Radio History: Dec 29

➦In 1891...Thomas A. Edison patented "transmission of signals electrically" (radio).

Wendell Niles, Marilyn Monroe

➦In 1904...one of the prominent announcers of big-time radio & early TV Wendell Niles was born in Twin Valley Minnesota.

Niles worked on such radio shows as The Charlotte Greenwood Show, Hedda Hopper's Hollywood, The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, The Man Called X, The Bob Hope Show, The Burns & Allen Show, The Milton Berle Show and The Chase and Sanborn Hour. On February 15, 1950, Wendell starred in the radio pilot for The Adventures of the Scarlet Cloak along with Gerald Mohr.

Wendell Niles

He began in entertainment by touring in the 1920s with his own orchestra, playing with the Dorsey Brothers and Bix Beiderbecke. In the early 1930s, Niles was an announcer at radio station KOL in Seattle. He moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1935 to join George Burns and Gracie Allen.

He and his brother, Ken, developed one of the first radio dramas, which eventually became Theatre of the Mind.

He toured with Bob Hope during World War II. Among his film credits are Knute Rockne, All American (1940) with Ronald Reagan and Hollywood or Bust (the last Martin & Lewis comedy, 1956) as himself.

Wendell Niles was the announcer for TV's "America's Show Of Surprises"... It Could Be You, and for the Hatos-Hall production Your First Impression. Niles was also the original announcer for Let's Make a Deal during that show's first season in 1963 and 1964; he was later replaced by Jay Stewart.

Niles and his brother, Ken, are the first brothers to have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

He died March 28 1994 at age 89.

➦In 1945...Sheb Wooley recorded the first commercial record made in Nashville. The song was recorded at the studios of WSM-AM and released by the Bullet label; but it would be 13 years before Wooley would finally score with a big hit (“The Purple People Eater” was #1 for six weeks in 1958.)

WSM is credited with helping shape Nashville into a recording industry capital. Because of WSM's wide reach, musical acts from all across the eastern United States came to Nashville in the early decades of the station's existence, in hopes of getting to perform on WSM.  Over time, as more acts and recording companies came to Nashville, the city became known as the center of the country music industry. Disc jockey David Cobb is credited with first referring to Nashville as "Music City USA", a designation that has since been adopted as the city's official nickname by the local tourism board.

➦In 1945...The mystery voice of "Mr. Hush" was introduced to the audience of the radio show, "Truth or Consequences", which was hosted by Ralph Edwards.

Ralph Edwards

Born in Merino, Colorado,  Edwards worked for KROW Radio in Oakland, California while he was still in high school.  Before graduating from high school in 1931, he worked his way through college at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a B.A. in English in 1935. While there, he worked at every job from janitor to producer at Oakland's KTAB, now KSFO. Failing to get a job as a high school teacher, he worked at KFRC and then hitchhiked across the country to New York, where, he said, "I ate ten-cent ($2 as of 2014),  meals and slept on park benches".

After some part-time announcing jobs, he got his big break in 1938 with a full-time job for the Columbia Broadcasting System on WABC (now WCBS-AM), where he worked with two other young announcers who would become broadcasting fixtures - Mel Allen and Andre Baruch.

It was Edwards who introduced Major Bowes every week on the Original Amateur Hour and Fred Allen on Town Hall Tonight. Edwards perfected a chuckling delivery, sounding as though he was in the midst of telling a very funny story. This "laugh in the voice" technique served him well when 20th Century Fox hired him to narrate the coming-attractions trailers for Laurel and Hardy movies. He later used the conspiratorial chuckle frequently when surprising someone on his programs.

In 1940, Edwards created the game show Truth or Consequences, which aired for 38 years on radio and television. Contestants were asked to perform (often ridiculous) stunts for prizes of cash or merchandise.

➦In 1958...the first radio broadcast from space occurred when the voice of President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, "To all mankind, America's wish for Peace on Earth & Good Will to Men Everywhere".

➦In 1963...Much to the chagrin of the disc jockeys at 50,000-watt 77WABC in New York, the 5,000-watt blowtorch known as WMCA 570 AM and its famed “Good Guys” became the first New York radio station to play the Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand”. It didn’t take long for WABC to get revenge. WABC played the record an hour later and started calling itself the “official” Beatles station (W-A-Beatle-C).

Throughout the 1960s, WMCA would continue to beat other radio stations on most Beatles' promotions, scoring firsts, causing headaches in particular for rival WABC - most notably when Capitol Records printed a photograph of the "Good Guys" line-up - on the back of a limited edition record sleeve for the single, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (Side 2: "I Saw Her Standing There"). WMCA's Good Guys were also featured at both of the Beatles' concerts at Shea Stadium, on August 15, 1965 and on August 23, 1966.

WMCA Good Guys: Johnny Dark, Joe O'Brien, Jack Spector, B. Mitchel Reed. Harry Harrison

WABC responded in different ways, scoring a success during the Beatles' second New York visit in August 1964 - when the band stayed at the Delmonico Hotel, rousing thousands of teenage fans into a frenzy - while broadcasting from one floor above the Beatles' rooms.  WABC later went against its own music policies, promising promoter Sid Bernstein that it would play a new group he was handling before any other New York City radio station - if it could get exclusive access to the Beatles. WABC never added records "out of the box" - but it did for Sid Bernstein when it played The Young Rascals' "I Ain't Going To Eat Out My Heart Anymore" - before other radio stations.

