Radio Headlines December 30

Best of the Day – Cheers to all those doing something new in 2010 instead of looking for easy comps.

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – 2010 has to be better, right?  Words from Saga CEO Ed Christian.   [CELLit Media thoughts … the Kodak guys use to think camera film sales would rebound with the economy and vacations.  Easy comps don’t mean anything if your listeners have ear buds, smart phones and you are repeating last year’s programming.]   Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – New Fords to have HD radio, iTunes song tagging along with XM radio and internet radio.  Oh, the Ford Sync center also does iPods, podcasts, and personal music playlists.  Then again listeners also have the cell phone calls.  [Think your 8-minute commercial stop set has a chance?  Your advertisers know better… what are you doing new in 2010?].  Read more …

RBR (29,457) – XM Keeps Stern front and center with speculation that he will renew his presence into 2011.  Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Back to headlines from press releases with new EVP/General Counsel appointment at Clear Channel.  Nice industry news list.   Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Paying subscribers can read about ways to make money with HD programming.  Survey data shows adult internet users peaked at 14-hours/week last year and are now easing up to just 13-hours.  This is up from 7-hours in 1999.  Think those 6-hours are all multi-tasking?    Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Details of the “Media Labs” for those tired of fighting a losing battle and willing to take a fresh look at what’s ahead.  Doors close and it’s all private, no recording, no blogging … just the real deal (Jerry).   Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Brings out the history lessons from April-May-June … skip this one if you have a business to run.  Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) – Some think the only thing in 2010 worse than today’s radio will be Yellow Page ads and newspapers.  Next year cannot be business as usual.  Radio needs to be the cross-platform solution driven by massive broadcast reach.  Follow the right deeds and the right words …  Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Best of Jacob’s Blog 3.  See comments on the RAIN report above.  Read more …

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

Radio Headlines December 29

Best of the Day – Radio Ink gets back in the saddle with some nice reporting

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with memories of 2009 and they are painful … the stories make 2010 seem hopeful.  Ford to add HD radio and iTunes tagging in next year cars.  Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Clear Channel raises $2.5B in high priced 9.25% floating debt to pay off some current loans.  They live to try another year.  CC reports November rev$ up 19%.    Cleveland format changes for the New Year.  Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with the CC debt refinancing and notes it is the Outdoor unit that raised the money to help the Communications business (radio) get over the hump.  RBR speculates about Howard Stern and XM radio.  They have 12-months to work out the details.  Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Nice tribute to Percy Sutton and George Michael that shows what radio use to be.  Lists the LA Times 2010 predictions for media including Jay Leno gets cut, some internet becomes pay-per-view, and promises of more old-media consolidate … please say it isn’t so! Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with Ford Motor HD radio options for 2010; some examples of HD radio success, and details of ESPN organization changes … some details for paid subs only.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Delivers the next big media trend for 2010 on tablets … carved in slate … iSlate.     Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Leads with history lesson of “RAIN’s Year in Review”.   Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) – “If baseball where measured like radio then you would count the pitches”.  Radio must get into the business of impact and not just reach.   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Blogs the Best of 2009 and recounts the visit to “Morning Show BOOT CAMP” where shout-outs, some heated discussions, energy, passion, and buzz filled the air … what a great place to be in radio. Read more …

