It's Time To Bury The Fairness Doctrine...

(Weekend Edition)
The Fairness Doctrine is radio's birther issue. It doesn't matter whether the president assures that the doctrine is not coming back or not (he did). Doubters will continue to fear the return of the dreaded doctrine until they see it officially repealed. FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell is on your side, doubters. McDowell told the Telecommunications Industry Association in Dallas that the doctrine, which the FCC concluded was unconstitutional and unenforceable back in 1987, is still on the books...


"We stumbled on this forgotten fact while researching material for this speech" says McDowell. Republicans continue to fear the return of the doctrine, which requires broadcasters both to air and to seek out opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance. Multichannel News reports that McDowell wants the FCC to immediately initiate "A full and thorough review of every FCC rule, not just those that apply to telecom companies, but all rules that apply to any entity regulated by the Commission. The presumption of our review should be that a rule is not necessary unless we find compelling evidence to the contrary." ...


It's been well over 20 years since the Fairness Doctrine was used (it was abolished in 1987), but there are still some radio veterans around that remember the living nightmare it created. It's time to follow McDowell's lead and bury the doctrine - then do a thorough review of all FCC rules and regulations still in effect or on the books...


Timeline Memories:
1899] Putting pedal to metal: Jacob Erman of New York City becomes the first U.S. driver arrested for speeding. Erman exceeded the 12 MPH speed limit (5/20). At least Jacob didn't have to deal with taxi's & pedicabs...
1927] Touchdown: Charles A. Lindbergh lands his "Spirit of St. Louis" near Paris completing the first solo flight across the Atlantic (5/21)...
1932] Also winging it: Amelia Earhart takes off to fly solo across the Atlantic becoming the first woman to achieve the feat (5/20)...1939] Pan Am begins regular service from New York when a "Yankee Clipper" takes off from the harbor in Port Washington (L.I.) (5/20)...
1955] Recorded: Chess Records new artist Chuck Berry records his first single, "Ida Red". During the session Leonard Chess changes the title to "Maybelline" (5/21)...
1961] Number One: "Mother-In-Law" - Ernie K-Doe (5/22)...1966] "When A Man Loves A Woman" - Percy Sledge (5/22)...1972] "Oh Girl" - Chi-Lites (5/22)...
1977] Beatlemania breaks out: The musical "Beatlemania" opens at the Winter Garden Theater in Manhattan (5/20). Various incarnations of Beatlemania are still performing...
1979] Guilty as charged: Former San Francisco Supervisor Dan White is convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting deaths of mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk. White uses the "Twinkie" defense, claiming that junk food fueled his rampage. You can't make this stuff up (5/21)...
1992] One more for the road: Johnny Carson hosts his final "Tonight Show" with Bette Milder singing to him (5/22). Johnny started hosting the show on October 1, 1962...
1993] Curtains: "Cheers" closes its doors for the final time with 40% of the population or nearly 100 million watching at home (5/20)...
2002] Body found: The remains of Chandra Levy are found in a Washington (D.C.) park (5/22)...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (5/20) David Wells (48), Ron Reagan (53), Fmr. NY Gov. David Paterson (57), Comedian Dave Thomas (62), Cher (65), Joe Cocker (67) & Japanese BB great Sadaharu Oh (71)...(5/21) Lisa (Cuddy on "House") Edelstein (44), Lawrence Tero Tureaud aka Mr. T (59), Sen. Al Franken (60), Leo Sayer (63), Ronnie Isley (70) & Ara Parseghian (88)...(5/22) Naomi Campbell (41), Mike Breen (50), Bernie Taupin (61), Bernard Shaw (71), Richard Benjamin (73), Peter Nero (77), T.Boone Pickens Jr. (83), Charles Aznavour (87) & Judith Crist (89)...


Timeline Countdown: 10 days until Memorial Day, 30 days until Fathers Day, 33 days until summer & 45 days until July 4th...

Radio Needs To Tap Into Search Growth...

One look inside the new BIA/Kelsey local search forecast for the next 5 years should get traditional radio to react quickly. This forecast provides another wake-up call for the struggling medium. What the forecast tells us is that radio must act now to siphon off some of the incredible amounts of money being spent on search advertising. According to the forecast, local search dollars will reach $8.2 billion by 2015. That's a compound annual growth rate of 10%. When was the last time you heard of anything growing 10% ???


Driving the growth in ad revenues is a continuing increase in local search activity and there's better news. By 2015, BIA/Kelsey expects 30% of search volume will be local. Matt Booth, BIA/Kelsey Sr. VP says that "Local search ad revenues hit an all-time high last year, driven primarily by better product integration across search engines, especially Google." Memo: Radio Station General Managers: if you don't have a search bar on your website, you are in trouble! Booth adds that "Revenues will continue to grow as better targeting, increased mobile usage and improving integration drive up local search activity." The outlook for interactive local media is part of BIA/Kelsey's U.S. Local Media Annual Forecast (2010-2015). In addition to local search, the interactive local media forecast covers the overall search market, display and local display advertising and email, reputation and presence management...


The complete forecast is available to clients of BIA/Kelsey's Interactive Local Media advisory service. Whether you become a member or not is not my business but be advised that in order to be on a level playing field with the rest of the media world, you'd better be involved in local search activity...


