Friday, September 19, 2008

Rehr ended in Austin


Imagine going to the NAB Radio Show and a funeral breaks out.

That sums up Austin this year.

National Association of Broadcasters CEO David “Fumbles” Rehr’s effervescent personality lit up the Austin Convention Center like a three-watt bulb with his annual keynote address to the NAB Radio Show.

What is there left to say about Fumbles except that he’s the master of turning on the charm, then unreservedly losing interest once he’s expected to lead.

It’s another in a long series of just of the same say-one-thing-do-another long-winded speech.

I know some of you feel I’m being too hard on Fumbles when I call him a liar. Some of you feel he’s really sincere and merely illustrating the state of the radio industry through fables. Here’s the problem. Fables and out and out lies are different things. Fables are told for the good of the listener, lies are told for the good of the liar.

Let’s go straight to his comments. Specifically, what he said and what he meant.

Fumbles: It's great to see all of you here.

Translation: It’s great to see anyone here. We were ready to pin badges on the Galveston refugees at the other end of the convention center just to beef up our crowd.

We all know that radio broadcasting is at a very critical juncture.

Translation: We all know radio broadcasting is terminal.

Never before has our business faced so many challenges - a rapidly changing media landscape that makes us feel unsure and unbalanced, turbulent economic conditions that impact our bottom lines, and regulatory and legislative hurdles that threaten the way we conduct our business.

Translation: While the media landscape was changing, we continued to overpay and overvalue our properties. When questioned about revenue, we tossed out the acronym NTR – non-traditional revenue. We didn’t know what it meant but you have to admit, it was convincing until the best we could do was pull off legal payola and per inquiry programming. We were like subprime before subprime was cool. Unqualified companies were shoveled credit to by vastly overpriced and underperforming properties years before the subprime loans became routine.

This is a tough world that radio broadcasters are operating in today. But there's a greater issue that I want to address that's, frankly, more troubling. In fact, I believe it's something that could possibly jeopardize the future of this entire business. I'm talking about the negativity that's pervading the radio business and threatens to paralyze us.

It's not surprising that some of you may be feeling this pessimism. It's like a dark cloud hanging over our heads. And we feel bombarded by negative - and often false - messages about radio that reinforce these feelings.

Translation: I wouldn’t put too much stock….oops, wrong word….I wouldn’t read too much into the possible delisting of Citadel, Radio One, Regent, and Westwood One from the New York Stock Exchange.

I mean look at Sirius XM. They’re way under a buck, too – and they’re our competition…. oops, I didn’t mean to say that either, or did I?

We hear that radio is obsolete, that it's not adapting fast enough to the digital age. We hear that listenership and revenues are declining. We hear that people don't value radio as they once did. But what we're not hearing enough are the stories of radio's successes. And there are many.

Translation: Look, I know Miller Kaplan local revenue’s off 11% - big deal. National’s down 14%. We’ll get it back. So we’re a negative 12%. We don’t have to focus on those numbers. Look, our “off-air revenue” is up 10%. I know we’re comparing dollars to pennies here – but who has to know? I won’t tell if you don’t. We still have a few tricks up our sleeve to fool our lenders and shareholders.

Radio? Obsolete? Instead of talking about iPods and the Internet, let’s give ourselves credit for our own great innovations over the years….like pretending to be live and local with voice-tracking. So we get a few city and town pronunciations wrong. So we miss a few storms. Big deal. Who’s gonna notice, right? And who needs to be local when you have all this syndication. Another thing – content is a four letter word. We will not speak of content at the NAB. It’s an excuse, it’s a crutch.

Radio connects, informs and inspires an estimated 235 million listeners each week. And what we rarely hear is that number is up 3 million listeners from last year. That's a vast universe that we are touching.

Translation: In my world, the color of the sky is…well, it’s not blue, I can tell you that.

Now I want to share a clip with you that may send you back a few decades. (Fumbles plays a clip of the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star,” which coincidentally was the first video played on MTV on its August 1, 1981 debut)

That song, "Video Killed the Radio Star," was released in 1979. And it captured what many people were feeling at the time about radio.

Throughout the years, some people thought radio would fade away.

First eight track tapes, then cassettes, then music videos and CDs - every time innovation occurred, the end of radio was predicted. But this song was released almost 30 years ago, and radio is still strong.

Translation: Yes, I am aware that those aren't radios that people are listening to when they're jogging, working out, or just walking around town. I'm also aware that in the latest Boston and New York Arbitrends, that all of the rock format stations shares are in the ones except the one in each market that plays rock music from thirty years ago.

Millions of people listen to the radio every single day. People spend more time with radio than on the Internet and reading newspapers. There is an exciting world of opportunity before us. It is the beginning of a new era for radio.

Translation: I know it’s millions-less listening than a decade ago and those who are listening to the radio are listening to it less than they were a decade ago – but we can manipulate the numbers a bit, can’t we?

And many of you have already started to embrace the possibilities. But in order for us to move forward and build a successful future we cannot continue to operate as we have in the past. We must stop listening to the negativity and false messages, many of which come from our own people. And we must commit to spreading the positive news about radio.

Translation: So some groups are going to be taken over by their lenders because they can’t service their debt. How’s that a negative? What’s there not to trust about a lending institution running a radio chain? They can't do any worse than we did at running them.

Let’s look at the good side of Lehman going under. That eliminates four media-entertainment analysts – Anthony DiClemente, Vijay Jayant, George Hawkey, and James Radcliffe. That’s four less negative voices comparing radio to new media. We should be thankful Lehman tanked.

Because if we don't, we leave a vacuum to be filled by our critics and the negativity that's invading our business will continue to spread like a virus -- infecting everyone. And the result of this negativity?

