Radio History: Sept 7

➦In 1929...the forerunner to 'Let’s Pretend', a Saturday morning radio show for kids was heard for the first time on CBS Radio Network. The Adventures of Helen & Mary became Let’s Pretend 5 years later. Let's Pretend, created and directed by Nila Mack, was a CBS radio series for children. In its most famous form, Let's Pretend, the Peabody Award-winning series ran from 1934 to 1954.

➦In 1934...Daniel Trombley "Dan" Ingram was born.  Ingram is an American radio icon with a fifty-year career on radio stations such as WABC 770 AM and WCBS 101.1 FM in New York. "Big Dan" started broadcasting at WHCH Hofstra College, Hempstead, New York, WNRC, New Rochelle, New York, and WALK-FM, Patchogue, New York.

Dan Ingram

Ingram mastered the talk-up, talking over the intro to a song, ending right before the vocals. Ingram could get the song title, the current temperature and a one-liner in his talk-ups. He wholeheartedly embraced one of radio's golden rules: When you're talking to the audience, do it like you're talking to one person.

Ingram was noted for his quick wit and ability to convey a humorous or satiric idea with quick pacing and an economy of words—a skill which has made him uniquely suited to, and successful within, modern personality-driven music radio.

He is among the most frequently emulated radio personalities, cited as an influence or inspiration by numerous current broadcasters.

He was well known for playing doctored versions of popular songs. The Paul McCartney & Wings song My Love Does it Good became My Glove Does it Good. The stuttering title refrain of Bennie and the Jets went from three or four repetitions to countless. In the same vein, the distinctive refrain added to Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede, Ooga-ooga-ooga-chucka would start repeating and listeners would never know when it would end. (Other examples include Paul Simon's 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, and "rearranging" the spelling of "S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y" on the Bay City Rollers' Saturday Night.)

Dan's longtime closing theme song was "Tri-Fi Drums" by Billy May. An edited version of the song was used for broadcast.

Dan commented occasionally about the pronunciation of his name: jingles often are heard pronouncing his last name as "Ing-ram," but Dan has said it is correctly pronounced "In-gram."

Ingram died June 24, 2018.

➦In 1936...Early rock & roll icon Buddy Holly was born Charles Hardin Holley in Lubbock Texas. His name was misspelled on his first record contract and he decided to leave it that way.   At age 22, he died in a plane crash Feb 3, 1959 along with Ritchie Valens and J.P.Richardson (The Big Bopper.)

➦In 1949...Windsor (Ont.) radio station CKLW, later to become Canada’s all-time most listened-to station (due to its huge US audience), increased power from 5000 to 50,000 watts. The station had moved from 1030 to 800 KHz, a Canada/Mexico clear channel, in the great frequency shuffle of 1941.

As television's popularity boomed, CKLW, like many other stations, coped with the changes by replacing the dying network radio fare with locally based disc-jockey shows. Throughout most of the 1950s and into the mid-1960s, CKLW was basically a "variety" radio station which filled in the cracks between full-service features with pop music played by announcers like Bud Davies, Ron Knowles (who had a rock-and-roll show on AM 800 as early as 1957), and Joe Van. For a few years in the early 1960s, CKLW also featured a country music program in the evenings called Sounds Like Nashville. This ended in 1963.

➦In 1979...ESPN, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, made its debut on US cable TV as the world’s first full-time channel devoted to sports.

CBS Quickly Changes Editing Rules

CBS News announced Froiday. that its Sunday public affairs program, Face the Nation, will now only broadcast live or live-to-tape interviews, following complaints from U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

The policy change was prompted by backlash over an edited interview with Noem aired on August 31, 2025, where she discussed Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man facing deportation. DHS claimed CBS selectively edited the interview, removing over 23% of Noem’s responses, including details about Garcia’s alleged crimes, to “whitewash the truth” about his threat to public safety.

CBS initially defended the edits, stating they were made for time constraints and met network standards, with the full interview and transcript available online. 

However, in response to audience feedback and pressure from the Trump administration, CBS implemented the new policy to ensure greater transparency, stating that the television audience will see unedited interviews, except in cases of national security or legal restrictions. 

Full transcripts and unedited videos will continue to be posted online. The decision has raised concerns about limiting the ability of moderator Margaret Brennan to challenge false statements during interviews, potentially impacting the show’s credibility and viewership compared to rivals like NBC’s Meet the Press or ABC’s This Week.

The Five Gets Testy: Jessica Tarlov Blasts Jesse Watters

On the Friday episode of Fox News’ The Five, a fiery exchange unfolded between co-hosts Jessica Tarlov and Jesse Watters, centered on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial Covid-19 vaccine policies. The heated moment, emblematic of the show’s often contentious roundtable debates, saw Tarlov sharply criticize Watters for questioning whether individuals were truly being denied vaccines, culminating in her pointed accusation, “Why don’t you ever prepare?!”

The altercation began when Tarlov referenced several Republican senators—Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Thom Tillis (R-NC)—who had supported Kennedy’s confirmation as Health Secretary but were now voicing concerns over his vaccine policies. 

“These senators, all Republicans who voted to confirm [Kennedy], are saying we are denying people vaccines,” Tarlov stated, emphasizing the growing backlash against Kennedy’s approach.

Watters, known for his provocative style, challenged Tarlov’s claim, asking, “What vaccines has he denied someone?” His question appeared to question the validity or extent of the reported restrictions. In response, Tarlov pointed to a specific case involving the wife of conservative radio host Erick Erickson, who, she claimed, was recently denied a Covid-19 vaccine due to Kennedy’s policies. 