Timeline Memories:
1958] Released: "Splish Splash" - Bobby Darin (released as the first 8-track master recording pressed on a plastic 45-rpm disc)...1973] "Kodachrome" - Paul Simon...
1960] The King is dethroned: Alan Freed is arrested with 7 others on suspicion of commercial bribery. Freed refused to sign an affidavit in 1959 denying he had accepted payola. Although payola was not yet a crime, Freed is charged with 26 counts of commercial bribery but escapes with just a fine. His career, however is ruined...
1960] Recorded: "Save The Last Dance For Me" - Drifters...
1962] "Happy Birthday Mr. President": Marilyn Monroe performs a sultry rendition of "Happy Birthday" for President John F. Kennedy with Jackie by his side at a fund raiser at Madison Square Garden...
1965] Number One: The Beatles top the charts with "Ticket To Ride", their first single to feature Paul McCartney on lead guitar...
1973] Big Red romps: The great Secretariat, winner of the Kentucky Derby, wins the Preakness Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths. In three weeks, perhaps the greatest thoroughbred of all-time will run away with the Belmont Stakes...
1992] Veep speak: Vice President Dan Quayle criticizes "Murphy Brown" because the title character has a baby out of wedlock...
1994] Happy Trails: Former first-lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis passes away from cancer at 64...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Kevin Garnett (35), Grace Jones (59), Pete Townshend (66), Nora Ephron (70), David Hartman (76) & Jim Lehrer (77)...


Timeline Countdown: 11 days until Memorial Day, 31 days until Fathers Day, 34 days until summer & 46 days until July 4th...

An Optimistic Sales Forecast For Q3...

While it might not be focused on local sales, the outlook for quarter three is pacing up more than 7%, according to Katz Radio Group. This follows news that National Spot Radio is up 1.4% in the second quarter with five of the six market group segments showing increases. Ad categories leading the way are domestic automotive, finance, retail and telecom says Katz President Mark Gray, who remains "very optimistic" about radio's outlook and long-term growth, according to Radio Online...


Gray's optimism stems in part from radio's expansion into online, on-demand, mobile and digital broadcasts, offering a broader ability to gain a larger share of advertising dollars in digital. While this off-cycle political year won't contribute much in the way of revenue - education, energy and the economy is making a greater contribution than usual. The hope is that those categories will make up for a down political year. Gray also sees solid gains being made across most markets and regions of the country. While not being noted in the top 10 markets where revenue gains are tepid, most of the other markets nationwide are showing stronger improvement...


Radio won't really be happy about revenue gains until local sales lead the way. Since we haven't seen that yet, local radio won't be quite as optimistic as Mark Gray...  


Timeline Memories:
1897] The Count begins: A public reading of Bram Stoker's new novel "Dracula" or  "The Un-Dead" is staged in London. No one played Dracula better than Bela Lugosi...
1934] New law: Congress approves the "Lindbergh Act" making kidnapping a capital offense...
1959] Number One: "Kansas City" - Wilbert Harrison...1960] "Cathy's Clown" - Everly Bros...1963] "If You Wanna Be Happy" - Jimmy Soul...1969] "Get Back" - Beatles...
1968] Released: Formerly a #1 hit for the immortal Nick Lucas in 1929, "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" is released by Tiny Tim. It will reach the top 20...
1980] Blowing its top: The Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington State explodes, leaving 57 dead or missing...
1998] Curtains: "Murphy Brown" starring Candice Bergen ends its 10-year run...
2004] Perfecto: Arizona's Randy Johnson becomes the oldest pitcher, at 40, to pitch a perfect game, against Atlanta...


R.I.P. Baseball Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew, died yesterday from esophageal cancer at the age of 74. Killebrew played 22 seasons, finishing his career with 573 home runs, 11th-most in baseball history. His nickname of "Killer" was a misnomer. Killebrew lived his life and played his career as the ultimate gentleman. He started his major league career with the Washington Senators in 1954, moving with the team to Minnesota when they became the Twins in 1961. Killebrew entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Tina Fey (41), George Strait (59), Rick (Yes) Wakeman (62), Reggie Jackson (65), Albert Hammond (69), Dwayne ("Dobie Gillis") Hickman (77), Jack Whitaker (87) & Bill ("Maude") Macy (89)...


Timeline Countdown: 12 days until Memorial Day, 32 days until Fathers Day, 35 days until summer & 47 days until July 4th...

Slacker Executive Slams Traditional Radio...

If Slacker senior vice president of marketing, Jonathan Sasse was trying to make a statement, he did just that by attacking traditional radio in the Los Angeles Times. Instead of taking on Pandora, his company's real competition, he ripped traditional radio. "If you look at where broadcast radio is going, it looks like they're trying to become what online radio used to be." Sasse claims Slacker is taking a different approach. "What we're trying to become is what broadcast radio used to be, which is radio that's expertly programmed and tailored to you. It used to be that when I came to a new town, I'd find an awesome station with a local DJ that talks about the music in my city, the concerts in my city and play some new music. Radio done right can be really good. And broadcast radio is really missing out, because they've just turned into generic hit machines." But how does Sasse really feel about traditional radio you might ask...


