July 19 Radio History

WRC in the Trans Lux Building

First Home Riggs Bank

In 1923...WRC-AM, Washington, DC  began broadcasting.  WRC started out in the Riggs Bank building at 14th. And Park Road.The entire operation was self contained there with offices, studio, transmitter, and an antenna on the roof.

WRC started at 640 AM and share the frequency with WCAP.

WRC was owned and oeprated by RCA.  By the 1930, 500 watt WRC moved to 950 AM and was part of the NBC's Red Network. The station moved to 980 AM in the lates 1940s.

The two stations WRC and now WMAL were located in the Trans Lux Building at 14th & New York Ave.

In 1972,  NBC made the decision to take the MOR station to a Top 40 format and challenge DC champ WPGC in the ratings game.

The birth of The Great 98 had a lot of help from some Philly radio vets.  Lee Sherwood was brought in as PD and Bob Gross was Promotions Director.  Both were from WFIL.  The original on air team consisted of Johnny Andrews, Bobby McGee, Simon Trane, James Michael Wilson and Ron Starr.

Being an NBC O&O had its drawbacks:  NBC Hourly News, NBC Monitor on weekends, special features (Graham Kerr, Gene Shalit, etc) had to be carried.


In 2012…Radio programmer/manager (KHJ and KIIS in Los Angeles, KFRC-San Francisco, CKLW-Detroit, WOL-Washington, WTAE, WWSW, WXMP in Pittsburgh, KROY-Sacramento, KLAK, KIMN, KBTR, KDAB in Denver, KUDL, WHB in Kansas City) Ted J. Atkins died of pancreatic cancer at age 72.

Google Gains Billions As YouTube Drives Ad Growth

By Devika Krishna Kumar

(Reuters) - Google Inc's shares closed up 16.3 percent at $699.62 on Friday, adding about $65 billion to its market value, as strong growth in YouTube viewership eased investor concerns about Facebook Inc's push into video.

Google's class A shares chalked up their largest single-day percentage change in more than seven years on Friday.

The surge, which comes a day after it reported better-than-expected profit for the first time in six quarters, sent the Nasdaq composite index to a record intraday high.

The rise in Google's market value was more than the total market capitalization of Caterpillar Inc , the world's biggest construction equipment maker.

Google's shares hit a record high of $703, valuing it at $471.50 billion and cementing its position as the world's second most valuable company after Apple Inc.

At least 27 brokerages raised price targets on Google's stock, with analysts also welcoming new Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat's emphasis on disciplined spending.

At the highest price target of $800, Google would be valued at $545 billion. Apple is valued at about $740 billion.

The energy brought to Google by Porat, who joined in May from investment bank Morgan Stanley, is likely to drive the stock in the short and medium term, analysts say.

"She is known to be tough as nails when it comes to expense management ...," FBN Securities analyst Shebly Seyrafi said. "A lot of investors are comforted by the fact that her first quarter as CFO, reporting, she is delivering."

YOUTUBE CLICKS

Google said on Thursday that watch time for YouTube rose 60 percent in the second quarter and the video service had more viewers aged 18-49 on mobile alone than any U.S. cable network.

Online video ads could be a $17 billion opportunity in the United States alone by 2017, Jefferies & Co analysts said, and YouTube looks best positioned to benefit.

Google and Facebook are trying to woo big companies to market products via online videos.
But YouTube has an edge over Facebook as it has a more mature monetization platform that seems to attract the best content, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said.

Google's ad revenue rose 11 percent to $16.02 billion in the second quarter. Paid clicks rose 18 percent.

"This growth has steadily held in the mid-to-high teens since at least Q1:13," RBC analyst Mark Mahaney said. "Such consistency is a rarity, especially for a behemoth business..."

Google said the gap was closing between mobile and desktop "cost per click" (CPC), or the average price of online ads. Mobile ads are usually cheaper because of smaller screen space.

Mobile CPCs are likely to exceed desktop CPCs in the long term, Munster said.

Google's CPCs fell 11 percent in the quarter, pressured by YouTube TrueView ads, which are priced lower and paid for by advertisers only when viewers don't skip them.

Of 48 analysts covering Google, 38 have "buy" or higher ratings, while 10 rate it "hold." Their median price target is $672.

Giri Cherukuri, portfolio manager at OakBrook Investments LLC, attributed Google's surge to management's comments during a post-earnings conference call. Lisle, Illinois-based OakBrook owns shares in Google.

"They (investors) liked the focus on expense control and openness towards possible dividends and share buybacks," Cherukuri said, adding that Google's comments on strength at Youtube and, in particular, mobile viewing, likely translated into positive sentiment for Facebook as well.
Facebook's shares rose as much as 5 percent to an all-time high of $95.39 on Friday.

Up to Friday's close, Google shares had risen about 32 percent this year. The stock trades at 19.7 times forward earnings, while Facebook trades at 38.1 times.

