DC radio gets some dial changes
Bonneville's all-news operation WTOP-AM has launched WFED-AM 1050 (formerly Metro Radio's WPLC-AM) Silver Spring, MD, a broadcast simulcast of its online Federal News Radio. Washington Business Radio, which used to air on WPLC, has moved to Birach Broadcasting's WDMV-AM 700 from 4 PM-6 PM. Ethnic Christian WCTN-AM 950 Potomac, MD switched to 24-hour Spanish programming. The new Spanish format will soon be simulcasted on WYRE-AM 810 Annapolis, MD
GM signs one millionth XM subscriber
GM announced it recently signed up its one millionth XM Satellite Radio subscriber. "GM reaching its one-millionth XM subscriber is a major milestone and demonstrates the commitment GM has to XM Satellite Radio," says XM CEO Hugh Panero. "XM's commercial-free music channels, wide-ranging talk programming and Major League Baseball broadcasts in 2005 make it a perfect complement to GM's 'gotta have' product portfolio."
"More than 75% of current GM customers with XM-equipped vehicles tell us they would only consider or prefer to buy a vehicle with XM and 90% say they will recommend it to friends and family," says John Smith, GM group VP of North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "GM was the first OEM to offer factory-installed satellite radio and we offer more than 50 car and truck models in 2005 available with XM Satellite Radio," says Smith.
The first XM-equipped vehicles, Cadillac DeVilles and Sevilles, were produced in November 2001 and the one millionth XM-equipped GM vehicle rolled off the line in February 2004. Today, one out of three GM vehicles purchased are equipped with factory-installed XM.
People want news to go global locally
The Radio Television News Directors Association has completed a study which shows just what you'd expect - - the public's interest in international affairs and news has increased since 9/11 - - and local broadcast news outlets responded. However, it says newscasters are slipping back into pre-9/11 habits, for the most part sticking to stories close to home.
However, the study, funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, showed that the public still has a thirst for more coverage, especially if there is a local angle to the story.
64% of local news directors say they incorporate world news into their programs; 61% rely on network feeds for global coverage; and 24% of the stories pertain to Iraq.
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