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Arbitron Shareholders Approve Acquisition by Nielsen 
Arbitron announced late Tuesday (April 16) that "at the Company's Special Meeting of Stockholders held today, stockholders voted to approve the acquisition of the Company by Nielsen Holdings." Says Arbitron's news release, "Approximately 98.99 percent of the shares voting at today's Special Meeting of Stockholders voted in favor of the agreement and plan of merger. These shares represented approximately 77.11 percent of total outstanding shares of Arbitron common stock as of the March 8, 2013 record date for the Special Meeting. As previously announced on December 18, 2012, Arbitron Inc. and Nielsen Holdings N.V. entered into a definitive agreement for Nielsen to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Arbitron for $48.00 per share in cash. The transaction remains subject to certain regulatory approvals, including expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust waiting period, and customary closing conditions. The proposal to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Arbitron named executive officers in connection with the merger and the agreements and understandings pursuant to which such compensation may be paid or become payable was approved by 87.86 percent of the shares voted at the Special Meeting, representing approximately 68.44 percent of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock. At the meeting, approximately 9.55 percent of shares voted against this proposal." NAB Supports Allowing Increased Broadcast Foreign Investments 
The NAB tells the FCC that it supports allowing increased foreign investment in American broadcast licensees. The broadcasters association voices its support for ending the current foreign ownership caps in comments filed with the FCC.
The NAB says in the filing that it supports the Coalition for Broadcast Investment's request for clarification of the foreign ownership rules, and for the Commission to "clarify and affirm that it will substantively evaluate proposals for foreign investment in the parent companies of broadcast licensees that exceed [the established] benchmark to determine if those proposals serve the public interest." The NAB says that granting that request "would help inject vital investment capital into the broadcast industry, thereby promoting a more competitive, diverse and innovative industry." The NAB notes that the FCC already permits greater foreign investment in common carriers and that regulatory "parity" supports the request. The filing also notes that the need for capital to grow to expand broadcasting services requires the ability to obtain funding from sources outside the U.S., which the NAB says, will also help to promote greater ownership diversity.
SoundExchange Announces Largest Q1 Payment Ever 
SoundExchange announces a first-quarter 2013 distribution of $117.5 million in royalty payments -- the "largest first quarter payment to recording artists and record labels to date with a nearly 10% increase from the first quarter 2012 distribution." SoundExchange, which now works with more than 2,000 digital music services that rely on it to administer the statutory license for the use of sound recordings, says it distributed a record-setting $462 million to recording artists and labels for all of 2012. "Our first quarter numbers show that this digital radio revenue stream is continuing to grow. We are pleased to see 2013 off to an incredible start for the creators of music," says SoundExchange President Michael Huppe. "We are committed to making sure recording artists and record labels receive the compensation they rightfully deserve, and we are proud to help facilitate this growth that helps move the music and creative community forward." Since its inception, SoundExchange has paid more than $1.5 billion in royalties. "Our first quarter numbers show that this digital radio revenue stream is continuing to grow. We are pleased to see 2013 off to an incredible start for the creators of music," says SoundExchange President Michael Huppe. "We are committed to making sure recording artists and record labels receive the compensation they rightfully deserve, and we are proud to help facilitate this growth that helps move the music and creative community forward." 'She' Is Gone as Miami's WSHE-FM Becomes 'Variety 103.5' 
Less than a year after "She" returned to Miami radio, Clear Channel's Adult Variety Hits WSHE-FM, licensed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, becomes the more generic "Variety 103.5" meaning, we guess, that the station now is inviting men to listen. "She" was specifically targeted at female demographics, and was launched last year with promotional materials emphasizing that the station was not just another Adult Variety Hits station, and that "She" was the counterpoint to male-named stations airing the AVH format (like "Jack" or "Bob").
SiriusXM Launches MySXM Personalized Internet Service 
SiriusXM launches MySXM, an interactive Internet radio service which some are calling the satcaster's answer to Pandora.
