Plus Pages

Saturday, January 17, 2015

January 18 In Radio History




In 1929...Walter Winchell, the "New York Daily Mirror" columnist, began on Radio. He began his career in journalism by posting notes about his acting troupe on backstage bulletin boards. Joining the Vaudeville News in 1920, Winchell left the paper for the Evening Graphic in 1924, and in turn was hired on June 10, 1929 by the New York Daily Mirror where he finally became the author of what would be the first syndicated gossip column, entitled On-Broadway.

Walt Winchell
Using connections in the entertainment, social, and governmental realms, he would expose exciting or embarrassing information about celebrities in those industries. This caused him to become very feared, as a journalist, because he would routinely impact the lives of famous or powerful people, exposing alleged information and rumors about them, using this as ammunition to attack his enemies, and to blackmail influential people. He used this power, trading positive mention in his column (and later, his radio show) for more rumors and secrets.

He made his radio debut over WABC in New York, a CBS affiliate, on May 12, 1930.

His newspaper column was syndicated in over 2,000 newspapers worldwide, and he was read by 50 million people a day from the 1920s until the early 1960s. His Sunday-night radio broadcast was heard by another 20 million people from 1930 to the late 1950s.


In 1948..."The Original Amateur Hour," hosted by Ted Mack, a spinoff of Major Bowes' popular radio series, debuted on the Dumont Television Network. Mack had been Bowes' field assistant who scouted and auditioned talent for the program. During its 22-year run, the TV series aired on all four networks and introduced acts such as Teresa Brewer, Pat Boone, Ann-Margret, and Irene Cara.



In 1964..Fifty-one years ago today, the Beatles appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time.

The band's breakthrough, and ultimately, pop culture-redefining, first U.S smash, "I Want to Hold Your Hand," entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 45.

The issue was dated Jan. 18, 1964.

The following week, the song rocketed to No. 3. It became the Beatles' first of 20 No. 1s the following week (Feb. 1, 1964).


The Beatles' 20 toppers remain the most by any artist in the Hot 100's history. When Billboard ranked the top acts of the chart's first 55 years this past August, the Beatles ranked at No. 1.




In 1983...First GUI/mouse computer, the Apple Lisa, was unveiled.


In 1985...Cleveland, Ohio was chosen to be the site of the permanent home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.


In 2004...Harry Fleetwood died. He was a commentator on WNBC-AM's "Music Through the Night" in 1954. In 1975 he left that station and went to WNCN where he hosted classical music.

R.I.P.: NOLA's Legendary WWL Broadcaster Maury Magill


Maury Magill, the legendary former WWL broadcaster whose 44-year radio career included serving as the New Orleans Saints color commentator during game broadcasts in their inaugural season, died Friday.

He was 89-years-of-age according to WWLTV.com.

Magill began his career at WWL Radio in 1961 and became one of the most versatile voices in New Orleans radio. In addition to broadcasting Saints games, he hosted nightly sports talk shows on WWL and served as sports director, staff announcer, news anchor and disc jockey.

Magill was part of the WWL broadcast team that covered the Saints throughout their early years, including their first game on Sept. 17, 1967 in Tulane Stadium.

Pandemonium broke out just minutes into the game as Saints rookie John Gilliam ran back the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. Magill told The Houma Courier in a 2007 story that he quickly began to worry if the building he was working in was going to hold up.

"Tulane Stadium was steel," Magill said. "The stairs and everything were steel. The people just went insane. The people just started pounding their feet. I thought the place was going to fall apart."




Magill was also on hand at the stadium on Nov. 8, 1970 for his broadcast partner Al Wester's call of Tom Dempsey's record-setting 63-yard kick. At that exact moment, a swarm of bees invaded the WWL-AM transmitter, knocking the historic broadcast off the air in New Orleans.

"We were off the air for only about five minutes," Magill later told The Times-Picayune, "but, of course, it was a crucial five minutes."

January 17 In Radio History


In 1937...the show "Kay Child, Stepmother" was first broadcast on the CBS Radio Network.


In 1949..."The Goldbergs" was first broadcast on CBS-TV. The show had been on the radio since 1931.


In 1986...Radio personality Joel Sebastian died.

Sebastian  began his radio career in his native Detroit at station WXYZ. He moved to Chicago in 1966, after working at stations in Dallas, New Haven, Conn., and Los Angeles.

For 20-years+, he was DJ and morning on-air personality at eight Chicago radio stations, including WCFL, WLS, WGN, WMAQ and, most recently, WJMK-FM (104).

He began his Chicago career at WCFL as a talkative morning disc jockey. He would open each show with the greeting ``Good morning Chicago, baby,``

He also worked at WNEW, WKHK, WHN and WNBCin New York City, returning to Chicago in June 1983 to WJMX.




In 1989...Scott Shannon last show at WHTZ Z100 NYC.

Shannon founded the "Z Morning Zoo" concept and he was the driving force in helping Z100 become the top-rated FM station in New York City within a mere 74 days of signing on the air.

In 1989, Shannon left Z100 for Los Angeles to start up Pirate Radio, KQLZ. Pirate Radio employed a similar Top 40 concept. As the 1990s began, Top 40 radio experienced a decline, and eventually Pirate Radio struggled as well, leading to Shannon's departure.

In 1991 he returned to New York and resurfaced on Z100's biggest rival, WPLJ.


In 2004...TV talk show host, Jerry Springer, began a new radio show on WCKY-AM, Cincinnati.



