Radio History: July 4

➦In 1776...US Congress proclaimed the Declaration of Independence and independence from Great Britain.

➦In 1884...Attorney and radio station manager George W. Trendle was born in Norwalk Ohio. He became co-owner/manager of Detroit radio station WXYZ, and oversaw the creation and development of three classic action/adventure radio series aimed at young audiences, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet and Sgt. Preston of the Yukon, all of which later made a transition to TV.  An avowed penny-pincher, Trendle insisted that the music used on these shows be classical, to avoid paying royalty fees. He died May 10 1972 at age 87.

George W. Trendle

During the 1920s, George W. Trendle had established a reputation as a tough negotiator specializing in movie contracts and leases. Trendle became involved in the Detroit area entertainment business in 1928 when local motion picture theater owner John H. Kunsky offered Trendle 25 percent ownership in exchange for his services.

Trendle and Kunsky formed the Kunsky-Trendle Broadcasting Company in 1929 after purchasing Detroit radio station WGHP. The radio station's call letters were changed to WXYZ.

Trendle was the president and Kunsky was the vice president of the company. Trendle was active as the station manager. Kunsky is rarely mentioned except as co-owner.

WXYZ was initially affiliated with the Columbia Broadcasting System but became an independent station within a year. (WXYZ is now WXYT Detroit)  Trendle's partner, Kunsky, legally changed his name to King in 1936, and the Kunsky-Trendle Broadcasting Company became the King-Trendle Broadcasting Company. WXYZ improved its technical facilities through the 1930s, expanding its studios, raising its daytime power from 1,000 to 5,000 watts in the late 1930s, and increasing nighttime power to 5,000 watts in time for its mandated 1941 move from 1240 to 1270 kHz under the North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement.

In 1931, Kunsky-Trendle acquired WASH and WOOD in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The two stations merged facilities, including studios and transmitters, but retained both station licenses. WASH was on the air from 8 a.m. to noon, and WOOD from noon to midnight. WOOD-WASH became an NBC Red affiliate in 1935. King and Trendle decided to drop the WASH license in 1942, keeping the WOOD identification.

In 1946, the newly formed American Broadcasting Company purchased the King-Trendle Broadcasting Company and its radio stations for $3.65 million. This sale was for the broadcast facilities (including WOOD, WXYZ, and the Michigan Regional Network) and a construction permit for what would later become WXYZ-TV (channel 7) but did not include ownership of Trendle's radio programs. The FCC approved ABC's purchase on July 18, 1946. In 1952, Paramount Theaters (owners of Kunsky and Trendle's former chain of Detroit area theaters) acquired ABC, including WXYZ. WXYZ (now using the call sign WXYT) is today owned by CBS, the network Trendle dropped shortly after taking over the station.

Trendle entered into a new partnership with long term business associates H. Allen Campbell and Raymond Meurer. The Trendle-Campbell Broadcasting Company was formed in 1946 and started radio station WTCB in Flint, Michigan. The new radio station went on the air April 26, 1946, with a four-tower 1000-watt broadcast array. The call letters were later changed to WTAC. In 1953, they added UHF television station WTAC-TV affiliated with ABC-TV and DuMont. The TV station went out of business less than a year later because too few TVs at the time were equipped to receive UHF channels. The radio station has changed owners several times and its call sign was changed to WSNL in 1997. The station is currently owned by The Christian Broadcasting System. Three of the four towers were demolished in 2003 to make room for redevelopment of the site. The fourth tower was removed in 2004 after new transmitting facilities were completed in Gaines Township, southwest of Flint.

Penny pinching

The Kunsky-Trendle business venture began at the start of the Great Depression, and Trendle took many cost-cutting moves that earned him a reputation as a penny-pincher. According to Dick Osgood in his book Wyxie Wonderland: An Unauthorized 50-Year Diary of WXYZ Detroit, he was assisted by H. Allen Campbell.

