August 6 Radio History

➦In 1881...gossip columnist Louella Parsons was born in Freeport Illinois.  Her rather lacklustre radio personality didn’t keep her from fronting a succession of big budget star vehicles on network radio, including Hollywood Hotel & Hollywood Premiere.  For six years she also had a 15 minute showbusiness gossip show on Sunday night.  She died of arteriosclerosis Dec 9, 1972 at age 91.


➦In 1911...actress/comedienne Lucille Ball was born in Jamestown New York.



She was successful in film, on stage & in radio, but is best remembered as the Emmy Award-winning star of CBS TV’s I Love Lucy, and her successive sitcoms The Lucy Show & Here’s Lucy. Her career in TV spanned some 30 years. She died of an aortic aneurism April 26, 1989 at age 77.

Jim Ameche

➦In 1915...announcer/actor Jim Ameche was born in Kenosha Wisconsin.  His is best remembered as the original title character in Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy. He succeeded his older brother Don Ameche as the host/announcer for The Chase and Sanborn Hour, and was heard as Mountie Jim West on ABC’s Silver Eagle (1951–55). He had featured roles in radio’s Grand Hotel, Hollywood Playhouse, and Big Sister.  For many years, he was the afternoon announcer on WQXR, the classical radio station of The New York Times and a host on WHN 1050 AM in the '60s, and did numerous radio ads in Phoenix, Arizona in his later years. He died Feb. 4 1983 at age 67.


➦In 1939...after becoming a success with Ben Bernie and Eddie Cantor on network radio, and being featured on NBC’s Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street, Dinah Shore started her own Sunday evening show on the NBC Blue radio network. Later Dinah would also have a successful TV career spanning more than three decades.


➦In 1973...Wolfman Jack did his first broadcast on WNBC 660 AM, New York.

The Wolfman was paid handsomely to join WNBC in New York in August 1973, the same month that American Graffiti premiered, and the station did a huge advertising campaign in local newspapers that the Wolfman would propel their ratings over that of their main competitor, WABC, which had "Cousin Brucie" (Bruce Morrow).

The ads would proclaim, "Cousin Brucie's Days Are Numbered", and they issued thousands of small tombstone-shaped paperweights which said, "Cousin Brucie is going to be buried by Wolfman Jack".

After less than a year, WNBC hired Cousin Brucie, and Wolfman Jack went back to California to concentrate on his syndicated radio show.


➦In 1982...WQXI 790 AM in Atlanta is 1st to use Harris Corp AM stereo system


➦In 1991...Broadcast journalist Harry Reasoner died. He was 68.


➦In 1998…Baseball Hall of Famer Jack Brickhouse, a Chicago Cubs broadcaster for four decades, died of heart failure at 82.


➦In 2008...WHTT becomes WNYM 970 AM with conservative talk format.


➦In 2011...songwriter/deejay Fred Imus, the younger brother of Don Imus, and himself a country music host on Sirius-XM Radio, was found dead in his mobile home in Tucson at age 69.


➦In 2012.. R. Peter Strauss, former WMCA NYC owner passed away at age 89.

Straus, who took over WMCA in the late 1950s and turned it into one of the nation’s most innovative radio stations, broadcasting what are regarded as the first radio editorials and political endorsements and helping to popularize rock ’n’ roll, died on Monday at his home in Midtown Manhattan.

The son of a radio entrepreneur and the scion of a family steeped in public service, Straus counted diplomats, cabinet officials, legislators and philanthropists among his forebears. He became a United Nations official, director of the Voice of America and administrator of American aid to Africa.
WMCA pioneered public service radio in New York. It was the first station in the country to run editorials on political and civic issues, with Mr. Straus himself reading opinions on the air, and the first to endorse a presidential candidate, backing John F. Kennedy in 1960.

In December 1963, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” wailed out over WMCA, and Beatlemania, with a big boost from the station, soon engulfed the region. It was hardly a surprise. WMCA had been playing rock ’n’ roll since the 1950s, and WMCA’s Top 40 format, along with that of its fierce rival WABC, dominated the New York airwaves through the 1960s. WMCA’s disc jockeys, known as the Good Guys, became almost as well known as the stars whose records they played.

After Straus converted the station to an all-talk format in 1970, WMCA was known for years as a forum for liberal causes. It was the first station to call for the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon in the Watergate scandal, the first to ban cigarette advertising and the first to accept ads from abortion rights advocates and makers of contraceptives.

It broadcast “Call for Action” programs featuring an ombudsman to help listeners who had problems with government agencies, corporations and landlords, and “Crime Stoppers,” to help the police solve crimes.

Report: AT&T May Sell CNN After Merger

There are rumblings at the highest executive levels that AT&T’s top executives are considering divesting some Time Warner assets like CNN and celebrity gossip site TMZ — after they merge, reports deadline.com.

AT&T expects the Justice Department to approve its $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner, and for the deal to close, by year end.

CBS has long had its eye on CNN. The broadcast company’s CEO, Les Moonves, said at Herb Allen’s Sun Valley retreat last month that he would be interested if the cable news network became available. Neither CBS or AT&T would comment.

This would be a good time to sell CNN. News networks are enjoying some of their best ratings ever as the public feasts on daily updates about the Trump administration. CNN recently had its most-watched Q2 ever.

Time Warner doesn’t offer financials for individual networks. But this week the company cited CNN’s strong performance as a factor that helped to lift Q2 revenues at the Turner networks operation by 3%, to $3.1 billion, in an otherwise difficult quarter for cable channels.

