by Tom Taylor | tom@in3media.com | 609.883.3321

Thursday, January 28th 2010

It’s an iTunes world, says Apple.

The secret behind Apple’s iPad is iTunes.

That’s the same system that first bedazzled and then dismayed record industry executives, who realized they’d lost control of pricing and watched the traditional and profitable “album” concept fade with the ability to buy single tracks for 99 cents. Now the publishing businesses hope they’ve learned the hard lessons of the music biz and don’t give up as much control to the alluring new iPad. They hope it can help rescue newspapers, and give magazines and books added life through a new distribution channel – iTunes to the iPad. The gizmo also provides an enhanced experience for TV shows and movies sold through iTunes. Paying just $499 for the basic model (without 3G cell phone access) suggests that Apple can afford to make very little profit on the hardware, but will make out on the software – newspapers, magazines, books, TV, movies. And look out, Amazon Kindle, with your monochromatic screen – the iPad is in glorious color, with a real touch screen like its older brother the iPhone. Its importance to radio? Thought you’d never ask.

That’s consultant Paul Jacobs of Jacobs Media, who tells T-R-I there’s a lot for radio to like (and not much to fear) from Steve Jobs’ announcement. He says “it elevates the game, but it’s not a game changer.” Here’s his logic – “Unlike how the iPod changed mp3 players and the iPhone changed cell phones, this device opens up a new category between the iPhone and desktops.” He predicts there won’t be “any large impact on media, like radio. It’s not a threat, nor an enhancement.” For those broadcasters who have already invested in iPhone apps, yesterday’s news from Steve Jobs was good – the existing apps should run on the iPad, too. Jacobs says the price is a pleasant surprise ($499 for the basic model, up to $829 for 64 gigabytes of memory and connection to a 3G cell phone, with AT&T charging another 30 bucks a month). Paul’s bottom line – “it’s like the iPod Touch on steroids…bigger, faster, cooler.”

Sprint’s new HTC WiMax smart phone carries an FM chip.

So says PhoneNews, which reports the HTC-built device (they don’t even call it a “phone”) known as Supersonic is based on Google’s Android 2.1 platform and includes an FM radio. This is the first image and report of it, and everything, as they say, is tentative and speculative until the company officially launches it.

Its AC and soft AC stations are the largest beneficiaries of the stunning jumps for the all-Christmas format. Other companies do very well with all-Christmas in Arbitron’s just-released “Holiday Book”, covering December 10 through January 6. Entercom’s KOIT, San Francisco even manages to eclipse talk KGO, gaining 4.3 to 5.4 to 8.1. (That’s gauging age 6+ AQH shares.) CBS Radio’s KVIL goes 3.7-6.1-7.7. And Jerry Lee’s bionic B101/WBEB, Philadelphia pulls off this amazing trend – 7.6 to 12.9 to 16.7. (When was the last time any station in a top 10 market did a 16.7?) But mostly from the first batch of Holiday markets, it’s Clear Channel which benefits from jingle-bell music. In New York, the three-book trend for AC “Lite” WLTW is 7.4 to 9.0 to 11.6. L.A.’s KOST goes 3.7 to 5.5 to 8.1. Chicago’s “Lite” WLIT-FM triples its November share, 3.2 to 7.4 to 10.2. Houston’s “Sunny” KODA is on a 6.7-8.7-11.7 tear. Long Island’s WALK-FM zooms 5.9 to 6.6 to 9.4. Interestingly, the all-Christmas success stories didn’t wreck the competition. Lots to study in the first collection of Holiday books from Arbitron. See all the markets on the Ratings Page of Radio-Info.com, here.

Layoffs at CNN Radio in Atlanta.

One T-R-I reader says there could be as many as 11 folks gone at the Atlanta-based operation, and that’s presumably related to the revised contract with big customer Westwood One – the one that cut back the amount of content the Big Customer wants.

This T-R-I Newsletter has been following the progress of Disney's six sell-off markets since last November and had identified Albuquerque as one of them. Now the New Mexico Board of Radio-Info.com says that KALY was literally turned off last week. The first Radio Disney sale was Wichita (KQAM/1480), then this week West Palm Beach (WMNE/1600) and Norfolk/Tidewater (WHKT/1650). Sounds like Albuquerque is next. Disney bought the 1-kw fulltimer in 2003 for $650,000. Based on the haircuts it's been willing to take in Wichita and the other markets, it won't get $650K when it sells it here in 2010. The New Mexico Board of Radio-Info.com is discussing Radio Disney here.

A slowdown in the FCC processing of FM translator apps?

