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Volume 24, Issue 181, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
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Monday Morning September 17th, 2007
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Radio News ®
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 Dissident pressures Emmis directors
Martin Capital Management Senior Partner Frank Martin discloses in an SEC filing that he has gone to the independent directors of Emmis Communications to try to put pressure on CEO Jeff Smulyan. In short, he wants them to demand that Smulyan agree to sell off the company's assets or quit their board seats. Smulyan is still working to sell off Emmis' last TV station, but he has indicated no interest in putting the radio and magazine portfolios up for sale. Martin, who owns over 3.1 million Emmis shares, or 9.7% of the publicly traded Class A shares, cites such notables as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine and Abraham Lincoln in railing against Smulyan for being "ostensibly accountable to no one but himself" by virtue of his voting control of the company via super-voting Class B shares. To air his grievances, Martin, along with Dennis Blyly of Martin Capital Management, conducted a video conference call with lead independent director Susan Bayh, wife of Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), and the other independent directors on the Emmis board, Richard Leventhal, Peter Lund, Greg Nathanson and Lawrence Sorrel. It appears Martin did not think he was successful in persuading the directors, since he has now filed with the SEC a draft letter that he said "will never be filed" if the partners of Martin Capital Management were able to come to "a mutually satisfactory meeting of the minds regarding the future of Emmis." The letter recounts much of the history of Emmis as a public company, detailing what Martin claims has been Smulyan's mismanagement of the company and dissipation of shareholder value. "Smulyan's reign as Sovereign of Emmis should have ended long ago," Martin declares. He wraps up by calling on the independent directors to "do everything possible to help Mr. Smulyan come to grips with the harsh reality that his lease on Emmis is up."
 Following Martin's latest filing, Smulyan issued a statement: "Frank Martin is a substantial long-time investor in our company and although he has been critical of management in the past, the outside directors on our board believed it was appropriate to meet with him so that he could express his views. Looking at his SEC filing today, his views are substantially the same as he has expressed in the past, and we continue to disagree with the approach he advocates." Rather than sell off assets, Smulyan intends to operate them. "Our management team, the board of directors and I continue to believe in the long-term vitality of Emmis and its media assets, and the radio industry overall. We will continue to pursue the creation of shareholder value by investing in our current portfolio and special initiatives, such as Emmis Interactive," he said.
RBR observation: How did Martin Capital Management become the second-largest shareholder of Emmis and, eventually, a thorn in Smulyan's side? The latest filing explains that Martin began buying Emmis shares shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks of six years ago depressed stock prices. Despite its dissatisfaction with the way Emmis is being run, Martin has still been buying shares on the open market recently because of the disparity between the trading price and what it views as the company's intrinsic value. All in all, Martin paid approximately 38.9 million for its Emmis stake, which is currently worth around 18.7 million.
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CC Radio Houston
Moving from 3 to 2 stopsets per hour?
It's all part of upping the numbers with PPM. We're getting information, but couldn't confirm with CCU, that CC Radio Houston sent out an email to agencies and clients last week indicating reasons for moving all five of its FM stations there from 3 to 2 stopsets per hour. Here's one of them, from one of our sources: "Effective Immediately Clear Channel Houston Radio is moving from 3 stop sets per hour to 2 stop sets per hour. In order to increase our PPM numbers even more. Below are more specifics, the great thing about PPM is we will see the benefits of this much more quickly than we were able with the old diary method.
Thanks Joe
* PPM Changes have brought on new opportunities for ratings growth. In order to get better ratings,
* We are programming longer music sweeps and moving from 3 breaks to 2 per hour.
* We are not adding minutes or units to any hour.
* Research with PPM shows us that people are listening through the commercial breaks
* AM drive is not included in the changes - it will remain the same.
* It's only one more minute per break (was 4 min. max now 5 min. max)
* Typically the stop set won't make it to 5 minutes, closer to 4.5
* We are reducing station promos to one minute per hour - this means one more minute of content added to ALL dayparts.
* This change takes place immediately on all 5 FM stations. The AM stations are not affected."
We received one breakdown of a couple stopsets for KTBZ-FM.
