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RBR Exclusive
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 Broadcasting & Cable (B&C) Exclusive Is Exclusively Wrong!
The words from Citadel CEO/NAB Joint Board Chairman Phil Lombardo on the B&C report this morning, 5/3, with the headline: Fritts Survives, Can the NAB? The report written by Bill McConnell according to Lombardo is "absolutely wrong" and in fact McConnell has never even spoken with Lombardo concerning any statements reported by B&C.
RBR Publisher Jim Carnegie spoke with Lombardo at 7:30am yesterday morning, Sunday 5/2, on the record, "Bill McConnell wrote that article - he never talked to me." Facts reported by RBR 04/26/04 RBR #81 have not changed that there is No and was No Coup. The key objective is to negotiate a contract 'Extension'. Lombardo told Carnegie for the record "All discussions that we (Fritts / Lombardo) have had are positive and this extension is very close to completion."
Also spoken with and on the record is Dispatch Broadcast Group President/CEO and TV Board Chairman Michael Fiorile, "Eddie Fritts' future is not in doubt." As for B&C's report on the abortive coup against Fritts and the attempt to oust Lombardo again according to Fiorile is wrong. Bottom line: the executive committee authorized Lombardo one to two months ago to extend Eddie's contract and that is exactly what has been and is going on. "There was never an attempt or any instructions to Phil by the executive committee to terminate Eddie (Fritts). There never was, there isn't, there still isn't and it is not going to happen and it (B&C) is not just accurate," ended Fiorile. Same with Cox Television President and Vice Chair Andy Fisher who simply stated on the record, "The B&C article is interesting but simply not complete."
RBR observation: The NAB executives meet tonight in DC for dinner and take bet this topic is going to be discussed before the board meeting begins Tuesday. Bottom line it seems there is a posturing behind the scenes and in print that the radio board members are unhappy and possibly attempting to find a candidate the troops will put their stamp of approval on. The one getting the most quotes in the press is outgoing board member and Regent Chief William L. Stakelin. At the late Sunday night hour RBR was unable to contact Stakelin for comment but has been advised that Stakelin is eligible to run for Joint Board Chairman. This show is not over and RBR has stated before - let the system work. FYI: Talk among board members counting votes for Lombardo re-election is said to be at 52, enough to win right now. RBR states for the record and to our colleagues in the press - We at RBR & TVBR live in a glass house and - we Do throw stones.
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Radio News ®
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 McCain steps back at Commerce Committee
We have been able to confirm that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will be taking a less visible role with the Senate Commerce Committee. He will remain a member, but will turn the chair (or ranking member status on the off chance Republicans lose control of the Senate) over to fellow Republican Ted Stevens (R-AK).
| Full Story Click Here |
Regent sees business picking up
After reporting an 8.5% increase in Q1 business, Regent Communications Chairman & CEO  Terry Jacobs says his years of experience in radio tell him that the business is set to take off after the growth his company and others have reported for Q1. Regent is projecting that Q2 same station revenues will be up 5-7%. But adding some color to just how well the year is going, President & COO Bill Stakelin told analysts that business written so far for this year is running well ahead of the same point in 2003 - - indicating that visability is improving.
Sinclair blacks out Nightline
 Assuming Sinclair Broadcast Group announced last week, its eight ABC affiliated stations (one of which is operated pursuant to an LMA) opted out of Friday's airing of "Nightline," which consisted of the simple naming of US service people killed in Iraq. A statement on the company's website says, "Despite the denials by a spokeswoman for the show, the action appears to be motivated by a political agenda designed to undermine the efforts of the United States in Iraq." Sinclair owns or operates 62 stations reaching 24% of total US TV households. Along with its eight ABC stations is has 20 with Fox, 19 with WB, six with UPN, four with NBC, three with CBS and two independents. The seven Sinclair O&O ABC affiliates include KDNL St. Louis MO, WSYX Columbus OH, WLOS Asheville NC-Greenville SC, WXLV Greensboro-Winston Salem-High Point NC, WCHS Charleston-Huntington WV, WEAR Mobile AL-Pensacola FL and WGGB Springfield MA. The LMA'd station is WTXL Tallahassee FL.
