Friday's Radio & Media News - September 6, 2013

Nielsen Reportedly Negotiating Concessions for Arbitron Acquisition Nielsen is negotiating concessions with the FTC that would permit its $1.26 billion acquisition of Arbitron, reports Bloomberg, citing "two people with knowledge of the talks." The discussion reportedly "centers on a requirement for the combined company to license measurement technology to ComScore ... in addition to researchers, television networks and other parties, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the conversations weren't public." Bloomberg says a consent order could become public within the month after Nielsen said August 30 it agreed to extend the review period into September, without setting a specific date. The talks are a reportedly a positive sign for Nielsen, which is dealing with objections from competitors including ComScore and TV networks such as ESPN. "Regarding the regulatory process in the Arbitron acquisition, Nielsen has nothing new to report," the company says in an email to Bloomberg. "The regulatory process is ongoing and we continue to be confident in the outcome." Spokespersons for the FTC, Arbitron and ESPN declined to comment on the talks.Reportedly the proposal would allow ComScore to continue to have access to technology from Arbitron that it uses to measure audiences for ESPN across radio, television, PCs, smartphones and tablets, one of Bloomberg's sources says. Nielsen, which announced its acquisition of Arbitron in December, is seeking to offer advertisers a unified system of measuring audiences across multiple forms of media, making it easier for them to make ad-buying decisions whether on TV, radio or the Internet. SiriusXM Faces Another Lawsuit from Turtles Flo and Eddie Sixties recording artists Flo and Eddie of the Turtles pop group are now suing SiriusXM in Florida federal court for unpaid royalties on pre-1972 recordings. This is not the first lawsuit filed by former Turtles Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman who do business as Flo and Eddie Inc. On August 5 we reported, "Some 46 years after their 1967 hit 'Happy Together' topped the charts, the Turtles are suing SiriusXM for playing the group's songs without permission." That suit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of the group's founding members [Flo and Eddie], but was subsequently moved to federal court. As we reported then, the suit "spotlights one of copyright law’s oddities: federal law protects only recordings made since 1972. Recordings made before 1972 are protected under state law, to varying degrees, in a handful of states, according to Henry Gradstein, the Turtles’ lead attorney." The new suit in Florida also involves the claim that Flo and Eddie are owed money by SiriusXM for royalties on pre-1972 recordings. This one goes directly to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The new suit is also seeking class action status and damages not only for the Turtles members but also "on behalf of all other similarly situated owners of sound recordings of musical performances that initially were 'fixed' [recorded] prior to February 15, 1972." The suit claims that because of the digital nature of some aspects of SiriusXM's business, the defendant has copied the plaintiffs' works unlawfully and is distributing them to subscribers. While this legal action initially seeks $100 million in damages, that amount could be tripled to $300 million if it becomes a class action lawsuit. Since early August, a second similar suit was filed in New York State, making this new one the third from Flo and Eddie against the satcaster. A separate suit against SiriusXM on the same "pre-1972" issue has also been filed by SoundExchange, as we've also previously reported. Michael O'Neill Named New BMI CEO BMI names Michael O'Neill as its new CEO, effective September 16. O'Neill will also assume the title of President when current President/CEO Del Bryant retires in June 2014 after 42 years with BMI. When Bryant leaves, O'Neill will also become a member of the Board. Bryant's successor has served BMI for nearly 20 years, most recently as SVP of Repertoire and Licensing, overseeing all aspects of BMI's writer, composer and publisher relations, domestic licensing and revenue generation including radio, television, cable, satellite and the General Licensing division, and managed royalty distributions and administrative services groups. BMI Board of Directors Chair Susan Davenport Austin tells us, "Michael has a thorough understanding of the needs of our songwriters, our publishers and of our licensees who utilize the BMI repertoire. I have no doubt that he is the right person to take the helm at BMI as BMI enters its 75th year." Bryant adds, "Whether listening to a cut or cutting a deal, Mike brings