December 7 In Radio History

In 1921...KWG (now 1230 AM) in Stockton, CA is one of the oldest broadcasting stations in USA. It was licensed on December 7, 1921. It is considered the first commercially licensed radio station west of the Mississippi River.

Until 1988, KWG used a T-antenna type transmitting antenna mounted on two 60-meter tall wooden poles, making KWG one of the last broadcast stations to use this type of antenna. The KWG transmitter has been located at Weber and E Streets in Stockton for many years.


In 1930…In Boston, W1XAV aired video from the CBS radio orchestra program "The Fox Trappers." The broadcast included the first television commercial, an ad for I.J. Fox Furriers, the radio show's sponsor.


In 1938...The St. Louis Dispatch begins a two-year experiment to deliver newspapers by radio facsimile, first transmission via W9XZY




In 1941... Japanese planes attacked the home base of the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, launching America's entry into World War Two.

The Imperial Japanese Navy conducted a surprise military strike against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack was intended to prevent the U.S. Pacific Fleet from influencing the war that the Empire of Japan was planning in Southeast Asia against Britain and the Netherlands, as well as the U.S. in the Philippines. The base was attacked by a total of 353 Japanese aircraft, in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers. Four U.S. Navy battleships were sunk and four other battleships were damaged. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship and one minelayer. A total of 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed, 2,402 American personnel were killed and 1,282 were wounded.


In 1943...Folk singer/songwriter Harry Chapin, whose songs include "Cat's in the Cradle," was born. He died in a car accident on July 16, 1981 at 38

In 1960...WABC-AM, debuted its "Top 40" format. Compliments of musicradio77.com, the Top40 WABC tribute site.  Here's the Day One line-up:

6AM     HERB OSCAR ANDERSON
10:00   Breakfast Club - Don McNeill
11:00   CHARLIE GREER
1:00     FARRELL SMITH
3:00     JACK CARNEY
6:00     Newscope
7:30     CHUCK DUNAWAY
10:00   SCOTT MUNI
12Mid   BIG JOE'S HAPPINESS EXCHANGE
4:00A   BILL OWEN

Plus, here's an early WABC aircheck.  July 3, 1961 was Dan Ingram's first day on-air at WABC.


In 1977…Peter Goldmark, developer of the LP (long playing) 33 1/3 rpm record and the first commercial color television system, was killed in a car accident at the age of 71.


In 1994...Radio personality Howard Stern talked a man out of trying to kill himself.

CBS, DishTV Agree On Deal

CBS and Dish Network on Saturday morning said they reached a multiyear pact for carriage of CBS-owned stations across the U.S. as well as the Eye’s cable networks, coming after CBS pulled its signals Friday night from the satcaster.

According to Variety, the deal covers 27 CBS-owned stations as well as CBS Sports Network, Smithsonian Channel, TVGN and Showtime Networks, which includes Showtime TV Everywhere and video-on-demand rights as well as future over-the-top distribution of the premium cabler.

The companies’ announcement did not address whether Dish has OTT rights to CBS programming. According to a source familiar with the deal, CBS will negotiate with Dish in good faith for Internet TV rights if and when the satellite carrier launches an OTT service. Dish has said it plans to launch an OTT service before the end of 2014, having secured deals with Disney/ESPN, Scripps Networks Interactive and A+E Networks.

Financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed.

AK Radio: Morning Host At KASH Arrested For Kiddie Porn

Jimmy O'Brien

A drive-time radio personality known to Anchorage residents as Jimmy O’Brien was arrested Thursday on child pornography charges.

The Country KASH 107.5 FM host’s real name is James LaPlante, and according to KTUU-TV2,   the 48-year-old is accused of finding naked pictures of children online, distributing them on social media, and at least once of convincing kids to share illicit photographs.

Children depicted in images gathered by law enforcement officers are as young as four, according to charging documents.

A case was initiated when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was contacted by Instagram after the company realized an Anchorage-based user had uploaded 13 images depicting child sexual exploitation.

The national organization contacted the Anchorage Police Department, and in the charging document Det. Shawn Estes claims he identified LaPlante’s home address as the location where the images in question were uploaded to the popular social media service.

Google separately identified illegal images which LaPlante shared online from a computer owned by iHeartMedia, his employer, the state alleges.

The Anchorage Police Department executed search warrants on his home, the radio station’s offices and his Instagram and Google accounts, searches that revealed additional evidence from his iPhone.

MA Radio: WBSM Fires Talker Pete Braley

Pete Braley

Well-known New Beford, MA radio personality Pete Braley was let go from WBSM 1420 AM Friday morning after 25 years of service.

“I was fired ... I’m quite devastated,” the 53-year-old told SunCoastToday.com, “I never even had the chance to say goodbye to our wonderful audience.”

Braley said General Manager Mark Stachowski informed him of the company’s decision to “eliminate the position” around 10:15 a.m. after Braley completed his final edition of the morning show at the station.

Stachowski did not return calls for comment but sent a statement via email: “Mr. Braley is no longer with the company. We thank him for his contributions to WBSM and wish him well in his future endeavors. Tune in Monday to find out about the morning show.”

Braley was the brand manager, which he said meant he was in charge of “how we sounded and how we looked.” He said he was shocked and hasn’t thought about what he will do next.

Mayor Jon Mitchell said he will miss Braley’s “warm and affable voice” every morning.

“I am very disappointed,” he said. “Pete has been a cornerstone of the community for more than 20 years. I have the utmost respect for the work he did as a talk show host and the efforts he spearheaded for worthy causes in our community.”

R.I.P.: WVEE Atlanta Pioneer Rik Rogers Has Died

Rik Rogers

Clarence Brack “Rik” Rogers died Nov. 30 of a traumatic brain injury due to an accidental fall.

He was 80-years-of-age.

Rogers was a man who did his job well, and was a creator of Atlanta’s urban contemporary radio station WVEE 103.3 FM V-103.

“He did things people said could not be done,” his daughter Kim Chastain told AJC.com. “He was a brilliant man.”

Rogers worked in radio his entire career, starting out in his teens in his hometown of Spartanburg, N.C. as a radio personality. A very quiet, deliberate and intellectual man, Rogers shined bright on air and was nicknamed Mr. Showbiz.