(Additional reporting by Saqib Iqbal Ahmed in New York and Eileen Soreng in Bengaluru; Editing by Kirti Pandey and Simon Jennings)

Entercom Makes PD Moves In Atlanta and Kansas City

Tony Lorino

Entercom/Atlanta has announced the promotion of  Tony Lorino as Program Director of HotAC WSTR 94.1 FM Star 94.

Lorino has been with the company since 2006, most recently serving as PD of AC KZPT 99.7 FM The Point in Kansas City. In addition to his role in Kansas City, Lorino has served as morning producer and Assistant PD at Entercom/Milwaukee and also worked at KSTZ-FM and KIOA-FM/Des Moines, IA.

VP/Market Manager Mike Fowler noted, "Tony is the perfect choice for Star 94. He has done an incredible job in Kansas City with our Hot AC and will bring that same leadership and passion to Star 94. He will make an immediate impact."

"I'm thrilled to be able to work with this incredibly talented team at Star 94 and help the station grow," added Lorino. "Atlanta has been a fantastic radio city for many years and I can't wait to help make some amazing memories with our new Entercom Atlanta team."

WSTR 94.1 FM (100 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Leigh McNabb

Meanwhile, Entercom/Kansas City has added Leigh McNabb as Lorino's replacement.

She joins the station from co-owned WXSS 103.7 FM KissFM in Milwaukee where she served as Assistant PD/MD and midday host. Prior to Kiss, McNabb hosts morning drive at WZOK-FM/Rockford, IL, middays in Champaign/Urbana and handled promotions in Des Moines, IA.

"I am excited for the next chapter in my career and thrilled it continues with my Entercom family. The Point has become a force in Kansas City radio under my long-time friend, Tony Lorino's, leadership. I'm honored to have studied under the best, Brian Kelly, and I look forward to livin' it up in the land of BBQ, Baseball and Boulevard Beer," said McNabb.

KZPT 99.7 FM (98.5 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

R.I.P. Former Chicago Radio Personality Wali Muhammad

Wali Muhammad

A Chicago radio legend has died after suffering a brain injury when he fell at his home in May.

Wali Muhammad, known as "the Communicator," fell into a coma after the accident and never recovered, friends and family said.

He died Thursday night at the age of 67.

Muhammad was a DJ for WVAZ 102.7 FM V-103 in the '80s and '90s.

In the early 2000's Muhammed became a regular contributor to WSRB-FM/Soul 106.3, joining the station full-time as afternoon host in 2004.

In addition to his radio work, he also did independent voice over projects, some of his clients included McDonald’s, Burger King, Chevrolet and Columbia Records.

His career included stops at radio stations in New York City, Oakland, Gary, IN and Milwaukee.

July 18 Radio History

In 1964…Lots of Beatles/Radio noise. United Artists -the label which issued  the soundtrack to “A Hard Day’sNight” and Capitol Records - locked horns on the songs from the film. UA had the rights to the original soundtrack album which contains seven songs and instrumental music by George Martin. Capitol was going “all-out” to buck the soundtrack album. Capitol has the rights to issue singles off of the album.

UA rush released advance copies of the “A Hard Day’s Night” soundtrack album to radio stations and stores, after WMCA 570 AM New York got an advance copy and began playing it to their huge New York audience. Capitol issued a single disc by the Beatles, coupling the movie’s title song “A Hard Day’s Night” with “I Should Have Known Better.”

The Capitol album contained the seven picture songs and five new tunes, but will not be identified as a soundtrack album – only UA had those rights.  

WINS and WABC weren’t too happy about the “Hard Day’s Night” WMCA exclusive.

WINS got a Beatles exclusive from a special overseas source and began playing “Slowdown” by the Beatles soon after. 

The station said it was first to Millie Small’s follow-up record “Sweet William.”WINS also claimed to have “It Hurts To Be In Love” by Gene Pitney first.  WMCA, not a station to play dead,  debuted “Because” by the Dave Clark Five. WINS thought it had the record first, but with a major gaffe, saying “Because” was the newest Beatles record! (Mr. Pop Culture)

In 1964…Tom Clay departed from station CKLW 800 AM, serving the Detroit area. Both called it an amiable parting. Clay felt he was not doing enough on his show when not allowed to play the records himself (union rules). Clay’s nighttime slot was taken by Terry Knight from WTRX, Flint.

Knight would go on to become a recording artist with Terry Knight & The Pack . Their biggest hit was 1966’s “I Who Have Nothing.”) Knight would then go on to bigger and better things as the manager for Grand Funk Railroad .

In 1974…WKLS-FM in Atlanta changed to album rock this week.

In 1974… KNEW-AM in San Francisco changed to country

In 1974…Cousin Bruce Morrow departs WABC 770 AM New York to take the spot vacated by Wolfman Jack on rival WNBC 660 AM. 

Rick Sklar, head of  programming for ABC AM stations says he has narrowed a replacement down to four or five people.

In 1974…Don Imus,  WNBC 660 AM personality, was booked for six consecutive weekends at Jimmy’s in New York, following a recent record breaking 10-day stint at the club. His third comedy album is due out on RCA in September.

