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RADAR 116: 'Radio Adds More than 1.6 Million Weekly Listeners' 
Arbitron announces highlights from its March 2013 RADAR 116 National Radio Listening Report. The report shows radio's audience increased year over year, adding more than 1.6 million weekly listeners. "Radio now reaches 242.8 million listeners on an average weekly basis," says Arbitron. "Teens aged 12 to 17 shows the largest gains among the major age demographics. Radio now reaches nearly 23 million teens in an average week. Radio listening also remains steady among Adults aged 18 to 34, reaching 66.5 million people, or 92%, in this demographic." We're also told that "Radio continues to reach a large, diverse audience." According to the March 2013 RADAR report, radio saw gains in the Black (non-Hispanic) audience across all major demographic groups versus the March 2012 report. The Hispanic audience also grew, adding nearly 1.1 million listeners in an average week. Radio’s Black (non-Hispanic) audience aged 12 and older added 741,000 weekly listeners versus the March 2012 RADAR report. Radio reaches more than 92% of Black (non-Hispanic) listeners aged 12 and older in an average week Black (non-Hispanic) Adults aged 18 to 34 shows the most gain, adding more than 200,000 listeners in an average week, versus the year ago report. "Radio now reaches more than 39.5 million Hispanics aged 12 and older in an average week, or 95% of this demographic," says Arbitron. "Hispanic adults aged 25 to 54 shows the largest gains, adding more than 1.1 million weekly listeners versus the year ago report."
FTC Wants More Information on Nielsen-Arbitron Deal 
The FTC is asking Arbitron and Nielsen for additional information about their proposed merger. The new request from the FTC for additional information about the deal could indicate regulatory complications that will delay finalization of the merger. As we reported last month, Nielsen withdrew and modified its original notification to the FTC, in an attempt to prevent such a request -- a so-called "second request" for information. However, the Federal Trade Commission filed one Friday, telling Nielsen and Arbitron that after they provide the requested additional information, the FTC will have 30 days to make a decision. It's unclear how long the companies will need to get the requested information. AdAge is reporting that "some industry executives, who spoke not for attribution, believe the combined companies could monopolize the still nascent market for cross-platform measurement that put TV, radio, digital, print, outdoor and other media on a common metric." Nielsen agreed to pay Arbitron $131 million, more than 10% of the proposed $1.26 billion purchase price, should the deal not get anti-trust approval. AdAge notes that's "an unusually high regulatory breakup fee." Veteran radio and media news reporter and analyst Tom Taylor, following up on the AdAge report, writes that the FTC's "second request" may mean the FTC is "tuned in to those who worry" that a merger of the two companies could result in a monopoly. Meanwhile, Nielsen CFO Brian West tells Forbes, "Arbitron is a big deal for us. Our history has been a tuck-in acquisition strategy, two or three a year, you never break the bank. Adding capabilities or platforms that extend our current business model without going too far afield from what we do, and even Arbitron is in that same philosophy. To pick up two hours of the consumers' day, those are very unique opportunities; otherwise you do tuck-ins particularly around developing markets." iHeartRadio Introduces Local News, Traffic and Weather 'Add-Ins' 
Clear Channel's iHeartRadio announces "Add-Ins" -- a new feature of its Custom Stations, which the digital radio service says will offer users "more convenience and control over their personalized digital listening experience." The new "Add-Ins" will enable iHeartRadio listeners to insert short local news, weather and traffic updates into their Custom Stations when listening online. iHeartRadio will now offer a geo-targeted news and information experience. "Add-Ins" offer, we're told, "another level of personalization to listeners’ Custom Stations by allowing users to add local news, traffic and/or weather via regular updates into the listening experience." iHeartRadio's ability to utilize Clear Channel's national broadcast resources allows users to receive localized information based on their current location or choose to receive updates from hundreds of markets across the country while listening to the music they love. Once enabled in Account Settings, "Add-Ins" will automatically pinpoint the listener’s location – or users can set an alternate location by entering a zip code under the manual "Add-Ins" settings. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment President of Digital Brian Lakamp tells us, "Clear Channel's best-in-class infrastructure and local content resources now allow iHeartRadio users to get timely local updates in a way no other digital radio service can replicate. With iHeartRadio's new 'Add-Ins' feature, listeners can choose to stay connected to their hometown, get easy updates on their work commute and know whether or not they should take an umbrella when they leave the house." The new "Add-Ins" feature is currently available on iHeartRadio.com. iPhone, Android and other platforms will be coming soon. Kantar Media: 2012 U.S. Advertising Expenditures Increased 3% Radio Showed Some Gains: National & Network Up (But Not Local) 
