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Volume 23, Issue 69, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
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Friday Morning April 7th, 2006
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Radio News ®
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 Double trouble in Q1
It's rare for both of radio's biggest markets to be soft at the same time, but Bear Stearns analyst Victor Miller says it looks like both New York and Los Angeles saw radio revenue declines in Q1. By his count, New York was down 12% for the quarter and LA 4%. On the plus side, he says May is looking stronger and he hopes sluggishness in April won't lead to any rate panic for Q2. Miller sees a "Let's Get Small" theme for Q1, with groups having most of their stations in smaller markets doing better than those in the big markets. Some major TV national ad categories are still soft - - auto, retail and packaged goods - - and that's translating down to radio as well. While not as dependent on national spot advertising as TV stations, big market radio stations tend to get a larger percentage of their revenues from national spot than stations in smaller markets. In Q1, and continuing into Q2 it appears, that's good for groups like Cumulus and Citadel, whose stations are mostly outside the top 25 markets. But Miller is reducing his EBITDA estimates for three groups: Emmis because of its heavy dependence on New York and LA, Entercom for continued weakness in New Orleans and Boston, and Westwood One because it is launching new shows to make it less dependent on RADAR inventory, where price integrity has been a problem.
VNU makes its case
The owner of Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter and the Nielsen TV ratings service is still trying to convince shareholders that a nine billion bucks buyout by a group of private equity funds is their best choice. VNU took its case directly to shareholders yesterday with full-page ads in the Wall Street Journal and several European newspapers. The public letter to shareholders address the major issues raised by some major shareholders who are less than pleased with the buyout bid. VNU management insisted that selling the company in pieces would result in less cash for shareholders, rather than more, due to adverse tax consequences. The letter also insisted that proposals to reconfigure the company, cut costs and focus on growth "carry a high level of uncertainty," while the buyout eliminates risk and delivers value to shareholders now. The plea from VNU management urged shareholders to review the fairness opinions from Credit Suisse and NM Rothschild included in the offering documents and the section dealing with the rationale by the executive and supervisory boards in approving the buyout. "In short, the all-cash offer is the right deal at the right time for VNU, our shareholders, clients and employees," the ad said. The tender offer for VNU shares (4/4/06 RBR #66) is scheduled to end May 5th. Acceptance by 95% of shareholders is required for the deal to go through - - and management faces an uphill battle in reaching that level.
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 UCC crying foul over "Ejector" rejection
The ad, called "Ejector," is designed to attract parishioners to the United Church of Christ - - in particular, people who feel uncomfortable elsewhere. It's been rejected by broadcast networks, and is now being shut out of co-owned cable outlets under the Viacom and NBC Universal umbrellas. They report receiving the following from NBC/Universal's USA Network: "Unfortunately, NBC standards & practices has rejected this spot and it is not approved to air on USA Network," dated March 27. And this from Viacom's MTV: "I just wanted to let you know that currently MTV Networks commercial standards & practices cannot accept this 'Ejector' spot from United Church of Christ because of the political nature of its content," on March 30. UCC says that while ABC Television turned the ad down, it is running on the co-owned ABC Family cable channel. UCC's Ron Buford said, "There could not be a more concrete example of what happens when our media is in the hands of a few corporate elites who simply don't agree with you. They can simply turn you off. Click, goodbye."
RBR observation: We've been saying all along that all along that it is dangerous to start playing traffic cop when it comes to political and issue advertising. Doesn't it seem fair that if UCC can pay the freight they should be allowed to say their piece? You can just hear the argument Buford made above being repeated before the judge the next time ownership consolidation goes back to court. On the other hand, if a hate group came forward with enough cash to pay the going rate, should they be allowed to spew whatever venom they choose on their own dime? Is there a point where commercial speech becomes the equivalent of yelling fire falsely in a crowded theater? Where is the line? Should there be a line? Who's right, UCC or the networks? Inquiring trade media minds want to know - - our Bounceback section is ready and willing to publish your thoughts on the matter (we only request that all guest authors please include a digital photo).
| Synopsis of ad as provided by UCC |
 V-N-Aaaarrrrrggggghhh!
