|
|
|
|
|
Volume 24, Issue 152, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
|
Monday Morning August 6th, 2007
|
|
|
Radio News ®
|
 Slew of upgrades from BofA
Bank of America analyst Jonathan Jacoby isn't a bull, but at least he's no longer a bear when it comes to radio stocks. Stock prices have fallen to what Jacoby says reflects his slow growth long-term view, so he's upgraded Citadel, Cox Radio and Entercom from "sell" to "neutral." Jacoby had downgraded the trio to sell back in November, when the Wall Street consensus was that 2007 radio revenue growth would be in the 2-3% range. "We argued that persistent audience erosion would cap average top-line growth at approximately 1% over next five years and at less than 2% over the next ten years. Seven months into '07, it is evident that radio's best hope is for flat revenue this year. And investors seem to have responded to the continued malaise by revaluing the sector, which now reflects our tempered long-term view," Jacoby said in his update to clients on Friday.
Pregnant and jobless in Fresno
Clear Channel has gotten itself a load of bad publicity in Fresno, stemming from the May firing of Athena Matsikas as morning co-host on Country KHGE-FM. She was eight months pregnant at the time. KHGE switched from a personality morning show to an all music show with no DJs - "Music first! Mornings." Former co-host Chuck Geiger, known as "Uncle Buck," who is also Program Director, moved to afternoons. The Fresno Bee reports that Matsikas has now sued Clear Channel and Geiger, charging sex harassment; pregnancy discrimination; failure to maintain an environment free from harassment; negligent supervision, hiring and retention; wrongful termination in violation of public policy; sexual battery; intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent infliction of emotional distress; and retaliation. By the way, the story ranks among the "most read" on the business section of the newspaper's website. Geiger sent out an email denying the allegations. "I have not engaged in any form of discrimination, harassment or terse environment," he said, adding that the firing was "a management decision above my head." Clear Channel Radio Fresno market manager Jeff Negrete did not return a call from RBR seeking comment.
|
|
|
Edwards takes aim at News Corp.
Presidential candidate John Edwards (D-NC) is calling for all Democratic candidates to return any donations from News Corp. executives in light of the company's pending acquisition of Dow Corporation and its flagship Wall Street Journal. Edwards was also first to boycott a debate which is scheduled to air on Fox News Channel. "The time has come for Democrats to stop pretending to be friends with the very people who demonize the Democratic Party," he said. Edwards' statement was seen by many as a thinly-veiled attack on front-runner Hillary Clinton (D-NY), who has received contributions from several top officials at News Corp., including Peter Chernin and Gary Ginsberg, not to mention James Murdoch, the son of News Corp. honcho Rupert Murdoch. Fellow Democratic candidate Chris Dodd (D-CT) called for an FCC investigation into the merger (despite the fact that the FCC's jurisdiction over the matter is questionable at best). Dodd noted that the very fact that News Corp. will form a committee to protect the journalistic integrity of the Wall Street Journal underlines the questionable nature of the deal. "It should be a given that The Wall Street Journal's reporting will not be affected by its parent company," he was quoted as saying. As for Edwards, he is using the controversy to raise campaign funds, just as he did after previous flaps with pundit Ann Coulter. An email entitled "Unfair and Unbalanced" went out to his supporters asking for help in making a stand against the company.
RBR observation: Last we heard, the Congressional Black Caucus/Fox News Channel debate was still on the September schedule, but only Joe Biden (D-DE) and Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has agreed to participate. For their part, Republican candidates are showing equal antipathy to a CNN/YouTube debate that was happily embraced by the Democrats. The question is: Are we edging toward a journalism system where each party has its own media platforms? We doubt we're there yet, but it sure looks like its trending in that direction.
 Space Systems/Loral to build new satellite for Sirius
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, announced that it has been chosen by Sirius to build SIRIUS FM-5, a powerful new geostationary satellite for use in its satellite radio service. Sirius FM-5 is expected to be completed in Q4 2008 and will carry an X-band uplink and S-band downlink payload. The satellite will be one of the most powerful ever constructed, with end-of-life power capability at more than 20 kilowatts. It will carry a range of technologies, including a 9-meter unfurlable reflector, which will allow for highly-concentrated transmissions to small, advanced devices. As part of its commitment, Loral has agreed to provide to Sirius a vendor financing facility of up to 100 million. The satellite will join three other Sirius satellites in orbit, all manufactured by SS/L. SS/L also manufactured Sirius FM-4, which is currently in ground storage.
