News Briefs - Dec. 6, 2012

CBS Sports Radio Adds Chris Moore and Brian Jones for Evenings. CBS Sports Radio, set to launch in early January, fills the last weekday slot with the addition of veteran sports talker and play-by-play announcer Chris Moore and former football player and current CBS Sports Radio football analyst Brian Jones for the 6-10pm ET show. Moore was most recently heard on Fox Sports Radio. Jones joined CBS Sports Network in 2005. CBS Sports Radio Director of Programming Eric Spitz tells us, "Chris and Brian make the perfect addition to our already stellar lineup at CBS Sports Radio. As soon as we heard the chemistry between Moore and Jones, we knew we had found both a winning formula, as well as our night show. With this appointment, we are ready to kick-off the network and give listeners a brand new outlet for the latest national and local sports news." CBS Sports Radio will officially launch its 24/7 schedule on more than 100 stations on Wednesday, January 2, at 12midnight, with Scott Ferrall's "Ferrall on the Bench." The network's original programming is expected to reach more than ten million listeners upon launch. as stations in major markets, including the top ten, will feature content from from the new radio sports network.

Rep. Greg Walden Will Again Seek Passage of FCC Process Reform Act. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) says he will continue to push for the FCC Process Reform Act, which passed the House but not the Senate this year. The bill would require the FCC to prove the necessity of new regulations, restrict conditions the Commission could put on corporate mergers and require specific timelines to be set. Walden claims the legislation would created greater transparency in the FCC. Walden is the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. He told a forum at the Villanova School of Business that he will reintroduce the FCC Process Reform Act. The Republican congressman also criticized the Obama administration for "hypocrisy" for supporting Internet net-neutrality regulation at home while opposing expansion of a global telecommunications treaty to allow for international Internet regulation.

SiriusXM Approves $2 Billion Stock Buyback. The SiriusXM Board of Directors has approved a $2 million buyback of the company's common stock. Liberty Media, which is closing in on becoming the satcaster's majority owner, says it will participate in the buyback on a pro rata basis, so its relative ownership interest will not be affected by the program. The satcaster's board of also declared a special cash dividend of 5 cents per share of common stock, payable on December 28 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 18. The company's preferred stock will participate in the dividend on an as-converted basis in accordance with its terms. The total amount of the cash dividend is expected to be $325 million. Sirius XM says the combined announcement reflects the board's desire to return value to stockholders and its confidence in the long-term growth prospects of the company's business.

Harris Broadcast Sold to Gores Group. The Gores Group announces a $225 million deal to buy Harris Corporation's Broadcast division. The price includes $160 million in cash at closing, a $15 million subordinated promissory note and an earnout of up to $50 million based on future performance. "The transaction is subject to customary regulatory review and closing conditions," says the announcement, "and is expected to be completed in early calendar year 2013. On May 1, 2012, Harris announced plans to divest Broadcast Communications." Says Harris President and CEO William Brown, "The sale of Broadcast Communications reflects our strategy to optimize our business portfolio and focus on our core businesses. As previously communicated, we plan to repurchase up to $200 million of our shares after the deal closes. This is in addition to the $200 million of share repurchases already planned for fiscal 2013 and reflects our ongoing commitment to effectively deploy capital, including returning cash to shareholders." Gores Group Managing Director Ryan Wald says, "In Harris Broadcast Communications, we are investing in a proven technology leader with great products and a great team. We are excited to provide the capital and support to transition this division to a strong and independent company further enabling it to continue developing and delivering market leading technologies to its customers." Gores is also a part owner of Dial Global.

Boston's WAAF-FM Taps Andrew Tartaglia as GSM. Active Rock WAAF-FM, Boston, appoints Andrew Tartaglia as General Sales Manager, effective December 17. Tartaglia, who has been a GSM at Clear Channel Hartford, tells us, "To say I'm excited about the opportunity to lead the sales effort of this truly epic Rock station would be a grave understatement. I'm looking forward to many future successes with my team at WAAF, our partners in the ad community, and my new colleagues at Entercom Boston." Says Entercom Boston Director of Sales Michael Juliano, "Andrew will be a great compliment to our overall sales effort. He has a rich history of leading and motivating high performing sales teams that deliver results for their clients. He is no stranger to New England having spent the last 13 years of his career in Providence and Hartford."

MIW 2013 Mentoring Program Details Announced. The Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) Group announces details for the 2013 Mildred Carter Mentoring Program, the 12th year of the program. It matches up-and-coming women in the radio industry with female professionals who are leaders in all aspects of radio. A total of three candidates from the radio industry will be selected. "This is a wonderful opportunity for mentees to gain valuable insight, knowledge and access to some of the most influential women in radio," says Lindsay Cerajewski, Chair of the 2013 MIW Radio Group's Mentoring Committee (the General Sales Manager at CBS Radio's WUSN-FM, Chicago). "We look forward to another outstanding program in the new year." Mentee criteria and instructions on how to apply are available at www.RadioMIW.com. The deadline is December 21.