Tag: "Barry Armstrong"

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

California Judge Sends TRN Anti-Trust Suit to New York; Courtside Interference Allegation Dismissed.  There’s been some action in the suit filed by Talk Radio Network against the 14 defendant entities as United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal moves the case from the Central District of California to the Southern District of New York.  At the same time, Judge Bernal grants Courtside Entertainment Group’s motion to dismiss based on Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction.  In a nutshell, the judge ruled that since the bulk of the defendants are headquartered in New York, that’s where TRN’s case arguing anti-trust practices against Dial Global, Compass, and WYD should be heard.  As for the suit against Courtside for allegedly interfering with talk hosts Michael Savage and Laura Ingraham (then under contract to TRN), the judge ruled that allegation is not related to the anti-trust case and he dismissed it without prejudice.  TRN could file a separate suit against Courtside in that matter if it so chooses.

TALKERS Magazine to Launch TalkersRadio - Debut to Broadcast Entire “Talkers New York 2013″ Live.  TALKERS magazine announces the launch next week of “TalkersRadio” – a 24/7/365 streaming spoken-word internet radio station that will be available to listeners on the trade publication’s website, www.talkers.com and feature a unique brand of stationality that, as publisher Michael Harrison describes, “views the world through the lens of the talk media industry.”  TalkersRadio’s mission will be to serve as 1) a laboratory for interesting new concepts and talent in talk; 2) a farm system to help develop deserving up-and-comers; 3) a real-time stage for talent to audition for specific jobs and opportunities; 4) a platform for “bridge shows” - a new device by which suddenly terminated AM/FM talk show hosts can do a series of final shows to say goodbye to their listeners and/or announce their upcoming plans within a radio show context; 5) a vehicle for “orphan shows” – programs that do not conveniently fit into prevailing AM/FM station format categories; 6) a showcase for new and adventurous programming concepts and ideas; and 7) a medium to exclusively broadcast TALKERS magazine live events such as the annual convention next week and Talk Radio Day at the United Nations the following day.  TalkersRadio will also carry several “regularly scheduled” programs to give it, as Harrison describes, “the feel and consistency” of a real radio station.  Some of these will be talk shows about the industry and others will just be talk shows about life in general.  “The key,” according to Harrison, “is most of the programming will be the type that is unavailable elsewhere.”  TalkersRadio has been in development for the past year and a half and is a joint project between TALKERS parent company Talk Media, Inc. and Westborough, Massachusetts-based communications firm Backbone Networks Corporation.  It will feature a leading-edge concept in broadcasting technology developed by Backbone that makes it extremely convenient and affordable for talk show hosts to do a fully produced program – with live callers and guests – from an amazingly simple technical remote and portable set up.  According to Harrison, “Our partners at Backbone are technical wizards.  Having them power this operation will give us the flexibility and means to really make a significant contribution to talk radio as both a cultural art form and a 21st century-rooted business — the ongoing mission of TALKERS magazine.”  Further developments about TalkersRadio will be posted in the coming days and weeks.  Pictured at the recent deal signing are (l-r): Richard Cerny, Backbone CEO/president; Michael Harrison, TALKERS publisher; George Capalbo, Backbone VP/CTO; and Paul Kamp, Backbone VP/business development.

Clear Channel Study of Consumers Indicates Media Attitudes.  A recent study of about 1,000 Americans conducted by Vision Critical for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment came to a number of conclusions about how consumers view media and media devices.  Some of the takeaways from this study include:

• Media multitasking is now mainstream across all media channels.  65% of respondents have been online while watching TV at the same time; 59% have been online while listening to music; and even 25% of respondents watch TV and listen to music at the same time.
• When it comes to smartphones and tablets, women are actually more likely than men to own these gadgets — 52% of women have smartphones vs. 43% of men; and 31% of women have a tablet or e-reader compared to 25% of men.
• Only one in ten consumers (11%) think it is “no big deal” if they accidentally leave their smartphone at home for the day.  A large majority (78%) keep their smartphones in the bedroom at night, with 60% keeping their phones within arm’s reach on the nightstand.
• Respondents would rather keep their computer and give up their TV, smartphone and tablet if they could only use one device for a year.

Andy Parks’ Washington Times Radio Show Moves to Salem’s WRC, Washington.  The talk radio initiative between The Washington Times and longtime DC talk radio personality Andy Parks moves from Metro Radio-owned WTNT where it aired in afternoon drive to Salem Communications’ crosstown WRC for an 11:00 am to 1:00 pm air time.  In a statement, Parks says, “The combination of the resources of The Washington Times and WRC 1260 provides a great opportunity to explore the news of the day, examine the big issues and break stories.  I look forward to bringing those elements of the show to the listeners at WRC.”  Salem Washington DC market manager Thomas Moyer states, “The Washington Times is the only Washington-based newspaper that is committed to conservative American values.  WRC 1260 is the only Washington-area talk radio station committed to similar conservative American values.  This is a partnership that makes sense.  This is a unique opportunity coming to our lineup.”  Parks was a fixture for many years on Cumulus Media’s crosstown news/talk WMAL.

