Radio-Info News

New York's WOR (710) to drop Joey Reynolds overnights, add "Coast to Coast"

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:55:00 -0500

Premiere’s Coast to Coast with George Noory has been without a New York-market affiliate since Citadel’s WABC (770) recently went with Doug McIntyre’s Red Eye Radio for the overnight hours. Now WOR owner Buckley Radio picks up the popular syndicated Coast to Coast and drops its own Joey Reynolds, after 14 years. WOR has also been syndicating Reynolds through its WOR Radio Network, and that will also apparently end after April 2. Reynolds had just recently cracked the Detroit market on WDTW (1310), and Michiguide contributor Art Vuolo writes about the irony of WOR cancelling Reynolds (“No More Joey Showey”). Back in the Big Apple, The New York Board of Radio-Info.com is talking about Buckley Radio’s strategy.

Radio revenues down 9% for Spanish Broadcasting System in the latest quarter

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:00:00 -0500

TV revenues looked much worse, percentage-wise – down 27% from the year before. But they're a much smaller part of the Miami-based SBS, accounting for $4.3 million in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2009. While radio was about $31.6 million, down from $35 million. Operating income from both divisions was better: Radio’s improved from $12.6 million to $13.8 million and the operating loss for TV dropped from $5.6 million to $825,000. Looking just at radio, the company says local revenue trended down in all its markets. Like many other radio operators, Spanish Broadcasting System conducted an impairment test on the carrying values of its FCC licenses, and took a non-cash write-down of $8.5 million in the fourth quarter. The company remains listed on the NASDAQ, thanks to a reprieve granted following a special meeting with the exchange on January 7. It has until June 7 to get the stock price for “SBSA” back above $1 a share. It closed unchanged at 80 cents today (3/10), before the market saw the quarterly and full-year results. Study the Spanish Broadcasting System report here.

New Yorkers send good wishes and prayers to ailing top 40 jock Ron Lundy

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:01:00 -0500

Lundy was part of WABC (770) from 1965 right up until its conversion to talk on May 10, 1982, says David Hinckley in the New York Daily News. He went on to be one of the signature jocks at oldies WCBS-FM (101.1) from 1984 until his retirement in 1997. The paper says he’s already lost a lung to cancer surgery and “about two weeks ago, he suffered several ministrokes, became dehydrated, went into cardiac arrest during rehydration, was resuscitated and put on a ventilator.” He underwent a tracheotomy on Tuesday to remove the ventilator tube. The New York Board of Radio-Info.com is talking about Lundy.

Local ad revenues for radio & TV will reach $34.3 billion, says BIA/Kelsey

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:40:00 -0500

The forecast shows small but sustained gains for local revenues. The updated report by BIA/ Kelsey projects local ad revenues for radio & TV will increase from $29.9 billion in 2009 to $34.3 billion in 2014, representing a compound annual growth rate of 2.8 percent. BIA/Kelsey’s chief strategy officer and PD for Digital Strategies for Broadcasting Rick Ducey says, “Broadcasters must evolve to participate in more areas of the media ecosystem … This means developing the right multiplatform and multiple revenue stream strategies, which in turn requires new workflow, partnerships, business models, and resources.” The report also says that digital revenues will climb at an even higher rate, forecasting that radio’s digital revenues will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17.8 percent through ‘14.

Making Moves: Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:10:00 -0500

Chicago’s WBBM-AM (780) promotes suburban bureau chief and Sunday “At Issue” host Julie Mann to managing editor, says the Chicago Tribune … Mark Keefe, who was the OM at the four-station Wilks-owned cluster in Reno, Nevada, is moving to Milwaukee as PD of non-commercial WYMS-FM (88.9) … Greater Media names Trip Savery as Director of Sales for the Charlotte, North Carolina cluster, overseeing sales for WBT-AM/FM (1110 / 99.3) & WLNK-FM (107.9), starting March 23 … Adrienne McWilliams, the VP Urban Sales for Citadel leaves to join Tom Joyner’s Reach Media as VP for Eastern Sales … Ironwood, Michigan’s WIMI-FM (99.7) adds “Uncle Al” Rice for afternoons, and also makes a moniker change from “The Storm” to “The Best Variety,” says Upper Midwest Broadcasting … Birmingham, Alabama’s WERC-AM/FM (960/105.5) appoints Aaron Trimmer as PD. You can listen to “Talk Radio 105.5” here … In Syracuse, Citadel’s WLTI-FM (105.9) “The Big Talker” adds Premiere’s syndicated Bob & Tom Show for morning drive … One of the original voices on Oswego, New York’s WRVO-FM (89.9) is retiring. Station GM John Krauss, a 41-year veteran of WRVO is hanging up his headphones. Read more about Krauss here.

