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Top Radio Stories

Radio revenues fell 16% over 2008 third quarter totals to $4.2 billion reports the RAB. Local revenues were down 19% to $2.8 billion, while national numbers declined 17% to $639 million. When combined, local and national numbers fell 19% to $3.4 billion. The one bright spot was a 14% gain in digital revenues to $126 million.

Network sales were down 11% to $253 million, and off-air revenues decreased 9% to $335 million. The decline in third quarter numbers follows a 22% overall decline radio revenues in the second quarter, and a 24% drop in the first quarter.

"As the quarter came to a close, it showed promise of an upswing in advertising spend by marketers," commented RAB President/CEO Jeff Haley. "Increases in expenditures in highly competitive categories continue to positively influence radio's bottom line."

Haley continued, "Although there have been shifts in rank, radio's top five categories have been consistent since 2005. Within these top five categories we continue to see some advertisers aggressively increase their share of voice when compared to their higher-spending competitors." (11-20-09)

Clear Channel/San Antonio appoints Travis Moon as the new Program Director of Country KAJA-FM/San Antonio. He will also handle afternoon drive. Most recently, Moon served as PD of Bonneville Country WUBE-FM and WYGY-FM/Cincinnati since August, 2007. Before that, Moon spent ten years as Assistant PD of Country KEEY-FM (K102)/Minneapolis.

OM Tony Travatto commented, "We beat the bushes to find an incredible Country PD, and we talked to some of the most talented programmers in the business. Travis gets that great Country stations are more than just a few songs played back-to-back. I'm looking forward to seeing him 'crank it up' in this heated country battle."

Before handling APD duties at KEEY, Moon was PD and morning personality with co-owned Oldies KQQL-FM. Prior to joining K102 in 1996, Moon worked at Citadel's KUBL-FM/Salt Lake City as Music Director. (11-20-09)

Ferris O'Brian is purchasing Regional Mexican KINB-FM (105.3)/Oklahoma City, former Citadel station, from the Last Bastion Trust, reports the Oklahoman. O'Brian, a former host on the station when it aired an Alternative format, plans to drop its Spanish format and return it to Alternative as "The Spy."

Following Citadel's flip of the then KSYY-FM from "Spy" in June, 2004, O'Brien did a similar show on co-owned Rock KATT-FM.

O'Brien told the newspaper that his dream has always been to run his own station, and he reached an agreement earlier this year to purchase the station with his own money and investment from family members.

"I've been working on this at least since March -- actually physically working on this deal," said O'Brien. "But in all actuality, this has been something I've been thinking about doing, wanting to be doing, for the last 10 years."

O'Brien began his career with KDGE-FM/Dallas before moving to KSPI-FM/Stillwater, OK. He joined "The Spy" in December, 2002. (11-20-09)

Former WTKS-FM (Real Radio 104.1)/Orlando midday host Shannon Burke pleaded guilty to a felony charge of cruelty to animals (for shooting his dog) and gulity to a misdemeanor charge of using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol on Friday. He was then sentenced to 6 months in prison and must begin his incarceration before December 31.

Burke told the court that he's sober and in therapy, reports the Orlando Sentinel. He also said that he had reconciled with his wife, who previously took out a protection order against him.

Burke was arrested last May on charges related to shooting both his wife and her dog. Clear Channel terminated Burke's contract after he was arrested. He was released on $25,000 bail, with orders to get psychological help and stay away from drugs, alcohol, guns and his wife. (11-20-09)

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation voted in favor of the Local Community Radio Act of 2009, a bill that would allow for the expansion of Low Power FM stations by abolishing third-adjacent channel spacing requirements for full power FM outlets. The legislation has already made it through two key House committees and looks to pass out of the full House.

The Act was introduced by Congressional members Mike Doyle and Lee Terry, which would alter a law passed in 2000 limiting Low Power FM to rural parts of the country. These stations are non-commercial 100-watt radio service that reaches a radius of 5 to 7 miles.

The National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB) has been an ongoing supporter of and advocate for LPFM. Approximately 25% of NFCB's 250 members are LPFM stations. NFCB believes there is a need for more communities to have their own LPFM. NFCB President/CEO Carol Pierson describes NFCB's involvement in LPFM as "consistent with our values of localism, diversity, and public service." (11-19-09)

Country programming vet John St. John is appointed Program Director for Dial Global's Mainstream Country format. He will be responsible for steering and managing what the company says is its most popular 24/7 music format. St. John returned to Dial Global earlier this year as PD of its Classic Country format. He has also programmed the Denver-based Hot Country format.

