Pandora Files For Lower BMI Payment

Pandora Media Inc. has played its long-expected hand in a royalty battle with Broadcast Music Inc., pointing a New York federal judge to its recently closed purchase of a South Dakota FM radio station that the company claims should slash the rate.

According to a Friday motion from the company, the purchase of KXMZ 102.7 FM in Rapid City, South Dakota sweeps the company under a significantly cheaper license negotiated by the Radio Music License Committee.

The Music Licensing entity ASCAP had ojected to the sale.  It told the FCC “that Pandora is motivated by obtaining the benefits of copyright licensing payment terms applicable to broadcasters rather than by a sincere desire to become a broadcaster; and that grant of the Petition could lead to the collapse of the collective copyright licensing system, to the detriment of copyright owners, the broadcasting industry, and American society in general”.

The FCC didn't buy that argument.

In May, Pandora lost a legal battle over the royalty rates it pays songwriters and composers, marking a victory for publishing rights group BMI.

A federal rate court ruled in favor of BMI -- Broadcast Music Inc. -- which had asked the court to raise Pandora's payments to 2.5% of its revenue from 1.75%, according to statements from both parties.

The decision was seen s an enormous victory for the more than 650,000 songwriters, composers and publishers that BMI has the privilege to represent," BMI said in a statement. "This is an important step forward in valuing music in the digital age."

Boxers Top Forbes Best-Paid Celeb List

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Boxers Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao topped Forbes list of the world's 100 highest-paid celebrities on Monday, on the heels of their lucrative clash in Las Vegas last month.

With an estimated $300 million in earnings over the past 12 months, Mayweather more than lived up to his nickname "Money" and was the undisputed champion. Pacquiao was second, making $160 million over the past 12 months.

Their final earnings from the May 2 bout, which Mayweather won by unanimous decision, have not yet been disclosed. But Forbes' estimates were based on what experts have described as the richest fight in boxing history.

"His (Mayweather's) $300 million shattered the record for athlete earnings, which was previously held by Tiger Woods who managed to bank $115 million in 2008," Natalie Robehmed, of Forbes, said in an interview. "It is above and beyond anything anyone has ever done."

Singer Katy Perry's massive Prismatic World Tour helped her nab third place with $135 million, followed by British boy band One Direction with $130 million and TV and radio host Howard Stern with $95 million.

Musicians and athletes dominated the top 10 spots which included only two women.

Country music star Garth Brooks was No. 6 with $90 million, while pop singer Taylor Swift tied for No. 8 with actor Robert Downey Jr. with $80 million.

Forbes compiled its annual list of the most powerful celebrities from the worlds of sports, television, music and books by estimating pre-tax earnings from June 1, 2014 to June, 1 2015. Management, agent and attorney fees were not deducted.

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who earned $28 million in the previous list, nearly doubled her earnings to an estimated $52.5 million, according to Forbes.

"I personally think she has been able to monetize fame better than anybody else," said Robehmed. "A large percentage of her earnings come from her iPhone game."

Kardashian placed just above Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence who was No. 34 with $52 million. Lawrence and Scarlett Johansson, No. 65 with $35.5 million, are the only two film actresses to make the 100 list, compared to 14 male movie stars.

"I think that really speaks to the wider Hollywood pay gap. It is a lot more difficult for women to get the kind of roles that they would earn massive profits on the back end of in comparison to male actors," said Robehmed.

British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay at No. 21 with $60 million was the highest earning chef ever on the list, which included 38 musicians, 29 athletes, six personalities and two comedians.

The full list can be found at www.forbes.com/celebrities

Obama Announces Change In Overtime Rule

President Obama on Monday announced new rules that will require businesses to pay millions of additional American workers overtime wages. The long-awaited regulation would make all salaried workers who earn less than $970 per week, roughly $50,440 per year, automatically eligible if they work more than 40 hours a week. Current cutoff is around $23,660 a year.

"In this country, a hard day's work deserves a fair day's pay," Obama wrote in an op-ed for the Huffington Post. "That's at the heart of what it means to be middle class in America." Obama will tout the proposal during an event Thursday in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The move could raise pay for nearly 5 million workers - or could it?

Under current rules, employees who make more than $455 a week, or $23,660 a year, and work more than 40 hours per week, are considered management and aren't eligible for overtime. (joke) "Right now, too many Americans are working long days for less pay than they deserve," Obama wrote. There will be a public comment period.