Since WABC knew WMCA already had a relationship with the Beatles, with tapes of the group promoting the station - what could WABC do to achieve the same? In August 1965, WABC came up with what it thought was a brilliant idea - issuing "medals" called "The Order of the All-Americans" - tied to its own DJs.  The strategy was to present the medals to each of the Beatles the next time they were in New York. Everything was set. The goal was to get each Beatle to comment on the "medal" - and then to get each to say the station's call letters, "W-A-B-C." These in turn could be used in station IDs and promotions, etc. - thus matching WMCA's success at getting the Beatles to promote WMCA and its Good Guys. But WABC's plan backfired. The station got its interviews, but none of the band's members would utter WABC's call letters. According to Beatles' historian Bruce Spizer, manager Brian Epstein ordered the Beatles to stop "giving away valuable promotional spots to radio stations for free."

Ted Danson is 77

🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

• Actor Jon Voight is 86. 
• Singer Marianne Faithfull is 78. 
• Actor Ted Danson is 77. 
• Singer-actor Yvonne Elliman is 73. 
• Actor Patricia Clarkson is 65. 
• Comedian Paula Poundstone is 65. 
• Guitarist-singer Jim Reid of The Jesus and Mary Chain is 63. 
• Actor Michael Cudlitz (“The Walking Dead”) is 60. 
• Singer Dexter Holland of The Offspring is 59. 
• Actor Jason Gould is 58. 
• News anchor Ashleigh Banfield is 57. 
• Director Lilly Wachowski (“The Matrix”) is 57. 
• Singer-guitarist Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) is 54. 
• Actor Kevin Weisman (“Alias”) is 54. 
• Actor Jude Law is 52. 
• Actor Maria Dizzia (“Orange Is the New Black”) is 50. 
• Actor Mekhi Phifer is 50. 
• Actor Shawn Hatosy (“Reckless,” ″The Faculty”) is 49. 
• Actor Katherine Moennig (“Ray Donovan,” “The L Word”) is 47. 
• Actor Alison Brie (“Glow,” ″Community”) is 42. 
• Country singer Jessica Andrews is 41. 
• Actor Iain de Caestecker (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) is 37. 
• Actor Jane Levy (“Suburgatory”) is 35. 
• Drummer Danny Wagner of Greta Van Fleet is 26.

✞REMEMBRANCES

• In 2011..Bobby Purify [Robert Lee Dickey], American soul singer (I'm Your Puppet), dies at 72
• In 2020..Phyllis McGuire, American pop vocalist (McGuire Sisters - "Sincerely"; "Sugartime"), dies at 89
• In 2022..Pele, Brazilian soccer attacking midfielder (92 caps; Player of the Century; 1,281 goals in 1,363 games; Santos, died from colon cancer at age 82
• In 2023..Les McCann, American jazz pianist, soul singer ("Compared to What"), painter, and photographer, dies of pneumonia at 88

TV Ratings: 27M Watched Beyonce Half-Time Show

The NFL’s Netflix debut was a success – as far as streaming goes, anyway. But even with Beyoncé performing at halftime, the games’ ratings were roughly on par with last year’s Christmas viewership, which was aired on broadcast and cable TV.

CNN  reports the late Ravens-Texans game averaged 24.3 million viewers in the United States, and the early Chiefs-Steelers game averaged 24.1 million, according to Nielsen. The games were the most-streamed games in NFL history, the ratings company said.

Viewership for the Ravens-Texans peaked at the halftime show, dubbed the Beyoncé Bowl, with over 27 million viewers, Nielsen reported.

“Bringing our members this record-breaking day of two NFL games was the best Christmas gift we could have delivered,” said Bela Bajaria, Netflix chief content officer, in a statement.

That might have been a stellar debut for football on Netflix, but the numbers weren’t particularly great for the NFL. Last year’s Christmas games, all broadcasted on traditional TV and cable networks, each out-rated this year’s offerings. The Raiders vs. Chiefs on CBS netted 29.2 million viewers. The Eagles vs. Giants on Fox scored 29 million and the 49ers vs. Ravens on ESPN had 27.1 million viewers on average, Nielsen reported.

This year’s Christmas Day games were the first of a three-year deal for the NFL and Netflix, which paid $150 million to carry the games through 2026.

“We’re thrilled with our first Christmas Gameday on Netflix with NFL games being streamed to a global audience,” said Hans Schroeder, NFL executive vice president of media distribution, in a statement.

The ratings may have been hurt by the blowout scores. The Ravens beat the Texas 31-2, and the Chiefs outscored the Steelers 29-10.

The NFL experimented last year with streaming its playoff game on Peacock, and the ratings were surprisingly strong despite significant confusion and concern from fans ahead of the game. At the time, the Chiefs-Dolphins game on Peacock on January 15 was the most-streamed live event in history.

NPR, PBS Bracing For Funding Tussle

In his new role advising President-elect Donald J. Trump, Elon Musk has floated sweeping cuts to the federal government, including the elimination of entire departments and the firing of agency leaders. One of the most concrete proposals on his list is eliminating hundreds of millions of dollars in annual funding that the government funnels to PBS and NPR stations, home to cultural touchstones like Elmo, Big Bird and “Fresh Air.”

For decades, NPR and PBS have overcome similar threats. But this year, “the attention and intensity” of the calls to defund public media seem greater, said Michael Isip, the president and chief executive of KQED, which operates NPR and PBS stations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The NY Times reports NPR and PBS stations are bracing for the fight. After the election, leaders of NPR’s biggest member stations circulated a report that warned “it would be unwise to assume that events will play out as they have in the past,” with regard to their federal funding. PBS received an update on the situation from political consultants at a board meeting in early December. And station directors in some states are already making their case to legislators.

Internally, NPR is preparing for a variety of funding possibilities, including that government money will be clawed back immediately, according to two people briefed on the network’s planning.

While many Americans know NPR and PBS by popular programs like “Sesame Street” and “All Things Considered,” those national organizations are merely the most visible part of a network of local stations crisscrossing the United States — a network that depends on public funding for local news, educational programming and emergency alerts. More than 98 percent of the U.S. population lives within listening range of at least one of the more than 1,000 public radio stations that carry NPR programming, and many stations use government funding to buy shows and pay for their newsrooms.

