Tag: "Craig Karmazin"

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Feature: Tom Leykis One Year Later.  Talk radio legend Tom Leykis is preparing to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the digital-only version of his eponymous talk program.  Operating under the umbrella of his New Normal content company, the show began last April 2 and, Leykis tells TALKERS magazine managing editor and West Coast bureau chief Mike Kinosian, “In terms of listenership and media recognition, we are ahead of where we expected to be at this point.”  The venture got off the ground after Leykis’ old contract with CBS expired and he was able to move ahead on his own.  Using Triton Digital‘s Webcast Metrics, Leykis says he is on a projected pace of 9.6 million connections for 2013.  This version of his show is embarking on new frontiers but he says he wouldn’t have it any other way.  “Many people in the radio business, including some I really respect, said I was insane.  They felt I had a long history in radio and should not be walking away from it at this time.  I was leaving the big-box, broadcasting business to be in the hand-crafted, small-batch business.  This is a boutique content company in the P1 business, as opposed to trying to get P1s, P2s, P3s, P4s, and P5s.”  The candid Leykis admits the show is not profitable yet, but points to start-up costs in the first year as a major factor for that.  He’s very bullish on this delivery system for content and his business plan.  Read this entire piece here.

Talkers New York 2013 Adds “Navigating A Talk Radio Hosting Career” Panel.  Being a radio talk show host in 2013 involves a lot more than just getting a good job at a good station (or network) and doing a great show every day (although there’s certainly nothing wrong with that).  Managing a meaningful and productive career as hosts in today’s turbulent radio industry demands an increased level of entrepreneurism in addition to a keen knowledge of the internet and social media.  Add to the mix an understanding of the role intellectual property plays today as a negotiating chip in talent/management (employee/employer) deals as well as a sensitivity to the demands of sales and it becomes apparent that today’s talent lives and works in a far more competitive, complex and economically challenging environment than ever.  These subjects and more will be discussed on the panel titled, “Navigating a Talk Radio Hosting Career,” at the forthcoming Talkers New York 2013 conference by the following personalities (in alphabetical order):  Michael Berry, KTRH, Houston (and others); Alan Colmes, Fox News Radio;  Andy Dean, Premiere Networks; Thom Hartmann, WYD Media; Tom Leykis, The New Normal; Steve Malzberg, Newsmax.com; Phil Valentine, Cumulus Media; David Webb, Sirius/XM; and Lisa Wexler, WFAS, Westchester, New York.  The panel will be moderated by TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey.  Talkers New York 2013 takes place Thursday, June 6 and is on track to being an early sellout.  Because of space limitations, registration is only open to working members of the media and can only be taken via telephone at 413-565-5413.  Stay tuned to Talkers.com for more agenda details about speakers, panels, presentations and award recipients coming in the immediate days ahead.

ABIP:  Being Prepared for an FCC Inspection.  TALKERS magazine technical editor Tom Ray says there is help for most broadcasters in preparing for – and in most cases avoiding – an FCC inspection.  And it’s not about getting away with anything, it’s about finding possible violations before they become FCC violations.  Ray writes about the Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program, “Just about every State Broadcaster’s Association runs an ABIP program.  For a nominal fee, the Association will send an inspector in to run your station through an FCC-type inspection.  The good news is, we’re not the FCC.  If we find something amiss, you have the opportunity to fix it.”  Ray continues, “When the [ABIP] certificate is issued, the local FCC office is informed that your station(s) have passed the ABIP inspection.  The FCC will then stay away from your facility for three years when they are going around doing routine inspections.  The inspection immunity does not count if they show up on a complaint, or if they are going around checking a specific item, like EAS compliance or tower lights.”  Find out more about the ABIP in Tom Ray’s most recent column here.