Consulting engineer Jack Mullaney is advising clients that “it appears the FCC has decided that FM translator modification applications will no longer be processed in the few days/weeks we’ve seen over the past few years, and will take much longer to be granted – up to 4-6 months or so.” That may reflect a change in attitude by the staff and a desire to slow down the rabbit-like growth of chains of FM translators. Mullaney says that sometimes “these translators are thrown up for a day or less, licensed, and then go silent until the next app is granted.” He thinks the early “hops” in the chain will be processed relatively fast, but the later ones will go in slow motion.

This is the first-ever let's-hold-hands Radio Show between the two associations. Necessity is the mother of invention, and the NAB and RAB are forced to re-invent things like exhibit space, so it’s closer to the meeting areas (“integrated” will be the operative word). The Grand Hyatt at 1000 H Street in northwest Washington was previously used for some R&R Talk Radio Seminars and it’s fairly intimate. (888 rooms, 40,000 square feet of meeting space.) The choice of Washington is designed partially for better access to policy makers on Capitol Hill. It should add to radio’s profile in the capital and might even offer valuable lobbying opportunities for group heads and state association execs. For the Radio Advertising Bureau, this preserves its annual convention, at the price of giving up its traditional late-Winter sales management conference. Last year that was in Orlando, at a posh standalone hotel booked well before the economy tanked. (It's going to be a while before somebody's touting golf courses at radio conventions.) The NAB and RAB are very much hoping that exhibitors are comfortable with the venue and the new format. Exhibitors pay a great deal of the freight for conventions, and keeping them happy is very important to people such as the NAB EVP of Radio John David and RAB President/CEO Jeff Haley. See the Washington Grand Hyatt here.

In the middle of a digital transition, UK’s commercial radio sector watched ad revenues fall 10% in ’09.

That’s on top of an 8% decline the previous year. The RadioCentre report to the House of Lords says a major problem is the double burden of broadcasting in both analog and digital. It says that cost more than $110 million (70 million pounds) last year, at a time when total commercial-sector revenues have fallen to about $810 million (500 million pounds). The Guardian’s John Plunkett quotes Global group chief executive Ashley Tabor saying the UK industry is stuck in a “dual transmission dilemma” as it works toward an eventual conversion to DAB in 2015. (Its DAB is not the same as the U.S. iBiquity system.) Global Radio Chairman Charles Allen says its predecessor companies have invested over $162 million (100 million pounds) in equipment and changeover costs across the last decade. The Lords are also hearing that the DAB platform needs to work better and provide coverage equivalent to the current analog.

Its FM sister, WAZX-FM, Gainesville at 101.9, is already doing regional Mexican. And the 50-kw (daytime) AM had been Spanish for most of the last decade, under previous owner Ga-Mex Broadcasting. The Atlanta Board of Radio-Info.com picks up on the "Guantanamera" looping stunt by DTS Broadcasting. DTS acquired WAZX, Smyrna last year after Ga-Mex went into bankruptcy. DTS had been broadcasting oldies and classic rock to keep the license active, and now apparently has formulated its plans. WAZX has 50-kw daytime, but just 500 watts after dark. It has a construction permit for a new facility of 50-kw days and just 16 watts at night. The Atlanta Board discussion thread is here (just click the icon).

Today’s Ross On Radio – “CBGB Radio” and First Listen to CBS’ Grammy Radio…

Does the name “CBGB” mean anything to you? Sean Ross, Radio-Info.com’s executive editor of music and programming, grew up in the right place – “Unless you were in New York and aware of WPIX, chances are you never got to hear most of the music associated with CBGB, the club most associated with ‘70s punk and early ‘80s new wave, on a commercial radio station. So there’s no shortage of irony in CBGB Radio, the new on-line brand launched by Clear Channel’s iHeart Radio as a companion to its other indie rock channel.” Also in today’s Ross On Radio newsletter, Sean gives his “First Listen” treatment to the first-ever “Grammy Radio” from CBS, tying into the coming awards show on CBS TV. Sean says it’s good enough to merit being “a full-fledged, hosted-in-real-time channel as opposed to the able-to-skip-songs version heard here.” If you’re not getting Ross On Radio every Tuesday and Thursday by email from Radio-Info.com – at no charge – just go here.

In today’s Urban First newsletter from Radio-Info.com – Donnie Simpson career options…Goodnight to McKnight…

And a challenge from Radio-Info.com executive editor Dana Hall to call your own station sometime, and see how clients and listeners are actually greeted (or not) and handled. “Urban First” speculates about what veteran D.C. personality Donnie Simpson might do after he leaves mornings at CBS Radio’s WPGC (95.5), either today or tomorrow. And Dana reports that Brian McKnight just did his last evening shift for Emmis’ urban AC “Kiss 98.7” WRKS, New York, and that predecessor Lenny Green may be back – maybe with a syndication deal. If you’re interested in urban radio, Dana Hall is the lady to follow. To subscribe, go here.

