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Volume 24, Issue 81, Jim Carnegie, Editor & Publisher
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Wednesday Morning April 25th, 2007
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Radio News ®
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 Free-FM NY's
JV and Elvis suspended
CBS Radio suspended two hosts from its Free FM WFNY-FM NY after an Asian-American advocacy organization complained about the broadcast of a six-minute prank phone call ordering food to a Chinese restaurant that was replete with ethnic and sexual slurs. The call's dialogue, seemingly generated by a computer voice, was first played on "The Dog House With JV and Elvis" on 4/5, the day after Don Imus made his comment about the Rutgers women's basketball team on WFAN. The call was then replayed on "The Dog House" a week after Imus was fired by CBS Radio. In a statement on Sunday, the four NYC chapters of the Organization of Chinese Americans demanded an apology from the show's two hosts and from CBS Radio, and called for the firing of the hosts and their producer.
RBR observation: Interesting that they used a computer voice, which showed no emotion or humor. While we did hear some implied ethnic slurs, like "flied lice," there was nothing particularly mean-spirited. We've heard much worse come out of Howard Stern's show, with a call to a Korean clock store. However, it appears likely there was an FCC violation in airing a phone call on a broadcast station without first getting permission from the person on the other end of the line. So, there could well be a fine coming. Will that and the local outrage be enough to get the duo fired?
Hip-Hop flip-flop
Reversing course from a statement issued just two weeks ago (4/16/07 RBR #74), Hip-Hop Summit Action Network founders Russell Simmons and Benjamin Chavis are now calling for record labels to ban three particularly inflammatory words: bitch, ho and that racial epithet so vile it is usually referred to in polite company as the "n-word." After railing against censorship and defending the rights of artists in their previous statement, Simmons and Chavis are now recommending that record companies and broadcasters "voluntarily remove/bleep/delete" those three words, which should be treated the same as "extreme curse words." They also want a music industry Coalition on Broadcast Standards, made up of leading executives from the music, radio and television industries. "The Coalition would recommend guidelines for lyrical and visual standards within the industries," Simmons and Chavis said in their latest statement. What the two do not want is any government regulation or restriction of the First Amendment. "With freedom of expression, however, comes responsibility," they said.
RBR observation: The heat is on. Who could have imagined that Don Imus would prove to be the catalyst for a movement to take the degradation of women out of hip-hop and rap? It is unfortunate that C. Delores Tucker did not live to see this day - if there is indeed going to be an era of new social responsibility by the record labels.
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 FCC's violence report in the offing
A recommendation to Congress from the FCC on how it can arm to Commission to go after violent content on television, both broadcast and cable, is said to be nearly complete. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), pictured, has taken the Capitol Hill lead on the issue and is poised to introduce legislation. According to the Washington Post, the FCC thinks restraint on violent content could be added to existing restraints on indecent broadcasts, which by statute must be sexual or excretory in nature. A major hurdle will be defining exactly what violence is, a task the FCC is said to be leaving to Congress, although it will make recommendations on that topic, too. First Amendment advocates think the effort is doomed from the get-go, however, particularly if it attempts to rope in cable, which comes into the home as a paid subscription rather than freely over the air. Broadcast industry organization TV Watch is also doing what it can to block the effort, saying if such a law were to make it to the president's desk for signing, it would mark "...an exponential and unprecedented increase in the power of the federal government to restrict free speech and expression over the public airwaves." It noted that despite violent content getting the blame for much of society's ills, the fact is that while watchdogs claim violent content is on the rise, real-life violence on the street is going into remission - TV Watch says FBI numbers show a 17% reduction in crime during the period that Parents Television Council said violent content rose 75%.
RBR observation: Why are they even bothering? The best way to handle an issue like this is to make sure that parental controls are actually working as intended, and are intuitive enough that all concerned parents can easily make use of them without relying on their own children's often superior technical expertise. There is no way - we repeat, no way - that any kind of workable definition of violence can be written. We still don't have a definition of indecency content that everyone can understand and follow, for crying out loud. Other than providing the chance for all inside-the-Beltway types who are so inclined to score some pompous and empty soundbites on the theme of "protecting our children," this is a doomed and pointless exercise in futility.
