August 8 Radio History

➦In 1933...singer Joe Tex was born Joseph Arrington, Jr. in Baytown Texas. This soul and Disco singer-songwriter was most popular during the 1960s and 1970s leading the Joe Tex Band. His style of speaking over music, which he called “rap”, made him a predecessor of the modern style of music. His hits include I Gotcha, Hold What You’ve Got, Skinny Legs and All, and Ain’t Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman. He died following a heart attack Aug 13, 1982 just days after his 49th birthday.

➦In 1952...Robin Quivers, famous sidekick to Howard Stern, was born.

Robin Quivers

In 1979 after military service, Quivers returned to her hometown of Baltimore where she studied at the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland and worked in a hospital.  She landed her first job in the radio industry with a newscasting position at WIOO 1000 AM in Carlisle, PA, followed by WCMB 1460 AM in nearby Harrisburg. She then moved back to Baltimore for a consumer reporter role at WFBR, where she also read newscasts with morning disc jockey Johnny Walker.

In March 1981, radio personality Howard Stern started his new morning program at WWDC in Washington, D.C.. He wanted an on-air newscaster to riff with him in the studio on the news and current affairs.   That was when station program director Denise Oliver played Quivers a tape of Stern interviewing a prostitute on the air.  She "had never heard anything like it...I just said, 'where do I sign? I’ll do anything just to meet this guy!'"

➦In 1952..WMCA 570 AM NYC banned singer Rosemary Clooney's latest hit 'Botch-A-Me.




➦In 1963..."Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen was released and some radio stations thought it contained obscene lyrics.

➦In 1966...WABC moved to 1330 Avenue of the Americas

➦In 1982...WNBC-AM, New York City began broadcasting in AM Stereo.

➦In 1986...legendary DJs, Bobby Ocean and Dr. Don Rose aired their last shows on KFRC 610 AM, San Francisco.

From 1973 until 1986, Dr. Don Rose (Born Donald Rosenberg July 5, 1934–March 30, 2005) was KFRC's morning air radio personality.

With earlier experience at WQXI 790 AM in Atlanta and WFIL 560 AM in Philadelphia, he was known for his one-liners and sound effects. One of Rose's characteristic "sound bite" mannerisms around this time period was to state the words "that's right" in a continuous fashion that was intended to sound "crazy", or funny, which also served to represent the overall morning zoo radio format, style and "feel" of his show. Rose revealed in a Risky Business 1980s television interview that he earned in excess of $300K a year, still incredible compensation by today's radio personality standards.

With Dr. Don as anchor, and a supporting cast that included Bobby Ocean, Rick Shaw, Dave Sholin, Harry Nelson, Bay Area Hall of Fame inductee Don Sainte-Johnn, "Marvelous" Mark McKay and John Mack Flanagan, KFRC was "Station of the Year" four times by Billboard Magazine. Rose was considered by many to be the king of radio in the Bay Area during the last decade of AM's musical dominance. KFRC program directors during this period included Michael Spears, Les Garland, Gerry Cagle and Mike Phillips.

KFRC was known for its award-winning news department. It covered Bay Area news stories with tight writing, use of natural sound, short sound bites, live reports. Some of the best news anchors and reporters worked at KFRC in the '70s and '80s including Jo Interrante, Dave Cooke, Paul Fredricks, John Winters, Vikki Liviakis, Robert McCormick, Dave MacQueen, Stephen Capen, Mike Sugerman, Ken Bastida, John Evans, Joanne Greene, Jane Dornacker, and reporter, anchor and later News Director William Abbott. Known for his unique, confident style, would end each report with the station's signature, "This is William Abbott, KFRC 20/20 News".

Among the disc jockeys at KFRC during the 1980s were, in addition to Ocean and Rose, Chuck Geiger, future AT&T Park public-address announcer Renel Brooks-Moon and future Los Angeles radio programmer Jack Silver, who would be the last voice heard when KFRC ended its Top 40 era. Technically, Don Sainte-Johnn was the last Air Personality on KFRC (with all respect to Programmer Jack Silver, who was a manager, not considered Air Talent for KFRC). Sainte-Johnn had been specifically hired for KFRC as an Air Personality.

With the decline of the Top 40 format by mid-decade, KFRC's programming was flipped at 6 AM on August 11, 1986, to an adult standards format, and was known as "Magic 61", while still broadcasting in stereo. The last song to be played before the change was "Lights" by Journey, which had also been used in KFRC's TV advertising. Today, 610 AM is home to KEAR, a non-commercial traditional Christian radio station. KEAR is the flagship station of Family Radio,








➦In 2002...New York's WNNY 1380 AM changes call letters to WLXE. Today 1380 AM is home to WKDM,  an ethnic brokered radio station owned by Multicultural Broadcasting and airs programming in Mandarin Chinese,

➦In 2017...singer/songwriter/guitarist/actor Glen Campbell died at age 81, three years after moving into an Alzheimer’s long-term care home. He was best known for a series of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting his own music and comedy variety show on CBS television, from January 1969 through June 1972.



He released more than 70 albums in a career that spanned five decades, accumulating over 45 million record sales worldwide.

Dustin Hoffman is 84

🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAYS:

• Actor Nita Talbot is 91. 
• Actor Dustin Hoffman is 84. 
• Actor Connie Stevens is 83. 
• Country singer Phil Balsley of The Statler Brothers is 82. 
• Actor Larry Wilcox (“CHiPS”) is 74. 
• Actor Keith Carradine (“Madam Secretary”) is 72. 
• Drummer Anton Fig (“Late Show With David Letterman”) is 68. 
• Actor Donny Most (“Happy Days”) is 68. 
• Keyboardist Dennis Drew of 10,000 Maniacs is 64. 
• Actor-turned-investment banker Harry Crosby (“Friday the 13th”) is 63. 
• News anchor Deborah Norville is 63. 
• Guitarist The Edge of U2 is 60. 
• Drummer Rikki Rockett of Poison is 60. 
• Rapper Kool Moe Dee is 59. 

• 

  Lindsay Sloane is 44

  Singer Scott Stapp of Creed is 48. 
• Country singer Mark Wills is 48. 
• Guitarist Tom Linton of Jimmy Eat World is 46. 
• Singer J.C. Chasez of ’N Sync is 45. 
• Singer Drew Lachey of 98 Degrees is 45. 
• Actor Tawny Cypress (“Heroes”) is 45. 
• Singer Marsha Ambrosius (Floetry) is 44. 
• Actor Lindsay Sloane (“Sabrina the Teenage Witch”) is 44. 
• Actor Countess Vaughn (“The Parkers,” ″Moesha”) is 43. 
• Actor Michael Urie (“Ugly Betty”) is 41. 
• Actor Meagan Good (“Think Like A Man”) is 40. 
• Guitarist Eric Howk of Portugal. The Man is 40. 
• Actor Jackie Cruz (“Orange Is the New Black”) is 37. 
• Actor Ken Baumann (“The Secret Life of the American Teenager”) is 24. 
• Singer Shawn Mendes is 23. 
• Actor Bebe Wood (“The Real O’Neals”) is 20.

