The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) hosted a virtual town hall today to provide updates on NAB’s policy priorities for the rest of the year and answer member questions. NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs April Carty-Sipp discussed the association’s advocacy efforts, educational initiatives and innovation projects.
LeGeyt discussed his recent testimony at a House Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing on the state of the video marketplace. He explained how NAB is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to refresh the record in its 2014 proceeding on the regulatory framework for virtual multichannel video programming distributors.
“We now have a major disruption underway and those audiences are migrating from cable and satellite over to the virtual MVPDs, and that’s having an impact on local broadcasters,” said LeGeyt. “What we’re asking the FCC to do is to reopen a proceeding that has been dormant for the last nine years that takes a look at whether those rules of the road that apply to the cable and satellite services ought to be extended to virtual MVPDs.”
LeGeyt also answered questions regarding the ongoing Depend on AM Radio campaign and the status of the AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act, which now has more than 190 House and Senate cosponsors.
Cumulus Media announces that it has launched Power 105.1/KCJK-FM, the new destination radio station for Kansas City’s Hip Hop and R&B fans.
The all-new Power 105.1 replaces Cumulus Kansas City’s 107.3/KMJK-FM, a Hip Hop and R&B station that evolved from its Urban Adult Contemporary format after Cumulus Media acquired the station in 2004. KCJK-FM was previously programmed as Rock-formatted 105.1 The X.
Donna Baker, Regional Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Media, said: “The opportunity to best serve the entire KC community with our dominant cluster of stations is now in place. This change combines the incredible reach of the KCJK 100,000-watt signal with the biggest genre in modern popular music–Hip Hop and R&B. Congratulations to Operations Manager Jim Fox and Program Director Boogie D, along with our incredible lineup of beloved local personalities.”
Jowcol “Boogie D” Dolby, Program Director, Power 105.1, commented: “I’m very excited for Kansas City! Power 105.1 is designed to represent the culture of Hip Hop and R&B and this great Kansas City community. We are KCMO AND KCK. We are here for the community we serve, and we are here to win! Thank you to the Cumulus leadership team for making this dream a reality. KC, Let’s Go!”
Kenny Smoov, Vice President, Urban Formats, Cumulus Media, added: “Our Kansas City team is excited to bring championship level Hip Hop and R&B content on-air, online, and in these KC streets. Let’s Power UP!!!”
As more and more artists sell their vast catalogs of music, one legendary band’s frontman said they will not be following the crowd.
ABC News reported that Bruce Springsteen sold his for a reported $500 million to Sony in 2021. Justin Bieber sold his music for $200 million. So did Neil Young, Justin Timberlake and John Legend, making millions upon millions of dollars.
But the Rolling Stones aren’t going to, at least according to Mick Jagger. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Jagger was asked if the band would sell its post-1971 catalog.
He said no.
“The children don’t need $500 million to live well. Come on,” he said, suggesting that the music library could go to a charity.
The Rolling Stones announce release date for their new album and unveil lead single, 'Angry'
US Weekly reported that Jagger owns only the Stones’ music from after 1971, since the band’s former accountant Allan Klein has the copyrights for earlier tunes including “Paint It Black” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” When Klein and the Stones split, Klein kept ownership of the music while Jagger and Keith Richards got royalties. Klein died in 2009 and his company, ABKCO Music & Records, retained the rights.
Jagger, 80, is the father of eight children: Karis, 52; Jade, 51; Elizabeth, 39; Georgia May, 31; James 38, Gabriel, 25; Lucas, 24; and Deveraux, 6, People magazine reported.
The Rolling Stones, despite being in their 70s and 80s, are still producing music. They are releasing their first new album in nearly 20 years next month, Sky News reported. They recently released the lead single, “Angry.”
House Republicans worked to establish a basis to impeach President Joe Biden even as witnesses they invited said there lacked evidence the president benefited financially from foreign business dealings of his son Hunter Biden in exchange for steering U.S. foreign policy. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, opened Republicans’ first impeachment inquiry hearing Thursday accusing "the Bidens and their associates" of creating 20 shell companies that raked in more than $20 million, including when Biden was vice president. “What were the Bidens selling to make all this money?” Comer said. “Joe Biden himself.”