A white collar exemption excludes "executive, administrative and professional" employees from receiving overtime. Advocates for changing the rule say the white collar exemption allows employers to avoid paying lower wage workers overtime by classifying them as management.

Business groups, including National Retail Federation, warn that the rule will motivate employers to move their employees from salaried work to hourly work, will reduce workers' hours and will lead to less employees' benefits.

BFA Elects Dan Mason As Co-Vice Chairman, Treasurer

Dan Mason

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has elected Dan Mason as Co-Vice Chairman and Treasurer of its Board of Directors.  The industry leader was voted into the position during the recent Board of Directors meeting in New York City.

”Dan is one of the Foundation’s most ardent ambassadors and gives tirelessly of his time,” stated Phil Lombardo, Chairman, Broadcasters Foundation.  “The entire Board is grateful that he is taking on these additional responsibilities to advance our charitable mission of helping broadcasters in need.”

Dan Mason was most recently President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS RADIO, where he oversaw more than 125 stations across 27 markets.  He successfully integrated the original CBS, Group W, Infinity Radio, and American Radio Systems.  The National Association of Broadcasters Executive Committee honored him as their 2012 National Radio Award winner for his outstanding leadership in the radio industry.  He was named Executive of the Year by Radio Ink and was consistently among the top honorees on their list of Top 40 Most Powerful People in Radio, including the No. 1 position.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has distributed millions of dollars in aid to broadcasters who lost their livelihood through a catastrophic event, debilitating disease, or unforeseen family tragedy.  Individual donations can be made to the Guardian Fund or by joining the Foundation as a Member. Corporate contributions are accepted through the Angel Initiative, and bequests can be made to the Legacy Society.  For more information on how to give help, or get help, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.org.

June 30 Radio History

In 1961...Radio pioneer, Dr Lee De Forest, died at age 87.  He had 180 patents to his credit and named himself the "Father of Radio," with this famous quote, "I discovered an Invisible Empire of the Air, intangible, yet solid as granite."

Dr. Lee De Forest

In 1906 De Forest invented the Audion, the first triode vacuum tube and the first electrical device which could amplify a weak electrical signal and make it stronger. The Audion, and vacuum tubes developed from it, founded the field of electronics and dominated it for 40 years, making radio broadcasting, television, and long-distance telephone service possible, among many other applications. For this reason De Forest has been called one of the fathers of the "electronic age". He is also credited with one of the principal inventions that brought sound to motion pictures.

He was involved in several patent lawsuits, and spent a substantial part of his income from his inventions on legal bills. He was indicted for mail fraud, but later was acquitted.

De Forest was a charter member of the Institute of Radio Engineers. DeVry University was originally named DeForest Training School by its founder Dr. Herman A. DeVry, who was a friend and colleague of De Forest.

In 1983...WPLJ 95.5 FM switched from AOR To Top 40.  In the Spring of 1983, the station began a transition from AOR to CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio). With word that a Top 40 format was coming to 100.3 FM, WPLJ moved further into a CHR direction. Though the station began playing artists like Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, Larry Berger stated that he did not make the decision to move to a CHR format until the last week of June, and WPLJ adopted a Rock-leaning CHR format on June 30, 1983.

From 1985...Jim Kerr on WPLJ...





In 1987...WYNY 97.1 FM, New York moved from a AC format to gold-based Country format as "Country 97".

The first song played was Dolly Parton's, "Think About Love."

The initial lineup included Mike Wade, Randy Davis, Jack Scott, Lisa Taylor, Mike McCann, Floyd Wright, Jay Michaels, Bill Rock and Jessica. "Dandy" Dan Daniel later joined the station, as well as Scott Carpenter and Carole Mason.

The PD was Michael O' Malley, who is currently a country format radio consultant.


In Media Confidential One Year Ago...

DC Radio: Matt Drudge Gives Rare Interview To WTOP.  Click Here

Kantar Media: 1Q 2015 Ad Revenue Dropped 4 Percent

Total U.S. advertising expenditures declined 4.0 percent in the first quarter of 2015 to $37.4 billion, according to data released today by Kantar Media, the leading provider of strategic advertising and marketing information.

The data includes, for the first time, Paid Search expenditures from Kantar Media’s search marketing intelligence division, AdGooroo. Paid Search advertising has been factored into both the Q1 2014 and Q1 2015 analysis; this data will be included in Kantar Media’s quarterly analysis going forward.

