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Volume 22, Issue 228, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
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Monday Morning November 21st, 2005
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Radio News®
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 Feingold goes after
concert promo and payola
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) has introduced legislation - - the "Radio and Concert Disclosure and Competition Act of 2005" - - which would tighten up regulation over co-owned radio and concert businesses, and would introduce sweeping new reporting requirements aimed at ending payola. In doing this, it will attempt to make the FCC's job of enforcement easier both by providing the newly-reported radio data and increasing the fines the Commission can levy on violators. On the concert side, the bill would take steps to prevent the use of co-owned radio and concert promotion/venue operations as a club to gain favorable concessions from artists out of fear of losing airplay and/or access to a performance venue. To combat payola, Feingold's bill would add indirect payments to the definition of illegal consideration - - such as paying a middle-man promoter not to push a certain song but for his "access" to the station. Stations would be required to disclose monthly all cash, goods, services or other consideration which came into the station, and its source, along with a complete playlist sorted by artist and label, to make it easier for interested parties such as the FCC to connect the dots. Indeed, Feingold hopes that a mortification factor of such a list suddenly being available to a station's loyal listeners may go a long ways toward keeping the FCC Enforcement Bureau out of the picture entirely. A number of artist and consumer oriented organizations are on board, including AFTRA, the Consumers Union, the Future of Music Coalition and others.
RBR observation: * First, practical matters. Any bill introduced at the very end of a congressional session is really aimed at the next year. The chances of this going anywhere at all in 2005 are minimal at best. Next, Feingold will have to convince the powerful Commerce Committee chair Ted Stevens (R-AK) to put it on his agenda. While Feingold might have had a better chance when John McCain (R-AZ) ran the committee, we think his chances are probably pretty good. If there has been one area of legislation in recent years where there seems to be considerable agreement between the donkeys and elephants, it's been in the area of broadcasting, whether it be indecency, consolidation, or payola. This bill may indeed have legs.
* Second, it is ironic that - - although the possibility of great mischief in a radio/concert vertical combo should be apparent to the most casual observer - - the unprecedented attempt to do this by Clear Channel is going down in flames, with the radio giant looking for a buyer for the concert business. The question we can't answer is this: is the danger of the combo less than some think, or is the combination failing due to unrelated business conditions or CCU's inexperience on the concert side? Perhaps we'll never know.
* Third, NAB will no doubt fight the reporting requirements tooth and claw as exceedingly onerous, but if this bill makes it all the way into law, the FCC will be able to go into competition with the great airplay compilers. "Pull up a bowl of popcorn and stay tuned for the "FCC Top 40 Countdown!" We say go nuts, FCC - - just don't give the emcee gig to the droning monotone of Michael Copps.
| Here's is Feingold's letter explaining the bill |
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RBR observation:
ABC won't be a record-breaker
If Disney CEO Bob Iger does decide (perhaps this week) to divest ABC Radio, the deal won't come close to being the top radio deal of all time - - or even in the top three. The question is, will it do much better than break the top 10? Based on our recent analysis of the potential price tag (11/16/05 RBR #225), if ABC Radio brings no more than the dismal 13 times cash flow multiple of the Susquehanna Radio sale, the price tag would only be a bit over 3.3 billion bucks. That would rank it #9 in our list of the all time biggest radio deals, just behind Univision's 3.5 billion bucks acquisition of HBC three years ago. Could you have imagined three years ago ever being able to buy ABC Radio for less than four billion? How times have changed. Here's RBR's tracking of the billion dollar list of the deals to beat and a peek back to 1997 with 1.075B Viacom Radio to Chancellor Media:
| Billion dollar radio list |
 Commerce tees up Commissioner vote
Democratic FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein won't have a whole lot of time to enjoy their majority status on the 8th Floor when Kathleen Abernathy exits 12/9/05.; Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Daniel Inouye (D-HI) have announced that they'll consider the renomination of Copps and the pending first-time nomination of Debi Tate (pictured) just four days later. The Tuesday, 12/13/05 session will begin at 10AM eastern. Meanwhile, the NAB and other commissioners had nothing but kind words for the departing Kathleen Abernathy. NAB's Eddie Fritts probably summed it up for all of them when he said, "Kathleen Abernathy has served the FCC and the American people with class and distinction. Her dedication to principle has been matched only by her gracious demeanor and steady professionalism. We wish Kathleen only the best."