In 1984…KPLZ Seattle becomes the 11th station to license Mike Joseph’s “Hot Hits” phrase.

In 1984…Chicago Radio Arbitron Ratings… WGN-AM leads with an 8.8...Urban WGCI-FM is up to a 6.1...News WBBM  4.6...Easy WLOO – 5.6...B-96 (WBBM-FM) dips to a 4.6 from 5.0...WLS-AM dips to a 3.2 from 3.7...WLS-FM is up to a 3.5 from 2.9...WCLR (A/C) is up to a 4.1 from 3.4...Country WMAQ scores a 4.1...WLUP up from a 3.0 to 3.4...WLAK (Nothing but love songs) is down to a 3.2 from a 3.9.

In 1984…Programmer Randy Kabrich resigned from Doubleday’s WAVA Washington to form his own consultancy group.

In 1984…Capital Cities bought Metromedia’s KLAC 570 AM in Los Angeles.

In 1984…WGAR 1220 AM Cleveland goes Country.


In Media Confidential one year ago...

Secrets Revealed For Great Radio Voice. Click Here.

Report: FCC Votes to Limit Discounts in Airwaves Auction

The FCC Thursday approved plans to prevent large businesses from gaining access to small-business discounts in a much-anticipated auction of airwaves expected early next year.

The NY Times reports the new rules are in part a response to actions taken last year by Dish Network, the large satellite television operator, in another auction of airwaves. In that auction, Dish teamed up with smaller entities. Those corporations received a $3.25 billion discount on the $13 billion worth of spectrum they bought.

While the FCC has not concluded whether Dish Network broke any auction rules, the moves by the company led to calls for changes in the rules.

Tom Wheeler

The rules passed on Thursday, the agency said, would be harder for companies to game. Under those rules, companies may receive a maximum discount of $150 million, and wireless carriers are prohibited from bidding through multiple companies.

In addition, the commission said it would be aggressive in uncovering any cases of abuse.

“What we’re doing is we’re updating our rules to reflect the reality of the 21st century,” Tom Wheeler, chairman of the FCC, said at the vote on Thursday.

Next year, the FCC will coordinate the sale of billions of dollars in spectrum, the airwaves through which radio and Wi-Fi signals are carried. In what Wheeler has called “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for television broadcasters, the FCC is asking local TV stations to put up the rights to their airwaves on an online auction block. Cell carriers will have a window of time to outbid each other to buy the limited resource.

Read More Now

O'Rielly: FCC Partisanship Leaves Little Room For Compromise

FCC Commissioneer Michael O'Rielly is frustrated.

O'Rielly, one of two Republicans on the five-person FCC, joined the agency in October 2013. And since then he has been in one battle after another with his Democratic colleagues. For the most part, he's lost.

Michael O'Rielly

"It takes time and effort to soldier on and make your arguments," he said in a CNET interview. "I do the work you'd expect me to do. I read every item. I do my homework. And I make substantive suggestions. But I'm often shot down."

His frustration with the FCC underscores the contentious interaction among the commissioners, which make up one of the more politically divisive commissions in recent history. From hotbed issues such as Net neutrality, which touches on the regulation of Internet traffic, to expanding a program to provide broadband services to the poor, O'Rielly has been a vocal minority, railing against the initiatives with little effect.

"They [the FCC majority] know exactly what they want to do," he said. "It's either you can sign up for what we want to do or not, but we're going forward."

It should come as little surprise that the former Republican congressional staffer turned regulator would not agree with the Democratic majority on many issues. After all, the FCC is by design a partisan agency. By law, three out of the five commissioners serving at the agency can come from the same political party. The result is that the party that has control of the White House controls the commission. Today, that means the Democrats are at the wheel.

O'Rielly and his Republican colleague, Ajit Pai, have opposed all the major Democrat-supported issues that have passed, in large part due to philosophical differences they have with their colleagues across the political aisles on these issues. But O'Rielly said what has truly frustrated him is what he sees as an unwillingness by the FCC leadership to find consensus on any issue.

Read More Now

What's Next for Colin Cowherd?

Colin Cowherd

The timing of Colin Cowher's departure from ESPN will leave a gaping hole in its weekday lineup and has broader implications about where some things are going, according to The Big Lead.

Few will forget the great talent exodus of 2015 at ESPN, which has seen the network lose other outspoken voices in Bill Simmons and Keith Olbermann — and in general sports media. The difference here was that ESPN did make an aggressive bid to keep Cowherd, but was upstaged by Fox, who are clearly looking to make a big splash.

It’s not currently known what Cowherd would do for FS1. One potential idea is to put him at 6pm and attempt to better compete with SportsCenter with a talk-driven show.

At ESPN, Cowherd wanted to be simulcast on a network with better distribution than ESPNU, but there wasn’t any way he was going to supplant SportsCenter (ESPN) or First Take (ESPN2). As far as simulcasting goes, if Cowherd’s radio show lands at FS1 – industry sources say Sirius and DirecTV a la Rich Eisen are in play.

