The 74-year-old revealed to DailyMail.com he is eager to turn the network around, and vowed to bring two million viewers back to the struggling channel 'within 12 months'.
'I don't even want to get paid,' he added. 'If they want to bet on me and share my success and make a ton of money, I'll do it now.' He revealed that he has begun talks with investors to explore a serious bid for the company, but declined to comment any further.
Despite a calamitous run culminating in two ousted CEOs in the space of a year, Catsimatidis said he is in a unique position to turn CNN's fortunes around.
'I bought WABC three years ago, and we brought it from number 28 in the marketplace to the top two or three in the city,' he said. 'So I said to CNN, you have 400,000 (viewers), if I run CNN within 12 months we're back at two million... My specialty is taking broken things and fixing them.'
The billionaire's offer comes amid reports that CNN's parent company Warner Bros. Discovery could be looking to offload the network following the sacking of CEO Chris Licht. In a surprise turn of events, ousted CEO Zucker emerged as a potential buyer, insiders revealed this week.
The Philly Inquirer reports a group of 10 employees of the WUSL-FM radio station, which is owned by iHeartMedia Inc., filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on June 20. They are seeking to be represented by the Philadelphia local of the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
“We don’t comment on ongoing organizing, but obviously we are very excited about broadcasters having a voice in the workplace and looking forward to welcoming them to the SAG-AFTRA family,” said Steve Leshinski, Philadelphia executive director for the union.
A spokesperson for iHeartMedia did not respond to a request for comment on the petition.
Radio stations of all types have undergone economic struggles for years, and staff layoffs have affected radio workforces across the country. In 2020, a round of layoffs at iHeartMedia included an executive and two disc jockeys from Philadelphia, but none of them were from Power 99-FM. The company did a round of layoffs this year as well, which do not appear to have included Philadelphia employees, based on industry reporting.
The petition filed this week does not immediately create a union with a contract. iHeartMedia will have an opportunity to respond to the petition with the NLRB. If the NLRB approves an election, a majority of members who choose to vote would have to elect union representation. If they elect to unionize, collective bargaining would follow. It often takes new unions a year or more to reach a first contract.
While Zandy said she’s not sure what’s next, she’s grateful for everyone who tuned in over her 24 years behind the mic. “You guys have been fun, encouraging, generous and so much more,” she said. “Thank you for all of it.”
Zandy was best known for co-hosting the “Giovanni & Kim” morning show. The future of the show is unclear at this time.
12 News reached out to Cumulus Providence for more information on Zandy’s departure, but the company declined to comment.
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| Tim Donnelly |
Reuters reports Senator Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, and Democrat Ed Markey, who also sits on the panel, wrote to BMW, Volkswagen, Tesla, Mazda, Polestar, Rivian and Volvo Cars asking them to commit by July 7 to including AM radio in new vehicles.
"Preserving AM radio not only aligns with the growing recognition of its significance but also demonstrates a commitment to public safety and meeting consumer expectations," the senators wrote.
The automakers did not immediately comment. Some have said electric vehicles can cause interference with AM radio.
Markey said last month the seven automakers had opted to remove AM broadcast radio from their electric vehicles.
Lawmakers say losing AM radio undermines a federal system for delivering key public safety information to the public.
"AM radio covers a wider geographical area than FM radio signals or cell towers and it continues to reliably function during hurricanes, tornadoes, or other severe weather events when other communication networks may face outages," Cruz and Markey said.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing major automakers, said, "mandating AM radios in all vehicles is unnecessary. Congress has never mandated radio features in vehicles ever before."
Automakers pointed to an existing system that distributes warnings across AM, FM, internet-based or satellite radio, and over cellular networks.
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| Kevin West retires |
A 43-year radio veteran, West started his radio career in 1979 as a disc jockey at the University of Michigan's campus radio station, with a paying job at WIBM in Jackson, Michigan.
He came to Chattanooga in 1987 as the morning news anchor and street reporter for WGOW-AM and became program director of Talk FM 102.7 before it became Talk FM 102.3.
Along with his broadcasting career, West, who announced his retirement Friday, served in the U.S. Navy, beginning with an on-air enlistment in the Navy Reserves and ending with his retirement as a Navy captain in 2021.
While serving, West deployed to Afghanistan in 2016 and 2017 as the deputy director of public affairs at resolute support headquarters in Kabul and served as commanding officer of the 6th Fleet Public Affairs, 7th Fleet Public Affairs and Navy Public Affairs Support Element Headquarters.
"Kevin has been the trusted voice guiding our stations, audiences and neighbors for over three decades," Scott Chase, Cumulus Chattanooga operations manager, said. "While we will miss him, we know that his energy and community commitment will continue to be a force in Chattanooga."
