Greg Kihn, the rock singer-songwriter who scored with “Jeopardy” and “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em)” and helped definite an era of power pop in the 1980s, died Tuesday at age 75, reports Variety citing a family statement. The cause of death was complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
With the Greg Kihn Band, the singer reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981 with “The Breakup Song,” scaling even greater heights in 1983 with “Jeopardy,” which hit No. 2 on the national chart and became an early staple of the nascent MTV. The latter song continues to be part of the public consciousness not just because of its own enduring earworm qualities, but because of a popular parody by “Weird Al” Yankovic, “I Lost on Jeopardy.”
Kihn was part of the Beserkley Records stable of artists to come out of the Bay Area in the mid-’70s, having released his first song as a solo artist on the influential compilation “Beserkley Chartbusters Vol. 1” in 1976, coming up alongside such labelmates as Jonathan Richman, the Rubinoos and Earth Quake.
Hamilton's largest radio news station — and one of Canada's oldest —has shut down with no notice.
The CBC reports Corus Enteraintment's 900 CHML, posted an announcement online about the closure on Wednesday. By early afternoon, the station was no longer on the air.
"We want to extend our profound gratitude to all of our listeners, valued advertisers and community partners - thank you for your steadfast support throughout the years," read the statement posted to social media site X.
"Your loyalty and this community have been the foundation of our station's legacy and we deeply value the connection we've shared with you."
According to archives from The Hamilton Spectator, the station opened in September 1927. The Government of Canada's website says there were 77 commercial radio stations on-air between 1922 and 1932, which would make CHML among the first in the country.
The loss of the station is "devastating," Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said on social media Wednesday. "For close to 100 years - 97 years next month - CHML's on-air personalities have been a part of our daily lives here in Hamilton and beyond .... this is a tremendous loss to our community," she wrote.
Peggy Chapman, who worked at CHML as a producer in the mid-90s, told CBC Hamilton on Wednesday generations of families listen to the station. "Their people are in the community, they're not just behind a microphone," she said, also referencing the work of the station's children's charity.
And without its news coverage, she added, it will be harder to keep people informed and hold local institutions to account.
CBC Hamilton contacted Corus for more details about the CHML closure.
Despite the blockbuster numbers posted by NBC News’ coverage of the Paris Olympics, cable news viewership grew during the first week of August.
Chalk that up to the excitement surrounding Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her newly-named running mate, Tim Walz. All three cable news nets recorded week-to-week gains during primetime and total day even with the competition of the Summer Games.
TV Newser reports Nielsen live plus same-day data for the week of August 5 saw FNC average 2.394 million total viewers and 301,000 viewers in the advertiser-coveted A25-54 demo during primetime. The network saw respective gains of +6% and +10% in those measured categories compared to the week prior. In total day, Fox News averaged 1.467 million total viewers and 965,000 demo viewers for week-to-week gains of +2% in both categories.
Among all basic cable networks, Fox News remained at No. 1 in total primetime viewers and repeated at No. 2 in the demo. In total day, it retained first place in total viewers and second place in the demo. USA Network continued to stand at the top of the demo podium in both primetime and total day as a result of the Paris Olympics.
MSNBC’s primetime lineup averaged 1,391,000 total viewers and 159,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo. The network saw respective week-to-week gains of +25% and +49% in both measured categories. In total day, MSNBC averaged 965,000 total viewers and 109,000 demo viewers for gains of +23% and +42%, respectively. Among all basic cable networks, MSNBC jumped from third to second place in total primetime viewers and from 10th to sixth place in the demo.
CNN averaged 696,000 total primetime viewers and 136,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime, for week-to-week gains of +9% and +13%, respectively. In primetime, CNN stayed in fourth place with total viewers and fell from seventh to ninth place in the demo.
Fox News occupied 10 of the 15 spots for the week’s most-watched cable news shows, with The Five (3.393 million viewers at 5 p.m. ET) taking the gold. MSNBC occupied the remaining slots, with The Beat with Ari Melber (2.123 million viewers at 6 p.m. ET) landing in seventh place.
Among the most-watched shows in the A25-54 demo, Hannity (368,000 viewers at 9 p.m. ET) finished first as FNC claimed 12 out of the 15 spots. MSNBC’s The Beat (272,000 viewers at 6 p.m. ET) came in at No. 5.
