Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Pols Read Nasty Tweets About Themselves
The website Now This News took a page from a segment on Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show that show celebrities reading nasty tweets about themselves out loud, and got some Washington lawmakers to do it.
Conan Jokes About 'Illegimate Son'
Conan O'Brien hopped on Twitter on Tuesday (January 14th) to address a recent rumor that he fathered an illegitimate son with an employee at 30 Rockefeller plaza nearly 20 years ago.
A kid in New Jersey is falsely claiming to be my illegitimate son. For the record, I have three children: Neve, Beckett, and @RonanFarrow.
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) January 14, 2014
The tweet was a response to a YouTube video posted last week by a guy named Greg Keating who looks exactly like Conan.TWC Could Be Off DirecTV "Long, Long Time'
The Weather Channel disappeared from DirecTV’s service shortly after midnight on Monday night, after the two companies failed to come to an agreement over terms of its distribution contract. It is the first time the Weather Co.’s Weather Channel has been blacked out on any pay-TV service since it was launched more than 30 years ago.
DirecTV, the second biggest pay-TV operator after Comcast Corp., is seeking to reduce the fees it pays to carry the Weather Channel by more than 20%, according to a person familiar with the situation. The satellite-TV service says increasing use of mobile apps has reduced the value of the TV channel.
Meanwhile, Weather Co., which is owned by NBCUniversal Inc., Blackstone Group L.P. and Bain Capital LLC, was seeking an increase of one cent, the company said. The channel receives about 13 cents per subscriber a month, estimates research firm SNL Kagan.
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Report: NSA Using Radio Waves To Access Computers
The Times said secret technology uses radio waves, sent from tiny circuit boards and USB cards covertly put into the computers, to gain access to them. The NSA has used the technology to monitor Chinese army units, the Russian military, drug cartels, trade institutions inside the European Union, and U.S. partners against terrorism like Saudi Arabia, India and Pakistan. An NSA spokesperson told the Times, "NSA's activities are focused and specifically deployed against -- and only against -- valid foreign intelligence targets in response to intelligence requirements.
We do not use foreign intelligence capabilities to steal the trade secrets of foreign companies on behalf of -- or give intelligence we collect to -- U.S. companies to enhance their international competitiveness or increase their bottom line."
Consumers Trust Traditional Media Ads Most
Newspaper advertising is the most-trusted form of paid media advertising in North America. 63 percent of the North American respondents in a global Nielsen survey among 29,000 consumers stated that they trust newspaper ads, according to statista.com.
Newspapers just edge out magazine and TV ads, which are trusted by 62 and 61 percent of the polled consumers. The most trusted form of paid online advertising is search engine advertising, which is considered trustworthy by just 44 percent of the respondents.
The results clearly indicate that consumers still have trust issues with online ads, although it needs to be noted that the perception of digital advertising has greatly improved over the past few years. Both search engine ads and online banner ads saw double-digit increases in consumer trust since 2007, indicating that consumers are gradually getting used to these new forms of advertising.
NYC Radio: Imus, McGuirk Apologize To 'Satanists'
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| Don Imus |
The apologies by Imus and producer Bernard McGuirk came one day after philly.com and news websites reported that a group called The Satanic Temple, which has proposed erecting a statue of Satan outside the Oklahoma Statehouse, demanded an apology from McGuirk.
"They should be able to put the statue up and then they should be shot right next to it," the commentator, Bernard McGuirk, said on the Imus in the Morning show that aired last Thursday. "And then we take it down."
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| Bernard McGuirk |
McGuirk, who made the initial remarks during a segment with Imus called "Mensa Meeting," also retracted his comments that attributed Satanism to evil.
"My comments were rooted in ignorance. Satanists, they do not promote evil, a la Charles Manson or Hitler," McGuirk said. "Regardless, I don’t want to see anyone shot. That’s the truth of the matter. So I do apologize unequivocally."
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Report: Charlamagne Tha God is Changing Journalism
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| Charlamagne Tha God |
“It’s a bit surreal, and it’s a bit scary,” Charlamagne tells PolicyMic about his recent ascent — which includes national syndication for his hip-hop radio show The Breakfast Club and a renewed season of MTV2’s Charlamagne & Friends. “I say it’s scary because I believe your thoughts become things, and I always used to say that I wanted to do a late-night talk show. When you realize that your thoughts become things, you’re terrified of what you let come into your head.”
It’s easy for Charlamagne to think positive right now. Charlamagne & Friends debuted last August as a week-long lead-up to MTV’s Video Music Awards, garnering strong viewership with the help of guest spots from 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Nick Cannon and New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert. The show’s first full-length season, which kicks off Wednesday with Ride Along stars Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, will undoubtedly be buoyed by the celebrities that stop by, but Charlamagne knows the show’s success rests mostly on his shoulders.