Focus 360 and Radio America’s Dr. Joy Browne Agree to Exclusive National Ads Sales Deal.  The sales and marketing firm Focus 360 has signed a deal with Radio America nationally syndicated talk show host Dr. Joy Browne to serve as exclusive national ad sales representative.  Focus 360 ad sales VP Dick Silipigni states, “An alternative to political talk radio, Dr. Joy’s dynamic personality, combined with her no-nonsense advice on issues ranging from relationships, marriage, finance, work and career, has garnered her millions of devoted listeners.  The addition of Dr. Joy’s show to our repertoire creates more opportunities for our advertisers to reach engaged listeners.”  Based for many years at the WOR Radio Network, Dr. Joy Browne’s program is now syndicated by Radio America whose chief operating officer Mike Paradiso says, “Dr. Joy’s show has been a successful ratings winner for over 15 years.  Partnering with Focus 360 will increase our revenue from national advertisers.  We look forward to working with them as we continue to grow the Dr. Joy Browne radio program.”

WRKO, Boston Adds Hour to Jeff Kuhner’s AM Drive Show.  Entercom’s Boston news/talk outlet WRKO announces it is adding an hour to morning drive host Jeff Kuhner’s program and shifting “The Financial Exchange” with Barry Armstrong to the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon slot.  Previously, “The Kuhner Report” aired from 6:00 am to 9:00 am with Armstrong’s show airing from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and Kuhner returning for an 11:00 am to 12:00 noon program.  Vice president of programming and operations Jason Wolfe states, “Jeff Kuhner is one of the hottest talents to hit Boston talk radio in years.  He’s got great energy, passion and tremendous credibility discussing the issues that matter most to this community and to the country.  Barry Armstrong is Boston’s foremost financial expert and since he’s started with us, has provided top-notch commentary on a program that provides important information to our audience.  Adding another hour to ‘The Kuhner Report’ in morning drive and shifting ‘The Financial Exchange’ to start at 10:00 am allows the station a seamless transition from show to show throughout the day.”

KTAR-FM, Phoenix Moves Rob Hunter to Middays with Karie Dozer.  The Bonneville news/talk station announces long-time producer and weekend talk host Rob Hunter moves into the midday slot on KTAR-FM alongside Karie Dozer for the newly named “Rob & Karie Show.”  The station says Rob and Karie will be an opinionated and interactive look at the most topical and locally relevant news stories of the day.  The show will include listener calls and heavy social media integration.  Bonneville Phoenix vice president of content and operations Ryan Hatch states, “Rob is a rising star.  He and Karie will have diverse and interesting points of view that will bring a thought provoking jolt of energy to the KTAR middays.”  Hunter takes over for current midday co-host Chuck Powell who takes his creative talents to a new digital content position in which he will contribute to all three Bonneville Phoenix media brands.  He will also host a sports podcast with his former sports radio partner Vince Marotta on arizonasports.com.

Larry King to Join Cable News Channel RT for Political Show.  Russian news/talk cable TV network RT America announces the debut of a new Larry King program that is scheduled to begin airing in June called, “Larry King Now.”  The program is described in a press release as a “mold-breaking political talk show.”  In a video accompanying the release featuring King himself talking about the new show, he says, “I would rather ask questions of people in positions of power instead of speaking on their behalf.”  The program is being produced by King’s own Ora.TV and will be recorded in RT’s Washington, DC and Los Angeles studios.

Bott Radio Network Joins CC’s iHeartRadio.  Christian talk radio content creator Bott Radio Network announces it is providing its programming to Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio for distribution on the digital audio service.  Bott Radio Network shows are heard on approximately 90 stations across the country.

Odds & Sods.  ABC News Radio names Scott Goldberg staff correspondent.  He will split his time between reporting and anchoring newscasts.  ABC says Goldberg’s work has taken him around the globe, from the U.S. to Latin America, Western Europe and Asia.  For several years Scott was a freelance correspondent for NewsOne after spending nearly a decade covering business, political and breaking news for local stations in the South and Midwest…..SiriusXM teams with Relevent Sports to bring the 2013 Guinness International Champions Cup to its listeners.  The tournament opens on July 27 and will feature eight club teams – including Inter Milan, Juventus, Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Madrid and others – that will compete over seven days at different venues across the United States.

Record Number of American’s on Disability, Justice Department Journalists Investigations, Radical Islamist Attacks, and Chinese Hack U.S. Weapons Systems Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (5/28).  Data indicating that more than 10 million Americans are on disability; the Justice Department’s investigation into journalists; the recent spate of attacks on soldiers by radical Islamists; and the alleged hacking of U.S. weapons systems by Chinese hackers were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Blanquita Cullum Emcees National Memorial Day Parade.  Veteran radio talk show host, former member of the U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors and host of the television program “The Hard Question,” Blanquita Cullum is pictured here (c) with National Memorial Day Parade marshalls Gary Sinise (r) and Joe Mantegna (l) on Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC on Monday, May 27.  Cullum served as an emcee for the parade alongside Mark Kesseler, who serves as the Washington Redskins stadium announcer.