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Clear Channel Appoints Tommy Austin Chicago VP of Programming, 
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Chicago appoints Tommy Austin VP of Programming, and Program Director for AC "93.9 Lite FM" WLIT-FM, effective March 21. Austin will oversee all programming and digital operations for the seven-station cluster. He replaces Tony Coles, who was recently promoted to SVP of Programming for the West Region. Austin most recently served was the Regional Program Manager for CCME's St. Louis and Kansas stations. "Tommy Austin will bring more than two decades of programming experience to the Chicago market," said Market President Earl Jones. "We look forward to him providing his tremendous programming expertise to the market and enhancing our already high-performing stations." Austin tells us, "I am beyond thrilled to join Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Chicago and learn from the seasoned Program Directors and staff. I would like to thank the entire Clear Channel team -- I'm very enthusiastic to start this next chapter in my life." Austin's resume includes programming stops at Clear Channel stations in Minneapolis, Portland and Austin, with experience in multiple formats including AC, CHR, Oldies (Rhythmic/Classic Hits), Classic Rock, Urban AC/Mainstream, Inspirational, Country and News Talk. Mike Kaplan Named Los Angeles KYSR-FM Program Director 
Clear Channel Alternative Rock "987FM" KYSR-FM, Los Angeles, announces that Mike Kaplan has been named Program Director, effective May 6. Kaplan, who will oversee all on-air and digital programming, is joining from PD at Entercom Seattle Alternative "107.7 The End" KNDD-FM and Triple-A "103.7 The Mountain" KMTT-FM. At Entercom, Kaplan also previously was a PD in Kansas City and New Orleans. "The opportunity to join the biggest alternative rock station in the country is an honor and at the same time I'm psyched to join the number one media company in the world," says Kaplan. "KYSR has a strong foundation and I'm looking forward to collaborating with the entire Clear Channel Los Angeles team to build upon the brand’s success." Says Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Los Angeles VP of Programming Andrew Jeffries, "People are what make this industry special – Mike is a great addition to Clear Channel Los Angeles’ programming team. He has a unique skill to focus and connect stations with listeners. Mike is a leader and brand builder who boasts an impressive success record in his alternative programming career. I’m thrilled to have him join our talented Los Angeles programming team." Zak Szabo Upped to 'Q92.9' Pittsburgh Program Director 
Steel City Media Hot AC "Q92.9" WLTJ-FM, Pittsburgh, promotes afternoon host Zak Szabo to Program Director. A veteran of the market, he will continue hosting afternoons on "Q92.9" as he takes over programming the station, replacing Dan Michaels who recently exited for Program Director at Classic Rock "100.7 The Bay" WZBA-FM, Baltimore. Although best known as a radio personality, he's also a martial arts master with four black belts, and is a member of the International Tang Soo Do Federation. "Pittsburgh is my home. I love this city and understand Pittsburgh," says Szabo. "My martial arts training will help me to bring focus and discipline to Q92.9, which will help us achieve our goals." With over 30 years of broadcast experience, Szabo has also worked at WGHT-FM, Baltimore; WXLK-FM, Roanoke, Virginia; and, WNVZ-FM, Virginia Beach. Marv Nyren Named Clear Channel Jacksonville Market Manager 
Marv Nyren is named VP and Market Manager of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment's six station Jacksonville cluster, effective April 1. The cluster includes CHR-Top40 "RadioNOW 97.9" WNWW-FM, Adult Variety Hits "107.3 Jack FM" WJGH-FM, "Country 99.1" WQIK-FM, Urban AC "93.3 The Beat" WJBT-FM, Urban AC "V 101.5" WSOL-FM and "Sports Radio 930" WFXJ-AM. Nyren has more than 25 years of experience in the media industry and will join the Jacksonville market from Clear Channel Chicago, where he most was VP of Affiliate Development Midwest for Total Traffic Network since February 2012. Prior to joining Clear Channel, he previously was SVP/Regional Market Manager for Emmis Communications in the Phoenix and Chicago markets. Nyren's tenure in the radio industry also includes roles with AMFM Broadcasting and Katz Radio Group. "Marv brings his enthusiastic leadership and a long list of professional wins to Jacksonville," says John Hunt, Regional Market Manager for CCME Florida. "He is a great leader, competitor and manager we are very fortunate to have him join our already exceptional team in Jacksonville." Says Nyren, "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the talented staff and exceptional brands Clear Channel operates in Jacksonville," "I look forward to continuing the success built over years in the market and can't wait to hit the ground running as the newest member of the Jacksonville team." NBC Sports Radio Names Newy Scruggs for Noon-3pm 
