You may recall a few months ago the American daytime talk show Live! with Regis and Kelly ran a contest to find a replacement for Kelly Ripper while she went on vacation. This was so successful the production company has decided to look for a male a male host from American or Canadian radio to fill in for Regis while he takes a vacation.
You must submit an application including a 3 minute video audition tape by Noon on 17 December. If chosen the male talent will appear on the show from one day sometime between Monday Jan 24th to Friday Jan 28th 2011. Like last time to make it to the finals you’ll need lots of votes, so use the cume of your station and your website to encourage listeners to nominate your male personality. Listeners can vote from November 22 until December 10th and for entering your listenrs go in the draw for a Krups home appliance prize worth $500. If your personality is one of the five male hosts chosen your radio station and your community will get lots of exposure on American and Canadian television. It’s a great way to engage your listener’s and will create some national publicity for your station even if your male host only makes it to the finals
Here is a link to the entry form and more information.
The CRTC is giving broadcasters more time to file their annual returns. A note on the CRTC website today says
Given the intermittent down time and delays that occurred over the last 10 days, the last day to file the 2010 Broadcast Survey is being extended to December 15, 2010. This filing extension will facilitate compliance with reporting requirements associated with broadcast licenses. This extension applies to annual returns for Radio, Television, Pay and Specialty Services, and Broadcast Distribution Undertakings.
Most broadcasters probably a support an on-line filing system that is quicker and more efficient and saves printing those long reports and sending them off to Ottawa before the deadline. However the new “Access Key” system is very slow, cumbersome and kicks you out after 10 minutes. Most stations have to complete 5 to 7 on-line forms so this is a time consuming process. But any station to files late can expect a short term renewal and possibly even a fine given the comments made by Ontario regional CRTC Commissioner Rita Cugini who asked that the law be amended to allow the Commission to fine broadcasters who break the terms of their licences. Right now, she said, the only CRTC power is to shorten or to deny a licence renewal which she says is inadequate and ineffective.
The Government is looking at the issue, and has called expert and stake holders before the Canadian Heritage committee. Read Matthew Little’s take on the preceedings so far here
The CRTC Chairman delivered a short speech to the the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on 18 November. It makes for interesting reading and may offer some clues as to where he wants to take the CRTC in the next few years. Read his speech here
Some interesting news out of the USA as Bob Pittman the guy who founded MTV and is listed as one of the 10 American’s who have transformed American Culture is returning to radio and Clear Channel to be Chairman of Media and Entertainment Platforms for Clear Channel. Pittman started his media career in radio working as a programmer in Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh. You can read the full story in Ad Age here
PHILADELPHIA (Nov 15, 2010) –Listener Driven Radio (LDR), the leader in interactive audio programming software, today announced Clear Channel’s WISX Mix 106.1 as its newest affiliate.
WISX re-branded their Hot AC format today to become Mix 106.1 where “You Control the Mix.” Using Listener Driven Radio’s technology, Mix will give listeners a say in what’s played each hour. Listeners will vote and influence the station’s music in real-time at www.mixphiladelphia.com.
Brian Check, Clear Channel Philadelphia Operations Manager said, “We’re calling this new feature MIX CONTROL. It gives listeners in Philadelphia an unprecedented voice in driving the music. No other Philadelphia radio station is giving the audience this amount of influence.” Mix Control will launch on November 18, 2010.
“We are proud to expand our partnership with Clear Channel Radio. Brian Check and the team at Clear Channel in Philadelphia are leaders in the marketplace,” said Daniel Anstandig, President of LDR.
# # #
ABOUT LISTENER DRIVEN RADIO:
With more than 35 affiliate stations, networks, and broadcast groups in the USA, Canada, and Europe, LDR is ground breaking software that empowers listeners to become on-air programming collaborators, fostering loyalty via real time interaction. Listeners can access a radio station’s playlist via mobile or the station’s website and vote for their favorite songs. Input and voting from listeners directly affects the music played on the station. The platform also automatically emails and instant messages listeners who opt in, informing them that their favorite track plays on the air and impacting PPM results.
ABOUT CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS:
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:CCMO) is a global media and entertainment company specializing in mobile and on-demand entertainment and information services for local communities and premiere opportunities for advertisers. Based in San Antonio, Texas, the company’s businesses include radio and outdoor displays. More information is available at www.clearchannel.com.
Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin isn’t buying the idea that broadband Internet in the dashboard of cars is going to put his company out of business. In fact, he insists that Internet radio is a bigger threat to AM and FM stations than to satellite radio.
