“This American Life” Wants 'Whore" To Change Name

Chicago Public Media Demand Sex Podcast Change Its Name

Chicagoradioandmedia.com has an interesting story about "This American Life," the weekly public radio show, produced by Chicago Public Media's WBEZ-FM and distributed by Public Radio International. 

The show is going after a podcast with a very different format, but a similar name. The San Fransisco-based podcast "This American Whore" has received notifications from attorneys representing Chicago Public Media and Ira Glass demanding the show change its name.

Although "This American Life" moved to New York in 2007, the show is still officially produced and co-owned by Chicago's WBEZ-FM, where it got it start.

The popular talk show with a different topical theme each week was created in 1995 by host Ira Glass and Chicago Public Media CEO Torey Malatia. The radio show is now heard on over 500 radio stations.

Siouxsie Q

"This American Whore" is a podcast that started this past fall. Its creator and host is Siouxsie Q, a model, blogger, sex industry activist, and self-professed sex worker. The host prefers to keep her birth name a secret, but has been going by the name of Siouxsie Q since 2010. The podcast focuses on Q's own life and times as a sex worker, as well as shining a positive light on those who work in the sex industry.

Outside of two common words in the podcast's title matching those of Ira Glass' radio show title, the podcast has nothing in common with the public radio program.

However, Siouxsie Q told the San Fransisco alternative newspaper SF Weekly last week that she began receiving emails from TAL Director of Operations Seth Lind and attorneys for Chicago Public Media and Ira Glass demanding she cease & desist all use of the words "This American" in the name of her show.

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Dial Global Announces Upper Management Restructuring

Spencer Brown

Dial Global Monday announced some restructuring moves.  Out:  the three man co-CEO concept.  In: a more traditional solo CEO model..

Former Co-CEO David Landau has resigned.

Landau said, "Working with Spencer, Ken and many of the other talented executives at Dial Global over the last 10 years has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life, both personally and professionally. I have tremendous respect for Spencer and believe that he has the necessary qualifications and passion to lead the company through its next stage of growth.” 

Landau added,  “I remain a meaningful shareholder of Dial Global and its most ardent supporter."

Spencer Brown is now CEO and Ken Williams is named President reporting to Brown.  All three previously had been Co-CEOs.

Wichita Radio: CCM+E Rebrands KZSN ‘The Bull”

Country KZSN “Kissin’ 102” is now branding as “The Bull”.  The station is now in the midst of 10-days of commercial free music.

CCm+E announced the move some 27-years after “Kissin 102”  first hit the air.

The Bull promises to do Country differently by playing more of the newest country hits from artists like Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney and Luke Bryan.

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The Bull will feature Wichita's #1 rated Bobby Bones Morning Show. Bobby Bones' first day on The Bull will be March 4th. No other station talent line-up has been unveiled.

"Wichita listeners have been asking for this kind of Country radio station and we think Wichitans are ready to make this their first choice for new country music," said Rob Burton, Market Manager for Clear Channel Music And Entertainment Wichita.

"Wichita now has a country station that doesn't just try to compete playing the same stuff, but actually reflects just how hot today's new country music really is!" said Brian Jennings, Program Director for The Bull.

Royal Prank DJ Michael Christian Back On-Air

Michael Christian

One of the Australian DJs who made a prank phone call to the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for acute morning sickness is back on air.

Michael Christian was suspended in December after he and Mel Greig phoned King Edward VII's Hospital in London and pretended to be the Queen and Prince Charles inquiring about the Duchess of Cambridge.

Jacintha Saldanha, the nurse who transferred the hoax phone call, killed herself three days after the call.

Christian has returned to broadcasting, hosting a morning slot on the Melbourne music station Fox FM, part of the Southern Cross Austereo network which owns 2 Day FM, the station where the prank phone call was made from.

Christian will not be making or taking any phone calls in his new show.

Southern Cross Austereo chief executive Ryhs Holleran said: "We are happy to have Michael back on air. We have always supported our talent returning to work when appropriate and today marks that occasion for MC."

Christian's former co-host has yet to return but Holleran added: "We look forward to welcoming Mel Greig back when the time is right."

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CC Outdoor Turns Digital Boards Over to MEMA

During Friday/Saturday’s big snowstorm, Clear Channel Outdoor digital billboards were used by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

Seven digital boards in the Greater Board area provided real-time information for drivers about travel conditions.

According to Clear Channel Outdoor, this is the first time the digitals were used for a statewide emergency.


“The digital technology allows MEMA to adapt its messages in real-time to changing situations, providing a significant boost to its public safety effort, and offer Massachusetts residents another way to get information,” the company said, adding that Clear Channel Outdoor is making the digital signs available to MEMA at no cost.

The Grammys 2013

The 55th Annual Grammy Awards kicked off with a bang. Taylor Swift started the show with a performance and then LL Cool J took the stage for hosting, joking and performing duties.