Cowherd recently expressed some of his thoughts about the future of radio on the About Sports Radio podcast with Zach McCrite (Click Here to listen), which could give a hint as to where his show will land, and how it could change his pay structure: “In the next 5-10 years, I don’t even think they’ll have radios in cars. I think podcast and digital and Sirius is the future. I think terrestrial — AM especially — is done in five years.”

Chicago Radio: WLS-AM Emerges As Sports Powerhouse

Out of nowhere, Cumulus Media-owned news/talk-formatted WLS 890 AM has emerged as a sports radio powerhouse in Chicago.

WLS-AM parent Cumulus Media has inked multi-year deals to broadcast the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox, two major Chicago pro sports teams owned by one local sports and business mogul Jerry Reinsdorf. Until now, the Chicago Business Journal reports, WLS-AM's only significant sports programming was University of Notre Dame football game broadcasts.

Brooks Boyer, VP/Sales and Marketing for the White Sox, added in an interview that the deal is ideal from where he sits. "WLS-AM is a 50,000 watt station, which means we will have a great signal."
Boyer also said Cumulus' WLUP 97.9 FM will be used when game scheduling conflicts require either a Bulls or White Sox game to air on a different station.

John Dickey

In an interview, John Dickey, Cumulus' executive vice president of content and programming, said he believed the time had come to broaden the content at WLS-AM, suggesting the conversation on the station was too heavily skewed toward politics and other weighty issues that might not spark interest among a broader radio audience.

But Dickey insists the huge infusion of sports programming about to hit the station won't swamp and finally drown out what's left of the news and talk it still will air. Rather Dickey argues the sports programming simply will help make WLS-AM a much more top-of-mind radio station in the market.

Noted Dickey: "Our ultimate goal is to make WLS-AM a one-stop shop for great content."

The Cumulus deal with the White Sox is for six years and will start in the spring of 2016. The deal with Bulls runs five years and will begin in the fall of 2016. Both contracts expire in 2021.

Entercom Closes On LFM Acquisition

Entercom Communications has announced that it has closed its acquisition of Lincoln Financial Media Corporation and will begin operating the LFM stations on Friday, July 17.

Entercom also announces that effective the same date it will commence operations of KSWD-FM Los Angeles under a time brokerage agreement with Bonneville International Corporation. At the same time, Bonneville will commence operations of Entercom’s Denver stations KOSI-FM, KYGO-FM, KKFN-FM and KEPN-AM under a TBA with Entercom.

This follows the Company’s announcement on July 14 of the settlement of certain regulatory requirements necessary to close the LFM acquisition.

Closing of the Bonneville-Entercom station exchange is subject to FCC approval and other customary closing conditions. Entercom expects this transaction to close by the fourth quarter of this year.

Alpha Media Closes On Adelante Acquisition

Alpha Media of Portland, Oregon announced Thursday they have closed the purchase of radio stations from Adelante Media Group. The three radio stations purchased ($3.1M) from Adelante Media Group include KTUB 1600 AM and KDUT 102.3 FM in Salt Lake City-Ogden-Provo and KBMG 106.1 FM in Evanston, WY.

When all pending deals are completed, it will bring the total number of stations owned by Alpha Media to one hundred thirty-five. Chairman of Alpha Media, Larry Wilson commented on the acquisition, “Mary Lee Robinson and her team will be a great addition to the Alpha Media Family. We look forward to continuing the live and local message throughout the Latino community in Salt Lake City.”

Jay Meyers, CEO of Adelante Media Group, LLC said, “Although I am sad to see the Adelante era end in Salt Lake, I’m very excited that the great things we’ve built will be continued by the special team at Alpha Media. Dealing with Larry Wilson, Bob Proffitt, Donna Heffner and the Alpha Media crew has been a true joy.”

Bill Fanning of Media Venture Partners is the broker for Adelante Media Group.

DE Radio: Jeff Boden To Lead Delmarva Broadcasting

Jeff Boden

Jeff Boden, a former president and general manager of two radio stations in Washington D.C., took over the reins at Delmarva Broadcasting on Wednesday. according to delawareonline.com.

He succeeds Julian H. "Pete" Booker, who stepped down Monday after 22 years as the company's CEO and president.

Boden most recently served as president and CEO of 4S Marketing Solutions in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and owner of an EmbroideMe franchise in Bethesda, Maryland.

Boden previously spent more than 30 years in broadcasting, including a 7-year stint as at the helm of Cumulus Media-owned stations WRQX-FM and WMAL-AM.

Boden began his broadcasting career when he landed an internship with the Washington D.C.-based news station WTOP while a student at American University.

He later served as an account executive at that station before taking a job as national sales manager for WCAO-AM and WXYY-FM in Baltimore.

Boden joined WRQX/WMAL in 1993 as a general sales manager. He later was promoted to director of sales and later president/general manager.

After leaving Cumulus Media, Boden briefly served as general sales manager for Clear Channel, now iHeartMedia, where he oversaw sales efforts for WASH-FM, WMZQ-FM and WBIG-FM.

