Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2006 > October > 31
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
11/1: No changes at Clear Channel
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The rumors were flying last week about major wholesale changes at the various Clear Channel Atlanta stations (Buzz, Lite, WGST, 96rock), but nothing happened. Here’s the theory: last week, Clear Channel national admitted that they may go private or sell parts of the kingdom. That roiled Wall Street and the likely message to individual markets was: hold tight, don’t add expenses, don’t make any changes until 2007. So for folks who like the status quo, you’ll likely get it the next few weeks. Lite will go Christmas usual, Denny and the Kimmer remain on the air, and ditto with the Buzz format and Randy & Spiff.
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10/31: WRAS naughty word problem
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On radio-info.com, a posting noted that a professional comedian on the Georgia State radio station WRAS-FM last week uttered some naughty words related to Bill Clinton that the FCC would frown upon.
Here’s what DeAnna Hines, the Georgia State PR person had to say Tuesday via email:
“The university is reviewing this matter in accordance with the station’s policies and procedures. Live interviews have been suspended pending the outcome of this review. The university does not make statements regarding a student’s academic status or personnel action.”
In other words, she won’t say whether the students who did the interview are in trouble or not.
Surprisingly, WRAS does not use a delay or offer a “dump” button the way most commercial stations do post Janet Jackson despite the fact student DJs are relatively untrained.
And full disclosure for the commenter below: I am a Georgia State grad student getting my MBA. If Cassie Smith, the general manager, would allow me, I’ll be happy to come on down and check things out. She declined to comment about the situation when I emailed her Monday.
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10/31: Air America ad blackout?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FAIR, the liberal-leaning media watchdog group, released the following press release today:
Note: FAIR has a clean, readable copy of the leaked ABC Radio Networks memo posted on its website
Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting * www.fair.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 31, 2006
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2983
Air America on Ad Blacklist? ABC document: Sponsors shun liberal network
10/31/06
An internal memo from ABC Radio Networks to its affiliates reveals scores of powerful sponsors have a standing order that their commercials never be placed on syndicated Air America programming that airs on ABC affiliates.
The October 25 memo was provided to FAIR by the Peter B. Collins Show, a syndicated radio show originating on the West Coast.
Headlined “Air America Blackout” and addressed “Dear Traffic Director”—referring to the radio station staffer who coordinates programming and advertising—the memo gives the following order to affiliates:
“Please be advised that Hewlett Packard has purchased schedules with ABC Radio Networks between October 30th and December 24th, 2006. Please make sure you blackout this advertiser on your station, as they do not wish it to air on any Air America affiliate.”
The directive then advises ABC Radio Network affiliates to take note of a list of other sponsors who do not want their programming to run during Air America programming:
“Please see below for a complete list of all advertisers requesting that NONE of their commercials air within Air America programming.”
The list, totaling 90 advertisers, includes some of largest and most well-known corporations advertising in the U.S.: Wal-Mart, GE, Exxon Mobil, Microsoft, Bank of America, Fed-Ex, Visa, Allstate, McDonald’s, Sony and Johnson & Johnson. The U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Navy are also listed as advertisers who don’t want their commercials to air on Air America.
The ABC memo is evidence of the potentially censorious effect that advertisers’ political preferences can have on the range of views presented in the media. When Al Gore proposed launching a progressive TV network, a Fox News executive told Advertising Age (10/13/03): “The problem with being associated as liberal is that they wouldn’t be going in a direction that advertisers are really interested in…. If you go out and say that you are a liberal network, you are cutting your potential audience, and certainly your potential advertising pool, right off the bat.” (See Extra!, 11-12/03: http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2595)
FAIR’s call to the ABC contact person listed on the memo, to ask if similar “blackout” lists exist for other shows, including conservative-leaning programs, has not been returned.
FAIR, the national media watch group, has been offering well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship since 1986.
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10/31: Ex-Dave FMer Eric subs for Chris on Buzz
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chris Williams, the interim program director for 96rock and program director for the Buzz, typically does an afternoon shift on the Buzz as well. But he’s been off the air the past few days having been suspended over the Regular Guys firing/restroom stunt/lawsuit situation. In his temporary place on the air: Eric, who was fired a few weeks back from Dave FM. He already sounds peppier on the Buzz than he ever did on Dave.
I’ve gotten nada from the Clear Channel bosses about anything in recent days so I’m not sure when Chris is coming back. It could be as soon as today.
