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Home , 2014 in radio, Classic Hip Hop, Family Life Radio, KBFB, KBTT, KKUS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Number of Christmas stations sets new all-time high. Exclusive. Drawn by the opportunity for a seasonal ratings and revenue lift, a record number of radio stations went all-Christmas this year, shattering the previous high set in 2012. There are 529 U.S. stations airing all-holiday tunes, an increase of 8.4% from a year ago when 488 stations adopted the format. Coming off a year when the number of all-Christmas stations dipped slightly, 2014’s final tally suggests radio’s appetite for all-Yule programming has yet to peak. The total doesn’t include the growing number of stations programming a partial Christmas format or online-only and HD side channels. During the past decade, the number of all-Christmas stations has more than doubled, according to the Inside Radio database. “It shows that much of the industry realizes how successful a concept this is,” consultant Dan Vallie says. “It’s the most consistently successful and most ratings-impactful programming strategy a radio station can do — no other ‘feature’ can run this long and be this successful.” Stations that have earned the position as their market’s go-to holiday music station are often able to charge advertisers a premium during December, when their ratings skyrocket. “We have a bunch of stations that are doing and they are definitely having a strong December,” CBS Radio president of sales Michael Weiss says. “We’re able to go back and show advertisers that we had a pop last year or the year before, when we turned on our Christmas music.” The format’s appeal transcends every demo and gender, iHeartMedia SVP of programming Jon Zellner says. “That gives a station a profile any advertiser would want: Mom, Dad, and the kids listening together during the biggest consumer season of the year,” Zellner says. Room for more than one station under the mistletoe. For red-hot formats like CHR and country, there’s room for more than one station per market. The seasonal Christmas format is no exception. From blow-torch FMs to rimshotters and AMs, the format is found up and down the dial in many cities. is Christmastown USA this year, boasting six separate stations airing an all-holiday format. Last year the honor went to . Six markets have four all-Yule stations: Birmingham, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Los Angeles, Rochester, NY and Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA. Nearly 20 cities have three and dozens of markets have two. A small number of cities don’t have any, including such major cities as and Miami. The vast majority of all-holiday stations are on FM — just 43 AM stations made the switch this year. With the number of holiday stations in 2014 reaching a new high, the question arises as to how much growth is left in the format. “I think there is room for growth, both in the number of stations and in ratings performance for the stations that do it,” consultant Dan Vallie says. “Even more so, as more stations do a better and better job generating revenue from the all Christmas programming.” Entercom AC KOIT, (96.5) PD Brian Figula agrees the format has yet to peak. “The Christmas format will continue to grow and terrestrial radio does it better than anybody else,” he says. “Radio has invested a lot of marketing and research into this and every year we see a lot of growth. There’s a big demand for it.”

Who are the merriest station owners? A total of 76 Christmas stations are owned by iHeartMedia, giving it the most all-Yule stations again this year. Other owners heavy on the holiday format include (25 stations), Townsquare Media (19), Salem (12), Entercom (11), CBS Radio (10), and Saga (9). Noncommercial operator had 21 all-Christmas stations, had 19 holiday stations on the air, while WAY Media had 15. Read the full 2014 Christmas format list HERE.

