Tag: "Dallas"

Thursday, February 13, 2014

| February 13, 2014

cbsradio logoCBS Reports Radio Segment Down 4% in Q4 2013; Company Up 6%.  While CBS Corporation CEO, president and director Les Moonves spoke glowingly about the performance of CBS Corporation as a whole during yesterday’s Q4 conference call, the radio segment was not part of the celebration and loss of political advertising was given the lion’s share of the blame.  The company’s report indicates that after taking political out of the picture, CBS RADIO was flat compared to the same quarter in 2012.  Moonves was upbeat about the radio division saying, “In radio, we continue to put an emphasis on great, localmoonvesles programming, which is leading to bigger audiences.  During the most recent ratings period, we had double-digit ranking gains in the highly coveted 25- to 54-year-old demo in many of our major markets, and non-traditional revenue from special events was up double digits over one year ago.  Our strategy to combine the company’s local TV and radio websites into a single online presence in every market also continues to pay off.  In 2013, revenue was up 21% over the year before, and the momentum is continuing here in ’14, including a new record of nearly 57 million unique users in January.  I’m also very pleased with the success of our CBS Interactive business.  Revenue was up 14% during the quarter, and we continue to see very rapid growth in mobile ad revenue, which was up 118%, and it helped to increase profit substantially.”  Thanks to Seeking Alpha for the transcript.  Members can read the whole conference call here.

nielsen logoNielsen Q4 Revenue Up 11.8%; Rises 5.5% for 2013.  Media ratings giant Nielsen Holdings N.V. issues its fourth quarter 2013 and full-year financial reports and states that Q4 revenue was $1.6 billion, an increase of 11.8% over the same period in 2012.  For the full year of 2013, the company says its revenue was $5.7 billion, a jump of 5.5% over the full year of 2012.  The company reports its free cash flow for 2013 increased 34.5% to $573 million from $426 million in 2012 while cash flow from operations increased 14.9% to $901 million in 2013 from $784 million in 2012.  The result is the adjusted net income per share on a diluted basis for 2013 was $2.02, up 19.5% compared to $1.69 in the full year 2012.  Nielsen acquired radio ratings firm Arbitron during 2013 and the move paid off.  The Arbitron business helped add 9.3% to Nielsen’s Q4 revenue and 2.5% to its 2013 revenue.

krld logoCBS RADIO Dallas Ups Paul Mann to KRLD-AM PD.  At CBS RADIO’s Dallas cluster, news director Paul Mann is promoted to program director for KRLD-AM “NewsRadio 1080 KRLD” and the Texas Statemannpaul Networks (TSN), effective immediately.  Mann has served as news director for KRLD-AM and TSN since June 2006 and in this new role he will be primarily responsible for all programming and talent and will report to Gavin Spittle, vice president of news/talk/sports for CBS RADIO Dallas-Fort Worth.  Spittle comments, “Paul has shown tremendous leadership as news director with the sole focus on serving the North Texas community.  He’s helped put together a tremendous team which shares a great pride in this heritage station.”  Under Mann’s leadership, KRLD-AM has been honored with two national Edward R. Murrow Awards, in 2008 (spot news) and 2013 (newscast).

kuiperspradostellaStella Prado Kuipers Lands at Salem Los Angeles.  The successful, former KOST, Los Angeles program director joins Salem Communications to serve in the sales department working on multi-media marketing for Christian talk KKLA, Los Angeles.  Stella Prado Kuipers made her announcement on her Facebook page where she wrote: “A new chapter in my life has begun and I’m proud to announce as of March 3rd I am an employee of Salem Communications Radio Broadcasting company!  My position is multi-media marketing and I am thrilled to be a part of this company!  I’m sooooo excited!”  Kuipers had been with Clear Channel’s AC KOST for 20 years – eight as program director – before she was let go in December of 2012.

wctc logoProgramming Changes at WCTC, New Brunswick, New Jersey.  A shuffle in afternoons at Greater Media-owned news/talk WCTC, New Brunswick, New Jersey sees current 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm personality Tommy G move to the afternoon drive slot replacing Newsmax-syndicated host Stevetommyg Malzberg.  Into the early afternoon slot goes WestwoodOne’s Dennis Miller program.  WCTC program director Bert Baron states, “We’re excited to welcome Dennis Miller to the WCTC weekday lineup.  He’ll have Central Jersey laughing, thinking, and engaged on a daily basis.  I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have doing PM drive on WCTC than Tommy G, one of the most passionate and hard-working people I’ve ever known.  This is a BIG WIN for WCTC and for Central Jersey.”

delcollianojerryIs Nielsen “Lying” About Millennial Audiences?  Noted industry observer Jerry Del Colliano thinks so.  Del Colliano published a scathing indictment of the ratings research giant in his daily industry blog Inside Music Media (www.insidemusicmedia.com) this morning (2/12) referring to the Nielsen Audio (formerly Arbitron) report released earlier this week stating that “Millennials” (also known as “Generation Y”) are big fans of AM/FM radio and listen to it on average of 11.5 hours per week.  This, of course, flies in the face of what has to this point been conventional industry wisdom stronglynielsen logo suggesting that over-the-air radio is rapidly losing ground as a medium of choice for the millions of 20-something children born to Baby Boomers in the 1980s-90s and now coming of age in the millions – a widespread perception that broadcast business leaders openly fear threatens the future of what is increasingly being marginalized as “terrestrial radio.”  Del Colliano writes, “The company that now does PPM ratings which records listening that occurs by accident when meters randomly pick up an encoded radio signal is now weighing in on Millennials…an audience that clearly has no use for what consolidators put on the radio these days.”  He accuses the major corporate consolidators in radio of “paying hundreds of millions of dollars to report audience estimates that the company [Nielsen] itself admits in a legal statement are not reliable.”  Del Colliano is a veteran program director and radio personality who rose to prominence as the founder and publisher of the trade publication Inside Radio which he built to formidability as an independent journal prior to it being acquired by Clear Channel, which still publishes it.  Del Colliano has subsequently served a number of years as a member of the music department faculty at the University of Southern California (USC) teaching and writing courses on “Generational Media” specifically documenting and understanding the traits and habits of the rapidly maturing Millennial generation – a subject that he regularly shares with radio industry leaders via his blog and annual conference.

harrisonmichaelSpeaking of Jerry Del Colliano…  TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison recently interviewed Jerry Del Colliano on the TALKERS magazine “experimental” talk radio station, TalkersRadio, (www.talkers.com/talkersradio) as a complete installment of the one-hour, media-talkersradio logodiscussion program he hosts.  The program, recorded two-weeks ago (prior to today’s provocative Del Colliano blog), presents the two industry observers in an in-depth discussion about the very subject of the delicate relationship AM/FM radio and Gen-Y.  In it, Del Colliano discusses such issues as Gen-Y’s obsession with authenticity as well as its consumer interest in non-over-the-air digital media.  To listen directly to the entire 58:00 installment of this first-time public conversation between Michael Harrison and Jerry Del Colliano, please click

 
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crummyjoeTalk Host Joe Crummey Publishes Non-Fiction Book.  Talk radio pro Joe Crummey has just published his first non-fiction book titled, Planking on Headstones: Your Future Outside of Time (School of Eddiness 2013).  The veteran of such historic signals as WABC, New York; KFI, Los Angeles; WNBC, New York; KABC, Los Angeles andcrummeybook KFYI, Phoenix penned this new book that “takes the reader on a journey through space-time that’s rich in love, loss, fear and contemplation.  With notes of his on-air, quick-wit persona, Planking on Headstones distills complex issues of religion and science into memorable anecdotes that elicit laughter, tears and a sense of connection.  Crummey openly shares about his life, from his brain tumor to the death of his parents, as he explains his theories, such as the ‘Fonzie Principle,’ the ‘Boston Market Revelation’ and the ‘Jesus Burger.’  He also explains why he believes the Big Bang is the most evil thing that has ever happened.”  Crummy states, “Throughout my career, I often discussed and challenged religious tenets on air with my audience.  But after going through the brain tumor experience, my quest for meaning in this life and beyond intensified.  I began to understand the importance of thinking outside of time and allowed myself to imagine the impossible while I explored this subject matter.”

cclogoClear Channel Renews Promotional Deal with Relativity.  In a statement, Clear Channel says that the renewed cross-media marketing collaboration between it and media company Relativity will include one-of-a-relativity logokind campaigns promoting upcoming movies on the part of Clear Channel and Relativity will provide exclusive content created by its filmmakers and talent that will be shared with listeners and viewers through various Clear Channel platforms.  “The programs will also include organic promotional support from popular radio personalities such as Ryan Seacrest, Elvis Duran, Dan Patrick and Steve Harvey; naturally integrated film imaging across local stations and iHeartRadio’s national digital and mobile ad units; homepage website takeovers; and national and local on-air commercial inventory.”  Clear Channel says previous successful collaborations between the companies included campaigns for the films “Limitless,” “Immortals,” “Act of Valor,” “Safe Haven” and “Free Birds.”

webbdavidOdds & Sods.  Talk media personality David Webb signs on to write a column for DC political publication The Hill.  His column will be available every other Wednesday in The Hill’s print edition, online at thehill.com and on The Hill’s app.  In addition to his daily SiriusXM talk show, Webb also appears frequently on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” and “The Five.”…..Sports USA adds a podcast featuring former NFL star and TV personality Fred Dryer to its programming.  Sports USA president Bob Moore says, “Fred Dryer is a true NFL legend and a major TV star.  We are excited to add Fred’s show to our growing list of digital audio programs…..WNYC, New York names David Lewis its new metro editor.  Lewis taught journalism at CUNY for the past seven years.

