Didja Hear? (June 26, 2010)

Magic 92.5 changed its name temporarily to "Michael 92.5" and played blocks of Jackson songs. Jack-FM 100.7 played a Jackson song at the top of each hour after playing a top of the hour station-I.D. montage of Jackson songs.

Rock 105.3 was caught playing "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" sometime in the 6pm hour. Walrus 105.7 was playing a few Jackson songs here and there.

If They Mated? (June 26, 2010)

We take Michael 92.5, Jack 100.7, and KSON 97.3, combine them, and we get...

Michael Jackkson

Well, close enough.

New Normal Music To Debut (Coming July 1, 2010)

Says the website, "Don't insult us. This isn't radio."

Excerpts:

"At midnight, the night of July 1st, you will press a button on this page and the music world as we know it will change forever.

"Because of the lousy economy, radio can't afford to take chances on truly new artists. So they continue to play older and older artists who test well with focus groups while they claim to play new music. Just as stations used to say that they played a bigger mix and a better variety. Remember?

"Once you meet NEW NORMAL MUSIC, you'll wonder how you'll ever go back to anything called "FM" or "radio."

"We're kicking it off by playing 50,00 songs in a row, none more than 12 months old. You can call in your requests from anywhere in the world at (323) 389-1730 and actually get them played. The sound quality is superior to that of any radio station and most internet music streams. And you can tell right away that the station is not "like your iPod on shuffle." It's programmed by people who love truly new music and who know how to do this.

"Maybe one day, radio will give us a chance to do this. Until then, who needs them? Here we are! Play us on your iPad, your iPhone, your Droid, or your Mac or PC. Plug us into your aux jack in the car. Let us know how we're doing. Tell your friends.

"Just please: don't call it a radio station. Radio doesn't have the guts to do this, and radio certainly won't spend the money and take the risks to do it right. Welcome to New Normal Music."

The Wires (June 26, 2010)

John Maffei TV/Radio Sports: Neely not a bit out of practice in return to Padres' booth.

Gary Lycan: Rick Dees never stops working. He just added Cable Radio Network talk programming to his www.rick.com - He co-founded the cable channel Fine Living which is now known as The Cooking Channel. And now he's planning a yard sale.

Inside Music Media: What happens when you take mobile devices and cell phones away from the next generation?

Jacobs Media: If Sirius XM is playing all these great songs that you don't hear on The Eagle, The Edge, or Z95, why isn't satellite radio more popular? For starters, the proliferation of free Internet radio is one of the reasons. Streaming technology has leapfrogged the subscription satellite model. And the control factor of iPods is another. Even though there are many more channels on Sirius XM than in any commercial radio market, it's still radio.

Tom Taylor of radio-info: U.S.-Algeria soccer online created "the largest concurrent audience ever to a single stream", for ESPNRadio.com. That's per Ando Media, which clocked 180,000 listeners for the exciting match which the U.S. guys won in the extra minutes of the game, 1-0. The mark of 180,000 listeners online broke the previous record from the U.S.-Slovenia soccer match last Friday. The folks in Bristol, CT also report "record online traffic with 668,000 visits and 1.1 million page views" (per Omniture) during the day when the crucial U.S.-Algeria contest was shown. So far, ESPNRadio.com has seen 3.8 million total listening hours during the World Cup. Average time spent listening - 47 minutes.

TV Tech: Judge: YouTube Protected From Viacom's Copyright-Infringement Claims.

Technology: Is 3DTV Unhealthy?

The Wires (June 25, 2010)

Gizmodo: iPhone Problems iPhone 4 Loses Reception When You Hold It By The Antenna Band?

All Access: Tom Leykis launches new music stream. The former Westwood One syndicated host is launching New Normal Music July 1 by playing 50,000 songs in a row, none more than 12 months old. It's the latest venture from the Los Angeles radio staple, whose New Normal Network offers "The Tasting Room with Tom Leykis" and "The Gary & Dino Show. Leykis describes New Normal Music as "an adrenaline rush of hooky, energetic music culled from the pulse of what college-age males are listening to across a broad range of kinetic genres." Find out more by surfing to http://www.newnormalmusic.com/

Multichannel: FCC Stops Comcast-NBCU Shot Clock Again. The FCC is stopping the shot clock on the Comcast-NBC Universal merger for a second time. Thursday, June 24, had been day 50 on what is an informal 180-day deadline for vetting the deal. The review began March 18

SDNN: Apple iPhone 4 reviews are in; critics love it, some users are disappointed

All Access: TV spectrum creates radio rival. Ludwig Enterprises is launching a radio service that will use digital television signals to beam 50 audio channels into nearly every market in the country. Like HD Radio or satellite radio it will require users to buy a special receiver. However, unlike Sirius XM, the free audio service will be entirely ad-supported.

