Senators Confront FCC Chair Carr Over Investigations

The most contentious moments at the December 17, 2025, Senate oversight hearing on the Federal Communications Commission centered on Chairman Brendan Carr, who faced sharp Democratic criticism for allegedly politicizing the agency through threats to review broadcaster licenses over content critical of President Trump.

Carr defended his actions as enforcement of existing public interest obligations, the broadcast hoax rule, and news distortion policies, insisting he was holding broadcasters accountable rather than engaging in censorship or retaliation. He notably declared the FCC is "not independent" in a formal sense—due to the lack of for-cause removal protections in the Communications Act—and refused to rule out actions against stations airing critical content. 

During the hearing, the FCC website was quietly updated to remove prior language describing the agency as "independent" after senators highlighted the discrepancy.

Democratic senators, including Ed Markey—who dubbed the FCC the "Federal Censorship Commission" and called for Carr's resignation—and Amy Klobuchar, accused him of violating the First Amendment and eroding free speech. 

Republicans, led by Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, largely supported Carr's approach.

During the hearing Chairman Brendan Carr stated that the FCC is "not an independent agency, formally speaking," asserting that the president can remove commissioners "for any reason or no reason at all."

Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) highlighted the FCC's website, which at the time described it as "an independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress." Shortly after Carr's testimony—while the hearing was ongoing—the website was updated to remove the word "independent," now describing the FCC simply as "a U.S. government agency overseen by Congress."

Republican Commissioner Olivia Trusty echoed Carr, noting the lack of statutory protections against removal and stating, "We aren’t independent."  Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez countered that the FCC is independent and "we should be."

An FCC spokesperson later explained the website change as part of ongoing updates following the change in administration earlier in the year, to align materials with the positions of new leadership.

TV Ratings: Football Dominates Weekly Ratings

FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the week of December 8 as the most-watched cable network across total day for the 49th consecutive week, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. In Monday - Sunday primetime FNC nabbed over 2 million viewers and throughout total day (6 AM-6 AM/ET), FNC posted 1.3 million viewers. 

For the week, FNC commanded 57% of the cable news share in primetime and 56% throughout total day.

The Five averaged 3.3 million viewers and 241,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news with viewers. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2.4 million viewers and 200,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 2.2 million viewers and 190,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. Jesse Watters Primetime commanded 2.6 million viewers and 221,000 in the 25-54 demo at 8 PM/ET. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 2.1 million viewers, while at 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher secured 1.2 million viewers.

FNC’s late-night hit Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET) averaged 2.4 million viewers and 260,000 in the 25-54 demo continuing to outpace the broadcast competition including CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2.1 million viewers), ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (1.9 million viewers).FNC continued to see its daytime programs outpace the broadcast competition. 

The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4 PM/ET; 1.8 million viewers), The Story (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 1.6 million viewers) The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 1.5 million viewers), America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET; 1.5 million viewers), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 1.5 million viewers) and America Reports (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 1.4 million viewers) all led ABC’s GMA3 (1.3 million viewers), NBC News Daily (1.3 million viewers) and NBC’s Today with Jenna and Friends (1.2 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 cable news show of the day with over 1.3 million viewers. The Big Weekend Show (weekends, 5-8 PM/ET) followed with just under 1.3 million viewers. In primetime, FOX News Saturday Night (Saturday, 10 PM/ET) was the top cable news show with 1.2 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 1.8 million viewers. In primetime, Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy (Sunday, 9 PM/ET) led the way with 1 million viewers. The Sunday Briefing (Sunday, 11 AM/ET) hosted by Peter Doocy drew over 1.4 million viewers.

Source: Nielsen. Big Data + Panel. Week of 12-8-25 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

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir:

• Averaged 7.867 million total viewers and 1 million viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
• It was the most-watched evening newscast in both categories, though down 5% in total viewers and 6% in the demo from the previous week.

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas:

• Averaged 6.432 million total viewers and 854,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
• Ranked second in both categories.

CBS Evening News:

• Averaged 4.152 million total viewers and 528,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
• Down 5% in both metrics from the previous week.

