Morning Wake-Up Pulse For Jan 23

Radio Broadcasting:

FCC Guidance on Equal Opportunities Rule for Talk Shows: The FCC issued a public notice reminding broadcasters that many daytime and late-night talk shows (including on TV but applicable to radio) do not automatically qualify for exemptions from the equal opportunities rule. This requires stations to provide equal time to opposing political candidates if one uses the facility. The guidance revives focus on this rule amid campaign seasons, potentially affecting how stations handle partisan-leaning programming like certain talk hosts or shows. It has drawn criticism from some commissioners as an attempt to influence speech, and it's seen as relevant for radio talk formats.

Broadcasters Push FCC to Eliminate Local Ownership Caps: Multiple radio groups, backed by the NAB, filed comments in the FCC's 2022 Quadrennial Regulatory Review urging removal of local radio and TV ownership limits. They argue these "archaic" caps disadvantage broadcasters against unrestricted Big Tech platforms (e.g., streaming services), harming localism and competition. Recent court decisions (like Zimmer Radio v. FCC) support a deregulatory approach, with broadcasters claiming the FCC lacks justification to maintain or tighten rules.

Big Tech as Existential Threat to Local Radio: In related filings and commentary, broadcasters describe competition from digital giants as an "existential threat" to local broadcasting, emphasizing how ownership caps prevent scaling while tech companies face no such restrictions on market concentration or national reach.

• Cumulus Media partnered with Eon Media to develop and monetize AI audio tools for broadcast and digital platforms, highlighting ongoing tech integration.
• St. Louis's 88.1 FM relaunched as WorshipOne following a 2025 sale, reflecting format changes and ownership transitions in local markets.

WBD Bids

Netflix's Adjustment: Netflix amended the deal to an all-cash offer at $27.75 per share (no stock component, simplifying valuation and addressing concerns from Netflix's share price drop post-announcement). This has unanimous WBD board support, accelerates the path to a shareholder vote (expected in April 2026), and provides "greater certainty of value." WBD plans to spin off its Global Linear Networks as "Discovery Global" in mid-2026.

Paramount's Pushback: Paramount has repeatedly extended its tender offer deadline (most recently to February 20, 2026) to solicit shareholder support and vote against the Netflix deal. It argues its offer is superior (higher value, full company acquisition, potentially fewer regulatory hurdles due to ties like Larry Ellison's backing). Paramount has filed to compel more disclosures from WBD, launched a proxy fight (planning to nominate board candidates), and sued in Delaware court.

Shareholder Response: WBD stated that over 93% of shareholders have rejected Paramount's "inferior scheme" in favor of Netflix. Only a small fraction (around 6.8–7%, or ~168–169 million shares) have tendered to Paramount so far—far short of the majority needed for control.

Public Statements: Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters dismissed Paramount's bid as not passing the "sniff test," calling it reliant on "fantasy" financing with heavy debt, and expressed confidence Netflix will prevail. Paramount reaffirms its commitment to the higher-value, all-cash offer.

U.S. News

This Is Not an Average Winter Storm, Weather Experts Warn. The latest on the major winter storm affecting much of the U.S. is that a massive, potentially historic system—named Winter Storm Fern by The Weather Channel—is rapidly developing and beginning to impact areas. It's already underway in parts of the Southwest and Southern Plains.

Scale and Reach: This is one of the largest winter storms in years, spanning over 2,000 miles and affecting up to 230-250 million people (roughly two-thirds of the U.S. population) across 33-40+ states. Alerts (winter storm warnings, ice storm warnings, extreme cold advisories) cover from the Southwest (Arizona/New Mexico) through the Southern Plains, Midwest, South, Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast to New England.

Hazards: Heavy snow: Up to 12-20+ inches in spots, especially in the Appalachians, Ozarks, Texas Panhandle, parts of the Midwest/Northeast (e.g., New York City metro could see 6-12+ inches, potentially over a foot in some areas; similar for Boston, D.C., Baltimore).

Damaging ice/freezing rain: Significant accumulations (0.5-1+ inch) possible from eastern Texas across the South to the Carolinas and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, leading to power outages from downed lines/trees, treacherous travel, and prolonged slick conditions.

