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Volume 24, Issue 111, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
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Thursday Morning June 7th, 2007
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TV News ®
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Spanish-language debates on the menu?
 Hispanic media giant Univision, which has already sparked citizenship and voter registration drives, is offering to host presidential debates from both parties on consecutive Sundays in September, offering a prime opportunity for candidates to market there wares before the nation's fastest-growing minority group. The debates would be held in Spanish, with instant translations going both ways. The events would be held at the University of Miami and aired on Univision's extensive network. Only two of the 18 announced candidates, Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Bill Richardson (D-NM), and known to be fluent speakers of the Spanish language. Univision news anchors Jorge Ramos and Maria Elena Salinas would handle the questioning, which would focus on issues of particular interest to the Hispanic US population. Invitations went out to the candidates late last week.
TVBR observation: The big elephant in the room - immigration - may be a factor in dampening the enthusiasm that the elephants running for president are able to muster. While almost all of the Democrats in the race favor some sort of policy providing a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, most Republican candidates measure their differences by exactly how vehemently they are against it, with the notable exception of John McCain (R-AZ). On the other hand, the national Republican Party has long seen a great opportunity to tap into the Hispanic vote. If enough Republican candidates snub the Univision offer, it could turn a contested minority with a split vote into a Democratic voting bloc. Univision itself has nothing to lose and much to gain. It has already been picking up public service chips for its citizenship/registration efforts, and stands to enjoy a nice payday, too, if political cash starts heading toward its signature constituency.
"US braces for flood of celebrity F-words"
That was the headline yesterday from across the pond. The Times of London headline suggested that American celebrities will be looking for open mikes so they can get the same publicity that Cher, Bono and Nicole Richie got for their live TV comments. The story from their US correspondent didn't really live up to the catty headline, providing a nuts and bolts account of how a federal appeals court rejected the FCC's changing of its indecency policy as "arbitrary and capricious" and then FCC Chairman Kevin Martin's expletive-laden response.
TVBR observation: We think the idea that network TV in the US is now going to be replete with celebrities tossing around F-bombs every time there's an open mic is ludicrous. CBS certainly didn't welcome the fallout it got from Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" during the Super Bowl halftime show - not because the FCC is investigating it as a possible indecency violation, but because thousands of parents were outraged that it occurred in a show watched by lots of children. The networks aren't going to let some foul-mouthed entertainer have carte blanche to tell dirty jokes during a live program with wide family appeal. On the other hand, little kids don't have much interest in watching Hollywood awards shows. If a naughty word slips out at 9:59, rather than after the safe harbor kicks in a minute later, there aren't likely to be many tender ears in the audience.
 Radio vying with TV for
bigger piece of political pie
If your company is fortunate enough to own and operate both radio and television, you may be in the enviable position of talking politicians into using both. If you're only in TV, radio is going to be going after some of your business. Here's what radio political gurus are thinking. Question: If you're running for office, should you use radio advertising to preach to the choir or should you try to convert nonbelievers to your cause? The answer is yes. And that underscores the value of radio to a political campaign. It can easily be tailored to both of these strategies. Experts in radio's role made these and other points at a program presented by NAB and RAB in Washington yesterday. The goal for radio is to become a bigger part of campaign budgets.
| Read More... |
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Study finds fewer women and
minority women owners in radio
Stating the obvious, the activist group Free Press has released a "landmark report" revealing that there are fewer women and minority owners of radio stations than before consolidation. The proposed solution? Thousands of new LPFM stations. (No, we're not making this stuff up.) Although there have been numerous studies of minority and female ownership in broadcasting, Free Press claims that its "Off the Dial" report was the most comprehensive ever, analyzing each and every ownership file at the FCC. Off the Dial found that the average local radio market has 16 white male-owned radio stations - but just one female-owned station and two-minority owned stations. Women own just 6% of all full-power radio stations, even though they comprise 51% of the population. People of color own just 7.7% of stations but make up 33% of the population.
