 Are you reading this from a forwarded email?
New readers can receive our RBR Morning Epaper FREE for the next 30 Business days! SIGN UP HERE
|
|
|
|
|
Volume 22, Issue 165, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
|
Tuesday Morning August 23rd, 2005
|
|
|
Radio News®
|
 Emmis kicks off TV sell-off
It's nine down and seven to go after Emmis inked three separate deals in its sell-off of TV assets. 681M will change hands between Emmis and trading partners LIN TV, Journal Communications and Gray Television. It would appear that Jeff Smulyan's prediction that Emmis would better its 1B target payday is on track. The biggest haul goes to LIN - - it's paying 260M to get a ready-made duopoly in Mobile AL-Pensacola FL comprised of Fox WALA-TV and WB WBPG-TV, along with CBS WTHI-TV Terre Haute IN, Fox WLUK-TV Green Bay WI and CBS KRQE-TV Albuquerque NM. Although not technically forming new duopolies, LIN said that the Terre Haute and Green Bay stations would be linked to its Indianapolis hub station CBS WISH-TV. Journal is parting with 235M in exchange for Fox WTFX-TV Fort Myers FL, CBS KMTV-TV Omaha NE and ABC KGUN-TV Tucson AZ. Finally, Gray Television is picking up WSAZ-TV Charleston-Huntington WV for 186M. All of the stations being acquired by Journal and Gray constitute forays into new territory.
RBR observation: 2004 revenues for the nine stations amounted to some 152.1M dollars. The total for the remaining seven is just about at par with that - - a little better, actually, at 154.7M. If Smulyan can turn them into another 700M give or take, he will significantly beat the 1B target for the group, just as he predicted. He may do even better - - the group's beachfront properties in terms of market size remain on the table, along with true duopolized beachfront property in Hawaii's biggest city. In any case, Smulyan will have no problem paying down debt from the company's recent stock buyback - - and perhaps be back in the market for a major radio acquisition.
 Journal must divest radio in Omaha
One deal begets another. In order to acquire an Omaha TV station from Emmis, Journal Communications must sell two, or possibly three, of its eight radio stations in the market. The number isn't clear yet, Journal officials say, because they have to calculate how many independent "voices" will remain in the market as judged under the FCC's new ownership rules. The company already has a deal pending to sell KHLP-AM to Salem Communications for 900K (4/7/05 RBR #69). Its remaining two AMs are, as you would expect, the lowest billing of the seven remaining stations, according to BIAfn. However, it's likely that Journal will have to part with one of the five FMs to meet FCC requirements. Journal Broadcast Group President Doug Kiel told analysts he expects strong interest in the spin-offs.
RBR observation: We would also note that the sale of WTHI-TV Terre Haute, IN to LIN doesn't include WTHI-FM & WWVR-FM. Since Terre Haute is by far Emmis' smallest radio market - - Arbitron #202 - - we wouldn't be surprised to see a sale there at some future date.
|
|
|
 RBR observation:
Emmis stations selling for top dollar
RBR/TVBR's estimate since May that the Emmis TV group should bring 1.1-1.2 billion - - which was above many Wall Street estimates - - is beginning to look conservative. It looks like 1.2 is in the bag and 1.3 is a possibility. Bear Stearns analyst Victor Miller, who issued his own projection of 1.15-1.25 billion earlier this month (8/12/05 RBR #158), was busy crunching the numbers yesterday after the first sales were announced. He figures that the nine stations now sold account for 53% of Emmis' TV EBITDA, so if similar multiples hold (12.4 times EBITDA for the past fiscal year), the remaining seven stations would raise the total to 1.285 billion. But the two crown jewels are yet to be sold - - WKCF-TV (Ch. 18, WB) Orlando and KOIN-TV (Ch. 6, CBS) Portland, OR - - so premium pricing for them could push that total to the 1.3 billion mark. Miller's earlier analysis had estimated that WKCF would fetch 250-300 million and KOIN 126.5-148.5 million. We got one indication of just how intensive the bidding has been from one of the announcements yesterday. Journal Broadcast Group had been very public about stating that it was after four Emmis stations - - Omaha, Tucson, Wichita and Green Bay (5/12/05 RBR #94). It won the bidding on only two of those, Omaha and Tucson, then added Ft. Myers-Naples as a desirable third market. LIN, with its Midwestern focus, won the bidding for Green Bay. It appears the bidding is continuing for Wichita, so a couple of companies want it even more than Journal does.
