Madison Radio: Personality Abby Rhodes Robbed

Abby Rhodes

Madison radio personality Abby Rhodes survived a violent, armed robbery, but regrets her bold actions after the thief put a gun to her head.

"I just saw the gun, right here," Rhodes, the mid-day host at WMAD 96.3 FM Star Country, tells 27 News, referring to her temple.

Police officials say a man surprised Rhodes in a business' parking lot Monday just after 5 p.m.

Rhodes tells 27 News she felt the man grab her purse, as she spoke to a friend on her cell phone. Even after she saw the gun pointed at her, Rhodes struggled with the man, falling to the ground, as the man eventually yanked the purse out of her hand and took off.

"She started screaming," Rhodes' friend Katie Sommers says. Sommers was on the other end of the cell phone call, in Florida. "It was horrible."

WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

Rhodes suffered bruises and cuts, and an injured elbow. She tells 27 News she acted on instinct, but says the lingering emotion over her tense experience involves the criminal's hand gun.

"I was very lucky that he chose not to use that gun," Rhodes says.

Miley Cyrus Talks Tour Plans With Ryan Seacrest

Twerking Queen Miley Cyrus is officially going on tour and has revealed what fans can expect at her show.

The 20-year-old Bangerz singer phoned in to On Air with Ryan Seacrest on 102.7 KIIS FM to talk about her upcoming tour, which kicks off in February, being the most popular Halloween costume this year, working with Kanye West, and her 21st birthday plans.

Read More Now

FCC Hands Out EAS Alert Sound Fines

The FCCissued a $25,000 fine on Wednesday against Turner Broadcasting System for using emergency alert sounds in a promotion for Conan O'Brien's late night talk show.

The FCC also reached agreement with Kentucky television station WNKY-TV for apparent misuse of the actual Emergency Alert System. The complaint alleged misuse of the EAS Attention Signal in an advertisement for “The Fan Wear & More Store.”

The "Conan" promotion used the emergency weather tones to gain attention for a commercial promoting Jack Black's appaerarance on April 26, 2012, according to the FCC.

“Today’s enforcement action sends a strong message: the FCC will not tolerate misuse or abuse of the Emergency Alert System,” said Enforcement Bureau Acting Chief Robert H. Ratcliffe. “It is inexcusable to trivialize the sounds specifically used to notify viewers of the dangers of an incoming tornado or to alert them to be on the lookout for a kidnapped child, merely to advertise a talk show or a clothing store. This activity not only undermines the very purpose of a unique set of emergency alert signals, but is a clear violation of the law."

Read More Now

Brad Paisley, Wife Cruel Hoax Victims

Brad Paisley

Last evening ‘Nightline’ on ABC-TV featured a story about  Country Singer Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley (of ‘Nashville’) who were recently swept up in a cruel hoax that all started with an email from a woman claiming her daughter was dying of neuroblastoma, a form of pediatric cancer.

“She said that her daughter had begged her to get in touch with me,” Paisley’s wife says during an upcoming episode of ‘Nightline,’ which airs Wednesday (Nov. 6).

According to A Taste of Country, the actress felt the email was genuine, since the mother expressed how she’d forgotten about the daughter’s wish because of everything going on. “So it sounded very sort of real,” she explains. “But she wasn’t dying to get a hold of me. You know, that was kind of the beginning of the manipulation.”

For 10 days, the pair spoke via emails, texts and through phone calls. Photographs of the little girl, allegedly named Claire, were sent along with journal entries and songs the girl had sung for Kimberly. At one point, Brad even got on the phone to sing ‘Amazing Grace’ for the sick child.

But then, red flags started to appear when Claire supposedly passed away. The Paisleys wanted to send flowers, but the little girl’s mom wouldn’t give out an address.

Nielsen Announces Mitch Barns As New CEO

Mitch Barns

Nielsen Holdings today announced that effective Jan. 1, 2014, Dwight M. (“Mitch”) Barns will succeed David L. Calhoun as Chief Executive Officer, reporting to the Board of Directors.

