Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Smartphone Users Want Radio On Their Devices...

(July 4th Edition - June 30 - July 7)

A 3-country study conducted in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. shows that smartphone users want FM radio on their devices. A new Vision Critical survey, conducted June 16 and 17 following the revelation that iPhone 4 does not include an FM tuner, showed that 30% of U.S. respondents picked an FM tuner as a feature they'd like to see. In Canada 35% want radio while the U.K. share was 30%. The poll used respondents that owned smartphones and those who expect to get a smartphone in the next 6 months. They chose an FM tuner as one of the features they'd most like to see in an Apple iPhone. So why do more Canadians want FM radio than U.S. respondents? Jeff Vidler, SVP/Managing Director of Vision Critical offers a theory...

Vidler believes that Canadian respondents may have been more enthusiastic about FM because mobile data charges are higher in Canada, so a non-streaming station may be a more appealing option. "But it may also be that local FM radio itself remains more attractive to smartphone users in Canada than in the U.S. and the U.K. where music streaming services such as Pandora and Spotify have taken the spotlight for smartphone users." ...

U.S. Terrestrial radio should not worry about Canada's edge in the study - that's meaningless - but should realize instead that radio is batting .300 which puts you among the top hitters in the league in baseball. Go with that...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1776] The Birth of a nation: The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence (7/4)…
2.1933] The first All-Star Game: It’s played in Chicago at Comiskey Park. The American League won that game too, 4-2 (7/6). This clip is from the 1946 game...
3.1937] Poof: Aviator Amelia Earhart and her navigator disappear over the Pacific Ocean near the equator while attempting the 1st round-the world flight (7/2)…
4.1953] America’s ‘Dream Car': The first Corvette rolls off the Chevrolet assembly line in Flint, Michigan. The 3rd ‘Vette‘ to roll off the line was sold in 2006 for a cool million (6/30)...
5.1971] "Happy Trails": Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong dies of a heart attack at his home in Corona, Queens. Satchmo was 69. Satchmo made this a wonderful world just by his presence (7/6)...
6.1975] Tragedy at the track: The great filly Ruffian snaps a right foreleg in a match race with Foolish Pleasure at Belmont Park. Ruffian dies after a 12-hour operation to save her life. Ruffian is buried in the infield of Belmont, near the finish line (7/6)...
7.1978] “Seven dirty words": The Supreme Court rules 5-4 that the FCC has the right to reprimand WBAI New York for broadcasting George Carlin’sfilthy words” which would become known as “seven dirty words” (7/3)…
8.1987] All sports, all the time: WFAN becomes the 1st All-Sports station in the nation. The Country format moves to WYNY (7/1)...
9.2002] Bye, bye, number nine: After a lengthy illness, Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams dies at 83 (7/5)…
10.2005] Terror in the Underground: Terrorist bombings in 3 Underground stations and a double-decker bus kills 52 victims and 4 suicide bombers in the worst attack on London since WWII (7/7)...

Music Memories:
1954] Recorded on this date: Elvis Presley records "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky" at his 1st recording session in Memphis (7/5)...1965] "Respect" - Otis Redding (7/7)...
1963] #1 on this date: "Easier Said Than Done" - The Essex (7/6)...1967] "Light My Fire" - Doors (7/7)...1974] "Rock The Boat" - Hues Corporation (6/30)...
1981] The Boss opens the Brendan Byrne: Bruce Springsteen plays the 1st show ever at 21,000 seat Meadowlands Arena (7/2)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (6/30) Stanley Clarke (59), Ron Swoboda (66)...(7/1) Liv Tyler (33), Pamela Anderson (43), Dan Aykroyd (58), Deborah Harry (65)...(7/2) Lindsay Lohan (24), Larry David (63), Richard Petty (73)...(7/3)Tom Cruise (48), Montel Williams (54)...(7/4) Geraldo Rivera (67), Bill Withers (72), George Steinbrenner (80), Neil Simon (83), Eva Marie Saint (86), Mitch Miller (99) and The United States of America (234) (7/5) Edie Falco (47) & Huey Lewis (60)...(7/6) Willie Randolph (56), Sylvester Stallone (64), George W. Bush (64), Gene "Duke of Earl" Chandler (73)...(7/7) Ringo Starr (70), Doc Severinsen (83) and Pierre Cardin (88)...

Timeline Countdown: Happy July 4th, 13 days until the MLB All-Star game & 25 days until NFL training camps begin opening...



Tuesday, June 29, 2010

TiVo Comes To Satellite Radio...

We've all seen how TiVo, the granddaddy of DVR's, revolutionized TV in 1999. What followed was an avalanche of copycat digital video recorders that hasn't stopped yet. Can the pause, replay, fast forward control of live radio be just as successful? You can be sure that Pulsar will settle for just half of the success accomplished by TiVo and other DVR manufacturers. Pulsar has designed a new update for its XM and SIRIUS desktop clientele. Along with some interface improvements, the 2.0 update gives Pulsar the ability to pause, replay or fast forward live radio. Pulsar, which runs on Mac OS X 10.5 or higher, lets XM and SIRIUS customers tune in to their favorite channels without having to deal with cumbersome Web browser interfaces...

The Pulsar interface of the $20 app gives you station listings information on what's currently playing, and station artwork. You can also save your favorite channels. With the version 2 update, you can pause live radio stations and then go back to where you left off. You can also use a new Next Song command to skip songs you don't like (sure to be a popular choice), or jump backwards to catch something you might have missed. You can re-sort your Favorites list and see the title of the song that's playing, which should be mandatory in all radios...

While PCWorld is calling the new Pulsar device "an elegant satellite radio experience", I'm not so sure that radio consumers want a TiVo for radio, elegant or not. Pulsar hopes it catches on with SIRIUS XM so they can revolutionize radio like TiVo did with TV...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1916] Talkin’ Baseball: The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds play a 9-inning game with just one baseball…
2.1956] Wedding Bells: Marilyn Monroe sings "I want to be loved by you" to Arthur Miller as they walk down the aisle. Sadly the marriage will end with a Mexican divorce in 1961…
3.1967] Hollywood tragedy: 34-year old blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield and 2 others are killed when their car goes into the back of a truck on U.S. highway 90. Her daughter, Mariska Hargitay survives…
4.1972] The Supes rule: The Supreme Court rules the death penalty could constitute "cruel and unusual punishment."...
5.1995] What's up dock?: The shuttle Atlantis and the Russian space station Mir dock, forming the largest man-made satellite ever to orbit the Earth...
6.1996] Sold to the highest bidder: Superman Action Comic #1 (1938) is auctioned at Sotheby's to Maryland businessman Steve Geppi for $61,900 and a pound of kryptonite...
7.2002] ‘Happy Trails’: Singer Rosemary Clooney passes away at her Beverly Hills home following a long battle with lung cancer. Rosemary was 74…2003] Legendary actress Katharine Hepburn dies of natural causes at 96…2007] ABC-TV movie critic Joel Siegel passes away from colon cancer at 63…
8.2004] 4,000 Ks: Arizona pitcher Randy Johnson becomes the fourth pitcher in major league history to record 4,000 strikeouts...
9.2007] I phone, you phone, we all phone for iPhone: Apple Inc. rolls out their iPhone in the U.S. Here's the new version...

10.2009] Gotcha: Bernie Madoff is sentenced to 150 years in prison for securities fraud, among other charges. He bilked investors of almost $65 billion...

Music Memory:
1957] Buddy Holly starts recording "Peggy Sue" in Clovis (NM). The single will be released on September 20th and peak at #3...

