Allen Media To Use Forecasters From TWC In 28 Local Markets

 Allen Media Broadcasting (AMB) has announced a partnership with The Weather Channel (TWC) that will replace local meteorologists with TWC forecasters based in Atlanta. 

This move is part of a broader strategy by Allen Media Group (AMG), owned by Byron Allen, to enhance weather reporting capabilities across its 28 TV stations.

The new format, which has been in Beta for several years, aims to improve reporting, especially during high-stakes weather situations. The initiative will impact at least 50 meteorologists, with some being offered new positions at TWC. The announcement was made on a Saturday, likely in response to the number of news personalities who informed their viewers about their pending departures.

For example, WTHI-TV news anchor Patrece Dayton and chief meteorologist Kevin Orpur announced their departure from the station in Terre Haute, Indiana, citing the elimination of their positions. Christina Burkhart, a meteorologist with ABC affiliate WJRT-TV in Flint, Michigan, mentioned that nearly 100 meteorologists across over 20 stations are being laid off.

This change is part of a larger trend in the television industry, where budget cuts and restructuring are becoming more common. The new arrangement is expected to provide more accurate, timely, and engaging forecasts for communities across the country

Nielsen: Holidays, Football and Blockbusters Drive Record Viewing

The Gauge’s December 2024 interval was bookended by the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, both of which are historically known for accumulating high volumes of TV viewing. These drivers contributed to a 4% increase in overall time spent watching television compared with November, with each holiday also accounting for two of the four days in the interval to exceed 100 billion TV viewing minutes.

In total, 2024 included nine days with over 100 billion TV viewing minutes, compared with 13 in 2023.

Thanksgiving and Christmas Day also hosted the top six most watched telecasts of the month. These included the three Thanksgiving NFL games, led by the Giants vs. Cowboys on FOX with 38.5 million viewers, followed at No. 4 by NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with 23.8 million viewers. The fifth and sixth top telecasts belonged to Netflix in its NFL debut on Christmas Day, whose two games each drew over 23 million viewers and helped bolster an already strong month for the streamer.

Netflix accounted for 8.5% of total TV viewing in December, tying its platform best share set in July 2023. Netflix notched a 14% increase over the previous interval, and while some of that was attributable to the two NFL games, calculations showed the streamer’s monthly usage would have been up 11% even if contributions from the games were excluded. Netflix benefited from its action thriller film Carry-On, which generated 5.2 billion viewing minutes from Dec. 13 – 29 and achieved the third-most streamed title of the interval. It also received a boost following the Season 2 premiere of Squid Game, which accumulated 4.9 billion viewing minutes in the final week of the interval and also notched the highest weekly total (measured Monday through Sunday) for any streaming title in 2024.

On top of a 7.6% increase in November, streaming viewership climbed another 9% in December and the category secured a new Gauge record with 43.4% of total TV watch time. In addition to Netflix, nearly all reported streaming platforms exhibited gains and several achieved platform bests:YouTube viewing was up 7% to propel the platform to a record 11.1% share of TV usage.Prime Video reached a platform best 4.0% share of TV, as it benefited from hosting five NFL Thursday Night Football games, including one on Black Friday, during the December interval, as well as from its holiday blockbuster film Red One, which racked up 5.6 billion viewing minutes as the month’s top streaming title. Prime Video also saw success from its new original reality series Beast Games starring Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, with over 700 million viewing minutes accumulated across its first three episodes.Max garnered an 18% monthly viewing increase in December, the largest among all streaming platforms, with upticks driven by its deep library of available shows like The Big Bang Theory and Friends, as well as newcomer Dune Prophecy.

Trending

The broadcast and cable categories were notably football-heavy in December, and each saw monthly increases in sports viewership of 17% and 29%, respectively, due to games across the NFL, various college bowl games, and the first round of the College Football Playoffs. The cable category also received an 18% bump in feature film viewing (on top of a 14% increase in November). Both categories, however, had to contend with seasonal-related declines: Broadcast networks pulled back on scripted dramas during the holiday season, resulting in an 18% dip in that genre, and cable news, following the end of the presidential election cycle, dropped by 27%. Overall, broadcast and cable viewing accounted for 22.4% and 23.8% of December TV watch time, respectively, and 46.2% of TV viewing combined.

