Saturday, July 12, 2025

Radio History July 13


➦In 1898…Guglielmo Marconi applied for a patent for his radio technology.

Marconi
Marconi, just twenty years old, began his first experiments working on his own with the help of his butler. In the summer of 1894, he built a storm alarm made up of a battery, a coherer, and an electric bell, which went off if there was lightning. Soon after he was able to make a bell ring on the other side of the room by pushing a telegraphic button on a bench.

One night in December, Guglielmo woke his mother up and invited her into his secret workshop and showed her the experiment he had created. The next day he also showed his work to his father, who, when he was certain there were no wires, gave his son all of the money he had in his wallet so Guglielmo could buy more materials.

In the summer of 1895 Marconi moved his experimentation outdoors.  After increasing the length of the transmitter and receiver antennas, arranging them vertically, and positioning the antenna so that it touched the ground, the range increased significantly.  Soon he was able to transmit signals over a hill, a distance of approximately 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi).  By this point he concluded that with additional funding and research, a device could become capable of spanning greater distances and would prove valuable both commercially and militarily.

Marconi wrote to the Ministry of Post and Telegraphs, then under the direction of the honorable Pietro Lacava, explaining his wireless telegraph machine and asking for funding. He never received a response to his letter which was eventually dismissed by the Minister who wrote "to the Longara" on the document, referring to the insane asylum on Via della Lungara in Rome.

In 1896, Marconi spoke with his family friend Carlo Gardini, Honorary Consul at the United States Consulate in Bologna, about leaving Italy to go to England. Gardini wrote a letter of introduction to the Ambassador of Italy in London, Annibale Ferrero, explaining who Marconi was and about these extraordinary discoveries. In his response, Ambassador Ferrero advised them not to reveal the results until after they had obtained the copyrights. He also encouraged him to come to England where he believed it would be easier to find the necessary funds to convert the findings from Marconi's experiment into a practical use. Finding little interest or appreciation for his work in Italy, Marconi travelled to London in early 1896 at the age of 21, accompanied by his mother, to seek support for his work; Marconi spoke fluent English in addition to Italian. Marconi arrived at Dover and at Customs the Customs officer opened his case to find various contraptions and apparatus. The customs officer immediately contacted the Admiralty in London. While there, Marconi gained the interest and support of William Preece, the Chief Electrical Engineer of the British Post Office.

The apparatus that Marconi possessed at that time was similar to that of one in 1882 by A. E. Dolbear, of Tufts College, which used a spark coil generator and a carbon granular rectifier for reception.  A plaque on the outside of BT Centre commemorates Marconi's first public transmission of wireless signals from that site. A series of demonstrations for the British government followed—by March 1897, Marconi had transmitted Morse code signals over a distance of about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) across Salisbury Plain. On 13 May 1897, Marconi sent the world's first ever wireless communication over open sea. The experiment, based in Wales, witnessed a message transversed over the Bristol Channel from Flat Holm Island to Lavernock Point in Penarth, a distance of 6 kilometres (3.7 mi). The message read "Are you ready".  The transmitting equipment was almost immediately relocated to Brean Down Fort on the Somerset coast, stretching the range to 16 kilometres (9.9 mi).

From his Fraserburgh base, he transmitted the first long-distance, cross-country wireless signal to Poldhu in Cornwall.

Marconi watching associates launch a kite used to lift an antenna in 1901 at St. Johns, Newfoundland

Impressed by these and other demonstrations, Preece introduced Marconi's ongoing work to the general public at two important London lectures: "Telegraphy without Wires", at the Toynbee Hall on 11 December 1896; and "Signaling through Space without Wires", given to the Royal Institution on 4 June 1897.

Numerous additional demonstrations followed, and Marconi began to receive international attention. In July 1897, he carried out a series of tests at La Spezia, in his home country, for the Italian government. A test for Lloyds between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island, Ireland, was conducted on 6 July 1898. The English channel was crossed on 27 March 1899, from Wimereux, France to South Foreland Lighthouse, England, and in the autumn of 1899, the first demonstrations in the United States took place, with the reporting of the America's Cup international yacht races at New York.

Marconi sailed to the United States at the invitation of the New York Herald newspaper to cover the America's Cup races off Sandy Hook, NJ. The transmission was done aboard the SS Ponce, a passenger ship of the Porto Rico Line.  Marconi left for England on 8 November 1899 on the American Line's SS St. Paul, and he and his assistants installed wireless equipment aboard during the voyage. On 15 November the St. Paul became the first ocean liner to report her imminent return to Great Britain by wireless when Marconi's Royal Needles Hotel radio station contacted her sixty-six nautical miles off the English coast.

➦In 1913...Radio-TV personality Dave Garroway was born in Schenectady NY.  He was one of the first adopters of a conversational approach on the air, as opposed to ‘announcing’ to the audience.  He had a popular late night jazz radio show in Chicago before being featured in Garroway at Large in the earliest days of the TV era, and then being named first host of the NBC Today Show. He was fired ten years later after lying down in the studio to press for his contract demands. He committed suicide July 21 1982, just days after his 69th birthday.

➦In 1928…Radio host and actor Bob Crane was born in Waterbury Conn.  While he had excellent radio credentials from his KNX Hollywood breakfast show, he is best remembered as the star of TV’s zany sitcom, Hogan’s Heroes. He was found murdered in his hotel room in Scottsdale, AZ June 29, 1978 at age 49. Case unsolved.

