Saturday, November 12, 2022

November 13 Radio History

Lee de Forest
➦In 1906...Lee de Forest, who coined the term "radio", patented Audion tube.

De Forest was interested in wireless telegraphy and invented the Audion in 1906. He then developed an improved wireless telegraph receiver.

On 25 October 1906, de Forest filed a patent for diode vacuum tube detector, a two-electrode device for detecting electromagnetic waves, a variant of the Fleming valve invented two years earlier.

One year later, he filed a patent for a three-electrode device that was a much more sensitive detector of electromagnetic waves. It was granted US Patent 879,532 in February 1908. The device was also called the de Forest valve, and since 1919 has been known as the triode.

De Forest's innovation was the insertion of a third electrode, the grid, between the cathode (filament) and the anode (plate) of the previously invented diode.

The resulting triode or three-electrode vacuum tube could be used as an amplifier of electrical signals, notably for radio reception. The Audion was the fastest electronic switching element of the time, and was later used in early digital electronics (such as computers). The triode was vital in the development of transcontinental telephone communications, radio, and radar until the 1948 invention of the transistor.

de Forest w/Audion tube
In 1904, a De Forest transmitter and receiver were set up aboard the steamboat Haimun operated on behalf of The Times, the first of its kind.  On July 18, 1907, De Forest broadcast the first ship-to-shore message from the steam yacht Thelma. The communication provided quick, accurate race results of the Annual Inter-Lakes Yachting Association Regatta. The message was received by his assistant, Frank E. Butler of Monroeville, Ohio, in the Pavilion at Fox's Dock located on South Bass Island on Lake Erie. DeForest disliked the term "wireless" and chose a new moniker, "radio."

De Forest is credited with the birth of public radio broadcasting when on January 12, 1910, he conducted experimental broadcast of part of the live performance of Tosca and, the next day, a performance with the participation of Italian tenor Enrico Caruso from the stage of Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

➦In 1913...Alexander Scourby was born (Died at age 71 – February 22, 1985). He was a film, television, and voice actor known for his deep and resonant voice.  He is best known for his film role as the ruthless mob boss Mike Lagana in Fritz Lang's The Big Heat (1953), and is also particularly well-remembered in the English-speaking world for his landmark recordings of the entire King James Version audio Bible, which have been released in numerous editions. He later recorded the entire Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Scourby recorded 422 audiobooks for the blind which he considered his most important work.

Jack Gale
➦In 1925...Legendary radio broadcaster Jack Gale was born (Died - January 24, 2018) .  During his remarkable career he has been a radio performer, programmer, owner, voice-over talent, music publisher, manager and record producer spans more than 50 years.

R.I.P.: Keith Levene, Founding Member of The Clash, PiL

Keith Levene 1957-2022
Keith Levene, the innovative guitarist who was a founder member of both the Clash and Public Image Ltd, has died at the age of 65.

Levene, who had liver cancer, died at his home in Norfolk, leaving a lasting legacy of influence on British rock music, reports The Guardian.

His influence on the post-punk music scene was hailed by musicians as news of his death broke. Among his fans is Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, who once described his style as “spectacular”, saying “he explored the possibilities of what you can do with the guitar”.

Forming the Clash with guitarist Mick Jones and bassist Paul Simonon when he was only 18, it was Levene, alongside the band’s manager, Bernard Rhodes, who asked Joe Strummer, frontman with the 101ers at the time, to join them. Luckily for the Clash, Strummer had just seen the Sex Pistols play at the Nashville Rooms in London and had become convinced that punk was the way forward.

R.I.P.: Jim Bohannon, Longtime Radio News Anchor

(1944-2022)

The radio industry is shocked and saddened to learn of the death of longtime Westwood One news anchor Jim Bohannon. He died in Hospice Care in Westminster, South Carolina. Death was from complications associated with esophageal cancer.

It was just a month ago when Bohannon announced his retirement. “It’s been a great 40 years with Westwood One, with the last 30 as host of the ‘Jim Bohannon Show.’ I’ve enjoyed every minute of our daily nighttime town hall with my guests, callers, and all of America,” said Bohannon.

He is best known for hosting the nationally syndicated late night radio talk show The Jim Bohannon Show on the Westwood One Network. For 31 years, he also hosted America in The Morning, a nationally syndicated radio news show, stepping down in December 2015.

NYC Radio: WGA Members at 1010 WINS Ratify New Contract


Writers Guild of America, East members at 1010WINS and 92.3 FM, the venerable New York City talk radio news station, overwhelmingly ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with management at parent company Audacy.

The new three-year contract includes minimum salary wage increases of 3% in the first year of the contract, and 2.25% increases in the second and third year of the contract. Further, the contract sets pay raises for all News Production Assistants, with increases of up to 5.3% depending on seniority.