Journal bullish on radio-TV combos
As the only one of the companies involved to conduct a Wall Street conference call following yesterday's deal announcements, Journal Communications executives found themselves defending the aggressive pricing to some skeptical investors and analysts. Noting that while Emmis' stock jumped on the news, the three buyers were essentially flat, John Kornreich of Sandler Capital wanted to know why Journal was so bullish on the TV business.  That led to this response from Journal Communications CEO Steve Smith, joined then by Journal Broadcast Group President Doug Kiel. Both focused heavily on the cost savings and revenue enhancements that are expected from having both radio and TV properties in the same market. Specifically, Journal is projecting 1.8 million in annual cost savings to be realized quickly post-closing, primarily in Omaha and Tucson. Before that improvement, 2005 revenues for the three stations are projected to be 43 million and EBITDA 14.3 million - - so Journal sees its effective purchase multiple at around 14 times. As for Ft. Myers-Naples, where Journal does not currently own radio stations, they say it is a strong growth market - - comparable to Las Vegas. And Kiel says there may be future possibilities to add radio there as well. Meanwhile, though, Journal will have to shed two or three of its eight Omaha radio stations to stay within the FCC's local ownership limits.
 Wachovia adds four to its list
When Wachovia Securities downsized its broadcasting/outdoor equity research operation (6/3/05 RBR #109), the firm also cut its coverage to six companies - - Cox Radio, Radio One, Entercom, Emmis, Univision and Lamar. Now analyst Marcia Ryvicker and associate Maria Zubov have resumed coverage of four more broadcasters. Entravision is the only one to win an "outperform" rating. "We believe that EVC's current outperformance of the broadcast and outdoor sectors will continue as a result of a growing audience and advertiser base, significant ratings improvements, and strategic changes that should enable the company to capitalize on these positive trends long term," they told investors. Wachovia has put "market perform" ratings on Saga, Citadel and Cumulus.
|
|
|
|
|
Adbiz©
|
 Sirius wants top dollar for Stern inventory
Sirius Satellite Radio is asking pretty much the same rate for live reads on its upcoming Howard Stern Show as is currently garnered by terrestrial radio - - with a considerably lower audience. Sirius sales execs are currently feeling the marketplace with media buyers. One buyer, according to AdAge, reported being pitched a 20,000 price tag for a live read on Stern's new show; another suggested the fee was a bit lower. The 20,000 fee is close to what it currently costs to advertise on Stern's current show, sold through Infinity Broadcasting. His terrestrial radio show is estimated to reach 6 to 7 million weekly listeners. Sirius estimates 3 million subscribers for the service by year's end. We asked Ira Berger, Director of National Broadcast, The Richards Group, what he thought about it. "Why not ask for a ridiculous price and when you cut a deal for half, you look like you've made a major move. They know they're not getting that price. They're just going to look better when they cut the rate - - but that's just my opinion. I wasn't sitting in their strategy sessions."
RBR observation: For the most part, mainstream advertisers are not into Howard Stern. Stern sells very well, but it's all peripheral, non-publicly-traded companies. There are exceptions - - movies and advertisers that don't care about content. Most of their advertisers are local, with Stern doing "live" reads. As Berger also told us, the problem with Sirius and Stern is his ads need to be local to sell, but he will be broadcast nationally with no local inventory. "And the mainstream advertisers are not going to go near it, for the most part. The main money for Stern is going to come from subscriptions. Advertising dollars will just be icing on the cake. If they don't make the money back on the subscription side, they're dead - - dead."
