Clear Channel along with majority investors Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital, have entered into two new investment agreements with Ryan Seacrest Media "designed to drive business growth across multiple media platforms." The entities have committed up to $300 million to working with RSM to "identify, acquire and develop innovative media companies, media content and other media properties that can be leveraged to support a range of media enterprises." Under a separate agreement, Clear Channel will acquire a minority stake in Ryan Seacrest Productions, the company that produces the hit series "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and the spin-offs "Kourtney ...
Multiple industry sources are reporting that broadcast journalist and author Lou Dobbs will leave his United Stations distributed syndicated radio program, The Lou Dobbs Show on February 24 to concentrate on his television program. Dobbs signed with United Stations Radio Networks to produce and distribute his daily afternoon talk show December, 2007 while continuing to anchor the nightly "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on CNN. He exited CNN November, 2009 and moved the show to the FOX Business channel.No related posts.
Former Talk Radio Network President of Programming and WABC New York program director Phil Boyce joins Salem Communications in the newly created position, VP/Director spoken word format. In his new position Boyce will be in charge of the company’s programming on its news/talk, Christian teaching, talk and business talk stations. Salem Communications Radio Division President Dave Santrella said, “Phil Boyce brings an impressive pedigree to Salem and we are confident that our media platforms, our advertisers, our programmers and our listeners will all read more…
Miles Ahead Broadcasting producer of the nationally syndicated Café Mocha Radio show has announced a new advertising sales agreement with Cumulus Media Networks. Hosted by Grammy-nominated artist MC Lyte, actress/comedienne Loni Love (E! Entertainment’s “Chelsea Lately”) and broadcast veteran Angelique Perrin, Café Mocha brings a unique “niche” to the Cumulus advertising portfolio as the only national radio show that taps into the lifestyle of women of color with the latest in urban music, news and celebrity interviews. Café Mocha’s recent successful integrated broadcast promotions include campaigns with Comcast Xfinity; Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Circle of Promise; ROI Marketing, Essence Communications (Essence Music Festival) and The Dr. Oz Show. read more…
TRN (Talk Radio Network) syndicated radio host Mancow will be making a New York guest appearance this Thursday from 4-6pm when he auditions for a permanent slot on WOR (710 AM). His guests will include Kelsey Grammer, Jerry Springer and Ron Paul, among others. Mancow, whose Chicago-based daily radio show “Mancow’s Morning Madhouse” airs nationally, was most recently heard in the New York market on WABC (770 AM).
The list of nationally syndicated radio shows in overnights is getting longer as Dial Global picks up KMOX St. Louis’ “Overnight America with Jon Grayson.” Grayson’s program has been heard on CBS Radio KDKA Pittsburgh and WCCO Minneapolis. Dial Global SVP of news/talk Amy Bolton states, “Programmers across the country know that a solid overnight show is critical to strong morning drive ratings. Overnight America brings strong audiences to daybreak.” “Overnight America with Jon Grayson” joins Premiere Network’s “Coast to Coast AM”; Dial Global’s Jim Bohannon; Cumulus Media Network’s “Red Eye Radio”; and Genesis Communications Network’s “America Tonight” with Kate Delaney among others as overnight syndicated radio offerings.
Compass Media Networks has extended its sales rep agreement with Dial Global. Currently, Compass provides play-by-play sports including the Big 10 Championship game, college hoops and some 60 NFL football games and Talk and entertainment programming including Lars Larsen, Todd Schnitt, Ron Insana, Free Beer & Hot Wings and the Norman Goldman Show. Compass has also launched Compass Media Marketing – a national ad rep firm for audio industry. Peter Kosann, CEO and Founder of Compass Media Networks said, “The vision here is that network radio is a $1.2 billion pie and it has been very much consolidated. Similar to how we represented up-and-coming shows and programs that needed more time and attention to the ad sales side, there is clearly an opportunity to deliver very focused salesmanship for additional audio providers.”
Cumulus Media Networks taps former WRXP New York morning host Matt Pinfield to replace Bill St. James as host of syndicated radio classic rock institution Flashback beginning January 21st. The show features songs from the ’60s through the ’80s, and mixes in period newscasts, classic TV and movie clips, as well as commercial and comedy clips from the era. Benztown Radio will produce the show under their new alliance with Cumulus. “I’m honored to have the opportunity and to work with such great people here at Cumulus and Benztown,” Pinfield says. “They’re so fantastic, and it’s a great opportunity to spread my musical love and knowledge and work on something that’s heritage but bring something new to it as well.”
Dial Global progressive syndicated radio talk host Stephanie Miller’s Sexy Liberal Comedy Tour, Volume 1 is the #1-selling comedy album in the iTunes store. The album features comedy bits from Miller’s live stage show of the same name with comedians John Fugelsang, Hal Sparks and Miller herself. Miller has also announced a deal with Grand Central Publishing – a division of Hachette Book Group – to publish a book titled Sexy Liberal! set to hit stores in 2013. A press release from Dial Global, describes the book as “Mixing the personal and the political, taking on politicians, the media, and the issues with Miller’s own unique blend of fearless humor and optimism.” Commenting on the comedy albums leap to the top of the iTunes chart, WYD Media Management president Ron Hartenbaum, who manages Miller says, “Today’s audience response shows how powerful and impactful marketing on radio can be. We have a vibrant medium, we have an effective medium and we all need to remind advertisers how effective radio is in moving product.” Hartenbaum notes it was announced the album was for sale on Friday, December 16 at 10:00 am and by 10:45 is had reached the #1 spot.
There was an attempt at a good ol’ radio war between Cumulus Media syndicated radio talker Mark Levin and Talk Radio Network host Michael Savage. Levin took a swipe at Savage’s recent $1 million offer to Newt Gingrich to drop out of race for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination because he can’t beat President Obama, saying that Savage is “out of touch.” Levin offered Savage $100,000 if he’d leave his syndicated radio show, accusing Savage of “trying to get his ratings back.” Savage originally gave Gingrich 72 hours to think about his $1 million offer, Levin’s time frame was a bit shorter-12 hours. It’s fairly obvious whose challenge was more serious and who has the deeper pockets.
Compass Media Networks nationally syndicated radio talk show host Norman Goldman picks up Clear Channel Talk KKZN-A (AM 760, Colorado’s Progressive Talk) Denver for 4-7p (MT) weekdays, replacing Mario Solis. Commenting on the clearance, Goldman said, “We are thrilled and excited to be part of the live programming schedule offered daily by AM 760, Colorado’s Progressive Talk. Our highly engaged, socially connected audience expects to interact with, and comment about, the live events happening around the world, and respond in real time. My sincere thanks read more…
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