MySXM is a customization app for SiriusXM’s Internet radio platform that is said to give SiriusXM Internet Radio listeners the ability to personalize existing SiriusXM commercial-free music and comedy channels to create what they call "a more tailored listening experience" or a more "Pandora-like" feel. On SiriusXM channels with the MySXM feature, listeners can now adjust each channel's controls for a custom fit listening experience, including the ability to hear thousands of songs performed exclusively for SiriusXM. Channel-specific sliders allow users to create over 100 variations of each of more than 50 SiriusXM channels by adjusting characteristics like library depth, familiarity, music style, tempo, region, and multiple other channel-specific attributes.
Radio Disney Music Awards Announces Presenters 
"Entertainment's brightest young stars among kids and tweens are scheduled to present at the Radio Disney Music Awards (RDMAs), a celebration of music's most popular young artists on Saturday, April 27 at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE," says Radio Disney's announcement. "Selena Gomez, Bridgit Mendler ("Good Luck Charlie"), Denise Richards ("Twisted"), R&B artist Jason Derulo, Jessica Sanchez ("American Idol"), NASCAR Daytona 500 Champion Trevor Bayne, Zendaya (“Shake It Up," "Dancing with the Stars") and Bella Thorne ("Shake It Up") are among the presenters, and Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato and Ryan Seacrest will make special appearances." We're also told, "Other presenters include YouTube sensation Austin Mahone, Debby Ryan ("Jessie"), Republic Records recording artist Ariana Grande, Tatyana Ali ("Second Generation Wayans"), Laura Marano ("Austin & Ally"), Ross Lynch ("Austin & Ally," "Teen Beach Movie"), Maia Mitchell ("Teen Beach Movie," "The Fosters"), China Anne McClain ("A.N.T. Farm"), Olivia Holt ("Kickin It"), Jeff Corwin ("Litton's Weekend Adventures"), Fifth Harmony ("The X Factor") and XIX Entertainment's IM5." Radio Disney says that Selena Gomez, Cher Lloyd, Bridgit Mendler, Cody Simpson, Mindless Behavior, Austin Mahone and Coco Jones are scheduled to perform at the event. Nominees include One Direction, Taylor Swift and The Wanted. Further information on the Radio Disney Music Awards is available at www.RadioDisney.com; tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com. "Radio Disney is the #1, 24-hour radio network devoted to kids, tweens and families. Kids help pick the music that is played and are encouraged to interact via a toll-free phone line to the Radio Disney studio. The network’s current playlist, driven by listener requests and representing major record labels, includes recording artists Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, One Direction, Katy Perry, Cody Simpson, Carly Rae Jepsen and Cher Lloyd. The network is available on 31 owned terrestrial radio stations and is also available via RadioDisney.com, Sirius XM satellite radio on channel 79, iTunes Radio Tuner, mobile phones, the Radio Disney iPhone and Android Apps, and the Radio Disney Facebook page." Buster Satterfield Named Philadelphia 'Wired' Music Director 
Rhythmic CHR "Wired 96.5" WRDW-FM, Philadelphia, afternoon host Buster Satterfield is appointed Music Director for the Beasley station. Program Director Dan Hunt, who said he wanted Satterfield to handle the MD position, made the announcement. Hunt tells us, "Since he joined my all-star team here at WRDW he has shown himself to be a valuable asset on and off the air. I look forward to working with him daily in his new role." And Satterfield says, "This is awesome and I vow to keep Philly sounding dope! Shout-out to Dan 'Hollywood' Hunt and [Beasley Philadelphia VP/GM] Natalie Conner for allowing me this opportunity. Now, bring it on record labels!" Satterfield originally joined "Wired" as night host in July of last year, and moved up to afternoons at the start of this year. Satterfield joined WRDW-FM from CBS Radio CHR-Top40 "92.3 Now" in New York where he was Assistant PD and night host. Dial Global Closes On Recapitalization 