Print and online newspaper advertising up 3% in Q2
Ad spend for newspapers and their websites totaled 12.2 billion in Q2, a 2.8% year-over-year increase, according to preliminary estimates from the Newspaper Association of America. Spending for print ads in newspapers totaled 11.7 billion, up 1.9% vs. the same period a year earlier, while ad spending online continued its double-digit growth in the first quarter, increasing by 28.6% from the same period a year ago to 500.7 million. Among the print categories, classified advertising was up 5.3% to 4.1 billion, retail ad spending rose 1.4% to 5.5 billion, and national advertising was down by 2.8%, coming in at 2.1 billion. Within the classified category, recruitment advertising climbed 14.5% to 1.1 billion. Real estate ad spending was up 7.2% to 1.2 billion. Automotive dipped 5.0% to 1.1 billion. All other classifieds were up 6.7% to 677 million. For the first half of the year, total print and online ad spending totaled $23.2 billion, an increase of 3.2%. Total print ad spending in newspapers increased 2.2% to 22.2 billion. Also among the print categories, classified led the way with a 4.4% gain to 7.8 billion. Retailers increased ad spending in newspapers 2.1% to 10.4 billion, and national ad spending was down 1.8% to $3.9 billion. In classified for the first six months, recruitment ad spending rose 14.6% to 2.2 billion, and real estate increased 3.9% to 2.1 billion. Automotive classified dropped 4.9% to 2.2 billion and all other classified rose 7.0% to 1.3 billion.
NFL signs with ACNielsen's FANLinks
Nielsen Sports and ACNielsen announced the NFL has become the first client of FANLinks, a new service measuring and quantifying the interests of sports fans with their shopping and purchasing behavior. FANLinks makes use of the ACNielsen Homescan consumer panel to identify households by their interest in any or all of 10 professional sports. That info is used in conjunction with household shopping and purchasing behavior, recorded by Homescan panelists via handheld UPC-code scanners. All 91,500 households are equipped with such scanners. FANLinks allows marketers to learn what product categories and brands are purchased by fans of specific sports and where they shop by retail channel and specific retailer. Results are scheduled to be available later this year.
|
|
|
|
| Media Markets & MoneyTM |
Davidson strikes again, as does Pierce
The ever expanding radio company Davidson Media Group has struck again, this time picking up KCKN-AM Kansas City from All Comedy Radio. It will be Davidson's second station in the market. The deal also shows one of the advantages of being a broker rather than an owner - - for a broker, even after the sale, the merchandise sometimes remains on the shelf. That's the case this time for John Pierce. He brokered a deal for the station back in March 2001, then again in June 2004, and now adds a third matchmaking to his KCKN collection.