The 30-member bargaining unit’s new agreement also guarantees:Non-staff employees receive one comp day per year;
  • Staff employees receive one additional floating holiday;
  • The parties will meet and discuss hazard pay;
  • The parties will meet and discuss meal penalties if the newsrooms of WCBS 880 and 1010 WINS are combined;
  • The company may provide commuter reimbursements for overnight shifts, a sixth and seventh day in a work week, inclement weather, or news emergency;
  • No minimum call for upgraded shifts.

Disney Plans Hiring Freeze and Job Cuts


Disney is a not-so-happy place as it plans to institute a targeted hiring freeze as well as some job cuts, according to an internal memo sent to executives, reports CNBC.

“We are limiting headcount additions through a targeted hiring freeze,” CEO Bob Chapek said in a memo to division leads sent Friday and obtained by CNBC. “Hiring for the small subset of the most critical, business-driving positions will continue, but all other roles are on hold. Your segment leaders and HR teams have more specific details on how this will apply to your teams.”

He added: “As we work through this evaluation process, we will look at every avenue of operations and labor to find savings, and we do anticipate some staff reductions as part of this review.” Disney has approximately 190,000 employees.

Chapek also told executives business travel should be limited to essential trips only. Meetings should be conducted virtually as much as possible, he wrote in the memo.

Disney is also establishing “a cost structure taskforce” to be made up of Chief Financial Officer Christine McCarthy, General Counsel Horacio Gutierrez and Chapek.

“I am fully aware this will be a difficult process for many of you and your teams,” Chapek wrote. “We are going to have to make tough and uncomfortable decisions. But that is just what leadership requires, and I thank you in advance for stepping up during this important time.”

The moves come after Disney reported disappointing quarterly results. Shares of the company fell sharply Wednesday, hitting a new 52-week low, before rebounding later in the week.

McCarthy said during Disney’s earnings call Tuesday that the company was looking for ways to trim costs.

Is Comcast Finally Giving Up on Pay TV?


NBCUniversal announced earlier this week that it would soon live-stream local news, network shows and syndicated programming from 210 NBC affiliates on its $9.99-a-month Peacock Premium Plus service.

NextTV reports the move didn't surprise many video industry watchers. Starting with Paramount Plus' launch early last year, Paramount Global has, after all, live-streamed programming from CBS affiliates onto the platform's premium $9.99 tier.

In its announcement, NBCU didn't discuss the complexity involved with convincing 210 of its affiliates, all of which still rely heavily on broadcast retransmission fees from pay TV operators, to offer their wares to a direct-to-consumer streaming service starting Nov. 30.

But the question surfaces ... is Comcast, which just reported a third-quarter EBITDA loss of $614 million on its direct-to-consumer building efforts, surrendering to the void in regard to the pay TV ecosystem?

Suffice it to say the Peacock arrangement will come up every time these NBC stations and their relevant groups negotiate new retrans fee arrangements with pay TV operators. The impact will then trickle up to NBCU's reverse retrans compensation from these stations, a figure that exceeds $1 billion annually now.

‘Twitter Blue’ Launch Suspended


Elon Musk’s troubled social media site reportedly suspended the launch of its $8-per-month “Twitter Blue” plan in order to crack down on a surge in verified “troll” accounts impersonating famous figures — including Jesus Christ — and companies.

In an internal announcement, Twitter said it is attempting to block new subscriptions for the time being “to help address impersonation issues,” Platformer’s Zoe Schiffer reported.

Additionally, Twitter re-added an “official” label for verified accounts belonging to advertisers — just days after Musk had nixed the tag.

“An update on what we did tonight: hid the entry point to Twitter Blue, added the ‘official’ label for ONLY advertisers. Note: here is at least one way for users to sign up for Blue. Legacy Blue users can go to subscriptions and upgrade,” said the internal message, which was reportedly posted on Twitter’s Slack messaging platform.

“Note 2: Existing Blue subscribers will still have access to their Blue features,” the message added.

The company has also disabled “Twitter Blue” subscriptions for Apple users, according to the report.

Twitter’s verification system has been widely exploited by “troll” accounts impersonating major celebrities or brands since its rollout this week.


Even an account named “Jesus Christ” was among those to receive a verified blue checkmark – much to the amusement of other Twitter users.

Retail Category Share of Ad Spend Drops 3.1%


The retail sector has seen a three percentage point drop in its share of total advertising spend in the US, according to WARC Media data.

The retail category took up 16.7% of total ad spend in 2017 in the US but this share has since shrunk to 13.6%, though still ranks top as the sector with the highest share of investment.

Out of the top ten categories with the highest share of ad spend, automotive has seen the biggest decrease, from 9.3% five years ago to 5.1% in 2022. Media and publishing and telecoms and utilities are two other sectors that have experienced a minor decline in the share of ad spend.