Tarlov’s frustration boiled over as she delivered her sharp rebuke: “Why don’t you ever prepare?!” The jab suggested Watters was ill-informed or dismissive of readily available evidence, escalating the tension on the panel.

The policies at the heart of the dispute stem from a late August 2025 announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which authorized updated Covid-19 vaccines for the fall season. However, these vaccines came with stricter eligibility criteria, marking the most restrictive federal vaccine policy since the shots were first rolled out in 2020.  Tarlov mentioned, argue that these restrictions have left vulnerable individuals—like Erickson’s wife, who reportedly has health issues—unable to access boosters or updated shots.

Also on the Friday show things got VERY heated as Kayleigh McEnany hits back at Jessica Tarlov after she has the nerve to claim Kayleigh is “fresh” and unprepared.

🔥 Fox News gets VERY heated as Kayleigh McEnany hits back at Jessica Tarlov after she has the nerve to claim Kayleigh is “fresh” and unprepared:

Kayleigh: “I'm fresh and I brought my facts!” pic.twitter.com/M8pLWvRPD2

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) September 6, 2025

The exchange reflects broader tensions on The Five, where Tarlov, the panel’s primary liberal voice, frequently clashes with conservative co-hosts like Watters, Greg Gutfeld, and Dana Perino. Tarlov’s role often involves defending progressive viewpoints against a predominantly conservative lineup, which can lead to heated moments, especially on polarizing topics like public health policy. Watters, known for his combative and sometimes playful demeanor, often pushes back with skepticism or counterpoints.

China Demands News Platforms Pull Immortality Video

Reuters News withdrew a four-minute video featuring a candid conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, captured during a military parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. 

The exchange, picked up by a live microphone, centered on organ transplants and the potential for humans to live to 150 years old. The footage, originally licensed from China Central Television (CCTV), was edited by Reuters and distributed to over 1,000 global media clients, including major international news broadcasters.

In the video, Putin, through his interpreter, remarked on biotechnology advancements, suggesting that continuous organ transplants could lead to people becoming "younger as they grow older" and potentially achieving immortality. 

Xi responded by noting predictions that humans might live to 150 years old within this century. The conversation took place as they walked alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un toward Tiananmen Square.

CCTV's legal team sent a written request to Reuters, demanding the video's removal and withdrawing legal permission for its use, claiming Reuters exceeded the terms of their licensing agreement and criticizing the "editorial treatment" of the material without providing specific details. 

Reuters promptly removed the video from its website, issued a "kill" order to its clients to stop further distribution, and stated that it withdrew the content due to the loss of legal permission to publish the copyrighted material. 

Other news agencies that licensed the footage from CCTV also distributed their own edits of the exchange.

Neither CCTV, its global arm China Global Television Network, nor the Chinese embassy in Washington immediately responded to requests for comment. The video had already been widely shared on social media and by global broadcasters before its withdrawal, sparking significant interest due to the unusually open nature of the leaders’ discussion on longevity and biotechnology.

John Malone On CNN About Criticism of News Networks

John Malone, a billionaire media mogul and major shareholder in Warner Bros. Discovery (CNN’s parent company), has been vocal about his criticisms of CNN and the broader news media landscape. In a September 2025 interview with CNN’s Pamela Brown, Malone discussed the evolution of the news business and his concerns about its direction.

Malone has consistently criticized CNN for what he perceives as an embedded left-leaning bias, which he believes hampers its ability to compete with networks like Fox News and MSNBC. In a separate interview with CNN contributor Kara Swisher, he described CNN as “too political,” arguing that its focus on political coverage over hard journalism has contributed to declining ratings. 

He contrasted CNN with Fox News, noting that Fox openly acknowledges its bias, with personalities like Sean Hannity and Greg Gutfeld blending entertainment with news, while CNN holds itself to a journalistic standard it struggles to meet.

Check out this video: https://t.co/wrNuVSwjZB

— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) September 5, 2025

Malone’s critique dates back to at least 2021, during the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger, when he told The New York Times that CNN lacked focus on journalism and was a poor competitor to Fox News. He reiterated in 2025 that CNN’s staff, while well-intentioned, operate with an unconscious liberal bias, likening it to latent racism among some white people—a comparison that drew attention for its provocative framing.

Connoisseur Names Keith Dakin SVP/Programming

Connoisseur Media recently named Keith Dakin as its Senior Vice President of Programming, following the company's acquisition of Alpha Media. 

Dakin, who has been with Connoisseur since 2013, will oversee programming across the company's expanded portfolio of over 200 stations in 47 markets, as well as its digital platforms nationwide.

Previously, he served as Vice President of Programming since 2019, after rising from Connecticut Regional Operations Manager, and has a background that includes programming WFNX-FM in Boston. 

In his new role, Dakin will report directly to CEO Jeff Warshaw and lead programming teams to deliver locally relevant content across various formats. Warshaw praised Dakin’s expertise and leadership, noting his passion for music, content, and community engagement as key to Connoisseur’s continued success. 

Dakin expressed excitement about working with the company’s programmers and talent, aiming to create impactful radio content.

Judge Tosses Newsmax Lawsuit vs. Fox News

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon Friday dismissed an antitrust lawsuit filed by Newsmax against Fox News and Fox Corporation, labeling it a "shotgun pleading" due to its disorganized structure. 

The lawsuit, filed on September 3, 2025, accused Fox News of engaging in anticompetitive practices to maintain dominance in the right-leaning pay-TV news market, such as coercing distributors to limit or exclude competitors like Newsmax and imposing financial penalties through carriage agreements.