An NPR spokesperson, Isabel Lara, said defunding public radio would result in less money for local journalism, including coverage of sports and culture. She added that the network regularly planned for a variety of different financial outcomes. “Cutting public media funding means cutting funding to local communities,” she said.

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Delay TikTok Ban

President-elect Donald Trump in a legal filing Friday asked the Supreme Court to delay a potential ban on Chinese-owned social media app TikTok due to take effect in January to allow time for him to negotiate a way to “save the platform.”

The Washington Post reports Trump’s intervention follows his campaign promises to keep the popular social media app accessible to its more than 170 million U.S. users if he won. His brief was filed as a friend-of-the-court, not siding with either party to the case.

The Washington Post previously reported that advisers to the president-elect expected him to intervene on TikTok’s behalf if necessary, despite Trump previously attempting to ban TikTok himself, citing national security concerns about its Chinese ownership. President Joe Biden rescinded that order when he entered the White House in 2021.

Trump suggested at a rally in Arizona Sunday that his recent popularity on TikTok had encouraged him to consider attempting to push back on the ban threatening the app. “We had billions of views, billions and billions of views,” he said. “They brought me a chart, and it was a record, and it was so beautiful to see. And as I looked at it, I said, ‘Maybe we got to keep this sucker around a little while.’”

TikTok became a key part of Trump’s online campaign this year, with his account featuring celebrity cameos and unscripted behind-the-scenes moments with the candidate.

The app is particularly popular with younger adults, the Pew Research Center found in a 2024 survey, with 59 percent of adults under 30 saying they use the app. Only 32 percent of U.S. adults support a government ban on TikTok, Pew found in a separate survey this year, down from 50 percent in March 2023.

Free-Speech Advocates: US TikTok Law Reminiscent of Dictatorships

A U.S. law against Chinese-owned TikTok evokes the censorship regimes put in place by the United States' authoritarian enemies, free-speech advocates told the Supreme Court on Friday.

In an amicus filing, opens new tab, PEN America, Columbia University's Knight First Amendment Institute, and the Free Press urged the country's highest court to strike down the federal TikTok law to ban it or force its sale. They argue that not only did the law unlawfully threaten to restrict Americans from accessing foreign media in violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, it "recalls practices that have long been associated with repressive governments."

Reuters reports the brief noted the Soviet Union and Chinese communists jammed Western radio broadcasts following World War Two, while modern-day Russia and China have a host of restrictions on websites and apps including Facebook, X, and YouTube.

TikTok and its owner ByteDance are fighting to keep the popular app online in the United States after Congress voted in April to ban it unless ByteDance sells it by Jan. 19.

The Justice Department has said that as a Chinese company, TikTok poses "a national-security threat of immense depth and scale" because of its access to vast amounts of data on American users. Judges have accepted the government's argument that it is acting solely to protect the U.S. from a "foreign adversary nation" and hamper Beijing's ability to gather data on Americans.

In their amicus brief, the free-speech advocates said any bid to protect Americans' data would best be achieved through privacy legislation, rather than banning a popular mode of expression.

The brief noted that, if successful, the U.S. would ironically join Beijing in banning TikTok. Chinese authorities only allow the app's domestic version, called Douyin, which is subject to heavy censorship.

S-F Radio: Lamont Hollywood Returning To KSAN

Lamont Hollywood plans to return to the Bay Area radio airwaves with a new show set to debut at his former home early next year. 

“The Lamont Show” will premiere on 107.7 The Bone (KSAN) on Jan. 6, just two months after Hollywood departed from the station, according to The S-F Chronicle. 

His exit marked the end of a long-running partnership with Paul Tonelli on “The Lamont & Tonelli Show,” a fixture of Bay Area radio for 35 years.

Lamont Hollywood

Hollywood’s return will bring back familiar voices, including Chasta, the station’s program director, and Danny “Baby Huey” Delmore, who will join him as co-hosts. 

The new show promises to continue the irreverent humor, classic rock hits and pop culture commentary that made “The Lamont & Tonelli Show” a favorite among listeners. 

The duo first launched their morning program in 1989 at KSJO in San Jose before moving to KSAN in 2003, where they built a devoted fan base, affectionately known as Boneheads. Their farewell broadcast on Nov. 15 was filled with emotional listener tributes and heartfelt thanks. Lamont signed off with a nod to the Bay Area’s rock roots, playing Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” as the final track.

Last month, the company also parted ways with longtime KNBR hosts Tom Tolbert and John Lund, and relocated the station’s broadcast studios from San Francisco to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

Topeka Radio: Todd Nixon Exits Country KBEQ

Todd Nixon

Todd Nixon is out as Program Director and morning host at Steel City Media Country KBEQ-FM (Q104) in Kansas City. 

He joined the station in January 2017, initially as PD and midday host, before transitioning to the morning slot last January alongside Jenny Matthews. Nixon's radio career includes programming roles at various stations, including WYZB in Fort Walton Beach, KRMD-FM in Shreveport, WCKT in Fort Myers, WCTQ in Sarasota, WTQR in Greensboro, and WNCB in Raleigh.

In 2023, Nixon ventured into station ownership with the creation of Sticks Media, acquiring and relaunching 1410 KTNK & 103.7 K279CY in Lompoc, CA as Classic Country "Y'all 103.7." He is also in the process of purchasing Classic Hits WLGR (93.5 Lake FM) in Warrensburg/Glens Falls, NY.

Nixon cited industry-wide budget cuts as a factor for his departure from KBEQ. In a Facebook post, he expressed gratitude for his nine years at the station, highlighting the personal and professional growth he experienced and the relationships he formed. He also thanked his Q104 team and Jenny Matthews for reigniting his passion for on-air work, describing their collaboration as an "absolute blast."

