THIS WEEK IN MONITOR: Are Apple, Microsoft Interested In Universal Music Group? p. 3 How Country Radio Got The 'Picture' On Kid Rock p. 30 APRIL 18, 2003 We Listen To Radio VOLUME 11 NO. 16$6.95 More Between The Songs In NYC CONGRATULATIONS MARTINA For many programmers, it's a long -held belief that what goes between the songs is what sets a ON BEING THE ONLY ARTIST IN radio station apart. Now, several NewYork stations are again putting that hypothesis to the test. After months of speculation and three months GMT FLAMEWORTHY HISTORY TO WIN THE of stunting with an interim top 40 format, FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR AWARD! Infinity's WNEW New York finally made its long -anticipated switch to a musically broad adult - leaning top 40 format with entertainment ele- ments April 10, becoming 102.7 Blink. In this week's Airplay Monitor, top 40/AC editor Skip Dillard talks to Infinity Radio president of pro- gramming Andy Schuon about the development of the new format, its possible future in syndica- tion, and why the station is defying traditional pro- gramming wisdom by casting a musical net that ranges from Coldplay to Etta James to Salt-N-Pepa. There's also sample hours from the first days and pictures of the much talked -about launch party. But WNEW's new format is hardly the first attempt by a New York top 40 station to co -brand itself with artists and pop culture. Heritage top 40 WHTZ (Z100), whose own efforts in that arena go hark to the mid -'90s, has unveiled its new "Reality Radio" program, where artists from Kelly Osbourn to Sean Paul "take over" the radio station and spike some unusual music of their own. Clear Channel's Tom Poleman tells Dillard how it works and which artists have a carcer in radio if they want it. It all begins on page 4 of Airplay Monitor, radio's No. 1 choice for format and programming news. Post -Indies, CC Unveils New Structure Following Clear Channel's announcement that it would sever its ties with independent pro- moters, the company has unveiled its new "for- mat liaison" team, 12 of its existing program- mers who will "serve as the point of contact to connect artists and labels who wish to work with multiple Clear Channel Radio stations [and] enable them to access Clear Channel radio on a broader basis for promotions, marketing ini- tiatives, and group -wide contests." CC's move, a reversal of last October's stated intention to maintain its indie deals, touched off rumors that other groups would follow suit. But this week Infinity and Cumulus say their indie arrangements won't change, although some A powerful statement for a song that had to be heard.. and seen. smaller chains say they are now reviewing the sit- uation in light of CC's announcement. Full details of the liaison team begin on page 3. 2003 Female Video of the Year for "Concrete Angel" Meanwhile, Sean Ross looks at how this announcement is only one in a series of changes 2003 Video Director of the Year (Deaton Flanigen) fcr "Concrete Angel"thank.: since John Hogan's ascent to CC Radio COO last II year. Check out Ross on Radio on page 51. 204)3 ISMG Musicwww.rcanamlisille CMTF SAO. W.I. .4 s' 0, Ae. ,,00'' 040 .00 sv S;',6 A slat- . ele;"<sh'..46stir'Is 4. si'` S. VIN ft 11 414..44...211 V 416 V %OW1.1010 4.t, ..*.A4 ***** 4.0.,1/444.Nft4, . - V 11.AsV.,,,,,, . #14. .%1 .....4.4. 1/4 a.4. 1,01 . 0SOI1 i 'CC Mellor RADIOACTIVErir,.... -.....--: APRIL 18,2003 TiffSPIN. BY ANTHONY COLOMBO,WADE JESSEN, PATRICK McGOWAN & MINAL PATEL CC Taps Liaison Team To Replace Indies Following last week's surprise reversal on whether it would Most Formats Spinning Songs Faster hold on to its exclusivity deals with independent promoters, A few weeks ago, an adult top 40 PD wrote: "Have you ever done an article comparing the num- Clear Channel has unveiled a 12 -person "format liaison" team ber of spins relative to the times it takes to get a song into the top 20? The top 10? I'm looking at to "deal directly with artists and record labels" who want to the chart and seeing records pop into the top 20 with merely half the panel on them, averaging 14 spins per station. That doesn't sound like a top 20 record to me." "access Clear Channel Radio on a broader basis for promo- The PD's letter sent us back to five Airplay Marti:or-formats to look at the average spin count on a tions, marketing initiatives, and group -wide contests." But No. 1 record, as well as songs at the top 10 and top 20 benchmarks. What the table on page 5 shows despite rumors that CC's announcement would touch off is that most formats are indeed spinning their songs faster than they were in 