Commentary:
WFAN (660) celebrates its 23th anniversary on Thursday, July 1st. WFAN became the 1st All-Sports station in the nation when Suzyn Waldman opened the mic to a new format at 3 p.m. July 1, 1987, a Wednesday. WFAN has an average audience of over one million listeners a week and is usually the top billing station in the country. Happy Anniversary WFAN...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Nicole Scherzinger (32), Evelyn "Champagne" King (50), Colin ("Men At Work") Hay (57), Dan Dierdorf (61), former Congressman Fred ("The Love Boat") Grandy (62), Richard Lewis (63), Gary Busey (66) and Robert Evans (80)...

Timeline Countdown: 5 days until July 4th, 14 days until the MLB All-Star game & 26 days until NFL training camps begin to open...

Monday, June 28, 2010

FCC Commish Advises His Own Agency To Butt Out...

It's always refreshing to hear an FCC commissioner advise his own agency to keep their noses out of the media's business. In this case it was FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell advising the commission that "journalism especially does not need the government's help." He also added that "My job at this juncture, I believe, is to try to keep Washington out of your way as much as possible while you figure out what works." McDowell, speaking at the Virginia Assoc. of Broadcasters' Summer Convention, added that "Today's mix of promise and uncertainty leads me to think of this time as the adolescence of digital media." Our new favorite commissioner didn't leave it at that. He also touched on ownership restrictions. "The FCC has known since at least the time of its 2002 ownership review that the Internet would have a profound effect on the media landscape, yet for various reasons the agency has been unable to fully adapt its regulations to the new realities." He now hopes "that this time we will get it right." ...

On the concern that consolidation would grow if existing ownership restrictions are relaxed or eliminated, McDowell doesn't buy it. "To the contrary, recent history has illustrated that modernizing FCC regulations may be meaningless because traditional media owners now prefer to spend their time and resources on new, unregulated outlets rather than acquire any more of the heavily regulated ones." He advised Virginia broadcasters in attendance that comments on the notice of inquiry just issued in the media-ownership rules review "may be your best shot for making the case that the current restrictions need substantial amendment - and to detail precisely what kind of changes we should make." ...

No doubt McDowell was working the room but if he believes just half of what he spoke of, radio and television has a friend on their side. The problem with the FCC not being in tune with today's broadcaster is the lack of stability in recent years. Each time a new commissioner or chairman joins the agency, it's back to square one. Taking it one step further, maybe it's time to disband the FCC, keep the chairman and make him the lone arbiter over more specific rules and regulations...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1894] How come no one works on Labor Day?: Labor Day is established as a holiday for federal employees on the first Monday of September...
2.1917] Debuted on this date: Raggedy Ann is born 90 years ago today. Happy Birthday R.A...1942] The Dumont TV Network signs on, on flagship station WABD (channel 5) in New York...
3.1949] Gee it's great to be back home again: The last U.S. combat troops are called home from Korea with just 500 'advisers' left...1950] North Korea forces capture Seoul, Korea (what did you expect?)...
4.1971] Slacker: Rick Wise of the Phillies not only pitches a no-hitter against the Reds, he hits 2 home runs...
5.1971] Supes on: The Supreme Court overturns the draft evasion charges against Muhammad Ali by unanimous (8-0) vote...
6.1975] 'Happy Trails': Rod Serling dies after open-heart surgery at 50 (6/28). I met Serling at LAX in the early 70s and he told me about selling his rights to "The Twilight Zone" for $1 million. He was taping "Night Gallery" and we got into a conversation about radio, his training grounds. Several months later there was a NG episode about a disc jockey (Mickey Rooney) who sells his soul to the devil. I always wondered if our talk may have inspired Serling to write that episode...
7.1978] Supes rule: The Supreme Court orders the medical school at the University of California at Davis to admit a white man who argued he had been a victim of reverse discrimination...
8.1997] A bite to the finish: Mike Tyson takes a bite out of Evander Holyfield's ear and is disqualified during their heavyweight championship rematch...
9.2000] Back to Cuba: Elian Gonzalez returns to his native Cuba with his father 7 months after he was cast adrift in the Florida Straits on a journey to Florida...
10.2004] Ties renewed: The U.S. resumes direct diplomatic ties with Libya after a 24-year break with Daffy Khadafy...

Music Memories:
1964] #1 on this date: "I Get Around" - Beach Boys (this was their 1st #1 hit. Their next one will be "Good Vibrations" in 1966 and then "Kokomo" in 1998)...1977] "Gonna Fly Now (from the movie 'Rocky')" - Bill Conti...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Former "AI" contestant Kellie Pickler (24), Gil ("Ally McBeal") Bellows (43), Mary Stuart Masterson (44), John Cusack (44), NFL Hall of Famer John Elway (50), Kathy Bates (62), John Byner (72) and Mel Brooks (84)...

Timeline Countdown: 6 days until July 4th, 15 days until the MLB All-Star game & 27 days until NFL training camps begin to open...

Friday, June 25, 2010

NPR Music Goes Mobile...

(Weekend Edition)

NPR Music should no longer conjure up the image of a well dressed couple sipping white wine, nibbling on camembert and lounging on a blanket on Central Park's great lawn. If classical music was all NPR played, they'd rather drive a truck. That pigeon hole was filled in at the last Vivaldi Festival. NPR Music is now the home of - yes classical, but also rock/pop/folk, jazz & blues, world and hip hop/R&B. Those are genres of music listed in the header of NPR Music's home page. NPR Music's entire artist directory includes 5,000 bands, musicians and singers. And now NPR Music will offer their entire roster of bands, musicians and singers on mobile devices....

NPR's new iPhone app will give users podcasts, videos, live concerts and signature programs. It also features live music streams from more than 75 public radio stations. The 3-year old NPR Music was created to bring together all the various music-based content generated by NPR and its member stations. "The NPR Music App is an amazing way to experience our music coverage wherever you are" says executive producer Anya Grundmann who adds "Every day, we've got new surprises - special concerts, sessions and interviews you can't get anywhere else; dozens of continuous music streams from our member stations, and chances to hear entire albums before they're released. It's an incredible resource for people who care about music and much as we do." ...

It's not your grandfather's NPR...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1959] And the winner and new champ: Ingemar Johansson of Sweden knocks down heavyweight champ Floyd Patterson 7 times in the 3rd round to win the title on a TKO. One year later, Patterson becomes the 1st heavyweight to regain the title when he beats Johansson (6/26)…
2.1963] JFK goes to the Wall: The President visits the Berlin Wall and gives his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech (6/26)…
3.1970] Beep It!: The FCC makes it illegal for radio stations to put telephone callers on the air without the permission of the person being called. A beep was then installed on the phone for that purpose (6/25)…
4.1977] Curtains: Elvis Presley plays his final concert at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis (6/26). 51-days later, Elvis would be dead…
5. 1988] A time for joy, a time for tears: Proving it's never too late to get your diploma, Cyndi Lauper (Richmond Hills High) and Debbie Gibson (Merrick High) receive their high school diplomas (6/27)...
6.1993] TV curtains: The last original “Late Night With David Letterman” airs on NBC-TV with guest Tom Hanks. Re-runs will follow until September. On August 30th, Letterman takes his show to CBS-TV where it still resides (6/25)…
7.1995] Busted: Hugh Grant is arrested in L.A. for engaging in "lewd behavior" with a prostitute (Divine Brown) in a rented BMW (6/27)...
8.2001] 'Happy Trails': Legendary actor Jack Lemmon dies from cancer at 76 (6/27)...2002] The Who's John Entwistle dies from a cocaine-induced heart attack at 57 (6/27)...
9.2005] Gotcha: BTK serial killer Dennis Rader pleads guilty to 10 murders that spread fear across Wichita, Kansas beginning in the late 70s. Rader will receive multiple life sentences (6/27)...
10.2009] The King of Pop: Attempts to resuscitate Michael Jackson fail after he is found unconscious in bed. Jackson was 50 at the time of his death (6/25)...2009] Farrah Fawcett dies at 62 with former husband Ryan O'Neal & long-time friend Alana Stewart at her side (6/25)...