[email protected] | 800.275.2840 PG 1 NEWS insideradio.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Classic hip-hop turns in its best debut yet in . In its best ratings performance yet, the fledgling classic hip-hop format finished top five among persons 18-34 and 25-54 in its first full month on the air in Philadelphia. After initial success in , Radio One quickly duplicated the red-hot format in Philly on “Boom 107.9” WPHI, which dropped urban on November 8, two days into Nielsen’s December survey. The station has since doubled its 6+ share (1.9-3.8), while lurching into the top five in 18-34 (4.0-6.5) and 25-54 (2.3-5.5). The ratings are especially remarkable given WPHI’s class A signal. The station apparently most negatively affected is sister R&B oldies “Old School 100.3” WRNB, which tumbled 4.0-3.3. In , “Boom 94.5” KSOC grew 2.8- 3.4 in 6+ to finish tenth without the benefit of a full survey just yet in the throwback format. The station, which launched November 14, tripled its 18-34 shares (1.0-3.4) to rank 13th and moved 3.1-4.0 in 25-54 to rank eighth. The gains appear to have taken a sliver away from Service Broadcasting urban “K-104” KKDA (4.0-3.6) and Radio One rhythmic CHR “97.9 The Beat” KBFB (3.6-3.3) Cumulus Media’s KLIF-FM, which had a two-week fling with classic hip-hop after rebranding in October as rhythmic CHR “Hot 93.3,” had the largest 6+ percentage increase in Dallas, vaulting 1.8.-2.6. Back in Houston, “Boom 92” KROI came close to matching its explosive 3.2 debut in November with a 2.9 in December. But it slipped from tenth to 12th in persons 25-54 (4.0-3.7) and fell from sixth to ninth (5.1- 4.3) in adults 18-34.

Here comes the Christmas format ratings stampede. Even with its biggest ratings survey still to come, the all-Christmas format is already No. 1 in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Philadelphia. In Nielsen’s December survey, which covers November 6-December 3, iHeartMedia’s “93.9 My FM” WLIT-FM, Chicago more than doubled its 6+ share, charging from a ninth place 3.7 to a second place 7.3. WLIT typically sees the biggest boost of all-holiday music stations. In L.A., AC sister “Coast 103” KOST knocked CHR cluster mate KIIS-FM (102.7) out of the top spot, charging 5.2-7.0 among listeners aged 6+. In New York, iHeart AC “106.7 Lite FM” WLTW elbowed CBS Radio classic hits WCBS-FM (101.1) from its ratings perch, trending 5.6-7.7. The all-Yule format padded the lead iHeart AC “Sunny 99.1” KODA, Houston already had in November (7.1-9.2). Likewise in Philly, Jerry Lee’s AC “More FM” WBEB (101.1) expanded its lead over second place iHeart urban AC WDAS-FM (105.3) from mere fractions of a point to more than two shares, jumping 6.8-8.5. In San Francisco, Entercom AC KOIT (96.5) vaulted 4.5-5.8, putting it within striking distance of CBS Radio all-news KCBS (740, 106.9). And in Dallas, the holiday format pushed CBS Radio classic hits KLUV (98.7) 4.0-5.0, advancing from a fifth place tie to rank second. Head to StationRatings.com for more results from Nielsen’s December survey. Kantar: Third quarter ad market barely grew — big advertisers to blame. Radio industry revenue slid in the third quarter, and just-released data from Kantar Media helps put that decline into perspective. It reports the total ad market barely grew — up just 0.3% during the three-month period. For the first nine months of the year total advertising spending grew 2.2% but that’s a considerable slowdown from the first half. “After a relatively robust first half when spend grew by 3.1%,the pace of ad spending slowed during Q3 and a principal cause was top 100 marketers becoming more restrained with their budgets,” Kantar chief research officer Jon Swallen says. Thanks to political advertising and World Cup spending, television was the only sector in the analysis with year-over-year growth, increasing 6.5% compared to a year ago. All other sectors saw spending decrease, including internet display ad spending, which fell 1.7%. Radio, outdoor, newspapers and magazines all saw ad billings slide. Kantar says a common factor across all media was reduced spending by retail, financial service and restaurant clients. “In contrast, mid-sized advertisers, who are the core of the ad market, continued to supply foundational support and grew their total spending by 6% to 7% during the quarter,” Swallen says.

