|
|
|
|
|
Volume 24, Issue 159, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
|
Wednesday Morning August 15th, 2007
|
|
|
TV News ®
|
 4th hour of Today to debut September 10th
NBC's long-anticipated expansion of the "Today" show to four hours will take place on Monday, September 10th. The Peacock net says nearly 90% of affiliates have signed on to carry the additional hour at 10:00 or 11:00 am, depending on time zone, while some others will carry it later the same day. The 4th hour will be hosted by a team of well-known names from NBC News: Today News Anchor and "Dateline NBC" Anchor Ann Curry, National Correspondent Natalie Morales, and Correspondent Hoda Kotb. NBC News correspondents and contributors will make regular appearances as co-anchors, including Amy Robach, David Gregory, Giada DeLaurentiis, Jenna Wolfe, Nancy Snyderman and Tiki Barber, among others. The network announcement says "occasionally a special guest - some unexpected - will join Ann, Natalie and Hoda as co-anchor. Today Senior Producer Amy Rosenblum will oversee the 4th hour of Today. The 3rd hour of Today launched in 2000 and NBC says it has been extremely successful both from an audience standpoint and in extending the "Today" brand. In its first sweep, in November 2000, Today's 3rd hour improved time slot performance by 13% in household ratings and 5% in the Women 25-54 demographic. Currently, it averages more than 3.6 million viewers each day, retaining 81% of Today's 8:30 a.m. audience. The Peacock net proudly notes that the 3rd hour tops ABC's "The View" by 4% in total viewers and CBS' "Early Show" by 35%.
TVBR observation: This franchise definitely has legs. How many hours of "Today" will attract viewers? It's hard to say, since the audience cycles through, just as it does for the cable news channels. Very few people who watched hour one will still be around for hour four, but it could still be a substantial audience.
Democrats renew call for more minority ad contracts
Making sure that minority advertising businesses get their fair share of government contract work has long been a pet project of John Kerry (D-MA). Now he is being joined by several of his colleagues in a call for better adherence to a 2000 executive order permitting aggressive outreach to such firms. They are particularly critical of the Department of Defense and the Treasury Department. DoD was said to have given minority firms only 1.8% of its business and to have paid 84% less per contract than for majority firms it used. Similarly, Treasury used minority firms only 1.9% of the time and paid them 17% less per contract. NASA, on the other hand, was very pro-active with minority firms, giving them 88.9% of its business. DoD and DoT were also exceeded by Health and Human Services (24.6%) and the Interior Department (6.4%). Kerry was joined in his call by Senate colleagues Harry Reid (D-NV) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and by Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI). "This report shines a spotlight on the federal government's failure to make equal opportunity a reality, not just rhetoric," said Kerry. "The Defense and Treasury Departments are woefully behind the curve. Awarding less than two percent of advertising contracts to minority-owned and disadvantaged firms is unacceptable and this report must be a wake up call. My Committee (Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee) will keep up the pressure and stay on top of this until these agencies drastically improve their contracting practices."
|
|
|
The dog ate Microsoft's homework?
That's what the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) says after the computer giant failed to pass an FCC test on a device designed to operate in the cracks between television signals. MSTV President David Donovan echoed calls from the NAB to keep this spectrum uncluttered in preparation for the digital television conversion. "Microsoft is asking regulators to risk the future of America's television broadcasting system - and the ultimate success of the digital TV transition - on whether a specific device works in a laboratory. The irony here is that the Microsoft device utterly failed the test. But Microsoft now runs new tests in the lab and ... presto! ... Lo and behold, the device now works! Microsoft claims the device 'was broken,' which is apparently a coded message in the high tech world for 'the dog ate my homework.'" Donovan notes that the viability of "sensing" technology which is needed to make the new devices workable remains unproven, and that if it fails, interference "can go for miles," and can also affect digital television receivers. "One can only imagine the consumer outrage if these unlicensed devices enter the market, are 'broken,' and result in millions of Americans losing access to TV signals. The bottom line is that these devices should not be let loose in the TV band. It is time to stop experimenting with the 100 million digital TV sets that will be purchased by 2009." He concludes asking for an end to the game of "interference roulette" and to focus on a successful DTV transition.