Stations leaking PR into news
The infamous video news release (VNR) is back. It was a big topic last year after it was learned that they were a frequent PR (the nice term) or propaganda (the not-so-nice term) tool of the Bush administration. Now, watchdogs The Center for Media and Democracy and Free Press have released a study which found 77 such "stories" included in local newscasts without attribution. This time, though, the government is not at the center of the story. The producers behind the latest crop are from the private sector, companies like GM, Capital One, Intel and Pfizer. The watchdogs have organized an email campaign directed to the FCC, saying, "At no time during these newscasts did the stations identify the corporate sponsors as the sources of the material. This deception violates FCC's sponsorship identification rules and broadcasters' responsibility to serve the public. The FCC must investigate this abuse, clarify disclosure requirements and penalize all stations that air fake news." The Radio-Television News Directors Association immediately jumped into the fray with a warning to broadcast stations, saying, "In the wake of a report about the use of video news releases without attribution on local television stations, the Radio-Television News Directors Association strongly urges station management to review and strengthen their policies requiring complete disclosure of any outside material used in news programming." It is redistributing guidelines on the use of VNRs developed by its Ethics Committee to all member stations.
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| Wall Street Media Business Report TM |
News Corporation agrees to poison pill vote
Shareholders of News Corporation are going to get to vote on the company's poison pill that's designed to keep John Malone or anyone else from launching a takeover bid that's not approved by management. The agreement to allow a poison pill vote came just hours before News Corporation CEO Rupert Murdoch was to give a deposition today in a lawsuit brought by shareholders who had claimed that the company went back on a promise to let shareholders vote on whether to extend the poison pill last year and extended it without the promised vote (10/10/05 RBR #198). The settlement announced late yesterday will now give shareholders that vote this coming October, although management will have the authority to extend the poison pill through October 2009 if necessary to keep Malone at bay.
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Ad Business Report TM
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 Radio is indeed proving that
it can stand the test of time
By Natalie Swed Stone
(from March's RBR/TVBR Solutions Magazine)
The digital revolution and all that accompanies it - - has forever changed attitudes, expectations and content. The competition is now infinite. Media companies, once defined by their distribution strength, are striving to maintain their share in an ever-expanding sphere by crossing over into new platforms. Companies who once had a handle on their competition today do not easily know just who their competition is - - all media now compete with each other in a much broader way. Just two years ago while much of this change was beginning to take shape, radio companies were conducting business as usual - - assuming this revolution would not touch the medium and that radio's value of the past would somehow carry it forward.
| Read More... |
Baby Bee Bright launches
10 million radio, newspaper effort
Baby Bee Bright Corporation, formerly Sequoia Interests Corp., announced it has contracted with Global Media Fund to launch a nationwide campaign for Baby Bee Bright. The agreement calls for the regular distribution of feature articles to over 10,000 newspapers, news and wire services, and to more than 6,000 radio stations spanning up to a 12 month period, delivering an estimated 10 million worth of nationally syndicated newspaper space and radio airtime. "This agreement is a milestone event for our company. We identified Global Media Fund as the ideal organization to team up with to promote our prenatal learning system. Their nationwide newspaper and radio media campaigns will increase our brand awareness, greatly enhance negotiations with retailers and generate new business for Baby Bee Bright," said Fred Dahlman, President and CEO of Baby Bee Bright.
 Nautica launches
new marketing campaign
The Nautica brand announced Ed Burns will appear in its "Navigate life" global marketing campaign, featuring the actor, writer, director, producer and father in a series of ads as he navigates through life situations and showcases his ability to transition from business to an active lifestyle. The effort will celebrate life's travels, adventures and relationships and depicts the spirit of a man of style who takes advantage of life by merging work and play. "Ed Burns is a multi-faceted career and family man which is why we selected him to appear in our new ad campaign. He is a role model for both men and women and represents all-American style," said Denise Seegal, VF Sportswear CEO. "We strive to form an emotional connection with our consumer through our campaigns, featuring people in real- life situations, similar to the events in their own lives. Ed Burns is someone our consumers can emulate and embodies the balanced, energetic lifestyle of the Nautica brand." Laird + Partners NY created the campaign which will appear in over 25 publications, major newspapers in Nautica's top 10 markets and air on television during the summer.