rabNAB to Feature RAB Sales and Marketing Sessions.  The Radio Advertising Bureau will present five revenue- and growth-oriented presentations at this year’s NAB Show.  RAB president and chief executive officer Erica Farber explains that, “The RAB is in the business of helping sellers on the street close deals and help drive revenue for the radio industry.  These sessions will drive home key lessons and tools of the trade.  NAB Show attendees will find these sessions invaluable to their future success in the broadcast business.”  Specifically, the Radio Advertising Bureau’s focus will be “Lunch and Learn – A Discussion on Radio’s Four Significant Issues;” “Concentrating on Core Radio Revenues;” “Creative Radio Commercial Production and Imaging;” and “Rapid-Fire Revenue Generators for Small and Medium Market Radio.”  The NAB Show will be held April 5 – 10 in Las Vegas.

whamradiothonWDVI-FM and WHAM in Rochester Hold Radiothon to Benefit Children’s Hospital.  Today and tomorrow Clear Channel Rochester stations hot AC WDVI “100.5 The Drive” and news/talk WHAM are broadcasting the annual “Drive For Miracles Radiothon” to benefit Golisano Children’s Hospital live from the lobby of Strong Hospital.  Throughout the event, on-air personalities from each station will talk with current and former patients, their families, and the hard-working hospital staff that “creates miracles” every day.  Personalities including WHAM’s Chet Walker, Bob Lonsberry, Shari Smith, Joe Lomonaco, and Bob Matthews and WDVI’s Bill Moran, Julie, JP, and “The Mayor” Pete Kennedy will broadcast from the hospital.

bfoa logoBFoA Names 2014 Ward L. Quaal Leadership Awards Recipients.  This year’s recipients of the 2014 Ward L. Quaal Leadership Awards have been announced by the Broadcasters Foundation of America.  They will be presented at the Foundation’s annual breakfast on Wednesday, April 9, at the Wynn Hotel during the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas.  This year’s recipients are: Jim Beloyianis, past president, Katz TV; Dan Mason, president & CEO, CBS RADIO; Deborah Norville, host, “Inside Edition”; Mary Quass, president & CEO, NRG Media; Perry Sook, chairman/president & CEO, Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.; and Nick Verbitsky, chairman, United Stations Radio Networks.  The Leadership Awards are given annually by the Broadcasters Foundation in recognition of career contributions to the broadcast industry and the community at large, and are named in honor of iconic broadcaster Ward L. Quaal.

Winter Weather Hits South and Northeast, ObamaCare Rollout Criticism, Afghanistan Prisoner Release, Paul NSA Suit, Debt Ceiling Raised, the Sochi Olympics and Gay NFL Prospect Comes Out Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (2/12).  The unusually severe winter weather bearing down on the South and the Northeast; scrutiny of the rollout and effects of the Affordable Care Act and President Obama’s unilateral delay of the employer mandate; Afghanistan’s release of numerous “dangerous” inmates and the state of the U.S.’s relationship with Hamid Karzai; Senator Rand Paul’s suit against the NSA; the GOP’s signing on with Democrats to raise the debt ceiling; the Sochi Winter Olympic Games; and the coming out of NFL prospect Michael Sam were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

| December 24, 2013

TALKERS Magazine Compiles News/Talk Radio’s Most Talked-About Stories and People of 2013.  As is customary at year’s end, the research editors of TALKERS magazine compile the most-talked-about stories and people of the just-concluded 12-month period.  According to TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey, “2013 was an extremely colorful year with a diversity of subjects and people being discussed.  There was the usual mix of partisan politics, foreign affairs, economic policy and, of course, the shockingly unexpected such as the Boston Marathon tragedy.”  Casey continues, “The President of the United States has always been the most talked about person going back to the very beginning of this publication 24 years ago and George Bush’s involvement in the first Persian Gulf War.  Barack Obama, like his predecessors in the modern age of talk broadcasting, has not left talk show hosts wanting for hot material on a daily basis.”

Stories

1)   ObamaCare Rollout
2)   Benghazi Attack Investigation
3)   IRS Accused of Targeting Conservative Groups
4)   Debt Ceiling/Govt. Shutdown/Sequestration Battle
5)   NSA Domestic Spying/Edward Snowden Case
6)   Boston Marathon Bombing
7)   GOP 2014 and 2016 Strategy
8)   Gun Legislation Debate
9)    Iran Nuke Threat
10)  Syria Civil War
11)  Fed Stimulus Policy/Dow Surpasses 16,000
12)  DOJ Journalist Investigations
13)  Immigration Reform
14)  George Zimmerman Trial
15)  Afghanistan Security Withdrawl
16)  Egypt Violence/Instability
17)  N. Korea Nuke Threat
18)  Detroit Bankruptcy
19)  Pope Francis Replaces Benedict
20)  SCOTUS Gay Marriage Ruling

People

1)  Barack Obama
2)  John Boehner
3)  Nancy Pelosi
4)  Harry Reid
5)  Hillary Clinton
6)  John Kerry
7)  Rush Limbaugh
8)  Ted Cruz
9)  Chris Christie
10)  Paul Ryan
11)  Kathleen Sebelius
12)  Edward Snowden
13)  Vladimir Putin
14)  George Zimmerman
15)  Trayvon Martin
16)  Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev
17)  Kim Jong Un
18)  Pope Francis
19)  Ben Bernanke
20)  Eric Holder

Radio Industry Sees Major Developments and Changes in 2013.  The combined editorial staffs of RadioInfo and TALKERS magazines have posted the 10 biggest stories of importance to the entire radio industry (music and talk) that took place in 2013.  They are as follows in order of importance:

1)      Nielsen Acquires Arbitron
2)      Developments in Emergence of the Connected Car
3)      Network Sports Talk Radio Growth Explosion
4)      Radio Company-Label Deals/Digital Royalty Rate Issue
5)      Cumulus Acquires (Dial Global) WestwoodOne
6)      Growth of Digital Music Service Providers
7)      Limbaugh and Hannity Station Realignment Deals Negotiated
8)      FCC Announces AM Band Revitalization Strategy
9)      Progressive Talk Outlets Continue to Disappear
10)   Country Music Format Enjoys Resurgence

brooksstanIndustry Mourns WINS, New York Senior Correspondent Stan Brooks.  Legendary WINS, New York newsman Stan Brooks passed away yesterday (12/23) at his home at age 86.  He’d been serving as senior correspondent for CBS RADIO’s WINS, New York – the station he’d been with for the past 50 years.  Brooks started working for the station in 1962 when it was a top 40 station and stayed with it through its transition to all-news.  WINS director of news and programming Ben Mevorach says of Brooks, “Like every challenge he has ever faced, Stan met this final one with the same class, dignity and humility that defined every day of his almost 87 years on this earth. There will never be another one like him.”  EVP of operations for CBS RADIO Scott Herman adds, “Not only was Stan Brooks a walking encyclopedia on NYC politics he was one of the finest, decent and most dignified men who ever lived.  We were lucky to have him on 1010 WINS for the past 51 years and we will never ever forget him.”  Read about Brooks’ life and career in a piece from CBS New York here.

wrcn logoJVC Broadcasting Prepares for Launch of ‘Long Island News Radio 103.9’ on Thursday.  Long Island-based JVC Broadcasting announces the lineup for its soon-to-be former rock outlet WRCN, Riverhead, New York branded “Long Island News Radio 103.9.”  TALKERS reported two weeks ago that the station’s studio will be located in the terminal of the Long Island MacArthur Airports – a physical reminder of the local intentions of this new station for the Long Islanders who use the facility.  Now to the lineup: morning drive is being hosted by Jay Oliver; the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon show is Fox News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade and Friends; local host John Gomez is handling the 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm slot followed by the local, one-hour show “Breaking it Down with Frank Mackay.”  Premiere Networks superstar Sean Hannity is in the 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm slot and Cumulus Media Networks’ Mark Levin airs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

bowenrobbyRobby Bowen Upped at CBS RADIO’s ‘105.3 The Fan.’  Sales pro Robby Bowen is promoted to general sales manager for CBS RADIO sports talker KRLD-FM, Dallas “105.3 The FAN.”  Bowen joined CBS RADIO Dallas-Fort Worth in February 2005 as an account executive for the station, which was at that time KLLI-FM.  During his time there he has served as local sales manager and most recently was senior account director.

wjfkholdendannyChanges in Middays at WJFK-FM, Washington Raise Questions.  According to Dan Steinberg’s column in the Washington Post, the midday lineup at CBS RADIO’s sports talk WJFK-FM, Washington, DC is in flux after the station announced Holden Kushner will be moving to other duties including weekends, fill-in and participating in Washington Nationals coverage.  Kushner was paired up with Danny Rouhier who reportedly will host the show solo today (12/24) and then be on vacation through December 30.  What happens after that is uncertain.  The station is expected to announce plans for the 10:00 am to 2:00 pm daypart in the New Year but already the news is cause for speculation.  With the arrival of Don Geronimo from the company’s KHTK, Sacramento earlier this fall (currently hosting evenings), DC radio fans are wondering if he’ll return to a daytime show on the station.  Geronimo and former partner Mike O’Meara held down afternoon drive at the station when it was a hot talker from 1991 through 2008.

walshmattMatt Walsh Exits WLAP, Lexington; Sean Hannity to Air in PM Drive.  Writer and talk show host Matt Walsh announces that his contract with Clear Channel’s WLAP, Lexington, Kentucky is up and as the station is filling the afternoon drive slot with Premiere Networks star Sean Hannity, he’s leaving AM/FM talk radio for good.  In a post on his blog, Walsh explains that although he has nothing but good things to say about his time at WLAP, he’s going to focus on his blog that he says has “between three and five million people” reading it every month.  As for his time at WLAP, he says, “WLAP took a chance on me, gave me a show, gave me the freedom to handle the topics in my own way, and surrounded me with a highly intelligent and passionate supporting cast.  I’m grateful for that, as these things are certainly not a given in this industry.”