 Shots fired in
Houston and Peoria
Pacifica-owned KPFT-FM Houston may hold the US record for the most violent attacks against a broadcast station. It was the target of two KKK bombings of its transmitter in the 1970s. The studios were attacked by brick-throwing youths in 2005 and last year an angry listener showed up at the door with a shotgun, but fled when told that police had been called. Now, the most recent attack on the station. Witnesses say a white car drove slowly by the studios just before 1:00 am Monday and someone fired a bullet through the studio window, missing on-air host Mary Thomas by about 18 inches. General Manager Duane Bradley called all staffers to a meeting on security yesterday "In this climate of seemingly escalating violence, it is important for all KPFT staff and volunteers to remain vigilant and aware of the fact that KPFT has been a lightning rod numerous times during the past 37-plus years. Please know that we are taking this matter extremely seriously," he said in a statement on the station web site, which also has photos of the bullet hole in the window and a bullet casing found outside that is now in the hands of the police. In Peoria, IL, someone early Friday shot up the transmission line of Regent's WZPW-FM, knocking it off the air for more than a day.
TVBR observation: Remember back in the 1960s when "window on the world" studios were popular? Listeners could stand on the sidewalk to watch and listen as their favorite DJ introduced the latest hit, then continue to watch as he did other exciting things, like drink a cup of coffee or smoke a cigarette. Even then some overnight jocks worried about being a brightly lit target on a nearly deserted street. Now it would be unthinkable to use such a set-up in any American city. Of course, the major TV networks have their morning shows in showcase studios in Manhattan - but they also have plenty of security during the live broadcasts.
|
|
|
|
| Wall Street Media Business Report TM |
Small decline for Barrington
Barrington Broadcasting Group reports that Q2 gross revenues were down 1.8% to 34.2 million, with local up 5.7% while national was down 6.3% and, of course, political dropped to 200K from 1.2 million. The good news, though, is that cost reductions kept broadcast cash flow flat for the quarter at 10.4 million. CEO Jim Yager was bullish on Barrington's news expansion at some of the stations it bought from Raycom in preparation for next year's political windfall. He expressed general satisfaction with local sales growth this year, but noted that national remains difficult in certain markets. After buying those 12 stations from Raycom, Yager told analysts he's not in the market for acquisitions, unless duopoly opportunities should arise in some of his existing markets. Barrington is privately owned but has public bonds.
ACME: Q2 down, Q3 up
ACME Communications reported that net revenues from continuing operations, decreased 4% to 8.3 million for Q2, saying the drop reflects a 6% decline in station revenues on lower market revenues and station shares, partially offset by a 27% increase in net revenues at "The Daily Buzz." Broadcast cash flow decreased 40% to 761K. But there is good news ahead. CEO Jamie Kellner said he is encouraged by pacings for the rest of the year. ACME is predicting that Q3 will be up 4-6% and that BCF will be up as well.
Double digits for Liberman
 LBI Media Holdings, the parent company of Liberman Broadcasting, reported that Q2 revenues rose 11% to 32.5 million, with both radio and TV up. Adjusted EBITDA rose 19.8% to 18.6 million. Liberman added new radio stations in Dallas in the past year, which was partly responsible for the radio gains, but radio billings in Los Angeles were also up. In all, radio division revenues rose 22.1% to 17.1 million. Television division revenues rose 0.9% to 15.4 million, with increased ad sales at the company's Texas stations credited for the gain.
Up quarter for Ion
Ion Media Networks reports that Q2 revenues increased 3% to 55.5 million, mainly due to higher rates realized for direct response advertisements, partially offset by lower revenues generated from infomercials. Operating income fell by one million to eight million bucks.
|
|
|
|
|
Ad Business Report TM
|
Microsoft forms new ad unit
Microsoft has formed a new unit to work with advertisers and publishers and gain a foothold in an online ad market. The creation of the Advertiser and Publisher Solutions group comes on completion of its 6 billion buy of online ad firm aQuantive, the software maker's largest acquisition ever. Microsoft named Brian McAndrews, the former CEO of aQuantive, to head the new group, which will be responsible for building and marketing all of Microsoft's ad businesses. Microsoft has lagged behind Google and Yahoo in online search. Google, the market leader, has built a multibillion dollar business from search, while Microsoft's online services group has not yet been profitable. McAndrews sees other forms of Web advertising playing a larger role as new forms of media like online video gain acceptance. "Search was a key part of the growth in the last several years," McAndrews told Reuters. "With more emerging media, we'll continue to see search be very important, but just a part of the mix and a less significant part of the mix over time."
