Franken won't run in 2006
Following this week's surprise announcement that Sen. Mark Dayton (D-MN) won't run for re-election next year, Air America Radio talk host Al Franken had his own announcement yesterday. "I believe in honoring my commitments. I have agreed to do two more years on Air America Radio and I believe, it's part of my values, is honoring your commitments," Franken said in the closing minutes of his Thursday show. However, he left open the possibility of running returning to his home state to run against incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) in 2008.
Interep releases Contemporary Christian format study
Highlights from Interep's new research on Contemporary Christian format growth study: In the past few years, Contemporary Christian radio has made incredible gains in both the number of stations and the size of its audience. According to MStreet, the over 580 Contemporary Christian stations across the country today include 367 that have joined the format since 1993 ... that's an amazing 170% increase in 10 years. In total, over 7 million Americans listen to Contemporary Christian radio over a seven day period. Most major markets now have a Contemporary Christian radio station. And some of these stations, like KLTY-FM in Dallas, WFSH-FM in Atlanta, KCMS-FM in Seattle and KFIS-FM in Portland, OR are top-ranked stations with Adults 25-54.As a result, the popularity of many Contemporary Christian artists has risen dramatically. Performers like Stacie Orrico, Switchfoot, Randy Travis, and Sixpence None The Richer have experienced breakthrough success on other mainstream radio formats including Pop/CHR, Urban, AC, Country, Hot AC, and Modern Rock/Alternative.
iBiquity extends early adopter program discounts
iBiquity Digital announced it has extended its 5,000 introductory licensing discount for radio broadcasters until the end of June. On 7/1, a new discounted fee schedule (see chart) will take effect. Radio broadcasters planning to convert to digital over the next four years will continue to receive discounts on the 25,000 licensing fee.
The license fee is a one-time payment that grants a station the right to use iBiquity Digital's HD Radio patents, software and trademarks for its main channel audio. Licenses must be in place before a station receives broadcast equipment that contains iBiquity Digital's intellectual property from manufacturers or resellers. The license fee structure detailed below is the same for all stations.
| Licensing Deadline |
Main Ch. Licensing Fee |
Digital Conversion Deadline |
| June 30, 2005 |
5,000 |
December 31, 2005 |
| June 30, 2006 |
7,500 |
December 31, 2006 |
| June 30, 2007 |
10,000 |
December 31, 2007 |
| June 30, 2008 |
15,000 |
December 31, 2008 |
CRG to handle affiliate relations for Thom Hartmann Show
The Thom Hartmann Program has entered into an agreement with CRG Media to handle affiliate relations. Described as 'uncommon sense from the radical middle', Thom Hartmann is one of the finest talents in the growing field of "liberal talk radio," named to Talker's Magazine's 100 Heavy Hitters and Radio Ink's "Top Ten New Talk Talents" this year. His show already is live weekdays 12n-3p eastern on affiliates from coast to coast, and on Sirius Satellite Radio.
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