Initiative names COO, EVP
Alec Gerster, Initiative Worldwide CEO, announced the promotion of Larry Orell to COO and Amanda Ploughman to EVP/director, business development. Both positions will report to Richard Beaven, newly appointed CEO, North America, and will be based in Initiative's New York office. Orell, 49, brings a strong set of management skills to his new position. He will be responsible for finance, accounting, human resources, information technology, real estate and organizational dynamics within the North American region. Ploughman, will lead bi-coastal teams in evaluating, identifying and driving all new strategic business opportunities with marketers and agency partners. As part of this process she will oversee all prospecting, strategy and the pitch process. Ploughman joined Initiative eight years ago and prior to her new role, served as managing director of Initiative's Canadian operation. Initiative manages media planning and buying for AOL, Bayer Corporation, BellSouth, Coors Brewing Company and The Home Depot.
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| Media Business Report TM |
 Disney to market phones for kids
Disney unveiled a mobile-phone service Wednesday at the CTIA Wireless 2006 mobile wireless convention in Las Vegas. The Disney Mobile phone service, which starts in June, is intended for teenagers tweens, children between the ages 10 and 12. Parents can use a tool on the phone called "Family Center" to monitor the number of minutes their children are using and set allowances for monthly use of voice minutes and text messages. They can also block out a period of time during which children won't be able to make calls to anyone except in an emergency and can place restrictions on what calls and messages their children can send and receive from certain phone numbers, reported The San Francisco Chronicle. Parents will also be able to track their children using GPS that can pinpoint where their children are on a map. Family members will be able to send priority text messages to one or all members to alert them if they're running late or want a return phone call. The service will feature phones from Pantech and LG. Disney officials said the phones will start at 59.99 with a contract, but it did not release a price for its service. The phones and plans will be sold first online at disneymobile.com and mall kiosks before they go on sale at retail stores later in the year.
Disney Mobile and Mobile ESPN
to launch co-branded mall kiosks
Speaking of those kiosks, Disney Mobile and Mobile ESPN will launch mall kiosks nationwide as part of a distribution agreement that will extend the retail reach of both wireless service providers. Brightpoint will act as a master dealer and manage independent mobile dealers to operate the retail locations. The two-sided kiosks, which reflect the unique products of Mobile ESPN and Disney Mobile, offer Mobile ESPN and Disney Mobile-approved wireless service plans, equipment and accessories. Brightpoint, Disney Mobile and Mobile ESPN have selected 60 key mall locations throughout the US to test the concept and anticipate a national roll out later this year or early 2007. Specific locations have not been disclosed.
 Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and TCM content now on Verizon Wireless V CAST
Verizon Wireless and TBS announced that V CAST customers can view content from Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) on their V CAST- enabled phones. Drawing from the world's largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network will provide V CAST customers with video content from the network's original series, including The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, The Powerpuff Girls, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Codename: Kids Next Door and Dexter's Laboratory. V CAST customers who want to view edgy animated comedy and action series can download content from Adult Swim, Cartoon Network's late night sister service with content from original productions, including The Venture Bros., Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Sealab 2021 and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law. In addition, V CAST customers can continue to access CNN video-on-demand clips from Now in the News (updated hourly), as well as additional programming offered from categories including Top Stories, Business News, Sports, Politics and Entertainment. |
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| Media Markets & Money TM |
One good duop deserves another
Mapleton Communications, which just sold an FM in the Santa Maria-Lompoc CA market, is finishing off its exit from the market with the sale of its two remaining AM stations. Knight Broadcasting Inc. will be adding the duo to its own pair of FMs in the market, creating a double duopoly. The stations are KTME Lompoc and KUHL-AM Santa Maria. Knight will add the pair to its in-market FMs, KRAZ-FM and KSYV-FM. The price was not immediately disclosed. Mapleton bought the pair from Blackhawk Communications back in 2003 for 1.3M (1/27/03 RBR #18). It just announced a plan to sell in-market KWSZ-FM to Emerald Wave Communications for 1.5M (3/23/06 RBR #58).