Frigid temperatures: Dangerously cold air mass following the storm, with wind chills potentially to -50°F in northern Plains (e.g., Minnesota/North Dakota). Record lows possible in southern Plains and mid-Atlantic (coldest since 2018 in places like D.C. and Raleigh).

Other risks: Blizzard conditions in some areas, high winds, sleet, and even isolated severe thunderstorms in transition zones.

Timeline

• Friday (Jan 23): Storm intensifies in Southern Rockies/Plains (snow in NM/CO/TX/OK), spreading east with ice/snow in South and Midwest.
• Saturday-Sunday: Peak impacts—crippling ice in South/Deep South, heavy wet snow pushing into Mid-Atlantic/Northeast (NYC/Tri-State heavy snow late Saturday into Sunday; Boston/NYC lows in single digits).
• Monday: Lingering effects, with storm tapering but cold persisting.

Trump Approval & Polling — A New York Times/Siena poll shows less than one-third of voters believe the country is better off one year into Trump's second term. Majorities disapprove of his handling of the economy, immigration, Ukraine/Russia war, Venezuela, and say his policies made life less affordable.

Conference Championship Sunday Set

NFC Championship: No. 1 Seattle Seahawks vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Rams (6:30 p.m. ET). This is the third matchup between the teams this season, with a Super Bowl berth on the line. The Rams earned redemption after earlier losses, including an epic OT game, and now challenge the top-seeded Seahawks.

AFC Championship: No. 1 Denver Broncos vs. No. 2 New England Patriots (3 p.m. ET). Broncos backup QB Jarrett Stidham steps in for injured Bo Nix to face his former team. Denver advanced dramatically with a 33-30 OT win over the Bills, thanks to a stout defense forcing five turnovers from Josh Allen. Recent divisional results included the Rams edging the Bears 20-17 in OT and other high-stakes games. Super Bowl LX is building massive buzz.

Long Legal Saga Ends: TikTok To Keep Operating In U.S.

TikTok has finalized a deal to establish a majority American-owned joint venture, allowing the popular video-sharing app to continue operating in the U.S. and averting a long-threatened ban over national-security concerns tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

The Wall Street Journal reports the new entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, is majority owned by American and allied investors (80.1% total), with ByteDance retaining a 19.9% stake. Oracle, private-equity firm Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will each hold 15% as managing investors. 

Other investors include the Dell Family Office, Revolution (linked to Vice President JD Vance's former firm), and additional groups.

Oracle will oversee U.S. user data storage and management, while the joint venture handles algorithm security, content moderation, and other safeguards for American users. Adam Presser, previously TikTok's deputy, will lead the new entity as CEO. 

The board includes TikTok CEO Shou Chew, Oracle executive Ken Glueck, and representatives from key investors.

The agreement complies with a 2024 U.S. law requiring separation from ByteDance to address security risks, following years of tensions. President Trump delayed enforcement after starting his second term, signing executive orders to extend deadlines until the deal closed Thursday. Trump celebrated the outcome on social media, saying he was "so happy to have helped in saving TikTok!" and thanking Chinese leader Xi Jinping for approving it.

Despite the structure, some lawmakers and security experts remain concerned about potential Chinese influence through ByteDance's minority stake. Investors are paying the U.S. government a multibillion-dollar fee as part of the arrangement, which values the entity at around $14 billion.

TikTok users in the U.S.—over 200 million—can continue using the app unchanged.

TV Ratings: FOX News Channel Leads CBS in Primetime

FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the week of January 12 averaging 2.7 million weekday primetime viewers leading CBS’ 2.1 million viewers, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. 

 Throughout total day (6 AM-6 AM/ET), FNC posted nearly 1.5 million viewers and 140,000 in the 25-54 demo and in primetime saw 2.2 million viewers and 221,000 in the 25-54 demo. For the week, FNC had a 60% share of cable news viewers in primetime and drew 88 of the top 100 cable news telecasts in all of cable.