When the lawsuit was filed Fox News issued this statement “Newsmax cannot sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace to chase headlines simply because they can’t attract viewers.”

Cannon, a Trump appointee, found that the complaint’s counts were repetitive, with each successive count incorporating all prior allegations, violating federal pleading standards. She dismissed the case without prejudice, giving Newsmax until September 11, 2025, to refile an amended complaint with clearer, specific allegations. 

Newsmax stated it viewed the dismissal as a technical issue and planned to refile, while Fox News had previously argued that Newsmax’s claims were an attempt to compensate for its competitive failures.

ESPN Scores Surge In Labor Day Weekend Ratings

ESPN networks scored a historic start to the fall sports season, delivering the second most-watched Labor Day Weekend in at least 30 years (records date back to 1995) and ESPN’s most-watched Labor Day Weekend since 2016. From Saturday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 1, fans consumed 16.8 billion minutes across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, up 25 percent year-over-year.

The stacked holiday slate featured standout performances across multiple properties, with several reaching all-time or multi-year highs based on average minute audience, including:

• College Football: ESPN networks posted their most-watched Kickoff Weekend on record, averaging 4.1 million viewers across 15 games, up 31 percent year-over-year. For the first time ever in a regular season weekend, three games on ABC surpassed 10 million viewers. More details.
• College GameDay: The premier college football pregame show delivered its most-watched episode ever, averaging 4.0 million viewers as fans tuned in for Lee Corso’s final show: More details.
• 
  US Open Tennis: ESPN’s coverage continued to surge, with ABC’s Round of 16 averaging 2.2 million viewers, the most-watched Round of 16 telecast since 2015. The Third Round was up 15 percent year-over-year and drawing its best audience since 2022.
• College Volleyball: ESPN Events’ inaugural Broadway Block Party set a milestone with ESPN networks’ most-watched regular season college volleyball match ever, as Nebraska vs. Kentucky averaged 1.2 million viewers on ABC.
• Sunday Night Baseball: The Braves/Phillies matchup drew 1.9 million viewers, up 28 percent against last season’s Sunday Night Baseball average.
• SportsCenter: SportsCenter was up 8 percent from 2024, across 11 live episodes. Saturday morning’s show – which features live interviews with on-air ESPN personalities at the biggest college football games in the country – averaged 942,000 viewers, while SportsCenter with SVP on Monday night following TCU-UNC registered 1.2 million viewers.
• F1: Sunday’s Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix averaged 1.2 million viewers, the largest audience ever for the event. Viewership peaked at 1.3 million between 10:30-10:45 a.m. ET as Oscar Piastri drove to victory.

Radio History: Sept 6

Morgan Beatty

➦In 1902...radio newsman Morgan Beatty was born in Little Rock Arkansas.  He achieved fame as a correspondent for the National Broadcasting Company radio network for 25 years. He began his career as a newspaper reporter and worked for The Associated Press before and after his years with N.B.C.

For many years in the 1940′s & 50′s in particular, he was a senior news broadcaster for NBC Radio based in New York. “This is Morgan Beatty speaking for Alka Seltzer bringing you news of the world! and the news tonight is…”

When TV arrived he became news anchor for the short-lived Dumont Network.  A great radio presence with natural gravitas in his voice, he died July 4 1975 at age 72.

➦In 1920...WWJ Detroit is believed to be the first to broadcast news reports regularly dating back to August 31, 1920, the Detroit News announced on its front page that, starting that evening, nightly (except Sunday) broadcasts would be transmitted by the "Detroit News Radiophone" service. WWJ was the first to present regularly scheduled religious broadcasts and sports reports, including early fight results from the heavyweight championship bout between Jack Dempsey and Billy Miske on September 6, 1920.

➦In 1942...The radio comedy the Mayor of the Town made its debut. It starred Lionel Barrymore and aired until July 3, 1949 on ABC, CBS, Mutual and NBC at various times.

➦In 1954...1010 WINS NYC begins playing rock n roll with Alan Freed Show

➦In 1959...the hit radio sitcom “Fibber McGee and Molly” ended after almost 25 years. The situation comedy, a staple of the NBC Red Network for the show's entire run and one of the most popular and enduring radio series of its time. The show ran as a stand-alone series from 1935 to 1956, and then continued as a short-form series as part of the weekend Monitor from 1957 to 1959. The title characters were created and portrayed by Jim and Marian Jordan, a real-life husband and wife team that had been working in radio since the 1920s.

➦In 1965...Chuck Leonard started at WABC 770 AM.   From 1968...

Chuck Leonard

His deep voice and smoothness resonated across 38 states for 14 years at ABC. During his over 40-year career in broadcasting, Leonard worked virtually every shift and played all styles of music at stations including WWRL, WABC, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS, WQEW, WNSW-AM and WJUX. He has been inducted in the Museum of Television & Radio and is known as the first African-American disc jockey to work on a mainstream radio station.

On WABC, Leonard began in the 11 p.m. to midnight slot, and continued working late nights and Sundays at the station until November 27, 1979. He did the 10:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. shift following “Cousin” Bruce Morrow and later George Michael. He also gladly handled weekend and fill-in work.

Leonard was the host of "Sneak Preview," a five-minute Monday-through-Saturday evening program on ABC's American Contemporary Radio Network, which featured newly released songs. He stayed at WABC until 1979, before moving to WXLO and WRKS.

Leonard died on August 12, 2004, in Manhattan, following lung cancer. He was 67.

