Volume 20, Issue 9, Your Morning Radio Industry E-Paper tm
Jim Carnegie, Publisher
Tuesday January 14th 2003
RBR Office 703.719.9500

Radio News ®

VNS voted out
As expected, the Voter News Service (VNS), the troubled Election Day news system, has been put out of its misery, according to an Associated Press report. Six of the entities who had partnered to put it together, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox News and the Associated Press, pulled the plug after the service suffered through two consecutive problem-filled Election Day performances. | Full Story Click Here | RBR Observation |

Tidbits coming out of NAB Winter Powwow
And yes discussions are about the NAB Fall Radio show and it consolidating into the Spring. Even being tossed around the court is bring Radio Advertising Bureau into the 'Big Show'. Sources report that we won't be seeing press releases on this discussion since all systems are a go for Philly 2003 and the board is excited about the place, time, and the agenda. Plus, RAB 2003 starts Jan. 30th. RBR Observation: NAB and Board decide now to bite the bullet or you may not have the 'Big Show' you are discussing.
| Full Story Click Here
| RBR Observation |

Sirius moves to erase serious debt
Files docs at SEC
Sirius Radio yesterday filed with the SEC a Preliminary Proxy Statement asking approval from shareholders for a debt restructuring plan. It will be something to think about as spelled out in the filling. | Full Story Click Here |

Radio One links with
Comcast for CATV conquest
A four year search for a partner has ended for Radio One (O:ROIA), which will pair up with cable television MSO Comcast (O:CMCSA) to launch a brand new basic cable television network. The as-yet-unnamed venture will target 25-54 African-Americans, offering entertainment, news, opinion and sports programming. It will be a competitor to Black Entertainment Television (BET), a Viacom (N:VIA) operation.
| Full Story Click Here |

Radio One issues positive Q4 guidance
Radio One (O:ROIA) is expecting to have good news to announce when it releases the final tally for Q4 next month. At worst, it expects to be able to announce a 13% increase in net revenue. It also said that other indicators were falling into line with its press release of 10/30/02, which offered guidance to the company's Q4 performance.
| Full Story Click Here |

US military drops leaflets to encourage
radio listenership in Iraqi
The US Air Force is continuing to drop mass leaflets (nearly 500,000) in southern Iraq, encouraging locals to listen to radio broadcasts transmitted from U.S. aircraft in the area. There have been 13 leaflet drops in the past three months, the U.S. Central Command said in a release. Past leaflet drops have been aimed at Iraqi military forces to deter them from firing on coalition aircraft patrolling the region or rebuilding previously destroyed air defense systems. | Full Story Click Here |

Jefferson-Pilot announces ETA for investor conference
Jefferson-Pilot (N:JP), a broadcasting company which also has its hand in a few other business ventures, will hold a conference call 2/4 to discuss its Q4 2002 performance. In addition to its insurance businesses, J-P operates 17 radio and three television stations.

CC Radio enters 90-day interim agreement
with Hiwire for streaming 45 stations
Not long after deciding not to renew an existing contract with streaming/ad insertion technology provider Hiwire, coupled with shuttering dozens of radio internet streams (RBR e-paper), a 90-day "trial period" arrangement between the two has been struck to get 45 back streaming. | Full Story Click Here |

Entries being accepted for
first-ever MADD awards
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is initiating a new awards program which will recognize "professional journalists and other media professionals and organizations for outstanding coverage and advancement of issues related to MADD's mission to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking."
| Full Story Click Here | RBR Observation |




Adbiz ©

Network Radio Research Council names
new board members; adds Dial-Global
At its recent December 2002 meeting, the Network Radio Research Council (NRRC) elected Len Klatt, SVP/Director of Research, Premiere Radio Networks as Chair for a one-year term. In addition, Paul Bronstein, VP/Research, Westwood One Radio Networks was elected Vice Chairman. | Full Story Click Here |

got milk? renews title sponsorship
of 3v3 Soccer Shootout Tour
The "got milk?" campaign has committed to title sponsor the 3v3 Soccer Shootout National Tour for the third consecutive year, it was announced by the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board (MilkPEP) and Host Communications, which O&O's the tour. | Full Story Click Here |

Best Buy to open 85 new stores
Best Buy is reportedly planning to open approximately 85 new stores in fiscal '04, which begins 3/2. 25 will be in the 45,000 square-foot format and 35 in the smaller market format. Most will be opened in existing markets.

