Entercom Communications Corp. today reported financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2017. Fourth quarter 2017 results included CBS Radio beginning on November 17th when the merger closed. Highlights:
The Company completed its merger with CBS Radio on November 17, 2017 and issued 101,407,494 Class A shares to former shareholders of CBS Corporation who participated in the exchange
Net revenues for the quarter were $246.6 million, compared to $124.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016
Operating income for the quarter was a loss of $2.3 million, which was negatively impacted by $36.0 million of merger, restructuring, impairment and financing costs. This compared to operating income of $30.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2016
Net income per diluted share for the quarter, which reflects the benefit of the recent tax reform legislation, was $2.58, compared to net income per share of $0.27 in the fourth quarter of 2016
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $45.0 million, compared to $35.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016
David Field
David J. Field, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “We are making excellent progress toward our goals of capitalizing on our transformational merger and building a truly outstanding media and entertainment company.
"As the country’s #1 creator of live, original, local audio content and with a premier collection of outstanding local radio stations, digital platforms and live events, we have the scale and capabilities to compete more effectively with other media for a larger share of ad dollars. We are off to a great start executing our game plan with important achievements in a number of areas including building a best-in-class leadership team and culture, growing our brands and ratings, executing our synergies, launching new sales tools and advocacy, and much more.
"We are very pleased with our progress and more excited than ever about the needle-moving opportunities ahead.”
Is no news, good news? iHeartMedia and its creditor have agreed to extend the extension for finalizing a restructuring of the company's $20B debt load.
In a filing with the SEC, iHM the self-imposed debt for a deal has now bee pushed back to 11:59 PM Monday, March 12. The original deadline had been last night at 11:59 PM.
As previously disclosed, on March 4, 2018, iHeartCommunications, Inc. (“iHeartCommunications”), an indirect subsidiary of iHeartMedia, Inc. (“iHeartMedia”), and certain lenders party thereto (the “Consenting Lenders”) entered into a Forbearance Agreement (the “Forbearance Agreement”), with respect to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2008, as amended and restated as of February 23, 2011 (as further amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among iHeartCommunications, as the parent borrower, the subsidiary co-borrowers and foreign subsidiary revolving borrowers party thereto, iHeartMedia Capital I, LLC, as holdings, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, and the other the lenders from time to time party thereto.
On March 7, 2018, iHeartMedia and the Consenting Lenders extended the term of the Forbearance Agreement to the earliest to occur of (i) March 12, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. Central time and (ii) an event of default under the Credit Agreement other than those that resulted in the entry into the Forbearance Agreement.
The two sides now have another five days to complete a deal.
It's been reported that reorganization plan with creditors would wipe out most if its debt in bankruptcy. In return, current owners Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners would be wiped-out.
The company’s financial unbalance began in 2008 when private equity groups Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners purchased Clear Channel Communications in a highly leveraged deal valued at about $24 billion. That was about the time the U.S. economy was seesawing on its way into a deep recession.
The strategy being played by iHeartMedia is similar to that Cumulus, analysts say. That broadcaster, mired in $2.4 billion of debt, filed for voluntary bankruptcy protection in November 2017 after entering into a Restructuring Support Agreement with lenders holding almost 70% of the company’s term loan.
Meanwhile, Cumulus reports “significant progress” in its restructuring process. An original 120 days to keep any competitive plans off the table expires on March 29. Cumulus wants that date extended to May 28.
The exclusivity period gives the debtor (Cumulus) an opportunity to negotiate the settlement of its debts by proposing and soliciting support for its plan of reorganization without interference from competing plans from its creditors or others in interest.
Cox Enterprises said Wednesday the majority of its employees will receive bonuses of up to $2,000 following the passage of tax reform.
Fox Business reports the Atlanta-based company, which owns the Cox cable provider among other businesses, announced that bonuses of $1,000 to $2,000 will be distributed on Tax Day (April 17) to employees who have worked at Cox Enterprises for at least a year and are not part of an executive incentive plan.
The move impacts most of the company’s nearly 60,000 employees.
The $1.5 trillion tax bill reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and changes the way the U.S. government taxes companies that also operate internationally.