KTBZ - 9/14/07
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3:32pm break
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3:53pm break
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:15 station imaging
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:05 Traffic open billboard
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:60 spot
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Traffic report
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:10 spot
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:05 Traffic close billboard
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:60 spot
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:15 spot
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:10 spot
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:60 spot
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:15 spot
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:01 blink
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:15 spot
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:06 spot
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:30 spot
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:30 spot
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:05 traffic open billboard
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:30 spot
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:15 spot
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:15 spot
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Traffic report
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:60 spot
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:05 traffic close billboard
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:30 spot
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:15 spot
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RBR observation: RBR left messages with both Joe McGee and Joe Brower in CC Radio Houston Sales, along with GM Eddie Martiny to discusss, but had not heard back at deadline. Other companies have been moving their stopsets around trying to figure out the way to counter-program. Now it seems this is the only way-to get rid of a stopset. 8-12 units per stopset will be interesting at best-and let's see how the advertisers react. Listeners may react by just turning the dial. Remember that Cox there had been running two stopsets and a max of 10 minutes per hour. It's going to be a learning experience, programming for a PPM world. Let's see who gets it right and go with that.
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Radio revenues hit another sinkhole
The July pothole was not very deep, but it was still a pothole. Radio revenues were down 1% as expected for the month. Local and national revenues remained in the red, and even the monthly shot in the arm from non-spot revenue was not as robust as it's been of late. But at least it wasn't as red as June, which came in 3% on the wrong side of par. The July numbers, from research by Miller Kaplan Arase & Co.: Local was down 1%, national was down 4%, and non-spot was up 6%, just enough to counter the national drop and produce the 1% loss in total revenue. CL King & Associates analyst Jim Boyle labeled July the third lightest month of the year in terms of historic revenue levels, in part because its lone holiday, the Fourth of July, tends to fuel advertising that gets placed in June, and for that reason is not very useful in identifying trends. Nevertheless, Boyle said early pacing numbers from August are weak and another red ink month appears to be in the works.
 House Dems question
FCC ownership studies
A group of legislators is attacking the ten studies produced by the FCC, charging that they were produced to support a pre-determined pro-consolidation agenda and were also procedurally deficient. A letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin was signed by Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Bart Stupak (D-MI), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), David Price (D-NC) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). "While we wholeheartedly support the Federal Communications Commission's effort to generate scientific research that will help inform future action on media ownership in America, we are very disappointed that this effort has been so woefully lacking in transparency," the House members wrote. "We hope that you will take immediate steps in order to address these very serious problems." Hinchey said, "[T]his administration is ideologically motivated to encourage the consolidation of the American media into the hands of a few, so the FCC purchased the research that would support its agenda -- even if in doing so they flouted their own rules." Stupak went a bit further, promising to use his position as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee "...to press the FCC to ensure that ownership proceedings and resulting regulations are transparent and fair." A major concern of the group is the "...lack of transparency in the recruitment process used for study authors and peer reviewers," and the very brief time allowed for public comment after they came out (before the peer reviews were released). They also want a report on the investigation of Michael Powell-era reports that never saw the light of day until leaked the Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on the occasion of Martin's reconfirmation hearing.
RBR observation: It is very likely that further deregulation is stalled in the waning months of the Bush administration, regardless of what is in the 10 reports. Even if Martin is able to get something out of the 8th Floor, and that's completely impossible to even contemplate until next year at the earliest, he'll face a hostile Democratic Congress that was ready and able to pull the plug on Michael Powell's 6/2/03 ownership effort even back when it was in the minority. Under the leadership of Byron Dorgan (D-ND), it won the vote in the Senate, but was stymied in the House when Hinchey's parallel effort was blocked by Dennis Hastert (R-IL) and Tom Delay (R-TX). The court-ordered Prometheus do-over made the House failure moot at least temporarily, but if something similar gets out of the FCC again, there will be nobody in the House to block Hinchey the next time.
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Consumers group attacks XM/Sirius
The American Consumer Institute says that as the debate on whether or not the pending merger of DARS providers XM and Sirius "meanders in and out of meaningless distinctions and political rhetoric," it is important to remember that it turns a distinct duopoly into a monopoly. Approving it does not warrant serious consideration. Addressing the question that there are numerous alternatives to DARS, ACI notes that the critical question as to where a consumer might go to replace the unique attributes of DARS, which include exclusive programming, a nationally-ubiquitous signal and a wide variety of program options just to name three, is rarely even addressed by proponents of the merger. ACI further argues that the consumer benefits seem minimal, and the acceptance of a sunsetting price ceiling "resembles an offer of sleeves from a vest," and went on to note that competition is the best way to control prices.