American teens are generally against the idea of regulations that would place restrictions on their use of social media platforms, despite knowing the potential harms to mental and physical health, according to Bloomberg citing a poll of 430 first-time voters.
A study designed by the Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab found that more than 60% of new voters oppose requiring kids under age 16 to seek parental consent to use social media. More than 85% of young people think there should be no time limits on when they can receive social media notifications, such as at night or during school hours.
Members of Generation Z — young people between the ages of 12 and 27 — are some of the most active users on social media services like Meta Platforms Inc.’s Instagram, ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok and Snap Inc.’s Snapchat. Parents, lawmakers, regulators and child safety advocates have spent years pushing for rules they say will ease the risks posed by heavy use of these services. But those just reaching voting age are starting to have more influence over who represents them, and the policies that they advance — including a crackdown on social media use.
Since the 2022 midterms, about 8 million members of Gen Z have joined the electorate, a demographic shift that is “unprecedented,” said Henry Elkus, founder and chief executive officer of Helena, a nonprofit group that helped support the study. By 2028, this voting cohort will make up nearly 25% of the electorate, meaning their voices on social and political issues could have a real impact on election outcomes.
The situation surrounding Venu Sports and the potential preliminary injunction is becoming intriguing. Based on the recent hearings in Fubo’s antitrust trial against Venu, it appears that the possibility of obtaining a preliminary injunction is being seriously considered. Judge Margaret Garnett’s concern about the significant influence wielded by an alliance of media giants—Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery—adds weight to the discussion.
A preliminary injunction could keep the $42.99-a-month service from launching this fall as planned.
Preliminary injunctions are legally challenging to secure, but Fubo is making a compelling argument. They contend that Venu’s launch could cause them “irreparable harm,” surpassing what a mere damages verdict could address. Interestingly, this case highlights a historical twist: Disney, Fox, and WBD previously resisted allowing pay TV operators to bundle only sports channels, yet they now find themselves bundling their own sports content.
As the legal battle continues, the fate of Venu Sports hangs in the balance.
Cumulus Media today announced Carolyn Chauncey’s promotion to Senior Vice President, Marketing and Podcasting. In this new role, Chauncey will lead the Cumulus Podcast Network’s day-to-day operations, content acquisition, editorial, and production.
In addition to her new responsibilities, Chauncey will continue to direct corporate marketing for Cumulus Media, Westwood One, and the Cumulus Podcast Network, reporting to Collin R. Jones, President of Westwood One and EVP, Corporate Strategy & Development for Cumulus Media.
Carolyn Chauncey
Chauncey brings nearly three decades of media experience to the position, having achieved senior leadership positions in broadcast radio, video, digital, print, and experiential at top companies such as Conde Nast Publications, Time Warner, and VEVO. Since joining Cumulus Media in 2016, Chauncey has overseen ad sales solutions, creative services, and audience development for Westwood One, as well as client entertaining on site at the network’s marquee sports events such as the Super Bowl and Final Four. She is also an original member of the team that launched the podcast network and has been instrumental in its audience expansion, platform marketing, and ad sales growth since inception.
Among additional organizational changes related to the podcast network are Jason Soderberg’s elevation to Vice President, Podcast Operations and Production. In his new role, Jay is responsible for managing all audio and video production for the podcast network as well as platform relations. Soderberg now reports to Chauncey.
In addition, Megan Devine has been promoted to Vice President, Podcast Sales Planning and Yield Optimization to better align podcast sales planning and yield optimization with revenue-generating activities. In this new role, Devine will report to Brandon Berman, President of Sales at Westwood One.
Audacy, currently undergoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, has requested a deadline extension pending FCC approval.
The court hearing, scheduled for today, will consider Audacy’s motion to move a key date from August 19 to the end of September.
The company’s attorneys emphasize their readiness to implement the court-confirmed reorganization plan, but they face impending maturities and milestone covenants.
Failure to obtain timely FCC approval could have significant consequences for Audacy’s restructuring efforts. The company aims to reduce approximately $1.6 billion of its prepetition debt obligations, exchange debt for equity, and leave general unsecured creditors unaffected.
However, Audacy’s expects FCC approval is complicated by foreign ownership restrictions, which the company has asked the commission to waive1. Additionally, political scrutiny surrounds investor George Soros’s potential role in the reorganized company.
The involvement of Soros Fund Management, which now holds a substantial stake, has drawn attention and raised questions about potential influence in U.S. media.