Owned by Steinman Communications, Delmarva Broadcasting owns 13 radio stations.

CBS Radio Partners With Perez Hilton for Celeb Content

CBS RADIO Thursday announced media mogul and celebrated web/TV/radio personality, Perez Hilton is partnering with the major market broadcaster on a variety of content initiatives, including the launch of an exclusive podcast to be featured on Play.it, the podcast network that brings together digital-exclusive programming from major brands and publishers, as well as content from CBS RADIO and CBS Local Digital Media.

Furthermore, “Radio Perez,” Hilton’s daily celebrity news feature, syndicated by C Student Entertainment, will now be heard on 20 CBS RADIO stations nationwide.

Available for download or on-demand listening, “The PHP: Perez Hilton Podcast” gives listeners the latest celebrity news while also highlighting Hilton’s funny, outrageous and insightful thoughts on the week’s hottest gossip.  Hilton is joined weekly by Chris Booker, KAMP 97.1 FM AMP Radio afternoon drive host and entertainment personality, along with other surprise celebrity co-hosts, guests and friends in a roundtable discussion.  Fans can listen to the podcast every Thursday on Play.it or through iTunes.

In addition to KAMP-FM (Los Angeles) and WBBM-FM (Chicago), the “Radio Perez” entertainment and gossip update will be added to WBMP-FM (New York), KMVQ-FM (San Francisco), KVIL-FM (Dallas), KKHH-FM (Houston), WIAD-FM (Washington, D.C.), and other CBS RADIO stations.

“Excited does not begin to describe my overflowing enthusiasm for my new partnership with CBS RADIO,” said Hilton.  “FUN is a great way to describe ‘The PHP: Perez Hilton Podcast’ on Play.it.  I put a lot of thought into my co-host and I could not have chosen anyone better than Chris Booker.  He and I have electric chemistry, and I can guarantee listeners will agree as we chat everything pop culture and dig deep into the trending topics of the week.”

Luke Bryan Visits NASH Night Live

Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music entertainer of the year Luke Bryan paid a visit to the NASH Campus and NASH Nights Live this week.

Bryan sat down with NNL co-hosts Shawn Parr and Elaina Smith and shared his excitement over his new album, "Kill the Lights", which comes out on August 7.

Bryan took listener questions and was candid about his recent Outlaw Country comments, saying that when he learned of Shooter Jennings' response to his apology, he felt like it was the first time he could take a deep breath again.

NYC Radio: Trump Talks Tough On WABC

• Calls for boycott of Mexico
• Bill Cosby 'Guilty As Hell'

77 WABC New York has announced that it will present award-winning journalist Rita Cosby’s fascinating and revealing interview with Donald Trump, U.S. Presidential candidate, on Sunday, July 19, at 6:00 a.m. ET on The Rita Cosby Show and on-demand at www.wabcradio.com.

Trump shares with Cosby and her listeners his unvarnished and often provocative views on Mexico, Bill Cosby, the Iran nuclear pact and more. Cosby’s direct, incisive and probing interview style makes for a perfect match-up.

Cosby, Trump

In the wide-ranging interview with WABC Radio Host Rita Cosby, Trump calls for a boycott of Mexico in light of its illegal immigration/border issues and the escape of El Chapo. He also discusses Bill Cosby and said they should take away his Medal of Freedom because, “He’s guilty as hell.”

Trump comments on President Obama’s deal with Iran, calling it “disgraceful” and saying he would tell the leader of Iran, “Congratulations—You did a great job.” Trump also says he has spoken to the family of Kate Steinle, who was killed in the Bay Area by an illegal immigrant.

The full interview will air Sunday on The Rita Cosby Show on 77 WABC New York.

L-A Radio: KRLA Adding Larry Elder To Line-Up

Larry Elder

Salem Media Group/Los Angeles has announced the return of Larry Elder to terrestrial radio in Los Angeles.

In a partnership with CRN Digital Talk Radio, Elder is being added to the line-up at Talk KRLA 870 AM The Answer.

He'll will host The Larry Elder Show Monday-Friday evenings, from 9-11pm (PT) beginning August 3rd.

Elder previously served two tours of on-air duty at crosstown KABC 790 AM.

“Larry is a popular, in-demand personality throughout the country, and especially in Los Angeles,” said CRN Digital Talk Radio President/CEO Michael Horn. “We’re delighted to team up with AM 870 The Answer and satisfy the overwhelming demand from Larry’s legion of fans. The ‘Elder-ado’s’ will be excited to hear that Larry is back on the air in L.A. where he belongs!”

Indy Radio: Cyrstal McKenzie Joins Line-Up At WFBQ

Crystal McKenzie

iHeartMedia/Indianapolis has announced to addition of Crystal McKenzie to the line-up at the market's heritage Rock station WFBQ 94.7 FM Q95.

She'll be hosting right-after the Bob and Tom Show until 3pm.