At today’s impeachment inquiry hearing, Republicans produced over two dozen examples of evidence revealing President Biden’s knowledge & participation in his family’s corrupt business schemes.
↪️ Next Steps: Subpoenas for Hunter & James Biden’s personal & business bank records. pic.twitter.com/17XmTlrrJt
Yet all three witnesses, including a constitutional lawyer and forensics expert, brought in by Republicans during the six-hour hearing told lawmakers the committee does not have evidence of an impeachable offense - that Joe Biden received payments and was bribed. The witnesses instead urged the committee to open an impeachment inquiry to keep digging.
IRS agent said CNN has Hunter Biden email where Hunter claimed legal 'stuff' would go away under Biden admin https://t.co/NLnBOq72O5
➤NO TRIAL DELAY FOR TRUMP: A New York court on Thursday rejected Donald Trump's request to delay a civil trial, after a judge ruled Trump committed fraud for years while building his real estate empire. New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron ruled Tuesday that Trump committed fraud in overstating the value and misstating the square-footage of properties for bank loans. He scheduled a non-jury trial to begin Monday to determine penalties, with state Attorney General Letitia James seeking $250 million. Trump argued at the state appeals court that Engoron failed to follow rulings that would have narrowed the allegations at the heart of the lawsuit. But the appeals court turned aside that challenge.
OPINION: Second Republican debate — Here's the biggest winner and the biggest loser https://t.co/F0ZGv4rK74
🛢OIL COULD HIT $100 A BARREL: Some analysts say oil prices could soon hit $100 a barrel, but U.S. shale companies aren’t rushing to drill more. Unlike past years when frackers flooded the market with crude and alleviated pressure, oil prices might remain elevated until someone else adds production or demand ebbs. Constrained by investor payouts, inflation and interest rates, frackers want to keep spending down. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Russia have raked in billions of dollars in extra oil revenues in recent months, after their production cuts sent crude prices soaring. The cutbacks were a risky strategy, both financially and politically, but they appear to be paying off for the two OPEC+ members.
➤GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IMMINENT: It appears almost certain now that the federal government will be shut down on Monday for lack of a budget. House Republicans have so far refused to act on a short-term measure passed by the Senate to keep the government open while a full budget is worked out. That means there will be no way to pay government employees or the military. Some critical functions might keep running, at least for a while. The holdup is caused by a relatively small group of House Republicans who refuse to act without substantial cuts to some programs, notably U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Among Black readers, 63% say news about Black people is often more negative than it is about other groups. Moreover, 57% feel the news only covers certain segments within Black communities, according to MediaPost citing a study released this week by Pew Research Center.
In addition, 50% say important information is often missing from stories, and 43% say coverage largely stereotypes Black people.
And Black Americans do not have high hopes that things will get better. While 40% say improvement is somewhat likely, 38% feel it is not too/not very likely.
Do not think these views are influenced by politics: While 59% of Democrats (or those who lean that way) say coverage is often negative, 55% agree with that on the Republican side. Similarly, 50% of Democrats or leaners feel stories are often missing important information, and here they are slightly outvoted by Republican leaners: 53% think so.
9.5 million viewers watched the second Republican presidential debate Wednesday night, with viewership spread across three networks, Fox Business (1.817 million viewers), Fox News Channel (6.693 million viewers) and Univision (813,000 viewers), according to Forbes.
Between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET, the debate outperformed all other programs on the broadcast and cable news networks. On Fox Business, the debate delivered the network’s highest-rated telecast since 2016.
Among viewers 25-54, the demographic group most valued by advertisers, the debate drew nearly 2 million viewers, with Fox News drawing the largest single audience (1.212 million viewers). Fox Business drew 411,000 viewers in the key demo, and Univision delivered an audience of 265,000 viewers.
Across prime time, Fox News drew 4.5 million viewers, well ahead of the cable news competition, with all of the networks focusing heavily on the GOP debate. MSNBC was second overall with 1.593 million viewers, followed by Fox Business (1.033 million viewers), and CNN with 687,000 viewers.