CNN would enable CBS News to expand its international reach and distribution. Blending CBS News with CNN would enable the company to cut duplication, and develop additional opportunities to showcase its journalists and their work. That strategy appears to be working at Comcast’s NBCUniversal, where people and programs frequently cross between NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, and Telemundo.

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Not Everyone At CNN Approves Of Jim Acosta Antics

Jim Acosta is suddenly one of CNN's most controversial figures even among some of his CNN colleagues, who say his public battles with the Trump administration are going too far.

One of Acosta's colleagues, an on-air conservative political commentator for CNN, said he sees an ulterior motive in Acosta's actions. He said Acosta's widely noticed clashes with the White House give the impression that he wants a new role at the network.

"He's angling to host an opinion show," he said. "These [White House] briefings are his auditions."

Another CNN employee in Washington, D.C. made it clear that Acosta's outbursts aren't as popular behind the scenes as CNN sometimes makes them out to be on the air.

"Ugh, just ugh," a producer told the Washington Examiner when asked about Acosta.

Acosta is CNN's most visible White House correspondent, and his notoriety grew Wednesday when he pressed Stephen Miller, a top White House adviser, on the administration's new Republican-backed bill that aims to sharply reduce immigration.

The two engaged in an extended back-and-forth that included Acosta accusing the White House of "trying to engineer the racial and ethnic flow of people into this country" and Miller saying that was "one of the most outrageous, insulting, ignorant, and foolish things you've ever said."

Before the age of Trump, Acosta was fairly ho-hum in terms of his reputation as a cable news reporter. He was mostly viewed as much of CNN was: undistinguished, perhaps even forgettable.

But since Trump won the election, both CNN and now Acosta have earned extra attention and scrutiny, in large part because the president finds a certain joy in taunting the network. And because Acosta represents CNN when it comes to covering White House, he is often singled out at briefings and press conferences.

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A-G Vows To Plug Leaks

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, taking up an issue that has infuriated Republican President Donald Trump, went on the attack against leaks on Friday, warning of a possible crackdown both on reporters and their sources inside the federal government.

In a move derided by critics as an attack on the free press, Sessions said the administration was reviewing policies on forcing journalists to reveal their sources.

It is, however, difficult to prosecute members of the news media in the United States for publishing leaked information.

According to Reuters, Sessions also told the employees of government agencies to stop leaking and called the issue a matter of national security.

Trump has repeatedly voiced anger over a steady stream of leaks to the media about him and his administration since he took office in January.

Some have been related to probes into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election; others have concerned infighting in the White House.

"One of the things we are doing is reviewing policies affecting media subpoenas," Sessions told reporters as he announced administration efforts to battle what he called a "staggering number of leaks undermining the ability of our government to protect this country."

"We respect the important role that the press plays and will give them respect, but it is not unlimited," the nation's top law official said.

His boss, Trump, has repeatedly criticized news outlets and their work as "fake news," and administration officials have criticized the use of anonymous sources, a standard journalistic practice.

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Eric Trump Accuses Twitter Of Censorship

President Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump, on Friday accused Twitter of censoring one of his tweets.

In a tweet on Friday, the president's son tweeted out a screenshot of a tweet posted earlier on Friday that read “Jobs Jobs Jobs!!!” followed by several American flag emojis. The tweet also retweeted another user's tweet that included a Drudge Report link about Friday's jobs report.

Eric Trump's tweet was hidden for some viewers behind a standard Twitter warning, which was depicted in the screenshot. The grey warning box reads: “This tweet is not available because it includes potentially sensitive content.”

“Why are my tweets about jobs and the economy being censored? #Interesting” Trump tweeted in response.

Twitter declined to comment on the record about the matter, according to The Hill.

However, the company has recently introduced features intended to reduce abuse on the site, which include labeling certain accounts as "sensitive" that may include content some users could find offensive.

Those "sensitive" accounts include content sympathetic to both right- and left-wing ideologies. Some users labeled "sensitive" have already complained about their designation.

.@Twitter - Why are my tweets about jobs and the economy being censored? #Interesting pic.twitter.com/QSdcj7MjVR

— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) August 4, 2017

Alex Jones' InforWars website sees something more sinister.  It reported the "shadow ban by Twitter underscores how the leftist social media platform actively works to hide tweets which reflect positively on the president.

"During the 2016 presidential campaign, Twitter also censored positive replies to Trump tweets, in addition to tweets sent out by Trump himself.

"Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has previously expressed support for failed Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton."

Report: FNC's Eric Bolling Accused Of Sending Lewd Photos

Eric Bolling

Fox News host Eric Bolling is accused of sending an unsolicited photo of male genitalia to at least three female co-workers years ago via text message, according to a report published Friday.

Citing 14 sources, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity, The Huffington Post reported that two female colleagues at Fox Business and one at Fox News received the lewd message from Bolling. The women who received the photos concluded they were delivered by Bolling because they recognized his phone number from previous correspondence, The Huffington Post reported.

According to HuffPo, one recipient of the message replied to Bolling via text and instructed him to stop sending her such photos. The Specialists co-host and ex-commodities trader did not respond to her message, The Huffington Post added.

"We were just informed of this late Friday afternoon via a Huffington Post inquiry and plan to investigate the matter," a Fox News spokesperson told USA TODAY about the report.