While a majority of Americans (59 percent) think it is likely there will be a recession in the next year, 54 percent of Americans age 25 and older say that their personal financial situation is better today than it was ten years ago, according to the latest Marketplace-Edison Research Poll.
“The numbers here tell an interesting story about how differently Americans are experiencing the current economy,” said Deborah Clark, senior vice president and general manager of Marketplace. “Understanding these diverse experiences is crucial to our mission of increasing the economic intelligence of all Americans and our reporting will dive deeper into individual lives and circumstances represented in the latest poll.”
Since 2015, Marketplace and Edison Research have used responses to the poll to develop the Economic Anxiety Index, a unique measure of the American economy. The number on a scale from 0-100 is calculated from answers to a battery of questions. The Economic Anxiety Index describes just how stressed out people feel about their personal financial situation. The higher the number, the more economic stress someone is feeling.
The Economic Anxiety Index mean score across all demographics for the latest poll is 31, though it varies widely among subgroups. The index is down from 32 since April 2017.
Key Findings
The Economic Anxiety Index® is down from April 2017 - 32 to 31.
62 percent of those who agree that the economy is strong say it’s thanks to the private sector.
25-34 year-olds and African-Americans are the most anxious about their personal economic situations. On the job front, hourly workers and gig economy workers are the most anxious.
49 percent of whites say income inequality has increased, versus 51 percent of African-Americans and 58 percent of Hispanics.
A little over half of all Americans think that the economy is strong. For those who think the economy is strong, the anxiety index is 27 - four points lower than the average of all Americans.
Recession
Despite the Anxiety Increase decreasing, nearly six in ten Americans (59 percent) think it is likely there will be a recession in the next year. Recent volatility in the stock market may be one of the reasons Americans are concerned about a recession.
More than half of Hispanics and whites said their financial situation is better today than it was in 2008, while less than half of African-Americans said they are better off today than ten years ago.
Women were more likely to say they’ve still not recovered from the recession - 18 percent vs 10 percent for men.
Respondents age 25-34 were most likely to say recession impacted them more than most Americans.
Sexual Harassment
21 percent of Americans have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace - 27 percent of women and 14 percent of men. 62 percent of respondents affected said it caused them to change their job; 55 percent said it hurt their overall career. When broken down by race, 22 percent of whites, 16 percent of Hispanics, and 15 percent of African-Americans, report sexual harassment.
And when broken down by age, people between 55-64 report the highest rates of sexual harassment at work.
Gig Economy
24 percent of Americans earn money in the gig economy; this group is 61 percent male. 53 percent of gig workers consider income from gigs as a secondary income. 44 percent of those that earn their money from the gig economy say it’s their primary source of income.
Univision Communications Inc.’s board is girding to search for new leadership and is undertaking a business review that could lead to large cost cuts, people familiar with the matter said, on the heels of the Spanish-language broadcaster canceling its initial public offering.
Chief Executive Randy Falco, 64, recently told the board he would like to retire at the end of 2018 when he will turn 65, said Haim Saban, chairman of the board, in a statement.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier Wednesday that the board was considering new leadership after Mr. Falco raised the prospect of retiring early.
“We at the Board of Univision have reluctantly agreed to Randy’s wishes out of respect and the high regard we have for him as a partner,” Mr. Saban said. Mr. Saban has praised Mr. Falco for diversifying the company, improving its finances, reducing debt and amplifying Univision’s political involvement as a voice for Hispanic America.
Randy Falco
Falco’s accelerated exit is a surprise. In November, Univision extended Mr. Falco’s employment agreement for an additional two years, through January 2020. Some people familiar with the matter said that he had begun to lose favor with some on the board in recent months.
Falco spent three decades at NBC before arriving in 2011 at Univision, whose portfolio includes 17 broadcast, cable and digital networks and 120 local television and radio stations.
