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www.tritonmedianetworks.com
Welcome to RBR's Daily Epaper
Volume 25, Issue 141, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
Monday Morning July 21st, 2008
RADIO NEWS ®
www.google.com
Who will own the new Clear Channel?
If you answered Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital, you're only partly right. It's a lot more complicated than that, so click the headline for more details. This Thursday is when shareholders vote on the long, long-pending buyout to take Clear Channel Communications private. A favorable vote on the $36 per share offer is pretty much guaranteed, but CCU still needs to round up two-thirds of all shares to approve the $23.8 billion deal, which is then set to close on July 30th.

RBR observation:
It ain't over until the fat lady sings, but we think we hear her warming up her vocal chords. That Texas requirement of approval by two-thirds of all shares - not just two-thirds of those actually voted - has no doubt had CCU and its financial advisors beating the bushes to make sure that the proxies are mailed in. But with no organized opposition, the votes should be there to get the job done. As a result of the earlier legal settlement, the money is all escrowed for the July 30th closing, so there's no question of the banks showing up with their cash this time.

Arbitron to boost PPM panels
Abritron has agreed to increase Portable People Meter panels. The decision announced at the Arbitron Radio Advisory Council (RAC) meeting in Wyoming was in response to the request from the RAC (and many broadcasters) that Arbitron reallocate meters from 6-11 year-olds to boost 12+. Arbitron says it will increase the 12+ samples by 10%, effective 2010, and RAC chair Chuck DuCoty, COO on NRG Media noted that the ratings company has also said that includes a 10% increase in the key 18-54 range. Arbitron will, at least for now, continue to have panelists 6-11 and try to monetize that child demo and make a business decision about whether that will continue long-term.

RBR observation: The relentless pressure from broadcasters to improve PPM is clearly paying off. There is something for everyone, at least every critic, in what came out of the latest RAC meeting. For critics who see the lack of MRC accreditation as the biggest problem, Arbitron CEO Steve Morris has declared winning that accreditation to be the top priority and will devote the necessary resources to see that it happens ASAP. For those who see sample size in key demos as the biggest problem, Arbitron has agreed to boost the PPM sample size for 12+ and all key demos by 10%. That's not scheduled to take place until 2010, although the RAC has asked Arbitron to look at making that happen sooner.

www.oasispreview.com

NABPAC focuses on Congress
Veteran broadcaster/broker Larry Patrick is heading up the NAB's efforts to influence the 2008 elections, and is looking for hard cash donations from broadcasters to that end. Patrick acknowledged that a battle for the White House is going on, but pretty much identified NABPAC's focus as promoting the fortunes of broadcaster's friends on Capitol Hill. Key issues include performance royalties, opening white spaces to unlicensed devices, and fighting the possible return of a pair of items: The Fairness Doctrine and archaic FCC localism regulations. The focus of the focus will be the members of key committees: commerce and judiciary, who have the most to say on the Hill about matters of interest to broadcasters.

RBR observation: Don't think of the money you send to NABPAC as an investment in an exciting down-to-the-wire election night nail-biter. Much of it will instead go to esteemed members with key legislative gatekeeper positions. It's much more akin to buying fertilizer - it will make a commerce committee member a little more attentive when we explain how misguided the FCC's localism initiatives really are.

Airwaves safe for Seadogs
And for Boston Red Sox, too. Saga Communications outlet WBAE-AM in Portland ME found its license under attack on grounds that it deviated from its Standards "Music of Your Life" programming from time to time in order to air broadcasts of the minor league baseball team Portland Seadogs, as well as serving its corner of the Red Sox Nation with Sox games. This did not sit well with Ms. Lora Leland and Ms. Anne Zevich, who complained that "...'Music of Your Life' 24-7-365. 'All music all the time' was their promise when the Station started." They argued that the unwelcome baseball interruptions warranted denial of a license renewal. The FCC noted that the complainants did not contend that the station had broken any laws, rules or regs; that the station had a record of serving the public interest; and that it has scant authority to intervene in programming matters.

RBR observation: It's good to get affirmation for the FCC from time to time that it has no business poking its nose into programming decisions. But it must be good news for MOYL, too. These are some loyal fans, who cannot tolerate a format break that whittles down their supply of Standard fare to a mere 21 hours a day during the summer.

www.hippieradio.net

ONLY ON RBR.COM
Ideas Working Now
A Comprehensive Promotion and Distribution Strategy for Your Stream Is Critical
By Bill Freund
Internet streaming gives every station a worldwide distribution platform that allows the station content to go anywhere and everywhere. Thus, program directors and marketing directors need to have a strategy to promote and distribute the stream in as many places as possible. Program Directors should be using the power of their broadcast "pulpit" and promote the stream(s) constantly on-air. Here is a list of important tactics into include in your streaming strategy. Read the rest at RBR.com.