 Russo elected to board
for Musicians on Call charity
Rich Russo, Director of Broadcast Services at JL Media Inc., has been elected to the Board of Directors of Musicians On Call-a unique charity whose mission is to bring live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. With a colossal record collection and history of following his favorite touring artists around the world, Russo says, "Musicians on Call is the perfect match for me. The organization uses music to offer up comfort, strength and a much needed distraction for patients who otherwise might not be able to attend a live show even in the hospital's common area. It's a great honor to be part of this" Russo's altruism began early on in life. At the young age of 14, he lost his closest friend to a long battle with leukemia. Since then he has been involved with many charitable causes, including collecting over 300,000 worth of toys for the outpatient party for pediatric patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Musicians On Call is a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of people in healthcare facilities. Unlike some organizations that only work with specific illnesses, Musicians On Call facilitates healing from all types of sickness through the power of music. They have already touched over 82,000 individuals through volunteer performances.
|
|
|
|
| Media Business Report TM |
Diffuse coverage during second disaster week in a row
During the week of 8/5/07-8/10/07, the Project for Excellence in Journalism from a great deal of disagreement between the five media it tracks as to what should and should not be covered. In fact, only two overall top-10 stories were included on all five individual top 10 lists, and it was a rare week when the #2 story, the Utah mine accident, didn't even make all five (newspapers didn't include it). That incident was tailor-made for the 24/7 newshole on the cable channels, and they propelled it to number one with 28% coverage. The holdover disaster, the Minnesota bridge collapse, held onto 3rd place overall and along with #1 2008 campaign, was the only story to make all five lists. An interesting non-pattern developed beneath the overall top ten list, as different media chose to focus on different international hotspots. Two looked at Afghanistan, and only one each looked at Israel/Palestine, Pakistan and Iran. The biggest story to go away was Rupert Murdoch's acquisition of the Wall Street Journal.
| Top ten lists here |
 Video gamers profiled-
they're not just 18-34
"To game or not to game," that is the question many on Madison Avenue are contemplating as they look for ways to integrate digital platforms in media allocation models. BIGresearch's latest Simultaneous Media Survey (SIMM 10) of 15,439 consumers identifies several key characteristics that make the "gamer market" a valuable option. "Gamers are a diverse group of people and 33.4% of the respondents ages 14+ in our SIMM 10 play video games as a leisure time activity," said Gary Drenik, President & CEO of BIGresearch. "Gamers come from all ethnic groups with Hispanics and African Americans making up almost 30% (29.9%) of the gamer market and 34% of gamers are female," said Drenik. Gamers are much more attuned to cinema, entertainment, media and electronics and this is apparent in their online search behavior. Gamers regularly or occasionally search online for the following more than the overall market which is in parenthesis: cars/trucks 12.7% (9.8%), movies 41.5% (28.6), online entertainment 43.7% (25.5%) and product information/comparative shopping (non-auto) 38% (31.8%). As far as what triggers an online search for gamers, traditional media fare very well with the top five being magazines, broadcast TV, cable TV, face-to-face communication and reading an article. Internet and email are next, followed by in-store promotions, newspaper and radio.
|
|
|
|
| Media Markets & Money TM |
ACME shopping stations
It's no secret that ACME Communications is looking to sell off its station portfolio and has already made several sales in recent years. Most of those previous sales had been arranged by the investment banking folks at Blackstone. But ACME CEO Jamie Kellner told analysts yesterday that the relationship has been terminated by mutual agreement. Brian Cobb at CobbCorp now has the ACME listing and is beginning to shop the stations.
|
|
|
|
| Washington Media Business Report TM |
Committee reports to FCC on bilingual EAS
Among the many problems exposed by Hurricane Katrina was a problem getting emergency warnings and post-emergency information to non-English speakers. A conference was held by a number of interested parties at the behest and for the benefit of the five FCC commissioners, including Rolo Duartes from Univision, Cheryl Leanza from United Church of Christ, Jane Mago and Kelly Williams from NAB, Francisco Montero of the Independent Spanish Broadcasters Association, David Honig and Jonathan Stein from the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council and Pat Roberts and Matt Leibowitz of the Florida Association of Broadcasters. The session appears to have identified the fault lines in what all nevertheless agree is an issue which must be addressed. More work is needed to determine what will be technically feasible, particularly on the incoming digital platform. NAB and FAB noted the success of Florida's voluntary bilingual alert program and suggested a regulatory mandate from the FCC would not be appropriate; most others felt that wouldn't be enough and that aggressive FCC involvement would be required. The committee reported its focus on Spanish alerts, and did not seriously address use of other languages. The FCC's Derek K. Poarch, Chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, issued the report on the meeting and announced further stakeholder events to build a record for future action in this area.