Sasse leveled his blast at traditional radio on the eve of Slacker's launching of its premium on-demand music service that lets subscribers listen to any of the 8 million songs in its catalog for about $10 a month. Slacker will be competing with Rhapsody, Rdio and MOG which offer similar services. Slacker Premium is available on most iPhones, iPads, BlackBerries and smart phones that use the Android operating system. Slacker wants consumers onboard quickly and are giving away a limited number of subscriptions by visiting their Facebook page...


If you're keeping score on where Slacker stands against Pandora it's the latter that leads in subscribers - 50 million to 5 million. This would explain why Slacker will be taking on traditional radio. By launching a new on-demand music service while describing broadcast radio as "generic hit machines", it should be noted that good traditional radio is about a lot more than just playing music. Slacker knows that but they've already lost their battle against Pandora, won't be taking on Sirius XM, so they may as well take on traditional radio...   


Timeline Memories:
1875] Derby debut: Aristides wins the first Kentucky Derby...
1963] Do you know the way to Monterey?: Joan Baez headlines the first Monterey Folk Festival. Also starring: Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul & Mary and The Weavers...
1973] Scandalous: The Senate begins hearings into the Watergate scandal...
1973] Released on this date: "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" - Stevie Wonder...1975] "I'm Not In Love" - 10cc...
1974] Number One on this date: "The Streak" - Ray Stevens...1983] "Let's Dance" - David Bowie...
1983] Isles streak: The Islanders sweep Edmonton in 4 games to win their 4th consecutive NHL Stanley Cup. Only Montreal has done better, winning 5 in a row (1956-1960)...
1996] A law for Megan: Bill Clinton signs legislation authorizing "Megan's Law", named for 7-year old Megan Kanka from New Jersey who was raped and killed in 1994. This law requires community notification when sex offenders move in to a neighborhood...
1998] Perfecto: David Wells pitches a perfect game as the Yankees beat Minnesota at Yankee Stadium. It's just the 13th perfect game in the modern era of baseball...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Craig Ferguson (49), Enya (50), Jim Nantz (52), Bob Saget (55), Sugar Ray Leonard (55), Henry St. Clair Fredericks aka Taj Mahal (69)...


Timeline Countdown: 13 days until Memorial Day, 33 days until Fathers Day, 36 days until summer & 48 days until July 4th...

Congress Is Intent On FCC Reform...

Congress is asking questions. There's a growing feeling in Washington that however the FCC answers those questions won't satisfy members on the hill. Friday's hearing on FCC Reform featured the quizzing of the FCC about its processes and authority, according to the Freepress. Shockingly, the subcommittee didn't once mention the defection of Commissioner Meredith Baxter's questionable departure for Comcast after voting for the company's merger with NBC Universal. A huge oversight...


Congress may have given the FCC a pass on Baxter but they are still intent on seeing reform enacted at the agency. The subcommittee questioned the recent adoption of open internet rules and approval of the Comcast-NBC Universal merger. The Freepress has collected thousands of letters calling on Republican Representative Darrell Issa and his colleagues to investigate Baker's move to Comcast. Issa is the chairman of House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Freepress President and CEO Craig Aaron says "It's no wonder why so many Americans are disgusted with business as usual in Washington. It's time for Congress to investigate and expose such blatant conflicts of interest (re: Baker's departure), to slow down the revolving door, and to confront the larger issues that are preventing the FCC from making policies that actually benefit the American public." ...


I can't speak for the Freepress which has it's own agenda but it's time for reform at the FCC. Reform and then stability. The FCC has become a revolving door for ambitious players and climbers who use the agency as a spring board for higher paying jobs. That nonsense has to stop for the agency to have any credibility... 


Timeline Memories
1888] Not Cousin Brucie?: Emile Berliner becomes the first radio disc jockey when his voice is heard on a flat disc demo...
1929] Oscar debuts: The first Academy Awards are presented during a banquet at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel...
1946] Musical debut: "Annie Get Your Gun" opens on Broadway...
1957] At the Copa: A brawl breaks out at the 29th birthday party for Billy Martin at the Copacabana. Billy, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Johnny Kucks, Hank Bauer and assorted spouses take part in the melee. Lots are fines are handed down and in four weeks Billy Martin wears a Kansas City uniform...
1966] Released on this date: "Pet Sounds" LP - Beach Boys...
2002] Finding a Pearl: The remains of kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, 38, are found and will be returned to his wife...
2010] Black gold: Scientists find enormous oil plumes in the Gulf of Mexico, including one as large as 10 miles long in spots as they discover that the leak from the broken undersea well could be worse than originally thought...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Tori Spelling (38), David Boreanaz (42), Tucker Carlson (42), Janet Jackson (45), Mare Winningham (52), Debra Winger (56), Olga Korbut (56) & Pierce Brosnan (58)...


Timeline Countdown: 14 days until Memorial Day, 34 days until Fathers Day, 37 days until summer & 49 days until July 4th...

Music Sweeps Seem To Work For PPM Markets...

(Weekend Edition)

A couple of things have been established about Portable People Meters since Arbitron re-tooled their methodology and re-positioned it in the market place. One - there seems to be continued unhappiness among urban radio stations about the methodology and its effect on their format and Two - CHR stations believe that using music sweeps is helping them in PPM markets...