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| WMMR’s Preston & Steve Show (Nick McIlwain, Kathy Romano, Steve Morrison, Preston Elliot, Marisa Magnatta, and Caseyboy) |
This year’s blood collection surpassed last year’s total by 210 pints and marks the first time the event eclipsed1,000 donations since 2019 (before the pandemic). In addition, 123 of the attendees that participated were first time blood donors.
Participating donors received the latest Preston & Steve t-shirt as well as a collectible tote bag courtesy of Window Nation. In addition, complimentary Everfresh Juice was served in the recovery area as well as snacks and water.
Many thanks to Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia and The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks for serving as location hosts for the blood drive as well as the students of Neumann Media at Neumann University for providing videography and streaming services.
According to a preview of his "CBS Sunday Morning" interview, airing Sunday, the 83-year-old shared he's had "a bad experience" while battling multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.
"I've had a bad experience," Brokaw told longtime friend and "CBS Sunday Morning" host Jane Pauley of his illness. "I kept thinking bad things wouldn't happen to me. But as I grew older, I began to develop this condition. And what you try to do is control it as much as you can."
USAToday reports Brokaw was diagnosed in 2013 with the disease and continued working while he was being treated. He announced the cancer was in remission in 2014.
He announced his retirement from NBC after a 55-year career in January 2021.
"I've had to change my life in some way," he said. "I really had to give up my daily activity with NBC. You know, I had to walk away from them, as they were walking away from me. I just wasn't the same person. And so, for the first time in my life, I was kind of out there, you know, in a place I had never been in my life."
Brokaw holds the distinction of being the only person to helm all three of NBC News' signature shows: "Today," "NBC Nightly News" and "Meet the Press." His first book, "The Greatest Generation," was a huge success, coining a name for the generation of Americans who lived through the Great Depression and fought in World War II.
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| Alice Faye and Phil Harris |
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| 'A Date With Judy' |
➦In 1960…One of radio's longest running soap operas, "The Romance of Helen Trent" ended.
The Denver Nuggets’ five-game victory over the Miami Heat averaged 11.65 million viewers, 5.5% less than the 12.38 million average for the Golden State Warriors’ six-game victory over the Boston Celtics in the 2022 Finals. The series average includes the “Stephen A’s World” alternate presentation of Game 1 on ESPN that averaged 544,000.
ABC’s coverage of the 2023 NBA Finals averaged its smallest audience when held during its customary time since 2007, erasing the previous low set a year earlier.
The Denver Nuggets’ five-game victory over the Miami Heat averaged 11.65 million viewers, 5.5% less than the 12.38 million average for the Golden State Warriors’ six-game victory over the Boston Celtics in the 2022 Finals. The series average includes the “Stephen A’s World” alternate presentation of Game 1 on ESPN that averaged 544,000.
Denver’s title-clinching 94-89 victory June 12 averaged a series-high 13.08 million viewers, according to live-plus-same-day figures released by Nielsen on Wednesday. The previous high was 11.91 million for Miami’s 111-108 victory in Game 2 on Sunday, June 4.
The 2023 Finals consisted of two teams that did not match Golden State’s star power or Boston’s longtime national following. ABC has carried the NBA Finals since 2003.
The only other prime-time program between June 12 and Sunday to average more than 5 million viewers was NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” which averaged 5.96 million viewers.
ABC was second after back-to-back first-place finishes, averaging 3.61 million viewers. Its top-rated program outside the NBA Finals coverage was the 8 p.m. Thursday rerun of “Celebrity Family Feud,” which was sixth for the week, averaging 3.34 million viewers. CBS was third, averaging 2.59 million viewers. “60 Minutes” lead its ratings and was fourth for the week — second among non-sports programs — averaging 4.34 million viewers for an edition with three previously broadcast segments that were updated.
The top 20 prime-time programs consisted of Game 5 of the NBA Finals and its 32-minute pregame show; the NBC series “America’s Got Talent” and “American Ninja Warrior”; CBS’ “60 Minutes”; reruns of eight CBS scripted series; episodes of five ABC alternative series and its news magazine, “20/20”; and the June 13 edition of the Fox News Channel political talk show “Hannity.”
📺CABLE TV
The top rated prime-time cable program was “Hannity,” which averaged 2.87 million viewers, 19th overall, airing on June 13, the day former President Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 felony charges in connection with his handling of classified documents and alleged attempts to prevent the government from recovering them.
Fox News Channel won the cable network race, averaging 1.53 million viewers, and returned to first among cable news networks one week after MSNBC ended FNC’s 120-week streak. MSNBC was second, averaging 1.4 million and ESPN third, averaging 1.01 million. CNN finished seventh among cable networks, averaging 640,000 viewers.