In 2012...Disc jockey/bandleader/drummer/singer/songwriter (Willie And The Hand Jive) Johnny Otis died at the age of 90.

Friday, January 16, 2015

NBC Bringing Noah Oppenheim Back To 'Today'

Noah Oppenheim
It back to the future for NBC's Today Show...

Noah Oppenheim, a senior producer of the morning program when it was No. 1 in the ratings, is returning as the top executive in charge of the entire editorial operation, according to the LA Times.

Oppenheim will fill the role that was briefly occupied by Jamie Horowitz, the onetime ESPN programming whiz who was fired in November shortly after he took the NBC job.

In recent years, Oppenheim has worked as a screenwriter in Los Angeles. He had been a program development executive for the production company Reveille.

During his tenure at "Today," Oppenheim oversaw the 7 a.m. hour, which is where the bulk of the program’s hard-news reporting runs. But with his background in the entertainment business, he is expected to have a strong point of view on the program’s softer content as well.

His new position gives him control over the four hours of "Today" on television and its digital platforms. He will also be charged with finding ways to expand the "Today" brand name.

Read More Now

SiriusXM Dealt New Setback

A New York federal judge on Thursday largely rejected Sirius XM Holdings Inc's request to reconsider her Nov. 14 decision in favor of members of the 1960s band The Turtles over the payment of royalties for songs made before 1972.

According to Reuters, U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon rejected Sirius' arguments that Flo & Eddie Inc, controlled by founding band members Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, did not own copyrights in The Turtles' recordings such as "Happy Together," or gave it an "implied" license to play Turtles songs.

She did, however, agree with the New York-based satellite radio company that Flo & Eddie could recover damages for copyright infringement only for the three years before it sued on Aug. 16, 2013, not six years as she had previously suggested.

A lawyer for Flo & Eddie said the plaintiff plans by an April 3 deadline to formally seek class action certification on behalf of itself and other artists, rather than accept McMahon's alternative of an immediate ruling on liability in its favor.

The lawsuit is one of a handful challenging Sirius and Pandora Media Inc over their playing of songs recorded before Feb. 15, 1972. Though such songs are not covered by federal copyright law, some recording artists and labels have won rulings entitling them to copyright protection under individual state laws.

Read More Now

Orlando Radio: Bubba Goes Country On WOTW The Wolf

Bubba The Love Sponge has announced the addition of his show to JVC's new Country station in Orlando.

WOTW 103.1 FM The Wolf  is adding Bubba to its line-up starting Monday January 19.  The show had been airing on crosstown Sports WRSO 810 AM.

JVC Media EVP and market manager Shane Reeve said, "We have experienced great success with Bubba in all of our other markets, Bubba is a radio machine and knows how to win. I am confident that Orlando will be a Bubba Town again in a few short months."

WOTW 103.1 FM (22 Kw) Red=60dBu Coverage Area

Meanwhile, Bubba thanked JVC for adding his show to its Country startion WTRS 102.3 FM in the Ocala-Gainesville market.

Bubba reports a jump in his time slot and a massive increase in listenership for WTRS across all day parts.  WTRS moved from 12th to 4th place with Men age 25-54, an all-time high for the station.

Clem also boasts his syndicated morning show currently ranks top three Men 25-54 and top five Persons 25-54 in all markets it currently airs.  (M-C has not been able to confirm)

Bubba the Love Sponge Show is currently heard on WHFS-FM 98.7 FM in Tampa, WRXK 96.1 FM, Ft. Myers, FL, WYBB 98.1 FM Charleston, SC, WZLB 103.1 FM Ft. Walton Beach, FL, WTRS-FM 102.3 Ocala, FL, KRZQ 104.1 FM Reno and streamed worldwide via RadioIO on Bubba Army Radio.

NJ Radio: Christie Tells NJ 101.5 FM He's 'Undecided'


New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie flirted with but did not definitely answer the big question Thursday night: “Are you running for president?”

“I will repeat to you my answer which is that I have not decided,” Christie said at the outset Thursday night’s “Ask the Governor” program with Eric Scott on WKXW 101.5 FM NJ 101-5 and on the Townsquare Radio Network.

Asked about reports that he will set up a fundraising committee by the end of the month, the governor said, “There’s lots of people making lots of suggestions to me about the best way for me to continue to get to know the country better. . . but I haven’t made any final decisions about what to do.”

Christie said he would not be influenced by moves made by other GOP contenders, including former Florida governor Jeb Bush and 2012 candidate Matt Romney. He said he has told others, including his staff, “Relax. You know, no one’s voting for another 12 and a half months. . . so everybody just come down. Be relaxed. Look at me, I’m perfectly relaxed.”

The governor said he will discuss the 2016 decision with his family but answered “no” when asked if his family could veto a presidential run.

CNN's Zucker Questioned Over Charlie Hebdo Decision

Christine Amanpour
CNN's Christiane Amanpour questioned network president Jeff Zucker in front of CNN's global staff on Wednesday over his decision not to air images of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, sources at the network told Politico.

In a "town hall" simulcast to CNN bureaus worldwide, the chief international correspondent informed her boss that the Quran does not prohibit showing images of Muhammad and questioned the network's refusal to show the most recent Charlie Hebdo magazine cover on the grounds that it might offend Muslims.

On air, CNN has attributed the decision to a network policy "not to show potentially offensive images of the prophet."

According to Dylan Byers at Politico, Zucker's response to Amanpour was unmemorable, several sources said. "Basically he had no response," said one staffer.