Barry Mayo, Radio One President tells Radio Ink that he believes there's a direct correlation between PPM usage and his affiliates. "Absolutely, there is a direct connection between the impact of PPM on our ratings in our Midwest markets and our revenue declines in those markets." The markets Mayo refers to are Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Indianapolis. According to Radio One, Indianapolis halved their numbers. Company CEO Alfred Liggins takes up the argument: "We found that with urban stations you take a hit with rank, share and average quarter hour. And this takes about a year to cycle through." While both Mayo and Liggins complain about Indianapolis, both Cincinnati and Cleveland have been in play for over a year and both markets were just accredited by the MRC, which hasn't been easy on Arbitron's PPM. Indianapolis appears to be alone in being hit so drastically. This argument will continue but for now there doesn't seem to be any basis for inequity in PPM methodology at urban radio, despite Mayo and Liggins protests. On the subject of CHR music sweeps influencing stations in PPM markets, the Atlanta Airwave Action blog has seen it work with CHR Q100 (WWWQ-FM) and Star 94 (WSTR-FM) in Atlanta. According to AAC, CHR Q100 & Star 94 have both made gains since they started using music sweeps...

Arbitron's PPM is defined in Wikipedia as "An electronic measurement system that delivers empirical, verifiable audience measurement data." Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and in this case Radio One doesn't buy that definition and CHR stations call that a perfect definition. As long as measurement services have existed there has been this truism - the stations that do well love it and those that don't, question it - no matter what methodology is used...


Timeline Memories:

1602] If you're fond of sand dunes: Bartholomew Gosnold, an English explorer known as "The Columbus Of New England" discovers Cape Cod (a summer paradise) (5/15)...

1929] A numbers game: When the Indians beat the Yankees 4-3 in Cleveland, it marks the first game to feature numbers on the backs of players (5/13). Uniforms 101 is seen here...

1940] Churchillian: Winston Churchill tells the British House of Commons: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat" in his first speech as prime minister, leading to this question: why wasn't the group called Blood, Toil, Tears & Sweat? (5/13)...

1941] The Streaker: Joe DiMaggio goes 1-for-4 and starts his 56-consecutive game hitting streak (5/15)...

1948] The State of Independence: Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion proclaims the independent state of Israel as British rule in Palestine comes to an end (5/14)...

1964] Recorded on this date: "Little Old Lady From Pasadena" - Jan & Dean (5/14)...1966] "Sunny Afternoon" - Kinks (5/13)...1968] "People Got To Be Free" - The Rascals (5/14)...1970] "No Matter What You Are" - Badfinger (5/13)...

1970] Released on this date: "Ohio" - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (5/14)...

1981] The Pope takes a bullet: Pope John II is shot and seriously wounded in St. Peter's Square by Turkish assailant Mehmet Ali Agca (5/13)...

1998] Death of an icon: The legendary Frank Sinatra passes away, his way, at 82 following a heart attack (5/14)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (5/13) Stephan Colbert (47), Sean McDonough (49), Bobby Valentine (61), Stevie Wonder (61) & Harvey Keitel (72)...(5/14) Amber Tamblyn (28), Cate Blanchett (42), David Byrne (59), George Lucas (67), Jack Bruce (68) & Patrice Munsel (86)...(5/15) Jamie-Lynn Sigler (30), Josh Beckett (31), Chazz Palminteri (59), Lainie Kazan (71), Trini Lopez (74), Madeleine Albright (74) & Anna Maria Alberghetti (75)...

Timeline Countdown: 17 days until Memorial Day, 37 days until Fathers Day, 40 days until summer & 52 days until July 4th...

Another FCC Commissioner Bails The Agency...

The makeup of the FCC not only changes with each new presidential administration but seems to be in a constant state of flux year round. The latest commissioner to announce a resignation had been with the agency only two years. Meredith Baxter will resign from the FCC on June 3 to join Comcast-NBC Universal as its senior vice president of governmental affairs, according to the Washington Post. Baker, a Republican joined the FCC in 2009 after working at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under President George W. Bush. Baker oversaw a $1.5 billion coupon program to help consumers make the transition to digital TV. While the NAB seems to feel this is a great move for the broadcast industry, Baker may have a touch time of it because of her vote for the company she will now be working for...


Four months ago, Baker voted to approve the merger between Comcast and NBC Universal. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that there was any wrong-doing involved in Baker's vote but it does draw suspicion that first she votes for them and then goes to work for them. If I were Baker, I would hold a press conference and set the record straight in order to start with a clean slate...


In her departure statement, Baker said she is "most proud of the work she has done with the FCC on spectrum reform. It is the most important step we can take to ensure our nation's competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected world." Comcast-NBC Universal is happy to have her: "Meredith's executive branch and business experience along with her exceptional relationships in Washington bring Comcast and NBC Universal the perfect combination of skills." ...


Timeline Memories:
1926] The 400 Club: Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators joins Cy Young as the only 400-game winners in baseball history. No other pitcher has come close to that number since and never will. Randy Johnson was the last 300 game (303) winner in 2009. Jamie Moyer, the 48-year old disabled pitcher has won the most games among active pitchers with 267. Moyer hopes to make a comeback in 2012...
1932] Lindbergh baby found: The body of the kidnapped son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh is found in a wooded area near Hopewell (NJ)...
1965] Recorded on this date: "Satisfaction" - Rolling Stones...
1971] Wedding Bells: Mick Jagger & Bianca Perez-Mora rock down the aisle in St. Tropez. The marriage will last until 1979...
1985] Knicks win the lottery: The New York Knicks win the rights to Patrick Ewing in a special drawing, begging the question, was this tainted love for the New York franchise?
1991] Teddy Tribute: With Ted Williams in attendance, Lansdowne Street (outside Fenway Park) is renamed "Ted Williams Way" on the 50th anniversary of his great 1941 season when he became the last .400 hitter in baseball history...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Emilio Estevez (49), Ving Rhames (52), Gabriel Byrne (61), Steve Winwood (63), Billy Swan (69), Burt Bacharach (83) & Yogi Berra (86)...


