Survey: Kimye 'Least Desireable Celeb Neighbors'

In the seventh annual Celebrity Neighbor Survey, Zillow.com  asked Americans which celebrities they would most like to have as their neighbor, as well as those with whom they wouldn’t dare share a fence.

Most Desirable Neighbors for 2014

On top of a laundry list of other accomplishments this year, comedian and late-night TV host Jimmy Fallon landed “Saturday Night Live” its highest ratings in 2 years when he hosted last week’s holiday episode with Justin Timberlake. Now, he gets to add “Most Desirable Celebrity Neighbor.”

With 11 percent of the vote, Fallon was the top choice for a neighbor in the coming year. His popularity was highest among young adults surveyed (14 percent) and slightly more popular among females (12 percent) compared with males (10 percent). For those on the East Coast, you may have more luck borrowing a cup of sugar from the Fallon family. In 2011, he purchased a stunning 1800s farmhouse-style home that sits on more than 2 acres of Sagaponack, NY real estate.

Worst Neighbors of 2013

Reality-TV personality Kim Kardashian and music mogul fiancé Kanye West topped the list of worst neighbors this year. One-quarter of surveyed Americans found the couple — who had a baby, got engaged and are renovating the Bel-Air home they purchased earlier this year — to be the most undesirable neighbors of 2013.

Kardashian and West moved up from second place in the 2012 worst neighbor rankings, where they landed 18 percent of the vote behind the cast of “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.” Only 2 percent of respondents said they would prefer to live next to “Kimye”.

Saturday Aircheck: Big Jay Sorensen On WCBS-FM 2011

Big Jay Sorenson

Jay Sorensen has been assaulting the airwaves for four decades, in some really extraordinary places, as Disc Jockey, Talk Show Host, News Anchor, Beat Reporter, Commercial Production Director ... and occasionally even as Program Director and Operations Manager.

Currently, Jay can be heard on WCBS-101.1 FM in New York City.

Previous stops have included Sirius Satellite Radio, the legendary 66 WNBC-AM in NYC, New Jersey 101.5 FM, KLIF-AM in Dallas, and various radio places in Philly.

A three-time Clio Award nominee, Jay has also been recognized by the New Jersey Broadcasters Association for his expertise in commercial production.

2013's Incredible News Bloopers

Dead air, accidental sexual innuendo and on-air F-bombs are among the many flubs and bloopers that took place this year on live newscasts.

Nielsen Releases December Numbers For 12 More PPM Markets

NielsenAudio continues to roll out more December ratings results in PPM markets.  The 'December' monthly is actually covering dates November 7 through December 4.

The fortcoming 'Holiday' book covers the rest of December and is expected to greatly benefit FM stations airing Christmas/Holiday music.

Released Thursday are:

Washington DC

Boston

Miami

Detroit

Seattle

Plus these markets:

• Phoenix AZ
• Minneapolis-St. Paul MN
• San Diego CA
• Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater FL
• Denver-Boulder CO
• Baltimore MD
• St. Louis MO

To see the Topline numbers for the subscribing stations in these markets, Click Here.

Phoeniz Radio: Rimshots KMVA, KEXX Merging Programming

Two Phoenix, AZ rimshot signals are merging programming to simuklcast as Hot 97.5 / 103.9 Trending Radio.

Hot AC KEXX My 103.9 FM licensed to Gilbert, AZ is owned by Riviera Broadcasting and Hot AC KMVA Hot 97.5 FM licensed to Dewey-Humbolt, AZ is owned by Trumper Communications.

The new FM simulcast is scheduled to begin at January 1, 2014.

KMVA 97.5 FM 60dBu Coverage

“I am beyond excited by this merger,” Trmper Communications CEO Jeff Trumper said. “By combining resources, we are able to extend the reach of the Hot radio brand and give our audience more of what it wants. We’ll be serving the hottest trends in music along with hip and engaging lifestyle events that will appeal to music fans, foodies, fashionistas, and families. We are confident our listening audience will be energized by this change and will feel an even stronger connection to this newly-combined station.”

KEXX 103.9 FM 60dBu Coverage

 “We’re excited to merge these two terrific brands,” Riviera COO Jose Rodiles said. “This newly-created mega station will not only benefit the Phoenix radio audience but will also bring tremendous value to the advertising community. With a focus on ‘live and local’, Hot 97.5/103.9 Trending Radio will engage listeners with the hottest music and trends not only from around the country but also right here in the Valley.”

Tampa Radio: Hannity Contract Bumps Todd Schnitt On WFLA

Todd Schnitt

The new year will see some changes in the line-up at CCM+E's N/T WFLA 970 AM.

Starting January 6, the Todd Schnitt show loses its live clearance on WFLA getting delayed to evenings 6p-9pm.  However, Schnitt will be heard live in the Tampa market on cluster mate WHNZ 1260 AM.

The reason?

According an open letter to listeners, Schnitt cites a new Hannity contract that contracturally guarantees a live clearance on CCM+E stations, where it had been previously delayed.

