Superadio “Scoops” Up Full Throttle
Superadio Networks has announced a distribution deal with Phrequency Entertainment to syndicate “Full Throttle Radio with Fatman Scoop” beginning January 1, 2009. “Full Throttle Radio” is a weekly three hour mix show hosted by Fatman Scoop. Scoop, a two time Grammy winner who has appeared on dozens of hit records for artists including Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Janet Jackson and Mary J. Blige is also currently seen on the MTV reality series “Man & Wife” with wife Shanda as the first married couple in Hip-Hop discussing relationships, sex, marriage, politics, career and finance. “Full Throttle Radio” is already airing in 25 markets including KVSP Oklahoma City, WJBT Jacksonville, WAJZ Albany and KIBT Colorado Springs.
Opie And Anthony Take More Hits
They’ve taken quite a few of those hits over the past year losing affiliates in Washington, Dallas and Philly…now CBS has dropped O&A in Boston and Cleveland. We talked about the steady exodus of stations in an earlier post and although they still are based out of CBS owned WXRK New York and appear on Sirius XM, you have to wonder which one will finally put the “nail in the coffin”, CBS or Mel Karmizan. Frankly, I have never understood the appeal of these two and based on the ratings at K-Rock and the XM subscriptions attributed to them, not many others do either.
Envision Taps Kelly
Envision Radio Networks names long-time Cleveland radio fixture Tim Kelly as VP/GM. Kelly was previously Corporate Dir./Operations and Market Manager for Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting’s Sandusky, OH cluster. “We are thrilled to have Tim join our growing company,” Envision Radio Networks COO Laura Orkin said. Kelly will oversee the Envision affiliate sales team as well as manage additional operational initiatives starting in 2009.
Colmes and Hannity Split
Alan Colmes the voice of reason on the FOX News Channel’s Hannity and Colmes show, said yesterday he will leave the program sometime in January after 12 years of co-hosting the show. Colmes will continue to host his nightly FOX News Radio show and will also develop a new weekend program for FNC. No word yet on whether or not a new partner will be named to replace Colmes opposite Hannity. Al Sharpton, FOX is calling…
Bob And Tom’s Greetings From The USA
They’ve been doing it every year since 2005 and once again Premiere Radio Networks syndicated radio talkers Bob and Tom, also seen nightly on WGN America, have partnered with the USO to send care packages to U.S. troops serving around the world. The duo have raised close to 600,000 and sponsored more than 23,000 care packages full of useful items and goodies for America’s military men and women. Among the items included is the duo’s latest CD, Greetings From The USA featuring a compilation of some of the Bob & Tom Show’s best comedy bits. Want to help? Click here.
Bubba Soaks Up Four New Markets
Cox Radio is really feeling the love as Bubba The Love Sponge picks up four new affiliates, adding Cox’s WHDR (93 Rock)/Miami, WHTQ/Orlando, and WDYL (Y101)/Richmond, along with Beasley’s WRXK (96 K-Rock)/Ft. Myers. Bubba, whose show currently airs on Cox’s WHPT (102.5 The Bone)/Tampa and WFYV (Rock 105)/Jacksonville, will be in mornings on the new affiliates on January 5, and with the show now in syndication more new outlets are to be announced. “Bubba’s return to the Tampa and Jacksonville markets has been hugely successful,” said Cox RVP and Tampa Market Manager Jay O’Connor. “We’re very proud of what Bubba, Spice, Manson, Brent, Ned, and the Bubba Radio Network has accomplished, and we’re thrilled to announce that we’re bringing Bubba’s show to Orlando, Miami, and Richmond.”
RBR’s Look At The 2009 Radio Upfront
With a flagging economy, multiple changes in the network radio landscape and the continuing intergration of new media (streaming audio), there is a huge spotlight shining on network ad business and what impact all of this will have on the 2009 network radio upfronts. Radio Business Report’s annual look at the 2009 upfronts consisting of a Q&A by a panel from the media buying community, has some interesting nuggets on the “09″ network buying season. To get their take on the impact of PPM, streaming media, satellite radio, HD and other emerging buying opportunities and how they can and will affect advertising decisions on network radio, click here.
ABC Takes Curtis Sliwa National
ABC Radio Networks will begin distributing the founder and leader of the Guardian Angels, Curtis Sliwa’s daily radio show nationally effective immediately. “Curtis Sliwa Live”, a New York based three hour night show, recently began simulcasting to Los Angeles, Washington and Boston. It’s a nice bounce back for Sliwa after moving from co-hosting morning drive at WABC with Ron Kuby, to book ending Don Imus (5A-6A; 10A-11:45A) earlier this year. It will be interesting to see if Cutis’ act will spread outside of the large markets on the right and left coasts.
Westwood One Off The Big Board
Westwood One, which was earlier warned by the New York Stock Exchange that it was in danger of delisting because of its failure to maintain the required $25 million market capitalization, has now received notice that it will be delisted. Trading in WON will be suspended as of November 24, when the company intends to begin trading on the OTC Bulletin Board. Westwood One is considering whether to appeal the delisting, and is still assessing whether to seek listing on AMEX or Nasdaq, either of which would require a reverse stock split and shareholder approval. Westwood One said it is in “active discussions with its lenders and bondholders” to restructure debt and “regain financial flexibility in 2009.”
Smiley Wakes Up Baltimore
Syndication One’s Rickey Smiley and his cast of characters has been moved into wake up at Radio One WERQ Baltimore replacing the The Big Phat Morning Show. The move has The Rickey Smiley Morning Show up to 25 stations nationally for Syndication One. President of Programming Gary Bernstein commented, “The Rickey Smiley Show is just starting to hit its stride and there will be significant enhancements that will make the program even more of a must have for any Urban station looking for dominating ratings both 18-34 and 18-49″. Big Phat Morning Show host Marc Clarke had been anchoring the show for 10 years.