In contrast, the technology and electronics sector recorded the highest ad share growth across the past five years, with WARC Media forecasting a 14.3% increase in 2023. This corresponds to a wider global trend where the technology and electronics sector is forecast to lead ad growth this year and next.

Government and non-profit, pharma and healthcare, financial services and business and industrial also see increases in the share of spend since 2017 in the US. 

National TV News Advertising Up 16%


For the six-month period leading into the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, estimated advertising revenue was up 16%, with impressions adding 7% for the major cable TV news networks versus a year ago -- much stronger results versus the 2018 midterms.

MediaPost reports three networks collectively earned $1.08 billion in estimated national TV ad spend, according to iSpot.tv for the period from May 10 through November 10, 2022 versus the same period a year ago. The total earned in 2021 was $934.7 million.

Impressions totaled 294.1 billion for those three networks in total, compared to 273.9 billion a year ago.

The bulk of the increased political advertising dollars during major election years -- Presidential and midterm elections -- typically goes to local TV stations and local media platforms.

Kantar projected that local TV could pull in $5.5 billion in advertising for this year’s elections.

National TV news networks also benefit from rising interest among viewers and potential voters.

Looking at individual networks over the last six months, Fox News Channel witnessed 14% gain in estimated national TV advertising revenue to $618.6 million, with a 11% increase over the period to 150 billion, year-over-year, according to iSpot.tv. 

Atlanta Radio: Jackie Paige Relocates, Lands At WAMJ/WUMJ


Radio One Atlanta announced that radio personality; Jackie Paige will join Atlanta’s #1 Urban AC station, MAJIC 107.5/97.5, (WAMJ/WMUJ) as their new Midday host. A Charlotte native and certified personal trainer with a heart for the community, Paige comes to Atlanta from hosting middays on Radio One DC’s WKYS-FM.

Jackie Paige
“I’m truly excited and honored to be making my way to Atlanta to join the legendary Urban One Atlanta family. The Southern hospitality, award-winning food, and culture is unmatched, and I’m elated to call Atlanta home!”, shared Jackie Paige, “I’d like to thank Jeff Wilson, Tim Davies, Derek Harper, Kashon Powell, Mike Swift, Colby Colb and my entire Radio One family for their continued support. It’s been an amazing ride in the DMV! The journey continues in the A!”

Majic 107.5/97.5’s Program Director, Derek Harper said, “Urban One Atlanta is dedicated to being the home of personalities that connect with the ATL in an authentic way… whether on-air or digitally. We are excited about what Jackie Paige is going to bring to our listeners!”

Philly Radio: WXTU To Parade To Collect Toys


Beasley Media Group’s WXTU 92.5 FM, Philadelphia’s Country Station in partnership with the Camden County Board of Commissioners, invites listeners to participate in its 23rd Annual Toy Truck Parade to collect toys to benefit The Liberty United Service Organization (USO) and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Camden County.

Listeners are encouraged to get in the holiday spirit by decorating their cars, trucks, SUV’s and emergency vehicles and filling them with new and unwrapped toys.

The event will feature WXTU-FM 92.5 on air personalities, including The Andie Summers Show, Razz on the Radio and Nicole Michalik. Award Winning National Country Artist Randy Houser will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshall and will perform live at the Cooper River Track.

Participating vehicles will line up in the parking lot of the Scottish Rite Auditorium and judges will walk the lines of cars and trucks to judge the best decorated in four categories: Big Rig, Commercial, Personal and Emergency. Vehicles will then parade through Collingswood, NJ beginning at the Scottish Rite Auditorium and ending at the Cooper River Track to deliver the toys to the center of the track where we will build a mountain of toys.

CMA Awards Hits 3-Year Audience High


The CMA Awards grew their audience Wednesday, leading ABC to a ratings win Wednesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The awards brought in 7.57 million viewers, up from 6.83 million (an all-time low) in 2021 — an 11 percent gain. Wednesday’s telecast, which saw Luke Combs take home entertainer of the year and album of the year honors, was also up over the 2020 show’s 7.08 million viewers.

The CMAs slipped a little in the key ad demographic of adults 18-49, scoring a 1.05 rating (equivalent to about 1.37 million viewers in that age group) versus 1.12 a year ago. The awards haven’t recovered much of their pre-pandemic draw yet — in 2019, ABC’s broadcast averaged more than 11 million viewers and a 2.0 rating in the 18-49 demo.

The CMA Awards also appeared to push down the audience for some of its competition Wednesday. Fox’s The Masked Singer (3.16 million viewers, 0.55 in adults 18-49) and NBC’s Chicago Med (6.03 million, 0.58), Fire (6.19 million, 0.63) and PD (4.74 million, 0.53) all were below their same-day averages for the season so far. CBS’ Survivor (4.73 million, 0.72) and The Amazing Race (2.88 million, 0.39), on the other hand, edged up week to week.

A post-election edition of Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News was the most-watched show on cable Wednesday, drawing 4.43 million viewers.