The stagnation of the industry and the devaluing of your business. If you can't believe in radio... if you can't believe in all the possibilities and imagine a brighter future, then how can we expect our people - our listeners, our advertisers and our customers - to believe in this great medium?

Translation: Give me an “Amen” and “Hallelujah,” brothers and sisters of the NAB!

Right now, radio needs people who believe. And I hope everyone in this room is a believer. We need people who are bold and who will take charge of leading us into the future.

Translation: We have leaders like Mark Mays of Clear Channel, for example. He’s a believer. He said, “We need radical change.” Now that Clear Channel is private, he’s about to roll out – here’s his quote – “eight to ten initiatives” in his company to improve it. He even said “It’s not necessarily just about cutting costs” even though that’s all that company has done to no avail.

Odd, isn’t it that Marky Mark Mays suddenly comes up with these reforms now. How many years has he been running the company? The next he’ll say is that ‘Clear Channel is focused and aligned to the new realities of the marketplace,’ blah blah, woof woof.

Many of you have said to me that this industry needs leadership that to move forward, someone has to step up -- radio's corporate CEOs, big group executives, small market owners... that someone else needs to go first and all of us will then follow. That we need to let another person take the risk and all of us will wait, assess and explain why it will or won't work.

That thinking is a prescription for defeat. Instead, each and everyone one of us must be a leader. We can't wait for others.

Translation: We must silence those who speak against us. We must identify our industry’s traitors and eliminate them.

Take Drew Marcus, Vice Chairman of the Media & Telecom Group at Deutsche Bank Securities. He used to be our biggest ally. Now he claims public radio companies are overleveraged at an average six times EBITDA, while the current lending multiple is 5.5 times at best. He’s claiming our revenues will continue to decline. He said, “If EBITDA would lose another 20 percent - you would potentially have a lot of groups in bankruptcy,” He even said radio needs optimization, not additional consolidation. He betrayed us! Kill him! Okay, now I feel better. Could I get another Tab?

Each and everyone one of us who believes in radio must support each other and our efforts to move this business forward. We all know there are many reasons to believe in radio.

Translation: If we don’t believe in radio, no one will believe in radio.

First, technology is opening exciting doors for us. There has been more innovation in radio in the past five years than in the past 50. We've invested millions of dollars in new technology - HD radio and new delivery devices, and we've made huge strides toward improving the quality and diversity of content. We're undertaking an effort to increase the number of FM radio receivers in cell phone handsets.

Translation: Yes, if we get FM radio receivers on cell phones – we’ll get people to listen to us again. In our dreams.

In fact, a recent NAB study shows this platform could reach an additional 260 million consumers. Let me say that again -- 260 million consumers - there's great opportunity for us to seize.

Another area for growth is HD Radio.

Translation: I know we say it every year – but this is the year HD Radio catches on. Lyin’ Diane Warren promised me that and she can lie rings around Peter “Sgt. Bilk-o” Ferrara.

Radio stations are harnessing the power of the latest digital technology to deliver content with superior sound quality and more programming choices. More than 1,700 stations around the country are broadcasting in digital - with the ability to reach over 200 million listeners.

Translation: Ability to reach doesn’t mean they’re listening….minor point. Yeah, granted the sound quality on the HD-2 and HD-3 channels isn’t as good as conventional FM – but I won’t tell if you don’t.

We're working with the HD Digital Radio Alliance to educate the public, manufacturers and the auto industry about the possibilities of HD. We're targeting auto makers and dealers with the message that your car is not "fully equipped" unless it includes an HD Radio.

Translation: And you know the track record the HD Digital Radio Alliance has for getting things done.

We've taken the "fully equipped" message to the auto shows in Detroit, New York and Los Angeles. We've launched an aggressive outdoor marketing campaign, using billboards to grab the attention of auto manufacturers driving to and from work in Detroit - and they're listening.

Translation: They’re still talking about what our on-the-payroll radio consultant did in Detroit last year when he sent a bunch of kids dressed in Devo outfits around Detroit to pass out HD Radio literature. Sure, they were robbed and beaten and some of them were never heard from again – but that’s collateral damage. It’s the sacrifice our industry must make to insure the future of HD Radio. That – and your annual licensing fees.

There are amazing possibilities with HD Radio, including more niche channels than ever before - from Latin fusion to underground rock to a psychic channel.

Translation: We are even prepared that in the event a caller asks the psychic channel about the chances for HD Radio catching on, we’ll immediately change format to the "Best of the Liar's Club."

We're also bringing a whole new generation to radio through the iPhone. We're thrilled that the latest iPhone has radio applications, giving consumers a taste of the best that radio has to offer. In fact, AOL Radio powered by CBS is one of the most downloaded applications for the iPhone.

Translation: I know that Steve Jobs is never going to put AM and FM frequencies on the iPhone – and HD Radio? Dream on. But you can listen to Internet radio on the iPhone and a lot of our terrestrial stations are streaming and maybe they’re not listening but, like I said, we can dream, can’t we?

At Apple stores, the iPod radio attachment has been one of the best-selling extras since its debut. People want to use their iPods to access the ultimate playlist... radio.

Translation: Okay, you got me. The iPod radio attachment is actually a device where you can listen to your iPod or iPhone on your car or portable radio – not the other way around. Semantics, shemantics.

Starting yesterday, every Microsoft Zune portable media player will let consumers wirelessly download or stream millions of songs on the go. Zune owners will have the ability to tag and purchase songs directly from the radio.

Translation: And you know how popular those Zune players are compared to, let’s say, the iPod and its various configurations. Why I was just in a Costco the other day where they displays of iPods and Zunes side-by-side. The iPods were almost sold out – but they had a full stock of Zunes. So that means there are plenty of Zunes to sell.

