Monday's Radio & Media News - September 9, 2013

Talk Radio Network Shuts Down ARNN, Offers Statement After a weekend of rumors, unconfirmed reports and speculation, Talk Radio Network CEO Mark Masters officially responds -- on the record -- issuing a statement. He denies TRN is shutting down, but does say America’s Radio News Network has ceased operations. Masters blames the situation on Dial Global (just renamed WestwoodOne). DG has provided satellite distribution for the TRN news network, but reports have said Masters was seriously delinquent on payments to them. Masters confirms ARNN ended its programming just before the weekend, and for now is offering affiliates TRN talk programming until the stations can arrange replacement programming. Although reports continue that TRN is in such serious trouble that it will soon fold, Masters insists (for now) that is not the case. In his statement, reprinted below, he continues last week's rant against Dial Global/WestwoodOne. Last week he vowed to fight their acquisition by Cumulus Media. Statement from TRN CEO Mark Masters: Are you Dial Global's (Westwood One's) Next Victim? The truth about the proposed merger between Dial Global/Westwood One and Cumulus is a dark one for our industry. Dial Global/Westwood One's market power in programming and sales representation, combined with Cumulus Network's programming and distribution power in the top 100 U.S. markets, will have a devastating effect on most every area of the radio industry. Our previous experience with Dial Global/Westwood consists of improper, illegal, and/or unethical conduct that is set forth in the second amended complaint in our pending antitrust action against Dial Global/Westwood One and others. If this merger is allowed to occur, the results of our previous experiences with Dial Global/Westwood One will be magnified tenfold to radio stations and content producers, which will be at the mercy of the newly empowered Dial (Westwood One)/Cumulus and the leverage that can be brought to bear by this new behemoth. If this merger is allowed to occur, the culture of corruption at Dial/Westwood, as described in our second amended complaint, and other filings, will surely infect and spread within the new behemoth entity and victimize the rest of the industry, resulting in a super monopoly. Sadly, the actions described in the second amended complaint are forcing the TRN companies to cut back to the basic operating essentials pending resolution of the multiple issues raised in their legal actions against Dial Global/Westwood One. We had hoped that the change in management at Dial Global/Westwood One would bring about a new paradigm focused on correcting the prior harms in a manner which would be helpful to our companies and the industry as a whole. Sadly, recent events have shown that the opposite is true and that the behaviors that gave rise to the lawsuits against Dial/Westwood One are endemic throughout the Dial/Westwood One monopoly. The ruthless and unethical behaviors that have continued through multiple executive teams at Dial/Westwood are breathtaking in their scope and arrogance. We encourage the rest of our industry to stand together, and with us, now. We have been in business for 20 years, and have had excellent relationships with the other companies in our industry during that time. But this is a horse of a different color. Please contact the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition (antitrust@ftc.gov) and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov or (202) 307-2040), your state’s Attorney General, and your local member of Congress about the dangers of this proposed merger and its threat to your First Amendment rights, business and products. As for us, we will continue to pursue Dial Global/Westwood One in federal court and other appropriate forums, for monopoly and other improper behaviors, expose the behaviors described in the second amended complaint, and achieve ultimate victory from the tragedy that Dial Global/Westwood One have imposed upon our companies and others within the industry. DIAL/WESTWOOD ONE SCORES INITIAL VICTORY WITH ARNN The actions described in the second amended complaint with respect to America’s Radio News Network (“ARNN”), and additional actions which will be the subject of future filings, have now succeeded on an interim basis with respect to ARNN. Specifically, ARNN has been forced to suspend its broadcast operations, effective at the close of its broadcast day on Friday, September 6, 2013, pending the successful outcome of its actions against Dial Global/Westwood. ARNN has arranged for appropriate feeds to be provided to its affiliates for a reasonable period of time to enable them to secure alternate programming. AS TO RUMORS OF OTHER ONGOING OPERATIONS All of the TRN companies have been severely damaged by the Dial Global/Westwood One conduct addressed above and also addressed in the various legal actions which the TRN companies have brought, or will bring, against Dial Global/Westwood. That conduct has forced all of these companies to make wrenching internal decisions and to take painful internal actions. As Dial Global/Westwood One has been collecting our advertising revenues, but refusing to pay them over to us or to account for them, these companies have now been forced to reduce as many operating costs as possible. However, the current rumors of an alleged shutdown of