Wednesday's townhall took place in front of a live audience of CNN staff in New York and was broadcast to bureaus around the world. Employees in every bureau were invited to submit questions directly or anonymously via email, as well as through prerecorded video. Cooper anchored questions from New York; Amanpour anchored from London; and Jake Tapper anchored from Washington. The event was produced much like a CNN broadcast, complete with chyrons across the bottom of the screen showing the most recent question that had been asked.

Boston Radio: Report..Andy Gresh Leaving The Sports Hub

Andy Gresh
Andy Gresh will no longer be part of the midday program on WBZ 98.5 FM The Sports Hub after the Super Bowl, according to Chad Finn at The Boston Globe.

Gresh, whose contract option was picked up by the station and parent company CBS Boston last January, will not receive a new contract and will leave the station.

Marc Bertrand, the third voice on the ratings-dominant “Felger and Massarotti” PM Drive show, is expected to join Zolak as a cohost in the middle of February. However, his contract with the midday show is not official, according to Finn.

The front-runner to replace Bertrand as Michael Felger and Tony Massarotti’s cohort in afternoon drive is believed to be Rich Keefe, who is currently with the evening “Adam Jones Show.”

With Gresh’s departure, The Sports Hub will also shake up its Patriots pregame and postgame programming. Gary Tanguay, who briefly preceded Gresh as Zolak’s midday cohost when The Sports Hub launched in August 2009, also is not expected to return.

Read More Now

Boston Radio: Dale Arnold Gets New WEEI Contract

Dale Arnold
Dale Arnold returned to Sports Radio WEEI 93.7 FM last April with a passion and a promise. The arrangement was simple: funnel that passion into drastically improved ratings, and the station promised a new contract.

Ten months after Arnold reclaimed his old seat alongside friend and colleague Michael Holley, the afternoon ratings are up 59 percent with WEEI's target audience of men 25 to 54, and their program routinely ranks in the top three, up from sixth last winter. Now, Arnold has his contract, and the station says the reconstruction of its afternoon show is all but complete.

"Dale Arnold has one of the most complete and diverse sports resumes in Boston broadcast history," said WEEI Brand Manager Kevin Graham. "He is the only person to have done play-by-play for the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics and Revolution in addition to having called college football, basketball and hockey. Most importantly, Dale's name is synonymous with class and character, and the impact he's made since returning full-time is undeniable."

Arnold has been a show host on WEEI since the station's inception, working with Eddie Andelman, Bob Neumeier and, most recently, as co-host of the popular Dale & Holley program. He is a two-time Emmy Award winner with NESN, where he also serves as host of Boston Bruins hockey telecasts.

"Words cannot properly express how excited I am to be able to continue as a talk show host for WEEI," Arnold said. "I have always enjoyed the opportunity to talk sports with the most passionate fans in America and am grateful for this 'second chance'. I have especially loved the opportunity to work with Michael again."

In November the station announced the signing of Jerry Thornton as a co-host with Arnold and Holley and digital columnist and blogger for the station's popular website, WEEI.com.

USA Radio Net Adds Late Night Show

The USA Radio Networks announces the addition of “The Real Side Radio Show with Joe Messina.“ The program will begin broadcasting January 26, 2015 at 12mid to 3am Eastern.

The program is the only conservative talk show broadcast live in that time slot.

Research reveals a growing number of workers are clocking in for the graveyard shift. Once reserved for blue-color workers there is now a significantly increasing number of white-collar employees working evenings or nights.

“Now second and third shifters can continue a live engaging conversation about America with Joe Messina’s The Real Side,” said Tim Maranville, Chief Content Officer at Cross Platform Media Group, parent company to USA Radio Networks. “They deserve a straight shooter like Joe.”

Joe is a no-nonsense, conservative realist. He is not interested in “what if?” or “we could have!” He is interested in hearing both sides and has no problem taking on taboo issues with real questions looking for real answers. Race, religion, racism, and politics are all open season for topics on the show.

“I’m so happy to be joining the ever growing lineup of shows on USA Radio Networks, said Messina. “This is a thrilling time for radio listeners and, as we head into the presidential cycle, exciting for the country.”

Sam Hassell, CEO of Cross Platform Media Group, adds “Joe is a tremendous asset to our expanding platform of programs. Overnights is a significant under served time period for live national content. Another win for our affiliate and sponsorship partners.”

To carry the “The Real Side Show With Joe Messina,” contact USA Radio Networks Affiliate Relations department at 844-500-0812 or info@usaradionetworks.com.

Judge Revokes Probation For Chris Brown

A judge has revoked Chris Brown's probation but allowed him to remain free for now after the R&B singer traveled without approval for a concert and failed to complete community service on time.

According to billboard.com, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James R. Brandlin allowed Brown to remain free at least until a March 20 hearing when the judge will receive an update from probation officials.

Brown was ordered by probation officials in December not to leave Los Angeles County without permission.

The Grammy-winning singer performed in San Jose in Northern California recently without obtaining permission to travel.

SiriusXM Reveals Selection Procedures for Leasing Channel

SiriusXM has announced the selection procedure to lease one Qualified Entity channel to be broadcast via satellite and available online.  The lease opportunity is part of SiriusXM's voluntary commitment stemming from the merger of Sirius and XM in 2008.

The FCC has made this set-aside available only to lessees that are not directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by SiriusXM or an affiliate of SiriusXM; do not share any common officers, directors or employees with SiriusXM or any affiliate of SiriusXM; and do not have any existing relationships with SiriusXM for the supply of programming during the two years prior to October 19, 2010.