➦In 1960…KDBQ-AM, San Francisco changed its call letters to KYA-AM.

Trump Pressures GOP Senators To Defund Public Media


President Donald Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to wavering Republican senators regarding a rescissions bill that proposes significant cuts to public broadcasting: support the defunding of NPR and PBS or risk losing his endorsement for their reelection campaigns.

As the Senate gears up to July 18 vote on the $9.4 billion clawback package, proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency, which includes slashing $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (overseeing NPR and PBS) and reducing foreign aid, several Republicans have voiced concerns about the media cuts.

“I cannot support the rescissions package in its current form,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) on Wednesday, specifically citing the provisions targeting PBS and NPR.

Other conservative senators have expressed worries about the bill’s impact on rural and Native American communities that depend on public broadcasting for communication, particularly for emergency messaging. 

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) emphasized the need to preserve funding for these areas, stating, “We’re not aiming to eliminate all rescissions, but to protect those critical for rural communities. This is how they stay connected.” 

He indicated openness to negotiating with the White House.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, also opposes the bill as drafted and plans to propose amendments.

“I’m working with committee members to explore changes to the rescissions package,” she said Wednesday.

Trump, who has long criticized public broadcasting as anti-MAGA, escalated his stance Thursday night on Truth Social, threatening to support primary challenges against Republicans who don’t back the bill.

“All Republicans must support my Recissions Bill and DEFUND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (PBS and NPR), worse than CNN & MSDNC combined,” he wrote, using his nickname for MSNBC. “Any Republican voting to keep this monstrosity broadcasting will lose my support or Endorsement. Thank you!”

The rescissions package follows Trump’s May executive order demanding the elimination of all federal funding for public media, citing alleged anti-conservative bias. This push aligns with his months-long campaign to defund NPR and PBS, which rely on government funds for 1% and 15% of their budgets, respectively.

FCC Pushes Companies to Abandon D.E.I


T-Mobile has become the latest company to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion DEI programs amid scrutiny from the Federal Communications Commission during merger and acquisition reviews.

In a letter this week to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, T-Mobile announced it would eliminate all D.E.I.-related policies “in substance, not just in name.” 

This includes reassigning D.E.I. staff to focus on “employee culture and engagement” and removing all D.E.I. references from its website, going beyond the partial rollback it reported to the FCC in March.

On Friday, the FCC approved T-Mobile’s acquisition of a significant portion of UScellular’s wireless business. 

The agency’s order noted T-Mobile’s D.E.I. policy termination, stating it “expects these changes will prevent DEI discrimination in the post-transaction company.”

While the FCC typically evaluates media and telecom deals for consumer benefits, it has taken an unusual role in advancing the Trump administration’s push to eliminate D.E.I. in corporate America. Chairman Carr has embraced this agenda, leveraging an executive order to curb “illegal D.E.I.” by threatening to block deals and investigating companies like Disney and Comcast over their D.E.I. efforts. 

On Wednesday, Carr praised T-Mobile’s move on X, calling it a “good step forward for equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and the public interest.”

Skydance In Talks To Buy Bari Weiss’ The Free Press

Bari Weiss

Paramount’s owner-in-waiting, David Ellison, met with journalist entrepreneur Bari Weiss on Friday about a possible tie-up between CBS News and her startup The Free Press.

CNN reports the pair met on the sidelines of an annual gathering of media moguls in Sun Valley, Idaho, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Ellison has been holding talks with Weiss in recent weeks as he awaits Trump administration approval of the pending merger between Paramount and his firm, Skydance Media.

Once the merger takes effect, Ellison will oversee Paramount, including its storied CBS News division.

Ellison has been tight-lipped about his vision for CBS, so his interest in The Free Press is a significant signal about his plans to invest in reporting and analysis.

Ellison is said to be interested in infusing Weiss’s editorial perspective into CBS News, as the media newsletter Status first reported last month. The New York Times reported on Skydance’s “early talks” to acquire The Free Press on Friday.

Weiss became something of a journalistic household name after she quit The Times in 2020 and blasted its “illiberal environment.” One year later, she had gained enough of a following on her Substack-hosted publication, originally named Common Sense, to start hiring a staff.

In her original pitch for the publication, she wrote, “There are tens of millions of Americans who aren’t on the hard left or the hard right who feel that the world has gone mad.”

Weiss said her website, later renamed The Free Press, was for people who “prefer to think for themselves.” She gained subscribers, but also critics, through the site’s volume of so-called anti-woke columns and stories. She has similarly won both support and scrutiny for her strong support of Israel – a view that Ellison has also been outspoken about.

Earlier this year New York magazine described The Free Press as a media organ that “both wants to excoriate liberals but not fold fully into the MAGA wing.” One recent column was titled “Have You Heard The Good News?” and was subtitled, “Because the progressive left and the MAGA right clearly have not.”

Chicago Radio: Kashon Powell New VP/Programming For iHM


iHeartMedia Chicago has announced industry vet Kashon Powell as Vice President of Programming. Effective August 18. Powell will take over the programming duties for WGCI-FM, WVAZ-FM, WGRB-AM and WMFN-AM, and will report to James Howard, SVP Programming.

Kashon Powell
“Kashon has an exceptional track record of success, consistently driving results and inspiring teams,” said Howard. “We are thrilled to welcome her to our Chicago team where her expertise will help strengthen the connection with our listeners.”

