Wednesday, April 11, 2012
 Wednesday, April 11, 2012 Today's TALKERS magazine CBS Radio's WPHT Touts New "Live and Local" Lineup.  With WYD Media talk show host Michael Smerconish soon to air live on his flagship station WPHT, Philadelphia as he replaces Premiere Networks' Rush Limbaugh, CBS Radio is promoting its dedication to "live and local" talk radio on the Philly news/talker. Philadelphia market manager Marc Rayfield states, "We pride ourselves on being local and serving Philadelphians first. Having Michael broadcast live is another example of our commitment to the audience. The November election is one of the most important ever and WPHT will continue to offer a local platform no matter what side of the aisle you sit on." WPHT's morning show (for years hosted by Smerconish) is hosted by Chris Stigall, Dom Giordano is late morning talent, Smerconish takes over 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm, Gary R'nel hosts evenings and the station promises to bring a new live and local PM drive show to the station to replace Smerconish's delayed broadcast. BIA/Kelsey Reports Radio's On-Air Revenue Flat in 2011.  The quarterly "Investing in Radio Market Report" from BIA/Kelsey indicates revenue from over-the-air radio rose a modest 0.4% over 2010 numbers to $14.1 billion in 2011. While the revenue for over-the-air was basically flat, digital revenue rose 15.1% to reach $439 million. In the report, BIA/Kelsey predicts online revenue will continue to grow at a fast pace to $505 million in 2012 and to $767 million in 2016. Political spending in 2012 is also expected to boost total radio revenue by as much as 3.5% over 2011 figures. BIA/Kelsey VP and chief economist Mark Fratrik says, "Although radio's revenue ascent has been slow since its bottoming in 2009, the industry always picks up steam in an election year and is continuing to prove itself as a valuable local advertising medium, particularly as the integration between over-the-air and online improves. News stations, in particular, continue to be leaders in many markets by creating comprehensive over-the-air and digital portfolios of ad products and formats to drive deeper advertiser engagement and prove their value in the ad buying mix." All-News WCBS Tops New York Revenue Pile for Third Straight Year.  Although revenue was actually down from year-to-year – billing dropped from $49 million in 2010 to $47.5 million – all-news WCBS was still the top biller in the Big Apple, according to Crain's New York Business. The story includes analysis of the BIA/Kelsey report in the story above. The top five revenue-generating stations in New York for 2011 were: WCBS, CHR WHTZ-FM, lite rock WLTW-FM, all-news WINS, and sports talk WFAN. Sports Talk Host Dan Sileo Takes Over PM Drive at WQAM, Miami. TALKERS is hearing reports from South Florida that former WDAE, Tampa talk show host Dan Sileo is joining Beasley  Broadcasting's sports talk WQAM, Miami to host the PM drive show beginning this afternoon. Sileo exited Clear Channel Media and Entertianment's WDAE several weeks ago after a number of years hosting morning drive at the station. Sileo apparently replaces mercurial sports talk host Sid Rosenberg -- at least for now -- who was arrested on DUI and driving with a suspended license charges last week. It is not clear what Rosenberg's status with WQAM is other than that he is off the air this week. Production Talent Changes at Premiere Networks' "Coast to Coast AM." With longtime production voice Ross Mitchell leaving the show to pursue other interests, Premiere Networks' "Coast to  Coast AM" announces Dick Ervasti and Charles Thomas join the program. The network states, "Dick Ervasti now lends his voice to the program's introductions, while Charles Thomas voices on-air announcements and promos, as well as "Somewhere in Time with Art Bell." Based in Minneapolis, Ervasti is a veteran voice actor with credits ranging from "America's Most Wanted" and the blockbuster film "Transformers," to The History Channel and the CBS hit drama "NCIS." Thomas also has a wide range of credits, which include commercials for Samsung, Chevy Silverado, The Home Depot, the Syfy original series "Warehouse 13" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance." Talk Radio Pioneer Bruce Williams Returns to Biz Via Podcast. Iconic talk radio star Bruce Williams, who left his regularly aired radio show several years ago, is returning to the  business with new podcasts available three days per week. The podcasts are being produced from calls to Williams during other times. Fans with questions for Williams are being asked to call during specific times when Williams will be able to record their conversations – today from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm ET, for example. An e-mail blast from his office states, "Remember, this Wednesday April 11 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm ET, Bruce will be taking calls off the air which will air next Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Tuesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 19 of next week he will be live taking calls from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET. For now this will be the weekly schedule. Think of all those questions you