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July
2001 Archive
Previous
month -
Links- internally where there are follow-up stories we try, at the end of each story, to put a pertinent link to the top of the next relevant story. Regarding external links see note at end of page.
RNW July Comment looks at the value of International Radio Services.
Previous
month - Links- internally where there are follow-up stories we try, at the end of each story, to put a pertinent link to the top of the next relevant story. Regarding external links see note at end of page.
RNW July Comment looks at the value of International Radio Services.
Quality or size? RNW
June Comment looks at what we
should be "rating" for radio..
RNW May Comment -- picks up on a speech at UK Radio Authority symposium to consider what makes "high quality radio."
RNW May Comment -- picks up on a speech at UK Radio Authority symposium to consider what makes "high quality radio."
2001-07-31:
Chicago shock-jock Erich "Mancow" Muller was back on the airwaves
on Monday with reports that over the weekend Emmis
had agreed general terms on a new contract.
Muller, whose 3-year $9million contract expired last Thursday, was absent from his Q101 programme on Friday (See RNW July 28).
Emmis is saying that it hopes to have a final agreement within a fortnight.
Previous Emmis:
Previous Muller:
Muller, whose 3-year $9million contract expired last Thursday, was absent from his Q101 programme on Friday (See RNW July 28).
Emmis is saying that it hopes to have a final agreement within a fortnight.
Previous Emmis:
Previous Muller:
2001-07-31:
The UK Radio Authority has given Britain's national commercial sports
radio station TalkSport permission
to run a separate soccer programme to Scotland and Northern Ireland
for up to three hours a day.
TalkSport had asked for the "split" so as to provide cover of Scottish Premier League related cover rather than of English topics.
Provision of limited "splitting" was envisaged before the licence was granted and last year the Authority agreed to allow TalkSport to split its programmes to allow for two hours a day of live soccer commentary in London although the station has not yet put this programming split into operation.
The Authority says that it regards these opt-outs as "exceptional" and will not be prepared to sanction further splits for other regions of England.
Previous TalkSport:
Previous UKRA:
UK Radio Authority web site:
TalkSport had asked for the "split" so as to provide cover of Scottish Premier League related cover rather than of English topics.
Provision of limited "splitting" was envisaged before the licence was granted and last year the Authority agreed to allow TalkSport to split its programmes to allow for two hours a day of live soccer commentary in London although the station has not yet put this programming split into operation.
The Authority says that it regards these opt-outs as "exceptional" and will not be prepared to sanction further splits for other regions of England.
Previous TalkSport:
Previous UKRA:
UK Radio Authority web site:
2001-07-31:
More deals and results in the US starting with
Fisher Communications for whom a $7.6 million plus net
income for the first half of 2000 has turned into a $2.8 million loss
for the second quarter.
Fisher, which recently sold its flour mills -the start of the family fortunes - reported second quarter broadcasting revenues down to $ 38,574 $ 50,035 although it did not report the split between TV and radio; for the first six months, broadcasting revenues went down from $94,862 to $73,762.
Fishers' stations are concentrated in Seattle and Portland and benefited from the dot com boon last year.
In California, the last Z-Spanish Media station, which had to be spun off following Z's acquisition by Entravision, has now been sold. KLOC-AM, Ceres, in the Modesto, market is fetching $400000 from Threshold Communications, which already owns KVIN-AM, Turlock, and KRVR-FM, Copperopolis, also in the Modesto market.
In Idaho, Sand Hill Media Corporation is paying $1.2million for KADQ-FM in Rexburgh plus a Construction Permit for KOSZ-FM, a class C1 station, at Idaho Falls.
In Michigan, MidWest Communications is paying Conrad Communications $1.45 million for WYVN-FM in Saugatuck. MidWest already owns WHTC-Am in Holland, Michigan.
Previous Entravision:
Previous Fisher:
Fisher web site:
Fisher, which recently sold its flour mills -the start of the family fortunes - reported second quarter broadcasting revenues down to $ 38,574 $ 50,035 although it did not report the split between TV and radio; for the first six months, broadcasting revenues went down from $94,862 to $73,762.
Fishers' stations are concentrated in Seattle and Portland and benefited from the dot com boon last year.
In California, the last Z-Spanish Media station, which had to be spun off following Z's acquisition by Entravision, has now been sold. KLOC-AM, Ceres, in the Modesto, market is fetching $400000 from Threshold Communications, which already owns KVIN-AM, Turlock, and KRVR-FM, Copperopolis, also in the Modesto market.
In Idaho, Sand Hill Media Corporation is paying $1.2million for KADQ-FM in Rexburgh plus a Construction Permit for KOSZ-FM, a class C1 station, at Idaho Falls.
In Michigan, MidWest Communications is paying Conrad Communications $1.45 million for WYVN-FM in Saugatuck. MidWest already owns WHTC-Am in Holland, Michigan.
Previous Entravision:
Previous Fisher:
Fisher web site:
2001-07-30:
We start with a juxtaposition of quotations from four columns to start
of this week; all from august journals in their countries, and for the
moment leave hanging their origins.
First, "These contests represent the worst of today's commercial radio: The medium reveals itself to be truly amoral. The mantra is: anything for ratings
Second, "They all work for a small percentage of what they get in television, have no fancy deals and the work is creatively demanding. So what's the attraction?"
Third, "He was generic highbrow - irreplaceable, eclectic, infuriating highbrow. His success came from his ideas, not his personality. And his ideas came from his own private untethered universe.
Fourth: "To which music is radio most generous? Classical, certainly, with two out of eight national stations devoted to it. Chart hits and rock, which dominate two other national stations, plus the majority of local stations."
So how many of you correctly attributed first and third to the US; second and fourth to Britain?
Working numerically, we start with Frank Ahrens in the Washington Post and a column on radio competitions which began, "It's rarely worth writing about radio contests because they are so common: Almost every station does one nearly every week, it seems."
"Most of them are innocuous but not newsworthy. Just some harmless fun."
"Others, however, try to lure contestants by using hurtful stereotypes, mean-spirited jokes and hateful language."
Then came our first quotation.
The competition was the "The Running of the Bull Dykes."
Its rationale?
Ahrens says the station had some Melissa Etheridge tickets, Etheridge is gay, and Pamplona in Spain had just staged its annual running of the bulls.
Thus a competition plan, which involved, to quote Ahrens again, "Morning show stuntwoman Rebecca Froman (whose on-air name is Becky Butt Rub, which gives you an idea of the taste factor involved here) meant to affix tickets to her body and commence running on the Mall, pursued by lesbian contestants, or, to use the slur, 'bull dykes.'"
" Whichever contestant caught Froman first got the tickets."
Unsurprisingly the idea attracted complaints, which led to an on-air chastisement of the DJs involved by a representative of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, but this apparently didn't get through to one of them, Mark Kaye.~
He said later that he thought the contest satisfied the three obligations of broadcasting: to entertain, inform and educate.
The event itself didn't happen as a phone call had elicited the fact that the station had no permission from the US Park Service to stage it and when station representatives turned up at the Washington Monument they were greeted by Park Police, around 25 lesbians and one "contestant" who was given the tickets.
The second item we would consider to have a better meaning of that Reithian triplet of qualities. It came from the UK Times, written by former BBC Radio 4 commissioning editor, Mary Sharp.
The answer to the question of what the attraction was came succinctly from TV presenter and Radio 4 host Michael Buerk: "I do it because it is intelligent, argumentative and fun . . . there's greater freedom in dealing with abstract ideas - you don't have the constant struggle to find illustrations and visual metaphors or to persuade executives that bright and passionate people arguing can be visually compelling."
"Radio 4 is the perfect place for arguing about issues that shape our moral world."
Buerk also raised the question of a fear of failure leading to many layers of control on TV whereas radio, pointed out Sharp, "does not have the money to waste on this control and must be more forgiving."
The third item: Well that was the Boston Globe and the comment, in a column by Sam Allis, was about Christopher Lydon, the former host of "The Connection".
The article itself looks at the challenge faced by his successor Dick Gordon (See RNW July 26).
And finally the music?
This quotation was from Paul Donovan in the UK Sunday Times in a column lamenting the lack of "generosity" to Jazz on British Radio.
Commercial channel Jazz FM, he points out, is now "almost entirely soul and funk."
On the BBC he welcomes the first annual BBC Jazz Awards, which will be announced at a musical gala, hosted by Humphrey Lyttelton and Jools Holland, on Tuesday evening with highlights being broadcast on Radio 2 and Radio 3.
"Sadly, " he notes, "one of the winners - the Duke Ellington and Count Basie trumpeter, Clark Terry - is too ill to travel from the United States to collect his trophy (there is no money involved in any of the prizes) for international jazz artist of the year."
Also noted is a new tie-up between Radio 3 and the London Jazz Festival in November, with the station becoming its "media partner" in a two-year deal to be announced shortly.
Maybe some hopes after all!
Previous Ahrens:
Previous Columnists:
Previous Donovan:
Previous Lydon:
Boston Globe - Sam Allis:
Sunday Times -Donovan:
UK Times - Sharp:
Washington Post-Ahrens:
First, "These contests represent the worst of today's commercial radio: The medium reveals itself to be truly amoral. The mantra is: anything for ratings
Second, "They all work for a small percentage of what they get in television, have no fancy deals and the work is creatively demanding. So what's the attraction?"
Third, "He was generic highbrow - irreplaceable, eclectic, infuriating highbrow. His success came from his ideas, not his personality. And his ideas came from his own private untethered universe.
Fourth: "To which music is radio most generous? Classical, certainly, with two out of eight national stations devoted to it. Chart hits and rock, which dominate two other national stations, plus the majority of local stations."
So how many of you correctly attributed first and third to the US; second and fourth to Britain?
Working numerically, we start with Frank Ahrens in the Washington Post and a column on radio competitions which began, "It's rarely worth writing about radio contests because they are so common: Almost every station does one nearly every week, it seems."
"Most of them are innocuous but not newsworthy. Just some harmless fun."
"Others, however, try to lure contestants by using hurtful stereotypes, mean-spirited jokes and hateful language."
Then came our first quotation.
The competition was the "The Running of the Bull Dykes."
Its rationale?
Ahrens says the station had some Melissa Etheridge tickets, Etheridge is gay, and Pamplona in Spain had just staged its annual running of the bulls.
Thus a competition plan, which involved, to quote Ahrens again, "Morning show stuntwoman Rebecca Froman (whose on-air name is Becky Butt Rub, which gives you an idea of the taste factor involved here) meant to affix tickets to her body and commence running on the Mall, pursued by lesbian contestants, or, to use the slur, 'bull dykes.'"
" Whichever contestant caught Froman first got the tickets."
Unsurprisingly the idea attracted complaints, which led to an on-air chastisement of the DJs involved by a representative of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, but this apparently didn't get through to one of them, Mark Kaye.~
He said later that he thought the contest satisfied the three obligations of broadcasting: to entertain, inform and educate.
The event itself didn't happen as a phone call had elicited the fact that the station had no permission from the US Park Service to stage it and when station representatives turned up at the Washington Monument they were greeted by Park Police, around 25 lesbians and one "contestant" who was given the tickets.
The second item we would consider to have a better meaning of that Reithian triplet of qualities. It came from the UK Times, written by former BBC Radio 4 commissioning editor, Mary Sharp.
The answer to the question of what the attraction was came succinctly from TV presenter and Radio 4 host Michael Buerk: "I do it because it is intelligent, argumentative and fun . . . there's greater freedom in dealing with abstract ideas - you don't have the constant struggle to find illustrations and visual metaphors or to persuade executives that bright and passionate people arguing can be visually compelling."
"Radio 4 is the perfect place for arguing about issues that shape our moral world."
Buerk also raised the question of a fear of failure leading to many layers of control on TV whereas radio, pointed out Sharp, "does not have the money to waste on this control and must be more forgiving."
The third item: Well that was the Boston Globe and the comment, in a column by Sam Allis, was about Christopher Lydon, the former host of "The Connection".
The article itself looks at the challenge faced by his successor Dick Gordon (See RNW July 26).
And finally the music?
This quotation was from Paul Donovan in the UK Sunday Times in a column lamenting the lack of "generosity" to Jazz on British Radio.
Commercial channel Jazz FM, he points out, is now "almost entirely soul and funk."
On the BBC he welcomes the first annual BBC Jazz Awards, which will be announced at a musical gala, hosted by Humphrey Lyttelton and Jools Holland, on Tuesday evening with highlights being broadcast on Radio 2 and Radio 3.
"Sadly, " he notes, "one of the winners - the Duke Ellington and Count Basie trumpeter, Clark Terry - is too ill to travel from the United States to collect his trophy (there is no money involved in any of the prizes) for international jazz artist of the year."
Also noted is a new tie-up between Radio 3 and the London Jazz Festival in November, with the station becoming its "media partner" in a two-year deal to be announced shortly.
Maybe some hopes after all!
Previous Ahrens:
Previous Columnists:
Previous Donovan:
Previous Lydon:
Boston Globe - Sam Allis:
Sunday Times -Donovan:
UK Times - Sharp:
Washington Post-Ahrens:
2001-07-28:
Quite a busy week in Australia with more area licence plan details being
released and also in the UK but fairly quiet elsewhere: In
Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Authority
(ABA) has released draft area plan details for south east Queensland
and south east South Australia as well as allocating new community radio
licences for Camberwell and Waverley in Victoria.
In southeast Queensland, details have been released relating to the Nambour, Gympie and Remote North East Queensland licence area plans.
They include proposals:
* to make channels available in the Noosa/Tewantin area to improve reception of the commercial radio services 4GY and 4NNN Gympie and 4SSS and 4SEE Nambour;
*to extend the licence area of the commercial radio service 4SUN Remote North East Queensland to include Caloundra (which is also served by 4SSS and 4SEE Nambour);
*and to make a channel available for retransmission of the service to the Mt Tamborine area.
In south east South Australia, the Authority is proposing to:
*make available an additional community radio service in Mount Gambier and two new community radio services in Victor Harbor;
*to extend the licence area of commercial service 5EZY Murray Bridge to include Mount Barker and Victor Harbor;
*to extend the licence area of Bordertown community radio service, 5TCB, to Kingston/Robe, Naracoorte, Padthaway and Tintinara;
*to change the frequency and increase the power of community radio service 5GTR Mount Gambier;
*and to make an additional FM channel available for the ABC in Mount Gambier.
In Victoria, new community licences allocated are the Camberwell licence to be allocated to Whitehorse Boroondara Community Radio Inc on September 1 and the Waverley licence, to be allocated to Golden Days Radio For Senior Citizens Inc on 1 August.
The authority notes that Whitehorse Boroondara Community Radio has agreed to grant access to Swinburne Student Radio Inc., one of the unsuccessful applicants, to provide programming that caters to youth.
A third applicant in Camberwell was Youth With A Mission, which withdrew its application in April.
In Waverley there were two applications, the unsuccessful applicant being Monash University Union Radio Inc (3MU).
The allocation decision was made after the Authority found the over fifty-year-old group to be growing at a faster rate than youth in the Waverley community.
The Authority is also to hold a public meeting concerning its plans for three new Melbourne-wide community radio licences and a Melbourne City community radio licence.
The Authority has also welcomed the proposed introduction by the Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters Limited (FARB) of a new code of practice that covers response procedures to be followed by commercial radio stations in the event of an emergency.
FARB has released a draft code for consultation and ABA chairman, Professor David Flint, commented, "The ABA is pleased that FARB has released the draft code, which will provide all commercial radio broadcasters with clear guidelines on the minimum standards expected of them in responding to emergencies, thus establishing 'industry best practice' in this regard."
"These minimum standards should ensure that commercial radio service providers can be contacted at all times with a view to broadcasting important information should the need arise."
