News Briefs - Nov. 27, 2012

NAB Show to Host News Corporation's Chase Carey for Opening Keynote Event. The NAB tells us that News Corporation President and COO Chase Carey will participate in a question-and-answer session with NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith during the 2013 NAB Show opening event, April 8 in Las Vegas. The session will also include a "State of the Broadcast Industry" address by Smith. "As a leading executive of one of the world's preeminent media companies, Chase Carey has valuable insight into today's multi-platform global media environment," says Smith. "I look forward to our conversation at the NAB Show and hearing Mr. Carey's vision of what the future holds for the media business worldwide." Carey has been President and COO of News Corporation since July 2009, overseeing "diversified global operations spanning five continents, including the production and distribution of film and television programming; television, satellite and cable broadcasting; newspaper and book publishing and digital media." He also sits on the company's Board of Directors.

BFA Launches Holiday Campaign. The Broadcasters Foundation of America, which provides aid to broadcasters in acute need, launches its "2012 Holiday Giving Campaign." The BFA is asking broadcasters to spread the word about the mission of the Foundation to those who may need its assistance, and encourages donations and memberships at the broadcastersfoundation.org website. "The Broadcasters Foundation exists solely to provide financial relief to broadcasters in need," says BFA Chairman Phil Lombardo. "These are individuals who we have worked with over the years, and whose lives have been devastated by unthinkable circumstances. Aid from the Broadcasters Foundation can be life-saving, in many cases. I urge every broadcaster to consider making a donation or becoming a member." BFA President Jim Thompson adds, "The Broadcasters Foundation is a safety net for our most destitute colleagues, many of whom have nowhere else to turn. With help from individuals and corporations in our industry, these hard-working broadcasters are not alone – the Broadcasters Foundation can be there when they need us most." Over the past year, the foundation disbursed more than $675,000 in assistance, up 35 percent from the previous year.

Daniel Dennis Exits Orlando's 'Real Radio 104.1' Morning Show. Longtime Orlando radio personality Daniel Dennis, who most recently has been heard on the "Monsters in the Morning" show on "Real Radio 104.1" WTKS-FM , exits the Clear Channel station in a contract dispute. Dennis says Clear Channel offered him a three-year deal, but he wanted to work for the company without a contract. "That just wasn't something they wanted me to do," says Dennis. "They were pretty dead-set on me signing a deal. I didn't want to sign a deal. I would have just rather worked." Remaining morning personalities Russ "Triple R" Rollins and "Dirty Jim" Colbert each accepted a three-year contract from the station, according to a blog post by Rollins on the Real Radio website. The "Monsters in the Morning" show has aired on "Real Radio 104.1" since 2004. The show is a mix of current events, comedy, and stunts.

Internet Radio Fairness Act on DC Agenda. The House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet will take up the topic of Internet royalties at a Wednesday (Nov. 28) hearing. Utah Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz, the sponsor of the Internet Radio Fairness Act, says his proposed legislation will be on the agenda. Although this will be the first congressional airing of the IRFA, it is expected to be only a preliminary discussion of the measure. The legislation will likely not receive any serious consideration until the next Congress in 2013. The Chaffetz bill would create a royalty system that puts fees paid by Internet broadcasters on the same basis as the royalties paid by satellite radio and cable. The November 28 subcommittee session is billed as "Hearing on: 'Music Licensing Part One: Legislation in the 112th Congress'."

Arbitron Updates Sandy Impact Information. Arbitron has issued updated information regarding the impact of Hurricane Sandy on PPM ratings.. Arbitron says it has reviewed In-Tab and other performance metrics for Week 1 of the December PPM report period (November 8-November 14), and has determined that these metrics support the release of Week 1 Weeklies data. The company will be releasing PPM Weeklies data for December Week 1 for all markets as scheduled. Week 1 will also be included in all PPM December 2012 monthly reports.

The Ins and Outs of Radio
Keola Lui-Kwan will join Country KILT-FM, Houston, as Assistant PD/Music Director and afternoon host December 10. He was most recently at Country KYGO-FM, Denver ... "Cat Country" WPLZ-FM, Chattanooga, appoints Kris Van Dyke as Operations Manager and afternoon host. He replaces Longneck, who remains with the cluster in another capacity. Van Dyke previously was at crosstown Country competitor "US 101" WUSY-FM ... CHR-Top40 "107.5 The River" WRVW-FM, Nashville, adds Riley Couture to the "Woody and Jim Morning Show," arriving from Memphis where she most recently hosted afternoons at CHR-Top40 WHBQ-FM. Couture will also voicetrack nights for her new station ... Former WHBQ-FM, Memphis, night host Jay Sparxx joins CHR-Top40 "Kiss 95.1" WNKS-FM, Charlotte, for nights, starting December 17 ... Jenn Hobby will leave the "Bert Show" morning program at "Q100" WWWQ-FM, Atlanta, December 7, to become a fulltime mother. Hobby is pregnant with her first child ... "95.7 The Game" KGMZ-FM, San Francisco, names Ric Bucher and Chris Townsend for afternoons effective December 3. Bucher previously was a Bay Area-based NBA Reporter for ESPN's SportsCenter and NBA studio shows. Townsend previously hosted "The Pulse" and "The Chris Townsend Show." He replaces Brandon Tierney, who is returning to New York for mornings on CBS Sports Radio ... Jason Steiner is in for Program Director and morning host at Country KYSN-FM, Wenatchee, Washington, beginning December 17.