Weekend Update

Radio's Dashboard Panic Resulted from Reporting Error It turns out that the recent panic over the removal of broadcast radio receivers from auto dashboards was based on an error. Although few, if any, cited the original source of quotes, many were aware the issue arose from reports from Radio Ink Magazine, amplified by an editorial from Publisher Eric Rhoads. He has now published an apology and correction. Rhoads, one of the most respected radio media publishers, now writes, "My Editorial about AM/FM removal from cars has caused great concern in the radio industry. My mistake is that I put something in quotes from my recollections of the panel and the discussions afterward and my quote was inaccurate. Furthermore, my mistake was that I did not verify what was said by contacting the car companies directly for confirmation before running the story. As I received concerns from within the industry I looked at the video and learned my quote was inaccurate. My editorial stated two inaccuracies: I quoted, 'AM and FM are being eliminated from the dash of two car companies within two years and will be eliminated from the dash of all cars within five years.' The fact is, my recollection was incorrect and this was not said on stage as I reported." Rhoads says that after reviewing video of a Radio Ink event, at which the comments were made, he realized what had been stated was that AM radios will likely be dropped, while FM receivers will remain for the forseeable future, and that discontinuing FM in the dashboard, "will not happen over the next five to ten years." While some in the radio industry, reading the correction and clarification, are condemning Rhoads for "irresponsible reporting," Mark Harris notes that Rhoads as a publisher is one of radio's best friends, and has always stood up for the broadcast industry wholeheartedly. Harris adds, "I appreciate his follow-up with his admission of an error and a correction that will allow many broadcasters to feel somewhat reassured. It's never easy to publicly admit an error of that magnitude that so many picked up on with so much concern." Read the full apology, correction and clarification from Radio Ink Magazine here. Suburban Chicago 'Q-Rock 100.7' and '95.9 The River' Shift Shifts In suburban Chicago, Mark Zander is moving from Classic Rock "Q-Rock 100.7" WRXQ-FM to sister Rock and Roll Favorites "95.9 The River" WERV-FM, as the two NextMedia stations make changes in their afternoon and evening lineups. Zander will continue doing an afternoon show, but as he segues to WERV-FM, Chicago radio veteran Mitch Michaels shifts from afternoons to evenings, displacing Leslie Harris who goes to weekends and fills. Back at WRXQ-FM, the afternoon shift that Zander has handled goes to midday host Dawn Avello, while the mono-monickered Schneider joins for middays. Zander is Program Director for both stations. Chicagoland Radio and Media reports that WERV-FM's Scott Mackay and Danielle Tufano remain in their morning and midday roles respectively, and WRXQ-FM's Elwood and Crazy Ray remain in their morning and evening roles respectively. In a memo to the staff about the changes, WERV-FM General Manager Scott Kosak writes: "These adjustments will make The River an even stronger radio station by retaining all of the people who make The River as impactful as it is in our listening area, and we will continue to focus on continuing to spread that over the entire area we serve." All of the changes are effective Monday (March 18). Reno's KJFK-AM Ends Progressive Talk Format Reno's "AM With IQ" KJFK-AM, ends its eight year Progresive Talk format in favor of an unannounced new format set to be unveiled Monday (March 18). The Americom station posted on its website, "KJFK recently passed the mark of 8 years as Northern Nevada’s only voice of the Progressive viewpoint. A lone voice apart from other radio stations in Reno airing views, information and attitudes from those who hold a Conservative ideology, and by the way, in competition with us for the ears of people interested the issues so vital to our country. Given the volume of rhetoric dispensed on-air from “the other side”, we felt it vital to remain on-the-air through the 2012 General Election, despite the fact that KJFK has operated at a loss of thousands of dollars a month. Since we launched the station with an appearance by Al Franken in 2005, when nearly 500 people joined us at the Atlantis for now Senator Franken's appearance just days after we hit the air, we’ve known a passionate audience has been with us all along. Unfortunately, this station was never able to generate the revenue necessary to sustain, and we simply cannot absorb the financial loss any longer." The station adds, "This current webpage will soon be gone, but replaced with a new page featuring an online player that offers a line-up of some of the shows KJFK has been honored to bring you through the years. You can access these programs on your computer or mobile device. Many of the hosts offer podcasting at their websites. If possible, support the hosts themselves by subscribing. In any case, please continue to seek out truth you may not be offered courtesy other over-the-air talk forums. Please take a moment to explore the online player here. We will continue this new page at our current website www.1230kjfk.com for the foreseeable future." While there's no official word on the station's new format, RadioInsight's Lance Venta reports that KJFK-AM "has applied to take the KSGG calls from sister 'Swag 97.3' which is in the process of moving to a translator on 104.9 to allow 97.3 to debut a new format." To us, that sounds like AM 1230 as KSGG-AM will originate the signal for the translator. "Swag 97.3" KSSG-FM airs an Urban format. Possibly the better question for speculation would be the new format for 97.3 FM. CBS Radio Tampa Hires Franco Ripple as Public Affairs Director CBS Radio Tampa Bay appoints Franco Ripple to the newly created position of Public Affairs Director for the six-station cluster. We're told that in his new position, Ripple will "lead engagement efforts with the community." Among Ripple's new duties, he will produce and host a new weekly public affairs and news program to be aired on five CBS Radio stations, and will have responsibility for public service announcements and public events. He will also serve as internship coordinator for CBS Radio Tampa Bay. Ripple, a veteran of local and national political campaigns and government and public affairs, began his career in government and politics in 2002 as a White House Intern in the Bush Administration. Since then he's been New Media Director for the Fair Districts Florida campaign, worked on the South Florida staff of President Obama’s 2008 campaign, and has been a White House advance staffer for Vice President Joe Biden. Last year, Ripple was campaign manager and spokesman for Florida State Rep. Dwight Dudley.