Orlando Radio: News Junkies Offer Cash To Heckle Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby's latest stand-up show in Melbourne, FL went off without a major incident Friday evening, despite two air personalities from WTKS 104.1 FM offering $1,000 to any audience member who heckled the comedian about the sexual assault allegations he is facing.

The two, Shawn Wasson and Sabrina Ambra of The New Junkies Show on Real Radio 104-1 were urging attendees of Bill Cosby's Friday night comedy show to stand up mid-performance, yell something about the sexual assault allegations against him, and videotape their heckling.

Ambra said they would give $1,000 to each protester. The sold-out venue, the King Center for the Performing Arts, seats 2,016.

"The plan is to confront Cosby and force him to address the rape allegations that he has dismissed time and time again," said Ambra before the Friday's show.  Shawn Wasson said, "We're calling this 'Operation: Cosby Spartacus.'  We're doing this in hopes that multiple people in the audience will do what the mainstream media has failed to accomplish."

WTKS 104.1 FM (96Kw) 60dBu Coverage

Extra security was on hand.

SF Radio: KGMZ The Game Unveils New Morning Show

KGMZ 95.7 FM/The Game has announced a new morning show, Flight 957 with Chad Doing, Joe Fortenbaugh and former All-Pro NFL Fullback Lorenzo Neal. The show debuts on Monday, December 8th, 2014 from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

“We are changing the sound of Bay Area sports radio with the launch of this exciting new morning show,” said Jason Barrett, Program Director for 95.7 The Game.

“Expect Flight 957 with Chad, Joe & Lo to deliver a fresh, irreverent, and energetic spin to sports talk. The new show is the latest example of our commitment to bringing The Game’s growing audience the best possible listening experience.”

Doing is a sports radio veteran. Most recently, Doing has worked at KXTG in Portland and was previously the host of afternoon drive program Flight 750 with Chad Doing weekdays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. “I’m thrilled to work with such dynamic personalities like Joe and Lorenzo,” said Doing.

“We have already developed a fantastic working relationship that I believe will showcase our passion for sports.”

Joe Fortenbaugh co-founded the website National Football Post.com in 2008 where he has been writing ever since, covering topics ranging from fantasy football to sports betting in Las Vegas. Fortenbaugh has freelanced for USA Today, ESPN.com, SportsIllustrated.com and VegasChatter.com, where he wrote golf course reviews and covered Las Vegas title fights from 2012-2014. Most recently, Fortenbaugh co-hosting the television program “Fantasy Sports Today–Live from Las Vegas” on the Fantasy Sports Network. “It’s awesome to be part of this new program and deliver a one-of-a-kind experience to our listeners,” said Fortenbaugh. “I can’t wait to stir it up with the guys and the audience.”

Lorenzo Neal was the preeminent fullback in the NFL for 16 seasons. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and played for the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders. He was voted a first team All-Pro twice, a second team All-Pro once, and selected to the NFL’s and Sporting News’ All-Decade team for the 2000’s. He graduated from Fresno State University. “I’m truly excited to join 95.7 The Game,” said Neal. “I’m looking forward to delivering that on-the-field, inside the huddle perspective listeners expect from a leading radio station. I’m grateful to be a part of such a strong team and talk Bay Area sports every morning.”

KGMZ 95.7 FM (6.9Kw) 54dBu Coverage

Current morning anchor Chris Townsend moves to evenings where he’ll team up with 95.7 The Game personality Zakariah from 7 to 11 p.m. Townsend will also become the full time voice for Oakland A’s pre- and post-game shows. 95.7 The Game is the flagship radio station for the Oakland Athletics and Oakland Raiders.

Effective December 8, 2014, The Game’s new lineup will be:

• 6:00 am – 10:00 am Flight 957 with Chad, Joe, and Lo
• 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Haberman & Middlekauff
• 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm The Wheelhouse with John Lund & Greg Papa
• 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm The Damon Bruce Show
• 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Towny & Zakariah

November 22 In Radio History

In 1899…Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America registered in New Jersey

In 1906…the "S-O-S" distress signal was adopted at the International Radio Telegraphic Convention in Berlin.

In 1963…Many U.S. Radio stations suspended regular programming following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  The Number One song that week was 'Sugar Shack' by Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs.

More than three hours of KLIF 1190 AM audio from November 22, 1963, the day of President Kennedy's assassination.

Coverage begins at 11:30 AM (Dallas time) on 11/22/63, with Joe Long of Dallas radio station KLIF reporting live from Love Field Airport as President Kennedy arrives in "Big D".

Today 1190 AM is the home of KFXR.

Kennedy coverage as heard on WBAP 820 AM Fort Worth:




Also, from WCCO 830 AM Minneapolis/St. Paul:



And From The Big One, WLW 700 AM Cincinnati (then an NBC Affiliate):

This is the initial bulletin heard on the NBC Radio Network about the shooting of President Kennedy in Dallas. Robert MacNeil reports live from a telephone located inside the Texas School Book Depository Building, which is where the gunshots came from.

This is the line feed from the ABC Radio Network News in the initial moments of the coverage of the JFK Assasination. Included is the ABC Log Book notes on what they were airing. Someone in ABC Master Control had to log literally everything that was broadcast each day. Also included UPI and AP wire copy which you can see the network anchors are relying on for information.

And Bulletin coverage from KILT 610 AM Houston:

1963…In the UK, the Parlophone label released the Beatles' second album, "With the Beatles," and the single, "Roll Over Beethoven." Capitol Records in Canada issued the album as "Beatlemania! With the Beatles," which has the distinction of being the first Beatles album ever released in North America. Most of the songs from the album were not released in the United States until January 20, 1964 when Capitol Records issued "Meet the Beatles!"

In 2011…Stan Case, a 25-year CNN Radio news anchor, was killed in an car accident at age 59.

