News Briefs - Nov. 14, 2012

SBS Third Quarter Revenues Down 1%. Spanish Broadcasting System's third quarter consolidated net revenue was down 1% to $35.9 million, with radio revenue decreasing 2% to $31.2 million and TV revenue up 6% to $4.7 million. The decrease in radio revenue was primarily attributed to local and network sales in most markets, offset by increases in barter sales in Puerto Rico, national sales in Miami, Los Angeeles, and Puerto Rico, and interactive sales. Operating income dropped 15% to $10.2 million. Says SBS Chairman and CEO Raul Alarcon Jr., "During the third quarter, we continued to focus on strengthening our multi-media assets while prudently controlling our expenses. We continued to experience an uneven advertising environment, primarily in our radio division, although we were able to generate increases in our barter, national and interactive sales. In our television segment, we achieved positive station operating cash flow in line with our plan, reflecting healthy growth in our revenues and a substantial reduction in our expenses. We are committed to achieving ongoing operating profitability at our television operations going forward. Looking ahead, we remain very optimistic about our outlook given the strength of our assets and our audience reach, combined with the growing interest among advertisers in reaching the fast-growing Hispanic population." SBS owns and/or operates 21 radio stations located in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, and Puerto Rico.

Cox Miami Makes Sales Management Changes. Cox Media Group Miami makes sales leadership changes "to better align its sales strategy and collaboration between the outlets" in the four-station cluster -- WFLC-FM, WFEZ-FM, WEDR-FM and WHQT-FM. Market Manager Dan Kearney tells us, “This new structure allows CMG Miami to better put our customers and their needs first instead of the needs of the individual stations. It will also help us reduce redundancies of duties, save time and be more efficient in decision making. I am excited that we have such great talent within our teams that we can tap for these important leadership assignments.” Jo Castro is appointed General Sales Manager for WEDR and WHQT. Previously, Castro was General Sales Manager of WEDR-FM. Mumball is now General Sales Manager of Marketing Services. Previously, Mumball was General Sales Manager of WHQT-FM. Francisco Luciano is named General Sales Manager of WFLC and WFEZ. Previously, Luciano was GSM for WALR-FM, WSB-FM and WSRV-FM at CMG Atlanta. Tony Yip is appointed Local Sales Manager of WEDR, WFLC, WHQT and WFEZ. Previously, Yip was General Sales Manager of WFLC-FM.

Clear Channel San Antonio Names Michelle Love VP/Partnership Development. Clear Channel San Antonio appoints Michelle Love as VP of Partnership Development, reporting to Market Manager Breeanna Malik. In her new role, Love will lead efforts to develop unique partnerships for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment's seven San Antonio stations, working closely with the market's leaders. Love has been in the San Antonio market for fifteen years, most recently for the past 11 years as Senior Partnership Development Manager at Spurs Sports and Entertainment. Malik tells us, "Michelle has incredible understanding of how to connect companies' marketing goals with multiplatform programs that deliver results. Her past experience combined with Clear Channel San Antonio's ability to reach more people and be more personal will be a win for all parties involved."

SiriusXM: It's Free ... Try It You'll Like It! SiriusXM is turning on all of its inactive radio receivers around the country starting November 15 and continuing thru the 27th. SiriusXM is hoping to encourage former customers to return. Listeners won't have access to the full slate of SiriusXM channels, but will be able to hear the satcaster's basic stations. Motley Fool writes that "there are more cars out there with inactive satellite radio receivers than active ones.” That incldues cars bought second-hand for which the satellite radio service never has been activated.