RBR observation: This is likely a satellite that will be able to handle the next generation of satellite services-including data and info services and more robust transmission to handheld receivers (read: smaller antennas needed). It will obviously be able to handle the merged XM and Sirius offerings, should the merger be approved. We assumed way back in February (2/28/07 RBR #41) that a merged entity would offer a reduced price version-which Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin just recently announced. The new satellite may also be the one used for upcoming receivers which will be able to receive both services. Eventually, the bevy of extra XM and Sirius satellites could be sold or leased out to/for other services.
|
|
|
Newspaper editor assassinated
That may sound like a headline from a third world country, but this happened Thursday in the USA. Chauncey Bailey, editor of the Oakland Post, was gunned down by a masked man on a downtown street in the California city. Bailey had a long career as an aggressive journalist for East Bay news outlets, including KDIA-AM, local cable TV channels and 12 years at the Oakland Tribune. Bailey had been editor of the Oakland Post, a weekly aimed at the African-American community, only since June. Local news reports say the masked gunman, wearing dark clothing, approached Bailey as he was walking to work from his nearby apartment, shot him once in the back and once in the head, then ran away. Police believe Bailey was specifically targeted and are trying to determine the motive for his killing.
 Congress sends FCC
in search of chips
No, the Senate Commerce Committee is not looking for snack food to take with it on its August recess. Mark Pryor (D-AR) believes that there are too many content outlets nowadays, and he'd like the FCC to research the possibility of giving parents a universal blocking device that can possibly protect children from all of them. As we expected, the vote on Pryor's S. 602 the "Child Safe Viewing Act of 2007" was unanimous. Pryor's bill instructs the FCC to begin a rulemaking proceeding within 120 days of the bill's enactment in order to encourage of require the use of advanced blocking technologies, to identify such technologies, and to match up such devices across a wide spectrum of communications media including broadcast, cable, satellite, DVRs and other outlets. It also instructs the FCC to look into devices that "can filter language based upon information in closed captioning; operate independently of ratings pre-assigned by the creator of such video or audio programming; and may be effective in enhancing the ability of a parent to protect his or her child from indecent or objectionable programming, as determined by such parent." Some are calling what he is after a "super v-chip," and at least one observer, gizmodo.com, thinks the project is doomed to failure. Gizmodo observes that the vast array of distribution platforms are what will make the project impossible. "It's like trying to hold back the ocean with a fishing net."
RBR observation: Gizmodo went even further - all the way to an Orwellian extreme - suggesting that we implant a v-chip into actual children at birth. This would protect them from objectionable content not only found in the media but also from the vast amount of objectionable speech and images that occurs in real life. You never know when tense and crowded road conditions combined with a rude and unpredictable act perpetrated by an incompetent driver is going to inspire an f-bomb right there in the family vehicle.
|
|
|
|
| Wall Street Media Business Report TM |
Cumulus sued over buyout
A class action law firm, Holzer Holzer & Fistel, announced that it has filed suit on behalf of Cumulus Media shareholders against the company, Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity (MLGPE) and certain Cumulus officers and directors over the pending deal to sell the company to a group that includes Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey and MLGPE (7/24/07 RBR #143). "The complaint alleges defendants violated applicable law by breaching and/or aiding the other defendants' breaches of their fiduciary duties of loyalty, due care, candor, independence, good faith and fair dealing through this transaction, which the complaint alleges was unlawfully designed to divest Cumulus's public stockholders of a large portion of the valuable assets of the Company for grossly inadequate consideration," the law firm said in announcing the suit. The buyout group has proposed to pay Cumulus shareholders 11.75 per share, a premium of 40.4% over the pre-announcement closing price. Including debt assumption, the deal totals 1.3 billion.