 Emmis TV by the numbers
Here's how the numbers break down for the three deals announced by Emmis. The parens after each television give its analog channel, network affiliation and 2004 revenues. *** LIN, spending 260M, is getting five properties which totaled 70.15M in 2004 revenues: In market #47 Albuquerque, it gets KRQE (Ch. 13, CBS, 24M); in #63 Mobile-Pensacola, it picks up WALA (Ch. 10, Fox, 18M) and WBPG (Ch. 55, WV, 2.05M); In #69 Green Bay-Appleton WI it's getting WLUK (Ch. 11, Fox, 16M); and in # 149 Terre Haute IN it picks up WTHI (Ch. 10, CBS, 10.1M). *** Journal's 235M expenditure brings in three stations which totaled 48.95M in 2004 revenues: In #68 Fort Myers-Naples it gets WFTX (Ch. 36, Fox, 18.5M); in #72 Tucson AZ it's picking up KGUN (Ch. 9, ABC, 16.5M); and in #76 Omaha NE it's buying KMTV (Ch. 32, CBS, 13.95M). *** Gray's one pickup, at 186M in #62 Charleston-Huntington WV, is local heavy-hitter WSAZ (Ch. 3, NBC, 33M). *** Here's are the seven properties still to be sold - - they brought in a total of 154.7M in 2004: In #18 Orlando-Daytona Beach: WKCF (Ch. 18, WV, 44M); in #24 Portland OR: KOIN (Ch. 6, CBS, 36M); in #43 New Orleans: WVUE (Ch. 8, Fox, 19.5M); in #66 Wichita-Hutchinson: KSNW (Ch. 3, NBC, 15.5M); in #71 Honolulu HI: KHON (Ch. 2, Fox, 19.5M) and KGMB (Ch. 9, CBS, 13.5M); and in #137 Topeka KS: KSNT (Ch. 27, NBC, 6.7M)
|
|
|
|
| Washington Beat |
KWOD squad: Entercom station is a keeper
Royce International, which has long been fighting an action to prevent the sale of KWOD-FM Sacramento to Entercom, with the unusual circumstance that Royce itself if the seller, has been shot down once again by the FCC. It argued for reconsideration on the basis of the FCC's 6/2/03 ownership ruling which changed the market definitions for radio, while grandfathering existing station clusters legally assembled under the old rules. It says the KWOD deal should not have been grandfathered because it was still subject to appeal. Entercom countered that if the FCC was going to go by appeal deadlines rather than FCC grants and deal closings, it would have so stated that day. The FCC agreed with Entercom. The deal was approved 5/12/03, consummated 5/19/03, and grandfathered 6/2/03 along with all other then-legal clusters.
|
|
|
|
| Programming |
 Graham fired by ABC/WMAL
Conservative Talker Michael Graham's comments about Islam have landed him in the unemployment line. Graham said on his WMAL-AM Washington show that Islam is a terrorist organization 7/27/05. After initially backing the Talker, WMAL's management suspended him shortly thereafter, as Muslim watchdog Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) organized a protest against Graham's comments, and initiated a campaign directed at the station and its advertisers. According to Graham, he was offered an opportunity to make an on-air apology and perform "additional outreach efforts" to the offended. He refused and was fired. "As a fan of talk radio, I find it absolutely outrageous that pressure from a special interest group like CAIR can result in the abandonment of free speech and open discourse on a talk radio show," said Graham in a statement. "As a conservative talk host whose job is to have an open, honest conversation each day with my listeners, I believe caving to this pressure is a disaster." Needless to say, CAIR was delighted. "We are saddened that Michael Graham would not take responsiblity for his hate-filled words," said Executive Director Nihad Amad, "but we do welcome WMAL's action as a step toward reducing the level of anti-Muslim bigotry on our nation's airwaves."
Podcasting going mobile
Melodeo, which makes peer-to-peer software that allows mobile users to listen to music on their cell phones, announced on it now offers software for podcasting on cell phones. The new software, called Mobilcast, will allow people to find and download podcasts on mobile phones, reported CNet. While podcasting has gained popularity over the past year, its distribution has been limited to PCs and music players. Melodeo believes that its software can expand the reach of podcasts to millions by allowing them to be downloaded on mobile phones. Mobilcast will make podcasting much easier, normally a user would have to connect their wireless device to their PC, after downloading a podcast. This would have to be repeated each time you want to add new content. With Mobilcast, you simply access what you like all from your mobile phone. Particulars on the software's support was not announced, but in September, when it is officially released, cell phone podcasting will become a reality. "The mobile phone is the perfect tool for finding and listening to podcasts," Don Davidge, SVP/Sales at Melodeo, said in a statement. "With Mobilcast, Melodeo applies the same software and user experience to podcasts that we have applied to other types of digital media."
