Detroit Radio: The Return Of Drew Lane Confirmed

Drew Lane

Longtime Detroit radio personality Drew Lane is set to return to the Motor City airwaves, according to Greater Media Detroit, which operates WRIF-FM 101.1, WCSX-FM 94.7 and WMGC-FM 105.1.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Greater Media will offer more details about Lane’s future at a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday.

Meanwhile, a source who is familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told the Free Press that Lane is headed for WMGC, which will switch its format from adult contemporary to sports talk and become an ESPN Radio affiliate. Lane, the source said, will host a 3-7 p.m. afternoon show starting Monday.

The switch would pit WMGC against sports talk leader WXYT-FM 97.1, the Ticket and two AM sports outlets.

In May, Lane and Mike Clark, hosts of the popular “Drew & Mike” morning show on WRIF, were replaced after 22 years on the air. Dave Hunter and Charles Urquhart, hosts of the “Dave & Chuck the Freak” show on CIMX-FM 88.7, took over the WRIF morning show in late May.

Read More Now

St. Louis Radio: Sports Talker Fired After Pujols Comment

Albert Pujols said on Friday that he will take legal action against Jack Clark after the former St. Louis Cardinals slugger accused Pujols of taking performance-enhancing drugs.

According to espn.com, Clark made the accusations on his radio show on WGNU 920 AM in St. Louis. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported early Saturday morning that InsideSTL, the company that puts the show on the air, announced it has "terminated its relationship" with Clark and co-host Kevin Slaten. They had completed only seven shows.

"I am currently in the process of taking legal action against Jack Clark and his employers at WGNU 920AM," Pujols said in a statement released Friday.

"I am going to send a message that you cannot act in a reckless manner, like they have, and get away with it. If I have to be the athlete to carry the torch and pave the way for other innocent players to see that you can do something about it, I am proud to be that person. I have five young children and I take being a role model very seriously. The last thing I want is for the fans, and especially the kids out there, to question my reputation and character."

Clark, who served as the Dodgers hitting coach from 2000-03, said that Pujols' former trainer, Chris Mihlfeld, told him a decade ago that he "shot him up," referring to Pujols. Clark concluded that the current Angels first baseman and longtime Cardinals great "has been a juicer."

Reached by ESPN.com, Mihlfeld denied telling Clark that Pujols took PEDs.

Read More Now

Saturday Aircheck: WFIL And WIBG Philadelphia

WFIL 56 & WIBG 99 Philadelphia - 1970-1983

Includes George Michael, Long John Wade, Don Wade, John Records Landecker, Don Cannon, Chuck Knapp, Hy Lit, Joe Niagra, Tony Mann, Dick Fennessy, & Jim Nettleton.

NYC Radio: Non-Com WBAI Announces Lay-offs

Summer Reese, interim executive director of the Pacifica Radio Network, choked up as she announced Friday afternoon that legendary New York radio station WBAI 99.5 FMwas laying off its entire news department, and the majority of on-air talent.

According to The Village Voice, the lay-offs are effective Monday.

"Today I have concluded union negotiations with SAG-AFTRA, regarding proposed layoffs here at WBAI, and with a very heavy heart, and very great difficulty, we will laying off virtually everyone whose voice you recognize on the air," Reese said.

Approximately 75 percent of staff will be laid off. "We are only retaining those staff critically necessary to operational functions at this station," she said.

"We have barely made our transmitter payments," Reese explained. WBAI's transmitter, located at the top of the Empire State building, is leased to the station at a cost of about $50,000 a month. In March, WBAI raised $500,000 to protect the transmitter, after the station was threatened with eviction for non-payment of rent.

Read More Now.

Kidd Kraddick Public Memorial Plans Unveiled

A public memorial for Kidd Kraddick, billed as a “Tribute to Kidd,” will take place August 15 on the AT&T Plaza in front of the American Airlines Center, accordng to the Dallas Morning News.

It will begin at 5:30 p.m.

According to Ladd Biro, the late morning-show host’s publicist, “Local dignitaries from around the Dallas/Fort Worth area will speak to Kidd’s impact on the community.” There will also be several musical guests, among them Ben Folds, who will perform.

“Thursday is going to be a beautiful day of remembrance doing two things my dad loved: listening to great music and supporting Kidd’s Kids,” said Caroline Cradick, Kraddick’s daughter, in this morning’s announcement. “This charity meant so much to him and it is such an honor to carry on his legacy. Thank you to all of the fans for your kind words. I feel the love every day and am lucky to have a father that left such an impact. I’m also really excited to see Ben Folds, dad’s and my favorite artist, who we share a lot of fond memories with.”

Following the event is the first-ever Concert for Kidd’s Kids, featuring the Jonas Brothers, which is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the House of Blues. Per the release, “Guests are welcome to stay at the AT&T Plaza after the public memorial and enjoy a closed-circuit feed of the concert.”

That concert was announced on July 26 — one day before Kraddick, at the age of 53, died in New Orleans of an enlarged heart caused by cardiac disease.

Video of the memorial will also be streamed at KiddTV.com.

