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Our 10 most recent stories
Whole month Oct 2008 Whole month September 2008 Whole month Aug 2008 Whole month July 2008 This page only holds the ten most recent items. If you want to check for earlier items click on the link above or follow the links at the end of a story for previous references.
2008-10-06: Arbitron has moved forward its commercialization of Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings in eight new markets including New York, where attorney general Andrew Cuomo has said his office may take legal action to stop their introduction because of the effect on minority broadcasters (See RNW Oct 3). The commercialization was scheduled for Wednesday but was brought forward by two days, presumably to pre-empt Cuomo's action.
In connection with this Arbitron has filed suit in Federal Court to stop Cuomo's attempt to prevent publication of the PPM ratings, claiming that it would have an adverse effect on the radio and advertising industries and violate the company's First Amendment rights as well as causing its "business to suffer severe irreparable harm" and "would cause economic injury to Arbitron's shareholders." [RNW comment: Surely only a lawyer would need to add the second part since causing irreparable harm to a company's business must of necessity damage its shareholders! Or is it another example of the inability to use language to convey meaning accurately that seems to bedevil the US from the President and Vice-Presidential contenders downwards?].
In a release the company says it is seeking "a judgment declaring that the publication of its PPM listening estimates is fully protected by the U.S. and New York Constitutions; and a preliminary and permanent injunction along with a temporary restraining order enjoining the New York Attorney General from attempting to restrain or prevent Arbitron from publishing its PPM listening estimates."
Its president, chairman and CEO Stephen Morris commented in a release that the company had announced in November last year that it intended to commercialize the PPM ratings service in New York with the release on October 8, 2008, of the September 2008 PPM ratings.
"The New York Attorney General has waited until October 2, less than a week before our scheduled commercialization, to notify Arbitron that his office intends to bring a lawsuit seeking to enjoin alleged violations of New York law," he added. "Such conduct is unfair to Arbitron and is unfair to the radio and advertising industries. We are asking the United States District Court to uphold our First Amendment rights and to prevent the New York Attorney General from attempting to restrain publication of our Portable People Meter listening estimates."
Arbitron has also moved to take some of the sting out of the controversy about the effect on minority broadcasts by releasing "a series of analyses of the new September Portable People Meter radio ratings that highlight some of the successes of urban and Spanish-language stations across the eight new PPM markets."
These are Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco in the top ten radio metros - the PPM is already currency in Houston and Philadelphia - plus Nassau-Suffolk, Middlesex-Somerset-Union, Riverside-San Bernardino and San Jose: the company has now released its September PPM ratings in all of them and says PPM ratings should now be considered currency date for advertising in them.
Morris said of the ratings, ""Without PPM, the industry will not have up-to-date estimates of the radio audience in the nation's largest markets to facilitate an efficient buy-sell process for radio advertising. Advertisers are in the process of planning their ad budgets for all media including radio. Our goal with the commercialization of the PPM is to help radio remain competitive in an increasingly challenging media marketplace."
Amongst the results highlighted by Arbitron in a separate release are a top ranking in New York in the 25-54 demographic for Morning drive for The Steve Harvey Show on Inner City Broadcasting's WBLS-FM, which shares a 6.1 AQH with All-News WINS-AM, followed in third rank by Clear Channel's hits WHTZ-FM (Z-100) with 6.0.
In Chicago it says: "Piolin por La Mañana" on Univision's WOJO-FM is Number One amongst the 18-34 demographic in Morning Drive with an 8.9 AQH share followed by CBS Radio's Country WUSN-FM (US 99.5) with 8.3 and Clear Channel's hits WKSC-FM (Kiss FM) with 6.1.
The release also has figures for the San Francisco 18-34 demographic and Riverside-San Bernardino 25-54 demographic and Arbitron adds in the release that "African-Americans or Spanish-Dominant Hispanics have highest listening levels of all groups across new Portable People Meter radio markets."
RNW comment: With the limited figures released by Arbitron it is impossible to come to any reasonable conclusion as to how far the PPM will affect on minority broadcasters but the cynic in us reasons that if it had been able to produce good figures for their case in all markets Arbitron would have done so. The fact that the release has been so limited indicates to us that overall the figures are nowhere near as positive as Arbitron's spin makes them seem.
