Monday's Radio & Media News - August 26, 2013

Report: 'Cumulus Buying Dial Global?' There could be an announcement "as soon as today" that Cumulus Media is buying Dial Global, reports the "Tom Taylor Now" newsletter. Taylor writes, "There would be plenty of angles to a Cumulus-Dial Global combo – including the fact that Cumulus would be inheriting the programming supply/barter spot deal that DG has with CBS" that "runs through March 31, 2017." He adds, "Cumulus, meanwhile, would be looking at putting Dial Global together with its own legacy syndication operation, built on the former ABC Radio Networks and later Citadel." Taylor notes that Dial Global "has a major stake in syndicating everything from 24/7 music formats to NFL and NCAA football, and loads of talk radio, too." We've been hearing an ongoing rumor -- that we've summarily rejected as totally without basis -- that Cumulus might acquire CBS Radio. However Taylor's report -- if it proves correct -- could offer a more likely scenario and source for the rumors. As he notes, through DG Cumulus would acquire the syndication rights for syndicated CBS Radio programming. But is an announcement coming that Cumulus is actually buying Dial Global? There are other reports circulating that such a deal may be imminent, although all of them have come after the report in the "Tom Taylor Now" newsletter today. At least one of them also claims a date has been set for Dial Global to resume the Westwood One name. DG acquired Westwood One's syndication (which includes CBS syndication) and changed its name to Dial Global. You might remember that on July 12, we told you that Taylor then suggested DG could bring back the Westwood One name. He posed the question then, "Is new Dial Global CEO Paul Caine bringing back the Westwood One name?" -- adding, "Has he concluded, after three months of observing the radio business, that Westwood One has more cachet (supposedly his word) than Dial Global?" As we've reported multiple times over the past year, it's no secret that DG has been in financial trouble -- and since the first of those reports, the company has undergone multiple major changes in senior executive management. Exclusive Update: Although there's no official comment from either Cumulus or Dial Global, MHBC News late this afternoon was told by "an insider" who commented on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on the record, that a more likely scenario involves DG indeed reviving the Westwood One name, but only for CBS Radio syndicated content. That would then possibly involve a deal with Cumulus to purchase the Westwood One division. Our source notes that CBS may want to have Cumulus add that content to the CBS Sports Radio network which Cumulus already distributes. However, the source says there "is a possibility" of a bigger deal as suggested by Tom Taylor's report, although he doesn't "think that will happen." August 30, 2013: With the official announcement that Cumulus is indeed acquiring Dial Global, it was obvious that our prior update source was wrong. While we still won't name him, we trusted this source as reliable because he is "someone who has frequent access to Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey" whom Mark Harris has long known personally. We contacted him today (Aug. 30) to follow-up. "I'm sorry to admit this, but I deliberately deceived you at the request of higher-ups who wanted to keep the validity of Taylor's reports under wraps until an official announcement was made, while some details were still being finalized," he told us. "You will note that I did not specifically say the deal wouldn't happen, and even suggested it was possible. Technically, at that point, there were a few sticking points that if not successfully cleared up could have, at least theoretically, derailed much of what is now being reported." Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo Files Extortion Suit Against Former Employees Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo has filed a civil extortion lawsuit against six former Univision employees and their Los Angeles attorneys for allegedly attempting to extort close to $5 million from him. Sotelo says they threatened to go public with false and misleading allegations of sexual harassment and workplace humiliation, if he didn't pay up. The lawsuit -- filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Santa Monica -- spells out Sotelo's allegations of how the defendants offered to remain silent if Sotelo paid them $4.9 million. The suit says their attorneys made the demand while acknowledging to Piolin's counsel that three of their clients were barred from making legitimate legal claims because the statute of limitations had expired. Sotelo's suit says the demands were made recently after another former employee made similar claims, and reports that "Piolin" had a deal with SiriusXM to launch a new Spanish-language channel. Sotelo's attorney Jeffrey Spitz calls the extortion scheme "one of the more brazen, shameless and despicable examples of a shake down that I have ever seen. It was clear from