|
Radio News ®
|
|
|
 Ratings data crunched
on Wall Street
Two analysts are out with their take on the Fall Arbitron ratings, but it you think it is just simple math, think again. Chris Ensley at Bear Stearns declared Emmis one of the biggest gainers on a revenue-weighted ratings basis, while Marci Ryvicker at Wachovia listed Emmis as one of the worst performers year-over-year. It's all in the methodology and assumptions, of course. Looking over the research reports each issued yesterday, we see that Ensley has New York accounting for 33% of Emmis' radio revenues and Los Angeles 29%, while Ryvicker has it 31% for New York and 26% for LA. "On a weighted basis, Emmis' Fall ratings increased by 7.2%. Emmis benefited from ratings increases in its largest markets, such as Los Angeles (+20%) and Chicago (+17%), that more than offset ratings declines in smaller markets such as Austin (-12%) and Terre Haute (-12%). Ratings were also down slightly in New York (-6%)," Ensley wrote in his analysis of year-over-year, revenue weighted ratings for the 25-54 demo.
Using the same 25-54 data as a starting point, Ryvicker shows the unweighted results that Emmis' ratings were down 5% year-over-year in New York, up 3% in LA, up 13% in Chicago, up 1% in St. Louis, up 4% in Indianapolis, down 15% in Austin and down 5% in Terre Haute. That's an overall decline of 4%. And, using her formula for revenue weighting, Ryvicker concludes that Emmis' revenue-weighted ratings were down 4% as well. Ensley shows two public radio companies doing even better than Emmis for year-over-year weighted ratings: Beasley, up 11.7%, and Salem (music stations only), up 8.5%. Ryvicker doesn't have either of those companies on her coverage list. "Among our companies under coverage, both CBS and Cox Radio had the best y/y performance among A25-54, with improvements of 1% and 2%, respectively. We attribute CBS' share gains to programming changes implemented by Dan Mason, and we believe that the monetization of such share gains combined with expense reductions (staff cuts) will lead to margin expansion. CXR's share increase was due primarily to its Atlanta cluster (~25% of rev.), which improved by 6%," Ryvicker told clients.
RBR observation: Don't ask us to referee this. We do, though, find the difference in analysis interesting. Both analysts noted that PPM ratings data from two large markets complicated the calculations. Ryvicker decided to exclude Houston and Philadelphia from the overall analysis, then noted how PPM data would have adjusted the numbers for each group. Ensley included the two PPM markets, then added a note on how much the numbers would change with Houston and Philadelphia excluded. But that doesn't have anything to do with the difference of opinion over Emmis, which has no stations in either market.
|
|
|
 XM/Sirius: Analyst argues that time not of the essence
Tyler Savery of seekingalpha.com says he's amused by many of the theories bouncing around as to why the regulatory is taking so long to announce a decision on the merger of satcasters XM and Sirius. The length of time is seen as both a positive and a negative, depending on who is doing the viewing. However, looking at the negatives, he said if the merger was a slam-dunk denial as some argue, then it would have been dispensed with long ago. The positive view, that the agencies are taking a long time to make sure all details are triple-checked before granting what figures to be a controversial approval, holds only a little bit more water, since that process has been ongoing from the beginning anyway. He sees political pressure as a possible anchor. Since many in Congress are engaged in this and offered opinions early in the process, it puts more of a premium on handling the matter carefully. Less responsible is the presence of strong opposition from competitors -- that is a given in any major merger. The bottom line is that approval will hinge on market definition. If you are of the mind that XM and Sirius are unique and compete most acutely with one another, it will be shot down. If it is seen as just another audio delivery medium, it will probably be approved. Savery's bottom line is that the length of the regulatory process is not a good reason to either abandon or invest in either company.
RBR observation: We continue to agree with the antitrust experts we've heard. These companies were chartered as being forever apart and in competition with one another for a reason; they provide a service that no other company can; and merging them will be a detriment both to consumers and suppliers that deal with either.