➦In 1987...Pat St. John left WPLJ NYC, and returned to his rock roots on WNEW 102.7 FM, which had been WPLJ's rival during its AOR years. He became the station's program director in the early 1990s while continuing his mid-day show until moving to morning-drive from 1994 through 1996. and then moved to afternoons. St. John remained with the station until it switched to a hot talk format in 1998.  From 1984...

R.I.P..: Mark Volman, Founding Member of The Turtles

Mark Volman (1946-2025)

Mark Volman, a founding member of the 1960s rock band The Turtles and known as "Flo" of the duo Flo & Eddie, passed away Friday in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 78.

His death was attributed to a brief, unexpected illness, as confirmed by his representative in a statement to PEOPLE. Volman had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2020, which he publicly revealed in 2023, though it’s unclear if this directly contributed to his passing. 

Despite his diagnosis, he continued performing on the "Happy Together" tour, named after The Turtles’ 1967 chart-topping hit, until 2024, sharing vocals with Ron Dante after his longtime bandmate Howard Kaylan retired in 2018 due to health issues.

Volman, born April 19, 1947, in Los Angeles, co-founded The Turtles with Kaylan, contributing to hits like “Happy Together,” “Elenore,” and “It Ain’t Me Babe.” After the band’s breakup in 1970, he and Kaylan formed Flo & Eddie, touring with Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention and providing backing vocals for artists like T. Rex and Bruce Springsteen. 

Volman also worked on music for children’s shows like Strawberry Shortcake and later became a college professor, teaching music business at Belmont University in Nashville after earning a bachelor’s degree and an MFA from Loyola Marymount University. 

His memoir, Happy Forever: My Musical Adventures With The Turtles, Frank Zappa, T. Rex, Flo & Eddie, and More, was published in 2023, detailing his career and experiences

Media Mogul John Malone Has A Few Regrets

John Malone

At the Paley Media Council event on the next era of media in Manhattan Thursday, Media Mogul Malone expressed regret over the $43 billion WarnerMedia-Discovery merger, which he helped orchestrate in 2022. As a major Discovery shareholder, he backed the deal that formed Warner Bros. Discovery under CEO David Zaslav. However, Malone noted that Discovery did not have a complete financial picture of WarnerMedia before closing, which complicated the merger’s execution.

He highlighted the challenges both companies faced with the rise of streaming services like Netflix, stating, “We knew Discovery had limited life expectancy as a linear service.” Despite the heavy debt load post-merger (with $18 billion paid down by 2024), Malone remains optimistic about Warner Bros. Discovery’s global growth potential, leveraging its extensive content library.

Malone’s influence extends beyond deals. He has expressed concerns about Big Tech’s dominance, describing companies like Amazon, Google, and Apple as “almost monopolies” due to their financial power and ability to outbid traditional media for sports rights, threatening local broadcast television. He has criticized the lack of collaboration among cable and entertainment leaders in countering streaming challenges from Netflix. 

Malone also reflected on the societal impact of his contributions, questioning whether the world is better off after the media fragmentation he helped enable, though he attributes much of the current polarization to political leadership rather than the media industry alone.

In his memoir released this week, Malone candidly discusses building his empire while living with autism, emphasizing the importance of relationships over deals. He regrets not spending more time with his children and the TCI sale to AT&T, which he later viewed as a misstep. 

A private individual who avoids the spotlight, Malone prefers strategic advising over public appearances, famously stating he’d “pay a lot of money to avoid a cocktail party.”

Malone is currentyly chairman of Liberty Media, Liberty Global, Liberty Broadband, and GCI Liberty, and chair emeritus of Warner Bros. Discovery, having stepped down from its board in June 2025. 

His strategic maneuvers, like the proposed Charter-Cox merger, continue to shape the industry. Malone’s legacy is one of vision, unconventional leadership, and a knack for anticipating industry shifts, making him a towering figure in media and telecommunications.

John Malone: CNN A Week Competitor to Fox News

John Malone

John Malone, a billionaire media mogul and significant shareholder in Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN, sharply criticized the cable news network for its political bias, asserting that its overly political stance has severely undermined its viewership and competitive standing. 

The remarks came during a Thursday interview on the podcast hosted by Kara Swisher, a CNN contributor, where Malone elaborated on his long-standing concerns about the network’s direction.

The discussion revisited Malone’s earlier comments from 2021, made during the merger of Warner Bros. and Discovery, when he told The New York Times that CNN was failing to prioritize journalistic integrity. At the time, he argued that the network’s focus had shifted away from objective reporting, positioning it as a weak competitor to Fox News. In the recent podcast, Malone’s critique intensified, as he labeled CNN “too political” to effectively rival Fox News and MSNBC in the cable news landscape.

When Swisher challenged Malone by pointing out that Fox News is equally, if not more, politically driven, Malone acknowledged the point but drew a distinction. “Yeah, but they don’t hold themselves to be all journalism,” he responded. He noted that Fox News personalities, such as Sean Hannity, openly embrace their biases, with Hannity himself admitting to his conservative slant. 

On Kara Swisher's podcast, major Warner Bros. Discovery shareholder John Malone says CNN's journalists have inherent left-leaning biases, just like many white people have inherent racial biases:

"These are good people. These are people who believe they're not biased, they really… pic.twitter.com/MrVjdfWB6I

— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) September 4, 2025

Malone also highlighted other Fox figures, describing them as “quasi-celebrities” who occupy specific time slots and cater to partisan audiences. He specifically referenced Greg Gutfeld, a comedian and host whose overtly right-wing commentary has attracted a significant following, as an example of Fox’s ability to leverage polarizing personalities for ratings success.