Americans Say The Are More Engaged with Science News

The coronavirus outbreak has underscored the prominent role that science news and information can play in public life, and there are signs that Americans are now paying more attention to science news.  

A bar chart showing that about a quarter of Americans say they talk about science at least a few times a week.

More than half of U.S. adults (56%) say they talk about science news with others at least a few times a month, including about a quarter (24%) who say they talk about science news at least a few times a week. The remaining 43% say they do so less often, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in December 2021.

Americans’ engagement with science news in everyday discussion is higher than in a 2017 Center survey, when 44% said they talked about science news with others at least a few times a month.

Online, about half of adult social media users in the United States (48%) say they have seen science content on social platforms in the past few weeks, while 33% go further and say they proactively follow a page or account that focuses on science news. The share of social media users who say they follow an account focused on science content is also higher than in 2017, when 26% said they did this.

Science can bring to mind a range of topics for people, including health and medicine, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. In the 2021 survey, there is some variation in how often Americans talk about and follow accounts on specific science-related topics, including health and medicine, the coronavirus outbreak, and energy and the environment.

November 12 Radio History


➦In 1917...Singer Jo Stafford was born in Coalinga Calif.

Jo Stafford  1948
With her mother's encouragement, Stafford originally planned to become an opera singer and studied voice as a child, taking private lessons from Foster Rucker, an announcer on California radio station KNX.  Because of the Great Depression, she abandoned that idea and joined her older sisters Christine and Pauline in a popular vocal group the Stafford Sisters. The two older Staffords were already part of a trio with an unrelated third member when the act got a big booking at Long Beach's West Coast Theater. Pauline was too ill to perform, and Jo was drafted in to take her place so they could keep the engagement. She asked her glee club teacher for a week's absence from school, saying her mother needed her at home, and this was granted. The performance was a success, and Jo became a permanent member of the group.

The Staffords' first radio appearance was on Los Angeles station KHJ as part of The Happy Go Lucky Hour when Jo was 16, a role they secured after hopefuls at the audition were asked if they had their own musical accompanist. Christine Stafford said that Jo played piano, and the sisters were hired, though she had not previously given a public piano performance.  The Staffords were subsequently heard on KNX's The Singing Crockett Family of Kentucky, and California Melodies, a network radio show aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System. While Stafford worked on The Jack Oakie Show, she met John Huddleston—a backing singer on the program, and they were married in October 1937.  The couple divorced in 1943.

The sisters found work in the film industry as backup vocalists, and immediately after graduating from high school, Jo worked on film soundtracks. She died July 16 2008 at age 90.

➦In 1931…In London, the Abbey Road recording studios opened.

It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, which owned it until Universal Music took control of part of EMI in 2013.

Abbey Road Studios is most notable as being the 1960s' venue for innovative recording techniques adopted by the Beatles, Pink Floyd, the Hollies, among others. One of its earliest world-famous-artist clients was Paul Robeson, who recorded there in December 1931 and went on to record many of his best-known songs there.

In 2009, the studio came under threat of sale to property developers. However, the British Government protected the site, granting it English Heritage Grade II listed status in 2010, thereby preserving the building from any major alterations.


Originally a nine-bedroom Georgian townhouse built in 1831.  In 1929, the Gramophone Company acquired the premises and converted it into studios. Pathé filmed the opening of the studios in November 1931 when Edward Elgar conducted the London Symphony Orchestra in recording sessions of his music.

The Gramophone Company merged with Columbia Graphophone Company to form Electric and Musical Industries (EMI) in 1931, and the studios later became known as EMI Recording Studios.

In 1958, Studio Two at Abbey Road became a center for rock and roll music when Cliff Richard and the Drifters (later Cliff Richard and the Shadows) recorded "Move It" there, and later pop music material.

The studio was renamed Abbey Road Studios in 1970 after the Beatles album had made it famous.

➦In 1947...KPO-AM San Francisco changed its call sign to KNBC. (Today the station is KNBR)

KNBR began life on April 17, 1922, as KPO, a 100-watt station owned by the Hale Brothers department store. In 1925, the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper bought half-interest in the operation.  Originally located in the Hale store at Market and 5th (now the site of Nordstrom), its horizontal wire antenna on the roof was so efficient it immediately attracted the attention of audiences all over the Pacific Coast.

In 1927, KPO became an affiliate of the new NBC radio network.

In 1933, KPO was sold to NBC's parent company, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA),  and its operation was consolidated into that of its co-owned KGO at the Hunter-Dulin Building, 111 Sutter Street. From there, NBC operated its West Coast network, feeding dozens of stations and operating a news bureau to serve NBC. As NBC's flagship station on the West Coast, it had a full-time orchestra, five studios, and produced many live shows. During the rise of Hollywood, NBC's radio operation was moved to Los Angeles.

