National Radio News 12-6-03!
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XM Trims, Realigns Programming Staff...
XM VP/Corporate Communications Chance Patterson tells R&R that his company recently laid off "three or four" members of its programming staff, but says the changes were driven not by economic reasons, but by a desire to revamp resource allocation. "We are very intent on using our resources in the right way," Patterson tells R&R. "Some people were put into new roles at other channels, so we had a few people who were let go. But this is not a major reallocation." XM maintains a programming staff of about 150. Patterson adds, "As we evolve, we are always looking at our programming and personnel." He notes that the moves are not connected to any possible changes in the company's programming lineup.
XM Replaces KIIS-FM Simulcast With Original Programming...
The satellite radio broadcaster has dropped its rebroadcast of Clear Channel's Los Angeles CHR/Pop outlet in favor of programming generated from its Washington, DC studios, a move XM VP/Corporate Communications Chance Patterson describes as a "natural progression." Patterson tells R&R, "When we were in launch mode, we had a handful of these local-station feeds, but as we've grown past the launch stage, there is more we can do with these channels." He says the move wasn't driven by negative subscriber feedback, but notes that by carrying the station's actual feed, XM was also carrying KIIS' stopsets, which tend to be longer than the stopsets on those XM channels that carry commercials. "When you carry a feed like that, the local ads come with it," he says. "Now we can include music in those spots."
All Access (registration required)
XM SATELLITE RADIO PDs SCOTT STRUBER (XMU), JOHNNY WILLIAMS (THE HEART), and WAYNE JOBSON (THE JOINT) have exited, as has MD PATRICK LEMIUEX (BPM).
Replacements for the departed staffers have yet to be named, but right now the MDs for each station (besides BPM, obviously, as PD BLAKE LAWRENCE will handle MD duties for now) are handling programming duties on an interim basis. So, the new PDs for now are TOBI (XMU), EFREN SIFUENTES (THE HEART), and DURMOT HUFFEY (THE JOINT).
San Diego Radio Blurts 12-6-03!
Audioslave special will air this Sunday the 7th on Rock 105.3 at 6pm...
The Sonic Chill now airs six days a week, Sun-Fri 10pm-2am, on 94.9...
The Offspring take over 91X Sunday at 2pm.
Dexter and Noodles from the band are
giving listeners the chance to score their new album, "Splinter," before it hits stores on Tuesday.
San Bernadino Radio News 12-6-03!
All Access (registration required)
ALL-PRO Alternative KCXX (X103.9)/RIVERSIDE-SAN BERNARDINO is launching Version 5.0 of X 1039's "12 DAYS OF MERRY AXE-MAS" beginning MONDAY DECEMBER 8 on the BRAND X MORNING SHOW. Each weekday, the "song of the day" will be announced and after the song is played, caller No. 10 wins an "axe" from that band. X103.9 is giving away autographed guitars from TOOL, THE OFFSPRING, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, KORN, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, SEETHER, THRICE, LIMP BIZKIT, NICKELBACK, AFI, COLD, and A PERFECT CIRCLE.
KCXX PD KELLI CLUQUE was very appreciative of all the label support, especially INTERSCOPE RECORDS Head Of Alternative ROBBIE LLOYD, who sent in signed guitars from QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE, LIMP BIZKIT, and COLD. KELLI was so impressed that ROBBIE inquired about the annual promotion before she even got the word out to labels. Kudos on doing your homework ROBBIE!
LA Radio Blurts 12-6-03!
Sent in by Jason Harper:
Ryan Seacreast will be leaving Star 98.7 FM and also Be The New Host For Amercian Top 40 Starting 1st
weekend of 2004 and he will be KIIS FM or KBIG FM Special thanks to http://laradio.com
Over at http://radio-info.com
Los Angeles/SC Groove board,
there have been rumors that Star 98.7 and Hot 92.3 willbe flipping formant by years end
The rumors are that STar 98.7 willbe flipping to Rock(to go after KROQ) and Hot 92.3 will
be Flipping to CHR/Dance(To go After KDL)
Posted by Radio Geek:
According to LA Radio.com, rumors are flying that Ryan Secrest, host of American Idol and Drivetime host at KYSR, will leave his KYSR job to start hosting the AT40 show in Janurary 2004. This move would mean the exit of longtime host and Creator Casey Kasem. Of course this isn't Casey's first time leaving his own show, in 1988 he left ABC Radio Networks after a fallout over money, thus Shadoe Stevens took over. Of course Casey joined AMFM to revive AT40 3 years after ABC dropped it from their lineup. But this time, I think this is it for him. So what do you all think? Sad? Expected?