Canada was very quiet with the only radio business being two time extensions that were approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC): they related to an FM station at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan for Golden West Broadcasting and a transmitter at Sherbrooke for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to re-broadcast the programming of CBM-FM Montréal.
In Ireland there was nothing of note but in the UK the Radio Authority was fairly active on both the analogue and digital fronts.
It has renewed the licences of:
*Radio Aire Ltd., Leeds, which broadcasts as Radio Aire (FM) and Magic 828 (AM);
*of Century Radio Ltd., which broadcasts as Century FM in northeast England;
*and of Northsound Radio Ltd., Aberdeen, which broadcasts as Northsound One (FM) and Northsound Two (AM).
All were automatic renewals under legislation concerning analogue stations, which are providing services on the relevant digital multiplex in their area.
On the digital front, the Authority has announced that it has received only one application for Exeter & Torbay digital multiplex licence, from GWR Group subsidiary, Now Digital Ltd.
Now is proposing six commercial services initially with a seventh to be added within two years; it will also carry BBC local service, BBC Radio Devon.
Commercial services proposed are:
* Contemporary hit radio -- Gemini FM (provider: Gemini Radio Ltd.):
*Gold -- Classic Gold (provider: Classic Gold Digital Ltd.):
*Adult contemporary - Passion (provider: Passion for the Planet Ltd.):
*Country - Ritz (provider: RMG plc): Music from films and shows - Flix (provider: Infinity Media Ltd.):
*Dance - Provider: to be advertised.
Assessments have also been published of two recent awards, that of the Bournemouth local digital multiple for Bournemouth to Now Digital, the sole applicant (See Licence News May 20), and the new south and west Yorkshire regional licence which went to Variety FM, owned by the Guardian Media Group (GMG)(See Licence News February 11).
Of the Bournemouth application, the notice says it met all necessary requirements and comments that a "broad" service was being offered
In particular it singles out range from young to old from the rhythmic dance music service, which will potentially be provided by The Fire to Saga's 'easy listening' and also the inclusion of all four existing analogue services on the multiplex (subject to agreement being reached with The Fire).
In the case of the south and west Yorkshire licence, there were 16 applications and the authority lists factors that determined its award to Variety FM.
In particular it noted that Variety's research showed that over-35's in the area were "under-served by existing local commercial radio, and that there is a demand from this audience for more local news provision." "In Members' view," the Authority says, " Variety FM would do much to address the outstanding needs of listeners in the area because it proposes a service which is likely to appeal to 35-54 year olds with a format which is rich in local news programming."
It also highlighted " GMG's investment plans for the station, which included developing a training school, something that in Members' view would be a real contribution to the community." The Authority has also advertised a new FM local licence for a service either to the city of Chester or the towns in the southern part of Flintshire (Mold, Buckley and/or Connah's Quay), and the immediately surrounding area.
It says that as only one suitable frequency exists in the area, it will award this single licence to the applicant providing the "most convincing" proposals for a service directed at either of the areas.
In the US, new members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have been completing staff appointments.
There has also been a dismissal of a rather "cheeky" application by American Radio Brokers Inc. for review of a $4000 fine imposed for failure to respond to written enquiries concerning KAXX-AM, Eagle River, Alaska.
American had one argument only: that "that the Commission lacked the "moral authority" to impose forfeitures because the Commission has not met certain statutory deadlines imposed on it relating to applications. "
The FCC comments, " It is regrettable that the Commission has missed certain statutory deadlines. Nevertheless, the argument that this affects the Commission's authority to impose a forfeiture is frivolous and the Bureau properly rejected it."
In southeast Queensland, details have been released relating to the Nambour, Gympie and Remote North East Queensland licence area plans.
They include proposals:
* to make channels available in the Noosa/Tewantin area to improve reception of the commercial radio services 4GY and 4NNN Gympie and 4SSS and 4SEE Nambour;
*to extend the licence area of the commercial radio service 4SUN Remote North East Queensland to include Caloundra (which is also served by 4SSS and 4SEE Nambour);
*and to make a channel available for retransmission of the service to the Mt Tamborine area.
In south east South Australia, the Authority is proposing to:
*make available an additional community radio service in Mount Gambier and two new community radio services in Victor Harbor;
*to extend the licence area of commercial service 5EZY Murray Bridge to include Mount Barker and Victor Harbor;
*to extend the licence area of Bordertown community radio service, 5TCB, to Kingston/Robe, Naracoorte, Padthaway and Tintinara;
*to change the frequency and increase the power of community radio service 5GTR Mount Gambier;
*and to make an additional FM channel available for the ABC in Mount Gambier.
In Victoria, new community licences allocated are the Camberwell licence to be allocated to Whitehorse Boroondara Community Radio Inc on September 1 and the Waverley licence, to be allocated to Golden Days Radio For Senior Citizens Inc on 1 August.
The authority notes that Whitehorse Boroondara Community Radio has agreed to grant access to Swinburne Student Radio Inc., one of the unsuccessful applicants, to provide programming that caters to youth.
A third applicant in Camberwell was Youth With A Mission, which withdrew its application in April.
In Waverley there were two applications, the unsuccessful applicant being Monash University Union Radio Inc (3MU).
The allocation decision was made after the Authority found the over fifty-year-old group to be growing at a faster rate than youth in the Waverley community.
The Authority is also to hold a public meeting concerning its plans for three new Melbourne-wide community radio licences and a Melbourne City community radio licence.
The Authority has also welcomed the proposed introduction by the Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters Limited (FARB) of a new code of practice that covers response procedures to be followed by commercial radio stations in the event of an emergency.
FARB has released a draft code for consultation and ABA chairman, Professor David Flint, commented, "The ABA is pleased that FARB has released the draft code, which will provide all commercial radio broadcasters with clear guidelines on the minimum standards expected of them in responding to emergencies, thus establishing 'industry best practice' in this regard."
"These minimum standards should ensure that commercial radio service providers can be contacted at all times with a view to broadcasting important information should the need arise."
Canada was very quiet with the only radio business being two time extensions that were approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC): they related to an FM station at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan for Golden West Broadcasting and a transmitter at Sherbrooke for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to re-broadcast the programming of CBM-FM Montréal.
In Ireland there was nothing of note but in the UK the Radio Authority was fairly active on both the analogue and digital fronts.
It has renewed the licences of:
*Radio Aire Ltd., Leeds, which broadcasts as Radio Aire (FM) and Magic 828 (AM);
*of Century Radio Ltd., which broadcasts as Century FM in northeast England;
*and of Northsound Radio Ltd., Aberdeen, which broadcasts as Northsound One (FM) and Northsound Two (AM).
All were automatic renewals under legislation concerning analogue stations, which are providing services on the relevant digital multiplex in their area.
On the digital front, the Authority has announced that it has received only one application for Exeter & Torbay digital multiplex licence, from GWR Group subsidiary, Now Digital Ltd.
Now is proposing six commercial services initially with a seventh to be added within two years; it will also carry BBC local service, BBC Radio Devon.
Commercial services proposed are:
* Contemporary hit radio -- Gemini FM (provider: Gemini Radio Ltd.):
*Gold -- Classic Gold (provider: Classic Gold Digital Ltd.):
*Adult contemporary - Passion (provider: Passion for the Planet Ltd.):
*Country - Ritz (provider: RMG plc): Music from films and shows - Flix (provider: Infinity Media Ltd.):
*Dance - Provider: to be advertised.
Assessments have also been published of two recent awards, that of the Bournemouth local digital multiple for Bournemouth to Now Digital, the sole applicant (See Licence News May 20), and the new south and west Yorkshire regional licence which went to Variety FM, owned by the Guardian Media Group (GMG)(See Licence News February 11).
Of the Bournemouth application, the notice says it met all necessary requirements and comments that a "broad" service was being offered
In particular it singles out range from young to old from the rhythmic dance music service, which will potentially be provided by The Fire to Saga's 'easy listening' and also the inclusion of all four existing analogue services on the multiplex (subject to agreement being reached with The Fire).
In the case of the south and west Yorkshire licence, there were 16 applications and the authority lists factors that determined its award to Variety FM.
In particular it noted that Variety's research showed that over-35's in the area were "under-served by existing local commercial radio, and that there is a demand from this audience for more local news provision." "In Members' view," the Authority says, " Variety FM would do much to address the outstanding needs of listeners in the area because it proposes a service which is likely to appeal to 35-54 year olds with a format which is rich in local news programming."
It also highlighted " GMG's investment plans for the station, which included developing a training school, something that in Members' view would be a real contribution to the community." The Authority has also advertised a new FM local licence for a service either to the city of Chester or the towns in the southern part of Flintshire (Mold, Buckley and/or Connah's Quay), and the immediately surrounding area.
It says that as only one suitable frequency exists in the area, it will award this single licence to the applicant providing the "most convincing" proposals for a service directed at either of the areas.
In the US, new members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have been completing staff appointments.
There has also been a dismissal of a rather "cheeky" application by American Radio Brokers Inc. for review of a $4000 fine imposed for failure to respond to written enquiries concerning KAXX-AM, Eagle River, Alaska.
American had one argument only: that "that the Commission lacked the "moral authority" to impose forfeitures because the Commission has not met certain statutory deadlines imposed on it relating to applications. "
The FCC comments, " It is regrettable that the Commission has missed certain statutory deadlines. Nevertheless, the argument that this affects the Commission's authority to impose a forfeiture is frivolous and the Bureau properly rejected it."
Previous ABA:
Previous CRTC:
Previous Flint :
Previous FCC:
Previous GMG:
Previous GWR:
Previous Licence News:
Previous UK Radio Authority:
ABA web site:
CRTC web site:
FCC web site:
UK Radio Authority web site:
Previous CRTC:
Previous Flint :
Previous FCC:
Previous GMG:
Previous GWR:
Previous Licence News:
Previous UK Radio Authority:
ABA web site:
CRTC web site:
FCC web site:
UK Radio Authority web site:
2001-07-28:
Continuing second quarter radio reports, Kentucky-headquartered
Regent Communications has reported results ahead of forecasts.
Net broadcast revenues were up 37.5% compared to Q2, 2000, to $14.7 million and broadcast cash flow (BCF) was up 31.5% to $4.8 million.
On a same-station basis, net broadcast revenues were up 5.2% to $8 million but BCF was down 9.8% to $2.6 million largely because of investment expenditure.
Chairman and CEO Terry Jacobs commented, "We are especially pleased with our same station revenue growth of over 5%, demonstrating our ability to outperform both our individual markets, as well as the radio industry as a whole."
He also commented,"Regent has also been successful on the acquisition front, entering the attractive middle market of Peoria during the second quarter, and most recently solidifying our position in the Flint and Grand Rapids markets."
Regent has just announced definitive agreements with Haith Broadcasting to acquire WFGR-FM serving the Grand Rapids market and with Frankenmuth Radio Company to acquire WZRZ-FM serving the Flint market, both in Michigan.
In all, it is paying $ 7 million for the stations, $1.4 million of it in Regent stock.
Completion of the deals is expected in the fourth quarter and would leave Regent with four FMs and an AM in Grand Rapids plus 3 FMs and an AM in Flint.
In all, including pending transactions, Regent will then operate 53 stations in 11 markets.
For the full year, Regent forecasts reported revenues and broadcast cash flow of approximately $53.5 - $55.5 million and $17.0 - $17.5 million.
Also reporting but less favourably was Interep which, unlike Regent, is heavily dependent upon national advertising.
Its second quarter radio commission revenue was down 15% to $22.7 million and operating EBITDA was down 52% to $3.3million.
Earnings per share however were up from a loss of 14 cents in 200Q2 to a positive 12 cents because of a $20 million increase in contract termination revenue, primarily from a settlement of a lawsuit against Katz Media and its parent Clear Channel.
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous Interep:
Previous Jacobs:
Previous Regent:
Interep web site:
Regent web site:
Net broadcast revenues were up 37.5% compared to Q2, 2000, to $14.7 million and broadcast cash flow (BCF) was up 31.5% to $4.8 million.
On a same-station basis, net broadcast revenues were up 5.2% to $8 million but BCF was down 9.8% to $2.6 million largely because of investment expenditure.
Chairman and CEO Terry Jacobs commented, "We are especially pleased with our same station revenue growth of over 5%, demonstrating our ability to outperform both our individual markets, as well as the radio industry as a whole."
He also commented,"Regent has also been successful on the acquisition front, entering the attractive middle market of Peoria during the second quarter, and most recently solidifying our position in the Flint and Grand Rapids markets."
Regent has just announced definitive agreements with Haith Broadcasting to acquire WFGR-FM serving the Grand Rapids market and with Frankenmuth Radio Company to acquire WZRZ-FM serving the Flint market, both in Michigan.
In all, it is paying $ 7 million for the stations, $1.4 million of it in Regent stock.
Completion of the deals is expected in the fourth quarter and would leave Regent with four FMs and an AM in Grand Rapids plus 3 FMs and an AM in Flint.
In all, including pending transactions, Regent will then operate 53 stations in 11 markets.
For the full year, Regent forecasts reported revenues and broadcast cash flow of approximately $53.5 - $55.5 million and $17.0 - $17.5 million.
Also reporting but less favourably was Interep which, unlike Regent, is heavily dependent upon national advertising.
Its second quarter radio commission revenue was down 15% to $22.7 million and operating EBITDA was down 52% to $3.3million.
Earnings per share however were up from a loss of 14 cents in 200Q2 to a positive 12 cents because of a $20 million increase in contract termination revenue, primarily from a settlement of a lawsuit against Katz Media and its parent Clear Channel.
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous Interep:
Previous Jacobs:
Previous Regent:
Interep web site:
Regent web site:
2001-07-28:
Australian newspaper and magazine company Text Media has
pulled out of its deal to buy a half share in two Melbourne radio stations
according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
A week ago the company announced that it had agreed to buy a half-share in 3AK talk station and 3MP easy listening music station (See RNW July 20): Now it says that after completing its due diligence checks it has been unable to continue the deal with station owner Data and Commerce.
The paper also quotes Data & Commerce managing director Jeff Chatfield, who had said the deal collapsed because of disagreements over strategic direction, as saying Data and Commerce had received another "slightly improved" offer for a half-share in the stations.
Text Media had originally agree to pay for its share $4.25 million cash and 1.4 million Text shares.
Previous Text Media:
Sydney Morning Herald report:
A week ago the company announced that it had agreed to buy a half-share in 3AK talk station and 3MP easy listening music station (See RNW July 20): Now it says that after completing its due diligence checks it has been unable to continue the deal with station owner Data and Commerce.
The paper also quotes Data & Commerce managing director Jeff Chatfield, who had said the deal collapsed because of disagreements over strategic direction, as saying Data and Commerce had received another "slightly improved" offer for a half-share in the stations.
Text Media had originally agree to pay for its share $4.25 million cash and 1.4 million Text shares.
Previous Text Media:
Sydney Morning Herald report:
2001-07-28:
Still no word or mention on its website from Chicago
Q101 and owner Emmis on whether
Erich "Mancow" Muller has signed up again with them.
His 3-year $9 million contract expired on Thursday and Friday's "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" went ahead without him.
According to Robert Feder in the Chicago Sun-Times, Emmis remains confident that they will successfully negotiate a re-signing.
Mulle,r said the paper, had not closed the door on a settlement, commenting, "The idea of leaving Chicago is heartbreaking."
"We both have our poker faces on, and I feel like I'm in the middle of this thing…………. To me, it's kind of like Liz Taylor and Richard Burton."
"We hate each other, we love each other, we hate each other. I'm just not sure that we could ever love each other again."
