Taylor Swift's '1989' Sells 1.287M In First Week

Taylor Swift’s new album “1989” reaped history-making first-week sales of 1.287 million, according to a bulletin released by Nielsen SoundScan on Tuesday evening.

Variety reports the 24-year-old country vocalist’s first full-fledged pop album, released Oct. 27 by Big Machine Records, racked up the biggest sales week for an album since rapper Eminem’s “The Eminem Show” shifted 1.322 million in the summer of 2002.

Swift became the only artist in history to have three separate albums sell more than a 1 million units in single week. Her “Red” sold 1.208 million in 2012, while “Speak Now” moved 1.047 million in 2010.

Swift’s sales are good news for a beleaguered music industry, as “1989” is the only 2014 album release to sell more than 1 million copies so far this year.

Report: The Real Reason Taylor Swift Pulled Music From Spotify

Taylor Swift

Monday, Spotify announced that Taylor Swift had pulled all of her albums off its music-on-demand service.

Business Insider spoke to an industry source familiar with firsthand knowledge of why and how this happened, and who is most responsible.

This source blamed one person: Scott Borchetta, Pres/CEO of Swift's record label, Big Machine Label Group.

B-I's source notes Borchetta is trying to sell Big Machine. Reports say he wants $200 million.

Borchetta believes the only metric that will matter to potential buyers is the number of albums the label is able to sell. Our source says Borchetta doesn't think the number of plays Swift's songs have on Spotify will move the needle.

The source says Borchetta believes that pulling Swift's music off Spotify will create "scarcity" online, and drive CD sales and paid downloads.

The source says that Universal Music Group, which distributes Swift's music for Big Machine, tried very hard to convince Borchetta that his thinking is very old-fashioned and that pulling Swift's music off Spotify is a shortsighted move.

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Liberty Media Reports Strong 3Q Earnings

Liberty Media Corporation Tuesday reported third quarter 2014 results. Highlights include:

“We expect to complete the spin-off of Liberty Broadband today and look forward to the focus and clarity that it will provide for both Liberty Broadband and Liberty Media.”

• SiriusXM reported strong Q3 results
• Revenue increased 10% to a record $1.1 billion
• Adjusted EBITDA(2) climbed 29% to a record $381 million
• Net Income of $136 million was up 117%
• Share repurchases year-to-date total nearly $2.1 billion
• Raised 2014 subscriber, revenue and free cash flow guidance
• Due to share repurchases by SiriusXM, Liberty Media's ownership increased to approximately 57.5%
• Expect to complete Liberty Broadband Corporation ("Liberty Broadband") spin-off at 5 p.m. today, November 4th

"SiriusXM again posted outstanding results and raised guidance across the board," stated Greg Maffei, Liberty President and CEO. "We expect to complete the spin-off of Liberty Broadband today and look forward to the focus and clarity that it will provide for both Liberty Broadband and Liberty Media."

The media conglomerate, which owns a majority stake in SiriusXM, highlighted strong results at the satellite-radio provider. Last week, Sirius XM reported its third-quarter profit more than doubled as it added more subscribers. The company also raised its 2014 revenue outlook again. Earlier in October, Sirius authorized a $2 billion increase to its stock buyback program.

Liberty Media reported a profit of $33 million, compared to $76 million a year earlier.

Houston Radio: Disney Finds First Buyer

Radio Disney Group has announced the sale of its first station under its announced divestiture plan.

It has agreed to sell KMIC 1590 AM (5Kw) in Houston to DAIJ Media for $3.2 million in cash at closing. Disney bought he station in 1999 for a reported $6M.

KMIC(as in 'Mickey') is the first of the 23 Disney divestitures to be filed at the FCC.

Radio Disney announced last August that it would increase its investment in both digital distribution platforms and music-centric programming, with plans to divest 23 of its 24 radio outlets while retaining KDIS 1110 AM/Los Angeles.

D/FW Radio: MLB Rangers Return To KRLD-FM The Fan

CBS RADIO and the Texas Rangers Tuesdayday announced that they have entered into a multi-year agreement for the team’s radio play-by-play broadcasts to air exclusively on Dallas-Fort Worth’s KRLD 105.3 FM The Fan beginning with the 2015 season.

The agreement includes coverage of regular and post-season games broadcast on 105.3 The FAN as well as select spring training games. The all-sports station will also complement its play-by-play coverage with live pre- and post-game shows, and Rangers-themed daily programming featuring interviews with players, coaches and front office personnel.