The Five averaged 3.7 million viewers and 309,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news with total viewers. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2.8 million viewers and 253,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 2.5 million viewers and 236,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. Jesse Watters Primetime commanded nearly 3 million viewers and 280,000 in the 25-54 demo at 8 PM/ET, marking its best week in the 25-54 demo since November. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 2.5 million viewers and 242,000 in the 25-54 demo, while at 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher secured 1.4 million viewers.

FNC’s late-night hit Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET) averaged 2.8 million viewers marking its highest rated week since October and delivering 311,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news. It also continued to outpace the broadcast competition including CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2 million viewers; 306,000 A25-54), ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2 million viewers; 336,000 A25-54) and NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (1.1 million viewers; 234,000 A25-54).

FNC continued to see its daytime programs outpace the broadcast competition. The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4 PM/ET; 2.1 million viewers) led NBC’s Today Third Hour (2 million). The program additionally marked its one-year anniversary and has delivered the highest total viewership in FNC’s history for the 4PM/ET hour in 2025. Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 1.85 million viewers), America Reports (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 1.8 million viewers), The Story (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 1.8 million viewers) and The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 1.78 million viewers) all led CBS Mornings (1,726,000), ABC’s Good Morning America 3 (1,535,000) and NBC’s Today with Jenna and Sheinelle (1.5 million viewers).

Ratings Graphics courtesy of RoadMN

On Saturday:  Kayleigh McEnany’s Saturday in America (Saturday, 10 AM - 12 PM/ET) was the most-watched show of the day with 1.6 million viewers, and 193,000 viewers with the 25-54 demo. FOX News Live anchored by Aishah Hasnie (Saturday, 12 - 2 PM/ET) averaged 1.5 million viewers and 151,000 viewers A25-54, notching 13% increases with total viewers and a 6% increase with the 25-54 demo compared to the 2025 average in the time slot. My View with Lara Trump (Saturdays, 9 PM/ET) was the top cable news show with over 1 million viewers.

On Sunday: Maria Bartiromo’s Sunday Morning Futures (Sunday, 10 AM/ET) was the number one cable news show of the weekend with nearly 1.7 million viewers and delivered 113,000 in the 25-54 demo. In primetime, One Nation with Brian Kilmeade (Sundays, 10 PM/ET) led the way with 1.1 million viewers. The Sunday Briefing (Sunday, 11 AM/ET) hosted by Jacqui Heinrich drew over 1.5 million viewers.

Source: Nielsen. Big Data + Panel. Week of 1-12-26 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.

📺BROADCAST EVENING NEWS

“World News Tonight with David Muir” ranked as the No. 1 newscast in all of broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (8.163 million), Adults 25-54 (1.039 million) and Adults 18-49 (762,000) during the week of Jan. 12, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

• “World News Tonight” outperformed “NBC Nightly News” (6.679 million, 964,000 and 666,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+22%/+1.484 million), Adults 25-54 (+8%/+75,000) and Adults 18-49 (+14%/+96,000).
• “World News Tonight” increased its lead over “NBC Nightly News” versus the previous week in Total Viewers (+10% – 1.484 million vs. 1.353 million) and Adults 18-49 (+134% – 96,000 vs. 41,000), turning in its largest margins in both measures in 4 weeks — since w/o 12/15/25.
• “World News Tonight” widened its Total Viewer margin over “NBC Nightly News” year to year by 11% (1.484 million vs. 1.337 million).

• For the second week in a row, “World News Tonight” posted week-to-week gains in Total Viewers (+1%/+85,000 – 8.163 million vs. 8.078 million), Adults 25-54 (+5%/+50,000 – 1.039 million vs. 989,000) and Adults 18-49 (+2%/+14,000 – 762,000 vs. 748,000). In addition, “World News Tonight” hit 6-week highs across the board — since w/o 12/1/25.
• “World News Tonight” (8.163 million, 1.039 million and 762,000, respectively) beat “CBS Evening News” (4.189 million, 584,000 and 465,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+95%/+3.974 million), Adults 25-54 (+78%/+455,000) and Adults 18-49 (+64%/+297,000).
• “World News Tonight” increased its Total Viewer lead over “CBS Evening News” both week to week (+2% – 3.974 million vs. 3.912 million) and year to year (+21% – 3.974 million vs. 3.283 million).
• CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil's second week on the job averaged 4.2 million total viewers, marking a roughly 20% decline compared to the same period a year earlier.