Music Memories:
1961] #1 on this date: "Quarter to Three" - Gary U.S. Bonds (6/26)...1964] "A World Without Love" - Peter & Gordon (6/27) (the first McCartney-Lennon song that tops the charts for a group or singer other than the Beatles)...1965] "Mr. Tambourine Man" - Byrds (6/26)...1966] "Strangers in the Night" - Frank Sinatra (6/27)...1966] "Paperback Writer" - The Beatles (6/25)...1981] "Bette Davis Eyes" - Kim Carnes (6/27)...
1969] Recorded on this date: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" - The Hollies (6/25) (Elton John played piano)...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (6/25) Daniel Bard (25), George Michael (47), Jimmie ("J.J.") Walker (63), Carly Simon (65), Willis Reed (68), Eddie Floyd (75), June Lockhart (85) and Sidney Lumet (86)...(6/26) Derek Jeter (36), Gretchen Wilson (37), Sean Hayes (40), Terri Nunn (49), Patty Smyth (53), Chris Isaak (54), Mick Jones of the Clash (55), Georgie Fame (67), Billy Davis Jr. (70) and Eleanor Parker (88)...(6/27) Tobey Maguire (35), Julia Duffy ("Newhart") (59), Vera Wang (61), Rico Petrocelli (67), Bruce Johnston (68) and Ross Perot (80)...

Timeline Countdown: 9 days until July 4th and 18 days until the MLB All-Star game & 30 days until NFL training camps begin to open...





Thursday, June 24, 2010

A New Digital Broadcasting Service Is Coming...

It's called "TheOne" and it will be coming to a market near you via Florida-based Ludwig Enterprises, Inc. with a little help from their friends at Target Marketing Broadcasting. "TheOne" is a new HD receiver that uses digital broadcasting as its core technology for broadcasting up to 50 new digital radio channels in each of Ludwig's geographical market areas. Ludwig programming is multi-cultural. They offer ethnic, educational, classical, techno music, old-time radio shows, 24-hour news and also target the senior and youths markets and offer audio books. Jeez, did they leave anything out???

Ludwig will be all digital all the time, in all locations, rivaling the quality existent on HD or satellite radio. They've developed and patented a new radio that receives signals from the new Digital Television Stations - ATSC also known as HD-TV. Ludwig considers Sirius XM their competition but even they are very dis-similar to "TheOne", according to Ludwig. "TheOne" caters primarily to the ethnic, senior and disenfranchised youth markets. And the cost to the consumer for "TheOne"???

There is a one-time subscription fee, charged upon activation - the radio is a gift from Ludwig. Unlike Sirius XM, Ludwig does not charge a monthly fee. The primary source of income to Ludwig is from advertising and the sale of syndication time...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1664] Are you from Jersey?: New Jersey, named after the Isle of Jersey, is founded...
2.1922] And they called it…the NFL: The American Professional Football Association has the good sense to change its name to the National Football League. Interesting footnote: Curly Lambeau paid $250 for the Green Bay Packers, founded by his employer, the Indian Packing Company. Today the entire community of Green Bay owns the team…
3.1948] That wall won’t be for handball: Communists forces cut off all land and water routes between West and East Berlin. The U.S. organizes a massive airlift known as "The Berlin Airlift"…
4.1949] Hoppy’s happy: "Hopalong Cassidy" becomes the 1st network (NBC) western on TV. The series will run 2 seasons…
5.1953] With this ring: John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier announce their engagement. In September they marry
6.1956] Hi-Ho Steverino: "The Steve Allen Show" returns on NBC-TV for 5 years…
7.1975] Tragedy at JFK: An Eastern Airlines Boeing 727 crashes while attempting to land during a thunderstorm at JFK, killing 113…
8.1979] Diamond Dust: Rickey Henderson wastes no time in stealing his 1st base, doing it in his major league debut with Oakland…

9.1987] “Happy Trails": Jackie Gleason dies from colon and liver cancer at 71…2006] Patsy Ramsey, mother of JonBenet, dies from ovarian cancer at 49…
10.1992] Gotcha: “Crazy Eddie” Antar is captured and arrested in Israel on U.S. fraud charges. Remember the commercial done by Jerry Carroll?…1993] An Arab terror group planning the bombing of the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels gets caught - all are arrested

Music Memories:
1972] Released on this date: "I Am Woman" - Helen Reddy...
1992] Graduated on this date: At 43, Billy Joel receives his diploma from Hicksville High School...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Minka Kelly (30), Nancy Allen (60), Peter Weller (63), former N.Y. Gov. George Pataki (65), Mick Fleetwood (63), Jeff Beck (66), Michelle Lee (68), Sam Jones (77), Jack Carter (87) and "Happy Days" Al aka Al Molinaro (91)...

Timeline Countdown: 10 days until July 4th, 19 days until the MLB All-Star game & 31 days until NFL training camps begin opening...

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Direct Mail Coupons Gone Digital...

When a new idea comes along, Radio owes it to its survival to listen, especially if it can bring in new dollars. Former radio station owner, Eric Strauss describes his venture as "direct mail coupons gone digital." Strauss will be partnering with local radio and TV stations to grab a slice of the $37 billion spent annually on direct mail advertising. The direct mail coupon idea is launching July 6th in 20 markets. Initial clients include Curtis Media Group (Raleigh), Galaxy, Citadel and Clear Channel in Syracuse, NY, Citadel and Saga in Portland, Me. Consumers can sign up to receive a weekly email that contains links to 10 coupons from local merchants. Coupons can be printed at home or sent to a subscriber's cell phone. Participating radio stations are required to run 20 spots a week on a 24-hour 'best times available' basis - now that can present a problem, couldn't it? Half the radio spots target consumers, the other half target small businesses, who log in to the site to create a coupon and pay for it by credit card. Strauss will work with broadcast partners to arrive at an equitable revenue split - another potential problem...

Strauss has a sound concept: "We're going after the businesses that radio station sales people will never and should never call on - the dog groomers, landscapers and plumbers." Strauss is not limited to one station per market either. "As direct mail moves from print to digital, the money should no longer go to the big print houses. We're getting multiple broadcasters in the same market to work together to create the dominant digital direct mail brand."...