Dial Global says that the company, its lenders and certain of its stockholders have closed on the previously announced recapitalization of Dial Global's existing credit facilities, other obligations and equity interests. As part of the recapitalization, Dial Global entered into an amended and restated credit agreement, with GE Capital as administrative agent and collateral agent. The recapitalization means that, after a $15 million paydown, Dial Global is left with a term loan of $136 million and revolving credit commitments of approximately $23 million, $18 million of which is drawn, and a maturity date under the First Lien Credit Agreement of October 21, 2016. Dial Global also entered into a Priority Second Lien Credit Agreement with Cortland Capital Market Services as administrative agent and collateral agent, Blackrock Kelso Capital Corporation, as syndication agent and as the lender party, for an additional $31.5 million term loan facility, with a maturity date of July 21, 2017. Dial Global issued Blackrock penny warrants to purchase 7.5% of the company's common stock. Under the Second Lien Agreement, lenders restructured the existing $93 million in second lien obligations with a $30 million term loan with a maturity date of April 16, 2018, and exchanging approximately $63 million in remaining obligations under the prior Second Lien Credit Agreement for a new Series A preferred stock. Dial Global issued the 2L lenders penny warrants to purchase 12% of the company's common stock and 12% of the outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock, Series C preferred stock and Series D preferred stock. The arrangement gives the preferred stock and warrant holders the right to elect three directors to Dial Global’s new eight-person Board of Directors. Media Management Group Expands Into Radio Syndication 
Media Management Group announces its latest expansion, with the addition of a new MMG Radio Network division. The network's inaugural show, Warren Eckstein's "The Pet Show," launched on Saturday, April 6, on more than 100 stations. Warren's "Pet Tip" can be airs daily on more than 200 affiliates. The move marks the 20-year-old firm's entry into program production and distribution, with a focus on lifestyle and advice programming. "From its earliest foray into broadcasting more than 20 years ago, MMG has always believed in the power of lifestyle programming to draw a large audience and generate revenue," says MMG CEO Jeff Schwartz. "The company has worked successfully with some of the biggest shows in various niches to build their brands, increase cross-platform distribution, and bring in dollars." Oversight of the MMG Radio Network will be led by Alan Eisenson, MMG's EVP of Business Development. Eisenson has a 23-year background in programming News Talk stations in New York, Denver, Las Vegas and, most recently, Clear Channel's News Talk properties in Sacramento and San Francisco. "As the industry environment continues to evolve, the opportunity presented itself to acquire some of the format's top talent in various niches. We're thrilled to have seized that opportunity," says Eisenson. "We're honored to be working with an accomplished pro like Warren Eckstein, and excited by the array of top caliber talent to come as we expand the network." We're told that the MMG Radio Network will eventually include twelve hours of programming produced weekly and tailored for stations' weekend line-ups. The programs will also include a broad roster of digital elements, making them customizable for listeners to consume exactly when and how they wish. Envision Launches EDF for Online Streams 
Envision Radio Networks launches Envision Digital Features -- a new service that provides original content for radio stations to use in their online streams. Available on a barter basis, the service provides a solution for stations that need short-form content to fill stop sets or cover breaks on their digital streams. Stations can use these features to cover holes in their stream rather than using PSAs and/or generic promos. Envision says its new EDF service gives online streams, what it calls, "a more listener-friendly approach by providing updated content to keep online streams sounding fresh." Each week, we're told, affiliated stations receive access to a full week of web-only content from 12 different features. President and CEO Danno Wolkoff tells us, "With access to all of these features for online use, radio stations can now create a stream that is programmed and produced as well as their terrestrial broadcast. There is no need to commit to any one vignette with EDF and stations can add or remove features on a daily or weekly basis." The available features include "American Biker Minute" - "AppCheck" - "Bigg Success in a Minute" - "Cheap Psych Tricks with Dr. Buff" - "Paul Shaffer's Day in Rock" - "Six Second Reviews" - "The Final Verdict" - "Think Green" - "Where Are They Now with Ahmad Rashad" - and, "Your Hollywood 60." Don Imus Sells Connecticut House for $14.4 Million 