Liberty Media Reports 2Q Financial Results

 Liberty Media Corporation Friday reported second quarter 2021 results. Headlines include(1):

Attributed to Liberty SiriusXM Group

• SiriusXM reported strong second quarter 2021 financial results
• Second quarter revenue of $2.16 billion; an increase of 15% from prior year period
• Second quarter net income of $433 million; diluted EPS of $0.10
• Record quarterly adjusted EBITDA(2) of $700 million, up 14% from prior year period
• SiriusXM self-pay net subscriber additions of 355,000, an increase of 34% year-over-year
• SiriusXM increased 2021 subscriber and financial guidance on July 27th
• Liberty Media’s ownership of SiriusXM stood at 78.1% as of July 23rd
• From May 1st through July 31st, Liberty repurchased 3.2 million LSXMA/K shares at an average price per share of $44.27 for total cash consideration of $141 million

Attributed to Formula One Group

• Announced Crypto.com as Global Partner and inaugural partner of the F1 Sprint series and expanded BWT partnership to become Official Water Technology Partner
• Secured 3-year broadcast agreement in Netherlands with NENT Group beginning 2022
• Successfully hosted inaugural F1 Sprint ahead of Silverstone Grand Prix
• Repurchased $176 million principal amount of 2.25% AT&T exchangeable debentures in individually negotiated private purchases ahead of October 2021 put / call date funded primarily with sale of 5.3 million AT&T shares

Attributed to Braves Group

• Braves lead MLB in total attendance and average attendance per game

“SiriusXM executed well, produced outstanding results and recently increased their 2021 guidance. They continue to repurchase stock and Liberty’s ownership is now over 78%,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO. “Formula 1 is delivering across the board – on the track, for our fans, teams, partners and investors, and has done an impressive job steering through the 2021 calendar. The Braves are competitive on the field and lead MLB in total attendance, with over 1.5 million fans returning to Truist Park so far this season.”

SiriusXM is a separate publicly traded company and additional information about SiriusXM can be obtained through its website and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SiriusXM reported its stand-alone second quarter results on July 27, 2021.

Urban One Reports A "Robust Rebound"

Urban One, Inc. Friday reported its results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. 

• Net revenue was approximately $107.6 million, an increase of 41.6% from the same period in 2020. Broadcast and digital operating income was approximately $49.6 million, an increase of 64.3% from the same period in 2020. 
• The Company reported operating income of approximately $37.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to approximately $20.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. 
• Net income was approximately $17.9 million or $0.36 per share (basic) compared to approximately $1.4 million or $0.03 per share (basic) for the same period in 2020. 
• Adjusted EBITDA2 was approximately $44.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to approximately $24.5 million for the same period in 2020.

Alfred Liggins

Alfred C. Liggins, III, Urban One's CEO and President stated, "Overall we had an extremely strong second quarter; not only was Adjusted EBITDA up 82.4% year-over-year, but we also surpassed our Q2 2019 pre-pandemic Adjusted EBITDA. We are experiencing unprecedented advertiser interest in our audience across the entire Urban One platform. The radio advertising business saw a robust rebound from the worst impacts of the pandemic in Q2 2020, with segment revenues up by 73.0% and radio syndication revenues up 50.2%. We also benefitted from strong TV scatter markets, with TV advertising revenues up 21.3% in the quarter; furthermore, registered interest in our 2021-22 TV upfront sales presentations has also been extremely encouraging, which will help our fourth quarter revenue performance. 

"Demand for our digital products remains high, with digital revenues up by 147.9% for the quarter and Adjusted EBITDA up by over $6.0 million; a significant help to our top and bottom-line growth. For Q3, our core radio business excluding political is currently pacing up by over 40%, and we are comfortable increasing our FY21 Adjusted EBITDA guidance to mid-$130 million, excluding casino chase costs. During the quarter we completed the second tranche of our Class A ATM share sale program, which yielded $21.2 million net of fees. This cash influx further strengthened our balance sheet, and we ended the quarter with $129.8 million of cash on hand, which is a healthy place to be ahead of the exciting new investment opportunity in the One Casino & Resort in Richmond, Virginia."

Chattanooga Radio: Staff Mutiny Reported At NoogaRadio

Jeff Styles

Three-fourths of the "Fred the Show" daily program on News/Talk NoogaRadio 92.7 FM, have exit the translator station (fed via WPLZ 95.3 HD4) as of Friday, Aug. 6 over a dispute with station ownership about the direction of the station, according to The Chattanooga Times Free-Press citing a news release from general manager and on-air personality Jen Lambert.

She, along with show host Jeff Styles and operations manager and on-air personality Jason Kirk will be pursuing other interests. A fourth member of the morning show team, Russell Stroud is undecided on his plans, she said.

The four are not the only ones who have left or who are leaving the station. Sports broadcaster Keon Rose is also leaving the station for a larger market in Arizona. General Sales Manager Michael Lisowski is also leaving to pursue other opportunities, according to the release. "StoneOnAir" host Bryan Stone was let go from the station almost two weeks ago.

A 20-year veteran of local radio, Stone previously was on the air at WXCT 98.7 FM and before that was a producer and on-air personality at WGOW 102. FM, where Styles had hosted a show for 26 years. Styles exited WGOW in 2018 following a road rage incident.

Lambert said she and Cuppelli disagreed on the direction he wanted to take the station with more nationally syndicated shows and pay-to-play shows hosted by people who buy the time.

Lambert wrote in the release that Styles "is pursuing numerous options, including taking some time off from early morning duties, and is deeply, sincerely appreciative of the opportunity afforded him by NoogaRadio to continue entertaining and informing our community through these last extremely difficult months when honest communication was most needed and an unfortunate rarity. His podcasts, 'Rockaeology' and 'Storyville' will live on at fredpodcast.com."

She added, "Unfortunately, after 4 years, a lot of blood, sweat, tears and a whole lot of love, the station ownership has chosen to take NoogaRadio in a direction that most of us feel we are unable to stand behind."