All three broadcasts saw week-to-week declines in total viewers and the key demo. ABC maintained its long-term lead, marking its 10th year as the top-rated evening newscast in total viewers.

FOX Business Network Closes 2025 Leading CNBC

FOX Business Network (FBN) is set to close out 2025 as the top business network leading CNBC with double digit wins in business day, market hours and total day viewers for the first time in network history, according to Nielsen Media Research. 

FBN’s Kudlow and Varney & Co. were the top two business programs for the year, marking the network’s fourth consecutive year with the top two spots. Meanwhile, CNBC notched its lowest rated year since 1992 with primetime viewers.

In commenting on the ratings, FOX News Media President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace said, “FOX Business Network has become the destination for top CEOs, financial experts, and key officials throughout Washington. Our best-in-class team is the reason why we are the only business network to see year-over-year growth and an historic win over CNBC.”

Delivering double digit wins across the board for the first time ever, FBN closed out the year notching 227,000 business day viewers with a 20% lead, 221,000 market hour viewers with a 14% lead and 140,000 total day viewers with a 17% lead over its competition. CNBC struggled to maintain its primetime audience seeing its lowest rated year since 1992 with 113,000 viewers and 27,000 Adults 25-54 viewers.

Continuing their reign as the top two business programs, Kudlow and Varney & Co. saw double-digit wins over their hourly competitors for the fourth consecutive year. The top show in business news, Larry Kudlow’s eponymous Kudlow (4PM/ET) nabbed 290,000 viewers beating Closing Bell by an astounding 72%. Following in second, the market opener Varney & Co. (9AM-12PM/ET) saw 276,000 viewers, besting Squawk on the Street/Money Movers by 32%. Additionally, the network held five of the top 10 business programs with total viewers including Kudlow, Varney & Co., The Evening Edit, The Big Money Show and The Claman Countdown.

The pre-market: Mornings with Maria (6-9 AM/ET) anchored by Maria Bartiromo, topped its competition Squawk Box by 16% with 125,000 viewers, its third straight yearly win. During market-open hours, The Big Money Show (12-2 PM/ET) saw 194,000 viewers, Making Money with Charles Payne (2 PM/ET) delivered 180,000 viewers and Liz Claman’s The Claman Countdown (3 PM/ET) captured 181,000 viewers to close out the year. 

Post-market programming saw double-digit advantages including The Evening Edit (5PM/ET; 202,000 viewers) with a 36% lead compared to CNBC’s Fast Money and The Bottom Line (6 PM/ET; 162,000 viewers) which saw a 32% win over CNBC’s Mad Money. On Fridays, Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street (Fridays, 7-7:30 PM/ET) delivered a staggering 42% advantage over CNBC’s programming, marking the program's second win over CNBC in all time. Meanwhile, Barron’s Roundtable secured 72,000 viewers, the program's highest rated year ever with total viewers.

Additionally, FBN saw five of the top 15 most affluent cable news programs with younger viewers. Programs included Varney & Co., Kudlow, The Big Money Show, The Claman Countdown and The Evening Edit with an average income of $141,360 or greater.

Gutfeld Criticizes Maddow Honor

Rachel Maddow was honored last week with a 2025 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Journalism, presented biennially by the USC Annenberg School's Norman Lear Center. The award recognized her MSNBC show episode "Everyone, Everywhere, All at Once," which covered nationwide "Hands Off" anti-Trump protests in early 2025, praised for vivid storytelling and highlighting grassroots resistance amid concerns over democratic institutions.

Other honorees included Jon Stewart (in a new comedic commentary category), Scott Pelley, Peter Alexander, and Julio Vaqueiro. Organizers framed the awards as celebrating journalism's role as a "firewall" against disinformation and abuse of power.In her acceptance speech at the National Press Club, Maddow called the protest movement the "most important story in the world" and "the story of our age," emphasizing public response over Washington-focused reporting. She urged focusing on people's reactions to power, not just those in authority.

This week on an episode of his Fox News show Gutfeld!, host Greg Gutfeld sharply criticized Maddow and the award. 