|
|
|
|
| Entertainment Media Business Report TM |
 Mantagna to play Minds game
Joe Mantegna will join the cast of "Criminal Minds" on CBS, starring as FBI Special Agent David Rossi. Mantegna is scheduled to make his first appearance in the fifth episode of the new season. Criminal Minds also stars Thomas Gibson, Paget Brewster, Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray Gubler, AJ Cook and Kirsten Vangsness. "We are all thrilled to have Joe Mantegna joining our family. He's an incredible actor, a genuinely nice person and, as a fellow Chicagoan, I can tell you he makes fantastic Italian Beef sandwiches and Chicago Style Hot Dogs," said Executive Producer Ed Bernero. (Editors note: So, is this really a move to cut the catering bill?) Criminal Minds is produced by ABC Television Studios in association with CBS Paramount Network Television.
Miss America lands at TLC
The Miss America Pageant has yet another television home, after CMT passed on continuing its airing of the annual pageant. The crown now moves to Discovery Communications' TLC, at least for the next three years. The new package includes a reality series leading up to the live pageant, January 26, 2008, airing live from Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. There was no disclosure of financial details, but Miss America Organization Chairman Sam Haskell called it a "new multi-million dollar partnership."
|
|
|
|
| Internet Media Business Report TM |
ESPN.com's PodCenter sees huge gains
Since ESPN launched its PodCenter in 4/06, unique visitors to the site have increased by 1000% and total downloads have seen 650% growth, said the company. In an effort to enhance the user experience, ESPN has launched a new, improved PodCenter. This new hub for all of ESPN's enhanced audio and video podcasts features individual show pages, increased interactivity and more. PodCenter also features a new iPhone-compatible player, giving users of the device direct access to all the site's multimedia content through a player tailored specifically for the iPhone's Safari Internet browser. ESPN has also integrated a player on the front page of ESPN.com. From April-June, the PodCenter has averaged more than one million unique users and 4.5 million downloads per month (AndoMedia). Additionally, ESPN content--from Mike & Mike In The Morning, to Fantasy Focus, Pardon the Interruption and The Bill Simmons Report-are regularly among the most downloaded audio and video podcasts in Apple's iTunes store.
New PodCenter features include:
· New shows, including downloadable versions of the Emmy Award-winning animated shorts series Off Mikes, and a podcast featuring former NFL coach Bill Parcells, former all-pro wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson and NFL Insider Chris Mortensen; · Individual show pages for all ESPN PodCasts, with archived shows from the past 30 days, including shows from ESPN's five O&O stations in Chicago, NYC, LA, Dallas and Pittsburgh; · Easily sort-able content, arranged by category - e.g. original podcasts, local radio, national radio, "most popular" and "most recent;" · Interactivity with the shows in the form of emails, polls and conversation pages; · New sponsors, including Hummer for Off Mikes and Mercedes-Benz for Buster Olney's Video Podcast.
|
|
|
|
| Ratings & Research |
Reruns top Talent
Reruns of "60 Minutes" and "CSI" on CBS were the most watched shows on television last week, dropping NBC's summer reality competition "America's Got Talent" to 3rd place. Fox again won the 18-49 demo, with CBS 2nd, then NBC, ABC, Univision, CW, Telemundo and MyNetworkTV in a tie, another tie by Ion and TeleFutura, and finally Azteca America. For Households, it was CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC, Univision, CW, MyNetworkTV, Telemundo, Ion, TeleFutura and Azteca America. Her are the top 20 shows for the week.
