Radio+Television Business Report

He’s been a fixture at a group of stations in Los Angeles owned and operated by Audacy, the company formerly known as Entercom Communications. He stayed with the stations, which include “93.1 Jack FM,” “K-Earth 101,” KNX, “94-7 The Wave,” “97.1 Amp,” and KROQ, through Entercom’s tax-free merger with CBS Radio.

Now, this sales leader is heading north. He’s just been appointed VP/Market Manager of Cumulus Media‘s San Francisco-Oakland station group.

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Taking the post previously held by the retired Doug Harvill is Larry Blumhagen.

He’ll start his new role on May 3, putting him in command of Classic Rock KSAN-FM (107.7 The Bone), News/Talk KGO-AM, Sports Talker KNBR-AM & FM and Talker KSFO-AM.

In L.A., he was VP/Director of Sales at Audacy, prior to its corporate name change. He’d been with the stations for six years.

But, before that, he was CBS Radio’s GSM for San Francisco, and held the role from 2006-2015.

For nine years before that, he was GSM for the former CBS Radio (and Infinity) stations in Portland, Ore.

A 29-year radio broadcasting veteran, Blumhagen started his career as Account Executive for Henry Broadcasting/American Radio Systems.

“Larry brings a strategic mind focused on building successful sales organizations and positive cultures,” says Cumulus EVP/Operations Dave Milner. “Aligning his exceptional leadership abilities and deep knowledge of the San Francisco market with our talented team and strong brands is a winning combination.”

Blumhagen added, “I’m beyond thrilled to return to San Francisco and to join the
exceptional team at Cumulus Media. Leading these great brands forward while meeting the needs of both our listeners and advertisers will be an exciting journey. I’m fortunate to be stepping into Doug Harvill’s shoes, as I know first-hand that he is a man of deep integrity and immense passion for the industry.”

In Q4 2016, Viacom agreed to purchase Telefe, a major Argentine TV operation, for $345 million.

Now, the company that is today ViacomCBS is crossing the Andes to purchase a WarnerMedia asset.

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HC2 Station Group is committed to owning and operating television stations. It simply seeks to have fewer properties in its stable, and has been paring down assets in the broadcasting sector as part of a large capital-raising campaign led by Wayne Barr Jr.

In the latest divestment move from HC2, it is shedding a trio of LPTV permits under the HC2 Station Group licensee name and another three LPTV permits from HC2-held DTV America Corp.

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In October 2020, Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group acquired MGM‘s over-the-air broadcast television networks This TV and Light TV, offered as digital multicast networks with national distribution, for an undisclosed price.

Now, This TV is getting a boost, bringing it to more U.S. locales.

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MIAMI — Until now, its collection of radio stations has been represented on a national level by Gen Media Partners, through its HRN Media Network. 

That’s changing, thanks to an agreement signed this morning by this Hispanic media company’s COO, Albert Rodriguez.

What’s the new national representation firm for Spanish Broadcasting System?

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The former General Counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has joined Wiley Rein LLP, today going by the “Wiley Law” brand, as the co-Chair of its Appellate Practice.

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Thomas M. Johnson Jr., has joined Wiley as a partner.

Johnson has more 15 years of experience in private practice and public service at the federal and state levels, representing clients in high-stakes appellate and regulatory litigation matters.

And, he has advised clients on all stages of Federal agency rulemaking, adjudication, and litigation, in fields ranging from communications to environmental law to securities to labor and employment.

in his role as the FCC’s General Counsel, Johnson successfully persuaded the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Commission’s media ownership reforms, resulting in last week’s unanimous ruling in favor of the Commission in FCC v. Prometheus Radio Project.

Johnson also “successfully defended” the Pai Commission’s “net neutrality” repeal at oral argument before the D.C. Circuit. “While naturally building upon a regulatory litigation practice that focuses on communications, technology, and the internet, Mr. Johnson will be positioned to strengthen Wiley’s capabilities in administrative law and appellate litigation across all sectors and practice groups,” the law firm says.

“Tom is an accomplished leader who has been an innovator throughout his career,” said Wiley Managing Partner Peter D. Shields. “His deep understanding of administrative and appellate law on a wide range of issues – as well as his nuanced insights from working in the government and private sector – will be indispensable to our clients.”

Kathleen A. Kirby, co-chair of Wiley’s Telecom, Media & Technology Practice, added, “Among Tom’s many accomplishments at the FCC is his important work streamlining regulations, strategically and successfully leading the effort to defend the Commission’s decision to relax certain media ownership rules before the Supreme Court, and freeing up spectrum for public use for 5G and other applications. His foresight and ingenuity greatly contributed to the efficient operations of our country’s communications systems, especially given the increased network demands of the past year. We’re thrilled he’s joining the firm.”