| Read More... |
 Figenshu back to Radio
Bill 'Fig' Figenshu opened his full media consulting firm FigMedia-1, reported First by RBR on 07/05/05, RBR #131. At that time RBR also reported 'Battlefield Mgt. now Needed' - Why radio stocks and the companies are in the 'Read'em and Weep' column of business. From '05 to today, right this minute, that 'Read'em and Weep' continues as one key element is missing in many if not most of radio companies upper management structures it is called a front line battlefield experience. Now Figenshu, known as 'Fig,' resigned his COO position at Softwave Media Exchange (SWMX) yesterday, 6/06/07 RBR/TVBR First Bulletin, and will return to the day to day operations of his first passion, Radio. Fig is not saying yet what this radio venture is, but it will be broadcast radio after June 29th, his final day at SWMX. Fig joined SWMX on 2/01/06 as COO giving his 'Battlefield Mgt.' experience to this young company and less than 24 months later, SWMX has close to 2,000 radio stations using its system and soon entering the television business. Fig stated, "I wish to thank Josh Wexler (CEO of SWMX Inc) and many of the talented people at SWMX for their support, dedication, and passion."
TVBR observation: The old saying 'You can take the guy Out of Radio' but 'You Cannot take the Radio Out of the Guy' applies more to Fig than your average radio guy, he is not average. If you are guessing where Fig will be after his 30 day rest is back with Dan Mason and CBS Radio - Nope. This dog has more teeth than just going back to chew on an old bone. One thing is for sure, Fig has a stronger working knowledge of today's technology business environment than many in radio today.
TVBR observation
For SWMX the Fig loss is deep
But nobody is indispensable just some harder to replace. The good that will come out of Figenshu's departure will be to give CEO Josh Wexler a clear opportunity to sit back and analyze what SWMX has accomplished in the past 18 months as SWMX has been on a very fast track. Wexler will have to seek the next generation of executive that is needed in moving SWMX to the next on-line selling playing level. Our recommendation would be two executives: One for Radio the other TV as doing day to day business with these mediums is different. TV is layback - Radio is for warriors. E-online selling is just beginning to heat and with Google pushing every button they can and the fight will be intense. As with all small company's SWMX faces two issues: First, understaffed with knowledgeable-quality people and Second, they are under capitalized for faster growth, money is needed. The most important issue we trust is SWMX will not lose focus as for the last 18 months this focus has achieved them success in radio and cable that Google or any of their competitors are trying hard to duplicate. Stay focused.
TVBR note: Josh Wexler spoke briefly with TVBR but he was unable to address any key questions as he was presenting at yesterday's NAB/RAB conference on political advertising in Washington, DC. Wexler guaranteed he will address all issues with TVBR.
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| Wall Street Media Business Report TM |
Another would-be buyer for Dow Jones
The Wall Street Journal reported late yesterday on its website that Brian Tierney wants to take a look at buying Dow Jones & Company. Tierney is the veteran ad executive who last year led an investor group that bought the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News for 515 million. He told the WSJ that the five billion bucks that News Corporation has offered for Dow Jones is not overpaying.
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Ad Business Report TM
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KMG establishes Political Sales & Strategy unit
As the 2008 election and its dollars are drawing nearer, Katz Media Group announced the launch of a new unit which will focus exclusively on providing radio marketing and media solutions for political candidate and issue advertisers. Genelle Niblack has been appointed VP/Director of Political Sales & Strategy for this new unit. Her responsibilities will include overseeing political network sales and strategy for all of KMG Radio. Stu Olds, CEO of Katz Media Group, tells TVBR: "The Katz Media Group is addressing radio's challenges in securing its fair share of political dollars head on. We are proactively marketing KMG's unique and unparalleled flexibility to deliver political campaign messages in an easy to use, cost effective manner. Our effort will be directed by a team of 15 - 20 people targeting 160 plus political/issue agencies, political strategists and candidates. We want to grow radio's dollars from this important category. Katzpolitical.com is our website." "Radio captured over eight percent of the 3 billion total advertising dollars spent in the 2006 campaigns, and we anticipate higher numbers in the upcoming 2008 election year, in light of radio's 95% reach of the 18+ demo," said Niblack. "Katz Media Group's newly created unit will offer the political marketplace the ability to harness the full power of local radio's reach in a one-stop, flexible, efficient and cost-effective manner, never before available."