🔥 Fox’s @GregGutfeld CALLS OUT Rachel Maddow after she wins Walter Cronkite Award for ‘excellence in political journalism’

“Maddow is not paid to be right. She is paid to keep a dwindling audience from giving up altogether. She sells a drug to a shrinking mass. But along the… pic.twitter.com/vlJU3n3KW7

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) December 17, 2025

He mocked her speech for framing opposition to Trump as the era's defining narrative, arguing she prioritizes keeping her audience engaged over accuracy.

Gutfeld described her as selling a "drug" to a shrinking viewership, getting "hooked on the fumes" herself, and breaking no real stories—only "her brain and those of others." 

He contrasted left-leaning media accountability (rewarded for loyalty) with supposed rigor elsewhere, saying she insulated rather than questioned power. Clips of his monologue circulated widely on social media, amplifying conservative mockery of the award as out of touch with Walter Cronkite's legacy of straight reporting.

Broadcast and Streaming Serve Up a Historic Month

November 2025 delivered one of the most historic months to date in Nielsen’s report of The Gauge™, the media industry’s leading snapshot of total TV and streaming consumption. The five-week reporting interval produced a 5.5% monthly increase in television usage, with live sports driving broadcast to its best share of TV since last November, while simultaneously fueling double-digit growth for hybrid streamers like Peacock and Paramount+.

Thanksgiving Day is the centerpiece of November television viewing, and this year was no exception, as audiences watched 103.4 billion minutes of TV across the day and highlighted the various viewing behavior trends. Linear streaming* on Thanksgiving represented 10.1% of total TV usage to achieve the second-highest level of daily linear streaming ever, surpassed only by Super Bowl Sunday in February 2025. By comparison, linear streaming totaled 7.8% of TV usage across the month. Additionally, Thanksgiving was the broadcast category’s 10th-most-watched day since the inception of The Gauge in May 2021.

Broadcast extended its momentum in November, with viewership increasing 7% versus October to capture 23.2% of TV and outpace cable for a third consecutive month. Broadcast gains were driven overwhelmingly by a 30% monthly increase in sports viewing, specifically from the back-half of the MLB World Series on FOX, plus NFL and college football on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. And despite accounting for just 3% of broadcast content by duration, sports commanded 37% of all broadcast viewership in November and 6.4% of total TV usage—the highest share for the genre ever recorded in The Gauge. NFL coverage drew more younger audiences into the broadcast ecosystem as well, with viewing for the under-30 group up 21% this month, and viewing for kids 2-11 up 27%.

Salem Adds Second Hour of Scott Jennings

Salem Media, Inc. has announced a significant expansion of its Salem Radio Network (SRN) weekday lineup, with two prominent voices in conservative media stepping into the historic 12–3 p.m. ET time slot beginning Monday, January 5.

Scott Jennings

Alex Marlow, Editor-in-Chief of Breitbart News, will anchor the 12–1 p.m. ET hour, followed by Scott Jennings, CNN political commentator and longtime conservative strategist, who will expand his current SRN program to two hours, airing from 1–3 p.m. ET.

The midday block is among the most storied in talk radio history, having previously been home to Rush Limbaugh and, most recently, Charlie Kirk, whose influence on a generation of Americans continues to resonate across the conservative movement.

“This is an important moment for Salem,” said Phil Boyce, Senior Vice President of Content for Salem Media. “Salem has earned the trust of conservative audiences for decades, and we don’t take that lightly. Scott Jennings and Alex Marlow each bring a distinct voice, a rare ability to engage audiences, and real seriousness to the conversation. Together, they will carry the Salem legacy forward.”

Both Marlow and Jennings are already familiar voices to Salem audiences through the Salem Podcast Network (SPN) and Salem Radio Network.

The Oscars To Stream On YouTubeTV

The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, will move exclusively to YouTube starting in 2029, ending a nearly 50-year run on ABC and marking the first time one of the major awards shows fully abandons broadcast television for streaming.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on December 17, 2025, a multi-year deal granting YouTube exclusive global rights to the ceremony from the 101st Oscars in 2029 through at least 2033. 

The live broadcast, including red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and access to events like the Governors Ball, will stream for free worldwide on YouTube's platform—reaching over 2 billion users—and will also be available to YouTube TV subscribers in the United States, with features like multilingual audio and closed captioning to enhance global accessibility.