According to Deadline-Hollywood, the traditional programming business of Univision’s flagship broadcast network has come under assault by NBCUniversal’s Telemundo, whose shows have lately aimed for higher production values, longer running times and less reliance on the legacy telenovela approach. Telemundo even managed the once-unthinkable feat of beating Univision in the live/same day ratings on certain nights, though February sweeps turned out differently. At the same time, one notable move engineered by Falco was the acquisition of several high-profile digital brands, including The Onion and the Gizmodo Media sites (a group once led by Gawker).
Beasley Media Group has announced Jeff Kurkjian has been named as the new weekday Morning Host from 6-10am on KCYE 102.7 The Coyote in Las Vegas.
He will be joined by Aimee Montgomery, who will shift from her current role as Midday personality on Beasley Media Group’s K268 CS Lite 101.5 FM to mornings on The Coyote. Jeff and Aimee will begin on Monday, March 12th, 2018.
Kurkjian most recently served as a Morning On-Air Personality at Q104/WQAL-FM in Cleveland, Ohio.
“I am so excited to be part of the team at 102.7 The Coyote in Las Vegas,” said Kurkjian. “I can’t imagine doing anything but local radio. I’m looking forward to connecting every morning with the casino workers getting off third shift, the mom’s taking their kids to school and everyone in between. I am eager to get out and about in Las Vegas, especially coming from the frozen tundra of the Northeast!”
KCYE 102.7 FM (99 Kw) Red=Local Coverage
“I am more than thrilled to be joining Jeff on team Coyote, while still being able to call Beasley Las Vegas my home,” said Montgomery. “We are going to have a lot of fun and I’m back to where I’m most comfortable, waking up at 3:30am! I am extremely thankful to Dennis Gwiazdon, John Candelaria, and Shawn Stevens for this amazing opportunity.”
“We’re firmly committed to making KCYE-FM, The Coyote, a market leader and the #1 country station in Las Vegas,” said VP/Market Manager Dennis Gwiazdon. “Jeff’s addition to our team puts us in the fast lane to get there even faster. It’s going to be fun to watch how he and Aimee create some magic on the air.”
“Beasley Media Group is always looking for the best talent in radio and Jeff is the real deal,” said KCYE Program Director Shawn Stevens. “He’s smart, versatile and extremely passionate about radio. Jeff and Aimee will bring fun and Entertainment to our LOCAL community, known as the Entertainment Capital of the World.”
Entercom and The Washington Nationals announced Wednesday a five-year agreement to extend its seven-year partnership with Washington D.C’s WJFK 106.7 FM The Fan beginning with the 2018 MLB season.
Highlights of the flagship radio agreement include broadcasts of 10 Spring Training games, all regular season games and all post-season game action, in addition to full pre and post-game coverage. Play by play announcers Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler return for their 13th consecutive season together. Postgame duties will be shared by Phil Wood, and the Fan’s Nationals beat reporter, Craig Heist, with select postgame shows hosted by 106.7 The Fan midday show hosts Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier.
“As the top radio destination for Washington D.C. sport fans, we are thrilled to expand our broadcast partnership with The Washington Nationals,” said Steve Swenson, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Washington, D.C. “This agreement underscores our strategy to create highly-engaging content with the teams and leagues that our fans and our advertisers care about most. We look forward to continuing to bring fans the most comprehensive coverage of the team.”
As the radio home of The Nationals, 106.7 The Fan will provide year-round programming dedicated to the team including daily segments, offseason shows and a weekly “Nats Insider” show airing on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. ET, hosted by MASN on-field reporter Dan Kolko.
“For the past seven seasons, The Fan has been our official flagship radio station,” said Alan H. Gottlieb, Chief Operating Officer of Lerner Sports Group. “We are excited about extending our partnership and continuing the tradition of Nationals baseball on 106.7.”
WJFK 106-7 FM (20 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area
Sister stations 95.5 FM (WPGC), 94.7 FRESH-FM (WIAD-FM) and El Zol 107.9 (WLZL-FM) will also partner with the Nationals on programming and promotional special events.
The University of Alabama Athletics, and multimedia rights holder Learfield, have announced a five-year agreement with SummitMedia to become the official radio home of Crimson Tide Sports Network in Birmingham.