nab logoNAB Acquires Two Events: CCW and SATCON.  The National Association of Broadcasters announces it has purchased the assets of the Content and Communications World (CCW) and Satellite Communications Conference and Expo (SATCON) events from JD Events.  The two events are held annually in November and are co-located at the Javits Convention Center in New York City.  In a press statement, the NAB says that “CCW is the leading media, entertainment and communications technology event of its kind in New York with a focus on content creation, management and delivery technologies.  SATCON offers education and exhibits serving companies in the satellite-enabled communications and content delivery industry.”  EVP of NAB Conventions and Business Operations Chris Brown comments, “We have made these additions to the NAB event family with the goal of growing both the attendee and exhibitor base of what has emerged as an important East Coast venue for the content community.  We look forward to developing this event and serving the unique needs of this very important media market.”

nielsen logoNieslen Audio December PPM Data Released.  The December 2013 PPM ratings data is being released by Nielsen Audio – currently numbers for the first 12 markets have been made public – and that information can be found at the site of TALKERS magazine’s sister publication RadioInfo.  Check out the main page for managing editor and West Coast bureau chief Mike Kinosian’s “Ten Takeaways” here or go straight to the full ratings data here.

musciovecchioOdds & Sods.  Premiere Networks-distributed 24/7 Comedy – the 24-hour, all-comedy format – will ring in the New Year with a countdown of the top 247 comedy bits from the top 247 comedians.  The program is compiled by staff and listeners who voted on 24/7 Comedy’s Facebook page or called the laugh-line at 218-Chuckle.  The countdown will air nationwide all day New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and will feature Chris Rock, Louis C.K., Bill Cosby, George Carlin, Aziz Ansari, Bill Engvall, Jerry Seinfeld and Rodney Dangerfield…..KFMB, San Diego weekend program “It’s Your Money and Your Life” picked up three first place awards from the San Diego Press Club for “Excellence in Journalism.”  The show currently originates from La Jolla’s prestigious La Valencia Hotel and airs Saturdays from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, hosted by Richard Muscio (left) and Joe Vecchio (right).

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

| October 9, 2013

kesn logoCumulus Takes Over Operation of KESN, Dallas; Gives WBAP-FM Signal to KTCK.  A number of things happened at the Cumulus Dallas operations in conjunction with the company’s assuming operation of wbaplogoESPN O&O sports talk KESN under an LMA.  First, as TALKERS reported earlier, Randy Galloway did his last “Galloway and Company” program on Monday afternoon and noted that in addition to his exiting the station in order to collect his salary from ESPN through the end of the year, KESN program director Tom Lee, air talent Landry Locker and sports anchor Kelly Webster were also casualties of the change.  Cumulus also owns and operates sports talk KTCK “SportsRadio 1310 The Ticket” in the market and served notice that on October 21, WBAP-FM at 96.7 will carry the KTCK programming.  WBAP-FM has been simulcasting news/talk WBAP-AM’s programming since 2010.  The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Cumulus Dallas vice president and market manager Dan Bennett indicated the news/talk station has seen no ratings increase since adding the FM signal to its huge AM coverage of the market.  He said news/talk WBAP will be carried on the HD-2 signal of KPLX at 99.5 for those in the market with HD Radios.  Meanwhile, it’s being reported that Cumulus is taking current KCTK simulcast signal KTDK, Sanger, Texas (about 60 miles north of the Dallas metro) dark and will return it to the FCC after an earlier attempt to sell it to broker Bill Whitley was turned down by the Commission.  The ownership cap prevents Cumulus from hanging on to the station.

TalkersLA2013Larry Wilson to Deliver Keynote Address at Talkers Los Angeles 2013.  In what TALKERS magazine VP/executive editor Kevin Casey describes as the cherry on top of a delicious sundae, Alpha Broadcasting and L&L Broadcasting CEO Larry Wilson has been named keynote speaker at the forthcoming Talkers Loswilsonlarry Angeles 2013 conference that will take place in Hollywood on Thursday of this week.  The executive who TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison describes as “a great hope and role model for radio station ownership returning to human proportions, a productive business plan and positive artistic values,” will deliver a speech titled “Radio at the Crossroads” in which he will discuss some of the pressing issues facing the medium in 2013 and his vision for the business to thrive in the early 21st century.  Wilson, who graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1967 with a degree in Accounting and the University of Arizona in 1972 with a degree in Law, is the recipient of numerous broadcasting industry awards and honors.  He has a stellar history in broadcasting that includes having been EVP and general counsel of Combined Communications Corporation and, later, co-founder of Citadel Communications which, under his leadership as president/CEO and chairman, grew to own 205 radio stations in 42 markets prior to being sold to the Wall Street Investment Firm, Forstmann Little & Co. in 2001 for $2.1 billion.  In 2009, Wilson announced his return to radio station ownership and in 2009, along with Portland, Oregon-based Endeavour Capital, formed Alpha Broadcasting.  Today, in Portland Oregon, Alpha Broadcasting operates six radio stations, KUPL-FM, KBFF-FM, KXL-FM, KINK-FM, KXTG-AM and KUFO-AM and is in expansion mode with the plan to acquire more stations in carefully selected markets across the nation.  Wilson’s L&L Broadcasting owns or is in the processing of acquiring stations in Columbia, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Jackson and Biloxi, Mississippi; Peoria, Illinois; and Bluefield, West Virginia.  Larry Wilson’s address will take place during the afternoon segment of the conference at 2:00 pm immediately following the annual “Woman of the Year” presentation.  Talkers Los Angeles 2013 — a presentation of TALKERS magazine in association with the Los Angeles Press Club — takes place between 9:00 am and 6:15 pm on Thursday, October 10 at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood, California.  The event will be broadcast live in its entirety on TalkersRadio.  For remaining sponsorship opportunities at the sold-out, industry-only event and general information call 413-565-5413.  To see the up-to-date, power-packed agenda, please click here.

hartmannThom Hartmann Co-Written ‘Last Hours’ Film Now Available.  WYD Media Management nationally syndicated talk show host Thom Hartmann’s latest book, The Last Hours of Humanity, is the foundation for the new film, “Last Hours,” created by filmmaker Leila Conners and producers George DiCaprio, Earl Katz, and Mathew Schmid along with Hartmann and writer/researcher Sam Sacks.  According to a press release, “Last Hours” is a film that explores the possibility that we could be close – centuries or perhaps just decades -to tipping points that could lead to a sixth mass extinction, and relies on input from some of the world’s leading scientists.  Hartmann states, “It’s almost impossible to know when you have passed a tipping point.  You only see them in retrospect.  So we have to do everything we can now to avoid inadvertently hitting tipping points that might lead to catastrophic methane releases.”  The film is currently available on YouTube and at lasthours.org.

cumulus logoConsumer Watchdog Weighs in on Cumulus-WestwoodOne Merger.  The Washington-based Consumer Watchdog organization writes to the Department of Justice’s anti-trust division objecting to Cumulus Media’s acquisition of WestwoodOne (formerly Dial Global).  The organization states, “A proposed merger between major radio station owner Cumulus Media and radio content provider Dial Global/Westwood One would create a clear radio duopoly (with Clear Channel Communications) in the nation’s largest radio markets.”  Consumer Watchdog president Jamie Court states, “This merger would be a tipping point for listeners who already face fewer choices and homogenized content in talk, music and even sports.  A takeover of Dial Global by Cumulus will fully corporatize content in the top 100 markets and kill what remains of truly local radio.”

reesrobertWRPW, Normal, Illinois Turns TV Concept into Radio Gold.  Great Plains Media news/talk WRPW, Normal “Cities 92.9” has been taking a page from a popular cable TV show and turning it into a visibility and revenue-enhancing programming element.  Operations manager Josh Roberts says the station was searching for a way to get talent on the streets and bring in some more revenue when a promotions brain-storming session planted the seed for its “On the Job with Robert Rees” feature.  The idea stemmed from Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe” in which Rowe does strange, hazardous or messy jobs alongside regular employees.  Roberts says it started with the funny idea of morning host Robert Rees going to work “shoveling manure or driving a snow plow.  Next thing we know we’re talking about selling it and really putting Robert to work!”  Roberts says the concept, called “On the Job with Robert Rees,” started out as a feature where every two weeks Robert would go work for a business for two hours.  The sales staff quickly sold out through August and began to sell the idea weeks in between.  Nearly every week had been sold from March through August of this year.  The concept is that station promotes the event a week beforehand, Robert interviews the business owner on his show the day before, during the event Robert calls in to the station with updates on what he was doing while someone else films him working.  The next day a “highlight” video is posted on the station’s YouTube page and the business receives a copy of the video for its marketing efforts.  You can see some of the videos from the project at http://www.youtube.com/user/Cities929TV/videos

remickrobynESPN Ups Robyn Remick to New Post at Orlando’s ESPN Wide World of Sports.  For the past nine years, Robyn Remick has been with ESPN on the affiliate marketing and ESPN Audio affiliate relations teams.  She begins the transition to a newly created post in Orlando as vice president, business and content development at ESPN Wide World of Sports in the Disney World complex.  The company states that Remick “will pursue and lead new business initiatives and events at ESPN Wide World of Sports, which is visited by nearly two million amateur athletes, coaches and spectators each year.”  She will report to Traug Keller, ESPN senior vice president, production, business divisions, who oversees ESPN Audio among other units.

