News on News - US Radio

'Luther Radio' to Launch on Sirius XM

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:51:51 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) has announced that it will launch "Luther Radio," featuring music from Vandross' 13 Gold and Platinum albums as well as rarities, archival concerts, and an archival interview with Vandross from 2003, celebrating what would have been Vandross' 61st birthday.

"Luther Radio" will launch on Friday, April 20, Vandross' birthday, at 12:00 pm ET and will run through Monday, April 23 on channel 48.

The limited-run channel will feature music spanning Vandross' Grammy® Award-winning catalog, special broadcasts of Vandross performing at Radio City Music Hall in 2003 and a performance for BBC Radio from 1988, which will be broadcast as part of SiriusXM's "Live from the BBC Vault" concert series. Additionally, "Luther Radio" will include special guest DJ sessions by Vandross' backup singers Fonzi Thornton and Lisa Fischer.

SiriusXM listeners will also hear an archival interview Vandross conducted in April, 2003, a week before he fell ill, with SiriusXM's B.J. Stone.

"Luther Radio" is the latest example of SiriusXM's original artist-branded channels dedicated to iconic musicians. In addition to its current lineup of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Radio, Elvis Radio and Radio Margaritaville, SiriusXM has previously offered channels such as "Paul McCartney's Band on the Run Radio," "Elton!," "The Who Channel," "Mandatory Metallica," "Paul McCartney's Fireman Radio," "Rolling Stones Radio," "AC/DC Radio," "Led Zeppelin Radio," "Miles Davis Radio," "The Spectrum of John Mellencamp," "Radio R.E.M.," "Coldplay Radio," "ABBA Radio," "Jay-Z Nation," "Garth Brooks Radio" and "Duran Duran's Red Carpet Radio."

ABC News Radio Taps TargetSpot to Deliver Digital Audio Ads as it Broadens its Digital Reach

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:16:26 +0000

ABC News Radio, America’s largest commercial radio news organization, and TargetSpot, the largest digital audio advertising network, have announced they are teaming up to deliver online advertising on ABC News audio content.

This new alliance leverages the award-winning reporting of ABC News across multiple audio distribution networks.

“Our digital reach is growing substantially and joining forces with TargetSpot is the next step in aligning our premium content with advertiser demand,” said Steve Jones, General Manager and Vice President of ABC News Radio. ”This new relationship gives advertisers the opportunity to sponsor audio versions of Good Morning America, Nightline, World News with Diane Sawyer along with our comprehensive coverage of news and entertainment.”

TargetSpot will deliver in-stream audio, video and display ads within ABC News Radio content, which consumers can access via computer and mobile devices. Using the TargetSpot network, advertisers are able to target listeners based upon a variety of factors including personal listening preferences, time of day and geography, down to the zip code level. Additionally, advertisers will be able to leverage custom offerings based on ABC News Radio’s broad stable of highly credible content and talent.

ABC News Radio is America’s largest radio news organization, delivering daily newscasts and breaking news coverage to more than 1,800 terrestrial affiliates nationwide and reaching more than 77 million people each week, as well as 60 million digital users through its alliances with Slacker and AOL Radio.

“This is a unique opportunity for brands, as we can customize advertising opportunities to include ABC’s well-respected and recognizable news personalities and properties,” said Eyal Goldwerger, CEO of TargetSpot. “We look forward to working with ABC News to power ads across their digital radio properties, and to helping them grow their listenership — as well as to helping advertisers connect with their audiences, wherever they are listening.”

SiriusXM's Town Hall with Gregg Allman to Air Live on May 3rd

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:46:19 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that Gregg Allman, founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, will sit down for a rare Q&A session with a select group of SiriusXM listeners at the SiriusXM studios in New York City.

"SiriusXM's Town Hall with Gregg Allman" will air live on Deep Tracks, channel 27, on Thursday, May 3 at 2:00 pm ET. The special is part of SiriusXM's "Town Hall" series, intimate gatherings with iconic musicians and studio audiences of SiriusXM listeners. Previous "SiriusXM Town Hall" specials have featured Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Coldplay, Ringo Starr, Renee Fleming and the surviving members of Nirvana.

Moderated by SiriusXM host Meg Griffin, the "SiriusXM Town Hall with Gregg Allman" will feature the rock icon answering questions about his life and his legendary career; all chronicled in his new book My Cross to Bear.

"I'm very thankful for all the support SiriusXM gives me and my band every year and it's always great to meet my fans, so I'm looking forward to doing this Q&A," said Gregg Allman.

"We are excited to offer Gregg Allman a special platform where fans can ask him questions and talk with him about his legendary musical career, that continues today," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. "Few artists have so much great rock history and music connected to them; it is an honor to include him in our series that brings music icons and superstars directly to fans and our listeners."

Gregg Allman's new book, My Cross to Bear, is scheduled to be released on May 1.

Deep Tracks plays deep cuts from classic rock legends. Listeners will hear Bob Dylan, The Allman Brothers Band, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Led Zeppelin, Beatles and Solos (John, Paul, George, Ringo), Rolling Stones, The Who, Steely Dan, Kinks and Steve Miller Band.

Parents Magazine Launches Limited-Run "Parents Radio" Series on SiriusXM

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:41:04 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) and Parents magazine have announced the launch of "Parents Radio," a limited-run six week series featuring top editors from Parents as well as a wide range of experts discussing thought-provoking parenting news, tackling common parenthood problems and offering expert advice on health, child behavior and family relationships.

The show will include calls from parents across the country and listeners can also ask questions interactively via Facebook and Twitter.

"Parents Radio" will launch Saturday, April 14 at 10:00 am ET and air every Saturday through May 19 from 10:00 - 11:00 am ET on SiriusXM Stars channel 107.

Each week Parents Editor-in-Chief Dana Points and Deputy Editor Diane Debrovner will be joined by fellow mom, host and radio veteran Wesley Weissberg. Together, the three hosts have six kids worth of parenting experience to share via hilarious stories, honest and entertaining commiserating and "it worked for me" advice. Many of the show's topics will come directly from the pages of Parents, which reaches 15 million readers each month and another 4.5 million unique monthly visitors via Parents.com.

The hosts will be joined by leading doctors, authors, psychologists and bloggers to discuss everything from eating healthy as a family to avoiding baby-naming regret. Expert guests will include Dr. Michael Thompson, bestselling author of Raising Cain, Jenny Rosenstrach, food blogger and author of Dinner: A Love Story and Pamela Redmond Satran, baby naming expert behind the popular website Nameberry.

"We are thrilled to bring the Parents brand to life on SiriusXM and expand the real-time discussion with our audience that is already vigorous on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest," says Carey Witmer, Executive Vice President, President, Meredith Parents Network. "Listeners will be able to connect with our editors and guest experts to discuss the day's hottest parenthood topics, ask questions and offer their own mom-to-mom solutions. Millennial moms expect to access a brand on all platforms, and 'Parents Radio' is another opportunity for us to engage and inspire them with trusted content wherever they go."

"We are very excited to bring the invaluable information and expertise from Parents magazine directly to our listeners," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. "Just in time for Mother's Day, the experts of 'Parents Radio' will share authoritative, candid, helpful and entertaining dialogue with parents across the country."

SiriusXM to Stream NHL Games on SiriusXM App and Online for First Time

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:15:31 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) has announced an agreement with the National Hockey League to stream live radio broadcasts of NHL games on smartphones, mobile devices and online for SiriusXM subscribers nationwide.

Starting with this season's Stanley Cup Playoffs, which begin tonight, SiriusXM satellite radio subscribers will have access to live broadcasts of NHL games through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App and online at SiriusXM.com. Throughout next season and beyond, SiriusXM will stream all 1,230 NHL regular season games, the NHL All-Star Game and every postseason game to subscribers. Channel assignments for games can be found at www.siriusxm.com/nhlschedule.

"We're very pleased to be able to deliver our subscribers every NHL game through the SiriusXM App and online in time for the playoffs," said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM's President and Chief Content Officer. "Our relationship with the NHL has enabled us to provide hockey fans with exceptional access to their favorite teams and everything happening around the league through their satellite radios. With fans now complementing their satellite radios with their handheld devices as a way to connect with their sport day to day as well, it is important to stream that unmatched content and give SiriusXM subscribers additional ways to access it."

"Stanley Cup Playoff hockey features the most intense and dramatic action in sports, and now our fans can connect to every exciting second on their smartphones, mobile devices or online through the SiriusXM App and SiriusXM.com," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "This represents another great step forward for the NHL and SiriusXM subscribers everywhere."

