Intern 'Confirmed' Racist Names To Bay Area TV Station

UPDATE 12N MONDAY 7/15/2013: Asiana Airlines announced Monday that it was going to sue a San Francisco TV station that it said damaged the airline's reputation by using bogus and racially offensive names for four pilots on a plane that crashed earlier this month in San Francisco. Neither the station nor the NTSB commented on where the names originated.

Tom's Take: There's gotta be more to this story. Stay Tuned.

Earlier Posting...

Bay Area Fox affiliate KTVU purportedly learned the names of the flight crew of Asiana flight 214, which crashed last Saturday at San Francisco International Airport, killing two. These—"Sum Ting Wong," "Wi Tu Lo," "Ho Lee Fuk," and "Bang Ding Ow"—are not their names. The newscaster's credulous reading puts it over the top.

This aired just after noon, local time. The station read a statement later in the broadcast: 

"Earlier in the newscast we gave some names of pilots involved in the Asiana Airlines crash. These names were not accurate despite an NTSB official in Washington confirming them late this morning. We apologize for the error."

 Turns out the “official” was an intern. The NTSB issued an apology.

The National Transportation Safety Board apologizes for inaccurate and offensive names that were mistakenly confirmed as those of the pilots of Asiana flight 214, which crashed at San Francisco International Airport on July 6. 

Earlier today, in response to an inquiry from a media outlet, a summer intern acted outside the scope of his authority when he erroneously confirmed the names of the flight crew on the aircraft. 

The NTSB does not release or confirm the names of crewmembers or people involved in transportation accidents to the media. We work hard to ensure that only appropriate factual information regarding an investigation is released and deeply regret today's incident. 

Appropriate actions will be taken to ensure that such a serious error is not repeated.

Tom's Take: Hard to imagine that the station's graphics editor, news editor, news producer, new anchors didn't catch this prank. But still a pretty funny bit. 

Saturday Aircheck: From New Year's Day 1969..WLS

Chuck Buell...Part One...


Part Two



For a Chicago Radio Spotlight on Chuck Buell: Click Here.

Philly Radio: Lionel OUT, Imus IN At WWIQ

Merlin’s N/T WWIQ IQ 106.9 FM has another new morning host. Plus, the station is now entirely airing syndicated shows.

When the station launched in May of last year, Al Gardner and Philly TV anchor Larry Mendte were co-hosts of “Philly’s Morning News”.  Talker personality Lionel replaced Larry Mendte at the end of 2012 and then long-time Randy Michaels’ buddy Al Gardner departed in March. 

LISTEN-LINE: Click Here.

The latest development has Lionel gone, replaced by the WABC New York-based and syndicated Don Imus Show starting this coming Monday.  News Anchor Michelle Murillo remains.

San Antonio Radio: Country Leads the Pack

The top spot in the June Arbitron PPMs rating for San Antonio belongs to CCM+E’s County KAJA-FM KJ9. Moving 8.5 – 8.2 – 8.5 share 6+ during the last three months.

Country radio holds the No. 2 slot as well. KCYY-FM Y100 scored a 6.9 share in June — up from a 6.5 in May and 6.4 in April.

San Antonio was once considered the heavy metal capital of the U.S. But the highest-rated rock station for June was KISS-FM, which ranked No. 10 with a 4.4 share, and 3.6 in April and 4.5 share in May.

For more Arbitron PPMs results, Click Here.

Official: Blair Garner Leaving “After Midnight”

Blair Garner

Premiere Networks has announced that After MidNite will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the highly-acclaimed Country music program with a star-studded takeover.

As the show's creator and long-time host Blair Garner steps down from his post on July 31, twenty of Country music's biggest stars will sit behind the mic and give fans their unique, week-long take as host of the program. The takeover, which runs from August 1 through the end of 2013, will also feature special performances, interviews and much more.

The following celebrity guest hosts will kick off the After MidNite takeover in August:

• August 1st and 2nd - Carrie Underwood
• Week of August 5 - Jason Aldean
• Week of August 12 - Luke Bryan
• Week of August 19 - Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood
• Week of August 26 - Jake Owen

Additional guest hosts will be announced soon.

"Premiere Networks has had a successful relationship with Blair Garner for many years and we wish him all the best with his new program," stated Jennifer Leimgruber, Premiere Networks EVP of Music Programming. "We look forward to announcing a new host for After MidNite in the near future. In the meantime, we're excited to welcome the biggest stars in Country music as they put their stamp on After MidNite and help us celebrate this special milestone."

Garner is now  hosting the Nashville-based morning show air on Cumulus Media’s  Country WNSH NashFM  94-7 in NYC.