Read More Now

Report: Megyn Kelly To Get 9P Time Slot On FNC

Megyn Kelly

Where is Megyn Kelly headed?

Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes announced last month that Kelly would move to a prime time position when she returned from maternity leave.

Thursday evening,  the Drudge Report says she'll take over the 9pm ET slot in the prime time lineup, but Fox News isn't spilling the beans.

A Fox News spokesperson said no official announcement would be made at this time.

“We will neither confirm nor deny any programming schedule changes," the spokesperson said. "As previously stated, the network has signed long-term deals with Megyn Kelly, Bret Baier, Shepard Smith, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren.”

Kelly recently gave birth to her third child, a baby boy named Thatcher Bray Brunt.

She joined Fox News in 2004 and has anchored "America Live" since February 2010.

She also appears weekly on "The O'Reilly Factor" in a segment titled "The Kelly File." 

Digital Video Rights Are Hurdle in CBS-TWC Fight

Digital video rights have become a sticking point in the dispute between Time Warner Cable and CBS, highlighting how new online TV services are adding more tension and complexity to the dealings between content owners and distributors. WSJ's Amol Sharma has more.

Arbitron Sues LM Com Over Copyrighted Ratings

Arbitron is suing LM Communications for allegedly using its copyrighted radio ratings estimates for the Charleston, S.C., market.

The privately-held broadcaster is based in Lexington, Ky., where it owns six radio stations WBVX(FM), WLXO(FM), WGKS(FM), WCDA(FM), WBTF(FM), WLXG(AM); five in Charleston, W.Va., WKLC(FM), WMXE(FM), WSCW(AM), WJYP(AM), WMON(AM); two in Charleston, S.C., WCOO(FM), WYBB(FM); and television station WBKI(TV) in Louisville, Ky.

According to Radio World, LM subscribes to Arbitron data for the Lexington market. That license remains in effect through March 2014. The broadcaster does not subscribe to Arbitron data for either Charleston markets.

In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the audience research firm says LM copied, distributed and used its copyrighted audience estimates for the Charleston, S.C., market beginning on or about spring 2009 through at least May 2013. Arbitron believes LM got the data from “various sources, including but not limited to one or more industry consultants” who it does not name in the complaint obtained by Radio World.

Arbitron seeks a total of no less than $725,000 with interest, as well as attorney’s fees.

Read More Now

Fargo Radio: Q98, Soon to Be Q105, Tops Rock Ratings

Fargo’s top-rated rock station will soon have a new home on the radio dial, according to The Forum.

Radio F-M Media Operations Manager John Austin said Thursday that KQWB Q98 Rock’s move to 105.1 FM next week.  Q98’s modern rock format will stay the same, he said, but the move down the dial is part of “fun changes” in the works for the company that took ownership of several stations Monday.

Q98 LISTEN-LINE: Click Here

98.7 FM 60dBU Coverage

Lite Rock 105, which now broadcasts on KLTA 105.1 FM, will go off the air with the switch next Friday, Austin said.

105.1 FM 60dBu Coverage

The changes come as the spring ratings were released Wednesday showing Q98 was the metro’s No. 5 station overall among listeners 12 and older from 6 a.m. to midnight. Its 6 market share is up from the 4.8 share it had in the fall 2012 ratings.

Overall, KFGO 790 AM continues to reign supreme among Fargo listeners, commanding a 15.5 share – up from 15.2 in the fall and well above nearest competitor WDAY-FM Y94, a Top 40 station that had a 10.7 share.

Spring ratings show some shifts in listening habits, especially with country music. KBVB Bob 95, a Radio F-M station, pulled ahead of Midwest Communications-owned KVOX Froggy 99.9 with respective shares of 8.6 and 8.2 for the No. 3 and No. 4 positions. The two country stations both had shares of 8.3 last fall.

He said Radio F-M Media has plenty of big changes planned other than Q98’s move to 105.1 that’s “clearing the deck on 98.7 for something exciting.” But he said listeners will have to wait for more details.

He didn’t offer any new hints about another big change for the company – the future home of popular morning show hosts Jesse and Amanda with Pike, who aired their last show July 31 on Froggy 99.9 before the station moved to Midwest Communications.

Froggy 99.9 launched its new morning show with hosts Shawn and Mandy on Monday.

Read More Now

Tom's Take: Both stations operate with 100kW Class C1 signals, however, 105.1 FM transmitter is further away from Fargo.

Reports: Another Detroit Sports Station to Launch

Farewell?

Reports continue to circulate concerning Greater Media’s WMGC-FM 105.1.  They all point toward a format flip from AC to sports. 

RadioInsight sez the change is coming this Monday August 12 at 3 PM and is expected to brand at ‘Detroit Sports 105.1. Why 3 PM?  That’s the start time for the station’s only weekday live show. 

Michiguide.com reports that PM Drive time slot will be hosted by Drew Lane, former morning co-host on Greater Media’s WRIF.

Most of the station’s content is expected to be supplied by ESPN Radio.

