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Official: FTC Approves Nielsen Acquisition of Arbitron 
This morning we reported that it could come today, and indeed it does -- as Nielsen Holdings tells us that it has reached an agreement with the FTC to obtain a green light for its proposed acquisition of Arbitron. The acquisition is now subject to customary closing conditions and expected to close September 30. Last December, Nielsen agreed to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Arbitron for $48 per share or a total of $1.3 billion purchase price, funded by cash on hand and minor debt financing. In a late Friday afternoon news release, Nielsen says that adding "Arbitron to Nielsen will enable broader measurement of what consumers are watching and listening to around the world and deeper measurement of multicultural audiences in the U.S. The combined company will expand advertising effectiveness for radio clients and be better able to solve for unmeasured areas of media consumption, such as streaming audio and out-of-home." Nielsen CEO David Calhoun tells us, "We are pleased to have the regulatory process behind us and are excited to be closing the Arbitron acquisition. We are looking forward to providing all of the benefits of the combined company to our new clients in the radio industry and their advertisers, driving incremental value for them as well as our shareholders."
Nielsen's $1.3 billion acquisition of Arbitron could be approved by the FTC as soon as today. Sources tell The Wall Street Journal that government approval could happen any day now, but "with conditions including one to ensure Arbitron continues a measurement initiative with Nielsen rival comScore Inc." WSJ says that Nielsen will add data for Mobile TV viewing, as it makes "some significant moves" after having "been slow to adapt to new technologies and expand its reach to other media services," according to its industry critics. "Next week Nielsen will announce plans to augment its TV ratings data with information on viewing on tablets and smartphones, meeting a major demand of media companies that say they aren't getting credit in the current system for viewing on mobile devices. The change won't take effect until next fall's TV season, however." Of course with the acquistion of Arbitron, Nielsen will have the radio ratings company's PPM (Portable People Meter) technology at its disposal, as one new technology for Nielsen. That, notes WSJ, is "technology to advance Nielsen's TV measurement capabilities outside homes." The Wall Street Journal also is reporting that Nielsen "plans to roll out a planned Twitter-related ratings service" on September 30, that "will measure the audience that sees tweets about TV shows to help gauge their popularity. Early findings showed that for every one tweet about a TV show, roughly 50 people see it, the company says."
Wells Fargo Analyst Marcy Ryvicker 'Really Likes' NextRadio App 
Wells Fargo analyst Marcy Ryvicker says she "really likes NextRadio" -- the smartphone app that puts FM radio on mobile devices. In her client letter today, Ryvicker writes, "Local advertising is trending 'a little bit better.' We just returned from a three-day stint of broadcast conferences and one-off regulatory meetings, where we got an update on local ad trends as well as what might (or what might not) be happening in D.C. Bottom Line: We came away incrementally positive on the broadcasters, as most of our contacts suggested that the local ad environment is trending a bit better than expected -- driven by auto, wireless and healthcare."
Las Vegas' Country KWNR-FM Now Full of 'Bull' 
Clear Channel Country KWNR-FM, Las Vegas, rebrands as "95.5 The Bull" and launches three weeks of commercial-free specialty programming, with 8,000 of today's top Country songs in a row. Artists include Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. Program Director Jojo Turnbeaugh remains in place and will continue to host afternoons 3-7pm, while Premiere-syndicated "The Bobby Bones Show" continues in mornings. "95.5 KWNR The Bull is today's hottest Country format showcasing emerging artists and music," says Regional Market Manager Glynn Alan. "It's exciting to take 95.5 KWNR into the fast lane with The Bull, which will definitely be a winning format for our listeners and partners." Regional Programming Manager Chris Pickett adds, "Finally we have a radio station that embodies the lifestyle and musical tastes of Southern Nevada." Earlier today we reported in our BTM section, "Clear Channel relaunches Country KWNR-FM, Las Vegas (located in Henderson, Nevada), as '95.5 The Bull' - 'Las Vegas's New Country' - in what observers say is part of an effort to boost the struggling station." [KWNR-FM, which is now hoping to Bull sit its way to improved ratings, is online here.] New Orleans TV News Anchor Angela Hill Joins WWL Radio 
WWL-AM-FM, New Orleans, tells us that "iconic news anchor and beloved personality Angela Hill will join the WWL Radio lineup effective Monday, September 30th." Hill will take over the 1-4pm slot. "It doesn't get any bigger than this," says Chris Claus, VP and General Manager of Entercom New Orleans. "Not only is Angela a household name, she's one of the most respected, popular and beloved personalities in New Orleans and the Gulf South." Hill, who retired from WWL-TV earlier this year, tells us, "I am sure people are asking, 'what happened to retirement?' I always said I was looking for the next chapter of my life. This is a natural fit, it's in the city I love and talking with the people I love. I'll have the opportunity to get to know my community better, and they’ll get to know me better.