| View the Chart |
 Social marketing efforts fall short with influential brand advocates
JupiterResearch has found that, although nearly one-quarter of all online adults are considered influential brand advocates, they actually spend more time online researching and purchasing than spreading the word. As a result of this behavior, outlined in a new report, the expectations of social marketers are being called into question as influential brand advocates report a preference for mainstream rather than social media when gathering info. According to the report, influential brand advocates are defined, in part, by their purchase behavior and high rate of online activity-more than two-thirds of brand advocates research and purchase products online compared to slightly over half of all online users who do so. Because of these traits, social marketers must focus on attracting this segment of the online population in ways to which they are more receptive. Value for the money and reliability are the most important factors for brand advocates in making a purchase. For this reason, social marketers should target this group by aiding in their research activity through product microsites or product previews rather than blogs and user-generated content. "Marketers will have an easier time of attracting more brand advocates if they target this group with the right tactics," said David Schatsky, President of JupiterResearch. " Behavioral and content targeting are likely to attract brand advocates, since more than half of this segment is likely to pay attention to online ads that fit their interests or current activity."
|
|
|
|
| Stock Talk |
Where is the bottom?
Stock prices fell Tuesday amid more worries about credit availability and lowered outlooks from Wal-Mart and Home Depot. The Dow Industrials fell 208 points, or 1.6%, to 13,029.
Most TV stocks fell. LIN dropped 5.4% and Lincoln Financial Group, which is an insurance company with broadcast holdings, fell 4.3%.
|
|
|
|
| Stocks |
Here's how stocks fared on Tuesday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
|
Acme
|
ACME
|
|
3.87
|
+0.02
|
Lincoln Natl.
|
LNC
|
 |
57.48
|
-2.56
|
|
Belo
|
BLC
|
|
17.26
|
-0.29
|
LIN TV
|
TVL
|
|
13.32
|
-0.76
|
| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
|
29.81
|
-1.23
|
McGraw-Hill
|
MHP
|
|
51.92
|
-1.73
|
| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
|
29.87
|
-1.17
|
Media General
|
MEG
|
|
26.81
|
-1.07
|
|
Clear Channel
|
CCU
|
|
34.83
|
-0.37
|
Meredith
|
MDP
|
|
53.96
|
-0.34
|
|
Disney
|
DIS
|
|
32.36
|
-0.88
|
News Corp.
|
NWS
|
|
21.48
|
-0.82
|
|
Emmis
|
EMMS
|
|
6.04
|
+0.29
|
Nexstar
|
NXST
|
|
8.42
|
+0.01
|
|
Entravision
|
EVC
|
|
8.16
|
-0.31
|
Ion Media
|
ION
|
|
1.39
|
-0.01
|
| Equity Media |
EMDA |
|
2.89 |
-0.04 |
Saga Commun.
|
SGA
|
|
7.93
|
+0.65
|
|
Fisher
|
FSCI
|
|
46.20
|
-0.61
|
SBS
|
SBSA
|
|
2.92
|
+0.03
|
|
Gannett
|
GCI
|
|
46.34
|
-0.94
|
Scripps
|
SSP
|
|
39.93
|
-0.51
|
|
Gen. Electric
|
GE
|
|
37.68
|
-0.49
|
Sinclair
|
SBGI
|
|
12.25
|
unch
|
| Google |
GOOG |
|
508.60
|
-6.90
|
SWMX
|
SWMX
|
|
0.08
|
-0.01
|
|
Gray
|
GTN
|
|
8.42
|
-0.01
|
Time Warner
|
TWX
|
|
18.19
|
-0.61
|
|
Gray, C1. A
|
GTNa
|
|
8.41
|
+0.01
|
Tribune
|
TRB
|
|
25.28
|
-0.49
|
|
Hearst-Argyle
|
HTV
|
|
20.20
|
-0.46
|
Wash. Post
|
WPO
|
|
791.31
|
-1.16
|
|
Journal Comm.
|
JRN
|
|
10.29
|
-0.22
|
Young
|
YBTVA
|
|
2.14
|
+0.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bounceback
|
 We want to
hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments and
a photo to tvnews@rbr.com
Joseph Emert's comment on the FCC proposing limits on the number of applications one entity can file in the upcoming NCE FM window (8/14/07 TVBR #158), begs a response.
