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Market Results
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Where TV is king
According to BIA Financial Network Inc., one of the best places to own a television station, in terms of market share, anyway, is a rural area. Broad reach, achieved by piggybacking on cable and satellite services, takes the medium beyond the reach of many newspapers and most radio stations.
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Liberal radio show debuts on Jones

Sirius strikes deal with Alpine

NRB 2004 details released

Clarification: Doug Stephan
chooses his own reps

Real licenses technology, software for MPEG-4 AAC / aacPlus

JetBlue adds XM, Fox TV
to in-flight service

Doug Banks helps to launch "One Mind. One Vote" campaign

Mastel returns to Max
Eric Mastel is back at Max Media, this time as President of the Radio Division. Mastel had resigned last month as GM of Entercom's Norfolk cluster, which a few years back had been part of Max Media's previous radio group. He'll now run the new group - - currently 32 stations in six markets owned or under contract - - while former Radio Division Prez Larry Saunders continues with the company to work on more acquisitions.

New OM in Albuquerque
Citadel has named Eddie Haskell FM Operations Manager for its cluster in Albuquerque/Santa Fe, NM. He most recently was PD of KKAT-FM Salt Lake City.

Davis joins WBAL
Veteran TV sportscaster Steve Davis is turning to radio as the new evening Sports/Talk host on WBAL-AM Baltimore. "Sportsline with Steve Davis" will air weeknights 6-9pm. Davis was a long-time sports anchor for WBFF-TV Baltimore, but more recently worked in the same capacity for WUSA-TV Washington, DC.

Radio Station Equipment,
AM FCC license
The University of North Dakota is accepting sealed bids for the sale of certain Radio Station Equipment, and transfer of the FCC license, for AM Station KUND at Grand Forks, North Dakota. Interested parties should contact the University of North Dakota Purchasing Office to request a bid form at 701-777-2132 or [email protected]

RBR Exclusive
Miller Kaplan forward pacing numbers out
Distributed by Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan, we wonder if Coen's estimates might be a bit low. RBR observation: Read the Miller Kaplan according to Clear Channel and Mr. Hogan. RBR appreciates receiving and sharing this information and we highly encourage other groups to do the same by providing Forward Pacing. For once forget the short traders and get ahead of the game. It is time for radio to control the boards and fast break down court. 01/7/04 RBR #3

Why Bob Coen expects growth in 2004 - Part 3 of 5
Big categories, Coen sees signs of increasing ad spending by secondary categories, which could indicate a broader recovery. Signs of increasing ad spending by secondary categories, which could indicate a broader recovery. Editor’s Note: See Part 1 &2 below and file them. 01/7/04 RBR #3

2004 Predictions: It's all in the cards -- Card #1 -- King of Clusters Broadcast Ownership
It you are dealt this card in a reading, and it is crossed by The Chairman card, the King may well hold eight audio towers, two video towers, cable wires and - - just to top it all off - - he'll even be holding a scroll, like the Gotham Times. If, on the other hand, this card is crossed by The Senator card, the King can forget about adding any new towers or scrolls - - in fact, he may well lose some of the towers he already has! Editor’s Note: Most trade magazines, when it comes time to look ahead to 2004, will trot out the same old so-called gurus. Not RBR! We have traveled to the corners of the earth looking for a special deck of media tarot cards, which have the profound and mystic ability to predict the future.
01/7/04 RBR #3

Why Bob Coen expects growth in 2004 - Part 2 of 5
By all accounts, ‘04 should be a good year for advertising-supported media. Part 1, below we looked at the ‘04 economic expectations underlying the year's advertising forecast. Now a look at category-by-category growth in ‘03 and what Coen thinks that means for 2004. Editor’s Note: See Part 1 below and file them.
01/06/04 RBR #2

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

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

RBR Investigative Analysis
Part 2 - 'The Letter'
Deception or Better Mouse Trap
That reporton Crystal Media Network says it bought up inventory on a bunch of stations, without informing them the inventory was to be used to form a network. Someone saw what seems to be an effective 25-54 female-skewing niche-filler, a better network mouse trap, and that buzz word: Accountability. 01/05/04 RBR #1

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

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