broadcasting operations for non-ARNN programming are unfounded. Broadcasts of the other programs are continuing without interruption. CALL TO ACTION! If Dial/Westwood can do this to us, they certainly can do this to you – so you need to join together, and with us, in opposing this dangerous merger, with as much force as you can muster, so that you can have a future that is not controlled by a monopoly: http://www.trn1.com/uploads/files/ SVP of Programming Greg Strassell Exits CBS Radio SVP of Programming Greg Strassell exits CBS Radio after over 15 years, for a new opportunity to be announced. Says CBS Radio EVP of Programming Chris Oliviero in a staff memo, "He is moving on to other opportunities within the industry and I know that you all join me in thanking Greg for his many years of contributions to CBS Radio, as well as wishing him and his family all the best in the future. On a personal note, I have worked side by side with Greg for nearly a decade and know firsthand his passion and dedication to our radio stations, and of course you our fellow programmers. I have enjoyed partnering with him to help build an outstanding portfolio of stations and world class brands. But most importantly I appreciate his friendship all these years." Before rising to SVP of Programming of what was then Infinity Broadcasting, in February 2004, Strassell was VP of Programming for Boston stations "Mix 98.5" WBMX-FM and "Oldies 103.3" WODS-FM. So who will replace Strassell at CBS Radio? ""I look forward to following up shortly with more updates in regards to the programming department in the near future.," adds Oliviero in the staff memo. Greater Media Signs Agreement with Big Machine Label Group Greater Media announces "a multi-year licensing agreement with Nashville-based Big Machine Label Group with regard to the performance of Big Machine's recorded music on Greater Media's digital and terrestrial broadcast platforms. Artists with Big Machine’s wholly owned labels who will benefit from this agreement include Big Machine Records artists Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts and The Valory Music Co. artists Justin Moore, Reba, Brantley Gilbert, The Mavericks and Thomas Rhett." We're told that "through this agreement, Big Machine has agreed to an innovative approach to allow digital simulcasts of the over-the-air signals by Greater Media to scale affordably to support the growth of the company's digital platform. Meanwhile, Greater Media has agreed to share a percentage of its on-air revenues with regard to the performance of Big Machine’s recorded music on terrestrial platforms." Says Greater Media Chairman and CEO Peter Smyth, "We are thrilled to partner with the Big Machine Label Group, its President and CEO Scott Borchetta, and the company’s outstanding artists through this licensing agreement. This is a great example of the radio and record industries working together with the ultimate goal of being able to provide the best entertainment possible on a multi-platform basis for our valued listeners." Borchetts tells us, "Peter Smyth is an American broadcasting visionary who fully understands the importance of leading a healthy radio entertainment business in lockstep with a healthy recorded music business. The broadcast industry knows that the Big Machine Label Group is fully supportive of the mission of having great radio available in as many places as possible and this is another public vote of confidence and support for that mission." Kantar Media: Q2 U.S. Ad Spending Up 3.5% Total advertising expenditures in the second quarter of 2013 increased 3.5 percent from a year ago and finished the period at $35.8 billion, according to data released today by Kantar Media. Total spending for the first six months of the year grew 2.0 percent to $68.9 billion. Radio experienced mixed Q2 results. Spending in National Spot Radio rose 5.8 percent with strong demand from telecom, restaurants and retail segments. Local Radio fared less well as quarterly expenditures dropped 1.6 percent. Television media continued to headline the ad market in the second quarter of 2013 with overall growth of 6.4 percent. Internet Display advertising increased 4.1 percent during the period. "Ad spend has now increased for six consecutive quarters and in reaching 3.5 percent growth for Q2, had its best performance in a non-Olympic period since the end of 2010," says Jon Swallen, Chief Research Officer at Kantar Media North America. "However, the gain was boosted by two unusual phenomena. On one side, year ago spending was deflated by major advertisers who conserved budgets in advance of the Summer Olympics and this makes current year growth appear larger. On the other side, there were more NBA playoff games this year and it generated a sizable windfall of extra TV ad revenue. Without these factors, Q2 ad spend growth would have been lower by about one full percentage point." Retail was the largest advertiser in the second quarter, spending $3.8 billion in measured media, generally flat -- up 0.1% from last year. Spending on auto ads was up 6.9% to $3.6 billion. Telecom saw the largest increase at 19.5%, to $2.4 billion. Marlene Trevino Named Clear Channel San Antonio Market President Clear Channel Media and Entertainment San Antonio names Marlene Trevino as Market President, effective immediately. Trevino will report to Kelly Kibler Owens, CCME SVP of Operations for Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. Trevino arrives from CBS Radio Dallas, where she was the General Sales Manager for KMVK since 2011. She also previously worked at Radio One and Una Vez Mas an Azteca America Affiliate Group in Dallas. Trevino joined Clear Channel Dallas in 2002 as a Senior Account Executive at KDMX and served a variety of stations in the market as GSM until 2008. "Since I am a product of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment's training and leadership development, I am most excited about the opportunity to come back to the Clear Channel family," says Trevino. "I am proud to have the opportunity to lead a successful market like San Antonio. With the help of the current San Antonio team and the diverse opportunities this market offers, I am thrilled to get started on the efforts that will bring us even greater growth." Owens tells us, "We are excited to have Marlene return to the Clear Channel team and lead the San Antonio market. She has extensive experience in radio and television as well as a variety of media companies. Her strategic leadership abilities will definitely be a great asset to take the San Antonio market to the next level." Nate Marino Named Senior Executive Producer for Elvis Duran Clear Channel CHR/Top 40 "Z100" WHTZ-FM, New York, announces that Nate Marino has been named Senior Executive Producer for "Elvis Duran and The Morning Show," effective September 30. Marino will join Duran's national morning show from sister "104.3 MYfm" KBIG-FM, Los Angeles, where he served as Executive Producer of "Valentine in the Morning." His past experience also includes roles at KIIS-FM as part of "On Air With Ryan Seacrest" and "American Top 40." Marino will join Executive Producers Skeery Jones and David Brody in New York. In addition, Brody will expand his duties to include preparation and content development for morning shows nationwide as part of Premiere Networks. "Being a great producer means knowing the map and keeping the cars in the correct lanes and rolling at the proper speed ­-- this show has a lot of cars," says Duran. "Nate's experience and warmth make him the perfect choice for this very important position. We're excited to bring Nate on as Senior Executive Producer to work with our very talented existing Executive Producers, Skeery Jones and David Brody." Says Marino, "Having already worked with radio greats Ryan Seacrest and Sean Valentine, in my mind there is arguably only one other person at that level, and that is Elvis Duran. He was my inspiration to get into radio in the first place and to work with him is a dream come true. I look forward to working with the Elvis Duran and The Morning Show team to continue raising the bar of excellence and help make a great show even more outstanding." And "Z100" Program Director Sharon Dastur tells us, "I am such a fan of Nate and his work, and really look forward to him bringing his talents to Z100 and Elvis Duran and The Morning Show." Chris P Named Tucson KRQQ-FM/KIMY-FM Program Director Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Tucson names Chris P as Program Director for CHR/Top 40 "93.7 KRQ" KRQQ-FM and Hot AC "My 92.9" KMIY-FM, effective immediately. We're told that as a Tucson native, Chris P grew up listening to "93.7 KRQ" and at age 18 started his radio career as an intern in the Promotions Department at the station. He quickly moved in-studio, shadowing the evening personality -- and in 2001, became a weekend on-air host. In 2003 KRQQ-FM named him evening host and Music Director. In 2008 Chris became "93.7 KRQ" afternoon host and added Assistant PD duties. By 2010 he also began hosting on-air at KZZP-FM, Phoenix, and now is also heard on KPLV-FM, Las Vegas. "Chris has demonstrated creativity and proven success in connecting with listeners in Tucson," says Regional Market Manager Glynn Alan. "We know Chris is ready to take on programming responsibilities for us on this legendary brand as well as driving KMIY to new heights." Chris P tells us, "It's exciting to be programming stations in the city you grew up in and one of the stations you grew up listening to, plus with such great personalities. I learned a lot working under great programmers like Tim Richards and Chris Pickett, and I am ready to continue the great success these stations have had." Clear Channel Debuts Portland Alternative 'Radio 102.3' Clear Channel Portland (Oregon) debuts Alternative Rock "Radio 102.3" on FM translator K272EL. The new Alternative replaces a News Talk simulcast of KEX -AM on the 102.3 FM signal. "Radio 102.3" will play past and current favorite Alternative music from bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Muse, Mumford & Sons, Weezer, The White Stripes, The Killers, Nirvana, Green Day and more, says Clear Channel Portland. "We are excited to launch an alternative music station in Portland," says VP of Programming Chris Sargent. "It's a unique brand and musical genre that will definitely resonate with listeners in the market." Market President Robert Dove tells us, "Portland is the definition of alternative and we are thrilled to bring Radio 102.3 to town. This is the perfect station for listeners who love Alternative music." Longtime WLS-AM/Chicago Morning Host Don Wade Dies at 72 Veteran radio personality Don Wade has lost his battle with brain cancer. He died at the age of 72. Wade, who has aired on many major