“Make no mistake, this does represent competition, but we’ve lived with and grown tremendously despite intense competition since our inception,” Karmazin said of broadband Internet in his quarterly Wall Street conference call. “After all, how could we ignore the free competition from terrestrial radio, which represents 100% of the radio market when we launched service back in 2001? But over the years we’ve provided a superior product that consumers were willing to pay for and I don’t see wireless Internet radio having more impact on us than terrestrial radio has had,” he insisted. Read the story on RBR by clicking here
Chris Byrnes – ByrnesMedia
In 1926 an organization was formed in Canada to represent radio’s interest regarding copyright issues. It was known as the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, or CAB. Along came television and they asked to join because they also had similar requirements regarding copyright matters. Then the specialty television channels also became part of the CAB. The CAB was built into a strong organization and under Michael McCabe it became the largest broadcast lobby group in Ottawa and had a huge influence. But with consolidation and cross platform ownership came some major conflicts and on 31 May 2010 the CAB was officially wound down. Around the same time the Radio Marketing Bureau also closed up shop and radio found itself without a national voice and without a voice in Ottawa.
Elmer Hildebrand of Golden West Broadcasting, who was the Chairman of the CAB at the time it was disbanded, has spent the last few months working on a possible solution. He talked to many of the private radio broadcasters and decided to start a new organization called the Canadian Association of Radio Broadcasters (CARB). I spoke to Elmer recently and asked him about this new organization.
Why did the CAB fail? There were probably a number of reasons, but two summers ago you may recall the television channels and BDU’s were fighting over fee for carriage and that got rather ugly. Many of these same people were sitting around the CAB board table, and found it difficult to be in the same room with each other. When the economic meltdown happened about the same time some of the large companies, who contributed large amounts to fund the CAB, decided they did not want to be part of this organization anymore. What is interesting to note is that of the 25 people at that meeting who made the decision to close the CAB, only two were owners of radio stations.
Why will CARB be different? Well first of all it will be private radio only, so even though radio stations compete with each other they do not have the philosophical issues that radio, television, and BDU’s seem to have. We intend to start out small and only deal with relevantly few issues. Down the road that may change, but our goal is to represent the private radio industry across Canada to the regulator and the various entities that are part of our everyday life, including the CRTC, Industry Canada and the copyright organizations. Our plan is not to have any full time staff, but we will employ people on a part time or consulting basis as required. This means our fees will be modest.
Does the CAB still have responsibilities for broadcasting matters? Yes, to our surprise we found that the CAB could not be totally wound up because there were still industry matters that had to be maintained. The CAB is responsible for the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council. It also administers over $12 million annually from various stakeholders that have to be distributed as mandated by the CRTC. The former CAB CFO, Sylvie Bissonnette, has been hired on contract to deal with these matters. So the Canadian Association of Broadcasters will continue to focus on Copyright issues, Canadian Broadcast Standards Council and spectrum issues. Therefore, all broadcasters, including private radio, continue to pay a small fee to ensure this all happens.
Who has been representing Radio’s interest since June 1st? As you know, the CRTC is still making decisions and there were a number of things that needed to be addressed, so six or seven broadcast companies got together and hired some people to do the work, so because of those kinds of things it just does not make any sense not to have a national presence. I hope the provincial associations will also become stronger because they may have to do some of the work that the CAB used to take care of. We saw a great example of this recently with the OAB “Connection 2010” conference in Toronto. They honoured two broadcasters (Duff Roman and Jim Waters) with Lifetime Achievement Awards. These two broadcasters have made significant contributions to the Canadian broadcast system across all of Canada and not just Ontario. This also became an appropriate venue for CRTC Commissioner Rita Cugini to deliver a timely speech to update broadcasters on the thinking of the CRTC.
What is the proposed mandate of the CARB? CARB will first and foremost represent and advance the interests of private broadcasters working in conjunction with the CAB. CARB has already taken over the TRAM system that tracks advertising spending in the 12 largest markets in Canada. We could not let this tracking system fail or it would have negatively impacted national radio revenue in these 12 markets, which most likely had significant trickledown effect on all radio markets in Canada. The CARB will focus its efforts on:
What is the biggest issue that radio stations are facing today? In my opinion it remains copyright issues, and in some ways this is an issue that we have little control over. But unless we represent private radio’s interests strongly at all the appropriate copyright hearings, broadcasters may end up paying such a large percentage of revenue in fees that the broadcast model as we know it will become unsustainable. Copyright issues cut across all platforms, which is why the CAB will continue to represent the interests of broadcasters. In my opinion it is hard to know how these issues will play out and CARB may take a larger role if it’s to appropriately represent the interest of private radio broadcasters. But until we get a Board of Directors in place so they can make some decisions on the specific areas they want to focus on, these types of decisions will not be finalized. That said, I am confident this new Board will do whatever the private radio members want, and very quickly we will be dealing with all kinds of matters.