Sales & Marketing
Election Winner: Local Radio
By Kay Olin
It might seem strange to say, but we are finding that stations in mid and small markets are growing BECAUSE of their size! It's a tough market out there for radio and many other media, to be sure, but mid and small market stations are doing a great job capitalizing on being so close to the heartbeat of their communities. Read the rest at RBR.com.

Interview
George Beasley: Radio vet keeps the faith by moving forward
The interview below with Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. Founder, Chairman and CEO, George G. Beasley, was conducted in April 2007 and preceded the economic downturn which has impacted the radio industry.

Where did Beasley get its start 45 years ago and does it still have the same station[s]?
Beasley Broadcast Group was founded in 1961. I was a high school principal at the time and I applied for and secured an FCC license to build WPYB-AM, a daytime-only 500 watt station, in Benson, North Carolina. At the time, I was part of a small group of radio pioneers who were bringing smaller U.S. towns previously unavailable technology. Read on and view the history but the strategy of Beasley at RBR.com

www.andomedia.com

AD BUSINESS REPORT
Cox Radio launches "New Country" with low spot load
Cox Radio has blown up oldies WRKA and launched a brand new Country station, "New Country" WQNU Q103.1 in Louisville 7/18 on the second strongest FM signal in the market. The launch will give country music lovers their favorite music all day, every day with fewer commercials. In fact, the station will play only eight spots per hour, by far the lowest rate of any country music station in the market. The station will be adding live and local air talent in the coming months. "Louisville country music listeners have been asking for a country station that plays their favorite music with fewer commercials, and we are excited to fill that void in the market," said Todd Schumacher, Vice President and Market Manager of Cox Radio Louisville. "With New Country Q103.1, we are guaranteeing only eight commercials per hour, giving listeners more music, and we're doing it on one of the strongest FM signals in the market." New Country Q103.1 will be simulcast on both 103.1 and on 103.9. As part of the campaign to alert listeners, WQNU will launch a local marketing effort on broadcast and cable TV.
 

MEDIA MARKETS & MONEY
More Jackson action
The wheels continue to spin as a result of Backyard Broadcasting's exit from the Jackson MS market. In this installment, Pierre Sutton's Inner City subsidiary, Urban Radio II, is itself spinning a station even as it makes room in the portfolio for Backyard's WRXW-FM. It has reached an agreement to sell WKXI-AM to Pollack Broadcasting Company, which is not new to broadcasting but will be new to the market. There is also a WKXI-FM, so Pollack will have to find new call letters. It will also pay $400K for the station, with the bulk -- $350K - being paid over time pursuant to terms of a promissory note. Sutton is getting WRXW-FM for $700K When the smoke clears, Sutton's Jackson portfolio will include WJNT-AM, WOAD-AM, WOAD-FM, WJMI-FM, WKXI-FM & WRXW-FM.

__FIRST__ __SECOND__,
here is another transaction brokered by Kalil & Co., Inc.
KSBJ EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
has acquired
KMBV-FM
Navasota, Texas
from
THE KALIL HOLDING GROUP
for
$1,025,000
 
 
b
Kalil & Co., Inc.
6363 North Swan Road
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 795-1050

TRANSACTIONS
$137.5K KWAP-FM CP Pine Haven WY from Davao LLC (Hursell Lee Adkins Jr.) to Keyhole Broadcasting LLC (Kevin Clements, Otice Clements). $10K escrow, balance in cash at closing. Duopoly with KPKL-FM Moorcroft WY, being LMA'd by buyer from Family Voice Communications LLC. CP is for Class C1 on 99.1 MHz with 28 kw @ 1,594'. [File date 6-4-08]

$20K KDRG-FM CP Breckenridge TX from Gospel American Network (Bill R. Wright) to CSSI Non-Profit Educational Broadcasting Corporation (Charles H. Beard, Charles A. Beard, Melinda Beard). $2K down payment, balance in cash at closing. CP is for Class C3 on 89.9 MHz with 17.9 kw @ 325'. [File date 6-3-08]

N/A WFTE-FM CP Wilkes Barre-Scranton PA (Mount Cobb PA) from Center for Creative Cooperation Inc. (Don Noll) to Community Radio Collective Inc. (Alex Allen et al). Cash free transfer from on non-profit to another. CP is for Class A on 90.3 MHz with 3 kw @ 95'. [File date 6/2/08]

 

WASHINGTON BUSINESS REPORT
Adelstein may conditionally
back XM/Sirius

Democratic FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein signaled he would point his thumb up if the proposed merger of satcasters XM and Sirius includes a concession package mirroring that proposed recently by Ed Markey (D-MA). Although Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin has indicated he'd walk if conditions become onerous, some analysts think a package with relatively stiff conditions may fly.

