Radio Headlines November 6

Best of the Day – Jacobs Blog has perspective Inside Music Media has questions … everyone else has CBS earnings report

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with “October Good for Sports” and indications that October PPM reports are lighting up the scoreboards.  Some lighter stuff on an antenna BASE jumper that lived to see another day and possible power hikes coming for HD radio.  Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads CBS Radio rev$ fall 19% but CEO Moonves says each quarter getting better and many reasons for 2010 optimism.  Follows with Fernando & Greg taking mornings at KMVQ. Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with CBS earning information and the positive outlook from company officials.  Follows up with committee events for  the PRA legislation proposals.  [So much money, so many lobbyists, so little incentive to stop the fighting while fees get paid.]  Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with CBS earnings.  Follows with Salem Communications earnings … sales revenue down 10% to $49 million, operating expenses down 20%, free cash flow down only 2%.     Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with CBS earnings and adds perspective that radio managers might be expected to deliver higher 2010 sales revenue budgets. Second item behind the pay wall, Regent CEO suggests any radio recovery will not be even across the board.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Asks radio leaders to take their eyes off the balance sheet for a few minutes and look to the future.  Broadcast radio’s biggest competition is in your pocket and it has more tech support then the annual radio sales revenues.  Ring ring … are you ready to answer.  Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … “Radio Radio” has more cum reach than the internet.  77% versus 64%.  TV dominates and the death watch continues for newspapers and magazines.   Adds, sure radio is a leaky bucket, and (audience) options are growing.   But, with content creation, personality development and digital tools, radio has a great deal of life and vitality.   Read more …

Is it time to make your radio website dynamic, interactive, and talk worthy? CELLit Media has answers.

Radio Headlines November 5

Best of the Day – SOS until you get to Jacobs Blog then its real scary

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads FCC media owner workshop comments … 20-plus years of deregulation have violated public interest guidelines.  Goes on to with … media companies took advantage; Wall Street called the tunes, spreadsheet managers, and more gut checks.   However, the second item covers the NAB looking for more relaxed cross-ownership rules.  [Go figure?]   Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with Univision 3^rd quarter financial results.  Radio down -13% but overall company rev$ up with strong TV growth.   Management talks about aggressive cost management.   Next, Sirius XM Radio up 3% for the quarter with higher reported income, lower expenses, and quarter-to-quarter subscriber growth.   Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with more on the FCC workshop discussions.  Company spokespersons and lobbyist are all talking up relaxing the broadcast ownership rules.  [Sounds like more consolidator talk?]  Three more articles on the workshop topics.  [Everyone promotes their own interests while lawyers and lobbyist make lots of money.]   Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with congressional leaders dancing about radio royalties issues to keep this lucrative lobbyist / campaign contribution stream coming.  [This entire issue is rigged so the first side that stops the money flow loses big. No one in Washington will ever call this tune over. ]   Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads suggesting auto advertising, once radios’ #1 category, ready for a comeback after declining -51% this year.  Second item about the increase in religious radio formats.  Both for paying subs only.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Covers CBS and Clear Channel “live reads” sponsor programs and the disconnect with voice tracked main programming.   Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Covers the recent Nielsen broadcast radio research from a web-radio point of view but admits “good ol’ AM and FM” still the most consumed radio medium.   Good story about Toyota Prius prototype car possibly to arrive in 2-years .. 4G wireless internet connection brings car access to internet radio.   Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) – Perspective on who is listening, who is paying, and what counts for each.  Monetizing content, enhancing value, audience versus customers …   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Seen the new TV show “V”?  Then read this comparison to Pandora intenet radio.  Then think about your delayed smart phone application, your weak digital strategy, and your next cost cutting move.   Read more …

Is it time to make your radio website dynamic, interactive, and talk worthy? CELLit Media has answers.

Radio Headlines November 4

Best of the Day – Cumulus steps forward and talks about 10-year recovery … maybe

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with Cumulus 3^rd quarter financial results net rev$ off 19% with highlights:  large markets not falling as much; expenses cut faster than declining rev$ for improved operating margins; and expects broadcast radio to take 10-years to recover. [That’s not even keeping up with inflation.]  Second item … when to jump to Christmas music?  Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with Brian Bridman move to program manager for Magic Broadcasting in Southern California.  Clear Channel brings 30-year veteran to the Sacramento market. Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with Cumulus and the 10-years to recover thoughts.  Cumulus CEO says radio rev$ peaked in 2006 at $21.5B and then in 2-years falls to $15.5B this year.  CEO thinks it might take 10-years to return.   Cumulus expects positive results with operating efficiencies from state of the art technology to run the business. [Capital spending is only $2 million / quarter including maintenance items so the technology must be all created in house with mental capital?]  Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with Cumulus CEO 10-year recovery statement but included Cumulus is hiring 100 more sellers by year end.  Further down the newsletter … SNL Kagan’s Broadcast Investor article projects modest radio rev$ growth in the coming years and a priority on digital initiative to support this top line growth including improved websites, online streaming, mobile apps, and multiple platforms.     Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with Christmas format changes bring higher rates.  Follows with Lew Dickey and the 10-year recovery statement requiring cost cutting as the way to bring financial vitality.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Writes about Clear Channel Planning Tighter Corporate Control for next year vitality and includes comments about Cumulus and Citadel.    Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Leads with Citadel experiment with listener driven radio “crowd-casting” platform.  No dates announced for market launch.   Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) –Writes about counting “ears” when “connections” are what counts.     Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … VW launches new vehicle using only an iPhone app for marketing.  Will VW learn?  Or, is the lesson for the rest of the media world?   Read more …