When will we see the CARB in action? I provided some seed money to get CARB incorporated so we have a charter from Industry Canada so the wheels are in motion. We expect to be fully up and running before the end of this year and the Board should be in place before Christmas. The four major radio companies are supportive, and every medium and small broadcaster I have spoken to is supportive of this new organization. The CRTC are very concerned that currently private radio does not have representation in Ottawa. They are not eager to be talking with 400 different broadcasters on any one issue. They want to have some industry voice and are therefore very supportive of the CARB.
Conclusion: The private radio industry needs a strong national voice now more than ever, because technology platforms are changing so rapidly and private radio’s share of audience and revenue is being impacted. We also need a unified voice in Ottawa to ensure that private radio’s interests are front and centre with Industry Canada and the CRTC. That said, perhaps we can all take some comfort from Elmer’s final comment when it comes to the formation of this new industry organisation; “All it requires is a little patience and things will be fine.”
Dave Charles – ByrnesMedia
By now, many of you have the ByrnesMedia Morning Show Prep Guide. The essential prep basics are covered there. However, there’s more to connecting today’s morning show to your audience.
Here are the new essentials to add to your mornings shows:
“We know that in your morning wake up routine you don’t have time to mess around with newspapers or watch morning TV to get your local updates. On 95 FM you can get up-to-the minute traffic, local news, weather updates, sports and entertainment while we get you ready for a new day with Larry, Billy and the 95 FM Morning Team
ByrnesMedia is offering free our new Morning Show Prep Guide. Send us your details and email me at (dave@byrnesmedia.com).
Nov 1-30 “Amaryllis Month”: Contact the Huntingtons Society of Canada for info at www.hsc-ca.org.
Nov 1-30 “Community Safety and Crime Prevention Campaign.”: See www.safety-council.org for info.
Nov 1-30 “Christmas Seal Campaign”: Contact the Canadian Lung Association at www.lung.ca.
Nov 1-30 “National Diabetes Month”: For info, call Jeremy Brace 416-408-7071 or see www.diabetes.ca.
Nov 1-30 “National Alzheimer’s Disease Month””: To increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and what the Alzheimer’s Association is doing to advance research and help patients. Call Patricia Wilkinson 416-847-2959 or 1-800-616-8816. Email pwilkinson@alzheimer.ca, web www.alzheimer.ca.
Nov 1-30 “Epilepsy Awareness Month”: To increase public awareness that despite dramatic gains in treatment, epilepsy is a serious and chronic health condition for which there is no cure. Call the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance 1-866-EPILEPSY, email info@epilepsymatters.com or see www.epilepsymatters.com.
Nov 1-30 “Lung Cancer Awareness Month”: To increase attention to lung cancer issues – early detection, increased research funding, and increased support for those living with lung cancer. Call the Lung Cancer Association 613-569-6411. Email cbishop@lung.ca.
Nov 1-30 “National Adoption Month”: Call the Adoption Council of Ontario 416-482-0021 or 1-877-ADOPT 20. email info@adoption.on.ca. Invite a representative of local adoption centre to extol benefits of adoption on your morning show. Listeners who are adopted can call in with their uplifting stories for a real touchie-feelie show.
Nov 1-30 “National Lifewriting Month”: An opportunity to celebrate ourselves and our families by committing our life stories to writing. Preserving our autobiographies in writing allows us to know ourselves better and to share our stories with future generations. For info email lifewritingmonth@turningmemories.com.
Nov 1-30 “Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month”: Celebration of North America’s favourite food and #1 sandwich. Info at www.peanutbutterlovers.com.
Nov 1-30 “Vegan Month”: Vegans choose to neither eat nor use any animal products (eg. meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, eggs, leather, fur, etc.) For info call 1-877-GO-VEGAN.
Nov 1 “All Hallows or All Saints Day”: Roman Catholic day commemorating the blessed, especially those who have no special feast days. Halloween is the evening before All Hallows Day.
Nov 1 “National Authors’ Day”: Play “famous book lines” or “name the author” trivia with contestants winning book store gift certificates for each member of the family.
Nov 1 “National Family Literacy Day”: To showcase the importance of family literacy programs. Call ABC Canada Literacy Foundation at 416-218-0010 or 1-800-303-1004. emailinfo@abc-canada.org. Web www.abc-canada.org.
Nov 2 “Plan your Epitaph Day”: A forgettable gravestone is worse than death. Check out www.hardiehouse.org/epitaph [click on “The Last Word” link] to get a list of famous quotes on gravestones around the world. Call Lance Hardie at 707-822-6924 or email sunrise@hardiehouse.org. Web www.hardiehouse.org/epitaph.
Nov 3 “Sandwich Day”: 1718 John Montague, The fourth Earl of Sandwich was born in London England. He was the first Lord of the Admiralty, Secretary of State, and Postmaster General. He was also an avid gambler, and is said to have invented the sandwich as a time saving device while engaged in a 24-hour gambling session in London in 1762
Nov 4 “Mischief Night”: Observed in England, Australia and New Zealand, it is the eve of Guy Fawkes Day, an occasion for bonfires and crackers to commemorate failure of the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament Nov 5, 1605.