|
|
|
|
|
Ad Business Report TM
|
 Re-evaluating the media mix
By Bill Reynolds
Here's a radical idea: let's try to make media planning decisions based on what works, rather than on what "everybody" thinks will work. In the rush to advertise via new media like social networks and mobile platforms, it seems that no one has stopped to ask whether the new way is really the right way for companies to reach their customers. Perhaps it's time to take a step back and re-evaluate what we know about new and traditional media, instead of what we only think we know. In doing so, media executives might realize that traditional media like radio should be a significant part of the media mix. Advertising is a business of perceptions. Whatever the ultimate objective of an advertising campaign, we generally must start with communication that affects perceptions (awareness, interest, preference, etc.) of whatever it is we are advertising. We expect that change to eventually drive behavior in a way that is positive, but we all know there are a multitude of other factors that will affect the outcome. So the first and most valid gauge of the success of advertising activity is how it impacts perceptions. Given that, I suppose it's not surprising that the primary forces that drive advertising decision-making are also based on perceptions.
| Read More... |
State Water Heaters up Hispanic marketing efforts
State Water Heaters recently announced plans to launch an integrated marketing effort aimed at Spanish-speaking contractors in key U.S. markets. Campaign initiatives include new Hispanic-themed print advertisements, Web enhancements, and a television sponsorship, all designed to raise State brand awareness among Hispanic communities. A dedicated section on State's Web site, www.statewaterheaters.com, provides an opportunity to view the new Spanish print adv and a link to the Web site of "De Casa a Hogar," a new home improvement show on Spanish language television. The new print ads will help engage Hispanic viewers by featuring Spanish messaging, and are expected to grow advertising recall and State brand visibility among this rapidly growing audience. The ads will also appear in English versions to attract English dominant Hispanics. State's broadcast efforts include a Latino home show sponsorship with "De Casa a Hogar," scheduled to air on a major Latino network in early fall. The show will provide viewers with home improvement segments, technology tips, and a peak into Hispanic celebrity homes. State's sponsorship includes opportunity for product demonstration in addition to Web site, print, and broadcast sponsor recognition.
|
|
|
|
| Media Markets & Money TM |
Acker spins two more
Principal Mark Acker found a buyer for yet another chunk of his Metropolitan Radio Group. This time, KRMX-AM and KNKN-FM in Pueblo CO are going to W. Philip Robinson, who himself is standing in for original buyer Todd P. Robinson. The price for the pair is 1.75M, according to brokers John Pierce of John Pierce & Company, who represented the sellers and Jody McCoy of Media Services Group, who represented the buyers. The combo will eventually form a cluster with KRYE-FM Rye CO, which is still in the process of being built. Robinson also owns FM CPs earmarked for Westcliffe CO and Saratoga WY, neither of which overlap the three Pueblo-area stations.
Neuhoff adds another market
Clear Channel is spinning off WFMB AM & FM and WXAJ-FM in the Springfield IL market, according to brokerage firm Kalil & Co. The trio will gvie Neuhoff Communications its second Illinois cluster, to go along with stations in Danville. It also owns television properties in Twin Falls ID.
WRXS-FM seller identified
Spectrum Media LLC did not sell WRXS-FM Ocean City MD to Your Public Radio Inc.. Spectrum was in fact the brokerage representing seller Atlantic Radio Broadcasting. The buyers were represented by John Pierce, and will pay 1.075M for the Maryland non-profit's third station.
|
|
|
|
| Washington Media Business Report TM |
A legal eagle eye's view of DTV outreach
 Congress has instructed the FCC to educate the people about the upcoming transition to digital television, to forestall a massive case of blank screens after analog switches are set to the off position for good on 2/17/09. In fact, John Dingell (D-MI) and Ed Markey (D-MA) would like the FCC to throw its weight around to the extent it is legally entitled. The FCC has decided to be kind enough to allow affected stakeholders to weigh in on this matter before it takes any action, and attorney Peter Gutmann of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice has been kind enough to handicap this process for us. As usual, the opinions of Mr. Gutmann are not to be cited in a court of law.
| Legal eagle eye view here |
MMTC calls for commentary
The Minority Media & Telecommunications Council can be excused if it takes time out for a modest victory lap, after its persistent efforts spurred the FCC to take a second look at media ownership by socially and economically disadvantaged businesses (SDBs). But the bureaucratic look-see is only the first step in the process. Now MMTC's Executive Director David Honig is asking for concerned groups and citizens to weigh in on the topic. "The extremely low representation of minorities in broadcast ownership is unacceptable in a multicultural and democratic society," said Honig. "Thus, we're pleased that the Commission has sought comment on a host of minority ownership proposals. We hope members of the public, including broadcasters, will file extensive comments and advance additional proposals."