Malone’s critique suggests a broader concern about CNN’s struggle to define its identity in a polarized media environment. While Fox News and MSNBC have leaned into their respective ideological niches, Malone appears to believe CNN’s attempt to maintain a veneer of impartial journalism while still engaging in political commentary creates a disconnect with viewers. 

This, he argues, has contributed to CNN’s declining ratings, as it fails to capture the loyalty of audiences who gravitate toward the clearer ideological stances of its competitors.

The comments reflect Malone’s ongoing influence as a key stakeholder in Warner Bros. Discovery and his willingness to publicly challenge CNN’s editorial direction. His remarks also underscore the broader challenges facing traditional cable news networks as they navigate a fragmented media landscape, where audience loyalty is increasingly driven by ideological alignment and personality-driven content rather than traditional journalistic standards.

Rochester NY Radio: The Exit Of Brother Wease Is a Shocker

On Thursday, Rochester radio legend Brother Wease, whose real name is Alan Levin, stunned listeners by announcing that his final show on WAIO-FM (95.1), an iHeartMedia station branded as Radio 95.1. 

The abrupt departure of the iconic host of The Wease Show sparked an outpouring of tributes and well-wishes across social media, with fans, colleagues, and local figures celebrating his storied career and impact on the Rochester community. As one of the most influential voices in Rochester broadcasting, Wease leaves behind a legacy marked by authenticity, humor, and mentorship, having launched the careers of several notable radio personalities.

Brother Wease’s journey in radio began in 1983, not behind the microphone but as an advertising salesman at Rochester’s classic rock station WCMF-FM (96.5). A Vietnam War combat veteran, Wease transitioned to on-air work in 1984, taking over a late-night slot. By 1985, he was hosting The Brother Wease Morning Circus, a morning show that became a Rochester institution, consistently ranking among the market’s highest-rated programs. 

Known for his raw, relatable style, Wease shared personal milestones with his audience, including his battle with cancer, fostering a deep connection with listeners.

WCMF 2000

His show was a launchpad for talent, with personalities like Greg “Opie” Hughes (of Opie and Anthony fame), BJ Shea, and Stephanie Miller (known locally as “Sister Sleaze”) getting their start under his wing. These figures went on to achieve national success, a testament to Wease’s knack for spotting and nurturing talent.

In late 2007, after Entercom acquired WCMF, contract negotiations with Wease fell apart. He left the station in early 2008, and a non-compete clause sidelined him until November of that year, when he returned to the airwaves as the morning host on Radio 95.1. In 2023, seeking a less demanding schedule, Wease successfully requested to shift The Wease Show from its 6–9 a.m. slot to 9 a.m.–noon, allowing him to continue engaging his loyal audience while accommodating his health and lifestyle needs.

Wease’s contributions to broadcasting and the Rochester community have been widely recognized. In 2021, he became the first Rochester radio personality inducted into the Museum of Broadcast Communications Radio Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor reflecting his national influence. He was also enshrined in the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2023, cementing his status as a local icon whose impact transcended radio into the broader cultural fabric of the region.

PBS Has Eliminated 100 Staffers So Far

PBS is facing significant financial challenges due to a $1.1 billion cut in federal funding for public broadcasting over two years, alongside the loss of a major U.S. Education Department grant. This has led to the elimination of approximately 100 staff positions, representing about 15% of its workforce. 

The NY Times reports 34 employees were notified Thursday of immediate layoffs, with additional reductions coming from the closure of vacant positions and cuts tied to the defunded Ready to Learn educational program earlier in the summer.

PBS Chief Executive Paula Kerger described the layoffs as a last resort in a memo to station managers, noting that the organization had already implemented cost-saving measures like hiring freezes, travel restrictions, and paused pay increases. 

Paula Kerger

The funding cuts, driven by a Republican-led Congress and supported by the Trump administration, have resulted in a 21% revenue hit for PBS. To mitigate the impact, PBS has reduced its operating budget by 21% and lowered member station dues by $35 million. 

Despite some relief from a significant grant to support NewsHour and PBS Kids content, Kerger emphasized that tough choices were unavoidable to ensure the organization’s sustainability.

The broader public broadcasting ecosystem is also reeling. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which distributes federal funds to over 1,500 PBS and NPR stations, is shutting down by September 30, 2025, with only a small transition team remaining until January 2026. Local stations, like KSPS in Spokane, are facing budget shortfalls and declining memberships, exacerbating the crisis. While emergency fund drives and philanthropy efforts are underway, the loss of federal support—previously accounting for about 15% of PBS and its stations’ annual finances—threatens programming and operations nationwide.

SiriusXM CEO Backs Howard Stern Amid Contract Rumors

SiriusXM’s leadership is keen on keeping Howard Stern on the air, provided a mutually agreeable deal can be reached, despite speculation about the radio icon’s potential retirement.

At a Bank of America conference on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, SiriusXM President and Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein praised Stern, 71, as “the best interviewer out there, bar none,” and a “lightning rod” for boosting the company’s visibility. 

Greenstein noted that contract negotiations with a figure of Stern’s stature are routine, expressing optimism about ongoing talks: “We’ve been pretty lucky all these years. We’d love them to stay. It has to make sense, but we feel pretty good that we’ve done this before, and we’ll see where it goes.”

CEO Jennifer Witz echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Stern’s “core” role at SiriusXM for over two decades and confidence in reaching a fair agreement. 

Stern’s current contract, set to expire this fall, has fueled rumors since August that the Howard Stern Show might end. 

An insider told the US Sun that SiriusXM may balk at Stern’s salary demands, stating, “Sirius and Stern are never going to meet on the money he is going to want. It’s no longer worth the investment.”

