"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer

Doing research for an upcoming talk to brand managers and found Duncan's 10th Anniversary issue of American Radio. Lots of fun stuff...

Leading groups - 1977
1. ABC
2. CBS
3. RKO
4. Westinghouse
5. Capital Cities
6. Metromedia
7. NBC
8. Bonneville
9. Cox
10. Storer

Leading groups - 1986
1. Capital Cities/ABC
2. CBS
3. Westinghouse
4. RKO (will sell off all stations)
5. Gannett
6. NBC
7. Metropolitan (new company)
8. Malrite (relatively young company)
9. Emmis (new company)
10. Infinity (new group owner)

Rankings above were based on 12+ weekly cume.

"In 1977, there were over 25 major national reps and they were owned by 22 different companies. In 1986, there are only 14 major reps and they are owned by just 6 companies."

"The same old bitches prevail: Rate cutting and the lack of professional salesmanship"
-Poor sales training (or none)
-Hugh amounts of inventory, poor inventory management
-Tremendous amounts of competition
-Poor pricing policies
-Turnover of sales people
-Lack of respect for radio
-Lack of pride
"I suspect that almost everyone in the radio industry - even those complaining about these problems - has at one time or the other been guilty of cutting rates."

"In 1976, FM had a 39% audience share and an estimated 20% share of total radio revenue. In 1986, the FM audience share is 69% and estimated revenue share of 71%. For the first time, the revenue share is more than the audience share."

Spring 1976 - WABC - 12+ TSA Cume = 4,880,900, 12+ AQH = 252,300
Spring 1976 - WJBC - 12+ Metro Share = 39.1
Fall 1977 - KFAB - 12+ Cume Rating = 54.3
Spring 1986 - WPLJ - 12+ TSA Cume = 2,901,700, 12+ AQH = 166,900
Spring 1986 - KTRS - 12+ Metro Share = 36.4
Spring 1986 - KTRS - 12+ Cume Rating = 52.0

(Rick Sklar's WABC delivers a 4.8 mil TSA cume and a quarter-hour over one quarter mil - amazing. While Larry Berger's WPLJ was #1 in 12+ TSA Cume in 1986, it was WHTZ that had taken #1 in 12+ AQH with 191,500. In the Fall of 1978 WKTU was #1 in 12+ AQH with 280,200. WBLS was #1 in 12+ AQH in Spring of 1981 with 187,100. In the Fall of 1981, Spring of 1982, Fall of 1982 and Spring of 1983 WOR was #1 in 12+ AQH. - Dave)

James H. Duncan, Jr. did a wonderful job, providing great insights into the radio business. His prose and stats are missed much.

And they all grew up to be president. Congrats and cheers to the new CC prexys. Rob Williams, Greg Ashlock, Earl Jones, Kim Bryant, J.D. Freeman, Manuel Rodriguez, Dave Pugh, Til Levesque, Mick Anselmo, and Mike Kenney.

B&C's Ben Grossman chats up Chris Matthews here

Microsoft Zune empowers DJs...

Zune owners can act as their own DJ, sending streaming music content to up to four other devices, according to documents filed with the Federal Communications Commission . With the device's wireless networking abilities turned on, people can send and receive photos, as well as "promotional copies of songs, albums and playlists," according to the filing, made public Thursday. More via CNET here

Google is a technology company, not a media company. So says the charming Marissa Mayer,
more here