"Shorn of rhetoric and spin, the merger would create a monopoly in what is now a duopoly in a distinct line of business with clear-cut boundaries -- delivery of nationwide, mobile, diversely-programmed audio entertainment services. A merger would result in less choice, elimination of spirited competition between the two companies, very likely higher prices and, on balance, less program diversity over time. It should not be allowed."
 CEOs duck credit
for confidence plunge
The August confidence survey of corner office occupants by Chief Executive Magazine registered the biggest one-month drop since they began taking the survey back in 10/02. The overall confidence level slid 24.3%m to 145, which was still five points above the neutral point of 140 under survey methodology. Confidence about current conditions was actually quite high, at 190.8, but it too suffered a 24.7% drop. Both employment confidence (164) and business condition confidence (157) remained solidly positive despite similar drops, but investment confidence (120) and future confidence (114) were in the negative zone. The silver lining, if there is one, is that as a group CEOs felt their own companies were doing just fine. But the credit crisis was the overwhelming source of gloom - 76% said that was the main reason for their loss of confidence. Another 47% cited turmoil in the stock market, but 58% said the financial performance of their own company was cause for optimism. "While CEOs are worried about the potential long-term impact of hastily offered lines of credit," said Edward M. Kopko, CEO and Publisher of Chief Executive Magazine, "they remain confident in their ability to properly lead their organizations through this turbulent time." One of those surveyed, Jim Scatena, President/CEO of FloraCraft, said, "Business conditions and financial results are much better than the Dow might indicate. The housing slump and sub-prime lending issues are concealing all of the good news. If the Fed were to step in and relax some monetary policies, I think the Dow would see a significant jump and everyone would realize that corporate earnings and employment are in good condition."
RBR observation: Unless you're in the credit or real estate business, the problems those sectors are suffering come under the heading of force majeur. They are random acts over which you have absolutely no control. But you also have to deal with them. In times when money flow is throttled for whatever reason, the tendency for many companies is to cut expenses, and advertising is often among the first to be trimmed. It will be important to remind clients that those who continue to advertise aggressively will be the ones who move up while their competitors attach themselves like barnacles to the sinking part of the economy. If CEOs are bullish on their own performance, remind them of the opportunity available to the bold in hard times.
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| Wall Street Media Business Report TM |
 Regent settles with shareholders
Regent Communications has come to terms with Riley Investment Management Capital and SMH Capital, the major shareholders who had been pressing for a special shareholders meeting in an attempt to put four directors of their choosing on the company's board. Under the settlement announced late Friday, they will get half of that - two seats on the board - and both sides will withdraw their dueling lawsuits (8/16/07 RBR #160). The two new Regent board members are John Ahn, a principal of Riley, and Joseph Patrick Hannan, most recently CFO of the radio division of Lincoln Financial Media. Their addition increases the Regent board to seven members, including six independent directors. "We welcome our new board members and look forward to working with them to increase shareholder value," said Regent CEO Bill Stakelin in announcing the settlement.
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Ad Business Report TM
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Network Radio Upfront update, Pt 3
Monetizing HD Radio
At the HD Radio Alliance board meeting in late September, it was discussed when the stations can open the HD2 channels for commercial sponsorships--possibly as early as 2008.Three major questions:
1. What options might buyers consider for their clients, beyond the average :30 spot?
2. What options have they heard will be out there for sponsorships of these channels?
3. What about conditional access sponsorships?
Most radio groups have not begun discussions with the media community regarding HD Radio. As of now the price point on the hardware is still high for the average consumer so reach is limited. Once commercial time becomes a reality we will look to possibly sponsor segments of time with billboards and limited commercial breaks. One key agency SVP strongly noted: "I don't think the traditional :30/:60 spot within a pod is going to get anyone excited." There are more key insights in this Special Report.
The discussion takes place with:
Patrick McNew, PHD EVP/Local Media Network (LMN) Director of Operations
Matt Feinberg, SVP/National Radio, SVP/Director, Interactive Broadcast, Zenith Media Services
Pearl Kim, Supervisor, National Broadcast, Carat USA
Maja Mijatovic, Horizon Media Senior National Radio buyer
Rich Russo, JL Media's SVP/Director of Broadcast Services
RBR observation: HD needs to get focused in all areas. Your 2008 business is in play so if you don't market your services/company, don't expect to win. Let's work together for radio and be a part of the Special Report in RBR/SmartMedia in Oct & Nov. Limited marketing/ad space available contact June Barnes 803 731-5951, Carl Marcucci 703 492- 8191 ex: 202 or Jim Carnegie 813 909-2916. Two days left to make your noise as the reservation is needed today.