McKenzie says, “It’s a great honor to be asked to do a radio show in my hometown of Indy, and it seems to have come full circle since I am going back to the exact same building where I started my career in the 1980s.  Hosting a show for a heritage radio station like ‘Q95’ – with great leadership from the likes of iHeartMedia SVP of programming Rob Cressman and market manager Rick Green – is an absolute dream come true.  I am thrilled to have been selected to work for a solid company like iHeartMedia.”

Proudly joining this Heritage station in my hometown of Indy on Monday July 20th. I will be the happy one that... http://t.co/ugDUKK9HCp

— Crystal McKenzie (@CrystalOnAir) July 10, 2015

McKenzie originally started at Q95 after high scholl and has worked on air at KZQZ, San Francisco, KCHZ, Kansas City and in Orlando, Raliegh, Madison WI and was the original “80s on 8” afternoon host and music director on XM Satellite Radio in Washington DC.

WFBQ 94.7 FM (58 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Atlanta Radio: Millennial Says She Wasted $90K College Fund

Atlanta-based The Bert Show on WWWQ 99.7 FM Q100 had a guest on this week who has managed to incite the rage of just about every millennial in the state of Georgia and beyond, the show is syndicated in 11 states.

According to Yahoo News, 22-year-old college junior named Kim, who did not give her last name on air and was allowed to use a voice disguiser to even further shield her identity, came to the three hosts with a confession: in just short three years she had managed to blow through a $90,000 college fund left to her by her grandparents.

Kim has one year left of school and no way to cover her remaining $20,000 tuition balance.

What followed has to be one of the most painful interviews that has ever been aired on radio.

Kim manages to personify just about every parent’s worst nightmare — an entitled 20-something who asks for handouts rather than face the very real financial challenges of young adulthood. You can listen to the full interview online at TheBertShow.com.

Yahoo News reports what’s most infuriating about Kim’s situation: Not only is she admitting that she had — and squandered — a $90,000 college fund that was supposed to cover her college expenses , but she completely lacks any remorse. She says she feels "stressed" but not once does she seem grateful for her good fortune or ashamed about blowing it in three short years.

Milwaukee Radio: WTMJ To Air Business Reports

The Milwaukee Business Journal and WTMJ 620 AM have announced a new partnership.

WTMJ will air Milwaukee Business Journal Updates eight times each weekday, featuring the latest on business news in southeastern Wisconsin. In addition, Milwaukee Business Journal reporters will join WTMJ hosts discussion on the biggest stories affecting the Wisconsin business community.

WTMJ news reporters will contribute business stories as well and be an additional resource. This partnership enhances coverage for listeners and readers on multiple media platforms.

“WTMJ is committed to being the Wisconsin's Radio Station for business news," said Tom Langmyer, Vice President and General Manager of WTMJ Radio. "The Milwaukee Business Journal is the premier source for up-to-the-minute business information and now our listeners will enjoy the Business Journal’s exclusive information for greater depth on stories that are important to them.”

MS Radio: Percy Davis Gets Gospel Announcer Award

Percy Davis

Alpha Media Jackson, MS has announced WOAD 1300 AM’s Program Director and Morning Show, Percy Davis has received the coveted 2015 Gospel Radio Announcer of the year award at this year’s 37th Annual Gospel Music Awards.

Alpha Media Executive Vice President of Programming, Scott Mahalick, stated, “We are truly blessed to have a programmer with Percy’s passion, love and experience with Alpha Media.”

Percy Davis also has two other Gospel Announcer of the year Awards from the Jackson Music Awards, plus one for R&B that he received during his last year broadcasting on WKXI.

Alpha Media Jackson Senior VP/Market Manager, Kevin Webb added, “Percy is an exceptional radio announcer with a unique sound. He has been deeply rooted in the Jackson community for over 40 years; he is well deserved of this award.”

In addition to the numerous awards from the Jackson Music Awards, Percy has also received the prestigious Frank Williams Memorial award named for the founder of the Mississippi Mass Choir, and the Don Linzy Dixon Award given for outstanding support of the gospel music industry.

The Jackson Gospel Music Awards was established in 1974 to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of all outstanding Mississippi recording artists, performers and radio personalities in gospel and rhythm and blues music annually in Jackson Mississippi.

Google Claims YouTube Destroying Traditional TV

It has become customary for Google to make comparisons between YouTube and TV on its earnings calls — after all, it is hoping that brands will switch out some of their huge TV advertising budgets for online video.

Thursday's Q2 earnings call was no exception, according to Business Insider.  Google's executives made several references to how YouTube is coming after TV in a big way.

Omid Kordestani, Google's chief business officer kicked things off early on with this stand-out stat: "YouTube reaches more 18-to-49-year-olds in the US than any US cable network."

Not only is YouTube apparently dominating in terms of reach, but people are treating YouTube like their television set.

Kordestani said: "The number of users coming to YouTube, who start at the YouTube homepage similar to way they might turn on their TV us up over three times year-over-year. Plus, once users are in YouTube, they are spending more time per session watching videos. On mobile, the average viewing session is now more than 40 minutes, up more than 50% year-over-year."

