Thursday Morning December 1st, 2011, Volume 28, Issue 234
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 FCC nominees move through Commerce Committee
Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai met with the Senate Commerce Committee, a key stop on the road to the offices on the FCC 8th Floor they've been nominated to fill. Such an event is not one in which nominees are known to stake out controversial positions - but within the non-contentious tone of their opening statements, Rosenworcel managed to sound like the Democrat, and Pai the Republican.
RBR-TVBR observation: There are still no signs that there is anything whatsoever standing between these nominees and the FCC - except Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), who has still promised a hold on their nominations over an unrelated FCC matter. Stay tuned. More...
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Spectrum issue on the Hill building a head of steam
The House Communications Subcommittee is marking up a bill concerning the repurposing of spectrum in the television band for wireless broadband use, with a likely winner coming from Republican members and a competing plan from the Democrats. On the Senate side, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) is ready to maneuver. But not so fast -- House Democrats want more time - see related story. More...
House Democrats want postponement of spectrum markup
Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) the Ranking Members of the House Commerce Committee and Communications Subcommittee respectively, say that the new spectrum bill from Greg Walden (R-OR) was dumped on them Tuesday 11/29/11, and they need more time to consider it. They want a scheduled 12/1/11 markup postponed. More...
Netflix, Hulu viewing may inflate more cable bills
As we reported back in May, Netflix has become the largest source of Internet traffic in North America, thanks to its streaming video service. Now, cable operators are rethinking their Internet pricing strategy because Netflix and Hulu's subscription services have driven up usage at peak hours once reserved for watching TV.
RBR-TVBR observation: Many MSOs already have tiered pricing for varied internet speed. But this is different. It's how much bandwidth and data you as a customer are pulling from the pipe, so to speak. More...
Fire alarm sounds throughout NBC Nightly News (video)
It would have been a more exciting video if Brian Williams had panicked and headed for the exit, but the "NBC Nightly News" anchor kept his cool Tuesday evening as a fire alarm sounded during the broadcast. The alarm sounded early in the newscast and then kept coming back again and again after attempts to silence it. There was, in fact, no fire in the 30 Rock studios. More...
Moody's rates Sinclair's new and old debt
Sinclair Broadcast Group announced a few days ago that it is increasing its bank credit facilities to fund $585 million in pending station acquisitions. Moody's Investors Service has studied the new balance sheet and issued its ratings for the new borrowing, as well as for some existing debt. More...
Nexstar signs new retrans deal with Dish
Here's a retransmission consent negotiation that won't get much attention inside the Beltway because it all came together peacefully, without any threats or attempt to elicit government intervention. Nexstar announced that it has signed a new multi-year retrans deal with Dish Network.
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Univision to market Televisa brands for consumer products
The once-strained relationship between Univision Communications and Mexico's Televisa has sure changed with Televisa investing in Univision, extending their programming deal and clarifying that Univision has the online rights to Televisa programming in the US. Now Univision has been named the exclusive consumer products licensing agent for Grupo Televisa's brands throughout the US and Puerto Rico. More...
CBS Local Media signs with foursquare
Users of CBS Local's online websites will now have the ability to populate their foursquare To-Do Lists at the same time they're reading about a new restaurant, an undiscovered venue, shopping destinations, or any locale they want to visit in the future.
RBR-TVBR observation: CBS Radio's Karen Mateo tells us the foursquare button will live on select pages within the website. There is no ad inventory associated with the deal, so for right now it looks like the move is more of a value added feature than a revenue-producer. More...
FTC wants to study voluntary alcohol ads restrictions
The FTC's goal is not to regulate alcohol advertising - at least not on the face of its latest call for commentary. The goal is to study the effectiveness of the alcohol industry's voluntary guidelines on advertising in keeping the messaging away from the attention of those too young to use their products. More...
Disney boosts its dividend payout
The Walt Disney Company pays an annual dividend, rather than a quarterly one. But that dividend payout is going to be substantially bigger in January. More...
Another round of furloughs for Gannett newspaper employees
Gannett Company, the world's largest newspaper chain, continues to cut costs to keep the newspaper side of the company profitable. The Gannett Blog, run by a former staffer, reports that employees of the US Community Publishing (USCP) newspaper division have received notices that the 5th round of mandatory unpaid furloughs will take place in Q1 of 2012.
RBR-TVBR observation: The Gannett Blog has long complained about the paychecks to top executives, as though the money was coming out of the pockets of lower-ranking employees. Business doesn't work that way. More...
Social media company closing shop
As Facebook prepares for a record-breaking IPO next year, here's a reminder that some social media ideas make it - and big time - while others don't. Get Married Media announced that it will shut down on December 16th. More...
