Nielsen Releases First Batch Of April PPMs

Nielsen released the first batch of April PPM data on Monday for the following markets:

  1  New York City

  2  Los Angeles

  3  Chicago

  4  San Francisco

  5  Dallas-Ft. Worth

  6  Houston-Galveston

  8  Philadelphia

  9  Atlanta  

 20  Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island NY)

 26  Riverside-San Bernardino CA

 36  San Jose CA

 41  Middlesex-Somerset-Union NJ

To see Topline Numbers for subscribing Nielsen Stations: Click Here

Indy Radio: Laura Steele Exits WFBQ

Laura Steele

Prominent Indianapolis radio personality Laura Steele has exited WFBQ 94.7 FM.

The Indy Star reports the midday DJ at the classic rock station decided "to realign some of her career objectives" and will "resign her position," iHeart Media market president Rick Green wrote Monday in an email to staff members.

Steele, a Pike High School alum and 1990 graduate of Columbia College Chicago, didn't elaborate on her plans.

"I am excited about my next adventure," said Steele, who worked at Q95 for 15 years. "Thanks to the listeners who rocked with me along the way. It's been a great run."

In 2004, Steele became the first woman to join the Indianapolis Motor Speedway public address team.

Pop station WZPL 99.5 FM provided Steele's first job in Indianapolis radio, and she raised her profile as a classic rock expert at WNAP 93.1 FM, beginning in 1999, and then at Q95, beginning in 2000.

As a voice-track DJ, Steele has been heard on radio stations in Dallas, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, San Antonio, Nashville, Tenn., Charlotte, N.C., San Jose, Calif., and Syracuse, N.Y.

Detroit Radio: Three Broadcasters Vying For Tigers, Red Wings

The former flagship station for Tigers and Red Wings radio broadcasts has re-emerged as a player in contract negotiations for 2016 and beyond, according to The Detroit News.

Officials from WJR 760 AM, which carried Tigers and Red Wings broadcasts for decades ahead of their move to a statewide network of affiliates, are beginning conversations with Ilitch Holdings on a new relationship.

Also making a full-throttle bid to retain Tigers and Red Wings broadcasts will be CBS Radio, which owns current base stations WXYT 1270 AM and The Ticket FM 97.1, the Metro Detroit powerhouses for a 39-affiliate, three-state network that won Tigers-Red Wings radio rights in 2001.

A third bidder also will be involved, sources say, and could raise the stakes on any new deal: Greater Media Inc., which owns three FM stations — WCSX, WRIF, and WMGC (which also carries Pistons broadcasts).

No officials at WJR would comment, nor would executives at Atlanta-based Cumulus Media, which owns WJR. But industry and team sources have verified WJR, which carried the Tigers from 1964-2000, is making its pitch during discussions that have formally begun. In addition to Greater Media's push, CBS Radio will be involved in potential renewal talks and is considered a favorite to retain those rights.

WJR's re-entry into Tigers radio discussions indicates the station is serious about returning to a sports landscape it once dominated. The Tigers were a WJR staple from 1964-2000, when a 50,000-watt station, with its clear channel could be heard in 35 states and half of Canada.

The Red Wings became part of WJR's portfolio in the 1960s and remained there until they joined the Tigers in a defection to WXYT and its partners in 2001.

The dial becomes more habitually set to an originating station. That, in turn, means more listeners during non-game hours, which can elevate ad rates and overall revenue.

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Hattiesburg Radio: Devin Cole Named PD For WJKX, WZLD

Devin Cole

iHeartMedia/Hattiesburg MS has announced that Devin Cole has been named Urban Program Director of Urban WJKX 102.5 FM and Hip Hop WZLD Wild 106.3 FM.

Cole imost recently served as Assistant Program Director for WZLD-FM and on-air Talent for WJKX-FM.

Cole will report to Jackson Walker, Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Laurel/Hattiesburg.

“To say I'm excited about this new position is an understatement,” said Cole. “I was taught growing up that tough times don't last but tough people do. I'm looking forward to working with the resources of iHeartMedia to take our stations to the top.”

WJKX 102.5 FM (11.5 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

“Devin has tremendous experience and his fan base popularity made this an easy decision to move him into this position,” said Walker. “Devin will be a great leader for our market in the coming years – I have seen him grow with iHeartMedia and I feel confident this will be just the beginning of greater things for him.” -

11 New Members Added To CRS Agenda Committee

The individuals that will serve on the 2015-2016 Country Radio Seminar Agenda Committee have been announced. Eleven new members will join thirteen returning members to plan agenda items and events surrounding Country Radio Seminar 2016.