SiriusXM now offers subscribers live play by play – with no blackouts - from the NHL, NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR, Formula 1 and English Premier League soccer on the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other mobile devices and online at SiriusXM.com.

In addition to live NHL games, SiriusXM offers the 24/7 hockey talk radio channel, NHL® Home Ice (channel 92 on XM and channel 207 on Sirius Premier) with live play-by-play, plus hockey talk, news and analysis 365 days a year. NHL Home Ice features the live weekly show, NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman Thursdays (6:00 pm ET) throughout the season.

SiriusXM Presents Live Town Hall Event with Cardinal Timothy Dolan on May 8

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:30:29 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) has announced that Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will sit down for a Q&A broadcast with an audience of SiriusXM listeners and guests at the SiriusXM studios in Manhattan.

"SiriusXM's Town Hall with Cardinal Dolan," a two-hour broadcast event, will air live nationwide on The Catholic Channel (SiriusXM channel 129) on Tuesday, May 8 (6:00-8:00 pm ET). The special will be moderated by Catholic Channel program director Father Jonathan Morris and Tim Farley, program director and host on SiriusXM's P.O.T.U.S, the 24/7 non-partisan channel dedicated to "The Politics of the United States." Cardinal Dolan, Fr. Jonathan and Farley will discuss a variety of topics - including religion, politics and current events - before opening it up to the SiriusXM subscribers in the audience who will have the opportunity to ask the Cardinal their questions live on air.

The event is part of SiriusXM's "Town Hall" series, an intimate gathering with an iconic figure and an audience of SiriusXM listeners. Previous "SiriusXM Town Hall" specials have featured Bruce Springsteen, Coach K, Tom Petty and Coldplay.

"I am looking forward to being with SiriusXM listeners and a live audience for this Town Hall," said Cardinal Dolan. "SiriusXM and The Catholic Channel have allowed me to connect with Catholics – and people of all faiths – from across the United States and Canada. This Town Hall will give me the opportunity to spend time with listeners, and talk to them about what's most on their minds."

"We are honored and proud to have Cardinal Dolan as part of our Town Hall series, where our subscribers can get close to some of the world's most intriguing people," said Mel Karmazin, Chief Executive Officer, SiriusXM. "Cardinal Dolan's engaging, open, and often entertaining, personality will provide a unique experience for all of our listeners."

Cardinal Dolan can be heard every week on SiriusXM hosting his talk show, Conversation with Cardinal Dolan, (Thursdays at 12:00 pm ET) on The Catholic Channel. On the program, Cardinal Dolan interviews special guests and addresses a variety of topics from current events to faith, entertainment, literature and sports. The show replays several times throughout the week. Produced by the Archdiocese of New York and SiriusXM, The Catholic Channel airs nationally 7 days a week/24 hours a day, offering listeners contemporary talk hosted by members of the clergy and distinguished laity from across America.

SiriusXM's Town Hall with Renee Fleming to Air Live on April 12th

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:22:25 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) has announced that soprano Renee Fleming will sit down for a rare Q&A session, hosted by Peabody and Edward R. Murrow award-winning SiriusXM host Bob Edwards, with a select group of SiriusXM listeners at the SiriusXM studios in New York City.

"SiriusXM's Town Hall with Renee Fleming" will air live on Symphony Hall, channel 76, on Thursday, April 12 at 6:00 pm ET. The special is part of SiriusXM's "Town Hall" series, intimate gatherings with iconic musicians and studio audiences of SiriusXM listeners. Previous "SiriusXM Town Hall" specials have featured Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Coldplay, Ringo Starr and the surviving members of Nirvana.

Hosted by Edwards, the "SiriusXM Town Hall with Renee Fleming" will feature the iconic American soprano answering questions from the studio audience.

"I'm excited about this opportunity, both to interact with listeners who know my work, and to share music I love with people who may be new to the genre," said Renee Fleming.

"Renee Fleming is an American treasure and we are excited to present her in a forum that is rare for her and her fans," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. "We are looking forward to celebrating her number one record and welcoming her as the first classical superstar to join the illustrious ranks of those who have participated in our Town Hall series."

Soprano Renee Fleming recently released Poemes, an album of 20th century French vocal masterpieces, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Classical Album Chart. Poemes is her first solo album of classic repertoire since 2009's Grammy Award®-winning Verismo.

Edwards is the host of The Bob Edwards Show on SiriusXM Public Radio.

Symphony Hall plays classical music by top orchestras, chamber music ensembles and instrumental soloists. Listeners will hear Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Copland, Gershwin, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Haydn, Corelli, Vivaldi, John Adams, Joshua Bell, Leonard Bernstein, Alfred Brendel, Simone Dinnerstein, Sir Simon Rattle, Richard Egarr and Musica Antiqua of Cologne.

20.6 Million Radio Listeners Tune Into The NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:47:23 +0000

Dial Global (NASDAQ: DIAL) has announced that 20.6 million people tuned in to hear the radio broadcast of The NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four.

The games took place on Saturday, March 31 and Monday, April 2, 2012 in New Orleans and aired on 512 radio stations nationally. Dial Global commissioned the study from Edison Research, designed to accurately measure the number of people that tuned in to hear the radio broadcast of one of America's most popular sporting events, the Final Four, and make this information available within two days of the event's conclusion.

The national survey was conducted via live telephone interviews on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, following the University of Kentucky Wildcats' victory over the University of Kansas Jayhawks.

"We are pleased that our previous research findings still hold true, people desire play-by-play sports on radio in a big way," said David Landau, Co-President CEO of Dial Global. "Dial Global is proud to connect with fans nationwide through the greatest moments from America's most popular sporting events."

Dial Global commissioned the Final Four study following the results of their initial research during Super Bowl XLVI and the AFC-NFC Championship games earlier this year which drew audiences of 23.1 and 22.9 million respectively.

Dial Global is the network radio home to some of the biggest, most widely-followed sports in America including: NFL Football, NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball and The Final Four, The Masters Tournament, MRN/NASCAR Radio and the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London.

SiriusXM Becomes the Official Internet Radio Partner of MLB.com

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:45:09 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) has announced a multi-year agreement with MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, to stream live radio broadcasts of every Major League Baseball game on smartphones, mobile devices and online for SiriusXM subscribers nationwide.

With this agreement, SiriusXM becomes the Official Internet Radio Partner of MLB.com.

Available immediately, SiriusXM subscribers can listen to live broadcasts of every MLB game through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App and online at siriusxm.com. Listeners get all regular season games, the All-Star Game and every Postseason game. Spring Training games will be available starting next year. Select Spanish-language broadcasts are also available.

MLB games will continue to be available on satellite radios for XM subscribers. Listeners can find channel assignments for games at www.siriusxm.com/mlbschedule.

"We're thrilled to be able to deliver every MLB game to all of our SiriusXM subscribers," said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM's President and Chief Content Officer. "Throughout the sport's history, fans have connected with America's pastime through radio calls. With those broadcasts now available on SiriusXM Internet Radio, coupled with the satellite radio broadcasts on XM, SiriusXM subscribers across the country have the most extensive audio listening experience with which to follow any MLB team from their cars, homes or anywhere."

"SiriusXM has been a valuable partner in connecting its subscribers with the tradition of baseball on the radio and this agreement adds an important distribution platform, alongside our own products including Gameday Audio and At Bat, for fans to enjoy listening to the radio broadcasts of Major League Baseball games via the Internet," said Kenny Gersh, Senior Vice President, Business Development, MLBAM.

SiriusXM and NASCAR to Broadcast Races Online and on SiriusXM App

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:36:42 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) and NASCAR have announced an agreement to simulcast the programming on the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel in its entirety – which includes live broadcasts of every national series race, plus daily NASCAR talk – online for SiriusXM subscribers nationwide.

Starting with this weekend's races in Fontana, CA (March 24-25), subscribers who have SiriusXM Internet Radio access can listen to live broadcasts of every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on the SiriusXM NASCAR radio channel through their computers at siriusxm.com and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphone and wireless devices.

SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90, is available to Sirius subscribers, XM Premier (formerly known as "The Best of Sirius") and SiriusXM Premier subscribers.

SiriusXM NASCAR Radio is the only radio channel dedicated to NASCAR racing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The channel's daily talk programming will begin simulcasting online on Thursday, March 22. Throughout the season, NASCAR fans get a daily lineup of call-in talk shows that feature up-to-the-moment news, expert analysis and interviews with the biggest names in the sport, plus specials hosted by three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart.