In the key demo, Fox News was first between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET, with 748,000 viewers, followed by Fox Business (217,000 viewers), MSNBC (147,000 viewers), and CNN (127,000 viewers).
Audacy has announced a series of content distribution partnerships to bolster the reach of "You Better You Bet," the No. 1 sports betting live show and podcast in the U.S. The show, starring co-hosts Nick Kostos and Ken Barkley, is heard on BetQL Network, Audacy’s network of sports betting content heard across its broadcast portfolio and digital platforms.
The Company has partnered with Stadium, an interactive sports network, to bring "You Better You Bet" to audiences nationwide via Stadium’s portfolio, WatchStadium.com/Live and Stadium affiliates YouTubeTV, The Roku Channel, FuboTV, Amazon, Samsung TV Plus, Tubi and more. "You Better You Bet" airs on Stadium weekdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
Audacy has also announced a deal with SiriusXM to air You Better You Bet on Sirius channel 217, XM channel 205 and on the SiriusXM app. The show will be heard weekdays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET beginning October 2.
A subsidiary of San Antonio-based billboard company Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. will pay about $26 million to settle allegations that it provided gift cards, golf clubs, vases and other expensive gives to Chinese government officials to obtain outdoor advertising contracts.
San Antonio News-Express reports Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings on Thursday agreed to the payment — $16.4 million related to the benefits it received from the alleged improper payments, almost $3.8 million in interest and a $6 million penalty — under a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The company submitted a settlement offer to the SEC to resolve allegations that it violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act without admitting or denying the commission’s findings. The law generally makes it illegal for people or companies to make payments to foreign government officials to assist in obtaining or retaining business.
From at least 2012 through 2017, the SEC found the company’s majority-owned Chinese subsidiary — Clear Media Ltd. — bribed Chinese government officials to obtain concession contracts required to sell advertising services to public and private sector clients for display on bus shelters, street furniture and billboards.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced Thursday it will break ground next month on a 50,000 square-foot expansion project, which will allow the Museum to better serve its next 14 million visitors from across the country and around the world.
Designed by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU), the expansion will integrate the iconic original building designed by I.M.
Pei with the urban Cleveland lakefront, while increasing the size of the Museum by one third. With $135 million raised towards the capital campaign, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will begin construction this Fall.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame addition, designed by PAU under the leadership of Vishaan Chakrabarti, takes cues from the visual language of Pei’s original 1995 signature glass pyramid while preserving its distinct identity as a Cleveland landmark and activating the surrounding streetscape and lakefront.
➦In 1907...Gene Autry born (Died at age 91 – October 2, 1998). He was nicknamed The Singing Cowboy. Autry was the owner of a television station, several radio stations in Southern California, and the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels Major League Baseball team from 1961 to 1997.
Autry was the owner of a television station, several radio stations in Southern California, and the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels Major League Baseball team from 1961 to 1997.
From 1934 to 1953, Autry appeared in 93 films, and between 1950 and 1956 hosted The Gene Autry Show television series. During the 1930s and 1940s, he personified the straight-shooting hero—honest, brave, and true—and profoundly touched the lives of millions of Americans. Autry was also one of the most important pioneering figures in the history of country music, considered the second major influential artist of the genre's development after Jimmie Rodgers.
Gene Autry
His singing cowboy films were the first vehicle to carry country music to a national audience. In addition to his signature song, "Back in the Saddle Again", and his hit "At Mail Call Today", Autry is still remembered for his Christmas holiday songs, most especially his biggest hit "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" as well as "Frosty the Snowman", "Here Comes Santa Claus", and "Up on the House Top".
Autry is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is the only person to be awarded stars in all five categories on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for film, television, music, radio, and live performance.
From 1940 to 1956, Autry had a huge hit with a weekly show on CBS Radio, Gene Autry's Melody Ranch. His horse, Champion, also had a CBS-TV and Mutual radio series, The Adventures of Champion. In response to his many young radio listeners aspiring to emulate him, Autry created the Cowboy Code, or Ten Cowboy Commandments. These tenets promoting an ethical, moral, and patriotic lifestyle that appealed to youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts, which developed similar doctrines. The Cowboy Code consisted of rules that were "a natural progression of Gene's philosophies going back to his first Melody Ranch programs—and early pictures."
