RADIO’S INTERACTIVE GAINS ARE AT THE EXPENSE OF ON-AIR, SAYS LIGGINS: Radio One CEO Alfred Liggins, during yesterday’s first quarter conference call, said his company is indeed seeing more spending on interactive ads, but that’s coming at the expense of radio. He cited the example of Toyota, moving $200K from last year’s $1 million radio budget to interactive, and spending only $800K on radio. Tom Taylor in Radio-Info notes Liggins’ observation “could be a damper on the really bright spot for many radio operators right now — interactive and new media. On the other hand, if it’s the way radio can keep some of those dollars from slipping away to other media, then so be it…”

RAIN ANALYSIS: Tom’s spot-on here, and I don’t think Liggins is saying interactive is something that should be avoided (he’s just putting the new gains in realistic terms). But it does seems as if some radio broadcasters are dragging their heels in developing an Internet plan, citing fears that the new media will eat away at their bread and butter on-the-air signal, in terms of both listeners and ad dollars. But, what, are you going to fight progress? (Don’t answer that…). If the ad dollars and listeners want online options too, shouldn’t radio be putting itself in a position to benefit from that? — PM

“REBIRTH” OF WNEW-FM SPARKS NOSTALGIC DISCUSSION: In the wake of WNEW-FM New York’s HD-2/Internet regeneration, The Infinite Dial began to ponder what other memorable radio stations deserve a HD reincarnation. Sean Ross favored KROQ Los Angeles circa 1982-83 or the “Hot Hits” era of WCAU-FM Philadelphia, but then asked readers: “Which legendary stations should be next?” Dozens of diverse suggestions have since poured in, from WEEI-FM’s 1982 soft rock to the ’70s jazz of WJZZ. Read the discussion here.

AOL RADIO’S SCHIECKE UPPED TO PD: AOL Radio/SHOUTcast has promoted senior programming manager Pete Schiecke to programming director. NY-based Schiecke will oversee all of AOL Radio’s programming. He joined AOL Radio in October 2004, following programming stints in Cleveland and Boise, Idaho.

TIVOLI RELEASES LUXURY-PRICED WI-FI RADIO: Tivoli Audio announced Wednesday that their Wi-Fi radios will be released for sale in June 2008. The models were originally slated for a Fall 2007 release. Featuring both a table-top and portable model, Tivoli’s radios tune in to any internet radio station (MP3, RealAudio, or WMA), FM station, or local network PC music library all through a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. Priced steeply at $600, Tivoli also hinted that future updates could include compatibility with subscription stations like Pandora and XM/Sirius. Read the full CNET article here.

Comment

Other stories
RAIN 7/3: RAJAR claims spike in Internet radio usage, but findings are questioned
RAIN 7/2: Site of the Day streams live in-club performances
RAIN 7/1: Cryptic radio ads lead listeners online for new Fox TV show
RAIN 6/30: Rehr admits radio should have fought harder against webcast royalties
RAIN 6/27: ASCAP wants add'l royalty for HD2; Royalties take toll on big-name webcasters too
RAIN 6/26: Chrysler to offer in-car Internet in all 2009 models
RAIN 6/25: NAB's anti-performance fee act gains House majority
RAIN 6/24: Westergren says Pandora business model "broken" by royalties
RAIN 6/23: Columnist thinks XM, Sirius will live or die online; Soma on iPhones
RAIN 6/20: MSN Radio gives up; Edison on covering spot breaks