Radio History: June 29

➦In 1901...Ed Gardner born (Died of liver failure at age 61– August 17, 1963). He was a comic actor, writer and director, best remembered as the creator and star of the radio's popular Duffy's Tavern comedy series, which he created in 1941.

He found fame on radio with Duffy's Tavern, portraying the wisecracking, malaprop-prone barkeeper Archie. The successful radio program aired on CBS from 1941 to 1942, on the NBC Blue Network from 1942 to 1944, and on NBC from 1944 to 1951. Speaking in a nasal Brooklyn accent, and sounding like just about every working class New Yorker his creator had ever known, Gardner as Archie invariably began each week's show by answering the telephone and saying, "Duffy's Tavern, where the elite meet to eat, Archie the manager speaking, Duffy ain't here—oh, hello, Duffy."

Duffy the owner never appeared, but Archie did, with Gardner assuming the role himself after he could not find the right actor to play the role. Regulars in the tavern included Duffy's airheaded, man-crazy daughter, droll waiter Eddie, barfly Finnegan and Clancy the cop. The daughter was played by several actresses but began with Shirley Booth, Gardner's first wife, with whom he remained friends even after their 1942 divorce.



Gardner also brought radio directing experience to Duffy's Tavern. He had previously originated the Rudy Vallee-John Barrymore radio show and directed shows for George Burns and Gracie Allen, Bing Crosby, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Al Jolson and Fanny Brice. In addition, Gardner was one of the show's writers and its script editor in all but name, though he had a staff that included Abe Burrows, Sol Saks, Parke Levy, Larry Rhine and Dick Martin. He was notorious for hiring as a writer anyone who sounded funny to him in passing, but Gardner ultimately had the final say on each show's script. In 1949, hoping to be able to take advantage of Puerto Rico's income-tax-free status for future media ventures, Gardner moved his radio show there.

➦In 1932...The radio program 'Vic and Sade' made its debut on NBC Blue Network.  It was created and written by Paul Rhymer. It was regularly broadcast on radio from 1932 to 1944, then intermittently until 1946, and was briefly adapted to television in 1949 and again in 1957.

It was the the second daytime dramatic serial on network radio.  Radio’s first daytime drama was Clara Lu and Em, which premiered on NBC in 1931.

During its 14-year run on radio, Vic and Sade became one of the most popular series of its kind, earning critical and popular success: according to Time, Vic and Sade had 7,000,000 devoted listeners in 1943. For the majority of its span on the air, Vic and Sade was heard in 15-minute episodes without a continuing storyline. The central characters, known as "radio's home folks", were accountant Victor Rodney Gook (Art Van Harvey), his wife Sade (Bernardine Flynn) and their adopted son Rush (Bill Idelson). The three lived on Virginia Avenue in "the small house halfway up in the next block


➦In 1947..."Strike It Rich" made its debut on CBS Radio.  It was a game show that aired radio and television from June 29, 1947, to December 27, 1957 on CBS and NBC.

People in need of money (such as for medical treatment or a destitute family) appeared and told their tale of woe, then tried to win money by answering four relatively easy questions. Each player would be given $30 and bet any of their bankroll on answering each question after being given the category. If the contestant didn't win any money, the emcee opened the "Heart Line", which was a phone line to viewers who wished to donate to the contestant's family.

The radio series aired on CBS from 1947 to 1950. On May 1, 1950, the show moved to NBC until December 27, 1957. Todd Russell was the host from 1947 to 1948, followed by Warren Hull. The television series premiered May 7, 1951, on CBS's daytime lineup and ran until January 3, 1958, including a prime time version from July 4, 1951, to January 12, 1955.

Some applauded Strike It Rich for helping out some less fortunate people, as well as showcasing the sincere charity and goodwill of viewers who donated through the Heart Line. Others found it a sickening spectacle that exploited the less fortunate.

➦In 1951...Bill Stern aired his last 15-minute program of sports features for NBC radio. Stern had been with NBC for 14 years. He later moved to ABC and Mutual to finish out a colorful sportscasting career.

Atlanta Radio: Morning Host Jenn Hobby to Exit Star 94.1 FM

After nine years as a morning host at Audacy’s “Star 94.1” WSTR Atlanta, Jenn Hobby, known as Jenn Hobby Rivera, will depart in July 2025 to join CURE Childhood Cancer as Brand & Communications Director starting in August. 

Hobby has been a fixture on the station’s morning show since February 2016, evolving through various formats, including “The Jeff & Jenn Show” with Jeff Dauler, “Jenn & Friends,” and a solo, music-intensive program. Her tenure at Star 94.1 followed a decade co-hosting “The Bert Show” on Cumulus’ “Q100” (now Q99.7) WWWQ from 2002 to 2012 and a stint in middays at Cumulus Country “Kicks 101.5” WKHX until 2015.

Jenn Hobby

Hobby’s move to CURE Childhood Cancer comes after her personal advocacy for pediatric cancer research, driven by her daughter Reese’s battle with Stage IV sacrococcygeal teratoma, diagnosed in 2016 at 10 months old. Reese completed treatment in November 2018, and Hobby and her husband, Grant Rivera, have since raised over $677,000 through Reese’s MaGIC Fund to support research at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the MaGIC Consortium. The annual Ring the Bell Benefit, led by Hobby, raised $137,473 in 2024 alone.

In her new role, Hobby will leverage her award-winning storytelling and media expertise—evidenced by two Gracie Awards, an Emmy for her work at Georgia Public Broadcasting, and a 2020 TEDx talk—to elevate CURE’s mission and amplify the voices of children and families affected by cancer. CURE’s CEO, Kristin Connor, praised Hobby’s authenticity and personal connection to the cause, noting her ability to connect with audiences as a key asset.

Star 94.1 FM Gutted

In March 2025, Star 94.1 lost its program director, its afternoon host and a weekend host last week after its parent company, Audacy, made sizable cuts nationwide. Midday host Skye Smith, afternoon host Mike Kannon and brand manager Jerry McKenna all were laid off.