Insurance ad spending roars higher. Fewer big marketing launches by automakers led to a 4% drop in spending during the third quarter, according to Kantar Media, which reports dealers (-6.3%) cut back their spending more than the manufacturers (-2.4%). That allowed retail to edge out automotive as the biggest advertising category during the quarter, despite a 0.8% decline in overall spending compared to a year earlier. Kantar says a “broad slowdown” during the summer months, especially among department stores and clothing stores, pushed the retail category lower. Two categories that have performed well for radio this year are showing strength overall. Insurance has the biggest growth rate among the biggest ad categories. Kantar says spending rose 14.4% during the first nine months as aggressive competition among auto insurers drove budgets higher. There new campaigns from Liberty Mutual and Nationwide. There has also been “modest” growth by wireless providers. But spending among the ten largest ad

[email protected] | 800.275.2840 PG 2 NEWS insideradio.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014 categories fell 1.1% during third quarter, Kantar says. And that brought the year-to-date increase down to 1.5%. Procter & Gamble may’ve slashed its spending 16.1% so far this year, but it easily remains the biggest advertiser in the U.S. with more than $2 billion of advertising. AT&T, , Comcast and L’Oreal rounded out the top five. Alpha buys Access.1 stations in and . is picking up nine stations from Access.1 Communications in a deal that will expand the company into two new markets: Shreveport, LA and Tyler-Longview, TX. The deal will bring the company’s portfolio to 83 stations, including a pending acquisition of six stations. Access.1 president Chesley Maddox- Dorsey says the sale to Alpha will pass on their stations to a “visionary group of media professionals with a demonstrated track record of success.” The stations in Shreveport include urban “The Beat 103.7” KBTT, urban AC “Hot 102” KDKS-FM, classic hits KLKL (95.7), “98 Rocks” KTAL-FM, and gospel “The Light” KOKA (980). And in Tyler-Longview, Alpha buys country KYKX (105.7), classic country “104.1 The Ranch” KKUS, classic hits “Sunny 106.5” KOOI, and regional Mexican “La Invasora 96.7” KOYE. Terms of the deal between the two privately-held companies wasn’t immediately disclosed. Alpha CEO Larry Wilson says he’s known Maddox-Dorsey for a long time and says the Access.1 clusters “fit right in our sweet spot for live and local radio and we are very much looking forward to the acquisition.” Alpha will begin operating the stations under a local marketing agreement on January 1. The sale leaves Access.1 with three stations, including WWRL, New York (1600); WGYM, Atlantic City, NJ; sports KFRO, Tyler-Longview, TX; and sports KCUL, Marshall, TX (1410). Last week the company filed to sell KCUL to Scottie Rice’s RCA Broadcasting for $25,000.

