Stevens indicted
The investigation into back-home dealings of Senate Commerce Committee heavyweight Ted Stevens (R-AK) has resulted in a criminal indictment on seven counts, the DOJ has just announced. A grand jury issued the indictment for making false statements about value received, much of it related to upgrades of his home in Girdwood AK. Stevens has alternately chaired or served as Ranking Member of the committee since the departure of John McCain (R-AZ) in 2005 as part of a routine Republican shake-up of such assignments. The indictment comes almost a year to the day after the FBI raided Stevens' Alaska home. Steven has maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal.

RBR observation: In broadcast issues, Stevens has generally opposed excessive government regulation, except when it pertains to assuring adequate communications services of all types for his many rural and far-flung constituents.

Sirius stock or a lottery ticket?
Back last year Jim Cramer was a big cheerleader for a Sirius-XM merger on his CNBC show. But now that it has actually happened, Cramer is not telling viewers to buy the stock. Rather, with all of the debt that the company has taken on, Cramer compared buying a share of Sirius-XM stock to spending a couple of bucks on a lottery ticket. He blamed AM and FM broadcasters for delaying the deal and making the companies waste money in the interim competing with each other. See the CNBC video.

RBR observation: We would actually agree with some of Cramer's comments about the cost-efficiencies for the merged company, except that we would say they were reasons the DOJ and FCC should have rejected the merger. Talent gets screwed. Content providers get screwed. And, in our view, the public gets screwed.

Limbaugh eyes the NFL
He now jets between Florida and New York, but Rush Limbaugh hails from Cape Girardeau, MO, which is St. Louis Rams territory for football fans. Amid rumors that the team may come up for sale, Limbaugh has told KMOX-AM St. Louis he'd be interested in becoming an NFL owner.
Don't get the idea that Limbaugh has stars in his eyes about becoming a team owner. Rather, he sounds somewhat hesitant to make the move in the KMOX interview.

RBR observation: When it comes to expensive hobbies, they don't come much more expensive than being a pro sports team owner, just ask Emmis boss Jeff Smulyan.

RAB2009 set for March 16-18 in Orlando
RAB2009 will take place at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, March 16 to 18, 2009. Sheila Kirby, President, Strategic Sales Development for Interep and a member of the RAB Board, will serve as Chairperson of the Planning Committee for the second consecutive year. Kirby will lead the select team of radio industry pros who represent a cross-section of markets and a variety of Radio groups.

$110K KDNR-FM South Greeley WY from Cedar Cove Broadcasting Inc. (Victor A. Michael) to Western Inspirational Broadcasters Inc. (Kenneth D. Hanson et al). $10K escrow, balance in cash at closing. [File date 6-13-08]

N/A WIXI-AM Jasper AL from Walker Broadcasting Inc. (James Pereira III) to James T. Lee. Unspecified forgiveness of debt. [File date 6-13-08]

Hippie Radio strikes it big in Peoria
The new Hippie Radio format hit Top 5, 25-54 Adults in its second book in Peoria, IL. Independence Media’s WHPI-FM also reaches the #4 slot, 35-64 Adults after only being on the air 8 months. Says David Jacobs, Independence Media CEO: "Hippie Radio has delivered on every demo we hoped and has quickly become our flagship in Peoria. It’s a format that our listeners are insanely passionate about. I’ve never seen anything like it. Our listeners actually applaud our disc jockeys while doing live remote broadcasts. I haven’t seen that since radio in the 1970’s. This format is on fire."

Georgia News Network picks up Martha Zoller Show
The Martha Zoller Show, which has been heard exclusively on WDUN-AM in Gainesville, GA for a number of years, is now being syndicated by the Georgia News Network (GNN). The program will be fed live 10a-12noon weekdays and continue to be produced and broadcasts from the WDUN studios. WDUN will serve as the network's flagship station. GNN will mange affiliate relations and ad sales for the program.

We want to
hear from you
Send your comments and a photo to [email protected]

Lenny got his wish
Throughout the long period that the XM-Sirius merger had been pending, Lenny Freed sent us numerous emails offering to bet big bucks that the deal would go through. We're not the gambling type, but we will let him gloat a bit.

Over the next few years, satellite radio will become the driving force in the radio industry and as it is installed in millions of automobiles, satellite radio will become the dominant force and replace terrestrial radio. Just look how much progress has been made in the last 2 1/2 years since Stern came on the air in 1/06. This merger is a great benefit to consumers and the only ones who will suffer is terrestrial radio. DEAL WITH IT!

Lenny Freed, Radio Guru

Ad Business Report
Wrigley's updates
Brands with pop singers
Product placement again in radio

Media, Markets & Money
Lots of spinning wheels
Tied to EMF spin-off
Pollack Broadcasting
is getting WPLX-AM

Media Business Report
Chicago Tribune
Offering mobile job listings
seekers can get help wanted
listings sent to their cells