Media Sales Report: Navigating Challenges, Culture, and Change

The Center for Sales Strategy’s 2025 Media Sales Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the media sales landscape, drawing on insights from sales managers and frontline sellers to highlight the industry’s challenges, evolving workplace dynamics, and shifting cultural priorities. 

The report reveals a sector in transition, balancing the demands of recruitment, hybrid work models, compensation preferences, and a growing disconnect between leadership and staff outlooks. 

Recruitment remains a significant hurdle for sales managers, though its intensity is waning. In 2023, 65% of managers identified hiring as their top challenge, a figure that has dropped to 38% by 2025. This decline suggests improvements in talent pipelines or shifting priorities, yet hiring remains critical as over 70% of managers plan to expand their teams, with only 2.5% intending to downsize. The push for growth underscores the need for skilled salespeople to drive revenue in an increasingly competitive market.

However, the report highlights that most media sales teams remain lean. Thirty percent of organizations operate with just 1-5 salespeople, and 28% have teams of 6-10. These compact teams amplify the importance of each member’s contribution, making effective recruitment and retention strategies essential. For media companies, investing in robust hiring processes—such as targeted job marketing, streamlined onboarding, and competitive benefits—will be critical to building high-performing teams capable of meeting revenue goals.

To aid recruitment, 70% of sales managers use talent assessments to evaluate candidates. These tools aim to predict a candidate’s potential success by assessing skills, personality traits, and cultural fit. 

However, confidence in their accuracy is lukewarm: only 13% of managers consider them “very accurate,” and 45% rate them as “reasonably accurate.” This leaves over 40% of managers skeptical about their predictive value, raising questions about their role in hiring decisions.

One of the report’s most striking findings is the growing disconnect between sales managers and frontline sellers regarding the industry’s future. While 73% of managers believe their organizations are well-positioned to remain competitive, only 50% of salespeople share this optimism. This “vision gap” has widened since 2021, when 82% of managers and 62% of sellers expressed confidence in the industry’s trajectory.

This divergence could stem from differing perspectives: managers, with access to strategic plans and financial data, may feel more confident in long-term prospects, while salespeople, facing daily client interactions and market pressures, may perceive greater uncertainty. Bridging this gap requires leadership to actively engage with frontline staff, sharing strategic visions and soliciting feedback to ensure alignment. Town halls, cross-functional workshops, and open-door policies can help foster a shared sense of purpose.

Key Takeaways and Strategic Implications

The 2025 Media Sales Report paints a vivid picture of an industry at a crossroads. To remain competitive, media organizations must address the following priorities:

• Strengthen Recruitment and Retention: With lean teams and a drive for growth, companies must refine hiring processes, leveraging both assessments and qualitative evaluations while offering competitive benefits to attract talent.
• Embrace Hybrid Work: Flexible work models are here to stay. Investing in technology and culture-building initiatives will ensure productivity and engagement in hybrid environments.
• Adapt Compensation Models: As salespeople prioritize stability, organizations should offer balanced pay structures that combine fixed salaries with performance incentives.
• Bridge the Vision Gap: Leadership must align with frontline staff through transparent communication and inclusive decision-making to foster shared optimism and purpose.
• Enhance Company Sentiment: Addressing the third of salespeople who wouldn’t recommend their workplace requires actionable steps, such as improved communication, support, and career development opportunities.

Diddy Trial: Defense Presents Vigorous Closing

In a spirited closing argument before a Manhattan jury on Friday, June 27, 2025, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, vigorously contested the federal sex trafficking and RICO charges leveled against his client. Agnifilo argued that prosecutors had unfairly transformed Combs’ personal sexual preferences and consensual “swingers’ lifestyle” into felony offenses, portraying the case as an overreach by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Agnifilo painted Combs as a self-made success story—a New York native who rose from humble beginnings to become a pioneering music mogul and millionaire. He emphasized Combs’ contributions to the industry, noting that as early as 1993, at age 24, Combs championed “diversity, equity, and inclusion” through his work with Bad Boy Records. The attorney framed Combs’ so-called “freak-offs”—days-long, drug-fueled sexual events—as consensual expressions of his personal lifestyle, not coerced criminal acts. “Sean Combs never pressured anyone to participate against their will,” Agnifilo asserted, challenging the prosecution’s narrative of exploitation.

Central to the defense’s argument was the rejection of the prosecution’s claim that Combs ran a criminal syndicate through Bad Boy Records. Agnifilo highlighted that no witness testified to knowingly participating in criminal activities on Combs’ behalf. “Not one single witness said, ‘I was committing a crime for Mr. Combs,’” he told the jury. While acknowledging Combs’ struggles with addiction and occasional requests for assistants to procure drugs for personal use, Agnifilo clarified that such tasks were not their primary duties, distancing Combs from allegations of orchestrating a drug-fueled criminal enterprise.

The defense candidly addressed Combs’ history of domestic violence, particularly a widely publicized 2016 incident at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles, where surveillance footage captured him assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura. Agnifilo admitted Combs’ wrongdoing, stating that his client would have pleaded guilty to domestic violence if charged. However, he argued that these acts, while reprehensible, did not equate to running a sex trafficking or racketeering operation. “He’s not perfect; he’s made mistakes,” Agnifilo said. “But being a jerk doesn’t make him guilty of these charges.”

The defense initially fought to exclude the hotel footage from the trial, fearing its impact on jurors. When that effort failed, they pivoted, acknowledging Combs’ behavior while framing it as an isolated lapse rather than evidence of a broader criminal scheme. Agnifilo described Combs’ attempts to contact Ventura after she fled the hotel as the actions of a “fool” trying to reconnect with his girlfriend, not a criminal mastermind. “She had every right to be angry,” he conceded, but maintained that the incident was a personal failing, not a federal crime.

