Who's Winning the Sports Talk War?

1-2-13

It?s been one year since the radio space once dominated by ESPN was invaded by several other players. CBS launched its own sports network with selling help from Cumulus. NBC Sports Radio was launched in the middle of the year and is now part of the WestwoodOne menu of items. Fox Sports Radio and Gow Yahoo! sports were already in the space and continue to offer radio stations sports programming options. We spoke to most of the players in the sports talk game to get their assessment on how things are going (Fox Sports Radio declined to be interviewed). Here is what they had to say.

Traug Keller is SVP/Production, Business Divisions at ESPN. Keller says the sports talk business is very healthy and ESPN Radio (now called ESPN Audio) is extremely healthy. "Business is good. We continue to see growth on the digital side. I think all the work we?ve done over the years is really beginning to pay dividends in terms of listenership. We?ve been doing more and more with taking our terrestrial numbers and adding digital numbers, and it?s to the point now where it?s almost ludicrous for shows to be measured [as broadcast radio] only. We are seeing consistently north of a 40 percent bounce to our terrestrial numbers from all this."

Keller also says the sports talk audience is growing as a result of all the new content. "I think the pie is getting bigger. Certainly, in the advertising field, there was a void left because of the avoidance of political talk ? Rush and Hannity. I think the timing of CBS coming into the market was good. It raises the visibility of the format all around. I think it has been good for the format. NBC, I can?t really speak to, because I just don?t see it or hear it, quite frankly."

Chris Oliviero is the EVP/Programming at CBS Radio. The CBS Sports Network just turned one, having launched in January 2013. Oliviero says CBS Sports Radio is where he wants it to be. "By all internal and external metrics, it?s right on schedule. The feedback we?ve gotten from affiliates has been positive. Are there things we can do better? Absolutely. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone in the entertainment business who could say they do everything perfectly. There are things that we can tweak. But overall we are very happy. Our affiliates are happy. Our talent is happy. And our advertisers are happy. If you get the right mix of happiness among advertisers, affiliates, listeners, and talent, that?s a pretty good metric."

Looking ahead to 2014, Oliviero says, "If this year was the baby steps for all the new entries into the space, I think in 2014 we will grow up a little bit from some of the mistakes we made. Is there enough space? I think that is for the marketplace to decide. So far, 2013 has proven that there is enough space. But in 2014, we will see if that holds. We think there is. If there is not, it is going to come down to the age-old adage of who?s got better content. Those people will survive. Others will not. But so far, there is enough shelf space."

Chris Corcoran is EVP/GM, Sports Programming WestwoodOne. Corcoran says there's plenty of room for all the players and the listener pie is getting bigger. "I think it is similar to TV, with all these networks ? it gives more options, and it also keeps all these networks on their toes. Regardless of other networks out there, you want to have the best content, but it makes you really think, every day, closely about ?Is this content great? How does it separate itself from the other networks? From the other dayparts? What are we doing differently to offer these listeners and these radio stations and the advertisers something that is totally unique, totally fresh? Because, at the end of the day, we are all talking about the same stories. How we position the stories has to be a little bit different and unique. I think having that many options out there is a good thing. It?s a very crowded marketplace, but that?s why I think digital and online and what you do with on-demand is critical in the future of all these networks."

Gow Communications CEO David Gow says radio stations now have a long list of great options to choose from. "They have the chance to look across more networks and more programming options than they have historically. Actually, one trend I am perceiving is that many of the affiliates are taking what I would call best-of-breed programming. They are cherry-picking a show from one network, and another show from another network, and landing with a really, really strong content offering in their marketplaces. The one thing I feel great confidence about is that we are going to continue to grow our audience base. We are expanding our reach through all of our platforms. We think that changes in 2014 among the networks will only give us additional opportunities to grow."

To read the entire Sports Radio Special Report which appears in the latest issue of Radio Ink Magazine CLICK HERE

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

Jeff Trumper Merges His Station With Riviera

12-29-13
In Phoenix, Trumper Communications-owned Hot 97.5 (KMVA) will merge into Riviera Broadcasting's My103.9 to create a new "megastation." KMVA was the only station Jeff Trumper (pictured) owned. He sold most of his stations in 2000. The merger will result in a new operating company which includes all the Riviera stations and KMVA in exchange for stock. Trumper Communications will be the minority partner and Trumper will take a seat on the board. The current Riviera management team will operate the stations.
The Hot AC station will be called Trending Radio and launch Tuesday night at midnight. Trumper said, ?I am beyond excited by this merger. By combining resources, we are able to extend the reach of the HOT radio brand and give our audience more of what it wants. We?ll be serving the hottest trends in music along with hip and engaging lifestyle events that will appeal to music fans, foodies, fashionistas, and families. We are confident our listening audience will be energized by this change and will feel an even stronger connection to this newly-combined station.?
Riviera COO Jose Rodiles said, ?We?re excited to merge these two terrific brands. This newly-created mega station will not only benefit the Phoenix radio audience but will also bring tremendous value to the advertising community. With a focus on ?live and local,? Hot 97.5/103.9 Trending Radio will engage listeners with the hottest music and trends not only from around the country but also right here in the Valley.?
Riviera owns stations in Phoenix, including Power 98.3 (KKFR-FM), Latino Vibe 95.1 (KVIB-FM), and Hot 97.5/103.9. The group is headed by Michael Cutchall, President and CEO, and Jose Rodiles, COO.
Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