Powell has over 30 years of industry leadership, becoming the first woman to serve as Vice President of Programming at Urban One. From launching her career at KBXX-FM in Houston to overseeing major markets and producing national programs like Urban One Honors, Powell is known for her visionary programming, strategic innovation, and commitment to elevating diverse voices.

“I am excited to return to iHeartMedia to lead these legendary brands and contribute to the legacy of such iconic radio stations,” said Powell. “A huge thank you to James Howard, Thea Mitchem, Brad Hardin, and Doc Wynter for this incredible opportunity.”

Milwaukee-Madison Radio: Brett Andrews Brand Manager For Audacy


Audacy Wisconsin welcomes Brett Andrews as Brand Manager for Mix 105.1 FM (WMHX-FM) in Madison and Assistant Brand Manager for 99.1 The Mix (WMYX-FM) and 103.7 KISS-FM (WXSS-FM) in Milwaukee starting July 14. Andrews will also be hosting afternoons on 99.1 The Mix from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT.

“Brett’s deep connection to these stations and proven talent in the industry make him an incredible asset as we continue to strive to build lasting relationships with our listeners and partners,” said Jason Bjorson, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Wisconsin. “We’re so excited to have Brett’s passion for radio and knowledge of the Milwaukee and Madison markets back on our team and have him lead three of our local favorites.”

"There’s something special about these stations that keeps pulling me back. I walked into this building over 25 years ago to start my career, and it’s an honor to return and help carry on their incredible legacy,” said Andrews. “Huge thanks to Jason Bjorson and Molly Cruz for believing in me. It feels so good to be home again!"

The new weekday lineup for 99.1 The Mix is as follows.
  • 5:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. CT: Elizabeth and Radar
  • 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT: Letty B
  • 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CT: Brett Andrews
Andrews joins from iHeartRadio, where he was Senior Vice President of Programming in Milwaukee and Madison. During his tenure, he served as the Program Director at WRIT in Milwaukee, WZEE in Madison, KSLZ in St. Louis and KKRZ in Portland. He also hosted on air at 103.5 KISS FM in Chicago, Z100 in Portland, Z1077 in St. Louis, 104.7 KISS FM in Phoenix and 101.3 KDWB in Minneapolis. His return to 103.7 KISS-FM marks a full-circle moment as he was a host at the station in 2007.

Lawmakers Push For Full FCC Votes On Paramount Deal


Sens. Edward Markey and Ben Ray Luján, both Democrats, wrote to newly confirmed FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty, pressing for a full FCC vote on the $8 billion Paramount-Skydance merger rather than delegating the decision to the FCC's media bureau.

According to The Wrap, the senators noted that President Donald Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS and “60 Minutes,” recently settled for $16 million without an apology from the network, has raised concerns about the merger. 

Olivia Trusty
They argued that the settlement casts doubt on Paramount’s motives and the deal’s impact on media independence, calling for a transparent FCC review process.“We urge you to ensure the FCC conducts its merger review with maximum transparency, including a full Commission vote,” they wrote, emphasizing the need for openness on this high-profile issue.

The FCC, tasked with reviewing the merger due to broadcast license transfers, typically aims to decide within 180 days, though this is not binding. The Paramount-Skydance review is currently at day 238, according to the FCC’s website.

Both Paramount and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr have stated that Trump’s lawsuit and settlement are unrelated to the merger review. However, Carr has indicated that the FCC’s separate probe into alleged “news distortion” tied to a Kamala Harris interview could lead to consequences, including the potential revocation of CBS’s broadcast license if public interest standards are found to be violated.

Report: Dan Bongino Takes Day-Off After Bondi Blow-Up


There have been reports Friday suggesting that FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel might consider resigning due to tensions with Attorney General Pam Bondi, primarily over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case files. 

According to sources cited by various outlets, including the Daily Wire and CNN, Bongino has expressed frustration with Bondi’s approach to the Epstein files, particularly after a July 6, 2025, DOJ memo stated no further information would be released and denied the existence of an Epstein "client list." 

This contradicted earlier expectations set by Bondi, who in February 2025 suggested she was reviewing significant Epstein-related documents. The lack of transparency and perceived mishandling led to a reported clash during a White House meeting involving Bongino, Patel, Bondi, and other officials.

A source close to the DOJ, cited by the Daily Wire, claimed Patel might also consider leaving if Bongino resigns, citing broader frustrations with Bondi’s withholding of other documents. 

However, there’s no official confirmation from Bongino or Patel about resigning, and some reports, like one from Fox News, suggest both Patel and Bondi intend to stay. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has publicly denied any rift, stating that FBI and DOJ leadership were aligned on the Epstein memo.

The controversy stems from unmet expectations among some conservative supporters who anticipated major revelations from the Epstein files, fueled by prior statements from both Patel and Bongino. While Bongino reportedly took a day off after the dispute, no formal resignation decisions have been confirmed. The situation remains fluid, with speculation driven by posts on X and media reports but lacking definitive evidence of either official’s intent to quit.

Jen Psaki Struggles in MSNBC Primetime Slot


Two months into her primetime role at MSNBC, former Biden press secretary Jen Psaki is facing challenges, with her show, The Briefing, losing 44% of the audience previously drawn by Rachel Maddow in the same slot. 