Stern’s history with SiriusXM includes a landmark $500 million, five-year deal signed in 2004, effective from 2006, followed by another five-year contract for the same amount in 2020. Past rumors of a $120 million annual payday were dismissed by Stern and his agent as “baffling.”

Five Platforms Dominate Music Streaming

The U.S. music streaming market in H1 2025 is highly concentrated, with five major platforms—Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube (Premium and Music), and Pandora Premium—controlling nearly 99% of the subscription market. 

This consolidation reflects the dominance of these giants, driven by their extensive catalogs, technological integration, and strategic offerings like exclusive content and personalized features.

Market Share Breakdown (H1 2025) Based on subscriber data from DMN Pro, as of May 2025:

• 
  Spotify: 36.8% market share, ~53.8 million subscribers. Its leadership stems from a vast library (over 80 million tracks and 4 million podcasts), innovative features like Discover Weekly, and a mix of free ad-supported and premium tiers.
• Apple Music: 31.5% market share, ~45.9 million subscribers. Benefits from seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, offering lossless audio, Dolby Atmos, and exclusive artist content.
• Amazon Music: 21.6% market share, ~31.5 million subscribers. Leverages Amazon’s Prime ecosystem and smart devices like Echo for convenient access.
• YouTube (Premium/Music): 7.1% market share, ~10.3 million subscribers. Appeals to users with its vast video and music content, bolstered by Google’s ecosystem.
• Pandora Premium: 1.8% market share, ~2.6 million subscribers. Maintains a niche presence with its radio-style streaming and legacy user base.

Together, these platforms account for over 90% of U.S. subscribers, with Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music alone holding over 90%. Adding YouTube and Pandora pushes the total to nearly 99%, highlighting extreme market concentration.

The U.S. crossed 100 million paid subscribers in 2024, with a 3% annual growth rate. Multi-user plans are counted as single subscriptions, understating individual user numbers.   Market Stability: Market shares have remained steady in 2025, with Spotify maintaining a lead but facing tight competition from Apple Music. Smaller platforms struggle to compete due to limited resources and user bases.

Paramount Workers Back To Office or Take Buyout

Paramount Global, following its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, has announced a mandatory five-day-a-week return-to-office (RTO) policy for employees, effective January 5, 2026. 

The directive, issued by CEO David Ellison, marks a significant shift from the company’s previous flexible, pandemic-era remote work structure. 

The policy will initially apply to employees in Paramount’s Los Angeles and New York offices, with plans to extend to other locations, including international offices, later in 2026. This mandate affects employees across Paramount’s portfolio, including CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Showtime, BET, Pluto TV, Network 10 in Australia, and Channel 5 in the UK.

Ellison emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration for fostering innovation, problem-solving, and building a stronger company culture, particularly in a creative business like Paramount’s. Employees at the vice president level and below in Los Angeles and New York have until September 15, 2025, to decide whether to comply with the RTO mandate. 

Those unwilling or unable to return full-time can opt into a severance program, details of which will be provided directly to eligible employees. This move aligns with broader cost-cutting efforts, as Paramount aims to reduce expenses by over $2 billion, with layoffs of 2,000–3,000 employees expected by early November 2025, particularly targeting redundancies from the merger.

Philly Radio: Sale of Beasley Cluster Unlikely, Despite Challenges

Beasley Media's Philadelphia radio stations are facing an uncertain future as the company sells other markets.  And now the Philadelphia Business Journal is exploring the financial challenges facing Beasley stations.

The Business Journal's article by Jeff Blumenthal reviews Beasley's financial challenges.

Beasley, based in Naples, Florida, reported a 12.3% revenue decline to $53 million in Q2 2025, driven by weaknesses in national and local agency sales, despite a 1.3% increase in digital revenue. The company’s stock price hit a 52-week low of $8.75 on July 24, 2025, reflecting ongoing financial pressure. Beasley also faced a significant debt burden, with $275 million outstanding as of Q2 2025, prompting asset sales to reduce leverage.

Recent Station Sales: Beasley recently announced the sale of its entire Fort Myers-Naples, Florida, cluster for $18 million in two transactions, exiting that market entirely. This followed the June 2025 sale of Tampa’s WPBB (98.7 The Shark) to Educational Media Foundation for $8 million. These divestitures raised questions about whether Beasley might sell its Philadelphia stations to further alleviate debt.

Philadelphia Market Holdings: Beasley owns seven radio stations in Philadelphia: WMMR-FM (93.3, rock), WMGK-FM (102.9, classic rock), WXTU-FM (92.5, country), WBEN-FM (95.7, pop), WPEN-FM (97.5 The Fanatic, sports), WTEL-AM (610, sports), and WWDB-AM (860, talk). These stations are prominent, with WMMR and WMGK consistently ranking among the top 10 in Nielsen ratings for adults 25-54, and WXTU performing strongly in the country format. The cluster also holds valuable sports broadcasting rights for the Philadelphia Flyers and Sixers.

Speculation on Potential Sale: The article notes that Beasley’s Philadelphia stations are valuable assets, but selling them could be challenging due to a lack of buyers in a contracting radio industry. Industry observers suggested that while Beasley might consider divesting WPEN (The Fanatic), which has faced recent layoffs, including high-profile host Mike Missanelli, the station’s sports rights complicate any sale.

Beasley entered the Philadelphia market through its 2016 acquisition of Greater Media for $240 million, which included the current station cluster. The article highlighted past layoffs and cost-cutting measures, such as a 2020 reduction of 70 employees and a 10% pay cut for salaried staff, indicating ongoing financial strain.