SiriusXM is looking for the following in making its selection for this set-aside:  Programming representing diverse viewpoints and/or diverse entertainment content; improved service to historically underserved audiences; original content of a type not otherwise available to SiriusXM subscribers; and access to new sources of content and new entrants to mass media.  Applications should demonstrate that the proposer has the financial, operational, and technical ability to perform its obligations under the lease.  SiriusXM will select a programmer that, in its judgment, will be able to meet its obligations and deliver its proposed mix or type of programming for the duration of the lease term.

The satellite channel will be available only on SiriusXM satellite radios designed to receive the Sirius satellite network, online at SiriusXM.com and via the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other connected devices.

Applications are due by March 2, 2015.  SiriusXM intends to inform the FCC of its tentative selection on or before April 27, 2015.  SiriusXM expects to sign a lease agreement by June 11, 2015.

At the same time, SiriusXM will also select one additional channel for its public interest set-aside.  This channel will also be receivable only on satellite radios designed to receive the Sirius satellite network and via the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com.  For updated information and procedures for submitting applications for these set-aside channels, please visit siriusxm.com/qualifiedentity.

Fort Myers Radio: B.J. Odom Gets New Kidney

BJ Odom
Fort Myers radio personality B.J. Odom looks forward to performing more stand-up comedy after getting a new kidney this week.

"I definitely feel relieved," the Fort Myers man told The News-Press from his hospital room Wednesday. "I'm glad that it's in there!"

Odom had been on a waiting list since April.

Then he got the news that a harvested kidney was on ice and flying into Florida from out of state. Doctors at Tampa General Hospital transplanted the new organ during a three-hour surgery on Monday.

Now Odom has to wait and see if the new kidney takes. He's still on dialysis until it starts working — a process that can take several days to one or two weeks.

Odom, 59, has been making Southwest Florida laugh for decades, both as a stand-up comedian and as a radio personality. He still performs stand-up at local clubs and elsewhere in southern Florida about twice a month. Plus he occasionally fills in as a deejay for radio station WMYR 1410 AM / 106.7 T-FM Twang 106-7.

But Odom says his constant need for dialysis has kept him from full-time employment and left him on government disability. He's been gets dialysis three days a week for four hours per session.

Odom's kidney failure resulted from a heart transplant 11 years ago and the anti-rejection drugs he had to take afterward.

Glen Campbell Gets Oscar Nomination

Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell‘s poignant song ‘I’m Not Gonna Miss You’ has received an Oscar nomination in the Original Song category, according to The Boot.

Other Original Song nominees are John Legend‘s ‘Glory’ (from ‘Selma’); Tegan and Sara and the Lonely Island‘s ‘Everything is Awesome’ (from ‘The Lego Movie’); Adam Levine‘s ‘Lost Stars’ (from ‘Begin Again’) and Rita Ora‘s ‘Grateful’ (from ‘Beyond the Lights’).

‘I’m Not Gonna Miss You’ is from the documentary ‘Glen Campbell … I’ll Be Me,’ which chronicles the singer’s life, farewell tour and experience with Alzheimer’s, which he was diagnosed with in 2011. He wrote ‘I’m Not Gonna Miss You’ with songwriter and producer Julian Raymond, recording the tune as a farewell to his legendary career.

The documentary gives an intimate, honest and at times heartbreaking look at Campbell’s struggle with his diagnosis. The film’s soundtrack includes five of Campbell’s songs: ‘I’m Not Gonna Miss You,’ ‘Wichita Lineman,’ ‘A Better Place,’ ‘Home Again’ and ‘Gentle on My Mind.’

‘I’m Not Gonna Miss You’ also received two Grammy nominations this year. Campbell released a music video for the song in October.

January 16 In Radio History





In 1947...Radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger was born in Brooklyn, New York.

Schlessinger's first appearance on radio was in 1975 when she called in to a KABC show hosted by Bill Ballance. Impressed by her quick wit and sense of humor, Ballance began featuring her in a weekly segment. Schlessinger's stint on Ballance's show led to her own shows on a series of small radio stations. By 1979 she was on the air Sunday evenings from 9:00 to midnight on KWIZ in Santa Ana, California. That year, the Los Angeles Times described her show as dealing with all types of emotional problems, "though sex therapy is the show's major focus".

In the late 1980s, Schlessinger was filling in for Barbara De Angelis' noon-time relationship-oriented talk show in Los Angeles on KFI, while working weekends at KGIL in San Fernando. Her big break came when Sally Jessy Raphael began working at ABC Radio, and Maurice Tunick, former Vice-President of Talk Programming for the ABC Radio Networks, needed a regular sub for Raphael's evening personal advice show. Tunick chose Schlessinger to fill in for Raphael.

Ultimately, Schlessinger began broadcasting a daily show on KFI which was nationally syndicated in 1994 by Synergy, a company owned by Schlessinger and her husband. In 1997, Synergy sold its rights to the show to Jacor Communications, Inc., for $71.5 million. Later, Jacor merged with Clear Channel Communications and a company co-owned by Schlessinger, Take On The Day, LLC, acquired the production rights. The show became a joint effort between Take On The Day, which produced it, Talk Radio Network, which syndicated and marketed it to radio stations, and Premiere Radio Networks, (a subsidiary of Clear Channel), which provided satellite facilities and handled advertising sales. As of September 2009, Schlessinger broadcast from her home in Santa Barbara, California with KFWB as her flagship station.[24] Podcasts and live streams of the show have been available on her website for a monthly fee, and the show was also on XM Satellite Radio.