Eight More Members of Congress Add LRFA Support 
Seven Members of the House of Representatives and one Senator have signed on as co-sponsors of the resolution that opposes "any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge" on local broadcast radio stations. Reporting the additional support, the NAB tellsd us, "The Local Radio Freedom Act is now currently co-sponsored by 166 Members of the House and 12 Senators." Says NAB EVP of Communications Dennis Wharton, "NAB is delighted by the growing bipartisan support for hometown radio stations on an issue of critical importance to the American economy. Going forward, we're hopeful that more members of Congress will sign this resolution in support of local radio." The members of the bipartisan group adding their support to the Local Radio Freedom Act are Reps. Steve Daines (MT-AL), Sean Duffy (WI-7), Tim Griffin (AR-2), Ann Kuster (NH-2), Mike McIntyre (NC-7), Martha Roby (AL-2) and Tim Walz (MN-1). Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) is the latest Senator to sign on as a co-sponsor of a companion resolution in the Senate. Reps. Michael Conaway (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX) introduced the Local Radio Freedom Act (H. Con. Res. 16) in the House of Representatives on February 15 along with 71 additional co-sponsors. An identical resolution (S. Con. Res. 6) was introduced in the Senate on March 6 by Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). "Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings," reads the Local Radio Freedom Act. The additional support comes after our Wednesday report that Congress is again being asked to consider performance royalty fees to be paid by over-the-air radio stations to go to artists and recorded music labels, by U.S. Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC). Russell Perry Wins AURN Sid Small Urban Knight Award 
American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) hosted their 11th Annual Urban Knight Awards at the 2013 NAB/RAB Radio Show in Orlando. Among the winners were Perry Publishing and Broadcasting Company Chairman and CEO of Russell Perry, who received the Sydney L. Small Lifetime Achievement Urban Bishop Award; Glory Communications President and CEO Alex Snipe, who was inducted into the Urban Knight Hall of Fame; KJLH-FM, Los Angeles, VP and General Manager Karen Slade who received the Urban Knight Award; and New York-based SupeRadio President and COO Jack Bryant, who received the Urban Knight Award. AURN, the only African American-owned radio network company in the U.S., is the largest network reaching Urban America with nearly 20 million listeners each week. NABEF Announces Radio Personality Project Winner Mamie Shepherd 
NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith recognized radio host and programmer Mamie Shepherd as the winner of the NAB Education Foundation's (NABEF) inaugural Radio Personality Project. The announcement was made at the NAB/RAB Radio Show in Orlando. The Radio Personality Project is an initiative of NABEF to identify a creative and talented individual who has yet to be discovered by the Radio industry. "Shepherd's entry stood out among a variety of high quality entries. A graduate of the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, she currently coordinates programming and serves as on-air talent at the Levine Children's Hospital's Seacrest Studios broadcast media center in Charlotte, NC." At the Radio Show, Shepherd conducted interviews with celebrities who were participating in the event, including Ann Compton, Carson Daly and Big Sean. She also co-hosted a shift at Orlando's CBS Radio's "102 Jamz" WJHM-FM, Daytona Beach, Florida. AllThingsD Founders, Wall Street Journal Are Divorcing 
Dow Jones confirms reports that the popular tech news site All Things Digital and The Wall Street Journal are divorcing. “For years, Dow Jones/The Wall Street Journal has enjoyed working with Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher to bring the best of tech coverage to readers around the world under the All Things Digital brand, however, after discussions, both parties have decided not to renew the agreement when the contract expires at the end of this year," says Gerard Baker, Editor in Chief of Dow Jones and Managing Editor of the Journal. The Journal, however, will retain the AllThingsD brand. Baker adds that the Journal intends to double down on tech coverage by expanding its conference business and bringing on about 20 new editorial staffers. "This new initiative will be an integral part of The Wall Street Journal and will be rooted in the Journal's reputation for excellent, fair, objective, reliable and stimulating journalism," says Baker. The split means Mossberg's long-running column at the Journal will also end, according to Baker. "I want to offer heartfelt thanks for more than twenty years of Personal Technology columns as well as his very fine reporting on national and international affairs in the years before he turned his attention to technology coverage." Swisher and Mossberg have reportedly talked with NBCUniversal about a potential investment. FCC to Hold Another LPFM Webinar in October 
The FCC will hold its second webinar to answer questions about Low Power FM, and the process to apply for a new LPFM license during the October 15-29 open-filing window. The webinar, says the Commission, is set for October 3, from 1-2:30pm ET. The session will be a Q&A for potential applicants to ask Media Bureau staff questions. The webinar will be streamed live over the Internet at www.fcc.gov/live. Presentations will be available both during and after the sessions at www.fcc.gov/event and will be archived. Participants can submit questions by email during the webinar to lpfm@fcc.gov or by Twitter using the hashtag #LPFMquestions. For additional information about the webinar, contact Parul Desai, Attorney/Advisor, Media Bureau, at (202) 418-8217, email: Parul.Desai@fcc.gov. KISW-FM/Seattle: Rock, Vodka, Firefighters Fund - Perfect Together? 
