Bubba The Love Sponge working for Stern
Yet another fired terrestrial radio talent heads to the safety of satellite: Howard Stern announced on his show today that he has hired former 98 Rock Tampa morning man Bubba The Love Sponge (Todd Clem) for his new Sirius Satellite Radio channels. From Stern site MarksFriggin.com: "He went off on Clear Channel as well and talked about how they won't fight the FCC, they will just fire their talent if the FCC comes after them. That led to Howard talking about this guy Bubba the Love Sponge who was working for Clear Channel and making them tons of money. When they got some FCC fines, they ended his career by firing him. Howard was asked where he's working now so Howard said that the guy is now going to be working with him over at Sirius. Bubba used to bad mouth him on the air but he contacted him off the air and said that his career was ruined by being fired. Howard said that the guy told him that he's actually a fan of Howard's and got to know him off the air. Howard said that led to him hiring him to work along side him over at Sirius. He said that Bubba told him that he will lay down his life for him to be on his channel. He had fire in his eyes so Howard hired him on. Clear Channel just threw him out and Howard is taking him in to build up his own channels over at Sirius."
WPEN ups nighttime power
Greater Media announced WPEN has begun broadcasting from its new nighttime transmitter site in East Norriton, PA. The site is authorized for 21,000 watts (up from 5,000 watts permitted from WPEN's former site) and is located significantly further to the north and west. As a result, many communities where residents had a difficult time receiving WPEN after sunset before are now for the first time receiving nighttime service.
Radio One execs pay back loans
Corporate loans to company officers became an issue back in 2002 (7/15/02 RBR #6) and Radio One found itself the subject of a Wall Street Journal article on such loans - - legit at the time, but since outlawed by Sarbanes Oxley. Since that time, Radio One has scrupulously reported each time the balance due on one of those loans has been paid down. It announced Friday that CFO Scott Royster had sold back stock to pay down his original loan of seven million bucks to a current balance of 1.5 million, even though repayment isn't due until October 2010. Chief Administrative Officer Linda Vilardo also sold back some stock and has fully repaid her two million bucks loan, which wasn't due until October 2008.
ABCRN takes Mark Davis national
The Mark Davis Show will make its national debut today via ABC Radio Networks. Hosted by Dallas-based talk show personality Mark Davis of News/Talk 820 AM (WBAP-AM), the midday talker will air from 9 AM-1 PM (CT). The latter two hours of the show will be broadcast nationally.
Canadian Cabinet puts off decision on licenses for satellite radio
The future of legal satellite radio remains uncertain in Canada, with the federal cabinet there putting off a decision on the fate of three new licenses. The CRTC approved the satellite licenses in June, but that decision can be overridden by the cabinet. The ministers have until this Wednesday to OK the CRTC move, overturn it, or send the matter back to CRTC for further consideration. One of the possible sticking points is whether or not the services, with backing from both XM and Sirius on two, will air enough Canadian artists.
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