Radio News ®

A spot is a spot is a spot
Cox Radio President/CEO Bob Neil discussed many of the hottest issues facing big radio groups today in his quarterly confab with Wall Streeters. On the Clear Channel diet: He applauded the giant's decision to limit spotloads to 10-12 units per hour, a level he said Cox has maintained for years, saying it had to help everyone in the business hold rates. However, he strongly questioned the proposed move to 30-second spots. "I'm a little confused about that," he said. Editor's note: All should take a note. How does Cox stay on a spot load diet? You fudge with the company's spot level dictates you'd best have your resume in order. | More... |

Looking ahead at Cox Radio
Cox Radio, which dragged through Q2 at a slower pace than most other radio companies which have reported in thus far, is expecting more of the same Q3, declaring its likely results to be in the low-single digit range. This is despite ratings gains at many of its stations - - a factor that is nonetheless expected to help results throughout the remainder of the year. Political advertising has not yet been all that robust at Cox properties. About $500K has come in so far. The company is expecting that total to be in the $2M-$3M range by the time November arrives, with most of the spending taking place in October. It books late, though, so it doesn't show up in pacing reports. One challenge facing Cox is accelerated growth in the Hispanic radio sector. It is in three of the top Hispanic markets - - San Antonio, Houston and Miami. However, Presdent/CEO Bob Neil noted that such patterns tend to be cyclical, and not to spend too much time fretting over it.

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. First and foremost are steps to finalize the eventual dial position of each licensee's digital station as broadcasters turn in their analog licenses. A remaining sticking point is a huge one: No mention of cable carriage requirements yet. Here, direct from the FCC, is the scoop:
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Granite goes over the counter
Nasdaq has officially delisted the stock of television operator Granite Broadcasting Corp. The decision was announced this week after a 6/17/04 hearing on the topic before the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel. Granite immediately flipped to the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB), and trading there will begin on opening of business today (8/5/04). OTCBB provides real-time quotes, last-sale price and volume info for several thousand securities.

EAS under new scrutiny
The FCC is looking at fixing the much-maligned Emergency Alert System (EAS). And it wants your help. You'll be joining an effort which already includes the Department of Homeland Security and its component, FEMA and the Department of Commerce and its component, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. The effort is being undertaken in part based on advice from the Media Security and Reliability Council. and the Partnership for Public Warning.

SBS stations are #1, #2 and #3
most listened to Spanish stations
Spanish Broadcasting System has just released highlights of its Spring 2004 Arbitron ratings. SBS stations are ranked the #1, #2 and #3 most-listened-to Spanish-language radio stations in America. SBS stations WSKQ-FM, KLAX-FM and WPAT-FM, each broke the one million listener level - the only Spanish-language stations to do so in the country. In addition to its Spanish-language rankings, SBS owns and operates the #1 ranked stations (in any language) in the nation's two largest radio markets, Los Angeles and New York. On a total Cume basis, SBS radio stations are heard by over 7M people every week.

Adbiz ©

Jon Mandel upped to Chairman
of MediaCom; he comments
Jon Mandel, Grey Global Group's Mediacom Global Buying Officer/Co-CEO, has been upped to a new position that makes him both Chairman/MediaCom US and Chief Global Buying Officer at MediaCom Worldwide. Grey/MediaCom also announced the promotion of MediaCom US's co-CEO, Dene Callas, to sole CEO of the media agency. Mandel tells RBR/TVBR: "I think the important thing is it gives me time to do what I do best for clients, and it gives Dene and I each the authority and the time to do what we do best. We're still buying and planning together. We're still a team, we still run things together. But it's a clearer delineation of how we do things."

NPLC wants to derail Subway Euro campaign
The National Legal and Policy Center is incensed. An advertising campaign is under way in Europe, and it wants the Defense Department, the Senate and the House of Representatives to do something about it. It seems that over in Europe, sandwich-maker Subway is advertising an image of the Statue of Liberty holding a burger and fries, with headlines asking "Why are American so Fat?" "Subway has undertaken a cynical campaign to bash Americans and our national symbols abroad, just to increase market share," said NLPC's Ken Boehm. RBR observation: Be careful, those of you who make your living on the airwaves. Recording devices are everywhere, and nowhere is safe. Make a questionable remark about leprechauns in Pago Pago and you may well read about it in the US press the next day.

Tysons launching $75M effort
Tyson Foods will unveil a year-long, $75M effort 8/30 to position chicken, beef and pork as a healthy source of protein. "Powered by Tyson" includes TV, radio, print, online and promotions. Creative is handled by Arnold Worldwide, Boston. African American and Hispanic is handled by E. Morris Communications Chicago, and Lopez Negrete Communications, Houston. The effort features "a humorous, tongue-in-cheek approach, showing people doing things a little better than others, all because they are 'Powered by Tyson,'" according to Tyson CMO Bob Corscadden.

Media, Markets & Money tm

Washington Beat

Transactions

$700K KXTK-AM San Luis Obispo CA (Arroyo Grande CA) from Jerry J. Collins to Pacific Coast Media LLC (Michael V. Chelesn, William Bordeaux). $10K earnest money, $90K cash, $600K note. LMA until closing. [File date 7/7/04.]

$128,750 KZAT-FM Belle Plaine IA. 50.49% of Camrory Broadcsaating Inc. from David & Katherine Hogendorn (49.02% to 0%) and Shannon Hogendorn, Brittany Hogendorn, and Craig & Tedre Henze (each 0.49% to 0%) to Catherine Campbell Currier (49.51% to 100%). All told, $6K escrow, additional $6,750 cash at closing, $116K note. Based on $500/share. $125.5 to David & Katherine Hogendorn, including full value of note; all others receive $1.25K cash. [File date 7/7/04.]

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