Nov 4 “Common Sense Day”: A day celebrating common sense, on Will Rogers’ birthday. Rogers said, “Common sense ain’t all that common.” Call Bud Bilanich, The Common Sense Guy 303-393-0446. email Bud@BudBilanich.com. See www.CommonSenseGuy.com.
Nov 5 “National Men Make Dinner Day”: Have a local chef share easy-win recipes men can make at home. Call Sandy Sharkey at BOB-FM at 613-738-2372 or e-mail ssharkey@939bobfm.com or www.menmakedinnerday.com.
Nov 6 “Sadie Hawkins Day”: Inspired by Al Capp’s “Li’l Abner” comic strip where women take initiative in asking men out on dates.
Nov 7 “ING New York City Marathon”: 38,000 runners from all over the world gather to compete with more than 2.5 million spectators watching from the sidelines. Call 212-423-2249. web: www.ingnycmarathon.org.
Nov 7 “Daylight Savings Time Ends. Standard Time Resumes”: Standard Time resumes at 2am on the first Sunday in November in each time zone. “Fall back” one hour.
Nov 7 “International Tongue Twister Contest”: Burlilngton, WI, 8th annual. For info call 262-763-3946, email logicpuzzlemuseum@hotmail.com.
Nov 8 “Abet and Aid Punsters Day”: Laugh instead of groan at incredibly dreadful puns.
Nov 10 “Edmund Fitzgerald Sinking: Nov 10, 1975. The ore carrier Edmund Fitzgerald broke in two during a heavy storm in Lake Superior. There were no survivors. A great excuse to play that Gordon Lightfoot song!
Nov 11 “Remembrance Day”: Canadian public holiday to honour those who died in WWI and WWII.
Nov 11 “USA: Veterans’ Day”: Formerly called Armistice Day.
Nov 13 “World Kindness Day”: This day represents the pledge to join together to build a kinder and more compassionate world. For info call Random Acts of Kindness Foundation at 800-660-2811, email rakinfo@actsofkindness.org, or see www.actsofkindness.org.
Nov 14 “Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day”: A day to remind people of all the benefits of joy and laughter. Call Stephanie West Allen, 303-935-8866 or email stephanie@westallen.com. See www.westallen.com.
Nov 14 “United Nations: World Diabetes Day”: See www.un.org.
Nov 15 “George Spelvin Day”: The anniversary of his theatrical birth. The name is used in play programs to conceal the fact that an actor is performing in more than one role. The fictitious Spelvin is said to have appeared in more than 10,000 Broadway performances.
Nov 16 “United Nations: International Day for Tolerance”: To commemorate the adoption by UNESCO member states of the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance in 1995. See www.un.org.
Nov 20 “Name Your PC Day”: Hey, why not? People name their boats, and there are a lot more PCs than boats these days.
Nov 20 “United Nations: Universal Children’s Day”: A time to honour children with special ceremonies and festivals and to make children’s needs known to governments. For info, www.un.org.
Nov 21”World Hello Day”: 35th annual observance, in which everyone who participates greets 10 people. The idea is that everyone says hello to ten people they do not know before days end. Check out www.worldhelloday.org.
Nov 22-28 “National Games And Puzzles Week”: Sell a remote to a toy store. For information and ideas call Beth Muehlenkamp at 800-524-4263, e-mail bethm@patchproducts.com or www.millionminute.com.
Nov 22-28 “Better Conversation Week”: Have better, more satisfying conversations by following simple guidelines. Call Dr. Loren Ekroth 702-214-6782. email loren@conversation-matters.com. See www.conversation-matters.com.
Nov 25 “United Nations: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women”: Observed on the anniversary of the 1960 murders of the Mirabel sisters in the Dominican Republic. See www.un.org.
Nov 25 “United States: Thanksgiving Day”: Legal public holiday in all states.
Nov 26 “Sinkie Day”: “Sinkies” (people who occasionally dine over the kitchen sink and elsewhere) are encouraged to celebrate this time-honoured, casual-yet-tasteful cuisine culture. Email Norm Hankoff, Intl Assn of People Who Dine Over the Kitchen Sink at normh@sinkie.com.
Nov 29 “Electronic Greetings Day”: Save a letter carrier, save a tree, save a stamp! Today’s the day to send your greetings the free, electronic way, via the Internet!
Nov 30 “Computer Security Day”: Reminds people to check the security of their computers and data at both home and work. Talk with a computer security expert about how listeners can avoid unnecessary invasions of privacy. Host a demonstration of security tips, software, etc. as part of a remote at a computer store. Visit www.geocities.com/a4csd or email computer_security_day@acm.org.