ISSUE NUMBER 423 THE INDUSTRY'S NEWSPAPER MARCH 12, 1982 "CONFLICT OF INTEREST" OUSTS O'DONNELL INSIDE R&R: Sony Sees Lengthy Continental Radio To Peterson Named Fold: A/C -Religious satellite AM Stereo Shakeout network decides early response is WBBM VP/GM In the wake of last week's six -to - FCC has a "lack of understand- insufficient 3 one FCC vote authorizing a mar- ing" of how the marketplace Gregg Peterson has been ap- O'Donnell's departure, but a CBS ketplace approach to AM stereo, works. While not saying what di- pointed VP/GM of CBS's WBBM/ Radio statement alleged that he Canadian Clear Channels Sony Corp. predicts the Commis- rection Sony will take, he said the Chicago, following the departure owned a 5% interest in a chemical Opened To U.S.: Canada sion's failure to pick a single sys- firm is "able, capable, and will- of Bill O'Donnell over a reported dumping company, Albura Inc., from North American withdraws tem "could result in a costly, long ing" to build any of the competing conflict of interest. Peterson had while airing editorials in favor of radio for pact and applications and drawn-out battle that is not in systems. But he added, "Nobody in been News Director at KNX/Los legislation that would have helped stations on seven channels are the consumer's best interest." the industry is able to manufac- Angeles; his replacement there is the company. According to the being accepted 4 As previewed last week in R&R, ture all five of the proposed for- Robert Sims. statement, CBS considered the the Commission declined to choose mats." CBS VP/AM situation a conflict of interest and WINS On Strike: New York one of the five competing systems, AM broadcasters, meanwhile, Stations Gene is continuing to investigate it. station's AFTRA personnel News fearing legal challenges to such a greeted the FCC's action as wel- Lothery told O'Donnell had been VP/GM at the walk; negotiations continue .... 3 decision could delay the introduc- come and long overdue news (see R&R, "With News station since 1967 barring AM by up to five Page 4). Although many would we have a two years at KNX from 1971-73. AOR From Upper tion of stereo Gregg have preferred that the FCC pick Peterson told R&R, "It's diffi- Management Perspective: years. The FCC staff expects sta- person who has a tions to be able to throw the AM one system, broadcasters seem long successful cult circumstances - I'm sorry it Sandusky Radio President Toney switch in about two months. eager to utilize stereo as a way of history in News : occurred in the manner that it did. Brooks offers thoughtful views on stereo Many believe the decisions of the helping boost the sagging listener- radio. We'll also Gregg Peterson It troubles me to come here under the format 22 receiver manufacturers, who ship of AM radio, which now com- have additional leadership. He'll the circumstances. I'm just settl- build nearly 40 million radios a mands only 42% of the market be a tremendous asset." ing in and getting an overall view year for the U.S. market, will ul- against FM. Lothery declined to comment on of what's happening at the radio timately dictate which AM stereo station. It's already very suc- system prevails. SWITCHES FROM COUNTRY cessful in terms of ratings and Sony Audio Products VP/Mar- revenue. It's a wonderful radio keting Roland Martin said the station and a tremendous city, a FIVE NEW VP'S KENR Tries New great personal and professional opportunity AT COMPANY "Magazine" Format Peterson also announced that KNX Executive News Producer Bob Wood KENR/Houston, a Country ra- scheduled for tomorrow's morn- Robert Sims replaces him as dio station for over 14 years, ing drive show, and we had 15 to- News Director. Sims told R&R, London Wavelength Promoted To switched to a new "Radio day. This is not just another for- "I'm delighted with the promotion Lands Unreleased Beatles Magazine of the Air" format Sun- mat. It's an experimental format and I'm looking forward to main- Material: 37 songs recorded Algonquin VP day (3-7). The new format, com- that has never been tried before." taining the kind of operation that for the BBC but never officially prising continuous short (up to KNX a leader in Bob Wood, PD of WBEN-AM & Williams said no staffers had has always made released to be spotlighted on two minutes) features called FM/Buffalo for almost five years, left, but several had been added. broadcast journalism." Memorial Day special 8 "pages," will be phased in slow- has been promoted to VP/Pro- ly, starting with the morning Afternoon personality Joe Ford gramming for parent company show. While the "Radio becomes