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| Washington Media Business Report TM |
FCC open meeting next week
...and that's just about all you need to know about it. Wireless Telecommunications will dominate the proceedings, along with Engineering and Technology items (as it relates to Wireless Telecommunications) and International (also as it relates to Wireless Telecommunications). In short, if you're a broadcaster, don't cancel any prior engagements to fly into Washington for this one.
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| NAB Day Time Planner |
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The following will be attending the NAB.
Call or email to make your
appointment in advance.
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EQUIPMENT
Les Kutasi, Sales Manager; Stainless, Booth #C2447, 215-631-1313, [email protected]
BROKERS
Todd Fowler/David Reeder/Gene Ferry, American Media Services, Bellagio, 843-972-2200, [email protected],
[email protected], [email protected]
Cliff Gardiner,
Clifton Gardiner & Company,
303-758-6900, The Wynn Hotel, [email protected]
Andy McClure/Dean LeGras,
The Exline Company, The Wynn Hotel,
415-479-3484, [email protected]
Frank Boyle, Frank Boyle & Co., LLC, Hilton Grand Vacations Villa,
703/765-8300, [email protected]
Gordon Rice, Gordon Rice Associates,
843-884-3590, Treasure Island, [email protected]
John L. Pierce, John Pierce & Company LLC, Mirage Hotel, 859-647-0101, cell 859-512-3015, [email protected]
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Jamie Rasnick,
John Pierce & Company LLC, Mirage Hotel, 859-647-0101, cell 513-252-1186, [email protected]
Dick Kozacko/George Kimble,
Kozacko Media Services, The Wynn Hotel, office 607-733-7138, cell 607-738-1219, [email protected]
Elliot Evers/Brian Pryor/
Adam Altsuler/Tim Beach
Media Venture Partners, LLC, 415-391-4877,
[email protected], [email protected]
Larry Patrick/Greg Guy,
Patrick Communications, Bellagio,
410-740-0250, [email protected]
Glenn Serafin, Serafin Bros.,
Aladdin Hotel, office 813-885-6060,
cell 813-494-6875, [email protected]
LAWYERS
Gregg P. Skall
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC 202-857-4441, Wynn Hotel [email protected] |
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| Ratings & Research |
Study: DVR ownership doesn't change TV ad recall
Millward Brown's 2006 DVR Ad Impact Study shows that there is no difference in ad recall or ad recognition between DVR owners and non-owners for ads aired on network TV during prime time. Using its proven methods for evaluating ad recall and ad recognition, Millward Brown worked with ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC for the project. "This is great news for marketers and the advertising industry," said Michelle de Montigny, SVP/Millward Brown Media Practice. "Counter to recent industry concerns, TV advertising is not dead, and DVR owners are not less engaged with TV ad viewing. Consumers who own DVRs are more likely to pay attention to television during commercial breaks when viewing live and are less likely to be distracted by other activities that non-DVR owners get involved with." Among DVR owners surveyed, 61% of their prime-time viewing was done live, whereas programs were recorded and viewed later 39% of the time. The research findings were consistent across the four categories covered in the study - - Cars, Cell Phones, Fast Food Restaurants and Movies. The results showed no decrease in ad recall or ad recognition among DVR owners in any of the four segments. Interestingly, in the movie category, where advertising campaigns are more short-lived, there was slightly greater ad recall and ad recognition among DVR owners than was reported by non-owners. The study measured ad recall and ad recognition for TV across multiple brands in each of the four categories. All ads aired on Tuesday and Thursday nights in March, during prime time on the four major networks. The survey was conducted online among 2,000 respondents between 48 and 72 hours after the ads aired to give DVR owners time to play back recorded programs.
