Volume 21, Issue 2, Jim Carnegie, Publisher
Tuesday Morning January 6th, 2004

Radio News ®

RBR Exclusive
CC Radio making strides in accountability
Ah, the now-familiar buzzword: Accountability. Garnered from an RBR source, Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan recently penned a letter 1/5 detailing the company's efforts and systems being put in place to please the ad buying community. Some of it is news to us, but it all sounds good. RBR observation: Time to press the flesh.
| Full Story Click Here
| RBR Observation |

Court and spark: NAB attacks FCC rules defense
The National Association of Broadcasters has filed reply comments with the Third Circuit Court in Philadelphia, attacking the FCC's defense of its 6/2/03 ruling on broadcast ownership regulation. The NAB focused on one issue each for radio and television. | Full Story Click Here |

2003 on Wall Street: Everybody won!
Well, just about everybody. Of the 29 stocks tracked daily in the pages of the RBR Daily Epaper, only three had a down year in 2003. That wasn't because 2003 ad sales were robust - - they weren't and the hoped for second half recovery never materialized. But stocks rose mostly on expectations that 2004 will finally see the return of robust growth. | Full Story Click Here |



Why Bob Coen expects growth in 2004 - Part 2 of 5
By all accounts, 2004 should be a good year for advertising-supported media. Yesterday, in Part 1, we looked at the 2004 economic expectations

Killer categories

Toiletries/Cosmetics

+19.8%

Drugs/Remedies

+14.7%
Automobiles +8.6%

underlying the year's advertising forecast by Universal McAnn's Bob Coen. Today, a look at category-by-category growth in 2003 and what Coen thinks that means for 2004. | Full Story Click Here | Part 1 |

And then there were three:
New entrant into the ratings wars
Bridge Ratings has joined Arbitron and Eastlan in the ranks of radio ratings providers. The brand new company, founded by Dave Van Dyke, is open for business, targeting markets ranked #50 and smaller. It's already operating in one of them.
| Full Story Click Here
|

More reaction from CEOs: Future conditions
CEO Magazine has been checking out its readers' assessment of future business conditions since October 2002. After bottoming out last April, more and more chief execs have been adding some rose tinting to their glasses, at least when peering into their crystal balls. | Full Story Click Here |


Adbiz ©

Chrysler signs as exclusive
automotive sponsor for "The Apprentice"
Chrysler and NBC announced today that Chrysler is the exclusive automotive sponsor of the network's new prime-time reality drama, "The Apprentice," scheduled to premiere 1/8 at 8:30 p.m. ET. | Full Story Click Here |

GM giving away 1,000 vehicles
in $50M promotion
GM announced plans to give away 1,000 cars, trucks and SUVs in 56 days beginning 1/5 as part of a $50M promotion for its nine American brands. The company expects 5.5M people to take part in the Hot Button program, which ends 2/29. Steve Hill, GM's director for retail planning, told the AP the company wants to close the gap between many consumers' perceptions of GM and the reality of its product portfolio. He said many buyers don't know that GM's lineup includes brands such as Saab, Saturn and Hummer. GM plans to encourage consumers to participate in the promotion with a marketing campaign that includes TV, print, Internet and direct mail. Those interested must visit a local GM dealership and press a blue OnStar button in a designated promotional vehicle. Hill said the company hopes to increase traffic at its dealers by 30%-40% during the promotion.


Media, Markets & Money tm

WAUR and peace? Chicago AM sold
Catholic noncom radio specialist Starboard Media is branching out into the commercial world. It's filed to buy an AM station in the Chicago 'burbs and has its sight set on another in Minneapolis. | Full Story Click Here |

Big deals: We stand corrected
With so few major deals to keep track of in 2003, it seems somehow inevitable that we managed to miss one in updating our list of radio's biggest deals of all time. Broker Don Bussell, who cashed a commission check on the missed deal, pointed out that our list Monday failed to include Emmis' $105M purchase of a 50.1% stake in a six-station cluster in Austin, TX. | Click Here For List |


Career Ads

Nuevavida Staffing the works
and top Bilingual Pros
From Program Director, Production, Sales, Board Operators and On Air Talent. Five top slots for this Spanish Christian Format. If you have the special Bilingual skills this is a solid growth move with only up-side potential. Nuevavida is staffing.
See
Radio Careers for full details.