 First of all, to imply this is some sort of conspiracy to limit Christian broadcasters is ridiculous and reminds me of the charges made by the Clinton administration of some vast right wing conspiracy. This sounds like something out of Karl Rove 101 to scare the public. Second, we need to stay with the facts. In the last FM translator filing window, over 13,000 applications were filed and hundreds if not thousands of them were filed by one group using two different names. I've found numerous markets where this group ended up with two CPs. They've been selling them as quickly as possible. So much for service to the listener. Call it greed, lust or some vast conspiracy, it's not an equitable distribution of the spectrum for one organization, be it religious or not, to end up controlling the NCE dial in many areas of the nation. Charity begins at home. I support the limit.
Douglas M. "Art" Sutton, Jr.
President/CEO
GA-Carolina Radiocasting
Toccoa, GA
|
|
|
Below the Fold
|
Ad Business Report
Microsoft forms new ad unit
To work with advertisers and publishers & gain a foothold in an online ad market....
Media Markets & Money
ACME stations
Being shopped not by Blackstone as there is a new player...
Entertainment Media
Business Report
Mantagna to play Minds game
Joe Mantegna will join the cast of Criminal Minds...
Ratings & Research
Reruns top Talent
Reruns of 60 Minutes & CSI on CBS were the most watched...
|
|
|
Stations for Sale
|
The Exline Company
LPTVs - Central and Coastal CA
Call Andy McClure or Erick Steinberg
(415) 479-3484
Exline@pacbell.net
 Market your Stations For Sale
in our daily epapers.
Contact
June Barnes
jbarnes@rbr.com
|
|
|
TV Media Moves
|
 Return of the intern
Jenna Wolfe, has been named a correspondent for NBC News' "Today," joining the live morning show after three years as a sports reporter and anchor for WABC-TV New York. But long before that, Wolfe was a summer intern for "Today" during her college days, so this is a return trip for her.
Musical chairs
at Journal
The Journal Broadcast Group has changed assignments for several local managers. Steve Wexler moves from Omaha, NE to WTMJ-TV Milwaukee, WI. Rob Burton takes over as the market manager for radio and TV in Omaha. Eric McCart, formerly general sales manager is the new vice president and general manager of the company's Wichita, KS radio operations, succeeding Burton. Mark Strachota is leaving WTMJ-TV to pursue other opportunities. "We have a strong and deep management group at Journal Broadcast Group and these new assignments for several of our leaders will help us best leverage their abilities in the future. Our expectations for our Milwaukee, Omaha and Wichita markets are very high and these executives are just the right people to meet and exceed them," said Doug Kiel, Vice Chairman and CEO of the Journal Broadcast Group.
|
|
|
More News Headlines
|
Spending on dorm furnishings, electronics drives back-to-college sales
According to NRF's 2007 Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, students and their parents will spend a combined average of 956.93 on back-to-college merchandise, up from last year's 880.52. Spending on clothing and accessories is expected to jump to 7.41 billion from last year's 5.78 billion. Laptops, digital cameras, along with iPhones and other cell phones, should be big sellers again this year, with students and their parents expected to spend a total of 12.8 billion on electronics. Other essentials for college students include shoes (2.96 billion) and school supplies such as notebooks, folders and pencils (3.14 billion). Over 15 billion will be spent on textbooks, which are perhaps the only real necessity for college students. Thanks to trendy in-store promotions and youth-focused merchandise, dorm and apartment furnishings are now becoming increasingly important to students. Spending in this category is expected to reach 5.43 billion, up from last year's 3.82 billion. Young adults aged 18-24 will shell out the most in this category, spending an average of 158.61. The large majority (57.2%) of students and their families will be shopping at college bookstores, while others will head to discounters (51.5%), department stores (41.8%), office supply stores (35.6%), clothing stores (34.3%) and electronics stores (20.9%). Nearly one-third of consumers plan to shop online for back-to-college necessities.