The new partnership includes branding and promotions of the Crimson Tide across all SummitMedia stations and partners including syndicated "Rick and Bubba Show" on WZZK 104.7 FM and the "Rickey Smiley Show" on WBHJ 95.7 FM.
Beginning this fall, SummitMedia will provide expanded pregame and postgame programming, "Hey Coach" and the "Nick Saban Show" and "Crimson Tide Rewind" live on WBPT-FM (106.9 The Eagle). Crimson Tide men's basketball and "Hey Coach" will air on WPYA-FM (Play 97.3) and all UA women's basketball and men's varsity baseball games and the "Crimson Tide Today" daily show will be heard on both WENN-AM and WAGG-FM.
"We are very excited to add University of Alabama Athletics to our programming lineup," stated SummitMedia Birmingham President John Walker. "Based in Birmingham, we fully understand both the power and appeal of the University's Athletic programs. The partnership between SummitMedia, Alabama Athletics and Learfield will provide our audience outstanding sports programming on a platform like never before."
WZZK 104.7 FM (100 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area
"We are thrilled to announce this new partnership with SummitMedia, Birmingham's radio market leader," added Crimson Tide Sports Marketing VP/GM Jim Carabin. "SummitMedia's wide array of on-air and digital platforms will give Alabama fans expanded access to Crimson Tide content throughout the athletic season."
The Crimson Tide Sports Network will feature more than 80 radio affiliates across six states in the upcoming season, while Crimson Tide fans can also follow the Tide via the TuneIn radio app in addition to games broadcast live on SiriusXM radio.
Veritone Inc. has announced that it has entered into new multi-market license agreements with leading broadcasters Beasley Media Group, Reach Media and the Tom Joyner Network, Townsquare Media, and Results Radio, in addition to renewing its existing license agreement with Hubbard Radio.
These agreements give the broadcasters a license to the Veritone aiWARE™ platform to seamlessly and automatically process, transform, and review audio data in near real-time, with enhanced ad and content tracking, comprehensive analytics, faster content extension, and smarter media management.
“Veritone puts the AI in radio,” said Drew Horowitz, president and chief operating officer of Hubbard Radio. “Broadcast audio continues to stay relevant thanks to its ability to adapt to the technological changes. But as more listeners consume programs, ads and organic content, we’re left with mountains of data that require significant man-hours in order for us to report on audience-based data. We know that radio has the ability to adjust to meet consumers and Hubbard Radio is always looking for ways to capitalize on the versatility of radio. Veritone aiWARE allows us to deliver value to listeners while simultaneously giving us insight that helps advertisers and broadcasters.”
According to Statista, radio is the third most powerful medium in the United States, reaching 54 percent of the country’s population daily, and is considered the leading reach platform compared with any other medium, including TV and mobile. The extensive reach of radio means that advertisers must fight for air space and radio groups must deliver actionable insights for advertisers and sponsors as well as internal programming and business development personnel.
“We now have the ability to utilize differentiated and previously unavailable sales enhancement tools via the analytics afforded by the Veritone platform – allowing for data-driven and value-added discussions with our valued advertising partners,” said Bob McCurdy, vice president of corporate sales at Beasley Media Group. “Veritone aiWARE is exactly where we need to be going as a company to provide the kind of data and accountability that advertisers rightfully expect.”
“The evolution of broadcast media – from strictly radio-based, to video, to online and now to podcast format – proves it will continue to be a dominant platform, said Ryan Steelberg, president and co-founder of Veritone. “We will continue to see this market change as the public demands new ways to consume media content. This increasing complexity is making it both more critical and more challenging for broadcasting groups and advertisers to evaluate and measure the impact radio has on customers. They will have to deploy tools to help track and extend their broadcast distribution, unlock audience-based data and insights, and measure listener sentiment and the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. Deploying AI can give advertisers and radio groups the insight they need, and Veritone ensures that our partners are at the forefront of trends and interactivity with broadcasters.”
NBC 4 New York / WNBC named Amy Morris Vice President of News. Her first day at WNBC will be March 27. Morris most recently served as Assistant News Director for 6 ABC / WPVI in Philadelphia and for local television stations in New York and Chicago.