Radio in Canada:

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:16:00 -0500

Astral Media announces the new GSM for for their Hamilton, Ontario market will be Peter Hobbs, effective April 5 … Emmis Interactive and Astral Media sign a partnership agreement, with Emmis providing an interactive platform and sales consulting services to Astral’s 82 radio stations … Corus Radio Winnipeg is on the move. They will relocate their studios and their staff of 85 for CJOB-AM (680), “Power 97” CJKR-FM (97.5) and “Groove FM” CJGV-FM (99.1) to Polo Park … Astral Media announced they'll provide real-time PPM results in their various markets on their website on Friday afternoon … Radio-Info.com’s Sean Ross is at Canadian Music Week and in celebration, he’s written a series on Canadian Top 40 radio, from coast to coast. Read the series here.

A Nova Scotia station is in trouble after poking too much fun at local politicians

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:04:00 -0500

The contest on CFRQ-FM (104.3) in Halifax, Nova Scotia asks listeners how much a certain fictitious politician by name has absconded with, saying on the air “Now is your chance to be the only Nova Scotia taxpayer to benefit from the slimy douche-baggery of Richard the frugal MLA.” The promotion by CFRQ features a photo of a man in a suit lighting a cigar with a $100 bill, according to the CBC, and offers listeners a chance to win as much as $20,000 and a trip to Cuba. However, not everyone is happy with the promotion. The CBC says at least one advertiser has pulled ads from the station in response to the contest, saying the fictitious character bears the same name as a former area politician. You can view the contest on “Q-104” by clicking here. You can listen to CFRQ here.

Arbitron issues new report on PPM-measured listening to the NFL

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:22:00 -0500

The new “Arbitron Sports Report” carries breakouts on 25 pro teams playing in 23 PPM-measured markets this past season. Among the findings: the Chicago Bears scored the highest with actual listeners, showing an average game audience of 626,600. The Bears were followed by the New York Giants with 457,000 radio listeners per game. The Philadelphia Eagles had 422,400. Looking at shares instead of actual audience, Arbitron says “the in-game broadcasts average more than 40 shares among all men aged 25-54” in the broadcast markets of Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Boston, Minnesota and Baltimore.

Making Moves in Sports:

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:17:00 -0500

Former original ESPN Radio host Chuck Wilson tells Radio-Info he is heading back home to ESPN, and “It feels great to be back.” His first assignment will be to host the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Selection show … KTXX-FM (104.9) in Dripping Springs, Texas signs a five-year deal with the minor league baseball Round Rock (Texas) Express to be their flagship station, with Mike Capps providing play-by-play … Gap West Broadcasting-owned KMPT-AM (930) in Missoula, Montana signs a three-year deal with the minor league Missoula Osprey to broadcast games through 2012 … WSPO-AM/FM (1390 / 99.3) in Charleston, South Carolina adds the syndicated Don Imus for morning drive – Discuss it.

Oklahoma City's "Jack FM" is gone, replaced by "King" country KKNG

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:25:00 -0500

After four years, owner Tyler Media blows up classic hits “Jack FM” KOJK, Blanchard OK (97.3) to make 97.3 the new home of country KKNG, which moves up the dial from 93.3. For now, the Oklahoman says Tyler will simulcast the two signals. But eventually there will be a new format at 93.3, and KKNG will survive at 97.3. The Blanchard-licensed 97.3 is a lesser facility: a Class A compared to the Class C1 signal at 93.3, licensed to Newcastle. Another change on Tuesday was the laying off of KKNG morning personalities Bill Thomas and K.C. Sheperd plus PM driver James Ayers. Manager Ty Tyler says Lynn Waggoner will continue in mornings, and says KKNG will focus on “traditional country.” He didn’t drop any hints about the future of 93.3. The Oklahoma Board of Radio-Info.com is speculating about that, and the mysterious registration of “933TimFM.com.”

