Saturday, January 14, 2017

January 15 Radio History


In 1899...Goodman Ace was born. He was a Radio/TV actor/writer/columnist/humorist.

Goodman, Jane Ace 1938
In 1930, Ace took on a job reading the Sunday comics on radio station KMBC in Kansas City and hosting a Friday night film review and gossip program called Ace Goes to the Movies. Ace was not initially a volunteer for the job. An editor at the Kansas City Journal-Post had the idea that having an employee read the newspaper's comics on the air for children would increase circulation for the paper. Taking the job meant an extra $10 per week in one's paycheck, but none of the newsroom staff was interested.

One night the recorded fifteen-minute show scheduled to air after Ace's timeslot failed to feed. With an immediate need to fill fifteen minutes' more airtime and his wife having accompanied him to the station that night, Ace slipped into an impromptu chat about a bridge game the couple played the previous weekend and invited Jane to join the chat which soon enough included discussion of a local murder case in which a wife murdered her husband over an argument about bridge. Loaded with Goodman's wry wit and Jane's knack for malaprops, the couple's surprise improvisation provoked a response enthusiastic enough to convince KMBC to hand them a regular fifteen-minute slot, creating and performing a "domestic comedy" of their own.

At first, the show that became known as Easy Aces centered around the couple's bridge playing, according to John Dunning in On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998): "Ace was not wild about Jane's bridge game, on the air or off, and he kept picking at her until she lost her temper and threatened to quit. The show settled into a new niche, a more universally based domestic comedy revolving around Jane's improbable situations and her impossible turns of phrase."

Written by Goodman Ace, who cast himself as a harried real estate salesman and the exasperated but loving husband of deceptively scatterbrained, malaprop-prone Jane ("You've got to take the bitter with the better"; "Time wounds all heels"), Easy Aces became a long-running serial comedy (1930–1945) and a low-keyed legend of old-time radio for its literate, unobtrusive, conversational style and the malaprops of the female half of the team.

While writing Easy Aces, Ace also wrote for other radio shows, earning $3,000 per week.


In 1945..."House Party" with Art Linkletter debuted on CBS Radio. The daily radio program aired for a total of 22 years. A television version of the show began in 1952 and ran for 17 years.


In 1953...Harry S. Truman became the first U.S. President to use Radio and TV to deliver his farewell upon leaving office.




In 1955...At the "Louisiana Hayride" in Shreveport, "Colonel" Tom Parker got his first look at a young singer named Elvis Presley singing "Hearts Of Stone," "That's All Right," and "Tweedle Dee."


In 1955...Billboard magazine reports that "music with an R&B beat is not longer regarded as a passing phase by major recording firms," citing the recent success of white pop covers of R&B hits.



In 1961...Motown Records signed the Primettes – Barbara Martin, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, and Diana Ross – to a recording contract, on condition that they change the group's name. From several possibilities, they settled on the suggestion by Florence Ballard: the Supremes. Martin left the act in early 1962.



In 1967...The Rolling Stones appeared on a live broadcast of CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show" to sing both sides of their new single, "Ruby Tuesday" and "Let’s Spend The Night Together."

Sullivan, however, instructed them to change the chorus of "Let's Spend the Night Together" to "Let's spend some time together." Lead singer Mick Jagger complied, but deliberately called attention to the censorship by rolling his eyes and mugging when he uttered the new words.

After the performance, the Stones went backstage, then came back out dressed in Nazi uniforms with swastikas, which caused an angry Sullivan to tell them to return to their dressing rooms and change back into their performing outfits. Instead the Stones left the studio and Sullivan banned the group from ever appearing on his show again.



In 1974...The nostalgia sitcom Happy Days premieres on ABC.

In 1994...Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson died in his sleep at age 52. Nilsson never fully recovered from a heart attack the previous February. He had his first hit with the No. 6 song “Everybody’s Talkin’ ” from the 1969 movie “Midnight Cowboy.” His biggest hit was the million-selling 1971 song “Without You,” which topped Billboard’s singles chart for four weeks.


In 1996...orchestra leader/arranger Les Baxter died of heart and kidney failure at age 73.  On radio he was musical director for “The Halls of Ivy, ” and the Bob Hope & Abbott and Costello Shows.

As leader & arranger for Capitol records in the ’50’s he arranged many of Nat Cole’s hits, and produced his own instrumental successes “Ruby”, “Unchained Melody” and “The Poor People Of Paris”.  Early in his career he sang with Mel Torme’s Meltones.

San Antonio Radio: KONO-AM Drops Sports For Oldies

Cox Media Group San Antonio plans to pull the plug on its CBS Sports Radio programming and launch a new format on KONO 860 AM that will be familiar to listeners.

In the 60s and 70s, KONO and KTSA 550 AM battled in the top-40 format. Although KONO's more recurrent-based style frequently played second-fiddle to the more current-oriented KTSA, it continued to do well.

“Our rational is pretty simple,” said Roger Allen, director of branding and programming for Cox Media Group San Antonio told the San Antonio Business Journal. “We know San Antonio has an appetite for this brand and the music it will play.”

Allen said Cox Media Group’s KONO 101.1 FM property performs well with listeners and the company wanted to complement its classic-hits format with the older chart toppers.

KONO 860 am (5 Kw, 900w DA-N)
As a result of the change, fans of nationally syndicated sports talk host Jim Rome will have to look elsewhere for his weekday show. Another casualty of Cox Media’s decision is Walter Pasacrita, who has hosted one of the few San Antonio-centric sports shows available in the local market.

Cox Media made the change immediately after Pasacrita’s afternoon show concluded at 6 p.m. on Friday.

PEOTUS Trump Meets With Steve Harvey

President-elect Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson reached out Friday for help battling the problems facing Chicago and other inner cities — enlisting Radio/TV Personality Steve Harvey.

“We’re gonna team up and see if we can bring about some positive change in the inner cities, which I felt was my only agenda,” Harvey told reporters.

“He agreed, and he wants to do something. And he realizes that he needs some allies in that department. He seemed really sincere about it.”

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Trump met with Harvey at the Trump Tower in New York on Friday, but offered no details on the meeting.

“He’s a great friend of ours,” the president-elect told reporters. “Everybody knows Steve Harvey. Everyone having fun? Steve just came up to say hello.”

After Trump walked away, Harvey told reporters that he came to meet with the newly elected president at the request of Trump’s and Obama’s “transition teams.”