"Extending our broadcasting agreement with SiriusXM was a big offseason move for the sport," said Brian France, Chairman and CEO of NASCAR. "A dedicated NASCAR channel is important for our teams, tracks, drivers and sponsors and is crucial for fan engagement and audience growth. Being able to simulcast SiriusXM NASCAR Radio online to subscribers nationwide will allow us additional opportunities to take our product to new fans in new places."

"SiriusXM NASCAR Radio has become a part of many NASCAR fans' daily lives and with so many fans now connecting to their sport through handheld devices, we want to give them an easy way to access the sport they love online and in mobile settings," said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM's President and Chief Content Officer. "NASCAR is an excellent partner and its programming continues to be a key element in the SiriusXM lineup. We're very pleased to now deliver to our subscribers live coverage of every race broadcast, plus our unparalleled daily talk and analysis, through their computers and mobile devices in addition to their satellite radios."

SiriusXM and NASCAR recently agreed to a five-year extension of their satellite broadcasting agreement. SiriusXM will continue to broadcast every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race live nationwide through 2016. Listeners also get daily NASCAR talk and expert analysis 365 days a year on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

Tiesto's Club Life Radio Channel to Launch from Miami Music Week on SiriusXM

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:54:51 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that Tiesto's Club Life Radio channel will officially launch from the Ultra Music Festival in Miami on Friday, March 23.

The 24/7 commercial-free channel, featuring music created and curated by electronic dance music superstar DJ and producer Tiesto, will launch with an event during Miami Music Week: Tiesto spinning live on air for SiriusXM listeners at the SiriusXM Music Lounge. The special will also feature sets by artists on Tiesto's Musical Freedom Label, including Dada Life and Tommy Trash.

The special will air live beginning at 2:00 pm ET on Tiesto's Club Life Radio; and will also air live on Electric Area, channel 52.

"I'm really excited to be launching Club Life Radio with SiriusXM," said Tiesto. "They are the perfect partners and it will be an awesome way to showcase the incredible artists on my own label, Musical Freedom, play new material of my own as well as other music that I'm really passionate about."

"With the launch of Tiesto's Club Life Radio, we are confirming our role as a leader in dance music," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. "Tiesto has long been on the cutting edge of the dance music culture, and we're thrilled to offer him a platform to bring his unique artistic vision to SiriusXM listeners."

In addition to coverage on Tiesto's Club Life Radio, SiriusXM's Electric Area and BPM, channel 51, will host five days of live broadcasts featuring performances, DJ sets and interviews with the world's most popular DJs, producers and international dance music artists from Miami's largest gathering of electronic music fans.

SiriusXM will broadcast performances live from the Ultra Music Festival featuring Avicii, Benny Benassi, Carl Cox, Dirty South, Fatboy Slim, Martin Solveig, Pretty Lights, Miike Snow, Porter Robinson, Bloody Beetroots, Sven Vath, and more; plus Armin van Buuren's A State of Trance 550 celebration on Sunday, including Armin van Buuren, Sander van Doorn, Cosmic Gate, Dash Berlin, Ferry Corsten, Gareth Emery, Tritonal and more.

Electric Area will feature DJ sets and interviews live from the 6th annual SiriusXM Music Lounge from Thursday, March 22 through Saturday, March 24. SiriusXM listeners will hear special guest DJ sessions with Hardwell, Sander van Doorn, LA Riots, R3hab, Gabriel & Dresden and other special guests, as well as interviews with renowned electronic dance music artists.

Tiesto's Club Life Radio will be available in the Dance/Electronic category through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and mobile devices, and by satellite on channel 340 on the new SiriusXM Lynx and SiriusXM Edge radios.

The exclusive channel, created by Tiesto, will feature a variety of electronic dance music including progressive, electro, trance, tech and house hand selected by the world-renowned DJ and producer. Other superstar and up and coming DJs will also appear on the channel, including Angger Dimas, Avicii, Bart B More, Bassjackers, BT, Calvin Harris, Dada Life, Deadmau5, Diplo, Hardwell, Kaskade, Laidback Luke, Marcel Woods, Nicky Romero, Porter Robinson, Quintino, R3hab, Robbie Rivera, Sandro Silva, Tiesto, Tommy Trash, Wolfgang Gartner and more.

Electric Area plays electronic dance music, house, trance, electro and progressive music along with shows from the world's top DJs, including Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Avicii, Skrillex, Fedde le Grand, Afrojack, Laidback Luke, Sander van Doorn, Hardwell, Steve Aoki, Ferry Corsten, Markus Schulz, Paul Oakenfold, Benny Benassi, Above & Beyond and more. Listeners will hear Tiesto, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Sander van Doorn, Avicii/Tim Berg, Above & Beyond, Eric Prydz, Swedish House Mafia, Wolfgang Gartner and Deadmau5.

National Latino Broadcasting Launches Cristina Radio on SiriusXM Channel 146

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:59:48 +0000

National Latino Broadcasting, LLC. (NLB) has announced that Cristina Radio will officially go on the air Thursday, January 12, 2012.

The channel, which has been built around talk show icon Cristina Saralegui and whose main target will be the multi-generational US Hispanic, is part of a two-channel agreement with Sirius XM Radio.

In May 2011, NLB signed the media mogul to an exclusive radio contract which opens a new phase in her career and marks her satellite radio debut. Cristina Radio will benefit from her extraordinary on-air personality, and her unique vision and experience will shape the programming's overall look and feel. Saralegui's distinguished career and entrepreneurial initiatives have made her a household name. Her ground-breaking program, El Show de Cristina, (The Cristina Show), still remains the most successful Spanish-language talk show in television history. Last October, Saralegui made her much-anticipated return to television with Pa'lante con Cristina, a two-hour weekly variety/talk show airing Sunday nights at 7:00 pm ET on Telemundo.

"During her illustrious career spanning broadcast and print, Cristina has made history and has made giant strides for Hispanics worldwide," said Nelson Albareda, President and CEO of NLB. "I have no doubt that her latest endeavor will prove just as successful. Cristina Radio on SiriusXM channel 146 will not only have a very positive impact on media in this country but, more importantly, will help our communities in a very significant way through compelling and topical programming."

Cristina Radio, which will air on SiriusXM channel 146, will offer listeners a wide variety of programming 24/7. Its programming roster includes: an innovative interactive morning talk show; CUERPO Y FIGURA, nutrition and fitness; DR. MARITZA FUENTES...CONTIGO, health news; QUERER ES PODER, personal motivation; ANIMANIA, for pet lovers; RUMBO AL EXITO, stimulating business growth; AUTOS 0-60, automobiles; AL GUSTO, cooking; ACCESO LEGAL, legal advice; and CRISTINA ENTRE AMIGOS, a weekly one-hour live broadcast hosted by Cristina herself addressing social issues. Cristina Radio is also developing several programs that will cover political issues, current events and lifestyle choices.

"I'm thrilled about launching Cristina Radio on SiriusXM. I look forward to creating programming that will entertain, inform and uplift. As for my weekly one-hour live broadcast, Cristina Entre Amigos, I'm excited to be able to talk with listeners about the issues that affect us all in what I hope will be a fun and informative manner," said Cristina Saralegui.

In April 2011, NLB was selected by Sirius XM Radio to lease two channels on a long-term basis to air on each of the Sirius and XM satellite radio platforms. Cristina Radio is the second channel from the media entity on SiriusXM; En Vivo, a music channel featuring a mix of top-charting Latin hits and live performances, will also launch this week.

Through its family of channels, NLB will offer listeners a wide array of 24/7 programming on a variety of subjects that include news, entertainment, music, and political issues. Its unique platform of relevant and innovative topics will offer SiriusXM listeners inspirational and compelling information daily, fulfilling a niche which has remained untapped in satellite radio until now.

HDRadio Receiver Manufacturers and Retailers Poised for a Big Year

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:37:36 +0000

iBiquity Digital, the developer of HD Radio Technology, said today that the 2012 International CES Show will kick off a big year for the manufacturers and retailers of HD Radio receiver products, emphasizing the momentum the Technology has gained.

HD Radio Technology is moving quickly into the mainstream of consumer electronics as OEM Auto makers increase their commitments, CE brands launch products at mass market price points and HD Radio Advanced Features enhance the radio listening experience.

Robert Struble, President and CEO of iBiquity stated that "As we head into 2012, all indicators point to a great year for HD Radio Technology. Broadcast radio continues to increase its listening audience, 22 OEM Automobile Brands are building HD Radio receivers into their cars, more than 60 new HD Radio Consumer Electronics products are launching at CES, exciting new advanced HD Radio features are being widely adopted and we forecast the first HD Radio handsets in 2012. HD Radio product manufacturers and their automotive and retail partners are poised for a big year."