FCC Votes To Update Contest Rules

The FCC Friday proposed to update their regulations for broadcast radio and television contests so that the rules are easier for the public to understand.

The Hill reports the FCC unanimously voted to move forward with the update to the regulations, which will allow companies to post their contest rules on the Internet and could spell the end of many fast-talking radio announcers and tiny type on some TV ads.

“I think it’s time for broadcasters to be able to use 21st century tools to carry out their public interest obligations with respect to on-air contests,” said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat.
The existing rules were written in 1976 in response to concerns about companies scamming consumers. They require radio and TV companies to disclose on-air the details of who can participate in their contests and how.

Those disclosures can be annoying to people forced to listen to a quick-talking announcer explain who is and is not eligible to participate, however.

Commissioner Ajit Pai said the change “would ease the burden currently imposed on broadcasters.” He characterized what stations have to do now, read contest rules on-air as “not compelling content” and there’s evidence many in the audience change channels when rules are read on-air.

According to RadioWorld, Entercom Communications filed a Petition for Rulemaking on changing the contest notification rules in 2012. The FCC put that out for comment and received no opposition to posting contest rules online.

Broadcasters have long supported the change, including NAB and NPR, among others. NPR said at the time that periodic announcements “are not as effective as online, written disclosures,” and requiring on-air contest rules announcements “detracts from the stations’ service to their communities.”

Chicago Radio: GM de Castro Explains Why The Game Is Over

Jimmy de Castro

The decision to pull the plug on FM sports talk radio station WGWG 87.7 LP-FM/The Game on Thursday after nine months on the air was not an easy one for WGN 720 AM president Jimmy de Castro, reports The Chicago Tribune.

It was even harder on staffers.

But with Chicago radio revenues declining this year b de Castro said WGN Radio needed to cut its losses.

"The market is way off and the economics won't support us," de Castro said. "It's unfortunate that it's that way this year and at this time."

The all-sports station will finish out the year and be off the air as of January 1, de Castro said Thursday.

Technically a low-powered TV station, Tribune Media has been operating WGWG through a local marketing agreement with Los Angeles-based Venture Technologies Group, which owns the frequency. The lease agreement runs through Sept. 2015, and de Castro wasn't sure what, if anything, will be on the station come January.

The Game didn't gain much traction in its short run, ranking tied for 34th among Chicago stations with a 0.5 share in the latest Nielsen listenership survey. WSCR-AM 670, owned by CBS Radio, has a 2.5 share, while ESPN's WMVP-AM 1000 has a 1.6 share, according to Nielsen.

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Chicago Radio: Johnny B Vows To Continue His Show

Jonathan Brandmeier

Despite an reports on Thursday (including here) that claimed he was fired, Jonathon Brandmeier returned to the airwaves Friday morning. He announced his show would continue...online, according to Chicagoland Radio&Media.

WGWG-LP/The Game 87.7 will be going away by December 31st. Also, the online station WGN.FM will be going away to make room for a new online station called WGN Plus. Both of these outlets featured Jonathon Brandmeier's morning show. Both of these outlets are operated by WGN Radio and Tribune Broadcasting.

Brandmeier also announced he now has his own 24/7 station found on the TuneIn radio app. With this new Brandmeier channel, fans can get their Johnny B fix any time of the day.

Brandmeier also has been offering his radio shows as podcasts via iTunes and via his own website, BrandmeierShow.com.

All of those online options will continue going forward.

On the air Friday, he said what was true was that the sports station on 87.7 and WGN.FM are going away, but that he has been in negotiations with Tribune Media to continue to use the studios in 2015 to create his morning show. He is hoping to have a deal done soon, but if not, he will find another location where he can do a live morning show for his fans each day.

Brandmeier said this morning: "Despite any report you may have read, anywhere, we are still in talks with the Tribune. These are people here that I have basically spent my entire career with -- Larry Wert, Jimmy de Castro -- I trust these guys to get it done in a fair way. And if it doesn't work out, it's just business. We'll live on TuneIn.com, the TuneIn app, BrandmeierShow.com. I would love to be able to put together a deal with the Tribune company.... If it works out with the Tribune, I couldn't be happier. That would be fantastic.

He did toss some support toward his soon-to-be former bosses, saying: "And you know what? These guys took a chance. They just took a chance. It's radio. They went out there and tried to shake it up. Didn't work. *BOO-HOO* So what -- it didn't work. Better than just sitting there, dyin' doin' nothin'."

Chicago Radio: Hosts Find Out They're Fired While On-Air

When the news leaked out Thursday that the Tribune Co. and its WGN 720 AM were pulling the plug on WGWG 87.7m LP-FM/The Game, the news was startling.

It was esecially startling to talkers Alex Quigley andf Ben Finfer.  The duo got the news while they are doing their show via a Twitter post from Chicago media critic/blogger Robert Feder!

As on would guess they are a bit ticked-off.  Not so much that the end had come, but they were not told by management before hearing the news from the outside.  They blame industry vet GM Jimmy de Castro for not having the courage to inform them.

Here's how they handled it on..

Orlando #Radio: Country WWKA Adds Jaus To PM Drive

Cox Media Group/Orlando has named J.R. Jaus the new afternoon drive host for WWKA 92.3 FM/K92-3.  J.R. will be on air every weekday from 2 -7 p.m. starting Dec. 4.  

Simultaneously, current host Drew Bland will transition to mid-days, and Jason Gellhause will move to nights. CMG says the addition of Jaus reinforces its dedication to a 100 percent local air staff on WWKA-FM.

“J.R.’s passion for creating compelling radio is exciting and refreshing, he will be a great addition to our already innovative team,” said Drew Bland, Director of Branding and Programming for WWKA.  “We look forward to JR’s future contributions to the K92.3 brand.”