PRESS RELEASE: COX COMMUNICATIONS AND FOX REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORKS RENEW DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT 12-5-03!
ATLANTA û Cox Communications, Inc. and Fox Cable Networks today announced they have signed
an agreement renewing CoxÆs carriage of FoxÆs Regional Sports Networks in several markets.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
FoxÆs six regional sports channels included in this six-year deal will continue to be distributed on
CoxÆs standard cable lineup, its most popular and widely distributed package of channels. The
agreement covers approximately 3.3 million Cox customers in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Oklahoma
City, Okla., New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La., Omaha, Neb., San Diego, Calif., Macon, Ga., as well
as other markets in Texas, Kansas, Arkansas and North Carolina.
ôWe are pleased to have completed the deal with Fox. This agreement is a fair deal for our customers,
as well as for both Cox and Fox,ö said Bob Wilson, CoxÆs Vice President of Programming.
"FSN has always been interested in making our regional networks, and the teams they carry, available
to local viewers," said Fox Sports Networks Chief Operating Officer Randy Freer. "We've arrived at
an agreement that's fair for both parties, and look forward to continuing a productive relationship with
Cox, its customers and our viewers."
The renewal, which will go into effect Jan. 1, 2004, is for Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports South, Fox
Sports Southwest, Fox Sports Midwest, Fox Sports Rocky Mountain and Fox Sports West (San Diego
only).
Cox Communications (NYSE: COX), a Fortune 500 company, is a multi-service broadband communications
company with approximately 6.5 million total customers, including 6.3 million basic cable subscribers. The
nationÆs fourth-largest cable television provider, Cox offers both analog cable television under the Cox Cable
brand as well as advanced digital video service under the Cox Digital Cable brand. Cox provides an array of
other communications and entertainment services, including local and long distance telephone under the Cox
Digital Telephone brand; high-speed Internet access under the Cox High Speed Internet brand; and commercial
voice and data services via Cox Business Services. Local cable advertising, promotional opportunities and
production services are sold under the Cox Media SM brand. Cox is an investor in programming networks
including Discovery Channel. More information about Cox Communications can be accessed on the Internet at
www.cox.com.
Fox Cable Networks provides the nationÆs broadband operators access to numerous national and regional
programming networks, including: FX, Fox Sports Net and its 11 owned-and-operated Fox Sports Net regional
sports networks, National Geographic Channel, Speed Channel, Fuel, Fox Movie Channel, Fox Sports World,
Los Angeles Radio Wires 12-5-03!
All Access (registration required)
CLEAR CHANNEL Top 40 KIIS/LOS ANGELES is going to launch its new weekly club night and mix show, "KIIS FM'S DV8," this SATURDAY from 7p-9p at an invitation-only show featuring a performance by KELIS. KIIS is going to mix and broadcast live from the club, DV8, every SATURDAY night. KIIS' KOBE and DJ DREW will be there to mix live at every show. The public grand opening of the club will be announced on KIIS later in DECEMBER.
insideradio: XM's last radio simulcast is off the satellite -- KIIS-FM...The Rick Dees morning show remains the cornerstone of that particular satellite channel, but XM says it's a "natural progression" to use its own programming approach and its own talent. Clear Channel's country WSIX and hot AC "Mix" KHMX were replaced in the XM lineup last December.
rronline
Disneyland To Host Three Dozen L.A. Stations...