Journal sees Q2 holding up for radio
Despite having two fewer stations than a year ago, Journal Communications is projecting that radio revenues will be flat to up slightly in Q2, fueled by continued growth in developmental business. That follows a 3.4% improvement in Q1 to 18.2 million, with operating earnings flat at 3.8 million. "Our Boise, Knoxville, Springfield and Tulsa operations recorded double digit growth in revenue and operating earnings. Our successful performance in radio was driven by generally strong ratings in our markets as well as strength of both our general management and sales management teams," said Journal CEO Steven Smith. For the month of March, Journal reported that radio revenues were up 0.3% to 7.46 million.
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Shareholders revolt at Gray Lady
In what appears to be a record for a US public company, 42% of Class A shareholders withheld their votes for the four New York Times Co. directors up for election at yesterday's annual meeting. All directors, however, vowed to keep their seats. Dissident shareholders, led by Hassan Elmasry, who manages an investment portfolio for Morgan Stanley clients, have demanded stronger performance by the company and an end to the two-tiered stock structure that gives the Ochs-Sulzberger family voting control of the company via their Class B shares. CEO Arthur Sulzberger Jr. had repeated the family's opposition to any such change before the vote and he remained adamant afterward. "Management and the full Board will continue to listen carefully to the issues raised by our shareholders. That said, the Ochs-Sulzberger family remains firmly and unanimously committed to the dual class share structure that has been in place since before the Company went public in 1969. With approximately 19% of the Company's Class A shares and 89% of its Class B shares, our family's interests are very much aligned with other shareholders in seeing the Company's performance improve," the CEO said in a post-vote statement. Don't expect this battle to end any time soon. Elmasry amassed 30% support last year and 42% this year from fellow Class A shareholders. Morgan Stanley Investment Management issued a statement calling the vote a "clear mandate for meaningful change" at the New York Times Company.
 All eyes on Blacksburg
Last week, our tongue-in-cheek headline for the weekly Project for Excellence in Journalism 4/8-13/07 news coverage chart was "All Imus, half the time," a reference to the seemingly wall-to-wall coverage given his story by the cable wing of America's journalism outlets. On the 4/15-20/07 chart, the entire universe went over 50% by one point in its coverage of the massacre at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg VA. Newspapers, which tend to spread coverage on their front pages, gave the story 27%, and on cable it went all the way to 76%. Needless to say, the story choked all others out, with the #2 overall item - the US attorney scandal - mustering a meager 6% overall. And only in the online world did any other story nose into double digits (two, Iran and the attorneys, managed 11% coverage there). Amazingly, the Imus story - which seems alive to us because it's also a trade story - was knocked clean off the overall chart and was almost shut-out completely, showing up only on his home turf, the radio chart, with 5%. Cable, with it's 24/7 hole, is the medium most prone to excess, and its 76% wall of VA Tech coverage supplanted a 48% wall of Imus, and even squeezed Anna Nicole off the list for one of the few times since her passing. The record overall coverage for a story thus far was the 34% devoted to the Iraq surge during the week of 1/7-12/07.
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| Wall Street Media Business Report TM |
Journal Broadcast outperforms in Q1
Newspaper results were disappointing to CEO Steven Smith, but broadcasting revenues were up in Q1 for Journal Communications. Radio revenues increased 3.4% to 18.2 million, while TV was down only 1.6% to 33.5 million, despite the lack of 3.3 million from the Winter Olympics on NBC. So, revenues for Journal Broadcast Group rose a tiny bit - to 51.7 million from 51.6 million. Surprising, political revenues were up - 670K vs. 530K a year ago. Automotive advertising was down again at the flagship newspaper, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which contributed to another tough quarter. Publishing revenues declined 4% to 76.1 million.