WWKA 92.3 FM (99Kw) 60dBu Coverage

Prior to this new role, Jaus has worked in radio, TV, and film for the last 10 years in San Diego and Los Angeles, including stops at Clear Channel’s San Diego Cluster and roles in Nickelodeon's "Victorious" and ABC Family's "Greek.”  Most recently Jaus hosted nights at CBS’ Energy 103.7 in San Diego.

Jaus, a graduate from Point Loma Nazarene, said, "This is really an exciting opportunity for me. What Drew and his team are doing at K923 is so fresh and new. I am honored that they have invited me to be a part of it. It is going to be a challenging and fun adventure!"

Radio Shows Double-Digit Growth in Digital Revenue for Q3

The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), the radio industry’s advertising advocacy group serving more than 6,000 member Radio stations across the U.S., announced today that the Radio industry continues to build its digital profile as Digital revenue in Q3 showed growth of 11% over last year. In addition, despite a flat national advertising market across media, total Radio ad revenues showed signs of rebounding with improving trends over Q2 performance (-2% vs. -3%) – and Off-Air revenue posted a 14% gain, for its fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.

Year-to-date through September changes for Spot and Network were identical to their Q3 showings
(-3% and -4%, respectively).

"The increasing strength of Radio’s digital platforms becomes more evident every quarter as advertisers recognize the unparalleled benefits of reaching Radio’s dedicated audiences on every device and platform they are using,” said Erica Farber, President and CEO of the Radio Advertising Bureau. “In addition, the growth in off-air opportunities for advertisers is a clear indication that Radio is focused on continuing to deliver more innovative solutions to help them reach their consumers."

FOR THE FULL REPORT: Click Here

"As radio broadcasters continue their focus on reaching consumers and enhancing advertiser ROI through broadcast, digital platforms and new off-air opportunities, advertisers are recognizing that the best way to communicate with consumers and build brands has evolved far beyond simply running a Spot schedule on-air,” Farber continued. “On-air personality involvements, events, station websites and other digital options continue to generate support, use and results among major brand marketers as well as local businesses.

SF Radio: Cumulus Taps Jaysson Reno As VP/Sales

Jaysson Reno

Cumulus announces that Jaysson Reno has been appointed Vice President, Sales for San Francisco’s legendary stations KGO-AM and KSFO-AM. Reno has 10 years experience in the San Francisco radio, digital and event space, and has led sales for Cumulus San Francisco’s Rock KSAN 107.7 FM and KFOG 104.5 FM since 2012.

The appointment is effective immediately.

Justin Wittmayer, Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus San Francisco said: “Jaysson brings strong leadership, a keen business sense and the market equity needed to drive advertiser performance and grow revenues. KGO and KSFO are legacy brands in which we will continue to invest to benefit our community, to enhance the user experience and to deliver superior advertiser results.”

Reno said: “I am proud to have the opportunity to lead the KGO/KSFO team in San Francisco. I grew up with these brands and they continue to be my primary resource for information and talk. We’ve developed an impressive plan and are ready and excited to execute.”

Westwod One Pulls The Plug on 'Rockline'

As the Who sang, “The song is over.”  Bob Coburn announced through Westwood One that he is ending syndication of the long-running radio show Rockline after 33 ½ years.  Rockline offered fans the opportunity to engage with their favorite rock and roll stars live on the air.  Committed to breaking new artists and saluting classic rockers, the show was available in both Active Rock and Classic Rock formats.  The final shows will air on Wednesday December 17 (Rockline Classic) and Monday December 22, 2014 (Rockline Active).  Rockline will continue to run encores of its absolutely best shows until the broadcasts are over.

Coburn, longtime Rockline host as well as owner of the show, stated “The world has changed from an innovative, unique idea back in 1981 to a one of near constant exposure for artists in 2014. With the Internet, Twitter accounts, hundreds of television channels and a more sophisticated press, artists are now literally at the fingertips of their fans. Rockline is no longer the invaluable tool to connect fans with their Rock & Roll heroes, it has become but one of many. We have had the honor to present the history of Rock as told by the artists who created it for the past three decades plus, but now is the time to pass the mantle. We will proudly present the very best of Rockline until the end of the year when our mics will fall silent forever. Thanks for listening and long live Rock & Roll!"

 Stations interested in any other Westwood One programming can email Marcella Turk at (972) 448-3369.

Casey's Kids Lose Round In Court

Casey Kasem

Five months after radio legend Casey Kasem died, a Los Angeles judge has denied a request from his oldest children that their father’s remains be returned from Norway so they can bury him in a Hollywood cemetery. According to NBC News, a judge ruled Thursday that Kasem’s widow, Jean, has authority over the remains.

The children have also requested that Norway deny Jean’s request to bury the disc jockey’s body in Oslo. Government officials told NBC News that they have decided to defer the decision until the Santa Monica police investigation of Jean Kasem on elder abuse allegations is completed. Those allegations stem from Jean Kasem’s removal of her husband from a healthcare facility in May.

Jean Kasem, Casey’s wife of nearly 34 years, asked the Norwegian government on Aug. 7 to allow the burial, claiming that she would be moving to Norway soon. She also said in a letter that her husband "always said that Norway symbolizes peace and looks like heaven and I would like to respectfully fulfill his wishes." His children from his first marriage maintain he always wanted to be buried in Los Angeles.

Post by Kerri Kasem.

Casey Kasem died in a Gig Harbor, Washington, hospital on June 15 after battling Lewy Body dementia. Jean Kasem first moved his remains to Montreal, Canada. Norwegian officials said in court papers that Kasem's body has not been embalmed as the legal battle has dragged on.