NBC News will provide extensive on-the-ground reporting and special primetime coverage from Chicago’s United Center next week during the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Following a summer of seismic political developments, NBC News’ top-tier team of anchors and more than two dozen correspondents and reporters will break down all the news from the week and bring viewers inside the convention as Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to accept the Democratic nomination.
NBC News’ coverage from Chicago follows the network’s dominant ratings performance across broadcast, streaming and digital during last month’s Republican National Convention, where it swept the week among broadcast networks and saw its largest weekly digital audience since 2021.
NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt will anchor “Decision 2024” coverage from 10-11 p.m. ET on Monday. TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie joins Holt to co-anchor coverage from 10–11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and 9–11 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday on NBC and NBC News NOW.
Holt will anchor special editions of NBC Nightly News live from Chicago at 6:30 p.m. ET all four nights of the DNC.
Guthrie will co-anchor TODAY from the host city beginning at 7 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker will anchor Meet the Press NOW on NBC News NOW from Chicago each day of the convention at 4 p.m. ET, officially kicking off 7+ hours of daily coverage across streaming and broadcast. Top Story anchor Tom Llamas and Hallie Jackson NOW anchor Hallie Jackson will pick up special coverage from Chicago each day at 5 p.m. ET, which will continue until network coverage begins each night with Holt and Guthrie.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Llamas and Jackson will lead an hour-long post-convention special on NBC News NOW beginning at 11 p.m. ET.
The NBCNews.com live blog will be the go-to source for breaking news and up-to-the-minute analysis from the convention floor and beyond. The live blog is available on the site and the NBC News app and brings together the best reporting from the network’s digital and broadcast journalists.
WABC Radio is sending a News Team and Video Crew to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) next week in Chicago. Throughout the Convention, WABC Radio will deliver the excitement from the Convention floor, with important up-to-the-minute reports and on-the-spot interviews. Video clips will be posted on www.wabcradio.com and WABC Radio’s social media pages.
“The public deserves to be informed on what both sides are saying and doing,” stated John Catsimatidis, Owner and CEO of Red Apple Media. “We are committed to reporting the truth, so that listeners can make knowledgeable decisions. We were at the Republican National Convention last month, and we will be at the Democratic National Convention, as well.”
“It’s imperative to our democratic process that WABC Radio continues to deliver news from vitally important events like the Democratic National Convention to our listeners,” said Chad Lopez, President of Red Apple Media and 77 WABC Radio.
The Museum of Broadcast Communications announced Wednesday the selection of a Nashville Induction Ceremony Committee for the 2024 Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to be held at the Omni Nashville on Thursday, September 19th.
The Radio Hall of Fame will recognize its 2024 class of inductees at the gala event to be held in Music City for the first time ever. The Induction Ceremony Committee is comprised of broadcasters and music industry professionals who will serve as local ambassadors of the ceremony, raising awareness of and interest in this year’s live event in Nashville. 2022 Radio Hall of Fame Inductee, Lon Helton, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the Induction Ceremony.
Tickets are on sale now at a newly reduced rate of $495 per ticket at: www.radiohalloffame.com. A portion of ticket purchases is a tax-deductible charitable donation to the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
Members of the Nashville Induction Ceremony Committee include:
Bobby Bones, “The Bobby Bones Show", Inductee
RJ Curtis, Country Radio Seminar
Dan Endom, iHeartMedia-Nashville
Blair Garner, Inductee
Gerry House, Inductee
Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media
Dan Mandis, “Nashville’s Morning News with Dan Mandis”/WWTN-FM
Gene McKay, Inside Radio/Country Insider
Mike McVay, McVay Media
John Shomby, Country’s Radio Coach
Julie Talbott, Premiere Networks
Greg Thompson, Big Loud Management
Clay Travis, “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show”
Bud Walters, Cromwell Group, Inc
Dennis Green, Co-Chair of the Radio Hall of Fame, said: “The Radio Hall of Fame is delighted to have a who’s who of broadcasters participate in welcoming people to Nashville to honor the 2024 induction class to the Radio Hall of Fame. We are excited to bring the event to Nashville for the first time and having broadcasters with ties to the Music City get the word out and be a part of this special event.”
Tribute Book ads for the 2024 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony are also available for purchase now. Contact Linde Thurman at: Linde@radiohalloffame.com for more information and to buy a Tribute Book ad for the September 19th event.
