U.S. antitrust regulators and AT&T Inc sparred on Wednesday over whether the wireless carrier would be required to sell Time Warner Inc’s CNN cable network as a condition of approval of its deal to buy the media company.
The U.S. Department of Justice has demanded significant asset sales in order to approve the $85.4 billion deal, sources told Reuters on Wednesday, and asked AT&T to sell CNN-parent Turner Broadcasting or its DirecTV satellite TV operation in discussions on Monday.
AT&T offered to sell CNN, the sources said. AT&T denied that version of events of the meeting with Justice Department officials.
Randall Stephenson
“I have never offered to sell CNN and have no intention of doing so,” AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson, said in a statement on Wednesday. Stephenson is set to appear at an event in New York City on Thursday and will likely face questions about the deal.
Reports that the Justice Department is pushing for significant asset sales and conflicting reports of its discussions with AT&T cast new doubt on the deal on Wednesday. Shares of Time Warner closed down 6.5 percent at $88.50.
The dispute is the latest twist in a deal which took on broader political significance immediately after its inception in October 2016. U.S. President Donald Trump, a frequent critic of CNN, attacked the deal on the campaign trail last year, vowing that as president his Justice Department would block it. He has not commented on the transaction since taking office in January.
In a statement, White House spokesman Raj Shah said: “The president did not speak with the attorney general about this matter, and no White House official was authorized to speak with the Department of Justice on this matter.”
The head of the Justice Department’s antitrust division, Makan Delrahim, said in a statement: “I have never been instructed by the White House on this or any other transaction under review by the antitrust division.”
AT&T wants to buy Time Warner, which owns the premium channel HBO and movie studio Warner Bros along with Turner Broadcasting, so it can bundle mobile service with video entertainment and take online advertising from Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc.
Both companies have struggled to keep younger viewers from flocking to online services like Netflix Inc and Amazon.com Inc’s Prime Video.
The Country Music Association’s (CMA) annual awards on Wednesday blended somber reflections on recent tragic events including the Las Vegas mass shooting, with show-stopping performances by top music stars and even a dose of political humor. reports Reuters.
Eric Church opened the live three-hour broadcast from Nashville, which aired on ABC, with an a cappella rendition of the hymn “Amazing Grace.”
Church was joined by Keith Urban and Darius Rucker, who led a roster of A-list country music stars including Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Reba McEntire and Luke Bryan in a stirring group performance of “Hold My Hand.”
Veteran hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood took the reins, with Underwood declaring, “This has been a year marked by tragedy impacting countless lives, including so many in our country music family.”
Garth Brooks (Tennessean photo)
Underwood referenced mass shootings in Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs, Texas, fatal car attacks in New York and Charlottesville, Virginia, and deadly storms that hit Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.
“Tonight,” she proclaimed, “we’re going to do what families do, come together, pray together, cry together and sing together, too.”
Earlier the hosts lightened things up with banter about the CMA’s edicts on avoiding controversial subjects, before launching into jokes about Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
President Trump was not immune, lampooned for his cable news watching and Twitter habits and his personal style as Paisley sang “Before He Tweets,” a take-off on Underwood’s hit “Before He Cheats.”
He sang about Trump tweeting “from a gold-plated White House toilet seat.”
“It’s fun to watch it that’s for sure, ‘til little Rocket Man starts a nuclear war. Maybe next time he’ll think before he tweets,” which drew cheers and applause, but fans’ reaction on social media was divided.
Longtime Detroit rock radio personality Doug Podell has exited his post at classic rock station WCSX 94.7 FM.
The Detroit News reports a representative for Beasley Broadcast Group confirmed the news Wednesday.
“Doug Podell has departed WCSX-FM and Beasley Media Group in Detroit,” said vice president of corporate communications Heidi Raphael in an e-mail. “Doug spent the past 23 years rockin’ the Motor City with WRIF and WCSX.”
It’s not clear if Podell, who has worked as program director and on-air talent for both WCSX and active rock station WRIF, was let go or quit. Podell, who also hosts local rock video show Rock 900 on Tuesday evenings on Comcast Channel 900, could not be reached for comment.
A Twitter profile for the Drew & Mike Podcast — “Drew & Mike” were WRIF’s morning show for years —commented on the news Tuesday evening.