According to Michiguide.com, a format change would be the frequency's 4th since Greater Media took ownership in 1996 when 105.1 was Classical WQRS. In 1997 the classics gave way to Alternative Rock 'The Edge' followed by Urban Oldies 'The Groove' in 1999 and then Adult Contemporary 'Magic 105.1' in 2001. After the retirement of Jim Harper in 2011, the AC format has changed names from Magic 105.1 to Soft Rock 105.1 to the presently used Today's 105.1.

Forbes List: Cowell, Stern Top Highest Paid List

It looks like Simon Cowell has little to worry about with a baby on the way as far as expenses.

According to USAToday, the 54-year-old TV talent competition judge is tied with Howard Stern for first place on Forbes' annual list of the highest paid TV/Radio personalities. Both have earned an estimated $95 million between June 2012 and June 2013.

Cowell, who previously was a judge on Fox's American Idol and now is a judge on the network's X-Factor, makes most of his money from stakes in X-Factor and Got Talent, which have franchises around the world. He also has a record label, Syco, and works with popular musical acts such as Leona Lewis and One Direction.

Shock jock Stern is now appearing in his second season on the judges' panel at America's Got Talent.

Forbes says the list was compiled after talking to producers, managers, agents and other experts to estimate how much each celebrity earned from entertainment-related work.

Glenn Beck is No. 3 on the list. The former Fox News personality took to the Internet in 2011 where he has a subscription site, The Blaze. Forbes estimates he earned $90 million.

Oprah Winfrey is at No. 4 on the list with estimated earnings of $77 million. Dr. Phil is #5 and Rush Limbaugh #6.

Read More Now

Local TV Newsrooms Salaries Fell In 2012

Newsroom salaries fell in 2012.  The latest data to shed light on local television economics comes from the new RTNDA/Hofstra University annual surveys of television newsrooms.

Overall, television news salaries fell about 2%, the same percentage they gained in 2011. News writers and news assistants enjoyed the biggest gains—16% and 13% respectively—from 2011. Top news managers lost ground. News directors’ salaries were down 2.3%, assistant news directors’ salaries were down 6.7% and executive producers’ dropped 9.1%. Salaries of news and sports anchors remained the same.

Read More Now.

Tampa Radio: Charges Dropped Against Schnitt Attorney

Phil Campbell

At the cozy downtown bar that January night, the text messages and cellphone calls flew fast and furious — more than 200 before the evening was over.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, a paralegal texted her bosses even as she flirted with a lawyer who didn't know she worked for the very firm he faced off against that day in court. One of those bosses called his friend on the police force, who sat outside Malio's Prime Steakhouse restaurant and bar for nearly three hours, the two texting back and forth 92 times.

In the middle of it sat lawyer C. Philip Campbell Jr. — who didn't plan on driving that night because his downtown apartment was two blocks away — unaware he was about to get popped for DUI.  Campbell at the time was representing Tampa radio personality Todd Schnitt who was suing crosstown rival Bubba The Love Sponge in a civil defamation case.  Schnitt has a PM Drive Show on CCM+E's N/T WFLA 970 AM. Bubba is morning host on Cox Media's WHPT  FM.  Bubba eventually won the case.  Schnitt is now suing the 65-year-old Campbell over his legal fees.

Todd Schnitt, Bubba

In the end, the tale told by the calls and texts that night helped persuade prosecutors to drop the drunken driving charge against Campbell and use words like "collaboration" and "organized effort" to refer to his arrest in a report issued this week.

"The intensity of the communication," said William Loughery, a prosecutor with the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office, which was called in to investigate, "was jaw-dropping."

"It is now absolutely clear that Mr. Campbell was the victim of a devious setup," said his attorney, John Fitzgibbons. "And all honest and ethical police officers and lawyers should be deeply troubled over what happened."

The prosecutors' report pulled the lid off a case that has been the talk of the legal community and beyond.

Tampa police Chief Jane Castor backed off her previously unequivocal support of the officers involved, releasing a written statement: "It is clear that Sgt. Ray Fernandez utilized bad judgment when he failed to remove himself from this investigation. He should have assigned it to an officer who did not have a personal connection to the tip."

She declined questions because the FBI is investigating.

Read More Now

Boot Camp to Establish Annual Kidd Kraddick Award

Kidd Kraddick

This year's 25th annual Morning Show Boot Camp in Chicago kicked off Thursday morning with an emotional video in memory of the late Kidd Kraddick.

Among the highlights included original TV news footage of how the story of Kidd's death first broke, along with a variety of both early and recent appearances at various conferences and events.

Following its conclusion, conference host Don Anthony of Talentmaster told a capacity crowd "It's not likely anyone will soon forget the legendary host, but for added insurance we're honored to announce the creation of an annual award in his honor: "The Kidd Kraddick Award."

Anthony added, "It will be awarded to that host or show who excels in both on and off-air excellence, as well as, serve as an inspiration to others."

The special video was produced by Art Vuolo.

Twitter Use Rises Across US Age Groups

Differences in demographic breakdown between Twitter use vs. social use overall Social networking reached 72% of US adult web users in May 2013, according to data from the Pew Internet & American Life Project. That’s up from 67% in December 2012, and an indication that social use is still growing, rather than beginning to fall plateau.