New York – You’ve already learned about the incumbent #1 station, AC “Lite” WLTW, rocketing up 7.4 to 9.0 to 11.6. Age 6+ AQH shares of some other music stations were down a bit, though ranks weren't affected much. Classic hits WCBS-FM is still #2, though with a 5.0 instead of a 5.9. CHR Z100 is third at a 4.3. Rhythmic AC WKTU also took a medium-size hit, 4.2-3.7. While AC “Fresh” WWFS was relatively unaffected, holding a 3.5 million cume the last three months and a trend of 2.5-3.2-2.7. All-Christmas also helped Lite’s sister station on Long Island. WALK-FM grows 0.9-1.0 to 1.5 in the New York book. To pick up a few other trends – The Yankees’ World Series glow fades a little and flagship WCBS-AM moves 5.2-3.8-4.1. Urban “Hot 97” WQHT is in a little uptick, 2.7-3.1-3.3. Spanish Tropical X96.3 WXNY, getting bunked down at its new frequency, drifts down 3.7-3.3-3.2.

Los Angeles – KOST you already know about – 3.7 to 5.5 to 8.1. It’s #1, temporarily way ahead of #2 CHR KIIS-FM (4.8-4.7-4.9). KIIS-FM’s CBS-owned challenger “Amp 97.1” KAMP-FM has settled in (3.7-3.5-3.4). While it’s a bad month for Univision’s Spanish AC KLVE (3.6-3.5-3.0). Also a bad month for smooth jazz “Wave” KTWV (2.9-2.9-2.5) – but that was before the adjustments made by new PD Jhani Kaye. The Los Angeles Board of Radio-Info.com is chewing over the results now.

Chicago – The Christmas-music tripling of “Lite FM” WLIT-FM you read about (3.2-7.4-10.2). Underneath that is steady all-newser WBBM-AM (6.3-5.7-5.9). Tribune’s talk WGN is likewise steady, 5.1-4.9-4.8. Bad month for classic hits “Drive” WDRV (4.6-3.7-3.4), which may be a reflection of all-Christmas at Lite.

San Francisco – Soft AC KOIT owns first place (4.3-5.4-8.1) for this month. Usual share-leader talk KGO isn’t even #2 for the holiday book – it’s third behind all-news KCBS-AM/FM (6.2-5.8-5.9). While Inner City’s urban AC KBLX is one of the mostly-unsung urban success stories in PPM, so far – tied for fifth place at a 4.2 with classical KDFC. The San Francisco Board of Radio-Info.com picks up the stories from the Holiday book on this thread.

Dallas – all-Christmas AC KVIL goes 3.7-6.1-7.7. While #2 CHR “Kiss” KHKS actually increases, 6.0-6.0-6.5. And check the Christmas performance of contemporary Christian KLTY – it’s ranked third, 4.2-4.4-4.6. Bad month for country “Wolf” KPLX – off 5.4-5.2-3.8, and now trailing country rival KSCS (4.0-3.9-3.9).

Philadelphia – Bionic B101/WBEB has that 16.7 share. But again, the rankings weren’t affected much. All-news KYW is second, 6.7-6.5-7.1. Urban AC WDAS-FM is third, 6.3-5.9-5.7. Classic hits WOGL moves 5.5-5.8-5.2. In the sports wars, WIP goes 4.4-3.6-3.4 and challenger WPEN-AM/FM moves 2.0-1.6-1.5. The Philly Board of Radio-Info.com hopped onto the ratings last night.

In McAllen-Brownsville – Rhythmic CHR “B104” KBFM is on top, as usual – 11.2-11.4-12.2 (age 12+ AQH), since the Fall 2008 survey. (McAllen-Brownsville gets two books a year from Arbitron, not four.) Regional Mexican KGBT ranks second – 8.5-9.7-9.0.

Ft. Wayne – John Dille’s Federated Media talker WOWO is a steady #1, moving 11.9-10.7-11.8. The country-FM battle couldn’t be any tighter. “Hawk” WQHK has an 8.2 and "US93.3" WBTU an 8.1.

Lincoln, Nebraska – Three Eagles’ country “KX 96.9” KZKX cruises at #1 – 10.2-9.9. NRG Media’s “Froggy” KFGE is second, 6.7-7.8.

