Radio America adds
"News You Can Use" with Jane Silk
Radio America announced the addition of "News You Can Use with Jane Silk" to its daily talk lineup Feb. 16, 1:00-2:00 PM EST. The new program will air M-F, covering the daily news that affects consumers most, including an aggressive "Washington Watch" and weekly features on technology, health, automobiles, entertainment and investing. This one-hour interview and report driven show will deliver topics that affect all of us, ranging from consumer fraud and identity theft to the latest info on new technology and new film releases.

Rick Dees hyping syndicated show
Rick Dees was chatting with WKSC-FM Chicago on-air personalities recently, as part of a bit of a tour to reiterate that he's still syndicated across the country ("Rick Dees Weekly Top 40") after the recent headlines said he left after a long stint at flagship KIIS-FM LA.

Radio America expands "Battle Line with Alan Nathan"
As of today, Radio America's "Battle Line with Alan Nathan" will be increased by one hour making its timeslot 10am-1pm ET. While maintaining its aggressive panel-driven, dialogue and debate format, Battle Line now will be inviting callers to join the panelists in their heated discussions--the first time in its four years on the air.

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4A's recommended Guidelines for On-Demand Advertising Guidelines are designed to facilitate discussion among video program distributors, cable/satellite operators, technology enablers, and research intermediaries, with the goal of defining generally acceptable on-demand performance metrics. | Click Here |

RAB - 4A's Radio's universal spot radio buying and selling terms. Jointly presented by 4A's and RAB.
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RAB's - 4A's Communication Guide to clarify the language, and shift perceptions associated with the local radio buying and selling process | Click Here |

TVB - 4A's On-Demand Television Metrics Guidelines. The Advanced Television Committee of the 4A's hopes to begin formalizing this dialogue with an initial set of desired guidelines that will enable advertisers and their agencies to begin judging the effectiveness of ad messaging in on-demand television environments.
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McDonald's taps Yao Ming
for spokesperson

S&P ups News Corp.
rating to positive

BIA Digital invests in
Convergent Broadcasting

Sirius adds Beetle, Jetta lines

AWRT details leadership
summit agenda

"Rejoice! Musical Soul Food"
aids communities

Jacqui Rossinky
named VP/Sales for
Progress Media
Former D&R President Jacqui Rossinky has been named VP/Sales for the new Liberal net Progress Media/Air America Network. Reed Haggard also joins as Director of Sales. The two will first be aggressively marketing The Al Franken show.

WWZZ-FM DC names Mike Edwards PD
Bonneville's Hot AC WWZZ-FM DC has tapped ABC WJZW-FM and WRQX-FM DC Marketing and Promotions Director Sammy Simpson as its new PD, replacing Mike Edwards who left last month. Simpson was also WWZZ's Marketing Director from 1996-1999 when the station was CHR.

FCC Chairman Michael Powell on a letter-writing binge
Takes it upon himself to make sure that top broadcasting and cable industry executives are aware that the FCC is on the indecency warpath. "...I challenge the broadcast community to reinstate a voluntary code of conduct. A code of conduct would offer effective guidance and best practices to local broadcasters to address the needs and concerns of parents, children and local communities - - particularly in the areas of indecent, profane and violent programming." He has asked all recipients to respond within 30 days with proposals to address this problem. Editor's Note: Now he starts to include Cable. It’s called CYA and a little extra sugar of PR of the Chairman Himself.
02/13/04 RBR #30

Sen. John McCain hosted Indecent chatter on Capitol Hill
All five FCC Commissioners for a discussion, while Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) held a session with Viacom's Mel Karmazin and the NFL's Paul Tagliabue which went into overtime and then some. RBR observation: At least the FCC commissioners didn’t get drilled as in the past on indecent or anything else. Remember last June 4,’03 6/5/03 RBR #110. Chairman Powell noted that the FCC was planning to begin issuing fines for repeat indecent incidents within a single program. Wow – some how this reads indecent!
02/12/04 RBR #29

Karmazin: Indecency rules
too vague to be followed
You can't obey what you can't understand, and Viacom President/COO Mel Karmazin told the Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee that current indecency laws and regulations are so vague, and enforcement so inconsistent, that broadcasters have no chance to figure out how to comply. RBR observation: Rules too vague to be follow? – Ah, come on guys how about some common sense as it comes with the driver’s license. Maybe when new rules are written a mandatory vision test will also be required. Bravo ‘Zen Master’ as your bus pulls away from the curb glad to know the bus hasn’t hit anyone – yet, just a few minor fender benders. Bad news is your insurance rate just went up…. May want to call that insurance company with the lizard! 02/12/04 RBR #29