Boston Radio: WXRV Promotes Graeme Bentley

Graeme Bentley

WXRV 92.5 FM The River has promoted Graeme Bentley to Music Director of the Triple A station.

Bentley started at the River as an intern in 2018, and was asked to join the street team soon after. Drawing from his experience at the college station WUML in Lowell, his passion for the music, and determination to help in every department he could, moved him quickly up the River ranks. Over the last three years, Bentley was promoted from Street Team Captain, to Promotions and Social Media Coordinator. He also became the Assistant Production Director, and was given a weekend DJ shift. Now he can be heard on the air each Monday through Friday from 7 PM to midnight.

WXRV General manager Donald St. Sauveur knows Bentley’s love for radio runs deep, “Graeme represents the best of the past, present and future of radio broadcasters. He’s got radio in his DNA. He was a passionate River listener growing up, and his ‘can do’ attitude and incredible work ethic has taken him on an epic 3-year journey at the River. All of his duties and responsibilities helped WXRV grow immensely. It feels great to be able to reward Graeme with this promotion, so that his passion and love of music discovery can grow and will now be his day-to-day focus and contribution to the radio station.”

Longtime radio programming veteran Dennis Constantine has been working with Bentley during his transition into the new role, and added “Graeme blows me away with his knowledge of music. I love seeing young people who believe in radio and its future. He’s going to be a great music director.”

As for Bentley, he’s excited about this new role at the River, and is ready to dive in. “I’m almost at a loss for words. It means so much to be able to contribute to the station I’ve been listening to for so many years. It’s an honor, and I’m just taking it one song at a time…”.

CNN Host Chris Cuomo To Take 'A Week's Vacation'

The Daily Mail Screenshot 8/7/21

Chris Cuomo announced he will be taking a weeklong 'vacation' from CNN for his birthday amid the sex-pest scandals of his brother, Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

The CNN host said Thursday he would be taking the 'long-planned vacation' on an episode The Handoff - the weekly podcast he co-hosts with colleague Don Lemon. 

Cuomo made no reference to his brother, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who faces widespread calls to resign after a report by New York Attorney General Letitia James described multiple sexual harassment accusations against him on Tuesday. 

CNN will air a special on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during his Monday timeslot, though the network's press release also made no reference to the Cuomo scandal.

R.I.P.: Herbert Schlosser, Longtime NBC Executive

Herbert Schlosser Developed SNL

Herbert Schlosser, a longtime NBC executive who put an indelible stamp on the network by negotiating Johnny Carson’s first deal to host “The Tonight Show,” putting “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” on the air and overseeing the development of “Saturday Night Live,” died on Friday at his home in Manhattan. 

He was 95, reports The NY Times.

Schlosser was president of NBC in 1974 when he faced a late-night predicament: Carson no longer wanted the network to carry repeats of “Tonight” on weekends. But pleasing Carson, the network’s most important star, led to an inevitable question: What would NBC televise at 11:30 on Saturday nights?

Schlosser wrote a memo in early 1975 that laid out the fundamentals of an original program that would be televised from NBC’s headquarters at Rockefeller Center; would be carried live, or at least taped on the same day, to maintain its topicality; would be “young and bright,” with a “distinctive look, a distinctive set and a distinctive sound”; would “seek to develop new television personalities”; and would have a different host each week.

Schlosser, a lawyer, had been an executive in NBC’s business affairs department, where he negotiated programming contracts to carry, among other events, the 1964 Summer Olympics from Tokyo and talent deals like ones with the comedian Bob Hope, whose specials were a mainstay of NBC’s prime-time schedule.

Schlosser particularly championed “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” a fast-paced satirical series that made its debut in early 1968. It was considered outrageous then for the political and risqué humor of its skits, performed by a cast of  future stars including Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin.

He started as a lawyer with a Wall Street firm, but the insurance work there bored him, and he moved to Phillips Nizer Benjamin Krim & Ballon (now called Phillips Nizer LLP), a Manhattan firm with many film and television clients. That experience led to his hiring around 1957 as general counsel of California National Productions, a film, merchandising and syndication subsidiary of NBC. He later became its chief operating officer before moving to NBC’s business affairs department in 1960.

As a lawyer with the department, he led the talks to bring Carson to NBC to replace Jack Paar as the host of “Tonight” in 1962. 

Schlosser rose steadily at NBC. He was named executive vice president of the television network in 1972; promoted to president a year later; and named president of the National Broadcasting Company, the network’s corporate parent, in 1974 and chief executive in 1977.

Schlosser was ousted in 1978 and replaced by Fred Silverman, who had engineered ABC’s rise to first place in prime-time ratings as its chief of programming.

Schlosser’s standing had been hurt by NBC’s inability to produce a new prime-time hit series the previous season and climb out of third place.

August 7 Radio History

➦In 1885...Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke born (Died at age 84 – May 14, 1970). She was professionally known as Billie Burke and was famous on Broadway, on radio, early silent film, and subsequently in sound film. She is best known to modern audiences as Glinda the Good Witch of the North in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie musical The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Billie Burke and Judy Garland

Burke was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1938 for her performance as Emily Kilbourne in Merrily We Live and is also remembered for her appearances in the Topper film series. Her high-pitched, wavering, aristocratic voice was her trademark, which made her a frequent choice to play dim-witted, spoiled society types.

Billie Burke was the wife of Broadway producer and impresario Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. founder of dance troupe and theatrical revue (and adapted to a radio program from 1932 and 1936), the Ziegfeld Follies which operated from 1914 until his death in 1932.

On CBS Radio, The Billie Burke Show was heard on Saturday mornings from April 3, 1943, until September 21, 1946. Sponsored by Listerine, this situation comedy was initially titled Fashions in Rations during its first year. Portraying herself as a featherbrained Good Samaritan who lived "in the little white house on Sunnyview Lane," she always offered a helping hand to those in her neighborhood. She worked often in early television, appearing in the short-lived sitcom Doc Corkle (1952). She was a guest star on several TV and radio series, including Duffy's Tavern.

➦In 1886...Louis Hazeltine, who  invented the neutrodyne circuit, was born. (Died - May 24, 1964).

➦In 1906...Actress/singer Ernestine Wade born (Died at age 76 – April 15, 1983). She is best known for playing the role of Sapphire Stevens on both the radio and TV versions of The Amos 'n' Andy Show.  Ernestine began playing Sapphire Stevens in 1939, but originally came to the Amos 'n' Andy radio show in the role of Valada Green.  In her interview which is part of the documentary Amos 'n' Andy: Anatomy of a Controversy, Wade related how she got the job with the radio show. Initially there for a singing role, she was asked if she could "do lines". When the answer was yes, she was first asked to say "I do" and then to scream; the scream got her the role of Valada Green.