|
|
|
|
| Media Business Report TM |
Talkers spread out the topic smorgasbord
During the week of 7/22-27/07, according to the Project for Excellence in Journalism, talkmeisters stuck to their usual script, in which they take the top topics on the news and amplify them. They took #1 news story, the 2008 campaign, up from 12% to 18% of available time, and upped #2 topic Alberto Gonzales from 6% to 9%. A murder story out of Connecticut and the immigration debate each got 6% of the hole, and then the talk world's attention began to drift in all directions (just as the news attention did in a relatively slow week). Terror, Iraq, health care, Michael Vick, Lindsay Lohan and the fired attorneys all subject to a modest amount of chin music.
|
|
|
|
| Entertainment Media Business Report TM |
Launch Radio evolves into Pulse Content
Launch Radio Networks, a division of United Stations Radio Networks, announced it has changed its name and expanded its affiliate offerings under the new name Pulse Content. Among the product lines of the newly named programming division is the morning show prep service, which will now be known as The Pulse of Radio. In addition, two other offerings will make up the Pulse Content menu of services. Pulse Web Content supplies entertainment news content to the websites of affiliated stations, in order to help generate web traffic on their branded sites. Additionally, Pulse Alerts is a new line of news bulletins available to affiliates for interactive and branded text messaging. All three will be offered under pulsecontent.com and the division will be led by Pulse Content Senior Director of Operations, Dave Ankers.
|
|
|
|
| Internet Media Business Report TM |
FIM selects Rapt to price, predict and plan ad assets
Rapt Inc. and Fox Interactive Media (FIM) announced an agreement to deploy Rapt's media monetization platform across FIM's network of online properties. Rapt will provide strategic advisory services and deploy its entire monetization platform to support of FIM's U.S. ad sales operations. The Rapt solutions will integrate with other components of FIM's ad management infrastructure, providing analytic support to monitor and manage business performance. Rapt pricing solutions will deliver smarter rate cards. Inventory solutions will deliver the accuracy, precision, and scalability required to effectively manage inventory dynamics across FIM's network, including the leading social networking site, MySpace (www.myspace.com).
|
|
|
|
| Ratings & Research |
Multitasking continues, new media
increasing in purchase influence
Consumers continue to multitask their media and are relying on new media more for making purchase decisions, according to BIGresearch's Simultaneous Media Survey (SIMM 10) of 15,439 consumers. "The consumer continues to be a moving target and marketers who employ outdated media models will find it difficult to achieve increased ROI for their marketing dollars," said Gary Drenik, BIGresearch CEO. "The key for advertisers will be the integration or holistic allocation of new media with traditional based upon their customers media consumption. For example, many marketers recognize the value of Internet search but it's also important to understand which of the traditional media can be used to trigger online search for their consumer target."
| Top 10 Media that Trigger an Online Search (Adults 18+) |
CEO Confidence continues to rise in July
 The Chief Executive magazine CEO Confidence Index, which measures the confidence of chief executives about five specific areas of the economy, rose for a second straight month in July, jumping by 8.5 points, or five percent, to 169.3 points. The results of the July survey, conducted among 258 C-level executives, marked the second largest one-month boost to the Index since January of 2006, when the leading economic indicator hit an all time high. The Business Conditions Index, which rose by 12.3 points, or seven percent, led the sharp increase, followed by the Employment Index, which increased by 11.7 points, or 6%. In fact, the Employment Confidence Index has been increasing steadily in the past four months and "the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in a long time." As such, the percentage of CEOs that expressed strong employment confidence reached a new high, hitting 59%, a level that has not been witnessed since Chief Executive Group began tracking these sentiments in October 2002. However, when asked about their future hiring plans, most respondents, 46%, indicated that they expected the current employment levels to remain unchanged over the next quarter.
|
|
|
|
| Monday Morning Makers & Shakers |
|
Transactions: 6/18/07-6/22/07
It only takes one transaction to break the station trading business out of a slump, and that sort of happened this week. Trades were way down, from 15 to five, and total stations traded were also down from 23 to six, but Radio One's sale of its Minneapolis-St. Paul FM by itself was worth more than the combined total of every other deal filed up to this point of June. [Editor's note: We elected not to tally stations involved in the adminstrative cashless placement of numerous stations into the Aloha Station Trust by Clear Channel.]
