News Briefs - Nov. 22, 2012

Hitchin' A Radio Ride with 'Hitch Radio'. Hitch Radio is a new social media listening platform that aggregates broadcast radio streams online, allowing users to discover and share music in real-time through Facebook and Twitter. The mission, we're told, is to create a "journey" of a listening experience by combining social media and real-time search technologies. Founded by a former account manager for CBS Radio and Clear Channel, Hitch Radio asks registered users "where do you want to hitch a ride?" It's funded through private investors, and is now first available on the Web, with iOs and Android apps and more to follow. Targeted especially at a 14-29 demographic, the new free service provides "Hitchers" a unique way to bring an unlimited number of friends on a real-time worldwide journey of music, sports, news and talk. Hitch Radio is on Facebook here.

iBiquity Partners with Totsy to Promote HD Radio. HD Radio developer iBiquity Digital signs a promotional deal with the new pop band Totsy. That band will join Brian Setzer's Christmas Rocks! Extravaganza Tour for 22 shows through December. The partnership will center on the shows in cities from Los Angeles to Atlantic City and will utilize HD Radio outlets in promotional opportunities that highlight Totsy and HD Radio technology. Says iBiquity CEO Bob Struble, "Totsy comes out of L.A. with a completely unique sound and we couldn't be more excited to work with them on this tour. They're a band that understands the importance innovation, the power of radio and the new outlets HD Radio broadcasting brings to new artists." Totsy co-founder Brett Boyett tells us, "We're really excited to work the HD Radio team on this tour. We appreciate what HD Radio Technology does for bands like Totsy. They've given artists like us creative new ways to reach and build our audience. HD Radio Broadcasting is the future of our industry."

Boston.com's RadioBDC Launches Fall Programming. Boston.com's new online radio station RadioBDC is launching, what they call, "a diverse line-up of new shows this fall, highlighting a wide array of local and international music and an eclectic mix of exclusive programs." The interactive live-streaming station, which launched in August, has quickly become a listening destination for the region's Alternative music fans. "We're introducing the first wave of innovative new programs that will expose our listeners to ground-breaking music they won't hear anywhere else," says Program Director Paul Driscoll. "We're really proud to offer such an eclectic mix, giving local and emerging artists around the globe critical exposure and allowing our listeners to experience truly unique mix of music." RadioBDC's air personalities include Driscoll, Henry Santoro, Julie Kramer and Adam 12. New weekend hosts joining in November are Christine Hayden (Saturday, noon-3pm), Jenny Tyrrell (Saturday, 3-6pm), Jason Layne (Sunday, noon-3pm), Alaina Riccardi (Sunday, 3-6pm), well-known DJ of Fenway Park TJ Connelly (weekend TBD/fill-in) and Priest (weekend fill-in). RadioBDC streams around-the-clock and features alternative music, exclusive musician interviews, journalis

The Ins and Outs of Radio
News Talk is out at WTDY-AM-FM, Madison, Wisconsin, as is the entire on-air, news, and traffic staff, including morning host John "Sly" Sylvester. For now the simulcasting stations are airing All Christmas music. What's planned after the holidays has yet to be announced, and some reports from the market say yet to be decided by managment ... Classic Hits and the branding "95.9 The Greatest Hits Of All Time" are out at WICL-FM, Williamsport, Maryland, while Country "95.9 The Big Dawg" is in ... Spanish Adult Hits "Juan" is in at KEJY-AM, Eureka, California, while syndicated News Talk, simulcast from sister KWSW-AM, is out at KEJY-AM (but continues on KWSW-AM). "Juan" is the new Spanish offering from SparkNet Communications of "Jack" fame ... Alicia Tyler is named midday host at Adult Variety Hits "Fickle 93.3" WFKL-FM, Rochester, NY, but will also continue with sister Alternative "The Zone @ 94.1" WZNE-FM where she hosts weekends and swings ... In Erie, Pennsylvania, WEHP-FM launches as CHR-Top40 "Happi 92-7" with the slogan "Erie's New #1 Hit Spot" ... Alternative "New Rock 106,5 The End" WEND-FM, Charlotte, Promotion Director Shelia Taylor exits after 12 Years at the station. Recently she had also been handling promotions for CHR-Top40 clustermate "Channel 96.1" WHQC-FM. She says she's now seeking her next opportunity ... Country "K 105" WQHK-FM, Fort Wayne, Indiana Operations Manager Rob Kelley exits after more than nine years with the station.

Friday's TPM Hit Music Daily Dozen
Despite continuing total plays losses, Maroon 5's ONE MORE NIGHT remains dominant at TPM Number One. It starts the day today 1574 ahead of also declining runner-up SOME NIGHTS (fun.), and with 3142 more than the first gaining contender -- Ke$ha's DIE YOUNG (up 5-3 so far this week) -- which has now taken over the top spot at our CHR-Top40 component ... Bruno Mars' LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN is up 6-5 today as its skyrocketing total plays tally across our components gives it a higher Total Popular Music ranking than at either of the chart-influencing components ... Only four of the Dozen post gains today; seven show losses; one previous gainer stalls out ... As Justin Bieber's AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME sees its plays total continue to rapidly decline, it should soon exit the Twelve, but the next gaining song below the Dozen -- Flo Rida's I CRY at 13 -- is still 674 total plays behind today ... The Top 12 Songs of the Day, every day, from TOTAL Popular Music - 'The NEW Mass Appeal Hit Music Radio Format!' from Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting. [Online now at TotalPopularMusic.Blogspot.com and at TotalPopularMusic.com]