Trump Pardons J6 Rioters

President Trump pardoned on Monday nearly all of the 1,500 people charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, hours after outgoing President Joe Biden immunized from prosecution family members and other potential targets of the incoming administration.

The Wall Street Journal reports Trump’s sweeping clemency delivered on his polarizing campaign pledge to pardon supporters who joined in what federal judges and prosecutors have called an attack on American democracy.

The new president made the announcement after arriving at the White House, effectively wiping away four years of prosecutions, including more than 1,100 convictions in what Justice Department officials have described as the largest investigation in U.S. history.

🚨BREAKING: President Trump has officially signed a pardon for 1,500 J6 prisoners.
pic.twitter.com/Yxbi0VnZRV

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 21, 2025

While pardoning virtually all of those charged, Trump commuted the sentences of more than a dozen others.

“They’ve been treated very unfairly,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “The judges have been absolutely brutal. The prosecutors have been brutal.”

“I see murderers from this country get two years, one year, and maybe no time, but they’ve already been in jail for a long time,” he said.

Among the recipients of clemency from Trump were leaders of far-right groups, including the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, who had been found guilty of seditious conspiracy and other offenses in connection with the Capitol attack.

Trump pardoned former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio, who was sentenced in 2023 to 22 years in prison, and commuted the sentence of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was ordered to spend 18 years behind bars for plotting to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.

Trump Declares 'New Golden Age' During Inauguration

President Trump was sworn into office and, in an inaugural address that offered a greatest-hits version of his campaign speeches, laid out his vision on immigration, energy, the culture wars and American expansion.

Here’s what else to know:

BREAKING: President Donald Trump announces day one executive orders, including deploying the military to the border

- National emergency declaration at the southern border
- Halting "all illegal entry"
- Remain-in-Mexico reinstated
- Catch-and-release ended
- Troops heading to… pic.twitter.com/YbsiIGdx3X

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) January 20, 2025

• Trump said he would declare a national emergency at the southern border and move to boost oil production. He also said the government would recognize only two genders, again threatened to take control of the Panama Canal, and vowed to send American astronauts to Mars.
• The list of global business leaders attending the inauguration represent companies with more than $12 trillion in market value. That includes tech executives Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook and Elon Musk, as well as friends and allies of Trump such as Bernard Arnault, John Paulson and Rupert Murdoch.
• Musk later told Trump supporters “This was no ordinary victory. This was a fork in the road of human civilization.”
• The president plans to enact a sweeping set of executive orders.

• Minutes before his term ended, former President Biden announced pre-emptive pardons for his siblings and their spouses. Earlier Biden also pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

President Trump’s inaugural address offered a greatest-hits version of his campaign speeches, laying out his vision and plans for the office.

Some key themes:

• Immigration: Trump said he would declare a national emergency at the southern border and relaunch a policy known as Remain in Mexico, which requires migrants seeking asylum at the southern border to wait in Mexico during their U.S. court proceedings. “I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I am going to do,” Trump said. He ran on a promise to aggressively crack down on illegal immigration, and immigration raids are being discussed in the coming days.
• Culture Wars: Trump said that it would be the official policy of the U.S. that there are two genders, male and female. Trump leaned into transgender issues on the campaign trail, regularly vowing to “keep men out of women’s sports,” as the issue has become a focus of conservative lawmakers around the country.
• Manifest Destiny: Trump again repeated his threat that he would take control of the Panama Canal. Trump has previously threatened to take over the Panama Canal and wrest control of Greenland from Denmark. If he follows through, he is likely to face stiff resistance from world leaders, who would object to any effort to undermine a nation’s sovereignty. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has rejected Trump’s canal threats as an affront to Panama’s sovereignty. Trump also said America should send astronauts to Mars.

SCOTT JENNINGS: This was an incredible speech for Trump. Watching him indict these gangsters to their faces while they had to sit with him in an intimate setting... they had to sit there and take it. It was glorious.pic.twitter.com/U5yujAYbfG

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 20, 2025

• Two Different Outlooks: Trump painted a dark picture of the country he was inheriting, claiming it has been led by corrupt radicals and declaring the pillars of society broken. But he argued that he would turn it around and usher in a “golden age,” saying: “We stand on the verge of the four greatest years in American history.”