Tom Taylor: No Deal at CBS? Looks like CBS won't be divesting stations in San Diego, Riverside, Phoenix, and two other cities.

Orange County Register: Rick Dees never stops working. He just added Cable Radio Network talk programming to his www.rick.com - He co-founded the cable channel Fine Living which is now known as The Cooking Channel. And now he's planning a yard sale.

Who Da Guy Hawaii: 93 KHJ: Inside Boss Radio - Excerpt # 7: Tom Rounds: During the KPOI years in Honolulu, we'd take as many field trips to L.A. as we could. We went just to listen to Chuck Blore's "Color Radio" format on KFWB. We'd walk up and down Hollywood Boulevard and accept free drinks from George Jay, one of the few record promoters who knew KPOI existed. Impressed as we were, we all agreed that, "Hey, maybe this town could be taken." After Ron Jacobs moved to California, I flew over as often as I could to visit him and his troops in such lovely garden spots as San Bernardino and Fresno. Definitely not as nice as Hawaii! But these were the proving grounds for Jacobs' unsystematic system. Rather than rest on tried and true tactics, like other PDs who had already worked up to the biggest markets, he never stopped pushing the envelope

Inside Music Media: Mark Mays Departure from Clear Channel is Meaningless -- Mays didn't seize the mobile and Internet future when he had the best resources and product platform to do so. The reason? Mark Mays didn't have the experience. In fact, Mays was so naïve that when he kicked Randy Michaels out for John Hogan, he sent Michaels to Clear Channel's version of Siberia - the non-existent Internet division.

FMQB: YouTube Wins Viacom Copyright Case. A judge ruled that YouTube is not in violation of copyrights under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. In its official blog, Google wrote, "The court has decided that YouTube is protected by the safe harbor of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) against claims of copyright infringement. The decision follows established judicial consensus that online services like YouTube are protected when they work cooperatively with copyright holders to help them manage their rights online."

All Access: KCBQ Monument In The Works. Radio vet "Shotgun" Tom Kelly is leading a group of radiophiles in erecting a monument to the iconic Top 40 station KCBQ/San Diego. The monument is set to be erected in front of Lowes hardware store on 9416 Mission Gorge Road in Santee, CA; the names of many of the jocks and other station personnel will be inscribed on it.

The Wires (June 24, 2010)

Randy Dotinga: Department of Asked and Answered. It's time for yet another exciting episode of Ask the Radio Columnist, in which I answer questions that I've received from readers or that I've just made up. As always, the answers are actually for real

Lady Gaga's antics at Yankee Stadium? Who cares?

All Access: Livio Offers A New Way To Get Net Radio In Your Car. LIVIO RADIO is set to debut "The CARMEN," a portable Internet radio solution for use in cars. Compatible with the MAC or PC, the CARMEN connects to the computer with a USB cable and, using the client software, records and stores content from over 42,000 AM/FM and Internet-only radio stations streamed from around the world. Users may then connect the portable CARMEN to the vehicle's 12-volt socket and play back the stored audio library through the car stereo using an open FM channel or auxiliary (AUX) input.

Radio-info: Sacramento's "Zone" KZZO is the newest "Now" station - "Today's hits without the rap." CBS Radio's modern/hot AC re-images but will apparently keep its familiar KZZO call letters. The obvious changes began on Monday when midday host Alecia B. was set adrift. In the latest May PPMs, KZZO ranked 16th with age 6+ AQH shares, stuck around a 2.2 share in the monthly PPMs. And "PPM" may be partly what the new image is about - CBS reaching for a more inclusive name than "The Zone." The Sacramento Board of Radio-Info.com can't help but do a little moaning about the large number of CHR and near-CHR stations in Sacramento, led by Entercom's "End" KDND (in fifth place at a 6.1

Multichannel: Dish Stops Carrying Four Of Disney's HD Channels. Dish Network has stopped carrying four HD channels from The Walt Disney Co. -- Disney Channel HD, Disney XD HD, ABC Family HD and ESPNews HD -- claiming that the programmer is asking for "significant" carriage fees, while the media giant said the DBS operator never had a deal in place to distribute those channels

Variety: CBS developing Bertinelli, McManus talk show. CBS is developing a new daytime yakker starring Valerie Bertinelli and Australian TV host Rove McManus. "Say It Now," hosted by Bertinelli and McManus, is being developed through sister syndicator CBS TV Distribution. Show reps the latest of Eye's pilots that are serving as a sort of bakeoff, as CBS looks to fill the void left by the soon-to-exit sudser "As the World Turns." Read the rest at the link.