On the eve of the 2012 CES Show, iBiquity highlighted momentum across all HD Radio product segments which will drive sales growth this year.

22 OEM Automobile Brands Now Committed

Radio listening, which is fundamental to the driving experience, has been broadly upgraded by HD Radio Technology, particularly through new programming being introduced via HD2/HD3 Channels. With nearly all automakers now offering HD Radio Technology – many standard on all vehicles – awareness, interest and demand for products that feature the Technology is increasing.

"We are past critical mass in the OEM Auto segment," said Jeff Jury, Chief Operating Officer at iBiquity. "We are seeing millions of vehicles each year roll off lots and sales volumes are more than doubling every year. Manufacturers such as BMW, Volvo and Scion have made HD Radio receivers standard on all their vehicles. And car makers have increased availability of exciting new advanced features such as iTunes Tagging and Artist Experience."

As more automakers provide HD Radio Technology, this digital pipeline to the automobile is being utilized to deliver telematics services such as real-time traffic and other instant information. "We see real momentum in this area," said Jury, "our technology is not just delivering audio entertainment, but a full suite of infotainment to new digital dashboards."

More Than 60 New CE Products Introduced. Cellular Handsets Anticipated.

CE product manufacturers have significantly expanded their lineups and several brands are announcing new HD Radio entries at CES this year, many at high volume price points.

More than 60 new HD Radio receivers will be on display at the HD Radio booth in the Central Hall. New products from major brands Alpine, Acoustic Research, Audiovox, Clarion, Denon, JVC, Kenwood, Insignia, Marantz, Pioneer and others will be unveiled.

New accessible price points, including the first nationally distributed $49 table radio, new portable HD Radio players, new personal navigation devices and auto aftermarket radios will be featured at the HD Radio booth.

Also on display at the booth will be cellular handsets with built-in HD Radio Technology. These models will feature the HD Radio app that has been specifically designed to enhance interaction and consumers appeal. iBiquity anticipates the first production ready cellular handsets during 2012.

Advanced Features Differentiate The Radio Experience

Exciting new advanced HD Radio features will highlight the HD Radio booth, including:

The JVC KW-NT800HDT and the KW-NT500HDT, the first products to feature nine separate advanced features, including Instant Info
The first HD Radio receiver to display local radio station Channel Guides
The first radio receiver to display QR Codes tied to over the air content
The second Garmin Personal Navigation Device to feature HD Digital Traffic, the Nuvi 3590 LMT
Dozens of models that enable Artist Experience and iTunes Tagging

Talk Radio News Service to Air Extensive New Hampshire Primary Coverage

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:39:25 +0000

New England's top radio stations and the nation's biggest syndicated radio show hosts will gather in Manchester to interview Republican presidential candidates, political pundits and celebrities during the New Hampshire primary.

The New Hampshire Primary Radio Row will take place in the Manchester Radisson from 5:00am to midnight January 7 through January 10, 2012. This live broadcast event is organized by Talkers Magazine and Talk Radio News Service, with Granite sponsorship from the New Hampshire Energy Forum; support from primary radio sponsor WTKK-FM of Boston; and sponsorships from Autofair, Rivier College and Jack Heath of WTPL 107.7 FM, Hillsboro, NH.

"Talkers and Talk Radio News Service are proud to partner with the New Hampshire Energy Forum and Boston powerhouse WTKK to bring together the best Presidential primary radio row we've ever seen. In 2000, 2004 and 2008, more than 20 hosts aired live interviews with candidates, surrogates and other political leaders during the event. With over 30 shows confirmed to date, 2012 will prove to be the largest radio row we've organized," said Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers magazine.

New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts hosts will be represented in full force, including Ken Pittman and Phil Paleologos of WBSM 1420AM, Fairhaven, MA; Richard Girard of WGAM 1250AM, Manchester, NH; Paul Westcott of WGIR 610AM, Manchester, NH; Dan Mitchell of WKBK 1290AM, Keene, NH; George Russell of WSMN 1590AM, Nashua, NH; Jim Braude, Margery Eagen, Mark Johnson of WDEV 550 AM of Waterbury, VT; Steve West of WKVT 1790 AM of Brattleboro, VT; Doug Meehan and Michael Graham of WTKK 96.9FM, Boston; John Harper of WUVR 1490AM, Dartmouth, NH; Tony Lopes of WVBF 1530AM, Taunton, MA; and Jeff Santos of WWZN 1500AM, Boston.

Nationally syndicated hosts will include Neal Boortz; Kate Delaney, Steve Gill, Thom Hartmann, Carole Marks, Michael Skoda, Roger Hedgecock, Gina Loudon, Ed Morrissey, Warren Ballantine, Alan Nathan, Mike Siegel, the Rev. Al Sharpton, the National Rifle Association News program, the John Gambling Show, as well all the stations of the Talk Radio News Service.

Also transmitting from the event are a list of hosts including Stephen K. Bannon of KABC 790AM, Los Angeles; Mark Bernier of WNDB 1150AM, Daytona Beach, FL; Michael Berry of KTHR 740AM, Houston, TX; Lee Davis of WYDE 101.1FM, Birmingham, AL; Scott Hennen of KNOX 1310AM, Grand Forks, ND; Mark Skoda of WMPS 1210AM, Memphis, TN and Lisa Wexler of WFAS 1230AM, Westchester, NY, among others.

"2012 is shaping up to be the most interesting Presidential race I've seen in years, and we're glad to bring together some of the biggest names in radio to cover it. This is our third New Hampshire primary radio row and it certainly looks like it will raise the bar for future primary broadcast events," said Ellen Ratner, Washington Bureau Chief for Talk Radio News Service.

Described by Business Week magazine as "The Bible of Talk Radio," TALKERS Magazine serves the cutting edge of the "New Talk Media." which includes talk radio, talk on the Internet, and cable television. The Talk Radio News Service is the only information news service dedicated to serve the talk radio community with a Washington office and staffed bureaus at the White House, Capitol Hill and the Pentagon.

SBS Los Angeles Promotes Zev Levy To Director of Sales

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:14:58 +0000

Spanish Broadcasting System Inc. (Nasdaq: SBSA) has announced the promotion of Zev Levy to Director of Sales of SBS Los Angeles.

In this new role, Zev will oversee all aspects of the KLAX 97.9FM "La Raza" and KXOL 96.3FM "Latino" consolidated sales effort including SBS Interactive and SBS Entertainment for the Los Angeles cluster. This will include being responsible for the Sales Department's planning, organizational and marketing strategies while coordinating and overseeing local and national sales representatives.

"We are thrilled to have Zev Levy as part of SBS' management team," said Albert Rodriguez, Chief Revenue Officer of SBS's Consolidated Operations, Executive Vice President and General Manager of MegaTV. "His experience and reputation in the industry is a valuable asset to the stations. Zev's commitment to SBS' Los Angeles market highlights the growing importance of the Hispanic community that we serve. We are confident that he will be a valuable contributor to the future success of SBS LA for years to come."

"Zev has been with SBS for over three years with a proven record of success and we are excited to have him lead in this new capacity," stated Eric Osuna, VP of Sales of SBS Los Angeles.

"I'm confident that we have a truly outstanding management team helping to oversee the continued growth of our properties, and I am humbled to play such an important role in fulfilling each station's full potential for the benefit of our listeners, advertisers and community. With SBS' vision, enthusiasm and products, I am extremely excited to build on the station's strengths and the ability to continue working with one of the best teams in the market," said Mr. Levy.

Levy was previously General Sales Manager for KLAX 97.9FM "La Raza" and KXOL 96.3FM "Latino." Prior to joining SBS Los Angeles, he was the Associate Director of Client Development and Parnertship Marketing for ImpreMedia in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Levy served six years as one of the top sales and marketing consultants for Univision's KLVE station. In his former position, Levy was responsible for maximizing growth and revenue share from many key corporate accounts, while aggressively pursuing new business partnerships. Prior to his move into radio, Levy spent four years as a National Account Executive at ImpreMedia's Los Angeles property, La Opinion newspaper, where he generated the highest revenue for the company from 1998 through 2000.

Zev Levy is a graduate of California State University, Dominguez Hills with a BA degree in Psychology, and a minor in Business.

SiriusXM Adds Approximately 1,700,000 Net Subscribers in 2011

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:21:09 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) has announced that it ended the year with nearly 21.9 million subscribers, reporting approximately 540,000 net new subscribers in the fourth quarter and approximately 1,700,000 for the full year 2011.