In 1941, just before World War II, NBC constructed Radio City at 420 Taylor Street, considered one of the best radio facilities built during radio's golden age. However, with the network control having been moved to Los Angeles, the San Francisco NBC building was never fully utilized.

During World War II, KPO's news bureau was the major source for NBC of news about the war in the Pacific, and operated shortwave radio stations (transmitters located in Dixon) serving the world. It was at the KPO (RCA) shortwave facility that the message was received that Japanese emperor Hirohito had surrendered, ending World War II.

On November 12, 1947, the FCC approved NBC's application to change the call sign from KPO to KNBC, to shore up its reputation as an NBC station (and the only radio station NBC ever owned on the West Coast). This change lasted until 1962, when the network moved the call sign to its television station in Los Angeles and the radio station was renamed KNBR.

Singleton as Blondie with Arthur Lake

➦In 2003...Actress Penny Singleton died at age 95 after a stroke. During her 60-year career, Singleton appeared as the comic-strip heroine Blondie Bumstead in a series of 28 motion pictures from 1938 until 1950 and the popular Blondie radio program from 1939 until 1950. Singleton also provided the voice of Jane Jetson in the animated series The Jetsons from 1962–1963 and 1985–1987.

➦In 2005...Paul McCartney became the first musician to broadcast live music into space when a segment of his Anaheim concert was beamed, via NASA, to the International Space Station 220 miles above the Earth.

➦In 2012…Veteran Los Angeles personality Sam Benson died at age 90.

He got his job in radio working for Earle C. Anthony, the car dealer turned broadcaster whose most enduring claim to fame is probably that he imported the first neon sign to the West Coast. Benson went on to work for 40 years at KLAC radio and Metromedia, ending as the editorial director for KTTV Channel 11 from 1984-87. At KLAC, "Sam...was the only constant through management, ownership and format changes," writes Don Barrett at Los Angeles Radio.

➦In 2017...Liz Smith, the syndicated gossip columnist who climbed the A-list as high as many of the celebrities she covered, died at age 94. Earlier in her career she was a news producer for Mike Wallace at CBS Radio, spent five years as a news producer for NBC-TV, and appeared for 11 years on WNBC-TV’s Live at Five.

➦In 2018...Stan Lee, the comic book artist and for two decades the creative force behind Marvel Comics which gave radio & TV some of their most memorable superheroes, died at age 95.

Al Michaels is 78
🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAYS:
  • Playwright-actor Wallace Shawn (“The Princess Bride”) is 79. 
  • Singer Brian Hyland is 79. 
  • Keyboardist Booker T. Jones of Booker T. and the MG’s is 78. 
  • Sportscaster Al Michaels is 78. 
  • Singer Neil Young is 77. 
  • Guitarist Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult is 75. 
  • Country singer Barbara Fairchild is 72. 
  • Actor Megan Mullally (“Will and Grace”) is 64. 
  • Bassist David Ellefson (Megadeth) is 58. 
  • Actor Rebecca Wisocky (“Devious Maids”) is 51. 
  • Actor Radha Mitchell (“Finding Neverland”) is 49. 
  • Actor Tamala Jones (“Castle,” ″The Brothers”) is 48. 
  • Actor Angela Watson (“Step By Step”) is 48. 
  • Singer Tevin Campbell is 46. 
  • Actor Ashley Williams (“Huff,” ″Good Morning, Miami”) is 44. 
  • Actor Cote de Pablo (“NCIS”) is 43. 
  • Actor Ryan Gosling is 42. 
  • Bassist Chris Huffman of Casting Crowns is 42. 
  • Actor Anne Hathaway is 40. 
  • Singer Omarion (B2K) is 38. 
  • Drummer Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes is 32.

Friday, November 11, 2022

Boston Radio: Christian Arcand Returns To WEEI-FM In Duo Roles


Audacy welcomes Boston radio veteran Christian Arcand to WEEI-FM as weekend co-host and producer. Arcand will produce the station’s afternoon show “Merloni, Fauria & Mego,” weekdays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, and host a three-hour weekend show every Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.

Christian Arcand
“Christian is a talented guy and a great team player,” said Mike Thomas, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Boston. “A lot of people in the building, including myself, have had the pleasure of working with him in the past. What he will bring to ‘Merloni, Fauria and Mego’ on and off the air will really help propel the show and the station forward.”

“I am thrilled to be back at WEEI, reuniting with Ryan Garvin and working on this great show with Lou, Christian, and Mego,” said Arcand. “Who says you can’t come home?”

Arcand was born and raised in the North End of Boston, launching his career at WBOS in 1999 as an intern. After college and upon returning to New England, Arcand was hired to do weekends at WGAM/ESPN New Hampshire and eventually went on to host multiple drive time shows including “Christian & King” with Tom King and “Arcand and Sheppard” alongside Pete Sheppard. 

