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Radio News ®
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Analysts see radio recovery taking hold
We'll get our first read on current radio revenue trends tomorrow when Emmis kicks off the reporting season with its fiscal year results through February, but a couple of Wall Street analysts are already out with reports telling investors that radio's recovery is finally taking hold. Just as ad revenues are on the upswing, they're telling clients that radio stocks should begin moving up as well. | Full Story Click Here |
 Maryland legislature upholds
non-competes
For the third time, the Maryland/DC/Delaware Broadcasters Association (MDCD) has fended off an attempt by the broadcast talent union American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) to eradicate non-competes in the broadcast business. It made it through Maryland's House, but died in the Senate Rules Committee. MDCD President Chip Weinman said his group was able to prevail by assuring legislators that "...non-compete agreements will only be enforced in a fair and reasonable way," and was prepared to offer concessions to the union designed to insure that outcome. According to Weinman, AFTRA wanted to replace non-competes with a first right of refusal clause, which MDCD said would amount to "...unlimited free agency for talent without consideration for a broadcast employer's potectable interests." MDCD said this was the third year in a row in which it has faced down an attack on non-compete provisions.
 Disney fighting to reassure investors
Every time it looks like the temperature is abating a bit on Michael Eisner's hot seat, something new comes along to turn up the flame. The latest is the colossal flop of Disney's latest big-budget movie, "The Alamo," which sent the company's stock skidding. Even so, Disney management is trying to talk up the stock and convince Wall Street that the company is on track. | Full Story Click Here |
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First time buyers: You're on your own, Part 4
If banks won't finance small broadcast deals, there is one remaining alternative - - one that used to be common in the industry. Yes, seller paper is making a comeback. "If it's a small station, first time buyer, the only possibility for first time buyers is to locate a station in a market they specifically would want to be in and to find a seller who is more than weary and let him finance 80% of it - - and for them [the buyer] to come up with at least 20%," said John Pierce, President of John Pierce & Company.
| Full Story Click Here |
Noncom and get it: Deal begets upgrade, two babies
A multi-party settlement by a lengthy roster of noncommercial, mutually-exclusive CP applicants is resulting in the upgrade of one Richmond FM and the birth of two new FM stations in other parts of the state. | Full Story Click Here |
 More on Wi-Max
We reported yesterday on Bonneville's/WTOP-FM DC's Internet-only "Federal News Radio" looking at adopting the new "Wi-Max" wi-fi technology to offer the web station across the metro area wirelessly. We asked Bonneville/DC VP/GM Joel Oxley more about the proposition: "Wi-Max isn't in place yet, but it's the next generation of Wi-Fi. From everything that we understand, it's coming pretty soon-within the next 12-18 months. This is going to be a new distribution method for audio, that's all there is to it. But whether or not it becomes a workable business model is another question." RBR observation: Opportunity or threat? How about opportunity AND threat. | Full Story Click Here | RBR Observation |
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Adbiz ©
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MindShare issues TV clutter report, Part II
The big four broadcast nets carried more clutter last year, according to "Clutter Watch 2003," a study released from MindShare's Chicago office by Debbie Solomon, Senior partner and group research director. The study uses CMR data. Yesterday, we reported on the broadcast side of the story; today, the cable side: | Full Story Click Here |
 Moonves predicting
double-digit upfront CPM increase
Let the posturing begin!!! CBS-TV CEO Les Moonves yesterday predicted double-digit CPM increases for his net in the upfront-likely more than any other network. "We're feeling very bullish about where we are," Moonves said at a news conference. "There is a foundation here. We are going to have leadership, not just for this year, but for many years." It's a bit of a feat, however. NBC took in an estimated $3B during last year's upfront, with CBS in second place at $2.2B. Moonves says because CBS has more viewers and is averaging 2.5M-2.6M more than NBC in primetime this season, it will take the crown this time around. However, NBC is first among viewers aged 18-to-49, with CBS closely behind Fox for third place. Many in the industry, however, think broadcast will not top, nor meet, the $9.3B mark set in last year's upfront. Cable is predicted to take a big chunk of the pie this time around. Editor's note: Some may call it posturing but get real - it is called CYA and get out front for the TV upfront for that $9Billion+ that is soon to committed by agencies come May. Viacom/CBS are excellent marketers and know how up suck in the consumer and trade press alike. Yep, RBR printed Moonves press predictions but also we quote the saying: "When it is too good to be true?" Wait for RBR's observation on the winners and losers with the Fall 2004 line up after all the presentations and Buffalo wings and blue cheese dip is gone.