According to Schnitt the moves will allow for a new levels or control and revenue growth, which he claims will further cement his commitment and ability to talk with listeners every day.

In addition to the radio show listeners will now have better access 24 hours a day online and on mobile phones through the all new Schnitt Show web site.

Schnitt did express disappointment that he's losing his 10-year affiliate CCM+E's WSCC 94.3 FM in Charleston, SC.  He did announce to new affiliate in the market WQSC 1340 AM / 950 AM weekdays 6 PM to 8 PM.

The Schnitt Show also starts 2014 with the addition of several new stations, including KNEW 960 AMin San Francisco.

NYC Radio: Elliot Segal Couldn't Say No To WOR Gig

Elliot Segal would be happy never to hear the phrase “shock jock” again, according to David Hinckley at The NY Daily News.

“I never really understood what it meant,” says the incoming host of the morning show on WOR 710 AM. “Is it someone who says provocative things? Fortunately, I think it’s over.”

Segal may have some sensitivity here, because he’s heard that tag a few times since he left Z100 in 1999 for WWDC in Washington.

But it may be the least of his challenges come Jan. 13, when he moves into the WOR slot vacated last week by John R. Gambling.

While Gambling became more forceful in his opinions when he began his second stint at WOR in 2008, he was widely considered a throwback to the gentler, politer days of radio.

His arrival is part of a major WOR makeover that’s focused on the arrival of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity in the afternoon.

The 44-year-old Segal was Elvis Duran’s partner at WHTZ for years before heading to Washington, and his show still has “morning zoo” elements.

The WOR deal came together “very recently and very quickly,” says Segal, so he’s been scrambling to get moved  and figure out when his wife and two pre-teen sons will join him.

“I wasn’t looking to make a move,” he says. “But mornings in New York on WOR, that wasn’t something I could turn down.

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DC Radio: Broadcasters Give Jim Farley A Memorable Sendoff

The staff applauded as Farley came out of his office to receive his ''Let It Snow'' cake, a nod to his ratings-generating wish every winter. (WTOP photo)

Jim Farley

Hundreds of broadcasters from across the country attended a retirement sendoff for WTOP vice president of news and programming Jim Farley at the Newseum Wednesday night.

According to the Washington Business Journal, the evening's tone was mostly flattering to Farley's contributions and accomplishments, but not without a jab or two from his staff.

Farley told the audience he has gotten credit over the years for many things he didn't do.

"Mostly what I do is sit in my office and play solitaire. That's what I do on my computer," said Farley.

Farley, who came to WTOP as news director in 1996, has shepherded the radio station through three ownerships and overseen programming changes that took the station from No. 14 in the Washington market's rankings to the consistently top-rated radio station, and has more than tripled its listenership.

His accomplishments have included persuading its owners to reinvest profits — and they have been large — back into newsroom operations, expanding regional coverage of news and improving ratings by pouncing on audience-grabbing events, like snow.

"I love snow,'' Farley said.

Farley also oversaw the station's transition from the AM dial to FM, a first among all-news stations, boosting its following among young listeners.

Farley's trademarks that are more apparent to listeners include coining familiar phrases, including "the glass-enclosed nerve center" and "Your favorite radio station doesn't play songs," both aimed at making the station memorable in the minds of listeners with ratings diaries.

Before moving to Washington, Farley spent two decades at ABC- and NBC-owned radio network operations in New York, and started his career as a copyboy at New York City's all-news radio station WINS.

Farley officially retires at the end of December, but will remain a consultant for two years after his retirement.

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December 27 In Radio History

In 1932...Radio City Music Hall, in New York City, began operation with the first event open to the public.



In 1939...the radio program, "The Glenn Miller Show", debuted on the CBS radio network.



In 1947...Bell Labs invented the transistor.

In 1958...Buddy Holly made his first appearance in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas since becoming a major recording star. Along with broadcasting "live" over KLLL radio from a fruit and vegetable store, he returned to the station's studios to record "You're The One," a song that station management challenged him to write in half an hour.

In 1963..."The Animals" performed on the BBC radio show, "Saturday Club", their first radio appearance.




In 1968...Don McNeils' "The Breakfast Club" signed off the ABC Radio network, after 35 years of successful broadcasting.

R.I.P.: Milwaukee Radio's Gordon Hinkley Passes

Gordon Hinkley, whose Milwaukee radio career spanned more than a half century and whose voice was as familiar as an old friend to thousands of listeners, died this week.

He was 88, according to jsonline.com.

Once called the "Granddaddy of Milwaukee radio," whose "Ask Your Neighbor" show ran on WTMJ 620 AM for more than 30 years, Hinkley died Monday.

"He was the cornerstone of WTMJ radio for so many years," said Steven J. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Journal Communications, publisher of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"He knew how to connect with an audience, and you could tell he just loved being on that radio," said Smith, the former vice president and general manager of WTMJ and WKTI radio. "People just believed in him."