radio stations across the country, most recently had been the morning host, with his wife Roma, on Talk WLS-AM, Chicago, airing until his medical situation forced the Wades to step aside. Sunday night, the WLS-AM website shared the sad news from Roma Wade that "my hero, my best friend, my soulmate" had passed away "in my loving arms." Wade died Friday morning in Florida following a nearly yearlong battle. Don and Roma Wade were among the longest-running husband-and-wife-radio teams in Chicago. WLS-AM Program Manager Tracy Slutzkin says, "WLS and Chicago lost an exceptional broadcaster. Don Wade was not only a colleague but a mentor and a very close friend. For 27 years he informed Chicagoland with his unique, entertaining and thought-provoking take on the day's news." His radio career included a dozen other markets -- including Norfolk, Boston, Hartford, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Dallas, and Seattle -- before he came to Chicago in 1982 as a morning host at Country WUSN-FM. By 1985, he moved to WLS-AM, where his wife joined him as co-host. When WLS-AM changed from a music format to talk radio in 1989, "Don Wade and Roma were the only air talent asked to remain and try their skill at becoming morning talk show hosts," according to the WLS-AM website. Wade "was a natural," the website said. "Agree or disagree, listeners were riveted to his thought-provoking, persuasive, even maddening dissections of the world around him." The website added, "Don went out as he lived and broadcasted, like a lion." In addition to his wife, Wade is survived by son Col. Hunter Hobson and daughter Heather Hobson; brothers Tom Wehde, Raynor Reavis and Ralph Reavis and nieces and nephews. A "private celebration of his life" is planned, according to WLS-AM. A Chicago memorial also is being planned. Philadelphia Radio Icon E. Steven Collins Dies at 58 Longtime Philadelphia radio icon Steven Collins died this morning from a heart attack while surrounded by family and friends, according to Radio One. He was 58. E. Steven Collins -- known to his friends and family as simply "E" -- was Director of Urban Marketing and External Relations at Radio One Philadelphia, and hosted his weekly show, "Philly Speaks" on "Old School 100.3" WRNB-FM. He was well known not only for his work as a broadcaster, but also as a community leader in Philadelphia. Radio One described Collins as an incredible father, mentor, friend and radio legend. Says Radio One Chair and Founder Catherine Hughes, "E. Steven Collins was a valued member of the Radio One Family for over a decade, and brought together the corporate, civic, clergy and overall community for a positive good. I personally recruited E. and firmly believe that it was one of the wisest hires of an exemplary executive and broadcaster. My heartfelt and profound condolences to his wife Lisa, sons Rashid and Langston as well as all of his relatives, friends, legions of listeners, and his Radio One family. " Says Radio One Regional VP Christopher Wegmann, "A tremendous loss for the Radio One Family; a true leader who cared immensely about his family, his community and his co-worker." 'Nash' Brand Expands to Six More Cumulus Stations Cumulus expands the "Nash FM" Country music and lifestyle brand to six more stations -- "US 94" 94.3 KAMO-FM, Fayetteville, Arkansas, which flipped from Classic Country to Mainstream Country with the "Nash" brand; KXKC-FM Lafayette, Louisiana; "Hit Country 102.5" WMDH-FM, Muncie, Indiana; "106.5 Coyote Country" WLFF-FM Myrtle Beach, SC; "River Country 97.3" WFYR-FM, Peoria, Illinois; and "Kix 96.5" WJCL-FM, Savannah, Georgia. "Following our debut of the Nash FM brand earlier this year we’re excited about expanding Nash to more radio stations as well as bringing Nash content to other forms of media including video and magazines," says Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey. "Our listeners and advertisers will continue to benefit from the variety of on-air and off-air Country lifestyle content opportunities associated with the Nash brand." The latest expansion of the brand brings the total of stations using it to 17. Clear Channel Upgrades iHeartRadio Talk App Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announces additional enhancements for the iHeartRadio Talk iOS and Android mobile apps. The updated apps will feature a directory for Talk that now allows users the ability to browse and select from hundreds of programs. The mobile app update also features a more user-friendly side navigation pull-out screen with an easily accessible "presets" section for quick access to the listener's saved Live, Custom and Talk Station favorites. Additionally, users will be able to browse by category. The iOS mobile update is available today for the iPhone and iPod, with Android following on September 12 for phones and tablets, including the Kindle. "Since launching in July, iHeartRadio Talk has already demonstrated that it's an important source of information for the on-the-go consumer, with 60 percent of Talk users accessing via their mobile devices ­ and that has been with very limited mobile functionality," says CCME President of Digital Brian Lakamp. "During beta, we have received a lot of feedback to make our Talk feature more accessible via mobile, and now we are able to provide that. Our users will also notice even more Talk functionality coming to our apps in the near future."