The allegations against Bolling are the latest in a wave of sexual harassment charges at Fox following the highly publicized departures of former news host Bill O'Reilly and ex-Fox News CEO Roger Ailes.

For it story, HuffPost says it spoke to 14 sources in and out of Fox News and Fox Business, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity either because they currently work at the networks and aren’t allowed to speak to members of the press without prior authorization or because they have confidentiality agreements with Fox News and its parent company 21st Century Fox.

San Angelo Radio: John Flint Returns To The Airwaves

John Flint

One of San Angelo's familiar radio personalities is back on the airwaves.

After a year serving as general manager of Townsquare Media, John Flint felt something was amiss.

"I sat down and (thought) 'I'm in the wrong lane,'" Flint told the San Angelo Standard-Times.

It turned out the correct lane led him back to the microphone on the morning show on Country KGKL 97.5 FM.

"What I'm doing isn't rocket science," Flint said, "but I love doing it. I love making people smile and laugh. San Angelo drivers should have a fun companion to listen to on their way to work."

Flint is no stranger to San Angelo's airwaves, despite the 10-year gap since he last worked as a local DJ — he spent nine years in sales and doing voiceovers before serving as Townsquare Media's GM.

According to the KGKL website, Flint has 17 years of experience, which includes on-air experience with Foster Communications radio stations: 94.7 KIXY-FM, 101.9 KWFR-FM and 1260 KKSA-AM.

KGKL 97.5 WM (100 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Flint admitted returning to the life of a morning DJ after such a long time was certainly a change of pace.

His day typically begins at 3:30 a.m. so he has enough time to prepare for the four-hour show that begins at 6 a.m.

"People think DJs only work four hours a day. Yeah ... not so much."

S-F Radio: Shaun Berries Re-Ups With KMVQ-FM

Shan Berries

KMVQ 99.7 Now FM has announced Midday Talent Shan Berries has been Re-upped at the San Francisco CBS RADIO station.

Program Director Michael Martin stated: “Shan is an incredible talent. She walks (more like runs) into the station every day with a smile on her face ready to attack. I’m so happy to have her on the team and spreading great vibes throughout the Bay Area. Shan is one of the many reasons 99.7’s ratings stay so high.”

Shan added, “99.7 NOW! has always been my home. I began my journey in radio here as an intern, and if it wasn't for Michael and Jazzy taking a chance on me, I wouldn't be where I am today. We have the greatest fans, and I am so honored by all their support and appreciation. I look forward to these next couple of years as an opportunity to make more great memories, grow, and continue to hold it down for The Bay Area!”

Analysts: Viacom Needs A Merger

Viacom Inc could gain a leg up in negotiations with distributors and ward off declines in U.S. ad revenue and sales by finding a merger partner, analysts said on Friday.

Reuters reports shares of Viacom, which owns MTV and Comedy Central, plunged as much as 13 percent on Friday, a day after it forecast lower sales to U.S. pay-TV companies and streaming video services this quarter.

Bob Bakish

Viacom, like other U.S. television networks, has struggled to retain viewers who prefer to watch shows and movies on tablets and phones, and must also compete with streaming services like Netflix Inc and Amazon.com Inc that are spending billions to create their own content.

Viacom Chief Executive Bob Bakish has taken steps that helped boost ratings, slow the decline of U.S. ad sales and win a key cable distributor back, but analysts and investors expect challenges ahead due to a long-term shift in consumer behavior.

"If you aren't selling, you need to be consolidating and scaling up," said Rich Greenfield, an analyst at BTIG.

Viacom has contemplated deals before. Last year, National Amusements, the privately held movie company through which Shari Redstone and her 94-year-old father Sumner Redstone control Viacom and CBS Corp, urged the two to explore a merger. Those discussions failed over disagreement on price.

Viacom needs to find something that will give it "must-have programming," said Brian Wieser, analyst at Pivotal Research.

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Pittsburgh Radio: News Anchor Barbara Boylan Signs-Off At KDKA

Barbara Boylan

NewsRadio 1020 KDKA anchor/reporter Barbara Boylan has departed after 36 years. Her final appearance on the CBS Local airwaves was Friday.

“I just want to say ‘Thank you’ to all the reporters and photographers who have been such great colleagues, the officials and spokespeople who always responded — whether on weekends or at the crack of dawn — and especially the listeners, who have allowed me into their lives for so many years,” Boylan told the Post-Gazette.

“It was a rare gift, and I am so very thankful.”

“It was something we had talked about recently. After a lot of reflection and stellar service, after 36 years of getting up in the middle of the night, she sent the staff a note last week,” said Michael Young, senior vice president and Pittsburgh market manager for CBS Radio Pittsburgh.


Boylan arrived in Pittsburgh in 1978 after working in television and radio in her native Ohio, as well as western New York. She joined KDKA in July 1981 and has been a reporter and anchor.

Her position will be covered from within the KDKA department, Mr. Young said, who stopped short of saying there will be a new job opening.

“Barbara was part of the fabric of KDKA. I thought she had a great work ethic, she always wanted to get it right, and was someone who is very, very dedicated and got a great deal of enjoyment covering stories,” he added.

Cincy Radio: Development Planned For WLW Transmitter Site

WLW 700 AM's iconic diamond-shaped radio tower and historic transmitter building on Tylersville Road soon will be casting their shadows on retail stores, restaurants and offices beneath it.