The 54th Grammy nominations, 'Kanye West' gets Seven
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Ideas Working Now
Find the right keywords to promote your news website
by Graeme Newell, 602communications.com
Keyword advertising is one of the hottest new opportunities to advertise your news web site. These are the text ads that appear to the right on search engine pages like Google, MSN and Yahoo. Pay-per-click advertising provides quantifiable results and an opportunity to target people looking for information on specific keywords. Anyone searching for "Memphis football" is someone I want to point to my sports web page. Advertisers have learned that this kind of qualified lead is worth a premium ad rate. More...
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Last.fm integrates music recommendations on Spotify
Last.fm, CBS Corp.'s/CBS Interactive Music Group's global music recommendation service, will launch a specially made app for digital music service Spotify, helping listeners using the service decide what to play next-from new artists, albums and tracks. The music discovery app will be launched on the new Spotify Platform, which was unveiled 11/30 in NYC.
RBR-TVBR observation: This is markedly different than Pandora or Jango, in that the music discovery (suggested music) is social, rather than based on an algorithm like Pandora's Music Genome Project. With Pandora and Jango, listeners can tune into pre-made genre stations and other users' stations, but, again, the new music offered up is done via software. More...
Review all Internet News at RBR.com
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2012 advertising expected to grow 1%
Brian Wieser, whom you may remember from Magna Global, is now an analyst at Pivotal Research Group, an independent Wall Street research company. A report he's authored says that during 2012, they expect advertising will grow by 1.0% on a normalized basis in the US. Most traditional media sectors will not see the increases of 2011-but then again, the comps are now tougher than 2010. Digital, on the other hand, remains in rocketship mode.
RBR-TVBR observation: View the 2012 estimates as they are impressive. You will learn marketers are focusing their budgets to key media sectors. More...
Q3 Internet ad revenues up 22%
Internet advertising revenues in the U.S. hit $7.88 billion in Q3, a 22% increase over the same period in 2010, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PwC US. These figures also show a 2.7% uptick from the record-setting revenues of Q2. The Q3 results mark the eighth consecutive quarter of YOY growth.
RBR-TVBR observation: Much of this growth is spurred by technology increases in smartphones and tablets. Internet ad growth includes all things mobile-from a static banner ad to a video played while someone is watching a re-run of Glee on Fox on their iPhone at LAX. More...
Review all Ad Business News at RBR.com |
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FCC wants comments on commenter requirements
The FCC has been accused of last-minute data dumps related to complex rulemaking proceedings, in particular by Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that is seeking legislation to restrict the agency. The FCC says there is a reason for making data available late, but it isn't to cloud the issue - and is asking if it should require commenters to submit supporting documentation with their remarks for public posting. More...
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Radio
Univision rebranding WVIV in Chicago
The WVIV/WVIX simulcast is changing format from Hurban, "La Kalle 103.1/93.5" to Maxima 93.5 & 103.1 FM, effective 12/12. The stations include WVIV-FM 103.1 Highland Park, IL and WVIX-FM 93.5 Joliet, IL. The new mix of music is will appeal to the broader 18-49 demo. More...
7th annual "A Rockin' 80's Christmas!" set
The holiday special is being offered free beginning 12/15. It's a free two hour program from 4C Studios and Envision Radio Networks' The Rockin' 80's. it features 80's rock and roll Christmas hits from Dokken, Twisted Sister, Dio, Bon Jovi, LA Guns, Joan Jett, Stryper, Queensryche, Warrant, .38 Special, Spinal Tap and more. More...
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Television
Barbara Walters special features most fascinating people of 2011
"Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2011" will air as a 90-minute ABC News special highlighting some of the year's most prominent names in entertainment, sports and popular culture, Wednesday, December 14 on ABC. More...
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Happy days are here again! - 11/30/11
There was rejoicing in financial markets around the globe as the US Fed and other central banks launched a coordinated effort to keep borrowing costs low and shore up the world's financial systems, which should help boost business growth. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shot up 490 points, or 4.3%, to 12,046. Broadcasting stocks jumped with the market.
The RBR Radio Index was up 8.221, or 2.7%, to 314.854.
The TVBR Television Index was up 16.038, or 7.5%, to 230.078. More...
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Winners
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Losers
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| Entravision |
+18.9%
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SBS |
-9.9% |
| Saga |
+13.9%
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Radio One |
-3.4% |
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Belo
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+11.2%
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Beasley |
-1% |
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For additional reports, ideas, analysis, interviews, and
RBR/TVBR Observations...visit and bookmark www.RBR.com
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She gets the biz
Spanish Broadcasting System has promoted Jackie Nosti-Cambó to Vice President of Business Analytics, focusing on the business practices of SBS in all of its markets. She will also develop new insights and understanding to improve business performance in order to grow revenue in all of the company's markets.