R.I.P.: Paul Gallo, Mississippi’s Godfather of Talk Radio

Radio in Mississippi lost one of its most iconic voices and passionate champions with the passing of Paul Gallo on January 19, 2025. 

For over five decades, Paul didn’t just talk about Mississippi – he helped shape its story. From his first day behind a microphone on February 12, 1968, to his final broadcast, Paul dedicated his life to his listeners, his state, and the pursuit of truth. 

Paul’s journey into radio began on his 21st birthday when he stepped into the studio for the first time, receiving the gift of a career that would define his life and leave a mark on Mississippi. From DJ to Program Director, from sales and management to ownership, Paul mastered every facet of the industry. His name became synonymous with excellence in Mississippi media, most notably as the host of The Gallo Radio Show, the heartbeat of the SuperTalk Mississippi network.  

When Paul joined the SuperTalk family in January of 1990 he helped bring Steve Davenport’s vision of a statewide talk network to life.  What began as a single station grew into a powerhouse network, amplifying Mississippi’s stories and voices to millions across the state and beyond via radio, SuperTalk TV, and digital platforms. 

LA Radio: Audacy Reports Huge Wildfires Spike

When wildfires swept through Southern California, residents urgently needed real-time, reliable information to stay safe. That was when LA’s KNX News stepped in with around-the-clock coverage that became a true lifeline. Over-the-air, online, or through push alerts, KNX News kept everyone connected and informed according to Audacy.

For many, the over-the-air signal remained the go-to source for immediate and trustworthy updates. In the face of power outages, cell service disruptions, and evacuation orders, KNX News provided information exactly when it was needed. With roads clogged by evacuees, radio helped cut through the confusion by relaying official statements in real time.

KNX News reporters have been the eyes and ears in the fire zones for listeners desperate for information about what was happening to their homes and communities. Veteran reporter Pete Demetriou was the first to report that homes along Pacific Coast Highway were burning, offering harrowing live descriptions from his vehicle.

Listeners and KNX News staff alike experienced the devastation firsthand. One reporter, Nataly Tavidian, learned that her family home had been destroyed. She went on-air to describe the wreckage in real time, sharing her heartbreak so others facing similar losses would know they were not alone.

It started the week of January 5, 2025, when Google Trends showed record searches for KNX. As the fires worsened, KNX News drove a steep jump in app downloads, reflecting how urgently people needed live, accurate updates. Compared to the previous week, streaming climbed significantly. Plays rose by 309%, unique listeners by 212%, and total listening hours and average active sessions were both up by 160%.

Over-the-air listening also saw a significant increase, with KNX News listening rising by 354%. For many listeners, particularly those facing power or internet outages, KNX’s signal provided an essential source of real-time information during the crisis.

On social media, KNX News extended its reach even further, generating more than 17 million impressions and 670,000 engagements across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X during the week of the fires. This broad digital presence ensured critical updates were available across multiple platforms, keeping communities informed and connected.

While KNX News stays focused on fire coverage, sister music stations The Wave, KROQ, K-Earth, JACK-FM and Channel Q offered Angelenos an escape. The stations carried regular fire updates via KNX News and of course information on donations, but otherwise stuck to music and entertainment. “It’s a difficult balance as you don’t want to be insensitive to what is happening in the community but you also want to offer an escape,” Federman said. “The team is doing a great job setting the right tone and offering comfort in a scary situation.”

CBS News' King Ripped For 'People of Color'' Comment

“CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King sparked controversy after questioning why there weren’t “many people of color” during President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Monday.

The NY Post reports the anchor made the remark while offering commentary on the swearing-in ceremony as politicians, Supreme Court judges and dignitaries filtered into the US Capitol Rotunda.

“I do not see many people of color. Does anybody else besides me observe that?” King said. “I’m fascinated by why that is?”

Norah O’Donnell, who anchored the network’s coverage, then noted that the inauguration coincided with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day before listing off some prominent black leaders in attendance.

Megyn Kelly, the former Fox News primetime star, was among several critics who slammed King for her observation.