Total advertising expenditures increased 3% in 2012 and finished the year at $140 billion, according to data released today by Kantar Media. Ad spending during the fourth quarter of 2012 rose 2% versus the year ago period. "The advertising market has grown for three consecutive years and in 2012 it added more than $4 billion in spend, with the Summer Olympics and political advertising contributing about one-half of the gain," says Kantar Media North America Chief Research Officer Jon Swallen. "Large advertisers also played a significant role. After reducing their media budgets in 2011 as a precaution against slowing economic growth, the Top 100 marketers reversed course in 2012 and invested more." Television continued to lead the ad market, but radio also showed gains. For the fourth quarter of 2012, Network TV ad spend rose 5%, with NFL and NCAA football contributing more than one-half of the dollar volume gain. Full-year Network TV spending also received a boost from the Summer Olympics and was up 9%. Spot TV expenditures increased 12 percent in Q4, aided by a closing surge of political ad dollars in advance of the November elections. For the year, Spot TV finished 10% higher, thanks not only to political spending but added investment from both auto manufacturers and dealers, which continued to pump money into the medium in response to a strong sales climate for new vehicles. Fourth quarter radio expenditures were boosted by the influx of ad money from political candidates and groups. National Spot Radio was up 8% and Local Radio gained 3% percent in Q4. Full-year results were also aided by strong spending from local service businesses and auto dealers as National Spot Radio rose 3%, while Local Radio was basically unchanged.
Univision Radio and TuneIn Partner for 50 Stations 
Univision Radio and TuneIn announce a strategic alliance to extend the reach of 50 Univision Radio stations. "Millions of people utilize TuneIn's directory service online and on mobile every month and this partnership underscores Univision Radio's commitment to make our leading Hispanic Radio stations available wherever our listeners are," says Univision Radio President Jose Valle. Among stations that will now be available to listeners through more than 200 different TuneIn platforms are "X96.3" WXNY-FM, New York; "K-Love" KLVE-FM, Los Angeles; WOJO-FM, Chicago; and "Amor 107.5" WAMR-FM, Miami. "We are proud to be aligned with a company committed to providing the Hispanic community innovative audio entertainment" says TuneIn CEO John Donham. "TuneIn looks forward to delivering Univision Radio's listening experience to our millions of listeners." 'CBS Evening News' to Be Available on PodcastOne 
The "CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley" will now be available on Launchpad Digital Media's new PodcastOne.com destination website. Launched last month, PodcastOne.com is now home to over 200 podcasts, and also features "CBS Weekend Roundup" plus "Face the Nation" and "60 Minutes" -- as well as Adam Corolla, Dennis Miller, Ron Paul, Laura Ingraham, Dr. Drew and more. PodcastOne Chairman Norm Pattiz, who was also
Westwood One's founder and now heads Courtside Entertainment, tells us, "Anytime we can work with CBS Radio News on anything, we jump at it. Our relationship with them at Westwood One goes back over two decades and we're delighted to be working with them now in the on-demand digital world."
News Briefs
Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio |
From Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
Monday, March 11, 2013
Monday's Radio & Media News - March 11, 2013
Says CBS Radio News VP Harvey Nagler, "We are excited to work with Launchpad in expanding CBS Radio News' on-demand audio offerings and making our newscasts available for audiences to enjoy whenever, wherever and however they like." Launchpad President Kit Gray adds, "The 'CBS Evening News' is the longest running evening newscast in the world, and we are proud to be part of continuing that tradition as the world diversifies the way it consumes media. Launchpad represents podcasts with over 100 million downloads every month. It's a convenient single source for advertisers to access a growing, diverse and engaged audience on their time, on their terms."