The defense claimed payoffs for the footage aimed to avoid media exposure, not obstruct justice, and framed Ventura’s $30 million in settlements as resolution. Ventura and another witness described abusive “freak-offs” and threats, which Agnifilo recast as part of a “romantic” relationship.

Combs, 55, faces a five-count indictment, including charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts. The prosecution alleges that Combs used his influence, wealth, and control over Bad Boy Records to orchestrate a decades-long scheme of sexual exploitation and abuse. The defense, however, insists that the government has misconstrued consensual relationships and personal failings as a criminal enterprise.

CA Gov Gavin Newsom Sues Fox News

California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News in Delaware Superior Court, where Fox News is incorporated. 

The lawsuit centers on allegations that Fox News, particularly host Jesse Watters, falsely claimed Newsom lied about a phone call with President Donald Trump, damaging his reputation.

The dispute stems from a phone call Newsom had with Trump on June 6, 2025, regarding protests in Los Angeles sparked by Trump’s immigration crackdown, which included the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines. On June 10, Trump told reporters he spoke with Newsom “a day ago,” implying a call on June 9. 

Newsom denied this, stating their last conversation was on June 6 (late June 6 Pacific Time, early June 7 Eastern Time), and provided phone records to support his claim.

Fox News, through Watters’ show “Jesse Watters Primetime,” aired a segment with a chyron reading “Gavin Lied About Trump’s Call” and a deceptively edited clip of Trump’s statement. Watters questioned, “Why would Newsom lie and claim Trump never called him?” despite showing Trump’s call log, which confirmed the June 6 call. Newsom’s lawsuit alleges that Fox News and Watters deliberately misrepresented the timeline to portray him as a liar, damaging his political standing and voter support. The suit also accuses Fox News of violating California’s Unfair Competition Law through deceptive practices.

Newsom is seeking $787 million in damages, a figure mirroring the $787.5 million Fox News paid in 2023 to settle a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems over false 2020 election claims. The lawsuit also requests a court order to prevent Fox News from airing or publishing content claiming Newsom lied about the call. Newsom’s legal team offered to drop the suit if Fox News issues a retraction and Watters delivers an on-air apology, but Fox News has not complied, calling the lawsuit a “frivolous publicity stunt” aimed at chilling free speech.

As a public official, Newsom must prove “actual malice”—that Fox News knowingly or recklessly aired false information. The lawsuit argues that Fox News acted with malice by ignoring Trump’s call log, which corroborated Newsom’s account, and editing Trump’s statement to support a false narrative.

Fox News rleased the following statement over the weekend:  "Gov. Newsom’s transparent publicity stunt is frivolous and designed to chill free speech critical of him. We will defend this case vigorously and look forward to it being dismissed.”

Audio Streaming Fuels Investor's Optimism About Spotify

Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE: SPOT) reached a new stock price high of $785.00 on Friday, June 27, 2025, briefly valuing the company at nearly $161 billion. 

The stock closed at $772.60, reflecting a 9.2% weekly gain. This surge was driven by bullish analyst upgrades, with UBS raising its price target to $895 from $680 and maintaining a "Buy" rating, citing Spotify’s expansion into audiobooks and other non-music content as key growth drivers. 

Guggenheim also increased its price target to $840 from $725, based on a discounted cash flow analysis, while BofA Securities raised its target to $900 from $700, expressing confidence in Spotify’s core fundamentals despite a slightly lowered Q2 revenue forecast of €4.25 billion due to currency headwinds.

Spotify’s strong performance is underpinned by robust subscriber growth, with 268 million premium subscribers in Q1 2025, up 12% year-over-year, and total revenue of €4.2 billion, a 15% increase on a constant currency basis. 

The company’s market capitalization has grown significantly, with a 73% year-to-date stock increase and a five-year return of over 204%. Analysts highlight Spotify’s pricing power, advertising expansion, and potential to reach 1 billion monthly active users by 2030 as factors supporting its valuation. 

However, some caution persists, with GuruFocus estimating a fair value of $276.48, suggesting the stock may be overvalued at its current price, trading at a high P/E ratio of 112.29. Despite mixed earnings results, with Q1 EPS of $1.13 missing expectations, Spotify’s revenue growth and market dominance in audio streaming continue to fuel investor optimism.

Marketing Priorities Outlined For Reaching Gen Z

Gen Z marketing trends in 2025 focus on authenticity, interactivity, and digital immersion, shaped by their values and media habits. 

Based on current insights, here are the key trends:

Authenticity and Transparency: Gen Z, aged 13-28, prioritizes brands that align with their values, like sustainability and social justice. They favor honest, transparent messaging—42% are more likely to engage with ads that feel genuine, per the 2024 Edison Research and SiriusXM Media Gen Z Audio Report. Inauthentic or overly polished campaigns risk being labeled "cringy" and ignored.

Audio Engagement: Gen Z spends over four hours daily on audio content (music, podcasts, radio), according to the same report. Ads with relatable music or humor resonate, with 49% more likely to engage if ads include music they like or make them laugh. Podcasts are a growing channel, with 59% of Gen Z listening monthly.

Short-Form Video Dominance: Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are central, with 60% of Gen Z using TikTok daily. Bite-sized, engaging content with quick storytelling hooks them. Brands leveraging user-generated content or influencer collabs see higher trust—65% trust peer-like influencers over traditional ads.

Social Commerce and Shoppable Content: Over 50% of Gen Z have purchased directly through social platforms, per recent data. Shoppable posts, livestream sales, and seamless e-commerce integrations on TikTok and Instagram are critical. They value convenience and instant gratification.

Purpose-Driven Marketing: Gen Z supports brands with clear social impact. Campaigns tied to environmental causes, diversity, or mental health resonate. For example, 70% prefer brands with eco-friendly practices, per a 2025 marketing study.