Is it time to make your radio website dynamic, interactive, and talk worthy? CELLit Media has answers.

Radio Headlines November 4

Best of the Day –  Too many good items to choose from …

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Tom leads with a good report of the PRA legislation.  New NAB leader earns his $1 million position getting this legislation off the tables.  It would have cost radio stations $500 million and possibly billions.  With this much $$$ at risk look for the lawyers, lobbyist, and music publishers to bring it back year after year.   Second item about Larry Wilson the man some hope will bring radio back to life.  Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with Universal Music to get a new leader Lucian Grainge to succeed Doug Morris a 15-year veteran.  Grainge rose to fame with international music and former leader of UK/Ireland Universal Music.   Second item has new Nielsen research suggesting broadcast radio reaches all age groups with an average of 109 minutes day exposure.   Interesting that people are exposed to 454 minutes of media each day (6-hours/34-minutes) … no wonder we have such short attention spans.  Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with a detailed review of PRA legislation maneuvers.  [It’s all about money … radio stations, musicians, record companies, lobbyist, Congressman, and Senators.  Also, internet radio companies have to pay and they want broadcast radio to share the pain.  With $500 million a year at play there are lots of hands in the pot.  Expect this game to continue as long as the $$$ flows.] Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads the PRA issue.  Second item about Entercom earnings down 14% and CEO comment conditions stabilized and cost-cutting continues to drive expenses lower.    Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with the new Nielsen research that tracked 376 people in five markets and observed media consumption every ten seconds.  [How would you like that job?]  Off-year political spots don’t match the record-setting presidential race.  [What’s new?]   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Entercom’s $16 lesson about actively managing a radio station and the broader consequences for all of radio.  Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – New projections (guesses) that online radio will be 5% of total industry sometime in the next 5-years.   Better numbers suggest online radio revenues to grow 12% this year from 2008 … much better than general broadcast radio. Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) – Refers to an Ad Age article by Tom Asacker and offers a blueprint for Radio’s Future.  It begins with media companies and Mark draws specific points for radio operators.   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Takes a good look at launching brands, products, stores, and formats.  Nice research on Starbucks VIA launch and references to the Steve Job’s lead new Disney retail stores. Read more …

Is it time to make your radio website dynamic, interactive, and talk worthy? CELLit Media has answers.

Radio Headlines November 2

Best of the Day – Inside Radio asks tough questions about 2010 budgets

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with landmark study of “minority” commercial radio station ownership unchanged over the last two years at 7% or 815 stations of 11,250 total.  Second item asks question … did PPM cost 25-year veteran morning man J.C. Corcoran his job?  Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with the New York format changes and ads information how to find the legendary station program at www.originalhot97.com Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with details of the newly FCC commissioned study about the challenges facing American journalism.  RBR comment recognizes the key is local content but radio does not have the financial strength to deliver this expensive format.  RBR suggests the FCC not mandate expensive formats on the backs of operators.  [So … when does radio stand up and take the medicine?]   Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with the same New York format changes and follows with the Beasley Broadcast Group 3^rd quarter financial results down 20% … well reported on Friday by most other news sources.  Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads squaring financial analyst projections with 2010 operator budgets.  Analysts generally see single-digit revenue declines while most group operators are budgeting  3% gains.  Direct operator comments … realistic and attainable growth and … flat or down is not an option.   Second item from Beasley Broadcasting about discounting becomes rarer with local rates more profitable than deeply discounted national rates.  Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Radio’s Hostile Workplace Uprising … consolidation maybe giving way to mediation and litigation with actual events described in today’s blog.  Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Leads with a study by eMarketer that predicts terrestrial radio ad revenues to free fall and internet radio see nothing but growth.   [The study could be self serving but noteworthy.] Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) –Writes about internet radio Pandora’s efforts to get all “connected” entertainment devices to access web radio.  Pandora is already available with the popular iPhone and now partners with Sony’s Blu-Ray devices.   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Writes about the importance of a station personality to help drive listener engagement.   Read more …

Is it time to make your radio website dynamic, interactive, and talk worthy? CELLit Media has answers.

