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February 8, 2010

Top Story

Salem Picks GMs In Chicago, Seattle

Salem Picks GMs In Chicago, Seattle

Salem Communications names Jeff Reisman GM for its Chicago duo, while Andrew Adams is the new GM for Salem/Seattle. Reisman has been serving as GSM for the Chicago stations, and Adams was most recently an SVP with Mapleton Communications.


Business

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Katz: National Spot Market Continues To Grow

Katz: National Spot Market Continues To Grow

The word from Katz Media Group CEO Stu Olds is that the national spot market "remains very robust" in the first quarter. KMG Consolidated Radio was up 26 percent in January, he writes, and is pacing up 11 percent for this month and 13 percent in March.


PWC: Media Deal Market Could Rebound In '10

PWC: Media Deal Market Could Rebound In '10

PricewaterhouseCoopers says there could be a "rebound in deal activity" in the entertainment and media industry in 2010, following a 49 percent decline in mergers and acquisitions in the sector in 2009.


iBiquity Sets License Fees For 2010

iBiquity Sets License Fees For 2010

iBiquity Digital has set its license fees for 2010 and expanded its payment options, including a monthly plan. iBiquity CEO Bob Struble says, "HD Radio technology has enjoyed tremendous broadcaster support and seen breakthrough progress in receiver sales, automotive adoption, and product expansion over the past year. Based on this success and heightened broadcaster enthusiasm, we have created flexible, cost-effective licensing options to make upgrading easier."


O'Reilly's 'Talking Points' Tops 200

O'Reilly's 'Talking Points' Tops 200

"Bill O'Reilly's Talking Points," daily commentaries by the O'Reilly Factor host, tops 200 affiliates, Westwood One announces.


TM Studios Distributes Microjams

Dial Global's TM Studios is now distributing Microjams, an imaging service for CHR and Rhythmic stations with short "mini-songs" that replace traditional jingles.


Borrell Ups Political Spending Projection

Borrell Ups Political Spending Projection

Borrell Associates' annual political spending report is out, and the researcher is adding 10 percent, or about $400 million, to its 2010 forecast following the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn some restrictions on corporate spending.



Industry

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WROW-AM/Albany Flips To WKLI Simulcast

Albany Broadcasting's News/Talk WROW-AM/Albany, NY, has flipped to a simulcast of AC clustermate WKLI (Magic 100.9 FM), and the FM is on its way to a yet-to-be-announced new format.


SBS/Miami's Rodriguez Transitions To TV

SBS/Miami's Rodriguez Transitions To TV

Spanish Broadcasting System moves radio vet Albert Rodriguez, most recently GSM for SBS Radio/Miami, to the GM post for Mega TV in the market. SBS chief Raul Alarcon Jr. said, "Albert will serve as the perfect liaison between our TV and radio divisions."


AWRT Offers Blizzard Special

American Women in Radio and Television is offering a "Blizzard 2010 Membership Special," offering memberships this week only for $75.


Jackson's Doctor Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter

Conrad Murray, MD, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death last June of pop superstar Michael Jackson. The Los Angeles County District Attorney says Murray, a cardiologist, acted "without due caution and circumspection" in administering drugs to Jackson


Consultant Frank Magid Dies At 78

Frank N. Magid Associates founder and chairman Frank Magid has died of cancer at age 78.


Report: Iran Arrests Seven, Alleging Ties To U.S.-Backed Station

The Iranian government has reportedly arrested seven people, accusing them of ties to U.S.-backed Radio Farda, with state media saying two of those arrested are CIA operatives. A station exec tells CNN that Radio Farda has no employees inside Iran.


Cecil Heftel Dies At 85

Cecil Heftel Dies At 85

Broadcast pioneer and former Congressman Cecil Heftel died Thursday at age 85. His family said he died of natural causes after having been in failing health for some time.


Report: Idol Producers Want Stern

Report: Idol Producers Want Stern

After Howard Stern told listeners he'd had an offer of a slot on an unnamed TV show, the New York Post says the producers of American Idol would love to hire Stern to replace Idol judge Simon Cowell, who's leaving the top-rated Fox show after this season.


Irvin Out At ESPN Radio/Dallas

Former NFL star Michael Irvin is off the air at KESN (ESPN 103.3) in Chicago, after a civil suit was filed alleging Irvin raped a woman in 2007. An ESPN representative said the decision to drop Irvin's show had already been made.


Bustos Launches W Radio In Portland

Bustos Media Oregon launches Spanish News/Talk W Radio 1010 on KOOR-AM/Portland, with the Grupo Latino de Radio syndicated format.



Washington

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WSKQ/New York Draws $16K NAL For Phone Prank

WSKQ/New York Draws $16K NAL For Phone Prank

Spanish Broadcasting System's Tropical WSKQ/New York may be on the hook for a $16,000 FCC fine as the Enforcement Bureau issues a notice of apparent liability over a prank call recorded without notification to the person called. The woman called was told, as a purported joke, that her husband had been killed in a motorcycle accident.


FCC Procedures On The Agenda At Open Meeting

The FCC is set to hold its next open meeting on February 11, and a notice of proposed rulemaking "to enhance the efficiency, openness, and transparency of the commission's proceedings" is among the topics up for discussion.



Technology

FCC Worried iPad Will Jam Networks

FCC Worried iPad Will Jam Networks

The FCC hasn't yet granted its approval to Apple's upcoming iPad, and on the commission's broadband blog, FCC Director/Scenario Planning Phil Bellaria and Wireless Bureau Deputy Chief John Leibovitz say the iPad will bring even greater demand for mobile broadband, and the FCC "must ensure that network congestion doesn't choke off a service that consumers clearly find so appealing."


RadioTime Debuts Traffic Builder Campaign

Internet radio search engine RadioTime introduces Traffic Builder Campaign, which lets broadcasters sponsor the results of user searches on the RadioTime.com guide.


Sirius XM Arrives On BlackBerrys

Sirius XM Arrives On BlackBerrys

Sirius XM Radio has released a free BlackBerry app for Sirius and XM Premium Online subscribers.



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