Campbell was an advertising salesman for the Hearst organization whom Trendle hired to find sponsors for his radio programs. Campbell is credited with signing Silvercup Bread as the first sponsor for the Lone Ranger series. This was a big account and helped to bring the show to nationwide syndication. Apparently, Campbell's contributions to the business were significant. He continued working for Trendle for the next twenty years and eventually became one of Trendle's business partners.

Campbell reportedly kept a set of books to show employees that the company was losing money and could not afford to pay higher salaries. Trendle and Campbell often responded to employee requests for salary increases by downplaying their value to the company and threatening to fire them. This threat was particularly effective during the Depression.

Trendle specified the music on WXYZ shows should be non-copyrighted classical so that the music was royalty-free. This is the reason that the William Tell Overture was adopted as the Lone Ranger theme and The Flight of the Bumble Bee became the theme for the Green Hornet show.



New programming

Fran Striker

In June 1932, Trendle decided to drop the network affiliation to operate WXYZ as an independent station. His station would produce its own radio drama series and broadcast locally produced music programs rather than pay for syndicated programs. Jim Jewell was hired as the station's dramatic director and supplied the actors from his own repertory company, the "Jewell Players." Freelance radio writer Fran Striker was hired to write many of these programs. The earliest dramatic radio series included Thrills of the Secret Service, Dr. Fang, and Warner Lester, Manhunter. Striker wrote many of the scripts and eventually became head of WXYZ's script department.

Late in 1932, Trendle began discussing ideas to create a new radio series with a cowboy as the hero. He wanted a mysterious hero who would have the same type of appeal as Zorro or Robin Hood. The target audience included children, so Trendle insisted on a wholesome hero with high moral standards. Trendle worked out the basic concept of a masked vigilante, a lone Texas ranger with a big white horse, in staff meetings with Jim Jewell and studio manager Harold True. Then it was turned over to Fran Striker to flesh out the details and provide the scripts. His contributions included silver bullets and an Indian companion. The result was The Lone Ranger, which began broadcasting January 30, 1933, on WXYZ and the seven other stations of the Michigan Regional Network.

Fred Foy (far right) during a broadcast of THE LONE RANGER at WXYZ, Detroit. At left are  John Todd (Tonto) and Brace Beemer (the Lone Ranger)

The Lone Ranger was an almost immediate hit. In May, a free popgun was offered to the first 300 listeners to send a written request; the station received nearly 25,000 replies. In July, the Lone Ranger made a public appearance at a park and a crowd estimated at 70,000 gathered.

By the beginning of 1934, the show was syndicated to WGN, Chicago, and WOR, Newark. Other stations soon followed. The live broadcasts were transmitted over telephone lines to the other stations. When the Mutual Broadcasting System was created in 1934, WXYZ became a charter member and the Lone Ranger program was featured on the Mutual Network. Although WXYZ dropped out to join NBC Blue about a year later, contractual obligations kept The Lone Ranger on Mutual until 1942, during this period The Lone Ranger was produced at WXYZ but heard in the Detroit area over Mutual's new affiliate, CKLW. It then switched to the NBC Blue Network, which became ABC in 1943. The popularity of the series rapidly grew and it was eventually heard on 249 radio stations nationwide.

➦In 1913...Radio, TV personality Virginia Graham was born in Chicago.

In the 1940’s she wrote scripts for such radio soap operas as Stella Dallas, Our Gal Sunday, and Backstage Wife. She hosted her first radio talk show in 1951. She succeeded Margaret Truman in 1956 as co-host of the NBC radio show Weekday, teamed with Mike Wallace. She was hostess of TV talk shows from the 50’s to the 70’s that are considered forerunners to today’s daytime TV. She was best known for the nationally syndicated ‘Girl Talk’ on ABC from 1963-1969, ‘The Virginia Graham Show’ from 1970-1972, and guesting on other talk shows, including a dozen appearances on ‘The Tonight Show.’