In what's being billed as a first for the radio business, air personalities from 38 Los Angeles-area radio stations are inviting their listeners to join them at selected rides and attractions for "Radio Day at Disneyland," set for Dec. 13. Among the stations set to be at the Anaheim, CA theme park from 9am-10pm are ABC's KABC, KDIS, KSPN & KLOS/L.A.; Art Astor's KSPA/Riverside; Clear Channel's KBIG, KFI, KHHT, KIIS, KOST, KYSR/L.A. and KGGI/Riverside; Emmis' KPWR & KZLA/L.A.; Entravision's KDLD, KDLE, KLLY, KSSC, KSSD & KSSE/L.A.; Infinity's KCBS-FM, KFWB, KLSX, KNX, KRTH, KTWV/L.A. and KFRG/Riverside; Long Beach State University's KLON/Long Beach, CA; Parallel Broadcasting's KBHR/Big Bear Lake, CA; Radio Iran's KIRN/L.A.; Radio One's KKBT/L.A.; Salem's KFSH, KKLA & KRLA/L.A.; SBS's KLAX, KZAB, KZBA & KZOL/L.A.; Sporting News Radio's KMPC/L.A.; and Univision Radio's KLVE, KRCD, KRCV & KSCA/L.A. The event is a joint project of The Southern California Broadcasters Association and Disneyland.
San Diego Radio Wires 12-5-03!
John Maffei - North County Times TV/Sports
Lynch speaks his mind on Chargers' stadium dispute.
Also, Cox Communications and Fox Sports Net came to an agreement over a new contract, leaving Cox with only one major hurdle to clear: a deal with ESPN.
"The Fox deal was a very positive step," said Dan Novak, director of programming for Cox in San Diego. "It's a good development, a contract that is very fair and reasonable."
Cox officials believe ESPN's demand of a 20 percent a year fee increase over the course of a five-year deal is unreasonable. And there has been a very heated public debate.
After a little arm-twisting, Fox will send Sunday's Cowboys-Eagles games to most of the country, including all of Southern California. The 10 a.m. kickoff meant switching off the 1 p.m. Cardinals-49ers game. Fox finally figured out Southern California fans aren't necessarily interested in the 49ers and would rather see the better game.
CBS has the 104th Army-Navy game at 1 p.m. Saturday, followed by Louisiana State-Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game at 5 p.m.
Unfortunately, ABC has Oklahoma-Kansas State in the Big 12 championship game at the same time as the SEC title game, 5 p.m. Bad planning, real bad planning.
(so, get two TV sets, John!)
Jay Posner - TV/Radio Sports - The San Diego Union
XETV makes bet on NFC matchup.
Also, just in case anyone wondered whether The Mighty 1090 was in favor of a new stadium for the Chargers û as if you couldn't tell from listening to the station's hosts û XPRS-AM boss John Lynch ended all doubt with a 3+-minute editorial Wednesday.
Lynch called for Mayor Dick Murphy to "meet personally" with Chargers President Dean Spanos and come to an agreement on a new stadium. Failing that, Lynch said, the city should either sell or cede its rights to the Qualcomm Stadium site to the county.
It's a big day for the BCS tomorrow, but the unfortunate part is that the Big 12 and SEC title games both air at 5 p.m. Give the advantage to CBS, though, since LSU-Georgia figures to be more competitive and more meaningful than ABC's Oklahoma-Kansas State.
Earlier in the day, ABC has Notre Dame-Syracuse at 10 a.m. and USC-Oregon State at 1:30 p.m. (with Tim Brant filling in for Keith Jackson, who has bronchitis).
ESPN received a boost this week in its public-relations battle with Cox Communications when it "won" the annual independent survey of cable subscribers conducted by Beta Research Corp. ESPN was ranked as the favorite network and the one with the most perceived value among all major cable network viewers. Cox, by the way, signed a six-year deal this week to continue carrying Fox Sports Net (but not FSN2 in San Diego).
Read more sports media news in Posner's and Maffei's websites.
San Diego Radio Wires 12-4-03!
Reader Blurt
Advice from Heidi Fleiss: Don't Deal With Astor Broadcasting. Ken Leighton has the details.
Also:
After two years on FM, Premium Radio, which was North County's own alternative rock independent radio station, disappeared from the 92.1 frequency on November 10 when the station was sold and went country, but many fans may not know that Premium Radio is now on AM 1000/KCEO 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday and also 1 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
During the day AM 1000 carries financial shows that are paid for by sponsors who buy blocks of time by the hour. After sunset, AM 1000 decreases its power to 250 watts and is hard to receive outside of the Oceanside/Carlsbad/Vista area.