Univision chasing political dollars
with Hispanic power pitch
To demystify the US Hispanic population and this community's growing political influence, and encourage campaigns to spend more ad dollars in Spanish media, Univision announced the release of an interactive CD-Rom providing insight into the US Hispanic Voting behavior. "The Hispanic Vote Tool Kit" is designed to inform politicians and media advisors about the growing Hispanic electorate and its significance. | Full Story Click Here |
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Media, Markets & Money tm
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Mapleton opens new CA territory
Mapleton Communications, the relatively youthful California radio group, is adding a new market. It has a $2M deal with a noncommercial broadcaster which should allow it to enter Fresno. The seller is the Educational Media Foundation. The station is KFYE-FM, licensed to Kingsburg CA. The money is due in cash at closing. The contract contains a clause which may benefit EMF down the road - - if Mapleton decides to sell to a third party any time during the next three years, the religious noncom operator will receive $500K. EMF will have to apply to the FCC for permission to take the station commercial, and it will also apply for a CP to upgrade its coverage of the Fresno market. Enabling the upgrade will be a simultaneous enabling application for changes to Mapleton's KHPO-FM in Merced. Both stations operate on 106.3 mHz.
New York Times Co. raises dividend, buying back stock
Shareholders of the New York Times Company will find a little something extra in their next dividend check. The company's board of directors has increased the quarterly payout by a penny per share to 15 and a half cents, which works out to $0.62 per year. The new, higher dividend will be paid June 18 to shareholders of record on June 1. In addition, the directors have authorized management to buy back up to $400 million of the company's publicly traded Class A common stock. That's in addition to an existing $32.2 million remaining in the company's current stock buyback authorization. The New York times Company bought back 1.4 million shares of its stock during Q1 for a total of $62.7 million. "Our share repurchase program and our dividend increase underscore our ongoing commitment to return value to our shareholders," said Chairman Arthur Sulzberger Jr. "Together, these actions reflect our confidence in the strength of our businesses and our solid financial position."
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Washington Beat
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Ferree tale: Media chief meets the press
FCC Media Bureau chief Ken Ferree will sit with the trade press this morning at the FCC's Southwest Washington DC digs. The press briefing will begin at 10AM. The first half of the session is expected to focus on the television digital transition and then go from there to all Media Bureau activities. The Media Bureau will also be presenting before the commissioners tomorrow at the monthly open meeting. That session will also have a digital flavor, although it will focus on the radio side with a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning the adoption of IBOC technology.
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Sales
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From RBR's Print Edition:
What success has your station(s) had in going directly to the agencies and clients to get on regional or national buys?
Says Mike Hartel, Curtis Media Group's WBBB-FM Raleigh: "We work with McGavren-Guild over at Interep, and we've been with them for about 30 years. And they've just done an incredible job for us. But I think they would be the first ones to agree that the way this system works best is when you have an NSM or GM for that matter, that gets real involved with the process. Because that only helps that cause. Curtis Media as a whole is up in New York at least four or five times a year, and Atlanta that many times as well. | Full Story Click Here |
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Programming
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 Russell Simmons to keynote music summit
Clear Channel's WWPR-FM NY announced that hip hop impresario and X Radio Networks' Russell Simmons will be the keynote speaker at the "Power 105.1 Music Summit." "Hip-Hop is about empowerment and the opportunity and responsibility to end poverty and ignorance," says Simmons. "We in the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network salute the Power 105.1 Music Summit and are happy to be a part of it." The event will take place from 9am-6pm on Saturday, April 24th in the Grand Ballroom of the Manhattan Center, NYC. Executives of the music industry will participate in this day long event that will serve as a forum for aspiring artists and business executives. Panelists will discuss how they got their big break, the ups and downs of the business, and share tips on what they wish they would have known when they got started. Individual workshops include: Putting Your Team Together, Inside the Record Label, Current State of the Industry, Where Does the $$ Come From, and The Radio Business. For more info: www.power1051fm.com
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Transactions
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$350,000 KOKU-FM Hagatna GU from Guam Radio Services Inc. (Lee Holmes) to Moy Communications Inc. (Kurt S. Moylan). $50K advance payment, balance in cash at closing. [File date 3/16/04.]