In 1969 Rogers moved to Atlanta and began working in sales at radio station WPLO, AM-590, country, and FM-103.3, top 40. He soon became vice president and general manager of the AM station and in the mid 1970s it became the number one country music radio station in the U.S., said his daughter.

As vice president Rogers came up with an idea for an urban contemporary station, creating V-103. He set up a transmitter and increased the range of the station. Rogers left the station in 1993.

December 6 In Radio History

In 1877...Thomas Edison made his first recording of a human voice, reciting the nursery rhyme "Mary had a little lamb," on the first tinfoil cylinder phonograph.


In 1923...The White House was brought fully into the modern age of communication when Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929) made the first presidential radio broadcast from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on this day in 1923. The next year, he made history again in by appearing in the first sound film of an American President.

In 1877, President Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881) spoke on the telephone to the instrument’s inventor, Alexander Graham Bell. Two years later, Hayes had his own telephone in the White House, but the invention was so new that very few homes or offices in Washington had phones, so Hayes had few people to talk to. In fact, the president’s telephone number was "1".


In 1957...Elvis Presley met two of his music idols, R&B singers Little Junior Parker and Bobby "Blue" Bland, while visiting Memphis radio station WDIA.




In 1963...The Beatles began a tradition of releasing a spoken-word and musical message Christmas recording for fans. One such record was issued each year from 1963–1969 and a compilation of all seven in 1970.




In 1980...In an interview with BBC Radio 1, John Lennon said the great thing about living in New York City was that people left him alone.


In 1994...WRKS NYC changes format to classic soul


In 2003...Pat St. John first show at WAXQ

Huge Black Eye For Rolling Stone Mag

Rolling Stone magazine apologized to readers Friday for discrepancies in an article about an alleged gang rape at a University of Virginia fraternity house, saying their trust in the woman who gave the account "was misplaced."

CNN reports Rolling Stone editors made the choice not to contact the man who allegedly "orchestrated the attack on Jackie (the woman who was the subject of the article) nor any of the men she claimed participated in the attack for fear of retaliation against her," a decision the magazine says it now regrets.

"In the face of new information, there now appear to be discrepancies in Jackie's account, and we have come to the conclusion that our trust in her was misplaced," Rolling Stone said.

The article chronicled the school's failure to respond to that alleged assault.

According to the magazine, Jackie, who at the time had just started her freshman year at the Charlottesville school, claimed she was raped by seven men at Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, while two more gave encouragement, during a party.

However, the University of Virginia's Phi Kappa Psi chapter did not have a party the night of September 28, 2012, the date when the reported attack occurred, the fraternity chapter's lawyer, Ben Warthen, told CNN. He said email records and Inter-fraternity Council records prove there was no party.

Warthen said there were other discrepancies in the accuser's account. For example, the accused orchestrator of the alleged rape did not belong to the fraternity, the fraternity house has no side staircase, and there were no pledges at that time of year.

"It's not part of our culture," Warthen said. "It's just not true."

Rolling Stone's scathing report, detailing not just Jackie's graphic allegation of being raped and brutalized at a fraternity party, but also UVA's supposed indifference to victims of sexual assault, stirred a firestorm on the campus.

Read More Now

Anchor Candy Crowley Leaving CNN

Candy Crowley

Veteran CNN anchor Candy Crowley is leaving the network.

According to The Hollywood Reporter,  CNN president Jeff Zucker announced her departure in a staff memo on Friday. Crowley's future plans and a departure date weren't revealed.

Crowley currently serves as CNN's chief political correspondent and anchor of its Sunday morning show State of the Union with Candy Crowley. She most notably was the network's choice in 2012 to moderate the CNN-hosted presidential debate between President Obama and then-candidate Mitt Romney.

She's been with CNN since 1987, hosting State of the Union since 2010. In 2012 she became the first woman to moderate a presidential debate in two decades. She's covered the campaigns of every U.S. president since Ronald Reagan and since the nomination of Jimmy Carter, she's covered all but one of the national political conventions. Sh also covers presidential, congressional and gubernatorial elections and major legislative developments on Capitol Hill.

Read More Now

Atlanta Radio: Jason Bailey Added To WNNX Morning Show

Jason Bailey

Cumulus has announced that radio personality Jason Bailey will join Classic Rock WNNX 1005.5 FM Rock in Atlanta as morning show host.

Bailey, who replaces former morning host Larry Wachs, will add his talents to the Rock 100.5 morning show team beginning Monday, December 15, 2014, from 6:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Bailey joins Cumulus from CBS Atlanta’s Sports station, WZGC 92.9 FM The Game. Prior to that, he was with Clear Channel stations WTKS 104.1 FM in Orlando and WXTB 98 Rock in Tampa. He was also on-air at Orlando stations WJRR 101.1 FM and WXXL 106.7 FM. Bailey has had a high profile broadcasting career as a popular Sports and Music Host/Co-Host for networks including WWE, NFL Network, TNA Wrestling, Brighthouse Network, Planet Hollywood and MTV.

Scott Jameson, Corporate Program Director/Rock for Cumulus said: “Jason brings a fresh, contemporary approach. His music, sports and pop culture background will connect nicely with Atlanta's morning commuters."

WNNX 100.5 FM (13.5Kw) 60dBu Coverage

Bailey said: “"I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to join Rock 100.5. I moved to Atlanta with my sights set on working for Cumulus and the day has come. To have the opportunity to work with great management like Mike McVay, Greg Ausham, Scott Jameson, Troy Hanson and Rob Roberts is a talent's dream come true. This company allows talent to excel in their careers-- which is very rare nowadays. Not to mention, I get to be surrounded by some of the most talented guys and girls in the business every morning. Man, this is what it's all about. Thanks to my new Cumulus family for the opportunity and faith, especially John Dickey. I guess crashing the Cumulus Christmas party three years ago has finally paid off. Let the good times begin!"

2014 Grammy Noms Announced

Taylor Swift and Meghan Trainor are among the contenders for Record of the Year honors at the 57th Grammy Awards.

Swift is up for “Shake It Off.” Trainor is nommed for her hit “All About that Bass.” The other contenders are: Sam Smith for “Stay with Me,” Sia for “Chandelier” and Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX for “Fancy.”