| Commissioner comments here |
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New battle at Wegener
Two years after fending off a hostile takeover bid from Raydyne ComStream (6/20/03 RBR #79), management at Wegener Corporation is again in a battle to maintain control of the company. Two investment partnerships who bought stock in Wegener back in 2003 (note that date) - - Henry Partners LP and Matthew Partners LP - - have now put forth two nominees for seats on the Wegener board - - David W. Wright, who is the investment manager of both funds and President of their general partner, Canine Partners LLC, and Jeffrey J. Haas, a Professor of Law at New York Law School. "Given what we perceive to be Wegener's poor operating results and general poor business performance, we are very concerned about its future," the partnerships, which own 7.3% of Wegener's shares, said in a proxy letter to fellow shareholders. They say they have offered suggestions to Wegener's board of directors on how to increase profitability and that those suggestions deserve more attention than the board has given them. Thus, they want their representatives to provide "a new voice in the boardroom" with the goal of helping to find "the best and most efficient way of restoring stockholder value." In a letter of its own to shareholders, Wegener CEO Robert Placek accused the dissidents of subjecting the company and its stockholders "to a costly, disruptive and distracting proxy fight." He urged shareholders not to return the proxy cards sent out by the Henry and Matthew partnerships. Placek said the company's own proxy material will detail how management is executing its strategic plan and why electing the dissident slate of nominees would not be in the interests of all Wegener stockholders. Wegener, based in Duluth, GA, manufactures satellite linking equipment for broadcast networks and other communications uses. Raydyne ComStream's rejected bid in 2003 was for 19.1 million bucks, or 1.55 a share. Wegener's stock has traded as high as 2.93 in the past year, but lately has been below 1.50.
 Alito airwars heating up
It is widely expected that the confirmation process for SCOTUS nominee Samuel Alito will produce the wave of watchdog media buying which never materialized during same period for John Roberts nor the Harriet Miers. Groups opposed to his nomination are starting to find specific positions which Alito has taken in the past which they find objectionable, creating a push which is already being answered with a shove from groups supporting his nomination. Anti-Alito ads have run in Maine and Rhode Island, states with moderate Republican senators. Meanwhile, pro-Alito groups have targeted Arkansas, a southern state with Democrats, while also making buys in Maine. The strategy of going after Democratic senators in states carried by Bush figures to move forward, with Nebraska, North and South Dakota, West Virginia, Montana and Colorado on a list mentioned by the conservative Committee for Justice.
RBR observation: The pace of the battle only figures to heat up as Alito's January 2006 date with the Senate Judiciary Committee approaches.
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Adbiz©
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Net Radio Sales, BIGResearch strike consumer data deal
Adding more qualitative depth to the company's server-based listener data measurement, provided by ComScore, Net Radio Sales has struck a deal with BIGResearch. Big Research will provide data on measuring the consumer attributes of Net Radio Sales clients' online radio audiences. The company wants to move beyond measuring clicks to help understand the makeup of these online consumers.
Mediaedge:cia looks at in-game ad effectiveness-Part II
Mediaedge:cia examines how in-game advertising can best be used to create meaningful relationships between brands and consumers in "Playing with Brands," a new study commissioned from Telenation and designed to help advertisers better understand the optimum role for their brands within computer and video games.
| Read More... |
Who's Playing?
 In the U.S., approximately 150 million people, or 63% of the U.S. population 12+, are defined as "Gamers"; and a gamer is anyone to have played a video, electronic or online games, or having any game systems. Although 90% of teens consider themselves gamers, they are outnumbered by adults by more than 6:1 (22.1 million Teen Gamers vs.129.3 million Adult Gamers). (Source: MRI Fall 2005 Adult and Teen studies) Although gamers can be found throughout the socio-demographic spectrum, one of gaming's great benefits to brand owners is its core audience - the otherwise-elusive young, affluent male:
· There is a strong male bias among gamers (64% of males play vs. 36% of females).
· Gamers are of a younger age group (83% of 12-34's gamers compared to only 49% of over 35's). Those with children in the household are significantly more likely to game than those without (and this is true on all platforms). 90% of teens are gamers.
· Gamers are significantly more likely to have completed at least some college or graduate education (64%).