wolfemattABC News Radio Names Matt Wolfe Production Manager.  ABC News Radio executive director Andrew Kalb announces the hiring of Matt Wolfe to serve as production manager for the division.  In a memo to staffers, Kalb notes that Wolfe served as a freelance WGA writer with the company between 2004 and 2007 and “for the last few years has been working in a freelance role on our digital audio initiatives.  Matt was responsible for one of our first pieces on the Men’s Life station on Slacker Radio.”  Wolfe has also worked at Cox Media Group’s rock WBAB, Babylon, New York (Long Island market) for the past 13 years and held a variety of positions at the station including as producer of the morning show and hosting a weekend evening shift.  Kalb says, “Matt’s production, broadcast and on-air skills are the perfect mix for the continued growth of the many products we currently produce and many of our future initiatives.”

kingmanredRed Kingman Exits WHTC, Holland, Michigan.  West Michigan talk radio personality Red Kingman exits Midwest Communications’ WHTC, Holland, Michigan (southwest of Grand Rapids) after an incident in September that happened on the company’s sister station classic hits WYVN “92.7 The Van.”  Kingman – a conservative talk show host on WHTC – was subbing on “The Morning Grind” with co-host Mike Johnson on September 14 when he played a song parody of a Miller Lite commercial that contained the f-word.  Kingman says airing the song was part of a technical issue that morning but tells Mlive.com that he understands the company’s zero-tolerance policy but doesn’t think the mistake on WYVN should have cost him his job on the AM station.

resnickjohnJohn Resnick’s ‘Legends of Success’ Partners with Talk Media Network.  “Legends of Success with John Resnick” announces it is partnering with Talk Media Network to deliver national advertising sales, affiliate marketing, and syndication support.  Talk Media Network CEO Josh Leng states, “’Legends of Success with John Resnick’ is a well-established brand and program without equal in its category.  John Resnick’s ability to secure and engage the biggest names in business and entertainment on his program make it an appointment-listening radio show and a valuable sponsorship opportunity for affiliate stations.”  The show has been in production since 2002.

dryerfredOdds & Sods.  CRN Digital Talk Radio personality Fred Dryer is hosting a Thursday Night Football Viewing Party on October 17 at Bob’s Big Boy in Sun Valley, California.  The former NFL star and TV personality – who hosts a weekly show on CRN – will be there along with other CRN personalities…..Former Dial Global AC night personality Chad Blake signs on with Salem Communications to serve as executive producer for news/talk KNUS, Denver’s “Kelley and Company” morning drive show hosted by Steve Kelley and Bill Rogan…..The Motley Fool announces the launch of a daily one-minute radio report called “Motley Fool Stock Watch” which provides “timely stock analysis for listeners and a profitable offering for stations: no network ad inventory.”  The company says Hubbard‘s WTOP, Washington has signed up for the feature that it says “goes beyond the typical on-the-hour market updates and is for people who follow Main Street as well as Wall Street.”

Andi Marshall Passes.  News pro Andi Marshall died on Saturday, October 5 after a battle with cancer.  Marshall spent 12 years as a news anchor on KFWB, Los Angeles.  She exited the station in 2009 but returned as a fill-in anchor in recent years.

Obama Approval Rating, Government Shutdown/Fiscal Crisis, ObamaCare Implementation, IRS Scandal, Yellen Nominated for Fed Post, Financial Markets Activity Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/8).  President Obama’s sinking approval ratings; the ongoing efforts to end the government shutdown and address the debt ceiling limit; scrutiny of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act; the evolving IRS scandal; Janet Yellen’s nomination for chair of the Fed; and the fluctuating financial markets were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

| September 19, 2013

radioshow2013Radio Show Leadership Breakfast.  Radio consultant Holland Cooke was on the scene for TALKERS Thursday morning at the NAB/RAB Radio Show Leadership Breakfast to report all of the great one-liners delivered by some of the industry’s most outspoken leaders.  Alpha Broadcasting and L&L Broadcasting chief Larry Wilson’s brutally frank assessment of the concept of voice tracking and the state of radio commercials were some of the highlights.  Wilson was joined by Cumulus Media’s Lew Dickey, NRG Media’s Mary Quass, and Connoisseur Media’s Jeff Warshaw as the group heads were interviewed during the program.  Read Holland Cooke’s coverage of the Leadership Breakfast here.

cookehollandNAB/RAB Radio Show Day 1.  Radio consultant Holland Cooke reports from Orlando and sales was on HC’s mind as he sat in on sessions throughout the day yesterday.  Sales expert Paul Weyland’s session on producing better commercials  was chock-full of useful tidbits that sales people and production personnel can take to the bank.  Plus, get Holland’s summary of some of the key speeches – RAB CEO Erica Farber’s presentation at the Advertiser Luncheon, NAB CEO Gordon Smith’s speech and acting FCC chairman Mignon Clyburn’s address.  Read more here.

gellerryderConsultant Valerie Geller Wows at “Art of Storytelling” Session.  Geller Media International consultant Valerie Geller presented a session targeted largely, but not exclusively, to talk radio talent and programmers titled, “The Art of Storytelling.”  In addition to Geller, talk show host Turi Ryder (recently of WGN, Chicago and heard nationally on Envision Radio Network’s “America Weekend”) and nationally syndicated personality Phil Hendrie (who appeared via phone from L.A. due to illness) took part.  The session focused on developing the skills of effective storytelling – a skill crucial to pulling in and keeping listeners.  Geller stated, “The key to growing an audience one by one by one is to engage them.  And the crack cocaine of engagement is, ‘Let me tell you a story, once upon a time…’ and the moment you think in your heart of hearts, ‘and then what happened?’ we have now hooked the fish and that is the essence of human communication.  It is the essence of the pleasure in connection with other people, the essence of humor…the story is the goal of the power of radio.”

dbagnation‘105.3 The Fan’ in Dallas Moves ‘G-BAG Nation’ to Middays.  KRLD-FM, Dallas’ Gavin Spittle says, “We are excited to move Gavin and Chris and the ‘G-BAG Nation’ to middays, as well as to welcome the newest Nation member, (former Rangers pitcher) Mike Bacsik.  The Nation has great entertainment value; it makes you feel like you’re part of a big, fun, crazy family.”  Spittle is vice president of news/talk/sports for CBS Radio Dallas-Fort Worth and he’s talking about Gavin Dawson’s (left) and Chris Arnold’s (right) program and the new lineup.  The other change is “K&C Masterpiece” taking over the 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm timeslot at the station, moving in from the weekend schedule.  Spittle says, “’K&C Masterpiece’ is a natural fit for the evening timeslot as Kevin Hageland and Cory Mageors have done a great job for us. They’re both native North Texans who have followed our local teams their entire lives.”

sykescharlieWTMJ, Milwaukee Host Charlie Sykes and Journal’s RightWisconsin.com Name Margaret Thatcher Award Winner.  Former Wisconsin Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow is honored with the first annual Margaret Thatcher Award celebrating Farrow’s “contributions, courage and leadership as one of Wisconsin’s ‘Iron Ladies.’”  RightWisconsin.com is a business unit of the Journal Broadcast Group and WTMJ, Milwaukee midday personality Charlie Sykes serves as editor-in-chief.  Farrow will receive the award at a black-tie dinner on October 18 at which Wisconsin Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Sykes will host the awards event.

wpenamfmOdds & Sods.  Greater Media’s sports talk WPEN-FM, Philadelphia “The Fanatic” announces “The Peter Laviolette Show,” featuring Philadelphia Flyers coach Peter Laviolette will debut on October 1 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm and air weekly throughout the season with co-hosts former Flyer and radio play-by-play color analyst Chris Therien plus Jason Myrtetus…..Hubbard Radio’s sports talk WXOS, St. Louis “101 ESPN” signs a contract extension to air St. Louis University men’s basketball games through the 2014-15 season with an option for a third season.  Bob Ramsey and Earl Austin, Jr. will continue to call the games…..Digital content aggregator TuneIn announces a partnership with Radio Disney that will bring the kids- and tweens-friendly radio format to the TuneIn platform.  TuneIn CEO John Donham says, “TuneIn strives to make the best content available to people regardless of where they are.  With Radio Disney on TuneIn, millions of people can enjoy some of the best family friendly programming available, for free.”

ok2talk logoNAB Announces ‘Unprecedented’ Support for ‘OK2Talk’ PSA Campaign.  The National Association of Broadcasters announces local radio and TV stations across America have donated airtime valued at over $12 million for its ‘OK2Talk’ mental health public service announcement campaign that includes over 106,600 airings on local TV and radio stations.  NAB president and CEO Gordon Smith says, “NAB salutes the efforts of broadcasters across America to make a real difference on the issue of mental health.  As stewards of the airwaves, local radio and television broadcasters and our network partners have a unique megaphone and a remarkable capacity to change attitudes in a positive way.  Mental health issues are often the common thread in tragedies like the Navy Yard shooting this week.  We thank our broadcast brothers and sisters for their support for the NAB campaign, and urge them to continue carrying these pro-social messages that encourage a meaningful dialogue on mental health.”  The PSA campaign, launched on July 23, directs people to OK2TALK.org, a Tumblr-based community where teens and young adults struggling with mental health problems can share personal stories of recovery, tragedy, struggle or hope.  By inviting young people, their families and friends to add their voice in a safe, moderated space, the campaign encourages an organic conversation about mental health challenges and recovery stories. The site also includes resources for those seeking help.

