Liberty Media Gains Majority Control of SiriusXM

Liberty Media has now officially gained majority control of SiriusXM with its latest purchase of 50 million shares of SIRI stock. Liberty Media now owns 1.99 billion common shares and 1.29 billion convertible shares, according to an SEC filing Thursday (Jan. 18). If the converted stock is added to the outstanding shares, Liberty Media now owns about 50.5 percent of the satcaster, reports Bloomberg. Holding company Liberty Media announced plans last year to take over SiriusXM Radio. Liberty plans to take control of the SiriusXM board, putting it in position to choose a new CEO. James Meyer was named interim CEO in December, replacing Mel Karmazin, when he resigned. Liberty will consider returning capital to Sirius shareholders with stock buybacks or a dividend, Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei said in November. The FCC approved the transfer of broadcast licenses earlier this month, the last major hurdle preventing Liberty from finishing its takeover of the satcaster. Liberty said it would own more than 50 percent of outstanding shares within 60 days of FCC approval. Reuters notes that Malone's firm wanted control of SiriusXM because it believed Karmazin did not adapt quickly enough to changing technologies.Liberty has argued that Sirius should more aggressively pursue better technology and international expansion. Liberty acquired an initial stake of about 40 percent in SiriusXM in 2009 as part of a deal in which it loaned the satellite radio broadcaster $530 million to help stave off bankruptcy. SiriusXM ended 2012 with 23.9 million subscribers and maintains an estimated 70 percent market share of in-car radios sold in the United States. The satellite-radio company’s stock climbed 59 percent last year, helped by recovering auto sales. SiriusXM radios come pre-installed in about two-thirds of new cars.

Saga Declares 4-for-3 Stock Split

The Saga Communications Board of Directors has declared a 4-for-3 stock split on its Class A and Class B Common Shares. The new shares were distributed January 16 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 28, 2012. CEO Ed Christian said last month to expect the action. As a result of the stock split, each shareholder of Class A Common Stock will receive one additional share of Class A Common Stock for every three shares of Class A Common Stock owned, and each shareholder of Class B Common Stock will receive one additional share of Class B Common Stock for every three shares of Class B Common Stock owned. Fractional shares will be paid for in cash.

Tampa's '97X' Giving Total Control of Music to Listeners

"For the first time in radio history, a radio station is giving its listeners total control of the music," says the announcement. Beginning today (Jan. 19) at 5pm, Cox Media Group's Alternative "97X" WSUN-FM, Tampa, "will give Tampa Bay listeners the musical reigns," says CMG. "The station has a 12-year history of creating new and innovative ways for listeners to interact with alternative rock music. Now, armed with a refreshed brand identity, amped up social media plan and now listener driven music, 97X is committed more than ever to bring listeners a unique experience and changing the way consumers use radio." Says Program Director Michael Sharkey, "The way we communicate has been reinvented in front of our eyes with social media. And today we are injecting that experience into radio and giving our radio station to the listeners." We're told that listeners choose a song they want to hear from an expanded playlist of over 1,800 songs and vote on the 97X app or website. "The new expanded playlist covers 30 years of Rock music with deeper cuts from albums and artists not typically heard on the station before." The station will also leverage social media with the new music voting feature to keep listeners connected to the station. The app has unique features such as Open Mic where listeners can record and upload a song introduction. The listener receives a text notification to let them know when their song introduction will air, which they can then share with their social networks. "97X already has the most engaged and passionate music lovers in Tampa Bay," says CMG Tampa VP and Market Manager Keith Lawless. "The new 97X now allows them to control every song that plays on their favorite radio station. The complete control and mobile app features will give listeners in Tampa Bay a local radio experience like no other radio station in the world."

AWM Announces National Board of Directors

The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM), announcing its 2013 national board of directors, tells us that Local Focus Radio President Kay Olin will serve as the National Chair. The 2013 board will convene January 25 at the National Press Club in Washington DC for its first board meeting and then will participate in judging the 2013 Gracie Awards on January 26 and 27. "The Alliance for Women in Media has an ambitious agenda ahead of us. From our Symposium Series to the Gracie Awards, which will be hosted on both coasts for the first time, AWM is actively engaging, recognizing and promoting women in media," says Olin. "I am excited to work with such a talented and committed group of media professionals to accomplish our goals this year." The AWM Chair-Elect is Discovery Communications SVP of Global Content and Long Range Strategic Planning Kristen Welch. The Treasurer, Encompass Digital Media EVP of Sales and Client Services Sarah Foss; Treasurer-Elect, Carol Grothem from Minneapolis; and, Past Chair is CBS Radio Los Angeles Market Controller Valerie Blackburn, who is also General Manager for KFWB Asset Trust. "I believe the nominating committee and our membership selected the best possible group of talented, accomplished and smart women to help lead our organization into the future," says AWM President Erin Fuller. "Their leadership is critical to AWM continuing to empower career development, engage in thought leadership and drive positive change for our industry and societal progress."

News Briefs

Cumulus Media Albuquerque Market Manager Milt McConnell has resigned, saying he will exit January 31. McConnell says he plans to take time off after almost 27 years in the market and 10 years as General Manager, originally for Citadel before Cumulus took over the Citadel stations. He tells us he's pleased to be leaving with the best Fall ratings in a year and "some green arrows for positive forward pacing."

Rhythmic CHR "Wired 96.5" WRDW-FM, Philadelphia, Music Director and afternoon host DJ Grooves exits. Grooves will continue to produce his weekly syndicated "In The Mix With Grooves," which will continue to be heard on WRDW-FM as well as 25 other stations. Grooves says he will be working with a consultancy and "focusing on station ownership, including our newly purchased radio station in New England." We've been told that night host Buster Saterfield will move up to afternoons.

Former Houston Texan Seth Payne is joining the "Mad Radio" midday show at CBS Radio’s "SportsRadio 610" KILT-AM, Houston, beginning Monday (Jan. 21). Payne replaces Brad Davies who remains with the station on a part-time, fill-in basis. He’ll co-host the show with Mike Meltser. KILT-AM Program Director Gavin Spittle tells us, "I can't thank Brad enough for being a part of Mad Radio. In one year, we have seen a 100% increase in this time slot and while we will miss him on a daily basis, I’m glad that he wants to remain on the team in a part-time capacity. Seth is a natural fit and from day one, he’s impressed us. We’re really excited about the all-new Mad Radio."

CBS Radio and The Recording Academy announce "Grammy Radio," the official streaming station of the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. Highlighting performances from the nominated artists for this year's Grammy Awards, fans can listen to the station online at Grammy.com or Radio.com, as well as the Radio.com app. This marks the fourth year of the partnership between CBS Radio and The Recording Academy.