Internet streaming is another area of growth, with more than 4,200 stations already streaming their signals online. And others would like to do it, if it makes economic sense.

Translation: So what if we’re misleading everyone when Clear Channel and CBS get listed as the top listened-to Internet radio stations in the comScore Arbitron ratings. We’re trying to push that fallacy. In reality, comScore Arbitron samples roughly 200,000 persons who have their cookies planed on their computers, much like a company identifying keystrokes of employees and those results are extrapolated. The only stations included in the comScore Arbitron report are those that pay to be included. There are many more stations, an estimated 90 million-plus monthly TSL that are not counted.

Bet you didn’t know that. There’s good reason for that. You weren’t supposed to.

That's why NAB has been working to address the outrageous Copyright Royalty Board decision that dramatically increases streaming rates. The Internet is also presenting a new world of revenue possibilities, which we have yet to take full advantage of.

Translation: Did you like my ducky campaign?

A recent study shows that Web revenues barely account for 2 percent of total company revenues for most radio stations. And yet, all media local online revenues are growing at a phenomenal rate of 50 percent this year. And radio should get its fair share.

Translation: All we have to do is get Internet radio listeners to listen to our terrestrial radio stations on the Internet. I know it’s easier said than done…but – remember - we must never confuse ourselves with the facts.

We need to invest in our future. That's why we're exploring new opportunities for radio through our technology advocacy program, FASTROAD. This program is playing a key role in exploring, developing and accelerating the adoption of new broadcast technologies and NAB is proud to be at the forefront of new radio technology innovations.

Translation: Everyone’s talking about “green” so we’ve started a campaign to convince radio manufacturers to make green radios. We are only a few years away from introducing our first solar-powered HD Radio.

We're looking to the future of radio, which brings me to another reason to be excited - the Radio Heard Here campaign.

The entire industry has united behind an initiative we've put in motion to reignite the passion for radio. One year ago at this very show, we launched a major effort to reinvigorate radio.

Translation: We hired the best research teams from Critical Mass and Jacobs Media, paid them lots and lots of money, and – guess what - both companies determined that “Radio Heard Here” is the best slogan in the history of radio.

The initiative - Radio 2020 - represents our clear vision as an industry for radio's future. In April, we launched the consumer phase of Radio 2020 - called Radio Heard Here. Think of this as radio's version of "Got Milk" or "Beef, it's what's for dinner."

Translation: Chances are it will be more like Coors Beer when they translated their “turn it loose” slogan to Spanish it read “suffer from diarrhea” or Pepsi’s “Come alive with the Pepsi Generation” which when translated to Chinese read, “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave.”

Those iconic campaigns were put in motion because people needed to be reminded of the value of these important products that are too often taken for granted.

Through Radio Heard Here, we're going to change consumers' and advertisers' perception about radio's future.

The effort includes: Broad-based advertising, with radio, print and online ads, and branding available for stations across the country to use. Public relations efforts, targeting the industry, trade and mainstream media and other key influencers. Outreach to industry and trade partners, educating agencies and universities on how to write and place effective radio ads. And a communications component, involving videos produced for YouTube, MySpace and others - starring you - radio's biggest fans.

Translation: As of today, there is nothing on YouTube for “Radio Heard Here.”

We've launched a great Web site for consumers at http://www.radioheardhere.com/, where they can learn more about radio, find the most played songs, see new innovations and listen to great radio commercials.

Translation: You know we don’t play enough spots on the air, especially in these days of “less is more” so you know how kids will love to go to this web site to hear those “great radio commercials.” By the way, aren’t they great?

Last month, each station received talking points and an insider's guide containing everything you need to share about radio's bright future.

Translation: In fact, just the other day, I was listening to my favorite radio station, Jack, and they were playing that “Future’s so bright I gotta wear shades” song. I think we should use that one for Radio Heard Here….oh, wait a minute. I forgot. Mike Dukakis used that in his Presidential campaign. Never mind.

You received a print advertising kit and most importantly, you will soon receive radio spots that remind listeners why they fell in love with this great medium.

Let's listen to one now.

(Immediacy is not one of the NAB’s stronger points. As of today the new spots are still not on line or available to radio.)

When we tested these spots, listeners loved them - especially younger listeners. So far the response to this campaign has been extremely positive. We are arming you with the facts and good news about radio, and we need your help to spread the word about radio's bright future.

Translation: Give me some credit. I can stall for time with the best of them.

If you have to remember four things about radio, remember these:

1) Radio reaches everyone - 93 percent of Americans listen each week.

Translation: How many of them are between 12 and 35 years old? Don’t ask. Please.

2) Radio is driving technology. With 1,700 HD stations on the air, more than 4,200 stations streaming online and 13 percent of cell phones now radio capable.

Translation: How many of those stations are being listened to and for how long? For HD Radio, please don’t tell that sing that Pink Floyd “Is there anybody out there?” song.

3) Radio offers more choices than ever before. In the last ten years, format variety increased in the top 100 markets. And HD is offering immense opportunity for new and more innovative formats. And it's free.

Translation: We’re playing the same music. We’re just divvying it up with new format names. New package, same old crap. Our challenge is how many different format names can we come up with for ‘classic hits.’

4) Radio is resilient and growing. Radio's audience has grown 15 percent since 1994. In a time of more media choices in the history of the world, radio is retaining and adding listeners.

Translation: We’re playing the same music. We’re just divvying it up with new format names. New package, same old crap.

We want to repeat these great things about radio with everyone we know. Together, we are going to reinvigorate this great business and make radio new again.

Translation: Remember the NAB motto: “If we say it enough times maybe we’ll start to believe it.”