Those findings are extremely significant at this point in YouTube's life stage. Google wants emphasize that YouTube is no longer just that repository of videos where people need to know what they want to watch before they want to watch it — YouTube is now becoming a discovery platform, that acts as a curator of content. YouTube is mimicking the electronic programming guide on your TV set.

And as users shift their viewing habits to online video, the advertising money is following.

Judge's Ruling Rattles TV Networks

The major television networks were hit with a legal earthquake on Thursday when a federal judge issued a shocking ruling by declaring that the streaming company FilmOn was potentially entitled to a compulsory license of broadcasters' copyrighted programming.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, if the judge's opinion survives scrutiny on appeal, it could mean that CBS, Fox, NBC and ABC have to license their programming to a digital outlet at below-market rates.

Coming less than a year after Aereo shut down following a devastating Supreme Court ruling, U.S. District Court Judge George W. Wu's opinion in favor of FilmOn and against the pleas of the major broadcast networks provides a new interpretation of Section 111 of the Copyright Act, which was enacted by Congress in the 1970s thanks to a perception of the burdensome nature of requiring cable systems to negotiate with every copyright owner over the retransmission of channels on public airwaves.

The ruling is surprising because the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a bid by a prior TV streamer, Ivi, to take advantage of the compulsory licensing system. Aereo also attempted unsuccessfully at a late stage to use Section 111 as its own salvation. But past courts have rejected this approach out of fear that the streamers would not be able to control where content is routed and the result would "destabilize the entire industry."

In a tentative decision, Judge Wu acknowledged the prior "analogous case" of Ivi, but said he "disagrees" with its conclusions. At a hearing this morning, he adopted the tentative as final and ruled in favor of FilmOn.

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Hubbard Broadcasting Gives $5M Gift To The Newseum

The Newseum in Washington DC and Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. have announced the family-owned, independent national media company has made a $5 million gift to the Newseum to help support its mission to educate the public about the value of a free and fair press, and all five freedoms of the First Amendment.

With the gift, Hubbard Broadcasting becomes the museum’s 16th Founding Partner, joining a long list of families, foundations and corporations that have made extraordinary contributions to the Newseum. To recognize this generous gift, the Newseum’s Concourse Level will be named the Hubbard Broadcasting Concourse.

Stanley Hubbard

“Our family has always been a strong advocate of a free press,” said Stanley S. Hubbard, chairman and CEO of Hubbard Broadcasting. “Because it is the only institution solely devoted to educating the public about the fundamental value of First Amendment freedoms and free expression, the Newseum is a great gift to the nation and the world. It’s an honor for our family and our company to help support this noble cause.”

Hubbard Broadcasting owns 14 TV stations and 48 radio stations across the country and also owns and operates the independent cable and satellite network REELZ TV. Its flagship station is KSTP-TV in St. Paul, Minn., where Hubbard is headquartered.   Hubbard Broadcasting also owns F&F Productions (a premier HDTV remote production facilities company) and the Hubbard Radio Network, which distributes talk radio content to subscribing radio stations in Minnesota and North Dakota. Hubbard Broadcasting is also a controlling shareholder of Ovation TV, the only cable/satellite network devoted exclusively to art and personal creativity.

In Washington, D.C., the Hubbard-owned radio station WTOP has for many years co-sponsored a program that allows students in the Washington metropolitan area to visit the Newseum free of charge. More than 250,000 students have received free admission to the Newseum since the program began.

R.I.P.: David-Troy Somerville Of The Diamonds

David Somerville

Co-founder and lead singer of '50s rock 'n' roll band The Diamonds' David-Troy Somerville has died in Santa Barbara, California.

Canada-native Somerville passed away on Tuesday following a battle with cancer. He was 81.

He co-founded rock 'n' roll band The Diamonds in 1953 with members of a vocal group who were waiting to audition for a talent show, and became their coach before assuming the role of lead singer.

Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, The Diamonds scored 16 hit singles on the US Billboard charts, including popular tracks "Silhouettes", "The Stroll", and "Little Darlin", which was the third best-selling song in America in 1958, just behind Pat Boone's "Love Letters in the Sand" and Elvis Presley's classic "All Shook Up".


In 1961, Somerville quit The Diamonds to focus on a solo career under the name David Troy.

He also had a brief stint in a new group called The Four Preps.

Somerville has been honored by five different music halls of fame - the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Doo Wop Music Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, Doo Wop Hall of Fame of America and Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

July 17 Radio History

In 1934…FCC adopts Order No. 1

In 1981…Bruce Bradley did his final show on WBZ 1030 AM, Boston.

Bradley joined WBZ in 1960, when the station is still playing middle of the road pop music. Gradually, as the music becomes more top-40, “Juicie Brucie” Bradley’s night-time show became extremely popular.

The station moved from Top40 to Full-Service AC in 1974.

Bradley passed away in June 2013. Click Here for more.