Karlen Advertising morphs to Karlen Williams Graybill
NY-based Karlen Advertising announced a name change to Karlen Williams Graybill Advertising. The 35-year old full-service agency is adding Partner and EVP Jeff Graybill: "We've had 3 partners at the agency for some time, so we wanted our name to reflect the level of partner involvement that our clients receive," said Jim Williams, President. Karlen Williams Graybill currently manages 27 national accounts with billings of $44M. Karlen is AOR to Chattem, (Icy Hot, FlexAll, Selsun Blue, Dexatrim, and Gold Bond), Natrol and Ginsana.

Nextel launches agency review
Nextel Communications announced 1/10 an agency review for its creative and media accounts. Wenham, MA-based Mullen Advertising is the incumbent (six years); Initiative Media is the buying agency. Roth Associates will consult in the search.
| Full Story Click Here |

AOL fires Gotham NY; to launch review
AOL has reportedly fired its AOR of nearly six years--Gotham NY--and will launch a review that won't include the shop. Coincidentally, the estimated $175M annual account just got a new EVP/Brand Marketing in the promotion of former EVP/Advertising & Brand Management Len Short. AOL has been struggling to reinvent itself, facing what it calls an estimated 40% less advertising revenue this year, not to mention billions of dollars in losses over the past two years, ongoing SEC/DOG probes and tanking stock prices.

Girl Scouts launch campaign to encourage girls in math, science and technology
Girl Scouts of the USA and The Ad Council announced the launch of a national PSA campaign designed to encourage girls to develop and maintain an interest in math, science and technology. According to the National Science Foundation, women represent 46% of the total workforce, but only 25% of the technology workforce and 10% of the nation's top technology jobs. | Full Story Click Here |

Walgreens to spend $360M this year
In our 1-10 e-paper, our story headline said Walgreens was spending $360M on radio and TV this year. Actually, and unfortunately, print gets the biggest chunk of that money. Walgreens' ad spending will be up nearly 13% from last year, it announced.
| Full Story Click Here |


Media, Markets & Money tm

EMF closes in on El Paso
Contemporary Christian specialist Education Media Foundation is the non-commercial purveyor of the K-LOVE Network and one of the fastest-growing radio groups in the nation, commercial, non-profit or otherwise. It has closed on another deal - - it now has the keys to KXCR-FM down on the Mexican border in El Paso (RBR 4/8/02). The 89.5 mHz facility cost EMF a cool $1M, which went to Etcom Inc. to be administered by its President, Arturo Vasquez. Broker: Greg Guy, Patrick Communications

Perry piles it on around Lawton
Also on the closing front, Perry Broadcasting of Oklahoma has taken over a five-station cluster which will expand its territory in the Lawton area (RBR Daily Morning Epaper, 10/7/02). It spent $1.175 to get KRPT-FM Anadarko, KXCA-AM Lawton, KXCD-AM & KKEN-FM Duncan and KDDQ-FM Commanche from Bob Elliot and his Friends Communications for $1.175M. Broker: Media Service Group (seller)

Radio One confirms deal date in Dayton
It's been a busy last few days for Urban radio specialist Radio One (O:ROIA). In addition to announcing a successful Q4 2002 and the launch of a new basic cable programming service, the group struck a deal to buy WROU-FM in Dayton for $9.5M (RBR Daily Morning Epaper, 1/13). Seller was receiver Larry Patrick for Hawes-Saunders Broadcasting. Radio One expects to begin running the station in an LMA early in February. Broker: Larry Patrick, Patrick Communications.