“The best piece of advice I got a long time ago from Wendy Williams and Howard Stern is that if you have to rely on your guests, then you won’t have a show,” he says. “For Charlamagne & Friends, you have to tune in to see me. If you’re not entertained by me, you won’t care who the guest is.”
An unconventional personality with a serpentine broadcast background, Charlamagne grew up worlds away from the MTV office he meets me in near Times Square. Born Lenard McKelvey, Charlamagne was raised in Moncks Corner, a small town in South Carolina, where he and his relatives would find themselves in and out of trouble with the law. After a third spell in jail, Charlamagne cleaned up his act and went to night school, eventually taking an internship with a local radio station.
He currently is hosting The Breakfast Club on CCM+E's WWPR Power 105.1 FM in NYC. The show is also syndicated via Premiere Radio.
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Gaye's Kids Settle 'Blurred Lines' Suit
Marvin Gaye's children have settled claims against a music company owned by Sony over Robin Thicke's Grammy-nominated hit song Blurred Lines, according to USAToday.
The Gayes had accused EMI of not pursuing a copyright infringement case against Thicke because Blurred Lines has similarities to Gaye's Got to Give It Up.
A Los Angeles judge on Tuesday granted Nona Marvisa Gaye and Frankie Christian Gaye's dismissal of their lawsuit against EMI, which is owned by Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Documents say the Gayes and Sony have an agreement and claims against Sony can't be brought again. A representative for the Gaye family said the terms of the settlement were confidential.
The Gayes had accused EMI of not pursuing a copyright infringement case against Thicke because Blurred Lines has similarities to Gaye's Got to Give It Up.
A Los Angeles judge on Tuesday granted Nona Marvisa Gaye and Frankie Christian Gaye's dismissal of their lawsuit against EMI, which is owned by Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Documents say the Gayes and Sony have an agreement and claims against Sony can't be brought again. A representative for the Gaye family said the terms of the settlement were confidential.
Grammy Performer List Adds McCartney And Starr
Other special performances include nominee Sara Bareilles together with four-time GRAMMY winner and 2014 MusiCares Person of the Year Carole King.
SEE GRAMMY NOMINATION LIST: Click Here
Previously announced performers include current nominees Daft Punk with nominee Nile Rodgers (of Chic), nominee Pharrell Williams, and 25-time GRAMMY winner Stevie Wonder; nominee Kendrick Lamar joined by nominees Imagine Dragons; nominee Lorde; eight-time GRAMMY-winning group Metallica and GRAMMY Cultural Ambassador to China Lang Lang performing together; nominee Katy Perry; nominees Pink and Nate Ruess (of Fun.); nominee Robin Thicke and GRAMMY-winning group Chicago, whose debut album was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame this year; and a special performance featuring Merle Haggard, 2014 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and nominee Blake Shelton. Also performing with Daft Punk are the RAM (Random Access Memories) session players: Chris Caswell, Nathan East, Omar Hakim, and Paul Jackson Jr. Two-time GRAMMY winner LL Cool J returns as host of Music's Biggest Night.
Music's Biggest Night will take place live on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on the CBS Television Network from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The telecast also will be supported on radio worldwide via WestwoodOne.
Houston Radio: KKRW The Beat Plays Banned Artist
In 2009, the popular Houston rapper and philanthropist Trae The Truth was the center of controversy after one of his events ended in gunfire. Houston Hip Hop station KBXX 97.9 FM The Boxx blamed the rapper’s music as a reason for the violence, according to allhiphop.com.
After a publicized feud, the artist was officially banned not only from 97.9, but all Radio One stations; which specifically targets urban markets at 69 radio stations in 22 cities throughout the nation, including his hometown of Houston.
In the five years since then, other stations have come onto the scene and quickly fizzled due to lack of funding and resources; but on December 31, 2013 this all changed when Clear Channel, the largest radio conglomerate in the nation, debuted KKRW 93.7 FM The Beat, seemingly ending The Boxx’s reign as Houston’s sole source for Hip Hop.
While The Boxx’s ban against the emcee still stands, Clear Channel has made it clear that it doesn’t apply to themselves, already inserting the Diddy and Jeezy assisted “Hold Up” off of Trae’s latest “I Am King” release into their regular rotation.
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JR Russ Turns Super-CFL Into Cyber-CFL
WCFLchicago.com on Labor Day, of course. WCFL (now ESPN 1000) was named for its owner, the Chicago Federation of Labor union.