The "Tower Park" planned unit development along Mason's booming Tylersville Road corridor was approved by city council earlier this year, according to  longtime media watcher John Kiesewetter at WVXU.org

Photos Credit: John Kiesewetter

The diamond-shaped Blaw-Knox tower, only one of six still used today by U.S. radio stations, will remain in operation. Apparently remaining will be the red brick building which housed the 1934 one-of-a-kind 500,000-watt transmitter; the brick residence for WLW-AM's chief engineer; a guard tower; and a second antenna west of the transmitter building.

A 26.7-acre concept plan approved by council calls for four restaurants, five office buildings, a small retail building, a mini-warehouse, 700 parking spaces and a loop service road with a roundabout.

Some of the parking spaces and buildings are under the tensioned guy wires, cables supporting the 831-foot WLW-AM tower, which could drop icicles after a winter storm.

WLW-AM founder Powel Crosley moved his transmitter from Harrison to Tylersville Road in 1928. After Crosley was granted experimental "super power" by the federal government, President Franklin D. Roosevelt activated the 500,000-watt transmitter on May 2, 1934 from the White House. With a signal 10 times more powerful than any other U.S. broadcaster, "The Nation's Station" beamed programs coast to coast (and beyond) for five years. After 1939, WLW-AM continued to use "super power" midnight-2 a.m. until 1943.

In recent years, debt-plagued iHeartMedia (formerly Clear Channel) sold the Mason tower property to Vertical Bridge Holdings of Boca Raton, Fla., the nation's largest private owner and manager of communication infrastructure. Vertical Bridge leases towers, rooftops, billboards, utility attachments and other assets to telecommunications carriers or other users of wireless technology.

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History of the WLW Transmitter Site....

MI Radio: FCC Orders WRAX-FM For License Renewal Hearing

The Federal Communications Commission hAS adopted a hearing designation order pertaining to WRAX 98.5 FM in Lake Isabella, Michigan.

In 2010, Radioactive, LLC was licensed to operate WRAX, and in 2012, the broadcaster filed a renewal application for the station.

According to Commission records submitted by Radioactive, the station has only operated one day a year since it was initially licensed seven years ago.

The hearing designation order issued Friday will begin a proceeding to determine whether the station’s license renewal application should be granted. This process will be conducted by paper filings and will enable the Commission to efficiently and fairly assess whether Radioactive has fulfilled its licensee obligations. A broadcast licensee’s authorization to use radio spectrum in the public interest includes the obligation to use the station to serve its community, providing programming responsive to local needs and interests.

Under the hearing procedures set forth in the order, the full Commission, rather than an Administrative Law Judge, will determine whether the renewal application should be granted or denied. This new streamlined process may be an effective means for the Commission to address similarly-situated renewal applications. Today’s action is aimed at ensuring that broadcast spectrum is being used consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

August 5 Radio History

➦In 1914...prolific radio/TV actor Parley Baer was born in Salt Lake City.

Although best remembered for his role as Chester the deputy on the CBS radio version of Gunsmoke, Baer also was greatly in demand for other radio series including The Whistler Escape, Suspense, Tales of the Texas Rangers, Dragnet, The CBS Radio Workshop, Lux Radio Theater, The Six Shooter, and Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.   On TV he had recurring roles on The Andy Griffith Show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Addams Family,  The Young and the Restless, and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

He died Nov. 22 2002 eleven days after a stroke at age 88.


➦In 1921...the first Radio broadcast of a baseball game occurred. The Pirates beat the Phillies, 8-0 over KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh. Harold Arlin, a 25-year-old Westinghouse foreman and nighttime studio announcer, described the action from the Steel City's Forbes Field.


➦In 1935...the daily radio drama “Backstage Wife” was first aired — on the Mutual Broadcasting System. The show, produced by prolific soap opera creators Frank & Anne Hummert, continued in the usual quarter-hour format on NBC and finally CBS Radio, until January 2, 1959.

➦In 1957..."American Bandstand" debuted nationally on ABC-TV, hosted by former deejay, Dick Clark. First guests were the singing group the Chordettes and Billy Williams. The first record danced to by the teenagers on the show was the Crickets' "That'll Be the Day."


➦In 1966...Beatles manager Brian Epstein flies into NewYork to convey John Lennon’s concern over the furor caused by his statements that the Beatlesare more popular than Jesus Christ.



The Fab-Four will begin a 19-day/14 city American tour starting next Friday and Epstein says he’s especially concerned about security during their visit. In a news conference, Epstein said that Lennon’s statements, which appeared in a U.S.teen-age magazine, were taken out of context. Says Epstein: “What Lennon said and meant was that he was astonished that, in the last 50-years, the Church of England, and therefore Christ, has suffered a decline in interest. He did not mean to boast about the Beatles’ fame. He meant to point out that the Beatles’ effect appeared to be a more immediate one upon certainly the younger generation.” “It was not anticipated that the article would be displayed out of context and in such a manner as it did in the magazine."



Some of the nation’s biggest top-40 stations won’t be banning Beatles records. Top-rated WMCA-New York says it has no intention of pulling their current hit “Paperback Writer” or any Beatle cut in the station’s “Good Guy Goldie” library. Rival WABC says it already has, but will look at the “crisis” on a week by week basis. WCFL Chicago says the Beatles will stay. In Los Angeles, KFWB, KHJ and KRLA have no intention of pulling any Beatles recordings. Other stations sticking with the Fab-Four: WIXY-Cleveland, KRUX/KRIZ - Phoenix,WMEX-Boston, WDRC/WPOP - Hartford, WQAM-Miami, KYA-San Francisco,WPGC-Washington D.C, WPTR/WTRY - Albany, NY.