Barns is a 28-year marketing veteran who has spent the last 16 years at Nielsen building broad experience leading the Company’s core businesses globally, regionally and in the U.S. Calhoun will become Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, at which time Nielsen’s current Chairman of the Board, James M. Kilts, will step down as Chairman, but will remain a Board Member.

“Nielsen is successfully implementing its global strategy, and the time is right to name the next leader to take the company to its next phase of growth,” said Calhoun. “Mitch’s strong track record at the helm of a number of key Nielsen business units around the world – combined with his vision and commitment to our strategic plan – puts the company on solid footing for continued global expansion and value creation,” he added. “I will continue to remain invested in Mitch’s success in my new role.”

"I am honored by this opportunity to serve Nielsen as its Chief Executive Officer, and I am thankful for the Board’s vote of confidence," said Barns. “Throughout my 16 years at this company, I’ve been privileged to work side-by-side with talented leaders and associates in Nielsen businesses across the world. I look forward to continuing our work together to anticipate client needs with ongoing innovation and expand our footprint in developing markets, while consistently delivering growth and enhancing shareholder value," he added.

Barns is a long-time marketing expert who joined Nielsen in 1997. He is currently President, Global Client Service, overseeing $5.5 billion in revenue and leading the efforts of Nielsen’s Watch and Buy client service teams worldwide.

Earlier, Barns served as President of Nielsen’s U.S. television ratings business, where he oversaw the transformation of the unit’s client service model and architected the expansion and enhancement of its local ratings service. 

Pandora Stock Jumps On Latest Listener Data

Pandora Media Inc. shares jumped Tuesday after the company released figures showing gains in active listeners in the U.S. radio market, which suggested the Internet radio leader is withstanding the challenge from Apple Inc.’s new iTunes Radio service.

According to Marketwatch, Pandora shares ended the day up by almost 9%, at $27.88, after the company said that users listened to 1.47 billion hours of music and programming on the service during October, an 18% increase from a year ago.

The company nearly matched the 1.49 billion listener hours it reported in March, which was one month prior to Pandora implementing a cap on free-listening on mobile devices to 40 hours a month. Pandora lifted that cap on September 1, not long before Apple launched iTunes Radio.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said in October that 20 million people had used iTunes radio in the first month it was available. Pandora said Tuesday that it ended the month with almost 71 million active listeners, compared with 59.2 million listeners a year ago.

Read More Now

LA Radio: Hispanic Coalition Challenges KFI License Renewal

The National Hispanic Media Coalition has petitioned the FCC to deny the license renewal application of Clear Channel Communications, Inc., to operate KFI 640 AM in Los Angeles.

NHMC claims it has documented a pattern of abuse that KFI and its on-air personalities have  perpetrated for years. It asserts KFI has regularly used its broadcast license to demonize and degrade with hate speech targeting people of color, immigrants, LGBT people, and women has regularly emanated from KFI and caused outrage among the local community.

In addition to targeting entire populations of people, the coalition says KFI hosts have a history of  issuing dangerous calls to action against individual citizens within in the local market, resulting  in harassment and death threats when personal information and telephone numbers are broadcast.

The Coalition claims to have 'extensive research' into KFI’s programming, and hate speech that has revealed the propensity for distorted, false, and misleading broadcasts, and examined the physical and psychological harms that such broadcasts inflict on the local community.

The group is asking the FCC to deny KFI’s license renewal application or, alternatively, designated for hearing.

Salem Reports Internet Leads 3Q Revenue Increase

Salem Communications Corporation released its results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Third Quarter 2013 Highlights

• Total revenue increased 3.1%
• Internet revenue increased 20.4% and Internet operating income increased 39.0%
• Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased 0.7%
• Entered into agreement to acquire KRDY-AM in San Antonio, TX and KDIS-FM in Little Rock, AR for $2.5 million
• Total debt excluding capital leases decreased $3.9 million during the quarter to $294.5 million

Broadcast

• Net broadcast revenue increased 0.3% to $46.0 million from $45.9 million;
• Station operating income ("SOI")(1) decreased 0.6% to $15.2 million from $15.3 million;
• Same station net broadcast revenue decreased 0.7% to $45.6 million from $45.9 million;
• Same station SOI decreased 0.4% to $15.2 million from $15.3 million; and
• Same station SOI margin increased to 33.4% from 33.3%.