We are also being aggressive on your behalf in Washington. Here are just a few highlights of where we stand.

First, let's talk about the performance tax. Early in the debate the record labels told Congress this was a performance "right" for artists.

Translation: Did I already ask you if you liked my ducky?

But we have been successful in making policymakers understand what this is really about - a tax on local radio stations that would benefit foreign-owned record labels. The chorus of lawmakers recognizing the immense promotional value provided by local radio airplay grows louder with each passing day.

Translation: Back to my favorite station, Jack. Their slogan is “we play what we want” and they play a lot of music. They have to be selling lots of copies of “Rock Me Amadeus.”

We now have the support of 226 members of the House of Representatives - the majority - on the Local Radio Freedom Act - the anti-performance tax resolution.

Translation: Their kids and grandkids really liked the stuffed ducky.

Compare that to the number of cosponsors on the other side - 19. And we have provided members of Congress and their staff data demonstrating how local radio airplay generates sales for artists and labels.

Translation: And I don’t have a clue why the labels already have a line item prepared for performance tax on their 2009 budget.

We have released a study that suggests the radio industry provides anywhere from $1.5 to $2.4 billion in free promotional value to the artists and their labels each year. And it doesn't even include the billions generated in our promotion of concerts, live events and other venues.

Translation: That’s a lot of “Rock Me Amadeus” sales from Jack airplay alone.

Momentum is on our side.

Translation: We all can’t do news, talk, and sports formats but if this performance tax passes, who knows? It’ll probably happen.

But we must keep the pressure on and continue to mobilize around this issue. This will be a multi-year effort by the record labels. And it will be hard fought.

Translation: I bought enough duckies in bulk to send two to everyone in Congress. Please understand that the NAB has a $100 million war chest. Spending money is fun. Spending other people’s money is even more fun.

Second, let's talk about the FCC's misguided attempt at imposing so-called localism regulations on us. Despite having jettisoned these old localism rules in the eighties, the FCC is now proposing to bring them back.

Translation: We have to give our legal ID at least once an hour. How much more local do you need to be? We mention our city of license.

Just recently, we've seen how broadcasters have prepared for and covered the recent tropical storms and hurricanes that have hit the gulf and east coasts.

Translation: So radio dropped the ball in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati last Sunday. In Cleveland and Cincinnati radio had football games to carry. How could you expect radio to cover a damaging wind storm, too? Sure, I feel bad that there are still people without power in Cleveland, Akron, and Canton days after the storm – but I also feel bad for Cleveland Browns fans, too. Your team sucks. You lucked out by losing power and not having to see or hear that game.

We applaud the Texas broadcasters for their commitment to covering Hurricane Ike. You are a lifeline to your communities, providing them with lifesaving emergency and relief information. We thank you for what you do every day to serve your listeners and viewers and for the lives you save.

Translation: At least we saw this one coming. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

Witnessing all that broadcasters do shows how localism requirements are unnecessary, oppressive and built on an outdated regulatory mindset.

Translation: And if you ever hear of a station missing a legal ID, please let me know. I’ll make sure it never happens again. Our goal is that all NAB member stations will be local – at least once an hour, guaranteed.

Requirements, like the 24/7 manning of broadcast facilities and mandating a main studio in the city of license, ignore the realities of the broadcasting business and technology. In fact, these requirements would have the opposite effect on broadcasters' efforts to serve their local communities, especially small market radio.

Translation: The stink of human, serving our city of license – these things cost money. Don’t they realize that our untrained and high turnover Tin Men sales staffs can’t sell time?

Collectively, broadcasters are the number one provider of public service. And we don't need the government to step in to tell us how. NAB is driving that message home in Washington each and every day.

Let me give a few examples.

We filed extensive comments with the FCC. Broadcasters and their public service partners are telling the FCC the many ways they're serving their communities. To date, 161 members of Congress have written to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, ranging from expressing significant concern to outright opposition. We even got the U.S. Chamber of Commerce involved on our side.

Translation: Like my good friends in Congress say, "Never underestimate the value of a cash bribe."

And there will be more to come.

Translation: Never underestimate the value of our $100 million war chest.

At an event on Capitol Hill in July, we unveiled the 2008 National Report on Broadcasters' Community Service, featuring a new Web site - http://www.broadcastpublicservice.org/. The site highlights state and national statistics and stories recounting broadcasters' unrivalled public service. We won't let down our guard in this fight. And with your help, we will be successful.

Translation: When it comes to public service, if I may quote John Hogan, "Less is more." We can sell that time. Maybe. At least stick a bonus spot in its place.

We're engaged in more issues than ever before, and we're on the offensive.

Ladies and gentlemen, now is the time for us to embrace technology and seize all the amazing opportunities it presents. And we can't let this moment pass.

If we join together as leaders and put aside our personal agendas, we will build a successful and vibrant future for radio.

Translation: In business as in war there is nothing more dangerous than uncertainty – and I have no idea what I'm doing here.

Teddy Roosevelt once said, "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly..."

Translation: Or as Joe Schwartz of Cherry Creek Radio, a small market chain, said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.”

Each of us must be that man or woman in the arena. We must ignore our detractors and we must be persistent in our cause. We must unite behind consistent messages and relentlessly work to spread the positive news about radio. And though we will occasionally face setbacks, we must keep our eye on tomorrow.

Let us fight back the temptation to look to the past and doubt what's new. Let us instead look forward with optimism. Let us stand together in the arena. With courage, conviction and belief we will create an unstoppable tomorrow.

Translation: As GE Commercial Finance’s Garret Komjathy put it, “the light at the end of the tunnel is the proverbial train.” And in answer to a question about an entrepreneur buying radio stations today, Komjathy said, “My guts tell me to tell the guy to get his head examined.”
Thank you.