NBC Sports Radio, distributed by Dial Global, fills another daytime shift as the new Sports Talk radio network prepares for its April 1 24/7 launch -- naming Newy Scruggs for 12noon-3pm ET. Scruggs, currently Sports Director at KXAS-TV, Dallas, and a former KRLD-FM, Dallas, host, will host "Voices of the Game." Scruggs, we're told, will be joined each day by a "major recognizable sports voice" during the second hour of the show. Personalities will include Chipper Jones, Adrian Wojnarowski, Stan Van Gundy, Bobby Valentine and Chris Mannix. Jones will begin baseball season in the role on Tuesdays and then move into a weekly major contributor role as NBC Sports Radio's MLB senior analyst when baseball season is fully underway. Mannix, Valentine and Van Gundy are already part of the NBC Sports Radio roster and are expanding their roles. Dial Global EVP and General Manager Chris Corcoran tells us, "Hands down, 'Voices of the Game' is going to be special. Not only is Newy one of the smartest and most reputable personalities around, but our unmatched and incredible daily guest hosts are going to deliver such a unique and informative show for affiliates, listeners and advertisers." Arbitron Releases More from March 2013 RADAR 116 
Arbitron has released the radio network ratings -- but not to us -- from its March 2013 RADAR (Radio’s All Dimension Audience Research) report. In case you aren't yet aware, Arbitron no longer releases the actual network ratings to the media so we can't say which are the top nets. What Arbitron does tell us is that nearly 180 million Persons 12 and older, or approximately 68% of that demographic, heard one or more network radio commercials in an average week of the survey period. Arbitron says the latest RADAR survey period "demonstrates network radio’s power in reaching a mass audience in all demographics." Commercials aired on the 46 radio networks measured reached 68.2% of Persons aged 12+ (179,923,000 Persons); 68.6% of Persons aged 18+ (163,738,000 Persons); 68.1% of Persons aged 35+ (113,417,000 Persons); 70.9% of Persons aged 18-49 (95,091,000 Persons); and, 71.7% of Persons aged 25-54 (89,654,000 Persons). Last week, Arbitron released other highlights from its RADAR 116 report. Vision Critical: Broadcast Radio Leads as Adult Music Source 
Broadcast radio stations continue to be the leading music source for North American adults, according to survey results from Vision Critical, in conjunction with Canadian Music Week. However, a report on the survey results notes that a wide range of digital options appear to be closing the gap. Nearly two-thirds of North American adults reported listening to music on AM/FM radio stations via standard radio or radio streams during the week prior to the survey. Responses indicate that Canadian adults are slightly more inclined to listen to broadcast radio weekly than those in the U.S. -- 70% compared to 63%. Although AM/FM usage remains considerably higher than competing platforms, emerging music sources such as YouTube, music download services, Internet radio and streaming services have gained a foothold among online adults. The survey also finds that YouTube is a widely used platform for listening to music, especially among 18 to 34 year old adults, and that while music consumption patterns are generally similar between Canada and the U.S., the use of Internet radio and music streaming services is considerably higher in the U.S.
Cumulus Reports Q4 Net Revenues Increased 1% 
Cumulus Media reports net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2012 increased 1% to $284.2 million, compared to $281.3 million for the year-ago period. "The increase reflects the impact of an increase in political advertising. Direct operating expenses for the quarter increased 1.9% to $177.4 million, compared to $174 million in the prior year," says Cumulus. "This was primarily driven by increases in programming and health related benefits expenses as compared to the prior year quarter. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in music licensing fees," says Cumulus. Corporate general and administrative expenses, including stock-based compensation expense, for the fourth quarter decreased $17.8 million, or 62.0%, to $11.0 million, compared to $28.8 million. "This decrease is primarily comprised of a $10.8 million decrease in acquisition and restructuring costs related to the merger with Citadel Broadcasting Corp. and the acquisition of Cumulus Media Partners completed in 2011 and a $4.8 million decrease in stock-based compensation expense." Cumulus tells us in a news release, "For the three months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded impairment charges of $100.0 million and $14.7 million related to goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets (FCC Licenses), respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2012, as the Company was beginning its annual impairment test of goodwill and FCC Licenses, format and structural changes made in the first half of 2012 in certain markets acquired during the second half of 2011 had not achieved the expected results for fiscal year 2012. As a result, certain markets failed step 1 of our annual impairment test of goodwill. There were no similar impairments in 2011."