Radio Headlines October 30

Best of the Day – No one really knows … RBR has what counts.

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with the $16.6 million jury award to Jennifer Strange against Entercom.  The jury found the station conduct questionable, not supervised, and Philadelphia corporate HQ not exercising reasonable oversight.  Expect appeals and no payout anytime soon.  However, it’s a good lesson for radio executive and cost cutting.  Third quarter economic growth sets off a wave of Wall Street confidence [now if only the consumer will follow].   Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with Sony’s 3^rd quarter financial results with details of positive 3^rd quarter operating profits.  Worldwide economic recovery helps but bottom line losses from one-time restructuring costs.  Second item covers Beasley Broadcasting Q3 financial results.  Still 20% rev$ declines with not so bad profit results after cost cutting and high margin interactive initiatives (digital up 12%).   Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with holiday spending predictions from Deloitte accounting firm … up in total with personal  gift giving down,  more on home, clothes, and out-of-home entertainment.  However, Consumer Reports tracking indicates 65% cutting back on everything.   RBR summary … no one knows.  Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with the Wii jury trial award and adds ten KDND employees fired after contest death reported.  Second web item, new NAB leader meets with FCC and discusses views on broadcast ownership, tax incentives, and access to capital [Starting to earn that $1M salary.]  Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with “Cheap and Easy” to describe radio and ad buyer relationship.  Kohl’s department stores to give radio and online “enhanced presence”   … details for paid subs only.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Writes about the Radio’s Third Round of Cuts coming 2010 and how it’s not a pretty picture.   Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Leads with Google’s new music search and streaming service not much covered in the regular AM/FM radio news.  Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) –Writes how Pandora can become the New Radio and asks will you redefine what (broadcast) radio means for a new generation that craves novelty, freshness and innovation?   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Nice article “Portrait of an Artist” and Bon Jovi new album marketing … ends with Brands matter and the implied question … what are you doing?    Read more …

Is it time to make your radio website dynamic, interactive, and talk worthy? CELLit Media has answers.

Radio Headlines October 29

Best of the Day – Financial forecasts are all over the ball park

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with Wells Fargo analyst look at the radio/TV financial reports ahead.  His expectations … cautious optimism off of diminishing revenue declines with plans to shed debt, more cost cutting and the political issues with radio royalty, People meters, and HD radio.  Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with Wells Fargo analyst predicting another round of cost-cutting, down 3^rd quarter revenues, but some optimism for the 4^th quarter.   Follows with Radio One revs down 12%, cost cutting helped “streamline the business”, and CEO thoughts that business not coming back as quickly as expected.   Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with a media investment banker rebound prediction of 5-6% increase in advertising revenues based on predicted 3% GDP growth.   They have studied past cycles and based on “finite” ad inventory media does better than the general economy.  [Beware this firm specializes in acquisition work and this kind of prediction is good for their business.]  Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with NYTimes report of new Google Music service coming out today.  Follows with FCC Chairman names advisor for New Media Initiative to help old media with challenging economic times.  [Think the FCC has answers?].   Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with triple digit streaming and podcasting revenue growth.   Follows with CEO comments the worst of the recession is behind us but recovery will be gradual.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Covers record labels history of failed moves now pointed toward selling music with search and Google phones.  Ends with the consumers have the power not Google or Apple.    .  Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Leads with a Fast Company article that MOBILITY has reached a tipping point and accelerated growth ahead.  Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Writes about an “Emotional Bonding Q” measurement for radio personalities to break media buying ties.  Read more …

Is it time to make your radio website dynamic, interactive, and talk worthy? CELLit Media has answers.

Radio Headlines October 28

Best of the Day – Read the headlines and see who delivers the real news.

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with Clear Channel Pres/CFO brother Mays steps down and notes other corporate execs leaving is normal following the going private transaction where much money was made.  Gilford Securities analyst thinks radio rev$ to come back very soon with low cost short schedule radio buys.   Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with the Clear Channel brother Mays stepping down and links to the original NYTimes article.  Boarder Media in Austin, TX might change Spanish format to Sports and Oldies.     Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with NAB position to defend broadcast spectrum from other wireless applications for signal dependability but doesn’t mention business impact of these possibly competitive services.  Internet diffusion leaves AM/FM radio as the important path for hit music.   Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with the Mays brother stepping down at CC.  Second item about Grupo Radio revenues off 5%.   Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with brother Mays now 43 stepping down after 10-years as CFO and in the family business since 1993.  Interesting item about closing Denver newspaper did not lead to radio gains after 8-months without a newspaper in the market … details for paid subs only.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Compares brother Mays CFO days at Clear Channel to the architect of the Titanic.  Tougher days ahead as Investment “Banker” radio and Wall Street take operating control over radio groups not able to repay loans.  Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Leads with British FM tuners to have a one-stop streaming website for all 500 different networks but RadioFeeds.co.us already provides listener links to pretty much all of UK radio.  Not seen elsewhere, TargetCast report of radio standing with consumers:  41% of 18-64 say radio “still relevant” but over half 18-24 year olds prefer personal digital devices.  Is passive radio broadcasting tuned out by the next generation?     Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) –Writes about the missed opportunity of not having website/stream user data.   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Candid and sober warning about male and female intern programs in light of the Letterman and now former ESPN analyst Steve Phillips situations.   Read more …