RAB sets marketing alliance with reps
Calling on the radio industry to prepare and adapt for the future, RAB President and CEO Jeff Haley announced at RAB2008 in Atlanta that the Radio Advertising Bureau is forming a marketing alliance with the two major national rep firms, Katz and Interep, to increase advertisers' investment in radio. "I'm glad to say that for a specific list of clients, Katz, Interep and the RAB will combine their efforts and provide a single point of contact for all communication with advertisers and their agencies," Haley said in his keynote speech. Without actually mentioning Arbitron or PPM, Haley called for the industry to speak with one voice on the transition to behavioral-based research. "Dissension breeds mistrust and doubt amongst our key supporters in the advertising community. To be clear, I'm not advocating a specific plan or endorsing a specific partner. I'm calling for a unanimous and unequivocally clear position that all broadcasters agree to adhere to. We must be together on this issue," Haley said. He did, however, advocate a specific plan when it comes to the long contentious issue of posting, which some advertisers and agencies are pressing for with the continuous flow of ratings data from PPM. "The debate is over. We will post," Haley declared.
|
|
|
Sinclair takes FCC to court
Tribune Company is challenging the FCC's 20-market relaxation of broadcast/print cross-ownership rules, saying it didn't go far enough and should allow for such combinations anywhere. Watchdogs have said even the 20-market easement is too much and figure to challenge it as going too far. Now Sinclair Broadcast Group is challenging on grounds the rulemaking did nothing to relax television duopoly rules. The earlier attempt by the Michael Powell FCC on 6/2/03 would have made television duopolies much easier to put together -- and even that attempt was viewed by many in the broadcast community as too restrictive. Although it would have allowed three-station television combos in the very largest markets, it would have barred any combination involving more than one top-four station anywhere, effectively eliminating the possibility of forming a duopoly in many smaller markets.
The Sinclair attempt to get the rules loosened is headed for the District Circuit, which has a long history of branding various and sundry FCC rules as arbitrary and capricious. However, the Powell rulemaking was remanded by the Third Circuit with an order to better justify the TV duopoly rule (and others). In view of the court's seeming criticism of the rule and widespread public opposition voiced at several FCC forums, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin opted to leave the rules are they were with the exception of the limited cross-ownership dereg. The Third Circuit had actually offered praise for cross-owned combinations, but still found the underpinnings of the rulemaking justifying associated local ownership caps to be wanting. Watchdog Stopbigmedia.com is already sounding the alarm about the Sinclair filing. Noting politically-oriented programming produced by the group, it said, "Regardless of your political affiliation, these kinds of actions highlight the power of one big company to influence elections and the need for independent voices and local owners. The fact that Sinclair is again trying to expand their reach and buy up more local stations in more communities should worry everyone."
RBR observation: We're still waiting to see if there is going to be a congressional intervention in this matter. Will the FCC/Capitol Hill/courtroom merry-go-round ever come to a halt? Stay tuned, if you dare.
 Urban Knights Awards presented at RAB
American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) presented its annual Urban Knight Awards 2/11 at the RAB Radio Sales, Management and Leadership Conference in Atlanta. Jim Watkins (center), General Manager of WHUR-FM in Washington DC, was inducted into the Urban Knight Hall of Fame, along with Michael Carter, President of the Carter Company Broadcast Group (KPRS-FM Kansas City). Pictured with Watkins are AURN's Howard Eisen (left), EVP Sales, and Jerry Lopes, President of Program Operations & Affiliations. Jim Winston, Executive Director and General Counsel of the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB), was presented with the inaugural "Urban Knight Lifetime Achievement Award." Urban Knight Awards were presented to Greg Davis, President & CEO, Davis Broadcasting; David Dubose, Vice President/Market Manager, Cox Broadcasting, Birmingham; Zemira Jones, Vice President, Radio One; and Tony Kidd, General Manager WALR-FM/WBTS-FM, Atlanta. The Urban Knight Awards were initiated in 2002 to honor the valiant efforts of those in urban radio sales who have carried the banner of improving marketing/sales to the urban consumer marketplace.
