Thursday's Radio & Media News - March 14, 2013

Rob Miller Adds Clear Channel Hot AC Brand Manager Rhythmic/Dance CHR "The Beat of New York" WKTU-FM, New York, Program Director Rob Miller adds Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Hot AC Brand Manager, as part of the National Programming Platforms Brand Management Team. Miller takes over his new duties from Tony Coles who is transitioning to his new role as SVP of Programming. "I'm really pleased to announce that Rob Miller is our new Brand Manager for Hot AC, including oversight of the Premium Choice Hot AC channel. Brian Check continues as Hot AC Brand Coordinator," writes CCME EVP of National Programming Darren Davis in a memo. Davis adds, "Rob has a very diverse programming background and a broad musical knowledge and is someone the SVPP Team has tapped many times for consulting duties across many different formats. He'll be a great addition to the NPP Brand Management Team and will of course continue as Program Director for WKTU/New York." Miller has been PD at "103.5 KTU - The Beat of New York" since late 2006, following 17 years at Hot AC WALK-FM, Long Island. He began at the station as an intern and in 1994 started his on-air career doing nights and swing shifts. In 1996 he switched to the management side and was promoted to Assistant PD, and two years later was promoted to Program Director. He initially continued his role at WALK-FM when he was first named to program WKTU-FM. Nikolina Promoted to 'Q92' Canton Program Director CHR-Top40 "Q92" WDJQ-FM, Canton, Music Director Nikolina is promoted to Program Director. She will also continue hosting middays to which she returned as the "Midday Diva" just last week after a stint co-hosting mornings. Nikolina replaces John Stewart as Program Director. He was PD for nearly a decade. "I am very excited for the opportunity to program Q92," says Nikolina. "My education, experience and the support of management have prepared me to take the next step in my broadcasting career and helping my staff reach their true potential." Nikolina has been with the station since joining for part time in 2003. She was promoted to fulltime when as midday host in early 2005, and was named Music Director later that year. In March of 2012 she was moved to mornings until last week when she moved back to middays. Meanwhile, there are more revisions to the "Q92" on-air lineup. Mo from the "Mo Radio Show" has moved from afternoons to mornings where he teams with Megan McCrea and Christian Aleshire. Rob Mackenzie shifts from evenings to afternoons, and Jeremiah segues from mornings to evenings. Dick Morris Joining Philadelphia's WPHT-AM "Talk Radio 1210" WPHT-AM, Philadephia, hires Conservative commentator Dick Morris, the former Fox News contributor, to host 2-6pm weekday afternoons, starting April 15 when Michael Smerconish exits. Smerconish is moving his show to SiriusXM, exiting his longtime home base at WPHT-AM and his syndicated show. CBS Radio Philadelphia Market Manager Marc Rayfield says, "Dick is a great addition to our lineup of live and local personalities, and provides a voice that will raise the audiences' interest in what’s happening in politics today. As someone who isn't afraid to express his opinions or make bold predictions, his show won't just be a win for Philadelphia and WPHT - it's a win for radio." Morris announced that he's joining the Philadelphia Talk station today at CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference). The schedule at WPHT-AM will change when Smerconish exits. He currently airs 12noon-3pm. The new schedule will expand the morning show with Chris Stigall, joined by Paige Powers, to 6-10am. Dom Giordano, now airing 9am-12noon, will be heard 10am-2pm, followed by Morris for 2-6pm. In a news release, CBS Radio Philadelphia writes, "Morris first came to national attention when he provided the strategy that engineered Bill Clinton’s stunning comeback re-election victory in 1996, rescuing his presidency after he lost control of Congress in 1994. Once called 'the most influential private citizen in America' by Time Magazine, Morris steered Clinton back toward the center and was a key player in the Clinton Administration initiatives that balanced the budget, cut taxes, and reformed welfare. Morris spent the next decade and a half as one of Fox News Channel’s leading analysts. Along with his wife, Eileen McGann, Morris has written 16 books, including 12 New York Times best-sellers. Their almost daily email columns circulate to more than 500,000 people and hundreds of thousands more read them on their dickmorris.com website." Boston's WROR-FM Renews 'Loren and Wally' Morning Show Greater Media Classic Hits WROR-FM, Boston, renews the "Loren and Wally" morning show featuring Loren Owens and Wally Brine. The station says it has signed them to a new multi-year contract. "Loren and Wally" have been a part of Boston morning radio since they first partnered in 1981 on 105.7 FM, through a number of formats and identities, including CHR WVBF-FM, Country WKLB-FM and WCLB-FM -- and, for the past 15 years, WROR-FM. The station also announces it has also renewed the contracts of show staffers Lauren Beckham-Falcone, Hank Morse, Brian Bell and veteran radio personality Tom Doyle. Says Greater Media Boston Market Manager Rob