"We are very pleased to enter into this long term radio agreement with 105.3 The Fan," commented Rangers Executive Vice President for Communications John Blake. "The Rangers enjoyed a great relationship with KRLD and CBS RADIO from 1995-2010, and we look forward to a very productive partnership in the future."

“We couldn’t be more excited that the Texas Rangers are coming home to 105.3 The FAN,” said Brian Purdy, Senior Vice President and Market Manager for CBS RADIO DFW. “The Rangers games and related programming will be a great addition to our powerful lineup of play-by-play broadcasts and local sports talk shows on The FAN. And it’s a partnership that includes all six of CBS RADIO’s Dallas-Fort Worth stations as we feature the team across our entire portfolio of over-the-air and digital assets.”

The Rangers’ radio broadcast rights return to CBS RADIO for the first time since 2010. From 1995-2008 all games were carried on NewsRadio KRLD-1080 AM. Following the launch of 105.3 The Fan in the fall of 2008, Rangers weekday games in 2009-10 were carried on 105.3 The Fan with weekend broadcasts remaining on NewsRadio 1080. That marked the first time that Rangers games had ever been broadcast in FM. Under the new agreement, NewsRadio 1080 will carry any games that conflict with previously scheduled programming on 105.3 The Fan.

KRLD 105.3 FM (97Kw) 60dBu Coverage

In addition, the Rangers Radio Network will provide Rangers baseball coverage to a number of stations throughout Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The Rangers will continue to oversee all radio production and network elements of the broadcasts. Eric Nadel, the 2014 Ford C. Frick Award recipient, will begin his 37th season of broadcasting Texas Rangers baseball this spring. He will join Matt Hicks, returning for his third full year, to call all games on 105.3 The FAN and the Rangers English radio network.

105.3 The FAN and NewsRadio 1080 KRLD are owned by CBS RADIO, a division of CBS. Nationwide, CBS RADIO stations are home to nearly 30 professional sports teams across the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, including the Dallas Cowboys broadcast on KRLD-FM. CBS RADIO also owns 98.7 KLUV, 100.3 Jack FM, 103.7 KVIL, 107.5 La GRANDE and the Texas State Networks in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Colorado Sues Radio Financial Radio Talk Host

Marc Mandel

Colorado Securities Commissioner Gerald Rome has filed a civil complaint against Marc Mandel of Boulder and his Wall Street Radio Inc., also known as Winning on Wall Street, alleging that Mandel is acting as an "unlicensed investment advisor."

The Denver Business Journal reports the Colorado Attorney General's Office filed the complaint in Denver District Court on Oct. 30 on behalf of Rome.

The complaint alleges that Mandel, who operates in Boulder under the nickname "the Wizard," is acting as an unlicensed investment advisor representative by operating his Winning on Wall Street (WOWS) website, in which he solicits and accepts membership fees in exchange for providing investment advice and facilitating trading activity.

Mandel denies the claims, and said he "never" claimed to be an investment advisor.

The complaint alleges that Mandel charged membership fees in exchange for providing investment advice via two membership plans: auto-trading or a "Master Education Package."

Mandel can be heard in metro Denver from 4 to 5 p.m. weekdays on KRCN 1060 AM. His company's website also lists broadcasts on stations in Atlanta; Boca Raton, Fla.; Boston; and Phoenix.

Billboard Extends Data Deal With Nielsen

Howars Appelbaum

Billboard will look to Nielsen for years to come to provide crucial music consumption data for its top charts. The companies Tuesday announced a multi-year extension of their current agreement as well as an expanded relationship to include the co-development of new initiatives for the music industry to better measure and analyze market trends.

Nielsen’s airplay, sales and streaming data represents music consumers of all ethnicities and languages, and is featured weekly in Billboard’s charts, including the Billboard Hot 100. This agreement extends a relationship between the companies that dates back nearly 25 years.

"As the world’s premier music publication and a trusted industry source for information on the latest trends in music, Billboard is a natural partner for Nielsen," said Howard Appelbaum, President, Nielsen Entertainment.

John Amato

"We are delighted to play such an important role in creating the most authoritative charts measuring music consumption, and we’re excited to extend what has been an extraordinarily successful relationship."

"We are ecstatic to continue our partnership with Nielsen," said John Amato, Co-President Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter. "Billboard and Nielsen have a storied history of charting the music business and with this renewed partnership we are taking a leadership position to continue to innovate the charts to mirror the ever-changing marketplace."

He added, "No other combination of companies has the historical context and brand strength to support the industry the way Billboard and Nielsen do, and it’s our goal to make that experience even more prolific to both the music industry and consumers alike."