Twitter as Talk Radio Teleprompter.  Radio consultant and TALKERS columnist Holland Cooke offers this quick tip for talk show hosts:  Try writing your on-air hour open on Twitter.  For two reasons: 1) The loud-and-clear headline we’ve gleaned from PPM data: Every…single…syllable…matters.  And…any…given…minute…could earn you another Average Quarter Hour of listening credit.  Why your hour open needs to be so distilled and instantly inviting?  Listeners believe station promos, which invite more occasions of listening from your P1s, and invite cross-cuming music radio P1s to “CHECK-IN, FOR A QUICK NEWS, TRAFFIC, AND WEATHER UPDATE, EVERY HOUR, ON-THE-HOUR, THROUGHOUT YOUR BUSY DAY.”  Then, many of those music listeners are back-to-the-tunes…unless, quicker than an index finger can make it from the steering wheel to the FM button, you can engage.  So imposing Twitter’s 140-character limit on your open is a useful discipline.  2) And doing this does double duty!  Not only have you distilled your on-air proposition, you’ve got a ready-to-launch Tweet.  Try this. You’ll like the results.  For 8 more reasons radio talkers should bear-hug Twitter – and some specific recommendations for making yourself darn handy to The Boss – don’t miss my session, “Resourceful and Remarkable” at Talkers New York 2013 on June 6.

ESPN O&O WMVP, Chicago Makes Program Schedule Changes; ‘Waddle & Silvy’ to PM Drive.  Chicago sports talker “ESPN 1000” swaps midday and PM drive shows, moving former Chicago Bear Tom Waddle and Marc “Silvy” Silverman from their midday slot to the 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm show.  Current afternoon hosts John “Jurko” Jurkovic and Carmen DeFalco move to the 10:00 am to 2:00 pm shift.  The change allows the station to air the first hour of ESPN Radio’s “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Changes take effect on April 1.

WDAE, Tampa Bay’s Steve Duemig Forced Off Air by Management.  According to a piece in the Tampa Bay Times by columnist Eric Deggans, WDAE sports talk host Steve Duemig is off his afternoon drive show indefinitely at management’s insistence.  Duemig tells the paper he’s still under contract, ready and willing to work but Clear Channel management has pulled him from his show with two months left on his deal.  According to Duemig, a clause in his contract allows him to talk with other stations 60 days before the contract ends (presumably with the right of first refusal if it matches the new offer).  He says management tried to pressure him to sign a new deal before that window opened.  That contract was signed before ratings-challenged WHFS “Sports Radio 98.7” was put on the air by CBS Radio and it’s possible the company will try to steal him away.  For now, Tom Krasniqi is hosting the PM drive show.

Premiere Networks Nationally Syndicated Andy Dean Hits 100-Affliate Mark.  Talk show host Andy Dean, with the addition of new affiliates including WOR, New York; WLAN, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; KEEL, Shreveport, Louisiana; WHYN-AM, Springfield; KTSM, El Paso; and WMAN-AM/FM, Mansfield, Ohio, tops the 100 affiliate mark.  Syndicator Premiere Networks reports that “the program’s audience has increased by more than 170% year-to-year (Source: Arbitron FA’11 to FA’12, Nationwide, Exact Times, AQH, P 12+) and is currently heard by approximately one million weekly listeners.”

SportsBusiness Journal to Honor Good Karma Chief Craig Karmazin.  The publication will recognize Good Karma Broadcasting founder and CEO Craig Karmazin as one of its “Forty Under Forty” for 2013 at a black-tie gala on Thursday, April 4 at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida.  Karmazin, son of media executive Mel Karmazin, founded Good Karma in 1997 shortly after his college graduation from Emory University with the purchase of three radio stations in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.  Since then, he’s expanded the company into five additional markets, including Milwaukee, Madison and Janesville, Wisconsin; Cleveland and West Palm Beach, Florida.  His company operates nine ESPN-affiliated sports talk stations.  Karmazin has expanded beyond broadcasting into the sports marketing field as well as the events and wireless retail businesses.

WABC, New York Adds Live Saturday Evening Program.  The new show, “The Saturday Cafe with Laura Smith,” airs in the 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm slot that opened when longtime WABC personality Mark Simone left for crosstown WOR.  Smith tells TALKERS magazine the evening variety show focuses  on a weekend mindset and “is all about fascinating conversations with fascinating people — everyone from celebrities, actors, authors, gurus, non-profits, musicians and the best psychics/mediums — the whole gamut on the spectrum of interesting stories and conversations for listeners.”  She says a recent program involved guests such as: a psychic interior designer, a beautiful singer songwriter who lost her leg in a tragic accident and now is a motivational speaker to returning troops, a NY deacon talking about the new Pope, a non- profit organization called Heart 911 that is rebuilding homes after Hurricane Sandy, and an upcoming Aretha Franklin concert.