RBR observation: Will the Commissioners and the wedding party use the Martin and Adelstein positions as a starting point and try to split the difference? And what about HD add-ons? They're said to run from $10-$12 a pop -- who will pay for them?

SDARS yes, vodka no?
The FTC has shot down part of an M&A agreement under which Pernod
Ricard's is proposing to spend $9 billion to acquire Swedish spirits company V&S Vin & Sprit.

RBR observation: So a high-end vodka combo is a no go, despite the presence of numerous other vodka options, while the only two satellite audio companies in existence are allowed to merge without comment? Amazing.
www.talkradionetworks.com

ENGINEERING BUSINESS REPORT
Finally: portable HD Radios coming in days
A major step in making HD Radios more user-friendly: No need to find a place to plug it in! Coby Electronics is introducing a new range of receivers that includes the HDR-700 Portable HD Radio System (pictured) and HDR-650 Component HD Radio Receiver, makes its retail debut in August.
Coby's new HDR-700 Portable HD Radio System is the first-ever cordless HD Radio receiver. With splash-proof housing and an integrated rechargeable battery, the HDR-700 can serve as the sole entertainment system - indoors and out. The small-scale unit also features an SD card slot for digital MP3 playback. SRP $149.
 

MONDAY MAKERS & SHAKERS
Transactions: 6/2/08-6/6/08
The top sale of the week was all it took to thrust the total value station trading during the first week of June past that of the last week of May. That the top deal weighed in at an even $1M tells us just how pathetic the last week of May was (OK - its microscopic bottom line was $920K). But with a grand total of just about $3.5M of total trading, the first week of June hardly qualified as a seismic event, either. Five of eight licenses traded were for CPs.

- Total Mkts 1-50 Mkts 51-100 Mkts >100 Unrated
AMs 2 2 0 0 0
FMs 6 1 0 1 4
TVs 0 0 0 0 0
Total 8 3 0 1 4

-Type Trans Stations Value
Radio, 1 mkt 8 8 3.5045M
TV, 1 mkt - - -
Rad-TV, 1 mkt - - -
Radio, multimkt - - -
TV, multimkt - - -
Rad-TV, multimkt - - -
Totals 8 8 3.5045M
©2008 Radio Business Report, Inc. All rights reserved.

Radio Trans. of the Week:
Roulette wheel lands on Vegas DIY move-in

The sale of KVBR-FM CP, which hopes to be a force in Las Vegas from its perch-to-be in the town of Moapa NV, about 40 miles away, was the top deal this week. LKCM Radio Nevada will pay $1M to Aurora Media for rights to the Class C CP.


TV Trans. of the Week: Category remains dormant

www.capitalsource.com

RADIO STOCKS

A mixed Friday
Wall Street liked the better-than-expected results from Citigroup, but not what was reported by some big tech companies, so it was a mixed market. The Dow Industrials rose 50 points, or 0.4%, to 11,497. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 1.3% and the S&P 500 was essentially flat.

Radio stocks were among the losers. The RBR Radio Index fell 1.719, or 2.8%, to an all-time low of 59.862. Regent plunged 19.4% and Cumulus fell 8.7%.

Here's how stocks fared on Friday

Company
Symbol
Close
Chng
Company
Symbol
Close
Chng

Arbitron*

ARB

47.72

+1.02

Google

GOOG

481.32

-52.12

Beasley*

BBGI

4.19

0.00

Hearst-Argyle

HTV

19.16

-0.27

CBS CI. B
CBS

16.96

-0.35

Journal Comm.

JRN

4.81

-0.04

CBS CI. A
CBSa

16.95

-0.33

Lincoln Natl.

LNC

44.34

-0.10

Citadel*
CDL
0.80
-0.06

Radio One, Cl. A

ROIA

1.14

-0.26

Clear Channel*

CCU

35.17

+0.02

Radio One, Cl. D*

ROIAK

0.92

-0.04

Cox Radio*

CXR

9.59

-0.43

Regent*

RGCI

0.87

-0.21

Cumulus*

CMLS

2.00

-0.19

Saga Commun.*

SGA

5.54

-0.23

Debut Bcg.

