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The problem with XM and Sirius both is that they are living on borrowed time. It doesn't matter whether they run in the red OR the black (5/17/05 RBR #97). Very soon carmakers will begin to consolidate all of the in-car navigation systems they now offer with new in-car Internet service (already available in about 4% of cars worldwide and on just about every cell phone in the world). When that becomes standard or near-standard equipment, who's going to pay twelve bucks a month to listen to commercial-free radio when they can stream it on their in-car Internet for free? Unless XM and Sirius both have a game plan to convert to large scale in-car internet providers, they will go the way of other auto dinosaurs like quadraphonic speakers and 8-track tape players.

Bill May
General Manager
Apex Broadcasting
Lake Charles, LA

Editor's note: Agreed. Wireless broadband is going to present a challenge to terrestrial radio broadcasters, but it will wipe out satellite radio, lock, stock and barrel.

Dillard is solid
Salem Communications announced that Salem Music Network PD Vance Dillard has added programming duties for SMN's Solid Gospel Network. He continues to serve as PD for the company's Today's Christian Music Network and The Word in Praise Network.

Haege is 100% terrestrial

ESPN Deportes Radio going
24/7 in September

"FM411" launches in Boston

Fox adds five dramas, two comedies for
Fall sked
FOX unveiled its primetime schedule yesterday in NYC for the 2005-2006 season, featuring five new dramas and two new comedies. The new dramas premiering this fall are Prison Break, Bones, Head Cases, Reunion and The Gate (working title). The new comedies scheduled include Kitchen Confidential and The War at Home. Another new comedy, The Loop, will launch in January. Among the shows available at midseason are the new comedy Free Birds and unscripted Nanny 911 and Trading Spouses. Returning shows include 24, American Dad, American Idol, America's Most Wanted, Arrested Development, The Bernie Mac Show, Cops, Family Guy, House, King of the Hill, MADtv, Malcolm in the Middle, The O.C., The Simpsons, Stacked and that 70s Show. The full 2005-2006 schedule and descriptions of new series: | View it here |

RBR First
Shake-up at Arbitron
Arbitron eliminated its Outdoor division, pink-slipping sales chief Joan Gerberding and her top staff and putting the half-dozen or so sales reps under the Cable division. Now Arbitron has told staffers it is closing down its New York Marketing Communications office. Those four people are being given opportunities to apply for their jobs again, but they'll have to move. The department will now be consolidated in Columbia, MD, with the employee count now approaching 20. RBR observation: Arbitron once did a local market ratings test for Outdoor, any ratings product for outdoor, likely involving PPM, is years in the future. Both Arbitron and Nielsen have hopes of providing new products to measure Outdoor - - but somebody will have to agree to pay the bill before they're rolled out. The justification for the Marketing Communications consolidation is obvious - - it's a lot cheaper to have everybody in one place and when it comes to operating costs, Columbia, MD beats Manhattan hands down. And if is also a sign of preparing for a M&A, but don't jump the gun, yet but it will happen. 05/19/05 RBR #99

RBR First
Saga dumping Hannity
Ed Christian is putting his money where his mouth is. Not only has Saga Communications dropped the "Dr. Laura Show" and Glenn Haege's "Handyman" from its stations because they also air on satellite radio RBR has learned firt that Saga has also served notice on ABC Radio Networks that it is canceling its affiliations for the "Sean Hannity Show," which airs on XM Satellite Radio. "I stand on principle. What I said is what I'm doing," Christian told RBR. Hannity currently airs on two Saga's WINA-AM Charlottesville, VA and WTAX-AM Springfield, IL. ABC isn't letting Saga out of its contracts, but Christian says Hannity will be off both stations with their contracts run out the end of this year. RBR observation: We've been hearing lots of support in the terrestrial radio industry for Saga's tough stand. What we haven't heard, though, is anyone else actually canceling a major syndicated show like Hannity to enforce the view that market exclusivity means just that - - no other radio broadcast in my market, AM, FM or satellite. Look for lots more battling on this front regarding sports rights, where major group owners are more than a little disturbed that XM and Sirius are now poaching the play-by-play rights that they've already paid big bucks for. Interesting that Saga is also in agreement with their colleague Perry Sook at Nexstar who pulled the plug on the cable MSO's is a some what similar move dealing with content. Both operators are in the medium to small category but they fight the! fight as the big just give it the lip. Yep, problem here big time as Christian knows that content is king and if it is duplicated then you have zippo. 05/19/05 RBR #99

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