Citadel Q3 Revs Down 14.1%, Earnings Swing to Loss
In a 10-Q filing, Citadel Broadcasting reported third quarter net revenues fell 14.1% to $183.8 million from $213.9 million in 2008. Radio revenues declined 9.9% to $155.8 million from $172.9 million, while radio operating income (OI) was flat at $51.4 million. The company posted a net loss of $21.3 million (8 cents per share), compared to net earnings of $28 million (10 cents) in the year-ago period.
Net revenue for Citadel Media (formerly ABC Radio Networks) fell 31.5% to $29.4 million from $42.9 million -- due mainly to the loss of the Sean Hannity and Paul Harvey network programs. These properties accounted for some $8 million of the net revenue decline. (11-06-09)
CBS Radio Tops Ando Media's Internet Audio Top 20
CBS Radio tops Ando Media's monthly Internet Audio Top 20, consisting of May through September, 2009. The media giant's interactive division saw 214,181 average active sessions, 35.4 million session starts and an average time spent listening share of 1.8. Following close behind was Citadel at #4 with 3.3 million session starts and a 4.3 TSL. Entercom (2.2) and Cox Radio (4.5) also made the top ten.
Webcast audience rankings are done on the basis of the new one-minute qualifier, versus the former five-minute qualifier. The five-minute rule (only validating listening for five-minutes in a given period) was a legacy of terrestrial radio measurement and did not accurately reflect digital consumption habits, particularly with mobile devices.
New metrics of "Session Starts," "Average Active Sessions" and "Average Time Spent Listening" better capture the new methodology. Each metric is based on a one-minute qualifier. Session Starts is defined as "The number of streams of one minute or more that are started within a time period." Average Active Sessions is defined as "The average number of streams of one minute or more that are active within a time period." Average Time Spent Listening is defined as "The average number of hours for each session lasting more than one minute within a time period."
"The changes were made in response to requests from both the publisher and the agency community for measurement standards in keeping with other digital best practices. Terrestrial radio AQH and Cume measurements are not the best metrics for measuring today's audience delivered via a digital channel and do not accurately pertain to online audio," stated Ando CEO Robert J. Maccini.
Ando is now in discussions with the MRC for accreditation, and believes this new "one-minute minimum" calculation is more in keeping with MRC standards.
Additionally, there are two other significant changes in the September ranker. For the first time, Domestic listenership will be broken out. Second, Internet audio pioneer Pandora appears in the ranker for the first time. (11-06-09)
Beasley SW Florida Names Two Program Directors
Beasley Broadcast appoints two new Program Directors in its Southwest Florida region. Morning host Bob Garrett (pictured) of WJBX-FM (99X)/Fort Myers' Zito and Garrett assumed PD duties for the Alternative outlet. He takes over from Matt Johnson, who remains PD of co-owned CHR WXKB-FM (B103.9).
John Cassio, Producer of the Miller and Moulton Show on sister WWCN-AM (770 ESPN Radio) replaces PD Mark "Steele" Matthews who was also programming two stations and will remain PD for co-owned WRXK-FM (96 K-Rock).
Garrett joined up with Jeff Zito at WYNF-FM/Sarasota, FL. After a stint at WEBN-FM/Cincinnati as Music Director and air talent, he returned to Florida and to Zito to do mornings at WJBX in 2003.
Cassio previously served as Associate Producer of the "Terry Bowden Show." In 2004, he accepted a position with Beasley's 770 ESPN Radio and was named Assistant Program Director of the Miller and Moulton Show in 2006.
"It gives me great pleasure to promote these two guys," commented Market Manager Brad Beasley. "Bob and John are both incredibly talented and dedicated, and I look forward to seeing where their visions take these great stations." (11-06-09)
Phoenix Business Journal Inks Partnership with CC
The Phoenix Business Journal is partnering with Clear Channel Radio/Phoenix in a partnership that will expand the newspaper's exposure on radio. Multimedia reporter Adam Kress (pictured) will deliver news reports on News/Talk KFYI-AM each morning at 6, 7 and 8am beginning November 9. In addition to the morning reports, he and other Business Journal staffers will report on KFYI when news breaks.
"Our alliance with Phoenix Business Journal gives us a tremendous on-air and online content resource," said Director of Programming and Operations Smokey Rivers. "The relationship also opens new doors for marketing opportunities between the paper and other Clear Channel stations."
Clear Channel currently owns eight stations in Phoenix and Circulation Director Paul Sanders said the partnership is likely to be expanded beyond KFYI. The newspaper previously had a radio partnership with Bonneville's News/Talk KTAR-FM. (11-06-09)
Local Focus Radio to Represent Seven Bridges Radio
Local Focus Radio has signed a rep agreement with Seven Bridges Radio, bringing WJXL-AM and WFJO-FM/Jacksonville, FL, into the Local Focus fold, joining its some 300 stations that the former Interep division represents.