Immersive and Gamified Experiences: AR filters, interactive polls, and gamified ads boost engagement. Gen Z enjoys co-creating content, with 55% more likely to interact with brands offering personalized or participatory experiences, like custom Snapchat lenses.

AI and Personalization: AI-driven ads tailored to individual preferences are effective, but privacy matters. Gen Z expects data transparency—68% will disengage if brands misuse data, per recent surveys.

Meme Culture and Humor: Relatable, witty content cuts through. Memes and lighthearted campaigns align with Gen Z’s ironic humor, with 80% sharing brand content that feels culturally relevant.

Influencer Evolution: Micro-influencers (10K-100K followers) are more trusted than mega-stars. Gen Z values niche creators who reflect their interests, with 47% more likely to buy based on authentic influencer endorsements.

To reach Gen Z, brands should prioritize mobile-first, value-driven, and interactive content while avoiding overly salesy or disconnected messaging.

Endangered: Traditional Record Label Promotions

There was a time when promoting music to radio, clubs, and streaming platforms required an army of middlemen. By 2025, Digital Music News reports however, automation, AI, and platforms like DropTrack are reducing the need for traditional promoters, empowering artists and labels to take control. 

DropTrack CEO Paul Loeb, a former musician, founded the platform out of frustration with the inefficiencies of conventional promotion. 

After struggling to get his music heard and facing high costs and unreliable promoters, Loeb built an AI-powered tool that secured over 700 placements for his music in film and TV, including shows like Jersey Shore, still generating royalties today.

Loeb scaled this success into DropTrack, which recently partnered with Digital Music News to expand further. 

The platform acts as a central hub for music promotion, offering tools to manage catalogs, target streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music, and connect with radio stations, DJs, bloggers, and sync opportunities. Unlike traditional methods reliant on large label teams or questionable tactics, DropTrack opens doors to influential tastemakers for artists and labels.

The platform has proven effective for clients like emerging artists and independent labels. Americana and Blues artist Louisiana Claude, for example, gained 19,000 streams in a month, while MTS Management’s Michael Stover praised DropTrack’s professional press kits for maximizing campaigns. 

Weird.inc’s Nicky Mei noted its role in streamlining outreach and driving growth. As music promotion evolves, DropTrack’s approach is disrupting the middleman model, enabling direct access to the contacts that can make or break a song.

Survey: Americans Love Their TV

A 2025 national survey by Optimum, involving over 200 U.S. consumers, confirms that television remains a cornerstone of American life, with 66% of respondents watching TV “all or most of the time.” 

However, viewing habits have evolved, with nearly 90% of viewers multitasking during their screen time, engaging in activities like eating, browsing phones or the internet, texting, socializing, scrolling social media, or cooking.

Key findings include:

• Viewing Habits: Americans average 24 hours of TV weekly. Football, basketball, and baseball are top sports, with fans preferring live games and prioritizing favorite teams over sports.
• Multitasking: Almost 90% of viewers pair TV with other activities, with eating and phone use leading the list.
• Content Preferences: Streaming services like Amazon Prime and Netflix are used by 75% of respondents, with movies and shows favored over sports or political news. Only 25% of households rely solely on streaming.
• Show Selection: Nearly 40% of viewers choose shows based on recommendations from friends and family.

“This survey reflects the diverse TV habits of Americans balancing busy lives,” said Eric Bruno, Optimum’s Senior Vice President of Product Management. “It’s clear consumers want both streaming and traditional TV options that are accessible and easy to navigate.”

NYC Radio: 77WABC Owner Supporting Eric Adams for Mayor

John Catsimatidis, billionaire owner of 77WABC and GOP megadonor, is rallying fellow business tycoons to support Mayor Eric Adams’ uphill reelection bid to prevent democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani from winning New York City’s mayoral race, according to sources familiar with private discussions.

Catsimatidis praised Adams’ collaboration with the Trump administration, particularly on public safety, in a brief POLITICO interview, saying, “Washington, whether it’s Tom Homan or Donald Trump, wants a safe New York.”

Despite Catsimatidis’ preference, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, a 77WABC host and Guardian Angels founder, vowed to stay in the race. “I’m not getting out unless they bury me six feet under,” Sliwa told POLITICO, rejecting pressure to step aside. Catsimatidis, while calling Sliwa a friend, noted that Sliwa must decide his path.

Since Mamdani’s surprising primary win, finance executives and Republicans have strategized to counter the anti-wealth candidate, favoring the Trump-friendly Adams despite his campaign finance issues and low approval ratings. Billionaire Bill Ackman also pledged to fund a business-friendly candidate, but with ballot lines set, options are limited.

Sliwa plans to campaign on GOP and “protect animals” independent lines, backed by New York GOP leaders like former Governor George Pataki and state party chair Ed Cox, who recently fundraised with him. The general election will feature Mamdani as the Democratic frontrunner, Adams, business leader Jim Walden, and possibly former Governor Andrew Cuomo as independents, though Cuomo’s campaign activity remains uncertain.

R.I.P.: Walter Scott, co-Founder Of The Whispers

Walter Scott (1944-2025)

Walter Scott, co-founder of the Los Angeles-based R&B group the Whispers alongside his twin brother Wallace, died Thursday at 81, according to Billboard and the Los Angeles Sentinel.

The group, known for 1970s and ‘80s hits like “And the Beat Goes On,” “Rock Steady,” “Lady,” and “Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong,” succumbed to cancer in Northridge after a six-month battle, his family told the Sentinel.

The Whispers’ polished, danceable sound, driven by post-disco rhythms and tight group vocals, landed 15 songs in the Top 10 of Billboard’s R&B chart, with “And the Beat Goes On” (1980) and “Rock Steady” (1987) hitting No. 1. Their music was later sampled by artists like 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, J. Cole, and Will Smith, who built his late-‘90s hit “Miami” on “And the Beat Goes On.”