knx logoKNX, Los Angeles to Report Live from Sunday’s Primetime Emmy Awards.  CBS Radio all-news KNX, Los Angeles boasts its coming coverage of the Primetime Emmy Awards show from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday.  KNX says it will be the only radio station reporting live from the Emmys beginning at 3:00 pm PT featuring news anchors Jim Thornton and Brian Ping along with KNX’s entertainment reporter Ross Crystal.

donahuetomTalk Host Tom Donahue Takes on New Roles.  Talk radio pro Tom Donahue is named program and promotions manager at Talk Stream Live.  Donahue has served TSL as a media consultant previously.  At the same time, Donahue is debuting a new program called “TSL Talks” – a joint venture “teaming the digital and social media platform of Talk Stream Live” with Donahue’s experience.  The interview-formatted program will “seek to engage our political and media guest newsmakers and elicit their candid comments for dissemination in micro clips and long form interviews through TSL’s cutting edge social and new media venues.”  Also, Donahue is returning to Orion Talk Radio to host a weekly talk show beginning Sunday, September 22 at 7:00 pm ET.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

| June 13, 2013

bohannonkinosianJim Bohannon Says Good Relations with Affiliates Got Him the Shot Replacing Larry King.  In an exclusive interview conducted with TalkersTV at the recent “Talkers New York 2013″ (6/6), TALKERS Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Jim Bohannon (r) tells interviewer Mike Kinosian (l) that the key to his being offered a shot at replacing Larry King, upon the legendary pioneer’s retirement from the Mutual Broadcasting overnight show, was his good relationships with the program’s affiliates.  He explains that during the 11 years he served as King’s backup host he never missed an opportunity to visit an affiliate when on the road and offer to be of service to them.  He often called affiliates on the phone and showed interest in their situations.  When the time came to consider a replacement for King, the management of Mutual thought that they needed someone with a higher national profile than Bohannon – even though Bohannon was a proven, outstanding radio talent.  It was the program’s affiliate advisory board that pressured Mutual into giving “Jimbo” the shot saying ”he earned the right to fail.”  Of course he did NOT fail and as the saying goes, the rest is history.  Radio Hall of Famer Bohannon, who received the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from TALKERS celebrating his 53-year career in the industry, tells Kinosian he was “overwhelmed” by the honor.  When asked if he was still having fun being on the air he said, “Doing talk radio was like playing shortstop… you never know what is going to come at you.  If someone gets tired of doing a talk show it means they are tired of life.”  To see the video of the Jim Bohannon interview, please click here.

schallercraigWHAM, Rochester Fires Craig Schaller for Blog Post Comments.  Commenting on the state of women’s golf after the final round of the Wegmans LPGA Championship in nearby Pittsford, New York, WHAM personality Craig Schaller wrote in a blog post comments about the ethnicity of many of the players in what he terms “tongue-in-cheek.”  In the post he wrote, “…there are too many gosh darn foreigners on the tour and more specifically, I’m talking about Koreans and Asians in general…It’s hard to remember specific golfers when half of them seem to have names that sound like the sound you get when you bang pots and pans together.”  Interviewed by local television outlet WHEC-TV, Schaller states, “I had an inkling it might be a little controversial.  I actually said in the blog, I might offend some people I’m sure, but what I said I didn’t think was over the top…I regret the way it was taken.  I meant it as a tongue-in-cheek kind of comment made for humor.  I think a lot of people maybe not take things as light as they’re meant when you write them sometimes.  That was definitely the case.  I shouldn’t have said it that way.  I admit that.  It was poorly phrased and it was definitely offensive.”

krld logoCBS Radio’s KRLD-AM, Dallas Wins Edward R. Murrow Award.  The station’s “KRLD Afternoon News” is named winner of the 2013 National Edward R. Murrow Award for “Best Newscast” for large market radio, the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) announced on Wednesday.  CBS Dallas vice president of news, talk and sports programming Gavin Spittle states, “This is an amazing honor and a milestone in KRLD’s 87-year history.  News director Paul Mann and the entire staff genuinely deserve this recognition.”  Mann states, “I couldn’t be prouder of the work the KRLD News team produces every day and I’m thrilled to see that work acknowledged with such a prestigious award.  It’s truly humbling.”  The National Edward R. Murrow Awards will be presented at a gala on October 14 in New York City.

wzgchawkspicCBS Radio’s ’92.9 The Game’ Grabs Atlanta Hawks Basketball.  CBS Radio and the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks announce sports talk WZGC-FM, Atlanta “92.9 The Game” becomes the official flagship station of the team beginning July 1.  The multi-year agreement that begins with the coming season includes the station broadcasting all NBA regular season and postseason basketball games played by the Atlanta Hawks, all pre-game and post-game broadcasts as well as dedicated Hawks programming with their on-air basketball talent that includes Rick Kamla, Sam Mitchell and Dennis Scott.  Long-time Hawks voice Steve Holman will continue his role as play-by-play announcer with the station, adding to his 2,050th consecutive game broadcast.  Hawks president Bob Williams says, “Entering into a partnership with ’92.9 The Game’ will create exciting opportunities for both the Atlanta Hawks and our new flagship.  CBS Radio’s sports talk investment in the greater Atlanta market, the NBA and the Hawks, boasting one of the most powerful signal strengths in the Southeast, means more Hawks fans than ever will be able to follow and support our team and interact with the basketball savvy on-air talent at ’92.9 The Game’ 24 hours a day, year-round.”  Pictured here are (from l-r): Hawks PA announcer and “V-103″ morning show host Ryan Cameron; Hawks CFO Andrew Steinberg, “92-9 The Game” program director Terry Foxx; senior vice president and market manager for CBS Radio Atlanta Rick Caffey; Hawks general manager Danny Ferry; and Hawks and Philips Arena president Bob Williams.

podcastplayboyPlayboy and PodcastOne Hook Up.  PodcastOne announces it has struck a deal with PlayboyRadio.com to add the Playboy Radio podcast lineup to PodcastOne.com, via the PodcastOne mobile app, PlayboyRadio.com and iTunes.  Additionally, Playboy Radio will be represented for advertising sales by Podcast One’s rep firm Launchpad Digital Media.  PodcastOne and Launchpad Digital Media chairman and founder Norm Pattiz states, “Few brands are celebrated by so many, in so many places.  In fact, the Playboy Advisor was one of the first radio programs in the original Westwood One syndicated radio lineup.  It’s good to be back with old friends in the new age of cutting-edge, on-demand digital entertainment.”  Available for download will be programs such as “The Playboy Morning Show with Andrea Lowell and Kevin Klein,” “Playboy’s Happy Hour with Jessica Hall” and “The Bachelor’s Bob Guiney,” and “Swing and Dark Matter with Dave Navarro.”  Playboy Radio GM and program director Josh Cooperman says, “Playboy Radio is celebrating 10 years producing fun, sexy and sophisticated radio.  We are excited to make our shows available through podcast and equally excited to be working with Podcast One on this project.”

nbcsportsradio logoNBC Sports Radio Network Adds South Bend Affiliate.  The NBC Sports Radio Network announces it signs Talking Stick Communications sports talk outlet WAOR, Nappanee, Indiana “95.7 FM The Fan” to its affiliate list.  The Dial Global/NBC Sports national syndication initiative is now heard on more than 265 stations across the country.  WAOR program director Mike “Ragz” Ragozino says, “I knew one week after adding the NBC programs “Under Center,” Stashower, and Amani & Eytan, that we made a smart business decision.  I am extremely confident that these shows give our station the best all-sports entertainment in Northern Indiana, from sun up to sun down.”

siriusxmFrank Flores Appointed VP of Hispanic Marketing and Sales at SiriusXM.  The satcaster announces Frank Flores is named vice president of Hispanic marketing and sales.  He’ll oversee the marketing and advertising sales initiatives surrounding the SiriusXM Latino channels, which include ten exclusive commercial-free music channels covering a wide variety of music genres, and multiple Spanish-language sports and talk channels.  President and chief content officer Scott Greenstein states, “We are excited to have Frank Flores join SiriusXM as we continue the expansion of our Latino subscriber initiative for a national audience of bilingual listeners.  Frank will help lead the growth of SiriusXM Latino, which contains the most comprehensive Latin programming lineup on radio.  He is a dynamic executive with deep experience and we welcome him to the SiriusXM team.”  Prior to joining SiriusXM, Flores was SVP of sales marketing for National Latino Broadcasting.

drjoyconfBig Apple Beauty.  Posing for the TALKERS camera with a big green apple in hand at the recent Talkers New York 2013 conference is none other than nationally syndicated Radio America star Dr. Joy Browne.  The perennial Heavy Hundred relationship-talker was one of more than 555 industry luminaries who attended the smash event in the Big Apple last Thursday.

Zimmer Radio Buys FM Translator for KWOS, Jefferson City, Missouri.  Zimmer’s KWOS, Jefferson City “News Radio 950” is acquiring FM translator K265CT from religious broadcaster Lifesounds Inc. for $35,000.  The signal is a 250 watt FM with a construction permit to raise the height of the tower.

NSA Surveillance Case, Amnesty Legislation, Financial Markets Activity, and Zimmerman Trial Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (6/12).  The NSA data mining program and the case of Edward Snowden; the immigration legislation that includes amnesty for illegal aliens; the turbulent global financial markets; and the jury selection in the trail of George Zimmerman were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

missuniverseMiss Universe Credits Rhode Island Talk Radio with Inspiration.  Miss Universe 2013, Olivia Culpo, (c) made a surprise appearance at Talkers New York 2013 last week (6/6) and told the attendees during a brief impromptu interview with Michael Harrison that she listened to talk radio growing up in her home state of Rhode Island and was inspired by it to hone her formidable speaking skills.  She is pictured with TALKERS staffer (and Massachusetts “Miss Bay State” pageant winner) Emma Leigh Gilbert (l) and WPRO, Providence talk star John DePetro (r).