From its May 6 debut through July 3, The Briefing averaged 1.1 million total viewers, compared to 1.8 million for Maddow and temporary host Alex Wagner earlier this year, per Fox News Digital

In contrast, Fox News’s Hannity, airing at 9 p.m., averaged 2.9 million viewers.

Psaki’s lackluster viewership compounds MSNBC’s ongoing struggles, as the network grapples with declining ratings and criticism over its left-leaning coverage. 

Comcast, MSNBC’s parent company, announced in November it would sever ties with the network. Psaki, who served as White House press secretary from January 2021 to May 2022, has also faced scrutiny for allegedly downplaying Joe Biden’s mental decline during her tenure.

Taking over Maddow’s 9 p.m. slot Tuesday through Friday, Psaki has particularly struggled in the key 25-54 demographic, averaging just 90,000 viewers compared to Hannity’s 344,000 and CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins at 108,000. Despite this, The Briefing outperforms The Source, which averaged 543,000 total viewers since May.

Radio History: July 12


Milton Berle 1943
➦In 1908.
..Comedian Milton Berle was born in New York City (Died from colon cancer – March 27, 2002). Berle's career as an entertainer spanned over 80 years, first in silent films and on stage as a child actor, then in radio, movies and television. As the host of NBC's Texaco Star Theater (1948–55), he was the first major American television star and was known to millions of viewers as "Uncle Miltie" and "Mr. Television" during the first Golden Age of Television.

From 1934–36, Berle appeared regularly on The Rudy Vallee Hour, and he attracted publicity as a regular on The Gillette Original Community Sing, a Sunday night comedy-variety program broadcast on CBS from September 6, 1936 to August 29, 1937. In 1939, he was the host of Stop Me If You've Heard This One with panelists spontaneously finishing jokes sent in by listeners.

In the late 1940s, he canceled well-paying nightclub appearances to expand his radio career. Three Ring Time, a comedy-variety show sponsored by Ballantine Ale, was followed by a 1943 program sponsored by Campbell's Soups. The audience participation show Let Yourself Go (1944–1945) could best be described as "slapstick radio" with studio audience members acting out long suppressed urges—often directed at host Berle. Kiss and Make Up, on CBS in 1946, featured the problems of contestants decided by a jury from the studio audience with Berle as the judge. Berle also made guest appearances on many comedy-variety radio programs during the 1930s and 1940s.

Howard Duff
 ➦In 1946…"The Adventures of Sam Spade," debuted on ABC Radio.

The show ran for 13 episodes on ABC in 1946, for 157 episodes on CBS in 1946-1949, and finally for 51 episodes on NBC in 1949-1951. The series starred Howard Duff (and later, Steve Dunne) as Sam Spade and Lurene Tuttle as his secretary Effie, and took a considerably more tongue-in-cheek approach to the character than the novel or movie. The announcer was Dick Joy.

The series was largely overseen by producer/director William Spier. In 1947, scriptwriters Jason James and Bob Tallman received an Edgar Award for Best Radio Drama from the Mystery Writers of America.

➦In 1957…DJ Alan Freed - the man who coined the term "Rock and Roll" - started a Rock and Roll program on ABC-TV.

"The Big Beat" with guest performers Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers, the Everly Brothers and Connie Francis. The series was cancelled after the fourth show in which Frankie Lymon was seen dancing with a white girl, something that reportedly offended the management of the network's affiliate stations in southern states. Freed hosted a local version of "The Big Beat" on WNEW-TV New York until late 1959 when he was fired due to payola allegations.

➦In 1976…Ted Mack died (Born William Edward Maguiness February 12, 1904). He was the host of Ted Mack and The Original Amateur Hour on radio and television.

Friday, July 11, 2025

DHS Rejects CNN Report on Texas Flood Response Delays


Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has strongly disputed a CNN report claiming her new policy delayed FEMA’s response to catastrophic flash flooding in central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, which killed at least 120 people and left over 150 missing.

The floods, centered near the Guadalupe River, devastated communities, with a death toll reported between 119 and 120 across sources.

CNN’s report, citing four FEMA officials, alleged that Noem’s rule requiring her personal approval for any DHS contract or grant over $100,000 created bureaucratic obstacles, delaying the deployment of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams until Monday, over 72 hours after the flooding began on Friday. 

The report suggested this slowed FEMA’s ability to provide critical resources, as disaster response costs often reach billions, making the $100,000 threshold negligible.

Noem, appearing on Fox & Friends, called the CNN report “fake news” and “absolute trash,” asserting that DHS assets, including the Coast Guard and Border Patrol, were deployed immediately. 

She emphasized a rapid federal response, noting President Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration hours after Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s request. DHS claimed that by Tuesday, FEMA had 311 staffers on the ground, supporting hundreds, and that Noem’s approach prioritized state-led recovery, providing funds faster than ever.

DHS’s statement on X further labeled CNN’s reporting as “activist journalism,” claiming Noem worked tirelessly in Texas to meet responders’ needs and that the response saved over 900 lives. However, the statement did not directly dispute CNN’s timeline of the 72-hour delay for USAR teams. A DHS spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, told CNN that other DHS assets, like the Coast Guard, were used initially, reducing the need for immediate FEMA reinforcements.