Harvey, who turns 60 on Tuesday, endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton last year and came under fire over allegations his staff provided her advance questions before a February interview on his radio show.

The entertainer said Trump introduced him to Carson, Trump’s nominee for secretary of Housing and Urban Development. And they discussed help for the inner cities.

Harvey himself laughed when a reporter asked if he’s hoping to get the president-elect’s family on “Family Feud.”

“The Trumps being on ‘Family Feud’?” Harvey said.

“Yeah, against the Obamas. That’d be good. Or how about the Clintons? If I could set it up, it’d be skyrocketing for the ratings.”

Charlie Sykes Returning To Air On National Show

Charlie Sykes
For WTMJ 620 AM Milwaukee talk radio show host Charlie Sykes is returning to the airwaves as a co-host of a national public radio show produced by non-com WNYC, according to Politico.

Skyes, who in October announced that he would step down from his daily talk radio show after 23 years, will join longtime WNYC radio personality Brian Lehrer, Minnesota Public Radio’s Kerri Miller and Kai Wright, formerly of The Nation, to serve as a co-host of "Indivisible," a weeknight call-in radio show. Wright, who had been co-host of two WNYC podcasts, will join WNYC full-time for the new show.

"Indivisible" will premiere on Jan. 23..

The show, co-produced by WNYC and Minnesota Public Radio, will center on the concerns of listeners who call into the show from around the country. Sykes’ segment of the show will be on Wednesday nights, when he will “interview policy makers and engage listeners in conversation that weighs developments in the new administration’s first 100 days against American values and conservative principles,” WNYC said in a release. Lehrer’s segment will air on Tuesdays.

When he stepped down from his show in October, Sykes wrote that the conservative movement had been "badly damaged" and that the conservative media was "broken."

"I'm immensely flattered to be asked to participate in this ongoing conversation that I hope can help some us break out of our ideological bubbles," Sykes said in a statement.

JSonline.com reports the show won't be airing in Milwaukee, however. In an email, Dave Edwards, WUWM 897 FM director and general manager, said the Milwaukee public radio station had been interested in carrying "Indivisible," and "even volunteered to produce the show at WUWM at no cost." But Edwards said, the station was informed that, under the terms of Sykes' retirement from WTMJ, any program he hosts can't be broadcast over the air in Wisconsin.

SiriusXM To Launch Daily "Hits 1 in Hollywood"


SiriusXM announced Friday the launch of a new daily show on SiriusXM Hits 1 starring comedian/television host Michael Yo, radio personality Tony Fly and singer Symon.

Hits 1 in Hollywood, broadcasting live from the SiriusXM studios in Los Angeles, will officially expand the channel's live broadcasts from coast to coast, as SiriusXM Hits 1's The Morning Mash Up will continue to air live from New York City weekday mornings.

Michael Yo
Hits 1 in Hollywood will launch on Tuesday, January 17 on SiriusXM Hits 1 live from the landmark Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood. The new daily show will feature today's biggest hits in contemporary music, along with pop culture news, artist and celebrity interviews, and fast-paced fun during West Coast drive time.

"We are excited to add more live daily programming on our preeminent pop music channel Hits 1, the most influential pop channel in radio today. Hits 1 in Hollywood live from our L.A. studios will become a must listen for our audience from coast to coast and allow us even more access to the biggest celebrities and music stars," said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM.

Tony Fly
"I am so excited to be part of such an amazing company and to be heard nationally. Bringing the heart of Hollywood to Hits 1 on SiriusXM is a dream come true," said Michael Yo.

The daily three hour show will premiere on Tuesday, January 17 at 4:00 pm PT on SiriusXM Hits 1, via satellite on channel 2 and through the SiriusXM app on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com.  Hits 1 in Hollywood will air Monday—Friday, from 4:00 pm —7:00 pm PT.

Michael Yo is a stand-up comedian and entertainment and pop culture expert. Michael can be seen on CBS' The Insider, covering the latest in celebrity news; as well as guest co-hosting CBS' The Talk, and appearing regularly as a hot topic talker on The Wendy Williams Show.

Tony Fly, a veteran radio and TV host, has appeared on highly-rated radio programs in Austin, New Orleans, New York City and Minneapolis. He is the former host of late night Fox TV in Minneapolis.

Sony Entertainment CEO Exiting For A Top Role At Snap

Michael Lynton
By Lisa Richwine | LOS ANGELES

(Reuters) --Sony Entertainment Chief Executive Michael Lynton will step down to become chairman of the board of messaging app owner Snap Inc, a move that puts an experienced Hollywood executive in a prominent role as the technology company prepares for an initial public offering.

Lynton will give up his current position at Sony's movie and television unit on Feb. 2 but remain as co-CEO for six months to help find a successor, Japanese conglomerate Sony Corp said in a statement on Friday.

Snap, the owner of the popular Snapchat app, is expected to go public early this year, vying for a $25 billion valuation. Lynton was an early investor in the company co-founded by 26-year-old CEO Evan Spiegel, and has served on its board for nearly four years.

The Venice, California-based company has made a push into news and entertainment content, a strategy that heightened competition with social networks such as Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc. In 2015, it began sharing video and articles from TV networks such as CNN and ESPN on a feature called Snapchat Discover.

It also signed deals in 2016 with media companies such as Walt Disney Co and Comcast Corp's NBCUniversal to have them produce original shows for Snapchat.

Lynton, in a 13-year career at Sony, oversaw hit movies including the "The Social Network" and James Bond film "Skyfall," but the studio has lagged behind competitors in box office share and big hits over the past year.

The TV studio under Lynton also produced successful shows such as "Breaking Bad" and "The Blacklist."

Lynton's tenure at Sony Entertainment was also marked by a devastating computer hack in 2014 that exposed a trove of embarrassing e-mails and employee data. The cyber attack, which the United States blamed on North Korea, crippled the studio for months and prompted an executive shuffle.

Sony Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai will take on a larger role at the entertainment division, adding the position of co-CEO and chairman of the unit, the company said. The Tokyo-based Hirai will add a second office in Culver City, California, where the film studio is based.

"As we look ahead, we see our entertainment businesses as essential parts of Sony," Hirai said.

In November, Sony Chief Financial Officer Kenichiro Yoshida said a turnaround of the movie division was "progressing, but it takes time for the benefit to be realized."

Hearst Corp. Reports Record Profit

Hearst Corp. saw only a 1 percent revenue increase in 2016 — but reported another year of record profits nevertheless, according to The NY Post.

