Broadcast Buzz 10/15/07

Today’s RadioInsight Headlines

Continuously Updated Throughout The Day

Summer Arbitrons – New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Long Island, Middlesex/Somerset/Union, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Ratings Thoughts – In the final book before the PPM takes over in New York, it’s appropriate that Top 40 once again is on top as Z100 is up .5 to 5.1 to take the top spot. Z100’s success is dampened in the Clear Channel family by the tremendous dip taken by 106.7 WLTW due to the dual-pronged attack by the relaunched WCBS-FM and sister Fresh 102.7. Lite-FM is down to 4.3 in third behind WRKS, while CBS-FM debuts in 6th at a 3.7. Just a year ago WLTW was over a 7 share and the “Jack-FM” incarnation of WCBS-FM was below a 2. The other story in New York is the continued struggle at “K-Rock” 92.3 WXRK as it remains steady at the bottom with a 1.7.

The recent moves in Los Angeles at Clear Channel’s cluster occurred after the book here. Univision’s KLVE retakes the top spot from KIIS-FM. News/Talk KFI, Regional Mexican KSCA, and Rock KROQ round out the top five. Emmis’ “Movin 93.9″ KMVN drops .4 to .8 and must be hoping that some of the listeners from the defunct KBIG format have come along.

In Chicago, status quo is the name of the game. The success of the Cubs has WGN up .8 to 6.6 keeping the top spot. News WBBM stays 2nd. Regional Mexican WOJO is up a full share for third. Clear Channel’s Urban WGCI and Urban AC WVAZ tie for fourth at 4.5. The question marks in the market remain CBS’ 104.3 Jack-FM, which is back below a 2 share and FM Talk WCKG hovering just above a 1.

New York – More rumblings on the impending return of Don Imus. Matt Drudge is announcing that the contracts have been signed and like Neil Best stated last week the planned return date is December 3. WABC morning co-host Ron Kuby will leave the station unless they can find a timeslot that doesn’t conflict with his legal career, while Curtis Sliwa is rumored to move into middays teaming with current middayer John Gambling III. (Turning 25)

National - The HD Radio Alliance has extended its charter with $230 Million in marketing funds for 2008. The Alliance will also begin to lessen the rules on sponsorships to allow some monetization of the channels and more flexibility in choosing formats. (Radio-Online)

Albany - Paul Vandenburgh, who recently left mornings at Pamal’s 590 WROW has announced plans to purchase Regent Broadcasting’s 1300 WTMM. (Capital News 9)

Boston - Greg “Hillman” Hill has signed a five year contract extension to remain in mornings at Entercom Rock 107.3 WAAF/97.7 WKAF. Hill has been at WAAF since 1986. (Boston Radio Watch)

State College – Chuck Hertzog has joined Forever Broadcasting as GM/Market Manager for its State College cluster including Classic Rock 93.7 WBUS, Country 98.7 WSGY, Variety Hits 99.5 WMAJ-FM, Rock 103.1 WQWK, News/Talk 1390 WRSC, and Sports 1450 WMAJ. Hertzog had been with Route 81 Radio as GM at WHYL Carlisle and GSM at WCOJ Coatesville.

Los Angeles – 1260 KMZT will drop Classical on October 29 and flip to a hybrid Talk/Standards format returning to the KGIL calls. Los Angeles talk stalwart Michael Jackson will air live from 9 to 11am and then repeat from 5 to 7pm. Syndicated talkers Neal Boortz, Dr. Joy Browne, and Larry King will also be carried by the station. The K-Mozart classical format will continue on 105.1-HD2. (OC Register)

Los Angeles – Citadel Talk 790 KABC will be the new flagship station for the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning in 2008. The Dodgers had been on CBS News 980 KFWB for the past five years. (OC Register)

Raleigh - Capitol Broadcasting has officially launched its Sports format on “99.9 The Fan” WCMC-FM. The lineup includes “The Fanatics” Mike Maniscalco and Dan Mason from 6-9am, Dan Patrick’s recently launched syndicated show live from 9am to noon. Sporting News Radio’s Tony Bruno on a 3-hour delay from noon to 3pm, “The Insiders” Scott Jackson and Mark Thomas from 3-7pm, and Inside the ACC with Dave Rothenberg from 7-9pm. Carolina Hurricanes hockey and Sporting News Radio round out the lineup. (WRAL-TV)

National - Radio One Signs With Arbitron PPM Service

National - Gary Parsons: The Orbitcast Interview

Los Angeles – Multicultural’s KALI/L.A. Goes Into Trust

Grand Rapids – CC Taps Feagan to Fill Vacant Grand Rapids GM Post

National - GAP West Hires Jack Evans as VP/Programming & Ops

New York – National Freedom of Speech Week and the role of radio

San Francisco – Pioneer in Latino radio killed crossing street

Cleveland - Indians Chernoff is a son of talk radio

Detroit - 97.1’s move to sports talk could signal radio trend

Blogger Buzz

John Gorman – NAB’s Fumbles: “Stop the clock, I want to get off!”

Inside Music Media – Universal Thinks Consumers Are iDiots

Infinite Dial - Moving Forward With The HD Radio Alliance

Hear 2.0 – The HD Alliance throws good money after…bad?

Hear 2.0 – Universal Music’s plan to challenge Radio

Liberal Talk Radio – The San Diego Snowjob

McVay Media – Arbitron Sample Size 18-34 Return Concerns and Solutions?

Lee Abrams – PLAY BY PLAY, TV & PRINT NEWS, THE CUBS, THE VENTURES, STEALING FROM TRASH CANS AND OTHER STUFF