» WMVN Is "Movin" To Sports: The Bonneville/St. Louis Rhythmic AC will flip to "101.1 FM Sports/Talk" on January 1, 2009. The company says it will combine new voices with, "the most well-known local on-air talent and the most well-known brand in sports ESPN Radio." The official release also references "future play-by-play" which has tongues wagging in the Gateway City as to what team(s) could become part of a newly enhanced, flame-throwing 100,000 watt FM signal. "By moving to a Sports/Talk format on 101.1 FM, we’re confident we now can maximize sports programming to its full potential in our city," said Market Manager John Kijowski. The current Sports/Talk competition in town includes Big League Broadcasting-owned KFNS AM & FM; Cardinals baseball flagship KTRS; Simmons' KSLG; and significant Sports/Talk and play-by-play programming on CBS Radio News/Talker KMOX.

» New Term To Learn: "Intentional Listening": You'd think all listening to radio was intended, but you'd be wrong. In a report presented to attendees of last week's NAB Radio Show in Austin Coleman Insights says most cume in a PPM world is generated by "invisible" and "incidental" listening. That's the kind of listening that makes for higher cume but lower TSL when audiences are measured by PPM. It's "intentional" listening that Coleman says accounts for the overwhelming majority of AQH stations record via electronic audience measurement. That should bode well for the future of Talk radio which is built on well-branded personalities and other difficult-to-duplicate content. The "Real PPM Panelists Tell All" report also found that people "rarely stumble upon stations and become regular users of them" and that "PPM appears to help correct station misidentification that may occur through diary methodology." A summary of the study is available HERE.

» Pogue Pontificates At NAB Radio Show: At his keynote address in Austin last week New York Times tech columnist David Pogue offered attendees a funny and fascinating tour of a number of new technologies, some of which could impact radio broadcasters. Noting the majority of top iTunes podcasts are radio shows, Pogue told broadcasters, "The next generation of media users expects on-demand access. It's the future of media." He also said radio can be part of the media landscape of the future if broadcasters remember that you can't put the march of technology back in the bottle. "Radio needs to learn that technology can be your friend," said Pogue. "But radio can't just be a conduit anymore. Maybe instead of the NAB you should become the 'National Association of Audio and Content Providers.'"

» Peter Thiele Update: We're happy to report that the WNYM (The Apple)/New York PD is reported to be recovering well after successful brain surgery to treat an aneurysm. Thiele underwent emergency surgery last week after a nagging headache that wasn't relieved by typical over-the-counter remedies caused his doctor to order an MRI which discovered the aneurysm. Thiele's prognosis is reported to be good and after a bit of recovery he should be back in the saddle at the Salem News/Talker soon. Reach out to Peter HERE.

» Barry Farber Joins CRN: The Talk radio veteran will host a daily one-hour program from 5-6pm PT) on CRN Digital Talk Radio channels 1 and 6 beginning this afternoon (9/22). Farber's radio career began in 1960 at WINS/New York followed by stints at crosstown stations WOR, WMCA and WABC. “We are so excited and honored to welcome Barry to the CRN team,” said company President/CEO Mike Horn. “Barry is a trailblazer and his humor and unique perspective will really speak to the audience, especially during this election year.”

» Envision Debuts Movies & More: The Cleveland-based network has launched a new daily 60-second feature hosted by veteran movie and entertainment critic Jeffrey Lyons. The vignette will offer Lyons' reviews of the latest movies and promises, "Hollywood info straight from the set." "Jeffrey Lyons is one of the best known film critics on TV today," said Danno Wolkoff, CEO/President of Envision Radio Networks. "His wealth of movie knowledge and respect amongst his peers makes him the ideal host for this feature." Get more details HERE.