“First quarter results are skewed by comparisons to last year and the $600 million of incremental spend generated by the Sochi Olympics,” said Jon Swallen, Chief Research Officer at Kantar Media North America. “Excluding the impact of special events, core ad spending measured by Kantar Media was down about 2 percent in the period. Even after taking into account assumptions about the growth of spend on other unmonitored media, it has been a relatively slow start for the ad market in 2015.”
Measured Ad Spending By Media.

Top Advertisers 1Q 2015

Sixteen of the 21 individual media types monitored by Kantar Media had lower ad spending in the first quarter. These results are consistent with the ongoing shift of ad budgets towards unmeasured digital media, as well as a general slowing of advertising activity.

• Among television media, expenditures on Cable networks grew 4.1 percent. A primary reason for the gain was a 3.8 percent increase in the amount of available paid ad time as networks packed more spots into programming to help offset lower audience ratings. The inaugural College Football Playoff in January was another important growth source. 
• Ad spending on Spanish Language TV increased 4.8 percent. The number of national brands purchasing time on Hispanic stations continues to expand and this demand contributes to spending growth.
• Network TV expenditures declined 9.2 percent in Q1 compared to a year ago period, which featured the Winter Olympics. If the incremental ad spending contributed by this event is excluded, Network TV was  flat versus last year. Spot TV, which has a biennial business cycle tied to Olympics and political advertising in even-numbered years, saw ad spending fall by 6.8 percent. Syndication expenditures were 4.9 percent lower.
• Ad spending for Paid Search, which reflects text ads on the Google and Bing search engines, rose 7.0 percent in Q1. Automotive, financial service, media and retail advertisers led the way.
• Print media showed a 7.3 percent decline in expenditures for Consumer Magazines, while. ad spending in Sunday Magazines decreased by 32.3 percent in Q1. . Expenditures were down 16.0 percent in Local Newspapers and 13.5 percent in National Newspapers on broadly lower spending among auto, financial, retail and telecom marketers.
• Radio advertising in Q1 was characterized by gains for the local market sector and declines within the national segment. Hispanic Local Radio expenditures increased 6.5 percent and English-language Local Radio was up 5.0 percent, paced by higher spending from auto dealers, legal services, and health care providers. Network Radio decreased 2.0 percent and National Spot Radio fell 11.3 percent.

NBC To Donald Trump: "You're Fired!"

Donald Trump fired

NBC said it will no longer carry the Trump-produced Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. Nor will he return to the long-running reality show “The Celebrity Apprentice” as host, a role Trump already said he would give up because of his presidential bid according to Variety.

“Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump,” NBC said in a statement. “At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values.”

NBC’s move comes on the heels of a fight that broke out last week between Trump and Univision. The Spanish-language giant pulled the plug on its planned telecast of the Miss USA pageant after Trump’s statements earlier this month about Mexican immigrants. In the news conference announcing his bid for the GOP presidential nomination, Trump asserted that many immigrants coming across the border are “rapists” and bringing in drugs.

L-A Radio: Cumulus Names Jason Courtemanche VP/Sales

Jason Coutemanche

Cumulus Media announces that it has appointed Jason Courtemanche as Vice President of Sales for Cumulus Los Angeles.

In his new post, Courtemanche will oversee sales operations of KLOS 95.5 FM, KABC 790 AM and L.A. Kings. He was previously Vice President of Sales for iHeart Media in Chicago. Prior to that, he was Sales Manager for WBBM-AM in Chicago and Director of Sales for MVS International Communications in San Diego. Courtemanche also served as General Sales Manager for Clear Channel (iHeart Media) in San Diego.

Tom Schurr, Senior Vice President, Operations for Cumulus said: "I’m thrilled to be working with Jason again. He’s a smart, competitive, experienced broadcast executive who attracts top talent and produces results for partners and stations. We’re excited to have a leader of his caliber joining the team.”

Courtemanche said: “I am looking forward to this exciting opportunity on the west coast with these two legendary radio stations and the highly respected sales team. I am committed to getting in the trenches and helping make Cumulus THE place to be in L.A. media."

R.I.P.: Longtime NEPA Radio Personality Jay Daniels

Jay Daniels

Popular Northeast Pennsylvania radio personality Jeffrey Longaven has died.