‘Frontlines of Freedom’ Wins Michigan Association of Broadcasters Award.  The weekly military news/talk radio program, “Frontlines of Freedom,” hosted by Lt. Col. Denny Gillem, U.S. Army (Retired)(pictured here at right), wins “Best in Category” Regularly Scheduled Weekend Broadcast Personality or Team; and “Best in Category” Special Show Broadcast Personality from the Michigan Broadcasters Association.  Gillem says, “To be recognized again for producing a top-notch program is not only good for our show’s team, but it sends the message to all radio stations that you too can add winning shows to your station’s weekend schedule.  Our affiliates already know that, and we thank them for it.”  Executive producer Josh Leng (pictured at left) notes, “We made the decision to expand ‘Frontlines of Freedom’ to two hours based on listener response, the host’s desire, advertiser demand, and radio program directors’ feedback to have a longer show that offers a better TSL opportunity to improve their ratings.  The two-hour program also ensures we always have enough time to fully cover all the important military news and issues of the day.”

Universal Broadcasting Network Launches.  The initiative is the effort of Global Voice Broadcasting founder Tony Sweet and award-winning TV, film and stage actress Ann Walker.  The duo have partnered on the launch of Universal Broadcasting Network – what they describe as “a brand new, international media platform that includes an internet-based multimedia radio network.  The Hollywood-based operation broadcasts from the Sunset Gower Studios and is already host to a diverse spectrum of talk radio shows, including those geared towards entertainment, children and family, love and relationships, LGBT and women’s issues, and sports and fitness, among many others.  UBN says it currently broadcasts 16 shows, and is quickly growing, with the capability to host up to 100 in the future.  Tony Sweet – who hosted his own program, “On Air with Tony Sweet,” — says, “Universal Broadcasting Network is my child, my vision and my creation of what I have always dreamed to build: a multi-media company that entertains, inspires and educates.  To me, UBN Radio is a place that combines Reality Radio with honesty, integrity and entertainment without limits.  My vision is for it to become an international Internet television and radio station that will take us into the new age of technology and media.”  Ann Walker was originally a co-host with Sweet on his program but then also became a host of her own popular show which now broadcasts on UBN.  She now serves as CEO of the company and says, “When Tony approached me about starting a new station, I was intrigued by the possibility and opportunities that new technologies bring to our industry and decided to jump on board as his partner.  Having been an actress for 35 years, I was excited about a new adventure that still holds true to what I set out to do all those years ago, which is to entertain, inspire and connect.  UBN not only allows me to do this, but provides a platform for other voices and entertainers to do the same.”

Broadcasters Seeking Input in Ithaca Radio History.  As CBS News Radio correspondent Peter King notes, a number of the radio business’ successful talent got their start working at radio stations in Ithaca, New York.  King, in association with his brother Rick Sommers – former WLTW, New York staffer and currently broadcast liaison for the New York Local of SAG-AFTRA – are gathering material to chronicle the history of radio in Ithaca New York.  He tells TALKERS, “We both got our professional starts as students at Ithaca College (and WICB-AM/FM), and later, WTKO, and the litany of talent that came through town is amazing – not just at WICB and WTKO  — but WVBR, WHCU and later, the FMs that began broadcasting there!”  King says this labor of love could use some help from other broadcasters who’ve worked in the market.  They are looking for cans of photos, memorabilia, sales material, promotional items, etc.  Anyone wishing to help can contact the project via email at  ithacaradioproject@gmail.com.  Rick Sommers can be contacted directly at rick.sommers@sagaftra.org .

President Obama Visits Israel, Sequester Effects, North Korea Tensions, Gun Legislation, and Cyprus Bank Tax Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (3/19).  President Obama’s trip to Israel; the ongoing discussion over the effects of the sequester; North Korea’s alleged cyber-attack on South Korea; legislative moves to advance new gun legislation; and the bank tax on Cyprus financial institutions and its repercussions were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.