|
|
|
|
| Wall Street Business Report TM |
Journal boosts dividend
Wall Street may not like media stocks, but that isn't stopping companies from rewarding their patient shareholders by increasing dividends. Journal Communications yesterday announced that its board has boosted the company's quarterly dividend by 6.7% to eight cents per share. The dividend will be paid March 7th to shareholders of record on February 26th. The board also set the company's annual shareholders meeting for May 1st. "We are pleased to once again increase our quarterly dividend, which reflects our Company's strong cash flow and its commitment to returning value to shareholders," said CEO Steven Smith. He'll get to talk more about that cash flow today as Journal reports its Q4 and full year 2007 financial results. The consensus of Wall Street analysts surveyed by Thomson/First Call is that revenues will be down 19% for the quarter and 12% for the year. Journal Communications, founded in 1882, publishes the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and 49 community newspapers and shoppers. It owns 35 radio stations and 11 television stations, plus another TV operated under an LMA. It has 96 online enterprises associated with its traditional media properties.
Citadel comes to terms
Citadel Broadcasting Corp. says in an SEC filing that it has reached a settlement with bondholders who have been battling in court with the company over whether last year's acquisition of ABC Radio via a merger made Citadel's bonds immediately due and payable. Under terms of the ABC deal, Citadel still has to get Disney's consent to the settlement, but it looks like the litigation is going to be wrapped up. The settlement will have Citadel offer to buy back up to 55 million in face value of the notes at 90 cents on the dollar and issue amended notes due 2011 for all that are tendered in excess of that threshold. Proceeds from asset sales, on a formula spelled out in the settlement, will be used to buy back more of the notes.
|
|
|
|
|
Ad Business Report TM
|
WaMu unveils new campaign
WaMu announced a new marketing and advertising campaign that taps into customers' emotional reactions to capture the essence of what it feels like to bank at WaMu. The new campaign brings WaMu's brand values to life: A company that lives to simplify banking and do it with a smile. The fully integrated "Whoo hoo!" campaign - which spans TV, in-store, direct, print, out-of-home, radio and online (and a  parallel internal campaign) - conveys the emotional appeal of the unique WaMu brand. For TV, the focal point is the customer's Whoo hoo! moment; a dream-like state where customers visualize moments of personal elation in response to learning about WaMu products and services. In addition to English language advertising, elements of the new campaign will be launched in Spanish and Chinese languages. TBWA\Chiat\Day, LA, is responsible for the TV, print and outdoor, planning and campaign strategy. Additional agencies involved include: Zubi Advertising - Spanish language; IW Group - Chinese language; Fathom Communications - Experiential marketing; Wolff-Olins - Merchandising and Avenue A-Razorfish - Online
John Fabian leaves USRN
John Fabian, SVP/Eastern Sales at United Stations Radio Networks has left after a three-year stint with the network. He was hired by USRN from The Golf Channel and is going back into cable at The Outdoor Channel, Untied Stations CEO Jim Higgins tells RBR. "They made him the offer of a lifetime. He's a great guy--I've known him for over 20 years and wish him the best." Higgins says they are actively looking to replace John-contact [email protected] if you have the experience and interest.
KYW to pact with GPTMC
KYW Newsradio (KYW-AM) is expected to announce a new online venture soon with the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) that will target people planning to visit Philadelphia. It's expected to combine the broadcast resources of one of Philadelphia's most successful and stations and the international marketing muscle of the organization responsible for attracting millions of visitors to the City of Brotherly Love.