She died following a heart attack Dec 22, 1998 at age 85.

➦In 1916...the woman tried for treason after WW II as notorious broadcaster Tokyo Rose, Iva Toguri D’Aquino was born in Los Angeles.  She was one of at least a dozen women who did Japanese propaganda broadcasts from Radio Tokyo.   The post-war trial convicted her on just one innoquous charge not involving treason, while she claimed to have subtly subverted the Japanese war effort, and was eventually pardoned by President Ford.  She died Sept. 26 2006 at age 90.

➦In 1929...WOWO-AM, Fort Wayne, Indiana lost its transmitter due to a fire.

WOWO resumed broadcasting the next day, as operations were moved across the street until damages could be repaired. In November 1929, the station held a grand opening of the rebuilt studios.

➦In 1958...WKBW 1520 AM, Buffalo, changed its format to "Top 40".

Radio History: July 5

Don Dunphy

➦In 1908...Sportscaster Don Dunphy born (Died at age 90 – July 22, 1998).  He specialized in boxing broadcasts. Dunphy was noted for his fast-paced delivery and enthusiasm for the sport. It is estimated that he did "blow-by-blow" action for over 2,000 fights. The Friday Night Fights were broadcast every Friday evening from (radio and television (1939–1981) 9 P.M. to 10:45 P.M on ABC.

In 1984, Dunphy was part of the American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame's inaugural class which included sportscasting legends Red Barber, Ted Husing, Graham McNamee and Bill Stern. He was also a member of the organization's Board of Directors. He was elected in 1986 to the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame.

Dunphy was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1988 and had a memorable cameo appearance in the 1971 Woody Allen movie Bananas. He appears as the commentator in the 1977 biopic of Muhammad Ali, "The Greatest". He also called all of the fights in the 1980 United Artists film Raging Bull, which was directed by Martin Scorsese. In 1982, he won the Sam Taub Award for Excellence in Broadcasting Journalism in boxing. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

➦In 1927...actress Beverly Tyler was born in Scranton Pa.  She began her career singing on the radio, and later was a vocalist on such TV variety shows as Shower of Stars & Cavalcade of Stars.  She played the hero “Steve Wilson’s” love interest Lorelei Kilbourne on the TV version of Big Town in the early 50’s.  Later after marrying Jim Jordan Jr. she produced “Fibber McGee’s” grandson. She died at age 78 of a pulmonary embolism on Nov. 23, 2005.

➦In 1929...WOWO-AM, Fort Wayne, Indiana went back on the air - one day after a transmitter fire. In November 1929, the station held a grand re-opening.

➦In 1943...After a three-month run with J.B. Williams in the title role on the New England Network, the detective series "The Adventures of Nero Wolfe," now starring Santos Ortega, moved to ABC Radio. Luis Van Rooten succeeded Ortega the following year. Between 1943 and 1982, Wolfe was portrayed in four radio series on five different networks.

➦In 1945...Ann Sothern starred on CBS Radio as Maisie in The Adventures Of Maisie, based on the motion picture series. The 2-year network run was followed by a 4-year syndicated version, featuring a who’s who of Hollywood radio veterans.

Lucille Ball, Richard Denning

➦In 1948...“My Favorite Husband”, with Lucille Ball, first aired and became the gifted redhead’s first regular program on CBS Radio Network. Lee Bowman, and later, Richard Denning, co-starred with Lucy as “two people who live together and like it.” She would use the character as a stepping stone to TV’s iconic classic “I Love Lucy” three years later.

➦In 1951..."The Silver Eagle," a radio series starring Jim Ameche as Jim West of the Canadian Northwest Mounted Police, began its four-year run on ABC Radio.   The show followed the traditions of Fran Striker's The Lone Ranger and Challenge of the Yukon.

➦In 1951...Dr. William Shockley made the announcement that he had invented a junction transistor.