But it is on Saturday and Sunday afternoon (when AM 1000, operating at full power, reaches Orange County to Mexico) that Premium Radio may make an impact. For the first time in her 20 years on 91X, reggae DJ Makeda Dread will have competition. AM 1000 now hosts Ras Charles's Yard Sounds reggae show from 4 to 6 p.m. Sundays. Previously heard on Palomar College station KKSM, Yard Sounds debuts this Sunday.
Unlike Dread, Charles said he will focus on 40 years of reggae, not just current artists.
Other websites
nothing this week of interest.
San Diego Radio Wires 12-2-03!
All Access (registration required)
JEFFERSON PILOT Country KSON/SAN DIEGO morning team TONY & KRIS have teamed up with the HOME FRONT CAMPAIGN for OPERATION HOLIDAY DINNER. The promotion gives local SAN DIEGO families a chance to host a military family whose loved one is deployed for a feast during the holidays. For more details on how you can get involved check out: www.homefrontcampaign.org.
The Wires (Nov 2003)
Beer Radio, the "All Beer; All The Time" official radio program for the U.S. Beer Drinking Team (USBDT), will begin broadcasting at the ultra modern studios of Infinity Broadcasting Corporation in Baltimore, Maryland. Whether it's domestic or imported beer, brewery tours, sports or motorsports & beer, beer & fitness, cooking & beer, home brewing, beer can collecting, or if it's your favorite beer while tailgating with your best friends; Big Don will be talking about it on Beer Radio.
The Wimbish Review: "SweepinÆ with the Oldies?" With the recent additions of 60Æs radio icons like Scotty Brink, Larry Lujack, Ron Britain, Tommy Edwards and Jerry G. Bishop at Real Oldies 1690 in Chicago and the KROQ 80Æs radio jocks Freddie Snakeskin, Richard Blade and Swedish Egil on Sirius Satellite radioÆs First Wave, thereÆs a definite pattern developing here û and it may be worth keeping an eye on. This reviewer thinks that John Gehron has a winner in Chicago. Will XM Satellite turn to other radio pros from the distant and near distant past? Will some of the bottom feeder stations in Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta and Denver bring back to the airwaves those radio big guys from the 60Æs, 70Æs and 80Æs to boost ratings? If it works, there could be a lot of talent -- now just sitting out there unused -- that will be put to good use around the country!
Debi Jenkins: If you are a morning radio listener, the name Kidd Kraddick will probably immediately sound familiar to you. If you're not a morning radio listener, you still may recognize the name Kidd Kraddick. Disc Jockey for the popular morning show on 106.1 KISS FM in Dallas, Kraddick is quite the radio veteran. He's been in the Dallas radio business for over 15 years and still going strong
John Gorman: Want to get your music in regular rotation on the radio? How much you got? It costs record labels between $150 million and $300 million annually to expose new music on U.S. radio stations. It works like this. To circumvent allegations of collusion, labels employ these somewhat shady third-party independent record promoters to influence and control radio playlists. The labels deduct this cost of doing business from artist royalties. An artist's management has the right to veto what is now known as legal payola, which is why only a select few releases are worked at radio. A convenient loophole in the 1996 Telecommunications Bill made payola payments to radio stations legal
Read Media Post: Online radio has been around for several years, boasts millions of listeners and has everything most marketers want in terms of demographics. But as far as many buyers and planners are concerned, the medium is still evolving and thus not yet deserving of their clients' dollars. This is no small source of frustration to media veteran Ken Dardis, president of television and radio production firm Audio Graphics
David Welch: Every morning it's the same thing. On my 40-minute drive to work in Detroit, I find myself flipping between my CD collection -- which admittedly gets old -- National Public Radio, and a few bad FM rock stations that feature chatty disk jockies who play the same tunes over and over. My commute got a lot more interesting once I started testing two satellite radio systems, XM and Sirius. The big difference between the two services is in the programming. Since 40 Sirius channels offer something other than music, it has more news and talk than XM. That line-up has a lot to offer liberal-minded listeners, while XM seems to aim at the middle and the right. That's not to say Sirius is for lefties and XM for right-wingers. But consider that Sirius has three public radio channels, which tend to draw a more liberal crowd, and XM doesn't have any. Sirius also has Sirius Left, a liberal talk channel, as well as Sirius Right
All Comedy Radio All Comedy Radio, the new Hollywood-based 24/7 radio network, announced the addition of Gary Craig as Creative Consultant. Mr. Craig will continue in his 16-year role as morning show host of InfinityÆs WTIC-FM, Hartford