Chicago Radio: WGN Adding Sirott & Murciano To Weekdays

Bob Sirott, Marianne Murciano

WGN 720 AM announced Thursday the expansion of Bob Sirott & Marianne Murciano's role later this summer. Start date and time slot yet to be determined.

The husband-and-wife duo currently host the "Sunday Night Radio Special with Bob and Marianne" on Sundays from 9p.m. to 10p.m.

“Bob's respected reputation and vast experiences on radio & television make him the perfect fit for 'Chicago's Very Own 720,'" said Jimmy de Castro, President/General Manager.

"I'm excited to expand Bob's role and allow him to share more of his rich Chicago stories and Marianne adds another strong female voice to the tradition of WGN Radio."

Sirott hosted "The Noon Show" on WGN Radio from 2007 to 2010 and currently co-anchors the FOX Chicago News at 9 weeknights with Robin Robinson. His career includes stints at WBBM-FM and WLS radio and national and local Emmy awards for his work on CBS, NBC and PBS television.

Murciano is a seasoned journalist and media personality, having co-anchored WFLD-TV's "Fox Thing in the Morning" with Sirott and working as a feature reporter for WTTW-TV's "Chicago Tonight".

"When I was growing up in Chicago, WGN was the 'Radio home of millions throughout mid-America', and this is still very much true," Sirott said. "Marianne and I are thrilled to call WGN our radio home."

OKC Radio: Tyler Media Plans Sports Station

Moving To 104.5 FM Translator

The already crowded sports talk market in Oklahoma City soon will be getting its sixth sports talk station. Tyler Media has announced that it is launching a sports talk radio station in August on FM 107.7, according to newsok.com.

Classic Rock KRXO, which had been at 107.7, will move to a new frequency at FM 104.5, the company announced. 

According to the news release, KRXO's lineup of Bob and Tom, Cara Rice, Buddy Wiley, Kelso, Unkle Dave and Rick Caldwell are expected to move to a much smaller signal on 104.5, a new translator.. 

Ty Tyler, president of Tyler Media, said it is in the process of hiring local sports talent from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the new unnamed station on 107.7 FM, which he said will have the strongest signal in the market. The station will include play-by-play of OU sports and be associated with NBC Sports.

107.7 FM 60dBu Coverage Area

The addition of 104.5 will give Tyler Media six FM signals in the market, one above the normal limit. However, Tyler said the FCC allows an HD channel to be rebroadcast by a FM frequency. KRXO will be broadcast on both 107.7 HD2 and translator 104.5 FM. The sports station will be broadcast on 107.7 HD1 and 107.7 FM.

Read More Now

STL Radio: Kevin Slaten Pleads Guilty

Kevin Slaten

Radio personality Kevin Slaten pleaded guilty to peace disturbance Wednesday in Webster Groves municipal court, according to stltoday.com

The full charge was peace disturbance by “offensive conversation” and “pushing.”

He was fined $1,000 by municipal Judge James Whitney.

The court action stems from an incident Nov. 12, when officials at KFNS AM-590 sports radio told Slaten the station would no longer air his show.

The complaint filed with police alleged that “after (Slaten’s) termination of employment, there was a flare of tempers that led to verbal threats, profane language and the allegation that (operations director Scott Stout) was spit on.”

After the complaint was filed, Slaten was charged with misdemeanor assault.

Read More Now

CEO Re-Imagines NPR as a Pandora of News

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Gary E Knell CEO, says NPR is trying to work on a Pandora for news. 

According to Knell that would  allow listeners to customize a playlist, available through the cloud, live.  ‘We  want to have serendipitous listening, not knowing what the next story is, but we've also got to give people the option of a la carte listening, or they will turn to other places. There would be a WNYC experience or a WAMU experience that combines the news chops of NPR covering the globe with what WNYC is doing locally, so people will continue to give money to WNYC”.

Knell,  who took the helm in 2011, also spoke of the demographics who listen to NPR,  “We're engaging a lower-age demographic. The average [radio] listener is about 53 years old. [Those who connect] on an iPhone are 37, and the average age of the engager on NPR Music is 28 years old.”

Chicago Radio: Suzanne Nance Joining Classical WFMT

Suzanne Nance

Suzanne Nance, the popular host of Maine Public Broadcasting Network's “Morning Classical” radio show, is leaving for Chicago, the network announced Thursday.

According to pressherald.com, she has accepted a job with the commercial classical radio station WMFT. She will remain with Maine Public Broadcasting Network through August.

Nance is MPBN’s director of music, performance and public affairs. Since 2007, she has served as host of the morning classical music show, heard across Maine. Her show is popular with classical audiences because of her mix of music, guests and personal stories.