Timeline Countdown: 18 days until Memorial Day, 38 days until Fathers Day, 41 days until summer & 53 days until July 4th...

Broadcast Deals Turn The Corner...

Radio revenue may be tepid in the second quarter but the same can't be said for the deal market. According to SNL Kagan, broadcast sales (radio and TV combined) through April have totaled $3.1 billion as opposed to $363 million for the same period last year. That $3.1 billion has already surpassed all broadcast deals in 2010. Last year's total was $2.73...
In the first quarter alone, the blockbuster Cumulus bid for Citadel and Hubbard's bid for 18 Bonneville radio stations totalled $3 billion. TV station deals totaled $185 million through April 30, 2011, compared to $19 million for the same month period last year. NBC, Nexstar, Liberty Media and Daystar Television Network have been involved on the TV side. This is one year that radio deals look like they'll trump TV property transactions. Radio is not burdened by the upcoming potential spectrum auction which may force a TV station spectrum sale to free up 120 MHz of TV station spectrum to wireless carriers...
Deal volume indicates a strong recovery from the years of meager activity in 2009 and 2010. It may be a case of the rich getting richer but up is up. Meanwhile radio holds its collective breath that revenue follows suit...
    
Timeline Memories:
1949] Instantly: The first Polaroid Camera sells for $89.95 in New York City ("But for you - $85.95"). Polaroid as we knew it is out of business...
1960] The Pill: The first contraceptive pill is made available on the market...
1964] Number one on this date: "My Guy" - Mary Wells...1981] "Bette Davis Eyes" - Kim Carnes...1985] "Crazy For You" - Madonna...
1968] Released on this date: "MacArthur Park" - Richard Harris...1974] "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" - Steely Dan...
1972] Say Hey returns: Returning to the city that he started in, Willie Mays returns to New York to play for the Mets. The Say-Hey Kid is traded for the immortal Charlie Williams and $50,000 in cash...
1987] On trial: Klaus Barbie goes on trial in France for war crimes committed during World War II...
1996] Everglades crash: An Atlanta-bound ValuJet DC-9 catches fire shortly after takeoff from Miami and crashes into the Florida Everglades. All 110 on board are lost...
2004] Beheaded: A video on an al Qaida linked website shows the beheading of American hostage Nicholas Berg, who had been kidnapped in Iraq...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Cam Newton (22), Martha Quinn (52), Mike Lupica (59), Dr. Robert Jarvik (65), Eric Burton (70), & Mort Sahl (84)...


Timeline Countdown: 19 days until Memorial Day, 39 days until Fathers Day, 42 days until summer & 54 days until July 4th...

The Cumulus-Citadel Deal Is Still Being Talked About...

The blockbuster Cumulus-Citadel deal, announced by Citadel Broadcasting on March 10th has yet to be approved by the FCC yet it's still making headlines. That's what happens when the second largest radio group (Cumulus) spends $1.7 billion and gobbles up an additional 243 radio stations. This monster deal is expected to be finalized by the end of the third quarter of 2011, but there's more to it than that. Citadel shareholders must also approve the deal and that may not be easily done...


Inside Radio reports that a third shareholder has filed a lawsuit against the acquisition in U.S. District Court in Delaware. It alleges the $37 per share cash and stock deal shortchanges Citadel stock owners. Two other suits have been brought in Nevada with similar complaints. And to stir the pot even more, David Field, Entercom CEO told his investors yesterday that his company would have been a better fit for Citadel: "It's no secret we were the other player for Citadel. We were interested. We liked the former ABC stations but not the smaller markets (contained in the package). We bid what we thought was fair." Field bailed when the bidding war became too steep. But Field didn't leave it at that. He also says that he thought the price was no longer a good value for shareholders. "It (Citadel) would have been nice to have but it was not a must have." ...


Field may have been motivated to discuss his near-miss of owning Citadel due to a softer Q2 forecast for Entercom than expected. That or sour grapes. He may have been in it to win it but he didn't. Now it's time to move on... 


