A big reason for the 18-34 drop in TV viewing?
Hispanic Business magazine may have nailed it. In the recent issue, a story, "The New Frontier," addresses the issue of the drop in 18-34 viewers. The boom in Hispanic population in the US bulks up a bit in the 18-34 demo. However, there aren't 100+ channels for them to view as with general market nets. So they go elsewhere. Also, Hispanics tend to be more into radio listening than television viewing. The solution: build more Hispanic TV/cable nets, especially those reaching English-speaking Hispanics. Excerpts: | More... |

Radio Ad Effectiveness Lab
to release new worldwide study
The RAB announced the Radio Ad Effectiveness Lab (RAEL) will release its Wirthlin Worldwide study "Personal Relevance, Personal Connections: How Radio Ads Affect Consumers" 8/18. The new report concerns a large-scale project conducted in 2004 with Wirthlin Worldwide to better understand how Radio advertising affects consumers in ways that are different from television and newspapers. It is the first in a series of major research studies from RAEL, all designed to help advertisers and agencies maximize Radio ROI. RAEL is an independent organization established in 2001. RAEL is funded by radio industry companies and works with advertisers, agencies and broadcasters to further the understanding of how radio advertising works, to measure radio's effectiveness and to increase advertiser and agency confidence in radio. Meanwhile, RAEL just released the "Guide To Radio Advertising Testing Services," a directory of radio commercial testing firms which were willing to share sufficient information with them. Access the guide here.

Gannett divvies up more dividend
Gannett Co., which operates 22 television stations, 101 daily papers and other mostly-publishing assets, is upping its dividend for the 36th time since it went public last century (don't get too excited, we're talking 1967). It is now up to $0.27 per share. Shareholders of record on 9/10/04 will receive their one-George, two-Abe pay-off 10/1/04. And now (to borrow from Monty Python), for something completely different: George Carlin, speaking of George Washington, has pointed out that George Washington's brother may correctly be thought of as the Uncle of Our Country. Just thought we'd pass that along.

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Nexstar CEO Sook says
JSA NPRM is a long shot
Major issue facing TV broadcasters addressed by Perry Sook is - The FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on TV station JSAs. We feel this is the start of a process. And with changes in the Commissioner ranks at the FCC, we think regardless of the outcome of the election we think this process will take a substantial amount of time to play out-perhaps years.
08/05/04 TVBR #152

TVB: cable penetration drops, satellite rises
Nielsen figures showing a nine-year low in cable penetration thanks to the growth of alternative delivery systems (ADS), which are mostly, satellite DBS. See the list.
08/05/04 TVBR #152

FCC puts the cattle-prod
to DTV process
The FCC has taken several steps toward bringing the conversion to digital television to a conclusion. All of them are aimed squarely at broadcasters. 08/05/04 TVBR #152

TV/DTV allotment requests on ice
The FCC is putting a freeze on all requests to make allotment and/or service area changes to existing analog and/or digital television stations. It goes into effect immediately and will stay in effect until further notice. The action is being taken to further the DTV transition. TVBR observation: Annoyed? Wanna comment? Forget it. The FCC explains that, too, saying that "...this freeze is procedural in nature and therefore the freeze is not subject to the notice and comment and effective date requirements..." most such dictates require.
08/04/04 TVBR #151

Another FCC light bulb idea
May see light as the commission is thinking of dimming the light on Joint Sales Rules (JSA) on the TV side. Big area of concern here but few years away. TVBR observation: When was the last time - first time - any FCC commissioner hit the streets at 8:30am and sold a spot in any competitive environment? Answer? Idle hands in an election year - you know the saying. 08/04/04 TVBR #151

RBR Closer Look
The Number two radio group in size
Cumulus Media and their CEO Lew Dickey went under the RBR microscope from - Survived "the perfect storm" - - Confluence of disparate events, all of which conspired to inflict particular damage on the radio image. - Not part of the spot clutter problem and welcomed Clear Channel's upcoming spot diet, - Somewhat-embattled ratings giant Arbitron a vote of confidence.
RBR observation: See the total report. 08/04/04 RBR #151

TVBR Closer Look
Winds of Naples, FL
Bending the Palm Trees
Hurricane season doesn't officially end until Nov. 30th. but they are coming; just wait. Key forecaster Bob Coen from Universal-McCann media revenue forecast sees these storms for the balance of 2004. This is just the short term picture. We have heard many new buzz words and phrases hanging around: Spot Load Diet, Forward Guidance ending, Weekly Pacing canned, Reality Show is charted to pace your individual station(s) by to hit your budget compliance. 08/03/04 TVBR #150

Veronis Suhler takes stock of communications
Has dusted off its crystal ball, and sees a turnaround in communications and advertising businesses which should carry forth into 2008. TVBR observation: Does this mean we can all just sit back, try not to screw up and watch the money roll in?
08/03/04 TVBR #150

Veronis Suhler Stevenson
sees radio growth returning
Defend and remain convinced that radio is going to return to its normal pattern of 6%+ growth. The question is when? At this point, it appears that the VSS forecast out today of 6.7% growth for 2004 is extremely bullish. TVBR observation: Again, no forward pacing so for your guidance we suggest you print the chart attached inside. 08/02/04 TVBR #149

Concentrating on men
Reaching men included a great chart ranking programming elements of both radio and television side-by-side in terms of their ability to find high concentrations of men, without wasting impressions on women, if that is germane to your particular advertising campaign. In general, a number of radio formats do a better job than any television format in delivering a high concentration of men. TVBR observation: When viewing the TV list this is a place for cross marketing and if radio markets on TV then it seems logical to buy that 15 or 30 second promo spot for your morning drive on Leno or Letterman plus don't forget cable and guys like Dennis Miller etc. View this as a good research programming tool. 08/02/04 TVBR #149

Who gets the FCC FINE?
Well, the 'F' word slipped out plus others choice phrases from the mouth of DNC Don Misher when all was happy except the balloons didn't fall as planned. Misher caught on-air by CNN saying: We need balloons... I want all balloons, 'God---' no balloons. Then the slip of that great 'Fudge' word - just over a few crummy balloons. TVBR observation: Who does FCC fine? The balloon maker, the balloon blower upper, the balloon cord puller, Misher, the DNC, John Kerry since those balloons were for him, or CNN? Na on CNN that is cable. Ah, what the 'Fudge', nobody cares. It was a slip of the, ahhh, tongue. 07/30/04 TVBR #148

Radio Look see - Local gains lead to modest June increase
The radio industry picked up the pace with local advertising in June, bringing in 5% more cash than in the same month in 2003. National business, on the other hand, was an anchor that slipped out of the boat, dragging the total business increase to a gain of 3%. But at least it was a gain! RBR observation: Most of the mid-level radio group dog and pony shows have featured reports of a more robust Q2 and YTD. Some one must be having problems!
07/30/04 RBR #148