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NAB Daytime Planner
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The following will be attending the NAB.
Call or email to make your
appointment in advance.
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BANKERS
Peter H. Ottmar; Dover Capital Partners, LLC; Westin Charlotte; 401/723-1063 x103; cell 401/639-4958; [email protected]
Jacob J. Barker; Barker Capital; Hilton Charlotte City Center; (212) 332-4312; [email protected]
Brian Eick/Dave Meier; The Gladstone Companies; Omni Charlotte Hotel; Brian cell 847-612-3002, Dave cell 847-650-1735; [email protected], [email protected]
BROKERS
Todd Fowler/David Reeder; American Media Services; Westin Charlotte; 843-972-2200; [email protected]; [email protected]
Cliff Gardiner; Clifton Gardiner & Co.; Hilton Charlotte City Center; 303-758-6900; [email protected]
Andy McClure/Erick Steinberg, The Exline Company, Westin Charlotte, office 415-479-3484, Andy cell 415-497-3855, Erick cell (415) 209-4890, [email protected]. [email protected]
Frank Boyle; Frank Boyle & Co.; Residence Inn Charlotte Uptown; 203-969-2020; cell 203-249-7818;
[email protected]
Gordon Rice; Gordon Rice Associates; 843-884-3590; Westin Charlotte; [email protected]
John L. Pierce/ Jamie Rasnick; John Pierce & Company LLC; office 859-647-0101, John cell 859-512-3015; Jamie cell 513-252-1186, Westin Charlotte; [email protected]; [email protected]
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Dick Kozacko/George Kimble;
Kozacko Media Services; office 607-733-7138; cell 607-738-1219; Westin Charlotte; [email protected]; [email protected]
Media Services Group; Westin Charlotte; www.mediaservicesgroup.com
Elliot Evers/Greg Widroe/Brian Pryor/Patricia Carberry-Harris;
Media Venture Partners;
415-391-4877; Hilton Charlotte City Center;
[email protected]
Larry Patrick/Susan Patrick/Greg Guy/Todd Wirth; Patrick Communications; 410-740-0250; Westin Charlotte; [email protected]
Glenn Serafin; Serafin Bros., Inc.;
office 813-885-6060; cell 813-494-6875; Westin Charlotte; [email protected]
Bill Schutz; Schutz & Company; Westin Charlotte; office 757-258-8740, cell 757-880-9251; [email protected]
Zoph Potts; Snowden Associates; Omni Hotel; office 252-940-1680, cell 252-717-3772; [email protected]
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
Richard Mertz, Dan Ryson; Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc.; Main Office 703-392-9090; [email protected]
TRAFFIC SYSTEMS
Shane Harris/Susie Hedrick; Marketron Broadcast Solutions; Booth #530; www.marketron.com; 208-788-6800; [email protected]; [email protected]
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| Media Business Report TM |
PopOut time for Morris
With already a unique mix of assets, Morris Communications is now adding PopOut Maps and travel guides to its travel publications businesses. The privately held company did not disclose terms for its acquisition of Compass Maps Ltd., based in Bristol, England. "Compass produces innovative, high-quality maps that travelers can literally take anywhere," said Morris CEO William S. Morris III. Derek Dacey, who founded Compass Maps in 1993, will continue as managing director of the company. Compass' maps and guides are distributed in more than 50 countries and in multiple languages across the world. Morris' diversified holdings include newspaper publishing, visitor guide publishing, outdoor advertising, magazine publishing, radio broadcasting, book publishing and distribution and online services.
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| Media Markets & Money TM |
Mile High deal is a sporting proposition
 KCKK-AM is changing hands. In fact, in a de facto sense it already has, but the documentation to give some permanence to an LMA have been filed with the FCC. Nathan Drage's Mile High Sports Radio struck an LMA to run the station 8/1/07, and will pay 4.4M to own it outright. The seller is People's Wireless Inc., headed by Timothy Brown. The payment will be split down the middle, half in cash and half via promissory note. The station has already abandoned Country for the Sports format the buyer's name would lead one to anticipate.