Stan Freberg

➦In 1926...Stan Freberg was born (Died – April 7, 2015). He was an author, actor, recording artist, voice artist, comedian, radio personality, puppeteer and advertising creative director, whose career began in 1943. He remained active in the industry into his late 80s, more than 70 years after entering it.

His best-known works include "St. George and the Dragonet", Stan Freberg Presents the United States of America, his role on the television series Time for Beany, and a number of classic television commercials.

Freberg began making satirical recordings for Capitol Records, beginning with the February 10, 1951, release of "John and Marsha", a soap opera parody that consisted of the title characters (both played by Freberg) doing nothing but repeating each other's names (with intonations to match the moods).  Some radio stations refused to play "John & Marsha," believing it to be an actual romantic conversation between two real people. In a 1954 follow-up, he used pedal steel guitarist Speedy West to satirize the 1953 Ferlin Husky country hit, "A Dear John Letter", as "A Dear John and Marsha Letter".  A seasonal recording, "The Night Before Christmas"/"Nuttin' for Christmas", made in 1955, still remains a cult classic.



The popularity of Freberg's recordings landed him his own program, the situation comedy That's Rich. Freberg portrayed bumbling but cynical Richard E. Wilt, a resident of Hope Springs, where he worked for B.B. Hackett's Consolidated Paper Products Company. Freberg suggested the addition of dream sequences, which made it possible for him to perform his more popular Capitol Records satires before a live studio audience. The CBS series aired from January 8 to September 23, 1954.

The Stan Freberg Show was a 1957 replacement for Jack Benny on CBS radio.


➦In 1941...TV station WNBT, Channel 4 in New York City, broadcast the first audience-participation show. Studio guests played charades as part of the fun.   Now known as, NewsChannel 4, the station signed on the air as WNBT on July 1, 1941, at 1:29 p.m. This historic event was the beginning of commercial television in the United States. But the imminent start of WWII for America put TV on the back burner for another five years.

➦In 1969...Charlie Greer aired his last show on WABC 770 AM New York.

Charlie Greer (1923-1996) did mid-days and overnights. Given WABC's 50,000 clear channel signal, Greer became a popular all-night disc jockey heard on more than 38 states punching his way through famous tongue twister commercials for an all night men's clothing store called Dennison's in Union, New Jersey.



Greer also spent time with New York City's WCBS-FM in 1973, then and became part of WCBS-FM's Rock and Roll Radio Greats Weekend in the '80s and '90s.

From WAKR in Akron Ohio, Charlie started at WABC on December 7, 1960. He moved back and forth between overnights and middays a couple of times. He was one of the original Swingin’ Seven from Seventy Seven.

He moved to Philadelphia's WIP in 1969 and then back to the New York area to WRKL in New City for a short while, and later worked at WHAM in Rochester, before returning to Akron.

➦In 1971... 93KHJ - Los Angeles early evening DJ/personality - “Humble’ Harve Miller pleaded guilty to second degree murder of his adulterous wife Mary. In a short statement, he said he accidentally shot his wife and still loved her. Miller was the subject of a 13-day nationwide search after the murder in May.

"Humble" Harve Miller began his career in 1958 at WAAT in Trenton, NJ. Soon after, he moved to WIBG 990 AM in Philadelphia, where he worked from 1958 to 1962. Miller subsequently moved to Los Angeles, California, and became part of the enormous hit station KHJ as part of the "Boss Radio" DJ teams working under Bill Drake and other executives.

Humble Harve was the top-rated nighttime DJ throughout a five year period, and also did commercials, voice-over work, and narrated the 1967 counterculture documentary film Mondo Mod. He also narrated the late-1969 syndicated version of KHJ's The History of Rock and Roll 48-hour special, which aired throughout the early 1970s.

In 1971, Miller's career took a dramatic turn when he was found guilty of murdering his adulterous wife Mary and wound up serving a ten-year prison sentence for manslaughter. In 1980, Harve was released from prison and soon found work at LA station KKDJ.

Among the Los Angeles radio stations Humble Harve has worked for throughout the years are KIQQ, KIIS, KUTE, KRLA, KRTH, KCBS-FM, and KZLA. In addition, Miller also again worked for WIBG in Philadelphia in 1985 and KVI in Seattle, Washington from 1986-1989, and also narrated a variety of syndicated radio specials during the 1980s and 1990s.

In 1995 Miller was inducted into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. He died in June 2019.

Cousin Brucie - Then

➦In 1974...Cousin Brucie (Bruce Morrow) aired his final show on MusicRadio 77WABC and moved over to WNBC 660 AM.

Morrow worked for WABC for 13 years and 4,014 broadcasts until August 1974, when he transferred to rival radio station WNBC; after three years there, he quit performance to team with entrepreneur Robert F.X. Sillerman to become the owner of the Sillerman Morrow group of radio stations.

Cousin Brucie - Today

In 1982, Morrow resumed working as a radio announcer, for New York's oldies WCBS 101.1 FM. Initially, he filled in for Jack Spector every third Saturday evening for the Saturday Night Sock Hop program. After Spector's resignation during 1985, Morrow became the main performer for the program and renamed it the Saturday Night Dance Party. The station also added his nationally syndicated show Cruisin' America. During 1986, he began working the Wednesday evening shift, where he hosted The Top 15 Yesterday and Today Countdown. During 1991, the Wednesday show became The Yearbook, emphasizing music from the years between 1955 and 1979. Cousin Brucie was also the "breakfast presenter" on Atlantic 252 from 1992 to 1996.

When the radio program Cruisin' America ended during December 1992, Morrow continued hosting a WCBS radio program named Cruising with the Cuz Monday evenings until the end of 1993. After that program ended, he hosted the Saturday night and Wednesday night programs there until the station's change to an adult hits format named Jack FM on June 3, 2005. Soon thereafter, he signed a multi-year deal to host oldies SiriusXM Satellite.  Morrow can now be heard on 77WABC NYC hosting a Saturday evening oldies show.

➦In 1981...FCC established General Radiotelephone Operator License and ceased issuing First and Second Class Operator licenses.

➦In 2000...NYC's WADO 1280 AM increased power to 50 Kw Day / 7.2 Kw Night-DA.

➦In 2015…Art Finley died of a heart attack at age 88. (Born Arthur Finger 1926). He was a TV and radio personality, mostly in San Francisco and Vancouver, until his retirement in 1995.