"Based on preliminary subscriber data, we are very pleased to announce that SiriusXM exceeded its subscriber guidance for the year. Our subscriber growth accelerated in 2011 as net additions grew approximately 20%, delivering our best year for net additions since the merger and demonstrating the strong continuing demand for our unmatched audio content," said Mel Karmazin, Chief Executive Officer, SiriusXM.

The company reiterated its existing financial guidance for 2011 and 2012 and expects to announce 2012 subscriber guidance and complete 2011 results in February.

Aaron Klein Radio Goes Primetime on WABC

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:38:34 +0000

Reporter Aaron Klein's popular Sunday radio show is going primetime, moving to the coveted 7-9 PM Eastern timeslot.

"Aaron Klein Investigative Radio," broadcast live from Israel, is heard on New York's 77-WABC Radio, the largest talk station in the United States.

For the past two years, Klein's weekly live show has aired in the early afternoon. The new slot starts this Sunday, January 8. (Please note, for the next 2-3 weeks, Klein will be hosting an additional hour, from 6-9 PM Eastern, and going forward will be heard from 7-9 PM.)

"We're very excited to have Aaron Klein in prime time on Sundays, and also as the lead-in to The John Batchelor Show!" Chuck Armstrong, WABC's Assistant Program Director said.

Klein's highly-rated show focuses on U.S. politics and foreign affairs. It uniquely fuses news reporting, including exclusive investigative journalism, with the concept of talk radio and is the only radio talk show in America that is broadcast from the Middle East.

"Aaron Klein Investigative Radio" routinely breaks news and is referred to regularly by top news media.

While focusing heavily on U.S. affairs, Klein is also known to interview world leaders and senior terrorists live on the air.

Klein is a NY Times bestselling author, WND reporter and frequent guest on cable news.

WNEW All News 99.1 Announces New Line-up

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:09:50 +0000

CBS Radio Washington, D.C. hires a powerful lineup of anchors to report the news for All News 99.1 WNEW.

WNEW will become THE place for live, LOCAL news programming from a trusted on-air staff delivering ALL NEWS, ALL THE TIME. This new team will debut Washington’s new choice for news beginning at 5am on Thursday, January 19 on-air at 99.1 FM, streaming online at www.wnew.com and through the Radio.com app on mobile devices. The anchors include both new and familiar names in the DC area.

“We are very excited to have put together such a great group of professionals who have spent many years covering local and national news,” said WNEW Program Director Robert Sanchez. “ Each brings a specialty to WNEW creating a great team which will deliver important and compelling news that matters to local residents. When Washington needs to know, this team will have them covered.”

Bill Rehkopf and Amy Morris weekday mornings from 5am to 10am. Rehkopf most recently hails from Pittsburgh heritage news station KDKA, and prior to that served as the News Director of WPOC in Baltimore. Morris has anchored 1500 AM WFED in the DC area since 2005, having previosly served as general assigment reporter for WTOP.

Jenny Glick and Chas Henry mid-days from 10am to 2pm. Glick joins WNEW from WBAL-AM in Baltimore where she was a lead news anchor. Henry comes to WNEW with a well-established reputation having reported for ABC-7, News Channel 8, plus reporting and anchoring for WTOP.

Evan Haning and Nancy Lyons afternoons from 2pm to 7pm. Haning is a long-established DC news anchor having worked for WTOP for nearly a decade and WRC-AM prior to that for over a decade. Lyons is locally known, as well, having most recently worked with NPR anchoring the hourly newscasts for Weekend All Things Considered.

Sarah Jacobs and Cheryl Simone evenings 7pm to 12am. Jacobs joins WNEW from the Baltimore Radio market where she has spent the past 12 years. Simone hails most recently from WIOD in Miami, however she may be best known for the decade she spent anchoring at 1010 WINS in New York.

As the rest of the lineup continues to be built and fine-tuned, this core of news anchors is sure to set a standard for news coverage for Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Sirius XM to Air Every Bowl Game This College Football Postseason

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:38:31 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) has announced that it will offer listeners, for the first time, live play-by-play of every bowl game during the 2011-12 college football postseason.

Sirius and XM listeners will get access to 35 games, more than any season before, including the BCS National Championship, the Rose Bowl, Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Discover Orange Bowl, and Allstate Sugar Bowl.

The schedule will begin with the Gildan New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, December 17 (2:00 pm ET, on ESPN Radio, SiriusXM channel 84) and continue through Monday January 9, when #1 ranked LSU faces #2 Alabama in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game (8:30 pm ET on ESPN Radio, SiriusXM channel 84). A complete schedule of games and channels appears below.

Fans can stay up to date on everything happening throughout the bowl season with SiriusXM College Sports Nation, channel 91, SiriusXM's 24/7 college sports channel. From the best games, to the latest news and biggest stories happening around the college football landscape, SiriusXM College Sports Nation covers it all with a daily programming lineup that features 24/7 Sports Radio's on Campus with Bill King (weekdays, 6:00 am ET); SiriusXM College Sports Today (weekdays, 9:00 am ET), hosted by Mark Packer and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George; SiriusXM College Football Playbook (weekdays, 12:00 pm ET), hosted by veteran college football voice Jack Arute, the acclaimed Paul Finebaum Show (weekdays, 3:00 pm ET), College Football Coast-to-Coast with Chris Childers (weekdays, 7:00 pm ET), plus several college coaches shows.

SiriusXM College Sports Nation will broadcast live from New Orleans, the site of the Allstate BCS National Championship game from Thursday, January 5, through game day, January 9. Hosts Jack Arute, Paul Finebaum, Eddie George, Mark Packer, Bill King and Chris Childers will be live on site where they will interview LSU and Alabama players and coaches, cover pre-game practices and preview the game.

SiriusXM's College Bowl game schedule: (All times ET)

Gildan New Mexico Bowl, Albuquerque, NM – Temple vs. Wyoming
December 17, 2:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Boise, ID – Ohio vs. Utah State
December 17, 5:30pm, SiriusXM channel 84

R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, New Orleans, LA – San Diego State vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
December 17, 9:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Beef O'Brady St. Petersburg Bowl, St. Petersburg, FL – Florida International vs. Marshall
December 20, 8:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, San Diego, CA – TCU vs. Louisiana Tech
December 21, 8:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl, Las Vegas, NV – Arizona State vs. Boise State
December 22, 8:00pm, SiriusXM channel 91

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Honolulu, HI – Nevada vs. Southern Miss
December 24, 8:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl, Shreveport, LA – Missouri vs. North Carolina
December 26, 5:00pm, SiriusXM channel 91

Little Caesars Bowl, Detroit, MI – Western Michigan vs. Purdue
December 27, 4:30pm, SiriusXM channel 91

Belk Bowl, Charlotte, NC – Louisville vs. NC State
December 27, 8:00pm, SiriusXM channel 91

Military Bowl presented by Northrup Grumman, Washington, D.C. – Air Force vs. Toledo
December 28, 4:30pm, SiriusXM channel 91

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl, San Diego, CA – California vs. Texas
December 28, 8:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Champs Sports Bowl, Orlando, FL – Florida State vs. Notre Dame
December 29, 5:30pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Valero Alamo Bowl, San Antonio, TX – Washington vs. Baylor
December 29, 9:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Dallas, TX – BYU vs. Tulsa
December 30, 12:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

New Era Pinstripe Bowl, Bronx, NY – Rutgers vs. Iowa State
December 30, 3:20pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, Nashville, TN – Miss. St. vs. Wake Forest
December 30, 6:40pm, SiriusXM channel 91

Insight Bowl, Tempe, AZ – Iowa vs. Oklahoma
December 30, 10:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas, Houston, TX – Texas A&M vs. Northwestern
December 31, 12:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Hyundai Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas – Georgia Tech vs. Utah
December 31, 2:00pm, SiriusXM channel 91

AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN – Cincinnati vs. Vanderbilt
December 31, 3:30pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, San Francisco, CA – Illinois vs. UCLA
December 31, 3:30pm, SiriusXM channel 91

Chick-Fil-A Bowl, Atlanta, GA – Virginia vs. Auburn
December 31, 7:30pm (approx.), SiriusXM channel 84

TicketCity Bowl, Dallas, TX – Houston vs. Penn State
January 2, 12:00pm, Sirius channel 93/XM channel 190

Outback Bowl, Tampa, FL – Michigan State vs. Georgia
January 2, 1:00pm, SiriusXM channel 85

Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, FL – Ohio State vs. Florida
January 2, 1:00pm, SiriusXM channel 91

Capital One Bowl, Orlando, FL – Nebraska vs. South Carolina
January 2, 1:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA – Wisconsin vs. Oregon
January 2, 5:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ – Stanford vs. Oklahoma State
January 2, 8:30pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Allstate Sugar Bowl, New Orleans, LA – Michigan vs. Virginia Tech
January 3, 8:30pm, SiriusXM channel 84

Discover Orange Bowl, Miami, FL – West Virginia vs. Clemson
January 4, 8:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

AT&T Cotton Bowl, Arlington, TX – Kansas State vs. Arkansas
January 6, 8:00pm, Sirius channel 137/XM channel 190

BBVA Compass Bowl, Birmingham, AL – SMU vs. Pittsburgh
January 7, 1:00pm, SiriusXM channel 84

GoDaddy.com Bowl, Mobile, AL – Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois
January 8, 9:00pm, SiriusXM channel 91

Allstate BCS National Championship, New Orleans, LA – LSU vs. Alabama
January 9, 8:30pm, SiriusXM channel 84

All games airing on SiriusXM channel 84 are ESPN Radio broadcasts.

