Thursday's Radio & Media News - July 11, 2013

If 'Video Killed the Radio Star' Will Apple's iTunes Radio Kill Pandora? Will Apple's iTunes Radio kill Pandora? So far, Pandora says it's not worried about the forthcoming Apple streaming music service. But we remember when MySpace was on top of social networking and said it wasn't worried about Facebook. (And many other similar examples in various forms of mass media over the years.) This week's news about Apple's vision for control of the "connected car" has to be bad news for Pandora. If Apple's new patent for "a dashboard touch screen panel that would allow users to mange their car's temperature, wipers, and other functions" doesn't have Pandora worried, maybe it should? If Apple invades the auto dashboard in that manner, will it offer Pandora or Apple's iTunes Radio? (That's a rhetorical question.) Yes, Pandora can compete with iTunes Radio. But Pandora Media isn't big enough (or rich enough) to compete with Apple for the control of the "connected car" that Apple envisions. Already (on Wall Street) Pandora has taken a punch from Apple -- even before iTunes Radio is officially launched. Pandora's stock price dropped 8.5 percent Wednesday after an analyst who is beta testing the iTunes Radio service released a report praising it -- and advising investors to sell their Pandora shares. That's BTIG analyst Richard Greenfield, who said that Apple is making an "increasingly aggressive push" into the in-vehicle market, with iTunes Radio and the growth of its Siri voice control software. "Apple is leveraging its expertise in marrying hardware and software design to strengthen their ecosystem as they try to take a more active role in the ‘connected car,’" Greenfield wrote. The Los Angeles Times was publicizing that report -- even as CNet was being quoted everywhere (including here) for "Apple Envisions Touch Screen to Control Key Car Features." Greenfield has been testing a developer version of iTunes Radio. He's even posted a video of the iOS7 Beta 3 demo on YouTube -- which is being embedded on many other sites (including here, below). Greenfield has praise for the interconnectivity of the iTunes Radio and iTunes Store features. "This is what the labels really like, that they've made it really easy to buy the music -- one click to buy." Greenfield also praises Siri's abilities to control iTunes Radio via the user's voice commands. "Imagine if you were driving, just how easy this would be. Siri's really come a long way," says Greenfield. And that's bad news for Pandora. The analyst notes that it can be used to control Pandora -- BUT... "If you were in Pandora and used Siri with the command ‘play Jazz Radio’ it would literally stop Pandora, open up iTunes Radio and start playing the iTunes Radio Jazz station." Official: Blair Garner Leaving 'After MidNite' Just about everyone has been expecting this announcement; we just didn't know when it would come. It's here. Blair Garner will leave Premiere-syndicated "After MidNite" at the end of this month. Of course, Garner has joined Cumulus Media as the morning host at "94.7 Nash FM" WNSH-FM, New York, and "America's Morning Show" is expected to eventually be syndicated by Cumulus Media Networks. Garner leaves "After MidNite" July 31, after 20 years with the show. Premiere Networks says, "After MidNite will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the highly-acclaimed Country music program with a star-studded takeover. As the show’s creator and long-time host Blair Garner steps down from his post on July 31, twenty of Country music’s biggest stars will sit behind the mic and give fans their unique, week-long take as host of the program. The takeover, which runs from August 1 through the end of 2013, will also feature special performances, interviews and much more." The array of celebrity guest hosts will kick off with Carrie Underwood, August 1 and 2, followed by a full week with Jason Aldean, starting August 5. "Premiere Networks has had a successful relationship with Blair Garner for many years and we wish him all the best with his new program," says Premiere Networks EVP of Music Programming Jennifer Leimgruber. "We look forward to announcing a new host for After MidNite in the near future. In the meantime, we're excited to welcome the biggest stars in Country music as they put their stamp on After MidNite and help us celebrate this special milestone." House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on FCC Reform Bills The House Communications Subcommittee held a Thursday hearing on FCC reforms -- "Improving FCC Process." Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (D-OR)[pictured] and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) are reintroducing two bills: H.R. 3309 (the Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act) and H.R. 3310 (the Federal Communications Commission Consolidater Reporting Act). Essentially identical versions of both bills failed to pass the House last year. "These bills aim to minimize the potential for procedural failings and abuse, and to improve agency transparency, efficiency, and accountability. The hearing will focus on discussion drafts of the two bills in anticipation of reintroduction," the committee majority wrote in a memo. Former FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell was scheduled to be among those testifying at the hearing. The bills include provisions requiring the Commission to adhere to "shot clock" deadlines for action and support all actions with notices of proposed rulemaking and comment periods or provide a reason why not. The bill would also put agenda-setting in the hands of a bipartisan Commission majority rather than in the Chairman's sole discretion, and would allow more than two commissioners to meet in private without violating sunshine laws. NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith, in a statement on the hearing, says, "NAB continues to support efforts by Chairmen Upton and Walden to take a fresh look at FCC processes to ensure that Commission procedures don't impede the ability to serve the public interest. The agency has a critically important mission, and it is imperative that it execute that mission expeditiously, fairly and in a data-driven manner. We look forward to working with the Committee and the Commission to ensure that the FCC functions at the highest level for the American people." UPDATE: Republicans on the panel cited scandals at the IRS, NSA, and other agencies as reasons to make the FCC more transparent, while Democrats dismissed the FCC reform bills as undermining the Commission's ability to regulate mergers and public interest issues. Only two Democrats were at the hearing. One of those was ranking member Anna Eshoo (D-CA), who called the bills a "backdoor way of gutting the FCC's authority." The measures are expected to pass the Republican-controlled House, but are unlikely to clear the Democrat-controlled Senate, the same fate of previous FCC reform bill efforts. Tyler Media Oklahoma City to Launch New Sports Talker Tyler Media Oklahoma City says it will launch the market's sixth Sports Talk station next month. The new station will replace Classic Rock KRXO-FM on 107.7 FM, a 100,000 watt full market signal, with the Classic Rock format moving to a new 250 watt FM translator (K283BW) on 104.5 FM. KRXO's lineup, including syndicated Bob and Tom in mornings along with Cara Rice, Buddy Wiley, Kelso, Unkle Dave and Rick Caldwell, are expected to make the move to 104.5 FM. The new Sports Talk station will air local talent for 15 hours a day, from 6am-9pm. The station will air the NBC Sports Radio network and play-by-play of Oklahoma University sports the rest of the time. Plans also call for the airing of NFL broadcasts on Sunday, Monday and Thursday nights. Although not officially announced, reports from the market say crosstown "Sports Animal" WWLS-FM morning co-host Mike Steely will join the new Tyler Media Sports Talk station. There are also reports that other "Sports Animal" personalities may join Tyler Media's new station. Names being mentioned include midday host Mark Rodgers and afternoon host Jim Traber. KRXO-FM is already a co-flagship of Oklahoma University sports along with sister News Talk KOKC-AM. Who Wants the Yankees? Clear Channel's New York WOR-AM? Maybe the question should be, "How much are the New York Yankees worth -- to radio?" Clear Channel is reportedly offering big bucks to obtain the rights to the Yankees -- more than is currently being paid by CBS Radio. The New York Post's Phil Mushnick says his sources tell him that Clear Channel has made a bid "in excess of the $14 million currently paid by CBS" for the rights to the Yankees. The popular theory is the radio broadcasts would go on Clear Channel's WOR-AM. "With Yankees and Mets radio rights set to expire in October, the smart money had long been on the market’s two sports stations -- WFAN and ESPN [WEPN-FM] -- to land one or the other of the highly coveted properties. But a new player has emerged, and it looks as if it's playing for keeps," writes Mushnick. "Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, which owns WOR Radio, has made a recent bid in excess of the $14 million currently paid by CBS for the rights to the Yankees’ broadcasts, sources told The Post." CBS Radio, which owns WFAN-AM-FM, as well as WCBS-AM, has owned the Yankees rights since 2002. "Now, with two spots on the radio dial that are dedicated to its sports station ... it seems unlikely CBS will let the rights go without a fight." Mushnick adds that if Clear Channel gets the Yankees, it would mean the Mets are alive with both WFAN, the franchise’s radio home since the station went on the air in 1987, and ESPN Radio's WEPN-FM . "The team, which receives between $6 million and $7 million a year under its current deal, could even find itself the object of a bidding war." Clear Channel declined to comment says Mushnick. Philly Sports Talker Darren Daulton Diagnosed with Brain Cancer "97.5 The Fanatic" WPEN-FM, Philadelphia, baseball talk host Darren Daulton has been diagnosed with brain cancer. The former Phillies catcher has been on hiatus from his nightly "Talking Baseball with Dutch" show on Greater Media's WPEN-FM for surgery to remove two brain tumors. Now, the bad news has come that "Dutch" has been diagnosed with a Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He has returned to his Clearwater Florida area home to continue recuperating with immediate family and friends, and to receive further treatment, although, sadly, the prognosis is not good. In an online post, Darren Daulton Foundation President Tony Perri says, "Darren and his family wish to thank everyone for their loving support throughout this difficult time. He is deeply touched. In typical fashion, he again said, ‘Right on; Fight on.’ Darren and his family request that everyone respect his privacy and that of his family during this period of time. At his urging, I can report that the September 9, 2013 golf tournament that benefits the Foundation will continue as planned. More details are forthcoming as Darren has requested that we keep his friends and fans periodically updated." Central New Jersey Radio's Jack Ellery Retires After 50 Years Greater Media tells us that legendary morning personality Jack Ellery has retired from "Talk Radio 1450" WCTC-AM, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Ellery has been with the station for most of the past 50 years, starting in 1963 as a disc jockey. He soon turned his daily morning show into a forum for discussion on the latest news in Central New Jersey and the Garden State, "providing insight, wit and humor, as one of the true pioneers of local talk radio." Ellery was also instrumental in helping WCTC-AM raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Central Jersey charitable organizations through on-air radiothons and various drives for local residents in dire need. Ellery capped off his career as one of Central New Jersey's iconic radio personalities with his inclusion in the New Jersey Broadcasters Association's inaugural class of Hall of Fame inductees last year. He also received the NJBA's Lifetime Achievement award at the same time. "Jack has served our community, our advertisers and our audience for multiple decades," says Station Manager Dan Henrickson. "We wish him all the best in the 'gone fishing' portion of his life." Ellery hosted his final WCTC-AM morning show this week. KOIT-FM/San Francisco Program Director Andy Holt Exiting As we reported first (in our "Behind the Microphone" section), Entercom AC 'Lite Rock' KOIT-FM, San Francisco, Program Director Andy Holt says he will be resigning in the upcoming weeks for personal reasons. Holt says he will be seeking a new opportunity closer to family. Although only at KOIT-FM for the past year and a half, Holt has been with Entercom for 13 years. We now have more from both Andy and the station. Holt tells us, "I'm so proud to have been a part of this team and one of America’s most legendary stations. KOIT is back where it belongs – #1 Adults 25-54 in the Bay Area. All of the elements are in place for continued success. My thanks to everyone at Entercom for 13 terrific years in San Francisco and New Orleans." Says Entercom San Francisco VP and Market Manager Dwight Walker, "We thank Andy for his outstanding work and wish him only the best as he moves on to what is assuredly more success in his career." Walker also tells us that KOIT-FM has launched an immediate search for a new PD, saying candidates should apply online at www.entercom.com, clicking on "Careers" in the top-of-page menu. 2013 RAIN Internet Radio Awards Submissions Being Accepted The 2013 RAIN Internet Radio Awards are open for submissions. The deadline is July 31. The awards recognize excellence in five categories -- best overall online radio service, best streaming broadcast station, best overall digital strategy, best single-stream webcaster, and international excellence in online audio. The 2013 RAIN Internet Radio Awards will be presented at this year's RAIN Summit Orlando, September 17 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort -- an Official Partner Event to The Radio Show produced by the NAB and RAB. RAIN Publisher Kurt Hanson tells us RAIN Summit Orlando will feature a keynote presentation from David Field, President and CEO of Entercom Communications. For more information on the 2013 RAIN Internet Radio Awards, click here. Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio Tribune Talk WGN-AM, Chicago, makes it official -- that veteran Chicago broadcaster and "Fox 32" TV news anchor Bob Sirott is joining Tribune's WGN-AM for a weekday show with his wife, Marianne Murciano. The husband-wife duo currently host the "Sunday Night Radio Special with Bob and Marianne" from 9-10pm. Sirott hosted "The Noon Show" on WGN-AM from 2007-10 and currently co-anchors the Fox Chicago News at 9pm weeknights with Robin Robinson. The new daily radio show's airing time will be announced soon, with the show starting in the next few weeks ... Journal Broadcast Group appoints Ron Harris as Operations Manager of its Boise Idaho cluster, starting July 22. Harris will oversee Classic Hits "K-Hits" KTHI-FM, Classic Rock KJOT-FM, Triple-A "The River" KRVB-FM and Active Rock "The X" KQXR-FM ... CHR-Top40 "98.7 Amp Radio" WDZH-FM, Detroit, names Dustin "HaZe" Monroe to host 7pm-12midnight, succeeding Mikey V who is named the station's fulltime Imaging Director. HaZe, from Wichita Kansas, has worked for stations in Wichita, Milwaukee and St. Louis ... JVC Media hires Murph Dawg to join EDM "Party 105" WPTY-FM, Long Island, as Assistant PD/Music Director and night host ... The syndicated "Free Beer and Hot Wings" morning show has extended with their flagship station, Rock WGRD-FM, Grand Rapids, through 2018.