October 8 Radio History

➦In 1906..Radio producer/director/writer William N. Robson was born in Pittsburgh.  On staff at CBS beginning in 1936, he is best remembered today for his work on the radio thrillers ‘Suspense’ (1956-59) and ‘Escape’ (1947-48).  He was most proud of the wartime series he worked on fulltime, ‘The Man Behind the Gun’ (1942-44).  During the ’50′s he wrote TV dramas, and in 1961 joined The Voice of America, where he was reunited with Edward R. Murrow, and won four Peabody Awards. Robson died due to complications of Alzheimer’s Disease April 10 1995 at age 88.


➦In 1913...choral director & composer Walter Schumann was born in New York City.  His best remembered composition is the Emmy-winning “Dragnet theme”. The Voices of Walter Schumann were featured on a number of radio-friendly albums for Capitol & RCA Victor. Schumann died young 21 August 1958 during pioneering open-heart surgery, at age 44.


➦In 1935...“The O’Neills” debuted on CBS radio. The theme song, Londonderry Air, opened the 15-minute soap opera. The O’Neills aired Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. In 1936 it moved to daytime until 1943 on NBC’s Red and Blue networks and on CBS, too. One of radio’s original soaps, it was sponsored appropriately by Silver Dust, Ivory soap and Ivory soap flakes.




➦In 1937...a radio classic had its first airing on CBS. The anthology series Grand Central Station is better remembered for the dramatic railroad sounds of the opening than for any one script in its 17 year run.




➦In 1944...the first broadcast of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet was heard on the CBS radio network. The show would continue on radio until 1953 and on ABC-TV from 1952 to 1966.
“Hi Mom, Hi Dad, Hi Dave, Hi Ricky.”

When Red Skelton was drafted in March 1944, Ozzie Nelson was prompted to create his own family situation comedy. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet launched October 8, 1944 on CBS, it moved to NBC in October 1948, then made a late-season switch back to CBS in April 1949. The final years of the radio series were on ABC (the former NBC Blue Network) from October 14, 1949 to June 18, 1954. In total 402 radio episodes were produced. In an arrangement that amplified the growing pains of American broadcasting, as radio "grew up" into television, the Nelsons' deal with ABC gave the network the option to move their program to television. The struggling network needed proven talent that was not about to defect to the more established and wealthier networks like CBS or NBC.

The Nelsons' sons, David and Ricky, did not join the cast until the radio show's fifth year (initially appearing on the February 20, 1949 episode, ages 12 and 8, respectively). The two boys were played by professional actors prior to their joining because both were too young to perform.




➦In 1953...the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was Stan Freberg‘s  hillarious parody of Dragnet called “St. George and the Dragonet.”

➦In 1966...The Album Chart..Revolver by the Beatles was the #1 album for the fifth straight week. The Soundtrack to "Doctor Zhivago" was #2 followed by Somewhere My Love from Ray Conniff & the Singers and What Now My Love by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass.

The rest of the Top 10:  The Soundtrack to "The Sound of Music" in its 82nd week, Whipped Cream & Other Delights by Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass was #6, the Rolling Stones were stationary at #7 with Aftermath, Frank Sinatra's Strangers In the Night was #8, the Best of the Beach Boys came in ninth and Sinatra At the Sands from Frank Sinatra moved into the Top 10.

In 1966...The Hot 100..1966:  "Cherish" by the Association continued to set the example in a third week at #1.  The Four Tops, however, were up from 7-2 with "Reach Out I'll Be There).  Question Mark & the Mysterians were close behind with "96 Tears" while "Black Is Black" by Los Bravos held down #4.

The rest of the Top 10:  "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" from the Temptations, the Monkees traveled from 18 to 6 with "Last Train To Clarksville", Neil Diamond's "Cherry, Cherry" took a turn up to #7, the Supremes' former #1 "You Can't Hurry Love", Count Five was up from 15 to 9 with "Psychotic Reaction" and the 4 Seasons collected their 11th Top 10 and 31st hit with "I've Got You Under My Skin".


➦In 1984...Flashback from Radio&Records

➦In 1984....From R&R's Back Page..

➦In 1994...The Hot 100..The Boyz were hot--"I'll Make Love To You" spent a seventh week at #1 for Boyz II Men.  Sheryl Crow was up to the runner-up spot with her first hit "All I Wanna' Do".  Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey slipped down with their remake of "Endless Love" and Babyface found himself at #4 with "When Can I See You".

The rest of the Top 10:  John Mellencamp had his 10th Top 10 and 25th career hit "Wild Night" with help from Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Changing Faces were at 6 with "Stroke You Up", Lisa Loeb & Nine Stores were down with their former #1 "Stay (I Missed You)", Aaliyah remained at #8 with "At Your Best (You Are Love)", Immature were still at 9 and Real McCoy bounced into the Top 10 with "Another Night".


➦In 2001...talk show host Rush Limbaugh announced to his listeners he was totally deaf in his left ear and had only partial hearing in his right ear. The condition had happened in a three month period. (subsequently his hearing was restored through a revolutionary implant procedure.)