“Although we will miss Suzanne’s enthusiasm and passion,” MBPN CEO and president Mark Vogelzang said in a statement, “we also know that is she is leaving MPBN for a new adventure with a great institution in the third-largest media market with a national classical broadcasting presence, so we may very well still hear her on a regular basis down the line.”

A soprano with an international singing career, Nance has earned a large and loyal following because of her spry personality and her ability to engage listeners. She is widely considered a rising star in the classical music world because of her career in radio and her stage presence.

Read More Now

Albany Radio: WPYX Stays With The NY Giants

The New York Giants will be on WPYX-FM 106.5 for the next three years.

The Giants and the  CCM+E  Albany radio station officially announced their deal on Thursday. The Giants have been a fixture on WPYX for several years.

According to dailygazette.com, the new deal will have WPYX not only carry all preseason, regular-season and playoff games, but a one-hour pregame show and one-hour postgame show, as well. Previously, WPYX carried just a 15-minute pregame show and part of the postgame show.

"We’ve had the honor of broadcasting New York Giants football to Capitaland listeners for more than a decade on PYX 106," Clear Channel Albany operations manager John Cooper said in a statement. "I’m excited that our partnership continues with expanded pregame and postgame coverage for the next three years exclusively on PYX 106."

WVU Announces 12-Year Agreement With IMG College

For the second time this year, West Virginia University has picked North Carolina-based IMG College to manage the athletic department's multimedia rights.

According to Charleston's dailymail.com, WVU is guaranteed to make more than $80 million over the course of the 12-year deal, which begins with the upcoming fall sports season, and will also benefit from additional revenue-sharing opportunities, according to a press release detailing the plan.

The deal, announced Thursday, follows a bitter seven-month public feud between school officials and West Virginia Radio Corp. owner John Raese over an initial selection process tainted by what state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey called "significant errors and sloppiness."

The decision to sell off these so-called Tier 3 rights, which include radio sports broadcasting and some televised football and basketball games, was seen by school officials as a way to raise a significant amount of revenue and boost the school's marketing profile.

The deal awards IMG control over a slew of university-related properties, including: management of local radio and television game broadcasts and coaches' shows; publications like media guides and schedules; digital platforms, including social media and websites; corporate sponsorships; at-event promotions and game day hospitality; stadium and venue signage; and advertising in university-owned and leased athletic facilities.

Read More Now

Tampa ‘Radio Bar’ Bombed

Someone opened up a back door Wednesday night and threw a bomb inside Radio Bar and Grill on Busch Boulevard, blowing doors off their hinges, coating the floor with shattered glass and sending one person to the hospital, according to tampabay.com.

Tampa police were still investigating the incident Thursday as the bar's management and staff gathered to assess the damage.

"We're just trying to figure out who would try to come in here and kill us," said Robert "Hoff" Hoffa, a disc jockey for the bar's on-site radio station. "We don't have any enemies here."

Hoffa had just finished his regular Wednesday night country music show when the blast happened about 10:30 p.m., he said.  Someone opened the back door of the small building, which stands two blocks west of Busch Gardens, and tossed in the device, Hoffa said.

Police described the bomb as a "homemade crude device."

The explosion sounded like a truck slammed into the building, Hoffa said. People were thrown off their feet. The restroom doors were blown out of their frames. Inch-thick glass surrounding the DJ booth shattered and rained down to the floor.

The explosion knocked out three computer servers the station used to stay on the air, Hoffa said. The total property damage to the station alone was between $5,000 and $10,000, he said.

The bar is owned by Leslie D. Brewer of Temple Terrace.  Radio Bar and Grill opened 18 months ago, Hoffa said. It operates as both a restaurant and a live radio station, broadcasting country and rock music on 102.1 FM and online. It has served as a venue for several country and rock bands. The bar has also held special events to raise money for cancer research and other charitable causes, Hoffa said.

Read More Now

‘Air Wars’ To Film In Savannah

There will soon be another tally mark on the growing list of films shot in Savannah.

“Air Wars,” set in the world of national talk radio, is the brainchild of Charlie Kimbrough and Savannah-based writer and producer Michael Shortt.   According to savannahnow.com, Kimbrough approached Shortt with the idea of a television show a few years ago, and since then, the two have been working to turn it into a feature film.

The main character, Ron Atwood, is modeled after the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck, but according to Shortt, he’s younger, richer, better looking and very single. And after a confrontation with liberal nemesis Sarah Jacobson, tensions begin to rise.

“They have an ongoing battle of words and it culminates in a confrontation on national live television, which creates a media feeding-frenzy. Unfortunately, it also motivates a rabid listener to not only defend his favorite host, but to settle the score,” Shortt said.