Inside Radio News Ticker...Retailers ride to the top heading into Christmas week...Targeting last-minute holiday shoppers, several retailers appeared on the weekly ranker of biggest-volume advertisers. Media Monitors says Walgreens aired 38,809 ads on stations it tracks, moving up to No. 1 last week, up from No. 3 a week earlier. Macy’s, Home Depot, Lowe’s and JC Penney all also ranked on the Spot Ten. Read the full list HERE...Knoxville gets a sports battle...Knoxville is getting a second sports station next month as oldies are jettisoned and WVLZ relaunches as “ 1180 The VLZ” starting January 5. Owner Chris Lash says the station will air both local hosts and programming from Yahoo! Sports Radio. WVLZ will take on Cumulus Media’s “Sports Animal 99” WNML-FM&AM (99.1, 990). Nielsen says the “Sports Animal” had a 2.7 share (12+) in the latest phase of is Fall survey...Portland’s ‘The Game’ goes FM...Alpha Media’s “750 The Game” KXTG, Portland, OR has picked up an FM signal as the company begins simulcasting the sports station on a translator at 102.9. “The Game being available on the 102.9 frequency means we have effectively increased the density of our coverage area that more than doubles the available audience to over 1.5 million metro Portland listeners,” market manager Milt McConnell says...Beasley lays-off Charlotte staffers...Following its acquisition of seven Charlotte stations from CBS Radio earlier this month, reportedly has laid off several employees at the cluster. The Charlotte Observer says more than a dozen people were let go, all believed to be off-air staffers... finally laid to rest...At long last, radio icon Casey Kasem has finally been buried nearly six months after his death. A family rep tells ABC News that Kasem was laid to rest in Norway without the consultation of his children, who were battling his wife Jean over a final resting place. Kasem, 82, died June 15...Winter snow silences Dakota signal...It’s not just warm weather thunderstorms and tornadoes that can be tough on antennas. VCY America has alerted the FCC that the 310-foot antenna for its Mitchell, SD-licensed translator K258AG at 99.5 FM was blown over December 15 during a snow storm. The translator simulcasts religious KVCF, Freeman, SD (90.5). VCY America says it’s working to fix the problem shortly...Pandora fights pre-72 royalty suits...Using a First Amendment argument, Pandora has filed a motion with a U.S. District Court in California alleging The Turtles are infringing on its First Amendment free speech rights to air the band’s songs on the streaming service. The Turtles founding members, Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, who are known as Flo and Eddie, have asked courts in California and New York to award royalties on pre-1972 recordings. Pandora attorneys tell the court that the law was created to fight such “baseless attacks.” The Turtles have also sued Sirius XM Radio over pre-‘72 recordings...Lotus doubles up on regional Mexican...Lotus is dropping sports and launching a new regional Mexican station in Tucson starting January 5. The station will be branded “94.3 La Buena” using the Tortolita, AZ-licensed translator K232FD and KTKT (990). It will feature the syndicated Alex “El Genio” Lucas in morning drive and the syndicated “Erazno la Chokolata” in afternoons. Program director Enrique Mayans says it will be “a complement” to regional Mexican sister “La Caliente” KCMT, which is the market’s top-rated Spanish-language station...People Moves...CBS promotes Jim Ryan to SVP of programming. There are also PD changes in St. Louis and . Read People Moves HERE.

[email protected] | 800.275.2840 PG 3 NEWS insideradio.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014

Toy Drives R Us: Radio rallies to collect gifts for the less fortunate. The number of toys and dollars collected for the needy by some radio stations this holiday season is hitting new record highs. In , the 16th Annual Chet Buchanan & The Morning Zoo Toy Drive set a station-best record. The 12-day event, orchestrated by CBS Radio rhythmic CHR KLUC, filled 29 trailers, each 50-foot long, with new toys, 5,146 bikes and $323,092 in cash and gift cards. The beneficiary is nonprofit HELP of Southern Nevada. The 19th Annual Stuff-A-Bus, organized by iHeartMedia’s four Cape Cod stations, broke its own record, collecting 31,844 toys in front a local Toys ‘R Us store. That beat the 2013 total of 23,466. The 60-hour marathon to collect toys for the Marine Corps’ Toys For Tots program also enlisted local police and fire departments. The company’s stations in nearby Portsmouth and Manchester are doing their own Stuff-A-Bus campaign. It’s a similar program in Little Rock, where classic country “105.1 The Wolf” KMJX and country “Kissin’ 96 FM” KSSN filled three 18-wheelers with more than 20,000 toys for the Central Arkansas Toys For Tots program. The Little Rock stations say more than $24,000 was also raised, to be used by the Fraternal Order of Police to buy additional toys for the program. For its annual Stockings for Kids program, Jerry Lee’s AC “More FM” WBEB, Philadelphia turns to local schools, area businesses and community organizations to help fill holiday stockings. Eighteen years after launching the program in conjunction with The Salvation Army, WBEB now fills 20,000 stockings with toys each year. Holiday radiothons raise cash for children’s hospitals. Stuffing semis with toys isn’t the only way radio stations are helping the less fortunate this holiday season. Many stage radiothons to raise money for children suffering from debilitating diseases. To raise funds for Rady Children’s Hospital, CBS Radio AC KYXY, San Diego broadcast live from the hospital. The two-day broadcast featured patient stories, live interviews and insight about the facility and was the most successful radiothon in the station’s five year partnership with the hospital, raising more than $284,000. That took KYXY’s five-year total for the hospital to $1.38 million. Country sister “US 99.5” WUSN, Chicago raised $1,187,273 in its 24th Annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon. WUSN personalities broadcast live from a Best Buy store for 23 hours, encouraging listeners to donate. To date, WUSN has raised over $23.5 million through its annual radiothons for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. KASE-FM, iHeartMedia’s country station in Austin, conducted its first-ever Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon. For two days the station broadcast live to encourage donations from listeners, enticing them with the chance to win tickets to upcoming concerts and items signed by stars. Throughout the two-day event listeners also heard inspirational stories from kids undergoing treatment and care at the hospital. In Atlanta, listeners to ’s AC “Star 94” WSTR helped raise about $85,000 for Children’s Healthcare during the station’s annual 13-hour careathon. And in Milwaukee, iHeartMedia “Oldies 95.7” WRIT is hosting a radiothon to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The goal is to raise $15,000. Detroit radio to go dark in honor of Bill Burton. There will be :30-seconds of silence today on Detroit radio as stations up and down the dial honor the life and work of Detroit Radio Advertising Group president Bill Burton. He died Saturday at the age of 85. “It’s a true loss for all of us who knew Bill and a cause for reflection during this holiday season,” says Paul Jacobs, president of Detroit-based Jacobs Media. Burton, whose best known for his “Be Fabulous” catch phrase, was a consummate cheerleader for radio during his three decades in the business. Before joining the Detroit trade group in 1995, Burton was president of the then- independent Eastman Radio. In addition to the moment of silence today at 1pm, stations owned by CBS Radio, Cumulus Media, Greater Media, iHeartMedia, Radio One, and Salem Communications will also share a brief biography with listeners about Burton. “He was a great man, a great friend, he was fabulous,” Detroit broadcaster Art Vuolo says. “We will all miss him.” Vuolo has posted a video of a recent interview he did with Burton HERE.