His broadcasting career began at KXYZ Houston in 1943.   During the last half of his 50-year career, Finley returned to radio as a newsman and talk-show host. He relied on his wife Geraldine as his career advisor, researcher and editor throughout their 56-year marriage. She died in 2006.

In the U.S., Finley's station affiliations were primarily in San Francisco: 10 years at KGO, and KCBS. Three interim years were spent at XTRA in San Diego and WNIS in Norfolk. Two radio stations in Vancouver, B.C., needed a talk-show host.  He spent five years at CKNW, and later, six years at CJOR. He retired in 1995; his final years in broadcasting were as a KCBS news anchor.

Art Finley served as Master of Ceremonies for San Francisco's official celebration of Independence Day for 14 years between 1960 and 1979.

Charlie Theron is 46

🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAYS:

• Humorist Garrison Keillor is 79. 
• Actor John Glover (“Smallville”) is 77. 
• Actor David Rasche (“Sledge Hammer!”) is 77. 

• 

  Sydney Penny is 50

  Country singer Rodney Crowell is 71. 
• Actor Caroline Aaron (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) is 69. 
• Actor Wayne Knight (“Seinfeld”) is 66. 
• Singer Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden is 63. 
• Actor David Duchovny (“Californication,” ″The X-Files”) is 61. 
• Actor Delane Matthews (“Dave’s World”) is 60. 
• Actor Harold Perrineau (“Lost,” ″Oz”) is 58. 
• Jazz pianist Marcus Roberts is 58. 
• Country singer Raul Malo of The Mavericks is 56. 
• Actor David Mann (“Madea” films) is 55. 
• Actor Sydney Penny (“The Thorn Birds,” ″All My Children”) is 50. 
• Actor Greg Serano (“Power”) is 49. 
• Actor Charlize Theron is 46. 
• Drummer Barry Kerch of Shinedown is 45. 
• Actor Eric Johnson (“Fifty Shades Darker,” ″Smallville”) is 42. 
• Actor Liam James (TV’s “Psych,” film’s “The Way, Way Back”) is 25.

Audacy Says 2Q Revenue Jumped 73 Percent Y2Y

Audacy, Inc. today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.

David J. Field, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “I am pleased to report that Audacy accelerated its recovery from the pandemic as second quarter revenues grew 73% over the prior year, led by a 98% increase in spot radio advertising and 41% growth in digital revenues. In addition, our momentum is continuing into the third quarter as we expect that revenues will increase by about 10% sequentially from the second quarter and by about 25% compared to prior year.

David Field

"We continue to make great strides in enhancing our business and elevating our competitive position. During the second quarter, we executed a rebranding of the company as Audacy, a name that reflects our evolution into a leading, multi-platform audio content and entertainment company with scaled audience reach and an important leadership position across the full spectrum of the dynamic and growing audio market – including broadcasting, podcasting, digital, network, events, music, news and sports. Our recent acquisitions in podcasting and sports betting, as well as numerous growth investments have significantly enhanced our ability to capitalize on broader advertising trends, augment our product line and better serve our listeners and customers.

"We are emerging from the pandemic as a meaningfully stronger and better positioned company with significantly enhanced growth potential and are excited by the opportunities ahead as we continue to drive innovation and development of new products, content, and capabilities."

Second Quarter Summary

• Net revenues for the quarter were $304.5 million, up 73% compared to $175.9 million in the second quarter of 2020
• Spot revenues were $202.8 million, up 98% compared to the second quarter of 2020
• Digital revenues were $58.4 million, up 41% compared to the second quarter of 2020
• Total operating expenses for the quarter were $286.5 million, up 29% compared to $221.4 million in the second quarter of 2020
• Operating income for the quarter was $17.9 million, which included a non-cash impairment charge of $0.7 million, compared to operating loss of $45.5 million in the second quarter of 2020
• Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $39.9 million, compared to a loss of $20.0 million in the second quarter of 2020
• Liquidity at the end of the second quarter was $194.0 million, up from $160.2 million at year end, comprised of $149.3 million of available revolver capacity and $44.7 million of cash on-hand
• In July, the Company entered into a $75 million accounts receivable securitization facility to provide additional liquidity, to reduce the Company’s cost of funds and to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Company’s credit agreement

Aduacy's press release noted the radio industry is powering out of the COVID-19 crisis. In PPM markets, June 2021 CUME has reached 98% and AQH is at 94% of March 2020 levels. According to Field, "we see listening returning to pre-pandemic levels with cross-platform ratings growth, including double digit monthly gains in OTA in PPM markets. As our audience continues to grow, so does our ability to monetize it across the platform, as reflected by 67% Y/Y growth in streaming RPMs (revenue-per-thousand listening hours), and 93% Y/Y growth in podcast RPMs (revenue-per-thousand downloads)."

FCC Unveils New 4G LTE Cellphone Service Maps

The FCC's Broadband Data Task Force has published a new map that shows data on 4G LTE mobile broadband coverage and availability throughout the United States. This first-of-its-kind map provides the public with more information on mobile service coverage while the FCC works to fully implement its Broadband Data Collection program.

The interactive map shows 4G LTE mobile coverage as of May 15, 2021, with broadband and voice on separate layers, for each of the nation’s four largest mobile carriers: AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile, UScellular, and Verizon. These four mobile wireless service providers have voluntarily submitted the coverage data used to create this map as part of the effort to improve the data on mobile broadband availability throughout the United States that is collected and made available to the public by the Commission.

This map provides a preview of how the mobile data to be collected under the parameters for the Broadband Data Collection will look. These parameters are meant to improve the specificity and consistency of broadband availability data collected by the FCC. The FCC will also use the data shown in this map to assist its ongoing efforts to develop and test the Broadband Data Collection systems and platforms.

iHM Reports Q2 Revenue Climbs 77% to $861.1M

iHeartMedia, Inc. Thursday reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.