Whether or not radio buys Strauss's plan or not, it's worth looking into. I always believed in going after the guy with the biggest numbers and with a chance at a slice of $37 billion, you'd be crazy not to do some investigating...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1868] Patent no longer pending: Christopher Latham Sholes receives a patent for an invention he calls the ‘type-writer’. Sholes will sell the rights to his typewriter to the Remington Arms Company in 1872 for $12,000…
2.1955] Debuted on this date: Walt Disney’s "Lady and the Tramp"...1982] Mary Hart and her legs debut on “Entertainment Tonight"...1989] "Batman" starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson (The Joker) premieres…
3.1957] Curtains: “The Roy Rogers Show” bows out on Sundays (NBC-TV) after 6 seasons but Roy and Dale will do a Saturday musical variety show on ABC-TV in the fall of ‘62...1960] "The Pat Boone Show", a weekly musical variety show airs for the last time on ABC-TV after 3 seasons. I used to watch this live show when I worked late in the ABC mailroom…
4.1963] Talkin’ Baseball: To celebrate hitting his 100th home run, wacky Mets outfielder Jimmy Piersall runs the bases backwards…1981] The Pawtucket Red Sox-Rochester minor league game picks up in the 33rd inning. This time it only takes 18 minutes to finish the game as Pawtucket scores a run in the bottom of the 33rd. Wade Boggs played for Pawtucket and Cal Ripken Jr. for Rochester…
5.1969] This I swear: Warren E. Burger is sworn in as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court…
6.1972] Title IX: Richard Nixon signs an act barring sex discrimination in college sports. On the surface it sounds like a good idea but it's not. Title IX allocates funds for female teams indiscriminately...
7.1992] Guilty as charged: John Gotti, convicted on racketeering charges is sentenced to life in prison where he will die of throat cancer…1993] Lorena Bobbitt of Prince William County (VA) mutilates her husband John by severing a particularly sensitive male organ after he allegedly rapes her…
8.1995] ‘Happy Trails’: Dr. Jonas Salk who developed the first vaccine against Polio, dies of unknown causes at 80…2009] Ed McMahon passes away at 86. While no formal cause of death is given, McMahon's publicist attributes his death to many health problems he suffered over his final months...
9.1997] Friendly fire: Civil Rights activist Betty Shabazz, 61, widow of Malcolm X, dies from burns she suffered in an earlier fire set by her 12-year old grandson…
10.2003] Meltdown countdown begins: Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean announces his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination which turns into a Barnum and Bailey Circus ending...



Commentary:
The New York State Broadcasters Association will induct its Hall of Fame class of 2010 at its 48th Executive Conference on Monday, June 28 at the Sagamore Resort Hotel in Bolton Landing, N.Y. Leading the radio side of the class will be the late, legendary Scott Muni, who passed away in 2004. Joining Scottso is Jim Roselle of WJTN Jamestown, N.Y. On the TV side, WRGB's late Dan DiNicola and WHAM newsman Don Alhart will enter the hall. Also joining the class is Percy Sutton. Sutton was one of the owners of Inner City Broadcasting and the leader of the renovation of The Apollo theatre in the 80's.


Music Memories:
1958] Debuted on the charts on this date: "Splish, Splash" - Bobby Darin...
1965] Released on this date: "Tracks of my Tears" - Smokey Robinson & Miracles...1979] "My Sharona" - The Knack...
1979] #1 on this date: "Hot Stuff" - Donna Summer...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Jason Mraz (33), K.T. Tunstall (35), Frances McDormand (53), AI judge Randy Jackson (54), Clarence Thomas (62), Bryan Brown (63) and Ted Shackelford (64)...

Timeline Countdown: 11 days until July 4th, 20 days until the All-Star game & 32 days until NFL training camps begin to open...

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Social Networkers Choose Radio Over Television...

Edison Research says "we are truly witnessing a sea change in how mainstream consumers communicate." Edison is referring to the phenomenon of social networking. Among some of Edison's findings in a recent study show that social networking has doubled from 24% to 48% from 2008 to 2010. "Even more remarkable, as social networking has entered the mainstream, it has also quickly become not just an occasional diversion but a habitual part of American life." 30% of users that check their sites and services several times a day, has gone from 18 million to 39 million in one year...

More women than men are social networkers - 57% to 43%. Although all age groups are represented, most of the women are 18-34, the demo that radio screams for. "Americans with "the social habit" are watching significantly less traditional television, but potentially consuming (and sharing) more "video" through alternative means. Pandora is already the dominant online audio brand with frequent social networkers. These consumers' propensity for posting status updates and other content, combined with Pandora's recent movies to integrate with Facebook, will likely position Pandora as the dominant music discovery brand online." ...

Not good news for terrestrial radio, that last part, and if you haven't yet integrated Facebook and Twitter into your website or opened an account - do it now. The social network tipping point for me was when TV, never first in anything, jumped all over it...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1915] The straphanger is born: The BMT begins subway service from Brooklyn to Manhattan…
2.1937] Bombs away: Joe Louis makes the clock strike 12 for “Cinderella Man", James J. Braddock by taking the heavyweight title from him with a KO in the 8th round. Kill the audio unless you know German...
3.1944] GI Bill of Rights: FDR signs the GI Bill of Rights, authorizing a broad package of benefits for WWII veterans...
4.1945] Bloody battle: The WWII battle for Okinawa ends with 12,520 Americans and 110,000 Japanese killed in the 83-day campaign...
5.1969] ‘Happy Trails’: Judy Garland dies from an overdose of sleeping pills at 47…1987] Fred Astaire dies from pneumonia at 88...2008] George Carlin dies of heart failure at 71...
6.1970] Too young to drink but old enough to fight and vote: President Richard Nixon signs a measure lowering the voting age to 18. These kids want to vote at 16!!!
7.1977] Serving the time: Former Attorney General John N. Mitchell begins serving a sentence for his role in the Watergate cover-up...
8.1981] Guilty as charged: Mark David Chapman pleads guilty to killing John Lennon
9.1987] The end of 'The Franchise': After spending over two weeks training for a comeback with the Mets, Tom Seaver retires, finishing his Hall of Fame career with 311 victories -- 198 wearing a Met uniform...
10.1992] What were the Supes thinking?: The Supreme Court unanimously rules that hate-crime laws that ban cross-burning and similar expressions of racial bias violate free-speech rights...

Music Memories:
1959] Released on this date: "Memphis" - Chuck Berry...1963] "Wipe Out" - Surfaris...1963] "Fingertips" - Little Stevie Wonder...1968] "Classical Gas" - Mason Williams...1973] "Living in the Material World" LP - George Harrison...
1990] Live from Yankee Stadium: From that performance, Billy Joel's in a "New York State of Mind"...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Carson Daly
(37), Amy Brenneman (46), Cyndi Lauper (57), Lindsay Wagner (61), Meryl Streep (61), Todd Rundgren (62), Howard Kaylan (63), Peter Asher (66), Kris Kristofferson (74) and Ralph (John Walton) Waite (82)...

Timeline Countdown: 12 days until July 4th, 31 days until the MLB All-Star game and 33 days until NFL training camps start opening...

Monday, June 21, 2010

Sirius XM Radio Asks Apple - What About Us???

Sirius XM is not happy about Apple's new relationship with HD Radio. Apple has filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering the use of iBiquity's HD Radio technology. It appears that the next step could be iPods and iPhones with HD tuners. While large companies often patent apps that never make it to market, odds are that this one is for real - full HD service in Apple devices. HD is already a staple in Microsoft's Zune HD but Zune hasn't made much of a dent in the device race. Apple Nano already offers an FM tuner which exposes new music and tags songs for future purchase on iTunes (promotion in motion)...