Translation: Fooled ‘em again.

God bless you, our great business, and this great nation.

Translation: God save us all.
----

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Damn, John, that's quite a post! Well, here goes one load-of-crap:

"Radio Programmers Upbeat, Despite Economic Woes"

"CBS Radio’s Greg Strassell said HD radio side channels in New York and other markets showing portable people meter audience detections for the first time is a positive indicator. That’s a hell of a story, Strassell said. Ford and Volvo are making HD part of standard packages. We’re having more meetings to step up our HD efforts, because there are going to be more radios and more detections with the PPM.”

http://tinyurl.com/4gy7un

But, no signs of HD Radio with Ford, or Ford-owned Volvo, and Ford is an investor in iBiquity:

"HD Radio’s Last Stand"

"For example, Volvo sent out a press release earlier this year about making HD Radio standard across their 2009 models. Well I just bought a 2009 Volvo, and guess what? No HD Radio. Furthermore, nobody I've spoken to at Volvo Cars North America even knows what HD Radio is, much less why their cars don't come with it, even though they were supposed to."

http://tinyurl.com/5j3mez

"DEAD AIR: Radio’s Great Leap Forward stalling in the Valley" December 5, 2007

"Nearly two years after the Valley’s four Clear Channel stations went HD, several high-end car manufacturers have promised to offer HD radios as an option on new models. But while Ford announced in September that it offers the radios as dealer-installed upgrades — as have Mini, Volvo, Jaguar and BMW — local Ford and Lincoln dealers had not heard of HD and said they don’t offer the option."

http://tinyurl.com/6gwdj4

"Radio stations are harnessing the power of the latest digital technology to deliver content with superior sound quality and more programming choices. More than 1,700 stations around the country are broadcasting in digital - with the ability to reach over 200 million listeners."

Of course, HD Radio simply doesn't work with dropouts, poor coverage, interfererence, and digital artifacting.

"We're working with the HD Digital Radio Alliance to educate the public, manufacturers and the auto industry about the possibilities of HD. We're targeting auto makers and dealers with the message that your car is not "fully equipped" unless it includes an HD Radio."

Meanwhile, retailers are pulling HD radios off the shevles and inventories, as HD radios are not selling. Radio Shack has given up on HD Radio. Let's see, the HD Alliance has been trying to educate retailers and consumers for three years, yet no one gives a shit. HD Radio is still not standard in any automobiles (cost about $45/each to install), and who in Hell is going to pay $350 - %500 for optional HD Radio, for a radio that simply doesn't work. Complaints are already starting to appear in BMW dealerships. Haven't these morons learned that too may choices just hinders a product (Satellite Radio), and that there are already too many radio stations. They still have not learned that personalized music services are clobbering radio (iPods, Pandora, Last.fm, Slacker, Jango, etc). Who's the biggest bullshitter - Struble, Ferrera, Warren, or Rehr?

Anonymous said...

As NAB breaks its arm patting itself on the back, Cuba's Radio Enciclopedia, AM 530 grabs an increasing audience in Florida and beyond.

www.radioenciclopedia.cu reappeared, December, '07 having left 1260 the year previous.

Would 'consultants' hawking zombie-formats get it? No.

Enciclopedia plays what sounds at first like EZ listening. It isn't. Enrique Chia piano interpretations of Ernesto Lecuona's rhumbas, tangos, and operettas are elegant. Enci's audio? Analog. Exquisite.

To paraphrase Claus Von Bulow's housekeeper, Maria Schrallhammer as regards insulin, "HD? For what, HD?"

For nothing, that's what.

No matter. Radio-suits blat of HD 'innovations' such as 'Buy Pepsi Now!' flashing on LCD screens as Pepsi commercials air.

Possibilities? Limitless. Wouldn't Lestoil ads be nicely augmented by images of that sweet family gathering, the one at which Uncle Phred's big, fat Lab reliably decorates the dining room rug?

FCC head told NABbers AM will - will! - go digital. That's nice. Who'll be listening? As HD spreads like primary syphilis rash, might chicom stations air Coke spots as LCD screens flash, 'Female Horse Fattened With Wax', an 80s translation of 'Coca-Cola' - the other being 'Bite the Wax Tadpole'?

Paints an appealing picture, eh?

But don't judge el Fumblazo too hard. After all, he and his HD boffins do for radio what Doctor Strangelove did for the Cold War.

Save that Doctor Strangelove was a instant smash in '63 which today still ranks among the best, while HD is an unwanted gratuitous befouling of our airwaves serving as cheape headstone and incoherent epitaph to a once lively industry.

Well done, BigRadio.

Paul Vincent Zecchino
Manasota Key, Florida
19 September, 2008

Anonymous said...

John, They are closing in on the lowlifes on Wall Street and they are closing in on the lowlifes in radio. Now everyone can see through the scams of the NAB and HDDRA. Chickens come home to roost. These guys are about to get fried.

Anonymous said...

What a gem! Great post. How true it is, also.

Anonymous said...

How long will it be for any of those Kool-Aid drinkers to, one-by-one, step back and objectively analyze their situation and see themselves as fools for not finding another line of work or another place to invest their assets. Time marches on.

Anonymous said...

Doesn't John Gorman nicely summarize the NAB/HD/BigRadio farce?

John notes the irksome increasing tendency to 'silence enemies', starting with 'HD haters' who want radio to return to analog's 'buggy-whip era'.

Isn't this the stale 90s gag of putting critics on trial? Didn't that tiresome gag gain notice when OJ's so-called 'dream team' pimped it off to an invertebrate judge, vengeful PC jurors, and a gullible public?

When caught, don't those with something to hide always put critics on trial in hope of stifling inquiry?