Radio in the U.K.:

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:02:00 -0500

ENGLAND: The iRadio Group, which operates i102 to 104 in the NorthWest and i105 to 107 in the North East, will cut 10 staffers, nearly one-fifth of their workforce, due to the economy … Former Telewest chief executive Adam Singer is named chairman of digital radio switchover body, Digital Radio UK … Former Mindshare business director Dominic Poynter will move to Global Radio as a client strategist … Add the publication “Music Week” to the growing voices protesting the BBC’s proposed plan to shut BBC Music 6, calling the plan a “a massive service gap that no terrestrial commercial broadcaster is filling” … The 80’s band Heaven 17 will join the line-up for a tribute concert organized for the late-Sheffield DJ Dave Kilner, who died last year at age 48 … WALES: A published report says Radio Ceredigion (103.3) in Aberystwyth could be taken over by a rival broadcaster, which could mean both job losses and a loss of local programming … IRELAND: Communications Minister Eamon Ryan fears a new $475,000 annual tax on broadcasters to fund the newly created Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, could break the backs of companies already facing revenue shortfalls.

WQAM, Miami host Jim Mandich is battling cancer, and leaving "Sportsradio 560"

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:50:00 -0500

The former Miami Dolphins football star who became a popular sports talk show host is going to take time off. Mandich, the afternoon drive host on WQAM-AM is battling cancer of the bile duct, and is now undergoing chemotherapy. He says he will not return to WQAM. Mandich, a former All-American college football star, played with the Dolphins for eight seasons. While with WQAM, he was also a color commentator for Dolphins radio broadcasts. However, his position calling games was placed in doubt when WQAM lost the Dolphins broadcast rights to Clear Channel’s WINZ-AM (940) & WBGG-FM (105.9). Mandich tells the Miami Herald “my talk-show days are done. It was a lot of fun.” WQAM has yet to announce a permanent replacement for Mandich.

Randy Michaels' list of 119 words you can't say on Tribune's WGN (720)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:55:00 -0500

Direct from the CEO of Tribune Company, there’s now a list of “forbidden ‘news-speak’ words and phrases”, says Robert Feder at Vocalo.org. Some are obvious tuneout phrases to be avoided in PPM markets, such as “We'll be right back” and “after these commercial messages.” But here are some others: “flee” (meaning “run away”). “Alleged.” “Allegations.” “Auto accident.” “Authorities.” “Campaign trail.” And “Seek.” Michaels' list contains some obvious cliches, such as “medical hospital” and “shots rang out.” The loss of others, such as “perpetrator” and “undisclosed”, will force some difficult re-wording at times. Robert Feder says Tribune is asking its staffers to keep “keep tabs on each others' compliance: they're to report any on-air infractions by their co-workers, making sure to note the precise time and date on ‘bingo cards.’” The Chicago Board of Radio-Info.com takes note of the Robert Feder report and the “list”.

CBS to "geo-block" access to its news, talk and sports stations Thursday

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:30:00 -0500

The March 10 Taylor on Radio-Info newsletter says “This ends the temporary and unexpected reprieve from the new CBS policy, where CBS joined the ranks of those streamers which cut off access to their online product for computer users outside the United States.” At first, the block affected only the music stations. Now a CBS memo says that on Thursday, March 11, it “will complete all phases of the GEO-IP project…this includes all music, talk, news and sports stations streaming [their] broadcasts.” Foreign users will still be able to download podcasts and “episodes-on-demand.” But if they click on a live stream, they get a message “directing them to our sister property Last.fm, where the consumer can enjoy endless personalized radio stations and discover more music.”

Rick Dees and TKO are now a pair

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:03:00 -0500

Legendary DJ Rick Dees will be joining the TKO Radio Network’s Classic Top 40 format, taking over for Charlie Tuna on the weekends. The network adds Dees’ “Weekly Top 40” show (featuring the ‘80s). Dees joins TKO’s line up of top 40 greats like John Landecker, Jim Zippo and others.

Rush Limbaugh says "I'll go to Costa Rica" if Obama's health care bill becomes law

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:31:00 -0500

He’s already put his $14 million Manhattan penthouse condo up for sale. As for where conservative talker Rush Limbaugh will live, it appears Costa Rica is high on the list. Responding to a Florida caller on his radio show, Limbaugh was asked by a caller what he would do if he needed health care. Limbaugh responded, “I'll just tell you this, if this passes and it’s five years from now and all that stuff gets implemented — I am leaving the country. I'll go to Costa Rica.” Limbaugh, who has railed against the Democratic-led health care bill almost daily, may want to research his new proposed home. Costa Rica’s government-run health care system is a network of 30 hospitals and over 250 clinics around the country. Foreigners living in Costa Rica can pay a monthly fee, based on income, for coverage, or join the national health care insurance provider. You can hear Limbaugh’s vow to vacate the US here.