➦In 1997..."The Real Don Steele" who made a name for himself on KHJ-AM/Los Angeles died of cancer. He was 61.

Born Don Steel Revert in Hollywood, California, he graduated from Hollywood High School, served in the United States Air Force and then studied at a local radio school, the Don Martin School of Broadcasting, where he also taught for a short time. Shortly thereafter, Steele began his radio career working outside of L.A. at a small station, KBUC in Corona, CA then moving on to KEPR Kennewick, KIMA Yakima and KXLY Spokane, all in Washington; KOIL Omaha, Nebraska; KISN Portland, Oregon, and KEWB San Francisco before returning to Los Angeles to help kick off what would become one of the most influential radio stations in the country, 93/KHJ, Boss Radio, in April 1965.

Steele became nationally-known as a DJ on radio station KHJ in Los Angeles, where he helped to promote the "ultrahip" top-40 Boss Radio format which began at 3pm on April 27, 1965. When the popularity of AM radio gave way to FM stereo in the 1970s, Steele continued to remain a popular personality at the station. Following the years at 93/KHJ, The Real Don Steele continued to be heard on Los Angeles radio stations, including KIQQ (K-100), KRLA, KCBS-FM and KRTH-FM (K-Earth 101).



Steele was never one to analyze the evolution of rock radio. In a 1995 interview, he insisted, "Look, you take the Motown sound and the British Invasion and you throw in Elvis and Roy Orbison, and you have a music mix that's hard to beat at any time or any place."


➦In 1994...Steve Perun is now program director of KIIS-FM, Los Angeles.


➦In 1994...KPWR, new morning stars “The Baka Boys” are making waves with what some call, distasteful billboards – where they are pictured sitting on a toilet, pants down. Since beginning in February, they’ve leaped to the #5 morning show in Los Angeles – at a 4.5 overall share. Previous morning man Jay Thomas left with a 3.8 share, so clearly, these guys are doing much better. A similar billboard-toilet campaign helped boast the ratings of Dr. Dre and Ed Lover ant New York’s Hot 97 (WQHT).


➦In 1997...WDBZ 105.1 FM NYC  switched call letters back to WNSR.


➦In 2002...Chick Hearn, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers play-by-play announcer, died following a fall at 85 years of age.  For 42 years he called Laker games on radio & TV until his death.


➦In 2008...Last Mike and Mad Dog Show aired on WFAN 660 AM NYC

GropeGate: Taylor Swift vs Mueller Trial Starts Monday

The trial over a lawsuit involving singer Taylor Swift and a former Denver country music DJ is due to begin with jury selection on Monday.

According to CBS Local Denver, tepositions of many of the witnesses have now been released. Among them is the deposition from Shannon Melcher, who was the date of the former KYGO Morning Cohost David 'Jackson' Mueller on the night of a concert when Swift says she was groped by Mueller. The incident alleged was said to have taken place during a “meet and greet” photo.

Melcher’s trial testimony may be important. In her deposition she talks about meeting with her date’s boss who goes by the name Eddie Haskell. That meeting was just before the photo was taken with her and David Mueller.

“He (Mueller) told me that Eddie Haskell was kind of joking around, that he knew Taylor Swift wore biker shorts under her outfit,” Melcher said in the deposition made public by the court.

When a picture of Swift and the DJ was taken before the show, Mueller’s hand is behind Taylor Swift, although whether he was groping her buttocks is not clear.

Mueller sued Swift, her manager and Swift’s mother, claiming their allegations actions led to him losing his job.


Legal Analyst Karen Steinhauser says Mueller is trying to regain financial losses.

“He has to prove that she interfered with his right to work — basically that she interfered with his business contract with the radio station of which he was a DJ,” she said.

For her part Swift has countersued, alleging that she was the victim of assault and battery.

The judge has authorized “enhanced security” for the trial. The public will be allowed in with some seating available in the courtroom, more in an overflow courtroom with a video feed. There will be passes for the morning and afternoon sessions each day. Lining up for passes can begin no earlier than 6 a.m.

Opening statements are expected to take place on Tuesday.

Cincy Radio: Morning Show Pro Jim Day Joins WRRM-FM

Cumulus Media announces that it has appointed Jim Day as Executive Producer for Bob and Marianne in the Morning at WRRM Warm 98.5 FM in Cincinnati, OH.

Jim Day

Day, a veteran morning show personality and producer, has over 25 years’ radio experience and was previously Morning Show Host for stations including: 92.3 WIL-FM in St. Louis, MO; K95.5/KWEN in Tulsa, OK; 95.5 The Wolf/WSM-FM in Nashville, TN; and K99.1/WHKO-FM in Dayton, OH. He holds a B.A. degree in Communication and Media Studies from Otterbein University.

Brian Demay, WRRM Program Director and Corporate Program Director, Cumulus Media, said: “Zach Stone set a high bar producing for Bob and Marianne, so finding someone with Jim Day’s experience is like an answer to prayer. We are excited to add Jim to our stellar team, and look forward to post-show meetings at Skyline Chili, because that’s a thing here.”

Bob Goen, Co-Host of Bob and Marianne in the Morning, said: "Marianne and I are so excited to announce that Jim Day is going to be joining Bob & Marianne In The Morning! Jim's credentials as a radio personality and producer make him the perfect person to fill our producer's chair. While Zach Stone will be greatly missed, we are immensely grateful for the enthusiasm, direction, and laughter that he brought to the show. We wish him nothing but the best."