New members added to the 2015-2016 CRS Agenda Committee are: Sam Alex (Townsquare Media), Ben Bennett (CMA), Katie Bright (Warner Music Nashville), Jay Cruze (WSCG), Carolyn Gilbert (NuVoodoo Media), Ed Green (Red Light), Christie Matthews (Saga Jonesboro), Jeff James (Signet Interactive), Stew Sawyers (Townsquare Media Longview), Jenny Sheilds (Premiere Radio) and J.R. Schumann (KSCS).

Returning to the committee are: Lee Adams (Broken Bow Records), Daniel Anstandig (Futuri), Dale Desmond (KBLL and Cherry Creek Radio), Tim Gerst (ThinkSwell), Jeremy Holley (Warner Music Nashville), Lori Lewis (Cumulus), Bruce Logan (CBS Radio Houston), Brook Stephens (KZPK), John Trapane (EMI Nashville) and Robin Ward (KFRG).

The CRS Agenda Committee is comprised of volunteer professionals from all areas of the Country radio and record industries. The committee is responsible for planning events for the upcoming year’s Country Radio Seminar. Heading up this year’s agenda committee are Tom Hanrahan (WDXB / iHeart) as Chairman and Greg Frey (Cumulus Media) and Judy Lakin (Cox Media Group) as Co-Vice Chairman.

CRB President Charlie Morgan states, “As we move to our exciting new home at the Omni Nashville for 2016, we will want to insure the energy and relevance of our agenda matches the excitement of our new home and with this incredibly talented, dedicated and diverse group of industry thought leaders, we are sure to deliver!"

Tom Hanrahan adds, “I'm am so proud of this years agenda committee! Their passion, expertise and diversity of thought is incredibly strong. Judy, Greg and I can't wait to get started on CRS 2016 with this exceptional group of leaders.”

Radio To Get 11.6% of Local Automotive Ad Spending

In its latest vertical industry report, “Insights into Local Advertising – Automotive Vertical,” BIA/Kelsey estimates automotive organizations will spend more than $15.1 billion on local advertising in 2015, representing 11.1 percent of the $137.9 billion total local advertising market. Of this amount, 77 percent is expected to be allocated to traditional media.

“The auto industry and television came of age together as keystones of twentieth-century American culture,” said Dr. Mark Fratrik, SVP and chief economist BIA/Kelsey. “The two industries remain closely tied, with the auto industry being dependent on over-the-air television advertising, and all auto vertical subcategories relying heavily on traditional media to get their message to their audience.”

BIA/Kelsey estimates 33.9 percent of local automotive advertising budgets is spent on over-the-air television, and another 1.7 percent on TV online advertising. In addition to the heavy use of television, newspaper (14.7 percent), online (12 percent) and over-the-air radio (11.6 percent) account for meaningful traditional market shares in automotive local ad spending.

Mark Fratrik

“Despite traditional media’s dominance in the current automotive marketing mix, digital advertising is on the rise, and will represent nearly one-third of automotive local ad spending by 2019,” added Dr. Fratrik.

Pure online advertising, consisting primarily of search, is the largest digital automotive channel. BIA/Kelsey projects all growth in local advertising for the automotive vertical category will occur on online/digital media, reaching 30 percent of total local advertising by 2019, up from 12 percent in 2015.

Industry subcategories featured in BIA/Kelsey’s automotive vertical forecast include auto dealers, other motor vehicle dealers, auto parts and accessory stores, tire dealers, and gas stations.

The data featured in the report is drawn from BIA/Kelsey’s Annual Local Media Forecast and Media Ad View Plus Reports, the company's local market ad forecasts that track ad spending across media categories, ad categories and verticals.

Report: Twitter Has A Porn Problem

Twitter has a porn problem, and it caused one brand to temporarily halt a campaign Monday.

Nielsen, the television and digital data company, pulled the plug on its Promoted Tweets after they appeared near adult content on the site.

Nielsen's promos showed up on Twitter profile pages called "Daily Dick Pictures" and "Homemade Porn." Ads are not supposed to appear on a profile page if X-rated content is posted there, and a bug was to blame, a source familiar with Twitter's technology said.

"As Twitter works to resolve this issue, we have temporarily suspended our campaign," a Nielsen spokesman told Adweek.

Nielsen was not alone, either. Marketers' promos from Duane Reade, NBCUniversal and Gatorade also showed up in feeds of pornographic photos and videos.

Brand safety is an issue across the digital advertising ecosystem, where it is difficult to police every website and social media post. Twitter rivals like YouTube and Facebook also have dealt with racy or offensive content that concerned advertisers.