At the same time, we still think this is an issue for the radio industry rather than regulators - the FFC has launched a call for comments on the issue - and politicians. At the same time, there have to be reasons why Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation has not been forthcoming and if the change is indeed harmful to minority broadcasters because of weaknesses Arbitron is aware of and has failed to take reasonable measures to fix whilst pushing ahead with the system - unlikely we would estimate but not to be ruled out - we would certainly favour punitive damages against the company: Short of bankrupting it, these would transfer funds from Arbitron's shareholders to those harmed, a reasonably equitable decision in such circumstances.
We can only hope that the subpoenas and pressures on Arbitron are sufficient to force them to disclose adequate detail to refute claims of inaccuracy and inadequacy in the PPM results and methodology: So far all we've seen is rebuttal with partial (in both senses of the word) information.
Previous Arbitron:
Previous Morris:
2008-10-06: UK radio company Laser Broadcasting which owns nine radio licences and was forecasting that it would own a "minimum of fifteen profitable radio companies through acquisition" is facing a winding-up petition from a venture capital company to which it owes money.
Its chief executive is Nigel Reeve, who was sales and marketing director's launch sales and marketing director and who described its strategy as to "put the local back in local radio"
Calls to Laser are greeted by a recorded message that says nobody is available and the company's web site was down as were some other sites including that of Somerset station Quay West when we last checked although various station websites were still available (The Bath FM site describing itself as a temporary site", and those of Swindon-based Brunel FM, North Yorkshire station Fresh FM Warminster station 3TR - all with similar under construction messages- all linked to the same audio stream with a Local Radio Company URL).
Laser is based in Darlington and was founded in 2002: It currently controls Bath FM; Brunel FM; Fresh FM; 3TR; Quay West stations in west Somerset and Bridgwater and Sunshine stations in Ludlow, Hereford & Worcester and Hereford/Monmouth.
The winding up order has been brought by Gateshead-based venture capital firm Capital North East No 1 Limited Partnership and is to be heard on October 14 in the High Court: The Bath Chronicle quoted its lawyer as saying he could not say how much Capital was owed but that he had been in contact with Laser's solicitors but no payment was forthcoming.
As well as creditors it is reported that a some of Laser's staff have not been paid recently but so far all the stations seem to still be on air: Media regulator Ofcom said it was being kept fully informed by Laser adding that it was "aware that the stations may not be able to fully comply with their format requirements" during the period up to the court hearing but saying it does not "propose to take any formal action against the licensees during this period."
Bath Chronicle report:
2008-10-06: Salem Communications has added a business-formatted station to its Miami holdings with the launch of WZAB-AM "The Biz": It also owns Christian Teaching and Talk WMCU-AM and Conservative Talk WKAT-AM in the market.
Joe D. Davis, President of Salem's Radio Division, said that following the success of its business-formatted KDOW-AM in San Francisco it had "identified Miami as another market where we expect this increasingly popular format to be successful" and added, "Everyone is concerned about their jobs, their money, and their future. This dynamic body of timely content speaks to those concerns and provides a huge opportunity for our advertisers and for the Miami metro."
Salem has also revealed in an 8K filing that its President and Chief Operating Officer Eric H. Halvorson "has been terminated effective as of September 30, 2008, as a further cost cutting measure" although it says he will remain on the company's board of directors: When Halvorson was appointed to his current role from the start of July last year his contract gave him a base alary of USD 500,000 in the first year rising ins USD 25,000 increments to USD 550,000 in his third year on top of which he was to be eligible for an annual merit bonus and was granted the right to purchase 45,000 shares of Salem's A common stock, vesting annually in three equal instalments staring from June 25 this year.
Previous Salem:
2008-10-05: Last week was yet another one where there were no radio decision from Australia or Ireland and comparatively few elsewhere.
In Canada, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) was involved in a number of radio postings including the following (In order of province):
Alberta:
*Approval of conversion of CTV Limited's CKKW-AM, Kitchener, to a 2,100 watts FM with the same Oldies format. A simulcast on AM and Fm will be allowed for three months from the commencement of operations of the new FM station.