Critics, including FEMA officials, expressed frustration, noting that USAR teams, trained for catastrophic floods, were not pre-positioned as is typical, due to Noem’s cost-control measures. The policy, part of broader Trump administration efforts to reform FEMA and shift disaster response to states, has raised concerns within the agency about its ability to act swiftly as hurricane and wildfire seasons approach.

Senate to Vote on Public Broadcasting Cuts


Next week, the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate will vote on President Donald Trump’s proposal to cut $9.4 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding, setting the stage for a clash with Democrats that could disrupt annual budget negotiations. 

Reuters reports Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) indicated the vote could occur as early as Tuesday, stating, “It’ll have to be fairly early in the week, probably Tuesday.”

The Senate faces a July 18 deadline to act on the rescissions package, which seeks to cancel previously approved congressional funding. If it expires, the White House must follow existing spending plans. 

Historically, standalone rescissions have failed, as Congress guards its constitutional authority over spending—evidenced by the rejection of Trump’s $15 billion cut proposal in 2018. However, with narrow Republican majorities in both chambers, opposition to Trump’s agenda is limited. Last week, Congress passed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” funding his domestic priorities, cutting taxes, and potentially reducing healthcare coverage for millions.

The rescissions bill narrowly passed the House (214-212), with four Republicans joining 208 Democrats in opposition. In the Senate, some Republicans are wary of cuts to programs like AIDS relief, global women’s and children’s health, and rural U.S. broadcasters, and amendments are expected to address these concerns. 

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) warned that the cuts threaten bipartisan budget talks, complicating the passage of spending bills needed by September 30 to avoid a government shutdown. While appropriations bills require 60 votes, the rescissions package needs only 51, allowing Republicans to pass it without Democratic support.

A March 2025 Pew Research Center poll showed 69% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents support continued federal funding for NPR and PBS, compared to just 19% of Republicans. Democrats argue that public media’s role in providing balanced news, educational content, and emergency alerts justifies its $1.50 per American annual cost, especially in areas with limited media access.

Katz: Commuters Are The Driving Force Among Workers

Commuters Are Happier with Radio

Katz analyzed the latest YouGov data on the status of the American workforce to see where the country stands in terms of commuting in 2025.

The "new normal" of working arrangements that many of us have become accustomed to involves a hybrid situation of working from a business location and from home. Even with cross-over arrangements, the data shows the ongoing shift from WFH towards commuting to workplaces outside the home.

As of June 2025 more than 7 in 10 employed adults are commuting to a job outside the home. Commuting levels have increased +29% since 2020, with growth seen across age brackets. Employed adults 30-44 are among the most likely to work at locations outside the home at 74%, topped by older adults 65+ (78%). The youngest cohort of employed adults 18-29 experienced a+41% increase in commuting since 2020.

All Adults

RADIO IS THE BEST WAY TO CONNECT WITH COMMUTERS ON THE ROAD

A natural byproduct of growing work commutes is an increase in car usage. As Katz covered in a previous analysis of traffic congestion data, major American cities, and top Radio Metros, saw increases in time spent in traffic last year, as well as increased visits to downtown areas. And no medium is positioned to reach this captive in-car audience better than AM/FM radio - delivering the usage and scale advertisers need. Edison's Share of Ear finds that 9 out of every 10 minutes of ad supported listening time is spent with AM/FM radio.

Time spent in the car offers significant opportunities for brands to engage with captive audiences through audio. With its dominant in-car reach and usage, radio provides unmatched opportunity for advertisers to connect with millions of engaged and attentive employed adults where and when they're in a position to act. 

For more information from YouGov.

Miami Radio: Pirate Challenges FCC Over $2.4M Fine


Fabrice Polynice, known as DJ Paz, is contesting a $2.4 million FCC fine for allegedly running an unauthorized radio station, "Radio Touche Douce," on 90.1 MHz for 22 days in early 2023. 

The FCC, which issued the penalty on June 6 via Forfeiture Order (FCC 25-32), labels Polynice a repeat pirate broadcaster since 2012. 

In response, Polynice, represented by attorney Dan J. Alpert, has filed a petition for reconsideration, challenging both the fine’s amount and the FCC’s authority to impose it.

Polynice argues the fine is excessive given his average annual income of under $16,000 over the past three years, as shown in financial documents. 

DJ Paz
The FCC denied his request for a reduction, citing his broadcasting history. 

His petition leans on the 2024 Supreme Court ruling in SEC v. Jarkesy and the 2025 Fifth Circuit decision in AT&T v. FCC, which question the constitutionality of agency-imposed civil penalties without jury trials. 

Polynice’s team asserts that the FCC’s process—acting as prosecutor, judge, and jury—violates the Seventh Amendment, as highlighted in Jarkesy.

The petition also cites a white paper by former FCC deputy general counsel Peter Karanjia, which argues the FCC’s forfeiture process may be unconstitutional post-Jarkesy without Congressional reform. 

Polynice notes that FCC fines, which go to the U.S. Treasury, are punitive, not compensatory, and thus require Article III court adjudication with a jury.

Polynice requests the FCC withdraw its order, warning that failure to do so could lead to federal court action, potentially reshaping how agencies enforce penalties.

How Rick Springfield Got Slighted Twice During Today Show


On July 10, 2025, Rick Springfield, the Grammy-winning '80s rock icon known for "Jessie's Girl," experienced two awkward moments Thursday during his appearance on NBC's Today show.

