Headlines

(By Roy Williams) Our nation is changing, of course. Things aren’t like they used to be. Major retailers are closing hundreds of stores and famous clothing brands are at historic lows. But we’re not in a recession.

The FCC has warned a pirate operating in the Bronx at 98.9, and another in East Orange, New Jersey, operating at 94.3. Both pirates have been ordered to put an end to their illegal operations or provide the Commission with proof that they are licensed to operate. Read the New York warning HERE and New Jersey warning HERE.

Patrick Communications Broker Greg Guy says the price for WSPZ-AM in Bethesda, Maryland is $2.1 Million. WSPZ-AM is a 5,000 watter during the day and has a 1,000 watt night signal at 570 on the dial. Red Zebra, owned by Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, has been selling off all of its radio stations in recent months.

(By Kelly Orchard) I have my own personal experience with grief and loss, and conversations with my friends in the business revealed that I was not the only one. This is a tough topic to write about, and I do so with unconditional compassion for those who have suffered the greatest loss anyone can imagine.

(By Bob McCurdy) There was an Automotive News article earlier this week titled “Marketers Call for Less Car, More Heart” that detailed how several auto manufacturers sought to appeal to consumer emotions. A few thoughts came to mind after reading this article...

(By Paul Weyland) As I travel across the country working with broadcast stations, I see a lot of long-term local direct business on the table — business that should be on the books by now but is not. Because it’s still on the table. Money, just sitting there on the table. So why won’t these decision-makers close?

Sue O’Neil is the Ops Manager for Entercom's WKSE, WTSS, and WWWS in Buffalo. She started her career in 1987 and has been programming since 1995. And even though Sue has been in the business for three decades, she's not slowing down. In fact she's evolved quite nicely just as the position of PD has, taking on more and more responsibility, like many PD's have had to do.

Borrell Associates released a comprehensive digital revenue study Wednesday called, "Benchmarking Local Media's Digital Revenues." Borrell says radio gets a measly 1%. So we turned to the head honcho at Borrell and Associates to ask the big question. Why? Here's what Borrell & Associates CEO Gordon Borrell had to say.

As expected, the FCC is moving forward with a plan to eliminate the Main Studio Rule. At its regularly scheduled meeting, Thursday, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, proposing to eliminate the main studio rule, which requires each AM, FM, and television broadcast station to have a main studio located in or near its local community.

Commissioner Minon Clyburn voted in favor of eliminating the main studio rule at Thursday's FCC meeting, however, she's not so convinced it needs to go. She says the main studio is often the only physical tie a broadcaster has to the local community and by eliminating the rule, "we are embracing a world in which automated national programming is the new normal."