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Sinclair Broadcast Group to Acquire Fisher Communications 
Sinclair Broadcast Group and Fisher Communications announced today that "they have entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby Sinclair will acquire Fisher in a merger transaction valued at approximately $373.3 million." Under the terms of the agreement, Fisher shareholders will receive $41 in cash for each share of Fisher common stock they own. "The transaction represents a 44% premium to the closing price of Fisher common stock on January 9, 2013, the final trading day prior to Fisher announcing a review of strategic alternatives," says the announcement. Fisher owns 20 television stations in eight markets, reaching 3.9% of U.S. TV households, and three radio stations in the Seattle market. Additionally, Fisher previously entered into an agreement to provide certain operating services for three TV stations, including two simulcasts, pending regulatory approval. "We are excited to acquire Fisher and expand our coverage westward, especially in the two key markets of Seattle and Portland," says Sinclair President and CEO David Smith. "Started in 1910, Fisher's history of operating television and radio stations in the northwest corner of the U.S. has played an important role in its communities and in producing high-quality local news. We look forward to expanding upon those traditions and improving the cash flow of the stations through the benefits that come with our scale."
Greg Maffei Named SiriusXM Chairman Of The Board 
SiriusXM has named Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei as Chairman of the satcaster's Board of Directors. Liberty Media is now the majority owner of the satellite radio company. Maffei succeeds Eddy Hartensten, who will remain on the SiriusXM Board. Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav and Liberty's Evan Malone also join the SiriusXM Board of Directors, according to an SEC filing. Last month, Maffei was named Live Nation's non-executive Chairman of the Board. Live Nation is also now controlled by Liberty. SiriusXM also reports in the filing that former CEO Mel Karmazin made $11 million in 2012, his last year running the satcaster. The majority of Karmazin's earnings came from a $9.5 million cash bonus based on an increase in the satcaster's subscribers. New SiriusXM CEO James Meyer earned $3.3 million last year. Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein earned $2.4 million and CFO David Frear received $2.1 million. Liberty Media gained control of Sirius XM in January after increasing its stake to more than 50 percent over the past year. Three Sirius directors resigned that month and were replaced by four people. John Malone's Liberty Media helped Sirius avoid bankruptcy in 2009, investing $530 million to pay off loans in exchange for a 40 percent equity stake. "Liberty has made billions on the deal as Sirius shares have advanced more than 19-fold from 16 cents on Feb. 17, 2009, when the loan was announced," reports Bloomberg. Radio PD/OM Mike Culotta Named Streamsound Records President 
Veteran radio programmer Mike Culotta is named President of Nashville-based Streamsound Records, which is distributed by Sony Music Nashville. Culotta, a former radio Operations Manager at CBS Radio in Florida, will oversee operations for Streamsound starting Monday (April 15). Says Culotta, “This is such a dream come true for me. I have such a passion for music, which is why I have enjoyed all of my years in radio. Instead of programming music, I will now have an opportunity to be a part of a team that is originating music. I’m looking forward to working with Jim Wilkes and Byron Gallimore and the professional team they have put together.” Culotta was previously Operations Manager for CBS Radio's six stations in Tampa, Florida -- WQYK AM-FM, WRBQ-FM, WSJT-FM, WYUU-FM, and WLLD-FM. He was also Program Director for WQYK-FM, and had been with the station for more than 18 years. Streamsound CEO Byron Gallimore tells us, "We at Streamsound Records are excited to have Mike Culotta joining our team. Mike is a leader in our industry. I know that his knowledge and passion for radio, and his love of country music, will be an invaluable asset to Streamsound. I am excited because I know that Mike’s experience and relationships will translate into instant success for the label.” Los Angeles' KFWB-AM Adds More Sports to New Talk Schedule 