Timeline Memories:
1872] I am woman hear me roar: Victoria Woodhull becomes the first woman nominated for the U.S. presidency...
1924] Chief Cheech: J.Edgar Hoover is appointed head of the FBI, a post he will hold for48 years or until his death in 1972...
1927] Give me a room with radio: The Hotel Statler in Boston becomes the first hotel to install headsets in each of its 1,300 rooms...
1954] Released on this date: "Rock Around The Clock" is released commercially - promo copies went out on May 6. The first time around Bill Haley & the Comets do not have a hit, charting only for a week. One year later after "Blackboard Jungle" premieres, the song will top the charts in July of 1955...
1970] Faster than a speeding bullet: In one of the greatest sports moments captured on video and in print, Boston Bruins superstar Bobby (#4) Orr flies through the air after taking a pass from Derek Sanderson and putting the puck in the St. Louis net for the winning OT goal that produces an NHL championship for the Bruins...
1974] Netting a championship: Led by the great Dr. J, Julius Erving, the Nets win the first of their 2 NBA titles by defeating Utah. Erving puts up 20 points and grabs 16 boards...
1974] Recorded on this date: "I Shot The Sheriff" - Eric Clapton...
1982] The day that Musicradio died: At 12 noon, Musicradio 77 becomes Talkradio 77. After Dan Ingram joined Ron Lundy for the final Musicradio show, the WABC chime is used for the last time at 11:59:55 am. WABC switched to top 40 in December, 1960 and for 22 years dominated ratings in New York. This was the final DJ lineup on this date in 1982: 5-9 am Ross & Wilson, 9-11:59:55 am Ron Lundy & Dan Ingram. Jay Clark was Operations Manager...
1997] Not so happy trails: The state of Illinois executes convicted serial killer John Wayne Gacy, 52, for the murders of 33 young men and boys...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": SNL's Kenan Thompson (33), Bono (Paul Hewson) (51), Chris Berman (56), Donovan (Leitch) (65), Dave Mason (65), CT basketball coach Jim Calhoun (69), Jim Hickman (74), Gary Owens (75) & Pat Summerall (81)...


Timeline Countdown: 20 days until Memorial Day, 40 days until Fathers Day, 43 days until summer & 55 days until July 4th...

Can A Social Format Work On Radio?

Jelli is the 100% user-controlled radio company, which has had a moderate amount of success spreading its social network idea of sharing music. Next month, Jelli has announced they will become the first terrestrial radio network completely powered socially. Jelli is gambling that Las Vegas where two FM stations (KHIJ and KVBE) will allow listeners to choose in real time, every song  they play, will trigger an avalanche of Jelli stations nationally. It wasn't that long ago that we used to call that all-request radio, which radio operators would tinker with just in case someone wanted to hear Kate Smith. The Las Vegas stations are the guinea pigs for all social radio, all the time but can the concept work???


The first thought that comes to mind is that unless Jelli stations adjust the all-request format with a reasonable amount of separation of the most requested songs, listeners who don't love Nicki Minaj will abandon the format quickly. Mike Dougherty, Jelli's CEO, apparently doesn't fear the danger of repetition or anything else: "There are over 150 million people in the U.S.A. that use the social web to share, communicate and consume content every month. The radio medium has seen little innovation in decades but is still massive, with 242 million listeners weekly." Mike adds this: "Jelli combines the power and fun of the social web with the reach of a terrestrial radio broadcast to create something new from something old." ...


Those of us who use the social networks daily should advise Mike that music is not the main topic of conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Depending on the demographics of those socializing it could be about the weather, sports, a new book, TV show, recipe or any number of other social items that are being chatted about. Unless you're programming to the lower end of the demo scale, just playing music that people want to hear is not that special, nor is it that unique...


Timeline Memories:
1958] Rock & Roll Riot: Alan Freed is indicted for inciting unlawful destruction of property in Boston as fans riot at the Boston Arena. Many consider this event the beginning of the end for Freed...
1961] TV Wasteland: FCC Chairman Newton N. Minnow condemns TV as a "Vast Wasteland" in a speech to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)...
1964] Released on this date: "World Without Love" - Peter & Gordon...1970] "Ride Captain Ride" - Blues Image...
1967] Welcome to baseball's Twilight Zone: Cardinals outfielder Roger Maris (#9), hits his first National League home run on the 9th day of the month. The ball lands in seat 9, section 9...
1971] Pow, right to the moon Alice: The last episode of "The Honeymooners" airs but the show will continue in syndication for centuries to come...
1974] Future of Rock & Roll: Music critic (Boston Phoenix, Real Paper, Rolling Stone) Jon Landau sees Bruce Springsteen perform at the Harvard Square Theater in Cambridge and says: "I saw rock & roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen." Landau starts a career in management. Guess who his first client is?
1978] Found in a trunk: The bullet-riddled body of former Italian prime minister Aldo Moro, abducted by the Red Brigades is found in a car trunk in Rome...
1987] Wedding Bells: Tom Cruise and Mimi Rogers stroll down the aisle in wedded Scientological bliss. The marriage will last until 1990...
2010] Death of a legend: Lena Horne dies of heart failure on Mothers Day. Horne, 92, was the mother of 2 daughters and a son. She also had 4 grandchildren...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
John Corbett (49), Billy Joel (62), Candice Bergen (65), Tommy Roe (69), Glenda Jackson (75), Albert Finney (75) & Mike Wallace (93)...


Timeline Countdown: 21 days until Memorial Day, 41 days until Fathers Day, 44 days until summer & 56 days until July 4th...

Is The Joke On Pandora?

(Weekend Edition)


I understand Pandora's need to broaden its entertainment menu - but comedy? Comedy has worked on radio before but only when offered in small doses. Did anyone ever listen to the comedy channels offered on airline flights? I get using music as an alternative to a movie you're already seen, but if you ever did a study on how many fliers listen to comedy it wouldn't finish in the top 3, 5 or 10. Out of 10 categories, it's a good bet that comedy would anchor all other categories of audio entertainment. Yet Pandora Founder/CEO Tim Westergren is sold on the idea, according to Radio Online: "Pandora is about creating a great, personalized radio experience. Comedy is a natural part of that experience, and it's something our listeners have been asking us to deliver for a while. We are delighted to give people a mix of familiar and new comic material that they love to listen to." ...