Nixon wrote on Facebook, “Today, I had to say goodbye to the mighty KBEQ Q104. Budget cuts have impacted us, as they have across much of the industry right now. While it’s a difficult moment, my overwhelming feeling is gratitude. I’m so thankful for the last nine years—the friendships I’ve made, the personal growth I’ve experienced, and the chance to follow my dreams in a place I love. It’s been a journey filled with navigating challenges and celebrating big victories, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Denver Radio: Mile High Sports Pulls Plug On Broadcasting

Denver's "Mile High Sports" has signed off after nearly two decades of broadcasting and several signal moves. The station most recently broadcast on the Golden, CO-licensed FM translator K251CV at 98.1, with programming originating on KQKS-HD3. 

Company President Nate Lundy made the decision to pull the station on Friday, December 20.

Despite the end of its over-the-air broadcast, "Mile High Sports" will continue its digital content on multiple platforms, including its YouTube channel and Mile High Magazine. Lundy, a 34-year veteran of the radio business, expressed that while it was a bittersweet decision, the significant growth in their digital offerings made it clear that a traditional over-the-air signal was no longer necessary.

The station had moved to the 98.1 translator signal in March 2021, after its previous home, KDCO (1340), and its corresponding FM translator K284CI at 104.7, were sold in October 2020. "Mile High Sports Radio" originally launched on KCKK (1510) and K229BS (93.7) in 2007, and had moved across various frequencies over the years.

R.I.P.: Olivia Hussey, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Star, Dies at 73

Olivia Hussey ((1951-2024)

Olivia Hussey, the star of Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet” and the 1974 holiday slasher “Black Christmas,” died peacefully at home on Friday, her family announced. She was 73.

“Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her,” the family’s statement read. “Olivia lived a life full of passion, love, and dedication to the arts, spirituality, and kindness towards animals.”

Hussey, Whitling

Born in Argentina, Hussey was just 15 when she starred in Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet” opposite 16-year-old Leonard Whitling. She won a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year and the film became a gold standard for students when studying Shakespeare’s play. Hussey would later reunite with Zeffirelli in the 1977 TV production “Jesus of Nazareth” playing Mary.

The WRAP reports the actress also had a memorable leading role in Bob Clark’s “Black Christmas,” starred in the television miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” and played Norma Bates in the 1990 horror sequel “Psycho IV: The Beginning.”

Later in life, Hussey scored a few notable voice acting roles, playing Talia al Ghul in DC animated projects and lending her voice to various “Star Wars” video games.

In 2022, Hussey and Whitling filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures, alleging that they were coerced into filming nude scenes in “Romeo and Juliet” despite being underage. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2023.

Hussey is survived by her three children Alex, Max, and India, her husband of 35 years David Glen Eisley, and grandson, Greyson.

Radio History: Dec 28

➦In 1915...announcer Dick Joy was born in Putnam, Connecticut.

Starting in local LA radio while a USC journalism student he became the youngest staff announcer in CBS radio history at age 21. On radio he worked on The Danny Kaye Show, The Sad Sack, Vox Pop, The Adventures of Sam Spade, Blue Ribbon Town, Dr. Kildare. Silver Theatre, New Old Gold Show, The Saint, and The Danny Thomas Show.  On TV his assignments included December Bride, Perry Mason, Have Gun – Will Travel, Daktari, Lost in Space, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., and Playhouse 90.

He died Oct. 31,1991 at age 75.

➦In 1953...Bob Pittman, CEO of iHeartMedia was born.

The son of a Methodist minister, Pittman was born in Jackson, Mississippi, but raised in Brookhaven and became a radio announcer at the age of 15 to earn money for flying lessons.

He was an announcer in a number of cities and then successfully programmed radio stations in Pittsburgh, Chicago and finally at the NBC flagship station, WNBC-AM, in New York when he was 23 years old. He also produced and co-hosted a music video and news show in 1978 that ran on NBC's O&O Television stations.

He did learn to fly, and has been a pilot for almost 40 years: He now has over 6,000 flight hours; currently holds an Airline Transport Pilot's license for airplanes; and is rated for helicopters and 3 types of jets.

➦In 1981...WEA Records (Warner-Elektra-Atlantic) raised the price of its 45 rpm records from $1.68 to $1.98. The company was the leader of the pack with other labels soon boosting their prices. Within a few years, the 45 rpm record was “boosted” right out of existence by the arrival of the CD.

Gayle King is 70

🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAYS:

• Singer-keyboardist Edgar Winter is 78. 
• TV personality Gayle King (“CBS This Morning”) is 70. 
• Actor Denzel Washington is 70. 
• Drummer Mike McGuire of Shenandoah is 66. 
• Country singer-guitarist Marty Roe of Diamond Rio is 64. 
• Actor Malcolm Gets (“Caroline in the City”) is 61. 
• Political commentator Ana Navarro (“The View”) is 53. 
• Comedian Seth Meyers (“Late Night With Seth Meyers”) is 51. 
• Actor Brendan Hines (“Suits,” ″Lie To Me”) is 48. 
• Actor Joe Manganiello (“True Blood”) is 48. 
• Actor Vanessa Ferlito (“NCIS: New Orleans”) is 47. 
• Singer John Legend is 46. 
• Actor Andre Holland (“Moonlight,” “Selma”) is 45. 
• Actor Sienna Miller is 43. 
• Actor Beau Garrett (“The Good Doctor”) is 42. 
• Actor Thomas Dekker (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” “Heroes”) is 37. 
• Actor Mackenzie Rosman (“7th Heaven”) is 35. 
• “American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta is 34. 
• Actor Mary-Charles Jones (“Kevin Can Wait”) is 23. 
• Actor Miles Brown (“black-ish”) is 20.

