Life After The Merger…

Friday, July, 25, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

(Weekend Edition)

I’ve read a lot of comments about what the merger of XM and Sirius will mean to terrestrial radio and for those that see the demise of free-radio post-merger, you’re dead wrong.  You may find this hard to believe but radio will survive.  To begin with, the real competition for terrestrial radio is not satellite radio.  There are many threats.  Where do I begin?  There are iPods, MP3s and the ever present goliath that is determined to be an increasing threat with each passing day - the Internet, but there’s a threat even greater than that.  If you’re looking for the biggest threat to terrestrial radio, look in a mirror…

What people fail to realize is that there will be fewer shows to compete with after the merger.   The consolidation of channels will take care of that.  If you think the combined satcasters will continue to provide as many channels as they did separately, you’re dreaming.  Then there’s the need for different radios to hear satellite on, in addition to the subscription price.  Terrestrial radio doesn’t require either.  Will satellite radio grow?  Sure, but their numbers will always pale in comparison to terrestrial radio.  Then there’s the lack of the local content on satellite.  Unless and until it has the capability of providing local content, it’s network radio - another advantage for terrestrial radio…

The merger of XM and Sirius should not be an excuse for not having good terrestrial radio.  That would be a tragedy and the only real threat to life after the merger…       

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1871] On a carousel: Wilhelm Schneider of Davenport (IA) patents the carousel (7/25)…
2. 1948] Final Bambino Sighting: Babe Ruth  is seen publicly for the last time attending the premiere of “The Babe Ruth Story” in Manhattan (7/26)…
3. 1956] Tragedy at sea: The Stockholm collides with the Andrea Doria  off the coast of Nantucket. 1,660 survive but 51, including the crew, goes down with the ship (7/25). The Andrea Doria lies in 200 feet of water, 45 miles south of Nantucket. Divers continue to brave the depth and sharks in order to salvage valuables that still remain…
4. 1960] Nixon’s the one: VP Richard Nixon is nominated for President at the Republican national convention in Chicago. The funniest sign at the convention was the pregnant delegate with a “Nixon’s The One” sign on her belly (7/27)…
5. 1966] Going to Hall: Casey Stengel  is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ted Williams  also goes in. This weekend it’s Goose Gossage and Dick Williams’ turn…1997] Giants’ owner Wellington Mara and Dolphins coach Don Shula  go into the NFL Hall of Fame (7/26)…
6. 1978] Tubular Belle: Louise Joy Brown, the 1st test-tube baby is born. Louise is a happily married postal employee with an 2-year old son who was born naturally. Today Louise celebrates her 30th birthday at her home in Bristol, England (7/25)…
7. 1981] I started to choke: New York Mayor Ed Koch  is given the Heimlich maneuver when he chokes on Chinese food. It saves his life (7/26)…
8. 1990] Rosanne Boo: Rosanne Barr gets booed in San Diego for her disgraceful singing of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’. Following her mangling of the song she grabs her crotch and spits on the ground (7/25)…
9. 1992] “Happy Trails“: Mary Wells, Motown’s first Diva, dies from larynx cancer, first diagnosed in 1990. Mary was just 49 (7/26)…2003] Legendary comedian Bob Hope  dies at the age of 100 (7/27)…
10. 1996] Dropping a bomb: A home-made bomb explodes  in Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta (GA) killing one person and injuring over 100 (7/27). The games continue and a suspect (Richard Jewell) is charged in the case in 2003…

Music Memories:

• 1959] Released on this date: “Sleepwalk” - Santo & Johnny (7/27)…1963] “Mickey’s Monkey” - Smokey Robinson & Miracles (7/26)…1966] “You Can’t Hurry Love” - Supremes (7/25)…1970] “25 or 6 to 4” - Chicago (7/25)…1971] “Surf’s Up” LP - Beach Boys (7/25)…1974] “Sweet Home Alabama” - Lynyrd Skynyrd (7/27)…
• 1965] Electrifying: Bob Dylan  goes electric in his first non-acoustic set at the Newport Jazz Festival (7/25)…
• 1969] Adding the ‘Y’: With Neil Young now a member, Crosby, Stills and Nash make their debut at the Fillmore East in Manhattan (7/25).  CSNY from a live outdoor concert in 1969…

Commentary:

Congratulations to Chuck Knapp, morning show host and program director of “Roundhouse Rodney” who will be inducted into Minnesota’s Museum of Broadcasting Hall of Fame in early October.  Chuck “Chuckles” Knapp was my night-time jock at WRKO in the 60s.  Chuck went on to work at WLS and settled in Minneapolis, working at KSTP.  Chuck now does inspirational radio and is a most sought-after speaker in the Twin-Cities.  Way to go, Chuckles!!!

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

(7/25) Billy Wagner (37), Matt LeBlanc (41) and Iman (53)…(7/26) Kate Beckinsale (35), Jeremy Piven (43), Sandra Bullock (44), Kevin Spacey (49), Dorothy Hamill (52), Mick Jagger (65), Dobie Gray (66), Brenton Wood (67), Darlene Love (67) and Blake Edwards (86)…(7/27) Alex Rodriguez (33), Maya (SNL) Rudolph (36), Maureen McGovern (59), Peggy Fleming (60), Bobbie Gentry (64), Ron Alexenburg (66), Jerry Van Dyke (76) and Harvey (Moonglows) Fuqua (79)…

Timeline Countdown: 2 days until MLB HOF induction for Goose Gossage, Dick Williams and others, 3 days until all NFL training camps are open, 8 days until the NFL HOF induction and 14 days until the Summer Olympics…

For more on July 25 -27: CLICK: http://melphillipsnowandthen.com

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