Feder also reports that Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart have agreed long-term renewals for their morning show on Bonneville's modern rock WTMX-FM.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed but the paper, attributing the information to "sources" says Ferguson signed a five-year $5 million deal and Hart agreed to a four-year extension.
In recent Arbitron ratings, the duo were first in two key demographic categories--among adults between the ages of 18 and 49 and adults between the ages of 25 and 54.
And finally Feder notes that Clear Channel's contract with Larry Lujack has now ended. Lujack has been off the air since the former WUBT dropped its Jammin'Oldies format and his agent says talks are under way with a number of stations.
Previous Bonneville:
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous Emmis:
Previous Feder:
Previous Lujack:
Previous "Mancow" Muller:
Sun-Times -Feder columns:
His 3-year $9 million contract expired on Thursday and Friday's "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" went ahead without him.
According to Robert Feder in the Chicago Sun-Times, Emmis remains confident that they will successfully negotiate a re-signing.
Mulle,r said the paper, had not closed the door on a settlement, commenting, "The idea of leaving Chicago is heartbreaking."
"We both have our poker faces on, and I feel like I'm in the middle of this thing…………. To me, it's kind of like Liz Taylor and Richard Burton."
"We hate each other, we love each other, we hate each other. I'm just not sure that we could ever love each other again."
Feder also reports that Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart have agreed long-term renewals for their morning show on Bonneville's modern rock WTMX-FM.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed but the paper, attributing the information to "sources" says Ferguson signed a five-year $5 million deal and Hart agreed to a four-year extension.
In recent Arbitron ratings, the duo were first in two key demographic categories--among adults between the ages of 18 and 49 and adults between the ages of 25 and 54.
And finally Feder notes that Clear Channel's contract with Larry Lujack has now ended. Lujack has been off the air since the former WUBT dropped its Jammin'Oldies format and his agent says talks are under way with a number of stations.
Previous Bonneville:
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous Emmis:
Previous Feder:
Previous Lujack:
Previous "Mancow" Muller:
Sun-Times -Feder columns:
2001-07-27:
More second quarter results now out, including those of Viacom
in the US and also for the third quarter of last year
from Astral and Corus
in Canada show a mixed picture.
Montreal-based Astral Media reported third quarter earnings up some 60% to CDN$8.1 million compared to CDN$5 million for Q3, 2000.
It said growth was led by its pay TV services but the highlight of the quarter was its CDN255 million deal to buy Telemedia's 19 radio stations in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (See RNW June 30).
"This move underscores our determination to grow the radio side of our business in Quebec and will allow us to expand our radio operations outside the province and to gain entry into the English-language market, " commented Astral chairman André Bureau.
Toronto-based Corus had a seventh consecutive quarter of revenue growth, which it said was "fuelled by a mix of acquisitions and a buoyant television and radio advertising market."
It posted an 150% increase in revenues, from CDN$55.4 million last year to CDN$138 million, and EBITDA (income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and other) of CDN$31.1 million, a 95% increase over 200.
Corus owns 52 radio stations in Canada and commented of radio that," Corus' Radio division continued to perform well in Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary with 9% revenue growth on a pro-forma basis."
It added," Overall radio growth, while positive at 1.4%, was impacted by numerous format changes initiated to strengthen Corus' position for the future."
In the US, Viacom, which had a net loss of $495.6 million (41 cents a share) in Q2, 2000, returned to profit with net earnings of $16.7 million (1 cent per share)for Q2 this year but Infinity Radio's results were hit by the absence of last year's dot com earnings.
Infinity's pro forma EBITDA of $436 million decreased 5% on pro forma revenues down 4% at $985 million although the company says it "continued to gain market share by outpacing the out-of-home market and was No. 1 in radio revenue billings in seven of the top 10 markets."
The Pro forma results assume the acquisition of Infinity as part of the CBS merger, and the subsequent acquisition of the minority interest of Infinity, had occurred on January 1, 2000 and also assume the completion of all acquisitions and related divestitures of radio and outdoor properties by Infinity had occurred at the beginning of each period presented
For the first six months of the year, Infinity pro-forma revenues were down 4% at $1819.8 million and EBITDA was down 5% at $758.1 million.
Also in the US, The Ackerley Group has reported net revenues down, this time by 7.5% to $55 million and EBITDA down 55% to $6.4 million. Radio revenues were down 24% to $5.7 million and Broadcast Cash Flow was down 77% to $600000.
Previous Ackerley:
Previous Astral:
Previous Corus:
Previous Viacom-CBS-Infinity:
Ackerley web site:
Corus web site:
Viacom Web site:
Montreal-based Astral Media reported third quarter earnings up some 60% to CDN$8.1 million compared to CDN$5 million for Q3, 2000.
It said growth was led by its pay TV services but the highlight of the quarter was its CDN255 million deal to buy Telemedia's 19 radio stations in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (See RNW June 30).
"This move underscores our determination to grow the radio side of our business in Quebec and will allow us to expand our radio operations outside the province and to gain entry into the English-language market, " commented Astral chairman André Bureau.
Toronto-based Corus had a seventh consecutive quarter of revenue growth, which it said was "fuelled by a mix of acquisitions and a buoyant television and radio advertising market."
It posted an 150% increase in revenues, from CDN$55.4 million last year to CDN$138 million, and EBITDA (income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and other) of CDN$31.1 million, a 95% increase over 200.
Corus owns 52 radio stations in Canada and commented of radio that," Corus' Radio division continued to perform well in Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary with 9% revenue growth on a pro-forma basis."
It added," Overall radio growth, while positive at 1.4%, was impacted by numerous format changes initiated to strengthen Corus' position for the future."
In the US, Viacom, which had a net loss of $495.6 million (41 cents a share) in Q2, 2000, returned to profit with net earnings of $16.7 million (1 cent per share)for Q2 this year but Infinity Radio's results were hit by the absence of last year's dot com earnings.
Infinity's pro forma EBITDA of $436 million decreased 5% on pro forma revenues down 4% at $985 million although the company says it "continued to gain market share by outpacing the out-of-home market and was No. 1 in radio revenue billings in seven of the top 10 markets."
The Pro forma results assume the acquisition of Infinity as part of the CBS merger, and the subsequent acquisition of the minority interest of Infinity, had occurred on January 1, 2000 and also assume the completion of all acquisitions and related divestitures of radio and outdoor properties by Infinity had occurred at the beginning of each period presented
For the first six months of the year, Infinity pro-forma revenues were down 4% at $1819.8 million and EBITDA was down 5% at $758.1 million.
Also in the US, The Ackerley Group has reported net revenues down, this time by 7.5% to $55 million and EBITDA down 55% to $6.4 million. Radio revenues were down 24% to $5.7 million and Broadcast Cash Flow was down 77% to $600000.
Previous Ackerley:
Previous Astral:
Previous Corus:
Previous Viacom-CBS-Infinity:
Ackerley web site:
Corus web site:
Viacom Web site:
2001-07-27:
The UK Radio Authority's latest quarterly bulletin shows
that in the second quarter of this year it received fewer programming
complaints than in the same period last year but upheld more; concerning
advertising it both received fewer complaints and upheld fewer.
In all, 51 programming complaints were received instead of 55, 17 being upheld compared with 15.
These broke down (2000 figures in brackets) by category into
*7 (6) concerning accuracy of which 4 (2) were upheld;
*10 (7) concerning balance/bias/ fairness of which 6 (9) were upheld;
*1 (3) concerning promise of performance or format of which none (none) were upheld and;
*8 (5) concerning other matters of which 4 (0) were upheld.
There were 45 (61) advertising related complaints of which 2 (7) were upheld.
These broke down by category into:
*3 (4) said to be harmful of which none (1) was upheld;
*12 (22) said to be misleading of which 1 (3) was upheld;
*28 (30) said to be offensive of which 1 (2) was upheld and;
*2 (5) concerning other matters of which none (1) was upheld.
In each of the categories except that of accuracy and promise of performance or format, there were occasions when there was more than one complaint about a particular matter.
Programming complaints upheld included:
Accuracy:
A complaint against Century 105 (North West England), which offered a year's supply of gas or electricity but in fact had a prize limited to £350:
A complaint against Ridings FM (Wakefield) that had given the impression that a programme was "live" when part of it was not.
A complaint against Asian Sound Radio (East Lancashire) on the basis that it said it was broadcasting to West Yorkshire when it was not.
Complaints against News Direct 97.3 FM (Greater London), particularly concerning the station's general technical and editorial quality, in particular concerning its simulcasting of Independent Television News items and the use of picture-based scripts.
Balance and fairness:
A complaint against Sunrise Radio (Greater London) concerning its "news" broadcasts about news the candidacy of Sunrise Radio's Chief Executive, Dr Avtar Lit, who was standing for parliament in the general election:
A complaint against TalkSport (National) about bias in its cover of a May Day protest.
A complaint, before the election was called, against Marcher Gold (Wrexham & Chester) that the complainant felt to be a "sustained anti-Labour diatribe."
Taste and decency:
A complaint against BRMB (Birmingham concerning an item in which the presenter spoke to a caller who claimed to be an Asian restaurant worker whose employer (who had been the victim of a racial attack) paid him £100 a week to masturbate into customers' food.
A complaint against BRMB (Birmingham) over a late night show discussion of the sexual behaviour and practices of the boyfriend of a woman caller who had expressed concern over his behaviour.
A complaint against Century 105 (North West England) over a breakfast show containing a song called 'Dear Penis' and a spoof entitled 'The Psychic Nun'.
A complaint against the Virgin 1215 (National) breakfast show in which the "which the breakfast team discussed "shagging", whom the guest "would shag" and the size of his 'genitalia', compared with other celebrities."
A complaint against Scot FM (Central Scotland) over a breakfast show in which, although the words were beeped out, it was clear the word 'shit' and 'bastard' had been said on more than one occasion and that the presenter had also used bad language.
A complaint against Heart 106.2 (Greater London) concerning a reference to a nice 'chinky' meal by a host who said the term was used by staff at his local Chinese take-away.
A complaint against Galaxy 102 (Manchester) concerning the editing and subsequent broadcast without the caller's permission a conversation with a presenter concerning a competition.
A complaint against Vibe FM (East of England) in which a caller, who had called to make a request who was bounced from person to person and put on air without her consent.
"Other" programming complaints included Complaints against Isle of Wight Radio (Isle of Wight) concerning its coverage of a pyramid "money scam" in which the complainants thought callers were allowed in effect to promote their schemes.
This complaint was partially upheld.
Advertising complaints upheld included some concerning claims about "free Internet access" on a mobile phone,and an advert for a condom named Kok Xox (cock socks).
Previous UK Radio Authority:
Previous UK Radio Authority Bulletin:
UK Radio Authority Bulletin (577kb PDF):
In all, 51 programming complaints were received instead of 55, 17 being upheld compared with 15.
These broke down (2000 figures in brackets) by category into
*7 (6) concerning accuracy of which 4 (2) were upheld;
*10 (7) concerning balance/bias/ fairness of which 6 (9) were upheld;
*1 (3) concerning promise of performance or format of which none (none) were upheld and;
*8 (5) concerning other matters of which 4 (0) were upheld.
There were 45 (61) advertising related complaints of which 2 (7) were upheld.
These broke down by category into:
*3 (4) said to be harmful of which none (1) was upheld;
*12 (22) said to be misleading of which 1 (3) was upheld;
*28 (30) said to be offensive of which 1 (2) was upheld and;
*2 (5) concerning other matters of which none (1) was upheld.
In each of the categories except that of accuracy and promise of performance or format, there were occasions when there was more than one complaint about a particular matter.
Programming complaints upheld included:
Accuracy:
A complaint against Century 105 (North West England), which offered a year's supply of gas or electricity but in fact had a prize limited to £350:
A complaint against Ridings FM (Wakefield) that had given the impression that a programme was "live" when part of it was not.
A complaint against Asian Sound Radio (East Lancashire) on the basis that it said it was broadcasting to West Yorkshire when it was not.
Complaints against News Direct 97.3 FM (Greater London), particularly concerning the station's general technical and editorial quality, in particular concerning its simulcasting of Independent Television News items and the use of picture-based scripts.
Balance and fairness:
A complaint against Sunrise Radio (Greater London) concerning its "news" broadcasts about news the candidacy of Sunrise Radio's Chief Executive, Dr Avtar Lit, who was standing for parliament in the general election:
A complaint against TalkSport (National) about bias in its cover of a May Day protest.
A complaint, before the election was called, against Marcher Gold (Wrexham & Chester) that the complainant felt to be a "sustained anti-Labour diatribe."
Taste and decency:
A complaint against BRMB (Birmingham concerning an item in which the presenter spoke to a caller who claimed to be an Asian restaurant worker whose employer (who had been the victim of a racial attack) paid him £100 a week to masturbate into customers' food.
A complaint against BRMB (Birmingham) over a late night show discussion of the sexual behaviour and practices of the boyfriend of a woman caller who had expressed concern over his behaviour.
A complaint against Century 105 (North West England) over a breakfast show containing a song called 'Dear Penis' and a spoof entitled 'The Psychic Nun'.
A complaint against the Virgin 1215 (National) breakfast show in which the "which the breakfast team discussed "shagging", whom the guest "would shag" and the size of his 'genitalia', compared with other celebrities."
A complaint against Scot FM (Central Scotland) over a breakfast show in which, although the words were beeped out, it was clear the word 'shit' and 'bastard' had been said on more than one occasion and that the presenter had also used bad language.
A complaint against Heart 106.2 (Greater London) concerning a reference to a nice 'chinky' meal by a host who said the term was used by staff at his local Chinese take-away.
A complaint against Galaxy 102 (Manchester) concerning the editing and subsequent broadcast without the caller's permission a conversation with a presenter concerning a competition.
A complaint against Vibe FM (East of England) in which a caller, who had called to make a request who was bounced from person to person and put on air without her consent.
"Other" programming complaints included Complaints against Isle of Wight Radio (Isle of Wight) concerning its coverage of a pyramid "money scam" in which the complainants thought callers were allowed in effect to promote their schemes.
This complaint was partially upheld.
Advertising complaints upheld included some concerning claims about "free Internet access" on a mobile phone,and an advert for a condom named Kok Xox (cock socks).
Previous UK Radio Authority:
Previous UK Radio Authority Bulletin:
UK Radio Authority Bulletin (577kb PDF):
2001-07-27:
Salvador Homero Campos, former vice president of programming
at Sacramento-based Z-Spanish Radio, has been fined $15,000
and sentenced to 24 months probation for failing to report to the tax
authorities $100, 000 he received in record company kickbacks.
Campos had admitted receiving up to $15,000 a month from Fonovisa Records for giving their recordings airtime. The charges could have carried up to three years in prison but earlier this year (See RNW Feb 15) he had entered a plea agreement with prosecutors who promised to recommend a light sentence in return for his co-operation in prosecutors' investigation into the record industry.
Los Angeles Times report .
Campos had admitted receiving up to $15,000 a month from Fonovisa Records for giving their recordings airtime. The charges could have carried up to three years in prison but earlier this year (See RNW Feb 15) he had entered a plea agreement with prosecutors who promised to recommend a light sentence in return for his co-operation in prosecutors' investigation into the record industry.
Los Angeles Times report .
2001-07-26:
Boston public radio station WBUR-FM has chosen Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation veteran Dick Gordon to
replace Christopher Lydon as host of its syndicated talk show
"The Connection."
Since Lydon parted company with WBUR in March (See RNW Mar 3) after a dispute over his demand for part ownership of the show, the Connection has fallen back in syndication.
It then had around 75 stations taking it but now has some 55.
Lydon subsequently hosted web casts on his site and has been in talks with US National Public Radio(NPR) about a new show but nothing definite has emerged so far.
