Bob Pittman, the head of iHeart Media, said this when announcing the company’s name change from Clear Channel Media + Entertainment. I can’t imagine former Clear Channel CEO Randy Michaels ever saying something like this. Ouch. It’s going on three years since the Federal Communication Commission (F.C.C.) announced plans for “AM Revitalization.” Then, late last year, the…
February 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. There are no planned celebrations. No parades. No planned parties. You’d think someone, somewhere would have popped open a bottle of Dom Perignon by now. But, nothing. Not even from those who lined their pockets and are clearly to blame for tearing the…
You know what they say, “If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Generally speaking this phrase, from America’s south, means a “family” looks to Momma to keep it organized and functioning. If someone gets out of line, Momma will not be pleased. For iHeart Media, two of their “Momma’s” are investment bank Goldman Sachs and a…
You can imagine my surprise last Friday night when the Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.) announced it was moving forward with its plan to help AM radio survive. “Ratchet Rule?” Marconi must have come up with that. Change it. Transmitters that decrease carrier levels when low or no audio is present to save electricity? Sign us…
AM radio, the senior broadcast band, no longer has the luxury of time to correct its problems, if those problems can be corrected at all. This week there’s an assembly of “radio people” in Atlanta. The annual NAB/RAB Fall Radio Show, where station owners get to have free drinks on the vendors gathered trying to…
I’m sure you’ve read the media trades where consultants and experts say listeners, viewers and readers want authenticity, they want “real.” The unbelievable claims of being “the best” or “the most” doesn’t cut it with media savvy consumers anymore. But, radio? It just keeps on keeping on, ignoring consumer needs, wants and demands and continues…
I’m in my mid 50’s and I used to laugh when people said it sucks getting old. It does! Stiffies aren’t as stiff. You’re up 5 and 6 times a night to pee. And “regular” is no longer “regular,” if you know what I mean. Spending time in the privacy of the privy gives one…
This past weekend I was at a very classy wedding. A wonderful venue in Covington, KY across the river from downtown Cincinnati. Beautifully decorated. Glowing chandeliers. Wonderful food and the bar open. The pinot grigio was excellent. Yes, I could have thrown back some Bud Light, but considering the location and guests, I thought I’d…
That’s what radio industry watchdog Jerry Del Colliano of Inside Music Media.com is reporting. With indigestion from Thanksgiving feasts just starting to wane, his latest blog is sure to cause more heartburn for thousands of people and their families. Let’s face it. It is what’s expected in the halls at Clear Channel iHeart Media offices across…
Last week Borrell Associates made their media predictions for 2024. That sounds like a long way off, but it’s just 10 years away. A few predictions were startling, because media is quickly transforming from an industry built on delivery platforms to one built on content creators. Or as the Borrell folks put it in their…
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