Gordon Lyle Hinkley was born in Port Edwards, Wis., in 1925 and married Joyce Berryman, his high school sweetheart, in 1943.

Hinkley's radio career began in 1941, when he hosted a Sunday piano show at WFHR in Wisconsin Rapids after an audition for a talent contest sponsored by the station.  Hinkley, who also emceed a Saturday show for teens, served three years in the U.S. Army in Europe and did some announcing for the Armed Services Radio Network.

He also worked for WSAU radio in Wausau, and in 1950, he became an announcer with WTMJ radio, where he began hosting the station's morning show.

In 1961, Hinkley introduced the "Ask Your Neighbor" program, where he invited listeners to call and exchange information, such as household tips, advice on how to find a good spot remover and other everyday questions.

"People would call in asking about recipes or how to remove gum stuck to corduroy," recalled Steve Wexler, executive vice president for TV and radio of the Journal Broadcast Group, who listened to the show as a young boy and met Hinkley while interning at WTMJ radio in the mid-1970s.

"Listeners loved him. Advertisers trusted him. And all of us who knew him learned from him."


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R.I.P.: MLB Indians Radio Broadcaster Mike Hegan

Mike Hegan

Mike Hegan, a former major league player who was a longtime broadcaster with the Cleveland Indians, has died.

He was 71, according to The Sporting News.

The Indians say Hegan had his family by his side when he died Wednesday morning in Hilton Head, S.C. No other details were provided by the team.

Hegan was a radio and TV broadcaster for the Indians for 23 years. He retired after the 2011 season. He also spent 12 seasons as a broadcaster with the Milwaukee Brewers.

His father, Jim Hegan, was a catcher for the Indians. Jim Hegan was a member of the Indians' 1948 World Series champion team and their 1954 AL champion team that won 111 games.

He made the AL All-Star team with the Seattle Pilots in 1969 and helped the Oakland Athletics win the 1972 World Series. He also played in the 1964 World Series with the New York Yankees.

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iTunesRadio Becomes top Priority For Apple

Apple leadership has given the iAds team a new mission: always be selling iTunes Radio. And while the sales team is busy pushing Apple radio inventory, the company will build a real-time bidding exchange to automate selling in-app ads, multiple sources said told AdAge.

Indeed, there is a new focus within the company’s advertising unit, and the mantra came direct from Eddy Cue, Apple’s head of software. In a staff meeting before the holidays, Cue indicated that iTunes Radio is the top priority, and app ads are not.

“The message that came across was basically if you’re not working on iTunes Radio, you’re irrelevant,” an Apple insider said.

Apple’s iAds business has undergone a number of changes since launching in 2010. Its sales team has been integral in helping developers monetize apps; most of the revenue from iAds comes from in-app advertising.
However, Apple is trying to ramp up revenue from iTunes Radio, a Pandora-like service that was released widely this fall. Pandora has been on an advertising push, manning local sales forces with hundreds of new hires in the past year. And just last week, Spotify introduced its ad-supported mobile radio service. All these companies are chasing traditional and digital radio dollars.

A source familiar with iAds said Apple has kept its real-time initiative under close wraps and is “not casting a wide net.” That may be because the company is figuring out how to gradually transition from earlier aggressive sales efforts that had iAd prices starting at $1 million a pop. “It’s a rare advertiser that is going to be willing to pay those rates,” said the source.

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NielsenAudio Releasing December PPM Results

NielsenAudio this week is releasing results of the December results in the PPM Markets. Rleased, so far this week:

New York City

Los Angeles

Chicago

San Francisco

Dallas-Ft. Worth TX

Also Released so far:

• Houston-Galveston TX
• Philadelphia PA
• Atlanta GA
• Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island) NY
• Riverside-San Bernardino CA
• San Jose CA
• Middlesex-Somerset-Union NJ

To See The Topline number for Nielsen Subscribing Stations, Click Here

Denver Radio: Tom Martino Arrested For Domestic Violence

Tom Martino

Police in Denver arrested radio personality KHOW 630 AM Tom Martino for alleged domestic violence related assault.

It happened Friday night, according to CBS4 in Denver.

The victim, a woman, was taken to a hospital. Police have not released the identity of the woman who was reportedly hospitalized.

The 60-year-old filed for bankruptcy in 2011 because of his real estate deals.

Denver police say Martino was released from the Denver city jail, after paying a $600 bond.

In a statement made Martino said:

“Holly and I remain deeply in love and committed to each other and to our family. The incident that happened Friday night was a foolish mistake. We were both drinking too much. We got into an argument that escalated over a struggle for a cell phone. We were both inadvertently injured and we were not trying to hurt each other. My over-reaction was uncalled for. I am ashamed of my behavior. I should’ve walked away. I also believe alcohol was a major catalyst. We are dealing with our issues through professional Christian spiritual counseling, with mutual love and support. We advise anyone dealing with these struggles to seek help before there is an incident.”