Judge Won't Let SiriusXM Appeal Turtles Ruling

SiriusXM's losing streak in court over the issue of pre-1972 sound recordings continues on Thursday with a federal judge denying the satcaster's motion to certify an interlocutory appeal, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In the past couple months, facing the owners of older music, SiriusXM has lost, lost again and lost thrice over the issue of whether California and New York state laws protect the exclusive right to publicly perform pre-72 sound recordings.

In the first battle against Flo & Eddie of The Turtles, SiriusXM wanted to appeal the decision before moving ahead to the next stages of litigation including class certification and damages liability.
But U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez won't make it easy.

His earlier decision granting summary judgment to the plaintiffs was grounded upon a California law that was enacted in 1982 that was meant to address pre-1972 music, before sound recordings began falling under federal law. The state statute was silent on the issue of public performance, and despite decades of terrestrial broadcasters and others assuming a right to broadcast hits from the 1960s, the judge decided that the law included performance rights for the benefit of copyright owners rather than excluding them.

On Thursday, the judge issued a new ruling on the issue of whether SiriusXM could take up an immediate appeal. He writes:

"While the Court is largely unpersuaded and sometimes baffled by Sirius XM’s repetitive or off-point theories about how reasonable jurists might read an unwritten exclusion into §980(a)(2), the Court will not analyze the potential grounds for difference of opinion because certification of this Order suffers from an even more basic deficiency. At this stage in the litigation and under the operative scheduling order governing the case, certification of the Order for immediate appeal would delay rather than materially advance the termination of the litigation; therefore, the Court denies the motion."

This doesn't necessarily mean that there won't be an appeal nonetheless. SiriusXM can try to get the 9th Circuit to order one up anyway. But it does make it more unlikely.

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FCC Delays Net Neutrality Vote To 2015

The Federal Communications Commission will not vote on new net neutrality rules before 2015, with commission Chairman Tom Wheeler caught between the wishes of President Barack Obama and Internet providers like Comcast on how the agency can best ensure all Web traffic is treated equally.

According to USNews & World Report, the rules will not be on the agenda for the commission's meeting on Friday or its December session, FCC spokeswoman Kim Hart says, meaning the issue won't get a vote this year. The delay follows the commission’s choice this summer to extend the public comment period on the proposed rules, which resulted in nearly 4 million submissions – many from people concerned the regulations could damage competition and access to content online if not written carefully.

Delaying a vote on revisions to the proposed rules, which were first introduced in May, could give Internet providers like Comcast and Verizon more time to pressure Wheeler to draft rules that would favor their businesses. Wheeler has said the Title II approach "is on the table,” but is reportedly still torn on whether to go that route.

A current proposal from Wheeler has been broadly criticized for its potential to enable companies to charge for priority Internet speeds, which could disadvantage websites that cannot afford the extra expense and create new costs that Web businesses might pass on to consumers. Allowing such “fast lanes” could have a particularly damaging impact on sites that rely on download speeds, potentially lowering options online for gaming, chatting or any services that use video, ranging from education to adult entertainment.

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Denver Radio: Jane London Leaves KIMN-FM

Jane London

Jane London of KIMN 1003. FM/MIX 100-3 FM will sign off Friday after a long career in radio, reports the Denver Business Journal.

London, half of the "Dom and Jane Show" with Dom Testa, announced her retirement last week. KIMN MIX 100.3 is owned by Georgia-based Wilks Broadcasting Group.

She posted on her blog: "It's time. There is no sadness, no regret, no fear. I'm saying goodbye to a great career that has been incredibly fulfilling and has most certainly allowed me the financial freedom to walk away at 55 and begin anew."

London wrote that she has no plans "other than to just 'be' for awhile."

Testa, who's partnered with London for 15 years, wrote in a tribute to her on his website: "It's easy to say that the 15 years have flown by, but that's not really the case. It feels more like I've spent my entire 37 year career with her; and that's meant as a compliment. We've developed such a natural rapport that I have a hard time remembering LBJ — Life Before Jane."

Cumulus Names Brian Egan Exec Producer For NASH Nights Live

Brian Egan

Cumulus announces that Brian Egan has been named Executive Producer for nationally syndicated Country radio show NASH Nights Live. Egan moves to Nashville from Charleston, WV, where he was Program Director and Morning Personality for Country-formatted WKWS 96.1 FM/The Wolf.

Previously, he was co-host of the CMA Award-winning morning show, the Ben & Brian Show, at KMLE in Phoenix and at WMZQ in Washington, D.C. Egan’s appointment is effective immediately.

Mike McVay, Senior Vice President, Programming for Cumulus said: “This is a rare opportunity for us to have a great talent in his own right who can program and produce one of radio’s fastest growing shows.”

Egan said: “My family and I couldn't be more excited to return to Tennessee. Joining the NASH Nights Live team and getting the chance to work with Shawn Parr, Elaina Smith, Ryan Kershner and everyone involved with the NASH brand is an amazing opportunity. I'm grateful to John Dickey and Mike McVay for making this happen.”

NASH Nights Live is a Country music and lifestyle show. The team features hosts Shawn Parr, Elaina Smith and producer Ryan Kershner. The program airs live from Nashville weeknights from 7:00 p.m. to Midnight. NASH Nights Live is produced at Cumulus’ NASH Campus, the nation's only multi-media facility devoted solely to producing and distributing content based on the Country music lifestyle.

Public Radio Streaming Is on the Rise, But Audience Reach Isn't

"I have good news and I have bad news," states Steve Mulder, Director of User Experience and Analytics at NPR Digital Services. He analyzed third-quarter metrics of stream performance across 173 NPR stations.

When Mudder rolled up data from Triton for 173 station streams he found that total listening hours are up 9% from Q3 2013 to Q3 2014.

According to Mulder, "That's not a huge increase, but it's reassuring. While listening time per session is fairly steady, the number of actual streaming sessions is on the rise, explaining the overall 9% increase. However, these additional sessions aren't tons of new listeners. Cume is actually down 5% in the same time period. This trend is fairly consistent with what we observed in the spring."