Engineered for Profit

NPR launching "Tomorrow Radio" IBOC project; Struble comments
National Public Radio has reportedly begun a multi-million dollar project called "Tomorrow Radio" to see if its feasible to launch a second digital radio channel altogether over iBiquity's IBOC/HD system-using the existing data channel. NPR wants to test whether if the idea is feasible for non-comm stations. Kenwood and Harris have agreed to join the first test team for the project. Kenwood will test the concept later this year at KKJZ-FM, Long Beach. Harris Broadcast will provide the RF equipment.
| Full Story Click Here | RBR Observation |

IBiquity announces full lineup of HD Radio licensees
While we've been reporting for well over a week the groups that have garnered licensing agreements with iBiquity Digital for its HD Radio system, the big announcement-a tally of all groups and station owners currently licensed-was provided 1/10 at a press conference at CES 2003. | Full Story Click Here |

Receiver manufacturers debuting
HD radio prototypes at CES
On the receiver manufacturer side, HD Radio prototypes are being shown at CES. Kenwood expects its first car receivers to be available in April with a price tag of $350--the KTC-HR100. It will also offer a plug-in HD Radio tuner for home receivers sometime this year. Harmon Kardon is showing off a home HD Radio receiver for $2K. It plans shipments by Fall. Audiovox, Alpine and Jenson HD Radio car receivers being shown are planned to be ready for shipment later this year as well. JVC and Sanyo HD Radio car receivers aren't expected to be shipped until early next year. Delphi is showing its new digital receiver with HD Radio technology as well. The receivers being debuted display broadcast data such as the artist name, song title, traffic information, weather alerts and more.

Microsoft unveils portable media player,
radio-linked wristwatch
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates unveiled at CES2003 plans for a portable media player and a radio-linked "smart watch" wristwatch.
| Full Story Click Here |

Broadcast Electronics details
HD Radio equipment orders
Broadcast Electronics reports significant orders for iBiquity Digital's HD Radio equipment began arriving at in December. As of year-end, the RF and broadcast studio manufacturer had received orders from six of the major broadcast groups plus several independent stations. | Full Story Click Here |


Programming for Profit

P2 power: Where are my second-tier fans coming from?
Part 21: Adult Contemporary
This is a companion study to the Fall 1999 study produced by Arbitron which we ran in October and November. In that study, we looked at where P1 listeners stray when not listening to their favorite station. In this study, we look at each format's P2 listeners - - the best candidates to convert into P1s - - and show where they can be found for your audience plundering and raiding purposes. | Full Story Click Here |


RBR Stats

Broadcast universe continues to expand
Broadcast growth is continuing, particularly on the FM band, where 35 new full-power stations took to the airwaves in Q4 2002, according to statistics released by the FCC. Most of the FM activity was among non-commercial entities. In addition to the full-power stations, 35 new FM translators signed on. The AM band, which witnessed a slight decrease in licensed stations from Q2 to Q3, held its own this time.
| Click Here For Chart |


Washington Beat

John McCainMcCain rolls out the carpet for Commissioners
"The State of Competition in the Telecommunications Industry" is the title of a session to be held tomorrow (1/14) by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Fritz Hollings (D-SC) are hosting, and the invited guests all have one thing in common. They are sitting Commissioners at the FCC. In fact, Michael Powell, Kathleen Abernathy, Michael Copps, Kevin Martin and Jonathan Adelstein are the only invited guests. | RBR Observation |


Sales

Interep's Consumer Lifestyle Networks/ Radio e-Fact:
Research shows that the percentage of men considered the principal household shopper has almost doubled from 13% in 1985 to 24% in 2001. (MRI Research) Which radio formats zero in on male grocery shoppers? Find out in tomorrow's e-paper.

