Dees-Nied

It may have been part of a larger contractural power play with Clear Channel. Or just a plain, cheesy radio stunt.

In the end, it was probably a mix of the two. Either way, KIIS-FM morning man Rick Dees had hyped for days a big, "life-changing" announcement that he'd reveal this morning.

His reveal? KIIS-FM would move, along with Clear Channel's other L.A. radio properties, into new studios.

Everybody together: "Whaaaaa?"

That's the "life-changing" announcement? Something those of us who pay attention to radio have already known for months?

My sense is Dees has been playing with Clear Channel all along in promoting this "life-changing" stunt. Nothing's changed: His contract is still up later this year. He's still involved in some pretty hairy negotiations with the company. Clear Channel still wants to slash his salary (a pretty hefty salary, I might add).

But Dees managed to send a message to the company: Look at all the press I got after hinting I might quit. So don't be so hasty in grooming Ryan Seacrest for the gig.

Of course, this Dees stunt doesn't exactly endear him to some people who might care about his retirement. Like the boy who cried wolf, will we summon up more energy when he really does leave? (And by the way, where there's smoke, there's fire -- something's going on here. We just don't know what it is yet.)

Or. as Dees' morning rivals Kevin & Bean said this morning, is he simply all hype and no substance?