Central NY Radio: Hank Brown Announces Retirement

Hank Brown

The “Dean of Broadcasters” Hank Brown will call it a career after 55 years in radio and television in the Mohawk Valley.

According to The Times in Herkimer, Brown’s last show on Sports WUSP 1550 AM  and WRCK 1480 AM  will be heard at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Brown began his Mohawk Valley radio career in 1957 at WLFH radio in Little Falls. Over the years he has broadcast on WRUN, WIBX, WUTQ and WADR radio.

After a yearlong hiatus, Brown came back to the airwaves on WUSP and WRCK radio, the stations of Good Guys Broadcasting in Utica.

“When we bought the stations, it was with the intent to have true community stations. Hank Brown has meant ‘community broadcasting’ for almost as long as I’ve been alive.”, said station co-owner Tom Coyne.

December 26 In Radio History

In 1926...In Nashville, the "WSM Barn Dance" began regular Saturday night broadcasts.

In 1953...The radio program "Big Sister" signed off the air from the CBS Radio netowrk. The show aired for 17 years.



In 1954..."The Shadow" radio program signed off the air. 'The Shadow' began in 1930 as the Narrator for a radio show called 'Detective Story Hour' based on a magazine of the same name. The Narrator became more popular than the series and a 21 season run of 'The Shadow' series followed with actors in the leading role including Orson Welles (1937-1938), Bill Johnstone (1938-1943), John Archer (1944-1945) and Bret Morrison (1943-1944, 1945-1954).


In 1963...50 years ago, The Beatles released the single, "I Want To Hold Your Hand," which became their first U.S. smash hit, marking the beginning of Beatlemania and music's "British Invasion."

In 1965...Beatle Paul McCartney was interviewed on pirate radio station "Radio Caroline". Radio Caroline was a British radio station founded in 1964 by Ronan O'Rahilly to circumvent the record companies' control of popular music broadcasting in the United Kingdom and the BBC's radio broadcasting monopoly. Unlicensed by any government for most of its early life, it was a pirate radio station which only became formally illegal in 1967.

In 1992...NYC's WPAT-FM changed from beautiful music - down tempo AC

In 2004...longtime Iowa radio personality, Dick Petrik, died at age 76. Petrik began as the first News Director at KOEL, Oelwein, and maintained that position for 41 years.

December 25 In Radio History

In 1931...The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City was the subject of a broadcast for the first time. Lawrence Tibbett was featured as vocalist in "Hansel und Gretel". The productionw aired on the NBC Radio network.


In 1937...famed conductor, Arturo Toscanini, conducted the first broadcast of the radio program, "Symphony of the Air", across the NBC Radio netwrok.

In 1939..."A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens, was recited for the first time over the CBS Radio network.

In 1945...Actor Gary Sandy, who played Andy Travis on TV's WKRP in Cincinnati was born.


In 1946...Singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett, of "Margaritaville" fame was born


In 1964...In New York, "Murray The K's Big Holiday Show" went on as scheduled, with the Zombies, the Nashville Teens, and the Hullabaloos, after the U.S. Labor Department lifted a ban on granting British artists work visas. Britain's Musicians Union had retaliated by canceling Fats Domino's upcoming tour, before the whole matter was dropped.

In 1995...Singer, actor and comedian Dean Martin died. He was 78

In 2006...Singer James Brown, nicknamed the "Godfather of Soul, died. He was 73.

In 2008...Singer, dancer and actress Eartha Kitt died. She was 81.

Sac Radio: CCM+E Dumps Classic Hits On 93.1 FM

Clear Channel Communications will be dumping the classic hits format on Classic Hits on KHLX 93.1 FM to simulcast KFBK 1530 AM, the media giant's news/talk powerhouse AM station.

Until now, the company has been simulcasting N/T on KFBK 92.5 FM, and announced on its Classic 93.1 Facebook page the move will take place Dec. 26.

"We decided to make the change because the revenue and ratings did not justify continuing forward with Classic 93.1.  We apologize for the inconvenience.  After Christmas, 93.1 will be the new home of NewsRadio KFBK.  We have something new and exciting planned for 92.5 that we'll announce in the new year," the company wrote.

Post by News Radio KFBK.

92.5 has a much stronger signal than 93.1, allowing Clear Channel a greater reach with its yet-to-be announced format.

KFBK-FM 92.5 FM 54 dBu Coverage

KHLX 93.1 FM 60 dBU Coverage

Classic Hits 93.1 has been playing Christmas music since before Thanksgiving.

NYC Radio: WLTW In Usual Top Spot

In the December PPM's released Monday by NielsenAudio, CCM+E's WLTW 106.7 FM (LiteFM) moved 7.0 – 7.6 6+ to score it's usual #1 ranking thanks to holiday music.