Sirius XM does have apps that are available for Apple devices and the SkyDock, but apparently a full blown relationship with Apple isn't about to happen any time soon. It's time for Mr. Karmazin to turn on his 'charm' with Steve Jobs...
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) should make the installation of radio chips in every mobile device their number one priority. For radio, especially terrestrial radio, to survive, it must be portable. When transistor radios became popular in the 50's, one of the strongest selling points for radio was its portability ('Take us along, we're portable'). It's just as true today as it was then...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1893] Debuted on this date: The 1st Ferris Wheel premieres at the Chicago Columbian Exposition...
2.1963] There he went: 20-year old Florida A&M freshman Bob Hayes earns the title of "World's Fastest Human" by shattering the 100-yard dash record in 9.10 seconds flat at the AAU championships in St. Louis. "Bullet Bob" will star as a receiver for the Dallas Cowboys...
3.1964] Disappearance & then death: Three civil rights workers disappear in Philadelphia, Miss. Six weeks later their bodies are found. 41 years to the day after the crime, Edgar Ray Killen, an 80-year old former Ku Klux Klansman is found guilty. Killen will serve the rest of his life in prison...
4.1964] Oh no: Future Hall of Fame pitcher and U.S. Senator from Kentucky, Jim Bunning, pitches a perfect game against the Mets at Shea Stadium on Father's Day (6/21). His catcher Gus Triandos becomes the first catcher to catch no-hitters in both leagues, having done it previously in the 50s when he caught Hoyt Wilhelm's no-hitter...
5.1977] Lots of Mazel: Menachem Begin becomes Israel's 6th prime minister...
6.1982] His mind is INSANE!!!: John Hinckley Jr. is found innocent by reason of insanity in the shootings of President Ronald Reagan and 3 others...
7.1985] Summer sleeper: The summer sleeper at the box office is "Cocoon" starring husband and wife team, Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy and let's not forget Don Ameche...
8.1989] Not super at all: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that burning the American flag as a form of political protest is protected by the First Amendment. What were they thinking???
9.2001] 'Happy Trails': Carroll O'Connor dies from a heart attack brought about by diabetes at 76...2001] Legendary blues singer John Lee Hooker, believed to be 83, dies from natural causes at his home in Los Altos (CA)...
10.2004] Busted: Connecticut Gov. John Rowland resigns amid graft allegations and a federal investigation. Rowland serves a term of 10 months in prison before being released...

Music Memories:
1969] Released on this date: "In the Year 2525" - Zager & Evans...1975] "How Sweet It Is" - James Taylor...
1975] #1 on this date: "Love Will Keep Us Together" - the Captain & Tennille... •1975] Live from Wembley: Elton John, the Eagles and the Beach Boys pack the stadium with 72,000 fans...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Prince William (28), Michael (Steven Keaton of "Family Ties") Gross (63) and Meredith (Elyse Keaton) Baxter (63), Brenda Holloway (64), Ray Davies of the Kinks (66), Mariette Hartley (70), Bernie ("Love Boat") Kopell (77) and Jane Russell (89)...

Timeline Countdown: Summer starts today, 13 days until July 4th, 22 days until the MLB All-Star game & 34 days until NFL training camps begin to open...

Friday, June 18, 2010

It's The Music That Drives Online & Mobile Listening...

(Weekend Edition)
For those who believe that music is dead, put the black clothes back in the closet. There will not be a funeral today. Naysayers have been trying to bury the music of today by failing to see that the old methods of exposing and selling music moved to a new address. YouTube, iTunes, Online and now Mobile fuel the exposure and sales of music today. The latter two sources are forecast to rise 15% in 2010 to 8.3 billion hours, compared to only a 9% increase in 2009. AccuStream Research supplies the forecast along with the news that total listening hours are forecast to expand 22% in 2011. Ad supported listening hours are forecast to improve 20% this year but as inventory sellout rates continue to increase, royalty rates are reset and mobile platforms achieve greater scale...
The Online and Mobile Music Spins and Media Spend: 2010 - 2012 report notes that audio and video ad sales make up about 50% of total media spend made against Internet radio, generating market value of $168 - $190 million in '09 including all paid placement, from banners to rich media executions. Sellout is forecast to reach 55% and generate $135 million in 2010 (audio and video media buys alone), a 41.6% growth spike; the market grew by 13.9% in 2009. So what's in it for terrestrial radio? AccuStream says that this year's estimates acknowledge much greater emphasis being made by terrestrial broadcasters with online extensions to implement a highly localized sales strategy...
The music listening curve has now reached mobile radio. You can look for the mobile music media spend to grow from the $6.7 million forecast for 2010 along with an increase in listening hours. Mobile provides out-of-home listening and together with the Internet, provides the whole package. And then there's satellite. Terrestrial radio has to work that much harder to compete...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1812] If it’s 1812 there must be a war: The War of 1812 begins as the U.S. declares war against Great Britain. The conflict begins over trade restrictions (6/18)…
2.1910] Dad's day: Father's Day is celebrated for the first time in Spokane (WA) (6/19)...
3.1934] Beware the FCC: Congress establishes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The original duties of the FCC were to: "regulate interstate and foreign communications in the public interest." Regulating the airwaves came later (6/19)…
4.1948] Debuted on this date: Columbia Records unveils its new long-playing 33 1/3 rpm phonograph record (6/18)…
5.1953] On the hot seat: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed by electric chair at Sing Sing on charges of conspiring to pass U.S. atomic secrets to Russia, although their sons have been fighting to free their names for years (6/19)…
6.1963] Hotline 5-5300: The U.S. and Soviet Union sign an agreement to set up a hotline between the two superpowers (6/20)...
7.1975] Debuted on this date: "Jaws" premieres and becomes the big summer blockbuster (6/20). Most of the exteriors are shot on Martha's Vineyard where the water was still cold...
8.1977] Battling Billy: Billy Martin accuses Reggie Jackson of loafing in rightfield during a game against the Red Sox at Fenway. Martin pulls him out of the game and then the fun begins. Players and coaches have to separate the two as they fight in the Yankee dugout on live TV. Just another day at the office for the Yankees (6/18)…
9.1983] Ride Sally Ride: Astronaut Sally K. Ride becomes our first woman in space as she and 4 other colleagues blast off aboard the space shuttle Challenger. This is the same Challenger that will explode later in January, 1986. Sally was not aboard that time and is now retired from the space program (6/18)…
10.1984] Talk can be deadly: Denver Talk Radio host Alan Berg is shot to death outside his home. Two white supremacists are convicted of civil rights violations in the slaying (6/18)…


Music Memories:
1965] #1 on this date: "Mr. Tambourine Man" - Byrds (6/20)...1966] "Paperback Writer" - Beatles (6/19)...1977] "Got to Give It Up (Part 1)" - Marvin Gaye (6/20)...

1969] Record breaker: Jimi Hendrix earns the largest paycheck (to date) for a single show when he earns $125,000 for a single set at the Newport Jazz Festival (6/20)...
1971] Signed, Sealed & Delivered: Don Kirshner (Monkees, Archies) signs a group called Tomorrow. One of the members of the group is Olivia Newton-John (6/19)...1980] David Geffen's 1st signing on his new Geffen label is Donna Summer. Donna had already had her biggest hits on Neil Bogart's Casablanca label (6/19) ...
1973] Anniversary Special: "American Bandstand" celebrates its 20th anniversary with a 90-minute special starring Little Richard, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Cheech and Chong & Three Dog Night (6/20). Here's the full version of the theme song by Barry Manilow...

Commentary:
Paul Power notes that 20th North Shore Cancer WALK, one of the largest single day fundraising events on the North Shore is coming up this Sunday (6/20). This year the event will become a WALK/RUN. Both events start at Salem (MA) Willows Park. Online registration for the RUN is closed but you can still participate the day of the race by registering at the RUN tent from 8am to 10:30am. Paul is walking on behalf of his late mother...Congratulations to WCBS-FM, #1 in the latest Arbitron. This was a long time in coming...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (6/18) Isabella Rossellini (58), Carol Kane (58), Roger Ebert (68), Paul McCartney (68) and Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock (71)...(6/19) Paula Abdul (48), Kathleen Turner (56), Ann (Heart) Wilson (60), Phylicia Rashad (62), Salman Rushdie (63), Elaine aka "Spanky" McFarlane (68), Tommy Devito (Four Seasons) (74) and Gena Rowlands (80)...(6/20) Nicole Kidman (43), John Goodman (58), Lionel Richie (61), Bob Vila (64), Anne Murray (62), Brian Wilson (68), John Mahoney (70), Danny Aiello (77), Martin Landau (79) and Olympia Dukakis (79)...