New Brunswick:
*Renewal until 31 August 2015 of licence of Maritime Broadcasting System Limited's CFAN-FM, Miramichi.
Nova Scotia:
*Renewal until 31 August 2015 of licence of Acadia Broadcasting Limited's CKBW-FM, Bridgewater, and its transmitters CKBW-FM-1, Liverpool, and CKBW-FM-2, Shelburne.
Ontario:
Renewal until 31 August 2015 of licence of Fawcett Broadcasting Limited's CFOB-FM, Fort Frances.
Quebec:
*Renewal until 31 August 2015 of licence of Type B Native station CKWE-FM, Maniwaki. The licence will be issued to the Radio Broadcaster of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation Band, authorizing Eleanor Whiteduck in her capacity as the Radio Broadcaster of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation Band, and any subsequent person2 occupying that position.
*Addition of condition requiring a minimum 115 minutes of News Programming as a condition of licence in connection with the application by 9183-9084 Québec inc. to acquire the assets of the French-language CHRC-AM, Québec, which the CRTC had already conditionally approved.
*Approval of move of transmitter of Corus Entertainment Inc.'s CFEL-FM. Montmagny, from its current location in L'Ange-Gardien to a new site in Québec. The CRTC also approved deletion condition of licence relating to maintaining Corus facilities in Montmagny and modifying Canadian talent development conditions.
Following the change, the station would no longer serve the Montmagny radio market but would instead target listeners in the market of Lévis and Québec.
Saskatchewan:
*Renewal until 31 August 2015 of licence of Radio CJVR Ltd.'s CJVR-FM. Melfort, and its transmitters CJVR-FM-1, Dafoe; CJVR-FM-2, Waskesiu Lake; and CJVR-FM-3, Carrot River.
The CRTC also posted a public notice with a November 6 deadline for the submission of interventions of comments that included an application by Faithway Communications Inc., licensee of low-power specialty English-language commercial station CJRI-FM, Fredericton, to change frequency from 94.7 MHz to 104.5 MHz, a move it says is needed due to interference from a new FM radio station in the United States using the existing frequency of CJRI-FM.
It also posted a further Public Notice relating to receipt of applications for commercial service to serve Québec and invited applications from other parties t be submitted by December 2.
The agency stresses that in making the call it has not reached any conclusion about licensing a service at this time and notes that it has concerns regarding the ability of the Québec City market to absorb new commercial radio services.
From 2003 to 2007 it notes an average annual compound radio advertising revenue growth rate for the Québec City market of 1.8%, compared to 3.5% for the province of Quebec and 5.8% for Canada and it says that applicants will have to demonstrate not just a demand and market for the station but also that the Québec City market is able to support new services.
As already noted there were no radio announcements from Ireland but in the UK Ofcom as well as posting its latest Broadcast Bulletin in which it upheld just one radio complaint (See RNW Oct 1) also posted its Commercial Radio Broadcast Update for September in which it approved three format changes, lifted the "Yellow Card" it had imposed on Ocean FM; listed four DAB multiplex changes it had approved; and gave details of five Change of Control Reviews posted during the month.
The format changes agreed were for Midland News Association's The Severn, serving Shrewsbury and Oswestry; Adventure Radio's Dream 107.7 Chelmsford; and Media Sound Holding's Bright 106.4 (Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and Lewes) and Splash FM (Worthing, Littlehampton and Shoreham).
The Severn was allowed to share programming with sister 107.2 The Wyre/Telford, FM after 10am weekdays and weekends: Ofcom commented that the "argument made is a clear one, and the area affinities are set out in the request. Breakfast and drivetime will still be locally made, and the mid-morning show will be regionally relevant."
Dream was allowed to co-locate with its new sister station Southend Radio (The station was sold to Adventure by Tindle Radio, who made the co-location request See RNW Sep 24).
Bright and The Splash were allowed to increase from three to four hours a day their networked programming. The company said it intends to run a "West Sussex Today" programme running from 11:00 to 15:00. The two stations have already been allowed to co-locate.