College Radio Station Helps Raise $5 Million

12/28/13
Colgate University, located in Hamilton, New York, is home to college radio station WRCU. It's radius is 25 miles. It's power, thanks to the fact it streams, is enormous. According to an article in Forbes, the college held a fundraising campaign that centered around WRCU and took in $5.1 million in a single day. WRCU GM Brandon Fiegoli told Forbes
, ?It was the most any liberal arts school had raised in a day. The school loves the radio station. The alumni love it now, too. It was a good way to get our name out there.?
Over 5,600 donors gave money. Under 3,000 students attend the school. Colgate?s Vice President of Institutional Advancement Murray Decock told Forbes
, ?WRCU played a significant role in the success of our challenge?especially with its live-stream that was heard world-wide. It was really the foundation upon which we built the momentum through DJ and public-service announcements with progress and updates.? Because the station streams, it was able to reach hundreds of alumni living all over the world.
Read the full Forbes
piece HERE
Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

Kraddick Kept His Cancer A Secret For Years

12-31-13

In a lengthy and detailed piece about the sudden death of Kidd Kraddick, D magazine writer Jamie Thompson writes in the magazine's January issue that Kidd Kraddick?s best friend, attorney Toby Wilson, was the only person who knew Kraddick had lymphoma. Kraddick told Wilson back in 2009 during a golf outing and, by then, he had already begun an aggressive course of chemotherapy. The article includes details about Kraddick's strained relationship with his daughter, how he would get sick from chemo while attending events for his charity for kids, and his friendship with Dr. Phil. Over time, Thompson writes, Kraddick?s treatments seemed to work. "Doctors declared him cancer-free and his prognosis, they said, was good. Even so, they warned of serious side effects, including organ damage, that could shorten his life."

Thompson writes that Wilson wanted Kraddick to tell close friends. "Some had begun to wonder whether he had developed a drug problem. The speculation angered Wilson, but given how Kraddick looked, it made sense. Wilson argued that Kraddick should at least tell his daughter, Caroline. But the last few years had been difficult for Kraddick and his daughter. He had divorced her mother in 2008, after 21 years of marriage, and Kraddick didn?t want to put any additional strain on their relationship," Thompson writes. Wilson believes Kraddick did not want anyone to know because he did not want to be pitied.

Thompson also describes in detail exactly who was with Kraddick when he died and how it happened in late July of this year. "Kraddick stepped onto the bus with his friend and company CEO, George Laughlin. He took a sip of water, then dropped the bottle. Kraddick collapsed on the floor as Laughlin rushed toward him. He began performing CPR. The bus driver raced to a hospital several miles away, thinking it would be quicker than waiting for an ambulance." Kidd Kraddick was dead at the age of 53.

Read the entire piece on Kidd Kraddick in D Magazine HERE

(12/31/2013 2:31:51 PM)
"Though my depression has passed, I am concerned that we as an industry are not breaking our chains from the past."

Eric was never depressed. This is nothing but another fucking shill for Bob Struble. Eric doesn't give a shit about radio - all he cares about is his investment in iNiquity!

(12/31/2013 2:16:59 PM)
Where's RTR's comment? A 1960's hippie wannabe!
(12/31/2013 2:15:40 PM)
"He took a sip of water, then dropped the bottle. Kraddick collapsed on the floor as Laughlin rushed toward him."

LMFAO!!!

Add a Comment | View All Comments Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

WUSN Parting Company With Biondo

12-30-13

Trish Biondo has been with WUSN-FM/US99.5 for nearly three decades. Her contract is not being renewed with the CBS station. According to Chicagoland Radio and Media, Biondo has worked nearly every shift at WUSN, including 16 years in the morning.

Last year, the station was looking to replace Biondo because they wanted her to do the show live from the WUSN studio five days per week, as opposed to two or three. The station picked up the final year on Biondo's contract to reassess the situation and that was the issue again this year. Read the full story HERE.

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here

Pamal Donates Station

12-31-13

Originally the station had planned to go dark, however, at the last minute, WGHQ-AM owner Pamal Broadcasting donated the station to WHDD owner Tri-State Public Communications. WHDD-FM operates out of Sharon, Conn as "Robin Hood Radio." The deal was signed yesterday. Pamal owner James Morrell changed his mind last week after Tri-State co-founder Marshall Miles, who worked for WGHQ in the 1970s, approached him with the idea of donating the station to Tri-State to keep it from going dark. More details from UPI HERE

View the original article here

WTMJ's Gordon Hinkley Passes At 88

12-27-13

Hinkley joined Journal's WTMJ in Milwaukee in 1950 after jobs in Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids. He stayed with Journal through 2001 when he retired. Hinkley's radio career began in 1941, when he hosted a Sunday piano show at WFHR in Wisconsin Rapids after an audition for a talent contest.

VP of Operations Steve Wexler told Radio Ink, "Gordon Hinkley was a true radio legend in our market. He was the king of morning radio for years, hosting WTMJ's "Top of the Morning" show and the iconic "Ask Your Neighbor," which was almost like an early version of Google's search engine. People would call and ask anything...from where to buy certain food items, to how to fix a toaster, to how to get cat urine smell out of corduroy. Other listeners would call in and answer the questions; in its time, it was local radio at its best."

In addition to his wife, Hinkley is survived by three children, Jeffrey, Lynn, and Lisl; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Private services will be held today.

Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend

View the original article here