Supplying comedy for Pandora is a team of Comedy Genome Project analysts who are sifting through thousands of performances to capture content and comedic style. Additional comedic material is being analyzed daily. Apparently, listeners will choose a favorite artist or genre as a seed to start a station and then give either a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to personalize their individual taste...


This is not to suggest that Pandora won't be successful by adding comedy to their menu, just about everything else has worked for them so far. I'm sure Pandora has looked into it, but are comics paid for their material when played on the internet and satellite radio like singers are, or are they paid by joke? And if no one laughs does Pandora get a refund? Just asking...


Timeline Memories:
1903] The rivalry begins: It all started with this game. Boston faces off against New York for the first time as the then-Pilgrims beat the Highlanders (pre-Yankees) 6-2 at the Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston. Bill Dinneen is the winning pitcher and Hobe Ferris homers (5/7)...
1915] Bambino blast #1: Babe Ruth hits his first home run (as a Red Sox pitcher) against the Yankees. Same date, 3 years later, he hits one against the Y's as a position (first base) player (5/6)...
1937] Oh the humanities: The hydrogen-filled German dirigible Hindenburg crashes and burns in Lakehurst (NJ) killing 36 of the 97 aboard in one of the most vivid scenes ever captured on film (5/6)...
1954] Run a mile in my shoes: Roger Bannister becomes the first runner to finish a mile in under 4 minutes (3:59:59.4) (5/6)...
1969] Number one on this date: "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" - 5th Dimension (5/8)...1977] "When I Need You" - Leo Sayer (5/8)...1988] "Anything For You" (en Espanol)- Gloria Estefan (Miami Sound Machine) (5/8)...
1970] Released on this date: "Let It Be" (LP) - Beatles (5/8)...1972] "Rocket Man" - Elton John (5/6)...
1970] Limping to victory: Willis Reed limps out on the court and inspires the Knicks to join the Mets & Jets as world champions of their sport (in the same season) with a 113-99 win over the Lakers to wrap up the NBA title (5/8). This was voted the NBA's Number 3 Top Playoff Moment...
1978] Guilty as charged: David R. Berkowitz aka Son of Sam, pleads guilty to 6 murder charges in Brooklyn. He continues to serve a lifetime term (5/8)...
1978] Last Triple Crown winner: Affirmed captures the Kentucky Derby, a first for jockey Edgar Prado (5/6). Affirmed will also win the Preakness & Belmont Stakes in '78...
2004] Friends no more: An estimated 51.1 million viewers watch the final episode of "Friends" on NBC-TV (5/6)...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (5/6) Martin Brodeur (39), Lindsay Brough (39), George Clooney (50), Roma Downey (51), Tom Bergeron (56), Tony Blair (58), Bob Seger (66) & Willie Mays (80)...(5/7) Robert ("Epstein") Hegyes (60), Thelma Houston (65), Jimmy Ruffin (72), Babe Parilli (82), Dick Williams (82) & Jim Lowe (84)...(5/8) Adrian Gonzalez (29), Enrique Iglesias (36), Melissa Gilbert (47), Philip Bailey (60), Toni Tennille (71), Jerry Moss (76), Don Rickles (85) & David Attenborough (85)...


Timeline Countdown: 1 day until The Kentucky Derby, 2 days until Mother's Day & 24 days until Memorial Day...

FCC Closes Its Investigation Of Arbitron's PPM...

The Federal Communications Commission poked, prodded and picked through every complaint leveled at Arbitron's Portable People Meter methodology but couldn't find anything worthy of declaring it questionable or unusable. Arbitron replaced their old diary system which relied on respondents memories of what they listened to with the wearable PPM which actually picks up radio signals. A group of minority media advocates, calling themselves the PPM Coalition had complained about PPM sampling which they claimed included too few minority listeners and Arbitron started to amend its sampling levels but that didn't satisfy the coalition which brought the FCC into the picture...

All Signs Point To Increased Car Sales Helping Radio...

Beasley Broadcasting reports their auto revenue is up 40%. Clear Channel should report an increase in auto revenue on Friday. CBS Radio already has. Sirius gained more subscribers in Q1 and revenue was up, thanks in part to increased auto revenue although they continue to remain cautiously optimistic about auto sales following the recent tsunami tragedy in Japan. Ed Ryan of Radio Ink is bullish on car sales: "These days you can drive around many radio markets on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday morning and you will once again hear an abundance of car dealerships using radio to woo buyers. They are back heavy on the airwaves and driving a lot of the positive revenue radio is seeing in Q1" ...

The Washington Post reports that small car sales fueled the gain in auto sales in April. That happens when gas is $4 a gallon or more. Increased auto sales means more in-car radios, so the radio industry shouldn't care what size cars are. According to the Post, "Confidence among U.S. consumers rose more than forecast in April, signaling that six straight months of job growth are helping Americans endure the highest fuel prices in almost three years." Boston economist John Canally believes "This is sort of a vote of confidence for the recovery" ...


While increased auto revenue should make radio happy, it would be wise for the industry to temper their enthusiasm. Radio should adopt an athletes mind set - never too high, never too low. Don't look for extremes...