The Scranton Times reports Longaven, best known by his on-air name of Jay Daniels, co-hosted the morning show on radio station WEZX/Rock 107 for a quarter-century as part of the team of Daniels & Webster.

He died Sunday afternoon at the Golden LivingCenter-East Mountain in Wilkes-Barre after a lengthy illness. He was 61. His death was confirmed by Susan Kolesar, a long-time friend.

Mr. Longaven joined Rock 107, which is owned by Times-Shamrock Communications, which also owns The Times-Tribune, in January 1985.

As Jay Daniels, he hosted the morning show solo until the following March. That is when he was joined by John Gasper, who went by the on-air name John Webster, and “Daniels & Webster” was born.

The pair co-hosted the show through March 2010, when Mr. Gasper resigned.

In July 2010, Mr. Longaven became the host of Rock 107’s midday slot. He continued to work with Times-Shamrock until April 2011.

Apple Music, Beats1 Radio Launch Tuesday

In an announcement that is literally music to Apple fans' ears, an Apple executive says the debut of the new Apple Music streaming service Tuesday will be accompanied by the launch of iOS 8.4 and the Beats 1 radio station, according to C/Net.

The new 24-hour radio station and latest version of Apple's mobile operating system will go live Tuesday morning, according a blog post penned by Ian Rogers, former CEO for Beats and a current senior director for Apple Music. Rogers indicated in his post that iOS 8.4 would go live at 8 a.m. PT, a little earlier than its usual 10 a.m. release time, with the launch of Beats 1 following an hour later, according to 9to5Mac, but that time reference no longer appears in his blog.

Apple plans to launch its much-anticipated foray into the growing music-streaming business with Apple Music, its $10-a-month subscription service. With its offering, Apple will compete with Spotify, Rdio and Rhapsody in offering tens of millions of songs played on demand as well as song collections tailored to listeners' personal tastes.

Please join us at 8am Tuesday morning as we set this ship a sail: Zane Lowe, the D.J. (NYT) http://t.co/ycXatH5pmm

— ian c rogers (@iancr) June 25, 2015

The service is Apple's effort to grab a larger piece of the online music market, a sector that is undergoing a dramatic evolution. Revenue from global digital music grew 6.9 percent to $6.85 billion last year, with revenue from subscription services increasing 39 percent to $1.57 billion, according to International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, a global trade group for the music business.



Beats 1 will not carry the normal audio and video ads that run on Apple's Pandora-like iTunes Radio service, which Apple seems to now refer to as simply Radio. Instead, Beats 1 will feature what Apple execs are describing in meetings with potential advertisers as "audio mentions" that will be interspersed throughout the songs and segments that will air on Beats 1.

AdAge reports Beats 1 will be anchored by three DJs stationed in Los Angeles, New York and London. Those DJs include former BBC Radio 1 host Zane Lowe, who will host Beats 1's flagship show; Hot 97 morning-show host Ebro Darden; and Julie Adenuga, who hosted an afternoon show on London indie radio station Rinse FM. Beats 1 will also carry shows hosted by celebrities like Elton John and Pharrell Williams.

Houston Radio: Atom Smasher OUT At KHMX-FM

Atom Smasher, Shawnda

CBS Radio's KHMX 96.5 MixFM and morning host Atom Smasher have parted company.

Atom Smasher posted on his Facebook page that The Atom Smasher Morning Show on Mix 96.5 KHMX is no more.

Smasher and co-host Shawnda McNeal came to the CBS station from Hot 96 WSTO-FM Evansville, IN in January 2014.

"Grateful for the opportunity to return to my 2nd home and Katie's 1st, and trying my best, it just did not work out," Smasher wrote. "Such is life."

Smasher had previously worked for Houston's KRBE 104.1 FM as both a night jock and then later the morning show host along with Maria Todd after Sam Malone left for KHMX. In between Houston and Evansville, Smasher worked afternoons at Dallas' KHKS 106.1 KissFM.

Mix 96.5's morning drive slot has had frequent turnover in recent years.

Smasher grew up in south Louisiana and began his radio career at age 16. He worked at stations in Baton Rouge and New Orleans before moving to Houston in 1998 to join KRBE. He worked nights and afternoons and worked morning drive with Maria Todd until July 2006, when that show was canceled and he moved to KHKS-FM in Dallas.

McNeal has co-hosted morning radio for 10 years at stations in St. Cloud, Minn.; Mankato, Minn.; and Indianapolis before joining the Adam Smasher show in 2009.