The Radio Blog http://www.theradioblog.com/ Lou Pickney gives his take on the radio industry Protesting http://www.theradioblog.com/rb/article/2006/12112006.shtml Here in the Birmingham area (where I live, though a move to Nashville is imminent), I explained in my last post about how Citadel dropped modern rock from 100.5 WRAX to turn the station into a simulcast of sports/talk 690 WJOX. A few days later, Clear Channel reacted, beating Cox to the punch by flipping WENN (105.5 Hallelujah FM) to rock as 105-5 The Vulcan, a gold-based 90s/00s rock station that will play 2-3 currents per hour. Birmingham Flip http://www.theradioblog.com/rb/article/2006/11292006.shtml Citadel made an interesting move in Birmingham (the market where I live) by blowing up WRAX (the X at 100.5) to create a simulcast with sports talk 690 WJOX. FM Talk radio is becoming more and more popular of a format idea across the country, and that include Sports Talk, which is already on FM radio in markets as diverse as Dallas, Nashville, and Myrtle Beach.

Tags: Tipping Point http://www.theradioblog.com/rb/article/2006/10312006.shtml As expected, current-leaning Rhythmic AC appears to be the "next big thing" in the radio biz. In the past month, the format has gone on the air in Portland (OR), Dallas, Las Vegas, Jacksonville, Phoenix, and Memphis. We've passed the tipping point, and I expect to see this trend continue at underperforming stations (or consolidation situation, i.e. Memphis) across the country.

Tags: Rhythmic Movin' http://www.theradioblog.com/rb/article/2006/9252006.shtml The newest craze to hit the radio world is the Movin' Rhythmic AC format being marketed by consultant Alan Burns. Targeting "caucasian and hispanic 28 to 40 year old women", the format melds upbeat songs ranging in time from the mid-late 80s to modern currents.

Tags: The Stern Truth http://www.theradioblog.com/rb/article/2006/9202006.shtml The rumors about Howard Stern moving back to terrestrial radio are, in my estimation, ridiculous. Stern spent much of his show yesterday (9/19) countering those claims. I've worked in Sirius' Manhattan office, and I can tell you first-hand that the positives that have been said about it are true. It's a beautiful office, filled with motivated employees who have genuine enthusiasm about what they do. The vibe is entirely different from any TV or radio station that I've ever seen.

Tags: Politics Trump Logic http://www.theradioblog.com/rb/article/2006/8312006.shtml Figure this one out: in Dallas, the city council voted 6-0 last night to reject a plan that would swap city-owned Classical WRR 101.1 with non-commercial band KVTT 91.7. It's an idea that I floated on my personal website in July 2004, one that makes a great deal of sense. It would allow WRR to go commercial-free and have the financial backing to be self-sustaining.

Tags: Female FM Talk http://www.theradioblog.com/rb/article/2006/8252006.shtml An interesting new attempt at reaching the tempting W25-54 (Women ages 25 to 54) demographic is taking place by a group called GreenStone Media. The format? FM Talk. Female-leaning FM Talk is being utilized in markets like Minneapolis (WFMP) and Charlotte (WLNK.)

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