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Ad Business Report TM
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 CBS Radio signs on as founding partner of Targetspot
TargetSpot, an ad serving technology and marketplace for advertisers and internet broadcasters, has received funding from Union Square Ventures, CBS Radio and Oddcast, and introduced Doug Perlson as its CEO and co-founder. TargetSpot's technology allows businesses and individuals to create, buy and place their own ad messages within streaming media. In addition to its investment, CBS Radio will use the technology on its more than 100 streaming radio stations. With TargetSpot, advertisers can create customized audio, video, banner and text ads using an array of jingles, sound effects and visuals provided by TargetSpot. Clients can also upload their current creative directly into their web account. Ads are then targeted to a specific demo, location and/or property. Campaign costs vary with advertising revenue being shared among TargetSpot and the participating broadcaster. Perlson joins TargetSpot after serving as CEO of Seevast (formerly known as Kanoodle), the owner and operator of internet-based marketing services businesses. "What we have created is a sophisticated advertising platform unlike any other technology being used by radio today," said Dan Mason, CBS Radio CEO (pictured). "Advertising in streaming media isn't like putting up a banner ad on a web page, which is where the technology was when we conceived the idea for TargetSpot. The technology, among the purest forms of business to business advertising, is specifically designed for monetizing streaming audio and video, and allows internet broadcasters to expand their web offerings while staying in command of their inventory."
Magazine and San Francisco radio spots examined
Media Monitors took a look at magazines and how they use radio to bring readers to the stands. One of the older publications in America, THE SPORTING NEWS was #1 in the Magazine category. THE NATION was #2 last week with GRACE MAGAZINE, a seasonal publication, in at #3. DUB Magazine was #4 and THE WAVE MAGAZINE was #5. VANIDADES was #6 with FUSION MAGAZINE in at #7. LOWRIDER was #8 with OZONE #9 and SMART MAGAZINE at #10. HOME DEPOT was #1 in San Francisco last week running 916 monitored commercials. TOYOTA (587) was #2 and KAISER PERMANENTE was #3 with 429 spots. SHANE COMPANY was #4 with 416 units while the HD DIGITAL RADIO ALLIANCE was #5 with 413 announcements. #6 was CHRYSLER - JEEP - DODGE with 295 units. METRO PCS was #7 with 290 spots, while BEVERAGES & MORE was eighth with 282 commercials. SAFEWAY grocery stores were #9 with 263 spots and SLEEP TRAIN was tenth with 261 spots. On the national chart, HOME DEPOT was #1 again running 40,333 spots, HD DIGITAL RADIO ALLIANCE was #2 with 29,001 announcements with GEICO in at #3 with 23,573 spots.
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| Washington Media Business Report TM |
 XM repeater problem getting ink
One of the key arguments broadcasters have been making in opposition to the proposed XM/Sirius merger is the fact that they have been abusing their terrestrial repeater system. The problems have predominately been on XM's part (although Sirius's Mel Karmazin admits to 11 problem repeaters out of 138, since said to have been turned off). Now Blomberg.com is on the story, noting that by XM's own admission, at least a third of the antennae in its repeater network are either located incorrectly or broadcasting with too much power. Broadcasters have been asking how the companies can be trusted to uphold merger conditions when their track record to date is so full of holes, a sentiment which according to Bloomberg is being echoed by House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA).
RBR observation: You know that any radio or television station caught with its tower a few thousand feet off target or with the volume knob turned up would be reaching for the checkbook to pay the inevitable FCC fine, and would be fixing the problem as rapidly as possible to avoid further FCC action. That broadcasters were warning about the potential for abuse of the terrestrial repeater system in advance only makes it worse.
Penlight on the Tampa meet-up
We still don't know who the panelists will be when the FCC goes to Tampa-St.Petersburg for its 4/30/07 public forum on media ownership rules. But we now know the topics. The event kicks off at 4PM at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Louise Lykes Ferguson Hall. After a half hour for opening remarks, a panel will have an hour to address the topic "Market Overview/Tampa, Florida Case Study." The public will get two hours to follow up. After a half hour break, another panel will address the topic "Perspectives on Media Ownership." The public then gets another two hours, all the way to an 11:00PM adjournment.
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| Media Markets & Money TM |
Fat Dawgs take a Peak
Todd Lawley's Peak Broadcasting has decided that six stations are enough in Fresno. It kicked off its entry into broadcasting by acquiring two AMs and five FMs in a 90M deal with CBS Radio late last year, and now it's spinning off one of the AMs. KFIG-AM owner Fat Dawgs 7 Broadcasting will be the recipient of the station, KFPT-AM. Owned by Chris Pacheco and Jim Huelskamp, it'll pay 2.4M for the station. An LMA is underway, and under terms of a limited non-compete agreement, Fat Dawgs will avoid use of a News or Talk format on KFPT. The contract stipulate an exception, however, if Fat Dawgs goes with Sports Talk or Sports News - either of those formats are fine, and it also happens to be the corner of the radio format world being worked by KFIG already.