Radio’s global Christmas card to the troops marks 15th anniversary. Randy Sherwyn’s 12-hour “Christmas Across the Lands” will mark its 15th year on the air as the show honors and entertains American military personnel stationed in the U.S. and around the globe. “Christmas Across the Lands” has become an annual signature event for troops stationed overseas and for ships at sea during the holiday season who can listen to the show on American Forces Network-Radio. “It’s certainly one we look forward to airing every year and I know our service-members and their families appreciate the excellent production, immortal stories and classic songs,” AFN Radio director Jef Reilly says. Sherwyn, who programs Beasley Broadcast Group AC “Sunny 106.3” WJPT, Ft. Myers-Naples, FL, updates the show each year, and this year there will be new interviews from artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Richard Marx and Chicago.

[email protected] | 800.275.2840 PG 4 CLASSIFIEDS insideradio.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2014 qual SALES MANAGER qualLOOKING FOR A MARKET MANAGER TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE CALIFORNIA Are you sick of corporate radio and want a piece of the action in a It’s warm and sunny dynamic market with proven stations? today in Southern Wilks Broadcasting is seeking a proven leader to run its Country California! Station - 92.1 The Wolf, Classic Rock - 100.9 The Bandit, and AAA Riverside/San Bernardino’s Station - 100.1 The X in Reno, Nevada. All Pro Broadcasting Alt Rock X1039 (KCXX) is looking for This position requires the ability to lead by example; desk jockeys need an aggressive, high energy not apply. Our Market Managers become our partners with real equity so sales leader with a proven you must be a dynamic leader, a consummate salesperson, love to make track record to lead our sales sales calls, have a strong work ethic, desire to build a great team, believe department. Must possess in honesty at all times, and be able to handle tough coaching. excellent organizational and time management skills along You must be a radio professional with experience as a with a “can do” attitude. Sales Manager, Director of Sales or Market Manager. Candidates must be self motivated, self disciplined, Note “Mkt Mgr” in the subject line when sending your a great communicator and resume and salary requirements to: [email protected]. E.O.E. a positive leader. Please contact VP/GM qual Bill McNulty at: GM - MATTOON.CHARLESTON, IL

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