The Content Sampling Report found Global Radio's South Hampshire Ocean FM (formerly a GCap station), which was found in June (See RNW Jun 10) to be operating outside its format - it was said to be too rock-oriented for its Adult Contemporary format - only six months after it had been issued with a "Yellow Card" (See RNW Licence News, Dec 2, 2007) to now be operating within the format. The Yellow Card was lifted.
The DAB multiplex changes were the addition of "Chill" to the London III Multiplex and correlated removal from the London I multiplex; Replacement of Smooth FM with Jazz FM on the South Wales and Severn Estuary multiplex; and the addition of Focal Radio to the Stoke multiplex.
The Change of Control reviews involved Laser Broadcasting's 3TR-FM, Warminster, Bath FM and Brunel FM - all formerly owned by The Local Radio Company; CMG Radio Ltd's Lanarkshire station L107, which was rescued after it went off the air (See RNW Aug 21); Oldham station The Revolution bought by DJ Steve Penk from UKRD Group and Hirst Kidd & Rennie, the company behind the Oldham Chronicle. (See RNW Sep 4); former CanWest "Original 106" stations in Aberdeen and Bristol - sold to companies headed by Jonathan Arendt and Richard Johnson (See RNW Jul 30 and Jul 22); and Global Radio's acquisition of GCap Media.
Ofcom also posted more details about the award of a community licence to Corby Radio (See RNW Licence News Sep 21), noting the group's extensive broadcasting experience in the area with short-term restricted service radio licences and broad support. The station is to be allowed to The Radio Licensing Committee said it was satisfied that Corby Radio should be allowed to seek up to half of its respective annual income from the sale of advertising or programme/station sponsorship.
On the commercial licence front Ofcom pre-advertised the Western Isles licence held by Western Isles Community Radio Limited (broadcasting as Isles FM with a deadline for declarations of intent to apply of November 3. These have to be accompanied with a non-refundable fee of GBP 5,000 (USD 8,850) plus a deposit of GBP 1,000 (USD 1,770) which will be refundable upon receipt by Ofcom of a valid application in response to the subsequent re-advertisement of this licence. If only the current licensee expresses interest it will be invited to reapply but if there are no declarations the licence will not be re-advertised.
In the US, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been involved in a number of enforcement actions, assessing default payments related to its FM Auction 37, and also issues of disputed licence assignments.
In Louisiana it issued two USD 9,000 forfeitures, each for failing to properly maintain a public file for a station.
The penalties were imposed on WFNO, L.L.C. licensee of WFNO-AM, Norco, and WGSO, L.L.C., licensee of WGSO-AM, New Orleans, both of whom had requested reductions of Notices of Apparent Liability to Forfeiture for these amounts.
WFNO had disclosed the breaches when it filed a licence renewal application and requested a reduction on the basis of a history of overall compliance with the Commission's Rules; that the forfeitures assessed against it are in excess of those imposed on other licensees for violations similar to or more serious in nature and that a 25% reduction in the forfeiture amount is warranted based on its voluntary disclosure of the public file deficiencies.
WFNO had disclosed the breaches when it filed a licence renewal application and requested a reduction on the basis of a history of overall compliance with the Commission's Rules; that the forfeitures assessed against it are in excess of those imposed on other licensees for violations similar to or more serious in nature and that a 25% reduction in the forfeiture amount is warranted based on its voluntary disclosure of the public file deficiencies.
The FCC disagreed regarding comparisons with other penalties, noting that public files were incomplete for 2 years and 4 months, missing ten Issues and Programs lists, as well as a contour map and ownership report; in regard to a history of compliance the FCC also disagreed, pointing to the period over which the breaches occurred and the fact that at the time the station was wholly-owned by MC Media, L.L.C., which also owned 100% of WFNO, L.L.C.; and regarding voluntary admission noted that this only came in the context of a licence renewal that compelled such disclosure. It confirmed the full penalty.
WGSO had put forward similar arguments and also requested a reduction on the basis of a history of overall compliance with the Commission's Rules. The FCC responded in similar vein to its response to the WFNO breaches and also noted that at the time of the breaches the station was wholly-owned by MC Media, L.L.C., which also owned 100% of WFNO, L.L.C.