➦In 2010…Frank Bourgholtzer, the first full-time White House correspondent for NBC News, where he worked for 40 years, died at the age of 90.

Seattle Radio: KJR, Mitch Levy Part Company

Seattle SportsRadio KJR 950 AM and Mitch Levy announced Friday an end to their 23-year relationship.

The situation was created as a result of Levy being arrested during a prostitution sting in August. He had been off the air since the incident.

Levy was one of 110  men caught up in an undercover police sting.

Levy, 50, was booked into jail Aug. 26 before posting $500 bail, and has sbeen charged with misdemeanor patronizing a prostitute, according to jail and court records.

According to a police report, Levy placed $160 in cash on a bedside table in anticipation of a half-hour of sex, the police. Levy told one of the arresting detectives he had played golf earlier in the day and claimed he had come by for a massage.

But the report notes “there was no other reason for this suspect to come to the condo other than to purchase sex."

Levy addressed the matter on Twitter, taking full responsibility for his actions. In addition to posting the statement below, he sent out the same comments via a series of tweets thanking the station, his staff and colleagues, and everyone who has listened to and supported him over the past two plus decades.

Fox Reporter Alleges Encounter With Harvey Weinstein

Fox News reporter Lauren Sivan claims that producer Harvey Weinstein once masturbated in front of her after trapping her in a restaurant vestibule, the latest accusation following a scathing New York Times report on Weinstein’s alleged sexual harassment of women.

Lauren Sivan

Sivan told the Huffington Post that a decade ago, when she was a news anchor on the Long Island 12 cable channel in New York, she experienced the abuse. She claimed she told friends in private but remained publicly silent because of a long-term relationship and fear of Weinstein’s power.

According to deadline.com, Weinstein’s attorney, Lisa Bloom, said Weinstein was not available to respond.

Harvey Weinstein

Sivan claims that a decade ago, she met Weinstein and others at Cipriani, a well-known New York Italian restaurant. The group later moved to Cafe Socialista, a Cuban-themed club and restaurant where Weinstein was an investor. Sivan said Weinstein requested that she join him on a tour of the restaurant.

When they went downstairs, he took her to the kitchen and dismissed the staffers cleaning. Once they left, Weinstein allegedly attempted to kiss her, but Sivan resisted. When she explained she had a boyfriend, he allegedly said, “Well, can you just stand there and shut up.”

Sivan claimed they were in a vestibule and she was trapped by Weinstein’s bulky body. Thwarted on the kiss, he allegedly then exposed himself and began to masturbate.

The Weinstein Company announced Friday that Weinstein was going indefinite leave while the investigation of his alleged sexual harassment claims was conducted.

Chicago Radio: B96 Jingle Bash Line-Up Announced

This holiday season, WBBM-FM B96 is bringing some of music’s biggest stars to Chicago to perform at the station’s 18th annual “B96 Pepsi Jingle Bash” on Thursday, December 7 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL. Taylor Swift, Backstreet Boys, Fifth Harmony, Khalid, Logic, and Sabrina Carpenter will perform their hits at the concert which promises to be the highlight of the holidays. B96’s afternoon show host Tyler shared the news on-air with fans today. 

“The Jingle Bash has been a must see holiday event in Chicago for almost two decades,” said Todd Cavanah, B96 Program Director and VP of Programming of CBS Radio Chicago. “This year, we are thrilled to have the world’s biggest superstar Taylor Swift as our headliner. In the holiday season the Jingle Bash is a wonderful way for our community to come together and celebrate an exceptional night of pop music.” 

Tickets for the B96 Pepsi Jingle Bash go on-sale Saturday, October 7 at 10:00 AM, CDT via Ticketmaster.  Doors to the B96 Jingle Bash open at 6:00 PM, and the show kicks off at 7:00 PM. Fans can visit B96.com/JingleBash for daily event updates, on-sale details and more information on the concert.

R.I.P.: Hockey's 'The Voice" Dave Strader Dead At 62

Dave Strader

Dave Strader, the hockey broadcaster known affectionately as “The Voice,” has died after battling bile duct cancer for more than a year.

He was 62, according to The Star.

The Dallas Stars said Strader died Sunday at his home in Glens Falls, New York. Strader was a play-by-play man with the Stars and a national broadcaster on NBC Sports.

“He was a guy who made every team he was a part of better,” said Sam Flood, executive producer and president of production for NBC and NBC Sports.

“What was unique about him was he wanted the analyst to be the star, and he took the time to make sure his analysts were in a position to get the focus and the spotlight. That’s a unique skill as a play-by-play guy to make sure that the stars of the game are the analysts, and he did it in a way with no ego, but loved the game and shared that love every time you watched a game that he broadcast.”

One of Strader’s final public appearances was in Glens Falls on Sept. 16, where the press box at the 5,000-seat arena where he got his start calling games for the AHL’s Adirondack Red Wings was renamed in his honour. He received multiple standing ovations at that ceremony, and said he was deeply moved by the gestures.

