Conflicting Messages for Motorists out of Sacramento

Let’s get this straight:

The Governatorhas signed a bill outlawing texting or reading your wireless device while driving:

He signed legislation banning drivers from sending, writing or reading messages on electronic devices starting in January.

Two months ago, drivers were barred from talking on cell phones except with hands-free devices.

“Building on legislation already helping save lives in California,” said Schwarzenegger in a press release, “I am happy to sign this bill because it further encourages safe and responsible driving.”

The bill, SB 28 by Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), imposes a $20 fine for a first offense and $50 fine for each subsequent violation.

We’re all guilty of doing this — well, I, ahem, have been known to check my email on the road. BUT, always at a red light. Does this outlaw that too? I guess it’s hard to make a distinction between driving while texting and idling while texting. And I reluctantly agree, this is a good idea, and will prevent many a fender bender.

So….

It’s mighty confusing to read that state legislators are mulling a plan that would cause bigtime freeway distractions, cause traffic jams and perhaps even accidents.

The difference: The Driving-While-Texting industry doesn’t have much sway in Sacramento. The outdoor advertising industry, on the other hand, has become BFFs with lawmakers in recent years.

In this case, outdoor advertisers have proposed new, colorful LED freeway signs. The catch? They want to use the billboards for advertising in between Amber Alerts and Caltrans messages. The skinny:

The money-making scheme, already broached to federal officials who allocate highway funds, would allow businesses to post ads on California’s 674 electronic roadside message boards.

State officials figure the cash-strapped highway fund could make millions by allowing ads when the signs are not in use for emergencies.

But some traffic safety advocates say the potential revenue is not worth the costs of tempting drivers to take their eyes off the road.

“The biggest issue with digital billboards is they are enormously distracting to motorists,” said Kevin E. Fry, a traffic safety advocate and longtime billboard opponent.

Others express concern that ads would add visual blight and change the purpose of a system meant to save children and help drivers.

The idea for the signs came from Clear Channel Outdoor, a billboard company that potentially stands to gain from the proposal.

Aha, Clear Channel. Why am I not surprised?

Another L.A. Radio Shakeup Is On The Way

Expect a format change soon on R&B “V100″ 100.3 FM, KRBV-FM — the station that was once hip-hop “The Beat.” Since becoming a more mellow urban AC, the listenership on 100.3 has plunged.

Enter Bonneville, the radio group (owned by the Mormon church) that once had a presence here in L.A., owning outlets such as KBIG-FM 104.3 and country KZLA 93.9. Bonneville is back in L.A. and the new owner of 100.3, in a $137.5 million transaction.

Early rumors have hinted that Bonneville might flip 100.3 FM to a news/talk format. The company has had success with FM news/talk in other markets, including D.C.

If that happens, expect some real shuffling, as pundits believe Clear Channel would be prepared to put KFI on FM, dumping one of its music formats (such as Hot 92.3 or Star 98.7) in the process. Clear Channel would want to protect its news/talk franchise, the scuttlebutt goes — and the idea of a KFI-FM has been floating around for years.

But the message boards over at Radio-Info wonder if Bonneville will go news/talk, given how saturated L.A. already is with two news stations and countless gabbers.

That’s why another rumored format is making the rounds: Country. Would Bonneville bring some twang to the 100.3 frequency? And if so, what would independent owner Saul Levine do with his KKGO-FM 105.1, which flipped to country when KZLA 93.9 dropped the format?

With all this mixing and moving, perhaps there’s an opportunity for an underserved radio format to also return to L.A. airwaves. What would you like to see — a real album-oriented rock station? Dance? Adult alternative?

Ryan Seacrest’s New BFF, Rocky Delgadillo

Quote of the week has to come from this excellent piece in the L.A. Times about a lobbyist who’s helping throw a big party for City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo.

Ken Spiker and Associates also just happens to be the lobbyist that represented Clear Channel Outdoor as it fought the city over billboard regulation — and ultimately managed to stop the city from investigating illegal billboards. Not only, in a joke of a compromise, were those billboards grandfathered in, but Clear Channel was allowed to turn 420 of its signs into those big, flashing, dangerous LED billboards you’re now seeing all over town.

Coincidentally, Clear Channel Outdoor gave $425,000 to promote Rocky’s candidacy on billboards. Rocky — the guy who represented the city in its fight against… yes, Clear Channel Outdoor (and the other billboard companies). Cozy, no?

So back to that quote of the week. Reporter David Zahniser points out that critics of Delgadillo are calling this party a not-so-subtle “thank you” from the lobbyist for being such a good pal.

Ryan Seacrest — who hosts mornings on Clear Channel’s KIIS-FM — will emcee the event.

Delgadillo’s people say it’s actually Seacrest who’s spearheading the event, Zahniser writes:

Delgadillo spokesman Nick Velasquez also downplayed the significance of the event, saying it is not a fundraiser but a “meet and greet.”

“Apparently, Mr. Seacrest heard some good things about Rocky and wanted to hold a ‘meet and greet’ to introduce him to some of his friends,” he said.

Hey, that makes perfect sense to me!

Hope You Like Daughtry, Because The New "104.3MyFM" Sure Does

The long-expected rumors were true: Clear Channel’s Hot Adult Contemporary station 104.3 KBIG flipped this morning, to the new moniker “104.3MyFM.”

Anyone else tired of the “My” reference? MySpace, MyNetworkTV, etc. But hey, we live in narcissistic times, so why not.

The station itself doesn’t sound too different — it mostly strips the disco from KBIG (which, in its most recent retooling, started referring to itself as “The New K-B-I-G” as opposed to “K-Big.”)

Also stripped from the station: Morning drive DJ Charlie Tuna, who announced his departure this morning during one final show. (Listen to the transition from Tuna and KBIG to the new “104.3MyFM” here.)

Tuna later wrote on his website:

Clear Channel management has new plans for this dial position at 104.3FM and I’m not part of that plan. What I have been told is that Clear Channel wants to talk to me about the future with them and explore a number of new ideas they are still in the process of developing. As a result, I’m still maintaining my office, key card, parking space and coffee cup that I’ve had the past 7 years at KBIG. I just won’t be on the air at KBIG anymore.

Can’t say there’s anything new or exciting about the “My104.3″ sound; here’s a sample of what the station is playing:

1. Daughtry – Home
2. Fergie – Big Girls Don’t Cry
3. Beyonce – Irreplaceable
4. Bon Jovi – Livin On A Prayer
5. Rascal Flatts – What Hurts the Most
6. Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
7. Carrie Underwood – Before He Cheats
8. Nickelback – Photograph
9. Kelly Clarkson -Breakaway
10. Justin Timberlake – Sexy Back

One Clear Channel exec said the station is meant to be positioned between its softer AC KOST and its more modern AC KYSR (Star 98.7). Of course, rumors persist that Clear Channel may soon find a new format for Star as well — such as an Adult Album Alternative sound (like the old FM 101.9 or Channel 103.1) or a harder rock playlist.