Here's The Pulse For Friday, July 3

Radio Broadcasting

Atlanta Squabble: V-103 morning host Francesca Amiker has filed a federal defamation lawsuit against Alicia Brown, the wife of her co-host Big Tigger, accusing Brown of falsely claiming on social media that Amiker is having an affair with him.

Climbers Scaled Skyscraper: Two unauthorized climbers scaled the Empire State Building's spire Wednesday, forcing New York City FM and TV stations to switch to backup antennas for about an hour. The pair — identified as Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32 — reached the top of the spire, 1,454 feet above ground, and were seen holding a pro-peace banner. They were removed from the structure, after which stations returned to normal operations.

Cumulus Sell-Off: Cumulus Media is selling two of its Pennsylvania stations — including a Class B FM signal in the Harrisburg market — to Family Life Ministries. It filed paperwork with the FCC. For $2.25 million, 106.7 WWKL(FM), licensed to Hershey, and 96.7 WLLF(FM), licensed to Mercer, Pa., and targeting the Youngstown-Warren market, will go to Family Life.

Media Industry

Gomez On News Distortion: FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez sharply criticized the agency for dismissing a petition to repeal its news distortion policy through an unpublished staff letter rather than a full Commission vote, arguing the approach improperly shields the decision from judicial review.

FNC Dominates: During the second quarter of 2026, FOX News Channel (FNC) dominated all of cable with viewers across total day and primetime and also finished June by leading CBS and NBC with weekday primetime viewers, according to Nielsen. 

SCOTUS Skirts 1A Issue: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to block a lower-court order requiring former Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge to reveal a confidential source or face $800 daily fines, a decision with potential implications for journalists’ ability to protect sources.

U-S News

Trump In The Dark: President Trump says he didn't know about his family's cryptocurrency ventures that helped earn him more than $1.4 billion since returning to the White House. Trump, in a July 2 interview with CNBC, said he was unaware of the crypto investments before the release of his 2025 financial disclosure that showed the president brought in $2.2 billion in 2025, with the bulk coming from $1.4 billion through the crypto industry.

Congress In Philly: On Thursday, a select group of congressional representatives came back to the place where it all happened, 250 years ago to the day. A special congressional session was held at Independence National Park's Congress Hall in Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress officially declared freedom on July 2, 1776.

Hot Fun: Aggressive heat swept across the New York region as sweltering weather stifled the Northeast on Thursday, disrupting travel and prompting emergency measures as states took precautions against hazardous heat and humidity ahead of a holiday weekend. The heat wave toppled records​, many set during another sweltering summer nearly 60 years ago​.​ The temperature in Central Park reached 100 degrees by 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, the first time it was that hot there since July 18, 2012, and it tied its daily record set in 1966.

Atlanta Radio: V-103 CoHost Sues Host's Wife For Defamation

V-103 morning host Francesca Amiker has filed a federal defamation lawsuit against Alicia Brown, the wife of her co-host Big Tigger, accusing Brown of falsely claiming on social media that Amiker is having an affair with him.

According to aj.com, the lawsuit, filed June 30, alleges that Brown’s statements damaged Amiker’s reputation as a journalist and media personality. Amiker claims Brown made the accusations “knowingly false and defamatory” with actual malice.

According to the suit, Brown posted public Instagram messages on May 12 from accounts she allegedly controlled, accusing Amiker of an inappropriate relationship with Tigger (real name Darian Morgan). On June 6, Brown posted — and later deleted — a video showing injuries to her face with the caption: “Someone ask my husband why my face happened @francescaamiker.”

The posts have been viewed by millions across social platforms, the lawsuit states, leading to harassment, humiliation, and threats against Amiker.

The defamation suit comes after Tigger was arrested on June 20. Sandy Springs police investigated a May 9 domestic dispute at the couple’s home in which Brown alleged Tigger grabbed her from behind and shoved her into a door, causing lacerations to her forehead that required stitches and hospitalization. The incident was captured on Ring camera video, according to police.