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| Media Markets & Money TM |
 Withers looks to double
in Clarksburg
W. Russell Withers and his Withers Broadcasting Company already has CBS 5 WDTV-TV in the Clarksburg-Weston WV DMA, along with three LPTVs, according to brokerage Kalil & Company. (Is there a station anywhere that is better prepared, in a call-letter sense, for the digital television transition?) He now has a deal in place which would add another full power station and two networks. The station is Davis Television's WVFX-TV which plays Fox on Channel 46 and carries CW programming on a DT multicast side channel. The catch: Clarksburg isn't exactly a big signal-drenched market, and it is not big enough to combine two major network affiliates. Withers is seeking a failed station waiver from the FCC to allow the transaction to go forward. The price was not immediately available.
TVBR observation: Withers recently came to Washington to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in opposition to the XM/Sirius merger. However, we believe it unlikely that Mel Karmazin will journey back to the Capitol to return the favor in opposition to this deal.
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| Washington Media Business Report TM |
 CBS fined for kiddie violations
CBS-owned KTXA-TV (Ch. 21, Ind.) Dallas-Ft. Worth has been fined 18K by the FCC for a series of violations of the Commission's rules on children's programming and the associated recordkeeping required. The violations were disclosed by the licensee when it filed its license renewal application. The former UPN outlet admitted that Children's Television Programming Reports were missing from its public file, as were some of its issues/programming lists and records on compliance with commercial limits for children's programming. The station also told the FCC that it had aired programs that violated the children's TV commercial limits on three occasions, including two programs that amounted to program-length commercials. Those violations were blamed on human error and inadvertence. According to the FCC, that constitutes "willful and repeated" rule violations, resulting in the 18,000 fine.
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| Internet Media Business Report TM |
MMA forms of participation TV committee
The Mobile Marketing Association, representing more than 400 companies across the mobile ecosystem, announced the formation of the first industry-wide committee to focus on the growth of TV's mobile participation. The MMA, which launched the first version of its interactive TV guidelines in June 2005, appointed a committee, represented by all key industry sectors, that will enable U.S. TV viewers to engage with their favorite shows in a consistent manner. The Participation TV (PTV) Committee includes TV broadcasters, producers, mobile operators, mobile gateway providers and application specialists. The MMA PTV Committee will continue to develop industry guidelines that protect the long-term viability of the industry by setting standards across all key elements of the interactive TV supply chain. The guidelines will be integrated into the MMA's Consumer Best Practices guidelines and reinforces the MMA's commitment to the development of the mobile content industry. The Committee will be co-chaired by Telescope, Inc. and Granada USA. The MMA continues to demonstrate its leadership in the field of participation TV, which delivers a specific experience for TV viewers, enabling them to vote, integrate play-at-home versions into TV formats, and enable home viewers to appear on their favorite TV game shows through their mobile devices. "MMA members include the leaders in developing consumer programming across all marketing channels, including broadcast, broadband internet and mobile TV, and this new committee is a natural fit for the association," said Cyriac Roeding, EVP/CBS Mobile and MMA's Global and North American chairman. "The Participation TV Interest Group will enable all players in the mobile marketing ecosystem to speed delivery of interactive or participation campaigns centered on the growing demands of today's highly mobile consumer." Committee membership is open to all active MMA members.