And adding to the suspense, Shortt said he can’t name any names just yet, but the film is slated to have at least four cameos from national talk radio hosts, along with Jeff Pillars from the John Boy and Billy Big Radio Show.

Other filming locations for “Air Wars” include New York City and Atlanta, but Shortt said that for the biggest scene in the movie, he chose Savannah and will be using almost 200 local actors.

With something for everyone no matter their political stance, Shortt says the film aims to balance the line between conservatives and liberals.

No casting calls have been announced yet, but Shortt said information on filming will be released through the Savannah Film Office and online at www.airwarsthemovie.com.

Read More Now

NJ Radio: Jack Ellery Announces Retirement

Jack Ellery

Another radio veteran has decided it’s time to hang-up up his headphones. 

Jack Ellery is retiring from WCTC New Brunswick ending a 50-year career.

Ellery, most recently morning host at the Greater Media station, began as a disc jockey but quickly turned his daily morning show into a forum for discussion on the latest news in Central Jersey and the state, providing insight, wit and humor, as one of the true pioneers of local talk radio. 

Greater Media states, “Along the way, the radio veteran was also instrumental in helping WCTC raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Central Jersey charitable organizations through on-air radiothons and different drives for local residents in dire need.  Ellery capped off his career as one of Central Jersey’s iconic radio personalities with his inclusion in the New Jersey Broadcasters Association’s inaugural class of Hall of Fame inductees last year.  He also received the NJBA’s Lifetime Achievement award at that time.” 

WCTC station manager Dan Henrickson says, “We wish him all the best in the ‘gone fishing’ portion of his life.”

Jack Ellery, a no-nonsense style of talk show host, was once profiled in a segment on “60 Minutes”. 

He was one of the early talk radio hosts that used a confrontational style when interviewing his guests. Jack has also worked as radio talent consultant and once wrote a book on healthy dieting.

LA Radio: WBOX Sales Rep Charged With Theft

Tim Augustine

Tim Augustine, longtime Varnado, LA  cable television personality and radio station sales representative, has been arrested on a warrant issued after an investigation prompted by a complaint from the radio station, WBOX. 

According to gobogalusa.com, he was charged with theft over $1,500.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office received the complaint on June 7 after WBOX found “gross discrepancies in their bookkeeping records,” and  “a lengthy criminal investigation” was initiated.

“The investigation, in part, revealed numerous clients paying for advertising services with checks to WBOX,” Haley said. “These checks were collected by then WBOX employee Timothy Augustine, who instructed the clients to just make the checks payable in his name.

“These checks were cashed, but the payments were never received by WBOX. The investigation concluded with a warrant being issued for the arrest of Augustine for one count of theft over $1,500.”

Read More Now

DC Ratings: WTOP #1 25-54

Hubbard’s Newser WTOP 103.5 FM remains relatively steady in the June PPMs moving 7.9 – 8.2 – 8.0 to edge out American University’s non-com N/T WAMU 88.5 FM 9.8 -8.1 -7.7 Total Week 6+.  WTOP is also #1 25-54 Total Week.

CCM+E’s Rhythmic WITH Hot 99.5 FM is #3 moving 6.5-7.0 – 6.5.  Sister-station Country WMZQ 98.7 FM spikes 3.5 – 3.4 – 4.6 to rank #7 6+.

And how is The Bert Show doing for WRQX 107.3 FM?   Since dropping Jack Diamond, WRQX has moved 3.0 – 3.0 – 2.6  Total Week 6+.

For More Arbitron PPMs Results. Click Here.

Boston Radio: WBZ-FM The Sports Hub Tops Men

Its already high ratings bolstered by a Bruins run to the Stanley Cup Finals, WBZ-FM  98.5 theSports Hub posted some staggering numbers in the spring to finish first overall in the three-month radio ratings period for the third straight book.

According to boston.com, the CBS Radio-owned station was tops in the men 25-54 demographic during the spring with a 10.2 share. That accounts for the period from March 28 to June 19.

WEEI 93.7 FM was tied for fifth overall with Country WKLB 102.5 FM (5.5).

The Sports Hub, the flagship station of the Bruins, finished first overall by a significant margin. Classic Rocker WZLX 100.7 FM – also owned by CBS Radio – tied Alternative WBOS 92.9 FM for second at 6.6.

In morning drive (6-10 a.m), The Sports Hub's Toucher and Rich' program ran away with the top spot with a 13.4 share. WEEI's Dennis and Callahan was fifth with a 6.0, though it did see an uptick to 7.0 in June.

WEEI 850-AM, which is now ESPN Radio, was tied for 23d with a 0.7 share. WUFC 1510-AM, which carries NBC Sports Radio programming, was not listed on the Arbitron ratings.