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

Radio Headlines December 28

Best of the Day – RBR digs hard for Citadel clues

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with radio stock prices up 300-400% from lows in February and thinks the next big evaluation point is mid-February when 1^st quarter revenue trends are established.  XM radio removed from DriecTV on Feb 9 and replaced by SonicTap. What’s Liberty Media up to?   Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with Canadian station format flip to Classic Hits.  RMLC and BMI agree to 7% lower fees.  Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Digs deep into the Citadel filings to see the real owners.  Turns out Wall Street split the stock into 4.99% slices and allows CEO & executives to get bonuses worth up to 10% of the new company.  With no majority stock holder … CEO remains in charge.  19-predictions made for radio 2010 that generally say a slightly-better year ahead. Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with press release details about Percy Sutton dies at 89.  Follows with more general news of RMLC & BMI temporary deal for interim fees.   Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with legal fight, ex-President courting Sean Hannity that cost $10-million in Citadel rev$.  … details for paid subs only.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Jerry writes about George Michael … who died on Christmas Eve.  George is credited with developing the “News Center Sports” format that would become ESPN.  Jerry also includes personal details for this hard working perfectionist that “made more appearances than I have ever seen a jock make.”   Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Leads with Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio coming to Android devices.  Also notes, average American internet user spends 13-hours week online. [Radio is 3-hours?] Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) –A “Holiday Wish” and promise to “tow no company line”, shoot straight, and always deliver the long term radio interests.  Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Re-prints “What’s your plan B” from 11-months ago as one of the most engaging posts of the year.  The article is still very insightful and worth a look.   Read more …

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

Radio Headlines December 23

Best of the Day – Inside Radio has new items

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with details from NYTimes article “Who Killed Citadel Broadcasting” and adds some interesting details about CEO micro-managing positions and pay.  More about PPM flips and Radio One stock changes.     Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with old news from Citadel lawyers (@ 8am).  Late Christmas party last night?  Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with Radio One stock changes, old Citadel and NextMedia columns, and one new item about TV over-the-air revenue projections up 3% with one-third of the “up” coming from internet activity.    Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with Radio One stock changes, Obama calling into radio show, and new CFO at Westwood One.  Publisher Rhoads has new editorial “Bankruptcy:  Music to my ears”.   Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with something new … 484-radio stations all-Christmas music for the holidays up 12% from last year and up from 279 5-years ago.  Fort Wayne has six all-Christmas stations.  Something else new … judge puts hold on some Citadel bonuses … bonuses for what? Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) –  Shares details of Cumulus last paycheck practices.  Ouch, could have been a happier column for the holiday.   Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Leads with students at University of Michigan-Dearborn adapting and creating new “apps” for Fords’ in-dash web-connected Sync system.  One is called “SYNCcast” and streams internet radio to car dashboards.  Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Guest blog from radio programmer extraordinaire, Keith Hastings, spends time with Pandora and calls them digital tin men. Read more …

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

Radio Headlines December 22

Best of the Day – Jacobs Blog and the dough nut makers

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with CHR stations “sleigh-lengths” ahead with holiday music.  Emmis exec pay packages revealed including the $500k to the one pushed out.  Details behind NextMedia borrowing, lender actions, and expectations.  Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with Citadel and expected 300-days in the prepackaged legal process. Emmis executive pay package details.  Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with Citadel analysis asking … victim of the times or management?  RBR notes the difference between bean-counters and bean-growers.  Who is still working the bean field today? NextMedia details and ESPNLosAngeles.com launch for the newest local site.   Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Follows the Citadel and NextMedia headlines.  Eric Rhoads has one of his infrequent but good blogs “Bound by the Chains of History”.  Worth a read.    Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Paying subs can read about “Snowbound retailers heat up radio ads”.  Second item is IR take on Citadel.    Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Jerry writes about his take on what happens to operators in a prepackaged bankruptcy.  Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Smartphone listeners … 1 million/day for Pandora.  CC and CBS see rapid growth in mobile listeners.  Worth your time to consider this news.   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … We make the donuts; we don’t drive the truck.  Funny Jon Stewart analogy for radio … what we have to do if we hope to go beyond 2010.   Read more …

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

Radio Headlines December 21

Worst of the Day – Major radio group Citadel operating ABC radio stations files bankruptcy