Bold Essay On Misuse Of Public Airwaves Is Way Off Base...

Any responsible broadcaster should be upset with Washington lawyer Erwin G. Krasnow who writes about the "fallacy of the public's airwaves." Krasnow's essay, "The First Amendment and the Fallacy of the Public's Airwaves" is part of the Speaking Freely opinion paper just released by The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression. In his essay, Krasnow states his belief that the concept that the public owns the airwaves - particularly as it concerns the authority and mission of the FCC - is "a mischievous notion that has been misused as a rationalization for government regulation." Krasnow a law partner and former general counsel of the NAB has a right to his view but I never worked with anyone in radio who shared the same belief...


Krasnow adds that "Indeed, the public-ownership notion is the main reason for broadcasting's second-class status under the First Amendment." Krasnow urges that it's time for the FCC to renounce this "discredited concept." Krasnow claims that "The combination of public ownership and scarcity has been the underlying reason for applying a public-interest standard to broadcast regulation. It's time to replace the content regulation with a public-interest standard based on minimally regulated marketplace forces." ...


I don't know what Krasnow's mission is or what motivates him to issue his 'highly-opinionated' opinion paper but I for one - don't buy it. From the day you become a broadcast student you learn about the FCC's regulation and rule-making role in the licensing of every radio property. Licensing indicates just that. It's not ownership. If you're a responsible, FCC-fearing broadcaster, you carry that with you forever...


Timeline Memories:
1937] Going, going, gone: Margaret Mitchell wins a Pulitzer Prize for her novel "Gone With The Wind"...
1960] Try To Remember: The musical "The Fantasticks" opens off-Broadway, beginning a record run of nearly 42 years and 17,162 performances. I guarantee you it's still playing somewhere. No one sang the signature song better than Jerry Orbach...
1964] Debuted on this date: Gerry & the Pacemakers make their U.S. TV debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show" singing "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying." 
1973] The new king of the skyscrapers: The Sears Tower in Chicago is completed...
1979] Maggie may, Maggie would, Maggie did: Conservative Party leader Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain's first female prime minister as the Tories oust the incumbent Labor government in parliamentary elections...
1986] Hello to Dollywood: Dolly Parton's theme park, Dollywood, opens in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dolly owns a radio station there (WDLY) that I used to call on when I was in syndicated radio. DP is quite the active owner as the PD would tell me...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Cheryl Burke (27), Christina Hendricks (36), Christopher Cross (60), Mary Hopkin (61), Greg Gumbel (65), Frankie Valli (77) & Pete Seeger (92)...


Timeline Countdown: 4 days until the Kentucky Derby, 5 days until Mother's Day & 27 days until Memorial Day...

Will Questions Be Answered About Sirius XM 2.0 Tomorrow?

According to several reports, Sirius XM 2.0 plans might be revealed tomorrow when CEO Mel Karmazin announces the satcom's first quarter results. CNET believes that the company's Satellite Radio 2.0 will be released this fall and will contain on-demand playback. In simple terms - DVR comes to radio! Licensing limitations now prohibit recording and storing Sirius programming in your car. Howard Stern, Oprah and sports fans will be happy at that new development but it kind of kills the spontaneity of radio, doesn't it? Sirius XM doesn't think so...


Sirius believes that customers will care enough to pay for DVR service. Look for the availability of tapeable, customized music lists too. There are also rumors that Satellite 2.0 will include two-way internet communication. Listeners would be able to vote on the music they're listening to and the system will scan radio channels to sort out music based on the tastes of listeners. The current system on voting for music you want is called changing the channel. That could become outdated with the launch of Satellite 2.0. I know that Mr. K doesn't consider Pandora competition but...a voting-for-music feature would take away the non-competitor's edge, wouldn't it?


My guess is that 2.0 will be designed primarily for in-car listening since that's Sirius-XM's strength. There might be listeners that care enough to tape Howard or Oprah, but the big benefit of DVR for radio is putting your own music radio station together for multiple plays. That alone gives Sirius XM something to shout about...


Timeline Memories:
1939] Streak ends: Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,130 consecutive games played comes to an end when the Yankee slugger removes himself from the lineup. Babe Dahlgren replaced Gehrig...
1960] Long live the King: Ben E. King leaves the Drifters for a solo career. "Spanish Harlem" will be his first solo hit...
1966] Number One on this date: "Monday, Monday" - Mamas & Papas...
1974] Fake shark attack: The filming of "Jaws" begins on Martha's Vineyard. The extras in the water were freezing in 50 degree temperatures...
1976] Number One on this date: "Welcome Back" - John Sebastian. The school in the background on "Welcome Back Kotter" is New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn (my alma mater)..
1994] Victory in South Africa: Nelson Mandela claims victory in South Africa's first democratic elections...
2003] Failed experiment: The MLB players association agrees to a 2-year experiment in which the winning league in the All-Star game will have home field advantage (one extra home game) during the World Series. It's past time that this experiment should end...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Lily Allen (26), Sarah Hughes (26), David Beckham (36), Dwayne Johnson (39), Donatella Versace (56), Christine Baranski (59), Lou Gramm (61), Lesley Gore (65), Engelbert Humperdinck (75) & Theodore Bikel (87)...


Timeline Countdown: 5 days until the Kentucky Derby, 6 days until Mother's Day & 28 days until Memorial Day...