Strata debuting automatic EI downloads
Strata Marketing announced it will soon debut automatic downloads of electronic invoices for buyers. Handling more than 30,000 electronic invoices a month, this should prove a timesaver. This enhancement to SBMS (Strata Buy Management System) means buyers will no longer need to visit various websites, and download their electronic invoices before reconciling them. Invoices for radio, TV and cable buys will download automatically when using SBMS Electronic Invoicing. This added functionality is completely transparent to buyers on Strata software at more than 750 media agencies. Strata says the enhancement, as well as its entire electronic invoicing solution is available to SBMS clients at no additional charge. Strata's initiative handles electronic invoices from several providers, including TVInvoices.com, RadioInvoices.com, and Spotcable.com. Major media companies like Clear Channel (Radio and TV), Hearst-Argyle, NY Times, Raycom, Katz Radio, Interep Radio, Adelphia, Time Warner, Comcast, and NCC generate more than 30,000 electronic invoices every month.
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| Media Business Report |
NBCU and Wurld Media announce VOD deal
NBC Universal and Wurld Media, the creator of the peer to peer service Peer Impact, today announced an agreement that will make Universal movies and NBC Universal TV events content available to Peer Impact customers on demand. Titles will be available for rental for a 24-hour viewing period after purchase. "NBC Universal is committed to providing our content to consumers in a way that meets their needs," said David Zaslav, president, NBC Universal Cable. "This agreement with Wurld Media furthers that commitment by allowing consumers to view the highest-quality movies securely on their computers." Peer Impact offers its users a secure, high quality environment for rental and purchase of digital content, including music, video games, and with this announcement, for the first time, major film and television event titles. For the benefit of its users, all content is placed on the P2P network by Wurld Media -no unauthorized content can be introduced on to the network.
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| Media Markets & MoneyTM |
Randy Michaels a little less Radioactive
Radioactive LLC owner Benjamin Homel, aka Randy Michaels, is spinning off one of his FM Auction No. 37 acquisitions. The CP for WKQV-FM Richwood WV is going to Nunzio Aldo Sergi's Summit Media Broadcasting for 482.5K. 80K of that has been plunked into escrow, 320K will be paid in cash at closing and the remaining 82.5K will be covered pursuant to a promissory note. Michaels will pay a portion of this back to the government - - he qualified for a 35% bidding discount as a new entrant into the radio business, something the buyer would not qualify for. Pocketing the cash would constitute unjust enrichment. Richwood is not in a rated market and does not overlap any of Summit's stations, but it does have a pair not too far to the north in the Ekins-Buckhannon-Weston market. The station will be a Class B1 on 105.5 mHz with 3.96 kw @ 823'. Michaels' remaining CP empire consists of 20 stations scattered among ten states, including Iowa (2), Illinois (1), Kansas (3), Kentucky (2), Michigan (5), Minnesota (1), New York (3), Texas (1), Wisconsin (1) and West Virginia (1).
 WYD gets Stephanie Miller Show
WYD Media Management has consolidated its ownership position in progressive talk Stephanie Miller Show by acquiring the program interests previously held by Democracy Radio. WYD now fully controls the national radio program, said Ron Hartenbaum, president. The show is currently heard in 10 of the nation's top 20 markets and on nearly 40 stations overall across the country. Says Hartenbaum: "Stephanie Miller is an audience magnet. The program is growing so positively that we believe it will extend beyond the "Progressive" format and be selected by AM stations and emerging FM talk stations. We are focusing our energies on fully developing this program and its universe of companion businesses, including www.stephaniemiller.com and STEPHcasts-custom audio delivered to subscriber's personal audio devices, anywhere in the world." In association with Jones Radio Networks, WYD syndicates the conservative-oriented Liddy & Hill program and Stephanie Hill.
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| Washington Beat |
Clock started on cable competition NPRM
The FCC adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking to ensure that local franchising authorities (LFAs) do not throw up unnecessary barriers to the entrance of competitors to CATV in the MVPD business, particularly as telcos look at getting into the business. It's looking for commentary on a number of issues. "How many franchising authorities are there nationally? How many franchises are needed to reach 60 of 80 percent of cable subscribers?" It goes on, wondering how state-wide franchising regimes help or hinder new entrants into the business. All four commissioners approved the measure earlier in November. If there is a fault line, it can be found in the comments of Chairman Kevin Martin - - who wants to remove impediments to competition, and the comments of Jonathan Adelstein, who also wants to remove impediments, but is not sure that the local watchdog role of LFAs should be abandoned. . The 60-day comment and 90-day reply comment deadlines are subject to printing the NPRM in the Federal Register.