EMarketer.com notes Twitter has driven some of this growth, with the number of Twitter users rising to 18% in May, up from 8% in November 2010, Pew found. While social use is most prominent among younger adult internet users—and this holds true for Twitter as well—the microblog’s audience has grown across all age groups.

 Between November 2010 and May 2013, the percentage of internet users on Twitter more than doubled for every adult age group except those ages 65 and older. The increase was most pronounced among those between 30 and 49 years old, who saw penetration rise 142.9%, to reach 17%. And three out of 10 millennials used Twitter in May, compared with 14% in late 2010.

Read More Now

D/FW Radio: Sports Talker Randy Galloway To Retire

Randy Galloway

Randy Galloway, the longtime radio talk show host with the telling Texas twang that spouts hot sports opinions, is retiring from KESN-FM 103.3 at the end of the year, according to The Dallas Morning News.

His almost three-decade run in local radio began at WBAP-820 AM when the station sought out the then Dallas Morning News columnist, with hopes he might break the dominance of KRLD 1080 AM in the sports talk arena at 6 p.m. Galloway did just that.

A columnist at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram since 1998, Galloway, 70, told that newspaper’s website Wednesday he was giving up his fulltime radio gig. His show, Galloway & Company, has aired in afternoon drive on the local ESPN affiliate since 2003.

In April 2008, ESPN heavily promoted what it counted to be his 5,000th radio show. Among those calling to congratulate Galloway was President George W. Bush, once a Rangers minority owner. For one of the few times in his career, Galloway was almost speechless.

Read More Now

NYC Radio: SBS Touts #1 Wins In Latest PPMs

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. Thursday announced that its New York station WSKQ-FM Mega 97.9FM achieved significant ratings gains and strengthened its market position in Arbitron’s recently-released July 2013 trend report. WSKQ-FM Mega 97.9FM has captured the #1 position amongst all RADIO stations in the Tri-State New York market, for Adults 18-34 and Adults 18-49, regardless of language.

Albert Rodriguez COO of SBS commented, “As WSKQ-FM Mega 97.9FM continues to lead and reach listeners in New York, we are confident that audiences will only continue to grow even more so, as demonstrated in the latest New York Arbitron rankings. The Hispanic community is growing rapidly and SBS New York will continue to provide quality, compelling entertainment to satisfy its listeners.”

“The SBS Radio cluster in New York has consistently served as the leader in the NY Latino market place for over 30 years. Today we have only strengthened that position by becoming the number 1 radio station in New York regardless of language amongst key advertising demos, A18-49 & A18-34″, said Eric Garcia VP of Sales of SBS New York. “Our Arbitron performance reflects our strategic advantages and tactical strengths, which benefit both the communities we serve and our clients who are tapping into the branding power of WSKQ-FM Mega 97.9FM by reaching the fast growing Hispanic consumer segment.”

IMG Awards WVU Rights, WV Radio Corp. Sues

West Virginia University and IMG College on Thursday unveiled the key Morgantown-based sports radio affiliate — and it wasn't a station owned by John Raese's West Virginia Radio Corp. according to the Charleston Daily Mail and AP.

Fantasia Broadcasting's WZST-FM, located at 100.9 FM, will be Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG's primary-market affiliate station, taking over a coveted spot once held by WVAQ-FM and WAJR-AM, owned by West Virginia Radio Corp.

Meanwhile, West Virginia Radio Corp. is continuing to pursue its lawsuit against West Virginia University and IMG College over the way the university has handled its multimedia rights arrangements over the past year.

The radio network this week asked Judge Thomas Evans to issue a preliminary injunction to keep WVU from proceeding with its 12-year deal with North Carolina-based IMG College.

Evans took over the case this week for Monongalia County Circuit Judge Phillip Gaujot after West Virginia Radio claimed he had a conflict of interest. It cited a 25-year-old neighborhood spat between the judge and an attorney for the radio network's parent company.

Citing the current lawsuit, West Virginia Radio attorney Bob Gwynne declined to comment on IMG's new deal with Fantasia Broadcasting or whether West Virginia Radio stations will carry IMG-produced WVU broadcasts in the future.

Read More Now.

New Paul Finebaum ESPN Show To Debut

Sports-talk radio rock star Paul Finebaum will make his long-awaited return Monday, nearly seven months after he left the air and just in time for the kickoff of a new college football season.

In Birmingham, Finebaum's new, regionally syndicated ESPN Radio show will be heard on his old station, WJOX 94.5 FM, as well as the new WJQX ESPN 100.5 FM, which is expected to launch Monday, as well.

Finebaum's new show, which will originate out of ESPN regional studios in  Charlotte, will begin and end an hour earlier than before -- airing from 1 to 5 p.m. in Birmingham, instead of from 2 to 6 p.m.

His return has caused WJOX to shuffle its weekday lineup.

Read More Now.

NYC Radio: WHTZ Adds TimeLine Feature To Website

In observance of WHTZ Z100’s 30th Anniversary, the CCM+E station has launched a Timeline on its website.  