All the ratings you want, online at Radio-Info.com – Both Arbitron diary numbers and PPM numbers. They’re available any time on the Ratings Page here.

» Arbitrons Holiday-Book PPMs back to top » 1. New York - 15,669,500 2. Los Angeles - 10,999,100 3. Chicago - 7,862,200 4. San Francisco - 6,145,800 5. Dallas-Ft. Worth - 5,216,100 6. Houston-Galveston - 4,815,700 8. Philadelphia - 4,357,600 18. Nassau-Suffolk - 2,439,800 26. Riverside-San Bernardino - 1,849,800 35. San Jose - 1,521,300 40. Middlesex-Somerset-Union - 1,386,500 Fall Quarterly Books, diary-based 46. Jacksonville - 1,144,400 58. McAllen-Brownsville-Harlingen - 876,000 59. Greenville-Spartanburg - 863,400 74. El Paso - 602,100 90. Des Moines - 523,900 91. Spokane - 516,500 108. Ft. Wayne - 435,700 159. Asheville - 267,600 168. Wausau-Stevens Point - 239,200 171. Lincoln - 236,400 245. Eau Claire - 137,800 253. Lufkin-Nacogdoches - 128,800 266. Grand Island-Kearney - 112,200 290. Hot Springs - 84,600 Click on the city to review recently released Arbitron ratings. View a complete list of Arbitron markets here.

