April 18, 2014
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Top Story Kagan: Retrans fees are a small part of programming pie
Broadcaster retransmission consent fees currently total 8.9% of the amount pay-TV distributors spend on basic-cable and regional-sports programming and are slated to make up 12.6% of the fees by 2017, SNL Kagan is reporting. In contrast to claims by cablers blaming soaring programming expenses on retrans fees, the research firm identified other factors at play, including the cost of TV Everywhere and multiplatform arrangements; higher costs for sports and other cable programming; and new channel startups. Multichannel News (4/17) Share: Business & Industry Report Is FCC chief paying lip service with spectrum auction sitdown?
Broadcasters are questioning how Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler can give their concerns over the spectrum auction a real listen, given their meeting with him on Tuesday is only scheduled to last 30 minutes. The sitdown is the only such encounter slated before the FCC is expected to approve the auction rules on May 15. "We're surprised and disappointed that this is going to be the lone time we have to spend directly with him, and it will be after he has circulated his views [to FCC commission members]," said Rick Kaplan, NAB executive vice president. "It doesn't necessarily seem geared towards a real give and take on the substance of the issues." TVNewsCheck (free registration) (4/17) Share: Broadcasters question viability of repacking schedule
The Federal Communications Commission's proposed schedule for stations to repack their spectrum following the incentive auction could force some stations off the air, broadcasters say. The FCC wants to give stations 39 months to repack after the auction, with outlets that miss the deadline having to go dark temporarily. Stations that fail to finish the repacking within a year of going dark will have to give up their licenses. "Do we really believe it is in the best interest of the public to force stations off the air if for some reason they can't make the transition in that period of time?" asked Jay Adrick, consultant and former broadcast executive. TVNewsCheck (free registration) (4/17) Share: L&L, Alpha team to acquire Main Line Broadcasting
L&L Broadcasting and Alpha Broadcasting are joining forces and will acquire Main Line Broadcasting in a $57 million deal. The acquisition includes 19 outlets in Louisville, Ky.; Richmond, Va.; and two other markets. AllAccess.com (4/17) Share:
- Emmis CEO celebrates 2 New York station buys by ringing Nasdaq's closing bell
Radio World (4/17) Share:
- Aereo unveils website as part of PR blitz ahead of Supreme Court hearing
Adweek (4/17) Share:
Nearly 2 in 3 of radio audiences ages 18-64 consider the medium to be "mainly local," according to a report from Mark Kassof & Co. Just over half of those who view radio as being local said they would "listen less" should an outlet adopt national programming, while 31% said they would tune in more. Only the 18-24 segment has a higher proportion of audience members who would listen more if a local station added more national content. Radio Business Report (4/17) Share: Related Industry News Pandora is hit with copyright lawsuit by top labels
The three major music labels, Sony, Universal and Warner Music, joined by indie ABKCO, have filed a state lawsuit in New York against Pandora, alleging the music service is in violation of copyright law by playing material recorded before 1972 without their consent. "This case presents a classic attempt by Pandora to reap where it has not sown," according to the suit. A spokesperson for Pandora said the service believed it was using the songs legally and believed the matter would be resolved quickly. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (4/17) Share: People & Personalities Dan Dierdorf to make broadcast comeback for alma mater
Dan Dierdorf, who retired from the CBS Sports football squad in January, amid health and mobility issues, has set his return to broadcasting. Dierdorf has signed a three-year deal to serve as radio analyst for football games for his alma mater, the University of Michigan. He was an offensive tackle for the Wolverines and will share the booth with another ex-teammate, Jim Brandstatter, who is moving from analyst to calling the games. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (4/17) Share:
- Hank Williams recordings made at Iowa radio station to be released for first time
KCCI-TV (Des Moines, Iowa) (4/17) Share:
- Boston radio host Mistress Carrie will raise funds for military group by competing in Tough Ruck
Radio Ink (4/16) Share:
BIA/Kelsey projects digital ad spending will top 20% of an advertiser's total advertising budget later this year and more than 27% by 2017. Is your station ready to offer digital solutions? The NAB Virtual Academy for Radio: Delving Deep into Digital webcast series is a three-part, on-demand webcast series that delivers actionable content and digital solutions you can put to use right now. Read more. Share:
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