SEE ORIGINAL POSTING: Click Here.

The Timeline is interactive allowing listeners to click-on a specific year of A100’s existence.  Each click highlights the popular and pop culture of each year.

Z100 TIME-LINE: Click Here.

Detroit Radio: WCSX Adds Car Section to Website

Jim O'Brien

Classic cars and rock ’n’ roll simply go together. Ask anyone who has a keen interest in either.

That’s the dynamic combination that has kept Greater Media Classic Rock WCSX 94.7 FM radio a listeners’ favorite for more than 25 years.

The station has grown up with classic rock as its foundation and automobiles, new, old, special or otherwise, as part of its format. After all, the station is based in Detroit—the Motor City—the home of the country’s auto industry, so what better place for this great rock-and-car duo radio station to make its mark?

To that end, the station has launched a new page on its website, aptly christened the WCSX Garage. It features “all things auto,” according to Jim O’Brien, who is the Producer for KC & Trudi’s Morning Show and Sports Director for WCSX-FM.

The world of rock has long been associated with a love and passion for cars, according to O’Brien, who said, “It’s always been like that.” A few of many examples are Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 song “Thunder Road,” his 1984 tune “Pink Cadillac,” and the Eagles’ 1972 hit “Life in the Fast Lane.”

The 1970s saw “Rockin’ Down the Highway” by the Doobie Brothers. The 1960s were full of rock influences, with references to summer rides in convertibles and fast cars, symbols of coming of age and freedom. The Beach Boys told us about “Fun Fun Fun” (’Til Her Daddy Takes the T-Bird Away) in 1964, and Ronny & The Daytonas sang about their “GTO,” also in 1964. Motown tunes also told of cars and girls with Wilson Pickett’s version of “Mustang Sally” in 1966, among others. O’Brien cited the significance of cars—all kinds of cars—to the Detroit area and spoke of the importance people in the city place on their cars.

Rdio Hops On The Radio Bandwagon

Mainstream music fans don’t want to constantly choose what to listen to, so streaming services are embracing radio. According to Josh Constantine at telecrunch.com, the latest is Rdio, whose new Friend FM turns your friends’ listening activity and social connections into non-stop streams. It’s also added a traditional Pandora-style You FM station thanks to data from The Echo Nest. Together they could let you productively leave Rdio on in the background.

While Pandora popularized adaptive online radio, it’s becoming an essential feature for all music services. Spotify added radio at the end of 2011, and Apple is gearing up to launch iTunes Radio alongside iOS 7 this fall.

Usually, adaptive radio stations build themselves off of your listening habits. That includes what you played, thumbs up or downed, and saved. This is how Rdio’s new You FM works, though it also factors in your Facebook Likes and Twitter Follows.

Rdio’s overhaul of Stations also lets your tune into any of yours friends’ You FM stations. Friend FM could get you out of your comfort zone and stumbling upon new artists you can then cue up on-demand. Maria FM could score me some new yoga music, while Alex FM would rock my bones with the latest new metal. Rdio says “It’s like flipping on the car radio and knowing every DJ.”

The cross-platform streaming service has also built a more immersive player for Stations, a better navigation system, Stations for genres, and an Auto-Play radio based on the last song or artist you were last listening to.

Read More Now

Beasley Broadcast Names Digital VP

Stacy Sedbrook

Beasley Broadcast Group headquartered in Naples, Florida, appoints Stacey Sedbrook as Vice President of Digital.

In her capacity, she will lead and direct all of the Company’s social and online initiatives; develop and implement  new media strategies; and also coordinate all digital and interactive efforts for each of Beasley’s radio stations.

She joins Beasley September 1 and will be based in the corporate office in Naples, FL and reports to Caroline Beasley.

Ms. Sedbrook arrives at Beasley Broadcast and in Southwest Florida from Boston, MA where she was most recently  Senior Director of Digital Sales and Operations for Wicked Local-Gatehouse Media New England. Sedbrook has served as Gannett Corporate’s Vice President of Local  Digital, The Dallas Morning News’ Director of Sales Training, The Houston Chronicle’s Director of Online Sales,  Marketing and Product Development, and the Denver Newspaper Agency’s Director of New Media.

“As our digital initiatives continue to grow and evolve, we realize the benefit in examining this critically important  part of our business with fresh eyes and from a different perspective,” says Executive Vice President and Chief  Financial Officer Caroline Beasley. “Stacey’s record of driving the development of innovative, revenue-generating  marketing and sales campaigns for both agencies and clients is exceptional.

Stacey Sedbrook adds, “Radio is an industry that I’ve been watching closely. To join a company like Beasley, one that understands that digital and radio are converging at a faster pace than ever before, is a tremendous opportunity. After living through Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the Boston Blizzard of 2013, I'm  excited to be leaving New England for the year-round sunshine in SW Florida".

Report: Accident During Operation Causes Death of Personality

Steve, Kerri Drees

Popular Christian Radio personality Kerri Drees died early this week in a Fargo hospital, where she was undergoing a lap-band operation. Drees was a morning co- host on KKEQ Your QFM in Grand Forks since January 2011.