|
|
|
|
| Ratings & Research |
Eastlan takes on the Florida Keys
Vox Communications has contracted with the Eastlan radio ratings company to begin measurement of the Florida Keys. Better known for operating in its New England base and points nearby, Vox has recently been expanding into the southernmost portion of the contiguous states. According to Eastlan, the area has a history of measurement as an Arbitron CSAR market. Among the competition facing Vox in the market is a little group known as Clear Channel. It's a challenging market to operate in. Most markets have a hub-and-spoke configuration - - a central city surrounded by suburbs. The Keys, in contrast, are a narrow strip of islands connected by a single highway, and stretching about 100 miles from Key Largo southwest to Key West.
|
|
|
|
| RBR Stats |
A shoppers guide to Emmis TV: What's left
Seven stations in six markets remain on the block after phase one of the Emmis television sell-off, and three of the markets are bigger than any of those in the announced deals. WB WKCF-TV Orlando-Daytona Beach FL leads the way, followed by CBS KOIN-TV in Portland OR, and Fox WVUE-TV New Orleans LA. NBC KSNW-TV Wichita-Hutchinson KS remains for sale. Then there's a nifty duopoly in Honolulu HI comprised of CBS KGMB-TV and Fox KHON-TV. The final remaining property is NBC KSNT-TV in Topeka KS, which, as sharp shoppers may notice, combines quite nicely with the Wichita station.
| View the Numbers |
|
|
|
|
| Engineering |
 Podcasting: can it make money?
Part II
Let's review - - so far this year, we've seen high-profile broadcasters hit the ground running in the podcast arena. ABC and NBC (along with MSNBC and CNBC) are using podcasting to offer recorded newscasts via online downloads. ABCNews.com offers podcasts that are segments from Nightline, GMA and This Week. WMAQ-TV Chicago has launched the country's first major TV station daily podcast featuring health, entertainment and technology news, for a total of 22 podcasts weekly.
NPR, Infinity and Clear Channel Radio have teed up a number of popular radio programs for podcasting as well. Clear Channel in June expanded its portfolio of podcast feeds to include customized content from 12 of its stations across the country. Infinity's nine all-news stations are rolling out free daily podcasts to listeners featuring the day's top local and national news, sports, business and entertainment headlines, as well as weather and traffic updates. Bear in mind though, for news stations, podcasted programming really has a shorter "shelf life" per se. In a reverse twist, Infinity's Talk KYCY-AM San Francisco converted itself into a podcasting format with the name "KYOURADIO." All the content is submitted by listeners and is available on the radio station and streamed online at www.kyouradio.com. Programming is determined by listener interests and feedback, and evaluated on a daily basis. It's called "Open Source Radio." David Goodman, Infinity President/Marketing, says in the near future, the company will be rolling out a variety of podcasts via the news stations: "Expect to hear things that have a much different shelf-life than what we might currently broadcast."
What has Goodman learned so far about podcasting that our readers should know? "Radio has historically embraced listener-generated content in a way that's very different from every other medium. Talk radio, at its essence, succeeds partly because of the people who reach out to our talent. Now, because of software tools and the "death of distance" because of the web, people have a way to create and be heard in a way that previously didn't exist. People must remember that this is the beginning of a journey, and not the destination, and along the way, it might, as The Grateful Dead say, be a bit of a 'long strange trip'."
|
|
|
|
| Sales |
 RAB announces new strategic
pricing session for stations
The RAB has debuted a new training session on Strategic Pricing that will help Radio sales managers and account executives maximize the full value of their stations. The session's core focus is accurate inventory pricing for the purpose of hitting budget. It encompasses a day of training for stations or clusters in markets across the country. "The days of 'adding inventory' to hit budgets are over," stated Gary Fries, RAB CEO. "Pricing is what will drive our business." With Q4 looming, radio stations are preparing for the most active time of year, when the opportunity for generating revenue is at its greatest. The RAB Strategic Pricing Session focuses on formulaic calculations to determine minimum clearance rates for a variety of sellout percentages, and demonstrates ways to create effective "flex" rate cards. The session reveals the fallacy behind "average unit rate," and unveils the unit of measurement that really counts. There is also considerable concentration on terms and conditions for advertisers.
|
|
|
|
| Transactions |
1.25M WNAE-AM/WRRN-FM Warren PA, WKNB-FM Clarendon PA from Kinzua Broadcasting Company Inc. (Leroy Schneck) to Radio Properties LLC (Frank Iorio). 50K escrow, 1M cash at closing, 200K note. Includes non-compete. Superduopoly with FM CP Clarendon PA (Class on 102.7 mHz with 5.5 kw @ 341'). [File date 7/14/05.]
