Radio-Info News

LA's KIIS-FM was the U.S. revenue leader for 2009, but it dropped 17%, says BIA

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:05:00 -0400

It’s the home of Ryan Seacrest and also the home of the most revenue for a single radio station in 2009. Clear Channel CHR KIIS-FM (102.7) brought in $55 million for 2009, down from $66.3 million in 2008. Bonneville’s all-news WTOP-FM, Washington (103.5) was second nationally, with $51.03 million, down slightly from 2008’s $51.75 million. WTOP was also the only station in the top-10 that isn’t located in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, according to the Washington Business Journal. Following WTOP were New York City’s CBS-owned WCBS-AM (880) & WINS-AM (1010). The two all-news stations brought in $43.6 million and $42.9 million, respectively, for 2009. Rounding out the top-10 list of revenue champs: #5, CBS-owned KROQ-FM (106.7) in Los Angeles, #6, Clear Channel’s adult contemporary WLTW-FM (106.7) in New York. #7, Clear Channel talk outlet KFI-AM (640) in Los Angeles. #8, CBS’s WBBM-AM (780) in Chicago, #9, Clear Channel CHR WHTZ-FM (100.3) in New York. And #10, Chicago’s Tribune-owned talk station WGN-AM (720).

Parent of Connecticut-based Business TalkRadio has a new name: Blue Star Media Group

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:10:00 -0400

President/CEO Michael Metter says the new name for the holding company behind Business TalkRadio Network and Lifestyle TalkRadio Network “better represents the direction the company is taking as we prepare to launch a third national network.” No management or personnel changes at the existing syndications, and Metter didn’t specify what the new third network will be doing. Blue Star supplies programming to more than 1,400 stations and owns four radio stations itself. Those are in Las Vegas (KNUU/970), Pittsburgh (WLFP/1550), the Boston area (WXBR, Brockton at 1460) and its hometown WGCH (1490) in Stamford/Norwalk.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to keynote next month's NAB Show in Las Vegas

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:10:00 -0400

The timing is a propos, since he just announced the Commission’s National Broadband Plan, which contemplates taking back about a third of the current television spectrum. Chairman Genachowski will keynote the NAB show on Tuesday morning, April 13. Three of the other four members of the Commission will participate in “The Washington Face-Off” as part of the NAB agenda. Those are Democrats Michael Copps and Mignon Clyburn, and Republican Meredith Attwell Baker.

"Jammin' 107.5" in Portland, Oregon is now "Wild"

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:05:00 -0400

The new promotional campaign centers around “Party Hits.” Clear Channel’s KXJM has been rhythmic “Jammin'” since May 2008, which replaced the rhythmic AC “Movin'” format. Oregon Media Central reported the Wednesday morning change at 107.5 and says it was announced in a promo just after LMFAO’s “La La La” – which contains the line about a heart that “went wild.” Now KXJM is featuring “Party Hits.” In the latest January PPMs for Portland, KXJM was tied for 14th place in age 6+ AQH share rankings.

FCC takes its Media Ownership Workshop on the road to Tampa

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:00:00 -0400

“Cross-ownership” is the theme of the agency’s next Media Ownership Workshop, in Tampa on April 20. One reason it may have chosen Tampa is that one of its two competing daily newspapers is owned by the non-profit Poynter Institute. The FCC is exploring options for ownership of the creators of journalism such as daily papers. Its 2010 Quadrennial Review of media ownership includes re-examination of newspaper-broadcast and TV-radio cross-ownership rules. They have remained unchanged despite an earlier Chairman’s attempt to loosen them up. The Tampa workshop starts in mid-afternoon at 3pm and runs into the evening. More about the Media Ownership session on the FCC website, here.

Duke Wright's Midwest Communications buys four FMs in Lansing, Michigan

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:15:00 -0400

The cluster is rock “Q106” WJXQ (106.1), modern rock “Edge” WVIC (94.1), classic hits “92X” WQTX and smooth jazz WJZL (92.9). The seller is Akron, Ohio’s Rubber City Radio, which retains its hometown station group. Buyer Midwest Communications has 43 stations already, including clusters in the Michigan markets of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. This is its entry into the Lansing market, which is ranked #125 by population, according to Arbtron. Broker: Dick Foreman of Richard A. Foreman Associates.