Howard Stern's 'SNL on Stern' to Air on Sirius XM

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:32:57 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) has announced that it will broadcast SNL on STERN, a five-part original series hosted by Howard Stern that offers an uncensored, backstage history of Saturday Night Live as told by the show's cast, guest hosts and writers from three decades of memorable appearances on The Howard Stern Show.

SNL on STERN premieres on December 19 and airs through December 23 beginning at 6:00 am ET daily on Howard 100 and 6:00 am PT on Howard 101. SNL on STERN will air in five original installments, with encore performances all day and throughout the weekend on Howard 100.

A lifelong fan, Howard's entertaining and in-depth interviews with the cast, writers and guest hosts of Saturday Night Live have provided some of the most entertaining radio in the show's history since his first with Gilda Radner in 1983.

SNL on STERN features interviews with nearly fifty former and current SNL stars including Chris Rock, Bill Murray, David Spade, Chevy Chase, Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi, Jim Breuer, Dana Carvey, Billy Crystal, Robert Downey Jr., Julia Louis Dreyfus, Will Ferrell, Al Franken, Gilbert Gottfried, Darrell Hammond, Phil Hartman, Victoria Jackson, Chris Kattan, Colin Quinn, Fred Armisen, Jon Lovitz, Ben Stiller, Norm MacDonald and Lorne Michaels, SNL's creator and executive producer.

Highlights from SNL on STERN include:

Chevy Chase opens up about his backstage brawl with Bill Murray
Classic Stern Show interviews with the late Phil Hartman
Gilda Radner's disastrous 1983 interview with Howard
Darrell Hammond shares his experience meeting former President Bill Clinton
Norm MacDonald recalls his bizarre firing from the "Weekend Update" desk
Jim Breuer gives the behind-the-scenes scoop on Joe Pesci and Robert DeNiro's famous cameos
Audition horror stories from Jimmy Fallon, Kevin Nealon and Gilbert Gottfried
Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller and Sarah Silverman discuss their short stints as cast members
Stern's commentary on Ashlee Simpson lip synching and other infamous moments in show history

SNL on STERN is produced by The Howard Stern Production Company.

Grace Digital Audio Connects Sirius XM Radio to the Office, With New Business Music System

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 10:11:47 +0000

Grace Digital Inc, a leading brand of wireless internet radios, has unveiled an all-new Business Music System, the GDI-IRBM20.

Grace Digital's latest system seamlessly integrates SiriusXM's tailored business music channels into your work environment. SiriusXM Internet Music for Business features a plethora of music genres and customized content, ideal for any office or store setting. To learn how to bring the SiriusXM business services to your office, check out Grace Digital for more info on the new Business Music System, available for only $199.

Grace Digital's Business Music System featuring SiriusXM Internet Music for Business effortlessly connects to your broadband network via a built-in Ethernet jack or wirelessly via 802.11b.g or n, no satellite dish required. Equipped with dual audio outputs, businesses can simultaneously connect stereo RCA outputs into the office audio system for music, while a 2nd output connects to the telephone system, providing music for customers and clients on hold. Featuring 5 presets, the Business Music System can easily be adjusted to change the mood or tempo of the work environment and with music streamed at 128k fidelity, SiriusXM produces the highest quality internet music experience in the industry.

SiriusXM Internet Music for Business provides the ultimate soundtrack for your business. Stocked with 74 channels that reflect SiriusXM's breadth and variety of content, business owners get the right music to connect with customers and employees. Programmed exclusively for commercial subscribers, SiriusXM Internet Music for Business features 30 uninterrupted music channels, creating an engaging and entertaining business environment.

"Having music in your business is an easy way to increase the quality of your work surroundings," says Grace Digital Audio's Chief Executive Officer, Greg Fadul. "Whether a sports bar, hair salon, grocery or retail store, music can have an enormous affect on employee and customer moods, workplace satisfaction, and motivation. SiriusXM's Internet Music for Business and our Business Music System, provide the ultimate combination of content and convenience, which make this an easy upgrade for any business looking to improve their office environment."

Radio Delivers 93 Percent of its Lead-In Audience During the Average Commercial Break

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:23:57 +0000

Radio delivers more than 93 percent of its lead-in audience during the average commercial break, according to a new study of radio ratings data and commercial occurrence data conducted by Arbitron, Media Monitors and Coleman Insights.

What Happens When the Spots Come On: 2011 Edition is a comprehensive update of a landmark 2006 study on the radio audience behavior during commercial breaks. Both studies took advantage of the increased precision of passive electronic measurement, both for radio audiences and for commercial occurrences.

The 2011 study of minute-by-minute audience levels across 48 top radio markets again demonstrates that radio maintains its audience delivery during commercial breaks, contrary to the common misperception among advertisers, agencies and even radio executives that audiences during commercial breaks are a fraction of the numbers that were listening to the station just before the commercials began.

For the 2011 study, Arbitron, Media Monitors and Coleman Insights analyzed 18 million commercial breaks, 62 million minutes of commercials and 866 stations for a year of audience data from all 48 PPM markets to compare the audience level for each minute of a commercial break to the audience for the minute before the commercials began.

Key findings of the 2011 study include:

One to three-minute commercial breaks deliver radio audiences levels that are practically the same as the lead-in audience. The average minute audience during one-minute breaks is equal to the lead-in audience for that break; two-minute breaks deliver 99 percent of their lead-in average minute audiences; and three-minute breaks deliver 96 percent of their lead-in audience levels.
Longer spot breaks of four to six minutes-plus delivered an average minute audience that was nearly 90 percent of the lead-in audience. Four-minute breaks delivered 92 percent of the lead-in audience; five-minute breaks delivered 87 percent. Even spot breaks of six minutes or longer delivered an average minute audience that was 85 percent of the audience level before the commercials began.
Commercial breaks in morning drive deliver 97 percent of their lead-in audience, on average. The higher percentage during mornings is driven by shorter commercial breaks during morning compared with other time periods and the higher number of people who are first tuning into radio early in the day than those who tune out.
Among teens and persons aged 18 to 24, radio delivers nearly 90 percent of its lead-in audience during commercial breaks. Among people age 65 and older, radio delivers 98 percent of the lead-in audience once the commercials come on.

New findings unique to the more comprehensive 2011 study include:

There is little difference by market in terms of the average audience delivery during commercial breaks. Of the 48 markets studied, three markets with the highest percentage delivered an average of 95 percent of their lead-in audience levels during commercial breaks and the three markets with the smallest percentage delivered an average of 91 percent of their lead-in audience levels.
Audience delivery during commercial breaks was consistent throughout the year. Radio commercial breaks delivered between 93 percent and 94 percent of lead-in audience levels during each month of the year.

These findings stand in stark contrast to the perceptions of the advertiser/agency industry and even of radio broadcasters about the impact of commercials on the radio audience. In a web poll conducted by Arbitron and Coleman Insights, people identifying themselves as members of the advertiser/agency industry (362 responses) said that, on average, the size of the audience during a radio commercial break is only 68 percent of the size of the audience before the commercial began. On average, respondents identifying themselves as members of the radio industry (1,178 responses) believe radio holds only 78 percent of the audience during commercials.

"Radio does a remarkable job of maintaining its audience delivery when the commercials come on," said Bill Rose, senior vice president, Marketing, Arbitron Inc. "Now that the Portable People Meter service can track radio audiences across 48 top markets, we can now demonstrate how radio constantly replenishes its audience with new listeners during commercial breaks. Today we know that the medium can deliver an average of 93 percent of its lead-in audience levels on a consistent basis, no matter the market, the daypart or the time of year."