✞REMEMBRANCES

• In 2016..Debbie Reynolds, American actress and singer (Singin' In The Rain -"Kathy Selden"; The Unsinkable Molly Brown), dies of a stroke at 84 one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher passed away
• In 2017..Rose Marie [Mazzetta], American actress, comedienne and singer (The Dick Van Dyke Show - "Sally"; The Doris Day Show), dies at 94
• In 2018..Christine McGuire, American pop vocalist (McGuire Sisters - "Sincerely"; "Sugartime"), dies at 92
• In 2018..Ray Sawyer, American singer (Dr Hook), dies at 81
• In 2019..Carley Ann McCord, American sports reporter (Cox Sports TV; in-game host New Orleans Pelicans, New Orleans Saints), dies in a plane crash at 30
• In 2021..John Madden Pro Football HOF coach (Oakland Raiders 1969-78; Super Bowl 1976) and sportscaster (16 x Emmy Award winner; CBS, FOX, ABC, NBC; Madden NFL video games), dies at 85
• In 2022.. Alan Copeland, American Grammy Award-winning arranger, songwriter, and singer (The Modernaires; Your Hit Parade), dies at 96

R.I.P.: Greg Gumbel, Legendary Sports Broadcaster, Dead at 78

Greg Gumbel (1946-2024)

Greg Gumbel, the renowned CBS Sports anchor and commentator, has died from cancer at the age of 78.

His family confirmed the news in a statement on Friday, saying: 

Gumbel served as a play-by-play announcer and studio host for CBS Sports, and previously spent years on air for NBC Sports. He won legions of fans with his work hosting coverage ranging from The NFL Today to several Super Bowls and Olympic Games.

Gumbel worked for CBS Sports from October 1989 through May 1994, then went to NBC Sports as a host and play-by-play announcer before returning to CBS Sports in 1998 as host and play-by-play announcer for college basketball and The NFL on CBS. 

In 2022, he celebrated his 50th year of broadcasting. 

"The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel. There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television. He was beloved and respected by those of us who had the honor to call him a friend and colleague," said David Berson, the president & CEO of CBS Sports.

"A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time. He was a familiar and welcoming voice for fans across many sports, including the NFL and March Madness, highlighted by the Super Bowl and Final Four," Berson said.

Gumbel was born in New Orleans on May 3, 1946, and grew up in Chicago. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967.

TV Ratings: NBA Outscores NFL Christmas Day

The battle for Christmas is on between the NFL and the NBA after both leagues released viewership numbers for the Christmas Day slate of games on Thursday, with Netflix’s first venture into broadcast live football games coming with historic numbers. 

The NY Post reports the popular streaming service carried both NFL contests (Steelers-Chiefs and Ravens-Texans) on Christmas Day, drawing in an audience of nearly 65 million viewers in the United States, Netflix announced in a press release that cited Nielsen data. 

According to the data, an average of 24.3 million viewers watched the Ravens and Texans — with viewership peaking at over 27 million viewers during Beyoncé’s halftime performance — and an average of 24.1 million people tuned in for the 1 p.m. game between the Chiefs and Steelers.

The two games now hold the distinction of being the most-streamed games in NFL history. 

“We’re thrilled with our first Christmas Gameday on Netflix with NFL games being streamed to a global audience,” NFL executive vice president of media distribution Hans Schroeder said in a statement Thursday. “Fans in all 50 states and over 200 countries around the world watched some of the league’s brightest stars along with a dazzling performance by Beyoncé in a historic day for the NFL.”

The previous record was set in January when 23 million fans tuned in for Peacock’s broadcast of a wild card playoff game between the Chiefs and Dolphins. 

Nevertheless, the streaming exclusive broadcasts brought in 5 million fewer viewers than last Christmas Day’s slate that broadcast games on CBS, Fox and ESPN/ABC. 

Wednesday marked the first time the NFL had broadcast games with its new partner Netflix.

It was the first major live broadcast that the streamer has produced since its glitch-filled stream of the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson boxing match last month in Dallas. 

The NBA on Christmas, exclusively on ESPN platforms, averaged 5,254,000 viewers on December 25, making it the most-watched NBA Christmas in five years – since 2019 – according to Nielsen.

Viewership for the full five-game slate was up 84 percent from 2023. NBA viewership across ESPN platforms is up four percent from last season. This season’s full Christmas schedule was available on ABC, ESPN, Disney+ and ESPN+. The San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Dunk the Halls animated alt-cast also aired on ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+.

An average of 7,763,000 viewers watched the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James battle with the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry in primetime. It was the most-watched NBA regular season game in five years, since 2019, and it was up an astonishing 499 percent from the comparable game last year (Philadelphia vs. Miami). The Lakers vs. Warriors game peaked with 8,324,000 viewers at 10:30 p.m. ET.

In addition, the Phoenix Suns victory over the Denver Nuggets averaged 3,840,000 viewers, making it the largest audience for a late Christmas window ever (10:30 p.m. ET start). It was up 161 percent from last year’s Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks game.

The noon game between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks generated an average audience of 4,913,000 viewers, making it the most-watched opening game on Christmas in 13 years, since 2011. The Spurs vs. Knicks game included the animated Dunk the Halls alternate presentation on ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+. Overall, viewership was up 98 percent from last year’s noon game between the Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks.

At 5 p.m., the game between the reigning NBA Champion Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers averaged 5,161,000 viewers, up three percent from the Celtics vs. Lakers game last year. The final audience for this game, and thus the full day, will increase when viewership information from the Boston market is available.

In the 2:30 p.m. window, an average of 4,382,000 viewers watched the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks game. That is up six percent from last year’s Warriors vs. Nuggets game.