He also sold several radio stations he owned, including KSFO in San Francisco, KMPC in Los Angeles, KOGO in San Diego, and other stations in the Golden West radio network.
➦In 1920...Joseph Horne Company's department stores sell radios that are already equipped with headphones and a button for tuning. In The Pittsburgh Sun the price is stated to be $10 or equivalent to over a hundred dollars today.
Radio receiver circa 1920
In 1920 the tuned radio frequency receiver (TRF) had a major improvement. The local oscillator and audio amplifier that were invented around that time were milestone improvements for the radio receiver. The radio receiver became simpler and cheaper than before because the loud speaker could now be integrated with the chassis of radio.
➦In 1926...NBC incorporated. NBC is the oldest major broadcast network in the United States. The network started programming Nov. 15 with 24 stations.
In 1923, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) acquired control of WJZ in Newark, New Jersey, from Westinghouse, and moved the station to New York City. The same year, RCA obtained a license for station WRC in Washington, D.C., and attempted to transmit audio between WJZ and WRC via low-quality telegraph lines, in an attempt to make a network comparable to that operated by American Telephone & Telegraph.
iHeartMedia Washington, D.C. today announced that Jaxon has been named Morning Show Host for BIG 100, Washington’s Classic Rock & Home of the Washington Commanders, effective Friday, October 6th. Jaxon will report to Dustin Matthews, Director of Rock Programming for iHeartMedia Washington, D.C.
Jaxon
“I’ve been a Jaxon fan for years, so I’m thrilled to welcome him to the iHeartMedia D.C. team!” said Matthews. “And as an avid football fan, he’s the perfect match to join forces with the Washington Commanders. Jaxon brings a unique ability to engage our audience with storytelling and expert analysis about music and sports. I can’t wait for him to rock the Nation’s Capital with us every morning on the mighty BIG 100!”
Jaxon joins the Washington, D.C. market from Philadelphia, PA, where he last served as the afternoon host on WMMR-FM. He has been in the radio industry for three decades and previously hosted morning shows in Boston, Denver, and Salt Lake City.
“I’m beyond thrilled to join the BIG 100 family!” said Jaxon. “Huge thanks to Brad Hardin, James Howard, Dustin Matthews and Jeff Kapugi for helping me find the perfect spot on iHeart’s roster of stellar talent. I look forward to waking up DC every morning, and I’m super excited about our relationship with the Washington Commanders. This is going to be fun, BIG fun!”
Fox News Channel found its way back to the top spot of the cable ratings charts, ending a two-week run at the top by football-powered ESPN.
Fox News averaged 1.7 million viewers in primetime for the week of September 18-24 to top all cable networks, according to Nielsen numbers supplied by Fox News. ESPN finished second with 1.5 million viewers, followed by MSNBC with 1.2 million watchers.
HGTV pulled into fourth with 864,000 viewers, while Hallmark Channel settled into fifth place with 734,000 viewers. TBS and TLC tied for sixth with 649,000 viewers, followed by INSP (637,000 viewers), Food Network (570,000) and USA Network (535,000).
Fox News’s average of 1 million total-day viewers was enough to secure sole possession of first place after tyinh ESPN for first place on the chart last week. MSNBC was second with 801,000 viewers, followed by ESPN (704,000), HGTV (442,000) and CNN (419,000), according to TV News citing Nielsen data.
Bruce Springsteen is following doctor’s orders and taking more time off from touring.
The rocker, 74, released a statement to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, in which he said he’s continuing to “recover steadily from peptic ulcer disease over the past few weeks and will continue treatment through the rest of the year on doctor’s advice.”
“With this in mind, and out of an abundance of caution, all remaining 2023 tour dates for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will be postponed until 2024,” the statement continued.
CNN reports Springsteen had previously canceled several shows with the E Street Band last month and earlier this month.
Wednesday’s statement said that those shows, along with the concerts that were to be held during the rest of this year, will have rescheduled dates to be announced next week, “all taking place at their originally scheduled venues.”