|
|
|
|
| Media Business Report TM |
Election nearly shuts out Iraq
Hogging 55% of the overall media newshole, the 2008 election continued to dominate all topics in American journalism, according to the Project for Excellence in Journalism tabulations for the week of 2/4/08-2/10/08. Various Iraq topics (including events there, the debate, homefront stories and other related Mideast topics), which could be counted on to dominate coverage throughout most of 2007, barely registered, with a mere 1% of total media attention going to Iraq homefront coverage. The previous week, the election consumed 51% of the hole. Most of the five component media of the PEJ chart actually posted consistent coverage week-to-week; the big change was a jump from 33% to 45% in the newspaper category. The troubled economy, which had been holding the #2 slot in recent weeks, was knocked down a peg -- it took a weather emergency to do that, in particular, the tornadoes that struck in parts of the south. In general, cross-media assignment desks seemed to be on the same page during the week, producing only eight stories that were on an individual medium top ten list but not on the total media list.
| Top ten lists here |
NYT Co. names its own nominees
Rather than accept any of the four director wannabes nominated by dissident investors, the New York Times Company has begun to unveil its own slate of candidates. Former Salomon Inc. CEO Robert Denham and drugstore.com CEO Dawn Lapore will run for the seats of two current directors who have decided not to stand for re-election, although there's no word yet on whether all of the remaining 11 incumbents will be on the ballot. Under the dual-class voting system at New York Times Company, nine of the 13 board members are elected by the holders of Class B stock, most of which is owned by the Ochs-Sulzberger family. Only four are elected by the holders of the publicly traded Class A stock. It is those four seats which are being sought by four nominees of the Harbinger hedge fund and Firebrand Partners. NY Times management hasn't yet announced its full slate, so it's not clear yet just which seats Denham and Lepore will run for. Of the two current directors who have decided not to seek reelection, James Kilts was a Class A director and Brenda Barnes a Class B director. The other three Class A directors, who by all indications do plan to seek reelection by the public shareholders, are Bill Kennard (yes, the former FCC Chairman), Raul Cesan and Doreen Toben. Voting will take place at the annual shareholders meeting on April 22nd.
 The Brand Experience
teams with World Vision
Aegis Media's The Brand Experience, in coordination with The Production Network (TPN), has partnered with World Vision to produce the "World Vision Experience: AIDS" multi-media exhibit, currently on a national tour designed to raise awareness about the affects of the international AIDS pandemic on children in developing countries. World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide tackle the causes of poverty. The event will tour throughout 2008, with exhibits scheduled to visit 80 cities throughout the US. Visitors to the 2,340 square foot exhibit, walk though a replica of an African village while listening on headsets to a personal audio track telling the story of a child whose life has been affected by AIDS.
|
|
|
|
| Media Markets & Money TM |
White Park gives Kona Coast a 'HUG
Well, Steven Silberberg's White Park Broadcasting isn't just giving the CP for KHUG-FM Hudson WY to Victor A. Michael Jr.'s Kona Coast Radio. It'll cost Michaels 50K. The station is licensed as a Class C3 on 105.1 MHz with 25 kw @ 292'. Hudson is between the towns of Riverton and Lander in an unrated portion of central Wyoming.
|
|
|
|
| Washington Business Report TM |
A Martin, a Baker, a testimony-maker (or two)
The Commerce Committees have lined up their DTV witnesses, and the two key government representatives will be doing double duty. The hearing today at the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, and the one tomorrow at the Senate Commerce Committee, will both feature a first panel comprised of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and Meredith Attwell Baker, who is the Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Communications and Information, NTIA (filling in for the recently departed John Kneuer). The House hearing will move on to a seven member second panel including NAB's David K. Rehr; NCTA's Kyle McSlarrow; Ron Bruno of the Community Broadcasters Association; Echostar's Mark Jackson; Tom Romeo of IBM; Laurence Harris of Radio Shack; and Chris Murray of the Consumers Union. The Senate's second panel also features Murray, who will be joined by just two others: Allan Horlick of WUSA9 Washington and Byron W. St. Clair of the National Translator Association.