 BCRA legislators
ask Bush to strengthen FEC
Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Russ Feingold (D-WI), and Representatives Chris Shays (R-CT) and Marty Meehan (D-MA) are incredulous that the Federal Election Commission has yet to work facets of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act into its regulatory framework, over three years after its passage. They have written a letter to President George W. Bush urging that he appoint strong, independent-minded and qualified individuals to the FEC, and that he not use the upcoming Congressional recess to make back-door appointments. The quartet said there are a number of qualified applicants, whose names they are more than willing to share with the White House. More importantly, they argue that anyone nominated for a position on the FEC needs to be thoroughly examined via the standard senatorial confirmation process.
| Read the legislator's letter here |
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| Media Research |
Gift card sales to surge again this Holiday
With gift cards ranking third on consumers' wish lists this year, there is no sign that the craze is slowing down, according to the findings of the latest National Retail Federation survey. The third annual NRF Gift Card Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, found that gift card sales will total 18.48 billion this holiday season, a 6.6% increase over 2004, when holiday gift card sales hit $17.34 billion. The average consumer will spend 88.03 on gift cards this holiday season, 15.6% of their holiday gift budget. With their popularity at an all-time high, gift cards have made an appearance on the lists of both gift givers and receivers. 75.5% of consumers polled said that they plan on purchasing at least one gift card, and 52.3% of consumers would like to receive gift cards this holiday season.
| Gift card information: |
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| Monday Morning Makers & Shakers |
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Transactions: 10/10/05-10/14/05
Radio took back the driver's seat in the fourth week of a back-and-forth contest with TV traders to lead the way in the weekly FCC filing tally. Three transactions were valued at 10M of more and another, for a 13-station upstate Michigan small-market group, moved almost 5M for a 54% stake.
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Total
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Total Deals
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11
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AMs
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8
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FMs
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15
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TVs
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1
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| Value |
62.517M
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| Complete Charts |
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Radio Transactions of the Week
Radio One gets number two for St. Louis
| More... |
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TV Transactions of the Week
Griffin doubles up in Tulsa
| More... |
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| Transactions |
800K KROR-FM Hastings NE from Eternal Broadcasting LLC (Richard Chapin) to NRG Media LLC (Mary Quass). Trade for KLIQ-FM Hastings NE. NRG will also pay 270K cash. Superduopoly with KSYZ-FM Grand Island NE, KGRW-AM/KRNY-FM/KQKY-FM Kearney NE & KUBVR-AM/KMTY-FM Holdrege NE. [File date 10/26/05.]
700K KLIQ-FM Hastings NE from Eternal Broadcasting LLC (Richard Chapin) to Platte River Radio Inc. (David Oldfather, Craig J. Eckert, Diane H. Oldfather, Jane O. Light). 70K escrow, balance in cash at closing. Duopoly with KXPN-AM/KKPR-FM North Platte NE. [File date 10/26/05.]
530K KLIQ-FM Hastings NE from NRG Media LLC (Mary Quass) to Eternal Broadcasting LLC (Richard Chapin). Trade for KROR-FM Hastings NE. NRG will also pay 270K cash. Station is being resold by Eternal in separate deal with Platte River Radio. [File date 10/26/05.]
N/A TV CP Myrtle Beach-Florence SC (Myrtle Beach SC) from Libco Inc., a subsidiary of The Liberty Corp. (W. Hayne Hipp et al) to Raycom National Inc., a subsidiary of Raycom Media Inc. (Paul McTear et al). CP for Channel 32 was granted after merger of two companies was announced. That agreement called for this CP to be considered part of the prior deal if granted by the FCC for no further consideration. [File date 10/28/05.]
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| Stock Talk |
Ending the week on an up note
Merger and acquisition news in the high tech and insurance sectors, along with lower oil prices, gave stocks a boost on Friday. The Dow Industrials rose 46 points, or 0.4%, to 10,766.
Radio stocks went along for the ride. The Radio Index rose 2.833, or 1.5%, to 189.120. Ever volatile Beasley led the way, up 5.6%. Radio One's Class D stock rose 4.3% and Class A 4.1%.
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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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39.11
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+0.51
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Jeff-Pilot
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JP
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55.23
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+0.31
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Beasley
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BBGI
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14.22
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+0.75
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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13.80
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-0.20
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| Citadel |
CDL |
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13.55 |
-0.22 |
Radio One, Cl. A
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ROIA
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10.76
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+0.42
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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32.50
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+0.36
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Radio One, Cl. D
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ROIAK
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10.78
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+0.44
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Cox Radio
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CXR
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14.97
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-0.01
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Regent
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RGCI
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5.02
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unch
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Cumulus
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CMLS
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11.58
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+0.33
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Saga Commun.
