Time Warner has set a date to spin off AOL as a stand alone company once again. The AOL unit of the media conglomerate will be spun off on December 9, making AOL its own company starting Thursday, December 10. Time Warner shareholders of record on November 27 will receive an AOL stock dividend for every 11 shares of Time Warner common stock they hold, according to Reuters.

Charles Ergen has stepped down as President/CEO of EchoStar, but will remain with the satellite company as Chairman and as CEO of Dish Network. Ergen and EchoStar notably attempted to negotiate a partial ownership in Sirius XM, but lost out to Liberty Media Group, which ended up investing $530 million in the satcaster to help keep it afloat. As recently reported, Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin discussed Ergen and his effect on the negotiations.

As of Friday, November 20, KDHT (HOT 93.3)/Austin will no longer be broadcasting the Hip-Hop format. The HOT 93.3 staff was let go as a result of these impending changes. A new format will debut on the 93.3 frequency this Friday. More details regarding this event will be released at that time.

Nikki Roberts joins Hot AC WMEE/Ft. Wayne for middays, replacing Trina Neeley. Roberts formerly did mornings at Country KBQI/Albuquerque.
 
Morning host Kaiser rises to Music Coordinator at Modern Rock WMRQ/Hartford.
 
Brett Beshore is named VP/Market Manager for Clear Channel's Poughkeepsie market. Beshore is inbound from the VP/Market Manager post at Shamrock Communications-Wilkes Barre.

Happenings at Cox-Atlanta as CHR WBTS PD Cagle tacks on additional programming duties at AC sister WSB-FM and Urban AC WALR. PD Jay Dixon will also oversee Classic Hits WSVR.

Non-comm Triple A/News KCRW/Santa Monica announced that GM Ruth Seymour will retire after 32 years in the position, effective the end of February 2010. Seymour, who also serves as PD, is credited with developing KCRW’s signature show, Morning Becomes Eclectic, which has gone on to become the most universally identified brand of the station. Santa Monica College, which owns the KCRW license, will conduct a search for a replacement that is expected to take several months to complete.

Non-comm Triple A WFUV/New York has promoted Music Interview Producer Sarah Wardrop to Acting APD. Wardrop will assist in the development of programming content for broadcast and the web, including overseeing WFUV's music interview production staff.

Nadia Canales resigns her Director/Regional Promotion post with Downtown Records to join Roadrunner Records as Southwest Regional Director/Promotion. Canales starts her new gig on December 1.

iBiquity Digital Corporation announces that the 2010 Rolls-Royce model lineup will integrate HD Radio Technology as standard equipment, including the highly regarded 2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series - available in dealerships now.
Also, iBiquity announced the expanded availability of factory-installed HD Radio Technology across 2010 Mercedes-Benz models equipped with the brand's premium feature packages. The newest generations of Mercedes-Benz automobiles offering HD Radio include the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe, E-, CL-, CLS-, S- and SLK-Class vehicles.

In an effort to help Blueflame, a Philadelphia Police and Fire Football Club team raise $25,000 to replace vandalized football uniforms and equipment, syndicated CHR WIOQ/Philadelphia morning host Elvis Duran challenged listeners to match the $5,000 donation he made. Duran welcomed Police Officer Jessie O’Shea to the program who explained Blueflame is, "a football team comprised of Philadelphia police officers and fireman. We play in the National Public Safety Football League, a nationwide league of 22 teams. In Blueflame's eight year existence, we’ve raised about $150,000 for many charities, particularly Police Survivors, to help fallen officers’ kids, and Firemen’s Widows." Officer O'Shea joked, "The more money raised, the more get out of jail free cards we’ll give out."

Best Buy teams with Monster and Beats By Dr. Dre to launch Club Beats, a new in-store destination to entertainment technology, artists and more. Club Beats will debut with in-store appearances in New York City (Dr. Dre, Jimmy Iovine, Will.i.am, David Guetta, Major Lazer and Diplo) on November 19, Las Vegas (Robin Thicke) on November 22 and Los Angeles (Lady Gaga) on November 23.

Sirius Canada launches its own iPhone app, which Orbitcast reports is essentially identical to the U.S. Sirius XM app, including the lack of Howard Stern stations.

Universal Music Group (UMG) and Australian music downloading site Guvera Limited announce an agreement which will allow www.guvera.com to offer consumers free, legal downloads from UMG’s roster of artists. Through this partnership, Guvera further solidifies its presence in the U.S. in anticipation of its official consumer launch in February, 2010.