“Gayle King on cbs is questioning why there aren’t more “ppl of color” at the inauguration. Of course,” the host SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show” wrote on X.

"That was grossly inappropriate."@MegynKelly slams Gayle King after CBS interview with father of an Israeli hostage. Watch the FULL clip - https://t.co/LLTq4CHz55 pic.twitter.com/s3Nqvi2Nut

— The Megyn Kelly Show (@MegynKellyShow) November 18, 2023

Aidan Kearney, a Trump-backing commentator, wrote: “The fact that this is the first thing you’re looking for is exactly why this guy is about to be inaugurated again.”

Tony Bruno, a former ESPN sports radio talk show host, wrote on X: “Watching your morning show (which very few do) what is the racial breakdown of your staff?”

A spokesperson for CBS declined to comment.

Trump 2.0: MSNBC Mourns, Fox News Celebrates

                                                                                  

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid

Nobody summed up the funereal mood of MSNBC’s inauguration coverage on Monday quite like Rachel Maddow, the star anchor and de facto TV therapist for liberals who cannot bring themselves to believe that Donald Trump is, once again, the president.

“How is this happening?” she asked.

The NY Times reports her co-host Joy Reid had bemoaned “the takeover of the United States by a base mentality of greed and corruption.” The anchor Nicolle Wallace lamented “all the grifting.” And Ms. Maddow, having glimpsed Kristi Noem, Mr. Trump’s pick to run homeland security, next to Tim Cook, the Apple chief executive, in the V.I.P. section, seemed at a loss.

“Why,” she asked, “are people with tons of money up on the dais with cabinet nominees and family members?”

Over on Fox News, the atmosphere felt different. The hosts narrated the proceedings like happy commentators at a parade.

Larry Kudlow, a Fox host who served as Mr. Trump’s chief economic adviser in his first term, referred to the transfer of power as a “spiritual moment.” And the anchor Bill Hemmer sounded in awe of the star of the show.

“Enter Donald Trump, who has the energy sometimes of a hundred men,” Mr. Hemmer said as Mr. Trump made his way to the Capitol. “Donald Trump gets more done before noon than most of us do in an entire week.”

“So get ready,” he added. “It’s back. Trump Time.”

Trump Tosses A Lifeline To TikTok

For many of America’s 170 million TikTok users, US President Donald Trump’s move to delay a legal ban of the popular social media platform was cause for celebration.

But in China, where TikTok’s parent company is based, the reception has been less positive, largely because Trump has suggested he could require the company to give up a 50% stake to avert a shutdown and suggested tariffs on Chinese goods could hinge on whether Beijing approves a potential future deal.

When asked about Trump’s vision for the future of TikTok, China’s Foreign Ministry said the “operation and acquisition of companies” should be “decided by companies” and in line with Chinese law.

The US should “earnestly listen to the voice of reason” and “provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment” for companies from all countries, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Tuesday.

CNN reports hours after his inauguration Monday, Trump issued an executive order delaying for 75 days the enforcement of a controversial law, which requires that TikTok be banned in the US unless it sells to a buyer from America or one of its allies.

The executive action followed a pledge from Trump on Sunday that he would delay enforcement. TikTok said that assurance allowed it to come back online after going dark for more than 12 hours over the weekend.

The delay will help the Trump administration “determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans,” the order said

REPORTER: Why did you change your mind about TikTok?

TRUMP: Because I got to use it. And remember, TikTok is largely about kids. Young kids. If China is gonna get information about young kids, I don't know -- to be honest with you, I think we have bigger problems than that. pic.twitter.com/uHtje6EEQb

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 21, 2025

Trump in recent days has repeatedly suggested that he could be open to an American buyer purchasing half of the company and running it as a 50-50 joint venture with its current Chinese owner ByteDance.

A joint venture involving a US firm with a 50% stake in TikTok would soften the letter of the controversial law, though it’s unclear whether US lawmakers or TikTok, which denies that it poses a national security risk to Americans, would accept it.

At Least 33.6M Watched Commanders Win On Fox Sports Platforms

The Washington Commanders pulled off a stunning upset victory against the No. 1-seeded Detroit Lions on Saturday night, securing their spot in the NFC Championship Game. 