The privately held media empire of magazines, newspapers, TV stations — which also owns a 20-percent piece of ESPN — also made about $2 billion in acquisitions.

That’s slightly behind its pace of a year ago. Deals are financed entirely out of cash flow and reserves. The company is believed to carry no debt.

“For the sixth consecutive year, Hearst achieved record profits, this time on relatively modest revenue growth to $10.8 billion,” said CEO Steve Swartz in his annual state of the corporation memo to employees on Jan. 13.

A year ago, revenue stood at $10.7 billion, suggesting that without acquisitions in the mix for 2016, the corporation could have had an off year.

“Our 30 Hearst television stations, aided by a strong performance in political advertising thanks to our best in class political coverage and Hearst Health, our five health care data and software platform companies, led the way with outstanding revenue and profit growth,” Swartz said.

The entertainment and syndication group, which includes Hearst’s minority share in joint-venture cable networks including ESPN, A&E, and Lifetime, remained the largest of the company’s six operating groups.

A spokesman confirmed this but said the company does not quantify the individual group revenues.

January 14 Radio History




In 1907...Dr. Lee DeForest patented the Audion tube. De Forest is generally thought of as the "Father of Radio". The Audion tube allowed amplification which made Radio transmission more practical for voice and music.

The Audion was the fastest electronic switching element of the time, and was later used in early digital electronics (such as computers). The triode was vital in the development of transcontinental telephone communications, radio, and radar until the 1948 invention of the transistor.



In 1927…Jack Benny married Sadye Marks. Five years later, Marks started playing Mary Livingstone, a character on Benny's radio show, and became so identified with the part that she legally changed her name to Mary Livingstone.


In 1939..."Honolulu Bound" first aired on the CBS Radio Network.


In 1949...The detective series "Yours Truly Johnny Dollar," starring Charles Russell, then Edmond O'Brien and later John Lund, began its 12-year run on CBS Radio. The show was revived as a nightly radio serial in 1955 with Bob Bailey as the lead actor and continued in various forms until 1962.


In 1955...disc jockey Alan Freed held his first Rock `n’ Roll Party stage show in New York. Acts included the Clovers, Fats Domino and the Drifters.


In 1957...actor Humphrey Bogart, the major Hollywood star who co-starred with his wife Lauren Bacall in the wildly successful syndicated radio show “Bold Venture,” succumbed to cancer of the esophagus at age 57.


In 1966...Singer David Jones changed his last name to Bowie to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of the Monkees.



In 1973...Elvis Presley drew the largest single television audience ever for his "Aloha From Hawaii" concert, broadcast live via satellite from Honolulu's International Center Arena to more than one billion people in 40 countries. Viewers in North America didn't get to see the show live, or at all, until April 4 when it was aired by NBC-TV. The audio from the concert was released as a double-album later that year.


In 1981...The Federal Communications Commission freed U.S. broadcasting stations to air as many commercials per hour as they wish.




In 1985...Dan Ingram started at WKTU 92.3 FM in NYC. Station is now WBMP and is owned by CBS Radio.


In 2013...WFME 94.7 FM In the NYC market changed call letters to WRXP.


In 2016…Radio news veteran Al Hart, the morning news anchor at KCBS-San Francisco for 24 years until his retirement in 2000, died of corticobasal degeneration, a rare, progressive brain disease, at age 88.

Friday, January 13, 2017

Killing FM Radio: Could It Happen Here?

As Norway switches off its FM radio network this week, other nations have abandoned similar plans, leaving the Scandinavian country a lonely beacon of digital-only broadcasting in a world that’s rapidly moving on to music streaming and podcasts.

According to Bloomberg, the switch to digital audio broadcasting, a first for any country, will be watched closely by other European nations, which are starting to question the benefits of shutting down analog networks. Success in Norway may be the last hope for enthusiasts and electronics retailers to revive digital-radio plans that have largely ground to a halt in the rest of the world.

Norway’s blueprint to replace FM has been in place for years, originating with its first digital broadcasts back in 1995. The technology offers better sound than analog FM, is easier to tune and more affordable for broadcasters because it uses spectrum more efficiently. But in the intervening decades, a different technology took hold: internet radio and music streaming from companies such as Spotify Ltd. and Apple Inc., and Pandora Media Inc. in the U.S.

The trend isn’t likely to reverse. New cars are routinely equipped with dashboards that connect to the internet and smartphones through services such as Android Auto and Apple Carplay. At last count, Spotify had 40 million paying users worldwide and Apple Music counted 20 million. There are dozens more services -- streaming lets consumers create their own playlists, and they can pay to avoid commercials. Traditional radio stations have also gone online.


Norwegian radio hosts Berith Olderskog and Geir Schau shut down the northern part of Norway’s FM radio network in favor of digital radio at a ceremony in Bodo, Norway this week.

Could It Happen Here?

According to the National Association of Broadcasters, the answer is No.  A thousand times – No.

The NAB's Christopher Ornelas writes this development is much ado about nothing. The difference between Norway radio and American radio is as stark as the Northern Lights versus fireworks on the Capitol Mall on the Fourth of July.

In a blog post, he lists why:
  • Norway has 5 million radio listeners; there are 268 million listeners in the U.S. every week;
  • Many of Norway’s radio stations are state-owned; in the U.S., commercial radio listening dominates the charts in most places.
  • Norway is converting to digital radio using a completely different technology than we are in the U.S.
That last bullet point is especially important. Norway (along with much of the rest of Europe) long ago adopted a digital radio transition plan completely at odds with the plan adopted in the U.S.

Norway requires two separate swaths of spectrum for radio – one for its FM stations and another for its digital radio channels. It costs the government (and broadcasters) extra money to run both services to deliver the same content. Turning off analog FM is apparently seen by the Norwegian parliament as a cost-saving efficiency – even though actual radio listeners in Norway are quite unhappy about losing this service.

By contrast, we in the U.S. chose a different path to digital radio. Our system, “in-band, on channel digital” – better known now as HD Radio – uses identical spectrum and the same channels for both analog and digital services. Thus, there’s no cost-saving advantage to shutting down analog FM services in America. More than 2,300 radio stations in the U.S. have converted to HD Radio, which improves the radio listening experience and affords American radio stations a remarkable array of advanced capabilities.

Ornelas' Bottom line: No way will America go Norway’s route and “turn off” FM radio. It’s just not going to happen, in my lifetime or yours.