ABC, owned by Disney, will continue airing the Oscars through the landmark 100th ceremony in 2028, after which the shift occurs amid declining linear TV viewership and the industry's pivot toward digital platforms.

This partnership extends beyond the main telecast to include other Academy programming, such as nominations announcements, the Governors Awards, nominees luncheon, Student Academy Awards, and educational content, all hosted on the official Oscars YouTube channel.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor emphasized the move's aim to reach a broader international audience, while YouTube CEO Neal Mohan highlighted its potential to inspire younger film lovers.

The change reflects broader trends, as recent Oscars ratings hovered around 19-20 million viewers—far below peaks of over 50 million—prompting the Academy to prioritize streaming's scale over traditional broadcast deals.

BobbyCast Part of Netflix, iHM Video Partnership

iHeartMedia, the No. 1 audio company in America, and Netflix have announced an exclusive video podcasting partnership for more than 15 industry-leading original iHeartPodcasts. The agreement includes all new episodes from the podcast lineup, as well as select library episodes from each show. New video podcast episodes will launch on Netflix in early 2026 in the US, with more markets to follow.

The lineup of podcasts joining the streamer includes “The Breakfast Club,” co-hosted by Charlamagne Tha God; “My Favorite Murder,” one of the most successful true crime podcasts; shows from high profile talent such as Grammy-nominated music superstars Fat Joe and Jadakiss on “Joe and Jada,” “Dear Chelsea” with Chelsea Handler and “This Is Important” with “Workaholics” stars Adam Devine, Anders Holm and Blake Anderson; “Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast” from award winning Radio & TV personality Bobby Bones.

“Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast,” the hit music and entertainment podcast, features host Bobby Bones—radio and TV personality, two-time New York Times best-selling author, and youngest-ever National Radio Hall of Fame inductee—sitting down with some of the biggest names in music and entertainment.

“Audio podcasting has been the fastest-growing medium over the past 20 years, and now we’re thrilled to expand that experience with an exciting new category – video podcasts. Netflix has a leading video-first service, and this partnership perfectly complements our strong audio foundation. Working with Netflix—an important leader in entertainment— gives fans one more way to connect with the personalities they love and opens the door to new audiences, including viewers discovering these shows for the first time,” said Bob Pittman, CEO of iHeartMedia. 

“These shows feature dynamic hosts, compelling conversations, and passionate fan communities—available in both audio and now as a natural video extension. Audiences can now not only listen but also watch and enjoy top-rated iHeartPodcasts alongside award-winning series and movies from Netflix.”

“With this partnership we are incredibly excited to offer our members such unmatched variety, and to deliver highly entertaining podcasts featuring some of the world’s most dynamic personalities,” said Lauren Smith, Netflix VP of Content Licensing and Programming Strategy.

Oxnard Radio: Rico Rangel Returns To KBBY-FM

Cumulus Media announces the appointment of Jaime Rangel, known to listeners as “Rico,” as Assistant Program Director and On-Air Host, Afternoon Drive, for 95.1 KBBY-FM in Oxnard/Ventura, CA. Rangel debuts this week on Adult Contemporary station 95.1 KBBY-FM, and can be heard weekdays from 2:00pm-7:00pm.

This marks a welcomed return to the Oxnard/Ventura County airwaves for Rico, who has been a beloved voice in the market for decades as co-host of the popular Rico & Mambo Morning Show.

Rico

Sommer Frisk, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Oxnard/Ventura, said: “Bringing Rico back to this market and to KBBY is a win on every level. He’s a proven radio pro with deep local roots, a loyal audience, and a genuine connection to the community not to mention he’s an all-around great guy. His energy, authenticity, and local perspective will bring fresh life to KBBY.”

Rico commented: “It’s GREAT to be back and even GREATER to work closely with someone who believes and trusts me so much - Thank you, Sommer Frisk and Dave Daniels. I am looking forward to giving back to OUR community. The best is yet to come!”

Fyetteville Radio: WKML, Sunny 94.3 Raise Record $213K+ for St. Jude

Beasley Media Group Fayetteville’s WKML and Sunny 94.3 raised a record $213,645 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® during their annual two-day radiothon. The fundraising effort marked the 39th consecutive year the stations have supported the Country Cares for Kids campaign, helping advance St. Jude’s mission to end childhood cancer.