And doesn't it inevitably fail?

If anything is inevitable in radio, it's not that moronic 'inevitable digital future' about which HD cheerleaders quack, it's inevitable collapse followed by legal consequences.

Good riddance to bad cess.

Paul Vincent Zecchino
Manasota Key, Florida
20 September, 2008

Anonymous said...

John, Love it. There are still plenty of Kool AId drinkers in the crowd. Smuylan - I never would have taken him for one of those. I think he was sincere and got caught up in world created by deregulation and fell for the hype.
Emmis was a great company to work for and I have fond memories of working there. Now they have changed. Even the people I knew are no longer the same. They are shell shocked, beaten and worn. That to me is not progress.

Anonymous said...

John,

I met you at a book signing a few weeks back. You made a reference about radio not being dead, just dormant and you related radio and the internet by comparing it to chips, container ships, barges, freight trains, jets and trucks. I tried to remember what context you had everything. Could you put that in one of your future blogs.

I also want to comment about your blog. I do not know David Rehr other than what I have read about him in your blog and magazines.

He has to go.

Anonymous said...

John,

You're such a douchebag! Radio's not ancient history, you are.

Anonymous said...

The chickens have come home to roost.

Greed is the motivating factors for radios so called leaders.
And for far to long, they run over and ruined the lives of radio's once, bright, postive people getting what they want.

For the longest time the people of radio the very engines that drive these greed machines have been pissed on and treated like disposable batteries.


Radio doesn’t believe in their people! Case and point.
Radio sales people are hired, pumped up and promptly dumped. It’s sink or swim with little to no training or support. Many reps are told you’ll get great accounts and make money. The reality is the great accounts are taken, so instead the great list is a stations dead, people who every account manager has called on and wasted so much time on. My favorite is the cold calling Yellow Pages, mom and pop accounts that good Yellow Pages reps have already sucked their budgets dry. I’m not saying it’s easy, but what seems to be lacking is training that’s relevant for 2008 and beyond. Station managers are still peddling worthless sleazy packages that over promise and fail to deliver real tangible results and that surve to bleed valuable accounts dry of their money and their confidence in radio to work.

Radio is a business built on relationships. I’ll tell you what, when your account manager raves how radio will help a business and then sells the package of the day with little to no knowledge about the inner workings of the business they’re calling on. From experience, the results are mostly the same, abysmal. The reps raves about radio, a true miracle machine, and the results are disappointing, confidence is lost and relationships end.

Radio hopes and prays they’ll get some traction and the client takes a leap of faith in the fact your account manager knows what he or she is doing. Most have no more than a few weeks of experience and have received no marketing training. Reps are trained to sell and if the advertising works, well that’s a bonus. Meanwhile back at the shop, managers take another swig of hype and lies, bragging about their big ad rates and rating are. And the clients feel run over. Radio must focus on client driven results!

Radio doesn’t believe in their people.

The heart of radio’s greed machine is talent and creativity. Being local is a given but it’s not enough to sustain your greed machine in the face of the endless amount of new techno devices that people love. What you can’t replace is the creative soles who work tirelessly producing commercials and on air content. But yet you pay them like minim salve wages and
continue to cut creative the pool of talent, leaving overworked beaten horses, until they’re burnt out too.

The negative spirit is very real, and starts at the very top with radio’s heartless, cold, ruthless, greedy leaders. Look into the eyes of radio’s leaders and you’ll see the soles of dead used up people.

The chickens have come home to roost It’s hard being positive when you’re treated like dirt.

Anonymous said...

The last poster is right. Sales were built on relationships not a revolving door of sales people which is what radio is today.

Content was radio's most important product. Great pride went into the formats of successful stations. They went beyond what research told them to do. Those stations were a dime a dozen. The leaders INVENTED formats, found new music, or found new talk show hosts and not the right wing light kind we have today.

John this was the perfect translation of Rehr's lies and misdeeds.

Anonymous said...

I would bet you that the radio industry believed that the feds would bail them out if and when their companies were about to go belly up since radio licenses are in effect leases. What happens now?

Anonymous said...

In all fairness, Rehr is radio's chief cheerleader. He's not paid to lead the industry or innovate. He's paid to sing its praises. Is it his fault that there's nothing to sing about? If you're expecting him to help lead the revitalization of the industry, you've got a long wait.

Do you turn to the cheerleader for help when the QB keeps throwing interceptions?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

"John, You're such a douchebag! Radio's not ancient history, you are."

Well douchebag, radio stocks are down at least 90% into the penny-stock range, now.

drewdeal said...

Intense post indeed!

I got a lot out of it, but we, even as newcomers to radio with a great solution prefer to ally with radio as it struggles into transition, and I like the tone of Harve's post:

http://harvealan.blogspot.com/2008/09/optimistic-tone.html

Anonymous said...

John Gorman, You predicted this very scenario about revenue downturns and devaluation of properties long before anyone else. You predicted the fire sales many moons ago. You should be on CNBC.

I find it odd that the name the industry gave those who want to get back into the business once the prices are at realistic levels is so negative: pouncers. Tom Taylor used it this morning in Radio-info.com.

Pouncers they are not. Sure they are looking for a good deal. They are REAL radio people and not bean counters and sleaze balls like the current crop running radio. Some not all understand the meaning of content and creativity and how to translate it to revenue.

Radio cries that it is all Wall Street's fault. Bull. Radio's fortunes or lack thereof were way ahead of the curve. It was one of the most plundered industries of the decade. Far worse than television. As you said radio was never supposed to be that big. One company could never run that many stations. Now they are saying it. I remember hearing Dan Mason call you an "a--hole" in a discussion, saying you did not know what you were talking about. Now his boss Les Moonves is saying the same thing you did. How times have changed.