Don Imus has finally sold his Westport, Connecticut, mansion for $14.4 million. The sale was made to British Virgin Islands company Flying Dutchman Investeringen. Imus originally tried to sell the house -- which he said he no longer used -- for $30 million in 2005. He later reduced the asking price to $25 million, and then $20 million. The syndicated morning radio host bought the house in 1997 for $4.6 million. Although the actual sale price is less than half the initial asking price, it is still among the highest ever paid for a home in Westport. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage handled the sale of the waterfront estate. Built in 2000, the white clapboard Georgian Revival residence has more than 10,000 square feet and six bedrooms. The four-acre property has 215 feet of private beach along Long Island Sound, a carriage house with a garage that can accommodate up to six cars, and a two-bedroom guest house. Imus said he no longer uses the house, spending most of his time either in New York City, where he has an apartment, or at his Imus Ranch for kids in New Mexico. He currently hosts his morning radio show, which is simulcast on cable TV's Fox Business News, from the FBN studios in New York, from which it is aired on Cumulus Talk WABC-AM, New York, and distributed to affiliates by Cumulus Media Networks.
Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio
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From Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Tuesday's Radio & Media News - April 16, 2013
The station brought back the legendary WSHE calls in May 2012 when it flipped from Spanish AC "Super X" WMIB-FM -- promising "103.5 She Plays Everything." If the wider-based approach to "Variety" doesn't work, the station could try returning one of its previous formats before "Super X" -- Urban or Rock. No official word yet on whether 103.5 FM in the Miami market will keep the WSHE call letters, or what calls might be adopted with the change of identity and modification of the music mix aired. The original WSHE's slogan was "She's only Rock n Roll." Following its purchase by Paxson Communications in 1996, a format change was made from AOR to an Alternative/Hot AC hybrid format, and the call was changed to WPLL, as "Planet Radio." Another format change by the station's next owner, Clear Channel, to Disco hits of the 70s, resulted in another call letter change to WMGE, "Mega 103.5" -- now used on 94.9, the former WZTA -- in 1999. Three years later, yet another format change led to the birth of WMIB, on December 31, 2002. For four years WMIB was an Urban station. The new "Variety 103.5" 
SiriusXM says it will add more channels to its MySXM channel line-up over time. "MySXM is a personalization feature built to enhance our already well-loved curated commercial-free music and comedy channels and make an already amazing listening experience even more personal," says SiriusXM President/Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein. "Our experts set the stage giving you the tools to make the channel your own. You decide how involved you want to get and where you want to take your channel." MySXM, we're told, "combines SiriusXM's programming and curation expertise with powerful algorithms to create a personalized listening experience for SiriusXM Internet Radio listeners." The service is now available at no extra charge to SiriusXM Internet Radio subscribers for unlimited hours of listening on the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for iPhone, iPod touch, and Android-powered smartphones and other connected devices and at siriusxm.com.
Classic Hits WBBI-FM, Binghampton, NY, flips to "New Country B107.5" -- returning to a Country format. The station aired Country from 1998 until 2003 ... CHR-Top40 "103.3 Kiss FM" KSAS-FM, Boise, Program Director and morning host Steve "Keke Luv" Kicklighter will again broadcast live for 175 hours. It's his sixth annual "Live For 175" marathon to raise funds to battle child abuse. This year, though, he's asking listeners to help him achieve his goal by pedaling stationary bicycles that are connected to a generator that will provide electricity to his studio booth. This will be the first time in American broadcast history that a weeklong radio show will be entirely powered by the people. More information is found at 
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