“What a wonderful gift it is for us to have such an amazing listening family who truly have hearts of gold,” said WKML Programming Director Sarah Weaver. “Our team is passionate about helping the families of St. Jude, and we love that our KML Family feels the same way. We truly couldn’t do this without them.”

The two-day radiothon kicked off Thursday morning with The Big Wake Up with Don Chase & Sarah, sharing stories of hope and inspiration from St. Jude families. Throughout Thursday and Friday, Don and Sarah were joined on air by tag-teams of Minda Lou and Dashawn Byron (DB), helping sustain momentum and encourage listener participation.

Listeners were reminded that families at St. Jude never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food — because of the generosity of supporters who give during events like the Country Cares for Kids radiothon.

Sunny 94.3 proudly joined the effort, briefly pausing its holiday music to share stories of hope and inspiration and help amplify the fundraising message across the Fayetteville community.

“We saw our team pour their hearts into these kids and their families in a way that truly moved me,” Weaver added. “St. Jude’s mission is something we all carry close, and it’s a privilege to stand behind it with the support of our incredible listening family.”

The success of this year’s radiothon reflects the strength of community support and the shared commitment to helping St. Jude continue its lifesaving work.

Philly Radio: 92.5 XTU Hosts 26th Annual Toy Truck Parade

Beasley Media Group’s 92.5 XTU (WXTU-FM), Philly’s Country Station, proudly hosted its 26th Annual Toy Truck Parade on Saturday, December 13, bringing holiday cheer and generosity to children and families throughout the region in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Camden County.

The festive parade kicked off at Cooper River Park, where participants gathered with decorated vehicles filled with toys before parading to the Scottish Rite Auditorium. Along the route and at the final destination, hundreds of toys were collected to benefit children across the local community, continuing a beloved holiday tradition that has made a meaningful impact for more than two decades.

Adding to the celebration, 92.5 XTU hosted a Toy Truck Concert following the parade, featuring a special performance by rising country artist Mackenzie Carpenter. The concert provided a memorable experience for parade participants while amplifying the spirit of giving and community connection.

The annual Toy Truck Parade reflects Beasley Media Group’s ongoing commitment to serving local communities through impactful events that bring people together and support organizations making a difference in the lives of children and families.

92.5 XTU also raised $335,250 during their annual St. Jude Cares For Country Kids Radiothon. The event took place live from the studio Thursday, December 11 through Friday, December 12, 2025.

The station’s on-air personalities broadcast live from 6am to 7pm both days to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research that directly benefits the hospital. To date, XTU has raised over $1.7 million dollars for St. Jude over the past six years.

Cleveland Radio: Star 102 Raises $224K+ for Rainbow Babies

Star 102 (WDOK-FM), an Audacy station in Cleveland, raised $224,800 benefiting University Hospitals (UH) Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital during its 23rd annual Rainbow Radiothon. Since the radiothon’s inception in 2003, the organization has raised over $6.8 million.

“Year after year, I’m astounded by the selfless contributions from our audience,” said Jeff Miller, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Cleveland. “It’s fulfilling to see what Star 102’s hard work can accomplish during this season of giving. Hearing the appreciation and positivity over the air has made the reward much greater.”

The 2025 Rainbow Radiothon was broadcast live from the Star 102 studio on December 12, hosted by morning show co-hosts Jen Toohey and Tim Richards. Throughout the day, Toohey and Richards showcased stories of love, hope, and compassion, featuring the hospital’s young patients and the dedicated staff who care for them.

This year, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital honored Star 102’s beloved on-air personalities, Jen and Tim, with golden microphones for their dedication and tireless work over the years. Jen and Tim have been instrumental in helping the annual fundraiser raise over $3 million of the overall cumulative total since they took over hosting in 2013. “The Jen & Tim Show” can be heard weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET.

With more than one million patient visits per year, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital provides nationally recognized pediatric care close to home. The money raised from the Rainbow Radiothon helps advance the personalized care the hospital can provide to its young patients.