Love Blooms At FOX: Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt Engaged

Fox News Channel hosts Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt have officially taken their relationship to the next level. 

Hannity proposed to Earhardt over Christmas at their home church, solidifying their long-term commitment to each other. The newly engaged couple had the blessing and support from their children, who "couldn’t be happier," according to Fox News Digital.

"We are overjoyed and so thankful to our families for all of their love and support during this wonderful time in our lives," Earhardt and Hannity said.

Earhardt and Hannity originally bonded over their deep faith, and the two have placed God first in their relationship, thus rendering the proposal at their home church as the "perfect place" to pop the question, according to the couple. They met with their minister after the engagement. 

While the two prefer to keep their private lives out of the spotlight, they have made their long-distance relationship work with weekend trips between New York, where Earhardt is based, and Florida, where Hannity resides. With a mutual respect for each other’s careers, both Hannity and Earhardt have long-term deals to remain at FOX News Media, where Earhardt will continue to co-host "FOX & Friends" from New York while the primetime star will continue to host his eponymous show "Hannity" from Florida.

Both Earhardt and Hannity were previously married and "still get along well" with their ex-spouses and "everyone is supportive of each other," according to the couple. 

Hannity has been the top-rated program in his timeslot for the past 15 years and is the longest running cable news host in history. A Fox News original, he joined the network when it launched in 1996, previously co-hosting "Hannity & Colmes." In addition to his primetime show, Hannity also reaches millions on his hit radio show, which syndicates to 750 stations across the country. 

Earhardt joined the network in 2007 and has served as co-host of "FOX & Friends" since 2016. The popular 3-hour morning show has been No. 1 for more than 20 consecutive years. Author of four New York Times bestsellers, including three No. 1 children’s books, Earhardt also hosts Ainsley’s Bible Study on FOX Nation. Earlier this year, she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree from the University of South Carolina for her professional achievements in broadcast news and as an author.

Boston Radio: The Sports Hub Wins 12+, Men 24-54

The fall belonged to 98.5 The Sports Hub in the Nielsen Audio ratings, with its morning program — and to a lesser degree, rival sports station WEEI’s — putting up particularly impressive numbers, according to The Boston Globe.

Overall, in the advertiser-coveted men 25-54 demographic, The Sports Hub finished first overall with a 15.8 share, well ahead of second-place WZLX. The classic rock station was second with a 7.9. WEEI was fourth with a 6.2 share.

The Sports Hub was first across the board this fall with its three daytime programs. That data is from the period of Sept. 12-Dec. 4. Last fall, The Sports Hub finished first with a 16.3 share. WEEI was seventh (4.4).

📻In morning drive (6-10): The Sports Hub’s “Toucher and Hardy” took the top spot with a huge 21.7 share. WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” was second by a good distance, but its 14.3 share is still an impressive number, and far and away the best on the station. Also of note in the mornings: WZLX, which dropped “The Rich Shertenlieb Show” on Nov. 4 as part of nationwide budget cuts by parent company iHeartMedia, finished seventh in mornings with a 3.8 share. That included a 3.7 share in October and November, and a 3.8 in December. Overall, WZLX was second in the ratings period with a 7.9 share, with none of its other daily programs finishing lower than third in the men 25-54 demo.

Shertenlieb’s show had been making some progress. In its final week on the air, it had a 5.1 share, good for fifth place among morning programs in the men 25-54 demo.

📻Midday (10 a.m.-2 p.m.): The Sports Hub’s “Zolak and Bertrand” took the top spot with a 15.7 share. WEEI’s “Jones and Keefe” was fourth with a 5.8 share in its first full ratings book since hosts Adam Jones and Rich Keefe were reunited in August.

📻Afternoon drive (2-6): The Sports Hub’s “Felger and Massarotti” continued its long run of dominance with a first-place 17.6 share. “The WEEI Afternoon Show,” featuring hosts Christian Arcand and Andy Hart, was tied for 12th with a 2.5 share in its first full book since the August lineup shakeup.

📻Evenings (6-11): The Sports Hub, which has Bruins and some Celtics broadcasts as well Joe Murray’s show at night, was second (10.5). Mix 104.1 was first (11.0). WEEI was far back, tied for 19th (1.4).

TV Ratings: 2024 CBS Tops All TV Networks

The broadcast bounce is real. As 2024 ends, CBS led the pack in total viewers for the year thanks, of course, to Super Bowl LVIII. No surprise, live sports continues to work its magic for the traditional networks, as NBC was also up year vs. year and even took the adults 18-49 crown for 2024 — bolstered by the tremendously successful Paris Olympics. ABC, meanwhile, was virtually flat (OK, down 1%) from 2023, which these days is a big win — and presumably the Alphabet web was helped by airing more NFL Monday Night Football games this fall.

Variety reports among the Big 4, only Fox was down by double digits — and that can be explained by the fact that it ran the Super Bowl in 2023, so of course it’s going to be down. In cable, unless you were a news network in a major presidential election year, well, it was another year of dramatic declines.

Ratings Graphics Courtesy of RoadMN

📺CBS, NBC, ABC: Even though the NFL and other sports coverage gets most of the credit for keeping broadcast afloat, that’s not the only story. This has been a solid fall for the linear nets in entertainment fare as well, which boasts breakout fall hits like CBS’ “Matlock,” ABC’s “High Potential” and NBC’s “Happy’s Place.” Broadcast still matters in 2024, whereas cable… well, we’ll get to that in a second.