Nominees for Record of the Year and three other categories were unveiled Friday morning on “CBS This Morning.”  See the entire list of nominees: Click Here.

Also Read: 2015 Snubs & Suprises: Click Here.

Best New Artist
Bastille
Iggy Azalea
Brandy Clark
Haim
Sam Smith

Record of the Year
"Fancy," Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
"Chandelier," Sia
"Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)," Sam Smith
"Shake It Off," Taylor Swift
"All About That Bass," Meghan Trainor

Song of the Year
"Chandelier," Sia
"All About That Bass," Meghan Trainor
"Shake It Off," Taylor Swift
"Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)," Sam Smith
"Take Me to Church," Hozier

Best Rap Album
The New Classic, Iggy Azalea
Because the Internet, Childish Gambino
Nobody's Smiling, Common
The Marshall Mathers LP2, Eminem
Oxymoron, ScHoolboy Q
Blacc Hollywood, Wiz Khalifa

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
"Fancy," Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
"A Sky Full of Stars," Coldplay
"Say Something," A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera
"Bang Bang," Ariana Grande, Jessie J & Nicki Minaj
"Dark Horse," Katy Perry ft. Juicy J

Best Rap Performance
"305," Childish Gambino
"0 to 100/The Catch Up," Drake
"Rap God," Eminem
"i," Kendrick Lamar
"All I Need Is You," Lecrae

Best Alternative Music Album
This Is All Yours, alt-J
Reflektor, Arcade Fire
Melophobia, Cage the Elephant
St. Vincent, St. Vincent
Lazaretto, Jack White

Best Rock Album
Ryan Adams, Ryan Adams
Morning Phase, Beck
Turn Blue, The Black Keys
Hypnotic Eye, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Songs of Innocence, U2

Best Rock Song
"Ain't It Fun," Paramore
"Blue Moon," Beck
"Fever," The Black Keys
"Gimme Something Good," Ryan Adams
"Lazaretto," Jack White

Best Country Album
Riser, Dierks Bentley
The Outsiders, Eric Church
The Way I'm Livin', Lee Ann Womack
12 Stories, Brandy Clark
Platinum, Miranda Lambert

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
"Blak Majik," Common ft. Jhené Aiko
"The Monster," Eminem ft. Rihanna
"Tuesday," I Love Makonnen ft. Drake
"Studio," ScHoolboy Q ft. BJ The Chicago Kid
"Bound 2," Kanye West & Charlie Wilson

Best Rap Song
"Anaconda," Nicki Minaj
"Bound 2," Kanye West & Charlie Wilson
"i," Kendrick Lamar
"We Dem Boyz," Wiz Khalifa
"0 to 100/The Catch Up," Drake

Best Country Song
"American Kids," Kenny Chesney
"Automatic," Miranda Lambert
"Give Me Back My Hometown," Eric Church
"I'm Not Gonna Miss You," Glen Campbell
"Meanwhile Back at Mama's," Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
"Gentle On My Mind," The Band Perry
"Somethin' Bad," Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood
"Day Drinking," Little Big Town
"Meanwhile Back At Mama's," Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill
"Raise 'Em Up," Keith Urban ft. Eric Church

Best Country Solo Performance
"Give Me Me Back My Hometown," Eric Church
"Invisible," Hunter Hayes
"Automatic," Miranda Lambert
"Something In the Water," Carrie Underwood
"Cop Car," Keith Urban

Best Pop Vocal Album
Ghost Stories, Coldplay
Bangerz, Miley Cyrus
My Everything, Ariana Grande
Prism, Katy Perry
x, Ed Sheeran
In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith

Best Urban Contemporary Album
Sail Out, Jhene Aiko
Beyonce, Beyonce
X, Chris Brown
Mali Is, Mali Music
G I R L, Pharrell Williams

Best Dance/Electronic Album
Syro, Aphex Twin
While (1, Deadmaus
Nabuma Rubberband, Little Dragon
Do It Again, Röyksopp & Robyn
Damage Control, Mat Zo

Best Dance Recording
"Never Say Never," Basement Jaxx
"Rather Be," Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne
"F for You," Disclosure ft. Mary J. Blige
"I Got U," Duke Dumont ft. Jax Jones
"Faded," Zhu

Best Music Video
"We Exist," Arcade Fire
"Turn Down for What," DJ Snake & Lil Jon
"Chandelier," Sia
"Happy," Pharrell Williams
"The Golden Age," Woodkid ft. Max Richter

Best Pop Solo Performance
"All of Me," John Legend
"Chandelier," Sia
"Stay With Me," Sam Smith
"Shake It Off," Taylor Swift
"Happy," Pharrell Williams

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Cheek to Cheek, Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett
Sending You a Little Christmas, Johnny Mathis
Nostalgia, Annie Lennox
Partners, Barbra Streisand
Night Songs, Barry Manilow

Best Rock Performance
"Gimme Something Good," Ryan Adams
"Do I Wanna Know?", Arctic Monkeys
"Blue Moon," Beck
"Fever," The Black Keys
"Lazaretto," Jack White

This year the Recording Academy opted for an unconventional process of announcing the 2015 Grammy noms. The first categories were revealed on “CBS This Morning.”

But the Album of the Year nominees will be revealed shortly before 7 p.m. PT as part of CBS’ primetime “A Very Grammy Christmas” special.

The Grammy Awards ceremony will air live on CBS on Feb. 8.

SiriusXM Settles Misleading Ad Claims

It's probably not enough to knock it out of orbit but satellite radio provider Sirius XM has agreed to pay $3.8 million and make restitution to eligible consumers to resolve claims that it snared consumers with misleading advertising and billing practices, according to ConsumerAffairs.com.

The attorneys general of 45 states and D.C. alleged that Sirius XM engaged in misleading, unfair and deceptive practices in violation of state consumer protection laws.

Sirius XM said it was pleased to have resolved the issue.

"The changes to our consumer practices that we agreed to are practices we have already implemented at SiriusXM.  Under the terms of the settlements, we have agreed to provide, upon the request of the States, additional information about our consumer practices and to participate in a process designed to address any previously unresolved consumer complaints," said Patrick Reilly, Senior Vice President, Communications.