the outset that the Defendants' demands crossed the line into potential criminality." The Spanish radio personality names six former friends and colleagues from the Univision "Piolin Por La Manana" morning show as defendants, as well as their attorneys. The former co-workers named in the suit are: Domingo Rodrigo Ochoa; Tomas Alejandro Fernandez; Samuel "Cusuco" Heredia; Sergio "Checo" Vera; Gerardo "Chiquirruco" Palencia, and Bertha "Betushca" Velasco. NY Post: ESPN Holds Key to Nielsen-Arbitron Deal The fate of Nielsen’s proposed $1.26 billion purchase of Arbitron likely lies with ESPN, reports the New York Post. ESPN licenses software from Arbitron for a new project that enables it to tell how often viewers are watching the network over television, radio, PCs, smartphones and tablets. The license expires soon, and the ability of ESPN to squeeze a promise from Nielsen that it will be able to continue to license the software is likely integral to the merger getting federal approval, sources tell The Post. ESPN SVP Artie Bulgrin has reportedly been speaking to the FTC about the licensed software -- "Project Blueprint" -- according to a "source close to the matter." That source, says the report, tells them, “There is nothing settled.” We're told that the FTC is scheduled to make a decision this week on whether to sue to block the tie-up. The Post report notes that Nielsen uses "old-school technology" for TV ratings, while Arbitron's PPM is new tech. "Regulators are concerned that if Nielsen controls the old and new technologies it will be impossible for competitors to emerge," says the report, citing sources. "One of Nielsen’s largest customers is ESPN parent Disney, and if Disney objects to the merger it will be difficult to get FTC approval, sources said. But "Nielsen, to get the merger cleared, may agree to license Arbitron’s [PPM] technology to any competitor." According to the newspaper, ESPN declined to comment, while Nielsen didn't return calls. Michael La Crosse Named L.A. KOST-FM/KHHT-FM Program Director Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Los Angeles announces that Michael La Crosse is named Program Director for Mainstream AC KOST-FM and Rhythmic AC "Hot 92.3" KHHT-FM, effective September 23. La Crosse will oversee all programming for the two stations. He's coming from Operations Manager at CCME Spokane. Says CCME Los Angeles VP of Programming Andrew Jeffries, "After an extensive nationwide search, we’re excited that we found our new Los Angeles Program Director from within the great talent at our own company. Given Michael’s extensive music knowledge, management experience and ability to focus on the listener, he will propel both brands to new levels of success. Michael will be a great leader for KOST and Hot 92.3, and a welcome addition to our world class Los Angeles cluster programming team." La Crosse started his career in 2001 as a Promotions Director at Smooth Jazz WNUA-FM, Chicago. In 2003 he transitioned to the Programming Department as Music Director. Over the next several years, La Crosse was Operations Manager for Chicago’s oldies station and most recently for CCME Spokane. He tells us, "I’m humbled to join the amazing teams at KOST 103.5 and Hot 92.3 -- these stations are among the very best in their respective formats and it is an honor to be a part of them. A huge thank you to Andrew Jeffries, Clay Hunnicutt and Greg Ashlock for the opportunity to join Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Los Angeles." Troy Hanson Named Cumulus Corporate Rock Program Director Hanson Also Named Atlanta 'Rock 100.5' Program Director Troy Hanson joins Cumulus Media as Corporate Program Director of Rock for the company, as well as PD of "Rock 100.5" WNNX-FM, Atlanta. Hanson most recently was Operations Manager at Cromwell Broadcasting Nashville. Afternoon host Axel Lowe remains Assistant PD and Music Director at WNNX-FM. Says Hanson, "I am both elated and humbled by the tremendous opportunity that John Dickey has placed in front of me. The Cumulus portfolio of Rock brands is beyond impressive. The sheer amount of platform reach and partnership opportunities with artists, coupled with larger scale positive listener experiences is just too good to pass up. I am really excited to make the move to Atlanta and take on the day to day programming of Rock 100.5, working with Rob Roberts, Axel and The Regular Guys. I am also excited to work side-by-side with SVPs of Programming Mike McVay and Jan Jeffries and the other Rock Format Captains Val Garris, Aaron Roberts and the great Cumulus Rock brands throughout the country." MLB Advanced Media Acquires Worldwide Distribution   Rights for Global Citizen Festival 2013 MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, announces that it has reached an agreement with The Global Poverty Project, under which MLBAM has acquired the worldwide multi-platform distribution and sponsorship sales rights for the Global Citizen Festival, to be held on the Great Lawn of New York City's Central Park on Saturday, September 28. MLBAM -- "New York's largest born and bred high