Seattle Radio: Paul Duckworth Sets Retirement

Paul Duckworth

Longtime News/Talk programmer Paul Duckworth is retiring from Sinclair's News KOMO 1000 AM & 97.7 FM and News/Talk KVI 570 AM , after two and a half years, effective Friday,November 7.

Previously, Duckworth programmed KOMO from 1997-2002 when the station was Talk. Before rejoining KOMO, he programmed Talk KLIF-AM/Dallas.

The veteran News/Talk programmer was previously with Citadel's News/Talk WMAL-AM/Washington, DC, as Operations Director from 2005-10. Before DC, his programming stops included KVI-AM/Seattle and KPAM-AM/Portland, KLIF-AM/Dallas and WDBO-AM/Orlando.

November 5 In Radio History

In 1948...Jack Sterling starts at WCBS 880 AM.

Jack Sterling

The "Jack Sterling Show," broadcast Monday to Saturday from 1948 to 1966, was noted for its relaxed chatter, joking, storytelling, interviews, features on news and sports and tips on fishing sites.

The show was one of the last radio programs to offer live music -- by a quintet occasionally joined by the host's drumming. Mr. Sterling succeeded Arthur Godfrey in the local show when that humorist joined the CBS network.

Sterling, a six-footer with a trim mustache and contagious laugh, described his style this way: "It isn't pleasant for most people to get up early in the morning, so we use the undersell, quiet approach."



He appeared in vintage hits and worked up a minstrel routine. At age 24, he turned to radio, working for stations in Peoria and Quincy, Ill.; St. Louis; Bridgeport, Conn., and Chicago. He worked for CBS and its affiliates for 25 years and retired in 1979.

Sterling died November 1, 1990 at his home in Stuart, Fla. He was 75 years old.






In 1988...The Beach Boys set two records with their latest #1 hit, "Kokomo," which marks the group as having the longest gap between chart-toppers (21 years and ten months from 1966's "Good Vibrations") and the longest stretch of career #1s (dating back to their first, "I Get Around," 24 years and four months earlier).

In 2011…Veteran radio personality (WEEP-Pittsburgh, WIND-Chicago, WJAS-Pittsburgh, KQV-Pittsburgh, KDKA-Pittsburgh) Perry Marshall died of a heart ailment at 86.

Adam Denenberg Is Named CTO At iHeartRadio

Adam Denenberg

iHeartMedia has announced that Adam Denenberg has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer for the iHeartRadio Network.

In this role, Denenberg will oversee the technology strategy and vision for the online radio platform, including technical direction, new product R&D, and technology infrastructure across the network of websites.

He will assume the position effective Nov. 17.

Most recently, Denenberg spent two years as vice president of engineering at the Huffington Post.

iHeartMedia's Darren Davis stated, "Adam has a proven track record of developing large-scale technology projects for some of the country's most well-known brands. Adam joins our amazing iHeartRadio team and we're confident his extensive background will not only add to our culture, but also enable iHeartRadio to continue to capitalize on new cutting edge opportunities."

Denenberg said, "I'm thrilled to be joining the iHeartRadio Network at such an exciting time. The growth of the iHeartRadio platform across web, mobile and auto is unparalleled. I'm looking forward to working with Darren and the entire team as iHeartMedia continues to develop innovative technology for the long term."

Peoria Radio: New PD Chris Stewart To Energize 102.3 FM

Chris Stewart

Alpha Media/Peoria has announced that Chris Stewart has been named Program Director of new Top40 WNGY 102.3 FM Energy.

The station was "energized" on October 16th and launched with 10,000 songs-in-a-row. Stewart will be in place and on-the-air in Peoria when the station comes out of its introductory launch phase.

He comes to Peoria from his Brand Manager position in Bozeman, MT. His prior stops were as APD in Boise, ID and Spokane, WA, and at Beasley Broadcasting in Philadelphia where he began his career.

Alpha Peoria Sr. VP/Market Manager, Mike Wild said, "We know Chris will energize Energy 102.3 listeners and our staff, and we're thrilled to have someone with his talents and passion. He'll make a huge difference with our newest brand."

WNGY 102.3 FM (4.1Kw) 60dBu Coverage

Alpha Media VP of Programming, Phil Becker commented on the announcement, "I'm thrilled to announce Chris Stewart as the first Program Director of WNGY. His tenacity, love for radio and endless ideas are exactly what we look for when selecting who should lead our brands. Chris has an infectious energy (pun intended) and we are lucky to have him."