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| Entertainment Media Business Report TM |
 ABCRadio.com to offer
Fred Thomson daily commentary
Former senator, commentator and actor (and maybe candidate for US President) Fred Thompson will provide regular opinion and analysis on ABCRADIO.com. The Fred Thompson Report will discuss issues and events that affect all Americans. Audio versions of many of the commentaries will also be made available on ABCRADIO.com.
"Steppin' Out" adds WOR-AM NY
"Steppin' Out," The 12-Step Radio Show, is now on in NYC on WOR-AM Saturday Nights from 1AM-3AM. Drew Martin is the host of the show that introduces listeners to real people with gripping true stories of real life. Steppin' Out involves not only the traditional radio listeners, but also invites in millions of non-traditional listeners from the recovery community.
Waitt Radio Networks signs "The Bar"
Waitt Radio Networks, Folger Entertainment Company and Dean James and Associates have signed an exclusive arrangement to syndicate "The Bar," a new type of deeper country format. Waitt will offer The Bar with localized content for affiliates. Radio consultants Joel Folger and Dean James unveiled their newest format in March in Billings, MT, where it has been running successfully on KPBR-FM. According to James, "You get all the best parts of your neighborhood bar: familiar faces (the artists), your favorite songs (the jukebox); and a great host (the bartender), but you don't get the same thing every time you stop in. From Toby Keith to the Eagles, Brooks and Dunn to Bob Seger, and Johnny Cash to John Cougar, The Bar has it all."
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| Ratings & Research |
 comScore, Nielsen//Net Rating
respond to IAB challenge
comScore and Nielsen//Net Ratings responded to the recent IAB open letter challenging their services to be audited to figure out why their ratings are so discrepant, measuring the same sites (4/24/07 RBR #80). Said ComScore: "comScore welcomes the objective outlined in the IAB Open Letter of achieving transparency in panel methods for measuring the size of online audiences. comScore has already had positive and productive discussions with the IAB to initiate a thoughtful and cooperative process for achieving greater transparency and understanding the root cause of the difference between Web site server logs and panel-based measurements. As part of our efforts to achieve transparency, we have opened our methodology and processes to an evaluation by the Advertising Research Foundation. We are in the final stages of this evaluation and hope that the results will be publicly released in the near future. We look forward to demonstrating the quality of the comScore panel methodology to the IAB." Said NetRatings CEO William Pulver (pictured): "NetRatings shares the IAB's enthusiasm for building accountability across the digital media marketplace, and we look forward to meeting with you - and our fellow members - to discuss the opportunities and challenges relating to Internet audience measurement. NetRatings is the only Internet Audience Measurement research company to have completed the MRC's pre-audit, and we are currently executing on a formal Research Plan jointly developed with the MRC's Research Committee. We look forward to taking the next appropriate steps in the audit process...NetRatings anticipates attaining full MRC accreditation in the future, similar to MRC accreditations held by many established media measurement companies, including Nielsen Media Research, which submit to regular audits."
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| Transactions |
6.8M KSCW-TV Wichita KS from WLBB Broadcasting LLC, a subsidiary of Banks Broadcasting Inc. (Lyle Banks) to Sunflower Broadcasting Inc., a subsidiary of Schurz Communications Inc. (Franklin D. Schurz Jr., Todd F. Schurz, Joan M. Barrett et al). 1.4M escrow, balance in cash at closing. Duopoly with KWCH-TV. Buyer is seeking failing station waiver to enable the combination. KSCW-TV is a CW affiliate on Channel 33; KWCH-TV is a CBS affiliate on Channel 12. [File date 4/2/07.]
50K WQMS-AM Quitman MS from Stephen C. Hellinger to Randolph Johnston. 15K and 35K escrow deposits released to seller at closing. [File date 4/2/07.]
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| Stock Talk |
Mixed day sends Dow higher
Still not to the 13K mark, but the Dow Industrials rose Tuesday as strong earnings reports countered more bad news about housing. The Dow gained 35 points, or 0.3%, to 12,954.