Entercom Rock KISW-FM, Seattle, unveils a vodka campaign to benefit the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Fund. KISW-FM says it is partnering with Mischief Distillery in Freemont, Washington, to present "Worker's No. 9 Vodka, made for the workingman" -- with a portion of the net proceeds to benefit the WSCFF Benevolent Fund. That fund assists firefighters and their families and also gives money to many organizations that assist residents of Washington State. KISW-FM Program Director Dave Richards tells us, "This new vodka starts at the heart of the Pacific Northwest's working man. A vodka created in the spirit of a true, honest day's work, and we're proud to support the brave Washington State Fire Fighters, who epitomize hard work." We're told that "Worker's No. 9" starts with two simple ingredients -- fresh, stone-ground grain from local fields and pure Mt. Rainier artesian water. These elements embody the hard working character at the heart of the vodka, as 6th generation local farmers grow and harvest the grain that Mischief Distillery uses in its spirits. It's that pride and heart that Mischief Distilling thrives on." According to owner Mike Sherlock, "Hearts are the center cut -- the very finest spirits produced during distillation. Hearts also symbolize the very best of the human spirit. For us, Fremont Mischief and Worker No. 9 Vodka are both." These local grains, says an Entercom news release, "make Worker's No. 9 vibrant and refreshing, with a slight sweetness to its finish." [We have only one complaint (take notice Brian Thorpe), no sample was included with the news release -- so we could, uh, "offer our own rave review of the product to help the effort" (?) or something.] Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio 
In the Tri-Cities Washington market, Townsquare Media's KOLW-FM goes from "Kool" to "Hot" -- as it flips from Classic Hits to Rhythmic CHR "Hot 97.5" moving into a direct competitioon with Ingstad Broadcast Group’s "Power 99.1" KUJ-FM ... Clear Channel CHR/Top 40 "Hits 96.1" KIXZ-FM, Spokane, rebrands as "Power 96.1" six months after flipping to CHR from Country ... Clear Channel relaunches Country KWNR-FM, Las Vegas (located in Henderson, Nevada), as "95.5 The Bull" - "Las Vegas's New Country" - in what observers say is part of an effort to boost the struggling station ... Veteran programmer and air personality BJ Murphy joins Urban AC WQMG-FM, Greensboro, for afternoons, effective September 30. Most recently, he was Program Director and afternoon host at Urban AC WGIV-FM, Charlotte ... Country "93.1 The Wolf" WPAW-FM, Greensboro, afternoon host Gunner Jackson is promoted to Music Director ... Univision Regional Mexican "La Jefa 107.7" KLJA-FM, Austin, flips to "El Sancho" -- a Regional Mexican CHR format featuring "a new generation of bands" ... Independent marketing and consulting firm The Syndicate announces the addition of industry veteran Jerry Rubino to its radio promotion staff. Rubino will work alongside Rob Wilcox in the firm's commercial alternative department.
Contact MHBC News
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From Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
Friday, September 20, 2013
Friday's Radio & Media News - September 20, 2013
Ryvicker adds, "We really like NextRadio. As a whole, radio industry revenue remains relatively flat (July was 'awful,' August 'okay' and September 'en fuego'), although NY and LA are still the big outperformers. We spent a lot of time on NextRadio and were pleasantly surprised with how well this app has been received. At this point, we don’t know why the entire radio industry wouldn’t jump on board -- with little to no downside, it feels like this really inexpensive option could be worth a lot of money down the line."
Radio allows you to connect with and engage people on a more personal level. When you add the power and reach of WWL radio, we can do great things. My show will be engaging, fun and attract big time guests that will keep the Deep South talking. The sky’s the limit." WWL Radio Operations and Program Director, Diane Newman, says she "couldn’t be more excited" about the move. "For decades, Angela Hill has been friend, family, community leader. Now she gets to expand and connect to her fans, guests and community in an intimate way. She's a trusted journalist, an amazing interviewer and a great listener. Garland [Robinette] and Angela back to back is a powerful combination. Their perspectives are different…the ultimate skeptic followed by the ultimate optimist. It's going to be a great ride." WWL-AM-FM midday personality Garland Robinette calls Hill "the world's greatest communicator." Says Robiunette, "People think she's influential now -- wait until she sits behind that WWL radio microphone." Claus also addressed the future of WWL-AM-FM's Spud McConnell. "Stay tuned…Spud isn't going anywhere. We have big and exciting plans for him. Listen for an announcement Monday, September 23rd at 12 noon on the Garland Robinette show."
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