Read More Now

For More Arbitron PPMs Results. Click Here.

Fresno Radio: Ratings Redone

In markets like Fresno, radio ratings cover a three-month period, but each month early reports — called trends — are released before the quarterly books. The second rating trends number from Arbitron, the leading monitor of radio listening, for the spring book had to be re-issued for the Fresno market because six diaries were filled out by those working in the media, according to The Fresno Bee.

Arbitron is very clear when it comes to those who work in the local media. In the "Diary Security Dos & Don'ts" section of the Arbitron guidelines, it states, "Employees of radio and television stations, and members of their households, are not eligible to participate in Arbitron surveys. (If a station employee discovers that a household member has participated — or has agreed to participate — in the survey, Arbitron should be notified immediately.)"

The names of the parties who submitted the biased books have not been released.

Arbitron won't specifically say how the biased books were identified, but Kim Myers, a spokeswoman for the radio ratings company, says there are a series of checks and balances to make sure the numbers are as accurate as possible and something in this group of responses triggered a red flag.

The updated report showed a large drop in listening numbers for KJWL 99.3 FM and KYNO 1430 AM, compared to the first report. John Ostlund, owner of KJWL and KYNO, says, "We have many friends in the media, and sometimes they go overboard in their support."

Ostlund goes on to suggest that there is a bigger question regarding this action. He asks, "If six diaries is all it takes to tilt Arbitron results in a market of 500,000 people, how reliable can the 'research' really be?"

Read More Now

CableTV: ESPN Ratings Down

Could the Worldwide Leader looking over its shoulder?

According to deadline.com,  two months after laying off hundreds of staffers and five weeks before the launch of Fox’s rival sports network, ESPN saw its second-quarter ratings plunge compared with last year.

Sports Business Daily reports that the Disney-owned sports behemoth saw a 32% ratings dive for the April-to-June period versus the same period in 2012.

The discrepancy is due in part to the network’s rotten luck with a little-watched NBA Western Conference Finals — the San Antonio Spurs’ sweep/beatdown of the Memphis Grizzlies — compared with its airing of the thrilling 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, in which the Miami Heat beat the Boston Celtics in seven games.

But the bad news gets worse: ESPN also posted its lowest total-day numbers since the George W. Bush administration, down 20% to an average of 715K viewers on a 24-hour basis. The depressed numbers come despite record viewership for The Masters in April and near-record tune-in for the NBA Draft.

Read More Now

Tribune Company To Split Broadcasting, Newspapers

Tribune Company Wednesday announced its intent to pursue the separation of its iconic broadcasting and publishing businesses into two distinct companies, each with greater financial and operational focus, the ability to tailor its capital structure to its specific business needs, and a management team dedicated to seizing strategic growth opportunities with maximum flexibility. 

The proposed transaction is the latest step in the transformation of the dynamic media company, which last week announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Local TV Holdings and the 19 television stations it owns in 16 markets across the country.

The proposed separation is designed to maximize shareholder value through the spin-off of Tribune's publishing assets to an independent company and the tax-free distribution of shares in that company to the stockholders of Tribune.  The two companies that would exist following the separation would be:

• Tribune Publishing Company, which would become home to Tribune's publishing assets, including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun, Sun Sentinel (South Florida), Orlando Sentinel, Hartford Courant, The Morning Call and Daily Press.
• Tribune Company, which would consist of the company's other principal businesses, including 42 local television stations in 33 markets (following the close of Tribune's acquisition of Local TV), WGN Radio, superstation WGN America, Tribune Studios, Tribune Digital Ventures, Tribune Media Services, its equity interests in Classified Ventures, CareerBuilder, and The TV Food Network, and its valuable portfolio of real estate assets.

The completion of Tribune's separation into two companies is subject to a number of important conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals, opinions from tax counsel, further due diligence and the effectiveness of appropriate filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. While Tribune Company intends to pursue the separation of its broadcasting and publishing businesses, there can be no guarantee that the transaction will be concluded or assurances as to transaction terms.

Apple Aims To Control The Dashboard

Apple is trying to integrate itself even further into your car with a freshly patented dashboard touch screen, according to cnet.com.

Granted Tuesday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a patent dubbed "Programmable tactile touch screen displays and man-machine interfaces for improved vehicle instrumentation and telematics" (patentnumber 8,482,535) describes a tactile-feel touch screen that would let you adjust several of the key features and functions in your car.

The patent discusses such options as controlling the temperature, the wipers, and the radio all from one panel. And in a nod toward safety, certain controls would be enabled only when the car is stopped.

For example, a transparent knob on the touch screen could be used to alter the temperature or turn on the wipers when the car is in motion. But that same knob could also activate your e-mail and Web browser when the car stops.