"John is one of the best in the business," said Dial Global VP/Country Media Jim Murphy. "With his success in both major markets and as a network programmer, John has the background and experience to continue growing Dial Global's most popular music format."

St. John previously programmed KYGO-FM/Denver, where he led the station to its first CMA Station of the Year honors. St. John has also worked with Country outlets in Kansas City, Birmingham and Jacksonville, FL.

Longtime programmer Penny Mitchell remains as a member of the Mainstream Country programming team, working with St. John as Assistant PD and on-air personality. (11-19-09)

Emmis-owned KDHT-FM (Hot 93.3)/Austin dropped Hip Hop Wednesday (11-18) for the stunt mode and now comes word that co-owned AAA KGSR-FM will move from 107.1 to 93.3 after a 10-day simulcast that begins Friday (11-20) at 5pm. Following the conclusion of the simulcast, 107.1 will become a Regional Mexican outlet.

Of the new format and signal moves, Emmis said that the transition "will optimally allow the respective stations the ability to best reach the communities they serve."

As previously reported, the entire programming and air staff was ousted on Wednesday and the station is running jockless. (11-19-09)

Red Zebra Sports WXTG-AM and FM/Norfolk-Virginia Beach OM/PD Keith Bennett is out. A 3-year station vet, Bennett was with the station when dropped Urban for Sports as "The Game," the market's first FM Sports outlet.

Previously, he handled affiliate relations for Wilbur Entertainment and the Sports Fan Radio Network. Before that he worked as a PD/air personality for crosstown Clear Channel. (11-19-09)

Classical WMFE-FM (90.7)/Orlando will flip to all-News on Friday, bumping its previous format to its HD-2 multicast channel and wmfe.org. WMFE President/CEO Jose Fajardo told Florida Today that they had pondered the move for quite some time and that there would be no staff changes.

Under the new format, a typical weekday will start with "BBC World Update" at 5am, "Morning Edition" at 6am, "Marketplace Morning Report" at 7:50am and 9:50am (with "Intersection" airing at 9:30am Tuesdays) and "Morning Edition" continuing at 8am. (11-19-09)

WABC Radio Syndication is now offering "The John Batchelor Show" via satellite from 9pm-1am Saturdays and Sundays. Described by some as "Matt Drudge meets Coast to Coast," Batchelor offers breaking news, story-telling, and interviews as Batchelor regularly taps into sources from Hong Kong to Kabul and from Jerusalem to Washington.

Batchelor's show is credited with breaking numerous stories before they hit the mainstream media, including the Lehman Brothers collapse, the choice of Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics and the White House "war" on Fox News.

Along with WABC-AM/New York, Batchelor's show also airs on KSFO-AM/San Francisco, WMAL-AM/Washington, DC and WTKK-FM/Boston. (11-19-09)

F. Douglas Wilhite, the owner and afternoon personality at News/Talk WELE-AM (1380)/Ormond Beach, FL, was found not guilty on Thursday of two felony counts of sex with a minor. Police alleged that Wilhite, 56, is a nudist and let boys visit his home and be naked around him. Wilhite denies the charge, saying the teen approached him, but he rebuffed the advances.

Wilhite's attorney told the Orlando Sentinel, "The evidence in this case was that all these children made false accusations of rape in the past, for personal advantage... the jury was able to get through that and see it was just allegations."

He still faces further allegations of contributing to the delinquency of a child, showing obscene material to a minor, lewd conduct and lewd or lascivious exhibition after previously admitting that he allowed the teen and his friends to come over to his house and have sex, including in his presence. He also allegedly offered the teens video equipment if they wished to record themselves. (11-19-09)

Candace Gonzales is named Events and Sponsorship Sales Manager for Alpha Broadcasting in Portland, OR, effective December 1. Gonzales will work with the General Sales Managers and Account Executives to oversee the development of new business programs and event sponsorship for the 6-station cluster.

No stranger to the staff at Alpha, Gonzales has spent the past 11 years as the Director of Marketing and Promotion at AAA KINK-FM. Previously, she was the Marketing Director and Special Projects Coordinator for Restaurant Management Northwest, along with her own consulting firm specializing in event planning and marketing.

"Over the years at KINK, Candace has already demonstrated her skills in this area, having helped create and sell countless programs," commented Director of Sales Amy Leimbach. "Now the rest of our Alpha stations will benefit from her knowledge and depth of experience and I couldn't be more thrilled to bring her onto the sales side."