45-years-old Gordon will start in his new post on October1, until when the station will air a series of hosts.
He had guest hosted the Connection at the end of June and the beginning of this month and was on a shortlist which included NPR correspondent Neal Conan and ABC ''Nightline'' correspondent John Donvan.
WBUR general manager Jane Christo, who made the final decision, commented," ''We had this incredible group of candidates. ''
"We picked him because we just thought he had a little edge over the others.''
Gordon himself, who sent in demo tapes which led to his guesting spell, said the Connection was a "a brilliantly designed piece of radio'' that "doesn't really set margins on what it wants to cover but relies on the ingenuity and curiosity of its producers and host.''
As well as selecting Gordon, WBUR has appointed Graham Smith, who had been acting senior producer since Lydon's senior producer Mary McGrath left with him, as senior producer for ''The Connection''
Previous Christo:
Previous Lydon:
Previous McGrath:
Previous NPR:
Previous WBUR:
Boston Globe report:
Boston Herald report:
Lydon web site:
Since Lydon parted company with WBUR in March (See RNW Mar 3) after a dispute over his demand for part ownership of the show, the Connection has fallen back in syndication.
It then had around 75 stations taking it but now has some 55.
Lydon subsequently hosted web casts on his site and has been in talks with US National Public Radio(NPR) about a new show but nothing definite has emerged so far.
45-years-old Gordon will start in his new post on October1, until when the station will air a series of hosts.
He had guest hosted the Connection at the end of June and the beginning of this month and was on a shortlist which included NPR correspondent Neal Conan and ABC ''Nightline'' correspondent John Donvan.
WBUR general manager Jane Christo, who made the final decision, commented," ''We had this incredible group of candidates. ''
"We picked him because we just thought he had a little edge over the others.''
Gordon himself, who sent in demo tapes which led to his guesting spell, said the Connection was a "a brilliantly designed piece of radio'' that "doesn't really set margins on what it wants to cover but relies on the ingenuity and curiosity of its producers and host.''
As well as selecting Gordon, WBUR has appointed Graham Smith, who had been acting senior producer since Lydon's senior producer Mary McGrath left with him, as senior producer for ''The Connection''
Previous Christo:
Previous Lydon:
Previous McGrath:
Previous NPR:
Previous WBUR:
Boston Globe report:
Boston Herald report:
Lydon web site:
2001-07-26:
The BBC is to consult staff this week over plans to spend
some £400 million on developing its Broadcasting House headquarters
in London with the aim of putting together the Corporation's news, radio
and World Service operations (See RNW
Oct 31, 2000).
Only three years ago, the Corporation spent some £30 million on creating new offices for management in the building; in the process it closed radio studios for a number of programmes and transferred journalists to its White City TV complex in West London.
The Corporation has to apply for planning permission for the development soon as it only has until 2007 before it must re-house World Service staff because the lease ends on their current base at Bush House.
The new complex will include modern digital broadcasting facilities and around half the budget will go on upgrading the building's infrastructure and providing new technology.
The scheme is being financed through a joint venture with the property management specialist, Trillium.
Previous BBC :
Only three years ago, the Corporation spent some £30 million on creating new offices for management in the building; in the process it closed radio studios for a number of programmes and transferred journalists to its White City TV complex in West London.
The Corporation has to apply for planning permission for the development soon as it only has until 2007 before it must re-house World Service staff because the lease ends on their current base at Bush House.
The new complex will include modern digital broadcasting facilities and around half the budget will go on upgrading the building's infrastructure and providing new technology.
The scheme is being financed through a joint venture with the property management specialist, Trillium.
Previous BBC :
2001-07-26:
Saga Communications has started the second quarter radio results cycle
with results pretty well as forecast in April.
Net revenues were $28 million compared to a forecast of $27.5 million, up 7% on 2000 Q2; Broadcast cash flow was up 1.5% to $10.8 million as forecast.
After tax flow, however, was down a cent to 35cents per share.
On a same station basis net revenues were up 0.3% to $26.3 million and BCF was up 0.3% to around $10.7 million.
For the full year, Saga is sticking to its forecast of $106.6 million in net revenues and $41.1 million BCF.
Previous Saga:
Saga web site:
Net revenues were $28 million compared to a forecast of $27.5 million, up 7% on 2000 Q2; Broadcast cash flow was up 1.5% to $10.8 million as forecast.
After tax flow, however, was down a cent to 35cents per share.
On a same station basis net revenues were up 0.3% to $26.3 million and BCF was up 0.3% to around $10.7 million.
For the full year, Saga is sticking to its forecast of $106.6 million in net revenues and $41.1 million BCF.
Previous Saga:
Saga web site:
2001-07-25:
XM Satellite Radio has now unveiled its planned national
advertising campaign "Radio to the Power of X", rollout plan
and channel line-up.
The $100 million national advertising campaign will kick off on August 10 with a one-minute spot in some 3000 cinemas.
XM's commercial service is to start on September 12 in two lead markets, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego in conjunction with a multimedia marketing effort
There will then be a major regional launch in mid-October in the Southwest, covering a population of 55 million people and including major markets such as Austin, Houston, Denver, and Los Angeles.
Service over the rest of the US will commence in early November.
Speaking at a news conference, XM President and CEO Hugh Panero said, "We intend to change radio the way cable and DBS changed television, by providing compelling entertainment choices to consumers."
"Twenty years ago next week, MTV launched with the song 'Video Killed the Radio Star,' he added.
"We are here today to tell you that XM will bring radio back to life."
The line up announced by XM was 71 music channels, over 30 commercial-free; and 29 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels; three fifths will feature original content from XM.
The line up is segmented in to categories including 6 Decade channels; 5 Country channels; 15 Hits; 10 Rock; 7 Urban; 6 Jazz and Blues; 4 Dance; 5 Latin; 7 World Music; 4 Classical; 2 Kids; 8 News and Perspectives; 4 Business, Finance and Technology; 5 Sports; 3 Comedy and 9 Variety channels.
Subscription has been set at $9.99 a month.
Previous Panero:
Previous XM:
XM Web site:
The $100 million national advertising campaign will kick off on August 10 with a one-minute spot in some 3000 cinemas.
XM's commercial service is to start on September 12 in two lead markets, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego in conjunction with a multimedia marketing effort
There will then be a major regional launch in mid-October in the Southwest, covering a population of 55 million people and including major markets such as Austin, Houston, Denver, and Los Angeles.
Service over the rest of the US will commence in early November.
Speaking at a news conference, XM President and CEO Hugh Panero said, "We intend to change radio the way cable and DBS changed television, by providing compelling entertainment choices to consumers."
"Twenty years ago next week, MTV launched with the song 'Video Killed the Radio Star,' he added.
"We are here today to tell you that XM will bring radio back to life."
The line up announced by XM was 71 music channels, over 30 commercial-free; and 29 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels; three fifths will feature original content from XM.
The line up is segmented in to categories including 6 Decade channels; 5 Country channels; 15 Hits; 10 Rock; 7 Urban; 6 Jazz and Blues; 4 Dance; 5 Latin; 7 World Music; 4 Classical; 2 Kids; 8 News and Perspectives; 4 Business, Finance and Technology; 5 Sports; 3 Comedy and 9 Variety channels.
Subscription has been set at $9.99 a month.
Previous Panero:
Previous XM:
XM Web site:
2001-07-25:
The BBC whose cost-cutting measures
last year included ending free croissants at morning meetings and severe
restrictions on the use of taxis is now to ban free biscuits at al meetings
and cut back on free tea and coffee according to the UK Guardian.
The paper says that an internal document it has seen shows that Corporation staff spend £3.3 million a year on catering hospitality.
This includes £210,000 a year is spent on biscuits for the meetings of BBC chiefs and middle management; £500,000 on complementary lunches, meals and buffets for employees; £80,000 on alcohol; £100,000 on "miscellaneous staff events" and at least £350,000 of which goes on regular free tea and coffee for staff outside of meetings.
The Corporation is also to ban staff use of kettles, which, it says, will have the dual benefit of "eliminating the potential safety and electrical loading issues and reducing cleaning costs".
Staff will however be allowed up to ten free drinks of tea or coffee a week from the vending machines that are to be installed.
Previous BBC:
UK Guardian report:
The paper says that an internal document it has seen shows that Corporation staff spend £3.3 million a year on catering hospitality.
This includes £210,000 a year is spent on biscuits for the meetings of BBC chiefs and middle management; £500,000 on complementary lunches, meals and buffets for employees; £80,000 on alcohol; £100,000 on "miscellaneous staff events" and at least £350,000 of which goes on regular free tea and coffee for staff outside of meetings.
The Corporation is also to ban staff use of kettles, which, it says, will have the dual benefit of "eliminating the potential safety and electrical loading issues and reducing cleaning costs".
Staff will however be allowed up to ten free drinks of tea or coffee a week from the vending machines that are to be installed.
Previous BBC:
UK Guardian report:
2001-07-25:
Illinois Governor George Ryan has vetoed a bill, which would have forbidden
non-compete clauses from future on-air talent contracts in the state,
and forced the re-writing of current contracts.
The bill -the Broadcast Industry Free Market Act- had passed both houses of the state legislature (See RNW April 30)
It was strongly supported by The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and equally strongly opposed by the Illinois Broadcasters Association.
Ryan, announcing the veto, said the act would interfere with free market negotiations and push the state into playing a role in private party negotiations.
It would also, he said, cover only contracts finalised in the state allowing broadcasters with offices outside the state to circumvent it.
The bill -the Broadcast Industry Free Market Act- had passed both houses of the state legislature (See RNW April 30)
It was strongly supported by The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and equally strongly opposed by the Illinois Broadcasters Association.
Ryan, announcing the veto, said the act would interfere with free market negotiations and push the state into playing a role in private party negotiations.
It would also, he said, cover only contracts finalised in the state allowing broadcasters with offices outside the state to circumvent it.
2001-07-25:
Internet listening again dropped back a little in the week to July 22
according to Measurecast whose Internet Radio Index fell
from 198 to 189.
Of the top 25 stations ranked by total time spent listening (TTSL), 17 were Internet only streamers compared to 16 last week and 11 of the top 25 streamed more hours than in the previous week.
At the top there was again little change but Virgin jumped back to the second spot, ESPN retained its third placed ranking with a significant increase in listening and3WK came back in at 5th; Hot 100 was pushed out and down to 6th place.
The top 5 ranked by Total Time Spent Listening (TTSL) were (with previous week's TTSL and Cume persons (CP), a measure of the cumulative audience, in brackets):
1): Listener Formatted MediaAmazing TTSL 153,401 (164,927); CP 43,128 (41,539) - Position unchanged- but listening down.
2): Adult Alternative Virgin Radio TTSL 98,819 (80,355); CP 20,243 (14,482) - Previously 4th.
3): Sports-talk ESPN Radio TTSL 98,598 (84,764); CP 14,150 (12,180) -Position unchanged.
4): Internet only Classic Rock Radio Margaritaville TTSL 69,180 (69,065); CP 10,784 (10,429) - Previously 5th.
5): Internet only Alternative Rock 3WKUndergroundradio TTSL 43,898 (66,674) CP 11,220 (24,713) - Previously 6th.
Previous MeasureCast ratings: MeasureCast web site:
Of the top 25 stations ranked by total time spent listening (TTSL), 17 were Internet only streamers compared to 16 last week and 11 of the top 25 streamed more hours than in the previous week.
At the top there was again little change but Virgin jumped back to the second spot, ESPN retained its third placed ranking with a significant increase in listening and3WK came back in at 5th; Hot 100 was pushed out and down to 6th place.
The top 5 ranked by Total Time Spent Listening (TTSL) were (with previous week's TTSL and Cume persons (CP), a measure of the cumulative audience, in brackets):
1): Listener Formatted MediaAmazing TTSL 153,401 (164,927); CP 43,128 (41,539) - Position unchanged- but listening down.
2): Adult Alternative Virgin Radio TTSL 98,819 (80,355); CP 20,243 (14,482) - Previously 4th.
3): Sports-talk ESPN Radio TTSL 98,598 (84,764); CP 14,150 (12,180) -Position unchanged.
4): Internet only Classic Rock Radio Margaritaville TTSL 69,180 (69,065); CP 10,784 (10,429) - Previously 5th.
5): Internet only Alternative Rock 3WKUndergroundradio TTSL 43,898 (66,674) CP 11,220 (24,713) - Previously 6th.
Previous MeasureCast ratings: MeasureCast web site:
2001-07-24:
More radio station deals in the US, a denial in Canada that Astral Media
could be up for sale, and in the UK Scottish Radio Holdings tries again
to sell its tabloid "Ireland on Sunday" newspaper.
First the US and in Georgia, Cumulus is disposing of more on its "non-strategic" assets with the sale of WLOV-AM and WXKT-FM in Washington to Southern Broadcasting Companies Inc. for $635000.
Cumulus kept these stations when its seven Augusta stations were sold to Clear Channel last year during various Cumulus disposals and swaps; earlier this month (See RNW July 13) it sold "non-strategic" WTLZ-FM in Saginaw, Michigan, to Wilks Broadcasting.
A larger deal which in turn resulted from another larger deal, is the $4.5million sale of KSQR-AM & KZSA-FM, Sacramento-Placerville, California by the trust set up to control stations which Entravision was barred under anti-trust laws from acquiring in its take-over of Z-Spanish Media.
Buyer Moon Broadcasting started running the station under a Local Marketing Agreement last week.
The trust now only has KLOC-AM in Modesto, California, to dispose of.
In other US announcements, Salem Communications Corporation says it has completed several of its deals.
They include the $735,000 purchase of WBTK-AM (formally WVBB-AM) in Richmond, Virginia; KSFB-AM (formally KBZS-AM) in Palo Alto, California and WFHM-FM (formally WCLV-FM) in Cleveland, Ohio.
The last was acquired from Radio Seaway in a three-way asset swap which saw a Salem AM in Cleveland go to Seaway and a Salem FM in Canton, go to Clear Channel.
North of the border, the Toronto Globe and Mail, quotes Ian Greenberg President and CEO of Greenberg family owned Astral Media Inc. as firmly denying that the company is up for sale.
He insists the Montreal-based group is, to the contrary, still interested in buying more properties.
Earlier this year Astral spent Can$255 million on the purchase of the Quebec and Maritimes radio assets of Telemedia Communications Inc. (See RNW June 30).
Through that deal Astral became Quebec's largest radio owner and top in every Atlantic market where it has a station; it did not attempt to buy Telemedia's other 60 stations.
They were sold to Toronto-based Standard Broadcasting, which thus became Canada's largest radio owner
The paper says that Greenberg said that to have bought the stations would still only have left Astral third or fourth largest operator in Canada and his preference is to lead in every market where Astral has a presence.
Finally in the UK, Scottish Radio Holdings(SRH) , which has a stake nearly a quarter of Irish commercial radio station Today FM, is trying to cut back on its newspaper holdings in the Republic.
It is involved in negotiations with Associated Newspapers over the sale of its tabloid "Ireland on Sunday " paper at a price rumoured in the region of £7 million.
The title cost SRH under £6 million last year but its circulation has since slipped and its losses have mounted.
Previous Astral:
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous Cumulus:
Previous Entravision:
Previous Salem:
Previous SRH:
Previous Standard (Canada):
Previous Telemedia:
First the US and in Georgia, Cumulus is disposing of more on its "non-strategic" assets with the sale of WLOV-AM and WXKT-FM in Washington to Southern Broadcasting Companies Inc. for $635000.
Cumulus kept these stations when its seven Augusta stations were sold to Clear Channel last year during various Cumulus disposals and swaps; earlier this month (See RNW July 13) it sold "non-strategic" WTLZ-FM in Saginaw, Michigan, to Wilks Broadcasting.