The Wires (June 23, 2010)

Disney Has Taken HD Away From You? Dish Network has dropped four HD channels from Walt Disney Co. -- Disney Channel HD, Disney XD HD, ABC Family HD and ESPNews HD -- with the satellite operator claiming the programmer is asking for ôsignificantö hikes in carriage fees.

Inside Radio reports that Clear Channel CEO Mark Mays will step down at the end of the year. ThatÆs according to a Wall Street Journal Report. Quoting unnamed sources, the paper says Mays will announce his decision tomorrow. HeÆs expected to remain chairman of the company.

Tom Taylor of radio-info: ArbitronÆs People Meter goes wireless as ôPPM 360.ö No more docking stations. No more installation of a wireless phone-set in the panelistÆs bedroom to serve as a hub, when there's no landline phone. And there's clearly no question that Arbitron is projecting into the future with a device that Chief Technology Officer Dr. Taymoor Arshi says is ôplatform-neutralö, and could be adapted to ôfuture mobile platformsö including smart phones and netbooks. For years, back to the days of the Clear Channel Request For Proposals for a new rating system, people have asked why the commonly-carried cell phone couldnÆt be retrofitted with PPM software. That was the weapon of choice of the Media Audit/Ipsos plan, but Arbitron pooh-poohed it. Arbitron said there were issues with the sensitivity of various microphones and with the problem of having to occasionally make an actual phone call. Now, Dr. Arshi, new CEO Bill Kerr and the rest of the decisionmakers in Columbia understand where ômobileö is going û and they want the PPM to be there. Not just for the sake of radio, mind you. TheyÆre very, very interested in the PPMÆs potential for measuring other media, for gauging the exposure and effectiveness of an ad campaign, for ôlocation-based servicesö, and for ôon-demand reporting.ö That's possible because ôPPM 360ö can communicate with Arbitron at any time. (Got a client who wants to know the ratings for last night's Game 7?) It also lets Arbitron communicate back to the panel member, to gently urge ôcomplianceö (carrying the PPM 360 at least eight hours a day).

The second-generation PPM 360 wonÆt replace already-installed meters. Existing PPM households wonÆt be getting a delivery of the new PPM 360 model first tomorrow morning. Dr. Taymoor Arshi tells the monthly Arbitron PPM client conference call the new wireless device ôgoes to new people as they come on boardàweÆre not planning to replaceö existing equipment. But when new panelists do get it, itÆs a simple plug-and-play thing. The 360 unit charges via a standard USB connection and should get about 60-65 hours of battery time off one charge (equal to the current meter). ItÆs also got a text screen that displays the panelistÆs first name and the time, and can carry other messaging. CEO Bill Kerr says the PPM 360 further ôliberates audience measurement from the homeö û which you could take as a reference to the house-bound Nielsen People Meter. Arbitron's already getting some TV-related business from clients who like its ability to measure out-of-home. Kerr ("Kur") also alludes to its larger purpose û it ôenables media, brands and marketers to follow the mobile consumer more closely, which is particularly important for brands appealing to younger demographics.ö And indeed, Arbitron hopes the updated design of PPM 360 will boost 18-34 participation.

Radio Ink: Lakers Win Outpaces World Cup On Twitter. Unprecedented Twitter traffic from the soccer World Cup has been surpassed, with exuberant L.A. Lakers fans peaking at 3,085 tweets per second after the team won the NBA championship Thursday night. But all the sports traffic is generating more "fail whales" than Twitter has seen in years.

All Access: Joe Biden says "Piracy is Theft." Vice Pres. JOE BIDEN was quoted as saying people commit theft when they share unauthorized copies of film and music over the Internet, reports CNET.COM.

Larry King Telethon Raises $1.81 Million. SHOW DOG û UNIVERSAL MUSIC artist TRACE ADKINS, CURB/NASHVILLEÆs TIM McGRAW and WARNER BROS./NASHVILLE artist FAITH HILL were among the celebrities who appeared on the ôDisaster In The GULF: How You Can Helpö telethon on CNNÆs ôLARRY KING Liveö last night (6/21). The two-hour event raised more than $1.81 million for disaster relief on the GULF COAST as the oil spill continues.

