Radio Waves

ABC STATIONS FACE POSSIBLE $1.4 MILLION FINE OVER NUDITY
The FCC has not issued an indecency fine against a radio station in more than a year as it fights a legal battle to keep its power to sanction stations. But in what may be a signal it's back to levying fines, it's gone after 52 TV stations for a 2003 episode of "NYPD Blue." Insiders say there are dozens of pending radio indecency cases at the FCC.

Clear Channel becomes "Cheap Channel"
The Clear Channel Radio chief John Hogan has issued a memo detailing a spending freeze. It quickly spread through the company and beyond. It's a move that may be duplicated by other operators facing a similar first quarter conundrum of lower than expected revenues. Clear Channel is putting a freeze on any new advertising, promotions or research - plus no vacant positions will be filled.

The FCC announced last week that they had approved the buyout of Clear Channel Communications by Bain Capital Partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners for $20 billion. According to Reuters CC will divest 42 stations in the top 100 US Markets under this agreement. No word on whether any of Clear Channel's Pittsburgh properties will be sold. CC owns WDVE, WXDX, WWSW, WKST, WPGB and WBGG

Terry Hazlett of the Observer-Reporter writes: "You may have noticed 3WS has lengthened the shifts of its disc jockeys --- Sherri Van Dyke and Mike Fraser are now covering the 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. hours, although it's not clear if all of those hours are live broadcasts. Unfortunately, that's indicative of radio's cost-cutting trends across the country. Fewer disc jockeys over longer periods of time may save a little money, but it certainly doesn't help with maintaining a high-energy level."

"Without virtually any promotion, B-94 (WBZW) took an almost two-point leap in the ratings after switching from 'The Man Station' to a top 40 format". "That 'cheep-cheep' you hear is CBS Radio, which three months into the format change, still hasn't hired a mid-day or overnight disc jockey, and didn't have a morning team in place until mid-January."