Motley Fool: XM Satellite Radio announced XM Direct today. XM Direct is a universal tuner that can be connected to any satellite-ready radio through a digital adapter made and sold by third parties. XM's "open operating system" allows any third party to develop a wide variety of adapter cables for the automobile radio aftermarket and the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) market, increasing XM's potential customer reach without increasing its costs (read Motley Fool)
Corey Dietz: If you want to set up a broadcast but either don't want to pay the fees for Live365, go through the trouble of configuring your computer for SHOUTcast, or just cannot devote your computer's time and resources to being a dedicated server, there is still an option. You can broadcast from your computer whenever you want, for practically nothing, using only your dial-up connection (or broadband connection if you have it) (read Corey Deitz)
Roger Hedgecock: BOY MOVES FAST!! (raise hand, do some short talkinÆ and get to bidness) ARNOLD WASTES not a whole lot of time yesterday making good on some recall campaign promises. He signs executive order number one of his administration rescinding the dreaded tripling of our car tax. Then he calls not one special session of the legislature but three!! And just a little bit later he announces his first news conference as governoràset for right about this very time on Tuesday. Yikes. (oh, did we mention he also puts DufussÆ last minute regs and rules on hold pending further reviewàyes) REFRESHING OR WHAT? After years of mulling and ponder and who gave me the most money and should we have a focus group, this kinda action-leadership isàwell startling!! We can get used to this. Listen up today as ROGER keeps you posted on the whirlwind that has blown into Sacto. Listen fast, this guy moves quick. CUTE STORY that kinda sets the scene for what Arnold confronts and how he reacts when confronted. Yesterday ROGER wanted to know whether folks who have pending triple DMV car tax bills should pay those bills or wait for a new cut rate billing, and what about the refunds for folks who have already been bilked. So we go to the phone and call DMV super HQ in Sacramento. We get into the press office and are told that we should call the governorÆs officeàthey even give us the phone number. Kinda funny, right? The impression is, ôhey this guy got on our turf, let him figure it out.ö So you can imagine that the governors office is flooded with press calls on the rescinded car tax. Our call will be returned we are told and indeed a short while later we get a call from ArnoldÆs press officeàWeÆre told that the triple car tax will be rescinded as quickly as administratively possibleàwith accent on quickly. And then we are told to call back to DMV for further detailsà.a clear indication that somebody from ArnoldÆs office called over to the Davis leftovers at DMV and read some riot act. DonÆt mess with Superman!!
John Rook Rants: While most Americans slept, the FCC approved the use of the word _ _ _ _ on all of the radio and TV stations in our nation. We probably shouldnÆt be surprised. ItÆs what the smut peddlers have wanted all along. ôWe are merely echoing the language of the streetö, comes the excuse from broadcast disciples of Larry Flynt. The same media that takes credit for being able to sell a clients product, hides from any responsibility for lowering morality standards in our society (read John Rook). (editor: Aw, f--k! George Carlin is going to need to retire his "Seven Words" stand-up routine.)
William Hungerford One of the things that I've wanted to do is play streaming internet radio on my pocket pc with my wireless connection at home. Well, I've found the software to do that and I'm going to share that secret with you. In addition, I'm going to help you set up the software to play streaming internet radio on your pocket pc (read William Hungerford)
Michael Heaton: I have seen the future of Cleveland radio. And its name is Little Steven. If there is one subject I have hammered repeatedly over the years, it is the sorry state of Cleveland rock radio. I've written about what a disgrace it is that the Rock 'n' Roll Capital of the world lacks a respectable rock 'n' roll radio station. I've railed against the soulless corporate monoliths that have held rock 'n' roll by the throat for too long. I'm delighted to report I now have a reason to shut up for a while (read Michael Heaton)
CNET: CNET to buy, retune MP3.com û November 14, 2003
Opening Doors With the DMCA A U.S. District Court rules that it's OK to use a universal remote to open a garage door, despite the plaintiff's claim that the DMCA prohibited it. By Katie Dean.
Lowering the Boom on Copycats A bill pending in the Senate would impose a prison sentence of up to five years for anyone caught distributing movies or music ahead of their official release dates.