Paramount Extends Deadline On Hostile WBD Bid

Paramount Skydance extended the deadline for its hostile tender offer to acquire Warner Bros.Discovery by about a month to February 20, giving it more time to convince shareholders that its all-cash bid is superior to Netflix's rival deal.

The company did not increase its offer price of $30 per share (total enterprise value over $108 billion, including debt). As of the original January 21 deadline, only about 168.5 million shares—roughly 6.8% of outstanding stock—had been tendered.

Warner Bros. Discovery's board unanimously supports Netflix's amended all-cash offer of $27.75 per share (enterprise value $82.7 billion) for the company's streaming and studio assets, including HBO Max and iconic franchises like Batman and Friends. Netflix switched to an all-cash structure earlier this week to provide greater certainty and speed up closure, addressing concerns from its prior mixed cash-and-stock proposal.

Warner Bros. has repeatedly rejected Paramount's bids as inadequate and expressed confidence in securing regulatory approval for the Netflix transaction, calling it a deal with "tremendous and certain value."

The contest is likely heading toward a shareholder vote expected by April, where Warner investors will decide on the Netflix deal. Paramount plans to urge a "no" vote on Netflix's transaction once it clears SEC requirements, and has threatened a proxy fight to replace the board if shareholders reject Netflix—potentially paving the way for its own offer.

Paramount argues its bid offers higher value, a clearer regulatory path (citing ties to President Trump), and avoids risks in Netflix's plan, such as offloading $17 billion in debt to a Discovery Global spinoff for cable assets. Warner has countered with multiple valuations showing potential upside in the spinoff.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos is set to testify next month at a U.S. Senate hearing on the deal, alongside Warner's chief revenue and strategy officer. Netflix sees strategic benefits in adding HBO Max for personalized subscriptions and theatrical revenue, though some analysts warn of integration costs, content spending pressures, and added debt.

MediaCo Posts Breakout End-of-Year Audio Growth

MediaCo Holding Inc. has announced strong year-end audience growth across its radio portfolio, delivering significant gains in key markets and reinforcing its position as one of the fastest-growing audio companies in the country.

Driven by increased listening and expanded reach, MediaCo posted robust year-over-year performance across Adults 25–54, with particularly strong results during weekday Prime listening hours, underscoring the continued strength of the company’s culturally relevant brands and local-first programming strategy.

Top Market Highlights

• New York City: +18.3% AQH and +9.9% Share, led by HOT 97’s weekday resurgence and steady WBLS performance
• Los Angeles: +25.0% AQH and +38.2% Cume, driven by the continued rise of Que Buena LA
• Dallas: +31.1% AQH and +15.0% Cume, powered by growth at KNOR and KBOC

Younger Audience Momentum

MediaCo also delivered strong gains among Adults 18–49, led by HOT 97, Que Buena LA, KRQB, and KTJM, reinforcing the company’s connection to culturally engaged, high-value listeners and its ability to drive meaningful engagement across younger demos.

Standout Station Performance

• HOT 97 (New York): +40.6% AQH and +30.6% Share among Adults 18–49, Share among P25–54; +54.3%
• Que Buena LA: +25.0% AQH and +17.3% Share among P25–54, with strong weekday growth
• KNOR (Dallas): +45.0% AQH and +21.9% Share among P25–54 driven by increased weekday listening

“These results validate what advertisers are seeing firsthand: our brands are growing, our audiences are deeply engaged, and our connection to culture is translating directly into scale and impact,” said Danny Lowry, SVP, Audio Sales at MediaCo. “Across markets, we’re delivering both reach and relevance at a time when that combination matters more than ever.”

This ratings momentum also sets the stage for the launch of Sigma Audio Networks, MediaCo’s new national multicultural audio platform, designed to bring the company’s local market strength to advertisers at national scale.