“Sorry to hear Doug Podell is out at WCSX,” the tweet said. “How many can name anyone on their air staff now?”
According to wcsx.com, Juline Jordan is on air 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Dave Dahmer is on 3-7 p.m. weekdays. The morning show is Big Jim’s House, airing 6-10 a.m. weekdays.
Michael Felger, the cohost of the popular midday WBZ 98.5 FM The Sports Hub talk show “Felger and Mazz” is facing a wave of criticism because of his 12-minute rant during Wednesday’s show about retired pitcher Roy Halladay’s death.
Halladay, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, died Tuesday when the tiny sport plane he was flying crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. The plane, an ICON A5, was made for entry-level pilots like him.
According to The Boston Globe, Felger showed no sympathy for Halladay a day after his death, calling him a “moron” and “idiot” for flying the plane.
“He got what he deserved,” Felger declared. “That’s how you’re wired? And that’s how you die? Bon voyage.”
“It just sort of angers me,” Felger said. “You care that little about your life? Or about the life of your family? Your little joyride is that important to you? . . . With your hand out the window: ‘Weeee! Weeee! Yeah, man, look at the G-force on this! I’m Maverick, pyew pyew! Yeah, man, look at this, this is so cool!’ And you die. Splat. And it’s over. So you’re that guy? You have to do that?
“I just can’t relate to him,” Felger continued. “I don’t respect him. To the point now where that guy is like the bad guy to me. You got this family, and you’re going to screw around in this little toy plane?”
“I find that offensive, that you are that cavalier about life,” Felger said shortly after. “I’m sorry, dude, you’re on your own. I got no sympathy for you. I feel horribly for your family. I find it offensive.”
During the segment, Felger also mocked racecar driver Dale Earnhardt Sr., who died in a crash in 2001.
“Dale Earnhardt? The racecar driver who died? I root for the wall. I really do. That ain’t no tragedy,” Felger said, before mimicking Earnhardt driving. “And then you crash into the wall? And I’m supposed to feel bad for you? Give me a break.”
Felger made the remarks after TMZ published a video that appears to show Halladay’s plane making “extreme and unusual changes in altitude” before the crash. Witnesses told federal investigators that Halladay was flying his plane low over the gulf shortly before it slammed into the water, according to the Associated Press.
Asked about the issue, 98.5 program director Mike Thomas declined to comment.
As the new owners acknowledge the anxiety they've stirred, faithful listeners of WBZ 1030 AM are taking their concerns directly to the station's advertisers as part of a campaign aimed at ensuring the quality of local news radio is not diminished under iHeartMedia.
According to the Lowell Sun, The Save WBZ Newsradio 1030 campaign comes on the heels of reports that iHeartMedia plans not to honor collective bargaining contracts at 'BZ. CBS Radio and Entercom are merging so 'BZ is becoming an iHM station under a divestment deal announced in conjunction with a U.S. Justice Department settlement.
"People won't stand for this. WBZ is a New England institution, it's as much of a New England institution as Tom Brady or Kelly's Roast Beef," campaign coordinator Benjamin Goodman said Tuesday morning. "I have listened to WBZ all day and all night since I was a little kid, my parents did, their parents did. I'm hearing from friends and complete strangers from all over the country who have similar stories and who know, based on iHeartRadio's history, that they stand to really water down the newsroom."
Goodman, who grew up in southern Maine and is now based in Washington, D.C., said WBZ listeners have a track record of fighting corporate changes, citing successful listener campaigns to bring back David Brudnoy in the 1990s and Steve LeVeille in 2009.
The online petition at www.SaveWBZ1030.com allows station supporters to sign a petition telling iHM decisionmakers and WBZ advertisers they will get their news elsewhere and buy other products if iHM makes changes "watering down" WBZ.
"Let there be no mistake: if iHeartMedia guts the WBZ Newsroom, we will tune out -- and we will actively seek alternatives to products and services offered by WBZ advertisers," the campaign website reads.
The Boston Globe reported last Saturday that an iHeartMedia attorney sent WBZ union officials a letter saying that the collective bargaining agreements between CBS Radio and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists will not be honored and that iHM "will interview and consider for employment the on-air announcers and off-air production staff currently employed by CBS at WBZ-AM."