Fun. were the surprise winners of the night, winning for Best New Artist and "We Are Young" winning for Song of the Year. 2013 was a well rounded Grammy Awards show with Gotye and The Black Keys taking home three awards each.

FOR MORE COMPLETE COVERAGE, Click Here

Former American Idols, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood also took home hardware. Kelly earned the award for Best Pop Vocal Album for "Stronger" and Carrie took home the award for both, Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for "Blown Away."

Adele jokes about being "knocked up" before presenting Mumford and Sons with Album of the Year award at the Grammys 2013.

WINNERS

• Album of the Year: Babel, Mumford and Sons
• Record of the Year: "Somebody That I Used To Know," Gotye featuring Kimbra
• Best New Artist: Fun.
• Best Country Album: Zac Brown Band, Uncaged
• Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: "No Church In The Wild," Jay-Z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, The Dream
• Best Pop Vocal Album: "Stronger", Kelly Clarkson
• Best Rock Performance: Lonely Boy, The Black Keys
• Best Urban Contemporary Album: Channel Orange, Frank Ocean
• Song of the Year: "We Are Young," Fun.
• Best Country Solo Performance: "Blown Away," Carrie Underwood
• Best Pop Solo Performance: "Set Fire To The Rain," Adele
• Producer of the Year: Dan Auerbach
• Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: "Somebody That I Used To Know," Goyte feat. Kimbra
• Best Alternative Music Album: Making Mirrors, Goyte
• Best Rock Album: El Camino, The Black Keys
• Best Rock Song: "Lonely Boy," The Black Keys
• Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance: "Love Bites (So Do I)," Halestorm
• Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Kisses on the Bottom, Paul McCartney
• Best Country Song: "Blown Away," Carrie Underwood
• Best Country Duo/Group Performance: "Poonton," Little Big Town
• Best World Album: The Living Room Sessions Part 1, Ravi Shankar
• Best Rap Song: "Adorn," Miguel
• Best R&B Performance: "Climax," Usher
• Best Traditional R&B Performance: "Love On Top," Beyonce
• Best Rap Album: Take Care, Drake
• Best Rap Song: "N****s In Paris," Jay-Z and Kanye West
• Best Rap Performace: "N****s In Paris," Jay-Z and Kanye West
• Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
• Best R&B Album: Black Radio, Robert Glasper
• Best Dance/Electronica Album: Bangarang, Skrillex
• Best Dance Recording: "Bangarang," Skrillex featuring Sirah
• Best Regional Roots Album: The Band Courtbouillon, Wayne Toups, Steve Riley & Wilson Savoy
• Best Folk Album: The Goat Rodeo Sessions, Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile
• Best Blues Album: Locked Down, Dr. John
• Best Americana Album: Slipstream, Bonnie Raitt
• Best Compilation Soundtrack Album: Midnight In Paris
• Best Latin Jazz Album: ¡Ritmo!, The Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Big Band
• Best Jazz Vocal Album: Radio Music Society, Esperanza Spaulding
• Best Improvised Jazz Solo: "Hot House," Gary Buron & Chick Corea
• Best New Age Album: Echoes of Love, Oakram
• Best Comedy Album: Blow Your Pants Off, Jimmy Fallon
• Best Spoken Word Album: Society's Child: My Autobiography, Janis Ian
• Best Children's Album: Can You Canoe?, The Okee Dokee Brothers
• Best Reggae Album: Rebirth, Jimmy Cliff
• Best Long Form Music Video: "Big Easy Express," Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros & Old Crow Medicine Show
• Best Short Form Music Video: "We Found Love," Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris

The Grammys Tribute Performance

Elton John, Zac Brown Band, Mumford and Sons, T Bone Burnett, Brittany Howard and Mavis Staples joined together to commemorate the artists that we lost this year, as well as the victims of the Sandy Hook School shooting in Connecticut. The eclectic group sang "The Weight."

For More Video Performances, Click Here.

Pitt Radio: Tim Benz Leaves X Morning Show

Tim Benz

Tim Benz, co-host of the X Morning Show on alternative rock radio station WXDX 105.9 The X, left the air Friday after arguing with listeners about his support of stricter gun laws.

“There was a flare-up about gun control on the show, which included a good deal of flashback against the station,” Benz told Triblive.com. “I wasn't able to walk away from the fight ... (so) I decided to step away from the Morning Show.”

The argument stemmed from a Pittsburgh gun shop's recent giveaway of hundreds of rounds of ammunition, high-capacity magazines and an AR-15 military-style rifle on its Facebook page.

Erik Lowry, owner of Pittsburgh Tactical Firearms, which bills itself as “America's Largest Online Firearms Mall,” gave away the gun and ammo. He said he did not hear the show but heard about Benz's decision.

Benz's comments on guns drew predictable reaction for this part of the country, Lowry said.