Financial Highlights Q2 2021 Results:

• Q2 Revenue of $862 million up 77% YoY; surpassing guidance of up approximately 65% YoY
• Continued improvement vs. 2019,Q2 2021 down 6% vs. Q2 2019 compared to Q1 2021, which was down 11% vs. Q1 2019
• GAAP Operating income of $28 million vs. Operating loss of $159 million in Q2 2020
• Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of $185 million vs. $(29) million in Q2 2020
• Generated Cash Flows from operating activities of $29 million
• Free Cash Flow of $(3) million; when including $12 million of proceeds from real estate sales, Free Cash Flow would have been $9 million
• Capital Expenditures of $32 million vs. $19 million in Q1 2021, driven by accelerated real estate consolidation that will reduce our square footage and corresponding real estate expenses by ~50%
• Cash balance and total available liquidity1 of $583 million and $768 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2021
• Proactively paid down $250 million of term loan in July

Digital Audio Group Maintains Strong Growth and Profit Trajectory

• Digital Audio Group Revenue was up 112% YoY compared to up 70% in Q1 2021
• Podcast Revenue was up 152% YoY compared to up 142% in Q1 2021
• Digital Revenue excluding Podcast was up 101% YoY compared to up 55% in Q1 2021
• Segment Adjusted EBITDA of $54 million increased 188% YoY; up from $40 million in Q1 2021

Multiplatform Group Momentum Accelerates

• Multiplatform Group Revenue was up 70% YoY
• Continued improvement vs. 2019; Q2 2021 down 21% vs. Q2 2019 compared to Q1 2021, which was down 26% vs. Q1 2019
• Segment Adjusted EBITDA of $181 million; up from $(14) million in Q2 2020, and up sequentially from $105 million in Q1 2021

Adjusted EBITDA Margins Expand Significantly

• Consolidated margin of 21%, up from 14% in Q1 2021 and up 2,740 bps from (6)% in Q2 2020
• Multiplatform Group margin of 30%, up from 21% in Q1 2021 and up 3,390 bps from (4)% in Q2 2020
• Digital Audio Group margin of 27%, up from 25% in Q1 2021 and up 720 bps from 20% in Q2 2020

Updated Revenue Guidance

• Q3 Consolidated Revenue expected to increase by approximately 20% YoY
• We reaffirm that we expect to return to 2019 Adjusted EBITDA levels by the end of 2021
• July Revenue up approximately 26% YOY

Bob Pittman

“The strong recovery of our Multiplatform Group and the continued growth of our Digital Audio Group, including our industry-leading podcast business, continue to validate our multiplatform strategy for consumers, advertisers and creators,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc. 

“Our strength with all of our audiences, coupled with our unparalleled reach and supported by our unique ad tech and data resources, positions our company as a one-of-a-kind leader in today’s audio industry. And the high operating leverage characteristics of all of our businesses position us well to participate in the macroeconomic recovery of the economy.”

“We continue to make strong progress in our recovery, generating Adjusted EBITDA of $185 million in the second quarter, driven by our strict cost discipline, the investments we have made in high-growth areas, and the gradual improvements to the macroeconomic environment. We look forward to continuing our business’ recovery and remain confident that we’ll be back to 2019 Adjusted EBITDA levels by the end of 2021, and to continuing the significant progress we’ve made in our deleveraging activities, as evidenced by the fact we improved our leverage by 3.3 turns since the end of the first quarter,” said Rich Bressler, President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of iHeartMedia, Inc.

Beasley Reports Strong 2Q Momentum

Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. Thursday announced operating results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2021

Net revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased 96.1% to $59.6 million and primarily reflects a year-over-year increase in audio advertising revenue and digital revenue due to the continued recovery of the commercial advertising market from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by a decrease in other revenue.

Beasley reported operating income of $5.8 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to an operating loss of $17.6 million in the second quarter of 2020, largely reflecting the year-over-year increase in net revenue and Station Operating Income (SOI, a non-GAAP financial measure), in addition to lower depreciation and amortization expense and $1.5 million of other operating income, net from life insurance proceeds related to the death of George Beasley, the Company’s former Chairman, partially offset by higher operating and corporate expenses.

Beasley reported net income attributable to BBGI stockholders of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to a net loss attributable to BBGI stockholders of $17.7 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in the three months ended June 30, 2020. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to higher revenue and SOI, as well as the other operating income described above, partially offset by higher interest expense resulting from the issuance of senior secured notes in February 2021.

SOI increased by $21.1 million to $11.1 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to negative SOI of $11.0 million in the second quarter of 2020. The increase is primarily attributable to increased net revenue and lower operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue compared to the prior year period and reflects the benefit of permanent expense reductions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commenting on the financial results, Caroline Beasley, Chief Executive Officer, said, “Beasley’s strong 2021 second quarter financial results reflect growing momentum across our media platform, as the continuing broad-based economic recovery accelerated demand from consumers and advertisers for our premium content and marketing and advertising services. 

"With the significant rebound in the commercial advertising market, second quarter net revenue of $59.6 million increased 24% over first quarter 2021 levels and 96% over the comparable prior year period. Top line growth combined with the meaningful actions we have taken over the past year to permanently reduce costs and improve operating efficiencies, resulted in a significant rebound in net income to $0.2 million and SOI to $11.1 million, as well as positive free cash flow of approximately $1.0 million.

Caroline Beasley

“Throughout the second quarter, the resumption of advertising in key categories combined with the success of our content monetization strategies resulted in year-over-year revenue growth across all fifteen of our markets, with healthy double-digit revenue increases in Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia and Wilmington. Notably, our continued emphasis on strong local content and consumer engagement drove best-in-industry ratings performance for our station clusters, according to Nielsen. Our cumulative on-air audience share approached pre-pandemic levels in the second quarter, having grown consistently since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. While second quarter non-traditional revenue (NTR) and events revenue was minimal, we made the strategic decision to fully re-open our events business in the third quarter, given the continued strengthening of commerce and consumer activities in our markets, and expect incremental revenue from this source in the second half of 2021. As we work to return all of our revenue sources to pre-pandemic levels of operation, we are closely tracking potential impacts from the Delta variant and the uncertainty it may bring to businesses we serve and our future operating results.

“Our ongoing focus on digital innovation and the strategic investments we are making in our digital and esports infrastructure and content production capabilities are delivering positive results and continue to highlight the value of our long-term revenue and cash flow diversification strategies.

Entravision Reports Y2Y Revenue Jumped 295 Percent

Entravision Communications Corporation Thursday announced financial results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2021.

Second Quarter 2021 Highlights

• Net revenue up 295% over the prior-year period
• Net income attributable to common stockholders up 236% over the prior-year period
• Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA up 932% over the prior-year period
• Operating cash flow up 181% over the prior-year period
• Free cash flow of $12.4 million compared to a loss of $1.4 million in the prior-year period
• Quarterly cash dividend of $0.025 per share

“Entravision had a strong second quarter of 2021 and an even stronger first half of the year. Net revenues for the second quarter improved 295% as compared to the prior-year period, while Adjusted EBITDA increased 932% year-over-year,” said Walter F. Ulloa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Growth in the quarter was largely driven by our digital business, which is now our largest segment, currently at 73% of consolidated revenues. Our core television and audio businesses also saw sequential and year-over-year revenue improvements, bolstering our overall performance.