A larger deal which in turn resulted from another larger deal, is the $4.5million sale of KSQR-AM & KZSA-FM, Sacramento-Placerville, California by the trust set up to control stations which Entravision was barred under anti-trust laws from acquiring in its take-over of Z-Spanish Media.
Buyer Moon Broadcasting started running the station under a Local Marketing Agreement last week.
The trust now only has KLOC-AM in Modesto, California, to dispose of.
In other US announcements, Salem Communications Corporation says it has completed several of its deals.
They include the $735,000 purchase of WBTK-AM (formally WVBB-AM) in Richmond, Virginia; KSFB-AM (formally KBZS-AM) in Palo Alto, California and WFHM-FM (formally WCLV-FM) in Cleveland, Ohio.
The last was acquired from Radio Seaway in a three-way asset swap which saw a Salem AM in Cleveland go to Seaway and a Salem FM in Canton, go to Clear Channel.
North of the border, the Toronto Globe and Mail, quotes Ian Greenberg President and CEO of Greenberg family owned Astral Media Inc. as firmly denying that the company is up for sale.
He insists the Montreal-based group is, to the contrary, still interested in buying more properties.
Earlier this year Astral spent Can$255 million on the purchase of the Quebec and Maritimes radio assets of Telemedia Communications Inc. (See RNW June 30).
Through that deal Astral became Quebec's largest radio owner and top in every Atlantic market where it has a station; it did not attempt to buy Telemedia's other 60 stations.
They were sold to Toronto-based Standard Broadcasting, which thus became Canada's largest radio owner
The paper says that Greenberg said that to have bought the stations would still only have left Astral third or fourth largest operator in Canada and his preference is to lead in every market where Astral has a presence.
Finally in the UK, Scottish Radio Holdings(SRH) , which has a stake nearly a quarter of Irish commercial radio station Today FM, is trying to cut back on its newspaper holdings in the Republic.
It is involved in negotiations with Associated Newspapers over the sale of its tabloid "Ireland on Sunday " paper at a price rumoured in the region of £7 million.
The title cost SRH under £6 million last year but its circulation has since slipped and its losses have mounted.
Previous Astral:
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous Cumulus:
Previous Entravision:
Previous Salem:
Previous SRH:
Previous Standard (Canada):
Previous Telemedia:
2001-07-24:
The price of digital radio receivers in the UK could fall to as low
as £100 (around $150) by Christmas this year according to Texas Instruments
and RadioScape, a British software firm.
The two say that their developments mean Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) receivers could be made at around £30, around a third less than existing components.
The two companies are in talks with manufacturers about production of the new receivers.
The two say that their developments mean Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) receivers could be made at around £30, around a third less than existing components.
The two companies are in talks with manufacturers about production of the new receivers.
2001-07-24:
The US Federal Communications Commission has
confirmed a fine of $25000 on Clear Channel
for taking control of WBTJ-FM in Youngstown, Ohio, without authorisation
(See RNW April
6).
Clear Channel had been running the station under an LMA and the FCC has also ordered that it allow Stop 26, the licensee of the station, to resume control of the station.
Clear Channel had refused to allow Stop 26 to take back the station in August 200, claiming that it was due a refund of LMA payments; it then obtained a local court injunction allowing it to keep control.
The FCC had issued a notice of apparent liability to which there was no response and has now held that this means Clear Channel failed to take its first opportunity contest the decision and is thus barred from seeking further review.
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous FCC:.
Clear Channel had been running the station under an LMA and the FCC has also ordered that it allow Stop 26, the licensee of the station, to resume control of the station.
Clear Channel had refused to allow Stop 26 to take back the station in August 200, claiming that it was due a refund of LMA payments; it then obtained a local court injunction allowing it to keep control.
The FCC had issued a notice of apparent liability to which there was no response and has now held that this means Clear Channel failed to take its first opportunity contest the decision and is thus barred from seeking further review.
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous FCC:.
2001-07-23:
For this week's look at newspapers on radio, we have chosen to look
at columns or articles reflecting people or formats, which in a way
are out of place.
First a brief comment in a review of "World Routes" by Andy Kershaw that was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and the World Service during the week.
Elisabeth Mahoney of the UK Guardian quotes him as saying of a section of desert between the Iraqi and Jordanian borders, "I can't see any reason to live here……….It's one of the most godforsaken places I've ever been."
It wasn't only Kershaw who seemed a bit out of place; so did what he found out about the effects of the Gulf War and subsequent sanctions on music in the area.
"We never had pop singers before the sanctions," his guide told him "but people need an outlet after all the suffering."
Also out of place is a former Baltimore radio host now on the airwaves in Lagos, Nigeria.
An Associated Press feature carried by the New York Times looked at the content of the five-hour "Breakfast Jam" show hosted by San Francisco-born DJ Dan Foster "Cool FM" in the city.
Foster says Cool FM's Lebanese owner was looking for an ``American flavour'' when the station heard a three-minute sample of his work on the Internet and offered him a contract.
The article notes the range of music on the show from US pop to local singers, oddball items like "fake helicopter traffic reports -- fake since no station in Lagos has a helicopter -- and characters like 'The Village Woman'' who speaks pidgin English and calls in to educate the foreign DJ on the intricacies of Nigerian life."
It also remarks on Foster's penchant for criticism of the authorities which a few years ago, when the country was under a military dictatorship, would not have been permitted.
Also seemingly out of place is US public radio host, Kurt Andersen whose weekly arts and culture show Studio 36 was moved into the station's top ranked Car Talk slot in New York by WNYC-FM.
There it has not only held the audience but also increased it.
The show, produced by WNYC, is aired nationally through Public Radio International (PRI) and writer Mike Janssen of Current Magazine comments that Andersen's show and Car Talk have in common one element - that they're both not what they seem.
The latter, says Janssen is more about its ebullient host than cars and Studio 360 "pretends to be about art, but it's more accurate to say that it covers human experience-humour, love, fear, pain and, above all, the ways we express these emotions."
Melinda Ward, senior Vice President of Productions at PRI, which owns, funds and distributes Studio 360, comments, "I don't see it as an arts program per se. "
"The way Marketplace looks at the world through a business and economic lens, we're using arts and culture."
"But there's almost nothing we can't take a look at, and that's a great way of people bringing in and helping them realize . . . that the arts are maybe broader than that painting in a museum they never see, or the concert they never go to."
Janssen notes that "public radio has no problem creating shows that zero in on one kind of art or music" then adds that, "The idea of a general-interest arts show may seem obvious, but lots of past efforts have sputtered out or failed to find berths on stations. RNW note: The Janssen article brings to mind comment by an American on a BBC Radio 4 show this week concerning the presence of poetry on the airwaves and in English culture whereas in the US it hardly got any attention in the media but was one of the most popular areas of the Internet. Maybe PRI have something here!
For the next entry, what is the place?
Paul Donovan's column in the UK Sunday Times commences, "Fancy a full-figured black lesbian who smokes and is at least 60 years old? Or perhaps a non-smoking, slim, white, gay man of 25?"
"Maybe you swing both ways and are none too fussy? No problem with any of these "alternative lifestyle choices", as the taped voice of Jane Jones describes them.
As a clue, the reference is to a service of Classic FM run in association with Chicago-based Spark Services, leaders in the field.
Next clue," For alternative lifestyle choices, press three."
"If you opt for the third way, you hear Jones say - most incongruous, given her Home Counties tones - "if you are a gay man, press one; if you're a lesbian, press two; if you're a bisexual man, press three; if you're a bisexual woman, press four."
For the answer follow the link below!
Previous Columnists:
Previous Donovan:
Previous PRI:
Previous Kershaw:
Previous Mahoney:
Current Magazine - Janssen:
New York Times/AP-Lagos DJ:
UK Guardian-Mahoney:
UK Sunday Times - Donovan:
First a brief comment in a review of "World Routes" by Andy Kershaw that was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and the World Service during the week.
Elisabeth Mahoney of the UK Guardian quotes him as saying of a section of desert between the Iraqi and Jordanian borders, "I can't see any reason to live here……….It's one of the most godforsaken places I've ever been."
It wasn't only Kershaw who seemed a bit out of place; so did what he found out about the effects of the Gulf War and subsequent sanctions on music in the area.
"We never had pop singers before the sanctions," his guide told him "but people need an outlet after all the suffering."
Also out of place is a former Baltimore radio host now on the airwaves in Lagos, Nigeria.
An Associated Press feature carried by the New York Times looked at the content of the five-hour "Breakfast Jam" show hosted by San Francisco-born DJ Dan Foster "Cool FM" in the city.
Foster says Cool FM's Lebanese owner was looking for an ``American flavour'' when the station heard a three-minute sample of his work on the Internet and offered him a contract.
The article notes the range of music on the show from US pop to local singers, oddball items like "fake helicopter traffic reports -- fake since no station in Lagos has a helicopter -- and characters like 'The Village Woman'' who speaks pidgin English and calls in to educate the foreign DJ on the intricacies of Nigerian life."
It also remarks on Foster's penchant for criticism of the authorities which a few years ago, when the country was under a military dictatorship, would not have been permitted.
Also seemingly out of place is US public radio host, Kurt Andersen whose weekly arts and culture show Studio 36 was moved into the station's top ranked Car Talk slot in New York by WNYC-FM.
There it has not only held the audience but also increased it.
The show, produced by WNYC, is aired nationally through Public Radio International (PRI) and writer Mike Janssen of Current Magazine comments that Andersen's show and Car Talk have in common one element - that they're both not what they seem.
The latter, says Janssen is more about its ebullient host than cars and Studio 360 "pretends to be about art, but it's more accurate to say that it covers human experience-humour, love, fear, pain and, above all, the ways we express these emotions."
Melinda Ward, senior Vice President of Productions at PRI, which owns, funds and distributes Studio 360, comments, "I don't see it as an arts program per se. "
"The way Marketplace looks at the world through a business and economic lens, we're using arts and culture."
"But there's almost nothing we can't take a look at, and that's a great way of people bringing in and helping them realize . . . that the arts are maybe broader than that painting in a museum they never see, or the concert they never go to."
Janssen notes that "public radio has no problem creating shows that zero in on one kind of art or music" then adds that, "The idea of a general-interest arts show may seem obvious, but lots of past efforts have sputtered out or failed to find berths on stations. RNW note: The Janssen article brings to mind comment by an American on a BBC Radio 4 show this week concerning the presence of poetry on the airwaves and in English culture whereas in the US it hardly got any attention in the media but was one of the most popular areas of the Internet. Maybe PRI have something here!
For the next entry, what is the place?
Paul Donovan's column in the UK Sunday Times commences, "Fancy a full-figured black lesbian who smokes and is at least 60 years old? Or perhaps a non-smoking, slim, white, gay man of 25?"
"Maybe you swing both ways and are none too fussy? No problem with any of these "alternative lifestyle choices", as the taped voice of Jane Jones describes them.
As a clue, the reference is to a service of Classic FM run in association with Chicago-based Spark Services, leaders in the field.
Next clue," For alternative lifestyle choices, press three."
"If you opt for the third way, you hear Jones say - most incongruous, given her Home Counties tones - "if you are a gay man, press one; if you're a lesbian, press two; if you're a bisexual man, press three; if you're a bisexual woman, press four."
For the answer follow the link below!
Previous Columnists:
Previous Donovan:
Previous PRI:
Previous Kershaw:
Previous Mahoney:
Current Magazine - Janssen:
New York Times/AP-Lagos DJ:
UK Guardian-Mahoney:
UK Sunday Times - Donovan:
2001-07-23:
The University of Maryland seems close to a long-term
deal with Infinity Sports Marketing, a subsidiary of Infinity
Broadcasting Corp., on a marketing package worth some $2million
a year over the next 8-10 years for the radio and other rights to the
university's sporting activities.
Up to now sponsorships, radio rights, and other rights were handled separately and the university invited marketing proposals from outside organisations.
Infinity now seems sure to beat four other bidders - Host Communications, Clear Channel, Learfield Communications and Nelligan Sports Marketing - who responded with proposals.
According to the request for proposals, the successful bidder would handle various rights including radio rights to men's basketball and football games. (currently held by Learfield Communications, which has contracted with WBAL-AM in Baltimore to carry the games through the 2001-2002 academic year), the right to sell radio and television shows for men's basketball coach Gary Williams and football coach Ralph Friedgen, sponsorships for game-day events, advertising on the school's Web site (currently handled by FANSonly) and spots in a new basketball arena's skyboxes.
The deal may mean that WBAL, which has carried Baltimore's games live since 1984, loses them although the station says that the University has made it clear that it prefers to remain with them.
Previous Clear Channel:
PreviousViacom-CBS- Infinity: Baltimore Sun report:
Up to now sponsorships, radio rights, and other rights were handled separately and the university invited marketing proposals from outside organisations.
Infinity now seems sure to beat four other bidders - Host Communications, Clear Channel, Learfield Communications and Nelligan Sports Marketing - who responded with proposals.
According to the request for proposals, the successful bidder would handle various rights including radio rights to men's basketball and football games. (currently held by Learfield Communications, which has contracted with WBAL-AM in Baltimore to carry the games through the 2001-2002 academic year), the right to sell radio and television shows for men's basketball coach Gary Williams and football coach Ralph Friedgen, sponsorships for game-day events, advertising on the school's Web site (currently handled by FANSonly) and spots in a new basketball arena's skyboxes.
The deal may mean that WBAL, which has carried Baltimore's games live since 1984, loses them although the station says that the University has made it clear that it prefers to remain with them.
Previous Clear Channel:
PreviousViacom-CBS- Infinity: Baltimore Sun report:
2001-07-23:
BBC Radio 2 is to start a weekly top-40
album show in October as it consolidates its hold on its mid-market
audience.
Presenter will be current BBC Radio 5 Live host and former BBC Radio 1 DJ Simon Mayo.
He said the show as well as carrying the chart, as does the Radio 1 top 40 singles show "but will also reflect the chart with interviews, live music and features."
BBC Radio 2 controller Jim Moir, echoing this said, "I intend this new programme, along with our Saturday night album show Stuart Maconie's Critical List, to reflect the importance of albums in the UK. Our audience buys albums and many of the great artists develop some of their best work within the context of albums."
Previous BBC:
Previous Mayo:
Previous Moir:
BBC Radio 2 announcement:
Presenter will be current BBC Radio 5 Live host and former BBC Radio 1 DJ Simon Mayo.
He said the show as well as carrying the chart, as does the Radio 1 top 40 singles show "but will also reflect the chart with interviews, live music and features."
BBC Radio 2 controller Jim Moir, echoing this said, "I intend this new programme, along with our Saturday night album show Stuart Maconie's Critical List, to reflect the importance of albums in the UK. Our audience buys albums and many of the great artists develop some of their best work within the context of albums."
Previous BBC:
Previous Mayo:
Previous Moir:
BBC Radio 2 announcement:
2001-07-22:
Quite a busy week for radio including Australian plans for a number
of new licences, a whole run of licence renewals in Canada and three
new licences in Ireland.
In Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) has announced plans for new licences under revised licence plans for Adelaide, Western Victoria and the Spencer Gulf region of South Australia.
The Adelaide plans include provision for a new commercial station in two years time; this would require community radio service 5CST and a low power retransmitter for commercial service 5SSA to move frequencies.
In Western Victoria, the ABA proposes new commercial radio services in Warrnambool and Hamilton, along with a new community radio service in Horsham.
It also proposes to reduce the licence area of the Warrnambool commercial radio service, 3YB, to exclude the Portland region and to extend the licence areas of the existing Warrnambool community radio service 3WAY, which would also have to change its frequency, and of the Melbourne 3RPH community radio service to include Warrnambool.