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| TVBR TV News |
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 NBC-ya-later: Media General scores four
NBC Universal has made good on its promise to spin off some of its O&O television stations (1/12/06 TVBR #8). Getting a quartet of them will be Media General, picking up stations in Raleigh, Columbus OH, Birmingham and Providence. The deal will set off another round of selling by the buyer, including but not limited to a cap-required spin-off in Birmingham. The cash transaction is expected to come home at about 600 million bucks. The stations, all of which carry the NBC Television Network, are WNCN-TV Channel 17 in Raleigh-Durham (Nielsen DMA #29); WCMH-TV Channel 4 Columbus OH (Nielsen DMA #32); WVTM-TV Channel 13 Birmingham AL (Nielsen DMA #40); and WJAR-TV Channel 10 Providence RI (Nielsen DMA #51). The only required spin-off for Media General is its Birmingham CBS affiliate, WIAT-TV 42. However, it announced plans to sell CBS affiliates KWCH-TV Wichita KS (along with three satellites), KIMT-TV Mason City IA and WDEF-TV Chattanooga TN, together or separately by year's end.
NBC's Jay Ireland, explained the group's rationale, saying, "NBC Universal's decision to sell these four stations is part of our strategy to focus on larger, duopoly markets in local communities which NBC and Telemundo can serve together." For its part, Media General is happy to have a chance to expand with strong properties. Said Marshall N. Morton, "Our purchase of these stations is consistent with our growth strategy and will advance, in two ways, our goal of building upon our position of strength in growing Southeastern markets. First, we will add the key Raleigh-Durham market to our footprint. Second, the NBC station we are acquiring in Birmingham has a broader signal than the CBS station we currently own, giving us the opportunity to reach more households in that market. At the same time, while the Columbus and Providence stations we are acquiring are outside the Southeast, our station portfolio will benefit from their strength in audience and revenue share and from their position in growing, larger-market DMAs."
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| Transactions |
2.3M KWXY-AM Palm Springs CA (Cathedral City CA) from Glen Barnett Inc. (Glen Barnett) to R&R Radio Corp. (Rozene R. Supple). 250K escrow, balance in cash at closing. Superduopoly with KPSI AM & FM, KGAM-AM & KDES-FM. Seller retains KWXY-FM. [File date 3/20/06.]
100K WRAR-AM Tappahannock VA from Rappahannock Communications Inc. (Danny C. Wadsworth) to A.C.T.I.O.N. Inc. (Geoffrey Coleman, Clinton Adams, Ida O. Minter). No charge if station remains noncommercial. Buyer must pay 100K if station is converted to commercial status, and seller has right of first refusal if station is put up for resale.. [File date 3/16/06.]
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| Stock Talk |
Soft retail sales hurt stocks
Major retail chains reported that March sales were unimpressive, which is always bad news for media stocks. But in the broader market there were concerns about inflation, as unemployment claims fell for a third week and oil prices rose. The Dow Industrials finished the day with a loss of 23 points, or 0.2%, at 11,217. However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite managed to post a small gain.
The Radio Index declined 0.554, or 0.3%, to 161.570. The only big move was by Beasley, down 4.3%. CBS rose 2.3%.
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| Radio Stocks |
Here's how stocks fared on Thursday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
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Arbitron
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ARB
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33.13
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+0.24
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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23.13
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-0.07
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Beasley
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BBGI
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11.05
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-0.50
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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12.24
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-0.11
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| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
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25.47
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+0.57
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Lincoln Natl.
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LNC
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57.26
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-0.45
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| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
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25.54
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+0.57
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Radio One, Cl. A
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ROIA
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7.52
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-0.04
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| Citadel |
CDL |
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10.73 |
unch |
Radio One, Cl. D
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ROIAK
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7.51
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-0.10
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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29.30
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+0.18
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Regent
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RGCI
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4.49
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-0.04
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Cox Radio
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CXR
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13.60
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+0.07
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Saga Commun.