R.I.P.: Song Writer, Producer Jerry J Ross Dead At 84

Jerry Ross

Jerry J. Ross, 84, a hit songwriter and record producer who was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame in 2013, died Wednesday of prostate cancer.

As a writer, his greatest success was with "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," which he co-wrote with his protégé Kenny Gamble. His greatest successes as a producer include "Sunny" by Bobby Hebb, and "Venus" by Shocking Blue. Jerry produced The Mob on their self-titled first album in 1970.

Ross was born in Philadelphia, and grew up with aspirations to be a trumpeter and singer before deciding to become a songwriter and record producer. After a period in Armed Forces Radio, he studied at Temple University, and began working at WFIL-TV (later WPVI). When Dick Clark began hosting the TV show American Bandstand, Ross became his booth announcer, and also started hosting Clark's WFIL radio show, Caravan of Music.

He set up his own record production and promotion business, Ross Associates, in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, and increasingly became involved in all aspects of the work of record production, "from writing or buying the song, finding the right artist, hiring the crew 'and telling them what I was looking for in a sound.' ... followed by the business part - promoting the music, getting it distributed, into the stores and on the radio."

He signed the 17-year-old singer Kenny Gamble to a songwriting contract, and started writing songs with him, including "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," first recorded by Dee Dee Warwick in 1966 and later an international hit for Diana Ross and the Supremes with the Temptations.



In 1965 he moved to New York to work in A&R at Mercury Records, where he worked with musicians including Bobby Hebb, Spanky & Our Gang, Jay & The Techniques, and Jerry Butler, and produced Bobby Hebb's 1966 hit "Sunny". After leaving Mercury he set up his own record labels, Heritage and Colossus, and secured the rights to the Dutch band Shocking Blue, whose song "Venus" became a US #1 hit in early 1970.

He also worked at Motown in the early 1970s. In 1972, the label released an album of orchestral pop cover recordings under his name, The Jerry Ross Symposium Vol. II, a previous album of the same format having been released in 1969 by Ross's Colossus label. Both albums were arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman.

He continued to work as a songwriter, record publisher and promoter in Philadelphia. In 2013 he was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame.

R.I.P.: TSOP Singer Bunny Sigler Dead At 76

Walter “Bunny” Sigler, 76, who worked with nearly all of Philadelphia’s great rhythm and blues acts, and helped Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff create the “Sound of Philadelphia,” died Friday at home of a heart attack, according to philly.com.

Sigler had been ill for the last 10 months and suffered from diabetes.

Sigler worked with Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, the Spinners, and countless others, and his music was sampled by Jay Z, Nelly, and Outkast. “He wrote, produced, recorded, and sang,” said longtime friend and attorney Lloyd Remick. According to Remick, “He wrote gospel, Christmas music, R&B, and funk. He was a musical genius.”

Sigler was nominated for a Grammy Award for his vocal work on Uri Caine’s jazz reworking of Verdi’s Othello.


He was born in Philadelphia on March 27, 1941. His birthdate gave him his famous moniker; he was called Bunny because he was born two days before Easter. He started singing at a young age at Sunday school.

In 1967, he released “Let the Good Times Roll” and “Feels So Good” on Cameo Records. The single eventually reached  No. 12 on the R&B Billboard charts. When Cameo-Parkway folded, he started hanging around what was then called Gamble Huff Productions.

“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and brother in music,”  LaBelle said in a statement. “Bunny spent his life using his talents to bring love and joy to others and for that we are all grateful! He will truly be missed, but his legacy lives on!”

In separate statements, Gamble and Huff also paid tribute to Mr. Sigler.

“I am truly and deeply saddened by the passing of my very dear friend Walter ‘Bunny’ Sigler,” Gamble said. “He was one of the most talented, creative, and great songwriters and music producers I have worked with. He contributed so many great songs to our [Philadelphia International Records] artist roster from the beginning. Bunny also was a great singer, and performed superbly on many of our hit songs as a background vocalist. More importantly, he was like family to us. And he was the best!”

October 7 Radio History

➦In 1939…The drama series "Kate Hopkins, Angel of Mercy," starring Helen Lewis, Peggy Allenby, Constance Collier, and Clayton "Bud" Collyer began a 2½-year run on CBS Radio.

➦In 1940…"Portia Faces Life," starring Lucille Wall, debuted on the CBS Radio Network after starting in syndication seven months earlier. The soap opera bounced back and forth between CBS and NBC until 1953.


➦In 1952...The Philadelphia dance show Bandstand , hosted by Bob Horn and, later, by Dick Clark as American Bandstand , debuts on WFIL-TV.