Williams, "Loren and Wally represent what’s best about local radio. They, along with their incredible team, have built an indelibly strong relationship with their fans over the years, which is why they continue to perform at such a high level. We believe the best is yet to come and are excited to continue our partnership with Loren, Wally, and their entire cast of characters." Tampa Bay's 'Q105' Names Paula Street Midday Host CBS Radio Classic Hits "Q105" WRBQ-FM, Tampa Bay, names Paula Street as its new midday host, effective immediately. Previously, Street hosted middays at sister WODS-FM, Boston. CBS Radio Tampa Bay SVP and Market Manager Ben Hill tells us, "I feel very fortunate to have Street come to CBS Radio Tampa Bay after spending over 20 years at WODS. To stay in one market, at one station and in the Classic Hits format is remarkable and we are glad to have her come to Q105. It's a great addition to our station especially as we celebrate 40 years of broadcasting in Tampa Bay." Says Street, "I am thrilled to join CBS Radio and become a part of such a heritage radio station like Q105. I look forward to working with the Q105 family of Mason Dixon, Scott Walker, and the rest of the Q105 staff." Chris Hrabe to Join St. Louis' KMOX-AM CBS Radio's News Talk "NewsRadio 1120" KMOX-AM, St. Louis, taps Chris Hrabe as the new host of the nightly 9pm-12midnight "Dave Sinclair Ford Sports Hub," beginning April 4. He will also host Cardinals and Blues post-game shows. Hrabe is coming to St. Louis from Memphis where he's currently with "Sports 56" WHBQ-AM, co-hosting "First Call with Peter and Chris," teamed with Peter Edmiston, 6-8am. KMOX-AM tells us that Hrabe will also be responsible for contributing content to KMOX.com. Says Director of Programming and Operations Steve Moore, "Chris is a terrific addition to our sports team. He’s a talented and accomplished broadcaster, with roots in the Midwest. He’s well versed in Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and his recent career experience has provided him tremendous insight into the Southeastern Conference. Sports fans in St. Louis will be pleased to hear his fresh insights and we are confident he’ll make an immediate impact on our programming." During his time with WHBQ-AM, Hrabe co-hosted both morning and afternoon drive, and also covered the Memphis Grizzlies' playoff runs in 2011 and 2012. According to his bio on the WHBQ-AM website, "Chris got his start in radio at New Trier High School in Chicago, and moved to Memphis in the fall of 2009 to join WHBQ as an update anchor and producer of The Sports Bar. Chris currently hosts First Call w/ Peter & Chris and is a beat reporter covering the Grizzlies. After working for 4 years at his high school's radio station, WNTH, Chris majored in broadcast journalism at The University of Missouri. After graduation, Chris moved returned home to Chicago and began an internship at legendary WGN Radio. He was later hired to produce for Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Cubs broadcasts, and cover the Chicago sports scene for WGN. When he isn’t working, Chris is usually on the golf course." Country WIL-FM/St. Louis Set for Changes Country WIL-FM, St. Louis, tells us the station will be making changes to their daily host lineup effective March 18, as they focus on "enhancing the station's programming management." The first move, we're told, is to increase Assistant PD and Music Director Danny Montana's responsibilities -- and, in order for Montana to focus on his additional duties, he will move from middays to 7pm-12midnight. Night host Derrick Keith will move to middays. This, says the station, will also allow Keith to handle additional station and client appearances. Says Program Director Greg Mozingo, "With the fierce popularity of Country music, the number of concert tours and artist appearances have doubled over the last year. We need Danny to take a more active role in handling these special musical events, and I'm happy to have some much needed assistance in the day-to-day management of the station." On Keith's move to middays, Mozingo adds, "Over the past eight years Derrick has become a very popular host in evenings with his lively and entertaining show. He'll now bring that fun and energy to middays." Ed Schultz Moves to Weekends on MSNBC Syndicated radio talker and TV host Ed Schultz will have less "face time" on MSNBC, as the cable network moves his "The Ed Show" from weeknights to Saturdays 5-7pm ET. Schultz made the announcement at the end of his Wednesday night TV show. He said the move is being made "for a number of personal and professional reasons." His Thursday evening "Ed Show" will be the final one in its current daily time. But Schultz says he has no plans to leave radio, and his Dial Global syndicated show. “I will continue to do my radio show. In fact my goal is to do the radio show until the good Lord takes me -- that’s how much I love radio.” Arbitron Sets Nielsen Merger Shareholder Vote Arbitron sets an April 16 shareholders meeting to vote on the merger into Nielsen. The vote will be held at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington DC. Arbitron’s Board of Directors recommends that shareholders approve the sale to Nielsen at $48 per share for Arbitron common stock. The Board has unanimously approved