|
|
Total
|
|
Total Deals
|
5
|
|
AMs
|
3
|
|
FMs
|
3
|
|
TVs
|
0
|
| Value |
31.275M
|
| Complete Charts |
|
Radio Transactions of the Week
Woodbury scores in the Twin Cities
| More... |
|
TV Transactions of the Week
Still snoozing after all these weeks
|
|
|
|
|
| Transactions |
40M KVEC-AM/KSLY-FM, KSTT-FM & KURQ-FM San Luis Obispo CA (San Luis Obispo, Los Osos-Baywood Park, Grover Park); KSMA-AM/KSNI-FM/KXFM-FM & KSMY-FM Santa Maria-Lompoc CA (Santa Maria, Lompoc CA); KIXW-AM/KZXY-FM, KATJ-FM, KIXA-FM & KRSX-FM Victor Valley CA (Apple Valley, George, Lucerne Valley, Yermo CA); and KBLU-AM/KQSR-FM/KTTI-FM Yuma AZ from subsidiaries of Clear Channel Communications Inc. (Mark Mays) to El Dorado Broadcasters LLC, a subsidiary of Frontier Radio Investors II LLC (Jason R. Wolff). 4MM escrow, balance in cash at closing. Existing superduopolies or duopolies in all markets. [File date 7/11/07.]
3.58M KPVR-FM Bowling Green MO and KHZR-FM Potosi MO from Four Him Enterprises LLC (Matthew Bross) to Gateway Creative Broadcasting Inc. (Jennifer Benes, Ron Lowry, Sandra Brown et al). 10K escrow, 2.99M cash at closing, 580K note. Stations are in separate unrated markets. LMA 6/1/01. [File date 7/11/07.]
|
|
|
|
| Stock Talk |
Stocks take a dive
Credit worries hit Wall Street hard on Friday. The Dow Industrials fell 281 points, or 2.1%, to 13,181.
Radio stocks plunged. The Radio Index fell every day last week and posted its 7th straight year-to-date low on Friday, down 4.369, or 3.2%, to 131.420, the lowest level since August 11, 2006. Radio One Class A fell 10.3% and Class D 10%. Salem was down 8.1% and Emmis fell 6.3%. Other than penny stocks, Cox Radio was the lone gainer, up 0.3%.
|
|
|
|
| Radio Stocks |
Here's how stocks fared on Friday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
|
Arbitron
|
ARB
|
|
51.35
|
-0.56
|
Google
|
GOOG
|
|
503.00
|
-8.01
|
|
Beasley
|
BBGI
|
|
8.48
|
-0.17
|
Hearst-Argyle
|
HTV
|
|
20.40
|
-0.17
|
| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
 |
31.57
|
-0.96
|
Journal Comm.
|
JRN
|
|
10.13
|
-0.43
|
| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
|
31.51
|
-1.05
|
Lincoln Natl.
|
LNC
|
|
57.30
|
-3.46
|
| Citadel |
CDL |
|
4.68 |
-0.15 |
Radio One, Cl. A
|
ROIA
|
|
4.86
|
-0.56
|
|
Clear Channel
|
CCU
|
|
36.75
|
-0.13
|
Radio One, Cl. D
|
ROIAK
|
|
4.86
|
-0.54
|
|
Cox Radio
|
CXR
|
|
13.00
|
+0.04
|
Regent
|
RGCI
|
|
3.40
|
+0.04
|
|
Cumulus
|
CMLS
|
|
10.24
|
-0.22
|
Saga Commun.
|
SGA
|
|
6.97
|
-0.18
|
|
Debut Bcg.
|
DBTB
|
|
1.30
|
-0.40
|
Salem Comm.
|
SALM
|
|
7.73
|
-0.68
|
|
Disney
|
DIS
|
|
33.90
|
-0.46
|
Sirius Sat. Radio
|
SIRI
|
|
2.90
|
-0.09
|
|
Emmis
|
EMMS
|
|
6.51
|
-0.44
|
Spanish Bcg.
|
SBSA
|
|
2.92
|
-0.29
|
|
Entercom
|
ETM
|
|
20.15
|
-0.82
|
SWMX
|
SMWX
|
|
0.11
|
+0.01
|
|
Entravision
|
EVC
|
|
9.11
|
-0.04
|
Westwood One
|
WON
|
|
5.11
|
-0.10
|
|
Fisher
|
FSCI
|
|
45.76
|
-0.87
|
XM Sat. Radio
|
XMSR
|
|
10.94
|
-0.57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bounceback
|
 We want to
hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments and
a photo to [email protected]
Gutsy suggestion...