The states’ investigation focused on consumer complaints involving: difficulty canceling contracts, cancellation requests that were not honored, misrepresentations that the consumer’s Sirius XM service would be canceled and not renewed, contracts that were automatically renewed without consumers’ notice or consent, unauthorized fees, higher and unanticipated rates after a low introductory rate, and Sirius XM failing to provide timely refunds.

Under the terms of the settlement, Sirius XM agreed to:

• Clearly and conspicuously disclose all terms and conditions at the point of sale, such as billing frequency, term length, automatic renewal date, and cancellation policy.
• Make no misrepresentations about the available plans in advertisements.
• Provide advance notice via mail or email about upcoming automatic renewals for plans lasting longer than six months.
• Revise the cancellation procedures to make it easier for consumers to cancel.
• Prohibit incentive compensation for customer service representatives based solely on “saves,” or retaining current customers who attempt to cancel.

Tampa Radio: Sports Remains On 1010 AM, Bubba Teases Return

WHFS-FM 98.7, also known as 98.7 The Fan, ceased its all-sports programming Thursday at 3 p.m., with several on-air personalities being let go, according to TampaBay.com.

Previously owned by CBS Radio, WHFS-FM and WHFS 1010-AM, were among 13 stations in Tampa; Charlotte, N.C.; and Philadelphia dealt by CBS in a swap with Beasley Broadcast Group Inc. In exchange, CBS got five total stations in Philadelphia and Miami.

WHFS-FM is promising a new format starting January 5, 2015; for now the station is stunting with holiday music.   Kent Dunn, Beasley's vice president and market manager for its Tampa-St. Petersburg cluster, said that CBS Sports Radio and USF sports will continue to be heard on 1010, which also carries Bulls baseball, women's basketball and softball.

USF spokesman Brian Siegrist said the school had been aware of the changes. The contract between CBS and IMG College Multimedia, which owns broadcast rights to USF sporting events, extends 2½ more years.

Siegrist said school officials are trying to determine whether a short-term or permanent switch to 1010 fulfills the contract obligations.

Screenshot of 98.7 FM Website

"To those who listened and laughed with us everyday, thank you!" Justin Pawlowski, co-host of the Fan Interference 98.7 morning show, tweeted Thursday afternoon. Pawlowski declined comment when reached a couple of hours later.

One of the station's original voices, national and local sports-talk radio veteran Todd Wright, attributed the demise of 98.7 to misguided leadership. Wright opted out of his afternoon co-host gig with former Bucs defensive tackle Booger McFarland after seven weeks in 2012, and he was fired after only six months.

The change prompted speculation in radio circles and social media that it paved the way for radio personality Bubba "The Love Sponge" Clem to return to the Tampa Bay market.

The station promised a new format to launch Jan. 5, which coincides with a date Clem has cited on his Twitter account for a return.

iHeartMedia Restructures Programming

The four-year old National Programming Platforms team at iHeartMedia is getting an overhaul, which NPP president Tom Poleman Thursday told staff the changes will allow the unit to become more integrated into the company’s local brands.

The move will bring iHeart’s executive and senior vice presidents of programming into NPP.  Two executives will also get expanded roles.

• VP Marc Chase will oversee iHeart’s brand management team.
• SVP Maynard Cohen will head up its programming strategic review team.

According to iHM spokesperson Angel Aristone explained, "Over the past several months, the EVPO's and Tom have been collaborating on ways for NPP to become even more integrated with our local brands, so NPP have adjusted their structure to include E/SVPPs. In an effort to streamline communication with stations, E/SVPPs will now be integrated into NPP and be the primary point of programming contact with local stations and markets. This is in an effort to place more control in the hands of markets, while streamlining communication with the company's programming personnel. The E/SVPPs will work directly with Market Presidents and the VPP/Operations Managers to develop programming action plans that utilize all the programming assets iHeartMedia has to offer."

Report: Print, Radio Among Media Missed Least

Business Insider CEO Henry Blodget has posted detailed look at where digital business appears to be headed.

The chart, based on Ofcom data charted by BI Intelligence. It shows a major shift in the types of media most important to various generations.

People between the ages of 16 and 24, for example, would not blink an eye if newspapers and magazines went extinct; smartphones are the "must-have" device of the younger generation. The breakdown among all adults shows a much stronger craving for TV over smartphones and computers, and the older generations (those over 75) don't care much about computers and have absolutely no problem living without smartphones.

In his Media Blog, strategist Mark Ramsey asserts the premise question and graph are "extremely" flawed:

According to Ramsey, here's why:

• Hypothetical questions like this one yield hypothetical responses. We could as easily ask what their favorite media would be in the presence of a zombie apocalypse.
• The list of options is anything but comprehensive. “Smartphone,” for example, does not include “tablet,” does it? Whole categories are presumed not to exist.
• What’s being evaluated here are not really “media,” they are media distribution channels. TV content lives on a smartphone as does radio content. So does that qualify as “Smartphone” or “TV”? Where, for example, do Pandora and Spotify live? In the “smartphone” category, right? But why? These are audio platforms that complement or substitute for the distribution channel called “radio.” This is a dumb rookie mistake, if you ask me. Researcher heads should roll.
• “Smartphone” is much more than a media device, so what you “miss” there is much more than media. Ditto for “Computer.” Respondents are reading in layers of value that go well beyond the intent of the crappy question.

Read More Now

Portland OR Radio: KXL Re-Signs Clyde Lewis

Clyde Lewis

Nationally syndicated and N/T KXL 101.1 FM  in Portland, OR has announced that  air host Clyde Lewis has signed a new contract.

Lewis is the creator and host of the syndicated show, “Ground Zero” which airs on 200+ stations (via Premiere Network).  The daily show originating from Alpha Media's KXL-FM.

Lewis' show focuses on paranormal news and commentary.

His career in radio began in Utah in 1982 and he created Ground Zero in 1995 in Salt Lake City.

Alpha Media EVP of programming Scott Mahalick comments, “Clyde offers a 7th dimension perspective and is the most compelling story teller I’ve ever met in this business.  We’re happy to be at the epicenter of ‘Ground Zero’ in Portland and thrilled to continue our partnership with Clyde.  He is a talk radio badass!”

Omaha Radio: Talker Tom Becka OUT At KOIL

Tom Becka

Tom Becka, the host of "The Tom Becka Show" on Omaha's KOIL 1290 AM, will no longer work for the talk radio station. Becka said in a statement that his contract has not been renewed.