RBR observation: Both panels have representatives from the low power community, which means that the plight of Class A television stations, LPTVs and translators should get an airing out in both sessions.
|
|
|
|
| Ratings & Research |
 BIGresearch profiles bloggers
The art of blogging is no longer reserved for the college student with too much to say or the unemployed, self proclaimed "computer-nerd," according to BIGresearch's Simultaneous Media Survey (SIMM 11) of 15,727 participants. 26% of all adults say they regularly or occasionally blog. Of those, 53.7% are male and almost half (44.7%) are married. 28.4% hold a professional or managerial position, while only one in 10 (10.4%) are students. Bloggers tend to be younger, averaging 37.6 years old, compared to 44.8 for adults 18+. Ethnically, 69.7% of Bloggers are White/Caucasian (vs. 76.1%), 12.2% are African American/Black (vs. 11.4%) and 3.7% are Asian (vs. 2.0%). 20% of Bloggers are Hispanic, compared to 14.8% of adults 18+. In addition, Bloggers report a lower income (55,819 vs. 56,811) and are better educated (14.3 years of education vs. 14.2). In the blogosphere, political blogs are becoming increasingly common, especially in an election year. 24.6% of registered voters say they regularly or occasionally blog. 37.6% of Libertarians regularly/occasionally blog, followed by Democrats (26.9%), Independents (25.7%) and Republicans (22.9%). |
|
|
|
| TVBR TV News |
Markey wants flexible coupons
The Chairman of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Ed Markey (D-MA) is leading the charge to fix a possible flaw in the NTIA digital-to-analog converter box coupon program. The problem is that the coupons expire after 90 days, and Markey wants them to be extended for consumers unable to use them within that window. "For most coupon-users the 90 day window will likely suffice, but if consumers are unable to use the coupon in the allotted time, the NTIA should be flexible enough to allow those consumers to re-apply for coupons," he said. "This move would be consistent with the law and helpful for consumers." Several of Markey's Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues signed onto a letter urging the NTIA to open to coupons to re-application if necessary.
TVBR observation: At this point, some of these applications are already a month old. We'd go a little further, and ask that the NTIA not even start the 90-day clock until a significant supply threshold is in stock on retail shelves throughout the country.
|
|
|
|
| Transactions |
1M WUIN-FM Wilmington NC (Carolina Beach NC) from Ocean Broadcasting II LLC (Macon B. Moye) to Sea-Comm Inc. (N. Eric Jorgensen). LMA/option since 11/19/04. Cash less license loan principle & amortization payments. Superduopoly with WLTT-FM Shallotte & WBNE-FM Wrightsville Beach, which WUIN overlaps, and WNTB-FM Topsail Beach, which it does not. [File date 1/11/08.]
|
|
|
|
| Stock Talk |
Buffett move pleases Wall Street
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett boosted spirits on Wall Street by moving to have his company, Berkshire Hathaway, offer to insure 800 billion in municipal bonds. Traders bid stocks up and the Dow Industrials closed with a gain of 133 points, or 1.1%, at 12,373.
Radio stocks got a boost. The RBR Radio Index gained 2.052, or 2.6%, to 81.960. Emmis was the star, up 6.2%. Citadel gained 5.1%. Radio One Class D rose 4.4%.
|
|
|
|
| Radio Stocks |
Here's how stocks fared on Tuesday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
|
Arbitron*
|
ARB
|
|
40.12
|
+0.56
|
Google
|
GOOG
|
|
518.09
|
-3.07
|
|
Beasley*
|
BBGI
|
|
5.71
|
+0.21
|
Hearst-Argyle
|
HTV
|
|
21.93
|
+0.23
|
| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
 |
24.72
|
+0.20
|
Journal Comm.
|
JRN
|
|
8.25
|
+0.17
|
| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
|
24.65
|
+0.16
|
Lincoln Natl.
|
LNC
|
|
52.53
|
+2.59
|
| Citadel* |
CDL |
|
1.45 |
+0.07 |
Radio One, Cl. A
|
ROIA
|
|
1.64
|
+0.06
|
|
Clear Channel*
|
CCU
|
|
29.54
|
-0.17
|
Radio One, Cl. D*
|
ROIAK
|
|
1.66
|
+0.07
|
|
Cox Radio*
|
CXR
|
|
11.79
|
+0.34
|
Regent*
|
RGCI
|
|
1.17
|
+0.02
|
|
Cumulus*
|
CMLS
|
|
6.29
|
+0.19
|
Saga Commun.*
|
SGA
|
|
5.87
|
-0.13
|
|
Debut Bcg.