Nielsen announced Wednesday that iHeartMedia has signed a multi-year agreement for radio ratings services for all Portable People Meter (PPM) and radio diary measured markets.
This multi-year agreement provides Nielsen's radio ratings services for all iHeartMedia radio stations across its more than 150 local markets. The agreement also includes the use of Nielsen data and services for Katz Media Group, Premiere Radio Network and Total Traffic & Weather Network.
"iHeartMedia is one of our largest clients and we are proud to extend our relationship," said Megan Clarken, Global President of Watch at Nielsen.
"We are confident that our solutions will help iHeartMedia showcase the strength of their stations and demonstrate the tremendous marketing opportunity that radio delivers."
Premiere Networks announced Wednesday that Suzette Rodriguez has been named a new co-host on The Johnjay & Rich Show, effective immediately.
Based in Phoenix at iHeartMedia’s KSSP 104.7 KissFM, Rodriguez joins hosts Johnjay, Rich and Kyle as they entertain listeners nationwide with their non-stop blend of pop culture, news and events, in addition to conversations with a wide range of music artists, newsmakers and celebrities.
Suzette Rodriquez
“Suzette is the perfect fit for our morning show family,” shared Johnjay Van Es. “She’s unpredictable, unfiltered, and she’s also got that feisty Latina attitude that reminds me of my upbringing. She brings out the loco in me!”
“Suzette brings her incredible spirit and energy every time she speaks,” added Rich Berra. “The listeners love her REALNESS and charming side. She’s like the little sister we want to impress, and annoy, in equal parts. We’re happy to have her join the madness.”
“When I was asked to be a fourth member on The Johnjay and Rich Show, I freaked out!” shared Rodriguez. “I’ve always listened to the show, and everyone I know listens to the show. I’m beyond grateful and excited to join an amazing team. I’m ready to learn from the best and start a new journey.”
Born in Tucson, Arizona, Rodriguez got her break in radio at the age of 19 while working as a board operator at the Hip Hop radio station KOHT-FM (Hot 98.3), where she later transitioned to hosting duties in afternoon drive. After graduating from the University of Arizona, Rodriguez moved to Phoenix and took over the afternoon drive program on the local Top 40 radio station KZZP (104.7 KISS-FM). During that time, she filled in for The Johnjay & Rich Show’s Kyle, who was on maternity leave last summer, and she quickly became a favorite among listeners. In addition to daily hosting duties, Rodriguez hosts Raw Talks with Suzette on iHeartRadio. Fans can follow @RadioSuzette on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. announced Wednesday the leadership appointments of Elisa Torres as EVP, Aire Radio Networks and National Radio Sales and Michelle Marino, SVP, Aire Radio Networks and National Radio Sales, effective immediately.
Elisa Torres
"As we continue to enhance our cross-platform multimedia offerings, it is critical that we also reshape our national and network business units for long-term success," said Albert Rodriguez, COO, SBS, "Elisa Torres and Michelle Marino make an exceptional team. They have played a significant role in establishing a results-driven, innovative and synergistic operations and sales team with AIRE, our radio networks division. We are confident that under their leadership, they will streamline our network and national business operations in order to deliver competitive offerings in the Hispanic marketplace."
Elisa Torres, EVP, Aire Radio Networks and National Radio Sales, spearheaded the launch and development of Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.'s radio network, AIRE Radio Network; which reaches over 17 million Hispanics in an average week and covers 95% of the Hispanic DMA with over 265 U.S. Spanish Language affiliates. In her expanded role, she will oversee the integration and development of the network and national radio business and sales operations. In addition, she will manage SBS's national rep firm, Gen Media.
Michelle Marino
Torres, one of the first women leaders in the company and the media industry, has been with SBS for over five years. She has led all aspects of the network radio operational strategy as well as all affiliate and syndication efforts. Prior to joining SBS, Torres was an executive for Cumulus Media/Formally ABC Radio Networks from 2004 to 2013.
In her new role as SVP, Aire Radio Networks and National Radio Sales, Michelle Marino, a sales veteran with over 20 years of experience, will be responsible for implementing all network and national sales strategies, including developing client relationships and creating competitive integrated marketing platforms to drive new revenue for SBS.