"The incredible ability of radio stations to deliver audiences during commercial breaks suggests that programmers should not obsess over their stations' spot placement strategies," said Warren Kurtzman, president and chief operating officer, Coleman Insights. "There is no doubt that running excessive commercial inventory can undermine a station's brand and hurt its long-term performance, but we see very little evidence that commercials cause nearly as much audience tune-out in the short term as many radio industry professionals believe."

"Our Media Monitors technical team did an amazing job of computing a massive full year of spot break information on US radio. To our knowledge, this is the first study of this magnitude ever done. We're thrilled to continue writing the book on audience behavior for Radio," said Philippe Generali, president, Media Monitors.

CBS Radio Announces Neil Salvage as Head of Digital Sales

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:27:46 +0000

CBS Radio has announced that it has appointed Neil Salvage as its head of digital sales effective January 2012. He will report to Michael Weiss, President, Sales, CBS Radio.

Salvage will oversee all sales efforts on a national and local level related to CBS Radio’s digital assets, including the division’s websites, a variety of mobile assets, and online streaming initiatives.

“In Neil, we have succeeded in hiring an incredibly seasoned local advertising pro with experience at well-respected companies such as Citysearch, Yellowpages.com and BellSouth,” says Weiss. “With his background we’re confident we can acquire new clients whose focus is deeply rooted in digital marketing, and claim a greater share of incremental dollars in 2012 and beyond.”

With more than 15 years in the search industry, Salvage has a strong background with online brands serving the local consumer. Most recently he was Executive Vice President, Advertising for CityGrid Media. He joined the company in 2006 when it was Citysearch.com, and was instrumental in the company’s transformation from an individual website to one of the largest local ad networks. Additionally, he was responsible for developing multiple direct and reseller sales channels, merchant product and pricing, customer service, and sales operations.

While at Yellowpages.com Salvage was Vice President, Sales for the online business directory. Prior to that, he held a variety of sales positions at Bellsouth Advertising and Publishing Corporation and Bellsouth Intelligent Media Ventures originally joining the organization in August 1996 as an account representative. He went on to hold management titles and was Director of Internet Sales when he left in 2004.

Salvage frequently speaks at industry events for BIA/Kelsey, the Local Search Association, Search Engine Strategies, and Digiday.

US Radio Audiences Continue to Grow in 2011

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:25:05 +0000

Arbitron Inc. (NYSE: ARB) announced today highlights from its December 2011 RADAR® 111 National Radio Listening Report.

The report shows radio added 1.4 million more weekly listeners versus December 2010. The number of persons twelve and older listening to radio each week now reaches an estimated 241.3 million, representing 93 percent of the population twelve and older.

In addition to adding 1.4 million weekly listeners during the past year, radio listening among key demographics continues to hold steady. Compared to the December 2010 RADAR report, teens aged 12 to 17 remains consistent at 22.8 million, or 92% of that demographic's population. Radio listeners aged 18 to 34 increased slightly versus the December 2010 RADAR report. Radio now reaches 66.3 million weekly listeners in this age range, that's 93.4% of this demographic.

Radio's Diversity

Radio's diverse listener base continues to grow, with the number of weekly listeners increasing among Black (non-Hispanic) and Hispanic Adults aged 12 and older.

The December 2011 RADAR report shows a significant increase in Hispanic listeners. Radio's Hispanic audience aged 12 and older grew by nearly 1 million versus the December 2010 report. Radio reaches 95% of Hispanics aged 12 and older.
Hispanic Adults aged 18 to 34 increased the most over the past year, adding nearly 300,000 weekly listeners.
Black (non-Hispanic) listeners also grew year over year, gaining nearly 240,000 weekly listeners. Radio reaches 93.2% of the Black (non-Hispanic) population.

Radio Delivers Affluent, Educated Adults

The December 2011 RADAR report demonstrates radio's ability to attract an affluent, educated audience. Radio reaches more than 132 million weekly radio listeners aged 12 and older with a household income of $75K or more. Additionally, 40.8 million adults aged 18 to 49 who are college graduates tune into radio on a weekly basis. Twenty-six million Adults aged 25 to 54 with both a college degree and a household income of more than $75K tune into radio on a weekly basis.

About December 2011 RADAR

Arbitron's RADAR (Radio's All Dimension Audience Research) December 2011 is the standard currency for national network radio ratings and measures 55 individual radio networks. These networks are operated by American Urban Radio Networks, Crystal Media Networks, Cumulus Media Networks, Dial Global Inc., Premiere Radio Networks and United Stations Radio Networks.

The sample size for the RADAR December 2011 Report is 395,502 persons aged 12 and older. This large sample is designed to provide more stability for key demographic estimates, dayparts and Market-by-Market Analysis reports, which report all individual DMAs®.

The RADAR December 2011 Report includes data from all 48 Arbitron PPM™ markets. The survey dates for RADAR 111 were from September 16, 2010 to September 14, 2011.

SiriusXM Presents Live Town Hall Event with Coach K on December 14th

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:27:57 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) has announced that Duke University men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski – who became the all-time winningest coach in Division I men's basketball history this month – will sit down for a Q&A session with an audience of SiriusXM listeners, Duke fans and other invited guests at storied Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC.

"SiriusXM's Town Hall with Coach K," a two-hour broadcast event, will air live nationwide on Mad Dog Radio, channel 86, on Wednesday, December 14 (7:00-9:00 pm ET). The special will be moderated by SiriusXM's Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, who will interview Coach K before opening it up to questions from SiriusXM subscribers in the audience.

"This will be a unique radio event in a very distinctive setting that is special to everyone at Duke – Cameron Indoor Stadium," said Krzyzewski. "We look forward to hosting Chris Russo and the Mad Dog Radio team, as well as the SiriusXM listeners, that night."

"Coach K and Duke Basketball are in the midst of a historic season and this is an exciting opportunity for us to bring SiriusXM listeners to Cameron Indoor to celebrate their accomplishments," said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM's President and Chief Content Officer. "Our Town Hall events have been a huge hit with our subscribers, time after time delivering memorable conversations and terrific insight. We're thrilled to have Coach K be the first sports figure featured."

"Coach K has had one of the most extraordinary careers of any coach, in any sport, in history," said Russo. "We've spoken several times over the years and he's one of the all-time greats. To talk with him after this latest milestone, at Cameron Indoor, in front of a live studio audience will be fun."

On November 14, Coach K recorded his 903rd win, a 74-69 Blue Devils' victory over Michigan State at Madison Square Garden – to become the all-time winningest head coach in men's Division I basketball history. In 36 years as a head coach, Coach K has built one of the top coaching resumes of all-time. He has compiled an extraordinary 907-284 record, led Duke to four NCAA Championships (1991, 1992, 2001 and 2010) and guided the Blue Devils to 13 ACC Tournament championships and 11 Final Four appearances. His teams consistently boast one of the best graduation rates in college basketball.

As head coach of the USA Senior National Team, Krzyzewski guided the team to gold medals at the 2010 FIBA World Championships and the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. He will coach the squad in the 2012 London Olympic Games. Coach K was inducted in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Krzyzewski can be heard every week on SiriusXM hosting his talk show, Basketball and Beyond with Coach K, (Wednesdays at 7:00 pm ET) on Mad Dog Radio, channel 86. Basketball and Beyond, which is co-hosted by Dave Sims, features discussions on a wide array of topical issues and showcases Krzyzewski's personal perspective on principles for life on and off the court, plus interviews with a variety of guests, including business leaders, entertainers, coaches and athletes. The show replays Wednesday nights at 11:00 pm ET on SiriusXM College Sports Nation, channel 91.

Pearl Jam's Final Concert in Mexico City to Air on Sirius XM's Pearl Jam Radio

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:15:54 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that its Pearl Jam Radio, the commercial-free music channel devoted to the music of Pearl Jam, will broadcast the band's final show from the "Pearl Jam Twenty Tour" recorded live in Mexico City.

The concert will air on Friday, November 25 at 2:00 pm ET on Pearl Jam Radio, channel 22, and will include on-site interviews hosted by Pearl Jam Radio host The Rob.

Before the concert broadcast, at 12:00 pm ET, Pearl Jam Radio will air an in-depth conversation with director Cameron Crowe about his new documentary Pearl Jam Twenty, during which he will talk about the creation of the film's soundtrack and his thoughts on the band's influence and legacy.