At its peak, The Dr. Laura Program was the second-highest-rated radio show after The Rush Limbaugh Show, and was heard on more than 450 radio stations.

In May 2002, the show still had an audience of more than 10 million, but had lost several million listeners in the previous two years as it was dropped by WABC and other affiliates, and was moved from day to night in cities such as Seattle and Boston. These losses were attributed in part to Schlessinger's shift from giving relationship advice to lecturing on morality and conservative politics. Pressure from gay rights groups caused dozens of sponsors to drop the radio show as well.  In 2006, Schlessinger's show was being aired on approximately 200 stations. As of 2009, it was tied for third place along with The Glenn Beck Program and The Savage Nation.

On August 17, 2010, during an appearance on Larry King Live, Schlessinger announced the end of her radio show saying that her motivation was to "regain her First Amendment rights", and that she wanted to be able to say what is on her mind without "some special interest group deciding this is a time to silence a voice of dissent."  Several of her affiliates and major sponsors had dropped her show after her on air use of a racial epithet on August 10.

On January 3, 2011, Schlessinger's show moved exclusively to Sirius XM Radio.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

TX Radio: iHM Promotes Patrick Davis To VP/Prog. Austin

Patrick Davis
iHeartMedia has announced Patrick Davis will expand his duties as Vice President of Programming to include the Austin market, effective immediately. Davis will now oversee all programming operations for both the Dallas and Austin markets.

He started his career as "Flash Phillips" doing mornings and as Program Director in Waco, Texas for eight years. Davis then became Program Director of WFMF in Baton Rouge and later moved to Dallas in 2002 as Kidd Kraddick's Operations Manager. Two years later he was named Program Director for KHKS, where he took the station from No.12 to No.1. In 2011, Davis was named Vice President of Programming of the Dallas cluster.

"We are pleased to have Patrick leading the programming and brand strategies for both the Dallas and Austin clusters," said Brad Hardin, Executive Vice President of Programming, iHeartMedia. "This is a well-deserved and great opportunity for Patrick -- he has a proven track record and I know he will drive results and lead both markets to even greater ratings success."

"I am confident that Patrick's reputation for success, thorough understanding of our business and extensive CHR experience will help boost the Austin stations to a heightened level of performance," said Pam McKay, Market President, iHeartMedia Austin. "I am extremely excited to have him as my programming and business partner."

"I'm delighted to have the chance to work with the legendary brands and the amazing team in Austin," said Davis. "A big thank you to Brad Hardin, Kelly Kibler, Pam McKay and Deidre Richter for this incredible opportunity."

SNL Kagan: Beasley, CBS Topped 2014 Deals

SNL Kagan has released a report which shows broadcast station mergers and acquisitions volume reached $8.77B in 2014, excluding construction permits and partial deals, but including $1.3B worth of station swaps.

The largest of these swaps was a trade of four TV stations between 21st Century Fox, Inc. and Cox Enterprises, Inc. (estimated to be worth $859 million) and the top radio deal of the year, a 19-station swap between CBS Corp. and Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., worth an estimated $300 million.

The deal market did not repeat 2013's record-breaking $12.4 billion, but still registered the second-highest annual number since 2007. The 2014 total exceeds the deal volumes of the years 2009 through 2012 combined.

The average forward seller's broadcast cash flow multiple for radio stations remained almost unchanged at 6.9x (7.0 in 2013). 70% of all radio stations sold were located in markets smaller than rank 75 or in non-rated regions. This area has become the most active part of a still vibrant broadcast deal market.

Chicago Radio: Conn's Arrival Forces Changes At WGN

The arrival of Roe Conn on WGN 720 AM this month means a move for current PM Drive Host Leff and Snyder.

The duo took-over the PM Drive shift last May replacing Garry Meier. Unfortunately, Leff and Snyder took- over a time slot on WGN, which mishandled the Meier situation.  According to Chicagoland Radio&Media, Meier's departure alienated a large portion of its audience and afternoon ratings fell dramatically.

In an odd twist, as bad as Leff and Snyder's ratings fell, they were still well above those of Roe Conn's at WLS 890 AM, who now replaces them.

Starting January 26th, Leff and Snyder will move back to middays, almost exactly where they were before they were shifted to afternoons. However, for now, it appears their hours are being cut back. They previously did a three-hour midday show, now they will be down to just two hours 10:00am-Noon.

This means that John Williams' 10:00am-Noon daily show is being canceled.   Starting February 7th, John Williams will move to Saturday, hosting the Noon-3:00pm. Williams will continue to do his show most weeks from the Minneapolis studios of WCCO 830 AM, where he has a full-time afternoon job.

In order for Williams to move to weekends, that means a vacancy must be created. According to CRM, WGN management has decided to cancel the highly-regarded Saturday show of WGN-AM veteran Bill Moller.

Obama Calls For Open Broadband Competition

President Obama
President Barack Obama is challenging major cable and telephone companies to expand broadband access by encouraging the Federal Communications Commission to pre-empt state laws that stifle competition for high-speed Internet service.

The Daily Mail reports Obama wants to expand access to broadband communications services, siding with local communities that want either to expand competition or provide municipal services themselves.

To promote it, he used a Cedar Fall, Iowa, speech today to announce that his administration will provide technical and financial assistance to towns and cities that want to improve Internet service for their residents.

'Today high speed broadband is not a luxury. It's a necessity. This isn't just about making it easier to stream Netflix or scroll through your Facebook news feed,' he said. 'This is about helping local businesses grow and prosper and compete in a global economy.

