ABCRN debuts Scott Shannon's Oldies Channel
ABC Radio Networks announced the debut of Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel, the newest 24/7 music format they syndicate. The format is dedicated to honoring the greatest rock-and-roll music ever recorded, with a particular emphasis on the "Heart and Soul" of Rock and Roll music, the years 1958-1964. "This is a great opportunity for radio stations all across the country to tap into the programming genius and on-air talent of Scott Shannon," said Traug Keller, president of ABC Radio Networks. "At a time when the traditional radio industry is faced with competition from satellite radio and internet radio, the best way to fight for share is to put outstanding personalities and programming genius to work. That is what we are providing with Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel." Legendary broadcaster Shannon is the PD and host of the True Oldies Channel. Last year he was inducted into the NAB's Radio Hall of Fame. Shannon is also part of the morning team "Scott and Todd in the Morning" on WPLJ-FM NY.

Liberty Broadcasting adds JD Balart's
"American Radio Journal'
IDT Media announced that Jose Diaz-Balart, co-anchor of both WTVJ's (NBC 6) news at 5:30 pm in Miami and Telemundo's national morning new program "Hoy En El Mundo," will host JD Balart's American Radio Journal, a daily call-in talk show on the Liberty Broadcasting Network. American Radio Journal will cover politics, news and international relations, popular entertainment and culture. Guests will include notable Washington, D.C. insiders, and today's top newsmakers. The show's format is designed to encourage lively discussion. The show will be broadcast live M-F from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm ET and will be available for rebroadcast 5:00pm-7:00pm ET.

From RBR's March Solutions Magazine:
Is rate cutting a problem in your market?
Says Ed Brantley, Citadel/Knoxville:
No. I think the top three in the Knoxville market have kept rate integrity for the past three or four years. And it's evident that this market's rate stands pretty well. We're proud of that. It's not like there's something going on, because I don't have contact with these other guys-I've never met one of them. But just over the past five years or so, there hasn't been a lot of change in the top three or four stations. So because of that, I think the rates have held pretty strong.

"In Da Morning"
with Bob DeCarlo'
will return Monday April 26th

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Mazzarella joins
Interep as CIO
Interep announced that Jim Mazzarella has joined the company as Chief Information Officer. He previously was Corporate Vice President, Integration & Shared Services at Interpublic in NYC. In his new position at Interep, he will oversee internal technology systems and develop long-range strategies. "Jim is one of the advertising industry's most experienced and successful technology executives and we are thrilled that he is joining our team," said Marc Guild, President, Interep's Marketing Division. "His skills as a leader and innovator will enable him to step right in and take our industry-leading technology, including our exclusive RadioExchange electronic invoice system, to an even higher level of value to end-users." Jim is also chairman of the technology committee of the American Association of Advertising Agencies, and served the White House General Industry Council on Year 2000 as an advisory member.

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Complimentary Report
P&G's Jim Stengel talks reality of today's advertising world.
Accountability Part II:
They are at it again.
Better check your Main Studio & Public File... This report has what you need to know.

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AFL-CIO targets Clear Channel
over executive pay
The AFL-CIO has picked ten public companies in its annual campaign against what it views as excessive executive pay packages - - and one of this year's targets is a broadcasting company, Clear Channel Communications. Editor's Note: Naples, Florida Is Calling - How radio is killing itself from the inside out. Senior Management is killing this business from every angle. These selfish leaders are lining their pockets and the pockets of Wall Street and the legal community without any consideration for the future of the medium, the people who work in it. This is not a commentary from some old fart longing for the good old days where WABC had more listeners than the population of most major cities. This is from someone who has been to the front line, and doesn't like what he is seeing there. Read the entire perspective on Naples, Florida Is Calling in the May RBR Solutions Magazine, page 3. 04/19/04 RBR #76

RBR Intelligence Report
TV Problems Won't see change
this year but look out '05
At the top of the hit list TV's potential problems and some solutions are: the soon upfront buys, Nielsen, TiVo and DVR/PVR's and here is the RBR take quick bullet points what you need to know. RBR observation: One thing for sure TV likes Nielsen as much as Radio likes Arbitron and PPM. The ones that need to break bread are Aribtron and Nielsen over lunch. And yep, Nielsen points the 'Finger' at Fox for its NYC / LPM problem. 04/19/04 RBR #76

Free TV running on all cylinders Radio CYA or partner up
CBS-TV Big Daug - Les Moonves observation or posturing is what RBR entitles Moonves Law stating - CBS's attack success this fall - Radio! Moonves Law: "With 183 radio stations that 2 weeks before the fall season kicks off we will be running commercials promoting CBS TV programming every hour on the hour to promote their shows. RBR observation: Choose your local television partner and rip this one page of Moonves play book for the fall because next year as the game will change. 04/19/04 RBR #76

Air America coming
back on in Chicago
Armed with an order from a New York judge, Air America should be back on this air at Multicultural's WNTD-AM Chicago. The court granted a temporary restraining, although the order does not apply to KBLA-AM Los Angeles, where Multicultural also pulled the plug on Air America. Editor's note: It would be nice to see the lease between the parties. Going to court doesn't seem to be a logical way to hold an affiliate's feet to the fire if it is Air America's desire is to build a true and pure radio network. Last we heard it was called good affiliate relations. For argument sake, say this was the last thing you read about Air America - going to court for custody. Now what is the next question you would ask yourself? 04/16/04 RBR #75

FCC taking a closer look at IBOC
The FCC, back in October of 2002, gave its blessings to iBiquity Digital Corp. as the standard for digital radio in-band, on-channel (IBOC) broadcasting, and provided for interim use of that system. In so doing, it left many loose ends, and a new combination Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM)/Notice of Inquiry (NOI) has been issued on the topic. Editor's note: Comments are being solicited on a number of FNRPM topics so look see. 04/16/04 RBR #75

TVB conference still
running on all cylinders
Continues its tight association with the annual New York Auto Show with over 1100 TV execs breaking bread with important folk in the automotive industry, advertising and media buying companies and national brand managers. Editor's note: Vital points to book mark if you weren't there and if you were best focus on thse points: Upfront - TiVo and DVR/PVR's - Nielsen. If you missed it now read it. 04/16/04 TVBR #75

CBS's Les Moonves
confident of next TV season
"There are things wrong with one or 2 networks - thankfully we are not one of those 1 or 2,".. His spin on the upfront continued too. "This is the golden age of drama" of course CBS adds CSI New York in the fall. Just think if CBS also had Law & Order -"we'd be unbeatable." NBC had to buy Universal to protect themselves from CBS buying it. Editor's note: Moones secret weapon they have for the fall season - Radio. He stated that they have 183 radio stations that 2 weeks before the fall season kicks off will be running commercials promoting CBS TV programming every hour on the hour to promote their shows. Ta-Dum!
04/16/04 TVBR #75

Air America yanked off the air
in Chicago, LA
Just two weeks after launch, the new liberal talk network Air America has been yanked in LA (KBLA-AM) and Chicago (WNTD-AM) and replaced by Spanish programming.
04/15/04 RBR #74

First time buyers:
You're on your own, Part 5
warning to first-time buyers and people who want to expand from one station to a group is to not get so eager that they buy something which may have cash flow, but they pay a ridiculous multiple.
04/15/04 RBR #74