Radio-Info.com: Radio's Online Community

about 5 hours ago
Emmis calls postponement #7, will try again this morning

Thursday night’s scheduled 6:30 special shareholders meeting about founder Jeff Smulyan’s intention to take it private didn’t happen, and the Indianapolis Business Journal reports there’s a possible 8:30am meeting today (9/3). For Smulyan, the obstacle remains the “lock-up block” of owners of Emmis preferred stock, the ones who mostly bought after Jeff announced his intention to take the company private on May 25. They want better terms, but Smulyan backer Alden Global Capital changed its mind after Jeff thought they were with him on an enriched offer. Earlier this week, Smulyan said in a statement that it is now “unlikely that an agreement will be reached with either Alden or the group of holders of preferred stock.” Smulyan is offering the “preferreds” $30 in new Emmis debt for each $50 face value of current preferred stock – 60 cents on the dollar. As for Emmis common stock, it rose 8 cents to $1.59 on Thursday. But that’s still far from Smulyan’s offer of $2.40 a share, suggesting that Wall Street is doubtful about the immediate prospects. Smulyan’s bid values radio station owner and magazine publisher Emmis Communications at around $90 million.
about 2 hours ago
Howard Stern stirs the Rumor Mill with contract speculation

Stern is “pretty sure” he’ll be leaving satellite radio when his five-year deal at Sirius XM is up in December, he said on Thursday’s show. But then began listing options that include staying, but perhaps on a third channel and perhaps working fewer hours. The Sirius XM signature personality says he’s still interested in doing radio, but not necessarily for Sirius XM. Aside for salary and other compensation, another negotiating point is contract length. Stern says Sirius XM wants a second five-year deal, but he’s not crazy about that, tying himself up through 2015. Stern’s current deal was made for approximately $100 million annually in cash an stock. On its recent second quarter call, Sirius XM CFO David Frear said “We hope that prior to the third quarter earnings call, we will be able to have an announcement as to what is going on with Howard.” That may be the company’s timetable, but not Stern’s. His terrestrial radio renewals were sometimes incomplete even as he started his December holiday and left the air.
about 3 hours ago
Honolulu's new "93.9 Jamz" is Clear Channel's first rhythmic Gen-X station

New slogan at the former current-focused rhythmic Hot 93.9 KIKI is “Your generation’s ol’ skool.” The appeal is to Generation X listeners who want a great deal of variety, including some Hawaiian flavors, but a rhythmic beat throughout the playlist. Clear Channel began doing an extremely broad Gen-X format last in Louisville, incorporating rock, hip-hop and pop hits. CC-Hawaii director of programming Jamie Hyatt says Jamz is “a new format featuring the ol’ skool music Generation X grew up with, and [it’s] certainly not their mom’s old school tunes.” Ryan Sean will be the PD of “Jamz.” The competitive target is Ohana Broadcasting’s recently-converted “Old School” KUMU-FM (94.7), which zoomed 4.7-8.3 (age 12+ AQH) in the Spring Arbitron. New call letters for KIKI will be KHJZ, and the market’s familiar KIKI calls will be attached to talk station KHBZ (990). The previous “Hot 93.9” will still be heard on the HD-2 channel.
about 1 hour ago
HD Radios in some BMWs & Jaguars are the subject a law firm's "investigation"

New Jersey law firm Keefe Bartels is asking buyers of some BMW and Jaguar vehicles if they’re dissatisfied with the performance of their HD Radio units. It believes those sets may be “plagued by an inability to receive the digital signals transmitted by FM and AM radio stations and a significantly reduced sound quality when such signals are received.” One of the other problems cited by the lawyers: “insufficient numbers of HD Radio stations.” At this point, the attorneys are raising a flag, to see if there’s interest in legal action. The HD Radio technology is a product of Maryland-based iBiquity.
about 7 hours ago
Beasley's takeover of Las Vegas FMs "Oasis" & "The Alternative" means PD changes

Programmer Carmy Ferreri has left, now that George Beasley has closed his $8.5 million purchase of the two FMs from Riviera Broadcast Group. Next step is for Beasley to announce a promotion and a hire-back. First, Justin Chase becomes operations manager for R&B oldies “Oasis 105.7” KOAS and modern rock “The Alternative 107.9” KVGS, adding that oversight to his responsibilities as PD of classic rock KKLZ (96.3) and country “Coyote” KCYE (102.7). Those stations are owned by the publicly-traded Beasley Broadcast Group, which has a management deal with the stations just bought (personally) by George Beasley. Helping out Justin with the Oasis and The Alternative is Sean Lynch, who will be their program director. He previously worked with BBG on the re-launch of KKLZ and then left for other ventures. Beasley Broadcast Group’s Tom Humm will also manage KOAS and KVGS.