Prior to serving as FCC General Counsel, Mr. Johnson was the Deputy Solicitor General in the Office of the West Virginia Attorney General, where he helped develop litigation strategy and draft briefs in a series of challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. In addition, he managed a team of attorneys, drafted briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeals, and argued seven cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

It boasts the moniker “Key Weird Radio.” And, it presently has a Construction Permit for a Class A signal putting 680 watts of power over the southernmost city in the continental U.S.

Now, “the most diverse radio station” in Key West is heading to a new owner.

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What are the most active brands using spot radio?

The list of companies isn’t so different for the week ending April 4 than it was in the prior week. And, that’s good news for Radio.

Why? It demonstrates stability, with certain brands committing to the medium. Among those brands: Progressive, Indeed, and GEICO. That said, Bank of America is back, with a No. 7 placement in the most recent Spot Ten National Radio report.

With GEICO firmly in place as the top brand using Spot TV, by play count, there’s lots of new activity at over-the-air television with respect to campaigns getting a boost.

For the week ending April 4, a Unilever brand and a Procter & Gamble Co. brand, in particular, made waves with consumers.

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With T-Mobile President/CEO Mike Sievert gushing with confidence and a big trade marketing budget in play, TVision was designed to change pay TV for good.

It failed to catch on with consumers. But, one Wall Street feels Sievert’s plan worked — to the long-term detriment of MVPDs.

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With all eyes last week turned to Washington, D.C., and also fixated on a major audio media company’s name change, attention is just now being placed on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Here, a judge has cleared the way for Alpha Media to exit from debtor-in-possession status.

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She holds a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law and until now has been a senior associate at Mayer Brown LLP.

Starting today, she’s now the lead in-house counsel for Townsquare Media.

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Taking the role of SVP/General Counsel is Allison Zolot.

At Mayer Brown, she served as an associate in Mayer Brown’s New York office and a member of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. Her practice focused on representing financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and other multinational corporations in complex commercial and securities litigation in federal and state courts.

Specifically Zolot concentrated on the areas of banking and financial services, including actions involving alleged violations of the securities laws and allegations of fraud or misrepresentation in the sale of complex financial instruments, such as residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and other derivative instruments.

Townsquare CEO Bill Wilson said the local audio and digital media company is “thrilled to have such a talented lawyer” join the company.  He continued, “Allison is a strong and effective leader who will make a great addition to our senior management team.  I look forward to working with Allison as we continue to drive long-term growth and shareholder value through the execution of our ‘Local First’ strategy.”

Allison Zolot, Townsquare Media

Zolot said she is “humbled by the opportunity to work with Bill and the company’s senior management team.”

Mayer Brown has been her lone professional position following her receipt of a Fordham J.D. in 2009.

In late February, RBR+TVBR first shared the news that TEGNA was adding to its pot of digital multicast networks by stirring up a third creation.

As of today, Twist is on the air, putting a focus on women — and perhaps the LGBTQ+ crowd, too.

With a focus on lifestyle and reality programming including Top Chef Masters, Clean House, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Dance Moms, Tabatha Takes Over, Tiny House Nation and Flipping Out, Twist is already available in 41 TEGNA markets — and 43 of the top 50 Nielsen DMAs.

Aside from the TEGNA stations, Twist will also be found as a digital multicast for 11 Univision stations — a huge boost giving the network access to viewers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia.

Then, there are 31 stations licensed to HC2 Broadcasting, a company that is paring down assets but intent on operating a core group of low-power TV stations in various markets.

In Indiana’s biggest market, DuJuan McCoy‘s Circle City Broadcasting has placed Twist on a digital multicast channel associated with WISH-8 in Indianapolis.

Other partners include Adell-owned WADL-38 in Detroit and CNZ Communications’ WIWN-TV in Milwaukee.

“With today’s launch of Twist, reality TV just got much more exciting for over-the-air viewers,” said Brian Weiss, president and general manager of TEGNA’s entertainment networks. “Audiences craving lifestyle and reality programming, who have been underserved in the multicast space, now have free access to high quality shows that have never before been available over-the-air.”

For nearly four and a half years, he has been linked to a group of Cumulus Media stations comprised today of WSBN-AM “ESPN 630” and highly regarded Talker WMAL-FM in Washington, D.C.

Before that, he led sales for iHeartMedia’s D.C. and Baltimore stations as a Sr. VP of Sales, a job he took in September 2009.

Sadly, his current post at Cumulus will be his last, as Ken Roberts has passed away. According to one media report, he was 65 years old.

Cumulus Media EVP/Operations Dave Milner confirmed Roberts passing, with a statement distributed to radio trade publications early Monday. “This is such tragic news and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” Milner said of Roberts. “Ken was a passionate and smart professional, who cared greatly for the team in D.C. He had been a friend and coach to so many in radio and we’re all better because of our time with Ken. We send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Ken’s family, and are grateful for the time we had with him.”