"I once again find myself looking for a job," Becka said in a recording he posted on his site Thursday afternoon.

Becka is a long-time Omaha radio personality who was a talk show host at KFAB from 2004 to 2011. He started at KOIL in April 2012.

Andy Ruback, general manager of KOIL, confirmed to Omaha.com that Becka's contract was not renewed. Ruback said that KOIL will be announcing what will be done with the day timeslot in the near future.

Becka will continue his podcast at TomBecka.com.

To hear what Becka had to say, click here.

American General Inks Eddie Sotelo For Two Markets

Eddie Sotelo

American General Media has announced the return of "El Show de Piolin" hosted by Eddie Sotelo to KEBT 96.9 FM La Caliente in the Bakersfield market and on KLVO-FM Radio Lobo in the Albuquerque.

The show will air weekday mornings from 6-10am, starting  in early January 2015.

The show previously aired on KEBT-FM for many year before Sotelo leaving for SiriusXM in August, 2013.

"Eddie Sotelo has demonstrated over the course of his career, the talent to connect with audiences and engage them in a way like no other. El Show de Piolin added to the strong lineup of local talent we have on 96.9 La Caliente will make for an exciting and happy new year," said AGM/Bakersfield Director of Operations & Programming Robert Lewis.

"I am extremely excited about the return of Piolin to our family of stations. The show was there when we launched La Caliente and was instrumental in making the station the leading Spanish language station in Bakersfield," added AGM President Rogers Brandon. "Adding El Show de Piolin to our amazing line up of air personalities will make the station a dynamic force for our listeners and clients."

Pittsburgh Radio: KDKA-FM Moves Colin Dunlap to Mornings

CBS Radio’s Sportsradio KDKA 93.7 FM  The Fan’s evening host Colin Dunlap has been elevated to The Fan’s Morning Show beginning on Friday, January 2, 2015, it was announced Thursday by Ryan Maguire, program director for the station.

Dunlap will team up with current co-hosts Josh Miller and Jim Colony on The Fan Morning Show, broadcast weekdays 6:00-10:00AM, ET on-air, online and via the Radio.com app.

“Colin’s entertaining and informative style of sports-talk is a great compliment to what both Josh and Jim bring to the table every morning,” said Maguire. “Colin has been a proven success in every opportunity we’ve given him and we expect him to make great contributions to what already is an excellent program.”

Dunlap replaces Gregg Giannotti, who was recently named co-host of CBS Sports Radio’s national weekday morning show.

“We’re extraordinarily happy for Gregg as he begins the next chapter of his career with CBS Radio,” said Maguire. “He’s made many valuable contributions to the Fan’s success as a radio brand during his time here and we wish him the very best.”

Dunlap began with The Fan as a part-time host in 2010. He was promoted to full-time roles as late night and then evening host over the last two years.

A new weeknight host will be named at a later date.

CBS Sports Radio Unveils New Line-Up

CBS Sports Radio Thursday announced a new lineup for the nation’s largest 24/7 major-market sports radio network heard on more than 330 stations nationwide, starting on Friday, Jan. 2, 2015.

The programming schedule includes a revamped morning show and broadcast pairings, as well as the addition of a new overnight host. The announcement was made by Eric Spitz, Director of Programming, CBS Sports Radio.

“We’re extremely excited about our 2015 lineup,” said Spitz. “Building off of our established programs in key time periods, we have assembled a distinctive combination of passionate, opinionated, knowledgeable and entertaining hosts that sports fans will love to hear.”

Leading off the day will be Brian Jones and Gregg Giannotti broadcasting live from CBS Sports Radio’s studio in New York City from 6:00-9:00AM. Jones has been a member of the CBS Sports Radio broadcast team since its debut and also serves as a college football analyst for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network. Giannotti joins from CBS Radio’s Sportsradio KDKA 93.7 FM The Fan in Pittsburgh, where he hosts the perennially No. 1-rated sports talk show in the market.

Tiki Barber and Brandon Tierney will now be heard from 9:00AM-12:00Noon. Rounding out the afternoon, popular CBS Sports broadcasters Jim Rome and Doug Gottlieb will continue in their current time periods, 12:00Noon-3:00pm and 3:00-6:00pm, respectively, with “The Doug Gottlieb Show” also being simulcast on CBS Sports Network.

Finally, Damon Amendolara moves from overnights to host The DA Show from 6:00-10:00PM, followed by Scott Ferrall at 10:00PM. The lineup concludes with "After Hourse with Amy Lawrence,” from 2:00-6:00AM. Lawrence previously hosted a weekend show for CBS Sports Radio.

In addition, a diverse set of personalities, including Boomer Esiason, Doug Gottlieb, Jim Rome, John Feinstein and Brandon Tierney, will continue to deliver the CBS Sports Minute. The sixty-second commentaries can be heard weekdays every hour between 6:00AM-7:00PM. Additionally, Feinstein will create original audio and editorial posts for CBSSportsRadio.com and contribute across all weekday and weekend programming on a regular basis.”

Here is a complete look at CBS Sports Radio’s weekday lineup:

Weekdays (all times ET)
6:00-9:00AM: Brian Jones and Gregg Giannotti*
9:00AM-12:00Noon: Tiki and Tierney*
12:00Noon-3:00PM: The Jim Rome Show
3:00-6:00PM: The Doug Gottlieb Show
6:00-10:00PM: The DA Show *
10:00PM-2:00AM: Ferrall on the Bench
2:00-6:00AM: After Hours with Amy Lawrence*
* denotes change

Saga Sells News Networks to Learfield

Learfield Communications has announced it intent to acquire the Minnesota and Michigan News and Ag Radio Networks from Saga Communications.

The purchase agreement is effective immediately and terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The news networks in Minnesota and Michigan have been reporting state news for decades and provide news reporting services to dozens of stations. The farm networks in those two states produce and distribute agricultural news, markets, and weather information to radio stations in key growing areas.

The networks will continue to operate and distribute their current program schedules, while all announcers and reporters are now employees of Learfield. In addition and as part of the acquisition, Learfield will now manage radio network distribution on behalf of several sports teams throughout Michigan and Minnesota.