SEE ORIGINAL POSTING: Click Here.

According to The Forum in Fargo,  Kerri and her husband, Steve, arrived at Altru Hospital at 5:45 a.m. Monday for her to have a 30- to 45-minute procedure to remove the Lap-Band she’d had since 2007. Surgery was set for 7:45 a.m. and before Kerri was rolled away, she kissed Steve and said, “I love you.” 

He, thinking 17 years together was not nearly enough told her, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

It was not to be as complications during surgery claimed Kerri’s life.

About 45 minutes after the surgery was to have started, Steve went to Altru’s information desk for an update. “The gal said the only information they had was that the first incision was made 41 minutes ago,” he said.

Kerri Drees

About 10 minutes later two staff members “in scrubs came and asked to talk to me,” Steve continued. “It was obvious they didn’t want to talk to me in the main waiting area, so my heart sank. I followed them back to the chapel area, where I met with them and the chaplain. The two staff members were an anesthesiologist and a surgical nurse. The anesthesiologist told me there were complications. Kerri had lost a lot of blood and her heart had stopped twice. He assured me they had several people working to stabilize her but it didn’t look good.”

Steve was later told that Kerri’s aorta had been nicked during the first incision.

There are those who want to place blame, Steve said, “and I don’t. Kerri wasn’t the type to blame. Every operation has inherent risk and every human being is different. I have no ill will. It’s easier for me not to hold ill will knowing Kerri had a living and vibrant faith.”

A veteran of Christian radio, Kerri began working in January 2011 at QFM, which has offices in Fosston, Minn., and Bemidji, Minn. She had previously worked at radio station Power 92 in Fargo.

Read More Now

R.I.P.: Lloyd Moss Former WQXR, NYC Broadcaster

Lloyd Moss

Lloyd Moss, a classical-music radio announcer who amused listeners with cheeky humor, died on Saturday in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.

He was 86.  The NY Times reports the cause was Parkinson’s disease.

Mr. Moss had long made listeners of WQXR chuckle during such staples of drive-time radio as traffic reports — after one that said “traffic in both lanes on the bridge is suspended,” he ad-libbed, “Come to think of it, so is the bridge.”

Read More Now.

Orlando Radio: WOCL Surges To Claim Top Spot In July PPMs

CBS Radio’s classic hits WOCL Sunny 105.9 FM is the new ratings king moving 6.3-7.2. Summertime is good to Sunny as it reached #1 last August.

Cox Media’ Urban AC Star 94.5 FM is #2 basically remaining flat 6.9-6.8. Cluster-mate country WWKA K92 went 7.3-6.6, good for #3.

CCM+E’s Spanish tropical “Rumba 100” WRUM Rumba 100.3 FM  is #4 moving 5.9-6.2.

Cox Media N/T WDBO-News 96.5 FM surged  4.3-5.8 for the fifth spot. The station provided live gave-lt-o-gavel coverage of the George Zimmerman trial during the rating period.

Cume leader: Hot AC WOMX Mix 105.1 FM 513,100 listeners. Clear Channel CHR WXXL 106.7 FM is #2 in cume with 505,700…WOCL is #3 with 437,100.

Interesting to note the reported total share for AM stations in Orlando is a mere 2.6:    Talker WFLF 540 AM 1.2...ESPN Sports WDBO 580 AM 0.9 aand Fox Sports WYGM 740 AM scored a 0.5.

For More Arbitron July PPMs Ratings, Click Here.

Philly Radio: Randy Michaels Sells WWIQ

And many market watchers are surprised at who's buying. Afterall, many thought CBS Radio wanted an FM outlet for its KYW.

Merlin Media’s WWIQ 106.9 FM has been sold to Education Media Foundation (EMF) is a non-profit broadcaster of contemporary Christian music and programming, with 700 radio stations and the top ranked K-LOVE.

WWIQ was another effort by Merlin magician Randy Michaels to own stations in major markets.  His stations in New York City and chiago have already been sold, after short-lived news formats.  It was just 18 months ago, Merlin paid Harold Camping’s Family Radio $22.5 million for Christian WKDN, Camden. There are reports this deal is around $19 million.

The Camden-licensed station has had more downs than ups in the two years since Merlin Media bought  and transformed it to a news and information outlet, according to philly.com.

At first there were grumblings the station would go gunning for CBS Radio outlets in the market.  First, it was newser KYW 1060 AM, then The Big Talker WPHT 1210 AM.  In the most recent July PPMs, WWIQ scored a flat 2.1 -- 2.1 share 6+.

Lots to talk about at the Radio discussions message board, Click Here.

The sale, pending FCC approval, mean talkers Don Imus, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity  will be searching for new outlets.

The City of Brotherly Love can expect EMF’s non-commercial, contemporary Christian  K-Love format to air on 106.9 FM after the closing.  The format currently airs on Class A WKVP 89.5 FM.