tech company" -- will "provide its industry-leading video infrastructure to domestic and international distribution partners across television, internet and mobile, providing high definition live and on-demand video of the show. This cross-platform accessibility will support the world-renowned artists participating – Stevie Wonder, Kings of Leon, Alicia Keys and John Mayer – as they unite their fans with the important message of taking action to end extreme poverty." The inaugural Global Citizen Festival was held last September and, in addition to the 60,000 people in attendance at Central Park, became the largest syndicated charity music event as more than 15 million people watched it live. Free tickets to the 2013 Festival can be earned at www.globalfestival.com, where fans can take online "action" to earn their admission. By watching videos, signing petitions, sending emails to world leaders, etc., participants become active and learn about the four main themes behind this year's Festival: education, women's equality, global health, and global partnerships, which are key to helping to end extreme poverty. "It is a privilege to provide our technology services to this critical initiative in the fight against global poverty by ensuring a worldwide audience connects with the message and memorable performances of these musicians," says MLBAM EVP of Revenue Noah Garden. Official: 'Power 105.1' NYC 'Breakfast Club' Begins Syndication Premiere Networks makes the official announcement that "Power 105.1" WWPR-FM/New York City morning show "The Breakfast Club" moves into daily syndication. Friday (Aug. 23), we reported, "As Clear Channel Rhythmic CHR 'Hot 98.3' KOHT-FM, Tucson, begins airing 'The Breakfast Club' from Urban 'Power 105.1' WWPR-FM, New York, for mornings next week, the show unofficially launches into syndication by Clear Channel. The show is also adding affiliates in Milwaukee, Norfolk and Birmingham." Now Premiere Networks EVP of Music Programming Jennifer Leimgruber tells us, "DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagne Tha God have one of the most entertaining and compelling morning shows in urban radio. They’re incredible talents with unmatched access to the hip hop community, and we couldn’t be happier to expand our relationship with them." Friday, we told you that the "piped-in simulcast in Tucson starts Monday (Aug. 26)" and, "In addition to KOHT-FM, 'The Breakfast Club' is also being added at 'V100' WKKV-FM, Milwaukee, replacing Steve Harvey in mornings, and on '103 Jamz' WOWI-FM, Norfolk, Virginia. The show will also be added at Birmingham's '104.1 The Beat' on FM translator W281AB. Clear Channel’s Premiere Networks began syndicating a weekend countdown show with the three hosts earlier this year. And, of course, the morning show is already available nationwide via Clear Channel's iHeartRadio." We also noted that Charlamagne may also host a late night show on MTV. A test run for the show was seen earlier last week. NAB Promotes Ann Marie Cumming Ann Marie Cumming has been promoted to SVP of Communications at the NAB, continuing to report to EVP of Communications Dennis Wharton. Cumming, we're told, is given additional responsibilities added to her role overseeing the NAB's communication with reporters. She will also continue to run the NAB's newsrooms at both the Radio Show and the NAB Show in Las Vegas where over 1,700 reporters from all over the country converge. Says Wharton, "I'm really happy for Ann Marie, who is just an outstanding person and a great co-worker." Cumming joined the NAB Government Relations staff in 1994 and later moved to the Communications department where she was eventually promoted to Director of Media Relations. The NAB also has promoted Shermaze Ingram to SVP of Marketing and Creative Services. She continues to report to EVP of Marketing Michelle Lehman. Ingram handles much of the marketing for the Radio Show. Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio Oldies return to Atlanta, as Cumulus flips FM translator W255CJ to "Oldies 98.9" airing the syndicated True Oldies Channel format. It has been "98.9 The Walk" with a Christian and Country hybrid format ... Saga Commucations Jonesboro Arkansas appoints Christie Matthews Operations Manager. Matthews will also continue as Brand Manager for Country "104.9 The Fox" KDXY-FM, in addition to having oversight of Classic Hits "100.5 The Eagle" KEGI-FM, AC "Mix 106.3" KJBX-FM, Rhythmic CHR KDXY-FM HD2 and Oldies KDXY-FM HD3 ... Brandon Green is named Assistant PD at new Alternative "96X" KNOB-FM, Santa Rosa, California. Green previously was the station's PD prior to the flip from Adult Variety Hits "Bob" to Alternative ...Ken Matthews joins "Talk Radio 580" WHP-AM, Harrisburg, for afternoons, starting September 3 ... After 20 years at AC WRCH-FM, Hartford, Allison Demers, one-third of the "Allan, Mike and Allison" morning show (with Allan Camp and Mike Stacy), is retiring. She says that after 20 years in the radio biz -- and with her eldest child beginning her senior year in high school -- she wants time to do "mommy things."