“This is a pivotal moment for MediaCo,” said Brian Fisher, Chief Revenue Officer of MediaCo. “Our audience momentum, combined with our national footprint and growing share, created the perfect foundation to launch Sigma—bringing advertisers a modern, scalable audio solution rooted in culture, authenticity, and measurable impact.”

These results reflect sustained momentum across MediaCo’s audio portfolio and provide a strong foundation for continued growth in 2026, as the company expands its reach, deepens engagement, and scales its leadership in multicultural audio.

Source: Nielsen Audio PPM Analysis Tool — Jan–Dec 2024 vs Jan–Dec 2025. Supporting: Nielsen Audio Control Panel Reports, Dec 2025

60-Minutes Correspondent: "You Don't Get to Produce Me!"

60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi reportedly erupted in frustration during a tense meeting last week, sarcastically greeting her new boss, CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, with "It's so nice to finally meet you" before yelling at Weiss's deputy, Adam Rubenstein, "You don't get to produce me!"

The outburst stemmed from a month-long standoff over Alfonsi's investigative segment titled "Inside CECOT," which examined allegations of torture and abuse inside El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison involving Venezuelan migrants deported under the Trump administration. The piece, originally scheduled to air in late December 2025, was abruptly shelved by Weiss, who cited the need for additional reporting, including more balance such as the administration's perspective and context around elements like a prisoner's tattoo. Alfonsi publicly accused the decision of amounting to "corporate censorship" and a "political" move in an internal memo to colleagues, warning it turned the program into a "stenographer for the state" and handed the administration a "kill switch" on coverage.

The segment eventually aired this past Sunday.  However, 60-Minutes was up against NFL playoffs, drawing 4.9 million viewers after Alfonsi recorded revised bookends to incorporate some requested changes. Reports describe the situation as a "hostage standoff" between the veteran correspondent and Weiss, who assumed her role following Paramount's acquisition of The Free Press.

In the confrontation, as Rubenstein relayed Weiss's editorial notes, Alfonsi reportedly rejected his involvement, accused him of acting as a "mouthpiece" for the Trump administration, and questioned whether he had ever produced television news before. The exchange highlighted deeper tensions at CBS News, where some veteran journalists have pushed back against Weiss's changes and leadership style since her appointment.

This incident comes amid broader reports that Alfonsi and other longtime figures like Scott Pelley could face job risks for resisting the network's editorial shakeups under Weiss.

DOJ Loses Out On Charging Don Lemon's Church Coverage

Federal Magistrate Rejects DOJ Bid to Charge Don Lemon in Anti-ICE Church Protest CaseA federal magistrate judge in Minnesota has declined to approve criminal charges against independent journalist Don Lemon related to his coverage of an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul over the weekend.

The decision, issued Thursday, blocks the Department of Justice's attempt to prosecute Lemon under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act of 1994. Prosecutors had argued that Lemon and others involved may have violated the law, which prohibits using force, threats, or physical obstruction to interfere with access to reproductive health services or the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship.

Lemon, the former CNN anchor, was present at Cities Church during the Sunday demonstration, where activists interrupted services to protest a pastor's alleged ties to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He live-streamed parts of the event and has maintained that he was there solely as a journalist to chronicle the protest, not as a participant or organizer.

"I was there chronicling protests," Lemon stated in a social media video following the incident. "We did an act of journalism which was report on it and talk to the people involved, including the pastor, members of the church and members of the organization."

The magistrate's refusal to sign off on the complaint means no charges will be filed against Lemon at this stage, though sources indicate the Justice Department could pursue alternative avenues, such as seeking an indictment through a grand jury or presenting additional evidence to another judge.

The ruling comes amid broader federal action: Attorney General Pam Bondi announced arrests of three other individuals connected to the protest—civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly—on related charges, including potential FACE Act violations.

The protest itself stemmed from outrage over recent immigration enforcement actions, including the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old mother by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Demonstrators chanted demands to remove ICE influence from community spaces, highlighting tensions between federal immigration policies and local religious settings under the current administration.

Freedom of the press does not override freedom of religion.

Don Lemon doesn’t get to interrupt worship, harass a congregation, and call it journalism just because he brought a camera. pic.twitter.com/u8xpkVQ5pe

— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) January 19, 2026

Lemon's attorney, Abbe Lowell, issued a statement affirming readiness to "fight any charges vigorously and thoroughly in court" if pursued further, emphasizing press freedom concerns in the case.