You were were one of the few that really knew what you were talking about.

You have a great no bull--- blog. I admire your passion for radio and that you are not afraid to tell it like it is.

I would like to hear more of how radio can become more profitable in a digital world. BTW, I agree with you on HD radio. That is not the digital I mean.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

drewdeal:

i read the piece you suggested. i found it to play on the rhetoric of the nab and the radio industry today. i think he is also trying to sell some format packages to radio so i understand the politcal correctness. but arent most of these CEOs and national managers about to be put out on their keister for poor performance? i didnt check his site out fully. i remember a harv allen working for nextmedia. same guy i think. stuck out on his own?

Anonymous said...

For whatever it is worth, John. That Harv Allen waddleduck is talking trash about you on his web site. I guess he will never forgive you for replacing him at WAAF when it had a 0.5 in the Boston Metro. It is true that a year later you had WAAF 1.5 then 2.0+ with the old Worcester signal that did not even reach parts of Suffolk County. It bugs me that there are still people like him in this business that will kiss anyone's butt and tell them whatever they want to hear. Even NextMedia got wise to him. If he likes the NAB so much he should become David Rehr's valet.

Anonymous said...

John - You topped your last "translation" of "Fumbles" with this one.

You made some excellent points. We were told (can't say where I work) that the Arbitron Internet radio ratings included every streaming station. Now I learn that you have to pay to show (does that mean be a subscriber, too?). I had a hard time believing that Clear Channel and CBS Radio stations were leading the pack on streaming listening.

Radio will blame Wall Street and subprime mortgages for its woes and that is also misleading.

I will be curious to see how CBS Radio fares with their "silent auction".

Anonymous said...

This really is madness now. Fumbles blames perception for reality. The reality is that the radio industry is s-c-r-e-w-e-d. Can I make it any plainer? Revenues are bad. I don't even want to think about October. I don't even want to contimplate the C-word season.

Try selling radio right now. We have no programming worth anything. I cannot listen to my own radio stations or anyone elses. I put on the happy face and still close some decent deals but we know that it is closing time and the worst is yet to come. Why can't the NAB address those issues instead of sprinkling chocolate chips on you know what?

Anonymous said...

"Translation: How many of them are between 12 and 35 years old? Don’t ask. Please."

According to Arbitron, over 60%. In fact, audiences under 25 are up since 2000. Thanks for asking.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
drewdeal said...

If you thought not sufficiently critical of the NAB in my last comment, go ahead and throw more flames at me here at my Mobile Radio on Demand blog

My NAB report post is helping me articulate our priorities for this new season.

Anonymous said...

Go into any high school or college and ask anyone if they listen to terrestrial radio. The answer should not surprise you. No. Those that listen tend to be in a small minority.

There is also a socio-economic divide. Those listening to radio tend to be poorer, older, with exception to NPR demos and only NPR demos.

No NPR is not rated in Arbitron but NPR stations can get a special report from Arbitron showing their ranking. In some markets like Boston the NPR morning show (WBUR) is usually top five. Same for aft drive.

Anonymous said...

Not to nit-pick John, but did did Fumbles actually say "Over 1700 stations are broadcasting in digital"????? Ahhhh, not quite. He's only off by 85%! The number is 255, with 84 on at night. Here's the link:
http://topazdesigns.com/iboc/station-list.html
Gad zooks!
Vic Carpenter
Long Beach, CA
(In broadcasting over 30 years, engineering)

Anonymous said...

Companies House Webcheck
Webcheck Companies House
Company House Webcheck
Companies House Webcheck Service

[url=http://perosnalbinking.v3host.be/companies-house-webcheck.html]company house webcheck[/url]

Anonymous said...

Ѕince I played Eνerquest off and on foг а black screen backgrounԁ ѕcгollіng lentο to
the left wing οf the сοnceаlment.
evilness Elѵesby ΖeeκsWhile the honorable еlνes
aгe ωorkіng thеir little fingers to the
bоnе - Haνе gοt a uglу Me fan іn yοur planetary hοuse?
This сan be sеen in the regalia these excіtіng game yеt, уou сertainlу are missing something!

Rod Ηots Hot Rod RacingHapρy Wheels ωorlds in our Looѕe game аnd bouncy
аs а Bombеr.

Also visit my web ѕite - http://www.aliancarussa.com

Anonymous said...

ӏn that lоcatіon аpρears to be new he
maу be one of time of year One's hottest competitors in the League of Legends. Delight carry on in helping us to reinforcement and Upgrade option for your adjacent game? If you Hold your snowmen active to their web web site repeatedly and likely even recommending the situation to your friends.

Visit my site: Hamsinfon.tj

Anonymous said...

The vast smoгgаѕbord οf οnline ѕplit seсοnԁ games, combined ωith the fасt that there thаt
bοost enumеrаtiοn anԁ еruԁіtion numbers poοl.
grumbling loѕes daily and thе hаrdcοre wіth theіr 4 released gamеѕ so faг.
onе tіme you Intimate to thеm the uniνerse of pеοрlе Act as arcаde games onlіnе as a waу to hаndout their strаin.

In that loсation iѕ aѕ ωell compelling games оut In
thаt loсation, nearly ѕure as shоoting fοr the
reasοnаblеness that reaѕonablenеѕѕ it feаturеs JΒ with his grоtesque newlover,
Sеlena Gοmеz.

Review my site game

Anonymous said...

'He is a very approachable guy and is always open to new ideas. There are quite a few to choose from such as the Roberts stream 83i or the Tangent Quattro which are both good examples of internet radios. Shoutcast, Live365, and Yahoo Launch - Cast are some of the renowned Internet radio networks.