The article cited a Reddit thread from May 2025 expressing fan frustration with Beasley’s management of WMMR, home to the popular Preston and Steve Show, with some users hoping for a sale to preserve the station’s legacy. However, no concrete plans for a Philadelphia sale were confirmed, and Beasley’s leadership, including CEO Caroline Beasley, did not comment directly on the Philadelphia market’s future in the Q2 earnings call.

The Philadelphia Business Journal speculated that Beasley’s focus on debt reduction and digital growth might lead to further station sales, but the Philadelphia cluster’s strong market performance makes it a less likely candidate compared to smaller markets like Fort Myers. 

NAB Renews Effort To Modernize Broadcast Ownership Rules

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Friday announced major milestones in its campaign urging Congress and the FCC to modernize decades-old broadcast ownership rules. 

With outdated restrictions putting local stations at a disadvantage against global Big Tech companies, NAB’s campaign underscores what is at stake for local viewers: access to trusted news, emergency information and the live sports that bring communities together.

Since April, NAB’s campaign has aired nearly a quarter million television and radio spots across 192 media markets, generating more than 1 billion impressions and $43 million in airtime from TV and radio stations. That reach has translated into action: supporters have sent more than 174,000 emails and 34,000 tweets directly to members of Congress and FCC commissioners, demonstrating strong public demand for modernized rules that allow free, local broadcasting to compete with Big Tech.

Curtis LeGeyt

New creative just released highlights one of the most pressing issues facing consumers: the risk of losing live sports on free broadcast channels. A national survey of likely voters conducted in August confirms strong, bipartisan support for keeping sports on local broadcast stations. Among respondents with a firm opinion, an overwhelming 83% said they prefer games on broadcast compared to just 17% who prefer paid streaming – a preference consistent across every demographic and political affiliation.

“Local stations are serving communities with live sports, trusted local news and life-saving emergency coverage — all available for free to every American,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “But outdated rules are shackling these stations from growing and innovating at a time when Big Tech operates with limitless scale and zero public interest obligations. Consumers deserve more — not fewer — local journalists on the ground and live sporting events accessible without a subscription. The FCC must act quickly to level the playing field so broadcasters can continue investing in the content communities rely on most.”

Charlotte Radio: Cameron Moore Awarded Double Duty At Beasley

Beasley Media Group has announced the promotion of Cameron Moore as Program Director of WSOC-FM Country 103.7 FM  Charlotte.

She will continue her role as Program Director of sister station WNKS-FM (Kiss 95.1), which she has held since February 2022. Moore joined Beasley’s Charlotte cluster in October 2017 as a midday host for WNKS and later took on additional roles, including Music Director for both WNKS and WSOC, and Assistant Program Director for WSOC. She had been serving as Interim Program Director for WSOC since March 2025, following the departure of John Reynolds, who had been the station’s Program Director.

Cameron Moore

A North Carolina native, Moore previously worked at Midwest Family Broadcasting’s Springfield, Missouri cluster, where she was Imaging Director, midday host for Rhythmic CHR “92.9 The Beat” (KOSP), and afternoon host for Country “105.1 The Bull” (KOMG). 

Her expanded role at WSOC builds on her proven track record, with Beasley Charlotte Vice President and Market Manager Mac Edwards praising her leadership, deep understanding of the brands, and commitment to listeners. 

Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase highlighted her vision and creativity, noting her success with Kiss 95.1 and confidence in her ability to elevate WSOC. Moore expressed excitement about leading WSOC, emphasizing the station’s legacy in Charlotte’s country music scene and her goal to evolve the brand for listeners and advertisers.

Trump Asks Supreme Court To Let Him Fire FTC Chair

Trump is seeking Supreme Court Intervention to Fire FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter. On Friday President Donald Trump petitioned the Supreme Court to allow him to remove Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, challenging lower court rulings that reinstated her after her March 2025 dismissal. 

Trump is requesting a pause on her reinstatement pending his appeal.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the president’s actions, stating, “President Trump acted lawfully when he removed Rebecca Slaughter from the FTC. The Supreme Court has recently confirmed the President’s authority to remove heads of executive agencies twice, and we anticipate vindication again, hoping lower courts will align with Supreme Court precedent.”

In March, Trump fired Slaughter and fellow Democratic FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya as part of a broader effort to assert control over federal agencies. However, earlier this week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, in a 2-1 decision, upheld a July 2025 lower court ruling by U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan, which deemed Slaughter’s termination illegal. 

The appeals court cited the 1935 Supreme Court precedent Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, affirming that FTC commissioners can only be removed for cause, such as neglect of duty or malfeasance, which Trump did not provide. 

Slaughter resumed her role at the FTC following the appeals court’s decision.

The case, likely headed to the Supreme Court, tests the limits of presidential authority over independent agencies, with implications for the FTC’s bipartisan structure and its role in consumer protection and antitrust enforcement.

Radio History: Sept 5

➦In 1910...Kenneth Howard Delmar born in Boston (Died at age 73 - July 14, 1984, Stamford, Connecticut). He was an actor active in radio, films, and animation. An announcer on the pioneering radio news series The March of Time, he became a national radio sensation in 1945 as Senator Beauregard Claghorn on the running "Allen's Alley" sketch on The Fred Allen Show.

Kenny Delmar

The character Delmar created was a primary inspiration for the Warner Bros. cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn.

By the late 1930s, Delmar was an announcer on such major radio series as The March of Time and Your Hit Parade. He played multiple roles in The Mercury Theatre on the Air's October 1938 radio drama The War of the Worlds.