Is it time to make your radio website dynamic, interactive, and talk worthy? CELLit Media has answers.

Radio Headlines October 27

Best of the Day – JacobBlog – Mobility makes email work for young people … now what about radio discovery

Radio-info (271,751 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with speculation Bonneville’s Bruce Reese might cut a deal with failing Citadel for ABC radio stations … then some serious station-swapping with other operators.   Other items NYC Pulse 87.7 and St. Louis K-Hits re-org.  Weekly “Ross On Radio” looks at iPhone station discovery and how the job/opportunity might fall to 3^rd parties.     Read more …

All Access (123,623 Monthly Visits) – Leads with the jury still out with $24 million hold-your-Wii wrongful death case.  Former Microsoft VP to become head of NPR corporate sponsorships.     Read more …

Inside Radio (71,060)  – Leads with article about buyers for more dayparts with new PPM information.   Second item recalls a 2005 prediction of radio revenue gains with electronic ratings services and suggests the impact is unclear.  Read more …

Radio Ink (66,640) – Leads with Minority Media Tel Council petitions FCC to change low power antenna and RF rules for better community coverage … big guys argue interference. Second item, from the PR release about new Microsoft VP to become head of NPR sponsorships.  Read more …

RBR (29,460) – Leads with the importance of radio play for hit music in a world of so many internet options.   Report from Standard Media Index in Australia that radio picked up its share of the down under market spending to 7.85% from 7.41%.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Radio’s Rush to All Music” works for PPM ratings but presents long term issues with content, listeners/hearers and eventually advertisers.   Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (19,395) – Reviews CompareMyRadio.com that helps UK listeners compare stations and find their fav artists the most.  IMDA looks to standardize streaming radio but that’s a lot to accomplish.   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog … Email is for Old People … until young people get mobile email then the table turns.  Read more …

Is it time to make your radio website dynamic, interactive, and talk worthy? CELLit Media has answers.

Radio Headlines October 26

Best of the Day – RBR webinar summary of consumer holiday expectations.

Radio-info (271,751 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with GM extending in-car Wi-Fi to Buick, GMC, and Chevy. The $29/month service can be transferred to another BM car or truck.  Larry Wilson’s Alpha broadcasting is busy changing out talent at Portland music FMs.  Deeper, Univision’s Miami business manager scammed $550,000 and nobody noticed over 4-years. [Maybe they cut back too many people?  How about you?].   Read more …

All Access (123,623 Monthly Visits) – Leads with Wii trial jury might have concluded deliberations after 6-day.  Reports the jury got an adding machine so awards might be calculating.  Second item details Larry Wilson’s Alpha broadcasting format changes.     Read more …

Inside Radio (71,060)  – Leads with reports of radio revenue gains but the news is only available to paying subscribers.   Follow up article indicates advertisers like consumers will be last minute buyers this season and still no hint of this holiday season “naughty or nice”.   Read more …

Radio Ink (66,640) – Leads with Premiere realigns its Radar Network to have more targeted and effective profiles inline with the current marketplace.  Second item … RAB chief Hadley comments on song tagging … an item well covered Friday by most other publications.  Read more …

RBR (29,460) – Very interesting summary of the coming holiday season shopping intentions from the RAB/TVRB/BIGResearch  Consumer Intentions & Actions webinar October 23.  Retailers less hiring, earlier promotions, lower inventories, emphasis on social media, and lower ticket items.  A MUST READ.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – The high cost of turnover with any economic recovery.  Radio paying debt with employee cuts and benefit reductions  will soon pay another more devastating reaper when employees leave for better employers.   Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (19,395) – Leads with Apple activating that dormant FM chip in iPhones might level the playing field between internet and AM/FM broadcasters .   Read more …

Hear 2.0 (8,986) –  Links to an entertaining video about positive magazine audience facts but as one commenter notes … what’ is say when you use a different media to deliver the message?   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog … Radio leaders moving too slowly and call for “research” to understand the difference in leader/employee expectations.  [Are we beyond research?]  Read more …

Is it time to make your radio website dynamic, interactive, and talk worthy? CELLit Media has answers.