Ryan Seacrest On 'Idol' Finale

Ryan Seacrest from Season 1

Ryan Seacrest is looking to the future now that Fox announced the end of American Idol after next year's 15th season. He released a statement on Monday (May 11th) to reflect on his time with the show which he has hosted since season one in 2002.

The statement read:

"American Idol has been a big part of my life for so long. It's frankly hard to imagine my life without it. It's been a remarkable journey, and I feel very fortunate to have been part of a show that made television history in countless ways. It's a show about chasing and fulfilling dreams, and truth be told, it helped some of my own dreams come true too. I'm so glad the network is going to give us a season-long send off. The last season will undoubtedly be a special and emotional one, but first I’m looking forward to closing out Season 14. The finale is always my favorite part -- two live shows with lots of surprises, and, of course, one winner!"

Ryan also shared a photo of himself from the first season of the show on Twitter and wrote, "you guys I was 27 when we started idol...just a kid."

• Former Idol judge Randy Jackson tweeted about the announcement writing, "One of greatest talent shows ever. Gave us all huge careers and birthed sooooo many stars of today. #idol. Many have tried to imitate it but there will never be anything like #idol Thanks fans & talent Yall made it possible. Lets b bout the future."
• Simon Cowell tweeted, "Looking back at my time on American Idol we had a great time. We found great artists. Had fun. And to America. Thank you. It was a blast."
• Former judge Paula Abdul has not weighed in.

Fox revealed in their announcement that judges Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr., and Keith Urban will be back for the final season.

Cord-Cutting Alert: Pay-TV Biz Declines for First Time

The U.S. pay-TV business keeps shrinking, albeit slowly — but for the first time ever, the sector dropped a net number of subscribers in the first three months of a year, during Q1 of 2015.

Variety reports the industry is contracting at a 0.5% annual rate, with a net loss of 31,000 customers in Q1, according to MoffettNathanson analyst Craig Moffett. Traditional subscription television providers face an array of Internet competitors, ranging from Netflix and Hulu to YouTube and other digital-video sites, that are discouraging consumers from signing up for cable or satellite TV or prompting them to cancel service.

“Cord-cutting has finally accelerated,” Moffett wrote in a research note Monday. “It’s not too early to get worried.”

Craig Moffett

Q1 is typically a strong quarter for pay-TV operators, but it’s seasonally weak for household formation, Moffett noted: In the first quarter of 2015, occupied household net adds were down 407,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The decline in Q1 2015 comes after about 1.4 million households over the course of 2014 either canceled existing pay-TV service or were new households that didn’t sign up at all, according to Moffett’s analysis.

Comcast, the No. 1 cable operator, shed 8,000 video subscribers, while Time Warner Cable — the now-aborted takeover target of Comcast — actually gained a net 33,000. DirecTV, the largest satellite provider, added 60,000 and Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse added subs as well. But overall, the gains were offset by customers dropping service with other companies.

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Dan Le Batard TV Simulcast Launches May 19

FUSION Monday announced that “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" will premiere on the network May 19 at 4:00 p.m., ET. Live from Miami Beach’s Clevelander Hotel, the three-hour simulcast of the ESPN Radio show will bolster FUSION’s live programming on weekday afternoons from 4:00-7:00 p.m., ET.

Dan Le Batard and his co-host Stugotz (Jon Weiner) bring their unique blend of self-deprecating humor, insightful guests, and thoughtful conversation to a national audience every weekday. Rotating guest co-hosts, including Bomani Jones and Miami Herald writer Greg Cote, often join to provide listeners with a slightly different experience every day.

"Dan and Stugotz are an extremely engaging pair, and we are thrilled that they are bringing their unique flare to FUSION daily line-up," said FUSION Chief Programming Officer Wade Beckett. “Dan’s smart-yet-irreverent take on sports and the stories making headlines perfectly aligns with FUSION’s desire to present this young, diverse generation with an array of dynamic voices that have an authentic point of view and, at the end of the day, are just are fun to watch.”


"The Dan Le Batard Show" joins “Mike & Mike” (ESPN2), “The Herd” (ESPNU), “SVP & Russillo” (ESPNEWS) and “The Paul Finebaum Show” (SEC Network) as the latest ESPN Radio show to be nationally televised.

Stugotz has served as co-host on “The Dan LeBatard Show” since 2004. A sports broadcasting veteran of more than 15 years, Stugotz counters host LeBatard’s thoughtful insights with self-deprecating humor and passionate takes on the latest sports headlines. Stugotz received his bachelor’s degree in English and communications from Clark University in 1995.