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Citadel completes is long reported bankruptcy filing on Sunday.  Equity wiped out and most of the debt converted to new equity.  Employees told nothing will change at the station level … hope the new debt is not paid for with more employee paychecks.  Buried down the newsletter … CC expects December rev$ to come in even with depressed same month last year.   Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with the Citadel filing and notes CEO to remain in position overseeing the 224 radio stations.  Arbitron plans to increase cell-phone-only households in the measurement service.  Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with Citadel and comments … “most sad is the architect of this disaster will remain in place to likely run the company into the ground a second time.” Reviews 2009 predictions and says nailed 12, missed 6, and two are still inconclusive.   Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with Citadel and follows with ASCAP deal on temporary fees for 2010.   Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with Citadel and quotes CEO pledging “zero effect on operations or employees” and the sale of any assets would be unlikely.  Notes one former Citadel GM on list of stiffed creditors for $1M.     Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Hard review of Citadel and candid comments about the road forward.  Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Leads with Ford inviting developers to create apps for the web-connected Sync dashboard service.   The new SyncLink for in-car apps opens the door for webcasters to reach car dashboards.  Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) – San Diego airport Area 51 and the “Spirit of St. Louis” is an example of courage for radio to innovate and do what’s right.   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Writes … a radio station, festival, celebrity, sports franchise should have its own individualized app.  Read more …

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

Radio Headlines December 18

Best of the Day –  CC/Katz leaks rev$ trends for Dec-Jan signaling buyers that rates will firm up … hopefully.

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with Citadel most likely to file a prepackaged bankruptcy very soon.  Lenders don’t want to walk this down to the Jan 15 deadline.  Katz Marketing sees national spot recovery with December up 13% and January pacing up 17% … eight of top 10 categories up including comatose autos.  Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Breaks 7am news that CC Bondholders claim new debt means default … paybacks are hell.  Another big deal gone bad, EMI records and CitiGroup fighting over $6.5B deal going south.   Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with consensus Television Bureau of Advertising forecast of 3 to 6% ad rev$ growth next year and 18% media website ad rev$ growth.  Rev growth fuels speculation that outsiders will come in quickly and snap up lagging radio performers.  American Idol creator Simon Fuller unveiled plans for an internet / CC radio program “If I Can Dream” to reach 100M people.    Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with the Katz/CC Dec/Jan rev$ growth suggesting “impressive” improvements for Q1 and 2010.     Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with royalty impasse with ASCAP and BMI headed to federal courts for resolution.  Second item repeats the CC/Katz rev$ trends suggesting stronger economy ahead.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – Details of new Cox sales commission plans and indicates results are positive for the company and the reps.  Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Late coverage of the CBS move to increase synergy between radio and TV stations.   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … The new flat is Up for Apple apps. Interesting graph and rocker ride since July 11, 2008 for iPhone app downloads …   Read more …

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

Radio Headlines December 17

Best of the Day – JacobsBlog offers ideas for January sales

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Leads with CBS merging radio and TV websites.  New CBS COO wants hyperlocal and to be the best with all local information.  CBS also drops digital ad networks in favor of their own sales efforts.  NAB+RAB merge for 2010 drop the Spring show and consolidate with September event in Washington.    Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with recording label EMI has problems with $4 billion debt and if they don’t work something out soon they could be sold to Warner Music.  Local Community radio Act passes the House by voice vote with a full Senate vote not yet scheduled.  The bill creates hundreds of new low power FM radio station opportunities.   Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with latest FCC broadband open meeting that hunts for access to TV spectrum.  Naturally, the TV lobbyist say they haven’t enough time to respond properly to such a complicated subject.  [Another lobbyist dream project with lots of money on both sides the issue will go for a long time.]  Mentions the 2010 NAB+RAB convention dates September 29 to October 1.  Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads with the NAB+RAB radio show combination.  Follows with FM in the Google phone … widely reported in yesterday’s news.   Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with the House clears LPFM that could lead to thousands of new low power FM radio stations. New survey finds radio offered the most aggressive discounts over the last year [What’s new here?]  Pandora now at 40-million registered users, registered 600k in one week … half mobile [see a pattern here?].   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – How to get 35% more radio audience and go broke … discusses PPM programming, stop sets, and spot rates.  What’s good for PPM isn’t so good for effective radio.  Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Leads with Groove iPhone app that turns a local music collection into a personal radio stream.  “Feelin’ Groovy” is a great way to discover music you already own.   Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) – 8-minute video interview with Al Peterson on the state of Talk Radio.   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … It’s time for radio to demonstrate its true ROI.  January will be a tough start and you should think differently, experiment, and innovate.  Read more …