📺MOST “NEWS” NETWORKS: This presidential year, the big story was the expanding dominance of Fox News, which was up a tremendous 30% in viewers to make it the fifth most-watched network in 2024, behind entertainment sibling Fox. MSNBC also remained a top 10 network, at No. 7 but up a more modest 4%. Despite its difficulties, CNN could still find solace at rising 20% and landing at No. 15. Also up 31% was Newsmax, although still at No. 38. The one network that bafflingly didn’t get an election bump? Newsnation, which dropped 1% in 2024.

YouTube Is Taking Over TV

YouTube was launched in February 2005 and soon adopted a simple motto: “Broadcast Yourself.” While we initially watched on PCs, and then smartphones, it seems that these days an increasing number of us are engaging with YouTube content on our televisions, according to Fast Company.

That’s one of the key findings of YouTube’s annual year-end wrap-up, in which the Google-owned company revealed that in 2024 users streamed a billion hours of YouTube content daily through their televisions. Putting YouTube in the heart of our living rooms, as a communal consumption of entertainment, may be a surprise to many—but it’s the culmination of a yearslong shift in habits.

“At a time when media consumption is becoming more fragmented, YouTube is positioning itself as an epicenter,” says Jess Maddox, associate professor at the University of Alabama and a social media expert.

The process hasn’t just happened in 2024, but has been building up over years. As YouTube shifted the maximum length of uploads, creators responded by expanding the scope of their videos. Some go down the feature-length documentary format, putting out deeply researched videos, while others, like MrBeast, borrow the episodic format more traditionally seen on TV.

“YouTube has been one of the more consistent and stable platforms for creators over the years. It doesn’t surprise me that podcasters, video essayists, food reviewers, children’s entertainers, and content creators from other genres are finding ways to upload their content to their primary platform as well as YouTube to grow their audiences and increase their revenue,” says Brandon Harris, assistant professor at the University of Alabama and a member of the Content Creator Scholars Network.

According to YouTube, the revenue generated is increasingly coming from those TV viewers, too, citing that the number of creators making a majority of their revenue from TV is up more than 30% year over year.

And as YouTube called out in its blog post, another big driver of viewing on TVs is podcasts—400 million hours of which are consumed on living room devices monthly. “If most podcasts are recorded on digital cameras and mics, why not turn the video on and upload it to Audible or Spotify and YouTube?” Harris says.

YouTube’s increasing incursion into the living room highlights just how ubiquitous the platform has become. After all, it is the world’s second-biggest search engine, behind Google. “By being the one-stop shop for podcasting, content creators, influencers, and traditional broadcast television, YouTube is taking a spread-out media landscape and offering it all in one place,” Maddox says.

The popularity of YouTube on TV may also be down to the fact that it’s bundling together disparate forms of content at a time when the industry more generally is going in the other direction—and consumers are struggling to afford the numerous streaming service subscriptions they’re being asked to cough up for.

Phoenix Radio: KTAR 620 Adding New PM Drive Show

Roc and Manuch new to ESPN 620

Bonneville Phoenix is expanding its sports broadcasting schedule with a new afternoon show on KTAR-AM (ESPN 620) hosted by local sports radio veterans Mike Muraco ("Roc") and Dan Manucci ("Manuch"). 

The show, titled "Roc and Manuch with Jimmy B.," will air weekdays from 1-4pm starting Monday, January 6.

Ryan Hatch, Bonneville Phoenix Senior Vice President and Market Manager, highlighted that Roc and Manuch have built a dedicated fan base over the past two decades, and their addition will enhance the station's lineup. The new show will complement KTAR's existing sports coverage, which includes ESPN network staples and exclusive broadcasting rights to major sporting events like the NBA Finals, World Series, and College Football Playoff.

Listeners can access "Roc and Manuch with Jimmy B." via live stream or podcast on ArizonaSports.com and through the Arizona Sports app. Muraco expressed his excitement about joining the KTAR team and being part of such a dynamic market leader.

Bangor Radio: WKIT-FM Gets New Lease On Life

Two local businessmen, Jeff Solari and Greg Hawes have stepped in to save Classic Rock WKIT-FM, formerly owned by Stephen King. Their new company, Rock Lobster Radio LLC, will operate the station under a Local Marketing Agreement starting January 1, pending FCC approval in 2025.

This move comes after Zone Corp. announced plans to cease broadcasting by December 31, leading to an outpouring of support from the community. Solari and Hawes emphasized their commitment to preserving the station's legacy and keeping it a vital part of the community.

Solari, a longtime area sportscaster, expressed his personal connection and childhood dream on his Facebook, stating, "Today, the dream came true. Greg Hawes and I are thrilled to have reached a deal with Stephen King to keep WKIT rockin' Maine for years to come. It's a legendary station with a great team!" Meanwhile, Greg Hawes, known for his local entrepreneurial ventures, emphasized the community's reluctance to lose the station, adding, "It's clear that the Bangor area was not ready to see 100.3 go away, so Jeff and I are gonna make sure it's around for years to come. Welcome to radio."

Solari, a longtime sportscaster, expressed his excitement about fulfilling a childhood dream, while Hawes highlighted the community's desire to keep the station alive. However, the future of King's other stations, WZLO 620 AM and WZON 103.1 FM, remains uncertain, with both expected to cease operations at the end of the year.

Jay-Z Accuser Can Remain Anonymous

A New York judge opted to keep the identity of the woman who accused Jay-Z of raping her when she was 13 years old nearly 25 years ago a secret for now — just weeks after the hip-hop mogul’s attorney pushed for her name to be revealed, reports The NY Post.

In a new filing Thursday, Judge Analisa Torres scolded the rapper’s lawyer Alex Spiro for being combative and attempting to “fast-track” the judicial process after he made multiple requests that the court deny the alleged victim’s plea request to remain anonymous and dismiss the scathing lawsuit filed against Jay-Z — whose real name is Shawn Carter.