Local Focus Radio President Kay Olin said, "We are very proud to have the opportunity to represent Seven Bridges Radio. Our roster is filled with independent broadcasters who have made a commitment to local content, talent and community and 1010 WJXL-AM/WFJO 92.5 FM perfectly fits into our vision and mission."
Seven Bridges National Sales Manager Ken Brady said, "I am very impressed with the relationships that Local Focus has and the fight that each of the sellers possess. We look forward to a successful 2010. "
In May, Local Focus inked a deal with Indy Rep Radio, a firm launched earlier this year by Los Angeles-based Mount Wilson FM Broadcasters. At the time, Local Focus said the partnership allows both companies to pool their personnel resources for the benefit of radio clients. (11-06-09)
Dan Sileo Returns From Week-Long Suspension
WDAE-AM/Tampa morning host Dan Sileo quietly returned on Friday, after being from suspended a over comments he made regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer. Sileo had alleged that Glazer lost millions to ponzi-schemer Bernie Madoff and the NFL franchise could be for sale. Sileo made no mention of the incident that led to his week-long suspension.
In a statement last week, Glazer said, "The report today by WDAE's Dan Sileo about our family and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is 100 percent false. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not, nor have they ever been for sale. In addition, our family or any of our related companies have never invested one penny with Bernie Madoff. The report is baseless, irresponsible and slanderous."
Clear Channel/Tampa officially offered a retraction and apology for statements made by Sileo. "During a broadcast Thursday on WDAE, morning host Dan Sileo made some statements about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Glazer family that were factually incorrect. We sincerely apologize for those statements and hereby issue a full retraction." (11-06-09)
NPR, iBiquity Strike Deal on HD Radio Power Increase
iBiquity Digital, developer of HD Radio, and NPR announced an agreement for managing an HD Radio power increase, significantly improving reception of HD Radio signals. The two organizations jointly presented their recommendations to the FCC on Thursday, encouraging the Commission to move to adopt the power increase quickly.
"We are delighted that the radio industry is now poised to push this technology ahead together. We've found practical and balanced solutions that will greatly improve reception while limiting interference to existing analog operations," said iBiquity Digital President/CEO Bob Struble.
The agreement proposes that the Commission authorize a blanket 6 dB increase for all commercial and non-commercial radio outlet's digital power from the current level of -20 dBc to a power level of -14 dBc. This is four times the current power level.
NPR and iBiquity consulted with a broad spectrum of commercial and noncommercial stations over the last few weeks, and identified several conditions and criteria to manage the power increase process. These conditions were informed by NPR Labs recent field research, "Advanced IBOC Coverage and Compatibility Study," filed with the Commission earlier this week.
Conditions of the blanket increase included commitment by iBiquity and NPR to additional enhancements to the HD Radio system. The development work of the two organizations will focus on single frequency networks to fill gaps in digital coverage, asymmetrical digital sidebands to reduce the potential for digital interference to short spaced first adjacent analog stations, and low bitrate codecs and conditional access crucial to moving radio reading services into the mainstream of digital radio broadcasting.
The two organizations offered an approach to additional power increases beyond a 6 dB increase, depending on spacing criteria and conditions that limit harmful interference, and initial models suggest most stations will be able to exceed 6 dB.
NPR Labs Executive Director Mike Starling said, "We are optimistic about the future of HD Radio broadcasting, and eager to continue to work with iBiquity on the developments that will make this power increase work to everyone's advantage – stations, listeners, and receiver makers."
The agreement also proposes a series of steps drawn from the current AM rules for interference to be applied to qualifying and limiting harmful interference with analog at the 6 dB increase level (-14 dBc). These steps would remediate harmful interference from any stations increasing power above the existing -20 dBc power level.
NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton said, "NAB is encouraged by this consensus agreement of iBiquity and NPR for optional increased digital power for FM HD Radio stations. We urge the FCC to move quickly and allow stations to operate at increased power according to the criteria in the agreement. This will result in greatly improved indoor reception for digital signals, including multicast signals, and pave the way for greater service reliability using portable HD Radio devices." (11-05-09)
CBS Corp. Q3 Revs Flat, Radio Unit Continues Decline
CBS Corp. reported third quarter revenues were essentially flat at $3.35 billion when compared to $3.38 billion in 2008. Operating income was $565.6 million compared with a operating loss of $13.48 billion in last year's third quarter. The company's radio unit, CBS Radio, posted $318.9 million in Q3 revenues, a 19% drop from 392.5 million.