Roberts in November 2020 had been promoted to VP/Market Manager from VP/Sales of the Cumulus/D.C. duo. He succeeded Jake McCann, who “returned home” to Philadelphia in
late December to lead The HOW Group, a real estate investment group.

With that promotion, Roberts said, “I am proud to continue our mission of super serving our listeners, employees and client partners. I am humbled to be part of our great history and excited to be part of our future.”

Among those already mourning the loss of Roberts is Jay Rosenberg, President/CEO of Rosenberg Media. “We lost a friend, a great husband and father, and great leader in the radio community.”

According to Rosenberg, Roberts died on Saturday. The cause of death has not been formally released. However, RBR+TVBR has learned that Roberts suffered from a suspected heart attack.

Roberts arrived in the Baltimore-Washington corridor in fall 2009, after spending 19 months in Phoenix as Director of Sales for Bonneville’s stations. From March 2001-February 2008, he was GSM of Susquehanna Radio’s former Dallas station group. It was his entry into radio, having served before that as VP of Videoaxs, which created “unique revenue programs that incorporated advertising and content distribution platforms.”

Roberts is a graduate of Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey.

Funeral arrangements were not disclosed by Cumulus Media.

He is not to be confused with original KROQ station owner Ken Roberts, who passed away in May 2014 at the age of 73.

The latest quarterly broadcast station totals have been released from the FCC.

And, when one compares the numbers to the end of the third quarter of 2020, there’s one clear takeaway: noncommercial FM radio continues to be a growing opportunity for licensees, as the total number of commercially licensed FMs, and AMs, declined.

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Based in tiny Lynden, Wash., an hour from Vancouver, B.C., Cedar Creek Partners has carved itself a niche in the investment management space under the direction of Managing Member Tim Eriksen of Eriksen Capital Management.

For those who have entrusted their dollars with Cedar Creek, there’s good news — a 13.7% Q4 2020 return was recorded by the fund, outperforming the S&P 500. Among the companies Cedar Creek invested in is HC2 Holdings. 

And, Eriksen had something to say about that investment.

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On July 27, the FCC will conduct an auction of AM and FM broadcast construction permits.

What do individuals or groups seeking to participate need to know? Filing requirements, along with minimum opening bids, upfront payment information and other procedures are now known.

Oh, and the auction is comprised of more than 100 new FM CPs, and four AM stations serving the St. Louis market that replace a now-defunct quartet.

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With the FCC’s announcement that it will conduct an auction of some 136 vacant non-reserved band allotments in the FM broadcast service, the Media Bureau is putting a freeze on FM minor change applications.

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April 1 began in a rather ordinary way, even as mild April Fools’ pranks were seen at such radio stations as WBEN-FM in Philadelphia, which sped up its music so it could offer the most songs on the radio.

Then, with little warning, the 11am Eastern hour saw the arrival of a 20-page document that was far from a joke: The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously reversed the Third Circuit appeals court’s remand of the FCC’s 2017 cross-ownership rule rewrite.

On Twitter, former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai reacted, after posting a video of birthday boy Jimmy Cliff singing “The Harder They Come.” How prophetic. Weeks after stepping aside with the transition in power at the White House, Pai was victorious.

The acting Chairwoman of the FCC, Jessica Rosenworcel, also had something to say about the Supreme Court ruling. She struck a somber tone, illustrating just how divided the Commission is on media “modernization.”

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The Terre Haute, Ind., market, which largely includes nearby Paris, Ill., is the home of a non-commercial group of religious stations presently operated by Word Power Inc.

On March 16, this group signed off on an agreement that would assign its two AMs, two FMs, two FM translators and one FM translator construction permit to a new licensee.

American Hope Communications is agreeing to acquire the following properties from Word Power Inc.:

• WPFR-FM 93.7 in Clinton, Ind., a Class A
• WPFR-AM 1480 in Terre Haute, a Class B with 5kw daytime from 3 towers and 1kw nighttime from 4 towers
• WKZI-AM 800 in Clinton, Ind., a 250-watt Class B from 1 tower
• WLHW-FM 91.5 in Clinton, Ind., a 6kw Class A
• W234CK at 94.7 MHz in Casey, Ill., W300DD at 107.9 MHz in Greenup, Ill., and CP W292FT in Terre Haute

The deal is valued at $179,000. A $35,800 escrow deposit has been made.

The buyer is led by Richard Wheeler, who is represented by Jeffrey Southmayd of Palm Coast, Fla. He’s the President of Countryside Broadcasting, which owns and operates WJLY-FM 88.3 in Ramsey, Ill. The deal suggests WJLY’s mission of serving South Central Illinois with the word of God could be widening to Terre Haute.

American Hope will assume Word Power’s lease agreement with Paul Ford for real estate used for a radio transmission tower, satellite dish receiver, and “appurtenant equipment.”