Detroit Radio: There's Life After-WRIF For Drew & Mike

Detroit radio personalities Drew Lane and Mike Clark are expected to host their final "Drew and Mike" show 6-11 a.m. Friday on 101 WRIF-FM.

What happens to their careers after their curtain call on the rock station appears unclear, but, mlive.com reports at least two experts agree the colorful hosts could be successful at a new home.

"Drew and Mike are the WRIF," said Gregg Henson, a former program director at two Detroit radio stations. "It's not like they are 400 years old.  "And they don't necessarily have to go to a rock station - if they want to get back into radio. They could go to any station."

Henson was the program director at sports stations WDFN-1130 AM 1130 and WXYT 1270 AM, and wouldn't rule out "Drew and Mike" as a morning show at a station with that type of format.

"Dave and Chuck 'The Freak,'" formerly of Windsor station 89X-FM (88.7) will reportedly take over on the WRIF soon, according to various media reports, but a date for their debut hasn't been made public.

Art Vuolo, a Detroit-based radio historian, describes the end of "Drew and Mike" as "a shocker" because they maintained a loyal audience for more than two decades and still appear to have show that resonates with the region.

Vuolo said its hard to accept media companies' efforts to cut costs in an effort to improve the bottom line.

In this type of business, sadly, everyone can be expendable, Vuolo said.

"That's why all these old familiar faces are disappearing off of radio and television; they cost too much," Vuolo said. "Why do you think Diana Lewis is gone, Dick Purtan, Robbie Timmons?  All these people are gone because they were making too much money and the industry isn't doing so hot. All the management people are being brought in to cut costs and make the bottom line more attractive

Vuolo does, however, give the WRIF and owner Greater Media credit for giving "Drew and Mike" an opportunity to exit the station in a classy way and share on-air memories with their loyal fans.

And Vuolo wouldn't rule out seeing "Drew and Mike" at another station, possibly at sports station The Ticket WXYT-97.1 FM) or possibly rock station The D WDTW-106.7 FM.

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DC Ratings: Non-Com WAMU Inches Closer to Double Digits 6+

Washington DC:  Non-Com WAMU is nudging closer to a double digit share, moving 9.4 – 9.7, good for #1 6+.  Meanwhile, Hubbard’s Newser WTOP is #2 virtually flat at 8.0 – 7.9. CC’s Rhythmic WIHT is #3. "Hot" moved 6.7 – 6.5.

Arbitron yesterday released April PPM results for Boston, Miami, Detroit, Seattle, Phoenix, the Twin Cities, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore and St. Louis markets. Click Here.

Boston Ratings: WBQT 6+ Share Continue Rise

Boston:  Greater Media’s WBQT Hot 96.9 continues its ascent, moving 2.4 -2.7 -3.1 since its launch. Another up month for the new rhythmic AC “Hot 96.9,” Greater Media’s WBQT. But Clear Channel’s CHR WXKS-FM “Kiss 108” WXKS-FM is steady #1 (7.9 - 7.9). #2 is CBS Radio’s news/talk WBZ (6.2 - 6.8). Greater Media’s country WKLB ranks third 6.2-6.7.

Arbitron yesterday released April PPM results for another 11 markets. Click Here.

Report: Google Set to Launch Music Streaming

Google Inc. is set to launch a paid subscription music-streaming service akin to that of Spotify as soon as this week, according to wsj.com.

Google on Wednesday is hosting its annual conference for software developers, Google I/O, where it has previewed new music-related initiatives in past years and it could unveil the new service then, these people said.

Google has signed deals with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group to give people unlimited access to certain libraries of their songs for a fee, two of these people said.

Google already has an existing music service, which it launched in 2011 and is part of its Google Play digital-media store for devices powered by its Android operating system.

That service only lets people buy individual songs or albums, while the new one from Google's Android unit offers a paid subscription model to access whole libraries of songs.

RAB Study: AM/FM Radio “Must-Have” For Dashboard

Radio plays a dominant role, whether people are considering a vehicle purchase, or spending time in a vehicle.  The closer listeners get to purchasing or leasing a vehicle, the more important a part radio advertising plays. And radio is a top “must-have” for automotive buyers of every age.