WRRM 98.5 FM (18 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Day said: "I'm finally going back to the Buckeye State! Thanks to Brian Demay, Mike McVay and my college buddy, Emily Boldon, who has been my cheerleader long before I knew it. Thanks, Emily. Most important, Bob and Marianne, I appreciate your invitation to join the show and become your executive producer."

Entercom, DGital Media Announce Strategic Partnership

Entercom Communications Corp., Thursday announced an investment and strategic partnership. Under the terms of the agreement, Entercom purchased a 45 percent stake in DGital Media.

In addition to the investment, Entercom will provide DGital Media with significant annual marketing and promotional support across its nationwide broadcast radio platform, including 126 top rated radio stations in 28 markets coast to coast. Furthermore, Entercom and DGital Media entered into a multi-year services agreement under which DGital Media will dedicate significant resources to create world-class, original on-demand audio content leveraging Entercom’s deep roster of local talent and relationships in the world of sports, news, politics, music, comedy, and technology. DGital Media will also serve as Entercom’s exclusive third-party ad sales representative for all of its podcasts and other on-demand audio.

Podcast consumption continues to grow rapidly in the U.S., and according to The Infinite Dial from Edison Research, 67 million Americans or 24 percent of people ages 12 and up listened to a podcast in the past month. According to a new report from the IAB, in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers US, podcast ad revenue has grown by 85 percent this year and is on track to reach more than $220 million in 2017.

David Field

“We are delighted to enter into this important relationship with DGital Media that enables us to partner with the premier on-demand audio content company in the U.S. and will scale our capabilities in this rapidly growing space,” said David Field, President and Chief Executive Officer, Entercom.

“Upon close of our CBS Radio merger, Entercom will be the clear leader in creating original audio content and we are committed to reaching our listeners in any way they wish to engage with us, whether through live over-the-air broadcasts, streaming audio, on-demand audio or in-person events and experiences. DGital Media has an impressive track record of developing and producing podcasts and growing audiences for their content partners. This partnership will strategically enhance our ability to deliver compelling audio to the public, wherever and whenever they please.”

“We see Entercom as the perfect catalyst for the next phase of our growth,” said Spencer Brown, Chief Executive Officer, DGital Media. “As the leading creator of live, original audio content in sports, news, and music, Entercom offers DGital Media access to a national audio platform that will accelerate the development of our audience engagement efforts. This strategic investment helps us extend the reach of our partners and build their audiences across the audio landscape.”

Friday's Hot Links..What Others Are Saying

➤Advertisers Need to Stop Chasing Engagement and Get Back to Focusing on Awareness

➤NAB Supports EAS Blue Alerts If Modeled After AMBER

➤How CBS News Is Trying To Reinvent Itself

➤For the New Far Right, YouTube Has Become the New Talk Radio

Viacom Sees More Sub Loses Ahead

Viacom Inc. said subscribers to its cable-TV networks will drop by about 3 percent this quarter, another hurdle for the owner of MTV and Nickelodeon.

Shares dropped as much as 7.6 percent to $32.40 in late trading as investors took little solace after quarterly sales and profit beat analysts’ estimates. The potential exit of a movie-financing partner in China also weighed on the stock.

Bloomberg reports the subscriber losses add to the tasks facing Chief Executive Officer Bob Bakish as he attempts to turn around Viacom, the beleaguered media company just emerging from a fight for control and a period of executive turnover. TV networks MTV, Comedy Central and BET have been losing viewers, and the Paramount Pictures film division has been losing money.

Bob Bakish

Viacom is already suffering declines in U.S. advertising sales, and fighting with one of its biggest partners, Charter Communications Inc., over channels being relegated to less popular tiers.

While the rate of subscriber losses in the current period would be better than last quarter’s 3.5 percent decline, according to Viacom, the figures reflect the difficulties ahead for the company, which makes almost 80 percent of its sales from its TV networks. Ratings have suffered as young viewers watch more and more video online.

Viacom posted its highest quarterly revenue in almost two years, boosted by the acquisition of an Argentine TV network and the improved performance of Paramount. A 2 percent gain in global advertising sales and higher fees charged to cable and satellite providers also contributed to the growth.

Fiscal third-quarter sales jumped 8.3 percent from a year earlier to $3.36 billion, compared with the $3.3 billion average of analysts’ estimates. Paramount posted its first profit since the final quarter of 2015, and boosted sales thanks to “Transformers: The Last Knight,” the fifth film in the franchise.

Gannett Reports Net Loss, Acquisitions Still Possible

Gannett, the owner of USA TODAY and 109 local news properties in the U.S., on Thursday, reported second-quarter results that beat Wall Street expectations.

The McLean, Va.-based company reported a net loss of $487,000, or breakeven results on a per-share basis, for the quarter ending June 25, reflecting the impact of restructuring, severance, acquisition and other costs. In the year-ago period, the company reported net income of $12.5 million, or 10 cents per share.

On an adjusted basis, the company reported a profit of 18 cents per share.  Analysts polled by S&P Global Market Intelligence expected adjusted earnings of 17 cents per share.

Total operating revenue rose 3.4% to $774.5 million, driven by contributions from acquisitions including the Milwaukee, Wis.-based Journal Media Group, and North Jersey Media Group.