NTR Tip of the day
To many HR Directors, especially in Top 10 broadcast markets, the cost of broadcast recruitment classifieds is sometimes prohibitive when compared to HR's current advertising vehicles. In our recruitment workshops we show broadcasters the process of blending radio with other recruitment mechanisms in order to help HR Director's justify the expense. It works! Source: John Mitton, RAS Recruitment Sales Training,
[email protected], (713)867-3290


More News Headlines

* Cox Radio Syndication to take The Dream Doctor national
* KLTX-AM LA buys Orban's Opticodec 7400s
* Steve Schram joins AOL
* MacArthur Foundation kicks $14M to NPR
* RIAA website hacked again
* United Stations announced MLK Day programming, Black History Month
* Sirius to launch gay channel
* Sporting News Radio co-host, columnist McDonough passes
* 22% of Americans get news from Talk radio
* Musicam USA introduces NetStar IP/ISDN codec
* AP Radio/Network News adds new affils
* Sirius now available in BMW models
* Venezuela not pressing charges against WXDJ DJs
* Dick Taylor out at South Jersey Radio


Radio Stocks

Radio Index edges ahead on mixed trading day
Some radio stocks did great yesterday; for others, trading wasn't so hot. When the smoke cleared, the bottom line for the companies we follow - - after being tugged in both directions - - was up a modest one third of a percent.

Radio One (O:ROIA) led the charge. It had the luxury of trading in the wake of three positive announcements, including a good Q4 2002, the launch of a new cable TV programming service and the acquisition of the best Urban radio station in Dayton. It gained 67 cents a share, a surge of 4.42%.

Clear Channel (N:CCU) and Cumulus (O:CMLS) also had good days.

Salem (O:SALM) and Beasley (O:BGCI) were in the unfortunate position of balancing out the gainers, bringing the radio business as a whole down to its nearly-flat conclusion.

Here's how stocks fared on Monday

Company Symbol Close Change Company Symbol Close Change
Arbitron

ARB

$33.35

-$0.21

Jeff-Pilot

JP

$40.55

+$0.07

Beasley

BBGI

$11.00

-$0.16

NBG Radio Nets

NSBD

$0.04

unch

Big City YFM $1.26

+$0.08

Radio One, Cl. A

ROIA

$15.82

+$0.67

Clear Channel

CCU

$43.60

+$1.30

Radio One, Cl. D

ROIAK

$15.57

+$0.62

Cox Radio

CXR

$25.25

+$0.20

Radio Unica

UNCA

$0.40

+$0.10

Cumulus

CMLS

$16.65

+$0.43

Regent

RGCI

$5.90

-$0.05

Disney

DIS

$18.30

+$0.15

Saga Commun.

SGA

$19.25

+$0.10

Emmis

EMMS

$23.22

+$0.15

Salem Comm.

SALM

$24.60

-$0.71

Entercom

ETM

$50.35

-$0.54

Sirius Sat. Radio

SIRI

$0.79

-$0.02

Entravision

EVC

$9.13

-$0.22

Small Town

STWI

$0.11

-$0.02

Fisher

FSCI

$52.92

+$0.17

Spanish Bcg.

SBSA

$8.75

+$0.10

Gaylord

GET

$20.79

+$0.09

Viacom, Cl. A

VIA

$43.23

-$0.17

Hearst-Argyle

HTV

$23.50

-$0.10

Viacom, Cl. B

VIAb

$43.28

-$0.08

Hispanic Bcg.

HSP

$22.45

-$0.20

Westwood One

WON

$38.98

-$0.08

Interep

IREP

$2.18

+$0.03

XM Sat. Radio

XMSR

$3.06

-$0.12

RBR Celebrates 20 Years
1983-2003

"And they said it wouldn't last!
you showed 'em!
Congratulations
and here's to another 20 years!"

Norm Pattiz,
Chairman, Westwood One


RBR Bounceback

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Upped & Tapped

Ron Shepard named PD for WBTT-FM, WRLR-FM Ft. Myers
Ron Shepard, a.k.a. Jomama Johnson, has reportedly been named PD for WBTT-FM and WRLR-FM Ft. Myers. Replacing Bo Matthews, who moves to Clear Channel Jacksonville, Ron starts there 1/27.