He adds, "While it's terrific that our existing audience is streaming a bit more often, it's worrisome that we're not seeing real audience growth, especially given all the research that shows listening is shifting more and more to digital. What does it mean? Are people shifting more to on-demand listening? Or are people moving away from public radio entirely? Or even just listening less in general?

Among  the findings, news is seeing more growth than music.

Total listening hours for news streams is up 13% year over year, while music is up only 2%. Cume for news streams is fairly flat, while music fell 12%. AAA and jazz streams seem to be hurting more. Although we clearly still have a loyal audience for music, Pandora and other competitors in the music space continue to chip away at digital listening to public radio music.

L-A Radio: KDAY Unveiling New Digital Platform

Otto Padron

SoCal's KDAY 93.5 FM Thursday announced its digital radio media platform with a suite of services designed to extend the legendary brand's reach worldwide in real-time via livestreaming, mobile, social and more.

KDAY's digital radio platform includes products and services that amplify traditional 'listener tools' with real-time engagement via a social strategy anchored in rich media with interactive banner displays, page takeovers, audio/video pre-roll, exclusive special content sections and pop-culture prize polls.

The suite of digital services, are supported through mobile, social, online and KDAY's livestreaming app, now just a click away and available for download to Android and iOS users seeking 24/7 KDAY access while on-the-go.

"This digital grand strategy unites our legendary music together with KDAY Nation listeners anytime, anyplace and anywhere across the world," said Otto Padron, Meruelo Media President "Listeners pick the time, place and the duration of their tune-in or brand interaction, giving them all the options to do so – on their own terms; whether its via our livestreaming app, mobile, on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, we're there for them around the clock on broadcast radio, digital, mobile, and social platforms.

Next month, listeners and online visitors will enjoy KDAY's newly refreshed website.

OKC Radio: KRXO Shakes-Up Air Line-Up

KRXO 107.7 FM/The Franchise, which has been losing the sports ratings battle to the WWLS 98.1 FM/Sports Animal, has announced a shake-up in its on-air lineup.

Sam Mayes, Colby Daniels and Cara Rice have moved from late morning to afternoon drive time. “Sam, Colby, and Cara: Live from the Triple M Ranch,” will air from 3-6 p.m.

Zach McCrite and Todd Lisenbee have taken over the 9 a.m.-noon show, and Dave Garrett’s “DG on the Radio” show is airing an hour earlier, from 6-9 p.m.

Tony Casillas, a former OU and Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman, has left The Franchise to spend more time with his family in Dallas, where he might pursue other opportunities, according to a news release. Casillas had been co-hosting afternoon drive with McCrite, a former St. Louis radio personality.

KRXO 107.7 FM (92Kw) 60dBu Coverage

“We are extremely excited to increase the exposure of one of our most popular shows,” Buddy Wiley, Tyler Media co-operations manager said in a news release. “Sam, Colby and Cara will bring a fresh, new, and contemporary sound and style to afternoon radio in Oklahoma.”

NYC Radio: WQEW Sale Filed By Radio Disney

Radio Disney has filed with the FCC the sale of its WQEW 1560 AM NYC.

As had been previously reumored, the buyer uis California-based Family Radio, the not-for-profit Christian broadcaster. The deal is reported to be for $12.95-million.

The WQXR sale is the third announced sale of a Radio Disney station. Houston-market KMIC 1590 AM is being to ethnic broadcaster DAIJ Media for $3.2 million and Detroit-market WFDF 910 AM is being sold to Word Network for $3 million. See Original Posting: Click Here

WQEW 1560 AM (50Kw-2DA)

Broker on the selloff of 23 Radio Disney stations is Williamsburg-based Bill Schutz.

Hubbard Radio Announces New Division – 2060 Digital

James Bryant Appointed President/General Manager

Hubbard Radio announced today that Cincinnati radio veteran James Bryant will lead the formation of a new in-house digital company called 2060 Digital, LLC. A digital media services company built by Hubbard Interactive in Cincinnati, 2060 Digital will begin serving Hubbard Radio in seven markets: Chicago, Washington, DC, Minneapolis-St. Paul, St. Louis, Seattle, Phoenix and Cincinnati. 2060 Digital will provide digital solutions for clients, including website and mobile site build out, SEO, SEM, retargeting, social media management, content and video.

James Bryant

Industry veteran, James Bryant, was appointed President of 2060 Digital, LLC. Bryant led the Hubbard Radio group in Cincinnati as VP/Market Manager and was instrumental in the development and launch of 2060 Digital in 2012. Prior to working for Hubbard Radio, Bryant held leadership positions for a number of broadcast companies, including Bonneville, Entercom and CBS. Bryant is a past President of the Greater Cincinnati Radio Broadcasters Association and has served on the board of St. Ursula Academy and The Music Resource Center.

Hubbard Radio Chair and CEO, Ginny Morris, commented, “We have long looked to Jim for leadership in this space and we feel fortunate that his full attention will be focused on helping us find comprehensive solutions for our advertising partners. We look forward to bringing Jim’s entrepreneurial approach to 2060 Digital to the rest of our company.”

“I’m excited about expanding the success of 2060 Digital Cincinnati across Hubbard Radio’s six other markets,” said Bryant. “I look forward to working closely with our corporate leadership and our strong market teams to deliver custom digital solutions to our valued clients. 2060 Digital is ‘Digital Done Right‘.”

Hubbard Radio also announced that Mike Fredrick, currently the VP/General Manger/DOS for Hubbard Radio in Cincinnati, will replace Bryant as Vice President/Market Manager for Hubbard Radio in Cincinnati.