Net earnings totaled $207.6 million (30 cents per share) versus a net loss of $12.46 billion ($18.58 per share) in the year-ago period. Results for Q3 included a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $31.7 million ($23.1 million, net of tax), which was related to the disposition of radio stations, offset by a settlement of $28 million.
"The operating environment for our businesses continues to improve and we are finishing the year with strong momentum," said CBS President/CEO Leslie Moonves. "So far this year, each quarter has been better than the one before, with the third quarter showing significant improvement over the second, just as we expected."
Moonves continued, "Over the long term, we continue to believe that great content is the best driver of growth in this industry, which is why we've been so focused on building our content businesses across the company. To highlight this strategy, we are realigning our business segments beginning in the fourth quarter." (11-05-09)
Bill White Upped to Greater Media/Charlotte OM
Greater Media elevates Bill White to Operations Manager of News/Talk WBT-AM & FM and Talk WLNK-FM/Charlotte. The veteran programmer has served as Director of Programming and News at WBT for the past nine years. The Pittsburgh native previously worked as PD at KMBZ-AM and KCMO-AM/Kansas City, KDKA-AM/Pittsburgh and WTVN-AM/Columbus, as well as WEZN-FM/Bridgeport, CT and WTIC-AM/in Hartford.
"I am thrilled at the opportunity to enhance my role at Greater Media Charlotte in working with some of the best talent in the market on WBT-AM/FM and WLNK," said White. "Having the opportunity to work with our outstanding staff on WBT, Bob and Sheri, Matt and Ramona and the entire team on The Link and The Link Radio Network is a programmer's dream come true."
Under the new programming structure, Carl East, who has been serving as the Assistant PD WBT for the past 11 years, will become the duo's Program Director. In addition, Neal Sharpe will continue his role as PD of WLNK-FM. (11-05-09)
Natkowski Named KSD-FM, KLOU-FM/St. Louis GSM
23-year veteran media exec Angenette Natkowski is named General Sales Manager of KSD-FM (93.7 The Bull) and KLOU-FM/St. Louis. She was most recently with Clear Channel/Chicago as Local Sales Manager for WVAZ-FM and WLIT-FM from 2007-2009. Prior to that, Angenette was a Senior Account Manager from 1996-2004 at CBS Radio/Chicago.
"We are extremely excited to be adding Angenette Natkowski to our Sales Management Team," said St. Louis DOS Aaron Hyland. "Angenette is a tremendous talent with considerable media experience that will only help Clear Channel St. Louis continue to Grow."
"I am excited to join the Clear Channel St. Louis team, under the strong leadership of Beth Davis and Aaron Hyland," added Natkowski. "CC St. Louis offers such an impressive portfolio of on-air and online products. I'm looking forward to working with our business community in providing solutions to them grow their business." (11-05-09)
Premiere Names Wilberding VP/Western Region Sales
15-year sales vet Jason Wilberding joins Premiere Radio Networks as VP/Western Region Sales. Based in Los Angeles, Wilberding will provide leadership and direction to the Western region and will report to Executive VP/Sales Carol Terakawa. Most recently, he served as National Advertising Director and GM of BrandX for Tribune's Los Angeles Times Media Group.
Terakawa commented, "We are delighted to welcome Jason to the Premiere team. His track record of success, creativity and exceptional leadership will be an asset as we continue to provide integrated sales programs and custom solutions for our national advertisers."
"I'm extremely happy to join an innovative and forward-thinking company like Premiere," added Wilberding. "It's an exciting time in this industry, and Premiere is leading the way with its incredible roster of audio, digital and mobile assets."
No stranger to the radio business, Wilberding served as VP/Director of Sales for Interep's D&R Radio Sales and Spanish Broadcasting Systems' KXOL-FM and KLAX-FM/Los Angeles. Prior to that, he served as General Sales Manager for CBS Radio's KTWV-FM (94.7 The Wave). (11-05-09)
Salem Q3 Total Revenues Fall 10.2% to $48.9 Million
Christian radio broadcaster Salem Communications reported a total revenue decline for the third quarter of 10.2% to $48.9 million from $54.4 million. Operating expenses decreased 20.8% to $54.4 million from $68.7 million, while operating loss from continued operations was $5.5 million. The company posted a net loss of $4.6 million (19 per share), as compared to $11 million (47 cents)
Net broadcast revenue fell 11.4% to $42 million from $47.4 million and station operating income (SOI) decreased 8.2% to $15.1 million from $16.4 million. Same station revenue declined 12.2% to $40.9 million from $46.6 million. Same station SOI decreased 9.9% to $15 million from $16.7 million.