“Amy is a smart and innovative leader. She has worked in the New York market and is an experienced, respected broadcast journalist. I am thrilled to welcome Amy to our WNBC family and look forward to her leadership in the newsroom,” said Eric Lerner, President and General Manager of NBC 4 New York.
A newsroom veteran with nearly three decades of experience, Morris has held leadership roles for television stations in the Northeast and Midwest. In addition to her major market experience in Philadelphia, Morris served as Executive Producer for WABC-TV in New York City and WLS in Chicago. She has also worked as News Director for WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia and as Executive Producer for KSTP in Minneapolis. Morris has been recognized for journalistic excellence with numerous industry honors, including regional Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow awards.
"I’m excited to join the WNBC family and lead a team of experienced and aggressive journalists, including NBC 4’s renowned I-Team. WNBC’s approach to digging and uncovering stories every day represents the very best in journalism. There are many great opportunities ahead and I can’t wait to get to work,” added Morris.
As NBC 4 New York’s new Vice President of News, Morris will lead all day-to-day news operations for NBC’s flagship station, including weather, investigative and consumer teams. She will also grow NBC 4 New York’s newsroom collaboration with sister station Telemundo 47 / WNJU on joint investigative and consumer news stories.
Alexa, Amazon's digital assistant, has been busting out with a weird laugh at random intervals for some users, freaking them out. according to USAToday.
Posting on Twitter, Alexa users have described the laugh as "creepy," "evil," "bone-chilling" and "freaky."
By Wednesday Amazon had gotten to the bottom of the mystery.
It turns out that in rare circumstances, Alexa can mistakenly hear the phrase “Alexa, laugh” even when that’s not what was said. Alexa then interprets the phrase as a command and laughs.
Amazon has changed the phrase necessary to make Alexa laugh to, “Alexa, can you laugh” which should be less likely to generate false positives.
In addition, Alexa will no longer respond to that question with simple laughter but instead will say, “Sure, I can laugh” followed by laughter.
The Alexa team has also disabled the phrase “Alexa, laugh” as a trigger.
The short laugh that users recorded and posted on Twitter consisted of three closely-spaced "ha-ha ha's."
This laugh sounds slightly sarcastic, as if the person laughing were trying to convey that they didn't really find whatever they'd just heard funny. It's very definitely not a cheerful or bright laugh.
The priciest regional daily newspaper in the U.S. is about to get pricier, with as much as an 80 percent increase possible for some home delivery subscribers, according to the Boston Business Journal.
Last week, some longtime subscribers were notified via email that their weekly cost will go up to $19.70 a week, but the email made no mention of the further planned price hikes.
A customer service representative at the Boston Globe’s subscription phone center told a Business Journal reporter Tuesday that the company is planning to increase its seven-day-a-week home delivery cost, after all discounts have expired, to $25.90 per week for subscribers in the Boston metro area. The representative said the increases will be phased in gradually, but didn’t say how long it would take.
Asked to confirm what the representative said, a Globe spokeswoman said, “We don't comment on specific subscription pricing.” However, the spokeswoman added that “producing, printing and distributing quality journalism faces rising costs. We are grateful to be part of a community where readers value what we do."
Such a price hike, which works out to $1,347 a year for daily delivery, would be more than an 80 percent hike from the current non-discounted cost. It would also be significantly more than the New York Times ($16.26 per week), the San Francisco Chronicle ($13.13 per week) and every other regional newspaper in the U.S.
➦In 1925...John B. Gambling started on-air at WOR. Bernard McFadden was a physical culturist who had a radio show in New York City. When McFadden failed to show up for his daily morning program, Gambling, a studio engineer, was forced to ad-lib on the air for a solid hour. Thus, WOR decided to gtive the time slot to Gambling.
John B. Gambling
John Bradley Gambling (April 9, 1897 – November 21, 1974) became the first of the Gambling family, 3 generations to host mornings on WOR. John B., John A. and John R. - were hosts of WOR Radio's 'Rambling with Gambling' over the course of over 80 years (1925–2000 and 2008–2013).