"Words can't express how excited I am to be joining the Alpha Media family and the team of talented people in Peoria," Stewart said. "Personal thanks to Mike Wild, Phil Becker, Scott Mahalick, Bob Proffitt and Larry Wilson for this unbelievable opportunity to program and execute the live and local style of radio that's been drilled into my DNA for close to a decade. Special thanks to Steve 'Kekeluv' Kicklighter, Kevin Godwin and Scott Souhrada and many others for mentoring me throughout my career. This is just awesome! A new energy is coming to Peoria! Time to get to work."

Orlando Radio: Scott McKenzie Renews With MIX 105.1

Scott McKenzie

Scott McKenzie has agreed to a new multi-year contract with CBS Radio’s WOMX 105.1 FM, it was announced today by Mix 105-1 Program Director Bobby Smith.

“I am thrilled to have Scott McKenzie continue to ‘wake-up’ all of Central Florida for years to come,” said Smith,. “Scott is beloved by his audience, co-workers, and the station’s advertisers so having him continue to host ‘Scott McKenzie and the Morning MIX’ is a win for all of us!”

McKenzie has spent the past 24 years as the morning show host on MIX 105.1 Orlando and continues to be a local community leader working with numerous charity organizations including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Children’s Miracle Network, and Florida Easter Seals.

WOMX 105.1 FM (94Kw) 60dBu Coverage Area

“Scott is among the most unique and talented professionals in the industry,” said Dave Robbins, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, CBS Radio Orlando. “We are thrilled to reach an agreement that continues to bring his brand of morning radio to Central Florida.”

“Scott McKenzie and the Morning Mix” airs weekday mornings from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. starring Scott McKenzie, Dana Taylor, and Jay Edwards on Mix 105.1 in Orlando.

NYC Radio: Weather Forecaster Mr. G Leaves WCBS-FM

Irv Gikofsky

After some 37-years of delivering the weather forecasts on WCBS 101.1 FM, Irv Gikofsky has decided to sleep-in.

Mr. G made the retirement announcement this morning on the 'Big Show' with Scott Shannon.  He will continue as forecaster on the Tribune's WPIX-TV11 at 5 and 10pm.

As Shannon pointed-out to listeners Tuesday morning, the 68-year-old Mr. G would be up most nights until midnight or later and then be in-studio at 5:15am for the Shannon In The Morning Show on WCBS-FM.

Mr. G has been delivering the weather in the morning to WCBS-FM listeners since the early ‘80’s.

“He worked on TV while you were going to bed, and was back on the radio before you woke up. And did it for a heck of a long time. That is a work ethic that we may never see again,” said WCBS-FM Program Director Jim Ryan.

“It’s not easy for me, because I don’t leave things… I’m a marathonner,” Mr G said during his last day on the Scott Shannon in the Morning show this morning.

“The way I see it, it’s been 37 years at the station, and being now that I’ve turned 114 – I think it’s time to sleep a little later,” he laughed.

Before he got into weather forecasting, the former Marine was a teacher and, he created the New York City School system’s first computerized weather programs for use by children and their teachers. After teaching in public school for a decade, Mr. G was recruited right out of the classroom to become a TV weatherman for Channel 2 News.

In 1993 Mr. G joined the CW11 News at Ten as the weekday weatherman and has won four Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow Award.

As an ardent supporter of education, Mr. G is very involved in working with students. He has visited over 500 schools, usually stopping by a school a week and has participated in New York City’s “Principal For a Day” program since its inception.

At WCBS-FM, Mr. G has bantered with morning personalities Scott Shannon and previously Dan Taylor. For many years, he worked with the now-retired morning host Harry Harrison.

Post by The Dan Taylor Radio Show.

Stern, Beck Among Forbes Top Earning Personalities

Howard Stern

Simon Cowell has managed to land at the top of the Forbes annual list of the best-paid personalities in entertainment for the second year in a row with $95 million. The list is based on research for the Celebrity 100 list, which looks at estimated earnings between June 2013 and June 2014. During that time Cowell still had U.S. X Factor money, but that’s only one part of his business.

Cowell earns big from X Factor shows around the globe in countries from Albania to to Vietnam. Cowell’s record label, Syco, has the rights to winners from all of Cowell’s shows and he has a huge hit on his hands with One Direction.

Cowell is also the creator of the Got Talent format, as in America’s Got Talent.  That format also airs all over the world and is still a hit in the U.S., where NBC relies on the show for a ratings bump every summer.