New SoCal talk simulcast to debut Monday at 1510 and 1450

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:45:00 -0500

Starting Monday, Art Astor is turning off the music at adult standards “Spa” KSPA, Ontario (1510) in the Riverside market and San Diego-area KFSD, Escondido (1450) to go talk. The lineup includes a number of Talk Radio Network-distributed personalities, such as Mancow, Laura Ingraham, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Michael Savage and Rusty Humphries. Don Barrett’s LARadio.com says Michael Horn, founder of Cable Radio Networks, will function as the new program director and sales consultant for “Southern California Talk.” Some CRN programming will be part of the lineup on 1510/1450, including a 9-11am mid-morning show named “What’s Cooking Today.” That’s followed by Chuck Wilder, 11-noon, and then Dr. Laura, noon-3pm and then Michael Savage. The Los Angeles Board of Radio-Info.com is talking about the signals and the programming.

Curtis Media buys Greensboro "Radio Disney" affiliate WCOG (1320)

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:30:00 -0500

The 5-kw fulltime station recently went dark, as Radio Disney continues to pull out of medium and small-size broadcast markets in favor of delivery by Internet and new media. WCOG was originally owned by the city of Greensboro, and the calls stood for “Wonderful City of Greensboro.” It had been carrying Radio Disney’s kids programming since late 2000 and had been acquired by Disney in 2005. Now the station is being sold to Raleigh-based Don Curtis for $350,000. Brokers: Bill Schutz for seller Radio Disney, John Pierce for buyer Don Curtis. The Raleigh-Greensboro Board of Radio-Info is talking about the deal.

"Saturday Night Online Live with Romeo" launches with crowd-sourcing

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:45:00 -0500

The syndicator, Superadio Network, says “listeners will have the ability to follow with the show [online] and be part of the action at any time.” They'll also be steering the music during the “On Demand Hour.” The first-week musical guest on March 27 is is Justin Bieber, who will chat with listeners online. “Romeo” – Tim Herbster – is the PD, digital content director and PM drive host at Clear Channel CHR “Q102” WIOQ, Philadelphia. Superadio’s Senior VP of Programming & Affiliate Relations Rich O’Brien says “Saturday Night Online” will be live on ustream, Skype, Twitter, Facebook and ChatRoulette. National ad sales for “Saturday Night Online" will be handled by Premiere Radio Networks.

Liberty Media adds another satellite radio company to its roster

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:30:00 -0500

Last year it threw a lifeline to Sirius XM, which was teetering on bankruptcy. Now, John Malone’s Liberty Media is close to adding the assets of a second satellite radio company. Silver Spring, Maryland-based WorldSpace, which has been mired in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since 2008, owns three orbiting satellites and broadcast spectrum. A subsidiary of Liberty Media had already bought an interest in WorldSpace, which at one time had subscriber-based operations in Asia and Africa. The Denver Business Journal says that “Liberty Media has pumped $21 million into WorldSpace since assuming control,” but WorldSpace “could be on the hook for $2.2 billion in debt.” Tom Taylor’s “Taylor on Radio-Info” on Tuesday reports Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin has said he’s “willing to be a ‘strategic partner’ in assisting WorldSpace – if asked.”

A US Senator wants the FCC to investigate the sale of St. Louis "Classic 99" KFUO-FM

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:21:00 -0500

It was only recently that Missouri Rep. John Shimkus, a Republican, and Lacy Clay, a Democrat, took to the floor of the House of Representatives in Washington to denounce the sale of KFUO-FM (99.1) in St. Louis. Now, Missouri Senator Kit Bond has added his voice to the bipartisan chorus, formally asking the FCC to investigate the sale and pending format change. KFUO-FM was sold by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to Gateway Creative Broadcasting for $18 million, pending FCC clearance. When the sale is approved, Gateway Creative will abandon the 60 year-old classical format, replacing it with the Christian contemporary “Joy FM.” The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says there are other discrepancies regarding the proposed sale, including an allegation that Gateway Creative lied to the Commission on its application – Discuss it.