John B. was the host from 1925 to 1959, when he retired in favor of his son, John A. Gambling. With his Musical Clock, his all-in-fun setting-up exercises, cheerio music, wheezy gags, weather information and news scraps, John B. Gambling was a WOR fixture.
➦In 1945...The Monkees' singer and actor Mickey Dolenz was born
➦In 1949...WBAP-FM, Fort Worth Texas, began broadcasting. Today the station is Sports KTCK-FM.
➦In 1971...Jimi Hendrix's rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" was broadcast by Radio Hanoi.
➦In 1979...Audio Compact Disc prototype is first demonstrated.
➦In 1994...NYC Personality Jack Spector - WMCA, WHN, WCBS FM (at 4:40), WNBC, WPIX FM, WQCD - Died. He was 65.
Jack Spector
Spector began his career in 1955 and in 1961 became one of the original WMCA Good Guys. In late December 1963, WMCA, with Spector, earned the distinction of being the first New York City radio station to play the Beatles' Capitol Records' single, "I Want to Hold Your Hand." (Outside New York, the single's broadcast debut is widely accepted to have occurred earlier at WWDC in Washington, D.C.)
After WMCA moved to a talk format, Spector went to WHN, then a vocal-based easy listening station. He remained for a while after WHN became a Country music station in 1973. In 1974, Spector left WHN to go to WCBS-FM where he hosted a 1955-1964 based Oldies show called "The Saturday Night Sock Hop" and another regular weekend shift. He was also a full-time swing host there, filling in for various airstaffers over the years. In 1983, Cousin Brucie began doing every third Saturday night of the month. Spector remained at WCBS-FM until the Spring of 1985.
In 1985, Spector was at WNBC as the original host of "Sports Night". He went then to WPIX-FM, which was playing an adult contemporary format. Upon their change to NAC and soon after to smooth jazz, he became one of the first air personalities on CD 101.9. Spector also worked as an optician when he was not on the air.
Late in 1988, Spector left WQCD and joined the staff of WHLI on Long Island, NY playing an Adult Standards format. That station began mixing in more rock and roll oldies by the early '90s. After a few Radio Greats Weekends at WCBS-FM, Jack Spector returned as a part-time swing announcer there in 1993 while working full-time at WHLI.
On March 8, 1994, shortly after starting a recording of Louis Prima's "I'm In The Mood For Love", he suffered an apparent fatal heart attack and collapsed.
➦In 2016…Ronald Herbert “Whodaguy” Jacobs, a famous Hawaii-born broadcaster who was the brain brain behind the revolutionary and award-winning “Boss Radio” format at KHJ in Los Angeles, died at his home in Pearl City, Hawaii.
At 23, Jacobs moved to the U.S. mainland. In 1962, he was promoted to vice president of programming for the Colgreene Corporation. From there he programmed San Bernardino’s KMEN Radio, and then, Fresno’s KMAK.
In Fresno, Jacobs found himself competing head on with radio consultant Bill Drake. They soon combined their talents to program RKO General’s KHJ Radio in Los Angeles. Within six months, the Drake-Jacobs’ “Boss Radio” format was Number One in America’s second largest radio market, garnering national recognition for creating pop radio’s most influential sound of the 1960s.
Jacobs produced the 48-hour-long History of Rock and Roll. Radio’s first "rockumentary," which aired on KHJ and subsequently other stations in the RKO chain, and was accepted into the Library of Congress as the “first aural history of rock and roll music.”
While programming the RKO radio chain from KHJ, Jacobs teamed again with Moffatt and Tom Rounds to form Charlatan Productions to produce films featuring recording artists in strange but eye-catching settings.
After four years atop the L.A. radio ratings, Jacobs left KHJ to co-found and become vice president of Watermark Inc. In 1970, with Tom Rounds and veteran LA deejay Casey Kasem, Jacobs co-created the syndicated radio program, American Top 40.
At Watermark, Jacobs also produced the award-winning Elvis Presley Story, written by rock author Jerry Hopkins and narrated by broadcast personality, Wink Martindale. Next, Jacobs produced a 15-album record series of legendary top-40 DJs re-creating their station's sound with the original music, commercials and jingles. The albums covered 1955 through 1969 and were titled "CRUISIN': A History of Rock 'n' Roll Radio."