Questlove, in an Instagram post, called Scott “one of the most trusted voices in ‘70s soul music,” likening him to a “talented uncle” with a dazzling scat-singing style.

Born in 1944 in Fort Worth, Texas, Scott moved to L.A., where he and Wallace began singing at Jordan High School. They formed the Whispers in the mid-‘60s with Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson, and Gordy Harmon. The group briefly relocated to San Francisco before Scott was drafted into the Vietnam War.

Radio History: June 28

➦In 1940...The Quiz Kids was first heard on radio as a summer replacement. Quiz Kids was a radio and TV series of the 1940s and 1950s. Created by Chicago public relations and advertising man Louis G. Cowan, and originally sponsored by Alka-Seltzer, the series was first broadcast on NBC from Chicago  airing as a summer replacement show for Alec Templeton Time.

It continued on radio for the next 13 years. On television, the show was seen on NBC and CBS from July 6, 1949 to July 5, 1953, with Joe Kelly as quizmaster, and again from January 12 to September 27, 1956, with Clifton Fadiman as host.

➦In 1943...the Dreft Star Playhouse debuted on NBC radio. Jane Wyman (the first Mrs. Ronald Reagan) starred in the first broadcast, titled Bachelor Mother. The 21-month series was expensive by radio’s daytime standards, with $3,000 a week budgetted for big name talent.

➦In 1944...The Alan Young Show debuted on NBC radio. It was the summer replacement for the popular Eddie Cantor. The show became a regular in the fall lineup.. on ABC. Young, incidentally, made the switch to TV in 1961. He became a CBS star with a talking horse, of course, of course, named Mister Ed.

➦In 1947…Allen Funt began a lengthy career of catching people in embarassment as “Candid Microphone” began a 15-month run on ABC Radio. It returned to the air on CBS Radio for three months in 1950. The TV version of the concept “Candid Camera” first aired in 1948.

➦In 1951...an old favorite of radio audiences made the switch to TV.  Amos ‘n’ Andy moved to CBS-TV. Two years later, criticism from the NAACP about ‘stereotyping’ forced the network to drop the show.

➦In 1968...Don Imus got his first radio job. Previously, Imus was a brakeman on the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Don Imus

After hearing a morning disc-jockey, he went to the nearby radio station and persuaded the owner to hire him. Thus he began his career as a radio disc jockey on June 28, 1968 at radio station KUTY in Palmdale, California.

He stayed at the station until 1969 when he left for a job at KJOY, a small radio station in Stockton, California. He was later fired for saying "hell" on air.

After being fired in Stockton, he went to KXOA in Sacramento, California. His on-air pranks, such as calling up a restaurant and ordering 1200 hamburgers to go, made his show immensely popular and boosted ratings.

In 1970, Imus left KXOA for WGAR in Cleveland, Ohio for a $50,000 salary. In 1971, he won his second Billboard Award, this time in the major radio market category. On December 2, 1971, less than three years into his radio career, Imus started his morning show at WNBC in New York City, with a $100,000 per year salary.

NYTimes To Trump: "No Apology Will Be Forthcoming'

The New York Times, along with CNN, faced threats of legal action from President Trump over their reporting on a U.S. military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer.

The controversy stems from articles published by both outlets that cited a preliminary U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report, which suggested the strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program by only a few months, contradicting Trump’s claim that the attack had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Trump and his allies, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, criticized the reports as false and unpatriotic, with Trump’s attorney demanding a retraction and apology from The New York Times, alleging the article was defamatory. 

The Times, in response, stood firmly by its reporting. NYT attorney David McGraw wrote to Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, stating, “No retraction is needed. No apology will be forthcoming. We told the truth to the best of our ability. We will continue to do so.”

CNN, which first reported elements of the intelligence assessment, also defended its journalism, stating it stood “100% behind” its reporter Natasha Bertrand, whom the Trump administration singled out for criticism. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s director, Rafael Grossi, noted that the strikes caused “enormous damage” but stopped short of calling Iran’s nuclear program annihilated, aligning more closely with the media’s assessment than Trump’s claims.

This dispute highlights tensions between the Trump administration and media outlets over the accuracy of reporting on sensitive national security issues, with the Times and CNN maintaining their commitment to factual reporting despite legal threats.

Diddy Files: Prosecution Takes 5 Hours for Closing Argument

Closing arguments began in the high-profile federal trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs in New York, marking the final stage of a seven-week case centered on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik, delivered a nearly five-hour closing argument, portraying Combs as the leader of a criminal enterprise that used "power, violence, and fear" to coerce and control victims, specifically focusing on two former girlfriends, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura and a woman identified as "Jane."

Slavik argued that Combs orchestrated a decades-long pattern of criminal activity, leveraging his wealth, fame, and influence to operate above the law. She detailed how Combs allegedly coerced Ventura and Jane into participating in drug-fueled sexual encounters, termed "freak-offs" or "hotel nights," involving male escorts, which were often recorded for Combs’ voyeuristic pleasure. 

These encounters, she claimed, were not consensual but driven by coercion, including threats of violence, financial control, and manipulation. 

The prosecution highlighted specific racketeering predicate acts, including: 

• Sex Trafficking: Slavik argued that Combs used drugs like Ecstasy, MDMA, and ketamine to keep Ventura and Jane compliant during grueling, sometimes days-long sexual encounters, leaving them exhausted and physically harmed (e.g., urinary tract infections). She emphasized that even one coerced "freak-off" was sufficient for conviction on the sex trafficking charges.
• Forced Labor: Beyond Ventura and Jane, former assistants "Mia" and Capricorn Clark were presented as victims of forced labor. Mia testified to sleep deprivation and sexual assaults, including an incident where Combs allegedly raped her, while Clark faced threats and unpaid overtime, with Combs allegedly destroying a document showing $80,000 owed to her.
• Witness Tampering and Obstruction: Slavik pointed to recorded 2023 phone calls where Combs and his chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, allegedly tried to manipulate Jane into adopting a narrative that she willingly participated in the encounters. Similar efforts were made with Mia, involving Combs’ bodyguard "D-Roc" to neutralize her as a threat after Ventura’s 2023 civil lawsuit.
• Bribery and Other Crimes: The prosecution cited a $100,000 payment to a hotel security guard for surveillance footage of the 2016 Ventura assault, alleged arson involving a Molotov cocktail thrown at Kid Cudi’s car, and drug distribution to facilitate "freak-offs."