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SGA
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11.69
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+0.24
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Disney
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DIS
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25.20
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-0.79
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Salem Comm.
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SALM
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19.29
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+0.24
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Emmis
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EMMS
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19.67
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+0.33
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Sirius Sat. Radio
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SIRI
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7.28
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-0.05
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| Entercom |
ETM
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31.71
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+0.41
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Spanish Bcg.
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SBSA
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5.38
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+0.02
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Entravision
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EVC
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7.65
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+0.12
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Univision
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UVN
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28.72
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+0.17
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Fisher
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FSCI
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45.43
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-0.14
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Viacom, Cl. A
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VIA
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33.84
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+0.17
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Gaylord
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GET
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43.30
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+1.09
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Viacom, Cl. B
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VIAb
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33.78
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+0.14
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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23.74
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+0.25
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Westwood One
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WON
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17.80
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+0.20
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Interep
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IREP
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0.39
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+0.01
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XM Sat. Radio
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XMSR
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30.75
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+0.60
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International Bcg.
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IBCS
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0.01
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unch
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-
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-
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-
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-
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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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Stations for Sale
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New York City AM
Population coverage in .5mV/m estimated at over 14M. Good assets/RE. Price 15M. CA to receive info or ID. 781-858-4201 or [email protected]
Southwestern Virginia AM
Price Reduced! Great coverage with a 10Kw Upgrade CP. Possible terms available. Excellent opportunity for a new owner operator.
Cliff at Clifton Gardiner & Co
(303)758-6900
[email protected]
NYC Prime Radio
Time for Lease
7 days a week available p/t-f/t Business, Foreign language, religious, Health, Infomercials accepted. 212-769-1925 [email protected]
TV & Satellite time also available. Station Inquiries welcome
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Below the Fold
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Ad Biz
Mediaedge:cia looks at
in-game ad effectiveness Pt II
create meaningful relationships between brands and consumers...
Media Markets & Money
Randy Michaels a little
less Radioactive
spinning off one of his FM Auction No. 37 acquisitions...
Media Business Report
Gift card sales to surge
again this Holiday
ranking third on consumers'
wish lists this year...
Shakers & Makers
Radio
Radio One gets number two
for St. Louis
TV
Griffin doubles up in Tulsa
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More News Headlines
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KDKA-TV reporter cited for trespassing
Marty Griffin, a reporter with KDKA-TV, was cited for trespassing at a county bus garage. According to the AP story, he was working on a story about lax security at the Port Authority of Allegheny County in October. He walked around the garage and boarded a bus without being stopped. Griffin, who will fight the misdemeanor citation, said the authority is shooting the messenger when it should instead be addressing security concerns. "This story did not fall on my head like an acorn from a tree, but it came from employees," Griffin told The AP. "They said people can walk on the property, steal a bus and drive it around if you want, or even place a package on it and blow it up."
ABC News Radio to provide Holiday greetings from troops
For the third consecutive year, ABC News Radio will provide affiliates with holiday greetings recorded by military personnel serving overseas. These greetings, courtesy of the various branches of the US Armed Forces, are available for broadcast immediately, and will run throughout the holiday season. Through a dedicated Internet link, ABC News Radio affiliates can access a map of the US and select the home state and city of military personnel who have recorded greetings. Greetings will be continually added and made available to affiliates throughout the holiday season.
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TVBR - TV News
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DTV date set in
pencil by full House
The House of Representatives passed its Energy and Commerce Committee's version of a DTV bill as part of an appropriations bill. It makes 12/31/08 the final day for analog broadcast television, and allocates 830M for set-top digital-to-analog converter boxes. From here, it's on to conference committee with a competing Senate-passed measure. The Senate version, also attached to a spending measure, calls for an analog deadline of 4/7/09, and would provide 3B for set-top down-converters.
TVBR observation: The Senate deadline actually makes more sense - - it stalls the deadline long enough to make sure that Washington is home. In a city where much of the workforce commutes in for essentially temporary jobs from all 50 states, you can be certain that December 31 will be a day where a large percentage of the legislative class will be out of town. As for the subsidy, we think the Senate got that right too. The auction of the returned analog spectrum is certain to bring in more than the 10B Congress is planning for - - as much as three times that. It will be affordable, and if the full amount is not required, it can be earmarked for deficit reduction.