Greg Brown

"We are very pleased to now have these important news and agriculture information services as members of our stable of radio networks," said Learfield President/CEO Greg Brown. "Saga is one of the country's most admired and successful radio companies and we appreciate the opportunity to add these quality services to our family of networks."

Learfield, which was founded in 1972, began as a regional news and farm radio network. This acquisition brings to seven the number of state radio news networks operated by Learfield.

"Learfield is very well respected in the radio business and has a proven track record in network operation," said Saga President/CEO Ed Christian. "The service Learfield provides to its affiliate radio stations is unmatched and its news and agriculture networks are first rate. We are pleased to reach this agreement with such a quality organization to now operate these networks that are so important to the regions they serve."

NC Radio: Thieves Knock WCIS Off Air

John Whisnant

Christian station WCIS 760 AM in Morgantown, NC was knocked off the air after someone broke into its transmitter building and "gutted" the transmitter Thursday morning.

Owner John Whisnant estimates his immediate loss at $50,000.

Owner John Whisnant knew something was wrong when he turned the dial to the daytimer (3.5Kw)  and didn't hear a thing.

"(I was) devastated, absolutely devastated. It's December. It's our biggest month,” he said. He also said the  break-in is impacting a charity drive for the needy in the county.

Whisnant said thieves broke in and gutted two of WCIS's transmitters, stealing a few hundred dollars in copper.

It didn't take long for the owner to see how the thieves got in. He said they cut their way through a fence that has barbed wire on the top.

It will most likely be the early part of next week before the station can find a used transmitter and get it installed to get back on the air.

Channel 9 asked Whisnant if he can forgive those responsible.

“Absolutely I can forgive them, but I still want to see them punished to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.

Dick Robinson To Launch Online Rock Station

Dick Robinson Entertainment, LLC – owned and operated by broadcast legend Dick Robinson, announces the launch of iRockRadio.com to go live Monday, December 8, 2014 at 12noon.

The station picks up where Hartford heritage rocker, WCCC, left off and will embrace local listeners with familiar on-air personalities and additional reminders of the station they loved.

iRockRadio.com will concentrate the playlist on 1990’s Rock followed by 70’s and 80’s with a strong sample of new rock each hour as well. The Internet rock station is committed to serving the rock fan with engaging personalities, music news, exclusive concert events, music, music and more music!

Broadcasting from the Farmington, CT campus of Connecticut School of Broadcasting, iRock Radio is equipped with a full on-air studio, production studio and acoustic performance space that will host live band acoustic performances and artist interviews. With additional studios available at all 12 CSB locations throughout the East coast.

Performance Studio

“We live in a connected world today. It’s rare to go anywhere without finding people staring into their smartphones. And now, automakers are launching a new era of connected automobiles. All of this points to tremendous growth potential as car manufacturers continue to roll out models with wifi – iRockRadio.com’s audience will be the ones most likely to welcome and embrace these changes”. Commented Dick Robinson, Founder and Chairman of Robinson Entertainment and Connecticut Schools of Broadcasting.

Mike Karolyi, iRockRadio.com’s Program Director and Brand Manager shared “we will bring together the engaging personalities from terrestrial radio and little interruption like music streaming services. It’s obvious to us that the rock listener is underserved and in some places not being served at all.”

Surprise! Christmas Music Puts People In Holiday Mood

According to a recent Nielsen survey, nearly half of all respondents (49.5%) said hearing holiday music on the radio put them in the holiday spirit. However, it seems that the holiday state of mind resonates differently among the sexes—57% of women said hearing holiday music on the radio put them in a holiday mood, compared with 42% of men.

And according to Nielsen Music, radio stations are more than happy to help listeners get in the spirit by flipping to holiday tunes this time of the year. Formats that move to "All-Christmas" have traditionally benefited from a boost in ratings.

Among all formats, Adult Contemporary (AC) stations historically lead the holiday music category, typically switching from Christopher Cross to Kris Kringle right around Thanksgiving. In 2013, these stations played the most holiday music with over 1.1 million spins, and 45% of all holiday music airing on the radio came from AC.

December 5 in Radio HIstory

In 1901...Disney empire founder Walt Disney was born on this day in 1901. He died Dec. 15, 1966 at 65.


In 1936...Bing Crosby takes over as host of the Kraft Music Hall radio show on NBC.

Bing Crosby

The Kraft Program debuted June 26, 1933 as a musical-variety program featuring orchestra leader Paul Whiteman and served to supplement print advertising and in-store displays promoting Kraft products. During its first year the show went through a series of name changes, including Kraft Musical Revue, until it finally settled on Kraft Music Hall in 1934. Paul Whiteman remained the host until December 6, 1935. Ford Bond was the announcer.

Bing Crosby was host until May 9, 1946. Other entertainers who appeared regularly during Crosby's tenure included Connie Boswell, Victor Borge, and Mary Martin. A review in Billboard magazine commented, "It is a tribute to Bing Crosby, program's highlight, that the Music Hall seems to survive all talent change -- these changes simply pointing up the fact that the show is completely dependent on Crosby."

For the advertising managers at Kraft, it was imperative that advertising and entertainment be kept separate. For this reason, Kraft insisted that an announcer, not cast members, read its commercials.





In 1955...Disc-Jockey Alan Freed's movie "Rock Rock Rock" opened to packed theatres in New York City. Rock, Rock, Rock was black-and-white motion picture featuring performances from a number of early rock 'n' roll stars, such as Chuck Berry, LaVern Baker, Teddy Randazzo, The Moonglows, The Flamingos, and The Teenagers with Frankie Lymon as lead singer.

In 1967... Billboard Magazine has rated WMCA 570 AM  the most influential in selling single records in New York. That doesn’t mean everything WMCA picks is going to be a hit, but there’s a good chance that it will get attention.

Ruth Meyer

A typical music meeting is held on Tuesday. Usually on hand - the station’s Program Director - Ruth Meyer, music assistants Joe Bogart and Frank Costa and several WMCA deejays.  WMCA says its policy is to select records that the station believes will become hits or those that are already established hits in other cities. WMCA says “it will not play dirty records.”