Comcast makes bid for Disney
Got immediate response from FCC Chair Michael Powell. He announced a promise of close scrutiny if Comcast succeeded in purchasing Disney. "I don't know if Comcast will get Disney or not...if it does, a merger of that magnitude will unquestionably go through the finest filter at the commission, I can assure you, as possible," RBR observation: Ok fine but remember when we stated Roy Disney was taking on an anti-Eisner fight to shareholders. Remember we said, ‘The small guys roll with the punches but the big guys throw them.’ The real fight bell is set to ring on March 3rd and in the city of 'Rocky Balboa' - Philadelphia. 01/28/04 RBR #19. Well, Comcast has Eisner in the corner and punching his lungs out. Comcast says “We want to make this as friendly as possible.” Anyone ever see the movie Rocky? 02/12/04 RBR #29

Anheuser-Busch looking at old US ads/branding for foreign markets
Anheuser-Busch is updating some of its past US campaigns and seeing if they fit the tastes of audiences overseas. For example, Busch's "Ants" campaign, not seen in the US since the late '90s, is being shown in China and has proven to be a hit. Editor's Note: Those oldies but goodies remind me of you!
02/11/04 TVBR #28

Super Bowl advertisers
complaining to NFL
America's biggest marketers are mulling whether to return to the Super Bowl. Longtime big spenders such as Pepsi and Gillette have communicated in harsh words to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue that if the league does not clean up the halftime act, they might take a pass in 2005. Editor's Note: Remember, in an election year – everyone is looking for a deal deal! 02/11/04 TVBR #28

The Dees Tease leaves KIIS-FM
What many in the biz feel could have been an on-air stunt in that 22-year KIIS-FM, LA morning legend Rick Dees leaves or has left the building at KIIS is true. Rick Dees has said bye-bye, buy bonds and don’t forget to play his only hit record ‘Disco Duck’. Editor's Note: Clear Channel could have made it an exit with a little more class. 02/11/04 RBR #28

Publishers Perspective
RAB 2004 'Accountability'
A Melting Pot boiling over...
President Fries spoke on accountability and EDI but it was delivered a little awkward. It was the 'State of the Industry' speech to an audience that not all were on the same verbal or intelligence level of the issues facing radio that have been long discussed behind closed corporate board meetings, ad agency and client world doors. Publihser Note: Puzzling or pathetic department deals with the press themselves…Pathetic!
02/10/04 RBR #27

Publishers Perspective
RAB 2004 'Accountability'
A Melting Pot boiling over...
President Fries spoke on accountability and EDI but it was delivered a little awkward. It was the 'State of the Industry' speech to an audience that not all were on the same verbal or intelligence level of the issues facing radio that have been long discussed behind closed corporate board meetings, ad agency and client world doors. Publihser Note: Puzzling or pathetic department deals with the press themselves…Pathetic!
02/10/04 RBR #27

FCC’s Michael Powell
threatened to pull CBS licenses
Considered holding a dramatic license revocation hearing against CBS after last week's Super Bowl breast mess. "A furious Powell vocalized the "license revocation" option against CBS-owned broadcast outlets to senior staff at the FCC in the hours and days after the event, a top source said from Washington. Several FCC commissioners believe CBSVIACOM has repeatedly violated indecency rules. Editor's Note: The way these FCC commissioners are stumping you thing they are running for re-election. Hello… you are appointed to the position you have. 02/10/04 RBR #27

PastieGate update:
Mixed decision for Viacom
We're not sure what the other 53% would pick, but Reuters is quoting a Time/CNN poll which has 47% of Americans agreeing that the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake incident at the Super Bowl halftime show represents "a new low in bad taste." However, the same poll said that 68% did not believe that the act warranted punishment for CBS Television. Editor's Note: And the Beat Goes On.. Ta Dum! 02/10/04 RBR #27

Belo chief: Broadcasters
own enemy on indecency
With five CBS affiliates among his 19 TV stations, it's not surprising that Belo CEO Robert Decherd was asked for his take on the Janet Jackson incident and Washington's current focus on indecency. Editor's Note: A classic example of how we, the media, are our own worst enemy!
02/09/04 RBR #26