In connection with its FM auction 37 in which Walton Stations - New Mexico, Inc., had placed a winning bid for a station in Tularosa, New Mexico, but had defaulted on its final payment obligation, the FCC ruled that Walton Stations owes an interim default payment of USD 18,120.00, 3% of its total net winning bid of USD 604,000.00. It is proposing to take the funds from payments on deposit from Walton and adds that once a subsequent high bid is established for the relevant spectrum, it will determine the final default payment obligation
In Alaska, the agency granted an application to assign the licences of KINY-AM and KSUP-FM, both licensed to Juneau, and their associated translator stations - K278AC, Kake; K279AF, Haines and Skagway; K280DX, Angoon; K280ED, Hoonah; K284AM, Skagway; and K300AB, Juneau from Alaska-Juneau Communications, Inc. to Juneau Alaska Communications, LLC.(JAC).
Staff had granted the application on July 21, 2008, and placed it on Public Notice on July 24, but subsequently staff received an Informal Objection from TLP Communications, Inc., Ketchikan, which had been filed on July 17. The grant was rescinded the grant on August 13, 2008.
TLP alleges that grant of the Application would result in JAC having a "monopoly" on the ownership of radio stations in Juneau, which "cannot be good for the people of Juneau or Southeast Alaska" and also raised issues relating to other broadcast stations in which JAC has an ownership interest, but are not included in the instant Assignment Application. In particular, TLP said it had filed an objection to the renewal of Stations KGTW-FM and KTKN-AM, Ketchikan, alleging that JAC had incorrectly certified that there had been no violations during the renewal term and incorrectly certified as to the operational status of two translator stations; that KTKN-AM improperly broadcast lottery information and that it had not properly discharged its Emergency Alert System ("EAS") responsibilities, and that unidentified "informed sources" have made similar accusations concerning KIFW-AM, Sitka.
In relation to the monopoly issue the FCC noted that the stations are not in an Arbitron Metro Survey and that in such cases it continues to continue to apply its contour overlap methodology under which the proposed transaction would be in compliance with the numerical limits of the local radio ownership rule.
In relation to the other matters it found that TLP had raised no substantial material question of fact warranting further inquiry - the issues relating to KGTW-FM and KTKN-AM resulted in an admonition last month (See RNW Licence News Sep 29) - and added that none of the allegations demonstrate that grant of the Assignment Application would be inconsistent with the public interest. The assignment was allowed.
Previous CRTC:
Previous FCC:
Previous Licence News:
Previous Ofcom:
CRTC web site:
FCC web site:
Ofcom web site:
Next column:
2008-10-04: Toronto-headquartered Corus Entertainment sees "excellent growth prospects" for its specialty and pay TV but is concerned about radio advertising because of worries that a weakening economy will undermines advertiser spending according to Business Edge.
It notes that net earnings for the third quarter to the end of May were up 27% (from CAD 29.6 million (USD 29.3 million) a year earlier to CAD 37.7 million (USD 37.3 million - see RNW Jul 9) on revenues up 5% to CAD 207.8 million (USD 205.4 million) and quotes from last month's update in which President and CEO John Cassaday said the company had "plans in place to deliver solid results once again in 2009" and singled out "excellent growth prospects within our women's specialty business with the addition of CosmoTV and CLT and, within our pay television service, with the addition of HBO Canada."
The Edge says Corus expects a consolidated operating profit of CAD 270 million to CAD 280 million (USD ) in its 2009 financial year, which began Sept. 1 but adds that advertising revenue has become a major focus for investors as the economy enters uncertain territory with talk of a recession.
National radio ad sales watcher Canadian Broadcast Sales - which represents about 60 per cent of private radio stations in the country, including Corus - said last week that sales were up 10.65 per cent for the last quarter of 2008 with overall, sales up 9.2 per cent for the year but Corus said its first quarter 2009 bookings lower than the figures a year ago.
The Edge quoted Adam Shine, an analyst at National Bank as saying "While we don't expect radio advertising to turn negative in 2009, we do expect results to trend toward the lower end of the historical mean growth rate for Canadian radio of 3.5 per cent to five per cent."
Previous Cassaday:
Previous Corus:
Business Edge report:
2008-10-03: New York State Attorney General Mario Cuomo has written to Arbitron accusing it of "unlawful and deceptive acts and practices" in connection with "the marketing and planned commercialization in New York of the Portable People Meter (PPM) methodology" and is planning to file suit against the company to stop its introduction of the system for radio ratings in the state.