Pricing a radio cluster Zlot spot
The paperwork for Gordon Zlot's Redwood Empire Stereocasters deal to get a third FM in Santa Rosa has hit the FCC. The price for Zlot's acquisition of brand new KGRP-FM will be 2.9M, and he'll start running it 10/1/07 under terms of an LMA. The seller, Stephen Hackerman's Ace Radio Corp. will not get to keep all of the cash, however. In sending it so soon to an established broadcaster, Hackerman will have to reimburse the FCC for a bidding credit he received from the FCC back when the station was still but a twinkle in an engineer's eye.
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| Washington Media Business Report TM |
Beware politicians seeking gifts
During the last election cycle a handful of broadcasting companies got into a little hot water by providing free air time to candidates without assuring that all involved parties received equal treatment. If there are a Republican, and Democrat and an Independent running for Congress in your market, it's fine to give each of them 15 minutes. But you can't give one 15, another 10 and the other five minutes and expect the FEC's eyebrows to remain in their un-raised position. Any variation and you've made a campaign contribution subject to all applicable election rules and regs. RBR notes that airlines, like broadcasters, are overseen by the federal government and as such, prefer amiable relationships with legislators whenever possible. Senators eager to get out of town but not sure when they'll be unchained from a floor vote often book multiple flights, paying only for the one they ultimately use. However, if an average citizen attempted to do that, they'd pay for each flight booked whether they take it or not. Although this privilege is said to be granted to certain frequent flyers, according to the Washington Post, it's been determined that making this exception for senators constitutes a gift, and the legal beagles have advised their airline clients to discontinue the practice.
RBR mentions this only to highlight the fact giving gifts to politicians is still under heavy scrutiny. It will likely be even heavier when it comes to air time. So if you're going to give away time, do it - it looks great in your public file and the NAB will be happy to trumpet your generosity - just make sure you do it equally.
RBR observation: The Do and Don'ts of political advertising will be spelled out by RBR in coming issues and special reports. It will be a long political 2008 season. RBR will give you the facts to conduct business, so stay with us.
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| Entertainment Media Business Report TM |
Spring 2007 format trends released
Arbitron has released the Spring 2007 Format Trends report. Looking at movement from Winter to Spring '07 book, the biggest mover was Spanish-down .9. Rock and Country were both up .5; Adult Standards, Smooth Jazz, Oldies and News/Talk were flat. Note that none of the numbers include Philadelphia and Houston, as Arbitron is still working on integrating PPM and diary markets going forward. A quick look at the other main formats: Adult Contemporary +.1; Alternative -.2; Contemporary Hits Radio +.1; Classical -.01; Religious -.3; and Urban -.1
| See the full charts and subformats here |
WCSP-FM DC launches two HD multicasts
C-SPAN Radio's, WCSP-FM Washington, DC has launched two HD Radio multicasts, in addition to its main signal covering Congress and public affairs. The HD-2 features the "House Of Representatives and more"; the HD-3 offers "Senate and Book TV."
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| Ratings & Research |
 Retail sales up .3% in August
Retail sales posted a decent gain in August, helped by the biggest jump in auto sales in more than a year. The Commerce Department reported Friday that retail sales increased 0.3% in August, compared to July, when sales had been up by 0.5%. The strength last month was led by a 2.8% jump in auto sales, the biggest increase since July 2006. According to the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales for August (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) rose 5.0% unadjusted over last year-attributed mostly to robust Back to School sales.
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| Monday Morning Makers & Shakers |
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Transactions: 7/30/07-8/3/07
Since May, when trading value was fueled by big TV transactions involving Tribune and Ion, the pace of station trading has been very slow. Only one week made it over the 100M mark, while a couple didn't even get into two digit millions. This week was closer to that side, with a modest 23.444M changing hands. And part of that was somewhat duplicative, as a nine-station Clear Channel sale in Utica-Rome set off a chain-reaction involving three more contracts on six stations.