1999which, com- similar changes at other groups, no other announcements bined with the fact that the Monitor panels have grown in most formats, usually means that you would had materialized at press time, six days later. need more spins to crack the top 20, since every record has a greater opportunity to be spun. But there are also some formats that have become slightly less aggressive during the past year or two. Clear Channel becomes the second group to Saga executive VP/group PD Steve Goldstein Mainstream top 40 is still spinning its powers an average of 60 times per week-five more times sever its indie ties, following a similar announce-says, "We'll stick with [our indie deals] through than the same week in 1999, though down from a peak of 66 times per station in 2002-sug- ment by Cox Radio last October. At that time, CC the end of our contracts and see how everything gesting that PDs are finally deciding that the format's current state is at least a little less durable. said that its indie anangements had "removed feels." Archway's Brian Krysz says that he has no Average spins per station for titles at No. 10 and No. 20 on the chart also peaked in 2002 but are the possibility of any implication of impropriety." plans to change his stations' relationships with currently still higher than they were in 1999. Now, COO John Hogan tells Billboard, "We take indies. Neither does Entercom, where Pat Pax- Continued on page 5 responsibility of these public licenses very, very ton tells Monitor, "We've always had safeguards in seriously and really heard the concerns that a place, and right now it's business as usual." number of legislators had expressed to us." At press time, a spokesperson for Radio One The new CC liaison team is Tom Poleman and said its principals were in group meetings and John Ivey (mainstream top 40), Jim Ryan (AC), unavailable for comment. The CC move is sig- AZ13111M Jim Richards and Brad Hardin (album/classic nificant for Radio One, since CEO Mary Cather- rock), Doc Wynter (R&B), Alan Sledge (country), ine Sneed told Monitor last year that indie deals lenner To Head Sony's U.S. Ops Michelle Santosuosso (rhythmic top 40), Mikewere "such a big revenue stream for other O'Conner (modern), Gabe Hobbs (N/T), Marty groups, I finally decided, 'If we don't do this, we As expected, Sony Music has named Colum- firmed that Apple Thompson (oldies), and Allen Keppler (jazz).are foolish.' " Citadel has also not responded to bia Records Group chairman Don leaner pres- Computer is in the Their duties will include "obtaining artists for sta- requests for comment on its indie deals. ide n t, heading up U.S. operations. He'll early stages of talks tion shows and endorsements" and "helping secure CC's initial announcement drew praise from report directly to Sony Music Entertainment with Vivendi Univer- artist showcases for CC product seminars and inte- Recording Industry Assn. of America chairman/ chairman/CEO Andrew Lack. In his new role, sal to acquire the grating label representatives and artists into meet- CEO Hilary Rosen, who saw the broadcaster "exer- lenner will oversee Sony's music entities. Universal Music ings themselves, creating greater and more mean- cising leadership in a positive direction." But it also EMI North America is launching a new cen- Group (UMG). An ingful dialogue," according to a CC memo. prompted skepticism from other critics, such as tralized radio promotion organization, the EMI April 11 story in the CC's initial March 9 announcement sparked Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., who said, "It is still Music Collective (EMC), headed by VP Kevin Los Angeles Times said rumors that other groups, most notably Infinity, essential we pass legislation to ensure that a replace- Carroll, previously VP of promotion for EMI's that Apple had not would follow suit. But while Infinity stations have ment 'pay for play' system does not emerge," and Angel/Blue Note/Manhattan Records. EMC will made any formal bid revenue -producing deals with independent pro- artist/Recording Artists' Ci)alition cofounder Don work artists from that group and the Astralwerks butisreviewing moters, spokesperson Dana McClintock notes that Henley, who says, "Simply eliminating the middle and S -Curve labels. It will also augment efforts UMG's books and his company's "open-door policy" differentiates it man doesn't solve the problem." for EMI Canada and EMI Christian Music Group could make an offer of between $5 billion and $6 from other groups' similar deals and says it will The CC announcement also led some industry artists, as well as for Narada and Higher Octave.