YMF MEDIA Urban AC WBLS 107.5 FM continues to gain steam moving 6.6 – 6.8, good for #2 in the Big Apple. CCM+E Top 40/M WHTZ Z100 (100.3 FM) remains at #3 position despite its lowest share since February 5.4 – 5.2. CBS Radio's Classic Hits WCB 101.1 FM is #4, down from #2 a year ago). The station was steady at 5.1. Finishing fifth is SBS Tropical WSKQ 97.9 FMLA MEGA down slightly 4.9 – 4.6.

25-54: WLTW...WHTZ...WBLS..WSKQ...WKTU

18-34: WHTZ...WSKQ...WKTU tied WLTW...WQHT

18-49: WLTW...WHTZ...WBLS...WSKQ tied WKTU

Cume: WLTW 5,340,500...WKTU-FM 4,559,700...WHTZ-FM 4,351,200 ...WCBS-FM 3,432,500... WWFS-FM 3,229,200

NYC Radio: WFAN's Francesa #1 With Men 25-54

Mike Francesa

The worst sports autumn in recent New York memory did not hurt the market's talk radio leader, WFAN 660 AM / 101.9 FM, which in the fall ratings released Monday finished first in afternoon drive time and second in the morning.

According to Newsday, the station ranked first from 3-7 p.m. in the period covering Sept. 12-Dec. 4, averaging 7.2 percent of the listening audience in the key demographic of men ages 25-54. It was the fifth time in the past six quarters (not counting summers) that Mike Francesa has finished first.

Francesa said Monday he was particularly happy with the numbers in light of the Yankees' absence in October and the Giants' early-season flameout.

Since parting ways with his longtime partner, Chris Russo, in August 2008, Francesa largely has maintained the time slot's ratings dominance.

ESPN New York's Michael Kay finished seventh in the fall with a 4.3 share, his best rating to date and the highest ranking for a show in the station's history.

The Spanish-language station WSKQ was second to WFAN in the afternoon with a 7.0. The stations were neck and neck into late November, which is what prompted Francesa to work on Black Friday for the first time -- and the station to add a promotional giveaway of $1,000 per hour. The ploy vastly expanded the audience for that day, perhaps making the difference in a tight race.

In morning drive time, Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton finished tied for second from 6-10 a.m. with WSKQ at a 6.6, behind No. 1 Z100 with an 8.3. It was the WFAN morning show's highest rank in three years.

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LA Radio: Santa Makes KOST #1, KLAX Ratings Plummet

Figures released Monday by NielsenAudio showed that the AC KOST's annual switch to a holiday-themed playlist paid huge dividends, according to The LA Times.

Whereas KOST 103.5 FM had been in sixth place the month before with a 3.6 share of the Los Angeles-Orange County audience, it ranked No. 1 in the survey period that ran from Nov. 7 to Dec. 4, garnering a 6.3 share. More than 3.4 million people tuned in for at least five minutes each week.

Moving in the opposite direction were the morning ratings of Mexican music station KLAX-97.9 FM, which had been No. 1 for six months in a row but plummeted to 12th after host Ricardo "El Mandril" Sanchez was taken off the air in early November for reasons that station owner Spanish Broadcasting System has declined to make clear. KLAX's morning audience share dropped by 50% from the previous month, and the station's overall audience share was down 16%.

Kevin, Bean

Instead, Kevin Ryder and Gene "Bean" Baxter of alternative rock station KROQ 106.7 FM found themselves at the top of the heap in the key competitive period of 6-10 a.m. weekdays. They pulled in 5.2% of the audience. In the runner-up spot was talk station KFI-AM (640), which splits the time between local host Bill Handel and syndicated host Rush Limbaugh.

KIIS-FM (102.7), which had been No. 1 in the market for the last three months, dropped to No. 3 this time out.

The top 10 stations in terms of audience share were, in order, KOST, KBIG-FM (104.3), KIIS, KPWR-FM (105.9), KRTH-FM (101.1), KAMP-FM (97.1), KROQ, KFI, KLVE-FM (107.5) and KTWV-FM (94.7).

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25-54: KBIG...KOST...KIIS...KROQ...KPWR

18-34: KIIS tied KPWR...KBIG...KAMP..KROQ

18-49: KIIS...KBIG...KPWR...KOST...KAMP tied KROQ

Cume:   KIIS-FM 3,762,000...KOST-FM 3,462,500...KBIG-FM 3,370,900...KAMP-FM 3,113,900...KPWR-FM 2,685,500

NAB Buys Events Brands

The National Association of Broadcasters announced today it has purchased the assets of the Content and Communications World (CCW) and Satellite Communications Conference and Expo (SATCON) events from JD Events, a leading trade show organizer.

CCW and SATCON, held annually in November, are co-located at the Javits Convention Center in New York City.

The two events will complement NAB's existing trade shows and events, including NAB Show, held in Las Vegas annually in April.

CCW is the leading media, entertainment and communications technology event of its kind in New York with a focus on content creation, management and delivery technologies. SATCON offers education and exhibits serving companies in the satellite-enabled communications and content delivery industry. The 2013 CCW (which included SATCON) broke all previously held event attendance records with 6,898 attendees, a 22% increase from 2012.