Cuomo in his three-page letter says the company is trying to introduce the PPM without "addressing methodological flaws which disparately impacts racial and ethnic minorities" , which would breach the state's Civil Rights Law, and also accuses the company of creating a "misleading impression" that the PPM is "fair, reliable and fully represents the diversity of New York radio markets."
The letter says that to the contrary the PPM "appears to contain design flaws that will disproportionately impact minority communities, broadcasters, and businesses" and that "a significant and improper decline in ratings under a PPM system would cause minority stations to suffer drastic reductions in advertising revenues. This, in turn, would distort the marketplace and severely harm and possibly destroy minority broadcasting in New York."
Last month Cuomo issued a subpoena to Arbitron over the PPM (See RNW Sep 11), a move that was followed by another subpoena from New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram (See RNW Sep 16).
Arbitron, which in connection with the earlier subpoenas had said that the PPM ratings were "valid, fair and representative of the diversity of the radio markets measured" has responded to the latest Cuomo letter by saying it is "disappointed" that the Attorney General's office has said in intends to "pursue litigation in an effort to stop the implementation of Portable People Meter-a measurement tool that is supported by a majority of the radio industry. We intend to vigorously defend the Company and its interests" and adds, "We also fear that the radio industry will suffer continued harm and be placed at a competitive disadvantage if PPM is delayed further."
"After many years of market trials, and almost two years of commercialization," it says, "the PPM is providing more timely and detailed insights into the behaviour of radio audiences. These insights have already been used with demonstrated success by radio programmers, including those at urban and Spanish-language stations."
Arbitron concludes by saying, "Radio broadcasters, radio advertisers and Arbitron all have an important stake in the transition to electronic measurement. At Arbitron, we appreciate the role that all segments of the radio industry must play during this transition. We reaffirm our commitment to working with all radio broadcasters, agencies, and advertisers to facilitate industry-wide success in an electronically measured world."
Previous Arbitron:
2008-10-03: A poll commissioned by the watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting from Nanos Research indicates that almost two third of Canadians polled - the survey was a random phone survey of 1,201 Canadians carried out from September 27-9 - supported the current or increased levels of government spending on state broadcaster the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
The survey was commissioned in response to a pre-election fundraising letter signed by ruling Conservative Party campaign director Doug Finley in which one of the questions was, "The CBC costs taxpayers over CAD 1.1 billion [USD 1 billion] per year. Do you think this is a good use of taxpayers' dollars or a bad use of taxpayers' dollars?"
The responses showed men slightly more in favour of spending on the CBC than men - 64.5% of men said it was a good use of taxpayers dollars compared to 61.4% of women - with younger people more in favour than older respondents 66.9% of those aged 18-29 said it was a good use compared to 56% of those over 60. Overall some 14% favoured cutting back the CBC's budget
Unsurprisingly Conservative voters were least in favour - 57.6% saying it was a good use compared to 70.8% of Liberal Party voters and 69.1% of NDP (New Democratic Party) voters: Most in favour were Green voters with 75.4% saying the money was well spent.
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting noted that Finley's letter continued "I will personally share the overall results and any comments with the Prime Minister...People like you drive our policy development..." and that PM Stephen Harper is on record as favouring the commercialization of some CBC services, including the Radio 2 network, and funding only those without commercial alternatives.
Friends' spokesman Ian Morrison commented in this context that "Mr. Harper should tell Canadians where he stands on CBC funding and what he means by the commercialization of CBC Radio" adding, "The Prime Minister's Office knows that the CBC is popular in Canada and that the majority of people who vote Conservative like the CBC. There is all kinds of evidence about Mr. Harper's anti-CBC bias, but the Conservatives probably believe that it's not an issue that will lose them votes."
He suggested this was not the case that any major cuts would provoke anger, commenting, "They would have a hell of a fight on their hands because nobody can say that ordinary people don't listen and watch CBC."