The touch screen's tactile-feel approach is also designed to help drivers push the right buttons without having to take their eyes off the road.

Read More Now

Denver Radio: Pregnant Kathie J’s Water Breaks On-Air

KS107-5 Morning Show

Plenty of women work right up to the last moment of their pregnancies in this day and age, but few of them have to share some the unpleasantness of those waning hours with an entire city.

Kathie J did just that Wednesday morning.

According to Fox31, the co-host of Denver’s top-rated morning show on KQKS KS107.5 sat by, powerless to stop her water from breaking as one of her fellow hosts, Kendall B, introduced a story. The show’s third and final host, Larry Ulibarri, wasted no time proving his gender.

“Oh my God, gross!” Ulibarri said. “That is so … Did you just pee?”

Soon after the initial moments of panic in the studio passed, Kathie explained her suspicion that her water just broke, and then turned back to her co-hosts, asking, “What do I do now?”

“Call your husband, for God’s sake!” Kendall B exclaimed.

Read More Now.

Blaze Radio Stops By Salt Lake City

Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck has amassed a wide-ranging stable of media venues including print publications and a news website, but it may be the medium where he began his career which has the most untapped potential for growth and innovation with his company, Mercury Radio Arts.

The Blaze Radio Network is one of the least publicized branches of the media mogul’s empire but Beck is quietly building a talented roster of broadcasters and is tapping into the app based listening capabilities of new technology.

Fans lined-up early for 'Man In The Moon"

In Beck’s most recent project, Man in the Moon, the Blaze radio personalities made the trip to Salt Lake City to broadcast live in the days and hours leading up to the event over the Independence Day weekend and, according to Deseret News, were more than happy to share their insights into the state of the brand and where it’s headed.

“There has been basically zero marketing for the Blaze Radio up to this point,” said Skip Lacombe, producer of the Doc Thompson show. “Aside from an ad on the Blaze TV here and there and maybe something on the blaze.com – it’s all just been word of mouth and it’s grown exponentially. I think that goes to show there is a need for it and a market for what we’re doing, as more people hear about it, it just keeps snowballing.”

The lineup includes Doc Thompson and Skip LaCombe which airs in the morning daily, Jay Severin in the afternoons as well as Saturday programs featuring Buck Sexton and the newest addition – Joe Pagliarulo, as well as live simulcasts of the various television programming.

Read More Now

Gretchen Carlson Leaving ‘Fox & Friends’

Gretchen Carlson

In a news release late Tuesday, Fox News Channel announced Elisabeth Hasselbeck would be replacing Gretchen Carlson as a co-host on the network’s morning program, “Fox & Friends.”

Hasselbeck, long the in-house conservative on ABC’s “The View,” will be joining Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade on their set at the Fox News studios in New York City starting mid-September. Carlson will be moving on to host her own afternoon show slated to begin early fall.

“Elisabeth’s warm and engaging personality made her a star on ‘The View’” Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes said. “She has proven to be an excellent conversationalist and I am certain she will make a great addition to our already successful morning franchise.”

Read More Now

Tucson Radio: Jim Parisi Appears Close To New Radio Deal

Tucson talk radio veteran Jim Parisi is like a lot of members of the medium: frustrated with the direction of the industry. And like a lot of members of the medium, he thinks he can do something better than what the current model is providing. Unlike other members of the medium, he may be putting himself in position to do something about it.

According to tucsonweekly.com, Parisi, who has hosted morning talk shows on KNST 790 AM and KVOI 1030 AM, says he expects to be in position to land the funding necessary to purchase a radio station, and through that signal launch a locally driven talk format.

"I could bury myself with this line, but I think this will be the least traditional talk station Tucson has ever seen," Parisi said.

Why? Because Parisi is sick of the partisan talk model.

"It doesn't have to be politics every second of your life," Parisi said. "The question I get from highly intelligent investors is always the same. I've been told the only way to get ratings is to be angry, superpartisan or tee people off. My answer is always the same. It can be done in a straightforward, honest, journalistic way, but it's harder. You have to have more life experience. You need people who get it. You have to be funny, edgy, maybe a little sarcastic, self-deprecating."

Due to nondisclosure requirements while negotiations are under way, Parisi declined to go into specifics about the stations he and his investor group have targeted, or whether they are on the AM or FM band. But he did say he initially eyed four possible signals and has since pared that number to two. If he gets financial confirmation from investors, which he thinks might happen as soon as this week, Parisi said he could launch the project within the next few months.

Parisi plans to speak more in-depth about the status of his project on Friday, July 12, during a marathon broadcast from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at his Internet location, powertalkmedia.com.