Timeline Countdown: 2 days until Father's Day, 3 days until Summer and 16 days until July 4th...





Thursday, June 17, 2010

Radio Gets Its Share Of BP Ad Money...

Radio got the bulk of media ad money back in April after the disasterous Gulf oil spill occured. BP chose radio to deliver their regrets for the spill by running nearly 3,000 (2,934) spots per week, followed by cable (991) and TV (799). Since then Media Monitors now report that cable (1,639) has replaced radio as BP's first media choice for its message, followed by TV (1464) and then radio (1459). That was the ad placement for 6/8-6/14. If as Marshall McLuhan once claimed, 'The Medium Is The Message', then despite BP's ad support, the message is not getting through according to a recent USA Today/Gallup Poll...

The poll conducted June 11-13 proves that BP's message is not working. 59% polled want BP to pay all losses, even if it goes out of business, 38% want BP to pay as much as it can afford while remaining viable. Keep in mind this survey was done before the $20 billion BP payback was announced. And how does the public feel about the job the president is doing in dealing with BP? A resounding 71% feel the president is not tough enough with BP. The majority of Americans (53%) rate Obama's handling of the spill as "poor" or "very poor", compared with 81% who give BP the same rating...

There seems to be a swing from the apology message BP was running to Gulf locals who say that claims are being met and everything is being done as quickly as possible. BP assures that they care about the "small people"

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1775] Hunker at Bunker: The Battle of Bunker Hill is waged near Boston during the Revolutionary War…
2.1885] Who’s that lady?: The Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor aboard the French ship Isere…
3.1941] First TV CP: WNBT-TV (now WNBC), channel 4, New York City is granted the first construction permit to operate a commercial TV station in the country. The station signs on July 1, 1941…
4.1950] I left my heart in San Francisco and my liver in Kansas City: 44-year old Ruth Tucker receives the first kidney transplant in a 45-minute operation in a suburban Chicago hospital. Unfortunately Ms. Tucker was supposed to get a new liver (kidding)...
5.1960] Teddy launches #500: Ted Williams hits a two-run shot to help the Red Sox beat the Indians 3-1. That home run gives Williams 500 as the “Splendid Splinter” becomes only the 4th player with 500 home runs…
6.1961] Dancing defector: Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev defects to the West while his troupe performs in Paris...
7.1972] The floodgates open up at Watergate: President Richard Nixon’s downfall begins with the arrest of 5 burglars inside Democratic national headquarters in Washington, D.C.’s Watergate complex…
8.1994] This is A.C., I got O.J. in the car: After leading the LAPD on a crawl-like chase through Southern California, O.J. Simpson is arrested and charged with the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman
9.2005] Guilty as charged: Dennis Kozlowski, former Tyco CEO is convicted of misappropriating Tyco’s corporate funds, among other charges. Kozlowski is serving 8 to 25 years in upstate New York. He has a parole hearing coming up in April 2012...
10.2008] Celtic Pride: The Boston Celtics win their 17th NBA championship by beating the Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games. Can they do it again? Game 7 is tonight...

Music Memories:
1967] Released on this date: "Carrie Anne" - The Hollies...1972] "Brandy" - Looking Glass...
1967] Live from Central Park: Barbra Steisand performs at a free concert...
1972] #1 on this date: "The Candy Man" - Sammy Davis Jr...


"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Venus Williams (30), SNL's Will Forte (40), Greg Kinnear (47), Thomas Haden Church (50), Joe Piscopo (59), Barry Manilow (67), Newt Gingrich (67) and tennis journalist Bud Collins (81)...

Timeline Countdown: 3 days until Father's Day, 4 days until summer and 17 days until July 4th...

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Ad Growth For Terrestrial Radio - No Growth For HD...

The headlines give terrestrial radio at least some temporary hope in its fight for survival: PWC: Radio Returns To Growth In 2010, Radio Reach Remains 239 Million, MediaGuide: Big Gains In Auto Spots, etc. etc...All good things for terrestrial radio in 2010. The forecast for HD Radio isn't quite as encouraging. It's actually pretty lousy, according to Pricewaterhouse Coopers. In its observation on the industry PWC says that HD Radio "does not offer much content beyond standard radio" and that "niche channels" will become more widely available over the next few years. The report says, "While we do not expect HD Radio to match the offerings of satellite, it will become a competitor to satellite radio." PWC cites some factors "hampering growth" for HD: "The prices of the receivers must come down. There must be a significant number of niche channels not available on tradition radio and HD Radio must become a more common feature of new cars. Until those impediments have been surmounted, we do not expect HD Radio to have a major impact on the radio industry." In other words - back to the drawing board, HD Radio...
And how will HD Radio's "competition" fare? PWC says satellite radio ad spending is projected to rise to $110 million by 2014, up from $61 million in 2009. That's a 12.5% compound annual increase. Satellite subscription spending is expected to expand to $4.1 billion in 2014, up from $2.5 billion in 2009, a 10% compound annual increase. Terrestrial radio which according to RADAR ratings has 239 million listeners, is returning to growth in 2010, driven by political ads and a rebound in car advertising in the U.S. PWC predicts that terrestrial radio advertising will rise at 3.5% compound annual growth through 2014, reaching $18.5 billion. PWC projects a 4.6% annual growth rate for the total radio market - terrestrial and satellite. They look for a bump to $21 billion in 2014 from $16.8 billion in 2009. Online advertising will gain 10.7% to $568 million in 2014 from $342 million in 2009...
To sum up: Terrestrial, Satellite & Internet aren't going anywhere but up. HD Radio?: cue the vuvuzelas...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1883] Ladies Day: The New York Gothams (Giants) admit all ladies to the game free, creating the first “Ladies Day” in baseball…
2.1893] Buy me some peanuts and: Fritz Rueckheim invents Cracker Jack
3.1932] Debuted on this date: The Ford Motor Company is incorporated…1952] "Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl" is published in the U.S…1960] Alfred Hitchcock’s "Psycho" premieres in New York City…
4.1978] Talkin’ Baseball: Tom Seaver, now a member of the Cincinnati Reds, no-hits the Cardinals 4-0. Sure, now he does it…1981] The Chicago Tribune buys the Chicago Cubs from the P.K. Wrigley Chewing Gum Co. for $20.5 million. Wrigley throws in a lifetime supply of gum for every employee of the Chicago Tribune but doesn’t guarantee to double the pleasure of Cub fans. The Tribune no longer owns the team...

5.1987] Take that: A jury in New York acquits Bernhard Goetz of attempted murder in the subway shooting of 4 youths who he said were about to rob him. He is convicted of illegal possession of a weapon. Goetz ran for public office in Manhattan a few years ago but lost…
6.1992] Guilty as charged: Former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger is indicted on felony charges in the Iran-Contra affair. He will later be pardoned by President George H.W. Bush (41)…
7.1996] ‘Happy Trails’: The legendary “Voice of the Yankees“, Mel Allen, dies at 83. Mel had open heart surgery several years earlier and had been in poor health…
8.1996] Vote for me or else: Russian voters go to the polls in their first independent presidential election. The result is a runoff between President Boris Yeltsin, the eventual winner, and a Communist challenger...