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| Ratings & Research |
 Nielsen goes wireless
The Nielsen Company announced plans to begin measuring mobile phone users via a new service called Nielsen Wireless. No, the ratings company is not out to measure phone calls. The service will measure how many people use content services such as mobile Internet and mobile video and what impact this has on established media behavior. Nielsen Wireless estimates that in the first quarter of 2007, more than 33 million persons 12 and older used mobile web, and more than 8 million persons 12 and older viewed video on their mobile phone (this excludes videos created with a phone's camcorder function). According to the CTIA (the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry), there are more than 230 million wireless subscriptions in the US. Nielsen Wireless is led by Nielsen Vice President Jeff Herrmann, who also leads Nielsen Games, Nielsen's video game measurement service. Nielsen Wireless is designed specifically for the wireless industry and also complements Nielsen's Anytime Anywhere Media Measurement (A2/M2) initiative, which will measure television usage on all television and video platforms, including personal video devices such as mobile phones. Nielsen noted that it already supports the wireless industry through customer segmentation, ringtone sales tracking (Nielsen RingScan), attitudinal and behavioral surveys and mobile polling. Nielsen Wireless will work in tandem with these existing Nielsen services. Nielsen Wireless' first product - Mobile Vector - will launch in the US in July 2007. It will use information culled from Nielsen's existing National People Meter TV sample to report on media behavior and audience demographics segmented by wireless carrier.
A change, for a change
A new entry made it into the top 10 list in the latest week's syndicated TV ratings, as supplied by the Syndicated Network Television Association (SNTA), based on data from Nielsen Media Research. "That 70s Show" made it into the #10 slot in a tie with "The King of Queens."
| View the Chart |
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| Transactions |
4.2B WPIX-TV New York NY (Ch. 11, CW); KTLA-TV Los Angeles CA (Ch. 5, CW); WGN-AM & WGN-TV Chicago IL (Ch. 9, CW); WPHL-TV Philadelphia PA (Ch. 17, CW)KDAF-TV Dallas-Ft. Worth TX (Dallas TX, Ch. 33, CW); WDCW-TV Washington DC (Ch. 50, CW); KHCW-TV Houston TX (Ch. 39, CW); KMYQ-TV & KCPQ-TV Seattle WA (Seattle WA, Ch. 22, CW; Tacoma WA, Ch. 13, Fox); WSFL-TV Miami FL (Ch. 39, CW); KWGN-TV Denver CO (Ch. 2, CW); KTXL-TV Sacramento Ca (Ch. 40, Fox); KPLR-TV St. Louis MO (Ch. 11, CW); KRCW-TV Portland OR (Salem OR, Ch. 32, CW); WXIN-TV, WTTK-TV & WTTV-TV Indianapolis IN (Ch. 59, Fox; Kokomo IN, Ch. 29, CW; Bloomington IN, Ch. 4, CW); KSWB-TV San Diego CA (Ch. 69, CW); WTIC-TV & WTXX-TV Hartford CT (Ch. 61, Fox; Ch. 20, CW); WXMI-TV Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek MI (Grand Rapids MI, Ch. 17, Fox); WPMT-TV Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York PA (York PA, Ch. 43, Fox); WGNO-TV & WNOL-TV New Orleans LA (Ch. 26, ABC; Ch. 38, CW). 100% of The Tribune Company from Shareholders of the Tribune Company to Samuel Zell, Tribune Employee Stock Ownership Trust. Stock/debt transaction worth total of 13.3B. Estimated 4B for television group, 200M for the only radio station, WGN-AM Chicago. Seeking crossownership waivers for numerous newspaper/television combinations and newspaper/television/AM in Chicago. [File date 5/8/07.]
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| Stock Talk |
Clouds over Wall Street
Worries about rates and inflation sent stock prices lower on Wednesday. The Dow Industrials fell 130 points, or 1%, to 13,466.
TV stocks were not spared. CBS declined 1.6% as Sumner Redstone dismissed the idea of going private. Media General was down 3.1% and Hearst-Argyle 2.8%.