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Total
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Total Deals
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12
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AMs
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8
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FMs
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19
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TVs
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1
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| Value |
23.444M
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| Complete Charts |
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Radio Transactions of the Week
Wheels spinning on IN-KY border
| More... |
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TV Transactions of the Week
Milwaukee CBS gets a little sister
| More... |
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| Transactions |
7,949,627 KHIZ-TV Los Angeles CA (Barstow CA, Indy, Ch. 64). 93% of Sunbelt Television Inc. from Initial Broadcasting of California (Peter L. White, 93% to 0%) to TVPlus LLC, related to Multicultural Broadcasting (Arthur Liu, 7% to 100%). 900K loan repayment, cash. Buyer has seven radio stations in Los Angeles market. Although Barstow is part of Nielsen's television DMA definition, it is not part of Arbitron's radio market definition and there is no overlap between the radio and television properties. [File date 8/30/07.]
300K KWUZ-FM CP Poncha Springs CO from William C. Doleman to Three Eagles Communications of Colorado LLC (Rolland C. Johnson). Debt assumption. Superduopoly with KRVH-FM Salida, KVBC-FM Buena Vista CO. [File date 8/28/07.]
N/A WBCK-AM Battle Creek MI from Cumulus Broadcasting LLC (Lewis W. Dickey Jr.) to Stratus Radio LLC (Scott Knoblauch). Station put into trust for sale to third party. [File date 8/27/07.]
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| Stock Talk |
Waiting for the Fed
The Federal Reserve Board's policy making committee meets this week. And while there are hopes that the Fed will announce a rate cut, that is far from certain, so traders were cautious on Friday. The Dow Industrials crept up 18 points, or 0.1%, to 13,443.
Radio stocks did a bit better. The Radio Index rose 0.536, or 0.4%, to 122.690. Emmis had the best day, up 4.4%. Radio One Class D rose 3.1% and its Class A gained 2.9%.
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| Radio Stocks |
Here's how stocks fared on Friday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
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Arbitron
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ARB
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46.17
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+0.24
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Google
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GOOG
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528.75
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+3.97
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Beasley
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BBGI
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7.05
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-0.04
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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25.86
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+0.31
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| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
 |
30.65
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-0.18
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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9.93
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+0.23
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| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
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30.69
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-0.17
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Lincoln Natl.
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LNC
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63.10
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+0.28
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| Citadel |
CDL |
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4.09 |
unch |
Radio One, Cl. A
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ROIA
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3.96
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+0.11
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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37.56
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-0.15
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Radio One, Cl. D
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ROIAK
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3.96
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+0.12
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Cox Radio
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CXR
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13.41
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-0.16
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Regent
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RGCI
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2.49
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-0.06
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Cumulus
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CMLS
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10.42
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-0.04
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Saga Commun.
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SGA
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7.67
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+0.17
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Debut Bcg.
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DBTB
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1.01
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-0.01
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Salem Comm.
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SALM
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8.90
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-0.16
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Disney
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DIS
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33.56
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+0.04
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Sirius Sat. Radio
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SIRI
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3.52
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+0.07
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Emmis
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EMMS
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6.16
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+0.26
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Spanish Bcg.
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SBSA
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2.67
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+0.03
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Entercom
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ETM
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19.95
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-0.06
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SWMX
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SMWX
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0.05
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unch
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Entravision
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EVC
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9.17
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+0.01
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Westwood One
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WON
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2.46
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unch
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Fisher
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FSCI
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47.47
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+0.67
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XM Sat. Radio
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XMSR
|
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14.84
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+0.42
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Bounceback
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 We want to
hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments and
a photo to [email protected]
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Below the Fold
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Ad Business Report
Network Radio Upfront
Monetizing HD Radio, options buyers consider for their clients...
Media Markets & Money
Mile High deal
Is a sporting proposition
Washington Media Business Report
Beware politicians
Seeking gifts during the last election cycle handful of broadcaster got into hot water...
Makers & Shakers
Radio Transaction
Wheels spinning on IN-KY border...
Television Transaction
Milwaukee CBS gets a little sister...
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Stations for Sale
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NewEng Collegetown FM
Highly profitable AC station w. Red Sox rights, owned tower, only signal in market. Asking 8.5x trailing BCF: 950K. Inquiries 781-848-4201 or
e-mail: [email protected]
WEB: radiostationsforsale.net
 Market your Stations For Sale
in our daily epapers.