Internet

• Internet revenue increased 20.4% to $9.4 million from $7.8 million; and
• Internet operating income(1) increased 39.0% to $2.7 million from $2.0 million.

Entercom Reports 4 Percent Drop In 3Q Revenue

Entercom Communications Corp. Tuesday reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

Third Quarter Highlights

• Net revenues for the quarter decreased 4% to $98.4 million
• Station expenses increased 5% to $66.9 million due to a large prior year expense credit
• Station operating income decreased 19% to $31.5 million
• Adjusted EBITDA decreased 22% to $26.2 million
• Adjusted net income per share decreased 26% to $0.20
• Free cash flow decreased 26% to $15.1 million

David Field

David J. Field, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Sales execution issues hindered our third quarter performance causing a 4% decline in revenues. We are steadily putting these issues behind us and working to capitalize on our excellent competitive position featuring highly-rated brands and strong customer marketing capabilities. Core pacings for the fourth quarter have improved significantly over the past couple months and we are well positioned for solid top line and free cash flow performance in 2014."

Station operating expenses increased 5% during the quarter as the prior year results included a $2.0 million non-recurring expense credit from radio industry's music licensing settlement with Broadcast Music, Inc.

The Company reduced its outstanding net senior debt and senior notes by $20 million during the quarter. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $6.6 million in cash and $525.6 million of senior debt and senior notes.

Saga Grows Revenue, But Profits Slip

Saga Communications, Inc. Tuesday reported that gross revenue, excluding political revenue, increased 5.2% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 ($35.8 million during the 3rd quarter 2013 compared to $34.1 million for the same period in 2012).

• Net operating revenue increased 1.6% for the same comparative period.
• Gross political revenue decreased 86% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 ($206 thousand during the 3rd quarter of 2013 compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2012) due to the local and national election cycle.
• Station operating expense was $23.6 million this quarter compared to $22.4 million for the same period last year.
• Operating income from continuing operations decreased 10.4% to $7.3 million compared to $8.1 million for the same period last year.
• Net income of $4.3 million for the quarter was approximately equal with last year ($0.75 per fully diluted share for 3rd quarter 2013 compared to $0.76 per fully diluted share for the same period last year).

Net operating revenue increased 1.1% for the nine month period ending September 30, 2013 compared to the same period last year.

Station operating expense increased 3.7% to $69.2 million from $66.7 million for the same period last year. Operating income decreased 7.5% to $20.6 million compared to $22.2 million for the same period last year. Net income for the nine month period decreased 1.0% to $12.1 million ($2.10 per fully diluted share compared to $2.15 per fully diluted share for the same period last year).

Saga owns or operates broadcast properties in 25 markets, including 61 FM and 30 AM radio stations, 3 state radio networks, 2 farm radio networks, 4 television stations and 4 low-power television stations.

Jimmy Kimmel To Host Howard Stern 60th Birthday Bash

Howard Stern and Sirius XM Radio Tuesday announced "Howard Stern's Birthday Bash," a first for Howard since he started on satellite radio, on an entirely new scale.

The live broadcast from a special location in New York City will air exclusively on SiriusXM on the evening of January 31, 2014.  The event will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

Further details — including the major New York venue, VIP guests and performers, special on-air content related to the Birthday Bash and other unique surprises — will be revealed by Howard Stern in the coming weeks and months on The Howard Stern Show on Howard's two exclusive SiriusXM channels, Howard 100 and Howard 101.

"With this birthday bash, we are finally one step closer to making my birthday the national holiday it deserves to be," said Howard Stern.

"I am honored and excited to take part in a celebration of the life of my friend and hero Howard Stern. This should be the best BaBa-birthday party ever," said Jimmy Kimmel.

"Howard's show has never been better, and a star like him deserves a party like this," said Jim Meyer, SiriusXM CEO.