Nasdaq sends Sirius XM the expected warning letter

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:40:00 -0400

While Sirius XM did remain above the $1 mark for eight consecutive trading days last month, the Nasdaq rule is it must remain above $1 for ten days. On Wednesday, Sirius XM received a warning letter from Nasdaq, saying it could face de-listing. Sirius XM will request a hearing before a Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel, to ask for more time to gain compliance. Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin says his company has a “ large investor base consisting of both individual and prominent institutional stockholders, and our equity capitalization is greater than approximately 92% of the companies listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market.” He says “We are committed to remaining listed.” Sirius XM stock closed on Wednesday at $0.894 per share.

Former KNX-FM Los Angeles PD Steve Marshall gets prison for distributing child porn

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:25:00 -0400

Marshall is going to jail, sentenced to 7 ½ years in Arkansas for distribution of child pornography. Authorities claim Marshall, who at one time was an executive producer for the 1980’s hit sit-com “Growing Pains,” both sent and received child pornography and participated in online chats “detailing child abduction, bondage, rapes and murders.” Marshall was originally charged with possession and distribution of child porn when he was arrested 11 months ago. The possession charges were dropped when he pleaded guilty to the distribution charges.

Houston's KTEK (1110), sold for $7.8 million in 2008, goes back to Salem for $3.7 million

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:05:00 -0400

The just-filed deal includes the cancellation of BizRadio’s 2008 loan from Salem, now estimated to be worth $1.26 million. Salem is also getting $800,000 in cash. But BizRadio will be allowed “purchase airtime for programming on certain stations” owned by Salem, according to the purchase agreement. BizRadio produces financial talk programming and has been on the air in three Texas markets. As for KTEK, there’s a time brokerage deal that gives Salem the right to program most of the broadcast day prior to the closing. KTEK, Alvin, Texas is a daytime-only station with 2,500 watts. On the Houston Board of Radio-Info.com, there’s been a spirited discussion about BizRadio’s move onto KTEK and off it again.

Radio Around the World:

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:15:00 -0400

ENGLAND: BBC Radio 4 offered an apology for airing the wrong shipping forecast on Tuesday, mistakenly reading Monday’s forecast … BBC Radio 4 received complaints about playing “God Save the Queen” too loudly at signoff every night. They've been playing the British anthem since 967 … SOMALIA: Somali Broadcasting Corporation’s Markabley Radio Director Mohamed Salad Abdulle and reporter Mohamed Abdikarim were arrested by the Al-Shabaab militia, which claimed their broadcasts were anti-Islamic … PHILIPPINES: Police believe there’s as many as four suspects in the murder of newspaper columnist Chito Abuzo, beaten to death with a cement block inside the studios of radio station dxGS in General Santos City … KYRGYGSTAN: The government continues to block both Radio Liberty and BBC broadcasts, causing protests in the capital city … INDIA: The KPMG Ficci Media and Entertainment Report shows both radio and the music industry are expected to grow by 16% over the next five years … SWEDEN: Radio Sweden announces they're ending their medium and shortwave services, replacing them with online programming on October 31 … For the latest on radio North-of-the-border, check out the Radio-Info Canada board – Discuss it.

National business "pacing significantly ahead" in 2010, says the Katz rep

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:30:00 -0400

April looks to be up 17%, May 23% and June 21%, says Katz executive Stu Olds, who says “Every region and market segment” shows strong pacing in national business. Every region of the U.S. is up double digits in the first quarter and second quarter. By market size, the anecdotal evidence of a strong rebound in the largest markets finds statistical support from Katz, with an estimated 26% first-quarter gain for the top 10 markets. That’s stronger than in any other grouping, though the next tier (markets 11-25) did about 20% better in national business. Finally, Katz looks forward to political spending in the 2010 election cycle, especially from the new corporate advertising that was cleared by the Supreme Court in January.