“When you're a morning show host in a town of blue-collar workers who love their guns and the Second Amendment, you're going to (anger) a lot of people,” he said.

John Moschitta, program director for Clear Channel Communications, the station's parent, did not return calls seeking comment.

if i can figure out a way to do that.i'll be back.if i cant, i've enjoyed my time on the x more than y'all can ever imagine. bell well -tb
— The X Morning Show (@XMorningShow) February 8, 2013

Benz said he did not resign and plans to honor his contract however the station sees fit — on the air in a different capacity or off the air.

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Columbus, OH Radio: CD102.5 Shoots for Reality TV Show

Randy Malloy, owner-operator of WWCD 102.5 FM in the Columbus market,  and a local video producer hope the goings-on at the local alternative-rock radio station will make good television. The locally owned radio station has shot more than 100 hours of tape in hopes of selling to a network a series that they’ve dubbed Life On Air.

The idea has been brewing for years, according todispatch.com. It started when Survivor premiered in 2000. Malloy applied at least twice to be a contestant, but was turned down.

But a few years later, as reality shows became an entrenched part of the TV business, Malloy realized that he might better serve his station by making the entire operation the focus of a new program.

The appeal of doing a reality show at alternative CD102.5 seemed obvious.

“People always say, ‘You have the coolest job ever,’ ” he said. “Sure, but it’s a ton of work. It’s not all happy hours and cocktail receptions. There are moments of drama — more so because we’r e dealing with rock stars, egos, clients, listeners. There are a couple of extra layers that we do that other businesses don’t have.”

While a reality show would be good for staff morale, it would also be good for business. As a small, independent operation, WWCD survives on what’s known in the industry as “non-traditional revenue,” said Fred Jacobs of Jacobs Media, a radio-consulting firm based in Michigan.

“They make money based on either events or other revenue areas that have nothing to do with commercials,” Jacobs said. “There’s a limit to how many commercial spots you can play in an hour. ... It could be merchandise sales, ticket sales, sponsorship sales, anything that can generate revenue.”

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WEEI Convenes Focus Group of Sport Hub Listeners

From Chad Finn, Boston Globe

A focus group’s findings can be misinterpreted and the reaction misguided. But they are commonplace in the business world, including sports media, and the reason is because if the right questions are asked, the information can provide great value, and perhaps even some real solutions. 

“These things are common,’’ said WEEI program director Jason Wolfe via e-mail Thursday. “All companies do market research from time to time to gain insight into how they can improve.’’ 

Which brings us to WEEI, and a recent effort by the sports radio station, through a third-party Seattle-based research group, to gather opinions on current and potential personnel from listeners who had been identified as converts to their rival station, 98.5 The Sports Hub. 

Actually, where it literally brings us is to the Fieldwork Boston facility in Waltham on Jan. 22, where 15 men, all appearing to be on the younger end of the age 25-54 demographic, were paid $75 each to answer specific questions for little more than an hour about the state of sports radio in Boston. 

Participants were specifically asked how they heard about The Sports Hub, which launched in August 2009, almost instantly became competition to be reckoned with in the Arbitron ratings, and finished first in the recent fall ratings among men 25-54 — while WEEI fell to a seventh-place tie with WBUR. 

They were told to focus on the morning and afternoon drive programs — “Dennis and Callahan” and “The Big Show with Ordway and Holley’’ — and were asked how they would fix those programs.

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Opinion: Progressive Talk Radio’s Devolution

From Peter B. Collins for Op-Ed Truth-Out.org

Peter B Collins

Since the rise of Rush Limbaugh and the shift of hundreds of radio stations to wall-to-wall conservative talk in the 1990s, progressives have faced a decidedly uphill battle. In my experience, most station owners and managers have a strong bias to the right, and with a few exceptions, the rest just look for the easiest way to make maximum profit. 

It's no accident that Limbaugh was recruited for the heavily market-researched model that was labelled "non-guested confrontation talk radio" after Reagan's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lifted the Fairness Doctrine in 1987. Clinton's 1996 

Telecommunications Act removed ownership limits that led to rapid consolidation and the troublesome concentration of control by national operators we see today. Three companies control almost all of the talk radio stations with competitive signals in the major markets: Clear Channel, CBS and Cumulus. 

In my view, we have reached a major crisis due to right-wing bias in talk radio. This right-wing tilt has an obvious impact on our politics and culture. But President Obama, his FCC appointees and most members of Congress - including all but a handful of Democrats - are indifferent. Sadly, it seems that most listeners are indifferent, too. 

Having walked some miles in similar shoes, I know the difficult decisions facing my radio friends and colleagues and their business operations. With affiliates, audiences and revenues all declining and the muscular expansion of sports-talk by CBS, FOX, NBC SportsRadio and ESPN, the future looks pretty bleak for lib-talk. You might ask, as David Byrne once sang, "How did we get here?"

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