The Wimbish Review Already the radio stations are promoting the return of Rush Limbaugh to the airwaves on Monday. From the jubilant sound of the promos, it's almost as if the radio stations are trumpeting the second coming of a radio Messiah. There are a few questions that Mr. Limbaugh should answer when he opens the EIB golden microphone on that first day on the air or that he should be made to answer immediately after his first show by the timid media that seems to have looked the other way because, "He's Rush." Anything less than truthful answers by Limbaugh and a healthy and relentless pursuit of the truth by the media would just serve to prove to the rest of America that celebrities and the rich are really, really very different from the rest of us -- and are treated differently by the media (read The Wimbish Review)
Feder of Chicago Christmas is still six weeks away, but radio just can't wait to get into the spirit of the holiday season -- especially if it's good for ratings. Reflecting a trend sweeping major markets across the country, at least three Chicago stations have announced plans to begin playing Christmas music well before Dec. 1 + Pete McMurray is out after two years as morning personality at WLUP-FM (97.9). His last show on the Loop aired Thursday and more
Gerry Cagle: Clear Channel is undergoing some difficult days caused by dipping sales, dropping ratings, bad public relations, FCC complaints and investigations by the Department of Justice...just to name a few. Its problems aren't unique. Many large companies are afflicted with a disease defined by the arrogance of power. Because they're the biggest, they believe they are the best. It doesn't work that way
Tom Feran: Back in pop music's go-go years of the 1960s, Top 40 radio stations used to make a big deal of playing premieres and "exclusives." They'd spend days building up to the arrival of a new record from somebody like the Beatles, Beach Boys or Rolling Stones, and arrival was the word for it. Viacom's Infinity Broadcasting made much of promoting the "exclusive broadcast premiere" of the "Let It Be . . . Naked" CD last night on stations in 35 markets, including WNCX FM/98.5 in Cleveland (read Tom Feran - Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Houston Chronicle: Radio talk show host Jon Matthews, who has been a fixture of the Houston broadcast scene for more than a decade, was indicted by a Fort Bend County grand jury on a charge of indecency with a child. The indictment, which was unsealed Wednesday after Matthews was arrested, alleges Matthews knowingly and intentionally exposed his genitals to a girl under the age of 17 on Oct. 9. "The indictment alleges there was exposure but not contact with the child," Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey said. The conservative talk show host, who also writes a column for a Fort Bend weekly newspaper, was taken into custody by Sugar Land police about 3 p.m. and driven to police headquarters. He was transferred to the county jail in Richmond, where he was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond
All Comedy Comes to Chicago All Comedy Radio, the new Hollywood-based radio network announced today the signing of InfinityÆs WCKG-FM, Chicago as the newest affiliate for the companyÆs long-form comedy programming. Effective November 30th WCKG-FM will add All Comedy RadioÆs format to Sunday afternoons, 3PM to 7PM
ESPN News ESPNRadio.com, the online home of ESPN Radio, has debuted a new design that includes video clips from ESPN Motion, it was announced today by Bruce Gilbert, general manager, ESPN Radio. The most listened to sports site on the web will allow users to view high-quality video of game highlights, original programming, studio and on-site analysis, as well as player and coach interviews via ESPN Motion - an innovative tool allowing broadband users to view high-quality video throughout ESPN.com. In addition, the application allows advertisers to run television commercials online maintaining near-television quality and sound
Read US Newswire The Federal Communications Commission may soon approve a policy that would benefit the four major broadcast networks at the expense of the public interest. CDD has learned that at their next (December) meeting, the FCC could approve a new plan that is at the top of the broadcast lobby's political agenda: a proposal that would enable each TV station to broadcast multiple interactive channels over cable systems
Space: In the two years since satellite radio first appeared in the United States, the concept has rapidly gone from being a technological curiosity to a viable alternative to traditional radio stations. "Four or five years ago it would have been tough to convince anybody that there was even a market for subscription radio, but since XM and Sirius have come along they have demonstrated that there is a market, and once you do that, peopleÆs attitudes change," Steve Blum said
Radiodailynews.com" The all-comedy programming added to InfinityÆs KLSX-FM posted huge ratings growth in the recently released Summer Arbitron. LAÆs Hot Talk KLSX-FM went all-comedy, weekend overnights, on August 29. The September segment of the Summer Arbitron exploded from a 1.5 share to a 6.4 share in adults 25-54 for that time period, as extrapolated by Maximiser reports PD Jack Silver
Read Andante: The all-classical music format at radio station KDB in Santa Barbara, California will be preserved, thanks to the purchase of the station by the Santa Barbara Foundation, the Santa Barbara News-Press reports. The sale was expected to be finalized upon approval by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission late last week. KDB had been privately owned since 1971 by a small group of shareholders, most of whom donated some or all of their stock to the Foundation, according to the paper.