Tough comps
hit Journal
TV revenues were down 30.6% in October to 6.6 million for Journal Communications. Like other TV groups, Journal blamed the decline on the tough comps with last year's figures that were inflated by political advertising. Even radio, which didn't get as much of a political windfall last year, was down 6.9% for the month to 6.9 million, also attributed to the lack of political advertising, plus a 330K "one-time year-to-date adjustment" to radio revenues recorded in October. The picture was a bit better for the company's newspapers, where ad revenues were nearly flat (down 200K) at 20.4 million. But circulation revenues declined 2.7%, so total publishing revenues fell 2.3% to 26.3 million.
FCC smacks down Cable One in Nexstar dispute
The battle between television group Nexstar and cable operators over carriage terms has made it to the halls of the FCC - - and the winner is Nexstar. Cable One's Joplin system failed to agree to carriage terms with Nexstar's NBC KNSF-TV, and pulled in a station from Tulsa - - an egregious enough violation of the network nonduplication rule that it resulted in a 20K fine, almost triple the amount usually assessed for a similar violation. Nextstar pulled stations of a Cable One system in the Joplin/Texarkana areas, and a Cox system in several market in the same general area, although not technically in Joplin and mostly across the border in Texas. They have since settled with Cox. Failing to get a settlement with Nexstar in Joplin, Cable One brought in the NBC stylings of KJRH-TV Tulsa, a Scripps Howard station. Cable One had attempted to modify its market definition to make it part of the KJRH DMA. The FCC wrote that it was taking the fine from 7.5K up to 20K inlight of Cable One's "...egregious act of essentially unilaterally granting itself a network nonduplication waiver, the length of the violation, and the substantial harm to KSNF's network nonduplication rights..."
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RBR Radar 2005
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Radio News you won't read any where else. RBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
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Abernathy makes a date
with the door
Republican FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy has sent her resignation to President George W. Bush, effective 12/9/05. Exiting with her will be her reliable Republican vote. RBR observation: Sen. Commerce Committee Chair Ted Stevens (R-AK) sent out signals that he wanted to find a candidate an opportunity that remains open to him with Abernathy's announcement. Abernathy's full statement see
11/18/05 RBR #227
Iger Mum on radio
Amazingly, with the final bids now being scrutinized, not a single analyst asked a question in the conference call that might elicit an indication of whether they are currently leaning toward a sale or not.
RBR observation: Only speculation and the usual of Entercom wanting ABC badly and then speculation about Mel Karmazin and Sirius Radio possibly taking a run for the simple reason of people who feel they are in the speculation mood that Karmazin just does not want to see well in excess of 100 million+ ad dollars left on the table with Howard Stern leaving the free radio air waves. Wait until the Fat Lady Sings.
11/18/05 RBR #227
What now for VNU? Scuttled IMS merger; CEO hitting the road
Awakened the sleeping giants who own most of its stock, VNU the parent of AC Nielsen now has to prove to the shareholders that it can generate good returns and run its businesses well - - or sell them to someone who can.
RBR observation: It's not that difficult to get listed on the NYSE, so VNU hardly needed a 7B acquisition to do so. The obvious play and one we've heard suggested more times than we can count is to buy Arbitron, already on the NYSE, which would cost only about 1.25-1.5 billion. That becomes especially attractive if Nielsen Media Research decides it does want to use Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM) for TV ratings. Not included in that list from VNU is anything about spin-offs - - something else that big VNU shareholders have been urging the company to consider. In a conference call with European analysts yesterday, van den Bergh insisted that VNU is not planning any divestitures. But then, he won't be involved in such decisions for much longer. Clearly, some of those big institutional investors don't think the publishing group at VNU fits with its main data collection and research businesses, so pressure is likely to continue for van den Bergh's successor to sell off the group, known titles include Adweek, Billboard, Mediaweek and The Hollywood Reporter. Don't rule out a sale of all of VNU to a private equity buyer, who would streamline the cumbersome VNU management structure, sell off unwanted assets like the publishing division, and pump up financial performance for an IPO or resale. Waiting for the other shoe to drop.
11/18/05 RBR #227
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Regional Sales Director
WideOrbit, the broadcast television industry's leading traffic, sales, and billing software solution has expanded into Radio. Looking for the right salesperson to join the team with experience working for a radio station or group with a understanding of sales, traffic, and billing systems. Excellent growth opportunity.
See Radio Careers
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Help Desk
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Having problems with our epapers?
Please send Questions/Concerns to:
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©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
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