2011 is a yearlong celebration of Pearl Jam's twenty-year history. The band started off the year with the release of a new live compilation album, Live on Ten Legs, followed by the expanded reissues of Vs. and Vitalogy in March. Things kicked into high gear in September with the Alpine Valley Labor Day anniversary weekend concert, followed by the release of Cameron Crowe's film, Pearl Jam Twenty, with accompanying book and soundtrack album. The celebration continued with tours in Canada, South and Central America and Mexico, as well as the release of Pearl Jam Twenty on DVD.

Pearl Jam Radio features archival concerts from throughout the band's celebrated 20-year career, rarities, unreleased material from the band's personal music library and music from the band's side projects, including solo and pre-Pearl Jam music.

Ozzy Osbourne Launches his Own Sirius XM Channel

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:10:45 +0000

Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) has announced that hard rock and heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne will have his own SiriusXM channel.

Ozzy's Boneyard, channel 38, will feature classic hard rock and metal music from artists like Black Sabbath, Metallica, AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, Pantera and Van Halen. The 24/7 music channel is expected to launch later this year.

SiriusXM listeners will hear Ozzy present music as well as share personal stories about his career as a solo artist and as front-man for Black Sabbath. The channel will also air shows and specials hosted by Ozzy family members, Sharon, Jack and Kelly.

"After everything I've been through in my career I never imagined I'd end up with my own radio channel on SiriusXM. This is f*****g amazing! Does this mean I can play whatever I want?" said Ozzy Osbourne.

"No one represents the evolution of hard rock and heavy metal more than Ozzy Osbourne," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. "We know Ozzy's Boneyard will be alive and kicking."

Ozzy Osbourne recently announced that Black Sabbath has reunited to record their first new studio album in 33 years and that the band will launch a world tour in 2012.

Ozzy's Boneyard joins SiriusXM's roster of channels created in partnership with legendary musicians, including Bruce Springsteen's E Street Radio, Pearl Jam Radio, Eminem's Shade 45, Willie Nelson's Willie's Roadhouse, B.B. King's Bluesville, Elvis Radio, Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville and Siriusly Sinatra.

Danny Bonaduce to Host Morning Show on Seattle's 102.5 KZOK

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:23:52 +0000

CBS Radio Seattle Sr. Vice President and Market Manager Kevin McCarthy announced today that legendary television and radio personality Danny Bonaduce will begin hosting morning drive on Seattle Classic Rock station 102.5 KZOK beginning on Monday, November 14 (5:45-9:00am).

The program can be heard on-air, online at www.kzok.com or via the Radio.com app for a variety of mobile devices including the iPhone and Android.

Joining Bonaduce on-air is News Director Sarah, who has worked with him the past two years.

Bonaduce first burst on the scene as the mischievous red headed Danny Partridge on the famous 1970’s television show, “The Partridge Family.” Since the show ended in 1974, he has found success as a reality television and radio host, most recently for CBS RADIO at the legendary rock station 94 WYSP in Philadelphia. During Bonduce’s radio career he has also worked in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Detroit.

Said Bonaduce, “Seattle is the most beautiful city I have ever seen. The first time I visited, I thought someone put a major metropolitan city in the middle of Yosemite National Park. I can’t believe I get to live and work here.

“I met my wife at Starbuck’s and can’t wait to visit the very first store. It’s like the holy grail.”

KZOK Program Director Carey Curelop said, “We’re excited the next leg of Danny Bonaduce’s very interesting journey through life is taking him to Seattle. Danny’s experiences as a public figure from a very young age means he has a perspective on life unlike anyone else. Through the good and the bad, nothing Danny ever does is boring. Folks in the Puget Sound are in for a terrifically entertaining show.”

Added McCarthy, “There are some talented folks doing morning shows here in Seattle. That said, none of them do anything in the way that Danny does. In radio, unique wins and unique is precisely what Danny is.”

Radio One to Launch Full Service News Station in Houston

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:10:16 +0000

Radio One Regional Vice-President Doug Abernethy has announced that KROI-FM/Houston (92.1 FM) will begin its programming as a full service news station the week of November 14, 2011.

Using the on air moniker "News 92 FM," this 24 hour news and information station will be fortified by the world wide resources of ABC News Radio and Associated Press Platinum and will be populated with the voices of some of Houston's most well known and award-winning radio and television personalities.

The morning news will be anchored by Texas Radio Hall of Fame honorees J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes, who served the Houston market as a broadcast duo for over 27 years. Additional duties throughout the day will be handled by other local notables including (listed alphabetically) Mike Barajas, Scott Braddock, Carolyn Campbell, Kevin Charles, Brent Clanton, Lanny Griffith, Laurie Kendrick, Martha Martinez, Bonnie Petrie, Matt Sampsell, Pattie Shieh, Meteorologist Dr. Joe Sobel, Craig Roberts, and Jorge Vargas.

"Our review of Houston's broadcast landscape told us that those listeners interested in local news as well as national news were being poorly served," says Abernethy, "so we decided to make a commitment to delivering the news in a dependable fashion. People want to hear about news as it happens, and they shouldn't have to wait until their radio station 'catches up'. We'll deliver the news as it unfolds."

Ed Shane, founder and president of the Houston-based Shane Media Services, is serving as Project Manager on the format flip from gospel music to all news and predicts that Houstonians will find much to like about News 92 FM.

"We're going to give people the facts without the biased opinions that dominate so-called news stations," offers Shane. "We've assembled an A-list of broadcast journalists whose mission is to report the news and let people make up their own minds."

Shane says that the programming team, led by veteran news director Denise Bishop, will deliver an appealing blend of local, regional and national news along with topical information and the traffic and weather updates that are essential to Houston listeners.

Barry Mayo, President of the radio division for Radio One agrees. "The change that we announced today is a ground-breaking and necessary addition to the choices available to the residents of the Houston metro area," said Mayo. "The ability to realize a need and then take the appropriate action to satisfy it is what has sustained the popularity of our Houston radio stations."

The station will broadcast from recently expanded studios in the Radio One broadcast center that currently houses market leaders Majic 102 (KMJQ-FM) and 97.9 The Box (KBXX-FM). KROI-FM's current programming, Praise 92.1 will moved to Majic 102's HD channel and will stream online at www.PraiseHouston.com

Dial Global Completes Merger With Westwood One Creating Leading Network Radio Company

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:38:18 +0000

Dial Global has announced the successful completion of its merger with Westwood One, Inc. in a stock for stock transaction following receipt of all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals.

The merger creates a diverse radio programming, services and advertising sales company providing more than 200 radio programs and services to over 7,000 stations. Effective Monday, October 24, 2011, the company will be listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol "DIAL".

The company maintains leadership positions in play-by-play sports (NFL, NCAA and MRN: Motor Racing Network, among others), news (Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, CNBC and The Weather Channel in addition to serving as the official distributor of CBS News, among others), talk (Dennis Miller, Talk Radio Network and Charles Osgood, among others) and entertainment (CMT, Grammy's and Country Music Awards, among others). The company also produces the Dial Global 24/7 turnkey music formats as well as prep services, jingles and imaging, and digital content. In addition, Dial Global serves as the largest sales representative for independent third party providers of audio content, including its partnership with Triton Digital.

"The combined platform provides a broader and more diverse range of programming and services to radio stations and advertisers than has ever been offered," said Spencer Brown, David Landau and Ken Williams, managing partners of Dial Global. "Dial Global remains committed to maintaining the high level of service and accountability that our customers have come to expect."

Neal Schore, Chairman of Dial Global's newly-constituted Board of Directors, commented, "Dial Global has always been focused on serving the ever-evolving needs of the radio industry, and this transaction will expand the programming and service offerings sought by both radio stations and advertisers. On behalf of the board, I want to thank Rod Sherwood and the entire Westwood One team, whose tremendous efforts have helped make this transaction possible."

Leadership and Operations

Dial Global's executive team will be led by Spencer Brown, David Landau and Ken Williams.

Dial Global will continue to be headquartered in New York City, with regional offices across the United States in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC.

Board of Directors

The new Board of Directors will consist of nine directors, of whom three are classified as independent. The board will be led by Neal Schore as Chairman. The independent directors include Peter Murphy, Jules Haimovitz and Mel Ming, each of whom has enjoyed a distinguished career in the media and entertainment industry.

Advisors

Macquarie Capital and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as financial advisor and legal advisor, respectively, to Dial Global. Moelis & Company and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP acted as financial advisor and legal advisor, respectively, to Westwood One. Berenson & Company rendered a fairness opinion, while General Electric Capital Corporation, ING Capital LLC and Macquarie Capital provided committed debt financing in support of the transaction.

Ownership Structure

After giving effect to the transaction, funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. and The Gores Group, LLC, either directly or indirectly, own approximately 44% and 31%, respectively, of the company's outstanding common shares.