In Hamilton, the ABA proposes to make channel capacity available for the 3ABCFM service, currently reserved to operate in Portland on 88.1 MHz, to change to an alternative frequency.
The ABA is also proposing to make channel capacity available for one additional national radio service in Portland.
In Horsham, the ABA proposes to make channel capacity available for a community radio service and one additional national radio service in Horsham; it also proposes two additional national radio services in Nhill.
In the Spencer Gulf region, the Authority plans new community radio services in Port Pirie and the Yorke Peninsula, to extend the licence area of the commercial radio service 5AU Port Augusta to include Roxby Downs, and make a channel available in Wudinna for retransmission of the 5CC Port Lincoln commercial radio service.
The ABA is also proposing to make channels available for three national radio services to serve Port Lincoln and lower Eyre Peninsula.
In addition the ABA notes requests by the licensee of both the 5AU Port Augusta and 5CS Port Pirie commercial radio services to decrease the licence areas of the services.
This would have the effect of making the licensee eligible to apply to provide second commercial radio services on the FM band in each of these licence areas.
At this stage, the Authority does not intend to do this but is seeking comment about reception of 5AU and 5Cs in the relevant areas.
In Canada, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has approved a licence for an English Language FM station at London, Ontario, to broadcast the 2001 Canada Summer Games.
The licence would run only for the Games' duration and would broadcast information for the games using the existing transmitting facilities of CFPL-FM and CFPL-TV London.
The CRTC has also renewed a number of licences including licences for:
Ontario -- CJQQ-FM Timmins;
CKTS Sherbrooke;
CFNO Marathon and its transmitters at additional locations;
Quebec:-- CFTH-FM-2 La Tabatière and Mutton Bay;
CFTH-FM-1 Harrington Harbour; CIEL-FM Rivière-du-Loup;
CIEL-FM-4 Trois-Pistoles; CIBM-FM Rivière-du-Loup, and its transmitters;
CIBM-FM-1 Rivière-du-Loup and CIBM-FM-2 Trois-Pistoles;
CHOX-FM La Pocatière, and its transmitter CHOX-FM-1 Baie Saint-Paul;
CION-FM Québec and its transmitter CION-FM-1 Beauceville;
CFLO-FM Mont-Laurier and its transmitter at L'Annonciation; CHJM-FM Saint-Georges;
CHOE-FM Matane; CHNC New Carlisle, and its transmitter CHGM Gaspé;
CHLM-FM Rouyn-Noranda, and its transmitters serving Amos/Val-d'Or.
In Ireland, the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) has granted of three new community radio licences, subject to contract negotiations.
They are for Cashel, Co. Tipperary; Knock, Co. Mayo; and Waterford Institute of Technology.
In the UK, the Radio Authority has advertised the new Inverness digital multiples; it has also announced that it only received one declaration of intent to apply for Luton/Bedford AM licence.
This was from existing licence holder, Classic Gold Digital Ltd., which has now been asked to apply under the special "fast track" procedure applicable in such cases.
In the US, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has red-flagged a planned Clear Channel deal; this involves Clear Channel's acquisition of Oldies WCND-AM in the Louisville market where it already owns eight stations.
The Commission has also received a petition from a coalition of organisations involved in the new Low Power FM services for various rule modifications and revisions.
Most are minor such as:
allowing more time to come up with sharing plans for contested frequencies or allowing one applicant to re-apply for a different locally available frequency;
to permit minor transmitter changes;
and in one case to allow amendment of a list of directors to eliminate any individuals (pirates") found guilty of operating without a license in the past since their presence on the list automatically rules out the application.
The coalition which involves community and church organisations and the Media Access Project, note that more than 3400 LPFM applications have now been filed.
Previous ABA:
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous CRTC:
Previous FCC:
Previous IRTC:
Previous Licence News:
Previous UK Radio Authority:
ABA web site:
CRTC web site:
FCC web site:
IRTC web site:
Media Access Project site:
UK Radio Authority web site:
In Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) has announced plans for new licences under revised licence plans for Adelaide, Western Victoria and the Spencer Gulf region of South Australia.
The Adelaide plans include provision for a new commercial station in two years time; this would require community radio service 5CST and a low power retransmitter for commercial service 5SSA to move frequencies.
In Western Victoria, the ABA proposes new commercial radio services in Warrnambool and Hamilton, along with a new community radio service in Horsham.
It also proposes to reduce the licence area of the Warrnambool commercial radio service, 3YB, to exclude the Portland region and to extend the licence areas of the existing Warrnambool community radio service 3WAY, which would also have to change its frequency, and of the Melbourne 3RPH community radio service to include Warrnambool.
In Hamilton, the ABA proposes to make channel capacity available for the 3ABCFM service, currently reserved to operate in Portland on 88.1 MHz, to change to an alternative frequency.
The ABA is also proposing to make channel capacity available for one additional national radio service in Portland.
In Horsham, the ABA proposes to make channel capacity available for a community radio service and one additional national radio service in Horsham; it also proposes two additional national radio services in Nhill.
In the Spencer Gulf region, the Authority plans new community radio services in Port Pirie and the Yorke Peninsula, to extend the licence area of the commercial radio service 5AU Port Augusta to include Roxby Downs, and make a channel available in Wudinna for retransmission of the 5CC Port Lincoln commercial radio service.
The ABA is also proposing to make channels available for three national radio services to serve Port Lincoln and lower Eyre Peninsula.
In addition the ABA notes requests by the licensee of both the 5AU Port Augusta and 5CS Port Pirie commercial radio services to decrease the licence areas of the services.
This would have the effect of making the licensee eligible to apply to provide second commercial radio services on the FM band in each of these licence areas.
At this stage, the Authority does not intend to do this but is seeking comment about reception of 5AU and 5Cs in the relevant areas.
In Canada, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has approved a licence for an English Language FM station at London, Ontario, to broadcast the 2001 Canada Summer Games.
The licence would run only for the Games' duration and would broadcast information for the games using the existing transmitting facilities of CFPL-FM and CFPL-TV London.
The CRTC has also renewed a number of licences including licences for:
Ontario -- CJQQ-FM Timmins;
CKTS Sherbrooke;
CFNO Marathon and its transmitters at additional locations;
Quebec:-- CFTH-FM-2 La Tabatière and Mutton Bay;
CFTH-FM-1 Harrington Harbour; CIEL-FM Rivière-du-Loup;
CIEL-FM-4 Trois-Pistoles; CIBM-FM Rivière-du-Loup, and its transmitters;
CIBM-FM-1 Rivière-du-Loup and CIBM-FM-2 Trois-Pistoles;
CHOX-FM La Pocatière, and its transmitter CHOX-FM-1 Baie Saint-Paul;
CION-FM Québec and its transmitter CION-FM-1 Beauceville;
CFLO-FM Mont-Laurier and its transmitter at L'Annonciation; CHJM-FM Saint-Georges;
CHOE-FM Matane; CHNC New Carlisle, and its transmitter CHGM Gaspé;
CHLM-FM Rouyn-Noranda, and its transmitters serving Amos/Val-d'Or.
In Ireland, the Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) has granted of three new community radio licences, subject to contract negotiations.
They are for Cashel, Co. Tipperary; Knock, Co. Mayo; and Waterford Institute of Technology.
In the UK, the Radio Authority has advertised the new Inverness digital multiples; it has also announced that it only received one declaration of intent to apply for Luton/Bedford AM licence.
This was from existing licence holder, Classic Gold Digital Ltd., which has now been asked to apply under the special "fast track" procedure applicable in such cases.
In the US, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has red-flagged a planned Clear Channel deal; this involves Clear Channel's acquisition of Oldies WCND-AM in the Louisville market where it already owns eight stations.
The Commission has also received a petition from a coalition of organisations involved in the new Low Power FM services for various rule modifications and revisions.
Most are minor such as:
allowing more time to come up with sharing plans for contested frequencies or allowing one applicant to re-apply for a different locally available frequency;
to permit minor transmitter changes;
and in one case to allow amendment of a list of directors to eliminate any individuals (pirates") found guilty of operating without a license in the past since their presence on the list automatically rules out the application.
The coalition which involves community and church organisations and the Media Access Project, note that more than 3400 LPFM applications have now been filed.
Previous ABA:
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous CRTC:
Previous FCC:
Previous IRTC:
Previous Licence News:
Previous UK Radio Authority:
ABA web site:
CRTC web site:
FCC web site:
IRTC web site:
Media Access Project site:
UK Radio Authority web site:
2001-07-22:
The Washington Post reports that talk radio host and Watergate
burglar G. Gordon Liddy is being fired as part of a major shuffle
at Infinity's WJFK-FM.
He's been at the station for nine years and is to continue being syndicated to some 160 stations by Westwood One, which is run by Infinity.
The Post says that Liddy's 11 am to 3p.m. show, although top rated in its target audience in the most recent Arbitron ratings, does not fit in with the rest of the station's line-up and is less popular than the shows which precede and follow it, those of Howard Stern in the morning and Don and Mike (Don Geronimo and Mike O'Meara) in the afternoon.
Don and Mike will take over Liddy's slot, thus permitting them to go live on WNEW-FM in New York where they are currently airing via a tape delay.
The midday slot at Infinity owned WNEW became available when Leslie Gold was fired recently.
Moving to the afternoon slot then vacated by Don and Mike will be Opie and Anthony (Gregg Hughes and Anthony Cumia).
Previous Liddy:
Previous Opie and Anthony:
Previous Stern:
Previous Viacom-CBS-Infinity:
Previous Westwood One:
Washington Post report:
He's been at the station for nine years and is to continue being syndicated to some 160 stations by Westwood One, which is run by Infinity.
The Post says that Liddy's 11 am to 3p.m. show, although top rated in its target audience in the most recent Arbitron ratings, does not fit in with the rest of the station's line-up and is less popular than the shows which precede and follow it, those of Howard Stern in the morning and Don and Mike (Don Geronimo and Mike O'Meara) in the afternoon.
Don and Mike will take over Liddy's slot, thus permitting them to go live on WNEW-FM in New York where they are currently airing via a tape delay.
The midday slot at Infinity owned WNEW became available when Leslie Gold was fired recently.
Moving to the afternoon slot then vacated by Don and Mike will be Opie and Anthony (Gregg Hughes and Anthony Cumia).
Previous Liddy:
Previous Opie and Anthony:
Previous Stern:
Previous Viacom-CBS-Infinity:
Previous Westwood One:
Washington Post report:
2001-07-21:
The US Senate Appropriate Committee has not only approved President
Bush's budget for the Federal Communications Commission but has gone
one better and added an extra $3.5 million: Congress however has trimmed
the sum to $9.5 million less than the $248.5 million requested (See
RNW April 12).
The Senate committee approved a budget of $252 million, combining the extra sum with a request that the Commission examine the declining standards of broadcast television and the impact this has upon children.
Congress, however, in passing by 409-18 a bill covering the budgets of FCC and the Department of Commerce, only approved a budget of $239 million for the FCC.
This creates a discrepancy, which will have to be resolved in a conference between the House and Senate later in the year.
Previous FCC:
The Senate committee approved a budget of $252 million, combining the extra sum with a request that the Commission examine the declining standards of broadcast television and the impact this has upon children.
Congress, however, in passing by 409-18 a bill covering the budgets of FCC and the Department of Commerce, only approved a budget of $239 million for the FCC.
This creates a discrepancy, which will have to be resolved in a conference between the House and Senate later in the year.
Previous FCC:
2001-07-21:
UK Capital Radio breakfast host Chris Tarrant has
signed a new contract with the company despite suggestions that the
success of his "Millionaire" TV show could mean he would leave breakfast
radio.
Details have not been released but the contract is said to include performance-rated elements, which link his remuneration to the show's advertising revenue and Capital Radio Group's overall profits.
Previous Capital Radio:
Previous Tarrant:
Details have not been released but the contract is said to include performance-rated elements, which link his remuneration to the show's advertising revenue and Capital Radio Group's overall profits.
Previous Capital Radio:
Previous Tarrant:
2001-07-21:
A dispute amongst Islamic groups in Australia may lead to
the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) facing court
action over its award to Muslim Community Radio (MCR) of the
country's first Muslim community radio licence (See
RNW May 27).
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the challenge comes from the Islamic Council, which claims that MCR is a minority group with fewer than 500 supporters.
Teh paper quotes an Islamic Council spokesman as saying of MCR, "They are rejected by mainstream Muslims and Islamic scholars around the world." "MCR's teachings are regarded as poison ... and they have isolated themselves from the orthodox Muslim community."
The spokesman also alleged that some of the letters of support tendered by MCR bore forged signatures or were obtained under false pretences.
The ABA has confirmed it is investigating one complaint from a Muslim leader who claimed that his signature was forged on a letter of recommendation for MCR of which he had no knowledge but has defended the award.
ABA chairman, Professor David Flint, commented that MCR had the potential to represent the interests of about 30 per cent of Sydney's multinational Muslim population.
MCR's President said they had every intention of representing the general Muslim community, and denied allegations of fraudulent activity, describing the Islamic Council's tactics as unacceptable and nonsense.
The paper also reports that according to the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, neither MCR nor the State council are fit to hold a licence; MCR has never been a member of the peak body, and NSW was expelled from the national organisation in March this year, for what were described as a series of "serious wrongdoings".
The Supreme Islamic Council of NSW, the organisation set up in March to replace the expelled NSW council, said it would approach the broadcasting authority seeking a second community radio licence.
Previous ABA:
Previous Flint:
Sydney Morning Herald report:
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the challenge comes from the Islamic Council, which claims that MCR is a minority group with fewer than 500 supporters.
Teh paper quotes an Islamic Council spokesman as saying of MCR, "They are rejected by mainstream Muslims and Islamic scholars around the world." "MCR's teachings are regarded as poison ... and they have isolated themselves from the orthodox Muslim community."
The spokesman also alleged that some of the letters of support tendered by MCR bore forged signatures or were obtained under false pretences.
The ABA has confirmed it is investigating one complaint from a Muslim leader who claimed that his signature was forged on a letter of recommendation for MCR of which he had no knowledge but has defended the award.
ABA chairman, Professor David Flint, commented that MCR had the potential to represent the interests of about 30 per cent of Sydney's multinational Muslim population.
MCR's President said they had every intention of representing the general Muslim community, and denied allegations of fraudulent activity, describing the Islamic Council's tactics as unacceptable and nonsense.
The paper also reports that according to the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, neither MCR nor the State council are fit to hold a licence; MCR has never been a member of the peak body, and NSW was expelled from the national organisation in March this year, for what were described as a series of "serious wrongdoings".
The Supreme Islamic Council of NSW, the organisation set up in March to replace the expelled NSW council, said it would approach the broadcasting authority seeking a second community radio licence.
Previous ABA:
Previous Flint:
Sydney Morning Herald report:
2001-07-20:
US radio ratings and audience research organisation
Arbitron reported second quarter revenues up10.1% from
a year ago at $50.3 million; year to date revenue was $110.5 million,
an increase of 9.1% over last year.
Arbitron is still involved in negotiations with its biggest customer Clear Channel (See RNW July 18), which accounted for more than a fifth of its revenue last year and CEO Steve Morris said they appeared to have moved into the final stages of the negotiations.
The extended Clear Channel negotiations reduced Arbitron's revenues by around $500000 and the effects of increased spending on new ventures such as it Webcast ratings and Personal People Meter (PPM) combined with $5.0 million of net interest expense related to debt linked to the company's spin-off from Ceridian in March, hit net income hard.
This was down 41.1% to $4.7 million, and EBITDA for the second quarter was down around 2.0% at $13.9 million compared with $14.2 million for the second quarter of 2000.