Delmar is notable for creating the character Senator Beauregard Claghorn on Fred Allen's radio program Allen's Alley, which he did while also serving as the show's regular announcer. Senator Claghorn made his radio debut October 7, 1945, and six months later was called "unquestionably the most quoted man in the nation" by Life magazine. The role inspired the Warner Bros. animated character Foghorn Leghorn, first seen in the Oscar-nominated cartoon Walky Talky Hawky (1946).

"During the late 1940s, Mr. Delmar captivated 20 million radio listeners every Sunday night with his burlesque of a bombastic, super-chauvinistic legislator who drank only from Dixie cups and refused to drive through the Lincoln Tunnel," wrote The New York Times. "His stock expression, 'That's a joke, son,' was for many years one of the nation's pet phrases, mimicked by children and businessmen alike.

Delmar was also announcer and voice performer on The Alan Young Show in 1944. In 1953 he returned to radio replacing Hans Conried's character on My Friend Irma, as the Professor's cousin, Maestro Wanderkin and as Conried's Schultz on Life with Luigi.

➦In 1938…'Life Can Be Beautiful' began airing.  It was a daytime drama broadcast on NBC and CBS during its 16-year run. The program was billed as "an inspiring message of faith drawn from life" and remained one of the leading soap operas through the 1940s. Sponsored by Procter & Gamble and Spic and Span, it premiered September 5, 1938 on NBC and moved two months later to CBS, where it was heard from November 7, 1938 to June 21, 1946. Concurrently, it was also airing on NBC from 1939 to 1941. The final run was on NBC from 1946 to 1954.

➦In 1957...WPOW 1330 AM became one of the first NYC stations to air Rock & Roll regularly. Today the station airs a Spanish Christian music and teaching format and is owned by Radio Vision Cristiana Management.

➦In 1966...The Monkees released their first single--"Last Train to Clarksville".

➦In 1987...“American Bandstand,” hosted by Dick Clark on ABC, was cancelled after 30 years on network television, largely due to MTV's influence. The show limped along on the USA cable channel and in syndication for another three years, with a different host.

➦In 1989...Mike and the Mad Dog debuted on Emmis' WFAN 660 AM in NYC. The station was looking for hosts to replace Pete Franklin during PM drive time and program director  Mark Mason, floated the idea of teaming Mike Francesa with Chris Russo. At first, the station management thought the idea was crazy because they were no-names at that time.  However, because of Francesa and Russo's popularity on the weekends and on Imus in the Morning individually, the station management decided to pair the two together.

The show aired WFAN from September 1989 to August 2008 and featured Francesa and Russo talking about sports and taking phone calls from listeners. From 2002 the show was simulcast on television on the YES Network. On the radio, the show was simulcast beginning 2007 on WQYK in Tampa, Florida and from 2004 until 2007 on WROW in Albany, New York.

➦In 2002...John Daly "Jackie" Kelk died at age 79 from a lung infection (Born - August 6, 1923). He was a stage, radio, film, and television actor and stand-up comedian. Kelk was best known for portraying the role of Homer Brown on the radio series The Aldrich Family and as the original voice of Jimmy Olsen on The Adventures of Superman.

➦In 2012...Joe South, singer, songwriter and guitarist who did "Games People Play" and "Walk a Mile in My Shoes", died of heart failure in Buford, Georgia at age 72.  South also wrote songs for Elivs Presley, Deep Purple, the Osmonds, Gene Vincent, Lynn Anderson ("Rose Garden") and Billy Joe Royal and worked with Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Tommy Roe and others.

Connoisseur Closes On Alpha Media Deal

Connoisseur Media, a Westport, Connecticut-based radio broadcasting company, announced on Thursday, the successful completion of its acquisition of Alpha Media, a major deal that significantly expands its footprint in the U.S. radio industry. 

The acquisition, which received approval from the FCC on August 13, 2025, merges Alpha Media’s 205 radio stations with Connoisseur’s existing portfolio of 11 stations in Connecticut and Long Island, creating a combined company that operates 216 stations across 47 markets nationwide. This strategic move positions Connoisseur among the top 10 radio broadcasters in the United States, according to the company’s statement.

The acquisition, initially agreed upon earlier in 2025, broadens Connoisseur’s geographic reach into key markets, including San Antonio, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Jose, California; Palm Springs, Florida; and Louisville, Kentucky. These additions complement Connoisseur’s established presence in local markets such as Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut, as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, New York. 

The expanded portfolio enables the combined company to reach approximately 20% of the U.S. radio audience, significantly enhancing its influence and market share in the broadcasting industry.

Jeff Warshaw

Jeff Warshaw, CEO of Connoisseur Media, emphasized the company’s commitment to local broadcasting as a core pillar of its mission. “Local broadcasting has always been at the heart of what we do,” Warshaw said in a statement. “This acquisition is about assembling the scale and resources to keep radio strong, serve our communities, empower our employees, and create even more value for advertisers.” 

The deal not only bolsters Connoisseur’s operational scale but also strengthens its ability to deliver targeted content and advertising solutions to diverse audiences across the country.

Connoisseur Media, founded as a radio company focused on serving local Connecticut and Long Island markets, has grown steadily over the years. The acquisition of Alpha Media, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, marks a significant milestone in its growth strategy, enabling the company to compete more effectively with larger national broadcasters while maintaining its emphasis on community-oriented programming. 

By acquiring Alpha Media, Connoisseur gains access to a diverse portfolio of stations, including various formats such as music, talk, and sports, which cater to a wide range of listener demographics. This diversity strengthens Connoisseur’s position as a leading player in the industry, capable of adapting to changing listener preferences and market dynamics.