➦In 1966...WOR 98.7 FM New York, which has been broadcasting top-40 music without deejays since late July, begins broadcasting with personalities. The DJs are Murray (the K) Kaufman, Scott Muni, Johnny Michaels and Bill (Rosko) Mercer. Robert S. Smith, vice president of the WOR, said the station was negotiating with the union, which wanted the new FM deejays to be paid on the same scale as WOR-AM announcers. The station wanted a lower scale for the FM people, because the operation is beginning from scratch. The minimum weekly salary for performers on WOR-FM will be $175 per week, a little less than half the scale applying to WOR-AM. Murray The K was formerly the teen DJ for WINS, New York before it went all-news last year. Scott Muni was with WABC radio until he was fired in January of ‘65.


➦In 1970...Intel introduces computer memory chip.


➦In 1985...a Spokane AM radio station heard at 590 on the dial for decades, KHQ signed off for the last time.


➦In 1988....WNBC 660 AM's final transmission took place and WFAN moved from 1050 AM to 660 AM. Concurrently, WUKQ began on 1050 AM.

In November 1987, General Electric, which now owned NBC through its purchase of RCA two years earlier, announced that it would sell off the NBC Radio division. In February of that year GE made a multi-station deal with Emmis Communications and, in New York, the WNBC license for 660 was included in the sale. Emmis announced it would move WFAN to the 660 frequency. At the time, WFAN was located at 1050 AM, and had a somewhat marginal signal in portions of the New York area. As the deal only included the license for WNBC and not the station's intellectual property, GE would proceed to shut down the station for good.



On October 7, 1988 at 5:30 pm, the WFAN call letters, studios, programming and staff moved to WNBC's old frequency at 660 AM, which has a much better signal.

Earlier in the day, the station aired a 90-minute retrospective titled "WNBC-The First 66 Years," hosted by Dale Parsons. The program was written and produced by Parsons and his wife, Ginny, who spent nearly six months researching the station's history.



The last voice heard on WNBC was that of Alan Colmes, who said "I'm Alan Colmes. Thank you, God bless you, and for the last time, this is 66 WNBC New York. Let's do the countdown." and counted down the seconds to WNBC's demise with the legendary NBC chimes (the notes G-E-C) playing in the background.



Earlier in the day, regular music programming ended at 6 am; Jay Sorenson played "Imagine" by John Lennon followed by the NBC chimes and a 5-second pause.  Although the FCC regards the 660 frequency as the same license dating back to WEAF, and merely changed its calls from WNBC to WFAN on that day, WFAN does not claim WNBC's history. It did, however, sign up Imus to take Greg Gumbel's place in the morning. Imus would remain on the morning drive-time slot for 19 years, until his firing in 2007 for comments about the Rutgers University women's basketball team. He moved to WABC near the end of that year.

In the complicated switch that saw WFAN move to the 660 frequency, the 1050 frequency that was formerly the home of WFAN became that of Spanish-language WUKQ, owned by Spanish Broadcasting System. However, SBS already owned an AM station in the market, Newark-based WSKQ at 620 kHz, and at the time, FCC rules stipulated that companies could own only one AM station per market. As a result, SBS received a temporary waiver to run 1050 while exploring the sale of either AM frequency. SBS chose to keep 620 (it is now WSNR), and 1050 was traded to Forward Communications, which owned WEVD, then at 97.9 FM. After that deal was approved, WEVD's call letters and programming moved to 1050 AM, and SBS took over 97.9 as WSKQ-FM. The October NBC-Emmis switch also saw Emmis's WQHT (then at 103.5 MHz) move to 97.1 MHz, which had been the home of NBC's WYNY. Emmis sold the 103.5 frequency to Westwood One, who also acquired the WYNY call letters and its country music format.

In all this, WFAN retired two of the oldest radio call letters from the dawn of commercial radio: WHN and WNBC.


➦In 1989...Radio talk show host Larry King married Julie Alexander

➦In 1989...The Hot 100..After peaking at #4 on March 25 and then dropping out of the Top 10, Paula Abdul completed an amazing run to the top with her album Forever Your Girl, in its 64th week of release.  Girl You Know It's True by Milli Vanilli was toppled and Steel Wheels, the best Rolling Stones album in well over a decade, was #3.  New Kids On the Block were Hangin' Tough at #4 and Motley Crue had #5 with Dr. Feelgood.

The rest of the Top 10:  Full Moon Fever from Tom Petty, the self-titled Skid Row, Repeat Offender, the great album by Richard Marx, was #8, Aerosmith moved from 23 to 9 with Pump and Fine Young Cannibals were down with The Raw & the Cooked.


➦In 1996…The Fox News Channel debuted on U.S. cable systems


➦In 2005...Tracey Miller of brain cancer at age 51. Miller and Terri-Rae Elmer co-hosted KFI's TNT in the Morning, the first morning-drive show in a major market to feature two women in the lead roles. One reason KFI "took the risk" of putting a female team on in the morning was because it "was something different," the station's management said at the time.➦

Forbes List: Highest-Paid Radio Hosts 2017

Howard Stern

The controversial Howard Stern leads Forbes' List of the Highest-Paid radio host raking in some $90M between June 1, 2016, and June 1, 2017, before taxes and management fees.