From Billboard:  During last week’s music meeting - four new records were voted on. The first was “Silent Night” by Simon and Garfunkel. This is a striking version. The duo’s singing is accompanied by a newscaster’s voice telling of rioting in Cicero (IL), of Richard Speck and the killing of the student nurses, of HUAC activities in Washington and Richard Nixon’s remarks on Vietnam. Four WMCA DJ’s present - said they loved the record. Said Joe O’Brien - “It’ll be the biggest protest song yet.” “Great Record” said Harry Harrison. “I think it’s fantastic” said Dan Daniel and Jack Spector claimed “It’s a seller.” The record was added for holiday play. The second record - “I Can’t Help Myself” by the Troggs was voted down. It was considered sexually suggestive. “Too tough” commented one DJ. The third record (and this one’s very interesting) is called “ Society’s Child ” by teenager Janice Ian. This is a song about an interracial dating. Very different. Research shows the record is a hit in Flint, Mich., Phoenix, Bakersfield and Denver and has been held over in several WMCA meetings. Ruth Meyer asks if there have been any calls? “No, but we’ve been getting a lot of postcards” said someone else. The record was not added to the WMCA playlist and will be held over. (WMCA and most top-40 stations would add the record in Spring of ‘67, after Leonard Bernstein featured Janice and the song on his March TV special.) The fourth record - “Wish You Were Here, Buddy” by Pat Boone - about a Vietnam soldier who voices a little social criticism of longhaired draft card burners back in the states. It is being held over.

In 1987...The Hot 100..Former Go-Go Belinda Carlisle reached the pinnacle with her first solo effort "Heaven Is A Place On Earth".  Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes relinquished the top spot with "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life".  George Michael moved to 3 with "Faith", leaping Richard Marx and "Should've Known Better".  The rest of the Top 10:  Whitesnake and their second hit "Is This Love", Debbie Gibson's "Shake Your Love", "We'll Be Together" by Sting, Whitney Houston roared in from 16 to 8 with "So Emotional", R.E.M. entered the list with "The One I Love" and Jody Watley grabbed #10--"Don't You Want Me".

In 1987...The album Chart...Dirty Dancing kept on as the #1 album with the previous Bad from Michael Jackson still clinging to #2. Whitesnake was third while Pink Floyd peaked at #4 with A Momentary Lapse of Reason.

The rest of the Top 10:  Tunnel of Love from Bruce Springsteen falling to #5, The Lonesome Jubilee by John Cougar Mellencamp, Hysteria by Def Leppard was just in its infancy at #7, today was the day that Faith by George Michael climbed from 15-8 and first joined the Top 10 in its third week of release, ...Nothing Like the Sun from Sting remained at #9 and Whitney, Whitney Houston's second album, was at #10.


In 2002...Roone Arledge, the pioneering TV exec who headed ABC News and ABC Sports, created Wide World of Sports, Monday Night Football, Nightline and 20/20, and was responsible for sports coverage innovations like instant replay and slow motion, died. He was 71.


In 2003...Lafollette, Tennessee: DJ Jerry Monday and his wife were found dead in their home. Monday was the morning man on WLAF 1450 AM, a Gospel-formatted Radio station.


In 2008...iTunes Music Store reached a new sales plateau of 300 million applications downloaded.




In 2011...Monday Night Football Sports commentator/former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Don Meredith died of a brain hemorrhage at age 72.

Tampa Radio: WHFS Drops Sports, Could Be Bubba's New Home

The way the chips are falling, Bubba the Love Sponge Clem could soon end up at WHFS 98.7 FM, according to the Tampa Business Journal.

The inflammatory radio personality was surprisingly ousted from WHPT 102.5 FM/The Bone, owned by Cox Media Group, in August. Clem claimed he would be back on the air in Tampa Bay within 20 days. Well, it took a bit longer but a deal may have been made.

Screenshot of Current WHFS-FM Website

Today sports talk station WHFS 98.7 FM/The Fan fired all of its on-air talent according to Tampa-based radio consultant Gabe Hobbs, "I heard it from one of their personalities," he said. "They were told to come in and sign their severance packages."  Beasley Broadcast closed on WHFS this past Monday.

WHFS 987. FM (50Kw) 60dBu Coverage

At 3 p.m. on WHPT-FM, the scheduled time for the "Booger and Ryan" show, a recorded voice said, "Tampa radio is changing. Tune into the station on Monday morning Jan. 5 for a stunning announcement." Then they spun Burl Ives' "A Holly Jolly Christmas."

"They might do some Christmas programming, but if it ends up a rock station, you can bet a fair amount of money that Bubba will be the morning man," Hobbs said.

Other factors come into play:

A few Internet domain names have been registered by the registrar normally used by Beasley: 987 Bubba.com; Bubba987.com and Bubba1047.com.  Bubba1047.com applies to the more successful Q105, a "Classic Hits" station. Q105 is part of Beasley's new Tampa portfolio, so they could be planning to move around some station formats.

Unhappy SiriusXM Customers Can Get Refunds

SiriusXM Radio customers who had problems cancelling their contracts, got charged unauthorized fees or saw their rates jump unexpectedly will have an opportunity to get their money back, Attorney General Roy Cooper announced Thursday.

“Consumers who enter into a contract with a business expect to be treated fairly,” Cooper said. “Sticking consumers with extra fees and ignoring their attempts to cancel is a bad way to do business.”

The consumer refunds are part of a multistate settlement in which Sirius XM will also pay a combined $3.8 million to North Carolina and 43 other states and the District of Columbia to resolve allegations that the satellite radio company’s advertising and billing practices misled consumers. The $3.8 million recovered through the settlement is separate from the funds that will be used to repay consumers and will be shared among the participating states, including $101,429.41 to North Carolina, according to the AG's office.

The states’ investigation focused on complaints from consumers that Sirius XM made it difficult for them to cancel contracts, misrepresented that contracts would be canceled and not renewed, renewed contracts automatically without consumers’ notice or consent, charged unauthorized fees, raised rates unexpectedly after a low introductory rate, and failed to provide timely refunds.

Consumers in North Carolina who experienced one or more of these problems with Sirius XM at any time since July 28, 2008, are encouraged to file a complaint. Consumers have until May 3, 2015, to file a complaint to be considered for a refund. Anyone who complained previously to either the Attorney General’s Office or Sirius XM should file a new complaint by the deadline in order to be eligible for a refund.