Broadcaster, Newspaper Reporter Among Most Stressful Jobs


If you thrive on stress, working as a Firefighter, Police Officer, Newspaper Reporter, or Broadcaster might be a good fit for you. But if you want a less pressure-filled work atmosphere, you should consider professions such as Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Information Security Analyst, or University Professor, according to CareerCast's 2017 Job Stress report.

CareerCast analyzed 11 factors in identifying the most and least stressful jobs, including deadlines, hazards, public scrutiny, physical demands, competition, and career growth potential.

On-the-job stress can be caused by a variety of reasons. For professions like Firefighter, Military and Police Officer, stress results from putting their lives at risk and being responsible for the lives of others. In the cases of Newspaper Reporter and Broadcaster, working under tight deadlines, and the fear of lawsuits or layoffs may cause stress. (Broadcasters have a negative job outlook of -9% and the outlook for Newspaper Reporters is -8%.)

"Even though they may be stressful, these professions are crucial to American's safety and democracy," says Kyle Kensing, Online Content Editor, CareerCast. "Firefighters, Military and Police Officers protect us, and Newspaper Reporters and Broadcasters have a big impact in showing us the truth amidst the trend of "'fake news'".

If you don't flourish in a physically demanding, hazardous or unpredictable environment, CareerCast's least stressful job -- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, (annual median income of $63,630 and growth outlook of 24%) might be good fit for you. Although it requires advanced training, Audiologist is another low-stress profession (annual median income of $74,890 and growth outlook of 29%). If you have an aptitude for math, find intrigue in the secrets of data, and have the determination to work through problems until you come up with a good solution, consider the profession of Operations Research Analyst ($78,630 salary and 30% growth outlook).

CareerCast's Most Stressful Jobs of 2017:


CareerCast's Least Stressful Jobs of 2017:



To rank the most and least stressful careers from the 200 professions on the Jobs Rated report, CareerCast evaluated 11 stress factors: travel required; growth potential; deadlines; working in the public eye; competition in the field; physical demands; environmental conditions; hazards encountered on a regular basis; own life at risk; life of others at risk; and meeting or interacting with the public at large. The methodology can be found here.

Median Annual Salary and Projected Hiring Growth by 2024 are via the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Forecast: Cord Cutting To Continue Impacting Cable/Satellite Biz


BIA/Kelsey has released four of its top trends to watch in local media in 2017. These predictions are taken from the new report, What’s Next: BIA/Kelsey 2017 Analyst Predictions, which is an annual report BIA/Kelsey issues to identify and explain the developments it anticipates the year will bring in mobile, social, video, programmatic, digital and traditional advertising and promotions.

“We expect this year to be a transformative period for technology and media,” said Tom Buono, CEO BIA/Kelsey. “In our predictions report, we dive into key topics such as programmatic, mobile advertising revenue, online video, small business advertising trends, local television and radio versus competing media, local on demand business models and small business advertising and marketing trends. Our examination represents the synthesis of our forecasting and analyses to help businesses get a lead on 2017 so they can approach the market with the right combination of strategies and offerings.”

Prediction #1: National brands will outpace regional and local SMBs in total ad spend to target local audiences.

Rick Ducey, BIA/Kelsey’s Managing Director expects, “National brands will outpace regional and local small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in total ad spend growth targeting local audiences. Agencies and marketers for these national brands will increase their ad spend targeting local audiences by $17.1 billion from 2015 through 2020. Regional advertisers’ spending will be relatively flat, and local SMBs will increase their spend by $10.6 billion.”

Prediction #2: Voice search will reach 25 percent of mobile search volume.

Michael Boland, BIA/Kelsey’s Chief Analyst and VP, Content, predicts, “Voice search will reach 25 percent of mobile search volume. This will mostly happen through personal assistant apps such as Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana, Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa. Google will emerge as the winner in what will be known as the “personal assistant app wars.” These wars will be won with data, which Google possesses from its search index and knowledge graph. Amazon’s Alexa will shine for product and commerce applications, while Microsoft and Apple will seek to excel with vertically specific content niches where they can establish best of breed content with data partners (i.e., using weather data).”

Prediction #3: The provision of “skinny bundles” and consumers opting to “cut the cord” will negatively affect the cable/satellite business.

Mark Fratrik, BIA/Kelsey’s Chief Economist and SVP, foresees, “The provision of “skinny bundles” and consumers opting to “cut the cord” will negatively affect the cable/satellite business during the next five years, with a possible benefit accruing to local television broadcasters. Those consumers will have fewer cable networks to choose from and could easily start watching more local broadcast programming, so long as they are equipped with receivers connected to digital antennas.”

Prediction #4: Print will continue to evolve and maintain a large share of small businesses’ dollars by extending campaigns with digital media.

Celine Matthiessen, BIA/Kelsey’s Vice President, Analysis & Insights, anticipates, “Print is evolving and still holds a large share of small businesses’ ad dollars. This will continue as smart companies extend print campaigns through native and digital targeted media. In our forecast for 2017, $53 billion will be spent on local print. Newspapers, magazines and Yellow Pages are offsetting declines in print revenue with digital. These traditional digital efforts are projected to grow 4.0 percent annually from 2017 to 2021. Newspapers and Yellow Pages companies continue to extend their advertisers’ reach through large networks via programmatic ad buying beyond their owned and operated properties, which levels the playing field and helps them to retain advertisers that are shifting their share to digital.”

The full 2017 predictions report, which includes over 20 predictions, is available for clients of BIA/Kelsey’s advisory services. The report can be purchased online. For more information, contact info@biakelsey.com.

Reports: ESPN To Split-Up Mike & Mike


Media reports indicate The Worldwide Leader in Sports is expected to assign longtime radio host Mike Greenberg to a new morning television show, according to Sports Illustrated, thus removing one “Mike” from the popular ESPN Radio show “Mike & Mike” that has run for over 18 years.

According to the NY Post, Greenberg’s new show will reportedly air mornings from a New York City studio and feature elements of “SportsCenter,” ESPN’s flagship program.

The long-rumored move comes in the wake of several scheduling and personnel changes the network has introduced in an effort to spice up its content as ratings drop and competition rises. The network has moved “His & Hers” co-hosts Michael Smith and Jemele Hill to the 6 p.m. edition of “SportsCenter” effective next month, shifted Stephen A. Smith’s debate-style “First Take” to ESPN from ESPN2 and a week ago confirmed Chris Berman’s departure after 38 iconic years on “Sunday NFL Countdown” among other shows.