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

| May 8, 2013

cumulusCumulus Q1 Revenue Drops 1.3%.  The 2013 first quarter revenue numbers for Cumulus Media were $232 million – a decrease of $3.1 million or 1.3% compared to the same period a year ago.  In its filing with the SEC, the company attributes the drop to “lower political revenues and general lower advertising spending in some of our markets.”

dickeylewLew Dickey Says Underperforming Stations Improving But Not Fixed; Syndicated Talk ‘Continues to Be Challenged.’  During the Tuesday conference call with investors announcing Cumulus Media’s 2013 first quarter revenue figures, CEO Lew Dickey addressed the syndicated talk division’s performance as well as six of its major market news/talk stations.  Quick to address the 10 major market stations he’d blamed for pulling down the entire company’s previous revenue totals, he said, “Several of our big news/talk stations are now growing, including: WABC – which is leading the pack in New York, KABC in Los Angeles, WLS in Chicago, KSFO in San Francisco, WMAL in Washington, D.C. and WJR in Detroit, all are growing.  Our team is working very hard, and we’ve adapted to ad market changes. And again, these stations are nowlimbaughrush posting revenue growth.”  He only vaguely touched on the Rush Limbaugh controversy during Q&A saying network sales has been challenged but is starting to pick up.  Dickey praised the company’s heritage AM talkers for their potential and stated, “Our charge over the next five years is to continue to expose our audience and all of these major markets to the industry’s most talented performers while developing the next generation of talk radio superstars.  By the way, this is true for our sports talk stations as well.”  Dickey said that original group of 10 trouble franchises is down to six.  “And we confirm our earlier statement that this original group of 10 stations would be negative in the first quarter, flat in Q2 and then rebounding in the back half of the year to post positive full year growth in 2013. And in fact, we can say that we’re actually a little ahead of that schedule right now.”  But he also noted that while WBAP, Dallas is starting to come around, KGO, San Francisco – which it turned to largely a news station – is still not where they want it to be.  Regarding the company’s deal with CBS Radio and the CBS Sports Radio Network, Dickey reports the rollout has reached almost 300 affiliates and is surpassing expected revenue targets.  “We are highly encouraged by our early success and expect CBS Sports Radio to be a material growth driver in 2014 and beyond.”  Thanks to Seeking Alpha for the conference call transcript.  You can read the entire transcript here.

hendriephilTalk Radio Network and Phil Hendrie to End Syndication Effort.  Talk Radio Network announces that it will cease syndication of the Phil Hendrie radio program as of June 25, 2013.  TRN began syndicating the program in 2007 after it had been parted from its original syndicator – Premiere Networks – for about a year.  TRN CEO Mark Masters states, “I believed in Phil then, and I still think he is a comic genius on air.  He will always be a radio icon to me.  We are proud to have rebuilt the Phil Hendrie show by adding over 100 stations, along with creating robust growth to Phil’s online presence, but, due to world events, the economy, and the state of radio in this country, we have decided to go in another direction in that daypart – we wish Phil all the best in his future endeavors.”  From his perspective, Hendrie issues the following statement: “Phil Hendrie has elected not to pursue any further association with Talk Radio Network.  As he delves deeper into his successful digital platform and ongoing television and film work, Hendrie remains open to terrestrial radio opportunities, but only those with strong sales, marketing and programming support.”

guthriekimCox Media Group Promotes Kim Guthrie to EVP Radio; Jane Williams to EVP Television and Marian Pittman to VP of News & Marketing for TV.  Cox Media Group announces several promotions.  Kim Guthrie, who had been serving as senior vice president of radio, overseeing all of the company’s radio stations, is promoted to executive vice president of radio and she reports to new CMG president Bill Hoffman.  Guthrie joined Cox Radio in 1998 as VP and GM for its Long Island, properties and has been Regional VP for Cox Radio, where her stations have won multiple honors – including Marconi awards, Crystal Awards, New York Air Awards, AWRT Gracie Awards – for programming excellence and outstanding community service.  Hoffman says of Guthrie (and EVP of television Jane Williams), “Both are proven CMG leaders and are highly respected throughout the media industry.  Kim and Jane, along with our local leadership, have ensured our broadcast stations’ ongoing success, and I am honored to have them in these vitally-strategic executive positions.”  At the same time, Marian Pittman is promoted from her post as station manager of WSB-TV, Atlanta to vice president of news & marketing for television for the company.

chapmanjJ Chapman Heads Up Woof Boom Radio to Buy Indiana Stations.  The Backyard Broadcasting Muncie, Indiana market stations that Woof Boom is buying include: hot AC WLBC, oldies WERK, sports talk WXFN, news/talk WHBU, and classic rock simulcast WMXQ and WMQX “Max.”  Jerry “J” Chapman’s Woof Boom Radio is made up of a group of local investors, headed by Chapman, who have formed Woof Boom Radio, a nod to the longtime dominance of WFBM in Indiana broadcasting from the beginnings of radio in the 1920s until the mid-1970s.  The other owners include: Ray Kennedy, Conormara Investments;  Jason Farmer, managing director of WestBridge Investments; and Aaron Reitz.  In a statement, Woof Boom says of Chapman, “A 17-year radio woofboom logoexecutive with Indianapolis-based Emmis and most recently with Maverick Media of Rockford, Illinois, Chapman is a graduate of Hanover and literally grew up in the broadcasting industry.  His father led Indianapolis WFBM Radio & TV for three decades, and J got an early start in the media business when assigned by his father to mow the grass at the TV station’s north side Indianapolis transmitter site.”  Chapman says of his new venture, “I’m very excited to come home and put my years of experience in the vibrant radio industry to good use back in Indiana.  The stations we’re acquiring are vital links between listeners and the local community.  We intend to utilize those radio resources to help grow our customers’ businesses and to improve the quality of entertainment and information in our new communities.  Best of all, the management of this group of stations will be local to serve local needs.  We want to make a great thing even better, and Woof Boom Radio intends to start off on the right foot.”

sabowalterThe Secret of Managing Controversy.  As the talk radio industry grapples with the dilemma of balancing the two realities of controversy (on the plus side, it attracts loyal audience – on the downside, it attracts enemies and scares advertisers) noted media consultant and TALKERS columnist Walter Sabo offers a simple solution.  In an article posted today (5/8) he cites a simple but powerfully effective method used by some of the greatest talk radio managers of all time:  Let the hosts be opinionated, controversial and even outrageous – but keep the station itself absolutely neutral!  He goes on to explain why this is key to a successful operation.  To read Walter Sabo’s entire piece, click here.

kion logoMark Carbonaro Remains with KION, Salinas in News Capacity.  Yesterday, TALKERS reported that Mark Carbonaro was out at Clear Channel’s KION, Salinas, California as the company was importing KSTE, Sacramento-based Armstrong & Getty for morning drive.  We learn via The Californian that Carbonaro remains with the station handling the morning drive news operations and other news department duties.  General manager Rhonda McCormack tells the paper, “We are continuing to evolve our product with new and compelling offerings that will complement Mark’s contributions and allow him more time and flexibility to cover local news and events.  It was a business decision.  We think Armstrong & Getty will resonate well with the audience on KION.  Mark Carbonaro is on Monday – Friday, 6:00 am to 9:00 am with Armstrong & Getty.  Mark reports on the local news, sports, weather and traffic, plus expert segments that will run throughout the day, Monday through Friday and on Saturday mornings in the 10:00 am hour, ‘The Saturday Insider with Mark Carbonaro.’”

winercherylCheryl Winer Named National Account Manager for Sun Broadcast Group.  Radio sales pro Cheryl Winer is named national account manager for Sun Broadcast Group where she’ll work from the company’s New York City office assisting in servicing the company’s fast-growing roster of agency and client partners.  Founder and CEO Jason Bailey states, “2013 has been such an exciting time in our company’s growth.  With the addition of Cheryl to our first-class sales team I truly believe we send a clear message to the industry that Sun Broadcast Group is, and will continue to be, the leader in a very new kind of service for network radio advertisers and program suppliers.”  Speaking about her new position with Sun, Winer says, “Over the past several years I have been searching for an entrepreneurial environment, which would replicate my experience at Premiere in the early days.  I am so very excited to say that I have found that in Sun Broadcast Group!  I look forward to participating in the growth of this fast-paced, cutting edge company.”

arbitronArbitron Reports Q1 Revenue Up 5.1%.  Income for the ratings firm was down to $0.60 per share for the first quarter of 2013, compared to $0.64 per share during the same period in 2012.  However, income was up 5.1% on revenue of $111.8 million compared to the same period a year ago.  The company states that costs and expenses increased 8.3% from Q1 2012 to Q1 2013.  “In addition to the $3.2 million of expenses related to the pendingcreamersean Nielsen transaction, costs in the quarter increased as a result of planned incremental investments in Arbitron Mobile panels, costs associated with address-based sampling, in-person recruiting, and cell-phone household recruiting.”  President and CEO Sean Creamer states, “In the first quarter, we continued to pursue our long-standing objectives: maintaining our investments in the quality of our radio ratings services, growing our core revenue, and entering new markets such as digital radio, cross-platform, and mobile.  Our focus on the quality of our core services helped us achieve Media Rating Council accreditation of four additional Portable People Meter markets in February.  Our goal remains achieving or maintaining accreditation in all our syndicated radio markets.  We continue working to leverage our investment in the PPM technology and consumer panels utilizing our platform in new initiatives such as advertising and promotion effectiveness studies, while enhancing our measurement capabilities for radio and across platforms.”