Tigger was charged with felony aggravated battery and misdemeanor child cruelty because a child in the home overheard the argument. He has been off the air since the arrest, with Frank Ski substituting alongside Amike,

Tigger, after his arrest last week, posted on social media: “I unequivocally deny every allegation that has been made against me. For the past 30+ years, I have built my life around relationships and community.”

Gomez Critical of FCC's News Distortion Policy

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez sharply criticized the agency for dismissing a petition to repeal its news distortion policy through an unpublished staff letter rather than a full Commission vote, arguing the approach improperly shields the decision from judicial review.

In a delayed dissent released Wednesday, Gomez said only final actions by the full Commission are appealable, making the use of delegated authority to summarily reject the petition an end-run around accountability.

The petition, filed in November 2025 by a bipartisan group of former FCC officials and others, sought repeal of the news distortion policy. After petitioners sought a writ of mandamus in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the FCC responded with a letter from the Acting Chief of the Media Bureau. 

Fox News Channel Dominates Cable During 2Q 2026

During the second quarter of 2026, FOX News Channel (FNC) dominated all of cable with viewers across total day and primetime and also finished June by leading CBS and NBC with weekday primetime viewers, according to Nielsen. 

Additionally, FNC continued to outpace ESPN with viewers in a sports-heavy quarter as well as CNN and MS NOW combined with viewers and in the 25-54 demo across primetime and total day. As FNC continued to close the gap with the broadcast competition, Special Report with Bret Baier and FOX & Friends both lead CBS in major markets across the country as CBS slumped to historic lows in the quarter and month of June.

For the full quarter, FNC delivered 1.6 million total day viewers and in primetime, FNC notched 2.5 million viewers and 230,000 in the 25-54 demo. FNC commanded nearly 60% of the audience in both total day and primetime. It also secured the top spot in cable among Hispanic, Asian and upscale audiences in total day for both second quarter 2026 and the month of June. FNC also had the longest length of tune in total day and primetime throughout the second quarter.

In June, FNC delivered 2,628,000 viewers in weekday primetime during June leading NBC (2,419,000 viewers) and CBS (2,049,000 viewers). In Monday - Sunday total day FNC commanded 1.5 million viewers and in primetime FNC drew 2.3 million viewers and 197,000 in the 25-54 demo.

SCOTUS Refuses To Block Reporter's Daily Fines Court Ruling

Judge Christopher Cooper and Catherine Herridge

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to block a lower-court order requiring former Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge to reveal a confidential source or face $800 daily fines, a decision with potential implications for journalists’ ability to protect sources.

The justices issued a brief order denying Herridge’s emergency request, with no reasoning or vote count provided. Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh was the only justice to publicly note his dissent and said he would have granted her request. Herridge had refused to disclose her sources for 2017 articles she wrote while at Fox News about the FBI’s investigation of Chinese-American scientist Dr. Yanping Chen. 

The articles reported that the FBI suspected Chen of ties to the Chinese military and possible lies on immigration forms. No charges were ever filed against her.

Fox News To Provide MultiPlatform Coverage Of America's 250th

FOX News Media (FNM) will deliver expansive, multiplatform live coverage honoring the 250th birthday of the United States of America, beginning June 24th. Commemorative programming will air from iconic locations across the country before, during and after America 250 festivities on FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Audio, FOX Nation, FOX News Digital, FOX News Podcasts and FOX Weather. Leading up to America’s 250th birthday, FNC has aired a series of educational vignettes with personalities highlighting defining events in our country’s history and a promotional campaign featuring the network’s stars celebrating the people and principles that have shaped the American story. These campaigns and other America 250-related content can be found on FOX News Digital’s dedicated landing page for the event.