BIA/Kelsey: 'U.S. Local Media Ad Revs to Grow $16B to $148.8B in 2017 
BIA/Kelsey forecasts local media advertising revenues will grow from $132.5 billion in 2012 to $148.8 billion in 2017, representing a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. In its newly released U.S. Local Media Forecast (2012-2017), BIA/Kelsey reports national brands accounted for 32.1% or $42.5 billion of the $132.5 billion spent on local media advertising in 2012. National’s share of local ad spending is expected to grow to nearly $51 billion by 2017. "Local media has become a key channel, not only for local small businesses, but for regional businesses, national franchises and national brands targeting locally," says BIA/Kelsey VP and Chief Economist Mark Fratrik. "This is clearly seen in our tracking of market shifts in mobile, social, search, promotions, coupons and deals, native ads and sales transformation." Digital media continues to increase its share of total local media revenues, growing from 17.4 percent in 2012 to 27.6 percent in 2017. The firm expects traditional local media revenues to decrease from $109.4 billion in 2012 to $107.6 billion in 2017 (CAGR: -0.3 percent). As anticipated, traditional media revenues experienced a bump in 2012 from political advertising. The political ad spend cycle contributes to a drop in revenues in odd-numbered years. Despite the year-over-year political advertising seesaw effect, traditional media revenues remain remarkably steady throughout the forecast period. BIA/Kelsey analysts will present highlights from the forecast at the firm’s "Leading In Local: The National Impact Conference," taking place today through Wednesday in Boston. Leading In Local is gathering senior executives from across the local media, advertising and marketing space to examine how national's local play is having an impact on local media. Salem Increases Quarterly Cash Distribution 
Salem Communications CEO Edward Atsinger tells us that the company's Board of Directors has increased the quarterly cash distribution from $0.035 per share to $0.05 per share. "The decision of our board to increase our cash distribution will be welcome news to shareholders and other stakeholders," says Atsinger. "The 2013 distribution represents less than 20% of our expected free cash flow for the year. This meaningful increase is due to the growth in free cash flow that we expect in 2013 as a result of our stable business performance and substantial reduction in interest expense from our recently completed refinancing." The cash distribution will be paid April 1 to all Class A and Class B common stockholders of record as of March 25. Salem provides programming targeted at audiences interested in Christian and conservative opinion radio content. "Upon completion of all announced transactions, the company will own and/or operate a national portfolio of 99 radio stations in 38 markets, including 61 stations in 22 of the top 25 market," says a news release. "We also program the Family Talk Christian-themed talk format on SiriusXM Channel 131." Salem also owns Salem Radio Network, a national radio network that syndicates talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,400 affiliated radio stations and Salem Media Representatives, a national media advertising sales firm with offices across the country.
Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio
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From Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
Monday, March 18, 2013
Monday's Radio & Media News - March 18, 2013
Sports Talk is out at Townsquare Media's KLTD-FM, Killeen-Temple, Texas, and Classic Hits "K-101.7" is in -- replacing "The Ticket" -- after stunting with music for dogs as "The Bone." Big Q will host afternoons beginning March 25 ... Inland Empire Classic Hits "Kola 99.9" KOLA-FM, San Bernardino, California, adds Jesse Duran for mornings. Duran was most recently with Clear Channel's Rhythmic CHR KGGI-FM, Riverside, as Program Director and afternoon host ... Michael Morales is the new morning show host at Cumulus Media Hot AC "Star 102.3" KEHK-FM, Eugene, Oregon ... Clear Channel Rock "94HJY" WHJY-FM, Providence, Rhode Island, is welcoming back Doug Palmieri for Imaging and nights, plus all commercial production for the cluster. He returns to his former stomping grounds March 25 ... Matt Battle moves from WHJY-FM, Providence, Production/Imaging Director and night host to CBS Radio Philadelphia as Commercial Production Director for "SportsRadio 94" WIP-FM and "CBS Sports Radio 610" WIP-AM ... USRN-syndicated "Dave and Jimmy Morning Show" is added to the lineup at Walker Broadcasting Alternative Rock "105.7 The Edge" KRBL-FM, Lubbock, Texas.
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