First, hosts Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, and Kaylee Hartung mistakenly sang the chorus of "867-5309/Jenny" by Tommy Tutone when introducing Springfield, confusing it with his signature hit "Jessie's Girl." Co-hosts Al Roker and Craig Melvin quickly pointed out the gaffe, with Roker quipping, "Very close." Springfield responded lightheartedly, saying, "I’m sorry, what?" and later took the mix-up in stride, showcasing his good humor.

The second incident occurred during Springfield’s interview with Roker, Melvin, and Jill Martin. While discussing "Jessie's Girl," Melvin appeared to yawn, prompting Springfield to pause and jokingly ask, "Am I boring you?" Melvin, laughing, insisted it was a cough, saying, "Not at all, Rick. I apologize." Springfield brushed it off, noting, "It’s early. Don’t worry about it. I’ll probably yawn too." 


The hosts appreciated his wit, with Roker declaring, “I like this guy!” and Melvin inviting him back, saying, “I had no idea you were so funny.”Despite the awkward moments, Springfield remained gracious, later posting on Instagram that he had a “fun time with the gang at @todayshow.”

Nashville Radio: Rimshot WJZM Adds 'Hey Morton' For Mornings


Benztown's "Hey Morton" morning show debuted on Fowler Media’s 105.1 WJZM, an AC station in Clarksville, TN, serving the Nashville area. 

Originating from XHITZ-FM (Z90) San Diego, the lively, family-friendly show airs live weekdays from 5-10am, hosted by Rick Morton, Edina Macic, and producer D-Rock (Derrick Malbrough). It’s already in markets like San Diego, Boise, and Key West.

Morton expressed excitement: "We’re thrilled to join Clarksville and Nashville. D-Rock’s got his cowboy hat on, Edina’s mastering line dancing, and we’re ready to connect with WJZM’s audience. Big thanks to Benztown, Mark Wilson, and Fowler Media for making this happen. Tennessee, we’re coming in hot!"

WJZM 105.1 FM (50 Kw)

Benztown’s Mark Wilson highlighted the show’s appeal: "Hey Morton delivers relatable, topical, and funny content. Rick, Edina, and D-Rock’s chemistry makes it a perfect fit for any station’s weekday lineup.

Mark Wilson, Affiliate Sales, Benztown, said: “The Hey Morton show is a complete one-stop shop for stations looking for content that’s relatable, hot topic, and comedic, delivered with a family-friendly edge. Hosts Rick, Edina, and D-Rock have the show crew chemistry that will complement your Monday through Friday programming schedule in any chosen daypart.”

For more information or to get “Hey Morton” for your station, visit https://benztown.com/program/hey-morton/ or contact Mark Wilson at mw@benztown.com or (818) 842-4600, offered by Benztown for cash or barter.

Soros Fund To Contest Jeff Warshaw Lawsuit


The legal battle between Connoisseur Media CEO Jeffrey Warshaw and Soros Fund Management (SFM) intensified Thursday, as SFM and its Head of Media Investments, Michael Del Nin, filed robust counteractions to Warshaw’s lawsuit in Connecticut Superior Court. Del Nin moved to dismiss the case, arguing that Connecticut courts lack jurisdiction over him. Concurrently, SFM submitted a 12-part Request to Revise Warshaw’s complaint, claiming it lacks specificity, omits key facts, and hinges on an unsubstantiated verbal agreement.

 Warshaw alleges that SFM and its executive Del Nin breached an agreement to either appoint him as CEO of Audacy or pay him 5% of SFM’s profits from Audacy’s distressed debt acquisition, which Warshaw claims he facilitated. The dispute stems from Warshaw’s advisory role in two potential radio deals—first with Cox Radio in 2022-2023, which fell through, and later with Audacy, where SFM became the majority shareholder after Audacy’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring in September 2024. 

Jeff Warshaw
Warshaw claims he was promised compensation for his strategic and operational contributions, including introducing SFM to HG Vora, which held Audacy’s distressed debt. However, SFM allegedly denied any agreement, with Del Nin calling Warshaw’s claims “fabricated.” 

On Thursday, SFM and Del Nin responded aggressively. Del Nin filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that Connecticut courts lack jurisdiction over him, while SFM filed a 12-part Request to Revise Warshaw’s complaint, claiming it lacks specificity, omits critical facts, and relies on an undocumented, “implausible” verbal agreement. SFM asserts it was already exploring radio investments, including Audacy, before meeting Warshaw in 2022, and denies promising him a CEO role or profit-sharing. 

The filings challenge the validity of Warshaw’s claims under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and demand clarification on his role as an advisor. If Del Nin’s motion is granted, he would be dismissed from the case, but claims against SFM would proceed pending the court’s decision on the Request to Revise.

Warshaw, who recently acquired Alpha Media, expanding Connoisseur Media to 218 stations across 47 markets, continues to pursue compensation for his alleged contributions to SFM’s Audacy deal.

CNN, MSNBC Ignore Attack On ICE Agents Story


On July 4, 11 left-wing activists allegedly launched a domestic terror attack on an ICE detention facility in Alvarado, Texas. According to Mediaite,  the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, the group, dressed in black military-style clothing, fired fireworks at the facility, graffitied vehicles and a guard structure with phrases like “ICE pig” and “F*ck you pigs,” and shot at law enforcement. 

An Alvarado police officer responding to a 911 call was shot in the neck, while another assailant fired 20-30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers.