"We have made these additions to the NAB event family with the goal of growing both the attendee and exhibitor base of what has emerged as an important East Coast venue for the content community," said Executive Vice President of NAB Conventions and Business Operations, Chris Brown. "We look forward to developing this event and serving the unique needs of this very important media market."

Joel Davis, founder and CEO of JD Events, said, "The JDE team has worked extremely hard to build these two shows to where they are today. Along the way we have had the pleasure to work with hundreds of wonderful exhibiting companies and thousands of passionate industry professionals. We believe the shows have now grown to the point where they require a larger more experienced owner, with much deeper industry reach and relationships, to take them to the next level. We are excited to place the future of CCW and SATCON into the very capable hands of the NAB."

Utica NY Radio: Former News Anchor Sues WIBX

Jeanette Lenoir

Former WIBX 950 AM in Utica, NY news anchor Jeanette Lenoir is reportedly suing WIBX parent Townsquare Media, after obtaining a “Notice of Right to Sue” from the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 

According to CYNRadio.com,  Lenoir alleges she was paid less than white colleagues, overlooked for promotional opportunities and was fired without explanation in 2012.

In the 19-page court filing, Lenoir alleges she was the victim of “discrimination based upon her race and sex.” Lenoir was hired as a news reporter in July 2010. She said the first trouble came that October, when then-GM Mary Jo Beach asked her to begin co-hosting WIBX’s weekday morning talk show, “First Look.” The suit says co-host and then News Director (now Program Director) Jeff Monaski “openly and persistently opposed” the pairing, but after a few weeks, Lenoir began co-hosting the program. However, she complains that the hosting duties required her to work more hours each day, and more than 40 hours per week, without any additional pay.

The next section of the lawsuit details two occasions within a few months of each other, during which the News Director post at WIBX was vacant. Both times, Lenoir applied and felt she was overlooked in favor of less-qualified white male applicants.

This story was first reported by Tom Taylor NOW.

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NYC Radio: R.I.P. Iconic WINS News Reporter Stan Brooks

Stan Brooks (NY Daily News)

Legendary WINS radio reporter Stan Brooks died Monday, one month after he retired from a 51-year career as a star of the “You give us 22 minutes, we’ll give you the world” newscast.

The longest serving of the City Hall “Room 9” reporters was 86, according to The NY Post.

“Brooksie,” as he was known, began doing two-minute news updates for WINS on 1010 AM in 1962, when it was still a rock ’n’ roll station featuring disc jockey Murray the K.

Every mayor since Robert Wagner knew him — and knew a press conference just couldn’t start without him. “Is Stan here yet?” they would ask.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani paid tribute by saying that every mayor respected Brooks’ skill.

“This city gained a great deal for having such a professional cover us for so long,” Giuliani said.
The Bronx-born Brooks said he got hooked on news when his father brought home copies each night of the New York Post and other afternoon newspapers.

He was on the spot when radio news was being transformed in 1964, after WINS’ owners, Westinghouse, decided to switch from a Top-40 music format to all news.

“All news? What’s that?” he responded — and became the station’s first news director.

Westinghouse made him a national correspondent, and he covered many of the historic stories, from the civil-rights demonstrations and chaotic 1968 Democratic National Convention, to the Vietnam War protests and 1971 Attica Prison takeover by inmates and even the botched Gravesend, Brooklyn, bank robbery that became the basis for the movie “Dog Day Afternoon.”

He was on vacation in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, in September 1998 when a Swissair flight from Kennedy Airport crashed into the Atlantic Ocean five miles offshore. Brooks was the first reporter on the scene.

WINS later promoted him to senior correspondent, which came with a raise. The station said Brooks accepted the new title — but not the money.

“I don’t want to make more than any of the other reporters,” Brooks said.



He continued to report some of the biggest stories of the past 20 years, including the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He reported his last story on Nov. 21, about the city’s transition to a new mayor, Bill de Blasio.
Just last Tuesday, Mayor Bloomberg renamed the radio reporter’s room in City Hall as The Stan Brooks Radio Room.

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December 24 In Radio History

In 1898...First ship-to-shore message sent

In 1906...Reginald A. Fessenden became the first person to broadcast a music program over radio. The broadcast originated in Brant Rock, Massachusetts.

In 1922...the BBC broadcast the first British radio play. It was entitled, "Truth about Father Christmas".



In 1937...Mae West performed a skit about Adam & Eve on the NBC Radio network which subsequently got her banned from there.



In 1944..."The Andrews Sisters’ Eight-To-The-Bar-Ranch" radio program debuted on ABC Radio.

In 1988....Bulgaria stopped jamming "Radio Free Europe" after more than 30 years.

In 2006…Broadcasting executive Frank Stanton, the president of CBS from 1946 to 1971, died at the age of 98.