Editor's Note: Did someone say Merry Christmas? A total staff on one Santa list is too good to pass by with bilingual experience.


Need to find that career minded radio or television executive, use our Career Ad section read by 15,000 media executives every morning. To place your marketing position click on submit jobs and follow the easy instructions.

Find Your Radio Career
Post Your Companies Job Openings
Find Your TV Career
Post Your Services Offered
Questions? Contact me [email protected]


Tale of the Snail:
Your current copy
of RBR is a click away

The mailman is on his way.
We don't know when he'll get to your office. But we do know this: Your copy of the latest print edition of Radio Business Report is ready and waiting for you, on-line, in all its 32-page, four-color process glory!

Why wait for the snailman?



Washington Beat

Dems widening the scope of their media buys
Although the bulk of the media spending among the Democrats vying for their party's presidential nomination is in the critical opening-round states of Iowa and New Hampshire, many of the candidates are directing cash with an eye to contests beyond the two opening rounds, according to an Associated Press report.
RBR observation: All quiet on the RBR front.
| Full Story Click Here
| RBR Observation |

Condition Orange at the FCC
The FCC Reference Information Center (RIC) is back in operation. However, it is operating under Orange alert conditions. That means anyone wishing to use the RIC must report to the FCC's 12th Street entrance, to be escorted to the room by an FCC staffer. The hours of operation are also restricted. The RIC is available from 8 AM-4:30 PM Monday through Thursday, and from 8 AM-11 AM on Friday.

Just the fax, ma'am: $5M+ fine
This is a bit off topic for broadcasters, but if there is any doubt about the increasingly punitive climate in the Washington regulatory universe, this little tale of woe should wash it right away. | Full Story Click Here |


Engineered for Profit

Iowa sells first HD Radio
iBiquity Digital announced the first HD Radio receiver - a Kenwood KTC-HR 100 model - went on sale commercially 1/5 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as part of a promotion with Kenwood, Ultimate Electronics and KZIA-FM Z102.9. Reflecting Iowa's tradition of being "first in the nation" as well as Cedar Rapids' significant role in broadcasting history as the home of radio pioneer Arthur Collins, the event will kick off HD Radio's commercial introduction, which will formally take place 1/7 during the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Texas Instruments' HD Radio solution
awarded Product of the Year
Texas Instruments announced that the editors of Electronic Products magazine have chosen the company's TMS320DRI250 single-chip, HD Radio baseband as a winner of the magazine's 28th Annual Product of the Year award. The selection is based on significant advances in technology or its application, innovative design, or a substantial achievement in price/performance. Prototype products and modules that use the DRI250 will be on display in the TI booth (# 9011) at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, 1/8 - 1/11.


Transactions

$35,000,000 WSNJ-FM Philadelphia (Bridgeton NJ) from New Jersey Radio Partners LLC to Radio One Inc.

$250,000 KLKC AM & FM Parsons KS from Community Broadcasting Co. Inc. to Acme Broadcasting LLC.

$1 KWYC-FM CP Cheyenne WY (Orchard Valley WY) from Educational Media Foundation to CSN International

| Click Here For Details
|


Stock Talk

A big day on Wall Street
Optimism ruled on Monday and stock traders began the first full week of 2004. They liked comments over the weekend by Federal Reserve Governor Ben Bernanke indicating that interest rates will remain low. Also, the commerce Department reported Monday that construction spending rose for the fifth straight month in November 2003. The Dow Industrials rose 115 points, or 1.1%, to 10,525.