Despite the severity of the attack, CNN and MSNBC have provided no airtime coverage, with CNN only briefly mentioning it online in a story about another immigration-related incident. 

The silence contrasts sharply with the networks’ frequent criticism of ICE and warnings about right-wing extremism. 

Imagine if a right-wing militia attacked an FBI office and shot a police officer—would anchors like Joe Scarborough or Wolf Blitzer stay silent?

Searches for ICE-related coverage on these networks reveal segments on other protests, including MSNBC’s Catherine Rampell accusing ICE of “beating people” and a CNN interview about ICE “harassing” Latinos, but nothing on the Alvarado violence. 

Earlier this year, CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan claimed in his MisinfoNation series that modern U.S. violence is predominantly right-wing, ignoring left-wing incidents like the 2020 riots, the congressional baseball shooting, and attempts on Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Donald Trump. 

The Alvarado attack and its lack of coverage further expose this skewed narrative.

Tom Llamas Boosts NBC Nightly News in Key Demo, Outpacing ABC


Since Tom Llamas took over as anchor of “NBC Nightly News” on June 2, the program has gained traction among younger viewers. 

On Tuesday, it surpassed “ABC World News Tonight” in the 25-54 demo for the first time under Llamas, averaging 904,000 viewers compared to ABC’s 891,000, per Nielsen data. 

This marked a 9% year-over-year increase for NBC, while ABC saw an 8% decline. NBC also led in the 18-49 demo on Monday and Tuesday, averaging 650,500 viewers to ABC’s 621,500.

Despite these gains, “ABC World News Tonight” with David Muir continues to dominate in total viewers, averaging 7.09 million on Tuesday against NBC’s 5.81 million. 

In June, ABC averaged 7.31 million viewers, a 1% year-over-year increase, while NBC saw a 0.4% uptick to 5.67 million. 

“CBS Evening News” trailed with 3.93 million, down 10% from last year.Llamas, 46, succeeded Lester Holt in March after Holt’s decade-long tenure. Alongside “Nightly News,” Llamas continues to anchor “Top Story” on NBC News Now. In his first month, NBC’s 25-54 demo viewership rose 7% year-over-year to 823,000, signaling a promising start.

‘Sean Combs: The Insiders Speak’ Airs On NBC Friday at 9 p.m. ET


Friday’s Dateline NBC goes inside the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial with new interviews and exclusive details following last week’s high-profile verdict. The special, Sean Combs: The Insiders Speak, airs Friday, July 11 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

During the special, Combs’ former attorney Ben Brafman reveals what unfolded behind the scenes when the legal team was presented with a draft civil lawsuit from the lawyer of his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. In an interview with correspondent Andrea Canning, Brafman recalled, “I read it with him and his immediate reaction is, “This is b********. This didn’t happen. This is my girlfriend. This is private. And I don’t think she’s going to file the complaint.”

Brafman also alleges he advised Combs to settle the case quickly and “quietly,” explaining, “If it’s filed and even if it’s full of fabrications, the fabrications are just terrible. So the press is going to be terrible and your personal life is going to change forever.”

Click here to watch the exchange. 

Additionally, the special includes an exclusive interview with Capricorn Clark, who spent a decade working for Combs, and a sit-down with Sharay Hayes, who testified that he was hired to engage in sexual encounters with Ventura while Combs watched. 

Dateline has provided in-depth coverage of the case from the beginning, including daily recaps on the Dateline True Crime Weekly: On Trial podcast. During the two-hour time period beginning at 9 p.m. ET, Dateline will also air an encore of Secrets of Lake Seminole.

Index Tracks Journalist Desert In U-S


Muck Rack, in collaboration with Rebuild Local News, has released the Local Journalist Index in July 2025, highlighting a severe decline in local journalism across the United States.

The report reveals a 75% drop in local journalists per capita since 2002, with the number falling from 40 to 8.2 per 100,000 residents. Over 1,000 counties—roughly one in three—lack even one full-time local journalist, creating "news deserts" that leave communities without coverage of critical local issues like school boards, city councils, and local businesses.

This loss spans rural, suburban, and urban areas, with no significant variation in journalist density across these regions (averaging 6-10 Local Journalist Equivalents per 100,000 people). 

For example, densely populated areas like Los Angeles and the Bronx have journalist shortages comparable to rural counties like Falls County, Texas. Only 111 counties (4% of the total) meet or exceed the national average of local journalists from a generation ago.

Key factors driving this decline 
  • Sharp national decline: In 2002, the U.S. had about 40 journalists per 100,000 residents. Today, the national average is 8.2 LJEs — a drop of about 75%.
  • High population, low coverage: Nine counties with more than 2 million residents each, including those home to Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, Dallas and Queens, are even worse off. They have about half as many local journalists as the national average. In general, an area can have several local news outlets and grossly insufficient coverage.
  • Minimal journalism here: More than a third of the counties in the U.S., home to 20.6 million Americans, have less than one LJE covering the area.
  • Fast-growing suburbs underserved: Rapidly expanding counties such as Texas’ Fort Bend County, near Houston, and Oregon’s Washington County, near Portland, lack the journalistic capacity to keep pace with their population growth.
  • Some states fare far better than others: The best-performing states have roughly three times as many local journalists per 100,000 as the worst. Topping the list is Vermont, which has seen a surge of new journalism outlets to replace those that have disappeared. The bottom of the list includes Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, where proximity to major metro media markets may be crowding out local news.
  • Only one state exceeds half of the year 2002 benchmark: Vermont, with 27.5 LJEs per 100,000 people, is the only state above half the 2002 national benchmark.
  • The averages are about the same for rural, suburban and urban areas: Counties of different population sizes all average somewhere between six and 10 LJEs per 100,000 people
The report notes that 90% of digital news readers abandon paywalled sites, exacerbating the funding crisis. Rural and underserved communities, as well as low-income and diverse areas, are disproportionately affected, losing vital oversight of local institutions.