The game averaged 33.6 million viewers across FOX, FOX Deportes, and FOX Sports streaming platforms, making it the fourth most-watched Saturday NFC divisional game in FOX history. The audience peaked at 35.7 million viewers between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m. EST.

Despite the impressive viewership, the Commanders-Lions game saw a 10.5% decrease compared to last year's late-window NFC divisional game between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers, which averaged 37.54 million viewers. However, it was up by 17.3% compared to the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles game in the same window two years ago.

The lead NFL on FOX broadcast team, consisting of play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt, analyst Tom Brady, and sideline reporters Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi, called the game. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels made headlines by becoming the sixth rookie quarterback in NFL history to play in a conference championship game1. Unfortunately for the Lions, their hopes of returning to the NFC Championship Game and qualifying for the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history were dashed.

ABC Scores With NFL Division Playoffs

• Viewership Expected to Exceed 33 Million Viewers When Nielsen Reports Final 
• AudienceAudience Already Surpasses Every NFL Game – Regular Season or Playoffs – on ESP
• Dating Back to 1987Across All Networks, NFL’s Best Viewership for a Divisional Saturday Afternoon 
• Kickoff in 10 SeasonsThird Consecutive Season ESPN Punctuates Season-Long NFL Campaign with 
• Its Most-Watched NFL Game Ever

ESPN’s 2025 NFL Divisional Round presentation delivered a record-breaking audience across ESPN platforms, as the Houston Texans at the Kansas City Chiefs (Saturday, Jan. 18, 4:30 p.m. ET) is the company’s most-watched NFL game of all-time. The 32.7 million viewers surpass each NFL on ESPN game, playoffs and regular season, since 1987 (38 seasons), the first year when the network aired NFL games.

ESPN’s Texans-Chiefs viewership is expected to surpass 33 million viewers when Nielsen reports the final audience this week. The current viewership of 32.7 million viewers includes the vast majority, but not all audiences from ESPN, ABC and ESPN+.

Providence Radio: Steve Scarpetti To Exit 94 HJY

Steve Scarpetti is stepping down from his full-time roles at WHJY/Providence after 24 years with iHeartMedia Providence and a decade co-hosting the "Doug & Scarpetti Show". 

Steve Scarpetti

His last day as Promotions Director and co-host will be Friday, January 24. Scarpetti shared that he has accepted an amazing opportunity outside of radio, which he couldn't pass up.

Scarpetti has been with the iHeartMedia Providence cluster since 2001, starting as Promotions Coordinator and rising to Promotions Director in 2007. He began hosting overnights on WHJY in 2012 and joined Doug Palmieri in the afternoons in 2015. 

Although he is stepping away from his full-time duties, Scarpetti will continue to be involved with WHJY in a part-time/fill-in role and will host "The Metal Zone" on Saturday overnights.

Prince Harry Takes Murdoch To Court

Prince Harry's legal battle against Rupert Murdoch's British newspaper group goes to trial at the High Court in London on Tuesday with the royal seeking a ruling that senior figures knew about and covered up widespread wrongdoing.

Reuters reports Harry, along with former senior lawmaker Tom Watson, is suing News Group Newspapers over alleged unlawful activities carried out by journalists and private investigators working for its papers, the Sun and the defunct News of the World, from 1996 until 2011.

The prince says his mission is not money but to get to the truth, after other claimants settled cases to avoid the risk of a multi-million pound legal bill that could be imposed even if they won in court but had rejected NGN's offer.

"One of the main reasons for seeing this through is accountability, because I'm the last person that can actually achieve that," Harry, who is set to appear as a witness himself in February, said last month.

NGN has paid out hundreds of millions of pounds to victims of phone-hacking and other unlawful information gathering by the News of the World, and settled more than 1,300 lawsuits involving celebrities, politicians, well-known sports figures and ordinary people who were connected to them or major events.

Harry's legal team has said in earlier court documents that his older brother Prince William, the heir to the throne, had settled his own case against NGN in 2020 for "a very large sum of money".