Radio stocks joined in the advance. The Radio Index rose 4.530, or 1.6%, to 292.879 - - an all-time high. There was no particular news to boost particular stocks, but nearly all ships rose with the rising tide. Fisher gained 4.1% to lead the way. Cumulus rose 3.8%, Interep 3.5% and SBS 3.3%.


Radio Stocks

Here's how stocks fared on Monday

Company Symbol Close Change Company Symbol Close Change

Arbitron

ARB

$43.05

+$1.10

Jeff-Pilot

JP

$50.56

+$0.01

Beasley

BBGI

$16.45

+$0.16

Journal Comm.

JRN

$17.97

-$0.53

Citadel CDL $22.10 -$0.18

Radio One, Cl. A

ROIA

$19.84

+$0.19

Clear Channel

CCU

$47.37

+$0.69

Radio One, Cl. D

ROIAK

$19.71

+$0.25

Cox Radio

CXR

$25.35

+$0.09

Radio Unica

UNCA

$0.63

unch

Cumulus

CMLS

$22.70

+$0.83

Regent

RGCI

$6.73

+$0.19

Disney

DIS

$24.14

+$0.47

Saga Commun.

SGA

$18.80

+$0.20

Emmis

EMMS

$28.05

+$0.46

Salem Comm.

SALM

$27.46

+$0.27

Entercom

ETM

$53.80

+$0.81

Sirius Sat. Radio

SIRI

$3.50

-$0.32

Entravision

EVC

$11.32

+$0.18

Spanish Bcg.

SBSA

$11.16

+$0.36

Fisher

FSCI

$50.05

+$1.95

Univision

UVN

$39.93

+$0.53

Gaylord

GET

$29.27

-$0.65

Viacom, Cl. A

VIA

$44.61

+$0.15

Hearst-Argyle

HTV

$28.02

+$0.32

Viacom, Cl. B

VIAb

$44.55

+$0.20

Interep

IREP

$1.50

+$0.05

Westwood One

WON

$34.66

+$0.36

International Bcg.

IBCS

$0.02

unch

XM Sat. Radio

XMSR

$27.14

+$0.34


Have a news story you'd like to share? [email protected]

CLICK HERE to unsubscribe to RBR's Daily Epaper

RBR Audiocast

01/06 - Don't get stuck in 2003... Listen to this morning's Audiocast... we'll bring you up to speed... FAST!

Click Here to Listen

with Bob DeCarlo'
"In Da Morning"


Bounceback

We want to hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments to [email protected]


Competing Media

Lion's share: Where newspaper is king
BIA Financial Network has come out with a chart, based on 2002 revenue figures, which shines the spotlight on the markets where newspapers make off with the greatest share of the advertising revenue pie.
| Full Story Click Here
|


More News Headlines

Upped & Tapped

KCBS-FM hires Jeff Federman from Emmis
While some groups are still be eliminating management positions as a byproduct of consolidation, it seems Infinity under President Joel Hollander is adding positions as of late. The latest: Emmis LA DOS Jeff Federman is now working for Infinity as GM of KCBS-FM LA. He officially starts 1/12. Trip Reeb was doing both KCBS and KROQ-FM there, and now keeps KROQ.
| More U&T Click Here |


RBR Radar 2003
Click on these issues for Radio News you won't read any where else. RBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.

Why Bob Coen expects growth
in 2004 -- Part 1 of 5
The 2004 advertising forecast of Universal McAnn's Bob Coen, who sees a good year ahead for both radio and TV. But as the year actually begins, let's go back and look behind the forecast numbers to see why Coen is optimistic. Total Advertising +6.9%. Editor's Note: Radio make sure you CYA on Cable. Question now is, “How will lead radio in the Marketing and Selling of our medium and get us above the 7%?”
01/05/04 RBR #1