Stern, who is one of America's wealthiest celebrities with a net worth of $450 million, renegotiated his eight-figure contract with SiriusXM in December 2015. The deal includes digital distribution channels like apps and video streaming, which could pad Stern's paycheck in the future.

Runner-up Rush Limbaugh, who pocketed $84 million, enjoyed a 21% increase in listeners to his eponymous show thanks to a "Trump bump." The most-listened-to talk show host in America, with 14 million listeners by Talkers Magazine's estimate, he was far from the only one to get this ratings boost. Overall industry over-the-air advertising revenue did not improve last year, hovering at $14.1 billion, according to BIA Kelsey, but the news-talk category saw an uptick, which the advisory firm attributed to the presidential election.

Rush Limbaugh

Ryan Seacrest rounds out the top three with $58 million. In addition to hosting his Premiere Networks program, the busiest man in show business co-hosted Live! alongside Kelly Ripa and helmed coverage of red carpets, the Rio Olympics and New Year's Eve. Seacrest's earnings will surely rise with his return to American Idol in the 2017-18 TV season.

Glenn Beck barely made the cut with $10 million, the threshold for the list. This is Forbes' lowest estimate for Beck since it started tracking his earnings in 2009. This past year has been turbulent for Beck's conservative media empire. He recently laid off more than 20% of staff at TheBlaze, his news organization, and Mercury Radio Arts, his production company.

Earnings estimates are based on data from Nielsen, NPD Bookscan and PollstarPro, as well as interviews with industry insiders. All figures are pretax; fees for agents, managers and lawyers are not deducted.

Click Here For the entire list:

Report: Broadcast Deals Total $189.6M During Q3 2017

U.S. broadcast station mergers and acquisitions volume reached $189.6 million in the third quarter of 2017, according to estimates from Kagan, a media research group within S&P Global Market Intelligence.

This is the lowest quarterly deal volume of the year, but the previous two quarters were skewed by two billion-dollar deals. The volume of Q3 2017 is still higher than Q4 2016 volume ($116.1 million) and that of seven other quarters since 2008.

$123.0 million came from radio deals, with almost 50% attributable to the sector's top deal. In the absence of bigger commercial deals, the largest radio deal of the quarter was announced on September 26 by non-commercial Educational Media Foundation, which agreed to pay $57.75 million ($3.75 per pop) for three FM stations that Entercom Communications had to spin off after its merger with CBS Radio.

Q3's second-largest radio deal was the $19.5 million sale of four AM and fourteen FM radio stations and two FM radio translators from Alpha Media LLC to Dick Broadcasting Company Inc. The stations are located in four small markets in Georgia and the Carolinas.

There were ten other radio transactions between $1.0 million and $7.0 million, with all other radio deals in Q3 worth less than $1.0 million.

In the top TV deal of the quarter, announced on July 21, OTA Broadcasting (PSP) LLC sold its two stations in the Palm Springs, California, market to Entravision Communications Corporation for $21.0 million. We estimate a 7.5x forward seller's multiple, while Entravision reported a buyer's multiple of less than 6.5x.

EVINE Live Inc. sold its TV station WWDP in the Boston market to WRNN-TV Associates Limited Partnership for $10.0 million. EVINE Live also entered into a $3.5 million channel-sharing agreement with WMFP, allowing NRJ TV to operate that station on one-third of WWDP's spectrum.

London Broadcasting sold KTXD in Dallas to Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation, the local marketing agreement partner of Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. for $9.5 million and Southern California License LLC sold KAZA in the Los Angeles market to Weigel Broadcasting Co. for $9.0 million. KAZA, which in April sold its spectrum at the Spectrum Incentive Auction, entered a channel-sharing agreement with KHTV-CD, owned by Venture Technologies Group LLC.

All other TV deals in Q3 registered $6 million each or less, bringing the total quarterly TV deal volume to $66.6 million.

Report: CBS Offers TV's Best Ad Bargains

The cost of advertising in prime-time broadcast TV has nearly doubled in the last five years, and the ever-shrinking supply of ratings points for sale will only continue to elevate pricing, according to AdAge.

According to Nielsen estimates, the average cost of reaching 1,000 viewers via network TV is now $42.90, almost twice the $24.08 CPM broadcasters fetched in 2012. And while the ratings crunch will keep ad rates at nosebleed levels, there are a few bargains to be found.

At this juncture in the new broadcast season, CBS appears to be the smart buy for advertisers looking to get their messaging in front of as many viewers as possible without busting their budgets. Based on media buyer pricing estimates for each individual program that aired in Week 1 (Sept. 25-Oct. 1), the average 30-second spot on CBS cost around $134,584 a pop, and while that was slightly higher than the ABC ($126,517) and Fox ($118,148) rates, CBS also delivered an average audience of 9.5 million viewers in that seven-day span, eclipsing the deliveries at ABC (5.8 million) and Fox (3.14 million).