9.2000] Wedding Bells: Federal regulators approve the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE Corp., creating the nation’s largest local phone company: Verizon on June 30...
10.2004] Rebuffing the Prez: The independent commission investigating the 911 attacks says no evidence existed that al-Qaida had strong ties to Saddam Hussein

Music Memories:

  • 1967] 1st Pop Music festival: The First Annual Monterrey International Pop Music Festival draws a quarter of a million fans, watching the debut of Jimi Hendrix and 32 other acts including the Mamas & Papas, Simon & Garfunkel, Janis Joplin & Buffalo Springfield...
  • 1970] The second Pop Music festival: Woodstock Ventures, the sponsors of the original 'Woodstock', announce a loss of more than $1.2 million on the 1969 festival...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Phil Mickelson (40), Laurie Metcalf (55), Gino Vannelli (58), Roberto (no mas) Duran (59), Derek Sanderson (64), Joan Van Ark (67), Eddie Levert (68) an original member of the O'Jays & Lamont Dozier (69)...

Timeline Countdown: 4 days until Father's Day, 5 days until summer and 18 days until July 4th
...

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Pandora Remains The Elephant In The Room...

Radio's financial futures are starting to gel as SNL Kagan, the Radio Advertising Bureau and BIA/Kelsey all agree that radio revenue will be up more than expected this year. Good thing because Pandora appears to be cleaning everyone's clock. Pandora is the elephant in the room. The elephant that everyone in radio hopes will just go away. The good news is that Pandora isn't radio, it's a music service - advantage radio for remaining local and free. The bad news is that maybe Pandora is the new radio. 50 million Pandora users are doing fine, thank you. They don't seem to be concerned about whatever Pandora might be called - it's their favorite source for music and that's all they care about...

Pandora just took another giant step by launching its own ad platform for its iPad app. The 30 million mobile Pandora users can now view video and audio ads from within the app and Lexus, Starbucks and Budweiser are still considering target advertising campaigns according to Spacelab and Advertising Age. Pandora, the new online chart topper in radio after beating out CBS Radio and Clear Channel from 6am to midnight in April and May is now eyeing the automobile dashboard arena. Pandora will be working with Ford and other car manufacturers on making Pandora a part of an internet-connected dashboard radio...

It wasn't that long ago that Pandora met with lawmakers, got in the middle of the performance royalty fight and stood toe-to-toe with the big guys. At one point, founder Tim Westergren considered shutting down Pandora. That consideration is now just a bad dream...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1904] East River tragedy: More than 1,000 die when fire erupts aboard the steamboat General Slocum in New York City’s East River. From my window I can see the actual location of the tragedy in the river, near Hell Gate...
2.1923] The Ironman era has begun: Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig makes his major league debut with the Yankees...
3.1948] Debuted on this date: WPIX-TV (11) begins broadcasting in New York City…1969] "Hee Haw" debuts on CBS-TV, hosted by Buck Owens and Roy Clark1973] "American Graffiti (Where were you in '62?)" premieres in New York City…
4.1938] Talkin’ Baseball: Reds pitcher Johnny Vander Meer spoils Ebbets Field’s first night game by pitching his second consecutive no-hitter. It's safe to say that this record will never be broken because a pitcher would have to pitch 3 consecutive no-hitters to break it…1977] The Mets do the unthinkable, trading Tom Seaver to Cincinnati for Pat Zachry, Steve Henderson, Doug Flynn and Dan Norman. The Mets will eventually reacquire Seaver in 1983…
5.1978] Wedding bells: King Hussein of Jordan marries 26-year old American Lisa Halaby, who becomes Queen Noor...
6.1992] Are you smarter than a fifth-grader?: Vice President Dan Quayle puts on a dunce cap and sits in the corner after spelling potato with an "e". The Trenton (NJ) elementary school than spells Quayle's name: "d-u-m-m-y"...
7.1995] If the glove don't fit, you must acquit: That was the quote from attorney Johnnie Cochran in the O.J. Simpson double-murder trial after O.J. struggles to put on the murder gloves. Case over, O.J. walks...
8.1996] ‘Happy Trails’: The legendary Ella Fitzgerald dies from circulation problems, having lost both legs in 1994. Ella was 79…
9.2005] Autopsy results: The autopsy on Terri Schiavo is released, backing the contention of her husband, Michael, that she was in a persistent vegetative state when they pulled the plug...
10.2006] Gates bows out: Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates says he will transition from day-to-day responsibilities at the company to concentrate on the charitable work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Since then, he and his wife have given out millions to help people worldwide..

Music Memories:
1956] How do you do: 15-year old John Lennon and 13-year old Paul McCartney meet for the 1st time when John and his Quarrymen perform at a church dinner in Liverpool...
1958] On "The Ed Sullivan Show": "Twilight Time" - The Platters...
1963] Released on this date: "Surf City" - Jan and Dean...
1963] #1 on this date: "Sukiyaki" - Kyu Sakamoto, becomes the 1st Japanese record to go to #1 in America...

Commentary...
The New York AES Section presents "The Dawn of Commercial Digital Recording' presented by Tom Fine and hosted by Robert (Auldworks) Auld, tonight from 6:30 to 9pm at the Dolby Screening Room, 1350 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) in Manhattan. The event is open to the public...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Neil Patrick Harris (35), Andy Pettitte (38), Leah Remini (40), Courteney Cox Arquette (46), Helen Hunt (47), Wade Boggs (52), Jim Belushi (56), Air Supply's Russell Hitchcock (61), Muff Winwood (67) and former N.Y. Gov. Mario Cuomo (78)...

Timeline Countdown: 2 days until Father's Day, 6 days until Summer and 19 days until July 4th......


Monday, June 14, 2010

FCC Commissioner Brings Back An Old Refrain...

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn floated what sounded like a new idea when she spoke at the 35th Annual Community Radio Conference in Minnesota last week, but was it? Clyburn told the gathering that she would like the Commission to consider reallocating the FM spectrum previously used for TV channels 5 and 6 for Low Power FM outlets, non-commercial and AM broadcasters. If that sounds like a familiar refrain, see former FCC Chairman Kevin Martin (Oct. 15, 2008). It was on that date that the former FCC Chairman and human punching bag for the radio industry, suggested the very thing that Ms. Clyburn is now recommending. Martin claimed that 'white spaces' (now referred to, apparently, as channels 5 and 6) will go unused after the federally mandated transformation of analog TV signal to digital. Martin said he was "hoping to take advantage of utilizing these airwaves for broadband services to allow for unlicensed technologies and new innovations in that space." Cell phone providers then mounted pressure on the FCC to instead offer up the white-space for sale to boost competition and market leverage. Radio said the 'white spaces' would "disrupt their broadcasts and wireless microphone manufacturers said they would disrupt the signals used in sports events and concerts." On November 4, 2008, the FCC unanimously agreed to open up unused broadcast TV spectrum for unlicensed use...

Two years later, FCC Commissioner Clyburn would like the Commission to consider reallocating the unused, un-wanted spectrum for Low Power FM, non-commercial and AM broadcasters. Low Power FM will take whatever they can get. Ditto non-commercial but if I'm an AM broadcaster looking for more power, I'm telling Ms. Clyburn - uh, I don't think so or something slightly more uncivil than that. See Johnny Paycheck (1977)...