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SGA
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9.01
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+0.01
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Cumulus
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CMLS
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11.32
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+0.07
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Salem Comm.
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SALM
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14.76
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+0.04
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Disney
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DIS
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27.68
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-0.11
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Sirius Sat. Radio
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SIRI
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5.41
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+0.37
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Emmis
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EMMS
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15.51
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-0.02
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Spanish Bcg.
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SBSA
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5.51
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-0.02
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| Entercom |
ETM
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28.70
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+0.21
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Univision
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UVN
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34.77
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+0.02
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Entravision
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EVC
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8.99
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-0.10
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Westwood One
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WON
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10.58
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-0.21
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Fisher
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FSCI
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42.85
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-0.43
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XM Sat. Radio
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XMSR
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23.94
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+1.59
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Gaylord
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GET
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44.49
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+0.25
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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]
 With the recent announcement that XM is going to introduce six new regional news and talk channels (3/30/06 RBR #63), in spite of the fact that there are two bills in Congress designed to stop such a practice (both local programming and local advertising), it almost feels like deja vu all over again. But there is a difference.
On the satellite-television side, DirecTV and Dish Network made local TV signals available within their local markets ("local-into-local"). This, of course, was designed to give local TV broadcasters a better playing field against satellite-delivered signals. Similar to the must-carry rules of cable television, local-into-local was actually recognition that subscribers wanted their local stations as part of their satellite line-up and were willing to pay a few dollars more for it. Good business.
We now have what appear to be efforts on the part of XM, Sirius, and Clear Channel to create regional "super stations" much like the early WTBS and imitators on cable television, and it has nothing to do with giving local radio broadcasters anything close to a level playing field.
Once again Clear Channel shows that it is not a broadcaster and cares nothing about the broadcasting industry. It has commoditized the industry and the more it controls, the better.
If sat-casters want to introduce their own brand of radio's "local-into-local" I'll support it. What the two satellite companies and Clear Channel are offering now is not acceptable.
Brett Miller
MCH Enterprises, Inc.
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Below the Fold
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Ad Business Report
Radio is indeed proving
That it can stand the test of time...
Media Business Report
Marketing phones for kids
Disney unveiled a mobile-phone Service Wed. starts in June...
Media Markets & Money
1 good duop deserves another
Knight Broadcasting Inc. will be adding the duo...
Ratings & Research
Study: DVR ownership
Doesn't change TV ad recall...
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Radio Media Moves
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Power gets a Clue
"DJ Clue" has joined Clear Channel's WWPR-FM "Power 105.1" New York as 6-10 pm personality. It's amazing that he has time to take the gig. DJ Clue is also a recording artist with Rocafella Records, CEO of Desert Storm Records and host of MTV's "Direct Effect."
Retirement in Boston
A Boston radio legend has announced plans to retire. WBZ-AM morning news anchor Gary LaPierre is stepping down at the end of this year after 42 years on the station.
 Promotion
in Boston
Entercom Boston announced that Bob Hannah has been named to the night shift at WAAF-FM. Hannah had been a part-timer with the station for two and a half years.
Moving crosstown
Shari Sterenbuch has been named Director of Promotions for Clear Channel's WKTU-FM New York. She previously held the same job at Emmis' WQCD-FM New York.
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Stations for Sale
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Central Oregon Coast AM
Portland to Eugene Coverage
Northeast Utah Profitable FM
Move-in to Rated Market Possible
Cliff at Clifton Gardiner & Co
(303)758-6900
[email protected]
CA Central Coast Class A
Rated Market. Asking $1.5M
Nevada Class C1
Dual Market. Asking $950K
Brett Miller-MCH Enterprises, Inc.