Contact
June Barnes
[email protected]
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More News Headlines
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Talkers, newsers agree on top three stories
The agreed on four out of the top five, as well, but they did not agree on what was the top story, according to the latest Project for Excellence in Journalism talker topic survey for the week of 9/2-7/07. Talkers gave the 2008 campaign 21% of their attention in making it the #1 topic ahead of 20% Iraq policy (a week ahead of the Petraeus report). News journalists put Iraq #1 at 17% and the campaign at 12%. Both groups place the Larry Craig story #3, but talkers lavished 16% of their time on the scandal to only 7% invested by newsers. Talkers gave Bin Laden's video and immigration 7% each; news outlets gave Bin Laden only 5% and immigration didn't even make the top ten list. With the top five talk topics eating up 71% of their time, no other topic was received any more than 2% of the available time and space.
RAB to launch "WADV"
The RAB, in conjunction with Advertising Week in NY, presents WADV Radio, a streaming Radio station serving the advertising community and dedicated to Advertising Week 2007. Beginning with a special preview on 9/21, followed by a full launch on 9/24 and running through 9/28, WADV will stream from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm ET at www.wadvradio.com, a dedicated microsite that also will be accessible via links from www.advertisingweek.com, and www.rab.com.
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RBR Radar 2007
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Radio News you won't read any where else. RBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
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SoundExchange finally
responds to NAB: "No"
NAB President and CEO David Rehr sent a letter to John Simson, executive director of SoundExchange, expressing "extreme disappointment" with a recent letter from the organization dismissing the "good faith" offer made 96 days earlier by NAB to resolve a rate-setting issue related to music streamed over the Internet. According to Rehr, the brief and belated response from SoundExchange mischaracterized the offer NAB made.
RBR observation: With SoundExchange taking aim at the bigger revenue pot, with its Capitol Hill allies preparing a push to make AM and FM stations pay performance royalties for airing records, there may not be much interest from the SoundExchange side in coming up with a workable deal on streaming by those same AM and FM stations. That's too bad, since SoundExchange is cutting off its nose to spite its face.
09/14/07 RBR #180
Arbitron update on software update
Following installation problems for some clients with a software update for Arbitron's PPM analysis tool (9/13/07 RBR #179), Pierre Bouvard, Arbitron's President of Sales and Marketing, issued this statement: "Yesterday was the data release day for the August PPM data for Philadelphia and Houston. At the same time, we also released a new version of the PPM analysis tool software. Some of our customers, including Katz Media Group, then experienced problems installing the new software and data. Unfortunately, while addressing questions about the software issues, Arbitron incorrectly characterized Katz as the "only customer that had an issue loading the data." That was not true. In fact, RBR had a number of clients who experienced difficulties.
RBR observation: Well, Arbitron feels they do not need to Market PPM. RBR disagrees. Knowledge is power and information is intelligence. It is going to be a long road for PPM vs Broadcasters.
09/14/07 RBR #180
2008 Network Radio
Upfront examined
Looking at networks' ability to copy split ads and their importance to the upfront - RBR/SmartMedia findings are the networks have improved their offerings significantly over the past two years. The lines between spot and network continue to blur with network offering many of the capabilities previously only available via spot-through trafficking technology, copy splitting is now pretty widespread and traffic deadlines are much shorter than they once were. More details in Ad Business Report section in RBR.
09/14/07 RBR #180
Network Radio Upfront update
As the annual network radio upfront negotiating season is just beginning, RBR/SmartMedia is providing a weekly progress update, based on conversations with buyers and sellers in the marketplace for our annual two-part print feature. Natalie Swed Stone, US Director, National Radio Investment, OMD: The networks have improved their offerings significantly over the past two years. The lines between spot and network continue to blur with network offering many of the capabilities previously only available via spot-through trafficking technology, copy splitting is now pretty widespread and traffic deadlines are much shorter than they once were." Read this series in RBR.
RBR Note: As the annual network radio upfront negotiating season is just beginning, RBR/SmartMedia is providing a weekly progress update. This annual look at Radio's upfront gets more interesting every year. Be apart of the decision makers at the ad agency level. Let them know what your network is up to and what content you have in the market place today. If you don't play don't expect to win so let's work together for Radio. Limited Makerting/Ad space available.
09/13/07 RBR #179
Arbitron pitches
PPM samples success
A number of agency people were on the client call, which followed the press briefing, and Arbitron Radio Advisory Council Chairman Steve Sinicropi from Cox Radio told RBR that they had basically the same sort of questions as broadcasters - trying to get their arms around the new data - and that the issue of how to adjust pricing didn't come up. How will Arbitron determine if it is successful in getting its message across, RBR asked? The August figures revealed some progress on improving! in-tab performance and a client call is being planned soon on the money-back guarantee Arbitron has agreed to if it doesn't hit targets. "I don't think anyone is going to be happy with it until it's where it's supposed to be." There are more details and See the in-tab figures by demo for Houston and Philadelphia in this report page of RBR.