The defense did not present its closing argument on June 26, as it was scheduled for the following day, Friday, June 27, 2025, with attorney Marc Agnifilo expected to speak for approximately three hours.

Senate Report Finds AM Radio Plays Critical Role

The Senate Commerce Committee Thursday released a report emphasizing the critical role of AM radio in vehicles for emergency communications, as part of its support for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S. 315). 

The report highlights that 86% of primary entry point stations in the national Emergency Alert System (EAS) are AM stations, underscoring their importance in delivering warnings during disasters, especially in rural areas where AM signals travel longer distances than FM or cellular networks. It notes AM radio’s reliability when other communication systems, like cell towers or internet, fail during natural disasters such as hurricanes or wildfires, citing examples like Hurricane Helene, where AM radio was a lifeline for delivering evacuation routes and shelter information.

The report addresses automakers’ decisions, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, to remove AM radios due to electromagnetic interference and shifting consumer preferences toward streaming audio. 

It argues that this trend jeopardizes public safety, as AM radio remains a cost-free, dependable platform for emergency alerts. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of implementing AM radio in vehicles to be minimal, at a few million dollars annually, with the mandate prohibiting these costs from being passed to consumers. The report also dismisses concerns about significant compliance burdens, stating that violations “would probably be small” and the impact on automakers would be “minimal.”
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which the report supports, would require the Department of Transportation to mandate AM radio capability in all new passenger vehicles manufactured or sold in the U.S., with a two- to three-year compliance period for most manufacturers and four years for small-volume producers. 

It also tasks the Government Accountability Office with studying whether alternative technologies can match AM’s coverage and reliability for emergency alerts, with findings to be reported to Congress. The legislation has strong bipartisan support, with 63 Senate co-sponsors and 262 House members backing companion bill H.R. 979, ensuring a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

The report counters arguments from automakers and groups like the Consumer Technology Association, which claim that AM radio is outdated and that alternatives like FM, satellite radio, or cell networks suffice. It cites FEMA’s reliance on AM radio as the backbone of the EAS and notes that during disasters like Hurricane Helene, AM stations were often the only communication source when power and telecom infrastructure failed. The report also addresses concerns about EV interference, noting that solutions exist, such as Toyota’s workaround, and that shielding can be implemented at a low cost, estimated at $70 per vehicle.

R.I.P.: Lalo Schifrin, Composer Of 'Mission Impossible' and 'Dirty Harry'

Lalo Schifrin, the legendary Argentine-American composer, pianist, and conductor, died on June 26, 2025, at the age of 93 in Beverly Hills, California. According to multiple reports, the cause of death was complications from pneumonia. His son, Ryan Schifrin, confirmed he passed away peacefully.

Born Boris Claudio Schifrin on June 21, 1932, in Buenos Aires, Schifrin was renowned for his genre-defining work, blending jazz, classical, and Latin American influences into unforgettable film and television scores. 

His most famous composition, the Mission: Impossible theme, with its distinctive 5/4 time signature, became a cultural touchstone, instantly evoking espionage and suspense. He also crafted iconic scores for films like Dirty Harry (1971), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Bullitt (1968), Enter the Dragon (1973), and the Rush Hour trilogy, as well as TV themes for Mannix and Starsky & Hutch.

Schifrin’s career spanned over seven decades, earning him six Academy Award nominations for Best Score (Cool Hand Luke, The Fox, Voyage of the Damned, The Amityville Horror, The Competition, and The Sting II) and a Best Song nomination for The Competition. In 2018, he received an Honorary Oscar, presented by Clint Eastwood, with whom he collaborated on eight films, including the Dirty Harry series. Schifrin won four Grammy Awards out of 19 nominations, with two for his Mission: Impossible work, and was nominated for four Emmys. He also earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1988.

Raised in a musical family—his father was concertmaster of the Buenos Aires Philharmonic—Schifrin studied classical music in Argentina and at the Paris Conservatory, while secretly indulging in banned American jazz records. His jazz passion led to a pivotal meeting with Dizzy Gillespie in 1956, prompting his move to the U.S. in 1958, where he became a prominent arranger and composer. His innovative approach, merging jazz with orchestral techniques, redefined film scoring in the 1960s and ‘70s, making him a trailblazer in Hollywood.

Audacy To Close Pineapple Street Podcast Studio

Audacy announced on Thursday, that it will close its Pineapple Street podcast studio, largely exiting the business of producing podcasts for third-party brands. 

The decision aligns with Audacy’s strategy to focus on its in-house podcasting efforts and core strengths, following its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2024 with a restructured balance sheet, reducing its debt from $1.9 billion to $350 million. 

Pineapple Street Studios, acquired by Audacy in 2019 for a reported $18 million, produced companion podcasts for shows like HBO’s Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, and Apple TV+’s Severance. The closure will result in the layoff of nearly 30 employees, though Audacy will continue producing in-house podcasts, such as Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade and The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller and Adam Scott, and distribute some third-party shows.

Soros Fund Management, led by billionaire George Soros, became Audacy’s largest shareholder after acquiring about $415 million of the company’s senior debt during its bankruptcy restructuring. 

The move, approved by the FCC in September 2024, has sparked controversy among some Republican lawmakers and conservative media, who raised concerns about potential foreign ownership and Soros’s influence over Audacy’s 230+ radio stations and podcast platforms. However, Audacy and Soros Fund Management have emphasized that the investment is financial, not ideological, and that programming will remain unchanged.