But that was far from the case. Instead, she shifted her signature courtroom style to Freevee, Amazon’s ad-supported streaming service, and launched her new series, "Judy Justice," later that year.
"We left on top, which is perfect," Sheindlin told People about the end of "Judge Judy." "Amazon had the confidence in me to say, 'Let's do it in streaming. Let's let you do your thing in a fresh version with new people.' And I'm excited!"
Now, Sheindlin has three additional shows coming out on Freevee, continuing to expand her courtroom empire and attempting to make stars out of several family members.
"Judge Judy appeals to audiences due to her ability to be straightforward, genuine and entertaining," Kathy Fielder, president and CEO of Kathy Fielder Design, told Fox News Digital. "She can be brutally honest, and just like reality TV, we know America loves a little, or a lot, of drama. She solves real cases in her courtroom, the cases themselves aren’t actors or scripted."
"What sets Judge Judy apart is not only her incredible ratings … but also her cultural impact. People are drawn to her authenticity and relatability. In a world of celebrities, viewers are craving something real, and Judge Judy delivers just that," said Dhomonique Murphy, founder of the Right Method.
Debris that rescuers found near the Titanic shipwreck in the North Atlantic was “consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber” of the OceanGate Expeditions craft, according to the Coast Guard. The men aboard the Titan submersible, which was on a trip to the Titanic wreck, were OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush; Paul-Henry Nargeolet, considered a leading authority on the Titanic; Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, members of one of Pakistan’s richest families; and British aviator and explorer Hamish Harding. Even before the debris field was discovered, hopes of finding the group alive had dimmed due to the difficulties involved in finding and retrieving the submersible and the limited oxygen supply on board.
The U.S. Coast Guard says the debris discovered near the bow of the Titanic is that of the missing submersible.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 22, 2023
"The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber," he said, adding, "I offer my deepest condolences to the families." pic.twitter.com/GfH9fJDlcL
➤NAVY DETECTED SOUND OF IMPLOSION: A top secret military acoustic detection system designed to spot enemy submarines first heard what the U.S. Navy suspected was the Titan submersible implosion hours after the vehicle began its mission, officials involved in the search said. The Navy began listening for the Titan almost as soon as the sub lost communications, according to a U.S. defense official. Shortly after the submersible’s disappearance Sunday, the U.S. system detected what it suspected was the sound of an implosion near the debris site discovered Thursday and reported its findings to the commander on site, U.S. defense officials said. “The U.S. Navy conducted an analysis of acoustic data and detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost,” a senior U.S. Navy official told The Wall Street Journal in a statement. “While not definitive, this information was immediately shared with the Incident Commander to assist with the ongoing search and rescue mission.” The Navy asked that the specific system used not be named, citing national security concerns.
‘Titanic’ director James Cameron on the ‘catastrophic implosion’ of Titan submersible: “I’m struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field." pic.twitter.com/vO8JkCXS5f
— ABC News (@ABC) June 22, 2023
The Canadian Parliament has passed a law that will require technology companies to pay domestic news outlets for linking to their articles, prompting the owner of Facebook and Instagram to say that it would pull news articles from both platforms in the country.
The NY Times reports the law, passed on Thursday, is the latest salvo in a push by governments around the world to force big companies like Google and Facebook to pay for news that they share on their platforms — a campaign that the companies have resisted at virtually every turn.
With some caveats, the new Canadian law would force search engines and social media companies to engage in a bargaining process — and binding arbitration, if necessary — for licensing news content for their use.
The law, the Online News Act, was modeled after a similar one that passed in Australia two years ago. It was designed to “enhance fairness in the Canadian digital news marketplace and contribute to its sustainability,” according to an official summary. Exactly when the law would take effect was not immediately clear as of Friday morning.
The Wall Street Journal reports a group of Vice Media’s lenders led by Fortress and Soros offered $225 million to take over the company, which filed for bankruptcy last month. On Thursday, Vice filed a notice of an amended bid from the lender group that showed its takeover would value the company at $350 million.
Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Vice was soliciting outside bids, but no offers that the company considered superior emerged, the company’s co-chief executives said.
“While we received multiple bids for the company, none of the other bids rose to the level of being deemed a superior bid,” Bruce Dixon and Hozefa Lokhandwala, Vice’s co-CEOs, said Thursday.
The winning bid needs to be approved by a bankruptcy court. Vice is scheduled to have a hearing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York on Friday about its sale to Fortress and Soros.