Obama detailed broadband plans this afternoon in Cedar Falls, a community that has taken steps to provide high-speed Internet to its roughly 40,000 residents.

Roughly 20 years ago Cedar Falls created a community broadband network. In 2010 it began a two-year process to upgrade to a full fiber network.


The administration's stance will put it at odds with major cable and telephone companies such as AT&T, Comcast and Time Warner Cable Inc., that currently provide Internet service, often with little or no competition.

Obama has already angered the industry by calling for new FCC rules that treat Internet service providers as public utilities.



Read More Now

Albany NY Radio: iHM Goes Wild For Country

The New York’s state Capital District is now has a third country station.

Wednesday, iHeartMedia has launched Wild Country 99.9, on Translator W260CH fed by its WRVE 99.5 FM HD2.

According to iHM, Wild Country 99.9 will be the home for New Country from artists such as Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Jake Owen, Sugarland, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley and more.

The station is kicking-off off with 10,000 songs in a row, and will feature The Bobby Bones Show starting next month. “Country is America’s hottest format and Wild Country 99.9 is exactly what the Capital District needs – a station that plays the best of what Country music has to offer,” said John Cooper, Regional Programming Manager for iHeartMedia Albany.

W260CH 99.9 FM (250 watts) Red=60dBu Coverage Area
The iHeartMedia station will attempt to chip some shares away from Townsquare Media’s hertiage, marketing-leading WGNA 107.7 FM, which notched an 8.1 share (12+) in Nielsen’s fall 2014 survey. 

Albany is also home to Pamal Broadcasting’s WKLI-FM 100.9 FM The Cat.

Tweet Trouble: Chi Talker 'Hopes' Media 'Cowards' Get Beheaded

WIND 560 AM Talk Host Joe Walsh, a former Congressman, isn’t very pleased that some media outlets have chosen not to show Charlie Hebdo cartoons featuring Muhammad — and as a result, has been on a tear on Twitter.

He’s called for those members of the media who have been self-censoring the images to be victims of beheadings at the hands of Islamic extremists.

Walsh responded to critics by saying “get real. I don’t hope for another act of terror but I know it will happen. And the appeasing cowards at CNN etal only endanger all of us.”

ABC May Axe 'The View'

Rumors are circulating once again that The View might be getting axed at the end of this season. Sources tell UK's Daily Mail that execs feel the new changes to the show haven't helped the ratings and it may be time to cut their losses after the current 18th season.

One insider explained, "ABC feels it's exhausted their options with The View and now it's time to expand the existing franchise, GMA. They feel that since GMA is already beating NBC's TODAY during the first two hours of the broadcast, why not extend the morning broadcast? They believe the success of GMA could carry over right into that 11am slot that The View currently holds."

Meanwhile, Variety reported that Rosie Perez has already exited the show. She has taken the entire month of January off to appear in the Broadway play, Fish In the Dark. Reps for the show denied that Rosie is leaving the show, saying that "her status on the show hasn't changed.

Whoopi Goldberg has insisted live on the air that any news of casting shakeups or big changes to the show would come from their mouths.

In addition to ratings issues, there are rumors that there is tension both on and off-screen between Rosie O'Donnell and Whoopi.

Columbus OH Radio: Michelle Matthews New OM For Saga

Michelle Matthews
Saga Communications' Columbua Radio Group has announced Michelle Matthews as new Operations Manager for AC WSNY 94.7 FM Sunny94-7, HotAC WVMX 107.9 FM Mix and Classic Hits WNND 103.5 FM Rewind.

Previously, Matthews served as Digital PD for iHeartMedia/St. Louis, and Program Director of Classic Hits KLOU-FM. Prior to that she spent 8 years as OM of Clear Channel/Omaha and Regional Program Manager for Omaha, Wichita and Sioux City.

CRG President/GM Chris Forgy said, "Michelle brings a unique combination of strong leadership and technical acumen that will allow our team, our operation and our ratings to grow exponentially."

Matthews added, "The Columbus Radio Group is home to some incredible brands with Sunny 95, Mix 107.9 and Rewind... I am beyond excited to work with Chris Forgy and the talented team he has assembled. Steve Goldstein has long been one of my biggest mentors, so I am thrilled to pieces to be able to work with, and learn from him again."

Mathhews has also served as OM for Capitol Radio in Springfield, IL, and KXPK/KALC Denver.

TWC's Jim Cantore Joining AMHQ Show

Jim Cantore, Sam Champion
The Weather Channel announced Wednesday that Jim Cantore is joining Sam Champion as co-host of "AMHQ," according to CapitalNewYork.com.  The show which airs from 7-10 a.m. on weekday mornings.

Cantore is the best-known meteorologist that TWC employs, regularly travels to disasters like hurricanes and disaster zones (but not TV shows)  for hours of live coverage. His addition to the channel's morning show gives him a regular timeslot, something that channel president David Clark said was an important factor in the decision.

"Viewers have told us they want to know exactly when they can tune in and see Jim Cantore every day, so adding him to 'AMHQ' makes it easy for them," Clark said in a statement.

When it debuted almost a year ago, "AMHQ" was the most ambitious program what Weather Channel had put together in a long time. That was due in part to the fact that Champion was a high-level poach from the top-rated morning show in the U.S., ABC's "Good Morning America."

While Weather was not expecting broadcast-level ratings, it was expecting some viewers to follow Champion to his new home. The show has, according to Jeremy Barr at CapitalNewYork.com, so far, largely not met the expectations of the channel, hence the tweaking, and the addition of Cantore.
Cantore begins on "AMHQ" Jan. 26.