Radio ad spending falls 20% in 2009, with national ads worse, says Kantar Media

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:10:00 -0400

The report by Kantar Media shows overall advertising was down 12.3% in 2009 from a year prior, and fourth quarter 2009 was down just six percent from the same time in 2008. However, when you break the numbers down, radio advertising was below the overall average, down 20.3% for the year, and 12.5% for the fourth quarter. The Kantar report adds local radio advertising was down 20.6% for the year, and national spot ads even worse, down 24.6%. Network radio advertising fell just 8.7% for 2009. The only sectors to show any increase was internat advertising, up 7.3%, and Free Standing Inserts for coupons was up 3%. Overall, Procter & Gamble was the largest advertiser, as they were in 2008, but spending was down 15.6% compared to a year ago. See the complete report here.

New 2009 revenue report from Kantar Media says local and national revenues dropped 20% or more

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:30:00 -0400

Local did worse than national business, says New York-based Kantar, down an estimated 20.3% for the full year and 11.7% for the fourth quarter. National spot shrank nearly 25% (24.6%) for the year and about 17% for Q4. Kantar’s estimate of network radio business is that it dropped about 8-9% for both the full year and Q4. Radio’s estimated total take, therefore, was off about 20.3%. For purposes of comparison, Kantar believes all television media combined dropped about 9.5% last year, outdoor was off about 13%, newspapers fell about 19.7% and Internet display ads improved by about 7%.

KMPS Seattle Taps Candy & Potter For Mornings

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:50:00 -0400

Country KMPS (94.1) has a new morning team in Candy and Potter, who join the station March 22. They replace longtime morning host Ichabod Caine and his wife, Scallops, who signed off on Dec. 18. Candy and Potter are also a married couple, as well as Seattle-area natives. They started working together at KBKS Seattle in 2000, and moved on to stints at WFLY Albany. N.Y., and WLNK Charlotte, N.C. Married for eight years, they are expecting their first child in May.

Making Moves: Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:35:00 -0400

Former Clear Channel regional VP/Programming Todd Shannon joins Cox Radio as Operations Director for their Jacksonville, Florida stations … Former WINS-AM “1010 WINS” New York City news anchor Jessica Ettinger Gottesman is the new afternoon drive anchor for Seattle’s KIRO-FM (97.3) … Fisher Communications promotes Randa Minkarah to be their new SVP of Business Development … Portland, Oregon’s KXTG-FM (95.5) morning host Gavin Dawson is leaving for Dallas, joining KRLD-FM (105.3) “The Fan” for afternoon drive, starting March 29 – Discuss it … Scott Wilder is back on the air in Dallas, joining KVTT-AM (1110) – Discuss it … The contemporary Christian K-Love Radio Network brings on Ty McFarland as PD. He will take over on April 12 … LARadio.com says KNX-AM (1070) PD Julie Chin and Steve Herbert, the chief engineer for KCRW-FM (89.9) are running in the LA Marathon this weekend.

Liberty Media ends negotiations with WorldSpace, putting WorldSpace's future in limbo

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:45:00 -0400

Liberty Media, through a subsidiary, had bought up the debt of bankrupt WorldSpace last year. Negotiations had proceeding between the two satellite owners, but on Tuesday, they broke down. Radio-Info previously reported that Liberty, which owns a 40% stake in Sirius XM, might be interested in WorldSpace’s satellite radio operations in Asia and Africa to complement Sirius XM. Now that Liberty Media has ended negotiations, WorldSpace says it may de-commission some satellites and explore alternatives as it remains in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Both the Wall Street Journal and NPR developing special apps for Apple's iPad

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:50:00 -0400

Both NewsCorp, the parent of the Wall Street Journal, and National Public Radio are working fast to develop apps for the soon-to-be released Apple iPad. MediaMemo is reporting that viewers to the Wall Street Journal website will be able to click on an iPad-specific, Flash-free page. NPR is building a version of their website specifically for iPad users. The iPad is set to debut on April 3.