“Carter’s lawyer’s relentless filing of combative motions containing inflammatory language and ad hominem attacks is inappropriate, a waste of judicial resources, and a tactic unlikely to benefit his client,” Torres said in the five-page filing.

Inside Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Jay-Z’s friendship over the years amid rape allegationshttps://t.co/jNhJc7MVyZ

— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) December 27, 2024

“The Court will not fast-track the judicial process merely because counsel demands it,” the judge added. 

“Here, the weight of the factors tips in favor of allowing Plaintiff to remain anonymous, at least for this stage of the litigation.”

The woman — referred to as “Jane Doe” in her suit — accused Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of drugging and raping her at an after-party for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City, according to the disturbing suit filed in the Southern District of New York earlier this month.

The woman alleges she was approached by Combs’ alleged limo driver, who invited her to an after-party while she tried to get into the VMAs show at Radio City Music Hall in September of that year.

R.I.P.: Richard Parsons, Media-Business Troubleshooter

Richard D. Parsons, a longtime banking executive who took the helm of Time Warner during a troubled time for the communications company and who helped Citigroup navigate the financial crisis, died on Thursday at age 76.

A prominent Black businessman, Parsons also helped the NBA's Clippers navigate a scandal over racism.

Parsons was widely credited with the turnaround of Time Warner after its botched $165 billion merger with AOL, CNN reported. With Parsons as CEO, Time Warner slashed its debt by roughly half as it ushered in a new era of sustainable growth.

The New York Times said the cause of death was cancer, citing Ronald Lauder, a longtime friend of Parsons and chairman of the board of Estee Lauder. Parsons, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, had also served on the Estee Lauder board, as well as on the board of asset management firm Lazard.

He "was more than an iconic leader in Lazard's history — he was a testament to how wisdom, warmth, and unwavering judgment could shape not just companies, but people's lives," Lazard said in a statement on its website.

"When Citigroup faced its darkest hour during the financial crisis, he stepped forward as Chairman despite the immense challenges ahead, saying simply, 'You can't abandon your troops when the going gets tough,'" Lazard said.

Citigroup, in a statement, said: "Dick applied his legendary leadership capabilities during an incredibly challenging time for our company, leaving Citi better than he found it."

The Times noted that Parsons was often the only Black executive in a boardroom and spoke out on social issues, including following the death of George Floyd in 2020.

He is best remembered as a troubleshooter, handling corporate emergencies such as losses at Dime Bancorp during the savings and loan crisis in the 1980s, the Times reported.

Lazard also noted his service as chairman of the Apollo Theater and the Jazz Foundation of America, and his positions on the boards of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Radio History: Dec 27

➦In 1932...Radio City Music Hall, at 1260 Avenue of the Americas in New York City, opened to the public.  Nicknamed the Showplace of the Nation, it is the headquarters for the Rockettes, the precision dance company.

The name "Radio City Music Hall" derives from one of the complex's first tenants, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), who planned a mass media complex called Radio City on the west side of Rockefeller Center.

Radio City Music Hall was built on a plot of land that was originally intended for a Metropolitan Opera House. The opera house plans were canceled in 1929, leading to the construction of Rockefeller Center.

One of the more notable parts of the Music Hall is its large auditorium, which was the world's largest when the Hall first opened. The new complex included two theaters, the "International Music Hall" and the Center Theater, as part of the "Radio City" portion of Rockefeller Center. The 5,960-seat Music Hall was the larger of the two venues. It was largely successful until the 1970s, when declining patronage nearly drove the Music Hall to bankruptcy. Radio City Music Hall was designated a New York City Landmark in May 1978, and the Music Hall was restored and allowed to remain open. The hall was extensively renovated in 1999.

Although Radio City Music Hall was initially intended to host stage shows, it hosted performances in a film-and-stage-spectacle format through the 1970s, and was the site of several movie premieres. It now primarily hosts concerts, including by leading pop and rock musicians, and live stage shows such as the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The Music Hall has also hosted televised events including the Grammy Awards, the Tony Awards, the Daytime Emmy Awards, the MTV Video Music Awards, and the NFL Draft.

➦In 1939...“The Glenn Miller Show”, also known as “Music that Satisfies”, started on CBS radio. The 15-minute, three-a-week big band show was sponsored by Chesterfield cigarettes and was heard for nearly three years.

➦In 1943...Broadcast journalist Cokie Roberts was born in New Orleans.  The child of two members of the U-S Congress she joined an upstart National Public Radio in 1978 and left an indelible imprint on the growing network with her coverage of Washington politics before later going to ABC News.  She was still on the ABC payroll at age 75 when she died Sept. 17th 2019 due to complications from breast cancer.

Howdy Doody

➦In 1947...The children's TV program Howdy Doody program first aired on NBC. It continued until September 24, 1960. It was a pioneer in children's television programming and set the pattern for many similar shows. One of the first television series produced at NBC in Rockefeller Center, in Studio 3A, it was also a pioneer in early color production as NBC (at the time owned by TV maker RCA) used the show in part to sell color television sets in the 1950s.

Bob Smith created Howdy Doody during his days as a radio announcer on WNBC 660 AM. At that time, Howdy Doody was only a voice Smith performed on the radio. When Smith made an appearance on NBC's television program Puppet Playhouse on December 27, 1947, the reception for the character was great enough to begin a demand for a visual character for television. Frank Paris, a puppeteer whose puppets appeared on the program, was asked to create a Howdy Doody puppet.

➦In 1947...Bell Labs invented the transistor.

➦In 1958...Buddy Holly made his first appearance in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas since becoming a major recording star. Along with broadcasting live over KLLL radio from a fruit and vegetable store, he returned to the station's studios to record "You're The One," a song that station management challenged him to write in half an hour.

➦In 1968...Don McNeil's "The Breakfast Club" signed off the ABC Radio network, after 35 years.