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| Stocks |
Here's how stocks fared on Wednesday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
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Acme
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ACME
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5.46
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-0.07
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Lincoln Natl.
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LNC
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71.55
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-0.76
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Belo
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BLC
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22.11
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-0.14
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LIN TV
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TVL
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19.05
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-0.33
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| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
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33.01
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-0.52
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McGraw-Hill
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MHP
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71.25
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-0.40
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| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
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33.03
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-0.50
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Media General
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MEG
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36.05
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-1.16
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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38.40
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-0.09
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Meredith
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MDP
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62.91
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-0.34
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Disney
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DIS
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34.91
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-0.36
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News Corp.
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NWS
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24.00
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-0.15
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Emmis
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EMMS
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9.99
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-0.01
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Nexstar
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NXST
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14.02
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-0.15
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Entravision
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EVC
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10.29
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+0.03
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Ion Media
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ION
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1.45
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unch
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| Equity Media |
EMDA |
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4.15 |
-0.04 |
Saga Commun.
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SGA
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9.70
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+0.05
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Fisher
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FSCI
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50.58
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+0.40
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SBS
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SBSA
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4.53
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+0.01
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Gannett
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GCI
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58.61
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-0.62
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Scripps
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SSP
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45.94
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-0.39
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Gen. Electric
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GE
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37.29
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-0.11
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Sinclair
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SBGI
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15.46
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+0.05
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| Google |
GOOG |
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518.25
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-0.59
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SWMX
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SWMX
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0.26
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+0.01
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Gray
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GTN
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10.18
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-0.08
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Time Warner
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TWX
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20.77
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-0.33
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Gray, C1. A
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GTNa
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10.45
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+0.02
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Tribune
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TRB
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31.81
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-0.04
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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26.06
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-0.76
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Wash. Post
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WPO
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768.76
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+0.76
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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13.79
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-0.16
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Young
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YBTVA
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3.70
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-0.14
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Bounceback
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 We want to
hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments and
a photo to tvnews@rbr.com
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Below the Fold
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Ad Business Report
Political Sales & Strategy unit
Katz Media Group has established such a new unit focusing on the candidates and solutions...
Washington Media Business Report
CBS fined for kiddie violations
CBS-owned KTXA-TV (Ch. 21, Ind.) Dallas-Ft. Worth has been fined 18K...
Internet Media Business Report
MMA forms of participation
Formation of the 1st industry-wide committee to focus on TV mobile...
Ratings & Research
A change, for a change
New entry made it into top 10...
Nielsen goes wireless
Plans to measure mobile phone users...
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Stations for Sale
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 Market your Stations For Sale
in our daily epapers.
Contact
June Barnes
jbarnes@rbr.com
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TV Media Moves
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 Upped at Peacock
NBC has promoted program executive Erin Gough Wehrenberg to Executive Vice President, Current Series, NBC Entertainment. She previously served as Senior Vice President, Current Series, NBC Entertainment.
 CNN to AP
Former CNN executive Jon Petrovich has been appointed to lead the domestic broadcast operations for The Associated Press. Based in Washington, DC, he will work with television, radio and cable broadcasters to grow and enhance the value of AP services in their on-air, Internet and mobile platforms.
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More News Headlines
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Tony push planned for "Viva Laughlin"
CBS announced plans to use the "61st Annual Tony Awards" broadcast on Sunday (6/10) to showcase multiple promos for "Viva Laughlin," a new drama premiering this fall. It is executive produced by Tony and Emmy winner Hugh Jackman, who also has a recurring role in the series. Viva Laughlin is a mystery drama with music about eternal optimist and freewheeling businessman Ripley Holden (played by Lloyd Owen), whose sole ambition is to run a casino in Laughlin, Nevada. Occasionally using upbeat contemporary songs to accentuate the drama and humor and advance the story, the series is based on the hit BBC show "Viva Blackpool." Ten promos for Viva Laughlin, totaling more than six minutes, will be shown throughout the live three-hour broadcast. The ads will include a two minute and a one minute promo, as well as shorter spots, which will feature music from the songs "Viva Las Vegas," by Elvis Presley, "Sympathy for the Devil," by The Rolling Stones, "One Way or Another," by Blondie, and "Let It Ride," by Bachman Turner Overdrive, all of which is music heard in the pilot episode of the series.