Jacobs then went to San Diego to program KGB AM/FM Radio. It was there that Jacobs conceived and produced the original Home Grown album. The KGB Chicken, later known to the nation as "The San Diego Chicken" was also hatched from Jacobs' imagination.
In 1972, Ron Jacobs was honored by Billboard as Program Director of the Year. Jacobs’ documentary about Max Yasgur, on whose farm the Woodstock festival was staged, won Program of the Year honors and two years later, Billboard named KGB, Station of the Year.
During this time, Ron Jacobs continued concert promotions with Tom Moffatt, Tom Rounds and Mel Lawrence. In 1964, the four men formed Arena Associates, staging the first rock show in the Honolulu International Center (now, the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena). In 1968, Arena Associates produced the Miami Pop Festival. Jacobs produced concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles Sports Arena, Orange County Fairgrounds (first US appearance of the Rolling Stones), San Diego Stadium, in conjunction with KMEN, KHJ and KGB radio stations, which he served as program director.
In July 1976, Jacobs returned to an on-air position doing morning drive on KKUA Radio, in Honolulu, as “Whodaguy Ron Jacobs.” It was at KKUA that Jacobs introduced Home Grown, a radio station promotion in which contest winners had the opportunity to record their winning songs for release on a compilation album with the proceeds being donated to Habilitat, a drug/alcohol rehabilitation facility in Honolulu. Jacobs did three albums, Home Grown (1976), Home Grown II and Home Grown III, that featured a track named " Kona Winds " that introduced singer Marvin Franklin, while he was at KKUA.
ESPN Audio’s content – the ESPN Radio Network’s national talk shows and live events, affiliated local broadcast radio stations and podcasting – accounts for nearly half (46%) of all sports radio listenership in the U.S., according to the most recent “Share of Ear” survey by Edison Research.
In addition, the survey showed that one in five reported listening to ESPN Audio’s programming weekly – nearly 50 million Americans.
Among ESPN Audio listeners, 71% listened on terrestrial AM/FM radio, the highest percentage. Forty-six percent of listeners said that they listened via streaming audio while 26% used SiriusXM and 25% listened to podcasts. (Numbers add up to more than 100% as users could cite multiple choices.) In addition, time spent listening climbed in 2017 for all four platforms.
ESPN Radio’s weekday national talk show lineup is highlighted by Golic and Wingo which debuted in November, The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, The Stephen A. Smith Show and The Will Cain Show which debuted in January. The network’s live event lineup is highlighted by the NFL, NBA including an extensive playoff schedule including The NBA Finals, college football including most bowl games and The College Football National Championship, college basketball, Major League Baseball including the entire playoffs and World Series.
“ESPN provides premium voices and premium sporting events across as many devices as possible so it’s exciting to see that sports fans spend half their time with us,” said John Fitzgerald, vice president, multimedia sales ESPN Audio. “In a fragmented media world SHARE matters. We work diligently with our advertisers to use that to drive performance for their brands and will continue to look for ways to engage with sports fans and their consumers.”
Edison President Larry Rosin commented, “ESPN consistently remains a major player in sports listening, reaching nearly one-fifth of Americans every week through their audio content – broadcast radio, satellite radio, streaming, and podcasts.”
HomeSlice Media announced today that they will be moving one of Rapid City’s longtime radio stations into a new phase. As of today, KKLS 920 AM / 104.7 FM has switched to KKLS News Corp.
The new format will also provide national talk shows, featuring many noted leaders in their areas of expertise: long-term news professionals Chris Plante in the morning and Joe Pagliarulo at night, attorney Mark Levin, for opinions on constitutional law, Dave Ramsey, helping thousands of households find their way to debt freedom, as well as a number of interesting lifestyle and newsmagazine shows on the weekend.
KKLS 104.7 FM (100 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area
Morning anchor and News Director, Brad Anderson, has more than three decades of experience covering radio news at the state and local level. After long, happy career stops in Pierre, SD and Sioux City, IA, Brad and his family moved to Rapid City in 2001.