Jelli crowd-sourcing launches with 10 stations, including a second CBS outlet

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:05:00 -0500

The beta testing was done on CBS-owned modern rock “Live 105” KITS, San Francisco, and now CBS adds the feature to its Las Vegas modern rocker, “X107.5” KXTE. Jelli, distributed by Triton Media, offers listeners a catalog of tunes online and encourages them to either vote for it (giving it a rocket) or against it (a bomb). Even when it’s playing on the air live, they can say it “rocks” or “sucks”, and if it gets enough negatives, it’s pulled off immediately. Kirk Stirland, president of programming at Triton Media’s Dial Global syndication unit, says there are two versions for affiliates – Rock Jelli and Pop Jelli. Early signups include Greater Media’s modern rock WBOS, Boston (92.9) and Nassau’s hot AC WPST, Trenton-Philadelphia. Jelli CEO Mike Dougherty says crowd-sourcing lets radio participate in the “cultural transformation driven by the social web, giving a new voice to millions and millions of consumers.”

Making Moves: Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:32:00 -0500

Elvis Duran now has his first West Coast affiliate, adding Cumulus-owned KEHK-FM “Star” (102.3) for mornings starting March 15 … Bonneville International promotes Greg Solk from VP of Programming to SVP of Programming, effective immediately … Steve Cakebread, the former president and chief strategy officer for Salesforce.com, joins Pandora as its new CFO … Following the move by Citadel’s WLTI-FM to flip to talk, the syndicated Delilah has moved down the dial to WYYY-FM (94.5) for evenings seven days-a-week, says CNYRadio.com … Bustos Media’s smooth jazz outlet KKHI-FM (101.9) adds Florida-based Alicia Kaye for middays, who’s also heard on CBS-owned WSJT-FM (98.7) in Tampa – Discuss it … Envision Radio Networks adds KFXS-FM (100.3) in Rapid City, South Dakota as their newest affiliate for “The Rockin' 80’s” … The Arena Football League’s Cleveland Gladiators name Radio One’s WJMO-AM “Praise” (1300) as their radio home for the 2010 season … Frank Herzog announced his retirement. The longtime radio voice of the Washington Redskins and news anchor at WTOP-FM (103.5) is hanging up his headphones after a 41-year career, says the Washington Post.

Arbitron CEO back to Capitol Hill this week, to talk PPM

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:00:00 -0500

Bill Kerr tells a Credit Suisse Media Conference session (3/8) that he'll meet with House Oversight Committee Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-NY) about Arbitron’s roster of proposed changes to the PPM system. Arbitron disclosed in a recent SEC filing that on February 12, it had suggested these possible changes: doing in-person recruiting of PPM panel members in the high-density black and Hispanic areas in the top 25 PPM markets by year-end. Going to address-based sampling in all 50 meter markets by 2011. Convening a minority leadership council. And conducting “advertiser outreach” on behalf of minority radio.

Minnesota Public Radio and other public broadcasters are "zeroed out" of Governor's new budget

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:50:00 -0500

Minnesota Public Radio, with its more than two dozen stations and a big presence in St. Paul, has long been a target for politicians who want details about its spending. Now it and other radio (and also TV) pubcasters face a total elimination of state funding under Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Fiscal 2011 budget. David Brauer at the online MinnPost.com says Pawlenty would strike the entire $2,015,000 allocation from an earlier version of the budget, costing Minnesota Public Radio $250,000 and other individual public radio stations $387,000. The stations are planning to fight back by pointing out that lost state funds will mean they won’t qualify for federal matching funds. The Minnesota board has started discussing it.

AWRT re-names itself the "Alliance for Women in Media"

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:15:00 -0500

The name change, to “reflect the changes in the industry and the marketplace”, was approved by a strong majority vote of the membership and then voted on by the board this past weekend. “American Women in Radio and Television” was founded 59 years ago as a support group for those in broadcasting, and it welcomes men, as well. The “Alliance for Women in Media” plans a 12-month transition into its new name.

KKNG Oklahoma City Changes Frequency, Airstaff

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:12:00 -0500

Tyler Broadcasting’s country KKNG (King Country) is moving up the FM dial from 93.3 to 97.3. A short message on the station’s Web site confirms, “The music that made King Country great is returning and moving to 97.3.” There’s quite a bit of chatter on Radio-Info.com’s Oklahoma discussion board about the changes, including the loss of morning hosts Bill Thomas and K.C. Sheperd as well as afternoon driver James Ayers, who posts on the board that it was “the best job I ever had.” In fact, all of the station’s air personalities are now missing from the on-air section of the Web site, which now yields a blank page, and the station is reportedly running jockless. Readers are discussing the station here and here.