Nashville Radio: Kelly Clarkson Finds Her Biggest Fans


Kelly Clarkson just released her new single, "Heartbeat Song," and was on a mission to find her biggest fans.
WRVW 107.5 FM The River in Nashville helped Kelly narrow it down to three super fans and hooked them up to heart rate monitors in the studio.

The fans had no idea that, as their heart rate was being monitored, Kelly Clarkson was going to come surprise them. You can now see why Kelly Clarkson is one of our favorite celebrities ever!

Muslim Media Angered At New Charlie Hebdo Cartoon

Newspapers across the globe respond to the "survivors' edition" of French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo - featuring a cartoon of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad - with a mixture of anger, concern and solidarity, according to BBC News.

"With new cover of French paper, a new set of fears," says the New York Times on its front page, adding that there is a "dread that Charlie Hebdo may prompt further violence".

In an op-ed piece in the paper, Turkish writer Mustafa Akyol calls on the Muslim world to ease its concept of blasphemy.

"Rage is a sign of nothing but immaturity," he says. "The power of any faith comes not from its coercion of critics and dissenters. It comes from the moral integrity and the intellectual strength of its believers."
'Open crusade'

Many Muslim Middle Eastern newspapers - even moderate ones - strongly criticise the magazine's front-page cartoon of Muhammad.

"Charlie Hebdo continues its provocation," reads a headline on the front page of Jordan's establishment daily Al-Dustour.

Several commentators urge France and other countries to outlaw the insulting of religions and religious figures, saying that failing to do so will only encourage Islamic extremism.

"I look forward to a French law that protects people's sanctities and beliefs from attack and ridicule," Idris al-Driss writes in the Saudi daily Al-Watan.

"Freedom of expression should end at and not cross the limits of offending others over their colour, race or religion," he adds. "Insulting religions should be legally treated as racism."

Read More Now

January 15 In Radio History


In 1899...Goodman Ace was born. He was a Radio/TV actor/writer/columnist/humorist.

Goodman, Jane Ace 1938
In 1930, Ace took on a job reading the Sunday comics on radio station KMBC in Kansas City and hosting a Friday night film review and gossip program called Ace Goes to the Movies. Ace was not initially a volunteer for the job. An editor at the Kansas City Journal-Post had the idea that having an employee read the newspaper's comics on the air for children would increase circulation for the paper. Taking the job meant an extra $10 per week in one's paycheck, but none of the newsroom staff was interested.

One night the recorded fifteen-minute show scheduled to air after Ace's timeslot failed to feed. With an immediate need to fill fifteen minutes' more airtime and his wife having accompanied him to the station that night, Ace slipped into an impromptu chat about a bridge game the couple played the previous weekend and invited Jane to join the chat which soon enough included discussion of a local murder case in which a wife murdered her husband over an argument about bridge. Loaded with Goodman's wry wit and Jane's knack for malaprops, the couple's surprise improvisation provoked a response enthusiastic enough to convince KMBC to hand them a regular fifteen-minute slot, creating and performing a "domestic comedy" of their own.

At first, the show that became known as Easy Aces centered around the couple's bridge playing, according to John Dunning in On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998): "Ace was not wild about Jane's bridge game, on the air or off, and he kept picking at her until she lost her temper and threatened to quit. The show settled into a new niche, a more universally based domestic comedy revolving around Jane's improbable situations and her impossible turns of phrase."

Written by Goodman Ace, who cast himself as a harried real estate salesman and the exasperated but loving husband of deceptively scatterbrained, malaprop-prone Jane ("You've got to take the bitter with the better"; "Time wounds all heels"), Easy Aces became a long-running serial comedy (1930–1945) and a low-keyed legend of old-time radio for its literate, unobtrusive, conversational style and the malaprops of the female half of the team.

While writing Easy Aces, Ace also wrote for other radio shows, earning $3,000 per week.


In 1945..."House Party" with Art Linkletter debuted on CBS Radio. The daily radio program aired for a total of 22 years. A television version of the show began in 1952 and ran for 17 years.


In 1953...Harry S. Truman became the first U.S. President to use Radio and TV to deliver his farewell upon leaving office.




In 1955...At the "Louisiana Hayride" in Shreveport, "Colonel" Tom Parker got his first look at a young singer named Elvis Presley singing "Hearts Of Stone," "That's All Right," and "Tweedle Dee."


In 1955...Billboard magazine reports that "music with an R&B beat is not longer regarded as a passing phase by major recording firms," citing the recent success of white pop covers of R&B hits.



In 1961...Motown Records signed the Primettes – Barbara Martin, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Diana Ross – to a recording contract, on condition that they change the group's name. From several possibilities, they settled on the suggestion by Florence Ballard: the Supremes. Martin left the act in early 1962.



In 1967...The Rolling Stones appeared on a live broadcast of CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show" to sing both sides of their new single, "Ruby Tuesday" and "Let’s Spend The Night Together."

Sullivan, however, instructed them to change the chorus of "Let's Spend the Night Together" to "Let's spend some time together." Lead singer Mick Jagger complied, but deliberately called attention to the censorship by rolling his eyes and mugging when he uttered the new words.

After the performance, the Stones went backstage, then came back out dressed in Nazi uniforms with swastikas, which caused an angry Sullivan to tell them to return to their dressing rooms and change back into their performing outfits. Instead the Stones left the studio and Sullivan banned the group from ever appearing on his show again.