The decision to bring an end to ESPN Radio’s signature morning show, which has aired since 1998 with Greenberg and Golic at the helm, opens uncharted territory for both veteran ESPN employees.


Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated is also reporting ESPN is putting an end to the long-time 'Mike and Mike' morning sports talk radio show:
"SI.com has learned via multiple sources that ESPN executives are moving forward with the plan to shift Mike Greenberg--one half of the long-running Mike & Mike radio show on ESPN Radio--into a new role as the lead host of a television show that would air in the mornings on ESPN. The new show will have elements of SportsCenter--which currently airs at that time--as well as a traditional morning show. It is expected to be based in New York City. The new program would put an end to end to Greenberg's on-air partnership with Mike Golic, which began in October 1998. Mike & Mike currently airs weekdays on ESPN Radio from 6-10 a.m. ET and is simulcast on ESPN2."
Outside of the 19-year run by 'Mike and The Mad Dog' on WFAN, Mike and Mike was the longest-tenured and most successful sports talk pairing in the history of the format.

Pandora Reports Layoffs


Pandora shares rose as much as 7 percent in after-hours trading on Thursday after the company said it would cut jobs and beat its earnings forecast.

CNBC is reporting the online radio company said it would slash 7 percent of its U.S. employee base by the first fiscal quarter of this year, as a cost-cutting measure.

"While making workforce reductions is always a difficult decision, the commitment to cost discipline will allow us to invest more heavily in product development and monetization and build on the foundations of our strategic investments," Pandora CEO Tim Westergren said in a statement.

But, the company's strong advertising performance has pushed Pandora past its previously announced fourth fiscal quarter sales guidance, the statement said. In October, it predicted revenue in the range of $362 million to $374 million.

Pandora has faced pressure to sell itself from activist investor Corvex Management, a hedge fund run by Keith Meister.

Still, Westergren released a Thursday letter to stockholders with ambitious plans for 2017, including in-app promotion, more aggressive ad placement, and targeted concert recommendations.


On Thursday, Pandora said it has surpassed 4.3 million in paid subscription customers, thanks in part to a new product, Pandora Plus, which added 375,000 net new subscribers by the end of December.

News of the headcount reduction come less than a month after it was announced Pandora COO Sarah Clemens was resigning from the business.

Clemens' departure itself arrived barely a month after Pandora Chief Financial Officer Mike Herring announced the dropping of his CFO role (while maintaining his title as Pandora President).

Pandora posted a net loss in excess of $250m in the first nine months of 2016, with total revenue of $992.5m.

The service attracted 77.9m active listeners at the close of Q3 2016, down from 78.1m in the same three-month period (July-Sept) of 2015.

SiriusXM Still Interested In Pandora ‘At The Right Price’


Gregory Maffei, chairman of SiriusXM, has told some shareholders this week that the satellite radio company is still interested in buying Pandora, The NY Post has learned.

“Sirius would look at [Pandora] at the right price,” said a source familiar with conversations.

Greg Maffei
Maffei reached out to Pandora’s board late last year, according to a report at the time, sparking a 20 percent run-up in the streaming radio player’s shares, to $13.85.

But Pandora has given back most of that gain amid talk, as recently as last week, that SiriusXM’s interest had cooled.

But that is not the case, sources said — despite SiriusXM’s chief financial officer, David Frear, telling an audience at the Consumer Electronic Show on Jan. 5 that a offer for Pandora is “not likely.”

Maffei told investors at a private dinner on Tuesday — an event tied to the Lionsgate annual investor day in Englewood, Colo., that SiriusXM was still interested in money-losing Pandora, sources said.

Maffei, the chief executive of Liberty Media, which owns 66 percent of SiriusXM, told the investors that he was concerned about Pandora losing roughly $200 million a year and that Pandora was trying to launch On Demand services that compete with huge tech giants such as Amazon and Apple.

Las Vegas Radio: Dave & Mahoney Returning To KXTE


Alternative KXTE X107.5 FM welcomes back The Dave & Mahoney Morning Show to Las Vegas beginning Monday February 6, 2017.

The show will air weekdays from 6:00 – 10:00 AM and can be heard on-air, online at www.x1075lasvegas.com and through the Radio.com mobile app.

“Dave and Mahoney live and breathe Las Vegas and are ingrained in the history and lifestyle of X107.5,” said Ross Mahoney, KXTE 107.5 Program Director. “They know the music, the community and understand what the X107.5 brand means to the listeners. I couldn’t be more excited to have the boys come home and do what they do best, entertain Las Vegas!”

“Mahoney and I are beyond excited to return home to X107.5. Having been in Las Vegas radio for over 10 years, we know there is no place that we would rather be,” said Dave Farra. “The amazing community and the best alternative station in the country are all things we couldn’t stay away from for long. It is an honor to be able to return to the listeners, radio station, and city that we love. We can’t wait to get started!”

Dave and Mahoney previously hosted mornings on CBS RADIO Houston’s KHMX Mix 96.5 FM. Prior to that, the duo were a fixture on Las Vegas radio, and a favorite on X107.5 where they first began their morning show in 2009.

Throughout the years they have won multiple awards including the KLAS Best Radio show in 2010 and the Review Journal’s Best Local Radio Personalities in 2013 and 2014. The duo are also actively involved in the community with events like Help For The Holidays, Fight Holiday Hunger, and their annual charity driven celebrity fantasy football league.

KXTE 107.5 FM (24.5 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area
KXTE X107.5’s full weekday lineup, beginning February 6, features:

The Dave & Mahoney Morning Show 6:00 – 10:00 AM
MJ 10:00 – 3:00 PM
Ross 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Pauly 6:00 – 11:00 PM

NJ Radio: Debbie Mazella Promoted To PD At WMGQ-FM

Beasley Media Group has promoted Debbie Mazella to Program Director of AC WMGQ Magic 98.3 FM in Central New Jersey.

“Ever since my childhood, I wanted to be involved in radio and I’m extremely grateful to the mentors who have influenced, encouraged and helped me on my career path,” said Debbie. It’s even more exciting to know that I am the first female PD in Magic’s 40 year history!”

Debbie is a radio veteran who started her Magic 98.3 career in 2007. She added APD duties a year later. Debbie will retain her highly rated 10AM-3PM shift and will assume the Program Director responsibilities immediately.