(read UPI)...Motorists fed up with futile hunts for their favorite programs or music on AM-FM radio, particularly those whose tireless dial surfing routinely punctuates hours stranded in gridlock, need only glance skyward. Satellite radio -- the industry's answer to satellite television and an option for consumers seeking music and programs that are broadcast without the static characteristic of terrestrial radio. And it's nearly commercial-free. "We're blowin' up the rule book and starting over ... it's the only way to create something completely new and adventurous," Lee Abrams, XM Radio's chief programming officer, said in a statement on the company's Web site. Because Sirius Radio used to be called CD Satellite Radio, the company developed an early reputation for airing only continuous music and precluding "personality" elements, such as talk show programs or a deejay, according to Sirius spokesman Ron Rodrigues
Dean Johnson:...Ratings don't count for much on weekend radio. But that's good news for listeners because interesting, unique programming that would never leak into a prime-time schedule pops up all over the local dial Saturdays and Sundays. Jazz, blues, Elvis, gardening and food talk, lost hits and more can be heard on Boston's commercial radio stations each week . . . if you know where and when to tune in
Senators Banter Over Net Taxes (Business Friday) Proponents of a permanent ban on Internet access taxes hit a roadblock Friday, because the Senate can't agree on how to define 'Internet access.' They hope to reach a compromise next week.
Security Flaws Rankle Microsoft (Technology Friday) (When Monopolies Go Bad) Microsoft's campaign to snare virus writers indicates the software behemoth is finally feeling the heat of its own security woes. Analysts say Windows flaws are hurting Microsoft's ability to book new contracts with corporate customers.
FCC Moves to Stifle TV Piracy (Technology Tuesday) The Federal Communications Commission passes a controversial mandate to 'flag' digital TV shows with special code to prevent consumers from sharing the programs over the Internet. Critics say the move will suppress innovation.
(read Feder of Chicago) All eyes and ears are on WLUP-FM (97.9), where the amiable Pete McMurray's days are numbered after a little more than two years as morning personality at the Bonneville International rocker. Although details are still sketchy, prominent players in the Loop's new morning show are said to include comedians Spike Manton and Dobie Maxwell and sportscaster Bruce Wolf. How high are the stakes? + The newest addition to the morning radio scene, Paul Perry, signed on this week at oldies WJMK-FM (104.3).
Kurt Hanson: The Boston Globe published (and other papers picked up) a great article which says the Internet is home of "a better class of broadcaster," and offers a wonderful alternative to music fans tired of the predictable drivel on FM. "The struggle between the recording industry and the thieves swapping illegal music files may have distracted you from the equally remarkable developments in the streaming Internet media market," reads the article. "It (listenership) is far bigger than many people realize." Read excerpts in today's issue of "RAIN: Radio And Internet Newsletter"
Spam Wars: Filters Strike Back (Business 2:00 a.m. PDT) Until now, antispam developers and their products have played defense only. But now, one activist wants spam filters to automatically launch attacks against suspected spammers' sites to shut them down. By Amit Asaravala.
Nashville City A Nashville woman who won a highly publicized radio contest awarding the winner a co-hosting job says her position has been given away and the contest was, in her words, a ôscamö. Anne Cook, along with nearly 200 other women, entered the ôRadio Idolö contest in late January to win a one-year contract as a co-host on 102.5Æs The Morning Party, which airs weekdays from 6 a.m. - 10 a.m., with DJs Billy Breeze and Marco. The women auditioned on the air and then listeners were asked to vote via the Internet for the winner. But when Cook met with station officials to claim her job, she said they told her the job was no longer available. Instead, she said they offered her $150 a week to be a part-time entertainment correspondent
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