San Diego's XX Sports "breached our agreement," says Scott & BR morning show

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:20:00 -0400

Scott Kaplan and Billy Ray Smith are still off the air in San Diego, and they fire the latest salvo in the standoff at XEPRS-AM (1090). On their website, the duo claims that “In January, Mr. Lynch, the CEO of XX, decided he wasn’t going to pay us according to our contracts. He asked us if that was going to be OK – we said no – and he shorted our checks anyway.” They add that “John Lynch gave us clear choices, in writing! We were free to leave, or we could work for less than we are entitled to contractually.” The San Diego News Network speculates the duo could be headed across town to Clear Channel’s classic rock KGB-FM (101.5) to host mornings. Since parting from its morning team of Dave Rickards, Shelly Dunn and “Chainsaw” Randolph in January, KGB has been playing mostly music in the mornings. Local Media of America CEO John Lynch has threatened legal action against Scott & BR if they leave, saying their contract runs through the end of 2012. Midday host Darren Smith is filling in for mornings on XEPRS, and said on the air Tuesday he would be back in Wednesday.

Radio in Canada:

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:50:00 -0400

The latest BBM ratings in Toronto put two AC stations on top, with CHFI-FM (98.1) holding a 13.9 share followed by CHUM-FM (104.5) at 10.4. You can listen to CHFI “Toronto’s Lite Favourites” … In Calgary, the nation’s fifth-largest market, news/talk CHQR-AM (770) was #1 with a 9.6 share, followed closely by country CKRY-FM (105.1) & CHFM (95.9) “Lite 96.” Check the latest ratings from the BBM consortium … Rogers Communications promotes Chuck McCoy from national PD to VP and Cluster Manager for Toronto/Kitchener, Ontario . Taking McCoy’s place as national PD is Julie Adam, promoted from asst. national PD … CKMH-FM (105.3) in Medicine Hat, Alberta names Trapper John as PD, says Milkman UnLimited.

Wendi Power named as the new GM for three Cox Radio stations in Tampa

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:40:00 -0400

After 15 years of sales in the Windy City, WGN-AM, Chicago (720) Director of Sales Wendi Power moves south to Tampa, taking over as GM of three FMs for Cox. In Chicago, Vocalo.org reports that WGN swiftly promotes Jeff Hill from LSM to Director of Sales, replacing Power, while Matt Munro is promoted to Local Sales Manager, replacing Hill. The Tampa Board of Radio-Info notices the news about the incoming GM.

Sirius XM is expected to appeal the Nasdaq notice for de-listing

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:45:00 -0400

Even though Sirius XM stock (SIRI) breached the $1 barrier for one eight-day period (February 18-26), it did not stay above the $1 mark long enough to avoid the threat of being de-listed from the Nasdaq exchange. Reuters reports that Siriux XM will likely appeal any de-listing notice and seek a six-month extension. Sirius XM did receive some positive news from the analysts tracking its stock. BGB Securities analyst Murray Arenson keeps his “Buy” rating on Sirius, with a stock price target of $1.15, while Barrington Research analysts James Goss and John Hain have a $1.25 12-month price target on it. Sirius XM stock has climbed 50% over the last 12 months. You can track Sirius XM stock here.

NPR announces plans to sell $160 million in debt to finance its new building

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:45:00 -0400

The tax-exempt bonds sold in cooperation with the District of Columbia will help fund the construction of their new Washington, DC headquarters, converting and old warehouse into a seven-story office building. NPR announced that $10 million in reserve funds and $58 million from the debt sale will go toward construction expenses. Moody’s assigned NPR’s debt a rating of Aa3, while Standard & Poor’s gave it a AA- rating. Both debt ratings are among the four highest in their investment grades.