200K FM CP Cherry Valley AR from Impact Ministries International Inc. (John M. Evans) to Priority Radio Inc. (Steve Hare, Jennifer Hare, Kinglsey D. King). 10K down payment, 190K note. CP is for Class C3 on 90.1 mHz with 9 kw @ 377'. [File date 7/14/05.]
N/A New AM Fargo ND-Moorhead MN (Dilworth MN) from Palmette Radio Group Inc. (Edward F. Seeger) to Brantley Broadcast Associates LLC (Joan K. Reynolds, Lee S. Reynods, Lyle S. Reynolds, Paul Reynolds). Debt forgiveness. CP is for 1100 kHz. [File date 7/14/05.]
|
|
|
|
| Stock Talk |
Emmis leads the day
Investors applauded Emmis' deal to sell nine of its TV stations for 681 million by pushing its stock up 9.2%. The buyers did less well. Gray Television's common was down 1% (and its Class A 0.8%), LIN TV rose 1.7% and Journal Communications gained 0.6%. The broader market was slightly higher, with the Dow Industrials up 11 points, or 0.1%, to 10,570. The Radio Index gained 3.846, or 1.9%, to 207.954. After Emmis, the best performer was Radio One, with its Class A up 4.7% and Class D up 5.2%.
|
|
|
|
| Radio Stocks |
Here's how stocks fared on Monday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
|
Arbitron
|
ARB
|
|
42.78
|
+0.13
|
Jeff-Pilot
|
JP
|
|
49.78
|
+0.05
|
|
Beasley
|
BBGI
|
|
13.99
|
-0.01
|
Journal Comm.
|
JRN
|
|
15.99
|
+0.09
|
| Citadel |
CDL |
|
13.61 |
+0.21 |
Radio One, Cl. A
|
ROIA
|
|
14.49
|
+0.65
|
|
Clear Channel
|
CCU
|
|
34.01
|
+0.31
|
Radio One, Cl. D
|
ROIAK
|
|
14.52
|
+0.72
|
|
Cox Radio
|
CXR
|
|
15.18
|
+0.12
|
Regent
|
RGCI
|
|
5.49
|
-0.01
|
|
Cumulus
|
CMLS
|
|
12.60
|
+0.12
|
Saga Commun.
|
SGA
|
|
13.82
|
+0.15
|
|
Disney
|
DIS
|
|
25.73
|
-0.24
|
Salem Comm.
|
SALM
|
|
18.57
|
+0.68
|
|
Emmis
|
EMMS
|
|
23.58
|
+1.98
|
Sirius Sat. Radio
|
SIRI
|
|
6.53
|
+0.09
|
| Entercom |
ETM
|
|
33.25
|
+0.38
|
Spanish Bcg.
|
SBSA
|
|
7.82
|
+0.06
|
|
Entravision
|
EVC
|
|
7.96
|
+0.16
|
Univision
|
UVN
|
|
26.80
|
-0.11
|
|
Fisher
|
FSCI
|
|
45.17
|
+0.16
|
Viacom, Cl. A
|
VIA
|
|
34.76
|
+0.04
|
|
Gaylord
|
GET
|
|
44.98
|
+0.37
|
Viacom, Cl. B
|
VIAb
|
|
34.68
|
+0.05
|
|
Hearst-Argyle
|
HTV
|
|
25.83
|
+0.31
|
Westwood One
|
WON
|
|
20.60
|
+0.25
|
|
Interep
|
IREP
|
|
0.59
|
-0.01
|
XM Sat. Radio
|
XMSR
|
|
33.43
|
+0.43
|
|
International Bcg.