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

Radio Headlines December 16

Best of the Day – Inside Radio says new Google phone to have FM receiver

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – CBS continues to make changes and makes a celebrity hire for NY radio while others make budget cuts and management shake ups (CC , Salem, & Dial Global). [Recall CBS is budgeting up rev$ for next year and making plans with their budget expectations.] Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Leads with VP Biden speaking out against film & music pirates.  Speaks forcefully and plans an international meeting. [Your lobbyist $$$ at work.]  This year’s Rock & Roll hall of fame inductees listed here.   Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with yet another lobbyist full employment activity … FCC wants more broadcast spectrum for wireless data and TV/Radio guys are not about to give up anything without a big payday.  Gordon Smith pictured smiling at Congressional hearing with two big issues:  spectrum allocation and radio’s performance rights royalty exemption guarantee him and many others a profitable 2010 in Washington.   Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Hot from the PR wire with pseudo-news about management changes at Salem, CBS Radio, and Dial Global.  Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Leads with real news that the Google phone has an FM radio.  Also, a good item on Google’s $750Million Admob purchase is a good thing for mobile radio listeners/advertisers … paid subs only.   Read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – “Cumulus Invents HiFiring” or Jerry’s take on firing current staff and hiring others to replace them.  It’s Christmas but don’t expect any warm wishes in today’s column.  Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Parody of “Fake Steve Jobs” conversation between Apple and AT&T.  If it weren’t so true it wouldn’t be so funny.  Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) –Writes “Radio’s Problem isn’t Listeners, It’s Advertisers”  … says when the audience listens less the advertisers buy less.  Argues to power-up broadcasting with digital efforts for future advertising improvements.  Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Inspirational storey … Paperback Writer about a former radio guy forced to a new career and does well. [Nice way to end today’s headlines.]  Read more …

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

Radio Headlines December 15

Best of the Day –  Radio-info says game changer but maybe it’s status quo?

Radio-info (255,191 Monthly Visits says Compete.com) – Lead suggests the Clear Channel outlook for December revenues down just -1% is a game changer.  News of strengthening industry allows all others to work better deals, budgets, and operate with more confidence that the future will be better.  [If better means not going down much more then this is good.  Remember December last year was horrible.  So, -1% of horrible is … err … not bad?  Does this mean restored pay, re-hires, digital program investments, no more payless furloughs, bank debt payments are in-the-bag?]   Read more …

All Access (92,023 Monthly Visits) – Citadel names new VP/Programming to higher position and responsibilities but he has to keep his day job programming local station.  [Welcome to the new radio.]  Pohlman named new CBS leader in Phoenix.   Read more …

RBR (29,457) – Leads with reporting and analysis of CBS radio HD side channel to import leading radio formats from other locations.  RBR Observations are thoughtful and well considered.  Next item, Duke Law student takes break to work on long-term strategy at the FCC as Distinguished Scholar in Residence.  His topic is spectrum reform.  Stu’s incoming point-of-view starts with wireless data needs your spectrum.  [RBR has another good observation.]  Read more …

Radio Ink (14,294) – Leads reporting two widely circulated press releases:  new Clear Channel CFO and Citadel VP/Programming promotion. [Is this really news?]     Read more …

Inside Radio (11,821)  – Gotta love how they tease you from behind the pay wall.  Leads with research suggesting streaming media is not a radio killer.  Reports CBS recruited respected Spanish programmer and suggest intention for CBS to do more in this area.   Pay and read more …

Inside Music Media (Unknown) – The Vanishing Car Radio … and radio with liberal comments on the future.   Read more …

Kurthanson/RAIN (8,505) – Leads with Clear Channel listener survey that streaming radio attracts more 25-54 year olds than the same broadcast program … 20% more.  Read more …

Hear 2.0 (4,173) –Covers the first of 2010 predictions to come.  Summarizes the position as … be about value, about impact, about effectiveness, not about “reach”.   Read more …

Jacobs Media Blog (1,188) … Nice morning read brings the Arbitron “Fly-In” meeting to the public.  The perspective is worth the time.   Read more …

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