NYC Radio: Report..WXBK Sued For $50M


The New York bishop who was robbed at gunpoint during a livestreamed service in July and then scrutinized over his apparent wealth is now mounting a lawsuit against Audacy's WXBK 94.7 FM that he alleges aired loaded claims about him.

Bishop Lamor Whitehead went live on his Instagram account in July, in a viral video that showed armed assailants interrupting the service and stealing approximately $1 million worth of jewelry. Whitehead has now sued Tarsha Jones, the morning host of 94.7 The Block, in the New York County Supreme Court, alleging that she spread lies about him following the robbery.

"On or about 9/13/2022, Jones, on her morning radio show on 94.7 The Block, said that Bishop Whitehead: is a 'drug dealer,' 'using the church to hide that old drug money;' 'assaulted the young lady,' and '[his] church is where he's probably still doing his dirty work,'" the lawsuit states.

Whitehead's attorney called the claims false and said that they "injured Plaintiff's reputation as a pastor," and implied criminal activity, affecting his congregation. His lawsuit seeks $50 million in defamation damages from Jones and Paramount. Although Paramount was listed as a defendant, The Block is now owned by the audio company Audacy.

Jones and The Block did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Paramount did not immediately return comment as well.

Whitehead has 1.5 million followers on Instagram, where he regularly goes live, and has previously pushed back against criticisms of his opulence and previous legal battles.

Musk Raises Specter of Twitter Bankruptcy


Twitter Inc. suffered additional senior executive departures as owner Elon Musk said bankruptcy is a possibility for the company, adding to the chaos that has engulfed the social media platform in the two weeks since the billionaire took it over.

The Wall Street Journal reports Musk’s bankruptcy comment came in an all-hands meeting with Twitter’s staff on Thursday, according to people familiar with the matter, on the heels of a memo to employees in which he warned of the “dire” economic challenges facing the company. During the meeting, Musk also spoke about ending remote work for most Twitter employees, saying they needed to come to the office if able, the people said.

Thursday’s tumult also included word that Twitter’s chief information security officer, Lea Kissner, responsible for data security, had left the company. Chief Privacy Officer Damien Kieran also departed, people familiar with the matter said. Kieran changed his Twitter bio to say “Ex-Chief Privacy Officer @Twitter.”

Murdoch Empire Dumps On Trump


The powerful media empire of conservative billionaire Rupert Murdoch appeared to turn its back Thursday on Donald Trump, labeling the former US president a "loser" who shows "increasingly poor judgement" after the midterm elections, according to AFP News.

Just days before he is expected to announce his 2024 White House candidacy, the Wall Street Journal, the flagship of Murdoch's News Corp, declared in an editorial that "Trump Is the Republican Party's Biggest Loser," pointing to the party's disappointing performance in Tuesday's midterms.

Trump later Friday hit back at Murdoch, appearing to relish a scuffle, accusing News Corp media of falling in line to back a potential Republican rival of Trump for the 2024 presidential nomination, a choice he said News Corp would rue.

The cover of News Corp's tabloid New York Post depicted Trump on a precarious wall as "Trumpty Dumpty" who "had a great fall" in the vote, blaming him for the failure of Republicans to sweep past Democratic rivals in the battle for control of Congress and governors' mansions.

And at the hugely influential Fox News television network, praise was thick for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, seen as Trump's top rival for the party's 2024 nomination.

"The biggest winner of the midterm elections was without a doubt Governor Ron DeSantis, whose landslide victory in the state of Florida was breathtaking," wrote Fox columnist Liz Peek.

"The biggest loser? Donald Trump," she said.

Wake-Up Call: Who's In Charge?

The question of which political parties control one or both chambers of Congress for the next two years could take until early December to sort out. But whether Republicans have managed in the midterm elections to narrowly wrest majority control away from Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives could be resolved within the coming days as ballots are processed in 11 states. Republicans are projected to win 221 seats in the House, three more than the 218 needed to take the majority, while Democrats look like they will take 214 seats, according to NBC News. That estimate has a margin of error of seven seats. And election officials are still counting ballots in at least 31 races.

🏫ANOTHER JUDGE REULES BIDEN STUDENT LOAN HANDOUT IS NOT LEGAL: Hours after a federal court in Texas ruled against President Biden's student loan handout, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a statement on the administration's opinion toward the ruling. Jean-Pierre stated the administration "strongly disagrees" with the District Court's decision and an appeal has been filed by the Department of Justice. "The President and this Administration are determined to help working and middle-class Americans get back on their feet, while our opponents – backed by extreme Republican special interests – sued to block millions of Americans from getting much-needed relief," Jean-Pierre added. She said the Department of Education will hold onto the information of all 26 million borrowers who have applied for the handout, so their relief can be "quickly" processed once they "prevail in court."

