a 2nd separate feed now known as AVR2, which would provide additional coverage for his existing host base.

Anticipating some listener loss, Steffan launched an aggressive on air airing of a spot urging listeners to prepare to move their Satellite frequencies to the new transponder. Thus, even though AVR is now seeking to rebuild its Satellite listener base after its move, they have, in effect, gained an entirely new network.

The shift in transponders also occurred because of  competition from multiple uplink providers. Micro Effect is believed to have moved in order to reduce costs, but ME's leader, known in the industry as "Snow Job" Joe McNeill, is known to have lied to at least one of his client programmers by telling them ME's new stereo feed will now reach Canada and Mexico for the first time. The truth is, all ku band feeds on Galaxy 19 already reach the North American continent.

Other Micro Effect programmers and advertisers were not told at all that the net was moving Satellites, and since this change guaranteed a reduction in the number of listeners, it's self evident Snow Job Joe intentionally concealed the truth. Indeed, Streamwars monitored the Micro Effect feed for the 2 weeks preceding the shift, and heard no on-air statements at all telling the Satellite listeners to prepare to move. In short, every single Micro Effect Satellite listener tuned in on the first of June, and abruptly heard the new V Channel with no idea whatsoever as to where to find the Micro Effect.

In addition to the inept handling of the Satellite transition, the history of the net suggests that lying in order to cover a poor business decision is part and parcel of McNeil's ongoing business practices.

For example, the leader of the Rense Network (and veteran radio host) Jeff Rense told Streamwars that Snow Job ripped him off for an undisclosed sum on a broadcast deal. When this story first emerged, Streamwars was told such practices resulted in the departure of key hosts, such as Devvy Kidd, from the Micro Effect. Although her program ended up on the Rense Network, sometime after her departure from Micro Effect, Devvy has now specifically denied that she left ME because of McNeill's antics.

However, AVR's Steffan reports that Micro Effect was formed through McNeil's duplicitous attempts at raiding the on air talent at AVR. Originally working with AVR as a Micro Broadcaster affiliate, host, and weekend sub-network in which McNeil was trusted with the reigns of AVR, Snow Job Joe abused that association with Steffan to contact mutliple AVR hosts, in a two faced effort to lure them to his fledgling net -- and this all occurred when he was still associated with AVR. 

While contacting competitive network's client hosts and advertisers is commonplace, the ME/AVR split was the equivalent of stealing your roommates wallet while he's asleep, and then asking him for his share of the rent.

As the head of several radio networks as well, this writer has also seen the slippery nature of Joe McNeil up close. After Micro Effect vacated Transponder 5 without notifying several of their programmers, I contacted a couple of ME hosts to pitch the new V Channel which inherited the Satellite slot to suggest they might consider joining former ME hosts Big John Lipscomb and Ronnie McMullen at the new V Channel.

In his childish response, McNeil threw an on-air tantrum, and tried to aim the ire of any of his Christian listeners as fiery darts at me -- all the while accusing me of violating the Biblical commandment against theft!

In the process, he raged about how much he hates Christians -- a tactic certain to further endear Snow Job with the last couple of Christian hosts who haven't already fled the sinking network -- and it is clear the network is sinking, for McNeil recently announced a frantic plea for donations. What goes around comes around, Joe.

-- James Lloyd