Looking For The Silver Lining…

(Weekend Edition) 

Okay so the Radio revenues  were in the tank again but there must be something good or at least encouraging in those lousy numbers, right?  Let’s see.  Okay here’s something - local sales were, oops can’t use that.  National numbers are usually good - nope, down 7% when combined with local.  Network has to be up, they always are.  YESSSSS - up 3%.  Not great but at least it’s up…

Hey here’s a great sign - off-air revenue increased again.  It’s increasing 12.3% a year over the past two years.  Off-air is expected to approach $2 billion by the end of this year.  RAB President/CEO Jeff Haley is excited:  “The industry’s investment in new technology and digital distribution channels has extended Radio to the Internet, mobile phones, navigation systems and more.” …

See, I told you there had to be something good or at least encouraging about those lousy numbers.  Hey wait a second - doesn’t that mean that radio will never survive unless it relies on off-air sources?  Hmmm…

   10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1906] Nipper sighting: The Victor Talking Machine Company of Camden (NJ) begins to manufacture the Victrola. The hand-cranked machine with horn cabinet sold for $200, a bloody fortune in 1906 (8/22)…
2. 1966] You say hello, they say goodbye: The Beatles play their final appearance in New York at Shea Stadium before a less-than sellout crowd of 44,600 (8/23).  This clip is from their 1965 show…
3. 1966] With no limes available, Juan puts the bat in the coconut: Giants pitcher Juan Marichal hits Dodgers catcher John Roseboro in the head with a bat during an on-field fight (8/22)…
4. 1981] Guilty as charged: Mark David Chapman is sentenced to 20 years-to-life for the murder of John Lennon (8/24). Earlier this week Chapman was once again denied parole…
5. 1986] Blood Money: Kerr-McGee Corporation agrees to pay the estate of the late Karen Silkwood $1.38 million, settling a 10-year old nuclear contamination lawsuit (8/22)…
6. 1989] Banned from baseball: Baseball Commissioner Bart Giamatti bans Pete Rose  permanently for betting on sports, including baseball as manager of the Reds (NBA ref Tim Donaghy takes notes)(8/24)…
7. 2000] Surviving Survivor: 51-million viewers watch the first season finale of “Survivor” on CBS-TV. Contestant Richard Hatch wins the $1 million prize. His life spirals downhill after that (8/23)…
8. 2002] Mowing down the crowd: New York publicist Lizzie Grubman  pleads guilty in a hit-and-run crash that injures 16 outside a Hamptons nightclub (8/23)…
9. 2003] Jailhouse justice: Former disgraced priest John Geoghan, the convicted child molester dies after an inmate attacks him in a Massachusetts prison (8/23)…
10. 2006] Pluto is downsized: Pluto is no longer a planet after being demoted to a “dwarf planet”. Dwarfs protest (8/24)…

Music Memories:

• 1961] Number One on this date: “Wooden Heart” - Joe Dowell (8/24)… 1962] “The Loco-motion” - Little Eva (8/23) … 1972] “Brandy” - Looking Glass (8/23)…1973] “Brother Louie” - Stories (8/24)…
• 1964] Hottest selling LP: “The Chipmunks sing the Beatles” (8/22)…

Commentary:

The Second Annual Induction and Awards Ceremony and Luncheon of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame is scheduled for September 24, 2008 at the Dedham Hilton Ballroom in Dedham.  For more information contact Lynne Osborn at lynne1203@yahoo.com …

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday”:

(8/22) Tori Amos (45), Cindy Williams (61), Steve Kroft (63), Bill Parcells (67), Valerie Harper (68), Carl Yastrzemski (69), General Norman Schwarzkopf (74) and Ray Bradbury (88)…(8/23) Kobe Bryant (30), Rick Springfield (59), Shelly Long (59), Ron Blomberg (60), Barbara Eden (74), Mark Russell (76) and Vera Miles (78)…(8/24) Dave Chappelle (35), Jay Mohr (38), Marlee Matlin (43), Craig Kilborn (46), Cal Ripken Jr. (48), Gerry Cooney (52), Chi-Lite Marshall Thompson (66), Mason Williams (70) and Kenny (R2-D2) Baker (74)…

Timeline Countdown: 10 days until Labor Day and 13 days for the NFL opener (Washington @ NYG)…

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