While the math is a bit wonky, if you were to assign a sort of virtual CPM based on those rates and deliveries, it would cost advertisers roughly $14.16 to reach 1,000 CBS viewers, a steal compared to ABC's $21.81 and Fox's $37.62. (NBC, which aired five of the 10 priciest shows in Premiere Week, commanded around $183,549 per :30 while averaging 7.78 million viewers. If you use the same CPM math applied to the other three nets, that put NBC's cost of reaching 1,000 viewers at around $23.59.)

St. Louis Radio: Spencer Gets New Deal At The Arch

Hubbard Radio St. Louis’ WARH 106.5 The Arch has announced that the station has re-signed Spencer to a multi-year contract.

Spencer Graves

Spencer Graves came to St. Louis and 106.5 The Arch in October 2015, from the legendary WSTW in Wilmington Delaware. He is the host of “Spencer’s Neighborhood”, along with co-hosts Cassiday Proctor and Brandon “Brando” Luttman.

According to Program Director Scott Roddy, “‘Spencer’s Neighborhood’ has enjoyed impressive growth in the two years it has been on 106.5 The Arch. Spencer’s dedication to OUR community across the bi-state region and his “on air” Neighborhood - including co-hosts Cassiday and Brando - is unmatched. I’m thrilled to have a topical, interactive, genuine, fresh and fun personality like Spencer leading the on-air Arch Allies.”

Roddy continues, “Listeners who want to be entertained by local personalities on their way to work, with stories around the topic of the day, while enjoying phenomenal music variety only have one choice now: ‘Spencer’s Neighborhood’ on 106.5 The Arch!”

WARH 106.5 FM (90 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Spencer Graves is thrilled to be extending his stay at 106.5 The Arch and Hubbard Radio St. Louis. He comments, “How can you not be ecstatic about working for a company when the CEO takes a minute out of her day to call and thank you for the work you’ve done. This is an attitude and trait that goes throughout the company. Hubbard’s leadership is what made this easy for me to sign again. I couldn’t be more appreciative to have their support.”

Pittsburgh Radio: WDSY To Open Broadway's Backyard Monday

CBS Radio/Pittsburgh has announced to opening of 'Broadway's Backyard' on Country WDSY 107.9 FM Y108, starting Monday October 9, 2017.

Broadway was most recently doing mornings at WWYZ/Harford. His radio experience also includes WBCT/Grand Rapids and crosstown Top 40 WSNX.   He succeeds Ally Butler and Andy Davis, who left the station in June.

"Broadway brings the total package to Y108," said CBS Radio Pittsburgh VP/Programming Mark Anderson.  "He's dynamic and engaging, with a fresh approach to morning radio. His 'Broadway's Backyard' will bring an entirely new and unique option to our current and prospective future listeners in Pittsburgh."

The station unveiled its new morning show at tonight's "Girls With Guitars" show at Rivers Casino.  Listeners can meet Broadway during the "Broadway Buys You A Beer" event Thursday evening.

WDSY 107.9 FM (17.5 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

"I am excited to join a  heritage station wtih a reputation like Y108's," said Broadway.  "CBS Radio has the right radio mindset: local radio wins.  I can't wait to debut my new show, make new friends, and have fun."

NPR Sets Goal To Beat Commercial News/Talk Stations

Jarl Mohn

Jarl Mohn, President and CEO of NPR, says the network’s goal is to have NPR’s News/Talk stations be the most listened-to radio news station in all PPM rated markets.

Spark News reports Mohn announced the goal last week in remarks at the public radio Super Regional conference of managers from NPR member stationslast week in St. Paul.

Mohn was beaming with pride when we spoke with him at the Super Regional. He had seen Spark News' September 25th report which indicated  NPR News/Talk stations were the leading radio news source in 20 of the 50 or so Nielsen PPM markets in the August ratings.

Mohn was referring to observations made by Dave Becker, PD of KNPR, Las Vegas, Becker found that NPR News/Talk stations in all 20 markets had more weekly cumulative listeners than commercial News/Talk stations in the same market.

Mohn sensed there was more to the story so he examined the August Nielsen numbers. When looking at Persons 25-54 in weekly drive times he saw that NPR News/Talk stations are reaching more listeners than “big” commercial news/talkers in 26 of the PPM markets during Morning Edition and in 28 markets during All Things Considered.

Listening trends are moving in NPR’s favor. Mohn concluded that it is possible that NPR News/Talk stations could top local commercial news/talk stations in all of Nielsen’s PPM market.

Charles Osgood Honored During News Emmys

Charles Osgood

PBS and CBS led the way at the 38th annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards, which were presented Thursday night at Lincoln Center in Manhattan.

According to deadline.com, the pubcaster scored a leading 12 wins, and the Tiffany Network bagged nine. That’s closer than last year’s tally, when PBS led with 14 wins and CBS led broadcasters with seven.

ABC and HBO tied for third with five Emmys apiece. CNN and and Univision had three each. Discovery Channel and MSNBC were the only other nets to take home multiple awards, winning two apiece. For the full list of winners presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, click here.