Total advertising revenue rose 8.6% to $445.2 million. Digital revenue in the second quarter grew 43.5% year-over-year to $242.6 million, or approximately 31% of total revenue.Total circulation revenue fell 4.8% to $273.7 million. Digital-only subscriptions rose 59.5%.

Gannett CEO Robert Dickey noted just more than two years had passed since the spin-off of the publishing company from Tegna, the broadcasting and digital company. "We have taken many steps over the past two years to expand our digital presence, while also maximizing the economic value of our print offerings and driving operating efficiencies," he said in a conference call with analysts after the company released its financial results.

The company will also continue to look for suitable acquisitions, he said. "Where we see opportunities to enhance our digital capabilities from either a content or marketing service perspective, we are looking for acquisitions that make good financial sense and are the right strategic fit," Dickey said.

Full Senate Confirms Rosenworcel, Carr To FCC

Jessica Rosenworcel

The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously confirmed two nominees to serve on the Federal Communications Commission as the Trump administration looks to reverse many Obama-era telecommunications regulations.

Brendan Carr, a Republican who is general counsel at the FCC and Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, were both confirmed by voice vote, bringing the five-member FCC to full strength and giving Republicans a 3-2 majority.

Rosenworcel served as a commissioner for the regulator until the end of 2016 when lawmakers failed to take up her renomination under former President Barack Obama.

Brendan Carr

The FCC, which since January has been controlled by Republicans by a 2-1 margin, is working to reverse a number of Obama-era telecommunications regulations, including the landmark 2015 net-neutrality rules prohibiting broadband providers from giving or selling access to certain internet services over others.

According to Reuters, the Senate did not immediately vote to reconfirm FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to another term, even though he appeared at a confirmation hearing in July with the other nominees. Pai would need to leave the commission by the end of the year if he were not reconfirmed.

In a statement, Pai praised Rosenworcel and Carr's confirmations and said they have "distinguished records of public service and will be valuable assets to the FCC in the years to come. Their experience at the FCC makes them particularly well-suited to hit the ground running."

Pai, chosen by Trump in January to head the agency, also has said he wants to dismantle other significant regulations as part of a sweeping review he said would remove barriers to business and modernize rules.

Pai also plans significant changes to local TV ownership limits and plans other changes to media regulations.

Lawmakers Urge FCC For More Time For Net Neutrality Comments

Senate Democrats are urging Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to give the public additional time to comment on his proposal to roll back the net neutrality rules, according to MediaPost.

"This proceeding has the potential to impact all Americans and as the expert agency, you should ensure that the Commission provides ample time to ensure all voices are heard," Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and 20 other lawmakers say in a letter sent to Pai Thursday.

As of Thursday, the FCC has received more than 13 million comments on Pai's proposal to gut the net neutrality rules by re-classifying broadband as an "information" service. The lawmakers argue that people need additional time to respond to the material that has been submitted so far.

"Given the unprecedented number of comments, we urge the FCC to extend the reply comment period to allow sufficient time for the public to ensure their views are reflected in the record," the lawmakers write.

The FCC originally set August 16 as the deadline for final comments. The lawmakers are requesting an extension of at least 30 days.

The current regulations, passed by the FCC in 2015, classify broadband as a utility service and impose several common carrier rules on providers -- including bans on throttling and blocking, and on charging higher fees for prioritized delivery. If the FCC votes in favor of Pai's plan to reclassify broadband as an information service, the agency may no longer have the authority to stop broadband providers from throttling or blocking material, or from engaging in paid prioritization.

NOLA Radio: Paul Cannell To Program WZRH, WRKN

Paul Cannell

Cumulus Media has announced that Paul Cannell has been appointed as Program Director for New Orleans radio stations Alt 92.3/WZRH-FM, and country NASH FM 106.1/WRKN. 

The appointment is effective August 14, 2017.

Cannell is an experienced programming professional, and has served as Program Director and On-Air Personality for stations including: WRMR, Wilmington, NC; WMFX, Columbia, SC; WKLR, Richmond, VA; KOOJ, Baton Rouge, LA; and KTUX, Shreveport, LA. He was also Digital Managing Editor for WKBU, New Orleans, and for Townsquare Media’s six stations in Shreveport, LA.

  

Pat Galloway, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Media-New Orleans, said: “Paul will be a great addition to an incredible team and will lead us on to incredible success for both Alt 92.3 and NASH 106.1. I am fortunate to have already worked with Paul in the past and love his collaborative management style. Paul knows New Orleans, Baton Rouge and the Gulf South and loves the area! Alt 92.3 is simply on fire in the ratings and I’m confident Paul will simply enhance its performance."

Cannell said: "How often does this happen?  A chance to go home to your favorite city and program not one, but two incredible radio stations?!? I can't wait to work with Pat Galloway again - I know we're going to have a great time shaking up radio in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Gulf Coast! Many thanks to Pat, Troy Hanson, Doug Hamand, Mike McVay, and all at Cumulus Media for this amazing opportunity!"

Paul Rosenberg Named CEO Of De Jam Recordings

Paul Rosenberg

Def Jam Recordings announced a management shake-up on Thursday, naming Paul Rosenberg as its new chief executive.

The LATimes reports Rosenberg, a veteran manager and record label executive, replaces Steve Bartels, who will remain at the New York-based hip-hop label until the end of the year.

Rosenberg is the longtime manager for superstar rapper Eminem and has released albums for 50 Cent and others as president of Shady Records, which he launched with Eminem in 1999.