RBR Investigative Analysis
Crystal Media Network accused of deception--Part 1
That is exactly what happened as the headline stated "Crystal Not Clear With Net" ...'stations won't clear Prestige network because of 'Dishonest' setup'. RBR was queried by numerous executives to investigate those claims..Why? RBR Observation: Because TV is set for double digits and watch out for Cable. Radio is still forecasted for single digit growth. 01/05/04 RBR #1

RBR Investigative Analysis
Part 2 – 'The Letter'
Deception or Better Mouse Trap

That reporton Crystal Media Network says it bought up inventory on a bunch of stations, without informing them the inventory was to be used to form a network. Someone saw what seems to be an effective 25-54 female-skewing niche-filler, a better network mouse trap, and that buzz word: Accountability. 01/05/04 RBR #1

RBR Investigative Analysis
Part 3 - 'The Players'
Nothing But The Facts
RBR questioned Infinity Pres./COO Joel Hollander, who confirmed the letter was about Crystal Media Network not Christal Radio (rep firm). Westwood One CEO Shane Coppolla: "Infinity stations work with a lot of different products and companies, but the letter speaks for itself..." Crystal Media Network CEO Nick Krawczyk stated "There is so much inaccuracy that's being spewed around in this marketplace right now… Editor's Note: Follow the Money! 01/05/04 RBR #1

RBR Investigative Analysis
Part 4 - 'The Polygraph Test'
One-on-One with Krawczyk
So what's really going on here? Is this a case where Infinity's public stance is to protect the network, but the stations, operating independently, do what they want? RBR posed five point blank questions at CMN's Krawczyk.. 01/05/04 RBR #1

RBR Investigative Analysis
Part 5 - 'The Agency Buyers'
What do the buyers think?
The buyers have a fiduciary duty to their clients to get the best of the best and bring the consumers into the clients place of business. It is called results and accountability. RBR contacted late last week Reyn Leutz, and Irene Katsnelson, for their observations.. RBR Observation: So what's really going on here? Startup Crystal Media took the industry by surprise. 01/05/04 RBR #1

Few deals, but multiples
stay high--Part 3 of 3
Station multiples remained high in 2003 and are expected to stay high in 2004. So, just where are multiples these days? But it's all in the eye of the beholder. Editor's Note: Based on estimates, here's a rough idea of where cash flow multiples are today. Charting the multiples knock yourself out. For Part 1 & 2 see below. Good Luck in 2004! 12/31/03 RBR #253

RBR First - 2004 forecasts: The Six Industry Ad Chiefs optimistic
TVB, IAB, CAB, RAB, NAA and OAAA each have a point of view. Overall, the outlook is quite good. Editor's Note: For the first time you get to see, read and compare side by side what these media chiefs foresee in '04. Judge for yourself.
12/20/03 RBR #252

Few deals, but multiples
stay high -- Part 2 of 3
Expect multiples to remain high in 2004. This year not a heavy year for radio station sales, nevertheless, asking prices remained high and the few sales that did occur in prime markets were at impressive multiples. Editor's Note: For Part 1 see below. 12/20/03 RBR #252

Few deals, but multiples stay high
--Part 1 of 3

Based on station trading, which has really been sparse this year, it's difficult to put together any hard data to prove what cash flow multiples radio stations are selling at. Editor's Note: Word has it that multiples still high. 12/29/03 RBR #251




Contacts
MANAGEMENT
Publisher, Jim Carnegie
[email protected]
VP/GM, Assoc. Publisher, Ken Lee
[email protected]
VP, Cathy Carnegie
[email protected]
Admin. Assistant, April McLynn
[email protected]

EDITORIAL
Executive Editor, Jack Messmer
[email protected]
Managing Editor, Dave Seyler
[email protected]
Senior Editor, Carl Marcucci
[email protected]
Reporter, Bob DeCarlo
[email protected]

SALES
Account Executive, June Barnes
[email protected]

Other Links
State Associations
Issue Archives
©2004 Radio Business Report/Television Business Report, Inc. All rights reserved.