T.H. Lee Partners' Charles Brizius to Step Down from CC Media Holdings Board. Clear Channel has notified the SEC that Charles (Chuck) Brizius, Managing Director at Thomas H. Lee Partners, will not stand for re-election to the board of CC Media Holdings at the upcoming annual stockholders' meeting.
The SEC filing says that Briziu informed the company of his decision March 4, and "his decision not to stand for re-election is not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices."
Salem Communications approves a new employment agreement with Ed Atsinger to continue to serve as CEO. Atsinger will be paid a base salary of $925,000 in year one of the new contract, July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, then $950,000 in year two, and $975,000 in year three. Atsinger will also be eligible for a bonus to be determined at the discretion of the company’s Board of Directors.
Mimi Griswold is returning to radio -- and Galaxy Communications in Central New York. Griswold's return comes just three months after the veteran Central New York Rock radio personality "retired" as VP of Programing for Galaxy. Now she will host afternoons on Classic Rock WOUR-FM, Utica, NY, replacing "Genesee Joe" Trisolino who moves to Classic Rock "92.7 FM The Drive" WXUR-FM, Utica-Rome, NY, as afternoon host. And, yes, Griswold will still host her (regionally) syndicated "Blue Moon Cafe" Sunday morning show, which she kept when she "retired from radio" in December.
Sherman Kizart is appointed to the FCC's Federal Advisory Committee on Diversity in the Digital Age. The Managing Director of Kizart Media Partners was named to the committee by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. The Diversity Committee provides recommendations to the FCC regarding policies and practices to enhance diversity in the industries the Commission regulates. A particular focus centers on lowering barriers to entry for historically disadvantaged men and women, including minorities.
Katz Radio Group promotes Michelle Robinson to VP of Sales in Seattle. "We are pleased to see Michelle advance in her career at Katz, as she is an invaluable member of our team," says Katz Radio Group SVP and General Sales Manager Scott Porretti. "Michelle has earned the respect and admiration of her peers, her station clients, and the entire buying community in Seattle." Robinson joined Katz in 2003 after serving at Interep as the VP/DOS for McGavren Guild Radio.
Country "The Big Dawg" WSRG-FM, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Operations Manager/Program Director and midday host Jeff Stone exits, and is now seeking his next opportunity ... AC "104.1 FM" WIKY-FM, Evansville, Indiania, News Director and morning news anchor Mark Evans is exiting to return to San Diego, where he will join the News Talk KOGO-AM morning show at the end of this month ... CHR-Top40 KRQQ-FM, Tucson, Operations Manager Chris Kelly exits after less than a year. We're told it was his choice to exit so he could return home to Colorado. (You might remember we tipped you to this one last week!) ... Alternative Rock "96X" WROX-FM, Norfolk, welcomes Kristi Michael back to the station's lineup for middays. Lee Foster moves to nights. Michael moved from "96X" to sister Country "US 106.1" WUSH-FM last year. Nick Chappell continues in mornings, and Program Director James Steele in afternoons ... CHR-Top40 "Hot 101.7" KHTH-FM, Santa Rosa, California, afternoon host Vanessa Hale exits for a new opportunity to be announced ... Simulcasting Sports Talkers "SportsRadio 560" WNSR-AM, Nashville, and "SportsRadio 103.9" WNTC-FM, Owensboro, Kentucky, add Matt Segal to Thom Abraham's 2-6pm afternoon show. Segal was previously at Sports "96.7 The Champ" WUJM-FM, Biloxi-Gulfport, Mississippi .... Rock "Q106" WJXQ-FM, Lansing, Michigan, night host Parker moves to co-owned Alternative "94.1 The Edge" WVIC-FM for afternoons. Meanwhile, Span returns to nights at "Q106" ... Clear Channel Chattanooga promotes receptionist Ashley Weimer to Promotions Director for the five-station cluster.
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