➤AMAZON BEGINS COST-CUTTING EFFORT: Amazon.com Inc. AMZN 12.18%increase; green up pointing triangle Chief Executive Andy Jassy is leading a cost-cutting review of the tech giant and paring back on businesses at the company that haven’t been profitable.   As part of the monthslong cost-cutting review, Amazon’s leadership is closely evaluating its Alexa business, according to some of the people. The business has more than 10,000 employees and is a major recipient of investment capital, some of the people said. Internal documents viewed by The Wall Street Journal show that in some recent years Amazon’s devices unit, which includes Alexa, had an operating loss of more than $5 billion a year.  Amazon is currently considering whether it should focus on trying to add new capabilities to Alexa, a voice assistant available on a variety of Amazon devices. Adding capabilities would require greater investment, and many customers use Alexa for only a few functions, some of the people said.

➤INFLATION EASED A BIT IN OCTOBER: The Labor Department said that its consumer-price index increased 7.7% in October from the same month a year ago, the smallest 12-month increase since January. That’s down from 8.2% in September. Meanwhile, jobless claims ticked up last week but remained near historical lows, and home-price growth slowed sharply in the third quarter amid rising mortgage rates, the National Association of Realtors said. The inflation report likely leaves the Fed on track for a 0.5-percentage-point interest-rate rise in December, rather than the 0.75-point rise that some feared. U.S. stocks staged their biggest rally in more than two years. U.S. government bond yields marked their steepest one-day declines since 2009.

➤TROPICAL STORM CHURNS THROUGH SOUTH: Tropical depression Nicole is expected to make its way north through central Georgia and the Carolinas today and tomorrow. Nicole was downgraded from hurricane status shortly after making landfall on Florida’s eastern shore yesterday, but it still packed a punch. The storm brought powerful winds, heavy rains, and coastal flooding before crossing the state and heading north. Heavy damage was recorded along the Daytona Beach shoreline, and the historic downtown of St. Augustine was flooded. 

Listener Levels Rise Heading Into The Holidays


Nielsen PPM data for October 2022 reports radio's weekly reach at 121.2 million, marking its 3rd month of consecutive gains and setting the stage for strong 4th Quarter listening.

Drive Times Lead Daypart Gains

October reflects robust listening in all dayparts, but drive times are prime time when it comes to growth. AMD and PMD have experienced the largest increases over the past few months, including 4 months of consecutive gains. Looking at a three-month trend, Nielsen reports an increase of +12% in AMD, up +1M, and a +5% lift in PMD, up +500K over August. Midday, Evening, and Weekend remain relatively flat over the same frame.


More Out-of-home Listening In October

As of October, 69% of radio's consumption is taking place away from the listener's home. Hitting the highest level for the year, October reflects a slight uptick from 68%, which has held steady for 7 months.

Increased consumer activity outside the home offers more opportunities for listening occasions in the car and away from home. Nielsen's PPM updates continue to show that radio listening is normalizing alongside consumer behaviors.

Growth Remains Steady For Podcast Reach


In 2014, the first year of the Share of Ear survey, podcasts reached 5% of those in the U.S. age 13+. As of our most recent data, Q3 2022, podcasts now reach 18% of those age 13+ in the U.S. -- a 20% increase in the past year (Q3 2021), and over three times the reach of 2014. The years in between show a steady growth in reach. 

There have been some fluctuations in podcast reach from quarter to quarter as we saw the beginning and end of quarantine restrictions, but this graph that shows the climb of podcast reach should be encouraging for the podcast community.





Podcasts account for 24% of all spoken word audio consumption among those age 13+ according to the latest Share of Ear data, and we know that time spent with podcasts has grown. But this graph isn’t about time spent with podcasts. This graph shows that more people are listening to podcasts, which means content creators have the opportunity to grow time spent listening with those people.

Amazon Putting Alexa Division Under Review


Amazon is joining other tech giants like Meta, Twitter, and Microsoft and taking a long, hard look at its least profitable businesses, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. 

Amazon's stock has already plunged 45% this year compared to last year, according to Insider.

Under its cost-cutting review, which will be led by CEO Andy Jassy, the company will be laser-focused on scaling down its least profitable businesses. Amazon has already told employees in certain unprofitable divisions to look for jobs elsewhere in the company, the WSJ reported. 


One of the areas the company is scrutinizing its Alexa business. According to internal documents reviewed by the WSJ, Amazon's device unit — which includes Alexa — has had operating losses of more than $5 billion a year in recent years. 

The device business currently has more than 10,000 employees and has received major influxes of investment, the WSJ noted. 

Philly Radio: WMGK-FM Presents Annual John DeBella Turkey Drop


Beasley Media Group announces 102.9 WMGK-FM, in conjunction with City Team Philadelphia, will present the 21st Annual John DeBella Turkey Drop on Tuesday, November 22nd on The Kimmel Cultural Campus in front of the Kimmel Center Building (300 S Broad St) in Philadelphia.