"News Talk 980" KFWB-AM, Los Angeles, adds more programming from NBC Sports Radio and CBS Sports Radio, and a local Sports Talk show. The move puts Sports content in a prominent position in the station's revamped lineup. KFWB-AM adds "The Amani and Eytan Show" weeknights 7-10pm, commentaries by Jim Rome and the station’s own "Sports Knight with Michael Knight" 10pm-12midnight and Saturdays 7-10pm. "News Talk 980" -- which may change that identifier -- adds only Rome's commentaries, but not his full show from CBS Sports Radio. Amani Toomer and Eytan Shander replace the ending Michael Smerconish syndicated talk show, as Smerconish exits terrestrial radio for SiriusXM. KFWB-AM also adds the Erik Kuselias show 3-6am, replacing Dial Global's "America in the Morning" and "First Light." The new lineup starts Monday (April 15). Says KFWB-AM General Manager Valerie Blackburn, “As the flagship station of the Los Angeles Clippers, we want to give our sports fans more of an opportunity to be part of the sports conversation. We continue to look for ways to give our listeners and clients the best possible programming options available.” The station is currently operated by the KFWB Asset Trust, created by CBS Radio in November 2011, due to ownership limitations. Dave Boretti Joins Dial Global as SVP of Hispanic Initiatives 
Dial Global hires Dave Boretti as SVP of Hispanic Initiatives -- to "grow content partnerships, leverage the company’s digital assets, and spearhead the company’s expansion within the Hispanic marketplace." Boretti will be based at Dial Global's Chicago office, and will report directly to President of Programming Kirk Stirland. Boretti previously spent 12 years at Univision Radio where he was most recently SVP of Network Sales. "We’re delighted to have Dave join our team," says Stirland. "His experience and expertise in the Hispanic marketplace, both in sales and programming, will move our Hispanic growth initiative forward and we’re excited about the new offerings we’ll be bringing to our clients in the coming months." Says Boretti, "It's particularly thrilling to join Dial Global at this point in the evolution of the company and to accelerate the growth of our Hispanic marketing assets for our sponsor and station partners." Howard Stern Loses Appeal of Dismissal of Suit Against SiriusXM 
Howard Stern has lost his attempt to re-instate a $300 million lawsuit against SiriusXM over stock bonuses for subscriber growth he claimed he had generated. An appeal of the earlier dismissal of his lawsuit was denied by the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, which agreed with the lower court's ruling that Stern, his production company One Twelve, and his agent, Don Buchwald were not entitled to bonuses based on the addition of subscribers through the merger of Sirius with XM Radio. Stern joined Sirius in 2006 under a five-year deal worth $500 million. He filed the suit in 2011, only months after renewing his contract with the satcaster for another five years. The appeals court said in its Thursday (April 11) ruling, "Looking solely to the plain language used by the parties within the four corners of the agreement, the disputed term 'Sirius subscribers,' by which plaintiffs' performance-based compensation was measured, did not include subscribers to XM Radio, a wholly owned subsidiary which defendant acquired by merger, even though the merger had been anticipated within the agreement." Dan Mason: Radio Helps TV Ratings for ACM Awards 
CBS Radio President and CEO Dan Mason hails the success of radio-television cross-promotion -- specifically his company's cross-marketing campaign with the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on CBS TV. Mason's comments come in a memo to CBS Radio's employees. The ACM Awards aired Sunday night to its best ratings since 1998 -- and Mason believes the multiple radio tie-ins to the TV show helped achieve that accomplishment. CBS Radio featured Blake Shelton as part of its Amplify initiative, and CBS Local Digital Media featured promotional content connected to the ACM Awards. Brad Paisley voiced spots for all CBS Radio Country stations in major markets. And as part of its week-long coverage of the ACM Awards, "CBS This Morning" broadcast a feature championing radio as one of the biggest drivers behind Country's success. In the feature, Thompson Square member Kiefer Thompson said, "To get to your fans, you have to go through radio, and this is a fan-based business." Dustin Lynch added, "The radio is what you're always striving to get to. Once you get to radio, that's the top of the mountain." CBS Radio also offered a special ad during the awards show, with Country acts talking about the first time they heard themselves on the radio. It can be seen here.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski Says Goodbye to NAB Show 