"Net revenue for the six-month period of 2021 totaled $327.3 million, up 199% from $109.4 million in the prior-year period. Of the overall increase, approximately $207.0 million was attributable to our digital segment and was primarily due to our acquisition of a majority interest in Cisneros Interactive during the fourth quarter of 2020." 

Ulloa continued, “Our digital segment continues to represent a significant part of the growth of our business. Right after the end of the second quarter we acquired MediaDonuts, a company engaged in the sale and marketing of digital advertising in Southeast Asia. Through the acquisition of MediaDonuts, along with our acquisition of a majority interest in Cisneros Interactive during the fourth quarter of 2020, we have now added two digital powerhouses to our platform whose combined leadership, sales, operations and geographic reach further propel our core digital offerings and position us to partner with the world’s leading technology and social platforms."

MLB Broadcaster Ray Fosse On IL To Battle Cancer

Ray Fosse

The Oakland Athletics announced Thursday that longtime broadcaster Ray Fosse will step away from the booth after battling with cancer for the last 16 years, reports Yahoo! Sports.

Fosse said in a statement that he wishes to focus on his treatment and spend time with his family given his "current medical condition." The A's and their television affiliate NBC Sports California also released a statement affirming their support for Fosse's decision.

The Oakland Athletics announced Thursday that longtime broadcaster Ray Fosse will step away from the booth after battling with cancer for the last 16 years.

Fosse said in a statement that he wishes to focus on his treatment and spend time with his family given his "current medical condition." The A's and their television affiliate NBC Sports California also released a statement affirming their support for Fosse's decision.

Fosse's full statement:

"Along with my wife of 51 years, Carol, today we share that I have been silently battling cancer for the past 16 years. Given my current medical condition, I am taking a step away from the A's and NBC Sports California effective immediately, to focus on my treatment and to be with my family during this time. My wife, Carol, and I extend our gratitude to the baseball community, and community at large, for your thoughts and prayers." 

A 12-year MLB veteran at catcher and two-time World Series champion with the A's, Fosse has worked as a color commentator in Oakland since 1986. Alongside play-by-play announcer Glen Kuiper and fellow analyst Dallas Braden, Fosse's booths have ranked well among recent rankings of MLB broadcasters.

Jerry Remy Stepping Away From Red Sox Broadcasts

Jerry Remy

Longtime Boston Red Sox color commentator Jerry Remy is once again stepping away from the broadcasts to undergo treatment for cancer, reports WCVB TV.

In a statement issued by NESN, Remy said he will once again be treated for lung cancer.

"I will battle this with everything I have," he said.

Remy has made that promise before and successfully returned to work after previous rounds of treatment. In 2018, for example, he returned to the broadcast booth just one day after finishing his final radiation treatment.

"I hope that I'll be rejoining you in your living rooms soon," Remy said in Wednesday's statement. "Lastly, I'd like to thank my medical team for all they've done for me throughout the treatment process.

Manager Alex Cora dedicated the team's win on Wednesday night to Remy.

“We’re going to be there for him,” Cora said. “He has always been there for us. Not only for the players, for (the media), the whole fan base and the organization. This time, we’re going to stay together and we’re going to be fighting with him.”

Wake-Up Call: COVID Hospitalizations, Deaths Spike

As the coronavirus surges again the U.S., driven by the highly-contagious delta variant and not enough of the population being vaccinated, hospitalizations and deaths are now up by more than 40 percent from a week ago. That's coming as daily cases have passed 100,000, numbers that were last seen in February. White House coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients noted that seven Southern states -- Florida, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi -- accounted for about half of all new infections and hospitalizations over the past week. However health officials said there's been a significant increase in the number of Americans getting vaccinated, including a 90 percent boost in first shots in Tennessee over the last two weeks, an 82 percent increase in Oklahoma and a 66 percent increase in Georgia.

➤N.Y. LAWMAKERS GIVE CUOMO WEEK DEADLINE FOR MORE EVIDENCE IN PROBE OF CONDUCT: New York lawmakers yesterday gave embattled Governor Andrew Cuomo a deadline of August 13th to provide more evidence in their investigation of his conduct, while telling him the probe is almost done. Unless Cuomo resigns, an impeachment seems to be likely in the wake of an independent investigation finding in results released this week that he sexually harassed 11 women, including state employees. Lawmakers are also investigating Cuomo, who has denied wrongdoing, over allegations of misleading the public about Covid-19 outbreaks at nursing homes and using state resources and staff for his book deal. Cuomo's spokesperson said the governor would cooperate.

➤CALIFORNIA TOWN DESTROYED BY WILDFIRE: The small town of Greenville, California, was destroyed by a wildfire that burned through overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning (August 5th). About 1,000 people live in the Gold Rush-era mountain town, which was in the path of the Dixie Fire, currently the largest wildfire in the state. Plumas County Sheriff Todd Johns, a lifelong resident of Greenville, estimated that "well over" 100 homes had burned in and near the town. There are 100 active large fires burning in 14 states, most of the in the western part of the country.

➤BIDEN SIGNS BILL AWARDING MEDALS TO JAN. 6TH POLICE IN ROSE GARDEN CEREMONY: President Biden signed legislation yesterday awarding Congressional Gold Medals to police who responded to the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. Present at the White House Rose Garden signing ceremony were Vice President Kamala Harris, some members of Congress, law enforcement officers, and families of police who died following the attack. Biden offered his "profound gratitude" to the officers, and said of the day: "It was a violent attempt to overturn the will of the American people, to seek power at all costs, to replace the ballot with brute force. . . . Without democracy, nothing is possible. With it, everything is." The legislation to award the medals, the highest honor that can be awarded by Congress, passed unanimously in the Senate and over the opposition of 21 Republicans in the House. There will be four medals that will be displayed at Capitol Police headquarters, the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, the Capitol and the Smithsonian Institution.

➤APPLE IS LAUNCHING FEATURES THAT WILL SCAN PHOTOS FOR SIGNS OF ABUSE: Apple is launching new features that will allow its devices to scan through people’s photos and messages to check for signs of child abuse. Two of the three new measures will prevent children from sending or receiving inappropriate photos. The features will blur sensitive content and send an alert to their parents. The third will scan photos for child sex abuse material. According to the Independent, the company says the features will keep those communications hidden from Apple, and ensure that the user’s privacy is protected.