“Debbie’s passion for our brand is second to none!” stated Dan Finn, Senior Vice President & Regional Market Manager for Beasley Media Group New Jersey. “Debbie’s solid on-air performance and leadership skills have made it an easy decision to appoint her captain of the team with the task of taking WMGQ to the next level!”

WMQG 983. FM (1.2 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area
“We are thrilled that Debbie can lead this amazing radio station to new heights!” added Buzz Knight, Vice President of Programming. “She understands the marketplace and the audience lifestyle better than anyone.”

Amazon Music Director Featured Speaker For CRS 2017

Director of Amazon Music, Ryan Redington, has been announced as a Country Radio Seminar 2017 featured speaker. Redington will speak on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 at 9 a.m. and will discuss the innovative approach Amazon uses through their progressive services and consumer relations.

Ryan Redington
Throughout his time at Amazon, Redington has overseen the launch of two Amazon Music streaming services—Amazon Music Unlimited in October 2016 and Prime Music in June 2014. Redington also spearheaded Amazon’s exclusive deal with Garth Brooks, to bring the country superstar’s music catalog to streaming for the first time ever. Redington began his Amazon career working on the video team, before joining music where he worked as a category leader in physical before digital and streaming.

"Ryan will be providing us a very candid, unique look inside the intellectual perspective of one of the country's most innovative retailers, products, and consumer services,” said Bill Mayne, Executive Director of CRS. “This is an hour at CRS not to miss!"

Ryan Redington’s appearance is one of many highlights scheduled for CRS 2017.  To view an advance agenda, visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.

Registration for Country Radio Seminar 2017 increases to $699 this Friday, January 13.  Individuals who have not registered, but are planning to attend, are encouraged to register today at the $599 rate, which is a $100 savings, at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.

AT&T CEO, Trump Meet Amid Planned Time Warner Merger

By Laila Kearney and David Shepardson | NEW YORK

(Reuters) -- AT&T Inc Chief Executive Randall Stephenson on Thursday met in New York with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, an opponent of the company's acquisition of Time Warner Inc.

A spokeswoman for Trump confirmed the meeting after Stephenson was seen entering Trump Tower. Stephenson, who was accompanied by Robert Quinn, AT&T’s senior executive vice president for external and legislative affairs, would not answer questions from reporters.

AT&T said later on Thursday that the company's $85.4 billion deal for Time Warner was not discussed.

"The conversation focused on how AT&T can work with the Trump administration to increase investment in the U.S., stimulate job creation in America, and make American companies more competitive globally," AT&T said in a statement.

During his campaign for the White House, Trump said AT&T's proposal to buy Time Warner, owner of CNN and the Warner Bros movie studio, was an example of a "power structure" that was rigged against him and voters.

"It's too much concentration of power in the hands of too few," said Trump, who has repeatedly accused the media of being biased against him and his campaign.

Since the election, Trump has not commented publicly on the AT&T-Time Warner deal, but he has been critical of CNN. He sparred with a CNN reporter on Wednesday during a televised news conference.

A person briefed on the matter said AT&T requested the meeting with Trump late last week.

As Thursday's meeting was about to get under way, Trump tweeted: "@CNN is in a total meltdown with their FAKE NEWS because their ratings are tanking since election and their credibility will soon be gone."

Representatives from AT&T and Time Warner declined to comment on Trump's tweet.

A Trump transition official told Reuters earlier this month that the president-elect still opposed the deal, which would require antitrust approval by the U.S. Department of Justice.

It could also face a review by the Federal Communications Commission, although the companies are considering ways to structure the deal to avoid that.

Time Warner shareholders will meet on Feb. 15 to decide whether to approve the merger.

Appeals Court Revives Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple

By Stephen Nellis and Dan Levine | SAN FRANCISCO

(Reuters) -- iPhone app purchasers may sue Apple Inc over allegations that the company monopolized the market for iPhone apps by not allowing users to purchase them outside the App Store, leading to higher prices, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Thursday.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling revives a long-simmering legal challenge originally filed in 2012 taking aim at Apple’s practice of only allowing iPhones to run apps purchased from its own App Store. A group of iPhone users sued saying the Cupertino, California, company's practice was anticompetitive.

Apple had argued that users did not have standing to sue it because they purchased apps from developers, with Apple simply renting out space to those developers. Developers pay a cut of their revenues to Apple in exchange for the right to sell in the App Store.

A lower court sided with Apple, but Judge William A. Fletcher ruled that iPhone users purchase apps directly from Apple, which gives iPhone users the right to bring a legal challenge against Apple.

Apple declined to comment.

The courts have yet to address the substance of the iPhone users’ allegations; up this point, the wrangling has been over whether they have the right to sue Apple in the first place.

But if the challenge ultimately succeeds, “the obvious solution is to compel Apple to let people shop for applications wherever they want, which would open the market and help lower prices,” Mark C. Rifkin, an attorney with Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz representing the group of iPhone users, told Reuters in an interview. “The other alternative is for Apple to pay people damages for the higher than competitive prices they’ve had to pay historically because Apple has utilized its monopoly.”

Limbaugh: ‘Coordinated’ Effort To Take Down Trump

Rush Limbaugh
CNN and BuzzFeed reported on the unverified intelligence dossier that Russia allegedly has compromising information on President-elect Donald Trump because “the normal techniques” the press uses to destroy Republicans did not work, Rush Limbaugh said on Jan. 11.

Such attacks simply “bounce off Trump.”

“There’s a coordinated effort,” Limbaugh said. “CNN reports on the existence of the report but they don’t detail it. Jake Tapper, who wants to be known as one of the most highly respected journalists in the world, decides to start vomiting this stuff — but he doesn’t get into details.

“That’s a signal for BuzzFeed to go ahead and release and publish all 35 pages. And BuzzFeed does so while telling everybody that none of it has been verified.”

According to WorldTribune.com, Limbaugh noted that a slew of media outlets have been trying since before Election Day to verify the dossier, but could not find “a single shred” of evidence that would enable them to run with the story.

Tapper attempted to distance CNN from any connection with BuzzFeed on Jan. 11 by saying BuzzFeed’s reporting was “irresponsible.” BuzzFeed is bankrolled in large part by NBCUniversal.

“I can understand why President-elect Trump would be upset about that,” Tapper said. “I would be upset, too. It is why we did not publish it and why we did not detail anything specific from it. That’s not what we do. We’re in the business of sussing out what is true and what is false.”