an A+ game comprised of affability, experience, innovation, and the desire to do what's right for all our constituents. I have always believed in him so it was no surprise that a world-wide search confirmed his talents. I am so happy for him, his family, and for BMI. I look forward to working with him in this new capacity over the next year on behalf of the company I love." And says O'Neill, "I am honored that the BMI Board of Directors chose me to follow in the footsteps of two truly iconic CEOs who have led BMI for the past 28 years – Frances Preston and Del Bryant. I am also thrilled that I will have the ability to rely on Del’s counsel over the coming year as he is an exceptional executive, leader, role model and friend.” Oneida Indian Nation Launches Radio Ad Against 'Redskins' Name A Native American tribe in upstate New York says it is launching a radio ad campaign to press the Washington Redskins to drop the name that's considered offensive. The Oneida Indian Nation says the first ad will run on radio stations in Washington before the team hosts the Philadelphia Eagles in its season opener Monday night. In the ad, Oneida Nation Representative Ray Halbritter says NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should "stand up to bigotry" by denouncing "the racial slur" in the team's name. "We do not deserve to be called redskins," the Oneida leader says in the ad. "We deserve to be treated as what we are -- Americans." The radio ad says Goodell was correctly critical when an Eagles wide receiver was caught on video making a racial slur against African-Americans. Now they want him to do the same for their objections. Huffington Post says the ads launch as "the Washington Redskins this year face a fresh barrage of criticism over their nickname, with local leaders and pundits calling for a name change. In May, 10 members of Congress sent letters to Redskins owner Dan Snyder and Goodell urging the team to change the name. Snyder has vowed to never change the name." The Oneida say the first ad will run Sunday and Monday on several stations in Washington. Subsequent ads will run in Washington during home games and in the cities hosting the team when it is away. Jorge Sedano Joins ESPN Radio for 'Sedano and Stink' Miami radio personality Jorge Sedano has reached a multi-year agreement with ESPN and will join Mark Schlereth as co-host of the new "Sedano and Stink" evening radio Sports Talk show. The new show debuts Monday (Sept. 9) airing Monday-Thursday 7-10pm ET on ESPN Radio, espnradio.com and the ESPN Radio app. Sedano will also contribute to SportsCenter and other ESPN studio programming. Previously, Sedano was Program Director at "Sports Radio 560" WQAM-AM, Miami, where he also hosted an afternoon show. Sedano also was a studio host for Fox's Sun Sports telecasts of the Miami Heat in 2012-13. His radio career began in Miami in 1999. Schlereth, a three-time Super Bowl champion and former All-Pro offensive guard, joined ESPN in 2001 as an NFL analyst and has co-hosted evenings on ESPN Radio since January 2012. Says Sedano of the new show, "There are three elements to a successful talk show – be informative, entertaining and thought provoking. Those are the elements I expect from our new show. Between my energy, passion and analytical approach, coupled with Mark’s knowledge, insight and perspective, I feel like we have every aspect covered for the listener. It’s important to be interactive via social media during the show and truly connect with the listeners. Lastly, we’ll have fun too." Tulsa's KRMG-AM-FM to Air Weekly 'Martha Zoller Show' Cox Media Group's "News Talk Radio" KRMG-AM-FM, Tulsa, adds Georgia-based conservative talk show host Martha Zoller for Sunday nights at 6pm beginning this weekend. Zoller joined CMG on WXKT-FM, Gainesville, in November 2009, and returned to the air on WGAU-AM, Athens, Georgia, this past January on "Zoller and Bryant." Georgia News Network is slated to pick up syndication of her new "Martha Zoller Show'' this month. GNN had syndicated her original WXKT-FM show statewide in Georgia. Zoller launched a Georgia news blog - zpolitics.com - earlier this year. "It's a great opportunity to add such talent as Martha Zoller, the new voice in conservative talk, to do a live talk show on Sunday evenings and focus on the topics that matter to KRMG's listeners," says KRMG Program Director Levi May. "I'm very excited to be joining Newstalk KRMG on Sunday nights," says Zoller. "We'll look at the week's news and ahead to the big three things every week." In September 2011, Zoller announced her candidacy for Congress in Georgia's new 9th Congressional District and left the air on May 11, 2012, to campaign full time. She made it to the runoff in that race, but didn't win. According to her website, Zoller makes regular