Smart TVs Gain On Smart Speakers For Podcast Listening

A decade ago, the Amazon Echo, the first smart speaker, sparked excitement in the podcasting community as a potential game-changer for the medium. By 2021, smart speakers were in 33% of U.S. households, with 47% of owners citing podcast listening as a purchase motivator, according to the 2022 “Smart Audio Report” by Edison Research and NPR. However, that was the report’s final edition, and smart speakers have since faded from the spotlight.

What Happened to Smart Speakers?

Adoption has stalled according to Signal Hill Insights, with ownership only rising from 33% to 35% of Americans aged 12+ between 2021 and 2025, per Edison’s Infinite Dial. Podcast listening via smart speakers has also dropped significantly, from 31% of weekly podcast consumers in Spring 2021 to 20% in Spring 2025, according to the Cumulus Media/Signal Hill Insights Download survey. 

Meanwhile, overall podcast consumption has grown, with 55% of Americans 12+ listening monthly, up 14 points, suggesting smart speakers aren’t driving this increase.

Smart TVs Gaining Ground

The rise of video podcasts is a key factor in podcasting’s growth. The Spring 2025 Download survey found 32% of weekly podcast consumers use smart TVs for podcasts, surpassing laptops and smart speakers and trailing only smartphones. 

This aligns with smart TV ownership, which jumped from 70% of TV households in 2021 to 82% in 2025, per Hub Entertainment Research. Platforms like YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and Spotify on smart TVs facilitate this trend. Notably, 39% of weekly podcast consumers prefer YouTube, and 41% of these “YouTube Primaries” use smart TVs for podcasts, highlighting the shift toward video-driven podcast consumption.

BBC News Targets News Avoiders

BBC News launched The Upbeat, a weekly newsletter in October, targeting news avoiders with inspiring, uplifting, and lighthearted stories to boost engagement and foster regular interaction with its content.

Senior news editor Zoe Tabary, speaking at The Audiencers Festival in London, reported that the newsletter has surpassed expectations, gaining around 160,000 UK subscribers. Approximately 50,000 actively opted in, while the others, identified as news avoiders interested in positive stories, were targeted based on their expressed interests from BBC’s extensive user database. 

News avoidance refers to the deliberate choice by individuals to limit or completely avoid consuming news content, either often or occasionally. 

This behavior has become more prevalent, with the Reuters Institute Digital News Report indicating an increase from 29% to 40% of people engaging in news avoidance over the past eight years. 

People may avoid news due to feelings of overwhelm, negativity overload from distressing stories, distrust in media, or a preference for content that feels more uplifting or relevant. Some turn to alternative sources like social media or personal networks, while others disengage entirely. 

News organizations, like the BBC with its Upbeat newsletter, are adapting by offering lighter, positive content to re-engage these audiences, targeting those who express interest in less heavy news based on user data.

WaPo: Graham Family Member Attacks Bezos Ownership

Katherine Graham with Woodward, Bernstein

Pamela Alma Weymouth, granddaughter of the late Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham, has sharply criticized current owner Jeff Bezos for undermining the newspaper’s legacy. 

Writing in The Nation, Weymouth recounts her grandmother’s courage during the Watergate era, when Graham defied threats from President Richard Nixon, ignored her lawyers and board, and published the Pentagon Papers, exposing government lies about the Vietnam War. She also backed leaks revealing Nixon’s role in Watergate, finding her voice through bold action.

Weymouth laments that those days are gone. “Now, facing a more tyrannical Trump, Bezos has retreated,” she writes, accusing him of silencing the editorial page and driving away talented writers, editors, and cartoonists. She notes that just eight days before the election, the Post abruptly canceled its planned endorsement of Kamala Harris, breaking decades of tradition.

While the Graham family sold the Post to Bezos in 2013—prompting Weymouth to acknowledge the deal was done—she credits Bezos for his support during Trump’s first term. 

Still, she mourns the loss of the Post’s integrity, honoring the legacy of Graham, Ben Bradlee, Bob Woodward, and Carl Bernstein. “I grieve for these writers, forced to choose between feeding their families and honoring their integrity,” she writes. “My grandmother was a true patriot, protecting journalists’ rights to deliver facts and speak freely, without fear of censorship.”

DefSec Hegseth Goes Unhinged On Former Fox Colleague

At a Thursday morning news conference, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sharply criticized Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin, calling her "the worst" after she questioned whether Iran had moved enriched uranium before U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear sites. 

On Saturday night, U.S. B-2 Spirit bombers targeted facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, but media reports, including a leaked U.S. intelligence assessment, suggested the strikes set Iran’s nuclear program back by only months. The New York Times reported that uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels was not at Fordo during the attack, citing satellite imagery showing trucks at the site days prior.

Griffin asked Hegseth if he was certain the highly enriched uranium remained at Fordo or if it had been moved. Hegseth responded, “Of course, we’re watching every single aspect,” before accusing Griffin of intentional misrepresentation. Griffin defended her reporting, noting she was the first to accurately detail the B-2 bombers’ role, refueling, and mission specifics, saying, “I take issue with that.” Hegseth, a former “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host (2017–2024) nominated by President Donald Trump as defense secretary, acknowledged the mission’s success but maintained that Griffin and the press were undermining it.

Hegseth accused the media of rooting for Trump’s failure, claiming they “cheer against” the strikes’ efficacy and spin leaks to sow doubt. “It’s irresponsible,” he said, alleging the press manipulates public perception to question the success of U.S. pilots. 

🚨 WATCH: Fox’s @brithume: “I want to say a word about Jennifer Griffin who was attacked by the defense secretary today. An attack I think she did not deserve. Her knowledge and experience at the Pentagon is unmatched and I have had and still have the greatest regard for her. The… pic.twitter.com/GKFIKSiFi5

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) June 26, 2025

But Fox News political analyst Brit Hume said on air, according to The Hill, that Griffin "did not deserve" to be attacked by Hegseth and that "her professionalism, her knowledge, her experience at the Pentagon is unmatched."