sagaSaga Communications Q1 Net Revenue Down 1.3%.  To use the words of Saga Communications SVP, treasurer and CFO Sam Bush, the first quarter of 2013 was “challenging” for the company.  In a conference call with investors, Bush reports that the company saw a dramatic decline in political advertising from the first quarter of 2012 to the same period in 2013.  Gross national revenue was also down by more than $500,000 but a good quarter for local revenue helped combat that drop.

salemcommunicationsSalem Communications Sees 1.3% Revenue Dip in Q1.  That’s across the board for all of Salem’s platforms and comes largely because Salem had such an outstanding 2012 in the political advertising category.  Breaking things apart a bit, CEO Ed Atsinger reports that the company’s business news segment is doing well, increasing 4% while the news/talk radio division was down 7%.  The Christian teaching formats were down 3% though the Christian contemporary group was up 5% compared to the same period a year ago.  The Salem Radio Network was down 10% from Q1 in 2012.

wtoplogoWTOP, Washington Site the Victim of Hacking.  Hubbard Radio’s WTOP, Washington and its sister WFED had their websites hacked earlier this week.  The attacks may have affected visitors using Internet Explorer but not other web browsers.  A message on WTOP.com states, “WTOP.com is currently dealing with a malicious cyber attack.  We are working diligently to contain and stop the attack, and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.”  The Washington Post reports that an internet security expert says the hackers installed two types of malware – one designed to look like an anti-virus software service that would get the subscriber’s credit card number, the other designed to control clicks from the user’s computer to inflate the number of actual clicks on digital ads.

Benghazi Whistleblower, Cleveland Women Freed from Captivity, Sanford South Carolina Race, Immigration Amnesty Issue and North Korea Threats Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (5/7).  The testimony about the deadly attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi; the case of the Cleveland women freed from captivity after 10 years; the South Carolina race for House seat between Mark Sanford and Elizabeth Colbert Busch; the amnesty for illegal immigrants issue; and North Korea’s military threats were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

| May 7, 2013

huckabeemikeMike Huckabee Considers Radio Future in Arkansas Business Story.  In a piece that ran in Arkansas Business yesterday, Cumulus Media Networks nationally syndicated talk host – and former Arkansas governor and U.S. presidential candidate – Mike Huckabee speaks openly about his current media projects and how his political experience has helped his media career.  Huckabee gives no clear indication he’ll stop doing the daily three-hour show, but neither does he sound all-in when he states, “Within the next month, I’ll decide if I want to continue it or not. I know we will, but it’s just such an incredibly intensive process that I really have to decide that I want to spend that kind of time…”  Huckabee describes the long days preparing for the program and how he works that in with his Fox News Channel weekend program.  “I’ve got to always weigh how much time I’m putting in it and what the return is.  How long it will take to make it what I call hopefully disgustingly profitable.  That’s what one always hopes for in a deal like this.”  Read the entire story here.

kinosianmikeCan Radio Overcome its Smothering Debt and Be a Viable Business in this New Era?  That, according to Michael Harrison is THE existential question facing the industry today — and one that TALKERS magazine and RadioInfo tackle head-on in a blockbuster article posted May 2 in BOTH trade publications.  Researched and written by TALKERS/RadioInfo west coast bureau chief/managing editor Mike Kinosian, this extensive piece taps deeply into the christianedexperience, wisdom and vision of a stellar panel of industry power-players who share their real world perspectives of this pressing issue that directly ties into the future of radio as both a medium and a business.  They include (in alphabetical order): Sandi Bergman of MyMediaBroker, Ed Christian of Saga Communications, smulyanjeffErica Farber of the RAB, Charlie Gross of Newsweb Radio Corp., Michael Harrison of TALKERS/RadioInfo, Jerry Lee of WBEB (“B101″) in Philadelphia, Chuck Lontine of Headwaters MB, David Pearlman of American Radio Systems, Ed Perry of WATD in Marshfield, MA, Tom Quinn of Americom Broadcasting, Jeff Smulyan of Emmis Broadcasting, Peter Smyth of Greater Media and Dave Van Dyke of Radiate Media.  Upon the publication of this information-packed article, TALKERS/RadioInfo VP/executive editor Kevin Casey states, “This is one of the mostsmythpeter important pieces published in the radio trades in years and I advise anyone in this business who cares about its future to take the time to read it thoroughly.  It dives right into the most pressing issue facing all of us today and provides insight from all angles – big-time groups, large and small market stations, investment banks, services providers, and advertising advocates.  A piece like this gets to the very heart of what will determine radio’s future – its ability to function and options to consider as a viable business in a daunting, obstacle-ridden environment.”  Read Mike Kinosian’s story here.

kion logoMark Carbonaro Out at KION, Salinas, California; Armstrong & Getty In.  According to a report in The Californian, local morning drive host Mark Carbonaro’s program has been replaced on KION, Salinas with the Sacramento-based Armstrong & Getty show.  Californian writer Jeff Mitchell reports that calls to local management were not returned prior to his deadline.  Both KION and Armstrong & Getty’s home station KSTE are owned by Clear Channel.

wnsr logoWNSR, Nashville to Get FM Simulcast in June.  Nashville Sports Radio’s WNSR, Nashville will simulcast on 95.9 in addition to its 560 signal early this summer.  The station says it will position itself as “Nashville’s SportsRadio 560 on 95.9 FM.”  The new FM signal will be located near the Davidson/Williamson County line, providing excellent 24-hour coverage of WNSR’s programming.  General sales manager and afternoon host Thom Abraham states, “Before the Predators and Titans, WNSR brought sports programming to the airwaves in Nashville.  This station has stayed true to the format for over 15 years and we are now excited to make it available on the FM band.  The new logo puts the emphasis on WNSR, which has stood for Nashville’s Sports Radio since 1997, something we are very proud of, and something I have come to appreciate since coming here four years ago.”

foxnewsradioFox News Radio Offers Memorial Day Weekend Specials.  The network is offering two hour-long special programs for air during the Memorial Day Weekend.  “Remembering Iraq” is hosted by Fox News Channel’s Griff Jenkins and reflects on the 10 years since the United States entered the Iraq War.  Jenkins will take a look at the front lines and those who were affected by the war, including the men and women who served as well as their spouses and children.  “The Next Disaster” is hosted by Fox News Channel’s Janice Dean.  It’s a multi-part series that examines disasters, including tornados, earthquakes and terrorist attacks and how to best prepare for them. Additionally, Dean will take a look at how weather forecasting and other technology have helped people prepare for natural disasters in the past and will also report on the impact of early warnings.  More information about the specials can be found on the Fox News Radio affiliate website in the specials section.

wdae logoSports Talk WDAE, Tampa Gets FM Simulcast on 95.3.  The signal is 250-watt translator W237CW that was most recently simulcasting the audio of Clear Channel’s hip hop WBTP “95.7 The Beat.”  CC flips it over to sports talker WDAE.  The AM 620 signal of WDAE covers the market just fine but now the station will have an FM presence that’s strongest in St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park and Clearwater.

Benghazi Cover-up Allegations, Syria-Israel Tensions, Obama OSU Commencement, and North Korea Missile Threat Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (5/6).  New information regarding the deadly attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi and the political ramifications; military tensions between Israel and Syria; President Obama’s commencement speech at Ohio State University over the weekend; and the North Korean missile threat were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

| April 16, 2013

Boston Marathon Tragedy Sparks Immense Coverage and Conversation on Talk Radio and Music Radio Morning Shows.  One never knows when the next big news story will break and yesterday’s horrific tragedy in Boston is yet another example of the world being one way, one moment — and another way, the next.  The Boston Marathon bombing has consumed radio conversation across the board on all-news, talk, sports and music radio morning shows and will likely play a major role as a content generator for days and weeks to come.

cookehollandBoston Bombing: How Radio Can Help…Or Hurt.  Radio consultant Holland Cooke analyzes the media impact of Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon as well as what radio can do well and what it should avoid trying to do during tragic breaking news events like these.  Cooke writes, “One way radio can help is to ask ‘Could YOU be Boston’s Zapruder?’  Radio everywhere should ask, because people come from everywhere, from all around the world, to this event.  And because the internet and that-thing-in-our-pocket-we-used-to-call-a-phone makes everywhere ‘here.’  You don’t even need to be a friend of a friend in the social media age.  Radio should ask everyone to ask everyone: ‘Were you in Boston?  Look carefully, at all your pictures and videos.  Someone saw something.’”  For radio station programmers, Cooke advises what he believes radio can do very well that Twitter can’t.  Read his entire piece here.

arbitronArbitron Settles Copyright Infringement Suit Against Gannett.  Ratings company Arbitron announces it has settled a copyright infringement suit against Gannett-owned television station WKYC in Cleveland.  The suit was filed on January 25 of this year and alleged that WKYC-TV copied and distributed Arbitron’s copyrighted audience estimates without Arbitron’s permission, and that WKYC-TV improperly used Arbitron’s federally registered trademarks to create the false impression that non-Arbitron audience estimates for internet radio service Pandora were genuine Arbitron products.  This stems from WKYC teaming up with Pandora for a co-operative sales venture that went awry.  Sales kits were distributed that used Arbitron’s AQH data for a number of radio stations in the Cleveland market.  The idea was to show Pandora’s reach by comparison.  In the initial suit, Arbitron was seeking $150,000 per copyright infringement.  The terms of the settlement are not being disclosed so we’ll never know how much Gannett paid to make this mistake go away.