The Radio Hall of Fame was founded by the Emerson Radio Corporation in 1988. The Museum of Broadcast Communications took over operations of the Hall in 1991.
iHeartMedia announced Wednesday that Howard Greiner has been named Metro President in Nashville. He will report to Nick Gnau, Division President for iHeartMedia.
“Nashville is an extremely important market for iHeartMedia,” said Hartley Adkins, President of the Markets Group for iHeartMedia. “Howard continues to demonstrate strong leadership and that combined with his expertise in media, advertising and sales, I am confident he will build upon the incredible success and strong reputation that iHeartMedia Nashville has with its listeners, advertising partners and the community.”
Greiner joins the Nashville team from iHeartMedia Albany, where he most recently served as the Area President overseeing all programming, business and sales teams for the Albany, Poughkeepsie and Sussex, NJ markets. Prior to joining iHeartMedia Greiner has held various executive roles in media and advertising for over three decades, two of which were in Nashville as President and COO for Buntin Out-of-Home Media, LLC.
Over 5.4 billion people use the internet regularly, making up 67.1% of the global population.
According to the Visual Capitalist website, here are the most visited websites worldwide, drawing on recent data from SimilarWeb (as of June 2024).
Google Dominates Global Web Traffic
According to SimilarWeb data, Google.com is the world’s largest website, commanding 18.32% of global web traffic. The Alphabet-owned website services over 8.5 billion search queries daily.
Longtime Milwaukee radio host Ian McCain died Monday after a brief illness. He was 54, according to The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
McCain, whose legal name is Justin Cooper, worked for the Milwaukee Radio Alliance for 11 years. He was a digital program director for the MRA's stations, WLUM-FM, WLDB-FM and WZTI-FM. He also was an on-air host at WLUM-FM, where he spun alt-rock records from bands like Blink-182, the Foo Fighters and Green Day.
"Milwaukee welcomed him in with open arms and he returned that embrace with all of his heart," a family spokesperson said in an MRA press release. "We so appreciate all of the love and support the city has always given him."
The Milwaukee music community is also mourning McCain's loss.
An Omaha, Nebraska, native, McCain also worked for radio stations in Omaha; Chicago; Salt Lake City, Utah; Lincoln, Nebraska; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Des Moines, Iowa; and Kansas City, Missouri.
➦In 1877…Thomas Edison wrote to the president of the Telegraph Company in Pittsburgh suggesting that the word "hello" would be a more appropriate greeting than "ahoy" when answering the telephone.
➦In 1935...radio humorist/philosopher Will Rogers and his pilot, Wiley Post, died in a plane crash near Point Barrow, Alaska. Rogers was aged 55.
➦In 1945...Emperor Hirohito of Japan announces the news of his country's unconditional surrender in World War II over a radio broadcast to the Japanese people.
After meeting with the Soviet Union in Potsdam, near Berlin, to determine post-war terms for defeated Germany, the governments of the United States and Great Britain (together with China) issued an ultimatum to the Japanese government in late July 1945. It offered a simple choice: surrender unconditionally to the Allies in World War II, or risk total annihilation. In their carefully worded reply, the Japanese failed to capitulate completely, and on 6 August, the U.S. B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped the world's first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Three days later, another such bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. The threat of further nuclear attacks drove Japanese officials on 10 August to accept the terms put forth by the Potsdam Declaration and submit their unconditional surrender.
On the afternoon of 14 August, a Japanese radio broadcaster told the public that Emperor Hirohito would soon make an Imperial Proclamation announcing the defeat. The following day at noon, Hirohito went on the radio himself, blaming Japan’s surrender on the enemies' use of "a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which is incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives." The emperor was not only a political leader in Japan, he was also revered as a near-god, and many Japanese did not fully accept the news of defeat until they heard him speak those unthinkable words.
As sadness and shame engulfed Japan, joy spread around the Western world. In the United States, news of Hirohito's announcement reached airwaves on 14 August (due to the time difference), and that day was declared Victory in Japan – or V-J – Day.
That afternoon, President Harry S. Truman addressed a crowd that had gathered outside the White House, saying "This is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbour. This is the day when Fascism finally dies, as we always knew it would."
That day, photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt snapped one of the most famous photos ever published, a shot of a sailor in full uniform kissing a nurse in the middle of New York City's Times Square. The photo, published by Life magazine, became a symbol of the general atmosphere of jubilation in the United States following the end of World War II.