D/FW: Two WBAP Financial Advisers Face Charges

Chris Novinger

The Securities and Exchange Commission Monday sued two radio talk show hosts, accusing them of telling customers that interests in life settlements they sold were “guaranteed,” “safe as CDs” and “federally insured.”

The SEC filed charges in federal court against Novers Financial and its principals, Christopher A. Novinger, 38, and Brady J. Speers, 45, both of Mansfield. They host the “Retirement Experts Radio Show” on WBAP 820 AM / 99.5 FM HD2.

The SEC said from 2012 to 2014, they sold about $4.3 million in life settlement interests to 26 investors.

Brady Speers

The agency also said the men used a bogus “net worth calculator” that improperly qualified some prospective investors for purchases by including income that investors hadn’t received, such as future pension and Social Security benefits.

 “We allege that Novinger and Speers described speculative investments as safe and secure and were willing to manipulate investors’ financial information to make a sale,” said David Peavler, associate director of the SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office.  “No matter what a salesperson tells you, interests in life settlements are never guaranteed, risk-free, or federally insured.”

SiriusXM Launching 'Career Playbook Radio' Series

SiriusXM Monday announced the launch of "Career Playbook Radio," an all-new career advice show hosted by Jim Citrin, partner at executive search firm Spencer Stuart and best-selling author on leadership and career success. "Career Playbook Radio" is focused on giving millennials, young professionals, and parents of recent college grads expert insight into getting a great job and laying the foundation for a successful career.

"Career Playbook Radio" will be a weekly conversation with top executives, industry veterans, and thought leaders sharing their personal experience and knowledge with aspiring young professionals who are seeking to carve out a distinctive place with their careers in the first decade after graduation.

Each week, "Career Playbook Radio" will feature a wide slate of leaders from top companies and institutions, including: Gail McGovern, CEO and President, American Red Cross; Justin Smith, CEO, Bloomberg Media Group; J. Patrick Doyle, CEO and President of Domino's Pizza Inc.; Laszlo Bock, Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google Inc.; Lori Goler, Vice President of Human Resources and Recruiting at Facebook, Inc.; Kristen Fitzpatrick, Managing Director, Alumni & MBA Career and Professional Development, Harvard Business School; Admiral Eric Olson, retired Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM); and Soo Hong, Chief Human Resource Officer, WeWork.

James Citrin

"'Career Playbook Radio' is a truly unique opportunity to use the reach and impact of SiriusXM to help graduating college students, aspiring young professionals, and their families get a great job and build a successful career," says Jim Citrin, author of "The Career Playbook, Essential Advice for Today's Aspiring Young Professional."  "This is a topic I'm absolutely passionate about - helping young people in their 20s succeed in their careers."

"Jim Citrin has provided wise and experienced counsel to a generation of business leaders; now he will provide that valuable counsel to the next generation of young adults looking for career guidance in one of the most competitive marketplaces ever," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM.  "With jobs in some sectors drawing hundreds or thousands of candidates, and hiring standards and protocol in flux, people are looking for help.  On each show, Jim and an array of executives and educators will guide listeners with practical, real-world advice on launching and advancing their careers."

The 6-week series, "Career Playbook Radio," will launch on May 16, and air Saturdays at 5:00 pm, and rebroadcast on Sundays at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm (all times Eastern) on SiriusXM Insight, channel 121.  Subscribers will also be able to listen to the show via SiriusXM On Demand on smartphones and other connected devices as well as online at siriusxm.com.

Without Imus, FBN Revamps Line-Up

FOX Business Network (FBN) will launch a new markets-oriented lineup starting on Monday, June 1st, announced Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO of FOX News Channel (FNC) and FBN. The latest schedule includes the expansion of business news in the morning with a new 5 AM show, followed by Maria Bartiromo anchoring the 6-9AM timeslot in place of the current Imus simulcast. Neil Cavuto will also unveil a new two hour daytime program and Trish Regan will make her network debut.

In making the announcement, Ailes said, “With a reengineered lineup and a 5 AM start time, we’re providing non-stop financial news with unparalleled market coverage and analysis. Replacing Imus with a business news morning show anchored by Maria Bartiromo and adding Neil Cavuto to two hours in daytime enables FBN to have tremendous depth. We’re also pleased to welcome Trish Regan and her fresh take on economic trends which will complement our coverage.”

Maria Bertiromo

Beginning at 5 AM/ET June 1st, FBN AM will kick off the network’s live business coverage of the day focusing on international market updates and overseas headlines. Anchor and Global Markets Editor Maria Bartiromo will take over the Imus simulcast spot at 6 AM/ET helming a three hour financial news program entitled Morning Money with Maria Bartiromo (6-9 AM/ET). The new show will feature insight from titans in the world of finance.