Regarding David Chenault's "gutsy suggestion" to stop identifying music to show the value of radio promotion (8/2/07 RBR #150).
 I like the idea, but why bother congress or (especially) the advertisers? Direct the call to the source of both the problem and the information: RIAA headquarters. Preferably the office of the president or chairman. Give them a script that implies that the listener was told by the radio station that RIAA did not want the station to give them the information without RIAA permission so they were going to the source.
Cris Allen
Lancaster, OH
And on another subject...
Regarding PPMs not being carried by their survey participants during their (up to 2 years) survey period, why not build them into a cell phone system and offer free cell service to the user (free in-coming or up to 1000 mins. a month etc) as the "premium." Could either be the usual cash incentive or cell phone service equivalent each month. That keeps the respondent more willing to carry the PPM-(Cell phone) in his/her possession. Still beats the retrieval and fill-in data fiasco of a mechanical diary. Check out the refusal rates, premium payments for certain Demographics and weighted diary counts already in progress.
Jerry Smith
Jacksonville Florida
|
|
|
Below the Fold
|
|
Ad Business Report
Re-evaluating the media mix
Take a step back & re-evaluate new and traditional media...
Media Business Report
Talkers spread out
The topic smorgasbord...
Media Markets & Money
Acker spins two more
Neuhoff adds another market WRXS-FM seller identified..
Ratings & Research
Multitasking continues,
New media increasing in influence...
|
|
|
Stations for Sale
|
Colorado
FM CP, Class C3
Transmitter, Antenna,
Tower Lease included
Gordon Rice Associates
(843) 884-3590 or
E-mail Gordon Rice Here
New Hampshire
AM/FM combo
First Class facilities in NH's
fastest growing area. Double
digit increases last 6 years.
Priced at 10x trailing BCF $4.99M
Inquiries 781-848-4201 or
E-mail: [email protected]
WEB: radiostationsforsale.net
MCH Enterprises, Inc.
CA Coast FM: $1.5M
NV Boomtown: $895K
www.mchentinc.com
805.680.2265 (cell)
 Market your Stations For Sale
in our daily epapers.
Contact
June Barnes
[email protected]
|
|
|
Radio Media Moves
|
Doug Checkeris named CEO of MediaCom USA
MediaCom Canada CEO Doug Checkeris has been named the new CEO of MediaCom USA. His appointment is effective October 1. The announcement was made today by MediaCom Worldwide Chairman-CEO Alexander Schmidt-Vogel, who said Checkeris succeeds Dene Callas, who is moving into the newly created role of global Director of Creative for MediaCom Worldwide. Checkeris began his career at MBS, the forerunner to MediaCom, in Canada 24 years ago as a media trainee. He joined the management committee in 1986 and was named managing partner in 1996. He has worked with clients of all sizes in virtually every category and in 2005 served as a Cannes Media Lion jurist. In his new position, he will relocate from Toronto to New York.
Tamiko Fletcher joins ABC Radio Networks
ABC Radio Networks has hired Tamiko Fletcher as Director of Marketing where she will lead marketing on many of the Networks' key ventures. Tamiko has a strong background in both radio and sales marketing. Most recently, she served as Director of Integrated Marketing for Clear Channel Radio Cleveland after working with the Clear Channel Radio corporate marketing team in San Antonio and earlier in Affiliate Marketing with Radio Disney. She reports to Omar Thompson, Vice President, Marketing & Communications and is based at ABC Radio Networks in Dallas.