BFoA To Honor Industry Veteran Dan Mason

The Broadcasters Foundation of America, the charity that provides aid to broadcasters in acute need, will recognize Dan Mason for his notable

success in broadcasting with the 2025 Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is given annually to an individual who has made invaluable contributions to the broadcast industry and will be presented to Mason during the BFOA Golden Mic Award Gala and Fundraiser at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Monday, March 10.

Mason is a widely respected broadcast executive and radio programmer known for initiating an aggressive growth strategy at CBS RADIO, including launching new formats and acquiring major market properties. He also is credited with leading the expansion of CBS RADIO’s digital presence with audio streaming platforms and mobile applications. He has served on the BFOA Board, including as Chair and Vice Chair.

“I am honored to receive this distinction from the Broadcasters Foundation,” stated Mason. “Broadcasting gave me a career that I love on the air and in the boardroom. There are many broadcasters across our country who feel the same way, but tragedy struck their lives, leaving them in need of help. That’s why I served on the Board of the Broadcasters Foundation and continue to support its charitable mission.”

R.I.P.: Tom Kutza, Longtime Radio Personality At WISL Shamokin, PA

Tom Kutza

Shanokin radio personality Tom Kutza has died at age 82. For decades, his voice filled homes throughout the Shamokin and Northumberland County areas of Pennslyvania. During his 38 years as a radio DJ at WISL 1480 in Shamokin, Kutza became a staple in the Coal Region. 

"You couldn't believe how one person affects so many generations. It's like, oh my, how is this, not back in the time or back now? It's like throughout all these years," said Mike Raymond, Tom Kutza's son-in-law. 

Kutza started at WISL in October of 1960. Throughout his career, he hosted talk shows, kept everyone up to date on what was going on in Shamokin, and would wake up those listening in during the morning, getting the nickname "Morning Mayor." 

"Because of that radio station he made himself a personality in the area he loved talking to people, he loved making them feel like they were important, didn't matter if they were a ceo of a company of the janitor of that company."

Kutza enjoyed making people happy and learning their life stories. His daughter, Lorena, says radio wasn't his only passion.

"This was his pride and joy. It was just so much fun for him to be a little kid with it," said Kutza.

He also loved collecting trains. 

"He loved it; it was kind of the start of the Christmas season for us. He just had friends that had, oh, my husband passed away, and we have these houses here. Would you want it? Would you want this train and he really got a lot of it that way," said Kutza.

Radio History: Jan 21

➦In 1919...actress/radio-TV host Jinx (Eugenia) Falkenburg was born in Barcelona Spain. She was a movie actress & popular model before & during World War II , after which she and her husband Tex McCrary were hosts of “Meet Tex and Jinx” a local radio talk show on WEAF, WNBC they conducted from Peacock Alley in New York’s Waldorf Astoria. They also hosted NBC TV’s At Home show, while she was a regular on TV’s charades show Masquerade Party. She died a month after her husband Aug 27, 2003 at age 84.

➦In 1927...the first opera broadcast on a national Radio network occurred. Radio listeners in Chicago, Illinois heard music from Faust.

➦In 1935...WFI-AM in Philadelphia merged with WLIT to become WFIL.

WFIL was formed by a merger of two stations that were launched in 1922. One used the call letters WFI, the other was originally WDAR. Each was owned by a major Philadelphia department store; WFI was operated by Strawbridge and Clothier, while WDAR was run by Lit Brothers.

While operated independently of each other, the two were able to work out amicable share-time agreements (hundreds of other American stations at the time were unable to do so, and frequently engaged in "jamming wars"). Around 1924, WDAR applied for and received the custom call-sign WLIT. By the late 1920s, the two stations were working jointly on various programs, promotions, and sponsorship efforts. In 1935, the two operators agreed to merge with each department store having representation on the new board of directors.

The new call-sign became WFIL, a combination of the two previous identifiers (the fact that the new call letters were close to a phonetic spelling of "Philadelphia" was merely a happy coincidence).

➦In 1938...the legendary deejay known as Wolfman Jack was born Robert Weston Smith in Brooklyn. His unique radio style made him an icon of ’60s radio, broadcasting from XERF, then XERB in Mexico and heard throughout a major part of the U.S.; On TV he was announcer for NBC’s The Midnight Special. He died following a heart attack July 1, 1995 at age 57.