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Point-counterpoint: McCain vs. Sinclair
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) fired off a letter to Sinclair Broadcast Group criticizing the group's decision to pre-empt Friday's edition of "Nightline." Here's part of the give and take: | Full Story Click Here |
More criticism of Sinclair blackout
The decision of Sinclair Broadcast Group to preempt Friday's edition of Nightline on its ABC affiliates drew rapid fire on Capitol Hill. Here are comments from a Democrat - -Maurice Hinchey, and an Independent - - Bernie Sanders. | Full Story Click Here |
Salem stock sale priced at $30
 The sale of 3.1 million shares of stock that Salem Communications announced last week (4/27/04 RBR Daily Epaper #82) has been priced at $30 per share - - a total of $93 million. One quarter of that will go to the company co-founders, President & CEO Ed Atsinger and Chairman Stuart Epperson - - who sold 775,000 shares in the offering. Each still owns millions of shares of the company. Salem expects to receive net proceeds of $65.5 million after paying Credit Suisse First Boston and Deutsche Bank Securities. The company plans to pay down debt and may redeem up to $52.5 million of its outstanding 9% senior subordinated notes.
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Measuring the Media Moguls
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 Arbitron: Stephen Morris, President & CEO
This series will compare the stock performance of public radio companies in 2003 to the compensation of each company's CEO. We begin today with Arbitron.
2003 stock performance: +24.54%
2003 CEO pay: +26.24
Morris saw his total cash compensation rise 26.24% last year to $952,121 - - pretty much in line with the year's stock price increase of 24.54%. But he got no new stock options.
| Full Story Click Here |
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Conference Calls, Q1 2004
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Regent revenues up 8.5%
Small market specialist Regent Communications reported that its Q1 revenues were up 8.5% to $17.8 million. Station operating income (SOI) jumped 24% to $4.4 million. On a same station basis, revenues were up 6.8% and SOI rose 16.1%. Jacobs wouldn't comment on whether Regent is close to announcing any acquisitions, but he did tell analysts that the station trading market is picking up after a couple of slow years. "People are starting to be a lot more interested in talking to us about doing something," he said.
Gaylord stock sale complete
There's a lot less Gaylord family ownership at Gaylord Entertainment. The family's previously announced sale of 5.8 million shares (4/9/04 RBR Daily Epaper #70) was boosted to just over seven million shares when it was priced last week at $31.75 per share - - a total of over $222 million. That leaves the family with ownership of only about 5.9% of the company, down from 23.7%.
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Adbiz ©
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Cable readies for best upfront ever-Part I
The Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau (CAB), while agreeing this is going to be one hot upfront for cable, isn't giving out any specific predictions or numbers. Instead, CAB CEO Sean Cunningham tells RBR they can talk in general about what they anticipate the level of demand will be for cable advertising. "We've been making presentations to advertisers and agencies for the last two months, and for sure, there doesn't seem to be a question that more money is coming to cable. It seems a fait accompli that it's going to be cable's best year. The only question seems to be, how high is up? And that's what planning groups and buying groups, that's one of the major questions inside of television right now as they get ready for a marketplace."
| Full Story Click Here |
 Medifast launched national
network TV effort
Medifast diet products launched an aggressive campaign featuring national TV, cable and print. The effort began with the company's first-ever national network spot last week on NBC's "Today." The 60-second spot began the campaign for May, which will also include 60-second spots airing on other national nets. Full-page print ads in a leading national Sunday news mage is also on the plan, aiming for 200M impressions. The ad strategy will continue to support the company's Physician business, "Hi-Energy Clinics" and generate business leads for the company's "Take Shape for Life" network of certified health advisors. "We have worked vigilantly over the past three months to fine-tune our television advertising," said Brad MacDonald, Medifast CEO. "I am pleased to report that we have succeeded in increasing our sales conversion rates, through a combination of improvements in training for our knowledge-based call center employees and a dynamic and informative video package which is being mailed to potential customers. Since we have improved our efficiency, we believe it is now prudent to invest in advertising that we had initially envisioned would increase our revenue and earnings growth in 2004."
 Staples puts $70M account in review
Staples has cut Martin/Williams Minneapolis loose from its $70M creative account and has initiated a review. Select Resources International LA will handle, and a decision is reportedly expected within two months. Martin/Williams got the account in 7/02 after a review. The agency's most recent campaign for Staples included the tag, "That was easy."