Morris says Arbitron is increasing financial support for the PPM but cutting back on its Webcast ratings where market growth has been slower than anticipated.
Arbitron has just released its first test ratings from the PPM: The trial in Wilmington, Delaware, involving 35 radio stations, eight TV stations and eight cable outlets.
It showed that cable and TV viewing was above currently-measured levels, while radio was on par.
For radio, there were higher levels of daily cumulative AQH (Average Quarter Hour) audience --75.9% compared to 66.0% in the diary survey; but daily time spent listening was down, with a 2 hour, 12 minute PPM measurement as opposed to a two hour 30 minute level according to the diaries.
Marshall Snyder, president, Worldwide PPM Development, for Arbitron, commented, "We are encouraged by these first comparisons because we've also seen that the encoding system works as designed-broadcasters and cable networks can and do encode their audio on a continuing basis and the meters readily detect the inaudible codes."
"We have also been able to recruit and maintain a panel of consumers who are representative of the market we are measuring and who, on average, carry their meters for more than 15 hours a day."
Previous Arbitron:
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous Morris:
Arbitron web site: .
Arbitron is still involved in negotiations with its biggest customer Clear Channel (See RNW July 18), which accounted for more than a fifth of its revenue last year and CEO Steve Morris said they appeared to have moved into the final stages of the negotiations.
The extended Clear Channel negotiations reduced Arbitron's revenues by around $500000 and the effects of increased spending on new ventures such as it Webcast ratings and Personal People Meter (PPM) combined with $5.0 million of net interest expense related to debt linked to the company's spin-off from Ceridian in March, hit net income hard.
This was down 41.1% to $4.7 million, and EBITDA for the second quarter was down around 2.0% at $13.9 million compared with $14.2 million for the second quarter of 2000.
Morris says Arbitron is increasing financial support for the PPM but cutting back on its Webcast ratings where market growth has been slower than anticipated.
Arbitron has just released its first test ratings from the PPM: The trial in Wilmington, Delaware, involving 35 radio stations, eight TV stations and eight cable outlets.
It showed that cable and TV viewing was above currently-measured levels, while radio was on par.
For radio, there were higher levels of daily cumulative AQH (Average Quarter Hour) audience --75.9% compared to 66.0% in the diary survey; but daily time spent listening was down, with a 2 hour, 12 minute PPM measurement as opposed to a two hour 30 minute level according to the diaries.
Marshall Snyder, president, Worldwide PPM Development, for Arbitron, commented, "We are encouraged by these first comparisons because we've also seen that the encoding system works as designed-broadcasters and cable networks can and do encode their audio on a continuing basis and the meters readily detect the inaudible codes."
"We have also been able to recruit and maintain a panel of consumers who are representative of the market we are measuring and who, on average, carry their meters for more than 15 hours a day."
Previous Arbitron:
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous Morris:
Arbitron web site: .
2001-07-20:
Australian newspaper and magazine company Text Media, whose flagship
title is The Melbourne Weekly, has bought a half share in Melbourne
radio stations 3AK (talk) and 3MP (easy listening) for Aus$4.25 million
in cash plus 1.4 million shares.
The seller, digital broadcasting group Data and Commerce Ltd, paid Aus$8.5 million plus 8 million shares for the stations earlier this year.
It bought half of 3AK in January and the remainder in February, paying Aus$3.6 million in all for the station; in May it paid Aus$4.9 million in cash plus 8 million shares for 3MP..
The seller, digital broadcasting group Data and Commerce Ltd, paid Aus$8.5 million plus 8 million shares for the stations earlier this year.
It bought half of 3AK in January and the remainder in February, paying Aus$3.6 million in all for the station; in May it paid Aus$4.9 million in cash plus 8 million shares for 3MP..
2001-07-20:
BBC radio has agreed non-exclusive commentary rights
for the next two cricket world cups - in South Africa in 2003 and
the West Indies in 2007 - and the ICC knockout trophy competitions
in2202, 2004 and 2006.
The deal leaves the door open for TalkSport and other broadcasters to negotiate their own deals for the competitions.
The BBC and TalkSport recently shared commentary rights for the British Lions rugby union tour of Australia
Previous BBC:
Previous TalkSport: .
The deal leaves the door open for TalkSport and other broadcasters to negotiate their own deals for the competitions.
The BBC and TalkSport recently shared commentary rights for the British Lions rugby union tour of Australia
Previous BBC:
Previous TalkSport: .
2001-07-19:
While the format change may have been a cultural loss for Chicago,
the ratings for Bonneville's WDRV-FM, The Drive, the former
classical music WNIB-FM, have been the reverse.
It took a 2.2% share and ended up an 18thplace tie with Bonneville's soft rocker WNND-FM in Arbitron's spring ratings compared with 1.3% for the winter ratings.
The city's other newcomer, WPWX-FM the urban contemporary station of Crawford Broadcasting jumped to a 2.9% share and 10th place tie compared to an 0.8% 29th place in winter.
Loser to WPWX was Clear Channel's urban powerhouse WGCI-FM which ranked second but whose audience share fell from 6.9% in the winter to 4.8% allowing Tribune Company's WGN-AM to move into the lead with a 7% share in spring compared to 5.6% in winter.
In the Morning Dive, WGN's Spike O'Dell was first with a 10% share, up from 9.2%, whilst second placed, Felicia Middlebrooks and Pat Cassidy of WBBM-AM, dropped back to a 7% share from 7.3%.
Further down, Erich Mancow Muller in a 7th place tie pulled his share up from 3.3% to a 3.6% but his station, Emmis's WKQX-FM dropped back to a 2.7% share from 2.8%.
Earlier this week Robert Feder reported in the Chicago Sun-Times that Muller, whose contract is up for renewal later this month, was considering an offer from Infinity Broadcasting to move to San Francisco with an allied increase in syndication.
In Los Angeles, the ratings headline was the return to top spot of an English-language station for the first time since summer 1995; taking top spot was Infinity's KROQ-FM, which upped its share from 4.5% to 5.1%.
It took a 2.2% share and ended up an 18thplace tie with Bonneville's soft rocker WNND-FM in Arbitron's spring ratings compared with 1.3% for the winter ratings.
The city's other newcomer, WPWX-FM the urban contemporary station of Crawford Broadcasting jumped to a 2.9% share and 10th place tie compared to an 0.8% 29th place in winter.
Loser to WPWX was Clear Channel's urban powerhouse WGCI-FM which ranked second but whose audience share fell from 6.9% in the winter to 4.8% allowing Tribune Company's WGN-AM to move into the lead with a 7% share in spring compared to 5.6% in winter.
In the Morning Dive, WGN's Spike O'Dell was first with a 10% share, up from 9.2%, whilst second placed, Felicia Middlebrooks and Pat Cassidy of WBBM-AM, dropped back to a 7% share from 7.3%.
Further down, Erich Mancow Muller in a 7th place tie pulled his share up from 3.3% to a 3.6% but his station, Emmis's WKQX-FM dropped back to a 2.7% share from 2.8%.
Earlier this week Robert Feder reported in the Chicago Sun-Times that Muller, whose contract is up for renewal later this month, was considering an offer from Infinity Broadcasting to move to San Francisco with an allied increase in syndication.
In Los Angeles, the ratings headline was the return to top spot of an English-language station for the first time since summer 1995; taking top spot was Infinity's KROQ-FM, which upped its share from 4.5% to 5.1%.
2001-07-19:
BBC World Service Online has been
voted best radio site at the 5th annual Webby Awards ceremony in San
Francisco.
The awards, by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, were founded by Tiffany Schlain in 1997 and this year took place against a backdrop of dot.com collapses, which have seen a number of nominees close to bankruptcy or even closed down already.
The awards are made in 30 categories on the basis of such factors as a site's functionality, interactivity and overall experience, but not its financial success.
Previous BBC:
Webby Awards site:
The awards, by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, were founded by Tiffany Schlain in 1997 and this year took place against a backdrop of dot.com collapses, which have seen a number of nominees close to bankruptcy or even closed down already.
The awards are made in 30 categories on the basis of such factors as a site's functionality, interactivity and overall experience, but not its financial success.
Previous BBC:
Webby Awards site:
2001-07-19:
As commercial launch date approches, both US satellite radio companies
have announced deals to carry ABC Radio
shows.
Sirius and XM are to offer ESPN, Radio Disney and ABC NewsTalk with Sirius adding two more - the "Midnight Cowboy Trucking Show" which Sirius and ABC have developed for US truckers, and 24-hour sports network ESP News.
None of the companies have released any financial details relating to the deal.
XM, which has just released its second quarter results, had operating losses for the quarter of $42.1 million, up from $13.9 million in the same quarter of 2000.
The company attributes much of this to the launch costs of its second satellite. Net loss was up from $5.1 million to $38.5 million and loss available to common shareholders was up from $7.3 m (15 cents a share) to $44.3 million (76 cents a share).
During the quarter it had announced a number of programming deals including arrangements with MTV, VHI, CNBET and CNBC.
It has also announced a deal with GMAC to include the costs of its monthly subscription as part of the lease or finance of a new General Motors vehicle; Gm holds a 12% share in XM, directly and through its subsidiary DIRECTV.
Previous ABC Radio (US):
Previous Sirius:
Previous XM:
Sirius Web site:
XM Web site:
(RNW note- both of these sites offer sample programming):
Sirius and XM are to offer ESPN, Radio Disney and ABC NewsTalk with Sirius adding two more - the "Midnight Cowboy Trucking Show" which Sirius and ABC have developed for US truckers, and 24-hour sports network ESP News.
None of the companies have released any financial details relating to the deal.
XM, which has just released its second quarter results, had operating losses for the quarter of $42.1 million, up from $13.9 million in the same quarter of 2000.
The company attributes much of this to the launch costs of its second satellite. Net loss was up from $5.1 million to $38.5 million and loss available to common shareholders was up from $7.3 m (15 cents a share) to $44.3 million (76 cents a share).
During the quarter it had announced a number of programming deals including arrangements with MTV, VHI, CNBET and CNBC.
It has also announced a deal with GMAC to include the costs of its monthly subscription as part of the lease or finance of a new General Motors vehicle; Gm holds a 12% share in XM, directly and through its subsidiary DIRECTV.
Previous ABC Radio (US):
Previous Sirius:
Previous XM:
Sirius Web site:
XM Web site:
(RNW note- both of these sites offer sample programming):
2001-07-18:
The hardball between US radio giant Clear
Channel and ratings organisation Arbitron
has moved a step further in the public domain with Clear
Channel chairman and CEO Randy Michaels saying that if he does
not get a better deal soon he will not only drop Arbitron but also
help finance a competitor.
Speaking to the Cincinnati Business Courier, Michaels said," I'm ready to do without it."
He then took a swipe at Arebitron's methods, saying, "They do not have a tool that measures radio the way it's being done today. This is a service that was developed for radio the way it was in '40s."
Michaels attacked the way Arbitron grouped its data by metropolitan areas, arguing that this is punitive to big AM stations whose powerful signals are hard over a wide area.
(RNW note: Nothing new there from the 40's: Big AM station in those days also had audiences over vast areas.)
Michaels argues that measuring this large audience could mean that national advertising rates for big AMs could be increased and said, "Right now, we're giving that away," said Michaels.
"Since we've worked hard to collect the best signals, that's punitive to us."
If Clear Channel did drop Arbitron's ratings - and renewals are due on Clear Channel stations in 130 of its 187 markets - it would cost the latter some $14 million a year; Clear Channel is by far Arbitron's largest ratings subscriber and accounted for more than a fifth of its revenue last year.
Previous Arbitron:
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous Michaels:
Cincinnati Business Courier article.
Speaking to the Cincinnati Business Courier, Michaels said," I'm ready to do without it."
He then took a swipe at Arebitron's methods, saying, "They do not have a tool that measures radio the way it's being done today. This is a service that was developed for radio the way it was in '40s."
Michaels attacked the way Arbitron grouped its data by metropolitan areas, arguing that this is punitive to big AM stations whose powerful signals are hard over a wide area.
(RNW note: Nothing new there from the 40's: Big AM station in those days also had audiences over vast areas.)
Michaels argues that measuring this large audience could mean that national advertising rates for big AMs could be increased and said, "Right now, we're giving that away," said Michaels.
"Since we've worked hard to collect the best signals, that's punitive to us."
If Clear Channel did drop Arbitron's ratings - and renewals are due on Clear Channel stations in 130 of its 187 markets - it would cost the latter some $14 million a year; Clear Channel is by far Arbitron's largest ratings subscriber and accounted for more than a fifth of its revenue last year.
Previous Arbitron:
Previous Clear Channel:
Previous Michaels:
Cincinnati Business Courier article.
2001-07-18:
Russian government-controlled energy giant Gazprom has agreed to sell
some of its shares in the Moscow Echo radio station
to a commentator for the station.
The sale will limit state influence over the station, leaving the station's journalists with just four more shares than Gazprom; each holds around 42.5%.
The journalists had wanted to buy the remaining 9.5% but instead they have been sold to Russia's former economics minister, the liberal politician Yevgeny Yasin, who hosts a programme on the station.
The deal is a compromise acceptable to both sides and leaves neither of them with firm control.
No figures have been released of the price for the shares sold.
Previous Moscow Echo:
The sale will limit state influence over the station, leaving the station's journalists with just four more shares than Gazprom; each holds around 42.5%.
The journalists had wanted to buy the remaining 9.5% but instead they have been sold to Russia's former economics minister, the liberal politician Yevgeny Yasin, who hosts a programme on the station.
The deal is a compromise acceptable to both sides and leaves neither of them with firm control.
No figures have been released of the price for the shares sold.
Previous Moscow Echo:
2001-07-18:
Internet listening jumped 22% over the previous week to reach to a
record according to Internet audio rating company MeasureCast;
its Internet Radio Index was a record 198 in the week to July 15,
now almost double the organisation's rating at the start of this year
(a nominal 100).
MeasureCast CEO Ed Hardy said there were two reasons: "Streaming radio fans went back on-line to listen after the Fourth of July holiday, and many more people are discovering the variety of terrestrial and Internet-only stations available through the Web."
"This is extremely encouraging for advertisers who plan to devote a portion of their ad budgets to streaming media, " he added.
Measurecast has also released a study on Internet listening which showed that 17% of its sample of streaming media users listened to or watched streaming audio or video 20 hours or more during the past 30 days.
Measurecast selected 250 people for the survey from its panel of 50,000 plus streaming media users; Just over half reported listening more often from home rather than work but those listening from work listened for longer.
The survey also noted that faced with a choice of thousands of stations, nearly a third had only listened to two or three stations during the previous 30 days and a sixth had only listened to one; only 6% listened to 6-10 stations and 4% to 11 or more.
In the organisation's latest rankings by Total Times Spent listening (TTSL), 16 were Internet only stations, the same as the previous week.
In the top 5 there was one newcomer, ESPN; 3WK Underground Radio dropped out to 6th position.
The top 5 ranked by Total Time Spent Listening (TTSL) were (with previous week's TTSL and Cume persons (CP), a measure of the cumulative audience, in brackets):
1): Listener Formatted MediaAmazing TTSL 164,927 (132,093); CP 41,539 (40,214) - Position unchanged- but listening remains less than the 176,756 of three weeks ago.
2): Internet only Hot 100 TTSL 85,435 (60,948); CP 26,710 (25,581) - - Previously 3rd
3): Sports-talk ESPN Radio TTSL 84,764 (29,914); CP 12,180 (5,289) -Previously 8th.
4): Adult Alternative Virgin Radio TTSL 80,355 (88,388); CP 14,482 (15,020) - Previously 2nd.