These are just some of the key findings stemming from the Radio Advertising Bureau’s new service to help radio stations sell locally and highlight the buying power of radio listeners coast to coast.  Developed in partnership with Presslaff Interactive Revenue, and offered as a benefit of membership, Finding Consumer Trends (F.C.T) Reports are turn-key online surveys of a station’s audience that provide salable insights and qualified leads on purchase interests in top advertising categories.

The first F.C.T Report survey was conducted from March 12 to April 2, 2013 and attracted over 28,000 respondents aged 18+.  Respondents were asked about vehicle and brand preferences along with advertising and dealership influencers.  Of those respondents surveyed, 44% currently own a vehicle that is over 8 years old and nearly one in three (32%) of the total respondents will be in the market to purchase/lease a vehicle within the next year. 

Survey: Traditional Radio Dead Within 5 Years

Nearly 60 percent of Americans predict the death of terrestrial radio will happen within five years, according to results from a Harris Interactive survey released Tuesday.

The Detroit News is reporting market research firm Harris, on behalf of Stitcher, an on-demand Internet radio service, surveyed 2,066 U.S. adults last month, and found that most adults are choosing on-demand media sources such as Pandora and TuneIn over terrestrial radio options, citing the ability to avoid commercial advertisements as a heavy influence.

"We're relying on our smartphones and mobile technology now more than ever," said Noah Shanok, CEO of Stitcher, in a statement. "We're a nation on the go, and we want access to our favorite radio shows and music at a time that's convenient for us. With the latest advancements in streaming technology, apps like Stitcher put entertainment right at your fingertips."

The survey found that students may be leading the shift to on demand and streaming media. More than 71 percent of U.S. adults who are students predict Americans will be primarily listening to streaming radio over AM/FM radio within five years.

Those ages 18 to 34 are twice as likely as those ages 35 to 54 to listen to music via on-demand sources, the Harris poll showed.

Boston: Radio 92.9 Increases Security For EarthFest

Greater Media’s WBOS Radio 92.9 EarthFest has announced a new “One for the One Fund” initiative to help raise funds for victims of the Boston Marathon attack. Leading up to and during the upcoming outdoor concert event on May 18th, Radio 92.9 is asking festival attendees to donate at least $1 to the One Fund.

Radio 92.9’s family-friendly EarthFest is the largest free radio station concert in the country, which showcases national and local music acts, environmentally friendly products and local non-profit environmental organizations. This is the 20th anniversary of the event, which is held at the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell, along the Charles River in Boston.

“This is the largest concert of its kind in America. If EarthFest attendees give what they can – even if it’s just $1 – we can make a big impact in one day for the Marathon victims and their families,” said Ken West, program director at Radio 92.9. “Every year this show brings together children, families and individuals from across the region and we want to use this opportunity to show our support for all those impacted by this terrible tragedy. Together we can make a difference and be ‘One for the One Fund.’”

To make donations in any denomination to the One Fund, go to onefundboston.org. To donate $10 instantly, text “Boston” to 80108.

Radio 92.9 EarthFest is produced in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR.) The stellar line-up that will perform this year includes Vertical Horizon, Cracker, Gentlemen Hall, Fastball and Camper Van Beethoven

Nick Cannon Leaving Syndicated Radio Show

Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon will leave his nationally syndicated radio show "Cannon's Countdown" next month after two years of hosting.

According to  vibe.com, Cannon will depart the show June 8 to focus on his new multi-media company NCredible Entertainment. The 32-year-old also teased an upcoming album in the works.

"I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from my on air duties in radio in order to have the time to dedicate to NCredible Entertainment and the various projects that I have on my plate in film, TV, retail and a new album. It is my plan to return to radio and my listeners very soon through my music.”

Cannon is also a host on NBC's "America's Got Talent," which returns June 4, and will be reviving his hit MTV show "Wild N' Out" on MTV later this summer.