williamsgreggoKRLD, Dallas Fired PM Drive Team of Greg Williams and Richie Whitt.  The Dallas Morning News confirms that both Greg Williams and Richie Whitt – co-hosts of the “RAGE” PM drive show – have been let go from the station for poor ratings performance.  Program director Gavin Spittle is quoted in the paper saying, “We need to be more whittrichiecompetitive in that time period.”  Shortly after being let go, “Greggo” Williams Tweeted that he’d been fired by the CBS Radio sports talker “The Fan” stating:  “Attention FanFans…I just got fired by station…not much reason given…but now I’ve been fired by all three sports stations.”  The paper also reports that in the March 2013 PPMs the program came in third behind KTCK’s “Hardline” with Mike Rhyner and Corby Davidson (8.9 share Men 25-54) and KESN-FM’s “Galloway and Company” (3.0 share Men 25-54).  There’s no announcement who will take over the PM drive slot on “The Fan” but the Morning News mentions Ben & Skin – Ben Rogers and Jeff “Skin” Wade – recently exited KESN-FM and the paper calls them “Spittle favorites.”

haegeglennGlenn Haege Celebrates 30th Anniversary in Radio on Saturday.  WJR, Detroit-based nationally syndicated talk show personality Glenn Haege – host of “The Handyman Show” – celebrates his 30th anniversary in radio on Saturday, April 20.  Haege began his broadcast career in 1983 as host of “Ask the Handyman” on WXYT-AM, Detroit and also has hosted his radio show on Detroit stations WDFN and WXDX before landing on WJR in 2006.  His program is heard on more than 140 affiliates across the country.  WJR program director Kevin Metheny says of Haege, “As a Glenn Haege listener, I felt as if he knew me, my life, and my unique homeowner challenges before we ever met.  I believe speaking to thousands of neighbors one-on-one in simultaneous, personal conversations on which we can all eavesdrop is a lost art and a key to Glenn’s amazing record of success.  At WJR we’re all proud to be the radio flagship of ‘America’s Master Handyman’ and look forward to 30 more years.”

herskovitzeileenIndustry Mourns Eileen M. Herskovitz.  The radio industry mourns the passing of longtime broadcasting figure Eileen M. Herskovitz who died early morning yesterday at her home in Bradenton, Florida.  She was the wife of veteran radio executive Al Herskovitz, president of Florida-based marketing firm, H&H Broadcasting, and marketing director of TALKERS.  Eileen Herskovitz served as executive VP of H&H. After attending Ithaca University, Eileen entered the media field as a commercial copywriter for Goldman & Walter advertising agency of Albany, NY where she advanced to become its VP and media director. She also worked at several radio stations during her early career.  The Herskovitz’s had recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.  TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “Eileen Herskovitz was an immensely bright radio professional and a truly marvelous human being.  All of us at TALKERS consider ourselves blessed to have known her and we will sorely miss her.”

Boston Marathon Bombing, Immigration Reform, Gun Legislation, North Korea Missile Threats, Jay-Z Cuba Trip, Trayvon Targets Case, and Justin Bieber-Anne Frank Flap Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (4/15).  The bombing at the Boston Marathon; the debate over amnesty in potential immigration legislation; the move to pass gun and ammunition restriction legislation; ongoing threats to use long-range missiles against the U.S. by North Korea; Jay-Z’s trip to Cuba and the Obama White House connection; the Trayvon Martin practice targets case and the firing of the police official involved; and the stir caused by Justin Bieber’s notes in the visitor’s log at the Anne Frank house were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

| February 26, 2013

salemcommunicationsSalem Communications Posts Q4 2012 Total Revenue Increase of 6%.  That number is based largely on the strength of its internet revenue – up 25% — and publishing revenue – up 9%.  But even broadcast had a good Q4 with revenue up 3%.  Salem Communications reports its best politicalatsingered advertising year in the company’s history, taking in $5.5 million during all of 2012.  Salem CEO Ed Atsinger says that part of the hike in the company’s internet revenue comes from its conservative news/talk digital efforts.  “Our national conservative news talk website saw the biggest growth, posting a 23% increase in revenue.  Clearly, political played a role here.  The election cycle also produced a significant increase in monthly page views to these sites.  While we have seen some falling off of traffic since the election, visits are still up nicely compared to pre-election levels.”  Atsinger addressed the company’s secular news/talk initiatives up front in yesterday’s conference call.  “We have invested in several new local talk shows, as well as key management personnel for our digital business talk and news/talk formats.  These investments are proceeding well.  For example, in Q4, KSKY — our Dallas news talk station — had local spot revenue excluding political, up by 36%, as a result of our hiring of Mark Davis earlier in 2012.”  Salem CFO Evan Masyr broke down the company’s broadcast performance by format and reported the following:  “Thirty-nine of our radio stations are programmed in our foundational Christian teaching and talk format.  These stations contributed 35% of total revenue.  Total revenue on this format was flat, while block programming increased 1%.  Revenue from our 11 contemporary Christian music stations contributed 17% of total revenue and increased 1% for the quarter.  Our 27 news/talk stations had an increase of 5% in revenue for the quarter, and these stations contributed 11% of our total revenue.  The 7 stations we have programmed in Spanish-language Christian teaching and talk grew revenue by 17%, and this format now comprises 2% of total revenue.  Finally, we have 11 stations in a business talk format, and revenue from these stations was down 7%.  This format contributed 2% of total revenue.”  He also noted that network revenue increased 10% during Q4 and represents 7% of total revenue.

kesn logoKESN, Dallas Schedule Takes Shape Post-Ben & Skin.  The departure of Ben Rogers and Jeff “Skin” Wade from the lineup at ESPN O&O KESN, Dallas after the two did not agree to terms for a new contract with the station has had the following ripple effects:  ESPN Radio syndicated host Colin Cowherd is now heard from 9:00 am to 11:00 am; Ian Fitzsimmons leaves the PM drive “Galloway & Company” show to pair up with ESPN Dallas writer Richard Durrett for an 11:00 am to 3:00 pm program.  The 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm “Coop & Nate” show featuring Chuck Cooperstein and former Dallas Cowboy Nate Newton disappears.  Cooperstein moves to the 6:00 pm talk show on nights when Mavericks hoops or Rangers baseball is not airing.  Cooperstein also is the Mavericks play-by-play voice.  As for Nate Newton, he stays with the station to handle Cowboys analysis.

williamsgreggoKRLD-FM, Dallas’ Greggo Williams Returns to Air After Medical Leave.  At CBS Radio’s sports talk KRLD-FM “105.3 The Fan,” afternoon drive co-host Greggo Williams returned to the air yesterday after missing eight days of work to discuss his absence.  Williams told listeners he’s been struggling with physical health issues since having a lap-band removed last spring.  Williams lamented the time he’s missed due to the physical problems the removal has caused and told the audience he hopes to avoid missing further air time.  During his time away, Mike Fisher sat in alongside “The Rage” co-host Richie Whitt.

wefl logoGood Karma to Acquire West Palm Beach FM.  The former CBS Radio station – rhythmic AC WUUB “B106.3” – is being purchased by Craig Karmazin’s Good Karma Broadcasting and the Jupiter, Florida-licensed station is flipped to a simulcast of the company’s “ESPN 760” WEFL, Tequesta, Florida as Good Karma takes control under an LMA.  No purchase price has been announced yet.  In a statement, Karmazin says, “Our goal is to be able to connect with fans regardless of how they are consuming sports and this allows us another opportunity to connect in addition to AM radio, television, digital and mobile.  This new signal will improve both day and nighttime coverage and we are excited to grow our presence throughout the Palm Beaches and the Treasure Coast.”

bubbaOdds & Sods.  Apex Broadcasting’s rock WZLB “103.1 The Blaze” adds Bubba the Love Sponge for morning drive…..Arbitron announces that after a review of the In-Tab and other performance metrics for Week 2 of the February PPM report period in the winter storm-affected markets of Boston and Providence, the weeklies data will be released and the Week 2 data will be included in the February 2013 PPM report…..Talk radio host Jeff Katz, who tells TALKERSkatzjeff magazine that while hosting PM drive at Greater Media’s WBT, Charlotte he had some of the highest ratings in modern station history, will return to the Queen City for the first time in four years when he delivers the keynote address for the Union County Lincoln Reagan Dinner being held on Saturday, March 9 at Wingate University….. ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes Radio will air select games of the World Baseball Classic, with live broadcasts of the 39 games played in seven venues and four nations from March 2 through March 19.  ESPN Deportes Radio will broadcast 18 games through the tournament.  Ozzie Guillen will join the ESPN Deportes’ diverse team of experts as analyst for select games during the second round games, the Semi-Finals and Finals in San Francisco’s AT&T Park.

sportsusaSports USA to Produce NFL Draft Show.  Sports USA expands its coverage of the National Football League with programming from the 2013 NFL draft.  The company plans to broadcast the first round of the draft on April 25, 2013, at 7:30 pm ET live from Radio City Music Hall in New York.   The draft show will feature analysis from NFL and NCAA experts who will break down the rookie class of 2013.  Additionally, local reporters from each NFL city will weigh in to discuss their team’s needs for the upcoming season.  Sports USA president Bob Moore states, “The NFL Draft has become a marquee event and we are excited to offer the entire first round of the draft to our partner stations.”

Sequester Issue, Obama Travel Schedule Criticism, The Oscars, John Kerry London Trip, Midwestern Blizzard, and C. Everett Koop Dies Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (2/25).  The looming sequester and its possible effects; the criticism of President Obama’s travel schedule; Sunday’s Oscar Awards; Secretary of State John Kerry’s first trip abroad; the blizzard that paralyzed portions of the Midwest; and the death of former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.