$120,000 WXBH-AM Albany-Schenectady-Troy (Cobleskill NY) from NY Communications LLC (Robert Heckler) to Viva Communications Group LLC (Cholene Espinoza, Dudley Stephan, Ellen Rater). $20K escrow, $40K cash at closing, $60K note. [File date 3/16/04.]
N/A WYAZ-FM CP Jackson MS (Yazoo City MS) from Bright Light Broadcasting Inc. (Durick Hayden, VP) to American Family Association (Donald E. Wildmon). Transfer of CP for no consideration. CP is for Class A on 89.5 mHz with 350 w @ 171'. [File date 3/16/04.]
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Stock Talk
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Interest rate fears send stocks lower
Strong retail sales in March ignited fears of rising interest rates, which in turn ignited fears that rising interest rates could cool off the economic recovery, which in turn sent stock prices lower on Tuesday. The Dow Industrials fell 134 points, or 1.3%, to 10,381.
Radio stocks also fell, despite the retail sales report, which should be a plus for the ad spending outlook. The Radio Index fell 3.024, or 1.1%, to 275.746.
Entercom fell 1.1% a day after raising its guidance for Q1 and rising 3%. The day's biggest drop, though, was by Regent, down 5.5%. Spanish Broadcasting System was off 3.4%. Disney fell another 2.7% as investors again reacted to the poor performance of its latest big-budget movie.
Bucking the downtrend was Salem, which advanced 5.2%.
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Radio Stocks
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Here's how stocks fared on Tuesday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
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Arbitron
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ARB
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$39.74
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-$0.65
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Jeff-Pilot
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JP
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$54.79
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-$1.02
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Beasley
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BBGI
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$17.47
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-$0.18
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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$19.38
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+$0.09
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| Citadel |
CDL |
$18.79 |
-$0.25 |
Radio One, Cl. A
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ROIA
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$19.35
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-$0.06
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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$43.39
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-$0.37
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Radio One, Cl. D
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ROIAK
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$19.30
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-$0.09
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Cox Radio
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CXR
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$22.02
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-$0.32
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Regent
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RGCI
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$6.70
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-$0.39
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Cumulus
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CMLS
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$20.95
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-$0.20
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Saga Commun.
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SGA
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$19.07
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-$0.52
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Disney
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DIS
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$25.00
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-$0.70
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Salem Comm.
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SALM
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$31.02
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+$1.52
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Emmis
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EMMS
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$24.27
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+$0.01
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Sirius Sat. Radio
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SIRI
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$3.76
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-$0.19
|
| Entercom |
ETM
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$47.57
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-$0.52
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Spanish Bcg.
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SBSA
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$9.99
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-$0.35
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Entravision
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EVC
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$9.53
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+$0.02
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Univision
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UVN
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$34.40
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-$0.43
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Fisher
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FSCI
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$50.40
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-$0.73
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Viacom, Cl. A
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VIA
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$40.50
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-$0.60
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Gaylord
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GET
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$29.80
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-$0.57
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Viacom, Cl. B
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VIAb
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$40.27
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-$0.62
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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$27.23
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-$0.45
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Westwood One
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WON
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$31.77
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-$0.51
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Interep
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IREP
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$2.20
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unch
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XM Sat. Radio
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XMSR
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$28.02
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-$1.17
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International Bcg.
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IBCS
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$0.03
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unch
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-
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RBR Audiocast
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04/14 - Get the feel of what you are scrolling down and reading ...Listen to this morning's AudioCast and
Hold On To Your Hair!
 Click Here to Listen
with Bob DeCarlo'
"In Da Morning"
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Bounceback
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We want to hear from you.