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Media, Markets & Money tm
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Cherry Creek growth pattern to continue
Cherry Creek Broadcasting, after entering the radio business with the group acquisition Commonwealth group, has recently expanded with new buys in Montana and Texas. Joe Schwartz, head man at spanking new radio group, told RBR that the current mini-spree is just the beginning. "We are very much in the acquisition mode," he said. What's more, the group is utterly unconcerned about market size and ratings availability. The factors of concern are two: growth potential and the availability of enough stick power to make the group a significant player in that market. Although Schwartz didn't rule out a move east of the Mississippi, he noted that everything they have so far is to the west, as is the company HQ. Cherry Creek is therefore most likely to continue its growth pattern to the west of the continent-dividing river.
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Washington Beat
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RTNDA weighs in on Golden Globes decision
The Radio-Televsion News Directors Association (RTNDA) has joined the chorus of voices asking that the FCC tone down the tone of its battle against broadcast indecency. In particular, it is protesting the fineless finding against NBC over the Bono/Golden Globe/"f" word incident. The RTNDA said, "The Commission's actions have further muddied the already vague definition of indecency, left broadcasters to guess which words and phrases will subject them to strict liability, and offer no guidance as to when, if ever, the context of a given program will outweigh its presumed offensiveness." The combined dangling swords of half-million dollar fines and license revocations, argues RTNDA, make it too risky for broadcast journalists to ply their trade. "In some instances," argues RTNDA, "the use of language that may be objectionable to some is integral to news reporting; by effectively removing context from its analysis, the FCC is violating the First Amendment by interfering with the editorial judgments of broadcast licensees."
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Programming
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96Rock fills "The Regular Guys" shift
with "Bob & Tom"
CC Radio's WKLS-FM Atlanta (96Rock) has tapped The Bob & Tom Show" for morning drive today, replacing "The Regular Guys" (Larry Wachs and Eric Von Haessler), who were suspended and never returned a couple months ago (2/27 RBR Daily Epaper #40). The four-hour show airs weekdays from 5AM-10AM on WKLS and WMAX-FM, Real Radio 105.3 FM. Alternate programming will replace Bob & Tom on WMAX- in the "very near future."
 "The Savage Nation" moves time slot
The Michael Savage Show will begin airing one hour earlier starting today, by popular demand. The time change came at the request of many major markets including: WOR, NYC and KNEW, San Francisco. "I am extremely excited about upgrading Michael's timeslot and being able to continue to provide a separate feed for those stations that prefer the existing slot," says Mark Masters, CEO of Talk Radio Network. "This is the ultimate 'win-win' situation. As a syndicator, we strive to meet the needs of all of our customers as they change and develop. In this case we can do both." Savage will air live Monday - Friday 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern. The existing 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pacific and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern feed will remain available for affiliates who cannot or choose not to move the show. The first two hours of the original feed will be live with the third hour being a tape delay from the first hour's program.
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Monday Morning Shakers & Makers
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Deals: 3/29/04-4/2/04
Dealmakers nudged up near triple-digits in the week during which we transitioned out of March and into April. Almost all of that came in the two April days - - we're talking $80M vs. about $8.5M. You have to go all the way back to the beginning of February to find a bigger week. It was almost all on the radio side - - there's just one little, lonely TV deal trying to balance things out.
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Transactions
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$9,725,000 KILE-AM Houston-Galveston (Bellaire TX) from The Rafft Corporation to Skywave Broadcasting Inc.
$800,000 WTRK-FM Saginaw-Bay City--Midland (Bay City MI) from Beyond the Bay Media Group to Educational Media Foundation.
$200,000 KBRN-AM San Antonio (Boerne TX) from Paulino Bernal Evangelism to Gerald Benevides.
| Full Details Click Here |
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Stock Talk
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Stocks fall again
Fears of higher interest rates dominated Wall Street again on Friday, sending stock prices lower. The Dow Industrials were off 47 points, or 0.5%, to 10,226.
Radio stocks fell as well. The Radio Index was down 2.707, or 1%, to 263.890. Emmis was the worst performer, for no particular reason, falling 3%. Disney was off 2.8%.