Left Coaster
Neil Klasky has been named Senior Vice President, West Coast Legal & Business Affairs, for A+E Networks. He was most recently SVP of FX Productions in Los Angeles.
Homeward bound
St. Louis native Marty Linck has been named Program Director for CBS Radio's KEZK-FM and KYKY-FM. He was previously PD at WCJK-FM Nashville.
Promotion at PromoSuite
Radio promotion specialist PromoSuite Software & Interactive has promoted Daniel Nachimson to the newly created position of Senior Client Relations Representative
Upped at CW
Rick Haskins has been elevated to the newly created post of Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital Programs, The CW. He joined the network as Executive Vice President, Marketing and Brand Strategy in 2006.
Upped at CW
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Ford goes Slacker Radio / Reverse Comp threats TV
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
RIAA working Congress on Royalty / TV seeing Election Bucks
11/29/11 RBR-TVBR #232
Entercom completes Refi Bid / FCC grudgingly OKs Raycom Triple Play
11/28/11 RBR-TVBR #231
Pandora's Double-Edge Sword / RAB facing Red Ink
11/27/11 Sunday Edition
Election prep for 2012 / Window of Opportunity
11/26/11 Saturday Edition
Mobile devices a challenge for Pandora
Well over half of its listening on mobile devices, Pandora admits that it is more difficult, at least to date, to monetize that listening through advertising sales.
RBR-TVBR observation: It's a "Catch 22." Converting advertisers to audio isn't happening fast enough for Pandora to keep up with the music royalties it has to pay for mobile listening.
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
Ford integrates Slacker Radio
Look out, Pandora: Slacker Radio has joined the lineup of smartphone apps that Ford drivers can control with their voice through its optional SYNC AppLink.
RBR-TVBR observation: Now we can see why CC Radio is focusing on its iHeartRadio app so much.
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
House panel takes up spectrum auctions
Bill coming from Republicans will be competing with one coming from the panel's Democrats. The numbers clearly favor the side led by panel Chairman Walden (R-OR). NAB said Walden's version was a "major step forward."
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
LPFM group finds kinship with Occupy Wall Street
RBR-TVBR observation: Similarities between a lot of the LPFMers and OWS. However, we would bet that fans of LPFM are not at all limited to those who agree with OWS. In fact, we'd bet that quite a few local Tea Party organizations have or would like to have an LPFM, along with small organizations of almost any philosophy one can think of.
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
Moody's sees reverse comp threat for TV station owners
Retransmission consent fees: important new revenue stream and dependable flow. But the Big Four Nets now demanding a share of that cash and getting it in many recent affiliation renewals.
Warning flag: Moody's says in a new report that the more to reverse comp will put pressure on the credit ratings of pure-play TV station operators.
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
LIN acquires majority stake in Nami Media
RBR-TVBR observation: When the Internet was new the eyeball game was all about quantity. But as the Web has become mainstream - which happened some time ago - marketers have had to focus on Quality, which is where companies like Nami Media come in. Content is King but Only when one Control's the Content.
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
Making Sure that Seller Conducts Business as Usual
A problem is presented by the period between the signing of a contract and the closing of a deal - there is no incentive for the seller to maintain high operational standards; meanwhile, the buyer doesn't want to see the station whittled down to stick value due to managerial neglect. We look at how this situation was handled in a number of recent transaction documents.
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
Key CP going to Miami AM owner
An FM-to-be will be partnering with an up-and-running AM once a deal for WURN-FM comes to a conclusion. But although it already has similar calls to WURN(AM), the stations will be serving different geographical areas.
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
License renewal and licensee certifications
Why you don't want any dead air!: With 2011 coming to a close, it's interesting and significant to realize that the radio renewal cycle, marking the dates by which radio licensees must file their FCC renewal applications, will be about 20 percent done. Next June will start the Television renewal cycle, and each will move across the country and back over a period of 3 years, with the Delaware and Pennsylvania bringing in the final renewal filing dates of April 2014 for radio and 2015 for TV.
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
American Public Media acquires Spot.Us
American Public Media (APM) is a major producer of public radio programming, with a portfolio of programs reaching 16 million listeners via more than 800 radio stations, but it lately has been expanding its holdings outside radio. APM has now announced the acquisition of Spot.Us, a website that invites the public to fund journalism that is then distributed to newsrooms across the country.
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
Slacker partners with ABC for content channels
Slacker Radio, the music discovery and on-demand online radio experience that includes over 150 expert-programmed music stations, announced new Lifestyle stations, in conjunction with ABC and ABC News Radio, that will be available on Slacker Personal Radio in early Q1.
11/30/11 RBR-TVBR #233
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