|
DBTB
|
|
1.02
|
unch
|
Salem Comm.*
|
SALM
|
|
3.94
|
+0.03
|
|
Disney
|
DIS
|
|
32.03
|
+0.10
|
Sirius Sat. Radio
|
SIRI
|
|
3.10
|
-0.04
|
|
Emmis*
|
EMMS
|
|
2.93
|
+0.17
|
Spanish Bcg.*
|
SBSA
|
|
1.69
|
+0.06
|
|
Entercom*
|
ETM
|
|
11.78
|
+0.44
|
Westwood One*
|
WON
|
|
1.83
|
+0.03
|
|
Entravision
|
EVC
|
|
6.77
|
+0.04
|
XM Sat. Radio
|
XMSR
|
|
12.95
|
+0.23
|
|
Fisher
|
FSCI
|
|
31.30
|
+0.09
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*Component of the RBR Radio Index
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bounceback
|
 We want to
hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments and
a photo to [email protected]
Connecting cutbacks
and reregulation
If the current FCC call for "returning to the past" goes through, Ron Nickell and countless operators, including myself, will have to load up on the upper end management, open and then man studios 24 hours per day in multiple communities we are now serving well. So much for reallocation of assets to do a better job of programming.
Mark R. Lange
President -
The Original Company, Inc.
|
|
|
Below the Fold
|
|
Ad Business Report
WaMu unveils new campaign
Can you say "Whoo hoo!"?
Media Business Report
NYT Co. names its own nominees
The New York Times Company management has its own ideas about who to add to the board of directors.
Washington Business Report
DTV testimonials
The digital transition will be on the Capitol Hill agenda today and tomorrow.
Media Markets and Money
White Park gives Kona Coast a 'HUG
If that sounds like dealmaking in Hawaii, you're in for a surprise.
|
|
|
Stations for Sale
|
 Market your Stations For Sale
in our daily epapers.
Contact
Jim Carnegie
[email protected]
|
|
|
Radio Media Moves
|
 Miami promotion
Beasley Broadcast Group announced today that Thomas Manning has been appointed Vice President of Sales for its three-station Miami cluster. Manning will assume this new role in addition to his responsibilities as General Manager of WPOW-FM. Vice President of Sales is a newly created position and Manning will report to Market Manager, Joe Bell.
Barron to Entercom
Entercom announced that Dan Barron has been named Vice President/Market Manager of its six radio stations in Memphis. Barron comes to Entercom from First Broadcasting LLC, where he served most recently Vice President of Corporate Development.
 Upped at Arbitron
Arbitron has promoted Tom O'Sullivan to the new position of Vice President, Diary Market Development. He will be responsible for aligning the company's research and market development priorities in diary-measured markets with those of broadcast stations and local market advertisers.
From MTV to Entercom
Entercom announced that Michael J. Wolf has joined its board of directors. Wolf was most recently President and COO of MTV Networks.
|
|
|
More News Headlines
|
Another honor for Eddie
Former NAB President Eddie Fritts will be honored with the International Achievement Award by the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) at a dinner February 26th during the NABA's three-day annual conference in Atlanta. The NABA is a member of the World Broadcasting Unions and represents North American broadcasters with status as a non-governmental organization at the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
ABC mounts
rear guard action
The 1.4M+ fine levied against ABC affiliates by the FCC for an episode of "NYPD Blue" aired back in 2003 will be appealed by Disney/ABC. The show was aired in the 10PM safe harbor zone in the Eastern and Pacific time zones, but that translated to 9PM in the Central and Mountain zones. The FCC found fault with a scene showing bare female buttocks; ABC is countering that the "realistic nature" of the program's story lines was well known and that the FCC charges fail to hold water.