Chicago Tribune Looking To Further Trim News Staff

The Chicago Tribune, following a trend of downsizing news organizations, offered a buyout to its unionized newsroom employees on Thursday, the first since Alden Global Capital acquired the newspaper in 2021. 

In an email to union staff, the Tribune cited “business necessity” limiting the number of eligible positions but did not specify the buyout’s scope or mention potential layoffs. The voluntary separation plan offers up to 12 weeks of pay for employees with up to 12 years of service, and a maximum of 21 weeks for longer-tenured staff. Employees have until July 7, 2025, to apply, with accepted applicants departing by July 11.

Tribune Publishing, based in Chicago, declined to comment. The Chicago Tribune Guild, representing 77 journalists at the city’s largest daily newspaper, formed seven years ago and ratified its first labor contract in November. This marks the first buyout offer since Alden’s $633 million acquisition of Tribune Publishing in May 2021, which triggered a voluntary exit of over 40 journalists, including prominent reporters and editors.

Alden, now the second-largest U.S. newspaper owner behind Gannett, also controls MediaNews Group, with titles like the Denver Post and San Jose Mercury News. 

The buyout aligns with industry-wide declines, as the 2024 State of Local News report from Northwestern’s Medill School notes a 73% drop in newspaper jobs (266,000) since 2005, including a 60% reduction in newsroom roles (45,000). In March, the Chicago Sun-Times saw over a fifth of its staff, including 23 reporters and editors, accept buyouts to avoid layoffs under its nonprofit owner, Chicago Public Media.

House Committee OKs Funding For Public Media Infrastructure

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has recommended level funding of $40 million for fiscal year 2026 for the Next Generation Warning System (NGWS), which supports public broadcasting’s public safety infrastructure.

This decision aims to maintain critical investments in emergency alerting capabilities for public television and radio stations, particularly those serving rural and underserved areas. The NGWS, funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), helps upgrade aging infrastructure to enhance resilience and reliability in delivering emergency alerts, such as severe weather warnings and AMBER alerts, and supports partnerships with public safety agencies like the Department of Homeland Security.

America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) praised the bipartisan support from committee leaders, including Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Mark Amodei (R-NV), Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK), Ranking Member Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). 

The funding ensures public broadcasters can continue serving as a backbone for emergency communications, including delivering geo-targeted Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to cell phones and supporting state-specific initiatives like California’s earthquake warning system and Florida’s emergency weather network.

 
This recommendation comes despite broader debates over public media funding, with the House voting separately to rescind $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for 2026 and 2027, highlighting tensions between maintaining public safety infrastructure and efforts to reduce federal spending on public broadcasting. 

The NGWS funding, separate from CPB’s budget, remains a priority for its role in civil defense and homeland security. The bill awaits further consideration by the full House and Senate.

FNC's Johnny Joey Jones Book Is NYTimes Bestseller

FOX News Books, the publishing imprint of FOX News Media, delivers another runaway bestseller with FOX News contributor Johnny Joey Jones landing atop the New York Times bestseller list during his debut week. 

“Behind the Badge: Answering the Call to Serve on America’s Homefront” sold over 16,000 copies since its June 17th publish date and landed at number one among the nonfiction category. A FOX Nation book special “Behind the Badge with Joey Jones” will be released in collaboration on Thursday, July 3rd.

Jones’ kick off release with FOX News Books, “Unbroken Bonds of Battle: A Modern Book of Heroism, Patriotism and Friendship” was published in 2023 and spent eight weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and sold more than 115,000 copies to date. Since the platforms inception in 2020, FOX News Books has notched 14 New York Times bestsellers and collectively sold well over three million copies across all of its titles.

“Behind the Badge” tells the unique stories of the dramatic rescues, heart-wrenching losses, and awe-inspiring acts of courage of first responders. Jones delves into how these men and women continue to go to work even though they are confronted with worst-case situations each day.

Johnny Joey Jones

Jones joined FOX News Media as a contributor in 2019. In this capacity, he provides military analysis across all FOX News Media (FNM) platforms. Prior to his role at FNM, Jones endured two combat deployments and eight years of active service in the Marine Corps. 

While deployed in Afghanistan, he suffered a life-changing injury that resulted in the loss of both of his legs above the knee. Since his recovery, he has dedicated himself to work with veterans’ issues through Veteran’s Service Organizations. 

Notably, Jones created a fellowship on Capitol Hill with the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where his contributions resulted in direct policy changes within the Veterans Administration and Department of Defense.

After A Decade, The Beach Boys Return to The Charts

The Beach Boys returned to the top 40 of the Billboard 200 chart for the first time in over a decade, with their greatest hits compilation Sounds of Summer: The Very Best of The Beach Boys climbing from No. 52 to No. 14 on the chart dated June 28, 2025. 

The surge was primarily driven by the passing of the band’s co-founder and creative force, Brian Wilson, on June 11, 2025, at age 82, which sparked renewed interest in their catalog. 

The album, originally released in 2003, saw a significant boost in consumption, with 15,500 equivalent album units in the tracking week, a 71% increase, fueled by streaming and digital sales. 

It marked a new peak for the album, surpassing its previous high of No. 16 in 2003. This was the band’s first top 40 appearance since their 2012 studio album That’s Why God Made the Radio peaked at No. 3.

Additionally, their iconic album Pet Sounds re-entered the Billboard 200 at No. 136, its highest rank since 1968, and debuted on the Top Album Sales chart at No. 23 and Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart at No. 32. Overall, the band’s catalog saw a 126% surge in on-demand streams to 26.7 million, with “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” as the most-streamed song (2.28 million streams) and “God Only Knows” topping digital sales (4,000 units).