Def Jam is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Rosenberg will report to the company’s CEO and chairman, Lucian Grainge.

“Paul brings with him not only a remarkable record of success in hip hop, but an entrepreneurial drive and a deep passion for artist development that will build upon Rick and Russell’s enduring legacy,” Grainge said in a statement.

Bartels was named CEO in 2014 and oversaw blockbuster releases by Def Jam artists such as Justin Bieber and Kayne West.

“It has been my honor and privilege to helm Def Jam Recordings,” Bartels said in a statement. “I am proud of the strength and diversity of the roster that we have built, which continues to reflect the independent roots it was founded on.”

NYC Radio: Hot 97's Nessa Posts 'Slave Owner' Tweet

Nessa Diab, PM Drive Personality on Emmis' WQHT Hot 97 in New York City,  and Colin Kaepernick’s reported girlfriend tweeted out pictures Wednesday that appear to compare Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and Ray Lewis to a slave owner and slave.

🎯 @raylewis pic.twitter.com/N9k7nDgmDh

— NESSA (@nessnitty) August 3, 2017

The picture she tweeted shows Lewis with his arms around Bisciotti, along with a picture of Samuel L. Jackson with his arms around Leonardo Dicaprio from the movie “Django Unchained,” in which Dicaprio was a slave owner and Jackson was his house slave.

This comes after an ESPN report that Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome support signing Kaepernick, but Bisciotti was against the signing.

According to CBS Baltimore Local,  Lewis also posted a video on Twitter suggesting Kaepernick should keep his activism private.

The Ravens had consulted Lewis on whether they should sign Kaepernick.

Nessa first rose to prominence for her artist and celebrity interviews on San Francisco Bay Area Top 40 station Wild 94.9 and YouTube, which led to MTV seeking her out to be on Girl Code. She has also hosted various MTV and MTV2 shows.

The Grammys Cave To China's Media Restrictions

Lady Gaga

The Grammys is looking to break into China, but it will have to do so without the help of some of its top stars - Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga among others - after it pledged to bring only well-behaved artists to meet Chinese censors' demands.

According to Reuters, Lady Gaga, plus Bjork and Bon Jovi, are blocked in China after they met or expressed support for the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. China recently blacklisted Canadian star Bieber, citing bad behavior.

China's huge consumer base is a magnet for Hollywood studios to theme park operators, but entry in the market comes with strings attached. The country has long censored imported film and music and is now clamping down hard on audiovisual content online.

The Recording Academy, which runs The Grammys, pledged on Thursday in Beijing to respect China's media curbs as it plans to launch a tour in China in 2018 featuring its award-winning artists, or nominees, performing live shows.

"If there are restrictions and things in that nature, we have to be respectful," Neil Portnow, president and chief executive of The Recording Academy, told Reuters in Beijing.

China has launched a campaign to cleanse the entertainment sector of content it deems inappropriate and unhealthy, a vague term the authorities frequently use to justify censorship of politically sensitive topics.

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Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan Lead 2017 Kennedy Center Honorees

Veteran musician Lionel Richie, hip-hop star and actor LL Cool J and Cuban-American singer and actress Gloria Estefan will receive the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors this year, CBS network said Thursday.

The 40th Kennedy Center Honors, to air on CBS on Dec. 26, is one of the highest awards in American culture, celebrating lifetime achievements through the performing arts.

Other 2017 honorees are television writer-producer Norman Lear and dancer, choreographer and actress Carmen de Lavallade.

“The Kennedy Center Honors spotlights the extraordinary careers of five artists whose talent and ingenuity have enriched and shaped cultural life in America,” David M. Rubenstein, chairman of the Kennedy Center, said in a statement.


The awards will be presented at a gala at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center Opera House on Dec. 3, and is expected to be attended by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.

Apple Music Banks On 'Carpool Karaoke'

John Legend, Alicia Keys

Will Smith gate-crashing a wedding party or John Legend and Alicia Keys serenading a woman at a launderette are just some of the reasons Apple Inc hopes viewers will pay for Apple Music as it launches new show "Carpool Karaoke: The Series."

Following the June launch of "Planet of the Apps," Apple's second premium video series will debut on Aug. 8, with hopes that a recognizable show and slew of A-list celebrities will help the world's largest technology company stand out in a saturated television market.

"It's about the artist and the songs that are being sung, just to get a little behind-the-scenes of their personalities and some of their thoughts," Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of internet software and services, told Reuters.

Apple's "Carpool Karaoke" is based on the popular segment from CBS' "The Late, Late Show with James Corden," in which Corden joins guests such as Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Adele in sing-a-longs while driving.

Apple Music, which costs $9.99 a month for an individual membership and has 27 million subscribers, will release two "Carpool" episodes weekly except for the premiere and finale, released as standalone episodes, of the 20-part series.

Apple's deep pockets piqued Hollywood's attention as it entered the original programming race and poached two Sony Pictures Television executives.

James Corden, who appears in some episodes of Apple's "Carpool Karaoke," said partnering with the technology company was a "no-brainer." The series offered an opportunity to include celebrities that he said had asked to do the segment on "The Late, Late Show."

"We really wanted to try and keep ('Carpool Karaoke') in that rarefied air," Corden said.

"We started thinking if all of these names are desperate to do it, I wonder if there's a world in which we could find a sister show for it that lives somewhere else, not on network television."

Apple is competing in a crowded field against companies including Amazon.com Inc and Netflix Inc shelling out billions of dollars a year to stream dramas and comedies.