“Rather than a ‘tribute’ station, stuck in the ’60s and ’70s, I call it a ‘salute station,’ which captures the essence of the original with the jingles, original airchecks and commercials but also plays newer music,” explained Russ, who grew up in New Buffalo, Mich. “There are a lot of ‘tribute’ stations, but I couldn’t find any to WCFL, so I decided to build one. The key was getting the jingle identifiers to replicate ‘that sound.’ ”
WCFL-AM and WLS-AM were hot, 50,000-watt rivals. WLS was suits and ties; WCFL was tie-dye and jeans.
TM Studios in Dallas allowed Russ to use all the original ’CFL jingles from its archives. TM created all the jingles. “They said any original master tapes would have to physically be baked in an oven to keep the oxide from falling off the tapes,” Russ said. “Then an engineer would dub the tapes to digital.” Russ had pay for the transfers, but TM did not charge him licensing fees because his station is a historic effort.
Russ works on WCFLchicago from his home studio in Boothwyn, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia.
The “Chickenman” series created in 1966 by then-’CFL production director Dick Orkin has been airing on WCFLchicago. “The Batman spoof highlights Benton Harbor, a mild-mannered shoe salesman who fights crime on weekends,” Russ said.
LISTEN-LIVE: Click Here
And the voice of labor lives again.
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TN Radio: Longtime Personality Warren G. Medley Retires At 91
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| Warren Medley |
Medley, 91, broadcasted several radio programs on local station WDKN 1260 AM from 1956 until his recent retirement.
Medley hit local airwaves in 1956, hosting the “Saturday Sidelights” program, shortly after WDKN’s inception. He broadcasted the “Old Timers Program,” starting in 1958, “Know Your County,” “Friendly Neighbor Time” and many other shows over half a century.
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January 15 In Radio History
In 1899...Goodman Ace was born. He was a Radio/TV actor/writer/columnist/humorist.
In 1945..."House Party" with Art Linkletter debuted on CBS Radio. The daily radio program aired for a total of 22 years. A television version of the show began in 1952 and ran for 17 years.
In 1953...Harry S. Truman became the first U.S. President to use Radio and TV to deliver his farewell upon leaving office.
In 1955...At the "Louisiana Hayride" in Shreveport, "Colonel" Tom Parker got his first look at a young singer named Elvis Presley singing "Hearts Of Stone," "That's All Right," and "Tweedle Dee."
In 1961...Motown Records signed the Primettes – Barbara Martin, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Diana Ross – to a recording contract, on condition that they change the group's name. From several possibilities, they settled on the suggestion by Florence Ballard: the Supremes. Martin left the act in early 1962.
In 1967...The Rolling Stones appeared on a live broadcast of CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show" to sing both sides of their new single, "Ruby Tuesday" and "Let’s Spend The Night Together." Sullivan, however, instructed them to change the chorus of "Let's Spend the Night Together" to "Let's spend some time together." Lead singer Mick Jagger complied, but deliberately called attention to the censorship by rolling his eyes and mugging when he uttered the new words. After the performance, the Stones went backstage, then came back out dressed in Nazi uniforms with swastikas, which caused an angry Sullivan to tell them to return to their dressing rooms and change back into their performing outfits. Instead the Stones left the studio and Sullivan banned the group from ever appearing on his show again.
In 1945..."House Party" with Art Linkletter debuted on CBS Radio. The daily radio program aired for a total of 22 years. A television version of the show began in 1952 and ran for 17 years.
In 1953...Harry S. Truman became the first U.S. President to use Radio and TV to deliver his farewell upon leaving office.
In 1955...At the "Louisiana Hayride" in Shreveport, "Colonel" Tom Parker got his first look at a young singer named Elvis Presley singing "Hearts Of Stone," "That's All Right," and "Tweedle Dee."
In 1961...Motown Records signed the Primettes – Barbara Martin, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Diana Ross – to a recording contract, on condition that they change the group's name. From several possibilities, they settled on the suggestion by Florence Ballard: the Supremes. Martin left the act in early 1962.
In 1967...The Rolling Stones appeared on a live broadcast of CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show" to sing both sides of their new single, "Ruby Tuesday" and "Let’s Spend The Night Together." Sullivan, however, instructed them to change the chorus of "Let's Spend the Night Together" to "Let's spend some time together." Lead singer Mick Jagger complied, but deliberately called attention to the censorship by rolling his eyes and mugging when he uttered the new words. After the performance, the Stones went backstage, then came back out dressed in Nazi uniforms with swastikas, which caused an angry Sullivan to tell them to return to their dressing rooms and change back into their performing outfits. Instead the Stones left the studio and Sullivan banned the group from ever appearing on his show again.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Court Rulling Floors Net Neutrality
Unlike phone companies, broadband providers aren't classified as "common carriers"—and therein lies the root of the appeal court's decision. From the ruling:
"Because the Commission has failed to establish that the anti-discrimination and anti-blocking rules do not impose per se common carrier obligations, we vacate those portions of the Open Internet Order."Net neutrality advocates fear that without rules in place, big companies like Netflix, Disney, and ESPN could gain advantage over competitors by paying ISPs to provide preferential treatment to their company's data. For example, YouTube might pay extra so that its videos load faster than Hulu's on the ISP's network.