O'Reilly knows Jack
Mike O'Reilly is joining KFMB-FM "100.7 Jack FM" as Program Director. He was in on the US launch of the Jack format in 2004 as PD of KCJK-FM Kansas City and has been an independent consultant for SparkNet to coach Jack stations nationwide.
|
|
|
TVBR - TV News
|
Nexstar no longer
in sales talks
Citing "difficult conditions in the financing markets" Nexstar announced that it has decided to suspend discussions with potential buyers of the company. CEO Perry Sook tells TVBR that a "hiatus" is an accurate description and it is likely that sale talks will resume when the markets improve. Nexstar announced in May (5/18/07 TVBR #98) that it had retained Goldman Sachs to assist the company in reviewing strategic alternatives, including a sales of the entire company. TVBR estimated that the company would bring over one billion in the auction. Immediately after the company announcement on Friday, Nexstar's stock price took a nosedive of more than 13%. The stock had already fallen from a high just over 15 bucks in early July to slightly above 10 - and is now back into single digits.
TVBR observation: The rumblings in the financing markets have become louder in recent weeks. Tribune allayed fears when it declared that all of the financing is committed for its buyout. And KKR drew headlines in the financial press for holding its bankers feet to the fire for financing commitments they'd made to its deal to buy Dollar General. But for deals not yet done, terms are tightening and financing is becoming harder to get.
|
|
|
SmartMedia Magazine
|
Coming in September
FALL NAB ISSUE
SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION:
NAB RADIO SHOW
Attn: Only 3 Full page Avails left
Radio Roundtable:
Radio execs find solutions.
News/Talk:
Using your website to get, keep and grow your audiences
HD Radio:
Monetizing Conditional Access
Streaming:
The impact of CRB Royalty rates on webcasters and streaming ads.
For advertising
information, contact:
June Barnes
[email protected] 803-731-5951;
Jim Carnegie
[email protected] 813-909-2916 or
Carl Marcucci
[email protected] 703-492-8191.
|
|
|
RBR Radar 2007
|
|
Radio News you won't read any where else. RBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
|
Arbitron defends
PPM training for agencies
Responding to the blistering attack from Cox Radio CEO Bob Neil (8/2/07 RBR #150), Arbitron notes that is has provided training on Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings to hundreds and hundreds of agency buyers, planners and managers. By the numbers, Arbitron says it conducted about 200 training session in 2006 (stations and agencies combined), about 240 station training sessions and nearly 200 agency training sessions in the first six months of 2007, with most in Houston and Philadelphia, the first two markets to go live with PPM. Thus far, some 234 planner buyers, 284 media planners, 701 media buyers and 451 agency managers have attended Arbitron PPM training sessions. "All those facts aside: Training the agencies does not preclude them from testing radio t! o see if they can get lower prices. How radio responds to this pressure will be important to the outcome," said Arbitron Sr. VP of Press and Investor Relations Thom Mocarsky.
RBR observation: This disagreement is no doubt going to drag on for some time. After reading of Arbitron's training claims in yesterday afternoon's MBR, Neil emailed RBR his view that, "unfortunately if they produced these numbers the same way they've been handling their sample sizes, it's probably about half of that and they weighted them up."
08/03/07 RBR #151
Fox sister a drag on Sinclair
Bear Stearns analyst Victor Miller has a new name for News Corporation's MyNetworkTV - My NOTwork TV. He notes that revenues for Sinclair's MyNet affiliates were down 21% in Q2, helping to drag revenues down 1.4% for the company overall. Sinclair also indicated that Q3 will be worst than Miller had projected, down 1.9-3.1%. So, the analyst has lowered his target price for the stock by a buck to 17 bucks, which is still well above where Sinclair is now trading. Miller expects full year 2007 EBITDA to be 232 million, rather than his previous estimate of 242 million. That's because of weak ad trends and accounting for the sale of Sinclair's ABC affiliate in Springfield, MA. In 2008, though, Miller sees TV stocks benefiting from political ad spending and retransmission consent payments - the latter an area where Sinclair has been particularly aggressive.
TVBR observation: MyNOTwork TV, Ouch - but if the Buster Browns fit.
08/03/07 TVBR #151
|
|
|
|
 |
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:
[email protected]
If you wish to remove your name completely from our database use this link __UNSUB__
RBR Epaper -- 108 annual
or just 9 a month
|
|
|
|
©2007 Radio Business Report, Inc. All rights reserved.
Radio Business Report -- 2050 Old Bridge Road, Suite B-01, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 -- Phone: 703-492-8191
|
|