DBTB

0.27

0.00

Salem Comm.*

SALM

1.44

+0.06

Disney

DIS

30.90

-0.30

Sirius Sat. Radio

SIRI

2.28

+0.18

Emmis*

EMMS

1.80

+0.06

Spanish Bcg.*

SBSA

0.81

-0.03

Entercom*

ETM

5.21

-0.29

Westwood One*

WON

1.22

-0.01

Entravision

EVC

3.26

+0.01

XM Sat. Radio

XMSR

8.54

+0.10

Fisher

FSCI

32.75

-0.52

-

-

-

-

-

*Component of the RBR Radio Index
 
Bouncebacks

Send Us Your OpinionsWe want to
hear from you
Send your comments and a photo to [email protected]

Don't shield reporter's
shield from veto pen

Last week we said we'd be happy to wait until after the election to enact a federal reporter's shield. This correspondent has a different idea:


The problem with "wait until next year" is going through the entire process again...and again. Depending on local state laws doesn't address the issue from the federal perspective and as RBR has noted on many other occasions (such as the music license issue) an issue worth fighting for is worth doing so on the proper timetable. With progress so close, and so much momentum on this issue built upon months and months of education and work by supporters of the Federal Shield Law, it makes sense to push forward despite the threat of a Presidential veto. Experience shows redress is often a marathon, and so close to the finish line it seems a shame to pull off on the sideline and figure the last lap will be easier to run another day.

Edward L. Esposito
Vice President,
Information Services
Rubber City Radio Group
WAKR WONE WQMX
Akron OH

www.interep.com


Below the Fold
Only on RBR.com
Ideas Working Now

A Comprehensive Promotion
And Distribution Strategy
for Your Stream Is Critical

Sales & Marketing
Election Winner:

Local Radio. Stations in mid &
small markets are growing
because of their size

Ad Business Report
Cox Radio launches

"New Country" with low spot load

Media Markets & Money
More Jackson action

The wheels continue to spin as
a result of Backyard's exit

www.rbr.com


www.patcomm.com
Media Moves
Jimmy Perez named PD for GLR Networks
Perez has worked for GLR Networks since 2006 as Director of Affiliations, overseeing the syndication of the network's programming to U.S. Hispanic radio stations. He will now combine his duties at the Affiliation department and report to Alejandro Nieto, Vice-President of Talk Radio Programming for Union Radio and to Juan Pablo Alvarez, President of GLR North America.

www.mobilexpressmessenger.com
Announcement
Do you have video or audio of your successful programming, promotions or marketing events? Anything interesting or unique to share with the radio or television community? If so, feel free to share in the voice and send them to us at [email protected] . We’ll place them on our media player at RBR.com!

More News Headlines
Dobson, Bell, Carr and Tuna win Hall of Fame balloting
Despite a campaign by gay rights groups to block his induction, Dr. James Dobson and "Focus on the Family" won balloting in the national active program category for the National Radio Hall of Fame. His supporters also mounted an Internet campaign to get out the vote. Also winning the public vote were Art Bell, who still guest hosts some weekends on "Coast to Coast AM," in the national pioneer category, Howie Carr of WRKO-AM Boston for local or regional active and Charlie Tuna, who is still heard on KRTH-FM Los Angeles, for local or regional pioneer. The Hall of Fame will also induct KGO-AM San Francisco President/GM Mickey Luckoff and three deceased broadcasters: Jess Cain of WHDH-AM Boston, Bob Collins of WGN-AM Chicago and Dick Whittinghill of KMPC-AM Los Angeles. The eight will be inducted November 8th in a ceremony in Chicago to be produced and distributed nationally by Westwood One.

Wife of Rusty Humphries succumbs to long-battled illness
Talk Radio Network and RBR are saddened to announce the passing of the wife of veteran national talk show host Rusty Humphries. Ami Kathleen Humphries passed away on Thursday after succumbing to a long-standing chronic illness. Mrs. Humphries is survived by her husband and two daughters.

www.eastlanratings.com


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Radars
News you won't read any where else. RBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.

Cume is the Arbitron mantra
A day after delivering its first pre-currency PPM data for Los Angeles, Arbitron is trumpeting strong Cume gains for stations in all types of formats.

RBR observation: OK, so who didn't benefit from PPM in the Cume department? See the results at RBR.com
07/18/08 RBR #140

2008 station trading stumbles out of the gate
1st Qtr of 2008 was, in a word, slow. Actually, the number of transactions filed with the FCC was roughly equivalent to the last quarter of 2007.
07/18/08 RBR #140

Getting new formats
into more markets:
It's about the music

How have we strayed from radio's roots? Radio used to be the place to break new music. Sadly, that crown has been passed to other media for the most part.
07/18/08 RBR #140

Text messaging most
often recalled mobile marketing technique

DMA results of its 1st-Ever quantitative research effort in the area of mobile marketing. The online survey indicated that text messaging is by far the most often cited mobile marketing method - accounting for 70% of consumer mobile marketing responses.
07/18/08 RBR #14
For complete content and previous RBR issues, analysis, interviews,
and more...see and bookmark www.RBR.com

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