“The Kimmel Cultural Campus is Philadelphia’s gathering place for diverse performances and events as well as impactful community initiatives, from blood drives to serving our neighbors as a polling place,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Kimmel Center, Inc. “We are honored to be part of WMGK’s Turkey Drop broadcast each year, acting as homebase for this event that plays such a meaningful role in the lives of those in need.”

The John DeBella Turkey Drop is the largest, single day food gathering event in the City of Philadelphia. Last year’s collection raised over 9,000 turkeys.

Legendary morning personality John DeBella will broadcast live from 6 a.m.- 9 a.m. and will accept monetary as well as turkey donations onsite. In addition, members from the WMGK-FM on-air staff will simultaneously receive donations from 6a.m.- 9a.m. at twelve ACME Markets located across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Benztown, Envisionwise Launch StudioTexter For Radio


Benztown has partnered with Envisionwise, provider of digital revenue-generating products for local businesses and radio stations across the U.S., to launch a robust texting service and contesting and communications platform exclusively for radio stations called StudioTexter

StudioTexter is the only texting platform created especially for radio, by radio professionals and is available now to radio stations with no long-term contracts and will beat the price of any written quote from competitors. In addition, Benztown is offering StudioTexter to radio stations for FREE for the rest of 2022 to those who sign up for the service now through December 31, 2022.

StudioTexter provides stations with free incoming SMS messages and enables stations to schedule multiple contests, use templates, pick random winners, and send direct replies to listeners. StudioTexter’s Auto Responder also lets stations easily schedule automated messages and replies from on-air talent for incoming texts.

Dave “Chachi” Denes, President, Benztown, said: “We’ve set out to create a texting service that’s built specifically for the industry we love at the most affordable price. StudioTexter is the real deal for stations looking for a new best-in-class texting partner.”

November 11 Radio History


In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill ensured three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on Oct. 25, 1971.

Finally on September 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on Nov. 11.

➦In 1928...WGL-AM, Fort Wayne, IN signed-on.  The station, now 1250 on the AM dial,  was the first to broadcast in the city of Fort Wayne. Chester Keen and Lauer Auto founded what was originally called WCWK when it signed on in 1921. Keen bought the Lauer interests in WCWK in 1925. That same year, WOWO was established by the Main Auto Supply Co., with studios above Main Auto's downtown factory.

In 1928, Keen sold WCWK to WOWO owner Fred Zieg, and the call letters were changed to WGL (What God Loves), taking a callsign previously used by the current WADO in New York City.

WOWO and WGL were owned by the Zieg family until WOWO's sale to Westinghouse in 1936. Westinghouse sold WGL to the Farnsworth Television and Radio Corporation in 1945. On September 24, 1947, the station's power was increased from 250 W to 1,000 Watts.

Subsequently it was purchased by the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. The call letters of WGL were reinterpreted as Wayne's Great Lady, referring to Helene Foelliger, who had markedly improved circulation of the News-Sentinel since becoming publisher less than a decade earlier, when she became the youngest, as well as one of the first female, publishers of a major newspaper. William Kunkle, publisher of the morning Journal-Gazette, followed by establishing WKJG (William Kunkle Journal-Gazette) in 1947, but while WKJG established a television station in 1953, WGL had no television license.

In March 2014, Adams Radio Group, LLC entered an agreement to purchase Summit City's cluster (which includes WGL). Days later, Adams announced they would purchase Oasis Radio Group's stations. To meet ownership limits, Adams will retain WNHT, WGL and WXKE, as well as acquiring Oasis Radio Group's WJFX and WBTU, while selling off WHPP to Fort Wayne Catholic Radio, and selling WGL-FM to Calvary Radio Network. WLYV and two translators (on 96.9 FM and 103.3 FM) will also be acquired by Adams. The transaction, at a price of $6.4 million, was consummated on June 2, 2014. As a result, Adams plans on massive format restructuring. WGL flipped to Fox Sports Radio programming on June 3 after "American Pie" by Don McLean bought a close to WGL and WGL-FM's oldies format.

➦In 1928...WOL-AM, Washington, D.C., signed-on. The station now at 1450 AM is owned by Urban One.

➦In 1928...WMT-AM in Cedar Rapids IA begins radio transmissions

➦In 1928...KXO-AM in El Centro CA signed-on

➦In 1930...NBC made first broadcast from 30 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC.

In a major move in 1931, RCA signed crucial leases with the new Rockefeller Center management that resulted in it becoming the lead tenant of what was to become in 1933 its corporate headquarters, the RCA Building, at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Under the terms of the lease arrangement, this included studios for NBC and theaters for the RCA-owned RKO Pictures. The deal was arranged through the Center's founder and financier, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., with the chairman of GE, Owen D. Young, and the president of RCA, David Sarnoff.

In 1934...WOC-AM in Davenport Iowa splits from WHO-WOC.