| See one of the promos |
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TVBR Radar 2007
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Television News you won't read any where else. TVBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
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Burkle joins union bid
for Dow Jones
Having lost Tribune Co. to Sam Zell, supermarket billionaire Ron Burkle is now entering the bidding for Dow Jones & Co. Burkle has joined forces with the union representing many Wall Street Journal employees, which is desperately seeking an alternative to the company being acquired by Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation. "Desperately" may even be an understatement.
TVBR observation: Here is what Warren Buffet had to say about the newspaper business two months ago in his annual Chairman's Letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders: "Not all of our businesses are destined to increase profits. When an industry's underlying economics are crumbling, talented management may slow the rate of decline. Eventually, though, eroding fundamentals will overwhelm managerial brilliance. (As a wise friend told me long ago, 'If you want to get a reputation as a good businessman, be sure to get into a good business.') And fundamentals are definitely eroding in the newspaper industry, a trend that has caused the profits of our Buffalo News to decline. The skid will almost certainly continue." Does that sound like a guy who is going to rush forward to help top a bid that's already an astounding 17 times EBITDA?
06/06/07 TVBR #110
Update on Citadel-
ABC wedding plans
Citadel Broadcasting remains mum on any public announcement of its top leadership structure following acquisition of ABC Radio, but we at RBR have gotten some details from announcements made to ABC Radio staffers. Veteran ABC Radio President John Hare is indeed retiring. ABC O&O stations boss Mitch Dolan will continue to oversee the big market stations that Citadel is acquiring. We understand that Dolan will report directly to CEO Farid Suleman. COO Judy Ellis continues to oversee the current Citadel portfolio. ABC Radio Networks President Jim Robinson will stay put as the network operation moves from Disney to Citadel.
RBR observation: He may have some ideas about how to tweak operations to boost cash flow, but these are definitely not stations in need of overhauling. As we noted before, don't look for a lot of changes. Suleman didn't buy these Beachfront Properties as fixer-uppers.
06/06/07 RBR #110
Clear Channel Still
a few markets to go
It has been a while since Clear Channel announced a sale from its divestiture of 448 radio stations in 88 markets, but we hear some more should be coming soon. All of the really big deals are done - particularly the sale of 175 stations to Dean Goodman's GoodRadio.TV for 452 million and 52 stations to George Laughlin's GAP Broadcasting for 139 million - so it is down to dealing with the last 86 stations in 16 markets for the brokers at Kalil & Co.
RBR observation: So, if the rumor circulating that someone made a preemptive offer to buy the entire package for 800 million is true, Clear Channel came out ahead by shopping for the best offer on each property, especially if that covered 90 markets, including the two swapped to Cumulus and removed from the auction list. To update you, here is the market by market list with all of the buyers announced so far. View the List compiled by RBR in this special report page.
06/06/07 RBR #110
TNS: U.S. ad spend
decreased 0.3% in Q1
Total ad expenditures in the opening quarter of 2007 decreased by 0.3% to 34.93 billion as compared to the same period in 2006, according to data released by TNS Media Intelligence. "After a sluggish January, the pace of advertising expenditures picked up slightly at the end of the quarter,"
TVBR note: There is a lot of data and stats here that one should review and print out and post on your company site and bulletin boards. This data is valuable to your staff.
06/06/07 TVBR #110
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Hard finding that key person
to fill the important position at your organization? Media HeadHunters is the place that key media firms use to get results. See Media HeadHunters and get results with service--Period.
Need assistance
contact Cathy Carnegie
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