Charles Osgood, a multiple Emmy and Peabody Award winner who retired in September after 22 years as anchor of CBS Sunday Morning, received this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Known as CBS’ “Poet in Residence,” he also writes and narrates The Osgood File, a series of shortform radio segments that focus on human-interest stories, often told in rhymes.

Report: Megyn Kelly's Salary Called Insult To Longtime NBCers

NBC executives not involved in her hiring are furious over Megyn Kelly's 'obscene' $23 million salary for her tanking morning show and think it's a slap in the face to other established stars at the network, DailyMailTV has revealed.

Although it was rumored the former Fox News anchor was only being paid $17 million for her new role at NBC, Kelly will actually line her pockets with a total of $69 million over the course of three years for swapping politics for talk show antics.

Her hefty salary has drawn the scorn of senior NBC and Comcast executives who believe the 46-year-old shouldn't be raking in more than the network's veteran stars.

One high-ranking staffer exclusively told DailyMailTV: 'This is insane! How on earth can they justify paying her $69 million for three years? It's obscene and a giant slap in the face to all of NBC's established stars.'

Some staffers believe the multi-million dollar deal is a low blow to NBC personalities who have been at the network for years, such as Matt Lauer and Jimmy Fallon.

A senior executive said: 'Megyn's salary should be nowhere near Matt's. He's been at NBC for 23 years now and has captained the ship through good times and bad times. He's worked very hard to deserve that salary.'

NYC Radio: WFAN To Continue Airing NHL Devils

Glenn 'Chico' Resch

The New Jersey Devils announced Thursday that former goaltender and fan favorite Glenn “Chico” Resch will serve as a radio analyst and ambassador for the 2017‐2018 season.

Resch will join veteran play‐by‐play voice Matt Loughlin for Devils coverage on WFAN 101.9 FM / 600 AM and The One Jersey Network via WFAN.com.

Resch will also serve as a team ambassador, participating at community relations and corporate events, youth hockey clinics, and in grassroots initiatives on behalf of the Devils.

Resch, who played six seasons as a goaltender for the Colorado Rockies/Devils organization from 1980‐1986, previously served as a team broadcaster for MSG Networks’ game coverage for 18 years.

“We’re thrilled to have Chico back in the organization as a member of our broadcast team and in an important role as team ambassador,” said Ray Shero, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the New Jersey Devils. “He has an incredible personal connection with our fans that resonates beyond the rink. As we continue to grow our team and develop our dynamic young roster, it’s essential to have people like Chico in our organization to further our culture and goal of long‐term success on and off the ice.”

“I have an incredible passion for the New Jersey Devils and the game of hockey, and it’s exciting to be a part of this organization as it builds around such promising young players,” Resch said. “I know firsthand how dedicated the Devils fanbase is and I’m looking forward to engaging with them through my work as a broadcaster and team ambassador.”

For the 13th consecutive season, WFAN will serve as the flagship station of the New Jersey Devils. Starting this season, Devils games can also be heard on The One Jersey Network through WFAN.com, including this Saturday’s season opener at 2 p.m. at Prudential Center vs. the Colorado Avalanche.  The partnership allows Devils fans to access the live radio broadcast wherever they are, including online at WFAN.com.

Social Media Execs To Testify Nov. 1

Executives from Facebook Inc, Twitter Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google have been asked to testify about Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election before a House of Representatives panel on Nov. 1, a congressional aide said on Thursday.

Reuters report executives from the companies were already due to appear the same day before the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is also investigating Moscow’s alleged role in the election. .

But the aide said they had also been asked to offer testimony at a public hearing of the House Intelligence Committee.

Some U.S. lawmakers, increasingly alarmed about evidence that hackers used the internet to spread fake news and otherwise influence last year’s election, have been pushing for more information about social networks in particular.

The Senate and House intelligence committees are two of the main congressional panels probing allegations that Russia sought to interfere in the U.S. election to boost Republican President Donald Trump’s chances at winning the White House, and possible collusion between Trump associates and Russia.

Moscow denies any such activity, and Trump has repeatedly dismissed allegations of collusion.

Chicago Radio: WSCR Names Fantasy Football Expert

WSCR Midday Executive Producer Jay Zawaski, WSCR Program/Operations Director, Mitch Rosen, Stephen Johnson and WSCR Midday Host Danny Parkins

WSCR 670 The Score has selected Pingree Grove, IL, native Stephen Johnson as the station’s “2017 Great Clips Fantasy Football Expert,” Joining Joe Ostrowski’s Fantasy Football Today show on Sunday mornings from 8:00-9:00 AM, CT.

Johnson begins on October 15 and will offer tips and strategies for anyone managing their own fantasy football team as well as create original content each week for CBSChicago.com.

“We are thrilled for Stephen to join the team and jump right in with advice and advantages for our listeners each week,” said WSCR Program and Operations Director, Mitch Rosen.  “Each year, it is a pleasure to meet some of our most dedicated listeners through this annual promotion. We greatly appreciate the support of our partners at ‘Great Clips,’ who made this tremendous opportunity possible for our listeners.”

