I’m covering a bit of Radio Broadcast News today just to spice things up (meaning it was a slow Video Broadcast news day). Check out how many radio listeners there are in the US, how Don Imus did his first day back on the air, and how controversial Tampa Bay area radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge went national with Sirius Satellite Radio but will be coming back to broadcasting over the free airwaves in Tampa and Jacksonville.

GAO report cites lack of coordination in DTV transition
A Government Accountability Office report released by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., says there is a lack of coordination among the various government agencies charged with supervising the transition to all-digital TV broadcasting in February 2009. Markey said, “Given the high stakes for consumers, public safety and wireless innovation posed by this transition, the GAO’s call for the FCC and NTIA to develop an overarching strategic framework for success is one that these agencies would do well to heed.” Broadcasting & Cable

Survey: 47% unaware of when DTV transition will occur
Some 47% of TV viewers are not aware when the switch to all-digital broadcasting is slated to occur, and many households do not know where to go to receive information about the transition, according to a new DTV study. Broadcasting & Cable

Closing the Internet-TV gap
Despite lagging sales of Web video players, technology companies haven’t given up on the next-generation gadgets that let viewers hook up their TV to the Internet. In this article, industry experts weigh in on the different problems, and the various solutions that could help make Internet video players more appealing to consumers. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required)

Arbitron: 233M listeners tune into radio each week
Radio’s reach every week extends to 233 million U.S. listeners — including 82% of those 12 and older and 95% of adults ages 18 through 49 with college degrees and household income of $50,000 or more, according to preliminary information from Arbitron’s upcoming RADAR 95 network-radio report. The full report will be released Monday. Radio Ink

PPM numbers strong for Imus’ WABC debut
WABC-AM New York during Don Imus’ Dec. 3 launch experienced an 87% increase in its Portable People Meter rating over the previous 10 Mondays, according to preliminary, raw data from Arbitron. It remains to be seen whether Imus will continue to sustain this level of listenership, these articles note. Mediaweek, Radio Ink

Bubba to return to broadcast
Controversial radio host Bubba the Love Sponge is returning to broadcast radio via a new morning show airing on Cox Radio’s Classic Rock WHPT-FM in Tampa, Fla., and Classic Rock WFYV-FM in Jacksonville. The veteran personality also has extended his deal for afternoons with Sirius Satellite Radio. Radio Online