In 1974...The nostalgia sitcom Happy Days premieres on ABC.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

NYC Radio: Pio Ferro New PD AT WQHT, Nessa To PM Drive

Pio Ferro
Emmis/NYC has announced that Pio Ferro has been named as Program Director for WQHT 97.1 FM Hot97.

He replaces Jay Dixon who will return to a consulting role with Emmis NY, staying on as consultant for Hot97, as well as sister-station, WBLS, while working with other radio stations across the country. Dixon has been PD since last July.

“Emmis NY embarked on a world-wide search for the ideal candidate for HOT 97 and our premier programming,” adds Deon Levingston, General Manager of HOT 97/Emmis NY.

“We’re excited to have Pio on-board and to see the Hot97 brand grow even further under his leadership, and thank Jay Dixon for his endless support during this transition.”

Ferro’s most recent successes include working as the National Program Director for Spanish Broadcasting System, where he oversaw programming for stations across the country including KLAX in LA, WSKQ in New York, and WXDJ in Miami. In 2009, Ferro became Program Director for KMVK in Dallas while overseeing programming for stations in Houston, DC, and Tampa, before moving to Beasley Rhythmic CHR in Miami in 2012.

“I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to lead HOT 97 with Ebro, Laura Stylez and Rosenberg in the morning, and a beast like Funk Flex at night,” exclaims Ferro. “With the enthusiasm and passion of our newest personality, Nessa, we know she’s going to crush it in the afternoons.”

Under Ferro’s new leadership, Hot97 will begin a nationwide search for a new host for the midday position from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as we confirm the departure of Dennis Rivera.

“I’m looking forward to announcing the next Hot97 midday superstar, which I’m currently looking for,” adds Ferro. “This is an exciting time for Hot97, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

WQHT 97.1 FM (6.7 Kw) Red=60dBu Coverage Area
The station has also announced the arrival of radio/tv personality Nessa from KYLD San Francisco as new PM cohost on Hot97.

Since 2010, Nessa has hosted the night show for KYLD, where she was heard in more than 25 markets including Los Angeles and Chicago. She can also be seen on MTV/MTV2, hosting various programs such as Girl Code and The Real World Ex-Plosion After Show.

Nessa
Nessa will host along with DJ Enuff, whose mixes reign supreme in providing listeners with the hottest hits in Hip Hop.  Cipha Sounds, will remain with the station, transitioning into other on-air responsibilities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nessa to the Hot97 family, and can’t wait to have her hit the airwaves in New York!” states Deon Levingston. “Her energetic personality and upbeat nature will be a refreshing transformation in the biggest radio market in the country.”

“Working for Hot97 is a dream come true!” states Nessa. “I want to thank Jimmy Steal, Rick Cummings, and Deon for this amazing opportunity, as well as my mentor, Cat Collins. New York, let’s go!”

Westwood One Renews Talker Michael Savage

Michael Savage
Westwood One announces the renewal of Michael Savage's popular thought-provoking nationally broadcast radio show The Savage Nation.

Savage is ushering in a new era of talk radio with his groundbreaking “Unprotected Talk” format that he will use to interact with listeners on topical current events and lifestyle issues – with politics of course remaining an important part of the show. Savage is challenging the talk radio industry with his one-of-a-kind program by combining timely political content with the real-life issues that his millions of listeners are talking about every day including topics such as health, science, religion, culture and more.

Savage has also announced an unprecedented $100,000 scholarship fund for conservative college students, which will grant five recipients two-year awards totaling $10,000 annually. The scholarship winners will be selected through an essay contest opening January 15 entitled "What Does It Mean to Be an American?" with the intention of promoting traditional American values.

"I am uniquely positioned to discuss a wide range of topics while maintaining an authentic, unapologetic voice because of my academic background. While others focus on Obamacare, I discuss health issues," Savage said. "I'm not shying away from politics and I'm not running for office like others in the media. Cumulus has allowed me to expand my reach, but my goal has remained the same – to deliver the best, most comprehensive commentary on radio and edutain the world in the process. With my new scholarship fund I can now help inspire the next generation by encouraging education and conservative values.”

"We are thrilled to continue this long-standing relationship with Michael and look forward to the continued success of the show," said John Dickey, Executive Vice President of Content and Programming. "Michael has maintained his position as not just a trusted voice in radio, but as a cultural icon."

For the rules and regulations of the scholarship contest, please visit: http://www.michaelsavage.wnd.com/

Thanks To 'Boom', Radio One Revenue Is Up

In an SEC filing, Radio One reports it is seeing clear signs of revenue improvement, attributable to its conversion of stations in Houston, Dallas and Philadelphia to the Classic Hip-Hop format 'Boom'.

Looking ahead to the 1Q earnings to end March 31, 2015, Radio One reports radio revenue is currently pacing up approximately 5.6%, although the Company anticipates this will trend down to low single digit growth due to a timing difference on a major non-traditional revenue event.   Radio One’s Houston cluster of stations is currently pacing up approximately 11.0% for the 1Q 2015.

The company reports initial Nielsen ratings for its new classic hip-hop format are promising.

Across its three debut Boom markets; Houston, Philadelphia and Dallas, the Company has averaged 20 to 25% increases in both audience share and ratings among Adults 25-54 in the format’s first few weeks of delivery.

In Houston, the operating costs of the BOOM format are about half of those of the former news format.  The Company will note that with lower operating costs, the Boom format is expected to improve cash flow in the Houston market by up to approximately $2.5 million within 12 months.