Home to the nation’s largest and most politically diverse cable news audience, FNC has consistently been recognized by Brand Keys as one of America’s most patriotic brands and ranked as first among news brands. The network’s daytime and primetime programming will showcase the people, places, milestones, and moments that continue to shape the country and inspire future generations. 

FNC’s marathon live coverage concludes on Sunday, July 5th*, taking place from historic locations, including the National Mall, Liberty State Park, Philadelphia, Mount Rushmore, and Teddy Roosevelt’s Presidential Library, among others. Throughout the network’s special coverage, FOX & Friends, America’s Newsroom, America Reports, The Five, Special Report with Bret Baier, The Ingraham Angle, Jesse Watters Primetime, Gutfeld!, FOX & Friends Weekend, FOX News Live with Aishah Hasnie, FOX News Sunday, The Sunday Briefing and The Big Weekend Show will all broadcast live from the National Mall as the nation’s capital hosts the event highlighting all 50 states as well as U.S. territories during the Great American State Fair.

FNC programs will also emanate from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey during the Sail4th 250 flotilla celebration from July 2nd through July 4th. FOX & Friends, The Faulkner Focus, Outnumbered, America Reports with John Roberts and Sandra Smith and The Story with Martha MacCallum will broadcast live during the arrival of the world’s tallest ships into New York Harbor. A special edition of The Story with Martha MacCallum will also air from the opening of Teddy Roosevelt’s Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota on July 1st. In Philadelphia, The Will Cain Show will be live from Independence Mall for surrounding coverage of the dedication of America’s Time Capsule and the FIFA World Cup while Special Report with Bret Baier and Hannity will be live on location from Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota on July 3rd.

Disney Platforms To Air 24-Hour Holiday Special

Disney Entertainment Television to air multiplatform broadcast as part of the “Disney Celebrates America” campaign, commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, kicking off Friday, July 3, at 10:00 p.m. EDT and continuing through Saturday, July 4. 

“World News Tonight” anchor and managing editor David Muir will lead coverage, guiding viewers through all 50 states alongside a powerhouse team of talent across networks. The special programming will feature the majestic geography, cultural heritage and pivotal moments that define 250 years of American history, as well as Fourth of July celebrations across the country, performances and interviews with leading newsmakers, including MrBeast, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brandi Carlile, Nick Jonas and more. The special programming will be available across ABC, Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, National Geographic, Freeform, FX and ABC News Live.

“Storytelling has always been at the heart of The Walt Disney Company, creating generations of fans around the world for more than a century,” said Debra OConnell, chairman, Disney Entertainment Television. “‘Disney Celebrates America’ continues that legacy by bringing together the breadth of our portfolio to create something only Disney can, and we’re proud to bring audiences everywhere together to celebrate America’s stories.”

ABC News Radio will provide a three-hour program designed to run throughout the holiday weekend, including Martha Raddatz’s military profiles from her book “The Hero Next Door” and visits to the nation’s cherished parks and monuments. ABC News Radio will also provide affiliates with a simulcast of the 24-hour broadcast.

Daredevils Climb Antenna Farm In NYC

Two unauthorized climbers scaled the Empire State Building's spire Wednesday, forcing New York City FM and TV stations to switch to backup antennas for about an hour.

The pair — identified as Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32 — reached the top of the spire, 1,454 feet above ground, and were seen holding a pro-peace banner. They were removed from the structure, after which stations returned to normal operations.

The antenna switch followed standard building safety protocols triggered as soon as the climbers were reported, driven by the extreme radio frequency (RF) levels present on the active tower, according to two people familiar with the broadcast setup.

Many of the affected New York FM stations maintain backup antennas on the Conde Nast Building at 4 Times Square. Video footage aired by multiple outlets showed the climbers dangling from the former top-mount master antenna that once carried analog signals for WNBC and WNYW.

To reach the spire, the couple had to climb past the master antenna used by 15 New York FMs, as well as the “Mini” master antenna shared by WPLJ, WQHT, and WCBS-FM.