Friday's Radio & Media News - March 22, 2013

Official: Julius Genachowski Stepping Down As FCC Chairman FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski makes it official, he will be stepping down "in the coming weeks." His exit from the Commission has been rumored for months. Now the official announcement comes just days after Republican FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell announced he will exit. Genachowski was named FCC Chairman in 2009. Democrat Genachowski made the announcement in remarks to the FCC staff Friday morning at a 10am meeting. He told them, "I look forward to continuing to work together until my last day at the agency," although he didn't say exactly when that "last day" will be. After first informing the FCC staff that he would be leaving, Genachowski went on to read a prepared statement that added: "Over the past four years, we've focused the FCC on broadband, wired and wireless, working to drive economic growth and improve the lives of all Americans. And thanks to you, the Commission's employees, we've taken big steps to build a future where broadband is ubiquitous and bandwidth is abundant, where innovation and investment are flourishing," said Genachowski. "To connect all Americans to broadband, we adopted a landmark overhaul of multi-billion dollar universal service programs, modernizing them from telephone to broadband and creating the Connect America Fund and the Mobility Fund, an unprecedented commitment to broadband infrastructure. To unleash the enormous opportunities of mobile, we pioneered incentive auctions and other cutting-edge spectrum policies. To fuel America’s innovation economy, we put in place the first rules to preserve Internet freedom and openness. To drive competition and empower consumers, we opposed and modified transactions where necessary, deployed technology to drive transparency, and took unprecedented enforcement actions. We helped harness the power of digital technologies to give students a better chance, people better health care, and make Americans safer in their homes and communities, while also guarding against digital threats and strengthening cybersecurity. Today, America’s broadband economy is thriving, with record-setting private investment; unparalleled innovation in networks, devices and apps; and renewed U.S. leadership around the world. While there are challenges ahead in this fast-moving, globally competitive sector, a revitalized FCC is prepared to continue taking them on. I'm deeply grateful to President Obama for his vision, friendship, and the opportunity to serve our country. I'm proud of what we've done together to harness technology to advance the American dream for the 21st century. I know you’ll continue to fight hard to fulfill this agency's vital mission, and I look forward to continuing to work together until my last day at the agency, and to count you as family and as an inspiration for long after that." Reaction to Exit Announcement Comes from Other Commissioners, NAB Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, one of the three who will remain at the FCC after the exits of Genachowski and McDowell, issued a statement that says, "For his tireless efforts to push our nation to the front of the global broadband market, I applaud Chairman Julius Genachowski. Under his leadership, the Commission has employed creative approaches to promoting greater deployment and adoption of fixed and mobile broadband services, established clear rules of the road for an open Internet, spurred innovation and investment in broadband service and applications, and is off to a terrific start towards conducting the world’s first-ever voluntary incentive auction." She concluded, "I will miss Julius Genachowski, who in a relatively short period of time has become a trusted and dear friend. We are all richer and wiser from the collaborative engagement. I wish him the very best." Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel says in her statement, "It has been a privilege to work with Julius Genachowski. His announcement of his departure from the Federal Communications Commission is a loss for the agency, and for me personally." Says Commissioner Ajit Pai, "During his tenure as Chairman, Julius Genachowski has led the Federal Communications Commission with grace and dignity. I will always be grateful for the warmth of his welcome when I joined the Commission last May, and it has been a privilege to work with him in the months since on a wide range of issues." McDowell says in his statement, "The announced departure of my friend and colleague, Julius Genachowski, as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, brings to a close a historic era of thoughtful and energetic policymaking. Although occasionally we disagreed, sometimes profoundly, he leaves office with my utmost respect. He proved that through hard work, persistence and creativity, bipartisanship and compromise in policymaking can occur in Washington, even in these days of sharp divisions and gridlock." In a statement, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith says, "NAB salutes Chairman Genachowski for his years of service at the FCC. The FCC chair is arguably one of the most difficult jobs in Washington, and yet Julius consistently performed with dedication and focus. We may have disagreed on occasion, but America's broadcasters wish him well in his journeys ahead." We first told you Thursday night that citing high-ranking sources, Politico reported that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski was expected to announce Friday (March 22) that he will leave the Commission. "His decision would bring to an end a tumultuous term that has seen bruising battles over the openness of the Internet to the reform of the nation's major telephone subsidy," wrote Politico. A spokesman for Genachowski declined to comment on any announcement Thursday night; but, noted the Politico report, "a decision has been expected for months." Politico added, "The Democrat's decision would come in the same week that senior GOP Commissioner Robert McDowell announced his plan to leave." Clearly their sources were right about the timing. The Friday announcement wasn't really a surprise to anyone. Only the question of when the decision from Genachowski would be made public was awaited. Matt Bosso Named APD/Afternoon Host at DC's WASH-FM Clear Channel AC "97.1 Wash FM" WASH-FM, Washington DC, names Matt Bosso Assistant Program Director and afternoon host. He will host 2-7pm, and will assist in overseeing all on-air and digital programming efforts for the station. Bosso is a New York City native and began his radio career at "103.5 KTU" WKTU-FM, New York. Throughout his 11 years in the industry he has held various positions including Producer and On-Air Host for stations in Poughkeepsie, NY; Sussex, NJ; and New York City. "I am beyond excited to bring Matt to DC," says WASH-FM Program Director Bill Cahill. "His on-air talent combined with his impressive programming and digital skills make him the perfect addition to the WASH-FM family." Bosso tells us, I'm excited to join Bill Cahill and the team at WASH-FM. I am truly humbled by the chance to be a part of such a legendary station. KTU has given me a lifetime of memories and I look forward to building on them in this new and exciting chapter." Tamo Sein Named 'XL 102' Richmond Music Director/Afternoon Host Clear Channel Alternative Rock "XL 102" WRXL-FM, Richmond, Virginia, names Tamo Sein Music Director and afternoon host, effective March 26. Sein joins "XL 102" from CHR-Top40 KCLD-FM, St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she was Music Director and night host. Her past experience also includes stops at Triple-A KGSR-FM and "101X" KROX-FM in Austin, as well as "96X" WROX-FM, Norfolk, Virginia. "I'm thrilled to come home to rock the Richmond airwaves on XL102," says Sein. "This is an incredible opportunity and I can't wait to join the XL crew." Says WRXL-FM Program Director Dustin Matthews, "We received some amazing submissions from many talented people across the nation, but Tamo stood out as an absolute star. Her work ethic and ability to connect with the audience will make her a true asset to not only the evolution of XL102, but the forward thinking of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Richmond." Hip Hop 'The Box' Returning to Charleston Apex Broadcasting is preparing to relaunch Hip Hop “The Box” in Charleston, SC, on several frequencies -- WSPO-AM at 1390, along with the HD2 multicast channel of "Mix 95.9" WMXZ-FM, and FM translator W257BQ at 99.3 FM. The format and brand previously aired on 92.5 FM, when that frequency was WIHB-FM, from March 2010 until May 2011, when the station flipped to Country "Kickin 92.5" WCKN-FM. The format will soon reappear on the three frequencies replacing Spanish Tropical "Ritmo Caliente." Lance Venta at RadioInsight.com reports, "993TheBox.com was registered by an Apex associate on Thursday. The Facebook page of 'Ritmo Caliente' features a farewell message to its listeners." In the Charleston market, Apex Broadcasting also owns the former home of "The Box," Country “Kickin 92.5” WCKN-FM, plus Urban AC "Star 99.7" WXST-FM, Adult Variety Hits "101.7 Chuck-FM" WAVF-FM, along with the previously mentioned Hot AC "Mix 95.9" WMXZ-FM. Glenn Beck’s 'TheBlaze' Seeking to Raise $40 Million Glenn Beck's "TheBlaze" is seeking to raise $40 million in new funding, according to an SEC filing, which says the company has raised $1.5 million so far. The filing also says that TheBlaze currently has revenue between $25 million and $100 million. TheBlaze is a set of online ventures run by the conservative talk host. TechCrunch.com's Anthony Ha writes, "As a news and opinion website, TheBlaze was launched in 2010, but the name has become the umbrella for several online properties, including TheBlazeTV (formerly GBTV, which was launched after Beck’s departure from Fox News in 2011) and an online marketplace." Ha notes that recently, the company has been outlining more ambitious plans. In January, it said it was relaunching as a global network, opening three