The ruling left part of the FCC's Open Internet Order intact, however—most notably the disclosure rules. Basically, if your ISP provides preferential treatment to certain data, it still has to tell you that it's doing so.
Golden Parachute Provides Cushy Landing For John Hogan
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| John Hogan |
If indeed Chairman Emeritus John Hogan was pushed from
his job at Clear Channel, the landing will be softened by what any current and former employee would envy.
In exchange for a separation agreement,
Hogan will receive, according to a filing with the SEC:
- $900,000, representing the amount previously earned by Hogan pursuant to a supplemental incentive plan with respect to 2012 performance
- Bonus of $77,250 for performance during 2013
- A pro-rated annual bonus with respect to the days he was employed during 2014
- The vesting of 93,076 restricted shares of Class A Common Stock of CCMH granted on October 22, 2012 will be accelerated and CCMH will repurchase 83,938 of such shares
- $333,000, representing the remaining amount earned pursuant to a supplemental incentive plan with respect to 2011 performance
- An “equity value preservation payment” equal to $1,027,355, paid in a lump sum payment
- A lump sum severance payment equal to $1,538,000
- Severance payment equal to $3,297,000, paid over 36 months; and a payment of $1,000,000, paid over 12 months, beginning on the first anniversary of the date of separation.
- Continued healthcare coverage for 36 months
- Continued secretarial services for 6 months
- $20,000 in outplacement services
- A housing allowance of $25,000 per month for up to 9 months, which amount is grossed up for certain applicable taxes;
- CCB also will pay up to $25,000 for Hogan’s reasonable legal fees
Who's In Charge At CCM+E?
Clear Channel Communications Chairman/CEO Bob Pittman has renewed his contract with the company for five more years and will also take over the role of CEO for the radio division, sharing responsibility with Clear Channel President and Chief Financial Officer Richard Bressler.
Pittman is the co-founder and programmer who led the team that created MTV and has been CEO of MTV Networks, AOL Networks, Six Flags Theme Parks, Quantum Media, Century 21 Real Estate, and Time Warner Enterprises. He was also COO of America Online, Inc. and later of AOL Time Warner. He is a founding member of Pilot Group, LLC, a New York Private investment firm, and is an established philanthropist. Pittman’s history in radio began at age 15 when he worked as an on-air announcer in his native Mississippi; he went on to successfully program a number of radio stations, including WNBC in New York.
Prior to joining Clear Channel, Bressler was Managing Director at Thomas H. Lee Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm. He joined Thomas H. Lee Partners from his role as Senior Executive Vice President and CFO of Viacom Inc., where he managed all strategic, financial, business development and technology functions. Bressler has also served in various capacities with Time Warner Inc., including Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner Digital Media and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Time Warner Inc. Bressler is currently a Director of Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Gartner, Inc. and Nielsen Holdings N.V.
It’s believed that Tom Schurr, president of major market operations, will also receive more authority.
According to Media Daily News, John Hogan’s departure comes as Clear Channel Communications struggles with a challenging financial situation, including the demands of servicing nearly $18 billion in debt assumed in the transaction to take the company private.
In December 2013, Clear Channel revealed plans to push back scheduled repayments in exchange for higher interest rates, prompting concern among Wall Street analysts about the company’s financial position.
The company's interest expense increased 7% from $1.15 billion in the first nine months of 2012 to $1.23 billion in the first nine months of 2013. The company posted a net loss of $297.7 million in the first nine months of 2013 -- up from a $233.2 million loss in the same period of 2012.
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| Bob Pittman |
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| Richard Bressler |
It’s believed that Tom Schurr, president of major market operations, will also receive more authority.
According to Media Daily News, John Hogan’s departure comes as Clear Channel Communications struggles with a challenging financial situation, including the demands of servicing nearly $18 billion in debt assumed in the transaction to take the company private.
In December 2013, Clear Channel revealed plans to push back scheduled repayments in exchange for higher interest rates, prompting concern among Wall Street analysts about the company’s financial position.
The company's interest expense increased 7% from $1.15 billion in the first nine months of 2012 to $1.23 billion in the first nine months of 2013. The company posted a net loss of $297.7 million in the first nine months of 2013 -- up from a $233.2 million loss in the same period of 2012.
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