09/13/07 RBR #179
US ad spend dropped
0.3% in first half of 2007
Total ad expenditures in the first half of 2007 slipped by 0.3% to 72.59 billion versus the same period in 2006, according to TNS Media Intelligence. Television was hardly alone in taking a hit, while online ad spending continued to grab share. Internet display advertising maintained its growth leadership position.
RBR observation: Complete analysis with chart for you to print out is in this special page report.
09/12/07 RBR #178
XM/Sirius tout a la carte offerings
Here's a shocker. Merger-hungry satellite services XM and Sirius conducted a poll on a la carte menu offerings and darned if the results weren't favorable. Various pluralities agreed that certain packages the pair contemplate offering if the merger goes through would be "good for consumers." However, NAB was interested in the questions that weren't asked. NAB EVP Dennis Wharton said, "Here's what XM and Sirius conveniently did not ask poll participants: Do you like monopolies? Does competition restrain a monopolist's price-gouging?
RBR observation: Yep there is more on the a la carte findings and NAB's reply in RBR.
09/12/07 RBR #178
Cumulus spells out buyout financing
Cumulus Media has filed a preliminary proxy with the SEC for its coming shareholder vote on a proposed going-private transaction, which would have Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity (MLGPE) and the Dickey family buy out all public shareholders for 11.75 per share. According to the filing, the Dickeys will reinvest 5,106,383 shares of common stock, worth 60 million at the buyout price, and MLGPE will commit 286 million in cash, for a total equity commitment of 346 million. (More details in RBR)
09/11/07 RBR #177
Will radio gain from TV's windfall?
The television industry is getting ready for a big year in 2008. With heavy election spending on the horizon, the TVB, the counterpart to the Radio Advertising Bureau, predicts that TV station spot revenues (local and national combined) will jump 9-10% next year. But then, that windfall will be followed by a 2-4% decline in 2009, a non-election year. Note: TVB estimates - derived from a consensus of Wall Street and financial analysts, station representative firms, and independent TVB research - represent national averages. Individual firms and stations may produce varied results based on a number of factors, including market size, region of the country, and affiliation. View the complete stats as your pacing forward.
RBR observation: What remains to be seen is how much of a ripple effect the big gains for TV may have on radio. The cable television industry is already mounting an effort to get a bigger share of that giant political advertising pie, making the pitch that its networks are a more targeted way for candidates to reach specific audiences. Radio is always a player in political advertising, though less so than TV. But radio can also benefit in election years by picking up non-political ad flights as traditional advertisers are squeezed off of TV as the campaign ads grab lots of inventory.
09/10/07 RBR #176
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NAB 2007
Investing Time or Exhibiting? Get the Max ROI, let attendees know, Market in RBR & MBR.
SPECIAL ROI Ad Rate
for NAB
Contact June Barnes 803.731.5951 or Jim Carnegie 813.909.2916
for Ad Marketing opportunities in RBR and MBR.
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Affiliate Sales Rep
WOR Radio Network's (WRN) needs an exec with Passion for Talk Radio. Self-starter w/ 2-5 yrs experience. Work independently and achieve goals to increase market coverage and audience delivery for our Nationally Syndicated programming. Business is about relationships and candidate with strong database in Talk Radio will win big time. Offering competitive salary + commission plan, health insurance and 401K. WRN is the place to be to succeed with stability. Details & Apply see Radio Careers
General Manager
Midwest & Life is good with this Small-Medium cluster in rated market. Top Aggressive, community minded GM needed. We're reentering ownership so don't be concerned that you're already working for us. Have a track record of performance, strong on sales and ideas. Ability to get the most out of a talented staff. Tired of the corporate jungle and want to work in real radio. This GM post for the person with Radio Passion. Details where to apply see Radio Careers
General Sales Manager
America's Legendary CHR station, KDWB, looking for a world class GSM to lead a talented sales team! We have 5 questions for our next GSM to answer. If you can say Yes to some or all then lets talk. A college degree is preferred with two years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education/experience. Clear Channel's KDWB, EEO--Hey, it doesn't get any better than this. Complete requirements, where to apply see Radio Careers
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