|
IBCS
|
|
0.01
|
unch
|
-
|
-
|
- |
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bounceback
|
 We want to
hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments to [email protected]
|
|
|
Stations for Sale
|
Suburban NYC AM
Good population coverage. Comes with studio/transmitter site. Fulltime station w. low night power, upgrade possible. 1.6M. 781-848-4201
[email protected]
|
|
|
More News Headlines
|
Westwood One
reups with Grammys
Westwood One and The Recording Academy announced today a multi-year extension for Westwood to remain The Official Gammy Radio Network Worldwide. Westwood One will retain exclusive terrestrial radio rights to all Grammy Awards programming, as well as exclusive rights to all remote radio broadcasts from the awards.
Limbaugh getting
more bad press
On his 8/17 show, Rush Limbaugh referred to Native Americans as "injuns." After a caller suggested that legislation introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), which would grant limited rights of self-government to Native Hawaiians, was a first step toward establishing Native Hawaiian-owned casinos, Limbaugh responded, "So in your mind they're simply trying to duplicate the actions taken by the American injuns, and get themselves set up so they have casinos over there?" On that note, Media Matters documented at least four separate instances of Limbaugh using this slur on his program during the past year. In addition to his use of the term on 8/17, Limbaugh used the term on the January 26, 2005, September 22, 2004, and November 24, 2004, editions of his program. Meanwhile, also on 8/17, MSNBC host Keith Olbermann named Limbaugh "today's worst person in the world" for saying on his 8/15 show that "Cindy Sheehan is just Bill Burkett. Her story is nothing more than forged documents. There's nothing about it that's real." Commenting on Limbaugh's remarks, Olbermann said, "I guess she made up that dead-son-in-Iraq business! He [Limbaugh] also referred to her supporters as 'dope-smoking FM types.' I guess the painkillers wipe out your memory along with your ethics. Rush Limbaugh, today's worst person in the world!"
|
|
|
International
|
Europe's SBS
going private
Luxembourg-based SBS Broadcasting, one of Europe's largest commercial broadcasting companies, has agreed to be taken private in a deal valued at 2.1 billion euros (2.5 billion bucks, US) If shareholders agree, they'll be bought out by investment funds run by Permira and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. The offer of 46 euros per share works out to approximately 56 bucks per share. SBS shares are traded in the US on Nasdaq with the symbol SBTV. (The company is not related in any way to Miami-based Spanish Broadcasting System, also known as SBS.) SBS owns 16 TV stations, 21 premium pay channels and 11 radio networks in nine European countries.
|
|
|
August Digital Magazine
Now Available
|
MBR - People Make the Difference
Who are the real influential
people in the Media today
Not who you think.
Regulatory Update
Case closed on closed captioning
It's all about money
Read RBR/TVBR in 2 simple steps:
1.Create a simple account with Zinio and download the Zinio Reader.
2. You can then download the
August Issue of RBR/TVBR
|
|
|
RBR Radar 2005
|
|
Radio News you won't read any where else. RBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
|
Arbitron council moves ahead
on PPM, reorganization
The real excitement will be next month (9/20), when Arbitron releases the first station-level data from its PPM test in Houston. Houston test. "We're encouraged," said Council Chairman Nick Anthony, Executive VP of Operations for Rubber City Radio. Early data from May-June mirrors "fairly closely what we saw in the Philadelphia - TSLs are down, CUMEs up, morning drive down, other dayparts up. But Anthony noted that data for the 18-24 Demo was still a problem - - even with cell-only households in the sample.