Clyburn said "I am not suggesting that the Commission move today to reallocate this spectrum for such uses. What I am suggesting, however, is that it is time for us to take a serious look at where these services fit within the overall spectrum plan." The answer from radio should be a resounding chorus of 70,000 vulvuzelas...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1775] 'Army Strong': The United States Army is founded by the Continental Congress...
2.1777] Stars & Stripes forever: The Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopts the Stars and Stripes as our national flag...1893] Philadelphia observes the 1st 'Flag Day'...
3.1922] On the radio: Warren G. Harding becomes the first president heard on radio as WEAR Baltimore broadcasts his speech dedicating the Francis Scott Key memorial at Fort McHenry. Here's an earlier speech by Harding...
4.1943] What were they thinking?: The Supreme Court rules that school children could not be compelled to salute the flag of the United States if doing so would conflict with their religious beliefs...
5.1949] A tough crowd: Philadelphia Phillies 1st baseman Eddie Waitkus is shot in the chest at a Chicago hotel by a 19-year old fan obsessed with him for years. Waitkus will recover and play for the 1950 pennant-winning Phillies. Waitkus did not know the fan...
6.1953] "There's a time for joy, a time for tears": Elvis Presley graduates from L.C. Humes High School in Memphis...
7.1954] Now we're talking: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs an order adding the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance...
8.1989] Busted in Beverly Hills: Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor is arrested for slapping a Beverly Hills cop who had pulled her car over. She later apologizes to the officer saying 'I'm sorry deah, I sought you ver vun of mine husbands'...
9.1994] "Happy Trails": Composer and winner of 20 Grammy Awards, Henry Mancini dies at 70 of pancreatic cancer...1996] The legendary Ella Fitzgerald dies from bad circulation problems, having lost both legs in 1994. Miss Fitzgerald was 79...

10.1998] 'Three-peat": Michael Jordan leads the Chicago Bulls to their second 'three-peat' and 6th NBA title of the decade...

Jimmy Dean R.I.P.

Jimmy Dean, who went from a Country music artist and TV show host to an entrepreneur (Jimmy Dean Sausage) died yesterday at 81. Dean, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame was recently in poor health. Dean's death was from natural causes. Jimmy Dean will always be remembered for 'Big John'...

Music Memories:
1964] #1 on this date: "Chapel of Love" - Dixie Cups...
1965] Recorded on this date: "Yesterday" - Beatles...1965] "Like a Rolling Stone" - Bob Dylan...
1965] Released on this date: Beatles VI LP...

Commentary...
A Tribute to Shadoe Stevens will be held tomorrow night, June 15 at the Silent Movie Theatre in Los Angeles. The tribute will feature 'Federated Group' Commercials Best Of and Shadoevision. One of the most berserk, outrageous and unforgettable TV comedies of the 1980's will be featured along with other wacky delights. Shadoe Stevens will be played by various mimes, present and past. For more information and a free translation of the ceremony, call 323-655-2510 or go to http://www/cinefamily.org/ . Break a leg Shadoe...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Steffi Graf (41), Campbell Brown (42), Boy George aka George O'Dowd (49), Eric Heiden (52), Donald Trump (64), Rod Argent (65) Rod is the lead singer of the Zombies...Marla Gibbs (79) and Don Newcombe (84)...

Timeline Countdown: Today is Flag Day, 6 days until Father's Day, 7 days until summer and 20 days until July 4th...

Friday, June 11, 2010

Radio Should Be Watching Quarterly Ad Pricing Changes...

(Weekend Edition)

Online advertising is still in its infancy - so much so that most radio stations are torn between selling the ads using CPM (cost per thousand), CPC (cost per click through), CPL (cost per lead) or CPS (cost per sale). The latter is commonly used for bloggers carrying ads. Whatever radio finally chooses to term it, they better be following the changes in ad pricing from quarter-to-quarter. If they are, they know that food and sports were the categories posting the biggest year-over-year gains in ad pricing in the first quarter according to vertical ad network Adify. The average effective CPM for the food segment increased 179% to $4.19 from a year ago, while sports was up 121% to $4. In all, only 4 of 11 categories were down in Q1 2010 measured against Q1 2009...

In addition to food and sports, real estate pricing, (healthy) living & lifestyle, entertainment and beauty & fashion were up Q1 to Q1. The affluent category was flat but travel, news, moms & parents, business - all took a hit. Adify adds that the results are seasonal with an expected drop-off from the 4th quarter when ad budgets tend to be highest (Merry Christmas!)...

What radio should note are the categories that are down from Q1 in 2009. Those are the categories that are not bouncing back from the recession as well as others. They would include: travel, news, moms & parents & business. I wouldn't be making a call on a travel agency just yet...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1912] 300-wins club: Christy Mathewson pitches a no-hitter in winning his 300th game (6/13)...2003] Roger Clemens joins the 300-wins club and becomes the third pitcher to reach 4,000 strikeouts (6/13)...
2.1923] Free at last: Harry Houdini frees himself from a straight jacket while suspended upside down, 40 feet above the street in New York City (6/12)...
3.1935] Cinderella man: James J. Braddock, a 29-year old New Jersey longshoreman wins the world heavyweight championship in a 15-round decision over Max Baer (6/13). Braddock wears the crown for 2 years before losing it to Joe Louis...
4.1948] Bye, bye Babe: Babe Ruth bows out at Yankee Stadium as his #3 is retired (6/13)...
5.1953] Gone too soon: “Amos and Andy” ends its 2-year run on television, 24 years on radio, because of racial sensitivity. In my opinion this was one of the greatest comedy series of all-time (6/11)...
6.1978] Premiered on this date: "Grease" the movie, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (6/11)…1982] “ET” opens and sets record-breaking box-office numbers. It’s the big summer movie (6/11)...
7.1990] Half a dozen in the books: Nolan Ryan pitches his sixth no-hitter in a win over Oakland. Ryan will pitch one more before retiring after the 1993 season (6/11)…
8.1994] Slashed to death: Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman are slashed to death outside her Los Angeles home. Former husband, football Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson is later acquitted of the killings in a criminal trial but held liable in a civil action (6/12)...
9.2002] Wedding Bells: Paul McCartney and Heather Mills are married. They will separate in May 2006 and the divorce becomes final in May, 2008 (6/11)…
10.2008] 'Happy Trails': "Meet The Press" host Tim Russert dies suddenly from a heart attack at 58 (6/13)...

Music Memories:
1964] Recorded on this date: "Doo Wah Diddy Diddy" - Manfred Mann (6/11)...
1965] Released on this date: "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - Rolling Stones (6/12)...1969] "Space Oddity" (single) - David Bowie (released to coincide with our first lunar landing)(6/11)...1976] "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)" - Wild Cherry (6/11)...
1965] #1 on this date: "Back in My Arms Again" - Supremes (6/12) (5th consecutive #1 hit)...1970] The Beatles dominate the charts with the #1 single ("Long and Winding Road") and LP ("Let It Be")(6/13)...1977] "Dreams" - Fleetwood Mac (6/12)...1988] "Together Forever" - Rick Astley (6/12)...

Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (6/11) Jose Reyes (27), Hugh ("House") Laurie (51), Joe Montana (54), Adrienne Barbeau (65), Joey Dee (70), Chad Everett (74), Gene Wilder (77), Charles Rangel (80) and Rise Stevens (97)...(6/12) Cheap Trick's Bun E. Carlos (59), The Trogg's Reg Presley (67), Len Barry (68), Marv Albert (69), Jim Nabors (80), Vic Damone (82), our 41st President George H.W. Bush (86) and David Rockefeller (95)...(6/13) Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (24), Hannah Storm (48), Tim Allen (57), Richard (John-Boy) Thomas (59), Dennis Locorriere a.k.a. Dr. Hook (61), Siegfried Fischbacher (71) and Christo (75)...

Timeline Countdown: 9 days until Father's Day, 10 days until summer and 23 days until July 4th...