Phil Rizzuto dead at 89
Phil Rizzuto, the New York Yankees hall of famer who went on to a long career in radio and TV, has died at age 89 after several years of declining health. Rizzuto began his long broadcasting career in 1956, after he was released by the Yankees. He became known for his signature exclamation of "Holy cow!" Rizzuto appeared on many broadcast outlets in his long career, but his constant gig was calling Yankees games for WPIX-TV NYC from 1956 to 1996. He was also the celebrity TV ad spokesman for The Money Store for nearly 20 years.
|
|
|
RBR - Radio News
|
Radio gets back a bit of Spitzer's fines
Fordham University's WFUV-FM has gotten a 500K grant from the New York State Music Fund to establish an HD Radio/Internet/mobile streaming channel targeting music fans in their 20s and 30s. The funding for that grant is from the payoffs that former NY Attorney General (now Governor) Eliot Spitzer got to settle "payola" allegations against record labels and radio stations. WFUV General Manager Ralph Jennings says the new project, scheduled to make its debut in the fall of 2008, is expected to cost 1.2 million, so this grant will cover a major portion. It is one of the largest single grants made by the New York State Music Fund, which has thus far handed out more than 35 million bucks. "Acts like Antibalas, Forro In The Dark and The Hold Steady have no problem selling out venues all over town, yet they presently don't have a home on the radio in New York City. A second stream enables us to play deserving local acts in the same set as Bjork, M.I.A. or Arcade Fire and, at the same time, better serve New York's musically-adventurous listening audiences by introducing them to something different," said WFUV Program director Chuck Singleton.
RBR observation: Nice to see that someone in radio is getting back some of this shakedown money. As we stated repeatedly, Spitzer's so-called "payola" probe was a pile of garbage to grab headlines for himself by accusing broadcasters of violations that he made up by deliberately misreading the law. It apparently worked, since it helped get him elected governor. Thankfully, his successor as AG has apparently shelved the phony payola probe, but it still lingers on in Washington, where a couple of members of the FCC are trying to follow Spitzer's path and rewrite the payola laws via backroom settlements with broadcasters without holding any rulemaking hearings.
|
|
|
TVBR Radar 2007
|
|
Television News you won't read any where else. TVBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
|
Clear Channel shareholders
to vote on September 25th
On whether to approve the long-pending deal to sell the company to a private equity buyout group led by Bain Capital partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners, along with the Mays family. The record date for shareholders eligible to vote has also been changed again - to next Monday, August 20th.
TVBR observation: Don't look for any late night nail-bitter as the votes are counted. As far as we can tell, there is no longer any organized resistance to the terms of the buyout. Highfields Capital, which had led the push for the stock swap option, has been buying more Clear Channel stock and appears to be hoping to capture the lion's share of that 30.6 million share stake available in the new company. (Note: Complete analysis on this transaction in TVBR)
08/14/07 TVBR #158
SoundExchange draws fire
from NAB, Nashville attorney
NAB is attempting to forge an agreement with royalty disburser SoundExchange to "resolve a rate dispute related to radio stations that stream music online." The lack of a promised response after two months has resulted in a new graphic on NAB's website. "The sounds of silence from SoundExchange are deafening,"
RBR observation: Cox Radio's Bob Neil is already suggesting that each spin heard on radio or a radio website be changed from an entertainment segment into a paid commercial. Seriously, do recording companies think they can dip into broadcast wallets just like that? (Note: There is More in RBR)
08/14/07 RBR #158
Some TV in Univision asset sales
Univision's new private equity owners haven't announced any asset sales yet, but in the company's quarterly conference call CFO Andrew Hobson indicated that the process is well underway to sell the half-billion bucks in non-core assets that the company has indicated it plans to divest. For the first time, Univision indicated in its quarterly SEC filing that some TV assets will also be divested.
08/13/07 TVBR #157
Seven secrets of great advertising
Most advertising professionals know what makes great advertising. But they work in a volatile business and are generally afraid to talk about it -- so they keep it a secret. Tips: 1. Be Honest, 2. Take a Stand, 6. Focus on Strength all 7 are posted in this report page of TVBR.
08/13/07 TVBR #157
|
|
|
|
 |
New Listing
Sales Associate
A fast growing network radio company seeks a Sales Associate for its Chicago office. The ability to multi-task and prioritize are paramount in this position, as is the willingness and desire to learn in a fast paced environment. Please send resumes with cover letter to: tfleming233@gmail.com
See Radio Careers
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.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Help Desk
|
__EMAIL__ :
Having problems with our epapers?
Please send Questions/Concerns to:
Memberships@rbr.com
If you wish to remove your name completely from our database use this link __UNSUB__
TVBR Epaper -- 108 annual
or just 9 a month
|
|
|
|
©2007 Radio Business Report, Inc. All rights reserved.
Television Business Report -- 2050 Old Bridge Road, Suite B-01, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 -- Phone: 703-492-8191
|
|