➤LONGTIME AFL-CIO PRESIDENT RICHARD TRUMKA DEAD AT 72: Richard Trumka, the longtime president of the AFL-CIO, one of the world's largest labor organizations, died on Thursday. He was 72. President Biden said at the White House that Trumka had died of a heart attack while on a family camping trip, and called him a "great labor leader" and a "friend." Trumka had been the AFL-CIO's president since 2009, after being the union's secretary-treasurer for 14 years before that. The Pennsylvania-born Trumka was the son and grandson of coal miners, and worked in the mines himself for seven years before earning accounting and law degrees. He began in national union politics as president of the United Mine Workers of America in 1982.

➤JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO PROBE PHOENIX POLICE: The Justice Department announced yesterday that is beginning a widespread investigation of the Phoenix police force, looking at whether officers have been using excessive force and abusing homeless people. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the probe will also look into whether the police have used discriminatory policing practices or retaliated against people carrying out protected First Amendment activities. Phoenix's police department has been criticized in recent years for its handling of protests and the high number of shootings. Police Chief Jeri Williams defended her department and reforms made in recent years, but said she's open to any recommendations from the Justice Department.

Six people died after a sightseeing floatplane carrying cruise ship passengers crashed in southeast Alaska on Thursday, authorities say. https://t.co/5aRX560YuK

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 6, 2021

➤SIX KILLED IN CRASH OF ALASKA SIGHTSEEING PLANE: All six people on board were killed when a sightseeing plane crashed in Alaska late yesterday morning, the U.S. Coast Guard reported. The plane, owned by Southeast Aviation, went down in the area of Misty Fjords National Monument near Ketchikan. The five passengers on the flight with the pilot were from the Holland America cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam, which stopped in Ketchikan Thursday. The cruise line said the "float plane excursion" was offered by an independent tour operator.

Two Belarusian coaches have been stripped of their accreditation and booted out of the Olympic Village, just days after a sprinter from that country refused to go home and has now found sanctuary in Poland. https://t.co/ONfR4Dt53j

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 6, 2021

➤TOKYO OLYMPICS Highlights:

THAT'S GAME.

The women's @usavolleyball team has advanced to the GOLD MEDAL MATCH! #TokyoOlympics

📺 USA Network
💻 https://t.co/9XWqJaegPD
📱 NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/UGsrzhYw5H

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021

• U.S. Women Win Beach Volleyball Gold - The U.S. team of April Ross and Alix Klineman won the women's beach volleyball gold medal, beating Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy of Australia, who took silver. The Swiss team won bronze in a defeat of the Latvian team earlier in the day. Ross won silver in the 2012 London Olympics and bronze in Rio in 2016, while Klineman was a first-time Olympian.
• U.S. Women's Soccer Team Win Bronze Medal - The U.S women's soccer team won the bronze medal, downing Australia 4-3. Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd had two goals each, and Lloyd became the Olympics' all-time leading female scorer with her second goal. Canada, the team the U.S. lost to in the semifinals, will play Sweden for the gold.

IT'S OFFICIAL!

The women's @usabasketball team has advanced to the final and will play for their SEVENTH consecutive Olympic gold medal.@TeamUSA x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/0JEkE9M8jl

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021

• U.S. Women's Basketball Team Beats Serbia, Will Play for Gold - The U.S. women's basketball team defeated Serbia 79-59 in their semifinal and will play for the gold medal. They'll take on the winner of the semifinal between France and Japan, and will be trying to win the seventh straight Olympics gold for the U.S.

CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH! 🥇

The A-Team of @AprilRossBeach and @alixklineman is GOLDEN in beach volleyball #TokyoOlympics x @TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/zxBfQOtZ6w

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021

• U.S. Women's Team to Play for Volleyball Gold - The U.S. women's team will play for the volleyball gold medal after defeating Serbia 3-0 in their semifinal. They will play the winner of the semifinal between Brazil and South Korea.
• U.S. Men Finish Out of Medals in 400-Meter Race - The U.S. men's track disappointments in Tokyo continued as the American runners didn't make the medal stand in the 400 meters. Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas won gold, Colombia's Anthony Jose Zambrano took silver and Kirani James of Granada won bronze. The highest-finishing American was Michael Cherry in fourth place, while teammate and Olympic Trials champion Michael Norman came in fifth.
• IOC Removes Two Belarus Coaches After Tried to Force Sprinter Home - The International Olympic Committee removed two coaches on the Belarus team from the Olympics, four days after they were involved in trying to force sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya on a plane back home. The attempt to send Tsimanouskaya home to Belarus, which is ruled by an autocratic government, came after she criticized team coaches on social media over a racing decision. The sprinter, who asked Japanese police for help at the airport to prevent her from getting on the plane, is now in Poland on a humanitarian visa.

MEDAL COUNT: (As of 3:30 a.m. ET) - The U.S. is in first place with 92 medals, followed by China with 74 and the Russian Olympic Committee with 60. In the gold medal count, China leads with 34, the U.S. is second with 30, and Japan is third with 22. ESPN'S MEDAL TRACKER: https://es.pn/3hZWIw0

OTHER SPORTS:

🏈STEELERS BEAT COWBOYS 16-3 IN HALL OF FAME GAME: The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 16-3 in the Hall of Fame game last night in Canton, Ohio, as the NFL kicked off its preseason. Few regulars played in the contest, which was the first preseason game in two years, as last year's were canceled due to the pandemic. Enshrinement will be held for both the 2021 and 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame classes this weekend, as the pandemic postponed last year's ceremony.

⚾SANCHEZ IS THIRD YANKEES PLAYER POSITIVE FOR COVID-19: New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez has tested positive for Covid-19, manager Aaron Boone revealed yesterday, the third member of the team to test positive in the last few days, joining pitchers Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery. This is the third Covid outbreak on the Yankees this season, despite more than 85 percent of the team being vaccinated.

⚾DODGERS PITCHER BAUER'S LEAVE EXTENDED AGAIN: L.A. Dodgers' pitcher Trevor Bauer’s administrative leave was extended Thursday for seven days through August 13th, the fourth time it's been extended by MLB and the players' association. Bauer remains on leave while the league and Pasadena, California, police continue to investigate a woman's allegations that he assaulted her during two sexual encounters. Bauer's agents have denied the accusations.

⚽SOCCER ICON MESSI NOT RETURNING TO FC BARCELONA: Soccer icon Lionel Messi isn't returning to FC Barcelona, the team announced yesterday, with him leaving after spending his entire career with them. The 34-year-old has been with FC Barcelona for 17 seasons, during which it has won 10 La Liga titles. Messi has won the men's Ballon d'Or, which honors the world's greatest soccer player, a record six times.