In 2009...Disc jockey (WABC-New York, WFIL-Philadelphia, KBTR-Denver, WRIT-Milwaukee, WIL-St. Louis)/TV sports highlights show host (The George Michael Sports Machine) George Michael died of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia at 70.

In 2011...Talk personality Lynn Samuels WBAI, WABC NYC died from a heart attack at age 69.

Boston Radio: Kiss108 Jingle Ball Fans Want Money Back

As we posted last week Miley Cyrus missed appearing at the WXKS Kiss108 Jingle Ball due to bad weather.  Her plane was socked-in at the Teterboro Airport outside Manhattan.  But that's not the end of the story.

According to Billboard, fans had plenty of reason to believe headliner Miley Cyrus would be performing. Kiss108 continued to air segments claiming that she was already inside the TD Garden on Dec. 14.

"She's about to go onstage and soundcheck; we'll bring it to you live," claimed one sound clip, with the speaker claiming to be outside her dressing room. Another radio personality claimed to have just bumped into Cyrus after tripping over one of her dancers. Another speaker gushed, "It's kind of surreal when you're just walking backstage and you literally, bump into Selena Gomez or Miley Cyrus or Fallout Boy. They're all here."


Except one of them wasn't. Although Cyrus and Kiss108 had tweeted the unfortunate news before the concert concluded, much of the audience didn't realize the headliner wouldn't be taking the stage until a loudspeaker announcement after next-to-last performer Enrique Iglesias exited the stage: "Thank You all for coming to the Jingle Ball. Due to weather Miley Cyrus could not appear."

A Change.org petition has been started, asking for Jingle Ball ticket refunds since the headliner was unable to appear. The author of the petition, Rich Nowak, says he paid $800 for three tickets.

A spokesperson from KISS 108 offered the following statement, though declined to address refunds or the promotional messages that made it appear Cyrus was indeed in Boston the night of the concert:

"We were sorry to inform fans at Saturday night's Kiss 108 Jingle Ball concert at TD Garden in Boston that Miley Cyrus was unable to perform. Unfortunately mechanical issues and inclement weather conditions in the Northeast prevented Miley Cyrus' flight from departing to Boston. When we received confirmation from Miley’s management that she was unable to perform, we communicated to fans through social media and press. Miley was extremely disappointed she couldn’t be there to perform, but looks forward to her next opportunity to entertain her fans in Boston.Kiss 108's Jingle Ball 2013 continued throughout the evening with a great line-up including Fifth Harmony, Robin Thicke, Fall Out Boy, Flo Rida, Selena Gomez, Paramore and Enrique Iglesias."

Tribune Buys Gracenote From Sony

Tribune Company today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Sony Corporation of America to purchase Gracenote.

Gracenote is the largest source of music data in the world, featuring metadata for more than 180 million tracks, which helps power more than a billion smart phones and tablets, as well as the world's most popular streaming music services.

Tribune Company will combine Gracenote with Tribune Media Services (TMS), the premier provider of television and movie metadata, creating one of the largest entertainment metadata companies in the world.

"This transaction extends and complements TMS' best-in-class core competency in the metadata business, while also deepening Tribune's slate of subscription services," said Peter Liguori, Tribune Company President and Chief Executive Officer.

Shashi Seth

TMS has been the gold standard for collecting and syndicating entertainment data for years and currently reaches hundreds of millions of viewers through electronic streams of information on TV, online and in print.

Gracenote is the industry standard for music recognition technology and its database gets 550 million look-ups each day and more than 16 billion every month, making it the most trafficked music data source on the planet. Gracenote technology is featured in thousands of mobile apps and 50 million cars have been equipped with Gracenote. The company also provides data and information for one million movies and TV shows to 30 countries and holds over 90 U.S. and foreign patents.

"Gracenote and TMS are an ideal fit," said Shashi Seth, President of Tribune Digital Ventures, which includes oversight of TMS. "Both companies have substantial digital footprints and are well-respected leaders in their areas globally. Together we will become an even greater force in the global entertainment data business by servicing new and existing customers with better data, new products, and new services to help an evolving entertainment industry."

Tribune is purchasing all of the shares of Gracenote, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, for $170 million subject to standard adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, upon receipt of regulatory approvals.


About GracenoteGracenote, Inc. provides music and video content and technologies to the world's hottest entertainment products and brands. Gracenote is the industry standard for music and video recognition and is supported by the largest source of music and video metadata, featuring descriptions of more than 130 million tracks and TV listings for 28 countries.

Cumulus Completes ReFi of Senior Secured Credit Facilities

Cumulus Media Inc. (NASDAQ: CMLS) announced today that it has entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, consisting of a $2.025 billion term loan (“Term Loan”) maturing in December 2020 and a $200 million revolving credit facility (“Revolver”) maturing in December 2018.

The proceeds from the Term Loan along with cash on hand have been used to repay in full all amounts outstanding under the first and second lien term loans under Cumulus’ pre-existing credit agreements. Amounts outstanding under the Term Loan and the Revolver, which is currently undrawn, will bear interest at LIBOR + 325 bps, subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor.