Previous CBC:
2008-10-02: Sirius XM has now launched its A La Carte service and "Best of Both" programming options together with its Starmate 5 Dock & Play Radio, the first receiver that allows A La Carte Channel selection. The receiver retails at just under USD 130.
The Best of Both programming unlike the A La Carte service will be available to most current subscribers without any need to purchase a new receiver and will cost USD 16.99, USD 4.04 more than a Sirius or XM subscription package: Amongst programming XM subscribers will gain access to are the Howard Stern and Martha Stewart shows plus Sirius NFL and NASCAR channels whilst Sirius customers gain access to programming including shows by Oprah Winfrey; Opie and Anthony; and XM Public Radio plus various sports services including play-by-play of select NBA and NHL games; and live coverage of all the events of the PGA Tour.
Previous Sirius XM:
2008-10-02: Global Radio, which had already promoted Nicola Thomson from her role as director of marketing for Heart, LBC and Galaxy, to group director of the whole of its GCap/Global group as it moves to integrate GCap into its operations, has also introduced a group-level programming structure.
It has appointed Luis Clark, the programme director of Heart FM in the Midlands, as Heart Group Programming Director in charge of the 32 local stations in its Heart Network: His former deputy Paul Gerrard becomes Midlands programme director.
In other moves it has made Jonathan Richards head of news for Global Radio and Mike Cass Galaxy Radio group programme director.
Richards retains his former role as head of news and programme director for talk station LBC but takes on responsibility for news output across the group whilst Cass, who was Galaxy director of programming will have a wider remit including the launch of Galaxy in Scotland and Hampshire next month.
All the new programming promotions take effective immediately and those involved will report to Richard Park, Global's Group executive director and director of broadcasting.
In other UK radio news, Planet Rock, which was sold by GCap to businessman Malcolm Bluemel (See RNW June 5) has won the Best Radio Station Award at this year's BT Digital Music Awards.
The award is made on the basis of a combination of votes from listeners and a judging panel and on its site the station says to its listeners, "Thanks to a sterling effort from you we managed to fight off competition from BBC 6Music, BBC Asian Network, Gaydar Radio and Passion For The Planet to pick up the trophy."
Programming Director Trevor White adds, "To be named as 'Best Radio Station' is really special because Planet Rock listeners won this award by voting for us in their thousands, so it belongs to all of us. In the last week, under the new ownership of Malcolm Bluemel, we have left GCap, set up new offices, got a new sales team and started broadcasting from our own studios, so the award is a great way to start Planet Rock's new adventure as a truly independent radio station"
The station has also now signed a long-term deal for continued carriage on the Digital One national commercial multiplex that has carried it since it launched in 1999.
Bluemel commented of the deal, "As the leading digital radio station in the UK we plan to cement Planet Rock as the preferred choice of everyone who has a love of radio and good music. The contract with Digital One gives us the ability to do just that. This is the future of radio, you heard it here first!"
Previous Global Radio:
Previous Park:
Previous Planet Rock:
2008-10-02: Bakersfield, California, KERN-AM host Scott Cox will not face any charges for removing campaign signs in what he said was a stunt, according to the Bakersfield Californian.
The paper quotes District Attorney Ed Jagels as saying that charges could not be brought as host office could not prove Cox planned to take the campaign sings permanently and adding that for an offence to be theft, "A person must have intent at the time the item was stolen to permanently deprive the owner of that property."
Kern High School District trustee Chad Vegas whose signs were removed told the paper , "Bottom line, our district attorney is not as interested in justice as he is in public opinion. That is the most stupid line of logic" and added that had Cox not been a popular radio host he thought Jagels would have pressed charges.
Cox, who had said his plan was to feign outrage on his KERN News/Talk 1410 show that Vegas signs were disappearing, then replacing them and take credit for negotiating the return of the signs, was suspended for two days by the station (See RNW Sep 29).
He was back on air on Monday and commented that he had not thought the DA would file charges as it would waste the court's time, adding, "Suffice it to say, I'm very happy and look forward to getting on with my life."
RNW comment: The UK has specific charges of taking without an owner's consent when motor vehicles have been removed as by joy riders but it would not be possible to prove intention to deprive the owner of the vehicle permanently. Perhaps the idea should have wider application.
Bakersfield Californian report:
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