'America’s Got Talent' judge Howard Stern ties Cowell at the top of our list with $95 million. Stern makes most of his money from his lucrative contract with Sirius XM, but he gets an estimated $15 million per year from his work as a judge on the talent show. Stern’s contract with Sirius is up in 2015 but the company’s CFO says he expects Sirius and Stern will be able to hammer out a new agreement.

Glenn Beck

To compile the list Forbes talked to agents, managers, lawyers and other in-the-know folks to come up with estimates for entertainment-related earnings for each celebrity.

Glenn Beck ranks third on our list with $90 million. Though it may seem like the right-wing talk show host has faded from the scene, he’s actually been as busy as ever at his online site, The Blaze. Beck is the poster boy for taking a TV brand online and making a mint. His loyal fans pay $10 per month to access his video content online. Beck pads out his Blaze earnings on the lucrative speaking circuit.

Oprah Winfrey ranks fourth with $82 million. Though she’s still powerful, Winfrey’s earnings have dropped since she left syndicated daytime TV. Her OWN network is finally starting to turn around thanks to some original comedies from Tyler Perry and shows like Iyanla: Fix My Life.

Portland OR Radio: Chris Mays OUT At KINK-FM

Chris Mays, longtime Program Director at Alpga Media's KINK 101.9 FM, is no longer with the station.

No reason has been given on her sudden departure but, Mays did share the following thoughts with colleagues and golocalpdx.com:

Chris Mays

"I am extremely proud to have worked at some of the finest, most influential stations...and I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to lend my talents and years of expertise to help those stations achieve unprecedented successes....Working in Portland has been no exception.   

During my 4 years here, KINK was nominated for the Marconi Award for Best Rock Station in the nation in both 2011 and 2012. We won in 2012! I have been honored as Best Programmer in the Triple A format for the past two years. And KINK received the award for best station of the Year by our peers at the Triple A Conference this summer... We have enjoyed very high ratings in the format for much of my four years here. 

However, situations do change. While I will always cherish my time at KINK and Alpha Media, I feel it’s time for a change. And so it’s with mixed feelings that I’ve decided to move on. I’m going to take some time off to enjoy traveling and seeing family. After that, we’ll see what the future holds."

Mays departure comes on the heels of morning host Marconi's ouster  (not to be confused with the award) less than two weeks ago.

Miami Radio: WRMA Adds Humberto Rodriquez For Mornings

El Gato

Radio DJ Humberto "El Gato" Rodriguez, long a mainstay in Miami's morning drive via his show on Mega 94.9 FM, has found a new home on SBS-owned WRMA 95.7 FM.

Billboard reports, Rodriguez is hosting El Show del Gato (The Cat's Show) every weekday morning from 6-11 a.m. on SBS-owned Latin pop station WRMA.

Long known as Romance, WRMA is now rebranded as La Nueva I-95 FM and plays more uptempo pop.

"Up to date, that's our stamp," says Rodriguez, a journalist, sound engineer, TV host and radio host. "You will find out absolutely everything you need for the rest of your day in very little time. Think of it as Twitter communication; we give you what you need in 140 characters. And obviously, with entertainment, humor and music."

WRMA 95.7 FM (40Kw) 60dBu Coverage Area

Rodriguez was already a major on-air celebrity in his native Colombia via high-profile gigs for TV and radio when he moved to Miami seven years ago to work as an on-air personality for Clear Channel station La Mega.

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Tucson Radio: KTGV Adding Matt Condie To Morning Drive

Matt Condie, known in many Tucson radio circles as “Rascal,” is the new morning show host at KTGV 106.3 FM The Groove.

In the process, he becomes the station’s first on-air talent for the so-called “old-school” music format, which is more or less an R&B hits station.

“It’s already an established brand, so it’s a format we don’t have to change,” Condie told Tucson Weekly. “The format has held its own jockless, but at this point (management) wants to work on building a big station. It’s a perfect opportunity to grow the brand of the station.”

Condie is best known in this market for morning show stints on what is now iHeartMedia owned modern hip-hop format KOHT 98.3 FM and the old Power 97.5. Condie hopes that original audience will make the transition with him to “The Groove.”

“It’s the same music and the same crowd who liked that music. It’s just growing up with them now,” Condie said. “The state of modern hip hop and pop is garbage, but this is classic. This is where hip hop and pop came from, and this is what we grew up listening to. I still have the best of the Gap Band, the Earth, Wind and Fire box set. It’s when music was fun.”

The “Rascal on the Radio” morning show debuts Nov. 10.