North Carolina consumers can file complaints with Cooper’s Consumer Protection Division online at www.ncdoj.gov or call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM toll-free within the state. Consumers can file a complaint directly with Sirius XM at a www.siriusxm.com/settlementprogram or by mail at PO Box 33059, Detroit, MI 48232-5059.

The settlement will also protect consumers going forward because it requires Sirius XM to make significant changes to its business practices. Specifically, Sirius XM must:

• Clearly disclose all terms and conditions at the point of sale, such as billing frequency, term length, automatic renewal date and cancellation policy.
• Make no misrepresentations about the available plans in advertisements.
• Provide advance notice via mail or email about upcoming automatic renewals for plans lasting longer than six months.
• Revise the cancellation procedures to make it easier for consumers to cancel.
• Prohibit incentives for sales agents based solely on retaining current customers who attempt to cancel.

Twin Cities: AM Personality Tom Barnard ReUps At KQRS

Tom Barnard

Cumulus has announced that it has re-signed long-running KQRS 92.5 FM Minneapolis morning show personality Tom Barnard to a multi-year contract.

Barnard, a Minneapolis native, is one of the most popular morning show hosts in America and has been a morning radio fixture on Classic Rock KQ92 since 1986. The KQ92 Morning Show airs weekdays from 5:40 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Barnard was recognized for broadcasting excellence in 2006 with a Marconi Award for Large Market Personality of the Year. He is known for his trademark humor and candor on a broad range of topics.

Barnard began his radio career in 1971, and has also had a successful voiceover career.

KQRS 92.5 FM (100Kw) 60dBu Coverage

John Dickey, Executive Vice President of Content and Programming for Cumulus said: “Tom Barnard is a legend in Twin Cities radio—and a national treasure we are proud to call our own. We are very pleased to recognize Tom’s talent and ongoing contribution to KQ92 with a long-term contract underscoring our commitment to work with the industry’s very best talent.”

Barnard said: “I will be eternally grateful to the listeners of KQRS for supporting the KQ Morning Show for the past 29 years. It is a local kid’s dream come true. I am very excited to know ALL of my years as a morning show host will be spent at KQRS. I am honored to work with the fine people at Cumulus who believe in me, support me and trust me with the morning show at the greatest radio station in the world.”

Portland OR Radio: Lar Larson Renews Deal With KXL

Lars Larson

Alpha Media announced it has renewed Lar Larson multi-year contract at N/T KXL 101.1 FM for at least another two years.

The tireless Larson hosts a KXL show between noon and 3 p.m. along with a national show between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Larson has also appeared weekly on "America's Newsroom" on Fox News.

"Lars is the true definition of a full charge radio personality," said Scott Mahalick, KXL's executive VP of programming, in a release. "He has mastered the rules of the game and plays better than anyone else in the business."

Added Larson, also in a release, "'Havana –on-the-Willamette' (Portland) as a radio home base provides all the real red meat any talker could ever hope for. I'm thrilled to be part of the Alpha Family."

Richmond Radio: iHM Names A-J OM/Regional PM

A-J

iHeartMedia/Richmond has appointed A.J. as OM/Regional Program Manager, effective immediately.

He will also handle Program Director duties for for AC WTVR 98.1 FM/Lite 98 and Top40 WRVQ-94.5 FM/Q94).

Most recently, A.J. served as PD of WDVI 100.5 FM/The Drive and Top40 WKGS 106.7 FM /KissFM in Rochester, NY. He also programmed iHM's  RhythmicCHR WWHT 107.9 FM in Syracuse, NY.

"A.J. has done outstanding work for our clusters in Syracuse and Rochester over the past three years," said iHeartMedia Senior VP/Programming Jon Zellner. "Both Hot 107.9 and Kiss 106.7 beat heritage direct competitors for the first time under A.J.'s leadership. I'm excited to see him grow into this very important position in Richmond."

"We are extremely pleased to have A.J. join our Richmond team," added Regional Market Manager Dave Carwile. "He's got the vision, energy, and passion to lead iHeartMedia/Richmond in continuing to do amazing things. I can't wait to get started."

"I am very thankful to have worked with such talented individuals for the last three years, in all of the markets in which I am involved" said A.J. "They are some of the best people in the business. iHeartMedia/Richmond's LITE 98, Q94, and all of their cluster mates are all successful brands featuring true professionals on the air and behind the scenes. I'd like to thank Dave Carwile, Jon Zellner and Kevin Legrett and all of iHeartMedia's senior leaders for presenting me with this amazing opportunity to join and lead the Richmond team."

Previously, A.J. spent 12 years at WBHT-FM/Wilkes-Barre where he first served as Assistant PD, Music Director and morning host, before moving up to PD/afternoons in January, 2008.

L-A Radio: Sales Not Happy With Larry Elder Firing

Larry Elder

KABC 790 AM in Los Angeles has parted ways with Larry Elder Wednesday and while the station, owned by Cumulus Media, declined to comment on Elder's departure, insiders told The Hollywood Reporter, advertising sales executives were blindsided by the decision and voiced their displeasure to a defensive Drew Hayes, KABC's operations director.

Elder, a sometimes controversial, always passionate and eloquent Libertarian, had been with KABC for about 20 years, though separated into multiple stints.

Over the years, Elder has interviewed numerous celebrities, including Charlton Heston and many other actors and entertainment industry workers, many who have complained of a liberal bias in film and television.

He is also known for an incredibly hostile interview of MSNBC's Chris Matthews that went viral after some of Elder's fans posted it on the Internet.

"I'm sorry for cutting you off the way you cut your guests off," Elder tells Matthews at one point during that 2011 interview. "What is this, a game?" Matthews says. "This is why this country is being torn apart, with this kind of hatred."

Elder began airing his online at ElderStatement.com during his former KABC time slot, from 3-6 p.m.

In an internal memo, Hayes said that Elder's slot would be filled by guest hosts, at least in December.

"At the beginning of this year, 790 KABC Radio made changes to our lineup and packaging that have proven to be positive and fruitful," Hayes said in his memo. "We are now preparing to make further improvements and adding new shows for 2015. As part of this transition, Larry Elder's contract is not being picked up for the coming year, effective today."

In June, Elder was awarded a radio star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, though he has also hosted two television shows: Moral Court and The Larry Elder Show.