CBS, Dish Reach Short-Term Deal

CBS and Dish Network, engaged in contract negotiations over a deal that was set to end Thursday night, have agree to a short-term extension, avoiding what could have been a blackout, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Neither Dish or CBS are commenting on the negotiations but, beyond price, observers speculate that digital rights and Dish’s Hopper DVR service are sticking points. CBS doesn’t like that the Hopper’s “Auto Hop” feature allows for easily skipping commercials, and Dish doesn’t like that CBS makes its content available to streaming services and recently launched All Access, an over-the-top product whereby a $5.99 monthly subscription fee gets users shows on-demand a day after they air on TV.

Dish is also readying its own OTT service and might be angling for more digital rights to CBS content, including sports, that CBS isn’t willing to give, unless it involves a healthy boost in fees.

Ahead of Thursday’s deadline for a new deal, several industry insiders were sizing up the situation. Charter Communications CEO Tom Rutledge warned Tuesday, for example, that cable TV providers would not pay top dollar for content that was also available on the Internet.

At the same event, Liberty chairman John Malone said that sports rights are climbing so high that there is little left in budgets to pay for entertainment content.

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West Palm Beach Radio: WFTL Listener Accuses Cosby

Therese Serignese, a 58-year-old nurse from Boca Raton, Fla., told talk host Rich Stevens on WFTL 850 AM in West Palm Beach, she met Cosby 38 years ago when she was 19. She says she was headlining a show at the Las Vegas Hilton, where she met Cosby at the Hilton gift shop while looking at jewelry with her sister.

“Somebody came up to me and put their arm around my neck from the back and said: ‘Will you marry me?’” Serignese said. “And I turned around to see who it was, and it was Bill Cosby.”

Serignese claims she was escorted to the greenroom after the show by one of Cosby’s people. Once she and Cosby were alone, he pulled out two white pills and a glass of water, telling her to “take these.”

“The next memory I have, was, I was in a bathroom and I was kind of bending forward and he was behind me having sex with me,” she said. “I was just there, thinking ‘I’m on drugs, I’m drugged.’ I felt drugged and I was being raped and it was kind of surreal. My frame of mind was that it would be over soon and I could just get out of there.”

After the incident, Serignese said she felt she could not go to the police because she blamed herself.

Bill Cosby’s Lawyer Blames Media Frenzy

Bill Cosby

On Thursday, the attorney for Bill Cosby slammed the numerous accusations of sexual assault against his client, saying the five-time Emmy-winner has been the victim of a “media-driven feeding frenzy.”

“People are coming out the woodwork with fabricated or unsubstantiated stories about my client,” Martin Singer said in a lengthy statement. He also released the criminal records of one of Cosby’s alleged victims, Linda Joy Traitz, which includes charges for criminal fraud and possession of several drugs, including cocaine, Oxycodone and marijuana.

“This continued pattern of attacks has entered the realm of the ridiculous,” he said.

Variety reports the statement came shortly after three new accusers came forward on Thursday claiming that Cosby assaulted them years ago, including Lou Ferrigno’s wife, a “One Flew Over the Cuckcoo’s Nest” actress and a nurse in Florida.

Louisa Moritz

68-year-old Louisa Moritz, who played Rose in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” told TMZ late Thursday that Cosby forced her to perform oral sex on him in 1971 before an appearance on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.”

According to Moritz, she was waiting for her appearance in the greenroom when Cosby knocked on her door. After he implied “that he was going to see to it that [she] will become a major star through his direction,” she said he forced oral sex on her.

Moritz, like other accusers, said she kept her story to herself until the recent accusers came up.

Singer issued a statement on Thursday specifically targeting Moritz accusations, attacking her credbility.

“We’ve reached a point of absurdity,” the statement reads. “The stories are getting more ridiculous. Now this woman is claiming that something occurred more than 40 years ago and that while she was waiting in the dressing room to appear on the ‘Tonight Show,’ my client forced his penis into her mouth. I think people are trying to come up with these wild stories in order to justify why they have waited 40 to 50 years to disclose these ridiculous accusations.”

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November 21 In Radio History

In 1877…At a gathering of friends and colleagues, Thomas Edison unveiled his new "talking machine," later called the phonograph. The first thing recorded on Edison's new invention was the song "Mary Had a Little Lamb."  Recording made by Thomas A. Edison on August 12, 1927, at the Golden Jubilee of the Phonograph ceremony. In this recording Edison demonstrates how in 1877 he made the first record on his tinfoil phonograph. The original 1877 recording was not saved and no longer exists.

In 1944…The first episode of "The Roy Rogers Show," featuring the Whippoorwills and the Sons of the Pioneers, was broadcast by radio stations of the Mutual Broadcasting System. It began as a western music and variety show and evolved into an action-drama series during its 10-year run. "The Roy Rogers Show" on television ran for six seasons beginning in December of 1951. Roy's radio show lasted 11 seasons and the Roy Rogers Show On TV stayed on the air for 6 seasons! Roy also made a ton of movies and appeared on numerous other radio and TV shows as a guest star! In addition, Roy had a successful recording career for several years with songs that made it to the top of the charts! His, perhaps, best known song was "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" although most people probably remember him and Dale Evans singing "Happy Trails to You" at the end of each show!

In 1955…In Memphis, Sun Records owner and producer Sam Phillips sold Elvis Presley's contract to RCA for an unheard-of $35,000, at that time the largest amount ever paid to sign a recording artist and topping the offer of $25,000 for Presley's contract made by Atlantic Records. Elvis received $13,500 of the total. Phillips invested his proceeds from the deal in a two-year-old Memphis-based hotel chain called Holiday Inn.

In 1963…U.S. President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline, arrived in San Antonio, Texas. They were starting a two-day visit to Texas that would end in Dallas.

John B. Gambling

In 1974...longtime WOR 710 AM NYC Morning personality John B. Gambling died.