Limbaugh said that CNN’s coverage was in line with a kind of reporting that seeks to cast a pall over a man’s character through outlandish but unverified charges.

“What we have here, folks, is a variation on, ‘Yeah, we have no evidence, but the seriousness of the charge demands an investigation,’ ” Limbaugh said.

R.I.P.: Louisville Radio Legend Milton Metz Dies


Milton Metz, a pioneer in broadcasting in Louisville and the longtime host of the talk show  "Metz Here" on WHAS 840 AM, died Thursday, according to former colleagues Wayne Perkey and Terry Meiners.

He was 95, according to the Courier-Journal.

"El Metzo," as he was affectionately known, began at the station in 1946. “Metz Here” debuted July 30, 1959, with the title "Juniper 5-2385," after its phone number, and ended on June 10, 1993.

"Every time Milton Metz clicked on the mic, people across middle America were guaranteed wit, wisdom, and balance," Meiners said.

"On or off the air, Milton was first and foremost a gentleman, bringing grace and intellect into a sometimes inelegant media landscape," Meiners said. "Rest easy, brother.  You blazed a beautiful trail and we shall follow."

Perkey said Metz was a role model and father figure for a younger generation of broadcasters that included Meiners, Perkey and Jack Fox.

“He was not afraid to ask difficult questions, but he tried to be fair,” Perkey said. “He had a great wit and he showed it. I loved him because he was Milton.”

Bob Johnson, a retired political reporter on WHAS Radio and TV, said that unlike contemporary talk radio, his show never featured “talking heads shouting at each other.”

“He had a sweet, gentle nature and his graciousness carried over into his work on the air,” said Johnson, later a Courier-Journal reporter. “I was very fond of him.”



Perry Metz said his father enjoyed “a good joke, a long conversation and listening to different points of view.

“If civility is old-fashioned, you could say he was old-fashioned,” said the younger Metz, who followed in his father’s footsteps and now runs public radio and TV stations at Indiana University in Bloomington.

January 13 Radio History




In 1905..."Scientific America" published an advertisement for the "Telimco", a device guaranteed to received signals for as far as one mile. It cost $8.50.

The Telimco system included a battery-operated spark transmitter, shown on the left, plus a tapping-coherer receiver, also battery operated, shown on the right. (The use of a spark transmitter and tapping-coherer receiver meant it could only be used to send and receive telegraphic dots-and-dashes, and not full audio.) This small ad--which measured just 2-1/4 inches wide by 1-1/8 inches high (60 by 28 millimeters)--appeared on the back pages of the magazine, mixed in with the advertisements for sundry offering by numerous other small firms. It is generally believed that this was the first-ever advertisement run by a company selling complete radio systems to the general public.

The Telimco brand name was a contraction of The Electro Importing Co. In addition to Telimco Wireless Telegraph Outfits, you could also buy Telimco Experimental X-Ray Outfits, Telimco-meters, Telimphones, etc.


In 1910...the first opera was broadcast on Radio, courtesy of the New York Metropolitan Opera.

The first public radio broadcast consisted of performances of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci. Riccardo Martin performed as Turridu, Emmy Destinn as Santuzza, and Enrico Caruso as Canio. The conductor was Egisto Tango. This wireless radio transmission event of the Italian tenor Enrico Caruso of a concert from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City is regarded as the birth of public radio broadcasting.

The New York Times reported on January 14, 1910,
"Opera broadcast in part from the stage of the New York City Metropolitan Opera Company was heard on January 13, 1910, when Enrico Caruso and Emmy Destinn sang arias from Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci, which were "trapped and magnified by the dictograph directly from the stage and borne by wireless Hertzian waves over the turbulent waters of the sea to transcontinental and coastwise ships and over the mountainous peaks and undulating valleys of the country." The microphone was connected by telephone wire to the laboratory of Dr. Lee De Forest.
The few radio receivers able to pick up this first-ever "outside broadcast" were those at the De Forest Radio Laboratory, on board ships in New York Harbor, in large hotels on Times Square and at New York city locations where members of the press were stationed at receiving sets. Public receivers with earphones had been set up in several well-advertised locations throughout New York City. There were members of the press stationed at various receiving sets throughout the city and the general public was invited to listen to the broadcast.

The experiment was considered mostly unsuccessful.  The microphones of the day were of poor quality and couldn't pick up most of the singing done on stage. Only off-stage singers singing directly into a microphone could be heard clearly. The New York Times reported the next day that static and interference kept the homeless song waves from finding themselves.


In 1913...producer/host Ralph Edwards was born near Merino Colorado.  Best known as producer/host of TV’s This is Your Life, he came to prominence as the host of radio’s zany Truth or Consequences, a game show which ran for 38 years on radio & TV.  As producer he brought to the airwaves TV’s The People’s Court, still on the air 25 years later.  He died of congestive heart failure Nov. 25 1997 at age 84.


On 1918...actor Steve Dunne was born in Northampton Mass. He succeeded Howard Duff on radio as the star of The Adventures of Sam Spade.  On TV he starred in the series Professional Father & The Brothers Brannigan, and appeared repeatedly on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Brady Bunch, The Millionaire & Lux Video Theatre.  He died Sept. 2 1977 at age 59.


In 1922...WHA 970 AM in Madison, Wisconsin began broadcasting.

Book Available from Amazon
WHA's history dates back to 1914 when Professor Edward Bennett started using the call sign 9XM. A year later, the call sign was transferred to the University of Wisconsin and used for many experiments in the physics department. Professor Earle M. Terry managed many of these tests, and he eventually decided that the station should start making regular weather broadcasts. From December 4, 1916 onward, the station transmitted regular reports in Morse code.

While most early radio stations in the United States were shut down when the country entered World War I, 9XM's early transmissions were considered important enough to continue, spending much of the war broadcasting weather information to ships sailing on the Great Lakes.

Regularly scheduled audio broadcasts began in February 1920. A six-day-per-week schedule began on January 3, 1921, notable for the introduction of the first radio broadcast of a weather forecast. The station received its WHA call sign on January 13, 1922.


In 1928…The first public demonstration of television was given by Ernst F. W. Alexanderson. The first television broadcast in the United States was to his home in Schenectady, New York in 1927.


In 1934...a comedy-variety hit of early radio The Al Pearce Show debuted on NBC Blue, after 5 successful years on KFRC San Francisco.