As the markets open, Stuart Varney will now cover the action on a newly expanded version of his show Varney & Company (9 AM-12 PM/ET), while Anchor and Managing Editor of Business News, Neil Cavuto will lead off mid-day market coverage and analysis with his new two hour program CAVUTO: Coast to Coast (12-2 PM/ET).

At 2 PM/ET, Trish Regan, who joined FBN last month, will helm a new program entitled Trish Regan Intel, examining the day’s market headlines and breaking geopolitical news. Liz Claman’s Countdown to the Closing Bell will remain at 3 PM/ET, followed by After the Bell (4PM/ET), which will now be co-anchored by David Asman and Melissa Francis.

Post market-coverage will be led by FBN’s Deirdre Bolton, whose entrepreneurial industry show Risk & Reward moves to 5 PM/ET. Making Money with Charles Payne will remain at 6 PM/ET, followed by Lou Dobbs Tonight at 7 PM/ET, hosted by Lou Dobbs. Kennedy, hosted by Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery, will take over the 8PM/ET timeslot Monday through Thursdays, while John Stossel’s one-hour eponymous program will run on Friday evenings at 8 PM/ET. FBN’s Gerri Willis will now provide personal finance and consumer news reports across both FBN and FNC.

Singer Kelsea Ballerini Visits NASH's Kix Brooks

Kix Brooks visited with Country singer Kelsea Ballerini last week at NASH Campus in Nashville, where they got up close and personal about her debut album "The First Time" and more for listeners of NASH's "Kickin' It with Kix".

Millennials Are Largest Share of Workforce

With the U.S. economy finally strongly recovering and Millennials more able to find jobs, a new Pew report found that they now make up the largest share of the American workforce than any other generation. Numbered at 53.5 million workers, Millennials just edge out members of Generation X, with 52.7 million workers. As Baby Boomers are retiring, their numbers in the workforce have gone down to 44.6 million.

R.I.P.: Radio/TV News Anchor Kelley Mitchell Was 58

Kelley Mitchell (Herald photo)

Radio/TV news anchor Kelley Mitchell died on Sunday night at home with her husband by her side.

She was 58, accordingto The Miami Herald.

Mitchell and her husband, Kirk Wade, chief photographer for WSVN, were together in their Miami Shores home when they exchanged glances and Mitchell suddenly collapsed.

“The one blessing is that I was home with her,” he said, fighting tears. “Over the years Kelley was so sick so many times and she was such a warrior. She fought through breast cancer, she fought through pneumonia and other illnesses and was in and out of the hospital so many times. … She won so many large battles. She always had the will to survive and sometimes, maybe sometimes, your body says, ‘You’re done.’ ”

In 2002, Mitchell was diagnosed with breast cancer. She disclosed her illness — with a classic Mitchell-ism — in a memo to WPLG colleagues: “I know, right now you're saying, ‘Gee, I didn't even know she HAD breasts.’ She spoke at breast cancer events, her feisty manner ever on display.

Mitchell, an Oklahoma City native and a graduate of University of Oklahoma’s journalism school, didn’t want to be simply a “news reader.” As the daughter of a teacher, she had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, WSVN anchor mate Rick Sanchez recalled. “She wanted to engage and understand the market.”

She also worked well with fresh talent just coming onto the scene, or with writers at the Herald who were new to recording features for radio partner WLRN 91.3 FM. Mitchell worked at WLRN from 2011 to early 2015 doing the afternoon newscasts. She also reported on Latin American news for Nuestra Tele Noticias 24 Horas-NTN24. Most recently, Mitchell filled in on WIOD 610 AM.

R.I.P.: CFRA Toronto News Anchor Lauren Davis

Lauren Davis

Tributes and condolences poured in Monday for Lauren Davis, a young mother and news anchor at CFRA 580 AM whose death was announced by the station Monday afternoon.

The 24-year-old Davis, who is the daughter of well-known Toronto radio personality Erin Davis, was on maternity leave at the time of her death. No other details of her death were available.

Davis seemed upbeat while interacting with people on Twitter late Sunday night.

Her colleagues used the social media network on Monday to express their condolences to her family after the sudden passing.

“Our beautiful Lauren Davis signing off for the last time,” wrote CFRA reporter Alison Sandor on Twitter, while posting a picture of Davis on air. “Words cannot describe just how much you meant to all of us.”

Many listeners described how they felt as if they knew Lauren personally, having listened to her mother talk about her growing up over the years on Erin’s CHFI 98.1 FM show in Toronto.

CFRA confirmed the news in a statement on its website.