Radio stocks were among the gainers. The Radio Index rose 0.692, or 0.4%, to 163.501.
Emmis led the way, up 2.2%. Radio One Class A gained 1.8% and Class D 1.6%.
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| Radio Stocks |
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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49.50
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+0.05
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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27.34
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-0.17
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Beasley
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BBGI
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9.02
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-0.07
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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12.80
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+0.06
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| CBS CI. B |
CBS |
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31.55
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-0.17
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Lincoln Natl.
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LNC
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69.43
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-0.11
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| CBS CI. A |
CBSa |
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31.58
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-0.11
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Radio One, Cl. A
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ROIA
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7.44
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+0.13
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| Citadel |
CDL |
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9.71 |
unch |
Radio One, Cl. D
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ROIAK
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7.42
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+0.12
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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35.79
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-0.14
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Regent
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RGCI
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3.48
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-0.05
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Cox Radio
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CXR
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15.02
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+0.15
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Saga Commun.
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SGA
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10.12
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+0.07
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Cumulus
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CMLS
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9.92
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+0.03
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Salem Comm.
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SALM
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13.28
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-0.10
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Disney
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DIS
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34.91
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-0.17
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Sirius Sat. Radio
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SIRI
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2.77
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-0.03
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Emmis
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EMMS
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10.27
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+0.22
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Spanish Bcg.
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SBSA
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3.70
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-0.02
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| Entercom |
ETM
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28.59
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-0.26
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SWMX
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SMWX
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0.70
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unch
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Entravision
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EVC
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10.05
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+0.09
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Westwood One
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WON
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6.74
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+0.09
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Fisher
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FSCI
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49.90
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-0.20
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XM Sat. Radio
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XMSR
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10.93
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-0.20
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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]
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Below the Fold
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Wall Street Media Business Report
Journal Broadcast outperforms
In Q1 but Newspaper results were disappointing as revenues were up in Q1, Radio revenues increased 3.4%...
Media Markets & Money
Fat Dawgs take a Peak
Peak Broadcasting has decided that 6 stations are enough in Fresno...
Washington Media Business Report
XM repeater problem getting ink
Key arguments broadcasters have been making in opposition to the merger...
Ratings & Research
Respond to IAB challenge
comScore & Nielsen//Net Ratings have responded to the IAB...
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Stations for Sale
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CA Coastal Class A
Rated Market $1.5M
CO Rated Market C.P.
Class C1 $400K
Brett Miller - 805.543.3466
[email protected]
OR Coastal Class A FMs
Positive Cashflow $795K
ND Small Market C.P.
Class C1 $150K
Brett Miller - 805.543.3466
[email protected]
 Market your Stations For Sale
in our daily epapers.
Contact
June Barnes
[email protected]
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Radio Media Moves
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Fisher to Richmond
Cox Radio has tapped WHZT-FM Greenville, SC Program Director "Fisher" to head to Richmond, VA and become Program Director of its newly launched WMXB-FM "Mix 103.7." He makes the move May 21st.
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More News Headlines
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Boyle gives
thumbs up to Cox
CL King analyst Jim Boyle has begun coverage of Cox Radio and given the stock a "Strong Buy" rating. He is convinced that a buyout of public shareholders by majority owner Cox Enterprises is not far off.
Unum sponsoring ESPN's "Injury Report"
Unum announced a new partnership with ESPN that involves the sole sponsorship for the "Injury Report" to run during the network's Major League Baseball programming. Starting with "Baseball Tonight" on 4/26 and running through the end of the regular MLB season, Unum will sponsor the "Injury Report," an updated summary of which players are hurt, the nature of their injuries and their expected return dates. The campaign, called "Domino Effect," uses an integrated approach to drive awareness of the new Unum-sponsored report, including advertising on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC network television as well as ESPN Radio and ESPN.com. In early April, Unum unveiled a new corporate brand that distinguishes the company as a leader in the employee benefits industry. With a contemporary logo and the tagline "Better benefits at work," the brand illustrates both the "new" Unum and its legacy of innovation and commitment to the employee benefits market.