He was a member of the The Gambling family, 3 generations of whom - John B., John A. and John R. - were hosts of WOR Radio's morning show Rambling with Gambling (now known as The John Gambling Show) over the course of over 75 years.

John B. was the host from 1925 to 1959, when he retired in favor of his son, John A. Gambling. With his Musical Clock, his all-in-fun setting-up exercises, cheerio music, wheezy gags, weather information and news scraps, John B. Gambling was a WOR fixture.

In 1979…morning man Harry Harrison did his last show on WABC 770 AM, New York. Here's an January 1979 aircheck of Harry.



 
In 1983…In Los Angeles, movie theaters premiered Michael Jackson's 14-minute "Thriller" video. The Guinness Book of World Records later named it the "most successful music video" of all time, selling more than 9 million copies.

In 1993…Jim McLaughlin, radio newsman for WYSL, WKBW, WBEN, Buffalo, died at age 59.

In the early 1960s, he worked as a deejay for KNBA in Vallejo, California taking the air name "Lucky Jim" because he didn't have to study and always knew instinctively what to say. He began delivering the news at KFOG-FM in San Francisco. In 1963, he moved back east and became the news director at WRVM in Rochester in 1964. Jim continued his career working in Buffalo as the news director of WYSL in the late 1960s, WKBW from 1970 to 1978 and then at WBEN until he was forced to retire due to health issues in 1987.

Jim was the first news director to hire a full-time street reporter, a female news staff member, to use co-anchors and to use short wave radio to cover international stories. In 1979, he won the New York State Associated Press Award for WBEN's "Newsday," being the best radio news program. Jim was also the only radio reporter allowed to cover the 1971 Attica Prison riot from inside the prison.

In 2003…longtime Cleveland, Ohio Radio personality, John Lanigan, was arrested for drunken driving.

Chicago Radio: 'The Game' Is Over, Brandmeier, Meier OUT

WGN 720 AM is apprently shutting down its unprofitable sports talker station WGWG 87.7 LP-FM.

Chicagio media writer Robert Feder was first to report the move comes after jus nine months after being launched.   Tribune Media will cease programming on The Game 87.7 FM, at the end of the year.

According to Feder, former WGN personalities Jonathon Brandmeier and Garry Meier are out, effective immediatley.

Brandmeier’s morning show aired on The Game 87.7 and the online streaming site wgn.fm. Meier’s afternoon show aired only on wgn.fm.

Brandmeier and Meier were both moved off WGN 720 AM when president and GM Jimmy de Castro began re-tooling the heritage news/talker with personality changes.  Steve Cochran was brought in for mornings and Meier was replaced by Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder in afternoons.

WGWG 87.7 LP-FM (3Kw eff.radiated power)

A memo to staff broke the news:

A copy of the memo was obtained by the Tribune:

"We will discontinue programming of The Game and sports radio on 87.7 on December 31, 2014. WGN Radio is working to continue to produce the Kap & Haugh Show for CSN Chicago. 

We're looking to expand our sports footprint on WGN Radio as well as online and via social media. 

Our Free Form media initiative, wgn.fm, will take a different form to be an incubator for new talent, alternative conversation, and classic Chicago audio called WGN Plus in 2015. That content will all be distributed on demand at wgnradio.com. 

The final Garry Meier Show streamed live on wgn.fm yesterday." 

— Robert Channick

The Sun-Times is reporting Radio host Ben Finfer of WGWG-FM’s “Quigs and Finfer” show learned mid-show Thursday that Tribune Media was pulling the plug on the sports radio station.

The news came down not from management but from media reporter Robert Feder, who tweeted the story during Finfer’s show.

“We’re doing a live show here,” Finfer said on the air. “And to be told this way, it’s really a letdown. We’re getting screwed on this one. … We just found out on Twitter a half hour ago that the station is being taken off the air. We were not told about this ahead of time.

“We didn’t know anything about it. We were coming back from a break and saw on Twitter from Robert Feder that the station is being taken off the air. Can you believe that? A lot of really talented people were hired to work at this station and found out through Twitter that they were fired. Nothing from the bosses.

“I don’t really know what to do for the last hour of this show. I guess take calls.”

St. Louis Radio: Tony Scott Joins WFUN for Weekends

Tony Scott

Beginning this weekend,St. Louis personality Tony Scott returns for two shifts at WFUN 95.5 FM/Old School, airing Saturdays 2 p.m.-7 p.m. and Sundays 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

According to stltoday.com, it’s a relief for Scott’s fans still fuming over his dismissal in May from his 26-year perch at iHeartMedia at KMJM 100.3 FM at what was then Majic 100.3 and his “The Tony and Tammie Morning Show”.

Scott’s new position at Radio One’s Old School 95.5 puts him in the hands of his one-time competitor, which snapped him up once he was contractually allowed to return to the airwaves.

“I’m excited. I want to shake off the rust and give the people what they expect from me,” says Scott.

@MorrisKKaos @tonyscottmedia will be on Saturday 2-7 and Sunday 3-7!! Make sure you listen in!
— OldSchool955 (@OldSchool955) November 19, 2014

“Tony Scott represents a big portion of radio in St. Louis. We still believe he has a lot of value to add to radio listenership here. We’re happy to him as a part of what we’re trying to achieve,” says Boogie D, operations director at Old School 95.5 and Hot 104.1 and on-air personality at Hot 104.1.

WFUN 95.5 FM (10.5Kw) 60dBu Coverage

He adds Scott's airing now as it relates to Ferguson is a coincidence. “It wasn’t something planned. It was about the time frame we were able to make the deal happen and getting him on as fast as we could. It all worked out timing-wise.”

Cumulus Names Jeff Davis To Direct Stratus Music Scheduling

Jeff Davis

Cumulus has announced that 26-year radio veteran Jeff Davis has been promoted to the newly created position of National Director of Stratus Music Scheduling.