In 1958...St. Louis radio station KWK (now KXFN 1380 AM) declared Rock n’ Roll dead. (Ha ha ha ha ha.) After giving their rock records a final play, the station staff broke them




In 1962..."The Twist" by Chubby Checker hit Number 1 again, over a year after it first reached the top spot on the charts. The only other song ever to do that was Bing Crosby's "White Christmas."


In 1970...Los Angeles DJ Sam Riddle forms the Sam Riddle Organization to be known as SRO for coordinating five separate companies headed by Riddle. The divisions include concert promotions, television appearances, record production, publishing and artist management. Riddle is host of “Get It Together” on ABC-TV and still syndicates “Boss City” on TV. He was still heard on 93/KHJ.


In 1970....David Sarnoff, the man who put radio into the American home, resigned as chairman of RCA Corp. because of ill health.


In 1970....Host Bob Grant completes the final two-way talkshow over KLAC, Los Angeles, ending the station’s run as an aggressive “in-your-face” talk format. The station has been transitioning into a MOR music format for the past few months.


In 1980...Orchestra leader/arranger Andre Kostelanetz, whose radio program was one of America's most popular from the 1930s to the 1950s, died at the age of 78.


In 2006...Bob Grant did last long-form form talk show at WOR 710 AM.


In 2011...the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council banned Dire Straits ‘85 hit “Money For Nothing” because a homophobic epithet in the song is no longer acceptable. “The panel concluded that, like other racially driven words in the English language, ‘faggot’ is one that, even if entirely or marginally accepted in earlier days, is no longer so,” said CBSC chair Ron Cohen in an official statement. Many Canadian stations ignored the ban.


In 2012…Former Radio/TV newsman (CBS, ABC) Richard Threlkeld was killed in a car accident at age 74.


In 2016…Retired sportscaster (NBC-TV, NBC Radio, ESPN, ABC, CBS, TNT)/National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Famer Jim Simpson died at the age of 88.

Thursday, January 12, 2017

San Diego Radio: Mike Halloran OUT At 91X

The on-again, off-again relationship between longtime local radio personality Michael Halloran and XETRA 91X FM, is, once again, off.

According to San Diego 7, staff members were given the news on Wednesday about the program director's departure. Executives at Local Media San Diego -- which oversees a station group that includes Magic 92.5 and Z90.3 -- could now turn to Garett Michaels, whom the organization appointed "director of rock programming" in 2016, though he is now only retained as a consultant for LMSD.

Halloran was stoic about the departure when reached for comment. "This isn’t the first time -- I’ve lost jobs before," he said.

The radio jockey demurred when asked about his plans for the future. "It's still early," Halloran said. "I've got things I've got to work on. But I do love my family at 91x. Always have and always will."

Halloran's departure. with the radio industry in economic turmoil in the wake of the online successes of social media, streaming services and YouTube and its competitors. Local radio is no different, with stations requiring growth in market share to ensure survival. Much of Local Media San Diego's competition for dollars and ears comes from the stations covered by iHeartMedia’s umbrella, including Channel 933 and Star 94.1, as well as Entercom’s Sunny 98.1 and the country station KSON. according to San Diego 7.

A major name in local music, Halloran started at the station 30 years ago, and was first a program director at 91x in the '90s. He’s predominantly known for giving early airplay to local artists Jewel and Blink-182, who went on to national prominence.

Chicago Radio: WSCR Unveils New Line-Up


CBS RADIO Chicago’s 670 Sports WSCR 670 AM The Score will launch a new line-up with current personalities, as well as new faces, beginning Tuesday, January 17.

Current midday host Jason Goff will move to afternoons, joining Dan Bernstein as the co-host of The Score’s newly renamed drive show, “The Bernstein and Goff Show,” airing weekdays from 1:00-6:00 PM. Joining 670 The Score in middays alongside Matt Spiegel will be Chicago-native Danny Parkins. The duo will bring Chicago listeners the new “The Spiegel and Parkins Show,” weekdays from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. Listeners can tune in to 670 The Score on-air, online at 670thescore.com, and through the Radio.com app.

“The retirement of beloved ‘Score original’ Terry Boers after 25 years, coupled with the exciting achievements of the station over the last year, led us straight to Jason as the perfect match with Dan in afternoons,” said Mitch Rosen, WSCR Program Director. “As a hometown native, Danny brings passion to middays, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to hear what he and Matt create together for our loyal listeners.”

Senior Vice President and Market Manager, CBS RADIO Chicago, Tim Pohlman added, “Following the success The Score has seen in the past year sharing the historic Cubs Championship with all of Chicago, and celebrating 25 years of delivering the city’s best sports coverage, I’m thrilled to see the pairing of Jason Goff and Dan Bernstein and to welcome the talented Danny Parkins to our already stellar lineup of Score hosts.”

On the upcoming change, Jason Goff remarked “I've had a fantastic time reuniting with the audience the last couple of years with a terrific talent in Matt Spiegel. The reunion now continues with a time slot and a host in Dan with whom I've experienced some of the finest moments of my career.”

“When I left Chicago in 2010 for my first radio job I had a personal goal to be back home with my own show by the time I turned 30,” said Parkins. “The fact that's going to be a reality on The Score, a station that has always been a Chicago institution, is a dream come true. I can't wait to get started and begin building the best sports radio show in the city.”

Goff originally joined 670 The Score in 2000 as a producer on “The Boers and Bernstein Show” in 2007. Goff was previously the evening host of CBS RADIO Atlanta’s 92.9 The Game, and hosted SiriusXM NBA Radio’s midday “Off the Dribble” show.

Parkins joins 670 The Score from 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City where his afternoon show “The Drive” has been the highest rated sports show in Kansas City for the last two years. Prior to his time in Kansas City, Parkins hosted sports radio programs in Syracuse, NY.  He is a graduate of the prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and graduated locally from New Trier High School.

WSCR 670 AM (50 Kw)
With Goff’s move to afternoons and the addition of Parkins to middays, The Score’s team roster now features:
  • 5:00  The Mully and Hanley Show (Mike Mulligan and Brian Hanley)
  • 9:00  The Spiegel and Parkins Show (Matt Spiegel and Danny Parkins
  • 1:00  The Bernstein and Goff Show (Dan Bernstein and Jason Goff)
  • 6:00  Laurence Holmes
 Fans can connect with all the activities at Chicago Sportsradio by following @670thescore on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.