This development marks a setback for the Trump administration's push to apply the FACE Act—a statute originally aimed at protecting abortion clinic access and religious worship—to the church disruption incident.

LA Radio: Stolen Car Becomes KROQ Morning Show Bit

KROQ morning host Kevin Klein turned his live radio show into a real-time command center Wednesday, rallying listeners to help recover his wife's Range Rover after it was stolen from in front of their San Fernando Valley home that morning. 

Thanks to quick tips from the show's audience, the unmanned vehicle was located near Koreatown, and his wife retrieved it before the broadcast ended—marking the second theft of her car in about a year.

Klein shared the news on air during the Klein/Ally Show (weekdays 5-10 a.m. PT on 106.7 FM), explaining that his wife discovered the car missing while preparing to take the kids to school. He broadcast details, including possible location pings, and encouraged fans to report sightings (while later joking about not turning them into "vigilantes"). 

Listeners responded rapidly, providing confirmations that guided recovery efforts alongside law enforcement. This isn't the first time: The same vehicle (or a prior one) was stolen in early 2025, around the time of local wildfires, and wasn't recovered then. 

Klein quipped on air that in LA, "You haven’t lived here long enough if you haven’t had your car stolen at least twice."

Clips of the chaotic, triumphant segment are available on the show's YouTube channel (search "His Stolen Car Is Found LIVE On The Air") and podcast episodes

His Stolen Car Is Found LIVE On The Air | Klein. Ally. Show. https://t.co/yv7oOChRUP via @YouTube

— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) January 23, 2026

The story highlights the tight-knit power of KROQ's listener community and has drawn national attention.

Bill O'Reilly Steps Away Due To Medical Issues

Bill O'Reilly, the 76-year-old veteran conservative commentator and host of the No Spin News podcast, announced he is temporarily stepping back from regular media activities, including podcast episodes, due to an undisclosed illness he called a "malady."

In a message posted on his website billoreilly.com on January 20, 2026, O'Reilly told his "No Spin Nation" supporters:

"Hey No Spin Nation. Sorry I am dealing with a malady. We have great doctors so we’ll fight the good fight. Doesn’t affect my fingers so will update you on me, news cycle, and anything major. Hopefully, back in the saddle shortly."

The announcement indicates O'Reilly is scaling back while undergoing treatment but will continue providing written updates on news and his condition, as the issue does not impact his ability to write.

He did not disclose specifics about the illness, including symptoms, diagnosis, or timeline beyond his hopeful note of a quick return. This appears to be a new development, with no prior public reports of similar health-related pauses in recent years.

Radio History: Jan 23

➦In 1941...WOR-AM moved from Newark NJ to NYC.

WOR began broadcasting on February 22, 1922, using a 500-watt transmitter on 360 meters (833 kc.) from Bamberger's Department Store in Newark, NJ. The station's first broadcast was made with a home made microphone which was a megaphone attached to a telephone transmitter, while Al Jolson's "April Showers" was played. Louis Bamberger's sale of radio sets to consumers explained their affiliation with the station.

The WOR call sign was reissued from the U.S. maritime radio service. The station initially operated limited hours, sharing time with two other stations, WDT and WJY, which also operated on 833 kc.

WOR changed frequency to 740 kc. in June 1923 and shared time with WJY until July 1926, when WJY signed off for good and WOR received full use of the frequency. In December 1924, WOR acquired a studio in Manhattan. On June 17, 1927, as a result of General Order 40, WOR moved to 710 kc., the channel it currently occupies (unlike most stations, it was not affected by NARBA).

Later in 1926, WOR moved from its New York City studio on the 9th floor of Chickering Hall at 27 West 57th Street to 1440 Broadway, two blocks from Times Square.

➦In 1954...WNBC 660 AM NYC switched from classical to pop

WNBC signed on for the first time on March 2, 1922, as WEAF, owned by AT&T Western Electric. It was the first radio station in New York City.