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Sources are saying that Nick Cannon has purchased the rights in a multi-million dollar deal for the classic Soul Train franchise and plans on revamping the show for a modern twist to bring music (especially soul music) back to television. Reportedly, the deal is so huge that the source says Nick “now owns everything but Don Cornelius’ corpse.”

Atlanta Radio: Roy Wood Jr. Added To WALR

Roy Wood Jr.

Former Birmingham morning host and Stand-up comic Roy Wood Jr. has joined WALR Kiss 104.1's afternoon show to inject some humor with the R&B music.

Wood started Monday with long-time afternoon host Art Terrell for a 3 to 7 p.m. show called "ATL Drivetime Live."

According to media write Rodney Ho at ajc.com, Tony Kidd, who oversees Kiss as vice president of programming for Cox Radio Atlanta, said he wanted to give listeners a blend of music and comedy.

"We did a test with the two of Roy and Art on Saturday mornings and it went really well," he said. "We want people to go home with a smile on their face."

The bits, Kidd noted, will be fairly condensed: 60 to 90 seconds two or three times an hour. Music will remain the dominant force in the afternoons, with 11 songs an hour vs. 12 before.

LISTEN-LINE: Click Here.

Wood has been a prank-call specialist on radio and hosted a radio show in Birmingham, his hometown. Wood’s morning show on FM 97.5 Jamz was cancelled last September. (See original posting, Click Here)

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Criminal Probe Starts Over IRS Targeting

Eric Holder

Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday (May 14th) addressed two controversies that surfaced this week, saying that he'd ordered the Justice Department to investigate the IRS for any criminal activity for targeting Tea Party groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for tax exempt status, and that he played no role in the subpoenas of a broad range of Associated Press phone records.

Holder's statements came as the Treasury inspector general report blamed ineffective management at the IRS for the improper focus on tea party groups, pointing the finger at IRS supervisors in Washington who oversaw the specialists in Cincinnati who screen applications for tax exempt status.

The report doesn't say that Washington initiated the targeting of conservative groups, but that a top supervisor there didn't adequately supervise agents in the field even after she learned they were acting improperly. In a statement, President Obama called the report's findings, quote, "intolerable and inexcusable," and said that he's ordering all of the report's recommendations to improve oversight at the IRS be implemented.

Holder also addressed the uproar over the Justice Department's secret subpoena of AP phone records covering two months, April and May 2012, for more than 20 phone lines assigned to the news organization and its journalists, saying what was done was justified as part of an investigation into a, quote, "very serious . . . very grave" national security leak.

However, he said he played no role in it, having recused himself from the probe because he'd been interviewed by FBI agents as part of the investigation and wanted to ensure the probe was independent and to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.

Officials have said investigators are trying to find who leaked information used in a May 7, 2012, AP story that revealed details of a CIA operation in Yemen to stop an airliner bomb plot. The probe is being run out of the U.S. Attorney's office in the District of Columbia. Deputy Attorney General James Cole said in a letter to AP yesterday that they'd followed the rules for subpoenas, and hadn't sought information about the content of the calls.

Tweets about "#irstargeting"

Reporter Believes IRS Pressure Result of WH Interview

Larry Connors

President Barack Obama called the targeting of conservatives by the IRS “outrageous” at Monday’s joint press conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron, and vowed to “make sure that we find out exactly what happened on this,” according to The New York Times. But if the allegations of a St. Louis reporter have any merit at all, he should begin his investigation at the White House rather than the Treasury Building.

According to bizpac.com, KMOV Channel 4 reporter Larry Conners conducted a person-to-person interview with the president in Washington during his re-election campaign. Especially noteworthy was Conners’ question concerning the first family’s never-ending taxpayer funded vacations.

“The President’s face clearly showed his anger; afterwards, his staff which had been so polite … suddenly went cold,” Conners wrote on Facebook. “What I don’t like to even consider … is that because of the Obama interview … the IRS put a target on me. Can I prove it? At this time, no. But it is a fact that since the April 2012 interview … the IRS has been pressuring me.”

Later Tuesday during a TV broadcast, Conners talked about the Facebook posting.