This is your column, so send your comments to [email protected]
More feedback on our current series for first time buyers
I deal frequently with first time buyers and I think your recent series on the difficulties facing them, or any small market buyer, is right on target... | Full Response Click Here |
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Competing Media
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Sinclair raises expectations
A day after Entercom raised its Q1 guidance and gave radio stock prices a boost, Sinclair Broadcast Group did the same. But alas, Wall Street was in a selling mood and TV stocks didn't get a bounce from the good news.
| Full Story Click Here |
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More News Headlines
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Mahlman joins Mahlman
A new generation takes hold as Robert W. Mahlman has been named President of The Mahlman Company brokerage firm. He will continue to be affiliated with W.B. Grimes & Co.
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Stations For Sale
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AM Station For Sale
Owner Financing Available
300,000+ Market in Southeast
Excellent Opportunity for owner-operator with strong radio experience
(843) 884-3590
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April Digital Magazine
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Complimentary Report
P&G's Jim Stengel talks reality of today's advertising world.
Accountability Part II:
They are at it again.
Better check your Main Studio & Public File... This report has what you need to know.
Read RBR in 2 simple steps:
1.Create a simple account with Zinio and download the free Zinio Reader.
2. You can then download the free April Issue of RBR
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NAB Day Time Planner
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The following brokers will be attending the NAB. Call or email to make your appointment in advance.
-------------------------------Glenn Serafin, Aladdin Hotel,
cell 813-494-6875
[email protected]
Gordon Rice, Gordon Rice Associates, Bellagio, 843-884-3590,
[email protected]
Elliot Evers, Media Venture
Partners, Ltd. , 415-391-4877,
[email protected]
Ted Hepburn, The Ted Hepburn Company, 561-863-8995,
[email protected]
Terry Greenwood, Bellagio,
410-931-3362,
[email protected]
Dick Kozacko, Luxor,
office 607-733-7138, cell 607-738-1219,
[email protected]
Jim Ortega, Satterfield & Perry,
cell 303/913-1888, [email protected]
Ron Swanson, Satterfield & Perry,
cell 570-881-5274, Bellagio Hotel, [email protected]
Cliff Gardiner, Clifton Gardiner & Company, 303-758-6900, [email protected]
Larry Patrick, Patrick Communications, 410-740-0250, Bellagio, [email protected]
Media Services Group,
Bellagio Hotel, mediaservicesgroup.com
Zoph Potts, Snowden Associates, Bellagio, 252-940-1680 cell 252-717-3772, [email protected]
John L. Pierce, John Pierce & Company LLC, Mirage Hotel,
859-647-0101, cell 859-512-3015, [email protected]
Frank Boyle, Bellagio, 203/969-2020,
[email protected]
Todd Fowler, American Media Services, Bellagio, 843-972-2200, [email protected]
Tom Gammon, Americom, Bellagio, cell 202-255-7777, [email protected]
Ron Kempff, Kempff Communications Company, MGM Grand, 813-258-3433, cell 813-220-1020, [email protected]
Robert O. Mahlman, Robert W. Mahlman, The Mahlman Company, Monte Carlo, 941-342-6411, [email protected]
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RBR Radar 2004
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Click on these issues for Radio News you won't read any where else. RBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
MindShare issues TV clutter report
"Clutter Watch 2003," the big four broadcast nets carried more clutter last year . NBC and Fox, broke the 15 minute barrier. With ABC, the clutter leader, there are now three broadcast networks running over 15 minutes of non-program material like spots. RBR observation: There are too many radio spots. No wonder TV viewers are leaving. 04/13/04 RBR #72
First time buyers:
You're on your own, Part 3
To find financing for a radio or TV deal. But that situation has gotten even worse in recent months for deals in the low end, where an entrepreneur could conceivably come up with the down payment.
04/13/04 RBR #72
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Do you love your job?
Can't find good experienced people?
Can't wait to get to work each day?
How about your BOSS?!
If you said no to any of these questions, wouldn't you like to make a change? For companies seeking professionals place your marketing position by clicking on submit jobs and follow the easy instructions. |
Questions? Contact me [email protected]
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