(805) 237-0952
www.mchentinc.com
9 Station Cluster
Upstate New York
9x cash flow $6.5m
George Kimble - Kozacko Media
520-465-4302
[email protected]
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More News Headlines
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BCFM to honor
Clarke Brown
Clarke Brown, retired President of Jefferson-Pilot's Radio Division, will receive Broadcast Cable Financial Management Association's (BCFM) 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award and serve as Tuesday morning's keynote speaker at the Association's 46th Annual Conference June 11-13 in Orlando. "While it's true that Clarke Brown started out as an advertising account executive, and worked with Hugh Wilson, creator and executive producer for the sitcom 'WKRP in Cincinnati,' his incredible career in the industry wouldn't have provided much inspiration for the show's bumbling advertising executive Herb Tarlek," said BCFM's President and CEO Mary Collins in announcing Brown's selection.
Editor's note: In fact, Clarke was cited as the model for the Tarlek character, based more on wardrobe and attitude than sales ability, where Clarke excelled and Herb, alas, did not.
Community broadcasters
gather in Portland
Hundreds of community radio broadcasters are gathering for four days of intensives, workshops, and networking opportunities at the 31st Annual Community Radio Conference, sponsored by the National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB), a nonprofit organization that advocates and provides services for more than 200 Community Radio stations nationwide. As new communications technologies emerge and media policies are shaped and reformed, how does the Community Radio station adapt to the changing reality and what does the future hold for the industry? The NFCB Community Radio Conference will address these issues and more at the Hilton Portland and Executive Towers, April 19-22. Featured speakers include Nolan Bowie, Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy and a Senior Fellow of the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University, and Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now!, the award-winning, daily national news program that airs on over 300 public and community stations nation-wide. The conference will also feature dozens of workshops and discussions addressing the concerns of stations of all sizes, from major urban centers to small rural towns and Indian Reservations. Featured topics will include: Podcasting; Political Broadcasting and Advocacy; Disaster Planning: Emergency Preparedness and Covering Disasters; Community Radio Around the World; Digital Radio and new content management and distribution systems; and more.
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RBR Radar 2006
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Radio News you won't read any where else. RBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
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Inventories down 5.9% in March
Harris Nesbitt analyst Lee Westerfield's monthly number crunch of Media Monitors data shows radio spot loads down 5.9% for the top 10 markets. The good news is that the yield-per-minute is up 7-8% over a year ago, but Westerfield is becoming worried that some groups may miss their Q1 guidance. Looking for a leveling off now that Less is More is more than a year old, while the 5.9% decrease for March was a modest improvement over the 7-10% declines of recent months, Westerfield says he doesn't yet see any indication of an upturn in radio ad growth overall. Outlook: there could be some negative surprises from several radio groups when they report their Q1 revenues - - "notably Entercom and Emmis."
04/06/06 RBR #68
End to cross-ownership ban
The Third Circuit affirmed the FCC's decision to allow broadcast properties to be owned in conjunction with newspaper assets in a single media market. That's the message FCC Chairman Kevin Martin delivered to the Newspaper Association of America. Martin wonders if a easing on cross-ownership restrictions may have been allowed if the issue had been addressed separately from the many other issues included in predecessor Michael Powell's omnibus ruling approach. For more and Martin's comments see
04/05/06 RBR #67
RBR News Analysis
Is Stern missing the point?
In Howard Stern's just-released interview with Entertainment Weekly, he was asked if it bothered him that most of his fans haven't followed him to Sirius from terrestrial radio? He responded: "It's insulting to me that everyone hasn't come with me. I take it personally...I want to say to my audience in this article, ''F--- you!
04/04/06 RBR #66
Good news, more good news and...oops
RAB/Miller Kaplan & Arase numbers, February national radio sales made gains over the same month in 2005. And non-spot revenue enjoyed a double-digit surge. However, the categories were not strong enough to overcome a 3% drop in local business and prevent an overall plunge into the red ink....Again.
RBR observation: Weak February results were no surprise if you've been listening to quarterly conference calls. It didn't seem like anybody at all was happy with the way the month was going. There was more optimism looking ahead, but others see more gray clouds. It's going to take hard work and out-of-the-box thinking to turn this around - - maybe the silver lining will be lessons learned will ultimately strengthen the industry.
04/04/06 RBR #66
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