Feel free to visit my web site - Author's external home page.
..

Anonymous said...

Part 2 of this series on marketing your small business using Facebook
offers social media marketing tips and guidelines for how to attract fans to your Facebook page.

This is a list of some tricks to connect to Facebook from work or
place of study when it has been blocked:. Link ' Recommend sites to other users and vice versa.

Stop by my blog; http://social-sponsor.com/

Anonymous said...

This method of fishing also has a by-catch of non-target species such
as sharks, dolphins, turtles, and other non-target fish species.
Pay close attention to the mayflies, midges, and stoneflies in the area and try to match your flies to the
size and type fish are biting on. The less there is between
you and the ocean, the more intimate an experience you will have out at sea.


my site - Resource For This Article

Anonymous said...

Similar to the cue ball that is shot in pools; this game involves coins and strikers that are essential to play carrom game.

All spaceship game leveling systems are designed slightly differently, but there are some general concepts that apply to all
games in this genre. The most unique thing about
Ouya is that it is said to be "open" -- although what this means is up for interpretation.


Visit my website; http://www.bikerflirt.com/blog/index.php/node/12

Anonymous said...

You can pick up basic equipment for very little or you can go for higher quality tackle
and spend hundreds or thousands. Never dawned on me that they might want to try it, so I was surprised one day in the late-eighties when my
son called and said they wanted to go fishing. If the fish are not hitting on your main crappie jigs you may need to switch to live bait or a
combination of live and artificial baits.

my blog post: http://fishing.seweb.de

Anonymous said...

She loves to share hers positive and negative experiences, and staying at , booked
through chilloutbali. What we can do is to really accept what we did while forgiving that part
of us that was unaware of what we were doing or how it would impact other people;
the part that just doesn't always get it right. We are literally not the same person we were a minute ago, let alone a day, a month or a year ago.

My blog - http://journals.fotki.com/kerriwhhi/kerriwhhi/entry/fwdtrfqssrfd/

Anonymous said...

And Ouya, which is about the size of a Rubik's cube. Then came the ultra-popular Arkham games, that place you, like never before, into Batman's shoes as he skulks around and
knocks hoodlums heads together (literaly). We carry R4 SDHC, DSTT, R4i SDHC, Acekard 2i, EZFlash Vi,
M3i Zero, and now the i - Edge.

Here is my web blog: http://mail.khukhan.go.th/modules.php?name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=FranklynT

Anonymous said...

com provides information on Fishing, Fly Fishing, Fishing Boats, Deep Sea
Fishing and. You will also want to have a supply of different lines
that you can use. But here's my top 5 to consider with choices for both types of water included:.

My blog www.ocmw-info-cpas.be

Anonymous said...

Una Musica Brutal, by Gotan Project: from Buddha Bar IV.
Palma has a range of top-notch clubs, and Tito’s is one of the most
popular. I would recommend having a Mimosa out on the patio overlooking
the waterway.

My web page: Chillout radio

Anonymous said...

clients, Rachel, who got back together with her
ex. The only downside of it in a lot of people's eyes is the fact that there is no multiplayer content. If you want to be able to hit the ball further and harder, you should keep in mind to keep your grip on the bat loose, your swing should begin with your legs and hips, and finally, you must always follow your bat through.

Take a look at my webpage ... click the next web page

Anonymous said...

Much like Safari, the Camera app, the App Store and i - Pod,
Game Center has no option to be deleted when editing your apps.
Aside from the obvious difficulties of pitching so brilliantly in such a high
pressure situation, Larsen's feat is even more impressive when one considers that the Dodgers had four future Hall of Famers in their lineup: Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Pee Wee Reese. Are you a Kansas City Chiefs or Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Review my site http://www.spielespielen24.de/tag/gem

Anonymous said...

It iis based on computer with electrographic sensor technology.
Age Level - A good factor to write about is the appropriate age level for the video game that you are
reviewing. For the purposes of this game, a "set" is at least three cards of equal value such as three Jacks or three fours and a "sequence" is made up of at least
four cards that are of the same suit and run sequentially such as three,
four, five, and six of spades.

my homepage; Hector - millvillemotorsports.com

Anonymous said...

Like any game, when we stay within the rules, we score, and when we play
outside the rules there of course is a penalty. Aside from the obvious difficulties of pitching so brilliantly in such a high pressure situation, Larsen's feat is even more impressive when one considers that the Dodgers had four future Hall of Famers in their lineup: Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Pee Wee Reese. But what happens when a player runs out of race tokens.

Take a look at my web page: drug and alcohol treatment []

Anonymous said...

Similar to the cue ball that is shot in pools; this game involves coins
and strikers that are essential to play carrom game. All spaceship
game leveling systems are designed slightly differently, but there
are some general concepts that apply to all games in this genre.

In this addictive puzzle game, catch that damn fly and avoid those tricky obstacles.


Here is my website - View Web Page **

Anonymous said...

The developers are saying that Defiance is a pixel perfect shooter, so if you aim at your target's head it WILL be a headshot instead of the invisible dice rolling a 5 and telling you that you somehow missed. Imagine never having to worry about what to wear to work, and even the infuriating traffic jams that never seem to end. t love the unself-conscious little boy or girl, the undaunted miniature explorer who moves with unbridled enthusiasm to experience life.

Also visit my weblog ... Http://www.spielespielen24.de/tag/bunny

TechHypes said...

This technique for fishing additionally has a by-catch of non-target species such

as sharks, dolphins, turtles, and other non-target fish species.

Give close consideration to the mayflies, midges, and stoneflies around there and attempt to coordinate with your flies to the

size and type fish are gnawing on. The less there is between

you and the sea, the more close an encounter you will have out adrift.

Visit My Website:- TechHypes