670 The Score held open auditions for Chicago’s next fantasy football expert at six local venues.  The top 10 candidates from all on-site applicants were invited to the station for a formal interview.  A panel of expert judges interviewed the top four finalists and selected the Great Clips Fantasy Football Expert during a finale event on September 27.

ESPN Radio To Broadcast The 2017 MLB Postseason

For its 20th consecutive season, ESPN Radio will broadcast the MLB Postseason. The MLB Postseason coverage on ESPN Radio presented by AutoZone culminates with the 113th World Series beginning Tuesday, Oct. 24. Play-by-play commentator Dan Shulman and analyst Aaron Boone will call the World Series on ESPN Radio.

Marc Kestecher will be the voice of ESPN Radio’s pre and post-game coverage during the World Series. Kevin Winter and John Brickley will also rotate hosting throughout the postseason with Chris Singleton, Buster Olney and Tim Kurkjian contributing reports.

Baseball Tonight presented by Chevrolet will have midnight episodes regularly throughout the postseason. The panel of MLB analysts, hosted by Karl Ravech, Adnan Virk or John Brickley, will breakdown the day’s events and preview the games ahead. Baseball Tonight’s full coverage plans for the World Series will be announced soon.

ESPN Radio’s postseason coverage continues today, Thursday, Oct. 5, with the Boston Red Sox and Mookie Betts visiting the Houston Astros and José Altuve at 3:30 p.m. ET. Iconic ESPN commentator Chris Berman and analyst Rick Sutcliffe will have the call for the American League Division Series between the Red Sox and Astros. At 7 p.m., the Cleveland Indians and Francisco Lindor host the New York Yankees and Aaron Judge, two days after the Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins in the American League Wild Card Game. The ESPN Radio Sunday Night Baseball team of Jon Sciambi and Singleton will be in the booth for the series.

The National League Division Series begins Friday, Oct. 6, when the Chicago Cubs and Anthony Rizzo take on the Washington Nationals and Bryce Harper at 7 p.m. Dave Flemming and Jessica Mendoza will have the call of the series on ESPN Radio. At 10 p.m., the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cody Bellinger begin their series with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Paul Goldschmidt. The duo of Shulman and Boone will describe the action.

Sciambi and Singleton return for the American League Championship Series, with Shulman and Boone voicing the National League Championship Series. The ALCS and NLCS will begin Friday, Oct. 13, and Saturday, Oct. 14, respectively.

FCC: Broadcasting By The Numbers

The FCC has announced the following totals for broadcast stations licensed as of September 30:

iHR Jingle Ball To Go On Tour

iHeartMedia will once again celebrate the holiday season across the nation with its annual "iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour 2017 Presented by Capital One®."

The season's most iconic music event captures the holiday spirit of the iHeartRadio app, with performances by some of the year's biggest recording artists. The full artist line-up will be announced on October 10.  In advance, iHeartMedia and Capital One are excited to announce that Liam Payne and Camila Cabello will perform at select stops throughout the tour.

The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Capital One Cardholder Pre-Sale begins on Wednesday, October 11 at 10 a.m. local market time and runs through Saturday, October 14 at 10 a.m. local market time or while supplies last.  Tickets will be available at www.iHeartRadio.com/CapitalOne.

All other tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, October 16 at 12 p.m. local market time, and will be available at www.iHeartRadio.com/JingleBall.

The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One will stop in Dallas; San Francisco/San Jose; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; Philadelphia; New York; Boston; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Atlanta; Tampa and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.

The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour is produced by Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms for iHeartMedia, John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia.

Brand Drops Cam Newton Over 'Sexist' Comment

Yogurt brand Dannon is cutting ties with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton over sexist comments he made in a press conference on Wednesday, according to AdWeek.

Jourdan Rodrigue

Newton joined the Dannon team in January 2015, taking over the Oikos brand from former spokesperson John Stamos.

“We are shocked and disheartened at the behavior and comments of Cam Newton towards Jourdan Rodrigue, which we perceive as sexist and disparaging to all women. It is entirely inconsistent with our commitment to fostering equality and inclusion in every workplace. It’s simply not OK to belittle anyone based on gender. We have shared our concerns with Cam and will no longer work with him,” the brand said in a statement.

During a press conference earlier this week Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked the quarterback about wide receiver Devin Funchess embracing “the physicality of his routes,” to which Newton smirked and replied that, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes.”

The reporter tweeted about the event and noted later that she had approached Newton after the press conference. Newton did not offer any apology to Rodrigue.

I don't think it's "funny" to be a female and talk about routes. I think it's my job.

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 4, 2017

Newton works with a number of other brands including Under Armour. No word yet on how other partners will move forward following Newton’s remarks.

Newton has released the following apology on Twitter:

pic.twitter.com/Rwxzcu883T

— Cameron Newton (@CameronNewton) October 6, 2017