Who Da Guy Hawaii: 93 KHJ: Inside Boss Radio - Excerpt # 6: Boss Radio was born in the spring of 1965, Year of the Snake. Ending our metaphor of KHJ as a giant fortune cookie, if the KHJ format were a person, it would be, ôCharming and popular. Snakes are spotlight magnets, and they will not be ignored.ö And on the Chinese Zodiac Animal Compatibility Chart (1 = least compatible, 100 = most compatible), guess who ranks #1 and #2? Ox at 85 (ôThis union can be a good one.ö) and Rat at 67 (ôBetter be friends than lovers.ö) -- What does all this prove? That Bill Drake and Ron Jacobs should have opened a chain of Chinese restaurants? That they were not lovers? What follows is the twisted path that highlighted disc jockeys as Gypsies, programmers as Tramps and most radio station owners as Thieves. And what more appropriate place than Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.? Where else would two radio junkies born over 5,000 miles and seven months apart join forces to take over AmericaÆs second largest market?

Press Enterprise: An Inland radio station that broadcasts adult contemporary music over an area from Riverside to Temecula claims a Los Angeles station has interrupted its signal since 2007 and has petitioned the FCC to help clear the airwaves - KATY filed a petition last month with the federal agency claiming that the HD digital signal being used by KRTH-FM, a CBS Radio Inc. station in Los Angeles also known as K-EARTH 101, had interrupted its broadcasts in places such as Riverside and Moreno Valley.

The Independent U.K.: Britain's first FM radio station dedicated to gay and lesbian listeners went on air this week, promising to go beyond the traditional diet of high-energy pop from scene icons such as Kylie Minogue and Madonna.

Two-Day Fundraising Drive Total... (June 22, 2010)

The Wires (June 22, 2010)

PPM gets a makeover. It's wireless, small, and resembles a cell phone. The new meter uses cellular wireless technology, meaning those who participate in the survey will no longer need to use an at-home docking station and communications hub. While this new technology still does not get Arbitron in actual cell phones - something many critics have suggested would help increase the rate of participation - it does give panelists more flexibility when using the new device and allows Arbitron to better follow those participant's listening habits. The new device is ready "out of the box" and is charged with a simple USB adapter. A touch screen communicates with the panelists. Arbitron says the new device will be phased in gradually. More now at Radio-Info.com.

radio-info: The NFL Raiders once played in Los Angeles and they've got a fan base there - enough for all-sports KLAA (830) to add the 2010-2011 schedule. Syndicator Compass Media Networks owns both the local and national rights to the Raiders, now playing back up north in Oakland, and the Los Angeles Board of Radio-Info.com detects the recent addition of the Raiders on the KLAA website. Interestingly, KLAA says "any games that conflict with Angels Baseball games will run on 710 ESPN." That's Disney's KSPN in Los Angeles, with which the Angels and KLAA have a carriage and sales deal. Arte Moreno is a principal in both the ownership group behind the Angels and KLAA radio. Somebody on the L.A. Board says "it sucks [the Raiders] won't be on the FM dial" - because they used to clear on then-talk KLSX (97.1), now CHR "Amp" KAMP-FM.

Multichannel News: Comcast Wants Box Options. Comcast has made a declaration of set-top independence, embarking on a software strategy designed to let it more easily mix and match set-top box hardware suppliers

Multichannel: FCC Moves To Free Up Mobile Sat Spectrum For Terrestrial Broadband

New York Post: Adam Carolla isn't bitter about being bumped off terrestrial radio and onto the Internet. Since CBS dropped his show last year, more than 65 million have downloaded his No. 1-rated podcast on iTunes to hear such guests as Bryan Cranston, Seth MacFarlane and Jimmy Kimmel.

Arbitron: Arbitron announced today its new generation of audience measurement, the PPM 360 technology, a flexible, convenient solution to measuring media by extending the Portable People Meter technology onto a wireless platform. By migrating to a wireless platform, Arbitron is better able to follow the media habits of on-the go consumers. This new approach lays the foundation for the development of future applications for the patented, proprietary PPM technology on multiple consumer devices

Inside Music Media: DJs are history. Streaming services can't attract enough subscribers. Apple worries everyone with what they are planning to do with their anticipated "cloud" service. Music royalties have killed Internet radio and are a constant threat to the survival of the most popular Internet radio service of all -- Pandora.

Limewire Sued Again: Limewire is on the edge of extinction as it is, with a court having found that it has engaged in copyright infringement and an order pending to explain why it shouldn't be shut down, and now the peer-to-peer is being sued by members of the National Music Publishers Association.

Typo from All Access: MAGIC BROADCASTING Urban AC WBBK (MAGIC 93.1)/DOTHAN, AL is commemorating the one-year anniversary of MICHAEL JACKSON's death by becoming "MICHAEL 93.1" on JUNE 35th.