morning host, with ac- Weed KMJM's Paul Drew Sets Up Algonquin Broadcasting. At the Magazine" is being expanded, tress Susan Cook handling fea- Operations Director Touring Seminars: Noted same time, the company pro- non -rock hits will be program- tures like "Hollywood Page," programmer will lead "Professional moted Jim Mc- med. "Lifestyle Page," and "Commun- Steve Weed has been appointed Programming Management" Laughlin to VP/ KENR VP/GM Bob Chandler ity Page." Astrologer Jeannie Operations Director at Urban meetings in cities across the News, Bob Rus- explained to R&R, "We've been Long and sportscaster Scott Reese Contemporary-formatted KMJM/ country 6 so VP/Sales, Country for a long time, we love have also joined the station. St. Louis. Weed had been serving Dave May VP/ Country and believe in Country, Chandler said the station would as a programming consultant to Engineering, and but we reached the point where it continue its affiliation with the the Amaturo-owned station, work- Groups Propose Lifting Tom Van Nert- appeared to us that the market ABC Information Network, Paul ing with VP/GM Barry Baker, 50kw Limit: NRBA, Clear wick VP & Con- was saturated." PD Jason Wil- Harvey's commentaries, Astros who made the new announcement. Channel Association believe move Bob Wood troller. liams, discussing the new format, baseball, and Rice University In his new position, Weed replaces would help fight Cuban said, "The magazine approach ap- football. He added, "We're going Fred Henderson, who recently interference 4 Algonquin President Larry Levite, in making the announce- pears to work on AM ... nothing to have a sweepstakes for the pur- became PD at sister station ment, stated, "These new titles longer than two minutes, one thing pose, obviously, of focusing atten- KMJQ/Houston (R&R 2-5). at- Will ADl's Displace and the responsibilities that go after another, a lot of action, a lot tion on this new format and to Amaturo Group Exec. VP Monte TSA's? The larger Area of WOOD/See Page 33 of people. We have 18 people tract people to sample it." WEED/See Page 33 Dominant Influence definition (made for TV) may become radio's standard - so preparation is called for 12 XTRA-Strength Coverage: Tijuana -based CHR station registers strongly in San Diego and Los Angeles 18 Paul Hughes Heads Viacom Broadcasting: New President supervises radio and TV holdings 3 George Hawras New PD WOR Celebrates 60th Anniversary At WYNF: Moves to Taft's Tampa AOR from chain's WOR/New York staged a spectacular celebration of its 60th anniversary at Carnegie Hall, featuring battalions of show business notables and even a few per- (l -r) WOR's Sherrye Henry and Jack O' Brien, Mutual's Larry King, WOR's George WGRQ/Buffalo 3 sonalities from competing stations. Pictured lining the front of the stage are Meade and Don Criqui; (center stage) actor John Rubinstein and WOR's Arlene Francis and John Gambling; (far right) station's Lou Adler, Joan Hamburg, a L and Joe Franklin. www.americanradiohistory.com EXCERPTS OF SON FROM THE FORTHCOMING l.6UM Le_. , .,R mu!Ac C' TSB! CA.RIiOL RECORDS !NC www.americanradiohistory.com Hawras Takes WYNF PD this week ... 3-12-82 Washington Report 4 Position What's New 6 George Hawras has been named Pro- gram Director of Taft's WYNF/Tampa, 8 Networks/Suppliers/Reps replacing Al Peterson, who joined AOR con- Videoscope/Music On TV ... 10 sultant Pollack Communications last week Ratings & Research 12 (R&R 3-5). Hawras had been PD at Taft's Street Talk 16 a WGRQ/Buffalo for KABC's Green Machine Gears Up For Ireland CHR: Joel Denver 18 the last two years The "Ken & Bob Company," KABC/Los Angeles's assemblage of personalities in the morning, AOR: Jeff Gelb 22 following a program- will celebrate their third St. Patrick's Day "Extravaganza" by broadcasting live from Dublin for five ming stint at (March 15-19), with numerous Irish celebrities on hand. Getting ready for the seasonal A/C: Jeff Green 26 days WZZO/Allentown. "Shamrock" format are (1-r, front) KABC's Wally Sherwin (PD), Bob Arthur, Ken Minyard, and Country: Carolyn Parks 30 WYNF GM Dave Waco Pat; (1-r, top) Ciji Ware, Elmer Dills, and Tommy Hawkins. Nashville: Biff Collie 32 Milner told R&R, Calendar: Brad Messer 33 "We really needed to Black Radio: Walt Love 34 find the best PD we could because of our Continental Radio To Shut Down Picture Pages ... 36, 38, 41, 45 competitive situation. Continental Radio Network, a division of ty only 13 stations affiliated to date. Pro- News/Talk: Gail Mitchell 39 George Hawras George, who comes the Christian Broadcasting Network of gramming began last September.