Listeners can tune in to Star 102 (WDOK-FM) in Cleveland on air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station on social media via X, Facebook and Instagram.

Chicago Radio: WDRV's Santa Paws Fundraiser Helps Pets

Chicago's classic rock radio station 97.1 FM The Drive (WDRV) successfully concluded its 9th annual Operation: Santa Paws fundraiser, raising $36,063 to support homeless and abused pets through a partnership with The Anti-Cruelty Society.

The campaign, hosted by morning show personalities Sherman & Tingle, featured online donations and a live broadcast event on December 13, 2025, at a Jewel-Osco in Schaumburg, Illinois, where listeners donated pet food, supplies, toys, and cash.

Funds will provide essential resources like food, veterinary care, adoptions, and support services for thousands of animals in need during the holiday season and beyond.

Anti-Cruelty Society President Darlene Duggan expressed gratitude for the community's generosity, noting contributions including a matching challenge from FREE Pet Cremation.

The event highlights The Drive's ongoing tradition of holiday pet charity, with previous years raising amounts from $19,000 to over $34,000, initially partnering with PAWS Chicago before shifting to Anti-Cruelty.

Radio History: Dec 18

➦In 1890...Edwin Howard Armstrong was born in New York City. He was an early radio pioneer and also the inventor of FM, Frequency Modulation. A motorcycle visit to the Armstrong Tower in Alpine, NJ, the world's first FM radio tower.

Rather than varying ("modulating") the amplitude of a radio wave to encode an audio signal, the new method varied the frequency FM enabled the transmission and reception of a wider range of audio frequencies, as well as audio free of "static", a common problem in AM radio. (Armstrong received a patent on wide-band FM on December 26, 1933.

Edwin H Armstrong

In 1934 Armstrong began working for RCA at the request of the president of RCA, David Sarnoff. Sarnoff and Armstrong first met at a boxing match involving Jack Dempsey in 1920. At the time Sarnoff was a young executive with an interest in new technologies, including radio broadcasting. In the early 1920s Armstrong drove off with Sarnoff's secretary, Marion MacInnes, in a French sports car. Armstrong and MacInnes were married in 1923. While Sarnoff was understandably impressed with Armstrong's FM system, he also understood that it was not compatible with his own AM empire. Sarnoff came to regard FM as a threat and refused to support it any further.

From May 1934 until October 1935, Armstrong conducted the first large scale field tests of his FM radio technology from a laboratory constructed by RCA on the 85th floor of the Empire State Building. An antenna attached to the spire of the building fired radio waves at receivers about 80 miles away.  However RCA had its eye on television broadcasting, and chose not to buy the patents for the FM technology.  A June 17, 1936, presentation at FCC headquarters made headlines nationwide. He played a jazz record over conventional AM radio, then switched to an FM broadcast. "[I]f the audience of 50 engineers had shut their eyes they would have believed the jazz band was in the same room. There were no extraneous sounds," noted one reporter. He added that several engineers described the invention "as one of the most important radio developments since the first earphone crystal sets were introduced."

In 1937, Armstrong financed construction of the first FM radio station, W2XMN, a 40 kilowatt broadcaster in Alpine, New Jersey. The signal (at 42.8 MHz) could be heard clearly 100 miles away, despite the use of less power than an AM radio station.

➦In 1920...broadcaster Willis Conover was born in Buffalo. He was known as the man who “fought the Cold War with cool music.”  For 40 years he presented American jazz heard round the world on The Voice of America.  He died May 17 1996 at age 75.

➦In 1956...Former shortstop Phil Rizzuto signed-on to be a New York Yankee radio-TV play-by-play announcer, a job he held for 40 years.

➦In 1967...Radio Personality Scott Muni started at WNEW 102.7 FM NYC.

Born Donald Allen Muñoz in Wichita, Kansas, Muni grew up in New Orleans. He joined the United States Marine Corps and began broadcasting there in 1950, reading "Dear John" letters over Radio Guam. After leaving the Corps and having considered acting as a career, he began working as a disc jockey; in 1953 he began working at WSMB in New Orleans. In 1955 he began broadcasting at station WAKR in Akron, Ohio, and after that worked in Kankakee, Illinois.