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Radio Stocks
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Here's how stocks fared on Friday
| Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
Company |
Symbol |
Close |
Change |
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Arbitron
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ARB
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$37.25
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+$0.15
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Jeff-Pilot
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JP
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$49.59
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-$0.05
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Beasley
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BBGI
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$15.80
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+$0.15
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Journal Comm.
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JRN
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$17.66
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-$0.14
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| Citadel |
CDL |
$17.35 |
-$0.11 |
Radio One, Cl. A
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ROIA
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$19.04
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-$0.12
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Clear Channel
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CCU
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$41.49
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-$1.01
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Radio One, Cl. D
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ROIAK
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$18.96
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-$0.15
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Cox Radio
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CXR
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$20.71
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-$0.41
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Regent
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RGCI
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$6.37
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-$0.12
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Cumulus
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CMLS
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$21.03
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-$0.38
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Saga Commun.
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SGA
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$19.00
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unch
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Disney
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DIS
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$23.03
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-$0.67
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Salem Comm.
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SALM
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$29.81
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-$0.40
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Emmis
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EMMS
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$23.32
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-$0.72
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Sirius Sat. Radio
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SIRI
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$3.30
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+$0.16
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| Entercom |
ETM
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$45.60
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-$0.91
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Spanish Bcg.
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SBSA
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$9.72
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-$0.06
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Entravision
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EVC
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$9.13
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+$0.09
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Univision
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UVN
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$33.85
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-$0.32
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Fisher
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FSCI
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$50.40
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-$0.38
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Viacom, Cl. A
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VIA
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$39.16
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-$0.71
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Gaylord
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GET
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$31.34
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+$0.54
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Viacom, Cl. B
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VIAb
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$38.65
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-$0.90
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Hearst-Argyle
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HTV
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$26.25
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-$0.27
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Westwood One
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WON
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$29.54
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-$0.45
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Interep
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IREP
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$2.10
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+$0.05
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XM Sat. Radio
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XMSR
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$23.96
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-$0.13
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International Bcg.
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IBCS
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$0.02
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unch
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-
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-
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-
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-
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RBR Audiocast
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05/03 - 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]
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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.
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1.Create a simple account with Zinio and download the free Zinio Reader.
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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.
Chapman wants self-policing
to curb indecency
As he prepares to co-chair the NAB's Responsible Broadcasting Task Force with David Kennedy and Gary Chapman is touting self-restraint as the best course for the industry to pursue. He's worried that broadcasters could face some onerous new laws if Congress gets involved. RBR observation: Self-policing is a good thing, but from what we're hearing on Capitol Hill, it's not going to rein in lawmakers who are making political hay out of the indecency issue. And since so many big broadcasters have left the NAB, what good is a code if it doesn't cover many of the industry's biggest players? 04/30/04 RBR #85
Infinity dumps the Bucs in Tampa
WQYK-AM and Country WQYK-FM Tampa has decided not to re-up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after 13 years. Why? Too much money says GM Charlie Ochs. RBR Observation: Ochs is breathing easy right now because he will be put $4 Million to his bottom line. There is probably around $4 Million in Bucs ad revenue in the market and when you take off the 15% sales commission Ochs was just breaking even. Where is the real money? Only when an NFL team gets to the play offs and the bonus is hoping to be on the field at the Super Bowl. NFL is the golden chalice of sports but not a big money winner at the local level except under playoff conditions. Many times it is known as good will within the community for branding purposes. Now the bet - Clear Channel will pick up the Bucs and probably pay the $4 Million plus expenses and goodies. They can farm out the broadcast rights with their stable of stations but Clear Channel needs to replace the $4 Million on the books they lost when they fired Bubba. Math time - pay $4 Million and get back $4 Million in ad revenue they lost -Clear Channel breaks even and looks good on the Miller Kaplan reports. Bingo, that easy.
