A halt in production from both XM and SIRIUS just isn't enough for the NAB. Now they want the FCC to recall all satellite radios that are not in compliance. NAB President David Rehr (pictured) wrote the following in a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin:

"NAB continues to be concerned about the interference caused to free over-the-air radio services by satellite radio devices not in compliance with the Commission’s rules. To ensure that the scope of this problem is not expanded, NAB urges the Commission to take steps to halt the further distribution and sale to consumers of additional satellite radio devices failing to comply with Part 15 of the Commission’s rules."

"Although press reports indicate that XM and Sirius have requested their manufacturers to suspend production of noncompliant devices, these actions do nothing to address noncompliant products already in consumers’ hands or those already shipped to distributors and retailers. NAB would urge the Commission to seek recall of noncompliant devices from XM’s and Sirius’ major distributors and retailers. Action is necessary to prevent even more disruption to listeners’ use and enjoyment of free over-the-air radio services, including new digital services, and the Commission has clear authority to vigorously enforce its rules regarding noncompliant devices."

He says nothing about the disruption to listeners' use and enjoyment to people who own the satellite radio receivers that would be recalled. Thanks buddy.

Feel free to email David Rehr, at drehr@nab.org and let him know what you think.

[via FMQB]

UPDATE: Read the entire letter here (PDF). 

Hear 2.0 has discovered a facinating bit that came from last week's Conclave session on HD Radio. iBiquity, the champions of the so-called "HD Radio" technology, announced that there will be an HD Radio car converter on the market by Thanksgiving. The HD Radio converter will - get this - convert the HD Radio signal to analog, so you can hear it on regular ol' AM/FM radio.

So, in essence, the "HD" from "HD Radio" is being removed. The benefit? You'll get to hear all those fancy multicasted stations that you never knew about. Genius! Wait until the general public figures out that the "HD" doesn't stand for High-Definition. Then they'll really be motivated to buy these things.

[Hear 2.0]

Who saw this coming? Opie and Anthony have signed with Citadel Broadcasting syndicate "The Opie and Anthony Show" to eight additional markets - bringing the show's total up to 19 markets.

Citadel has launched O&A in the following markets:

• WSKO-FM/AM, Providence, RI
• WEDG-FM, Buffalo, NY
• WKLQ-FM/WILZ, Grand Rapids, MI
• WBSX-FM, Wilkes Barrie, PA
• WBZU-FM, Albuquerque, NM
• KRDJ-FM, Baton Rouge, LA
• WCYY-FM/WCYI-FM, Portland, ME
• WMOS-FM, New London, CT

Opie and Anthony will be broadcast during morning drive on all of the stations during 6am – 9 am, except for WBZU-FM, where they will be heard in afternoon drive, 3pm to 5pm.

Thanks Rob! 

Fred Jacobs over at Jacobs Media has posted about Opie & Anthony's move to broadcasting on both terrestrial and satellite radio.

It's confusing because the post sets the tone by bashing O&A, followed with the beaten-horse question of "why would anyone pay for O&A if they can listen for free?" - only to end with a sort of back-handed praise of their jump back to terrestrial... I think.

Now, I need to call attention to the fact that he's citing numbers from February (a full 14 months after O&A joined satellite radio) based on a webpoll of terrestrial radio stations. How many satellite radio listeners are visiting terrestrial radio websites? Wouldn't listeners of Stern still be checking terrestrial radio stations at that time? Wouldn't that make this "poll" skewed based on timing?

But aside that, I'm still confused as to his final stance on the move. Yes, he thinks XM won't benefit from this (I disagree), but... is he seeing it as a benefit to terrestrial instead?

According to Radio & Records, Opie and Anthony will simulcast to Citadel's WSKO-AM & FM (The Score)/Providence. WSKO now has a landing page up showing show times (6am-9am) and announcing the boys coming on board.

In addition to Providence, a rumored half-dozen additional Citadel markets may be in the works, with Buffalo and New London having been named on the air.

[WSKO The Score] 

With the recent firing of Mancow from his flagship station Q101, the question has come as to where this guy will go. Mancow needs to find a flagship station to broadcast from, and quickly, or he needs to find one quickly as he's syndicating to smaller markets.

Regardless of the self-promoting hype that Mancow is spewing, there's really no reason why satellite should sign him on (or terrestrial for that matter). Here's a couple reasons as to why.

In the most recent Arbitron ratings covering the first quarter, Mancow's "juggernaut" numbers were lack luster to say the least:

Persons 12+ (11th place)
Persons 18-34 (3rd place)
Persons 24-54 (12th place)

Men 18-34 (2nd place)
Men 18-49 (3rd place)
Men 25-49 (5th place)
Men 25-54 (7th place)

Not necessarily the most impressive, so it's not like he'll bring along any serious number of listeners. And even though he's syndicated in 22 markets, only 6 of those markets are in the top 50 with less than half in the top 100 [Chicago Tribune].

The self-proclaimed "King of Free Media" (another reason not to hire him - aside from the douche-chilled picture seen above) also hasn't done a very good job of staying on the good side of both XM and SIRIUS' lead talkers.

After mailing Howard Stern a box of human shit (which was opened by an 18-year old intern), a furious Stern said he would skullfuck Mancow's recently deceased father's corpse (he recently reiterated this promise on Sirius in March). Mancow also isn't buddy-buddy with Opie & Anthony (anyone recall specific incidents? I can't remember any other than that they hate each other).

So aside from not bringing a significant audience with him - signing on Mancow would be a tarnish on the images of both XM and SIRIUS' top talk entertainers but with essentially no advantages. Bubba the Love Sponge is one thing, but the battle between Stern and Mancow was a bit higher profile. The loss of credibility with either Stern's or O&A's listeners would be tremendous.

Right now, Mancow's only real asset is his relationship with Fox & Friends - but that can be replaced... easily.

OK, now for a bit of terrestrial news... Q101, the flagship station for morning dolt jock "Mancow" Muller, officially will be dropping Mancow's Morning Madhouse as of July 14th. This after Mancow issued a statement that he's seeking a new home for his syndicated morning show, trying to spin the situation towards his favor.

Q101 is opting to extend their "shuffle" format into mornings, which currently gets broadcast for the remainder of the day.

Come September, Emmis will unveil an "unconventional morning show" with a "broader appeal."

I'll forgo any speculation of him joining up with either XM or SIRIUS, simply for the fact that he's annoying as hell.

[Q101]