For the fourth quarter, Salem is projecting total revenue to decrease 8% to 10% over Q4 2008 totals of $54.8 million. (11-05-09)
Arbitron Filing Cites CC, CMLS Moves for Down Revs
In a 10q filing with the SEC, Arbitron reveals that Cumulus and Clear Channel's move to Nielsen in some of their smaller markets contributed to the $4.6 million decline so far in 2009 revenue. The ratings giant expects revenues to fall by $5 million this year and then $10 million per year thereafter.
"Due to the impact of the current economic downturn on anticipated sales of discretionary services and renewals of agreements to provide ratings services, as well as the high penetration of our current services in the radio station business, we expect that our future annual organic rate of revenue growth from our quantitative Diary-based radio ratings services will be slower than historical trends," wrote Arbitron.
Arbitron also revealed that after the MRC denied accreditation for Philadelphia and New York in January, 2008, the markets were re-audited later that year, but still remain unaccredited. "The MRC identified response rates, compliance rates, and differential compliance rates as concerns it had with the PPM service in these local markets," Arbitron said in the SEC filing.
19 other markets have been audited, but Arbitron said the MRC has neither granted nor denied accreditation. (11-05-09)
Regent Q3 Revenues Down 13.9%, Loss Narrows
Regent Communications posted a 13.9% drop in third quarter broadcast revenues to $21.8 million from $25.3 million in 2008. Station operating expenses fell 4.8% to $14.6 million from $15.3 million. The company reported a net loss of $0.4 million (one cent per share) compared with a reported net loss of $46.3 million ($1.19 per share), in the same period last year.
"During the third quarter we continued to execute our strategic plan to expand our presence among advertisers and audiences across our local market footprint, while aggressively controlling our costs," said President/CEO Bill Stakelin. "Our revenue results reflect the weak advertising market nationwide, offset in part by our consistent ability to outperform the overall radio industry and our portfolio of markets." (11-05-09)
CC Promotes Soechtig to Senior VP/Sales Operations
Clear Channel Radio ups Chris Soechtig to Senior VP/Sales Operations. Soechtig will be responsible for the creation of a corporate "Sales Operation Center," which will focus on all facets of sales strategy, communications, training, sales material, processes and technology for use by Clear Channel sales teams.
"Chris has demonstrated strong leadership and talent over the past several years, and we believe he will continue to bring innovative ideas to the table as Senior Vice President of Sales Operations," said Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan. "We are excited to begin building the 'Sales Operation Center' and anticipate sales managers and sellers in every market benefitting from the SOC."
"We have an incredibly talented and diverse group of sales managers in the company and need to develop effective systems of networking and communication so that we can identify our most effective sales practices. Having a sales operations center will give local markets an outstanding opportunity to focus on growing revenue using proven best practices and building on the successes we see in Clear Channel markets," added Soechtig.
Soechtig will work with all 150 Clear Channel markets to help sales leaders align resources for the greatest opportunity to grow revenue. He will further be responsible for establishing a structure of sharing and exchange between markets.
Previously, Soechtig served as the Director of Sales for the Tampa cluster for the past four years. He has been with Clear Channel Tampa for 16 years, with nine years in sales management. (11-05-09)
Fox Sports Radio Expands Afghanistan Simulcast
The Fox Sports Radio Network will expand its weekly simulcast of Fox Sports' "Fox NFL Sunday" on November 8 to include a two-hour special broadcast from an undisclosed military installation in Afghanistan. Airing from 11am-1pm ET, the special will be heard on Fox Sports Radio affiliates across the U.S. as well as www.FoxSportsRadio.com.
Hosted by Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Jimmy Johnson and Jay Glazer, the two-hour special will air three days before Veterans Day as a tribute to the dedication of America's service men and women. It will be produced in conjunction with Armed Forces Entertainment, the official Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas. (11-05-09)
AWRT Names Raphael One Of "25 Women to Watch"
Greater Media VP/Corporate Communications Heidi Raphael has been named one of the "25 Women to Watch in Sales and Marketing" by American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT). Raphael, who joined Greater Media in 1996 as Marketing Director of WRIF-FM/Detroit, was named VP/Corporate Communications in February, 2008.
"For more than a decade Heidi has been an integral part of the Greater Media team, serving in a variety of roles and most recently as Vice President of Corporate Communications," said Greater Media President/CEO Peter Smyth. "Her talent, hard work and dedication have been showcased time and time again through various initiatives and ideas. I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition than she is."
This is the inaugural year of the "25 Women to Watch in Sales and Marketing" award, and this year's honorees will be featured in the fourth quarter edition of AWRT's national magazine, Making Waves.
"AWRT is proud to showcase these exceptional women in our upcoming issue of Making Waves," said AWRT interim President Sylvia Strobel. "Their impressive individual and collective accomplishments make them truly 'women to watch.'" (11-05-09)
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