the merger. Shareholders as of the close of business on March 8 are eligible to vote. Arbitron CEO Sean Creamer, inviting shareholders to the April 16 special meeting writes, "If our stockholders adopt the merger agreement and the merger contemplated by the merger agreement takes place, each outstanding share of Arbitron common stock will be converted into the right to receive $48.00 in cash." The deal is still pending federal regulatory approval. Salem Announces Early Tender Offer Settlement Salem Communications announces the early settlement of its previously announced cash tender offer and consent solicitation for any and all of its $213.5 million of 9.625% senior secured second lien notes due 2016. The consent payment deadline for the offer expired March 8. In conjunction with the offer, Salem entered into new senior secured credit facilities, consisting of a term loan of up to $300 million and a revolving credit facility of up to $25 million. Salem says it will use the proceeds of the term loan to fund the offer, to retire all other outstanding corporate debt and to pay related fees and expenses. Under the term loan and the revolving credit facility, Salem's current revolving credit facility with First California Bank, and subordinated debt due to related parties will be terminated. Going forward, the proceeds of the revolving credit facility will be used to provide ongoing working capital and for other general corporate purposes. Holders who validly tender their notes after the consent payment deadline but on or prior to March 22, unless extended, will receive the tender offer of $1,076.54 per $1,000 in principal amount of notes validly tendered, plus any accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the payment date for such notes. Holders of notes tendered after the consent payment deadline will not receive the consent payment. Wells Fargo Securities LLC and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Inc. are serving as the dealer managers for the offer. Shawn Donilon Joins NAB Government Relations Team Shawn Donilon will join the NAB as Director of Government Relations, the association announced today. Donilon will join NAB March 18, and will report to NAB EVP of Government Relations Kelly Cole. Donilon previously served as Legislative Director and Counsel to Rep. Charles F. Bass (R-NH), a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, advising the Congressman on incentive auction legislation and communications and technology law and policy issues. Prior to joining Rep. Bass's staff, he consulted on a major media transaction reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission. Donilon holds an undergraduate degree in economics from Duke University and a J.D. from the University of Southern California Law School. NAB Show to Feature Prominent Lawmakers and Regulators The NAB announces that "top government officials will address public policy issues related to media, entertainment and technology at NAB Show, to be held April 6-11, 2013 in Las Vegas." U.S. Representative Greg Walden, Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, will discuss his career in broadcasting and legislative issues affecting the industry as one of the speakers at the NAB Show opening session, April 8. Walden has represented Oregon's Second Congressional District since 1998. He also spent more than two decades as a radio station owner and is a licensed amateur radio operator (W7EQI). He uses his small business and technology experience as chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. In November 2012, Walden's House Republican colleagues unanimously elected him to serve as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). "NAB Show is a great opportunity to hear directly from government officials, regulators and policymakers, and to get up to speed on important public policy issues facing the industry today," says NAB EVP of Communications Dennis Wharton. "You cannot underestimate the implications of legislative and regulatory initiatives in Washington." Session topics include FCC implementation of television spectrum incentive auctions, retransmission consent, media ownership rules and content streaming regulations. Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio Madison, Wisconsin, AC "Magic 98" WMGN-FM Assistant PD and Oldies WHIT-AM Program Director Amy Ziebell is stepping down, and will work just parttime there, starting in April ... Country "US 93.3" WBTU-FM, Fort Wayne, moves Brooke Taylor into afternoons replacing Colin Shaughnessy. Taylor will also handle Content Director duties for sister CHR-Top40 "Hot 107.9" WJFX-FM and host middays there ... Hot AC "99.5 The River" WRVE-FM, Albany, NY, morning co-host Randi Tyler resigns, effective at the end of March, to pursue new opportunities, after 12 years as part of the morning show ... "Classic Country 1470" WBKV-AM, West Bend, Wisconsin, flips to "Local News Talk 1470" featuring local personalities Bob Bonenfant, Katrina Sickler, Jesse Averill, Barry Hersh, Jim Burch and Marty Burch ... Rhythmic CHR "Hot 96.3" WHHH-FM, Indianapolis, Music Director and longtime night host DJ Wrekk 1 moves to middays, replacing Assistant PD and midday host Jaquay Bangs, who returns to Gold Coast Point Broadcasting as VP of Programming (as previously reported here).