The calls are popularly thought to have stood for Western Electric AT&T Fone or Water, Earth, Air, and Fire (the 4 classical elements). However, records suggest that the call letters were assigned from an alphabetical sequence. The first assigned call was actually WDAM; it was quickly dropped, but presumably came from the same alphabetical sequence.

➦In 1969.. in Memphis, Elvis Presley recorded what would be his last #1 song, “Suspicious Minds.” During the 8th take, the producer used a premature fade-out and fade back in near the end of the track. He felt the fade out, fade in reflected the way Elvis performed the song during his Las Vegas acts.

➦In 1969...working at the Apple studios in London, The Beatles (with Billy Preston on keyboards) recorded ten takes of ‘Get Back.’ However, Preston performances were never used. Four days later, 14 more takes of the song were recorded and eventually Take 11 was spliced together with the best take recorded a day later.

➦In 1977... Carole King‘s landmark album, “Tapestry”, became the longest-running album to hit the charts, as it reached its 302nd week on the album lists. In 2020 it remains #5 on the longevity list.

➦In 1978....founder and guitarist Terry Kath of the band Chicago died after accidentally shooting himself in the head with a pistol he didn’t think was loaded. He was a week short of his 32nd birthday.

➦In 1984...In NYC....Country WKHK 106.7 FM in became WLTW "Lite FM".

Trump: We're Targeting 'The View'

The FCC issued guidance on Wednesday stating that daytime and late-night TV talk shows interviewing political candidates must now follow "equal time" rules, requiring comparable airtime for opposing candidates. 

Networks can no longer rely on a 2006 exemption precedent from Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" interviews, as the FCC's Media Bureau declared no current such programs have presented evidence to qualify as bona fide news interviews exempt from the rule.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr emphasized that legacy networks have long assumed these shows count as "bona fide news" even when driven by partisan motives, and the agency is reminding broadcasters of their duty to offer equal opportunities to all candidates.

The guidance applies to broadcast TV stations and is particularly relevant in the 90 days before a candidate's nomination. Programs or stations seeking confirmation of exemption must file a petition for a declaratory ruling.

President Donald Trump amplified the news late Wednesday by sharing a story on Truth Social highlighting the FCC's focus on ABC's "The View" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"—shows that have drawn his repeated criticism. 

Trump has previously urged FCC action against broadcasters and commented on media mergers.

Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez sharply criticized the move as contradicting long-standing views on editorial discretion for newsworthy content, calling it an escalation in efforts to censor speech and intimidate broadcasters into avoiding critical coverage out of fear of regulatory retaliation. She stressed that the First Amendment does not bend to government pressure.

FCC Cracking Down On Liberal Talk-Shows

The FCC has issued new guidance on Wednesday clarifying that late-night and daytime talk shows are generally not exempt from the "equal opportunities" (equal time) rules for political candidates under Section 315 of the Communications Act.

This means broadcast stations airing such programs may need to provide comparable airtime to opposing legally qualified candidates if one appears for an interview, unless the show qualifies for a narrow "bona fide news interview" exemption.

The FCC emphasized that current late-night and daytime talk shows—including programs like Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The View—have not demonstrated eligibility for the exemption. It noted no evidence has been presented that their interview segments qualify as bona fide news, and programs motivated by partisan purposes are ineligible under longstanding precedent.

The guidance addresses industry reliance on a 2006 FCC staff decision granting an exemption to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as a one-time, fact-specific ruling—not a blanket precedent for similar entertainment programs.

Brendan Carr

Broadcasters or programs seeking formal assurance of exemption are encouraged to file a petition for a declaratory ruling.The action follows controversy involving FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who previously criticized Jimmy Kimmel Live! over remarks Jimmy Kimmel made after the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in 2025. 

Carr urged broadcasters to act, leading to temporary preemption of the show by affiliates owned by Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, followed by a week-long ABC suspension before its restoration.

Carr also questioned exemptions for The View and reinstated a complaint against WNBC-TV over Kamala Harris's 2024 Saturday Night Live appearance, alleging equal time violations.

The FCC stressed the importance of broadcasters and candidates understanding the rules to ensure fair access to airtime for qualified political candidates.