appearances on Fox 5 Atlanta's "The Georgia Gang" and frequent guest appearances on cable channels such as CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, and Zoller-penned opinion pieces have been published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Fox Sports Radio Ready to Kick (Foot)Balls As we arrive at the first full weekend of NFL games, Fox Sports Radio announces its fall weekend schedule. Beginning September 7, the programming will feature both college and professional football programming. Airing Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season, the schedule includes previews, analysis and interviews, hosted by analysts and former players. The actual weekend schedule as they've given it us (all times ET): Saturday 1-6am :00 am, Ben Maller; 6-9am, Seth Everett; 9am-1pm, Anthony Gargano and Lincoln Kennedy; 1-3pm, Bobby Bones; 3-7pm :00 pm, “Fox College Football Now with Steve Hartman and Chris Rix”; 7-10pm, Mike North; 10pm-1am, College Football Recap with TJ Rives. Sunday 1-6am, Ben Maller; 6-8am, “Speed Sport on Fox" with Rob D’Amico; 8-10am, “Fox Fantasy" with Mike North and Michael Harmon; 10am-12noon, “Fox Football Today" with Bill Reiter and Artrell Hawkins; 12noon-1pm, “NFL on Fox TV” (simulcast); 1-7pm, “The Blitz" with Ben Maller and Tomm Looney; 7-10pm, “Fox Overtime" with Andy Furman and Kirk Morrison; and, 10pm-1am, “Fox Football Tonight" with Mike North. Radio Offering 'Strong' Support for Sweet Tea Project Radio is offering strong airplay support as Ed Roland and the Sweet Tea Project celebrate the release of their debut full-length album - "Devils 'n Darlins" - this week. "The new project spearheaded by the Collective Soul front man is off to a great start with strong radio airplay of their first single 'Love Won't Bring Us Down' in Los Angeles (KCSN), San Francisco (KFOG), Boston (WXRV) and many more," proclaims a news release from 429 Records. We're also told that the band continues their tour in select U.S. cities in support of the album release on 429 Records. "For the past two decades, Atlanta native Ed Roland has been the front man and heart of the platinum-selling rock band Collective Soul. He has written seven #1 radio hits, and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. For Roland's Sweet Tea Project and the debut record, he teamed up with a group of friends and musicians for a new approach to his classic hit-making style. Devils 'n Darlins is full of autobiographical and heartfelt emotionally impactful tracks. The intense and fiery single 'Love Won't Bring Us Down' chronicles the joy of returning home from the challenges of life on the road to spend time with family." 429 Records is a unit of The Savoy Label Group (SLG). SLG is the North American based division of Nippon Columbia, the oldest music company in Japan. The Savoy Label Group, led by Steve Vining, is based in Los Angeles. Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio KZON-FM, Phoenix, is transitioning from Rhythmic CHR to Mainstream CHR/Top 40. They've changed the brand/logo from "101.5 Jamz" to "Live 101.5" and adjusting the music through the weekend, with a formal announcement expected Monday ... At the Saga Communications Columbus Ohio cluster, Hot AC WVMX-FM morning host Mark Dantzer exits. Meanwhile, WVMX-FM Assistant PD/Music Director Joe Kelly is given the same duties for clustermates AC "Sunny 95" WSNY-FM and Classic Rock "Rewind" WNND-FM on 103.5 and 104.3 ... KCLB-FM, Palm Springs, will drop Active Rock currents and become "Real Rock" ... Radio One Urban Inspirational "Praise 103.9" WPPZ-FM, Philadelphia, welcomes Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child for a guest hosting gig this weekend, taking Sunday night 7-11pm ... Cox Country "Y100" KCYY-FM, San Antonio, afternoon host Carey Edwards is promoted to Assistant PD/Music Director, one month after joining the station. Previously he was Director of Production at Seattle's AC "Warm 106.9" KRWM-FM. Katy Perry Releases Official Music Video for 'Roar' Two weeks ago, "Total Popular Music" first predicted that Katy Perry's "Roar" would be the next TPM Number One when Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" eventually exited the top position on our charts ranking the hits by TotalPlaysMonitored across the two main components of the TPM Mass Appeal Radio Format. While that change at the top of our weekly TPM Super Sixty and the Daily Dozen is still to come, "Roar" takes over the #1 position on Billboard's Hot 100, ending the reign of "Blurred Lines" there. That chart also includes sales (both physical and digital) and other criteria in addition to radio airplay. Meanwhile, Katy sent us a direct Vevo embed link for the debut of her new official music video for "Roar" and asked us to share the video with our readers. So, here it is!