foreign bureaus and moving to bigger offices in New York. And in February, Beck announced a campaign to get the channel carried on more cable and satellite TV networks. It’s currently carried by satellite service Dish Network. Ha says he emailed the company to confirm the news found in the SEC filing, but hadn't received a response. Arizona Radio Talker Resigns On-Air, Moving to Crosstown Station News Talk KBLU-AM, Yuma, Arizona, "Live and Local" host Russ Clark has exited the station after resigning on the air, and is moving to a crosstown station. According to reports from the market, Clark, who is also a Yuma County Supervisor, will move his show to crosstown "Outlaw Country 1400" KCYK-AM, starting there April 1. Clark tells Yuma's KSWT-TV that he exited after 10 years at KBLU-AM when station management asked him to take the show into a more news, less opinion, direction. He said management had "no idea" he would resign until they heard him say it on the air. "They took away my morning show and gave me a one-day-a-week, which, I think was an effort to keep me somewhat engaged without having me be directly opposed to them or directly in competition. But, of course, I need to get back on-air. I need to get back to what I was doing." Most recently, Clark was hosting a weekly show on Wednesday mornings, 8-10am, at KBLU-AM. Philly WIP-FM Personalities to Host Comcast SportsNet Show CBS Radio's "SportsRadio 94" WIP-FM, Philadelphia, air personalities will host Comcast SportsNet's talk show "Daily News Live," next week, at 5pm daily. Beginning March 25, WIP-FM hosts Al Morganti, Rhea Hughes, Anthony Gargano, Glen Macnow and Big Daddy Graham will handle the hosting duties through the week. Morganti is scheduled for Monday, Hughes on Tuesday, Gargano on Wednesday, Macnow on Thursday, and Graham on Friday. "This is a great cross-promotional opportunity for both Comcast SportsNet and 94WIP," says Comcast SportsNet VP of News Programming Michelle Murray. "In addition to hearing varying viewpoints on the top sports topics of the day, viewers will get to see their favorite WIP host in a different forum." CBS Radio Philadelphia SVP and Market Manager Marc Rayfield adds, "SportsRadio WIP has been the authority in Philadelphia sports radio for 25 years so it will be a treat for Delaware Valley sports fans to see some of their favorite hosts set the agenda on Daily News Live. We're thrilled to showcase our talent on Comcast SportsNet." FCC Commissioners Rosenworcel and Pai to Address 2013 NAB Show FCC Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai will be featured in the session "Straight Talk From the Top – America’s Communication Regulators" on April 9 at 10:30am (a change from the previously posted 2:30 start time) during the 2013 NAB Show in Las Vegas. During the session, NAB Chief Operating Officer Chris Ornelas will lead a discussion with the Commissioners on regulatory issues facing broadcasters. As previously announced, Commissioner Pai will also lead a session on AM radio revitalization at the NAB Show on April 8 at 3pm. Rosenworcel joined the Commission in May 2012, bringing a decade and a half of public and private sector communications law experience to her position. Prior to joining the agency, Rosenworcel served as Senior Communications Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, first under the leadership of Senator Daniel K. Inouye and later Senator John D. Rockefeller IV. In this position, she was responsible for legislation, hearings and policy development involving a wide range of communications issues, including spectrum auctions, public safety, broadband deployment, satellite television, local radio and the digital television transition. Before joining the staff of the Committee, Rosenworcel served as Legal Advisor to former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps. She also served at the agency as Legal Counsel to the Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau and as an Attorney-Advisor in the Wireline Competition Bureau. Prior to entering public service, she practiced communications law at Drinker Biddle and Reath. Pai joined the FCC as Commissioner in May 2012 and is focusing on creating a regulatory environment in which competition and innovation can flourish, for the benefit of American consumers. Between 2007 and 2011, Pai held several positions in the FCC’s Office of General Counsel, including Deputy General Counsel. Prior to joining the FCC, he was a partner in the Communications Practice at Jenner & Block LLP and Associate General Counsel at Verizon Communications Inc. Pai began his career in Washington in the Department of Justice, first as an Honors Program trial attorney on the Telecommunications Task Force in the Antitrust Division and later as Senior Counsel in the Office of Legal Policy. He also worked in mulitple capacities for the Senate Judiciary Committee, including as Chief Counsel to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Property Rights. Pai clerked for a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana following law school.