04/30/04 RBR #85
Cox's Neil "thrilled" with
radio market growth
He doesn't tend to be an excitable guy, so it may be telling that Cox Radio CEO Bob Neil used the word "thrilled" do describe his feelings about where the radio market is heading. that pacings are generally better in Q2, although there is some unevenness. Cox didn't provide specific guidance for the current quarter. 04/29/04 RBR #84
Stern's removal in San Diego
crashes ratings
KIOZ's morning drive-time crashed from an 8.9 share in February to 0.7 in March, the first month without Stern. The battle with the FCC and Clear Channel has scored him some major gains in listenership during the winter book ended 3/31 in New York, L.A., Chicago, Boston, Cleveland and Hartford. However, the stations Clear Channel dropped Stern - - WBGG-FM Miami/Fort Lauderdale, WTKS-FM Orlando, WXFX-FM Rochester, KIOZ-FM San Diego, WXDX-FM Pittsburgh and WTFX-FM Louisville - - have been suffering. . WXDX's overall P12+ rating dropped from 4.8 to 3.5. 04/29/04 RBR #84
Surprise - Mark Walsh resigns as Air America CEO; Dave Logan also out as top programmer
Talk about an inside the beltway swinging political door - - and guess who broke the news nationwide? Walsh and Logan both out in less than a month after the net's 3/31 party and launch. RBR Observation: Walsh is the guy inside the Beltway with the political connections who got a few radio people and comics together with a strong liberal line and thought they could fill the airwaves with junk attack talk. Air America and their financial backers found out real quick that no matter - - Liberal or Conservative - - if you don't have Programming Content with Programming Presentation you have zip, no matter how deep your pockets are. 04/28/04 RBR #83
Affiliates respond to Delilah story
Some feedback Dan Swensson, GM Susquehanna's WRRM-FM Cincinnati: "This has my attention, and this is characteristic of a Clear Channel play to roll-up talent and product. So I'm not surprised. We've been anticipating this.
04/28/04 RBR #83
Qtopia releases Gay & Lesbian media usage stats
Interep's recently-announced marketing partner Qtopia Media, which specializes in the gay & lesbian market, released initial findings on media usage in major metros. Survey results show that G&L consumers are avid users of both mainstream and gay-themed media. Strong showings for both radio and local gay newspapers confirm that "spot" media work well to penetrate a metro's gay community. Other findings:- 82% listen to radio regularly; top reaching radio formats among G&L listeners: Top 40, Modern Rock, Dance/ Rhythmic, National Public Radio.- 79% watch TV regularly; 76% watched gay-themed TV shows in the past 3 mos. 04/28/04 RBR #83
TV board execs standing firm behind Lombardo AND Fritts
Amidst howls of discontent from some members of the NAB Radio Board, the Chairman of the TV Board and a key member both tell RBR that they are standing behind Joint Board Chairman Phil Lombardo in his management of the board. RBR observation: Somebody was stirring up some ugly rumors but the more people we talk to who are actually involved the less likely it seems that Eddie Fritts is leaving the NAB anytime soon. 04/27/04 RBR #82
NAB: To Protect and Defend
Free Radio and TV Broadcasters
A tempest in a tea pot over NAB Eddie Friits' contract extension negotiations is underway with Joint Board Chairman Phil Lombardo. Facts: 1. There is No Coup 2. Objective is! to negotiate a contract 'Extension' 3. Having a successful succession of planning is vital to NAB's future 4. Defend and not be caught off guard without a successor as other lobby associations have. 5. Protect the 22 years of experience and contacts developed by Fritts. RBR observation: There is hostility from various Radio board members from last January's board meeting. Some people just can't suck it up and still want that love to hate TV attitude. The best knowledge or guidance is in succession planning from the inside to the top. NAB has already lost valuable talent as case in point: MPAA CEO Jack Valenti retired leaving the MPAA without leadership and that is pathetic in having no foresight. Lombardo and committee Do Not want that to happen to the NAB. To those creating this tempest in a tea pot - RBR is not drinking your cup of tea. 04/26/04 RBR #81
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Contacts
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MANAGEMENT
Publisher, Jim Carnegie
[email protected]
VP/GM, Assoc. Publisher, Ken Lee
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VP, Cathy Carnegie
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Admin. Assistant, April McLynn
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EDITORIAL
Executive Editor, Jack Messmer
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Managing Editor, Dave Seyler
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Reporter, Bob DeCarlo
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SALES
Account Executive, June Barnes
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Market Results