"At yet another peak in Howard's life, we are thrilled to have millions of SiriusXM fans and our listeners from across the country join in on a party only Howard could throw," said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM President and Chief Content Officer.

The Lady And The Agent Split

Carter, Gaga

Lady Gaga’s manager, Troy Carter, is parting ways with the “Applause” singer because he wants to focus on his growing tech portfolio instead of handling the high-maintenance pop star, sources told The NY Post’s PageSix.

Carter and Gaga reportedly split amicably over “creative differences,” but music industry insiders tell us the decision came down to Carter being tired of managing the over-the-top superstar.

“Troy didn’t want to deal with the minutiae of being a day-to-day manager,” a source said. “He’s got his hands deeper into Silicon Valley than the music biz.” But several other sources stressed to us that the breakup was a “mutual decision.”

One insider knowledgable about the split also told us that Gaga’s relationship with Vincent Herbert — who produces her albums for his Streamline Records — is also now in jeopardy.

Read More Now

Where the Jobs Are: Audio Book Narration

Bloomberg Television looks at narration jobs in the audio books industry.

How News Factors Into Twitter's Business Model

How many people get their news from Twitter? Why are those statistics important to advertisers?

WSJ's Jason Bellini has #TheShortAnswer.

SiriusXM To Offer Seven Holiday Music Channels

Sirius XM Radio announced its extensive holiday music lineup featuring seven commercial-free specialty channels celebrating the festive season.

SiriusXM's holiday music channels will offer listeners a variety of traditional holiday songs, classical Christmas carols, country Christmas classics, contemporary holiday tunes, soul music, Hanukkah music and Latin seasonal music.

SiriusXM's commercial-free holiday music channels will be available on multiple satellite radio channels. 

They will also be available in the Holiday category via the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other connected devices and online at siriusxm.com. Satellite radio channels that are pre-empted for the holiday content will be available to SiriusXM Internet Radio subscribers via smartphones and other connected devices at siriusxm.com.

SiriusXM's holiday channel lineup features:

• Holiday Traditions (via satellite on channel 4) will feature traditional holiday music from the '40s through the '60s by artists such as Andy Williams, Ray Conniff, Bing Crosby and Nat "King" Cole. Tuesday, November 12 at 12:00 pm ET- Tuesday, December 31 at 3:00 am ET

• Holly (via satellite on channel 17) will feature contemporary holiday music as well as traditional favorites, including songs by Kelly Clarkson, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Mariah Carey, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Colbie Caillat, Whitney Houston and the cast of Glee. Tuesday, November 12 at 12:00 pm ET- Tuesday, December 31 at 3:00 am ET

• Holiday Pops (via satellite on channel 75) will feature classical Christmas carols and other holiday favorites by the greatest classical musicians of all-time, including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Boston Pops, Luciano Pavarotti, The New York Philharmonic, King's College Choir and Thomas Hampson. Tuesday, December 3 at 12:00 pm ET- Thursday, December 26 at 3:00 am ET

• Country Christmas (via satellite on channel 58) will feature a mix of country Christmas music from contemporary artists as well as classic country artists, including Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum. Tuesday, December 3 at 12:00 pm ET- Thursday, December 26 at 3:00 am ET

• Navidad (SiriusXM channel 756) will feature contemporary Latin holiday music and with traditional classics, including Jose Feliciano, Willie Colon, Gloria Estefan, Marco Antonio Solis, El Gran Combo and Thalia. Tuesday, December 3 at 12:00 pm ET- Tuesday, January 7 at 3:00 am ET

• Holiday Soul (via satellite on channel 49) will feature classic soul and Motown holiday music from the '60s and '70s as well as R&B from the '80s and '90s including Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Dionne Warwick, The Four Tops, The Supremes, The O'Jays, James Brown, The Temptations, Lou Rawls and Toni Braxton. Tuesday, December 10 at 12:00 pm ET - Thursday, December 26 at 3:00 am ET

• Radio Hanukkah (via satellite on channel 111) will feature a wide variety of Hanukkah music including contemporary, traditional and children's Hanukkah classics. Wednesday, November 27 at 12:00 pm ET- Thursday, December 5 at 3:00 am ET