"Working for KINK was my dream job from the moment I discovered the station in 1981 while moving here from Minnesota," added Gonzales. "I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to continue to be involved with this great heritage station while expanding my responsibilities across the entire Alpha group. The new role is going to be an exciting challenge." (11-19-09)

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) is rolling out a mobile edition of its web site at RTDNA.org, offering members and the journalism community a handheld view of organization's three primary editorial offerings: Top Stories, RTDNA/RTDNF News and Industry Headlines.

"Adding a mobile site to RTDNA's content reinforces our commitment to digital," said RTDNA Chairman Stacey Woelfel. "Since the vast majority of people, particularly in our industry, have migrated to smart phones it is important that we deliver a fresh product and the ability to stay connected to RTDNA, even on the go."

The landing page of the mobile site features the top stories from RTDNA.org and links to RTDNA/RTDNF News and Industry Headlines.

"In the news world, time is a valuable asset and we realize that," Woelfel said. "Making RTDNA.org a 'must-visit site' for news professionals is a key goal for us. Introducing the mobile site gives our readers the information they want in the short time they have." (11-19-09)

Citadel Broadcasting's clusters in Reno, NV, and Albuquerque are going to a paperless production order system using vCreative PPO from vCreative. The broadcaster's 4-station group in Reno and 7-station group in Albuquerque join Citadel's clusters in Chicago and Memphis making the switch.

Reno Production Director Ron James commented, "I am amazed at the positive changes my department has seen already. It has already made things run a lot smoother and we aren't even 100% yet! It's the best thing for Production since sliced bread."

vCreative, PPO (Paperless Production Orders) is a creative workflow management system that provides organization and accountability for both production orders and streaming orders. (11-19-09)

ABC News Radio will offer three one-hour specials for use over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. The programs include "The ABC News Radio/Consumer Reports Holiday Gift Guide 2009," "ABC News Radio Shopping for Kids: Making the Best Buys for the Holidays" and "ABC News Radio's Holiday Movie Guide 2009."

ABC News Radio Correspondent Cheri Preston will host "The ABC News Radio/Consumer Reports Holiday Gift Guide 2009." The one-hour special will have expert advice on how to cut costs and still get the coolest gifts. For online shoppers, the special will advise on the best sites to shop, how to avoid scams, and the best way to browse the Internet right from a cell phone.

For the latest trends and best tips for buying presents for kids this year, ABC News Radio's Richard Davies hosts "The ABC News Radio Shopping for Kids: Making the Best Buys for the Holidays." The one-hour special will have the scoop on the best selling toys and how to find the most affordable toys this season.

The one-hour special "ABC News Radio's Holiday Movie Guide 2009" will take a comprehensive look at the movies coming out this holiday season. The one hour special will be hosted by ABC News Radio's David Blaustein and several of the country's top movie critics. They'll previews the movies everybody's going to be talking about this holiday season and at Oscar time. (11-19-09)

Emmis lost its Hungarian national radio station, Slager, on Wednesday after the National Radio and Television Board (ORTT) awarded the license to a Hungarian political party. Concurrently, they awarded the other national license, Danubius, to the other national political party. Emmis had held the broadcasting license since 1997.

During its 12-year stewardship, Emmis and Slager invested some $170 million (at current exchange rates) in Hungary's economy, while providing employment to its all-Hungarian staff. Emmis said that Slager was consistently the top-rated station in Hungary, reaching 3.5 million listeners per week (out of a population of 10 million).

Emmis Chairman/CEO Jeff Smulyan said, "We are deeply disappointed, not only for Emmis and our people, but most of all for the people of Hungary. Whenever freedom and democracy are taken away, every citizen suffers immeasurably. All of Hungary has suffered today."

Now, Emmis moves into seeking relief in the court systems of Hungary and the European Union. They also join with the Prime Minster of Hungary, the President of Hungary, the head of the Hungarian National Radio and Television Board in denouncing this process as politically corrupt and contrary to the interests of the Hungarian people. (11-18-09)

Tim Jones exits Country WVIM-FM (The Rebel 95.3)/Memphis as PD/morning host over budget considerations. Prior to joining the station in June, he served as PD of crosstown rival WGKX-FM for 18 months. Previously, he programmed Country KBQI-FM (Big 107.9) and Urban AC KSYU-FM (Hot 95.1)/Albuquerque.

Before moving to Albuquerque in October, 2004, he served as PD/afternoons at WDDD-FM/Marion-Carbondale, IL, and before that Jones was PD of KEZS-FM/Cape Girardeau, MO. (11-18-09)

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