In 2009…CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, anchorman of "The CBS Evening News" on television for 19 years (1962-1981) and called "the most trusted man in America," died of cerebrovascular disease at age 92.

He entered broadcasting as a radio announcer for WKY in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1936, he met his future wife, Mary Elizabeth Maxwell (known by her nickname "Betsy"), while working as the sports announcer for KCMO (AM) in Kansas City, Missouri. His broadcast name was "Walter Wilcox".  He would explain later that radio stations at the time did not want people to use their real names for fear of taking their listeners with them if they left.

In Kansas City, he joined the United Press in 1937. He became one of the top American reporters in World War II, covering battles in North Africa and Europe.  Cronkite was one of eight journalists selected by the United States Army Air Forces to fly bombing raids over Germany in a B-17 Flying Fortress part of group called the Writing 69th, and during a mission fired a machine gun at a German fighter.  He also landed in a glider with the 101st Airborne in Operation Market-Garden and covered the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he covered the Nuremberg trials and served as the United Press main reporter in Moscow from 1946 to 1948.

In 1950, Cronkite joined CBS News in its young and growing television division

In 2011…WRXP NYC drops Triple A format.

On June 21, 2011, it was announced that majority ownership of WRXP was acquired by Merlin Media LLC, a new entity headed by veteran radio executive Randy Michaels.   The sale, which the FCC approved in September 2011, included two other Emmis-owned stations in Chicago, WLUP-FM and WKQX. They then registered several domains for what the new format of the station would be, including a return of WYNY's country format, but many promoted an FM news format. WRXP's rock format ended with the song "Long Live Rock" by The Who.

After a brief period of dead air, WRXP (whose call sign was changed to WEMP on July 21) switched to a stunt of Adult Contemporary music branded as "101.9 FM New," a stunt that served as a transition to the station's new format.  "FM New" featured a live morning show that began at 6AM on July 18, hosted by veteran New York City radio personality Paul Cavalconte (who has been with 101.9 since 1998), with Jeff McKay (formerly of Shadow Traffic and WINS) providing traffic and weather updates(until the next day when Meteorologist Scott Derek began).   News reports and news blocks were gradually introduced beginning with a 3PM newscast on July 25, 2011, anchored by Dave Packer and Mike Barker.

Walt Sabo

On August 12, 2011, the station ended its Adult Contemporary stunt and went full-time all-news as "FM News 101.9," following in the footsteps of its Chicago sister station WWWN (the former and current WKQX), which flipped to all-news on July 29.  As conceived by Merlin's then-COO, Walter Sabo, "FM News" was what Sabo considered a "redefining" of the all-news format;  the on-air presentation was generally looser and conversational in tone, while an emphasis was placed on lifestyle, health, and entertainment features.  The initial news staff at WEMP included those with experience in New York radio, including WINS alums Catherine Smith, Alice Stockton-Rossini, and Brett Larson, as well as former WCBS anchor Therese Crowley and WRXP holdover Paul Cavalconte.

Over time, the "FM News" approach on WEMP would be adjusted: The reliance on lifestyle and entertainment features was decreased; the station turned towards a tighter, polished on-air presentation; and several new features were added, including "ten minutes of non-stop news," the "top 5 trending stories" leading off every hour, and hourly sports and business updates.  Coinciding with the on-air changes was a major promotional push, including television ads and promotions that tweaked WINS' longtime "22 minutes" slogan, with WEMP proclaiming "Give us 10 minutes, we'll give you the world."   (After WINS owner CBS Radio sent a cease-and-desist letter to Merlin Media, WEMP dropped its "world" slogan.) 

Merlin’s WEMP-FM  NYC dropped news in 2012 in favor of new rock format.


In Media Confidential one year ago...

Boston Radio: WEEI's Minihane Apologizes To Erin Andrews. Click Here

Colin Cowherd Departing ESPN Radio

Colin Cowherd

UPDATE 1PM:   Colin Cowherd is rumored to be going to FS1, athough it's not known in what form, nor is it known if Fox Sports Radio would be a part of the plans. Fox Sports has yet to confirm.

Original Posting...

Colin Cowherd is the next high-profile sports personality to leave ESPN.

The host of the popular ESPN Radio program The Herd with Colin Cowherd will exit before the conclusion of his contract for a job believed to be at Fox Sports. ESPN made an aggressive bid to keep Cowherd, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"We’ve enjoyed a mutually beneficial run with Colin for over a decade. He came to national prominence on ESPN with his unique perspective on sports and society. Endings also bring new beginnings, for ESPN and Colin, and we thank him and wish him the best,” ESPN president John Skipper said in a statement.

Cowherd has been at ESPN Radio since 2003, when he was tapped to replace Tony Kornheiser in the prime morning slot. His show also is simulcast on ESPNU. A former host of ESPN's SportsNation. Cowherd, 51, is another among ESPN's outspoken personalities - he recently picked a fight with former ESPN personality Dan Patrick -- and frequent target of Deadspin.

Cowherd follows Bill Simmons and Keith Olbermann out the door at ESPN.