RBR observation: While the usual watchdogs, like PTC, were highly offended by this program, the FCC had to bend and stretch the rules to justify the fine, eventually pinning it to "common sense." As Jack Valenti used to say, if you can't define the crime, you can't issue the fine. The FCC is most likely headed for yet another loss in the courts.
Rome partners
with HipCricket
HipCricket, a mobile marketing company that creates loyalty relationships between broadcasters, advertisers and their customers, announced The Jim Rome Show is employing the company's services to further engage its more than two million weekly listeners across more than 200 stations. Beginning this month, Rome's "Clones" are able to use their mobile phones to participate in the "Huge Text of the Day," polls, enter additional contests and keep abreast of programming. "Jim Rome has one of the most loyal audiences in radio," said HipCricket CEO Ivan Braiker. "More than 136 million Americans text on a regular basis. Enabling Jim's listeners to participate with the show via the mobile device will deepen the relationship."
|
|
|
RBR Radar 2008
|
|
Radio News you won't read any where else. RBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
|
CCU getting ducks in a row
Clear Channel Communications reports its Q4 earnings this Thursday, with the Thomson/First Call analysts' consensus that the company will report revenues down 4%, but earnings per share flat. But more important is how the company is moving toward a Q1 completion of its going private buyout. FCC approval has already been received. Bear Stearns analyst Vic Miller believes Clear channel filed for antitrust clearance from the Department of Justice on January 14th. If so, he says DoJ approval could come as soon as Wednesday if Clear Channel, as it hopes, gets early termination of the waiting period.
RBR observation: Hardly a day goes by without some Wall Street money manager calling RBR to try to find out if we have any behind-the-scenes information on whether or not this deal is going to closing. Sorry, but we don't work that way. What we know is what we've published. And when we find out anything new, you, our readers, are the first to know. As we've noted repeatedly, nether Clear Channel management, Thomas H. Lee Partners, nor Bain Capital has done or said anything which would indicate that this deal will not close as scheduled this quarter. But the CCU stock price still shows a lot of nervousness on Wall Street.
02/12/08 RBR #29
Triton Media Group realigns;
launches Triton Digital Media
Oaktree Capital Management-powered Triton Media Group, the leading independent radio network operator and supplier of digital products and services to local media brands, announced at RAB the re-alignment of its business units into two distinct operating entities: Triton Digital Media (including its MJI Interactive, Stream the World, Music To Go and Mass to One/M2O divisions) and Triton Radio Networks (encompassing Dial-Global and Excelsior Radio Networks). Triton Digital Media will now consist of two divisions; MJI Interactive and Triton Digital Distribution. It launches with over 2,500 affiliates in hand.
RBR observation: We here at RBR are pleased to report this move in particular, it deals with two key words - Digital Media - which was they key focus of yesterday's Carnegie's observation and RBR's first webcast. The digital business environment is here so grab hold and get on board. View Carnegie's Webcast at RBR Media Center to a review RBR's position on digital..
02/12/08 RBR #29
Battle of the Talk Conventions:
Lots of rubber chicken dinners
First, I don't have a dog in this fight, but I have been asked which one should be considered if anyone is budgeting for it. If you haven't noticed there is a three-way match in the making and I am not talking WWE. It is between three contenders vying to be king of the Talk Radio convention, seminar, whatever. Contenders are...I ask what are they vying for? Who has the best rubber chicken dinner? Who can give out the best award? Please, not another gathering of Talkers giving each other awards and otherwise living up to that Talker moniker, but with all the words ultimately boiling down to just three letters: SOS. Real issue - We face a recession - the real key issue that Talk Radio and Radio overall is facing is getting recognition and ad dollars in the real business media world.
02/11/08 RBR #28
|
|
|
RBR Classifieds
|
Hard finding that key person
to fill the important position at your organization? RBR Classifieds, Results with Service. Contact April McLynn at [email protected]
|
 |
|
|
|
|