Harrisburg Radio: Ex-Con to Audition for Gig

Bruce Bond

But this is no orderinary ex-convict.  This is Central PA. radio legend Bruce Bond, who  hosted Top 40 WNNK-104.1 FM's daily "The Bruce Bond Late Afternoon Show" from 3-7 p.m. from 1995 until 2002

Bruce Bond is auditioning to host WHP 580 AM’s afternoon talk show.

He isn't alone either. The AM radio station is in the midst of a search for a replacement for Bob Durgin, who retired on Aug. 2. Candidates for the position have been auditioning on-air since Aug. 5 in the afternoon show's time slot of 3-6 p.m.

Newman

Newman of Newman and Nancy on sister-station WRBT BOB 94.9 FM fame is auditioning Thursday. Bond will have the Friday audition spot.  The auditions will continue into the next week and will include Matt Meyer of sister-station WRVV The River 97.3.

As for what the station's looking for, PD RJ Harris says "We are not looking for someone with fill-in-the-blank political beliefs or lifestyle beliefs. We're looking for a show that's compelling and entertaining and will keep people listening."

And according to pennlive.com, that's where Bond could shine. A figure of fascination for many in the midstate, Bond made national headlines when he was indicted in 2008 for charges of forgery, attempted grand larceny and identity theft. There were 65 counts total levied against him for the $4.3 million forged-check scheme involving accomplices in Nigeria and Europe.

Matt Meyer

Found guilty, Bond was sentenced to a minimum of 2 1/3 years to maximum of 7 years in prison. He was released on parole on April 29, 2010 for merit. His parole was discharged two years later.

Harris predicts Bond's criminal past will come up during his on-air audition. "I have to think that it will come up and I have to believe that Bruce is ready to talk about it," he said.

As for negative audience reaction to bringing on Bond, Harris is prepared. "He paid his dues. I know it sounds cliche, but it's true," Harris said. "The thing we have to remember about Bruce Bond is that he had some of the biggest rating shares, if not the biggest, of anyone ever on the air in Harrisburg. So we believe that he deserves, at least, a look."

Read More Now.

D/FW Radio: Cumulus, Disney Do LMA Deal For KESN

And it could mean major signal upgrade for The Ticket.

Cumulus Media, which owns and operates KTCK 1310 AM TheTicket, has reportedly agreed to operate under an LMA (but not purchase) KESN-103.3FM ESPN Radio in Dallas and will run both stations.

The end of the September is the target date for The Ticket to assume control of ESPN 103.3 FM.

According to star-telegram.com, ESPN's radio personnel will relocate from Irving to downtown Dallas at Victory Park, where The Ticket currently operates.

ESPN’s Traug Keller was the ESPN senior vice president said ESPN-FM will continue to air “Mike & Mike” in morning drive and Colin Cowherd’s “The Herd” show as well as ESPN event programming, according to Barry Horn at The Dallas Morning News.

Those programs sell lots of national advertising. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is the fifth-largest radio market in the country behind New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco.

The station also will remain the radio home of the Rangers and Mavericks. Local programming, which includes Randy Galloway and other shows such as Durret and Fitzsimmons, is not certain.

Cumulus has aired Ticket programming on weak-signaled KTDK-FM 104.1, but the sale of the station is pending.  KTDK has 6200 watts. KESN has 98,000 watts.

KESN 103.3 FM 60dBu Coverage Area

According to Mac Engel at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, there is a good chance Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket will relocate the majority of its programming to the 103.3 FM signal.

Cumulus owns eight radio stations in Dallas-Fort Worth.

It was not disclosed who will maintain the ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth website, which currently sports the ESPN template.

Sulzberger Sez NY Times Not For Sale

Arthur Sulzberger Jr.

The New York Times is not for sale, the paper's publisher, Arthur Sulzberger Jr., says.

"Will our family seek to sell the Times? The answer to that is no," said Sulzberger, who is also chairman of The New York Times Co., in a statement to employees Wednesday night.

"The Times is not for sale, and the Trustees of the Ochs-Sulzberger Trust and the rest of the family are united in our commitment to work together with the Company's Board, senior management and employees to lead The New York Times forward into our global and digital future," he said in the statement, which the Times provided USAToday.

In the wake of Monday's purchase of The Washington Post by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos — and the New York Times Co.'s sale of The Boston Globe to Boston Red Sox owner John Henry — media watchers been speculating on which major paper would be the next on the block. "There has been much speculation and understandable concern about what this could mean for us," Sulzberger said in the statement.

Read More Now

15-Year-Old Son Of CNN Prez Resigns From Advisory Board

Andrew, Jeff Zucker

Andrew Zucker, the 15-year-old son of Jeff Zucker, president of CNN, resigned on Wednesday from a board that advises an Internet start-up founded by Mayor Cory A. Booker of Newark.

The resignation came after The New York Times published an article detailing Mr. Booker’s involvement in the company, Waywire, a site whose goal includes making it easier to collect, curate and share videos from the Web.

Booker obtained money from influential investors — including Oprah Winfrey and Eric E. Schmidt, Google’s executive chairman — and tapped the expertise of technology moguls and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.

Booker, who founded the company with two partners, recently revealed in a financial disclosure statement that his stake in the company was worth between $1 million and $5 million.