Read More Now

Vegas Radio: Personality Busted For Attempting To Lure Minor

Ronald Kirsh

A Las Vegas radio personality accused of attempting to lure a 13-year-old girl through an online chat room will appear in court on July 19 for his arraignment hearing, according to the Las Vegas Sun.

Henderson Police arrested radio personality Ronald Kirsh, 53, after a year-and-a-half sting. Kirsh is the owner of Kirsh Media Group and worked as an on-air personality on KJUL 104.7 FM, licensed to Moapa Valley, NV.

He also taught a Media Studies course for College of Southern Nevada.

According to a Henderson Police arrest report, Kirsh made inappropriate advances on an undercover detective posing as a 13-year-old girl in a Yahoo! chat room. Officers arrested Kirsh when he attempted to meet her in a shopping center parking lot for inappropriate touching.

Read More Now

Radio One To Launch ‘News One Now’

Roland Martin

The network that caters to African-American viewers said Tuesday that it has signed Martin to host an hourlong morning talk show and inked an overall deal with Martin's Nu Vision Media, according to THR.

Multiplatform entry News One Now will premiere in September and feature Martin, a journalist-author, as the host and managing editor. The series also will have radio and online components via NewsOne.com.

News One Now will be culled from the third hour of a three-hour radio program syndicated on Radio One network stations and include news and analysis of politics, entertainment, sports and culture from an African-American perspective. The series will be based in Washington, D.C., and feature experts, newsmakers and celebrities sharing their insight with Martin.

News One Now also will include a Skype Net component, offering Radio One hosts a platform to weigh in on the show's content.

Read More Now

Philly Radio: WPEN’s Darren Daulton Has Brain Cancer

Darren Daulton

Former Phillies catcher Darren Daulton, who underwent brain surgery earlier this month to remove two tumors, has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to philly.com.

Here is a statement released by WPEN 97.5 FM The Fanatic: 

On behalf of the Board of the Darren Daulton Foundation, and on behalf of Darren and his family, the following is an update on Darren’s condition and the September 9th golf outing at LuLu Country Club. 

Darren has been diagnosed with a Glioblastoma (“GBM”), a form of brain cancer. He has returned to his Clearwater area home to continue recuperating amongst his immediate family and friends. He will eventually begin treatments in Florida. 

Darren and his family wish to thank everyone for their loving support throughout this difficult time. He is deeply touched. In typical fashion, he again said, “Right on; Fight on.” Darren and his family request that everyone respect his privacy and that of his family during this period of time. At his urging, I can report that the September 9, 2013 golf tournament that benefits the Foundation will continue as planned. 

More details are forthcoming as Darren has requested that we keep his friends and fans periodically updated.

The statement is unclear on whether or not all cancerous cells have been removed, but according to the American Brain Tumor Association's website, these tumors "are usually highly malignant (cancerous) because the cells reproduce quickly and they are supported by a large network of blood vessels."

This is a very difficult form of cancer to treat, according to ABTA: Prognosis is usually reported in years of "median survival." Median survival is the time at which an equal number of patients do better and an equal number of patients do worse. With standard treatment, median survival for adults with an anaplastic astrocytoma is about two to three years. For adults with more aggressive glioblastoma, treated with concurrent temozolamide and radiation therapy, median survival is about 14.6 months and two-year survival is 30%. However, a 2009 study reported that almost 10% of patients with glioblastoma may live five years or longer.

Read More Now

Randy Travis Suffers Stroke, Still ‘Critical’

Randy Travis

Randy Travis suffered a stroke and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain Wednesday evening, according to CNN.

.

"Mr. Randy Travis is out of surgery and in critical condition," the hospital website announced Wednesday night.

The stroke is "a complication of his congestive heart failure" for which he is being treated at The Heart Hospital at Baylor Plano in Texas, Kirt Webster said.

"We will have updates as they become available," Webster said.  "His family and friends here with him at the hospital request your prayers and support."

Word of his setback came just hours after his doctors said Travis had "stabilized and he has shown signs of improvement."

The country singer was initially hospitalized Sunday at Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, Texas, "with a presumptive cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure," Dr. William Gray said.

Travis, 54, was transferred to The Heart Hospital at Baylor Plano in Texas on Monday, Dr. Michael Mack said.

Read More Now

Aussie Prankster Charges ‘Unsafe Workplace’

Mel Greig, Michael Christian

Nurse Jacinta Saldanha committed suicide after taking a call from Mel Greig and fellow 2DayFM presenter Michael Christian about Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, who was being treated for acute morning sickness in a London hospital.

Saldhana put the call through to the Duchess’ room where another nurse revealed private medical details about her condition.