"I'm writing to share the news that Latondra Newton has decided to leave The Walt Disney Company to pursue other endeavors," an employee value proposition and chief human resources officer said in an internal company note obtained by FOX Business. "Latondra has led the company’s strategic diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, including partnering with stakeholders across the enterprise to amplify stories of the world by people around the world."
Disney's diversity initiatives, under Newton's leadership, have proved divisive as the company has sought to position itself as a progressive and inclusive company.
Last year, Disney axed gendered language such as "boys and girls" in their park greetings to promote gender inclusivity.
The company began a public feud with the Republican Party after Disney CEO Bob Chapek took a stand against a Florida bill that prohibits teachers from providing instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade classrooms.
According to TheWRAP, Many took to social media and accused the 24/7 news cycle of catering more airtime to the Titanic submersible than they were to the hundreds of shipwrecked Egyptian, Pakistani, Syrian and Palestinian migrants off the coast of Greece while en route to Italy. Only 104 passengers survived the June 14 wreckage and over 500 remain missing.
“The role PR and journalism are playing in multiple countries deciding to come together to save billionaires on #OceanGate, while hundreds of migrants drowned, is sickening,” one Twitter user wrote on Thursday, just hours before the U.S. Coast Guard announced it believed the vessel’s passengers died following an implosion and confirmed sub debris.
Reports of the migrant shipwreck began June 15, and the submersive was declared missing on June 18. While both events mark historic tragedies, many online raised concern that they were not given comparable news coverage in the following days. The debate picked up speed and was trending on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Although I am also guilty of paying close attention to the #OceanGate tragedy, I think it’s important to recognize the bias in our media,” said one Twitter user. Another pointed out the apparent imbalance of resources given to the group of men on the submersive compared to the hundreds of migrants.
“Why did this Titanic OceanGate receive this much media coverage and global aid? Are the lives of the ridiculously wealthy more valued?,” they questioned.
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| Dionne Warwick (from left), Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, Billy Crystal and Renée Fleming |
The award for lifetime artistic achievement will recognize actor and comedian Billy Crystal; celebrated soprano Renée Fleming; singer-songwriter and Bee Gees band member Barry Gibb; actress, singer and rapper Queen Latifah; and singer Dionne Warwick.
NPR reports Queen Latifah said she was beyond grateful for the recognition. "When we started on this journey decades ago, we were often told 'No.' No, you won't be able to leave New Jersey. No, if you rap you can't sing. No, singers can't become actresses. No, actors can't also produce," she said in a statement. "To now be recognized amongst so many multi-hyphenates feels unbelievable, not for just me and my team, but for our community."
Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement that the honorees each "explored new terrain, stretched artistic boundaries, and most importantly, committed to sharing their gifts with the world."
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| Nikola Tesla |
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| Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone |
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| Edward P. Morgan 1954 |
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| Dash |
Forbes reports the interview drew intense interest, as Baier confronted Trump with his election lies about the 2020 presidential election—when Trump insisted that he won re-election, Baier told Trump “you lost the 2020 election.”
Baier also pressed Trump on his time in the White House, why so many of the people he hired to work in his administration had become fierce critics, and how he thought he could bring independent voters to support him given his legal woes, including the federal case accusing Trump of mishandling government documents.
Asked about the documents and why Trump hadn’t simply returned them when he was asked to, the former president said he was “too busy.” The only way the National Archives could get documents back, he said, would be to say “please, please, please, could we have it back?”
Boosted by the Trump interview, which was covered extensively on Fox and the other cable news networks, Fox News Channel won in prime time Monday night, with an average audience of 1.9 million viewers, and 235,000 viewers in the key demo. FNC’s The Five was the highest rated show in cable news among total viewers, with an audience of 2.8 million viewers.
This is part of the restructuring of the company that will include significant on-air layoffs as early as next week, according to sources.
It doesn’t mean that Johnson, Williams or Kellerman will be let go, though Kellerman is in jeopardy as a big-money guy who now is going to be out on radio and has “The Pat McAfee Show” this fall moving into the same time slot as Kellerman’s TV program, “This Just In”
As part of the upcoming layoffs, ESPN is expected to buy out some deals. This is a corporate way of reducing numbers on the books, while still actually paying people the money they are owed.
ESPN could do that, which could grant Johnson free agency and make him a possible sparring partner for Skip Bayless as a replacement for Shannon Sharpe on FS1’s “Undisputed." Johnson lives in Los Angeles, where Fox Sports is located.
ESPN and Johnson would have to negotiate an agreement to allow this possibility to fully play out.
ESPN could also choose to expand Johnson’s NFL role, especially with “Monday Night Countdown” expected to be hit by layoffs.
Johnson is already a regular on ESPN’s daily program, “NFL Live.”