The refinancing follows the entry into a $50 million, 5-year revolving accounts receivables securitization facility, which Cumulus entered into on December 6, 2013.  Advances under the securitization facility, which are subject to a borrowing base calculation, bear interest at LIBOR + 250 bps with no LIBOR floor.

“This highly successful refinancing transaction is expected to increase our free cash flow by greater than $30 million annually, extends our maturities through 2020 and simplifies our capital structure,” said Lew Dickey, CEO of Cumulus. “We believe our balance sheet has now placed us at a competitive advantage that positions us well for future growth opportunities.”

Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey Learned Business At Family Station

Lew Dickey

When radio broadcaster Paul W. Smith worked in Toledo in the 1970s, there was a boy who cut the grass at the radio station.

“I used to see this young man mowing when I walked from the parking lot to the station back then," the current WJR broadcaster tels The Toledo Blade. “I’d always tell him he was doing a good job but that he didn’t want to do that all his life, and he’d say ‘No, sir.’”

Mr. Smith said he is glad he was nice to that young man, Lewis Dickey, Jr., who in 1997 was a co-founder of Cumulus Broadcasting, which is now the second-largest radio company in the country.

In 2011, Mr. Dickey called Mr. Smith at WJR and told him Cumulus had completed a deal with Citadel Broadcasting Corp. to acquire more than 100 stations, including the Detroit AM radio powerhouse. That boy with the mower was now Paul W. Smith’s boss.

Among the first stations acquired by Cumulus in 1997 were six Toledo stations that had been part of Midwestern Broadcasting, which was started by Lewis Dickey, Sr.

It was the elder Mr. Dickey, who died Nov. 28, who made sure his children learned the radio business from the bottom up at the family-owned stations in Toledo.

“We had to mow the lawn, do production, sales … everything,” recalls Mr. Dickey, Jr., who was chief executive officer of Midwestern Broadcasting before founding Cumulus.

“Toledo feels like home,” he said. “It’s like your children — you’re not supposed to have favorites, but I’ve known the Toledo stations longest. They’re special.”

The company that Mr. Dickey founded in 1997 now owns and operates more than 450 stations in 89 U.S. markets as well as a radio network serving more than 10,000 stations nationwide.

Mr. Dickey, 51, is focused on growing Cumulus Broadcasting even further by making it an important source of content for radio and other means of delivering audio material.

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Des Moines Radio: A Very Special Christmas Wish Is Granted

2 years after death, woman gets her Christmas Wish for family

Brenda Schmitz

Brenda Schmitz had always been touched by the “Star” 102.5 Christmas Wish program that KSTZ runs each year, according to The Des Moines Register.

“About a week and half ago we got a letter in the mail,” Scott Allen said Friday night. He’s the brand manager at the station, KSTZ Star 102.5 FM. “We’ve been doing the Christmas Wish program for 20-plus years. We’ve never received a wish like this, ever.”

The letter was from Schmitz, written over two years ago, one month before she died of ovarian cancer. She asked a friend to wait until Schmitz’s husband, David, had found a new love to marry before delivering the letter.

The station every year takes submissions of Christmas Wishes and consults with local partners to grant some of them.

Dated Aug. 3, 2011, Brenda Schmitz’s letter lists three wishes.

“I have a wish for David and the boys and the woman and her family if she has kids also,” she wrote. “I want them to know I love them very much and they always feel safe in a world of pain.” David and Brenda had four sons: Carter, Josh, Justin and Max.

Station officials told David Schmitz on Thursday that they were granting a Christmas Wish for him. But he didn’t know about Brenda’s letter until he was in the studio and on the air — hearing host Colleen Kelly read his wife’s words.



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Denver Radio: Grandmother Surprised With Home Renovation

A short Facebook post caught the attention of KBPI 106.7 FM radio personality Willie B and led to a quick, surprise, $80,000 home renovation for a 90-year-old woman.

Needless to say, she was quite surprised when she saw the transformation her house went through, just in time for an amazing Christmas gift from the community.

December 23 In Radio History

In 1922...the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) broadcast the first orchestral concert, the first program of dance music, the first radio talk program, and the first regular bulletin of general news from London.

In 1926...KEX-AM in Portland Oregon began broadcasting.


In 1928...the NBC Radio network was formed. network





In 1987..."Good Morning, Vietnam," starring Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Bruno Kirby, and J.T. Walsh, opened in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters.

December 22 In Radio History

In 1899...Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America registered


In 1962...The Tornados became the first British group to have a #1 record in the U.S. when they topped the singles chart with their instrumental "Telstar."

In 1996...NYC Radio personality Barry Gray - WMCA, WOR died

In 2000...SIRIUS Satellite Radio completed its satellite system


In 2010...Radio and TV announcer (The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, The Dick Cavett Show, The Generation Gap)/National Radio Hall of Famer Fred Foy died at the age of 89.