Davis has been with Cumulus for over eight years as Program Director of heritage Hot AC/CHR hybrid WQSM in Fayetteville, NC. Jeff has also been Music Director for Cumulus’ Hot AC station KBBY in Ventura, CA. Davis has extensive knowledge of Cumulus’ proprietary Stratus Music Scheduling System, used at more than 450 radio stations in 89 markets across the U.S. He will continue to program WQSM for Cumulus.

Since joining Cumulus in 2006, Davis has worked with Emily Boldon, Corporate Program Director and Vice President, Stratus Music Programming, to develop and improve each Stratus upgrade as a Beta tester before they were rolled out to the company’s stations nationwide.

Boldon said: “Jeff Davis is a consummate programmer and professional. He is a progressive and innovative thinker and he asks incisive questions that allow us to continually improve our music scheduling platform for the benefit of our stations and listeners. In this new role, Jeff will be a huge asset to our Stratus Music team.”

Davis said: "I am thrilled to work even closer with Emily Boldon, Senior Vice President of Programming, Mike McVay, and Chief Technology Officer, Alfred Lutter at Cumulus  Corporate to continue developing this national platform, while staying embedded in my local market at WQSM. Cumulus is a great company that values and rewards hard work, a proven track record and loyalty, and helps drive the passion for great radio.”

Apple Plans To Push Beat On iPhones

Apple will bundle the subscription music service it acquired from Beats into its iOS operating system early next year, instantly making it available on hundreds of millions of iPhones and iPads – and ramping up pressure on Spotify, the market leader in music streaming.

CNBC reports the inclusion of the paid-for Beats service in an iOS software update could happen as early as March. The move represents Apple's first attempt to capitalise on Beats since it bought the headphone maker and streaming service from Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine for $3B this year.

It will also be Apple's first big push into subscription music at a time when iTunes downloads are in decline and some high-profile artists such as Taylor Swift remain sceptical about the economics of streaming.

Pre-installing apps on devices is seen as a fast track to reaching new customers. Apple could also take advantage of its new mobile payments service to enable customers to subscribe with just one touch of the iPhone's fingerprint reader.

SiriusXM CEO: Benefits of Streaming Revolution

Jim Meyer

SiriusXM Radio plans to be the dominant product in the connected car of the future, and CEO Jim Meyer expects that by the end of the decade about 70 percent of new automobiles in the U.S. will come with an embedded modem.

While satellite radio is not a two-way service, modems will allow for seamless on-demand content and other services that Sirius XM plans on being involved with, said Meyer, who was speaking at an investor-day presentation of parent company Liberty Media.

Earlier, Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei worried about the impact Internet streaming could have on SiriusXM’s model, calling it “both a threat and an opportunity,” though Meyer was far more bullish, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

SiriusXM is in 70 percent of new cars in the U.S., and by year’s end the service will boast 27 million paying subscribers, Meyer said. With 240 million cars in the country, there’s room for lots of growth, and the company is looking at expanding pricing options.

“I’m pretty bullish on subscriber growth for years to come,” Meyer added.

CNBC's David Faber speaks to Jim Meyer, SiriusXM CEO, about the strength of its music streaming offering and competition in the satellite radio space.

Liberty's Plan for SiriusXM

Discussing Liberty's investment in SiriusXM, and what's to come from both companies, with Greg Maffei, CEO, Liberty Media.

Cumulus, WWOne Partner For Radio Row At The AMAs

Cumulus and Westwood One have announced they will provide exclusive audio coverage from the Westwood One Backstage at the AMAs Radio Row on Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22, leading up to the 2014 American Music Awards.

The event is being held on Sunday, November 23 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California and broadcast LIVE at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC.  The 2014 AMAs, hosted by Pitbull, will showcase the year’s hottest and biggest music stars with performances by Taylor Swift, Iggy Azalea, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Fergie, 5 Seconds of Summer, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and One Direction.

During this special backstage event, Westwood One will debut its Red Carpet Radio brand.  Red Carpet Radio is the umbrella platform for the company’s exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of year-round entertainment award shows. Red Carpet Radio brings red carpet moments to life, offering broadcast partners and advertisers access to live broadcasts, exclusive content, celebrities, backstage performances, social media buzz, and parties and events.

Steve Shaw

“We’re pleased to continue our partnership with the AMAs, one of the country’s premiere music events,” said Steve Shaw, Westwood One President.  “It’s the perfect opportunity to unveil the Red Carpet Radio brand, offering unrivaled access and coverage of the hottest entertainment events. These prestigious events provide more ways to deliver experiential marketing to our advertisers, who can sponsor the event on-site, on-air, and through our digital extensions.  It’s like having a coveted backstage pass!”

Backstage at the AMAs Radio Row is two days of live broadcasts with 25 radio stations from across the country representing multiple formats, with an array of hosts, presenters, and performers mingling backstage.  In addition to affiliated stations Backstage at the AMAs, several Cumulus and Westwood One programs and personalities will be broadcasting Live from Radio Row, including NASH Nights Live, Zach Sang & The Gang, The Bert Show, NASH/America’s Morning Show, and Nights Live with Adam Bomb. Cumulus partners Rdio, Music Choice, and Benztown will help to expand the audience reach of the event.  Grainger is a sponsor of Westwood One’s Backstage at the AMAs.  

Westwood One will create original content leading up to and including the day of the big event, which will run on more than 150 radio stations across multiple formats in markets as diverse as Detroit, Dallas, Salt Lake City, New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans.  On Sunday, Westwood One showcases live original content from the event itself.  “Live from the Red Carpet” is a two-hour special airing from 6-8 pm, ET followed by “Live from Backstage at the AMAs,” a three-hour special that will air from 8-11 pm ET.