RBR observation: Basic data on Cume Up means people are testing radio but with TSL down radio is not holding their attention long enough to build the quarter hour. RBR would have to examine the Houston data ourselves for a clearer picture but to point a finger at Cox and Radio One not participating is not totally relevant as it is only a test. Only suggestion is do not stop the progress forward like some in TV are attempting to do and even get congress involved with Nielsen's LPM, and stay in the diary world as the real world is driven by the consumers need and want for techie devices. 08/2/05 RBR #164
Lawsuit says CCU hijacked Jack
SparkNet Communications is going after Clear Channel, charging it with cybersquatting and trademark infringement. SparkNet says it is the creator and rights-holder for the new Jack FM Format, and it's heading into a San Diego federal court to challenge Clear Channel's alleged trespass. The suit, filed by law firm Newman & Newman LLP, also alleges unfair competition, trademark dilution and violation of business & professional codes.
RBR observation: Today's rules and laws are not like the old days of "Alice" stations, or the old "Turn your knob to Bob" Country as one time the word common law trademarks were not heard of and internet was not around. Today, it is a different matter as this much we do know from first hand experience - cybersquatting and or trademark infringement and common law trademark infringements are illegal. If you are unsure you are best to consult a knowledgeable copyright / internet legal mind. As the Internet arbitrators do not sit kindly on squatting or stealing ones in use identity. Internet and trademark law differs from Judge Judy.
08/2/05 RBR #164
J.D. Power: HD Radio pricing garnering higher consumer interest than satellite
Premium surround sound systems HD Radio are highly attractive features consumers would like to see in their new vehicles based on their estimated market prices, and consumers prefer to pay a one-time fee over a monthly subscription for satellite radio, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study released. RBR observation: It's all about offering the listener more and better choices. We think once the majority of HD stations and HD receivers offer Multicasting, it could tip the scales away from satellite. Through innovative FM multicasting formats, traditional radio can theoretically match the offerings of satellite in decent-sized markets. And it is free. Certainly, ad campaigns educating the consumer on multicasting are needed-especially for the Christmas shopping season! The FCC needs to act decisively on approving multicasting as well. That will give more manufacturers and stations the green light they've been waiting for. 08/2/05 RBR #164
NAB: Let IBOC rock
Asking the FCC to sweep aside last-minute complaints and get radio on the road to IBOC ASAP. It notes that numerous concerned entities pushed the process to where it is now, and while admitting that certain uncertainties remain, contends that they can be worked out while moving ahead. Publisher observation: RBR totally agrees that you move forward because if you stand still long enough you are bound to catch the bullet and be left behind. It can be IBOC, PPM, LPM, or any technology remember it is a consumer device driven world and it is up to us in our fields to become more consumer user friendly. You can not work out the issues until you confront the inevitable and face them head on. Just as we at RBR/TVBR did in early 2000 by taking an RBR color magazine and a paper Fax publication and tested electronic delivery. This my colleagues produced much pain but the decision was made to stop printing the old fashion way in weekly magazine paper and go for the technology as the new breed was already into laptops and blackberry devices. Proof just by you reading RBR this morning was once and for 20 years a weekly color magazine. Content and presentation still there but it didn't happen overnight. You test, try, improve, and make mistakes but learn from them and grow or you will catch that bullet sooner now more than later. 08/2/05 RBR #163
|
|
|
|
 |
Hey Talk Radio GSM
Are you a direct "animal" with the savvy to manage transactional business? Top 20 market waiting for the right GSM. Need a top performer with a proven track record of success to take a new Talk station to record heights. Can you attract and grow top sales talent - build and lead a top performing sales organization? What about maximizing inventory, on air and off, of a high profile talk format? Answer is - Yes - (no calls) send your resume in Confidence to -
[email protected]
See Radio Careers
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Help Desk
|
Having problems with our epapers?
Please send Questions/Concerns to:
[email protected]
If you wish to unsubscribe
to RBR ONLY, use this link
If you wish to remove your name completely from our database use this link __UNSUB__
RBR Epaper --  108 annual
or just 9 a month
|
|
|
|
©2005 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
|
|