Online ads poised to overtake revenue from radio ads in New Zealand

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:45:00 -0400

A study by New Zealand’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found that the acceptance of online advertising is gaining on both radio and magazines. In New Zealand, nine forms of advertising were surveyed, including TV, radio, magazines, billboards, mail, cinema, newspapers, interactive and unaddressed mailings. The study found that only interactive ads online showed any increase from 2008 to 2009. The total advertising market in New Zealand fell 12% to $2.04 billion in 2009. However, during that same period, online advertising increased 10.5% to $193 million. Of the nine forms of advertising, only online has increased yearly since 2006. You can view the report here.

Making Moves: Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:50:00 -0400

Emmis-owned WFNI-AM (1070) “The Fan” in Indianapolis drops Indy Star sports writer Bob Kravitz from afternoon drive., calling it a “business decision.” Eddie White remains in afternoons solo … Mike Romigh is officially named as morning host for Youngstown, Ohio talker WKBN-AM (570), replacing Robert Mangino, who left for Pittsburgh’s KDKA-AM (1020) … Radio-Info confirms Tim Satterfield is out as OM for Clear Channel’s Greensboro, North Carolina cluster. No replacement named … WXCL-FM (104.9) in Peoria, Illinois adds Jaymie Gordon for mornings as the co-host with John Young … Chicago’s WSCR-AM (670) will pair brothers Ozzie Guillen, Jr. & Oney Guillen to host Latino Baseball Chicago on Sunday evenings. They're the sons of Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen … National Geographic Entertainment says United Stations Radio Networks (USRN) will be the distributor of National Geographic’s radio programming, beginning April 3, 2010 … WWSJ-AM (1580) in Saint Johns, Michigan can now be heard on the FM dial, thanks to a new FM translator, W262BD at 100.3.

Clear Channel names Mike Reineri as the new Market Manager for Panama City, Florida

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:25:00 -0400

Reineri was formerly the President for Frontline Solutions, and was at one time the VP/GM for JWC Broadcasting. Clear Channel hands him the reins for their six-station cluster in Panama City. Clear Channel Vice President/Operations Southeast & West Dave Crowl says, “Mike’s background in developing business and training sales teams is a perfect fit for our revenue focus in the market.” Reineri, who starts immediately, will oversee WDIZ-AM (590), WPAP-FM (92.5), WPBH-FM (93.5), WFLF-FM (94.5), WFSY-FM (98.5) & WEBZ-FM (99.3).

Radio Remembers: All-news pioneer Joseph Dembo

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:50:00 -0400

He spent 28 years with CBS Radio, holding down positions including anchoring CBS Radio Network’s “News-on-the-Hour” in the 1970’s – something he helped create. When Bill Paley decided to make New York City’s WCBS-AM (880) into an all-news outlet, which followed the move by WINS-AM (1010) a few years prior, Paley chose Joseph Dembo to be the station’s first program director. Dembo later became VP/GM of CBS Radio, putting together a legendary staff that included anchor Charles Osgood, street reporter Ed Bradley and sportscaster Pat Summerall. Dembo’s choice for news director, Ed Joyce, would later become president of CBS News. After leaving CBS in 1988, he joined New York’s Fordham University as a professor of media studies. Dembo passed away in Manhattan. He was 83. Read more about the career of Joseph Dembo here.

Charleston, SC's new urban "Box" uses a YouTube video to promote Friday's format flip

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:30:00 -0400

The 1 and 17-second [video] touts “The new heart of the streets…The Box is hip-hop.” There’s a preview of the music that’s replacing Apex-owned CHR “B92” WIHB. The personalities include major-market talent Charlamagne The God in the evening, with DJ D-Nyce. The Box is an attack on urban “Z93 Jamz” WWWZ, which is usually #1 or #2 in the Arbitron ratings. The South Carolina Discussion Board of Radio-Info is talking about the new Box.

Lexington’s Hank 96.1 FM Debuts

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:28:00 -0400

WLXO Lexington, Ky., has flipped from talk to a classic country format with the slogan “Hank 96.1 FM” and positioner “country legends.” The station continues to air the NASCAR, Indy car and Horse Racing Radio Network events aired on its talk predecessor. The station’s website is still under development. Radio-Info’s Kentucky Discussion Board is talking about the change.