In addition to being given a seat on an advisory board, Andrew Zucker received stock options from Mr. Booker’s fledgling company.

Read More Now

CableTV Customers Cutting Their Cords in Droves

Pay-TV providers lost substantial numbers of video customers in Q2, and tempers are flaring in the industry over who is most to blame for the rising costs that are driving some subscribers to "cut the cord."

And Shalini Ramachandran of marketwatch.com explains.

FL Radio: Genesis Inks Deal With Sports Talker Jay Mariotti

Jay Marotti

Controversial Chicago sports personality Jay Mariotti is touting his return to radio.

Jay Mariotti was a controversial columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times starting in 1991. According to Chicagoland Radio & Media, he not only made a habit of angering readers, along with sports and media figures, but his own co-workers, as well. He abruptly quit the Sun-Times in 2008, for the most part resulting in cheers from both the public and former work associates.

In 2004, Mariotti hosted a Chicago radio show on WMVP-AM. He was released after only ten months after he would not stop verbally attacking Jerry Reinsdorf, the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Bulls and those associated with those teams. WMVP-AM was the flagship radio station of both the White Sox & Bulls at that time. Station management asked Mariotti to tone down his inflammatory remarks. He refused, causing the station to part ways with him.

Mariotti joined AOL as a writer for Fanzone in January 2009 and worked as a regular commentator on ESPN's "Around The Horn." Both ESPN and AOL's Fanhouse.com parted ways with the outspoken Mariotti after a series of embarrassing incidents began in 2010. He has since been unemployed.

Those embarrassing incidents included multiple arrests and charges of various felonies and misdemeanors all stemming from his being witnessed repeatedly being involved with domestic abuse against a now-former girlfriend.  Mariotti continues to publicly profess his innocence. He claims all witnesses are wrong and that the ex-girlfriend was just after his money.

Wednesday, Mariotti launched his own website, MariottiShow.com and he announced that beginning this coming Monday, August 12th, he will begin his own weekday Internet radio show, "The Jay Mariotti Show," which will stream on his website from 11:00am-2:00pm (Central time).

Additionally, Jay Mariotti has inked a deal with the Largo, Florida-based Genesis Communications II, Inc. That company, which owns radio stations across the state of Florida, will air Mariotti's new show on four stations: WHBO-AM (Tampa), WHOO-AM (Orlando), WGGG-AM (Gainesville), and WMOP-AM (Ocala).

Mariotti claims it is a multi-year deal with Genesis Communications, who also will operate his website.

Read More Now.

Report: Ex-Pilot Said To Be Source of Fake Pilot Names

Several minutes before the moment the fake names of the Asiana Airlines pilots aired prematurely on KTVU News, a veteran staffer-- awarding winning TV News journalist, Roland De Wolk, (one of the four fired at the station over the incident), passed the names over to newsroom staffers whose duty was to make sure the names were authentic, according to a broadcast source close to the station. One of those staffers included the Managing Editor, according to Rich Lieberman’s 415 Blog.

According to Lieberman’s story… 

"You better check these, (names), out", said De Wolk after he passed the names over to newsroom personnel.  KTVU's Managing Editor, Michelle Toy, who saw the list and whose duty, (among normal news procedures), was to read the names out loud, phonetically, raised the issue that the names sounded suspicious. Told that they were confirmed by an NTSB official, (later to be known as an intern), OKed the list.  Toy, who is of Asian descent, was not one of the four staffers let go by KTVU and its corporate owner, Cox Media. 

Another individual close to De Wolk said that the source that provided the fake pilot's names was an ex-pilot who had worked with KTVU in the past and was considered to be trustworthy. 

At least 4-5 people saw the list of names, including anchor, Tori Campbell, who read them on the air on KTVU's Noon Newscast, Friday, July 12th.

Read More Now.

D/FW Radio: Kidd Kraddick’s Death Compared To 9/11

Dale Hansen

Never one to tread lightly – even on the topic of death – WFAA's Dale Hansen behaved as only Dale Hansen does in his coverage of the death of David "Kidd" Kraddick, who died on July 27 in New Orleans.

On the August 5 edition of WFAA-TV's nightly news show, Dale Hansen hosted an interview with the crew of Kidd Kraddick in The Morning, which is broadcast around the country and locally on KHKS 106 KissFM. Although Kraddick was host, the rest of the crew has decided to go on with the show.

When he asked what Kraddick's death means in dollar signs, and when he compared Kraddick's passing to 9/11.

According to culturemap.com, the money comment came up, awkwardly, as he introduced the segment with crew members Big Al, J-Si, Kellie Rasberry and Jenna.

"I played golf with Kidd Kraddick (and a lot of poker too)," Hansen said. "It seems like everything I ever did with him cost me money. But Kraddick's death could be costing a lot of people a lot of money."

His next trip down the rabbit hole was his evocation of the images of 9/11.

"After 9/11, every comedian, the Lenos and the Lettermans, felt like it was awkward to laugh again," Hansen said. "This morning, when you're trying to do the show without Kidd Kraddick, was it awkward to laugh again?"

Read More Now.