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, who has announced his pending exit from the Commission, spoke Wednesday at the NAB Show in Las Vegas for a final time as the FCC's leader. In a question-and-answer session with Meredith Local Media Group President and NAB Joint Chair Paul Karpowicz, Genachowski discussed a wide variety of topics, including his time in college radio. When the discussion turned to current day radio, Genachowski focused on Low Power FM, saying Congress has an interest in LPFM.. He also warned that the current sequester could make things difficult in Washington when it comes to processing LPFM applications down the road. Genachowski added that the cutbacks will also result in smaller budgets for potential upgrades at the FCC that would lead to greater efficiency. Genachowski also talked about the media ownership rules, saying the FCC needs to consider the Internet and mobile access when it comes to revising the rules of broadcast ownership. About his time FCC Chairman, Genachowski said that position "wasn't in my career plan." Veteran radio and media reporter/analyst Tom Taylor -- reporting from Las Vegas in his "Now" newsletter -- says: "Word is, Obama’s in no hurry for Julius Genachowski to move on to the next phase of his career, and (one-on-one) is asking him to delay his announced departure." Taylor, noting the longtime friendship of Genachowski and President Obama from their mutual time at Harvard Law School, quotes the FCC Chairman's comment about initially accepting the position -- "if the president asks you to do something, you do it." Dave Ramsey Enters NAB Hall of Fame 
Personal money-management expert and syndicated radio talk host Dave Ramsey is the newest inductee into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He entered the Hall this week during the NAB Show Radio Luncheon. "Dave Ramsey has influenced countless Americans through his sound financial advice and inspirational messages," said NAB EVP of Radio John David. "We are pleased to induct him into NAB's Broadcasting Hall of Fame." Ramsey's nationally syndicated show is heard by six million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations, and is streamed on Daveramsey.com. On "The Dave Ramsey Show" he gives listeners advice on responsible money management. In 2009, he was honored with an NAB Marconi Award. Ramsey now joins a long list of radio luminaries in the NAB Hall of Fame -- including Bob Uecker, Gerry House, Ron Chapman, Vin Scully, Jack Buck, Harry Carey, Larry Lujack, Rick Dees, Dick Purtan, and Dick Orkin. Broadcasters Foundation Presents Quaal Leadership Awards 
The Broadcasters Foundation of America presented its 2013 Ward L. Quaal Leadership Awards at a breakfast session at the NAB show in Las Vegas. Those awards -- named in honor of iconic broadcaster Ward L. Quaal -- are given in recognition of career contributions to the broadcast industry and the community at large. The 2013 Leadership Awards were presented to Skip Finley, radio executive, managing partner, Noepe Communications; Alan Frank, President/CEO, Post-Newsweek Stations, retired; David Kennedy, former president/CEO, Susquehanna Media Co.; Mike McKinnon, president/CEO McKinnon Broadcasting; Charles Osgood, TV news anchor, radio and TV personality; and Bob Schmidt, president/CEO Eagle Communications, retired. The April 10 breakfast was sponsored by the National Association of Media Brokers, Arbitron, Frank N. Magid Associates, the Television Bureau of Advertising, Marketron and the NAB. Melissa Etheridge to Perform at 2013 Gracie Awards 
The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation announces that singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge will perform at the 38th Annual Gracie Awards Gala on May 21, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Etheridge will also accept her Gracie Award for Outstanding Talk Show - Entertainment/Information for "The Melissa Etheridge Radio Show." The Gracie Awards recognize "exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of media, including radio, television, cable and new media. The awards program also encourages the realistic and multi-faceted portrayal of women in entertainment, news, features and other programs." Says Etheridge, "I have won Grammys and an Oscar, but there is something especially meaningful about being recognized with a Gracie. I love radio, and it's important to me to bring the voices of women to our audiences, as they share their respective truths about life, love and family -- and as I share the same with them. It's also a great pleasure to provide a forum where we can connect with each other about the music that moves us. I'm honored that people are responding to the show across the country and I thank the AWM Foundation for this award." NBC Sports Radio Adds New Weekend Programming 