Prior to joining AIRE Radio Networks/SBS, Marino was VP, sales for Univision Network Radio.
➦In 1895...George D. Hay, the founder of the “Grand Ole Opry,” was born in Attica, Indiana.
While he was an announcer at WLS in Chicago, Hay helped begin the “National Barn Dance” program. He then moved to WSM in Nashville, where he started a similar barn dance program in 1925. The “WSM Barn Dance” officially became known as the “Grand Ole Opry” two years later. Hay so named the program because it followed a broadcast by the NBC Symphony. He was largely responsible for developing the Opry into country music’s premiere showcase.
Hay was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame two years before his death in 1968. ➦In 1925...KQP in Portland Oregon signed-on and the station changed its call sign to KOIN on April 12, 1926.
It became an affiliate of the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), now known as the CBS Radio Network, on September 1, 1929. During the golden years of radio, KOIN was one of Portland's major radio stations, with an extensive array of local programming, including live music from its own studio orchestra.
As a CBS radio affiliate, KOIN was the local home for CBS radio programs such as the CBS World News Roundup, Lux Radio Theater and Suspense. An FM station, KOIN-FM at 101.1, was launched in 1948. Both stations were owned by Field Enterprises, Inc. from 1947 until sold in 1952 to the Mount Hood Radio and Television Broadcasting Corporation.
KOIN and KOIN-FM were sold on May 1, 1977 to the Gaylord Broadcasting Company, and effective May 12, 1977 their call signs changed to KYTE (both AM and FM). Its affiliation with CBS ended, and the CBS Radio Network's programming in the Portland market moved to KYXI at that time.
The stations using the former KOIN frequencies currently are KUFO (AM) and KXL-FM.
➦In 1930...sportscaster Charlie Jones was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas. For more than 30 years he called NFL football for NBC Sports. He also broadcast baseball, golf, tennis, track & field at the Olympics, and soccer.
Jones died June 12 2008 at age 77.
➦In 1948...“This is Your Life” debuted on NBC radio. Ralph Edwards hosted the radio show for two years and for nine more (1952-1961) on television.
➦In 1965...At dusk on November 9, the biggest power failure in U.S. history occurred as all of New York state, portions of seven neighboring states, and parts of eastern Canada are plunged into darkness. The Great Northeast Blackout began at the height of rush hour, delaying millions of commuters, trapping 800,000 people in New York's subways, and stranding thousands more in office buildings, elevators, and trains. Ten thousand National Guardsmen and 5,000 off-duty policemen were called into service to prevent looting.
Here's how it sounded on 77 WABC with Dan Ingram. The audio also includes Ingram on November 10...
The blackout was caused by the tripping of a 230-kilovolt transmission line near Ontario, Canada, at 5:16 p.m., which caused several other heavily loaded lines also to fail. This precipitated a surge of power that overwhelmed the transmission lines in western New York, causing a "cascading" tripping of additional lines, resulting in the eventual breakup of the entire Northeastern transmission network.
All together, 30 million people in eight U.S. states and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec were affected by the blackout. During the night, power was gradually restored to the blacked-out areas, and by morning power had been restored throughout the Northeast.
➦In 1968...big-voiced actor Gerald Mohr suffered a fatal heart attack at age 54. He had logged 4,000 radio appearances, including the title role in 119 episodes of The Adventures of Phillip Marlowe. He also had more than 100 TV acting credits of all stripes.
➦In 1999...The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announces the century's big winners, sales-wise: The Beatles have sold the most albums (106 million), with Garth Brooks and Barbra Streisand the most successful male and female solo artists. Elvis Presley leads the pack on gold and platinum certifications with 77 (singles) and 80 (albums), while Elton John's "Candle In The Wind '97" (rewritten as a tribute to the recently-deceased Princess Diana) is the best-selling single of the century. The best-selling album, suprisingly, is the Eagles' Greatest Hits 1971-1975, which has just overtaken Michael Jackson's Thriller. ➦In 2003...TV/radio/film great Art Carney died in his sleep at 85 years of age.
He had been enormously popular as Jackie Gleason’s sewer-worker pal Ed Norton in the TV classic The Honeymooners. He began as a radio actor, appearing regularly on Gangbusters and The March of Time, among many others. Carney also won the Best-Actor Oscar for the film Harry and Tonto (1974).