WERV-FM names Didi Bingham-Foley PD
AllAccess reports WERV-FM Aurora, IL has named names former WXLC-FM Waukegan, IL PD/afternooner Didi Bingham-Foley PD. She replaces Len O'Kelly and interim PD Rob Creighton, who returns to sister WBVS-FM.

Clear Channel names Lisa Dollinger SVP/Marketing and Communications
Clear Channel Radio announced PR vet Lisa Dollinger has been named SVP/Marketing and Communications, effective immediately. She will develop integrated internal and external marketing and communications programs and oversee public relations, media relations and industry relations worldwide.

"The creation of this new position is an important step for Clear Channel and is the beginning of many wonderful new initiatives for the company," commented John Hogan, president/CEO of Clear Channel Radio. "We are confident in Lisa's ability to build and execute vital programs that take a pro-active approach to listening to and communicating with our varied constituencies. Her innate understanding of the radio culture and her depth of experience with radio broadcasters will greatly benefit Clear Channel Radio's stations and employees, and will enable us to stay connected to the communities we serve and to move forward with new initiatives for corporate development."

Dollinger has over 15 years' experience in corporate marketing and communications and at one time served as VP/Corporate Communications for Capstar.

Infinity ups Bill Schoening in Charlotte
Infinity has promoted Charlotte GM for WSOC-FM, WFNZ-AM, WSSS-FM, WNKS-FM Bill Schoening to SVP/Market Manager for its Charlotte cluster. Diane Tucker will continue as GM for WPEG-FM, WBAV-FM and WGIV-AM there.

Sandy Capell named Director of Sales for CC Radio New Orleans
Clear Channel Radio New Orleans has named Sandy Capell Director of Sales for its seven-station radio cluster. Capell brings to Clear Channel 12 years in Sales and Management. She was previously VP/Director of Sales for Ocean Broadcasting's 4-station cluster in Wilmington, NC.

WVEE-FM Atlanta names McCoy Promotions/Marketing Director
RadioFacts reports Infinity's WVEE-FM and WAOK-AM Atlanta have named Monique McCoy as the new Promotions and Marketing Director.

WNND-FM Chicago ups Haynes Johns
WNND-FM Chicago has reportedly promoted MD/middayer Haynes Johns to APD.

Schwartz returns
to WCKG-FM as
Ops Director

The Chicago-Sun Times reports Jeff Schwartz has returned to Talker WCKG-FM Chicago as Operations Director. He starts 1/28. He replaces Tim Sabean, who left for WYSP-FM Philadelphia.


Transactions
$311,000 WWIT-AM Asheville (Canton NC) from Blue Ridge Financial Inc. (Peter B. Savage, VP) to Saga Communications of North Carolina, a subsidiary of Saga Communications (Ed Christian) (A:SGA). $30K escrow, balance in cash at closing. Duopoly with WISE-AM and WOXL-FM, both of which are being operated by buyer under two separate LMAs. This contract supplants earlier agreement to sell station to Wilkeymedia dated 6/13/02. Broker: Alderfer & Associates Inc. (buyer).

$118,000 KNTX-AM Bowie TX from Buckalew Media Inc. (Robert Garcia-Buckalew) to Henderson Broadcasting LP (Charles M. & Pamela Henderson). $10 earnest money, balance in cash at closing. Broker: Media Services Group.

Industry Jobs

Experienced GSM needed immediately in South Fl.
Join Clear Channel's South Florida region as GSM of our Hot Talk FM WZZR. New upgraded signal in beautiful West Palm Beach Fl, good staff in place, great ratings, we need a sales leader to take the station to its next level. Rush Resumes and references ASAP, [email protected],
EOE

More jobs..


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[email protected]
Managing Editor, Dave Seyler
[email protected]
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SALES
Account Executive, June Barnes
[email protected]

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