Now, according to THR, Greig has lodged an application with Fair Work Australia claiming her employer, Southern Cross Austereo, failed to maintain a safe workplace.

Greig has not returned to work since the affair and has been receiving counseling. She has said she will travel to England to appear at the inquest in to Saldhana’s death.  

Christian returned to work several months after the call at another station owned by Southern Cross Austereo and last month received an award from the company as “Australia's Next Top Jock” after a 12-week internal competition.

Read More Now

NYC Ratings: NashFM Inches Closer To 1M Cume

Cumulus Media’s NashFM 94-7, continues its slow, but steady upward movement.  According to the June Arbitron ratings, NashFM increased 1.8 – 1.9 - 2.1 during April, May and June.  Cume inches ever so close to 1M, currently estimated at 988,200.

Otherwise, Clear Channel’s WLTW remains #1 (6+ TW) despite receding shares 7.2 – 7.0 – 6.8.  CBS Radio’s WCBS-FM scored some of its best numbers in months moving 6.2 – 6.1 – 6.7 and placing a very close #2 to WLTW.

25-54: WLTW and CC’s WHTZ are 1-2. While WCBS-FM placed #3.

18-49:  Status Quo with WHTZ #1 while WLTW flat at #2.  WSKQ was up slightly at #3 .

For More June PPM Markets...Click Here.

LA Ratings: New Top Dog In Morning Radio

'El Mandril'

And he's speaking Spanish.

According to the LA Times, Ricardo "El Mandril" Sanchez of regional Mexican music station KLAX-97.9 FM, who'd been in seventh place as recently as April and was fourth in May, leapfrogged to the No. 1 spot in the June numbers released Tuesday by Arbitron, attracting 5.3% of the available audience weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m.

That's the period generally considered prime time for radio, because there are so many people listening then as they get ready for work or school.

KFI-640 AM, which has dominated that time period for the last four years with local host Bill Handel and the first hour of Rush Limbaugh's nationally syndicated show, was second for the survey period that ran from May 23 to June 19, capturing a 5% audience share.

Sanchez, who has been in the morning slot at KLAX for the last two years, credited his rise to the fact that "the Hispanic market is growing more than ever and Hispanics are very passionate and listen more to radio."

Read More Now

For More June PPM Markets...Click Here.

Chicago Ratings: WSCR Winning Sports Battle

The latest Arbitron ratings were released Tuesday and, according to Ed Sherman at The Chicago Tribune, WSCR 670 AM The Score would appear to be as dominant over WMVP-AM 1000. However, there are various ways to spin radio numbers to make them look more favorable.

In men ages 25-54, the prime advertising demographic for sports talk radio, 

• WSCR ranked fourth in the market with a 4.7 share (percentage of Chicago listeners tuned into the station); WMVP was 16th at 2.4. 
• WSCR ruled in morning drive, as "Mully & Hanley" were third at 6.8; "Mike & Mike" were 10th at 2.9 on MVP. 
• In the afternoon, "Boers & Bernstein" were second at 5.2, while "Waddle & Silvy" were 16th at 2.6 in the first three months of their new time slot for WMVP.

The wide gap is a sharp departure from a long period when the stations ran neck-and-neck in the ratings, with WMVP occasionally coming out ahead. WSCR program director Mitch Rosen says his station was able to surge ahead in the last 18 months thanks to continuity in its lineup and a larger focus on Chicago sports compared to WMVP, which airs ESPN national programming from 5-10 a.m.

Read More Now (registration required)

For More June PPM Markets...Click Here.

Triton Releases May 2013 Rankers

Triton Digital has released its monthly online audio Top 20 Ranker for May 2013.

Pandora’s listening hours were 1.25 billion in June – down from 1.35 billion in May but up from 1.08 billion in June of 2012.  The decline in listening hours from last month is being attributed to the effect of the monthly cap on mobile listening as well as typical seasonal listening fluctuation.

The Ranker is a listing of the top-performing Internet audio stations and networks measured by the Webcast Metrics® audience measurement platform. Webcast Metrics is accredited by the Media Rating Council.

Webcast Metrics uses a proprietary platform to track audience data and convert it to audience metrics that can be easily understood by stations, publishers and advertisers.

Audience rankings are done on the basis of “Average Active Sessions”, with "Session Starts" and “Average Time Spent Listening” also displayed. Average Active  Sessions (AAS) is defined as “Total Listening Hours (TLH) divided by hours in the reported time period.”

Rankers are divided into “Domestic” and “All Streams.” The “Domestic” Ranker quantifies listening done inside the U.S. based on log-based information provided by the station, this report is not MRC accredited. The “All Streams” Ranker merely verifies the quantity  streams without qualifying where they are being consumed, and is MRC accredited.

Read More Now