Dial Global announces that NBC Sports Radio is expanding its roster with new weekend programming and several new affiliates, bringing the number of stations taking its content to 262. This past Sunday, The new 24/7 Sports Talk network has just debuted "Kup and Schultz" -- featuring Miami's Adam "Kup" Kuperstein and Huffington Post sports columnist Jordan Schultz 9am-noon Sundays. Also, weekday overnight host Dan Schwartzman adds a new weekend show -- "Schwartzman Saturdays" 6-9pm. Says Kuperstein, "I'm honored to be in such good company on the NBC Sports Radio team. Our show will be a fast-paced, fun, fresh look at sports. I can't wait to get started!" Jordan Schultz adds, "I'm thrilled to be hosting a new show for NBC Sports Radio, where I can bring my Huff Post perspective and passion for sports to new audience. It's a tremendous opportunity to work with a highly respected network that already provides great sports talk." And Schwartzman tells us, "It's great to be able to do a Saturday Show and to reach an audience who may not be awake for my weekday overnight show. Plus, I also get to join the best weekend lineup in sports radio." The NBC Sports Radio station lineup continues to grow, says distributor Dial Global -- adding KHKA-AM, Honolulu (newly rebranded as NBC Sports Radio 1500 AM) and WDSC-AM, Myrtle Beach, SC, which is taking NBC Sports Radio programming 24/7. Also added are "The Zone" KZNS-AM-FM, Salt Lake City, and "The Drive 104.9" WCCP-FM, Clemson, SC. L.A.'s KNX-AM Set to Mark 45 Years as All News 
CBS Radio's "Newsradio 1070" KNX-AM, Los Angeles, is set to celebrate its 45th anniversary of airing the All News format, Monday, April 15. The station flipped to All News April 15, 1968. Director of News Programming Andy Ludlum tells us, "Since 1968, we’ve seen eight U.S. presidents, six California governors, and five L.A. mayors. We’ve had riots, fires, earthquakes, mudslides, hosted the Olympics, lost a couple of football teams, rooted the Lakers to 11 titles, watched OJ run wild on the freeways and recently endured a nightmarish hunt for a fugitive cop-killer. And through it all, KNX has embodied trust, integrity, and credibility. We all feel a sense of responsibility to follow in the footsteps of so many great KNX news people like Bill Keene, Alex Sullivan, Jon Goodman, Barry Rohde, Beach Rogers, Dave Zorn, and Harry Birrell, to name just a few. You hear the pride in the great heritage of KNX in the work of today’s anchors like Dick Helton, Vicky Moore, Tom Haule, Linda Nunez, Diane Thompson, Jim Thornton, and Chris Sedens.”
Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio
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From Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Thursday's Radio & Media News - April 11, 2013
Flinn Broadcasting ends the simulcast of CHR-Top40 "107.5 The Q" WHBQ-FM Germantown-Memphis, Tennessee, on WIVG-FM, Tunica, Mississippi, to flip 96.1 FM to Alternative, returning the format to the Memphis market ... Cox Media Group's "Rock 104.5" WFYV-FM, Jacksonville, is set for a format flip at the end of this month. The 33-year Rock station will end the format following the "Welcome to Rockville" festival. The station tells listeners it "will retire" and is touting them to sister Alternative WXXJ-FM. No official word yet on the new format at WFYV-FM ... Alternative Rock "105.7 the Point" KPNT-FM, St. Louis, hires Renae Ravey as the new Executive Producer of "The Woody and Rizzuto Show" -- marking a reunion for Woody and Ravey, who previously worked together at "Live 105" KITS-FM, San Francisco, and the former "Q101" WKQX-FM, Chicago ... Shawn Whitney is in as Music Director and afternoon post at Active Rock KCLB-FM, Palm Springs, California. Whitney most recently hosted afternoons at Alternative "KX 93.5" KXRN-FM, Laguna Beach. At KCLB-FM he replaces Kevin Conklin who moved to KDKB-FM, Phoenix ... Brent Hatley, longtime producer and co-host of the "Bubba The Love Sponge Show" exits -- citing "a desire to move on to greater challenges" ... "Rock 100.9" WKLI-FM, Albany, NY, adds Ellen Zee to "Wolf In The Morning" with Bob Wolf (Bob Wohlfeld). Zee previously was heard in the market on Classic Rock "PYX 106" WPYX-FM.
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