Mercedes to offer more Sirius in more cars
Mercedes-Benz plans to significantly increase the rate at which they install Sirius radios in Mercedes-Benz vehicles to more than 80% for 2007, with plans to continue building to 90% for 2008 and over 90% by 2009. The growth in the installation rate far exceeds earlier estimates of 50 percent that were set less than two years ago. The luxury automaker also plans to offer Sirius as standard equipment on two additional models this year - the S-Class and CLS.
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RBR Radar 2007
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Radio News you won't read any where else. RBR--First, Accurate, and Independently Owned.
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Dissident shareholder renews pressure on Emmis
Noting recent rumors that Emmis has been shopping WQCD-FM New York for 200 million bucks or more, dissident shareholder Frank Martin of Martin Capital Management is again putting the screws to CEO Jeff Smulyan to return value to shareholders. The latest letter from Martin, which has been filed with the SEC, includes some personal attacks on Smulyan's integrity, (to read the letter in detail see this RBR page)
RBR observation: In one word on the letter, Ouch.
04/24/07 RBR #80
Sharpton targeting record labels
Fresh from getting Don Imus fired for using a slur against black women, Rev. Al Sharpton is renewing his effort to clean up rap and hip-hop lyrics. This time he is targeting corporate headquarters.
RBR observation: We noticed repeated criticism of Sharpton during the Imus controversy for taking offense at what Imus said while not objecting to similar terms in rap and hip-hop music. That is not true. Sharpton was for many years aligned with the late C. Delores Tucker in campaigning against violent and sexist lyrics. We wrote about Sharpton calling for radio stations to drop violent songs from their playlists two years ago (3/28/05 RBR #61). So it is not true that this is a new cause for Sharpton. What is true is that he so far has virtually nothing to show for his efforts. Will Imus pushing the issue to the front burner change that?
04/24/07 RBR #80
IAB wants to audit ConScore,
Nielsen//NetRatings
The Interactive Advertising Bureau asked the two major Web-traffic-measurement companies, comScore and Nielsen//NetRatings, to submit to an outside audit to find out why the two companies report different audience sizes for the same websites. comScore has agreed. Nielsen//NetRatings had yet to respond. (details in this issue of TVBR in the Internet Media Business Report section)
04/24/07 TVBR #80
39 is the bid, what are the odds?
Just how much have Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital improved their odds of winning Clear Channel Communications with their increased bid of 39 bucks a share? Even if the vote had been held last Thursday at the original bid price of 37.60, it no doubt would have been endorsed by a majority of Clear Channel shareholders. But that is not enough.
RBR observation: Lee and Bain have protection written into their latest bid that will pay them 200 million if Clear Channel is sold to someone else within a year of the bid being voted down, but that is just CYA. If the 39 bucks bid is rejected, Clear Channel will then become a public company with activist, disgruntled, large shareholders putting the screws to management to sell more assets, cut costs, sell more assets and pay out more to its shareholders. Mark and Randall Mays will likely start buying Maalox or Tums by the case. (For RBR extensive analysis see RBR and also review Clear Channel moves TV group sale)
04/23/07 RBR #79
RBR Observation
No longer "the beer guy"
The former beer industry lobbyist had only been in his new role as President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters for a short time. Convention attendees were duly impressed with the enthusiasm and obvious intelligence of "the beer guy" and generally wished him well in the new job. After 1 year on the job we saw a very confident and aggressive David Rehr - exactly the kind of bulldog that the NAB Joint Board had sought to lead the association. We got a chance to see a master advocate (Rehr doesn't like the term lobbyist) at work. With so many major issues facing broadcasters in Washington, it should be reassuring for people in radio and TV to know that he is representing their interests. No longer "the beer guy," David Rehr is now a broadcaster. (for RBR's complete Observation view this issue)
04/23/07 RBR #79
CCU bidders say offer is final
Don't go saying "please, sir, may I have some more" to Bain Capital Partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners. They upped their offer for Clear Channel to 39 dollars a share, and that's as high as they're going to do. But it looks like two big stakeholders aren't going to budge from their opposition to the offer.
RBR observation: So you the bump and run is turning to the poker game of bluffing. No matter what is being thought out at CCU in Texas in control are the shareholders. The shoe is on the other foot as the shareholders are calling the shots as time has a way of catching up. There is more in this issue of RBR.
04/20/07 RBR #78
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