wanted to ask him for the last two years and were not able to and give him a call, even if it's to just welcome him back. The call in number is 855-85-CALL TAE (855-852-2558). The show will also be on iTunes with the past seven shows available. All shows will be available at www.taeradio.com. WGOW-FM, Chattanooga Names Brian Joyce Midday Host. Brian Joyce most recently worked at Entercom's WRKO, Boston hosting a weekend talk program. His bio lists his varied work experience including: truck driver, bartender and  stand-up comic, among others. Joyce tells the local Nooga.com that he considers himself part of the "radical center." "This is the new movement, especially in my head, for politics. There will be issues where I will fall far to the left or far to the right. And maybe people won't understand it at first. I don't think media addresses this currently." WGOW-FM news director Kevin West says Joyce's hiring sends a signal about how they'd like the station to sound, "I want it to be a place where it is not predetermined what you're going to get with any issue. I think Brian is going to surprise a lot of people." Joyce's program airs from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on the Cumulus Media news/talk outlet. "The Wall Street Journal This Morning" Airs in Denver. The Wall Street Journal Radio Network's morning drive – or early morning drive in Mountain Time – program "The Wall  Street Journal This Morning with Gordon Deal" clears large market KOA, Denver. Station operations director Greg Foster states, "'The Wall Street Journal This Morning' helps reinforce 850 KOA's news image during the early 'executive drive time' hours. More than just money news – 'The Wall Street Journal This Morning' is a perfect lead-in to our 'Colorado's Morning News.'" NBC May Be Preparing to Give Matt Lauer More Air Time. News of "Today" show star Matt Lauer's contract extension with NBC to remain with the program for many more years  broke over the weekend. Now, it's being reported that NBC is considering expanding the Lauer franchise – possibly by developing the "Today's Professionals" segment in which Lauer bats around the hot topics of the day with talent such as Star Jones, Donny Deutsch and Dr. Nancy Snyderman – into either a fifth hour of "Today" or another show altogether. TVGuide reports the details are not set in stone but it also reports Lauer's new deal with NBC gives him a share in the ownership of any new show outside of "Today." Santorum Drops Out of GOP Race/2012 Presidential Campaign, Facebook Buys Instagram, North Korean Rocket Test, Trayvon Martin Case and Ozzie Guillen's Castro Flap Among Top Stories on News/Talk Radio Yesterday (4/10). Rick Santorum's suspension of his campaign for the GOP nomination and the larger 2012 presidential race, Facebook's $1 billion purchase of Instagram, North Korea's new rocket test, the Trayvon Martin case and Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen's Castro comments were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday according to ongoing research from TALKERS. Click here to read these full stories and much more at talkers.com  The FCC and You – Part 2 Informal surveys of radio station managers indicate an alarming number of them are dangerously under-informed about FCC regulations. TALKERS legal editor Steven J.J. Weisman presents the second of seven in a series of crucial, info-packed articles, this one dealing with the definition of obscenity The 2012 Hersky Awards H&H Communications president and regular TALKERS marketing columnist Al Herskovitz announces this year's honorees for the very best in sales orientation in talk radio The FCC and You Informal surveys of radio station managers indicate an alarming number of them are dangerously under-informed about FCC regulations. TALKERS legal editor Steven J.J. Weisman presents the first of seven in a series of crucial, info-packed articles, this one dealing with the license renewal process Intellectual Property Case Engulfs Radio Stations Harrison Strategies senior partner and broadcasting attorney Matthew B. Harrison on the importance of knowing more about intellectual property law than just enough to avoid litigation Opinion: Talk Host Phil Valentine Says Prohibition of Ethnic References Reeks of Controlling the Language In the politically correct age, words don't actually have to be offensive, they just have to sound that way Ethnic Slurs: Don't Go There TALKERS sports editor Richard Neer writes that broadcasters and writers have to be especially aware of words that can be interpreted as ethnic slurs A Bowlful of Dollars H&H Communications president Al Herskovitz explains that talk radio sales pros can turn the Super Bowl ad extravaganza on its head to illustrate the economy and effectiveness of the reach, frequency and flexibility of a talk radio ad campaign Social Media: Handle with Care TALKERS magazine managing editor Kevin Casey and special features correspondent Mike Kinosian speak with talk radio practitioners about the good, bad and ugly aspects of using social media Handling Habitual Callers TALKERS sports editor Richard Neer offers techniques for dealing with the sports talk radio "frequent flyer." | | | |
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