➦In 2013…Longtime Chicago radio personality for WDRV-FM, WLUP-FM, Carla Leonardo died of acute myeloid leukemia at 63.
The U.S. Department of Justice is pushing AT&T Inc to sell assets or come up with other ways of satisfying antitrust concerns over its purchase of Time Warner Inc, a new and potentially costly obstacle to the U.S. No. 2 wireless carrier’s effort to buy the large entertainment company.
Accorcing to Reuters, the Justice Department’s demand is likely to complicate its continuing antitrust conversations with AT&T, which said on Wednesday it was now uncertain when the $85.4 billion deal, announced in October 2016, would be completed.
AT&T had previously said the acquisition would close by the end of this year.
The Justice Department wants AT&T to suggest “structural remedies” to make the deal acceptable, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.
AT&T wants to buy Time Warner, which owns the premium channel HBO, movie studio Warner Bros and news channel CNN, so it can bundle mobile service with video entertainment. Both companies have struggled to keep younger viewers from flocking to online services like Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) and Amazon.com Inc’s Prime Video.
The deal is opposed by an array of consumer groups and smaller television networks on the grounds that it would give AT&T too much power over the content it would distribute to its wireless customers.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has accused Time Warner’s CNN and other media of being unfair to him, criticized the deal on the campaign trail last year and vowed that as president his Justice Department would block it.
“All approvals have been received but for the DOJ,” AT&T’s Chief Financial Officer John Stephens told a conference in New York.
It not clear what AT&T and Time Warner might have to sell. It is normal for parties in a merger to be encouraged by the Justice Department to come up with their own ways to alleviate antitrust concerns that a deal might lessen competition or hurt consumers.
Stephens’ comments signal to investors that the Justice Department could sue to block or revise the merger and the company would fight in court to try to win approval, a person briefed on the matter told Reuters.
Jacobs Media announced today that registration is open for radio stations to participate in Techsurvey 2018. Last year’s survey broke ground once again in the annual series that began in 2005. Overall, 321 radio stations across North America, representing a diverse group of broadcasting companies, contributed more than 50,000 respondents to radio’s largest web survey devoted to media and technology.
Fourteen different formats were represented, helping programmers and managers focus their efforts and resources on what is truly important for their listeners. Techsurvey 2018 will provide even more insights as Jacobs Media tracks media usage and tech trends.
According to Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs, “The data from early this year in Techsurvey13 was revealing, providing broadcasters with a unique look at their audiences. The continued growth of digital platforms, the emotional triggers that make broadcast radio unique across different generations, podcasting and Smart speakers were all areas that provided great guidance to help the industry better understand the shifting media landscape. Techsurvey 2018 will be even bigger and better.”
This year's study will launch in mid-January. Stations have until January 19th to sign up: www.jacobsmedia.com/techsurvey
Techsurvey 2018 will again feature trending so broadcasters can track the changes that occur with audience usage and habits from year-to-year, as well as deeper dives into the following areas:
Further examination of how generations impact behaviors and media choices
A detailed look at the state of podcasting – who’s participating, how they’re used, and what types of podcasts they prefer
Social media growth – specifically, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Snapchat – and how stations can best participate in this space
Use of Internet radio, from station streams to Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Music and others
How listeners connect with stations utilizing streams, websites, social media, podcasts, etc.
The subscription mindset – what are consumers willing to pay for on-demand entertainment and information?
Connected cars (and future autonomous cars), and their impact on media consumption, the new “at-work,” and consumer behavior and audio choices
The continued growth of mobile phones, tablets, and apps
Trending on smartwatches
The impact of smart speakers, and how they’re being used as in-home “radios”
The cord-cutting mindset and customization of entertainment
The changing world of new music discovery
The public release of Techsurvey 2018 will premiere at the Worldwide Radio Summit in Los Angeles on May 3rd, 2018. Click Here To Register.
Stations can participate in two different ways:
No fee – This allows participation in the results webinar, along with receiving national data
A small fee based on market size – Stakeholder stations receive all the national data, participation in the webinar, as well as an in-depth look at their unique audience, their format’s audience, including their station’s “Media Usage Pyramid” and “Brand Platform Pyramid”
