Big radio revenues drop, again
Down down down. Clear Channel and Cumulus’ third quarter earnings dropped 19 and 18.5 percent respectively compared to Q3 of 2008. Clear Channel reported revenues of $660.6 million in the third quarter of 2009 and $813.4 million for the same in 2008. Cumulus’ net revenues sank from $80.0 million last year to $65.1 million this […]
Pirates on 87.9FM at Greater Risk?
I was disappointed but unsurprised to learn about the end of Pirate Cat Radio’s unlicensed FM broadcast resulting from the FCC issuing a notice of apparent liability (NAL) to Pirate Cat’s operator Monkey Man a/k/a Daniel K. Roberts. However, I am surprised at how long Pirate Cat was able to make a go of it […]
Fernando and Greg get gig on Bay Area CBS station
More good news for fans of the dumped duo, Fernando and Greg, formerly of KNGY 92.7. They’ve got a new slot on Bay Area radio station, 99.7 KMVQ-FM, a CBS outlet. The press release we received from CBS Radio yuks it up about the news. “First, Levi Johnston agrees to pose nude and now […]
Congress to big content and big radio: let's talk about PRA
Responding to a Congressional request for negotiations over the Performance Rights Act, the National Association of Broadcasters says it’s ready to chat, sort of. “NAB is of course willing to talk with members of Congress on this issue and any issue that could negatively impact the ability of free and local hometown radio stations to […]
Pirate Cat radio down; the people's air waves worse for it
It’s no-good-deed-goes-unpunished-time over San Francisco’s radio airwaves. As Jennifer Waits has reported, the city’s Pirate Cat radio station has ceased terrestrial broadcasting in response to a Federal Communications Commission fine against the service. Why was the station sanctioned, anyway? Let’s go through the possibilities. Was it because Pirate Cat shortchanges Bay Area listeners by not […]
Pirate Cat Radio Fined by FCC and Ceases Terrestrial Broadcast
It was probably only a matter of time before the FCC would catch up with San Francisco’s Pirate Cat Radio. The unlicensed broadcaster was increasingly putting itself in the public eye by operating a cafe adjacent to its studio, granting interviews with mainstream press, and even appearing on the national television show No Reservations this […]
Bay Area Radio Museum's Uncertain Future
Bay Area Radio Museum I think it’s extremely important to honor radio’s history, so I’m always impressed when there are folks out there who are actively working to support that cause. The Bay Area Radio Museum has been a labor of love for its Executive Director David Ferrell Jackson for the past 5 years. This […]
NYC's the Pulse Flatlines
Perhaps it was too good to be true. The overcrowded FM dial of the New York City metroplex offered no easy opportunity to bring a new cutting edge dance music station to the radio. But an opportunity was found at the far left end of the dial in the space occupied by TV channel 6 […]
More scary projections for radio earnings
Television/Broadcast reports that a Wells Fargo analyst says third quarter earnings for most traditional broadcasters will probably match the horrific numbers we saw in the second quarter of this year: “Based on Q3 results and various pre-announcements reported by some traditional media companies thus far, we expect most pure-play broadcasters to report revenue declines similar […]
Radio is Alive and Well at the CMJ Music Marathon
Last week I was in New York City for the 29th annual CMJ Music Marathon. From the beginning, this industry conference was a way to connect college radio DJs, label representatives, and musicians. With panels during the day and music performances at night, it’s an action-packed week designed for music discovery on a grand scale. […]