5): Internet only Classic Rock Radio Margaritaville TTSL 69,065 (56,161); CP 10,429 (10505) - Previously 4th.
Previous MeasureCast ratings: MeasureCast web site:
MeasureCast CEO Ed Hardy said there were two reasons: "Streaming radio fans went back on-line to listen after the Fourth of July holiday, and many more people are discovering the variety of terrestrial and Internet-only stations available through the Web."
"This is extremely encouraging for advertisers who plan to devote a portion of their ad budgets to streaming media, " he added.
Measurecast has also released a study on Internet listening which showed that 17% of its sample of streaming media users listened to or watched streaming audio or video 20 hours or more during the past 30 days.
Measurecast selected 250 people for the survey from its panel of 50,000 plus streaming media users; Just over half reported listening more often from home rather than work but those listening from work listened for longer.
The survey also noted that faced with a choice of thousands of stations, nearly a third had only listened to two or three stations during the previous 30 days and a sixth had only listened to one; only 6% listened to 6-10 stations and 4% to 11 or more.
In the organisation's latest rankings by Total Times Spent listening (TTSL), 16 were Internet only stations, the same as the previous week.
In the top 5 there was one newcomer, ESPN; 3WK Underground Radio dropped out to 6th position.
The top 5 ranked by Total Time Spent Listening (TTSL) were (with previous week's TTSL and Cume persons (CP), a measure of the cumulative audience, in brackets):
1): Listener Formatted MediaAmazing TTSL 164,927 (132,093); CP 41,539 (40,214) - Position unchanged- but listening remains less than the 176,756 of three weeks ago.
2): Internet only Hot 100 TTSL 85,435 (60,948); CP 26,710 (25,581) - - Previously 3rd
3): Sports-talk ESPN Radio TTSL 84,764 (29,914); CP 12,180 (5,289) -Previously 8th.
4): Adult Alternative Virgin Radio TTSL 80,355 (88,388); CP 14,482 (15,020) - Previously 2nd.
5): Internet only Classic Rock Radio Margaritaville TTSL 69,065 (56,161); CP 10,429 (10505) - Previously 4th.
Previous MeasureCast ratings: MeasureCast web site:
2001 07 17:
Less than a week before BBC Radio 1's second "Love Parade",
Britain's largest free music and dance festival, was due to be staged
in Newcastle upon Tyne, it has been cancelled after local councillors
and police could not agree on parking and safety for the estimated
quarter million who were expected to turn up.
Most bookings had already been made and many people had set up plans to attend leading to expectations that many music fans may turn up anyway; Radio 1's web site, which carries details of the cancellation, links to a message board on which many messages urge the fans to turn up and part on Newcastle's Town Moor irrespective of the cancellation.
Last year the channel staged its first "Live Parade" with great success at Roundhay Park in Leeds.
The channel had been putting £2 million into next Saturday's event.
Radio 1 Controller Andy Parfitt said: "On behalf of the dance music community and dance music fans, particularly all those in the North East that have shown us so much support during the past 24 hours I express my sadness."
"Although I recognise that extraordinary efforts have been made by the Council, I am still very disappointed that they have failed to meet their obligations under the licence at this late stage."
"Radio 1 have been working on this event for more than 6 months and have met or exceeded all the requirements placed on us to stage an exciting and safe event."
"I pay tribute to the Live Events team at Radio 1 and our event organisers SFX who have worked flat out on meticulous preparations. I am very sorry that Love Parade cannot take place.
Radio 1 is now in urgent talks with national and local clubs and DJs to see whether, in the time remaining, a programme of smaller indoor events can be mounted in the city.
Tony Flynn, Newcastle's council leader, said: "Everyone involved has worked around the clock to make this work but the logistical difficulties of bringing 250,000 people into the city successfully in a very concentrated time frame proved insurmountable ... I know that this news will disappoint thousands of people who were looking forward to the event, and I share their disappointment."
Previous BBC:
Previous Parfitt:
BBC Radio 1 announcement:
Most bookings had already been made and many people had set up plans to attend leading to expectations that many music fans may turn up anyway; Radio 1's web site, which carries details of the cancellation, links to a message board on which many messages urge the fans to turn up and part on Newcastle's Town Moor irrespective of the cancellation.
Last year the channel staged its first "Live Parade" with great success at Roundhay Park in Leeds.
The channel had been putting £2 million into next Saturday's event.
Radio 1 Controller Andy Parfitt said: "On behalf of the dance music community and dance music fans, particularly all those in the North East that have shown us so much support during the past 24 hours I express my sadness."
"Although I recognise that extraordinary efforts have been made by the Council, I am still very disappointed that they have failed to meet their obligations under the licence at this late stage."
"Radio 1 have been working on this event for more than 6 months and have met or exceeded all the requirements placed on us to stage an exciting and safe event."
"I pay tribute to the Live Events team at Radio 1 and our event organisers SFX who have worked flat out on meticulous preparations. I am very sorry that Love Parade cannot take place.
Radio 1 is now in urgent talks with national and local clubs and DJs to see whether, in the time remaining, a programme of smaller indoor events can be mounted in the city.
Tony Flynn, Newcastle's council leader, said: "Everyone involved has worked around the clock to make this work but the logistical difficulties of bringing 250,000 people into the city successfully in a very concentrated time frame proved insurmountable ... I know that this news will disappoint thousands of people who were looking forward to the event, and I share their disappointment."
Previous BBC:
Previous Parfitt:
BBC Radio 1 announcement:
2001 07
17: Continuing its international expansion, Austereo
has moved into Greece by taking a 75% stake in Athens radio station
Klik FM
Klik is one of 20 new stations granted licences following the introduction of a new regulatory regime in Greece.
Austereo had agreed a provisional purchase agreement in January subject to Klik being granted its licence and paid Aus$7 million (around $3.5 million) for its three-quarter share; a Greek publisher holds the rest.
Austereo operates the 2Day FM and Triple M networks in Australia and is currently researching the Athens radio market.
In December last year Austereo took a share in unlisted UKRD which operates 15 UK radio stations (see RNW Dec 4, 2000) and it expects international operations to account for 15 per cent of earnings within three to five years.
Austereo group managing director Brad March told the Sydney Morning Herald, "While there are a lot of stations [in Athens], there hasn't been competition in a program marketing sense." "It's like the Australian market was 10 years ago in terms of sophistication." He said he was confident Austereo could take Klik from its current 4% of the $50 million radio advertising market up to 10%. The paper also reports that Austereo has set up a joint venture with SBS Broadcasting, which owns the Lampsi station in Athens to share facilities and services with Klik; Lampsi is currently off air but expects its new licence in September.
Previous Austereo:
Previous Brad March:
Austereo web site:
Sydney Morning Herald report:
Klik is one of 20 new stations granted licences following the introduction of a new regulatory regime in Greece.
Austereo had agreed a provisional purchase agreement in January subject to Klik being granted its licence and paid Aus$7 million (around $3.5 million) for its three-quarter share; a Greek publisher holds the rest.
Austereo operates the 2Day FM and Triple M networks in Australia and is currently researching the Athens radio market.
In December last year Austereo took a share in unlisted UKRD which operates 15 UK radio stations (see RNW Dec 4, 2000) and it expects international operations to account for 15 per cent of earnings within three to five years.
Austereo group managing director Brad March told the Sydney Morning Herald, "While there are a lot of stations [in Athens], there hasn't been competition in a program marketing sense." "It's like the Australian market was 10 years ago in terms of sophistication." He said he was confident Austereo could take Klik from its current 4% of the $50 million radio advertising market up to 10%. The paper also reports that Austereo has set up a joint venture with SBS Broadcasting, which owns the Lampsi station in Athens to share facilities and services with Klik; Lampsi is currently off air but expects its new licence in September.
Previous Austereo:
Previous Brad March:
Austereo web site:
Sydney Morning Herald report:
2001 07 17:
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has announced
that Carole Taylor is to become chair
of the board of directors of CBC/Radio-Canada. Taylor, whose predecessor
Guylaine Saucier quit her post in November last year, four months
before her term officially ended, is a former television news reporter
and was the first host of CTV's Canada AM.
Taylor is currently Chair of the Vancouver Board of Trade; in a statement she said, "My commitment is to work with all stakeholders to help generate support for CBC/Radio-Canada, so that we can continue to provide high-quality, distinctively Canadian programming for our Canadian audiences."
CBC President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Rabinovitch, who has been acting as chairman since Saucier resigned, welcomed her appointment
"Ms. Taylor brings to CBC/Radio-Canada vast experience in broadcasting, public affairs, arts and culture, and business. I am delighted by her appointment as Chair of our Board," he said.
"As we continue to strengthen Canada's national public broadcaster, I believe that Ms. Taylor's appointment will go a long way toward ensuring that the Corporation continues to meet both the needs and expectations of Canadians."
The appointment means that both top posts at the broadcaster are held by Anglophones; traditionally one has been held by an Anglophone and the other by a Francophone.
Previous CBC:
Previous Rabinovitch:
CBC Announcement:
Taylor is currently Chair of the Vancouver Board of Trade; in a statement she said, "My commitment is to work with all stakeholders to help generate support for CBC/Radio-Canada, so that we can continue to provide high-quality, distinctively Canadian programming for our Canadian audiences."
CBC President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Rabinovitch, who has been acting as chairman since Saucier resigned, welcomed her appointment
"Ms. Taylor brings to CBC/Radio-Canada vast experience in broadcasting, public affairs, arts and culture, and business. I am delighted by her appointment as Chair of our Board," he said.
"As we continue to strengthen Canada's national public broadcaster, I believe that Ms. Taylor's appointment will go a long way toward ensuring that the Corporation continues to meet both the needs and expectations of Canadians."
The appointment means that both top posts at the broadcaster are held by Anglophones; traditionally one has been held by an Anglophone and the other by a Francophone.
Previous CBC:
Previous Rabinovitch:
CBC Announcement:
2001 07 17:
Conservative US radio host Rush Limbaugh has signed an eight-year
contract renewal worth $285 million according to Internet columnist
Matt Drudge whose radio talk show, like Limbaugh's is syndicated
by Premiere Networks.
Drudge says that the total is made up of $250 million over the next eight years, Limbaugh will get a $35 million signing-on bonus, making his annual take $35.6 million
Limbaugh, who has previously only accepted deals of up to three years, reportedly commented, "I am frequently asked if I expected this level of success, and the honest answer is yes."
"So why should I feign surprise when it happens?"
RNW note:As a comparison, Howard Stern last year signed a five-year deal for around $100 million (see RNW Dec 16, 2000) and Paul Harvey a ten-year $100 million deal (See RNW Nov 4, 2000 )
Previous Limbaugh:
Previous Premiere:
Drudge says that the total is made up of $250 million over the next eight years, Limbaugh will get a $35 million signing-on bonus, making his annual take $35.6 million
Limbaugh, who has previously only accepted deals of up to three years, reportedly commented, "I am frequently asked if I expected this level of success, and the honest answer is yes."
"So why should I feign surprise when it happens?"
RNW note:As a comparison, Howard Stern last year signed a five-year deal for around $100 million (see RNW Dec 16, 2000) and Paul Harvey a ten-year $100 million deal (See RNW Nov 4, 2000 )
Previous Limbaugh:
Previous Premiere:
2001 07 16:
For our look at radio through the print media this week, we have gone
for the turn of phrase, rather than any particular line of thought.
First to Ireland and Gerry McCarthy's column in the UK Sunday Times which begins," "Somebody phoned Today FM to ask about sketches on The Last Word …… As political year segued into the silly season, it felt like a perfect week for satire, with everybody being silly and serious at once."
"But Eamon Dunphy was firm. There will be no sketches, he said. 'Navan Man is on holiday, and we all know there's only one Navan Man.'"
Having thus dealt with a commercial channel, which he later praises over a political interview, McCarthy continues, "Over on RTE, when somebody takes a holiday, there are armies of reserves on stand-by."
"On Liveline, Derek Mooney has been given the task of fielding calls in Joe Duffy's absence."
Comparing the stand-in with the original, McCarthy comes out very firmly in favour of the latter.
"Duffy," he writes, "for all his eccentricities, has become expert at sorting the quality from the crazies. Mooney, unfortunately, has not."
"He repeatedly gets it wrong, either underestimating the gravity of a topic or taking seriously something that more experienced figures such as Duffy would dismiss.
The UK Guardian also has some fine phrases in its reviews. The one we chose, by Elisabeth Mahoney, has a serious core as well.
It begins, "Dr Gillian Rice gets straight to the point. In Touch (BBC Radio 4), a programme about the "underdog of our senses", she answered a question even before it had formed in smutty minds."
"If you lost your sense of touch, she began, in the opening seconds of the show, 'lovemaking would become a mere shadow.' Our case study, Ian Waterman, thankfully had rather less saucy details of life without tactile pleasure."
"'There's just nothing there,' he said quietly, talking about patting his dog, 'dear old Daisy.'
"At 19 Waterman lost his sense of touch following an illness in which an antibody in his gut reacted against nerves that shape touch receptors."
"Now unable to feel the difference between sandpaper and silk, Waterman spent two years in hospital trying to recover functions he'd lost (walking, picking things up, holding a mug of tea) with the sense. Touch receptors monitor every part of the body and are central to balance, for example, so that walking is one of the toughest things to relearn."
"Despite Rice's excitability, this was a serious report with moments poignant enough to make you gulp."
It also might give you thought as to how WBAI-FM, New York, host Mike Feder might fare with no sense of touch.
Feder is the subject of a New York Times featur
First to Ireland and Gerry McCarthy's column in the UK Sunday Times which begins," "Somebody phoned Today FM to ask about sketches on The Last Word …… As political year segued into the silly season, it felt like a perfect week for satire, with everybody being silly and serious at once."
"But Eamon Dunphy was firm. There will be no sketches, he said. 'Navan Man is on holiday, and we all know there's only one Navan Man.'"
Having thus dealt with a commercial channel, which he later praises over a political interview, McCarthy continues, "Over on RTE, when somebody takes a holiday, there are armies of reserves on stand-by."
"On Liveline, Derek Mooney has been given the task of fielding calls in Joe Duffy's absence."
Comparing the stand-in with the original, McCarthy comes out very firmly in favour of the latter.
"Duffy," he writes, "for all his eccentricities, has become expert at sorting the quality from the crazies. Mooney, unfortunately, has not."
"He repeatedly gets it wrong, either underestimating the gravity of a topic or taking seriously something that more experienced figures such as Duffy would dismiss.
The UK Guardian also has some fine phrases in its reviews. The one we chose, by Elisabeth Mahoney, has a serious core as well.
It begins, "Dr Gillian Rice gets straight to the point. In Touch (BBC Radio 4), a programme about the "underdog of our senses", she answered a question even before it had formed in smutty minds."
"If you lost your sense of touch, she began, in the opening seconds of the show, 'lovemaking would become a mere shadow.' Our case study, Ian Waterman, thankfully had rather less saucy details of life without tactile pleasure."
"'There's just nothing there,' he said quietly, talking about patting his dog, 'dear old Daisy.'
"At 19 Waterman lost his sense of touch following an illness in which an antibody in his gut reacted against nerves that shape touch receptors."
"Now unable to feel the difference between sandpaper and silk, Waterman spent two years in hospital trying to recover functions he'd lost (walking, picking things up, holding a mug of tea) with the sense. Touch receptors monitor every part of the body and are central to balance, for example, so that walking is one of the toughest things to relearn."
"Despite Rice's excitability, this was a serious report with moments poignant enough to make you gulp."
It also might give you thought as to how WBAI-FM, New York, host Mike Feder might fare with no sense of touch.
Feder is the subject of a New York Times featur