» Wheeling & Dealing back to top » Jacksonville’s southern gospel WJBC-FM (91.7) sells for $2,225,000. Buyer is a group that includes Nancy Epperson, the wife of Salem principal Stuart Epperson, Sr., and their son Stu Jr. They each hold 14.28% of The River Educational Media Inc., which is based in Winston-Salem, NC. That’s also where Nancy and Stu Jr. live, though the FCC application also lists a Jacksonville-area address for Nancy. The station is WJBC-FM, named for seller West Jacksonville Baptist Church. Pastor Rodney Kelley steered the effort that bought then-WNLE in 2006 for $1 million. Running both a busy church and a radio station may be more than the church is up to, and it’s taking the proffered cash offer of $2,225,000 from The River Educational Media. WJBC, Fernandina Beach, Florida is a C2 that’s running 32-kw at 223 feet. But building out its construction permit will boost the signal considerably. It will stay a C2 but jump to 50-kw at 429 feet. The FCC filing says there’s a 5% down payment held in escrow, with the balance due at closing. Broker is Greg Guy of Patrick Communications. Outside Mars Hill, NC, a takeback of an AM station because of failure to keep up on payments. That station is southern gospel WHBK, Marshall at 1460, which Randy Houston’s Southern Broadcasting bought in the Fall of 2008 from Bruce Phillips. Now Mars Hill-based Mildred Phillips, as the assignee of Bruce Phillips, files to take back ownership of WHBK licensee Southern Broadcasting. WHBK has 5-kw daytime and 139 watts at night. The Great Smokies real estate here lies north of Asheville. Dean Singleton’s MediaNews filed for Chapter 11 protection, and now come the debtor-in-possession filings re: four stations in Texas. Those are a combo in Breckinridge (country “K-Lakes 93.5” KLXK and AC KROO/1430) and another in Graham, Texas (classic hits “Kool 94.7” KWKQ and country KSWA/1330). They’re officially associated with Graham Newspapers Inc., owned by Denver-based MediaNews. » Sound Bites back to top » In Chattanooga, there’s a 6-share for classic country and so “Classic Country is home on Q97.3/99.3.” That’s owner Gary Burns of 3 Daughters Media, who says the landscape has changed since he bought WUUQ, South Pittsburg (97.3) from Clear Channel in June 2008 and took it Classic Top 40. At the time he bought 97.3, it was simulcasting with Signal Mountain-licensed 98.1. After the split, 98.1/WLND kept the 6-share (age 12+ AQH). But recently, WLND has gone hot AC, and Burns says it's "an easy decision” to bring classic country “home to Q97.3", which did a 1.9 share in the Fall. He's heard on two signals - 97.3 plus a 99.3 FM translator on Lookout Mountain. His talent roster is Susie Luther mornings, Scott Miller middays and PD Dale Mitchell afternoon drive. Voice imaging will be home-grown, created by country artist and Chattanooga resident Roger Allen Wade. One more distinctive thing about Q97.3 – Burns promises “limited commercials. We will never run more than three units or 90 seconds in a commercial stop set.” First song last night at 7pm – “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool.” Corpus Christi’s “All the music you grew up with” turns into “True conservative radio” on KCCT (1150). “Sam” is gone and takes the music with him. On the way at the Restless Communications station – Laura Ingraham, Neal Boortz, Michael Medved, Michael Gallagher, Mark Levin, Michael Smerconish and Dennis Prager. Most Tribune execs can get their bonuses, after all. The federal bankruptcy judge in Delaware cleared payment of about $45.6 million to more than 700 management employees – but not to folks at the very top like Randy Michaels, not yet. The Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild, on behalf of the Tribune-owned Baltimore Sun, tried to block payment of any bonuses, while the company has gone through waves of painful layoffs. Tribune is still under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection but racking up nice operating cash flow - easier now that it doesn’t have to pay down debt and interest, as it reorganizes. Format change at Rolland Johnson’s Three Eagles cluster in Lincoln, Nebraska, says NorthPine.com. KLMS drops the “ESPN 1480” identity to go oldies, which is a reflection of the frequency’s top 40 past. That leaves no local all-sports station in Lincoln, though Omaha’s not far away. Air America fallout – Randi Rhodes fills the Ron Reagan slot on Seattle’s KTPK (1090). The CBS progressive talker announces “the return of Randi Rhodes, 6-9pm, beginning January 28.” Randi was part of the original lineup at Air America and these days makes her home at Premiere Radio Networks. In Detroit, the Air America fallout puts WOR Radio Network-syndicated Joey Reynolds on Clear Channel's WDTW (1310), 1-6am, according to Michiguide. the station will re-run Bill Press in evenings, 6-9 to plug the hole left by the syndication exit of Ron Reagan. Former Clear Channel International prexy Bob Cohen opens “Bob Cohen Strategies.” He just left the company after a 23-year run and brings 30 years of experience in “the media, sports and entertainment industries, both domestic and international.” He’d run CC International Radio since 2001, and his sports experience includes being the former board chairman of San Antonio’s Valero Alamo Bowl post-season classic. He’s staying in San Antonio, and available for challenges at 210-825-1381 and BC@BobCohenStrategies.com. » Faces on the Radio back to top » Michael “Brownie” Brown is the new evening talker at Clear Channel’s KOA, Denver (850). Yes, that’s the same Michael Brown who was in charge of FEMA when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005. He’s been filling in on KOA and now replaces 7-10pm host Gunny Bob. Ronald DeCastro is the new GSM of CBS Radio’s New York CHR, “92.3 Now” WXRK. He’d been the VP of sales for the CBS cluster in Philadelphia, and returns to work in the New York market after jobs with Clear Channel/Philly and in the Long Island market with Barnstable and Greater Media. Jennifer Donohue is the Senior VP/Director of Sales for CBS-New York. Mike Pintek gets the noon-3pm slot that CBS Radio hoped would never open up on news/talk KDKA, Pittsburgh (1020) – the one created by the death of Fred Honsberger. Pintek has been with “KD Radio” since 1982 and had been filling in for Honz. No word about a replacement for his previous 6-10pm shift, known as “Pintek Tonight.” Maurice DeVoe is taking over the urban format coordinator position at Cumulus, in the aftermath of Jim Kennedy’s departure last week. Radio-Info.com’s Dana Hall reports in today’s “Urban First” newsletter that Kansas City-based DeVoe had been working with Kennedy since late 2007. » Classifieds back to top » GENERAL MANAGER – Norfolk, Virginia GENERAL MANAGER WNOR FM/WAFX FM NORFOLK VIRGINIA....POSITION OPEN May we ask you a simple question? Each day when you leave for work do you have the anticipation of doing good work and achieving personal fulfillment, or has the heavy crush of consolidated impersonalization taken its toll? Have you even left broadcasting as a career because of the operational rigidity and lack of ownership concern for quality broadcasting? Well, we invite you to leave “toon” town and talk to us about radio management that practices excellence and perfection. It is about pride. Pride in your people, and pride in their craft. It is about winning through excellence. That's the Saga philosophy. This is an attractive position in an attractive market. Quality staff with historic years of strong positioning. The proper candidate should excel in sales, sales structure, and organization. This candidate should also be able to demonstrate that he/she understands the importance of programming and has successfully run profitable stations with healthy reputations in their markets. Large market management is preferred, but don't be intimidated if you know that it is now your time in the sun. We also look for career stability. If we arrive at a mutual conclusion of acceptance, our promise to you is that we will treat you with respect and be collaborative with you towards attainable goals. Confidentiality is absolutely assured during the interview process and no background calls will be made without your permission. E-mail cover letter and resume to: Warren Lada Sr. Vice President/Operations Saga Communications warren.lada@sagacom.com E.O.E.