The study used Muck Rack’s database of over 3.5 million daily articles to create a "Local Journalist Equivalent" metric, adjusting for factors like publishing frequency and freelance work. The findings underscore a broader crisis in civic engagement, with communities losing accountability and connection due to the absence of local reporting. Rebuild Local News and Muck Rack plan to update the report annually to guide investments and policy changes.

For further details, the full report is available through Muck Rack and Rebuild Local News.

Radio History: July 11


➦In 1906...Harry Von Zell born in Indianapolis (Died of cancer at age 75 – November 21, 1981), He was an announcer of radio programs and an actor in films and television shows. He is best remembered for his work on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, and for once mispronouncing President Herbert Hoover's name on the air, a slip that was exaggerated on a later comedy record album.

Von Zell broke into show business as a singer and announcer at radio station KMIC in Inglewood, California in the mid-1920s. Later, auditioning for Paul Whiteman's radio show in 1929, he was chosen from a field of 250 announcers. When that series came to an end in 1930, he headed for New York and became a CBS staff announcer, working with Fred Allen, Phil Baker, Eddy Duchin and Ed Wynn. He also announced for The Aldrich Family, The Amazing Mr. Smith, and The March of Time. During the 1920s and 1930s von Zell served as announcer on some 20 shows a week.

His longest-running radio partnership was his nine seasons with veteran comedian Eddie Cantor. From October 1940 to June 1949 von Zell served as Cantor's commercial spokesperson and straight man. As Cantor cast member Dinah Shore's solo career began to blossom, she brought von Zell in as announcer on her Birds Eye Open House program.

As a young announcer, von Zell made a memorable verbal slip in 1931 when he referred to U.S. President Herbert Hoover as "Hoobert Heever" during a live tribute on Hoover's birthday. Hoover was not present at this tribute. Zell's blooper came at the end of a lengthy coverage of Hoover's career, in which Zell had pronounced the President's name correctly several times.

➦In 1934...the first appointments to the newly created Federal Communications Commission were made. The governing body was first served by seven men named as commissioners.

➦In 1938...Orson Welles brought his Mercury Theatre Players to CBS radio network for a critically-acclaimed 60-minute weekly series that Campbell’s Soups sponsored.

➦In 1951...Alan Freed debuted his "Moondog Rock 'n' Roll Party," playing mostly rhythm & blues records, on WJW 850 AM in Cleveland.  

Freed had been inspired by an offbeat instrumental called "Moondog Symphony" that had been recorded by New York street musician Louis T. Hardin, aka "Moondog". Freed adopted the record as his show's theme music. His on-air manner was energetic, in contrast to many contemporary radio presenters of traditional pop music, who tended to sound more subdued and low-key in manner. He addressed his listeners as if they were all part of a make-believe kingdom of hipsters, united in their love for black music.He also began popularizing the phrase "rock and roll" to describe the music he played.

➦In 1970...Dandy Dan Daniel did his final show on WMCA 570 AM, NYC.

Roger Christian
➦In 1991...Los Angeles radio personality/lyricist Roger Christian died of kidney and liver failure at age 57.

Christian worked as a radio personality in Los Angeles in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He was one of the original "Boss Jocks" when 93KHJ debuted in 1965. His radio career started in Buffalo, New York in the mid-1950s.

He moved to the west coast and worked for other radio stations in Los Angeles, including KFWB, KGBS (AM-FM), KBLA, KDAY, KRTH-FM, KRLA, and KIQQ-FM.  Christian was also one of the writer/narrators on the 1964 Capitol Records documentary LP The Beatles' Story.

Christian suffered from periodic depression.  He was the only original KHJ "Boss Jock" not to appear at the 25th reunion on May 9, 1990.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

TV Ratings: Fox News Primetime Outdraws NBC, CBS, ABC


During the week of June 30 - July 6, FOX News Channel (FNC) averaged 2.8 million viewers in weekday primetime leading broadcast networks including NBC (2.4 million viewers), CBS (2 million viewers) and ABC (1.9 million viewers). 

In Monday - Sunday total day (6 AM-6 AM/ET), FNC posted 1.6 million viewers and 225,000 in the 25-54 demo leading all of cable. In Monday-Sunday primetime (8-11 PM/ET), FNC averaged 2.4 million viewers and 300,000 in the 25-54 demo. 

FNC commanded 65% of the primetime and total day cable news audience and delivered the top 105 weekly cable news telecasts.
  • For the week, The Five averaged 3.7 million viewers and 418,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news in all categories. 
  • At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2.8 million viewers and 336,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 2.8 million viewers and 335,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. 
  • At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 2.8 million viewers and 372,000 with A25-54. At 10 PM/ET, Gutfeld! commanded 3.1 million viewers and 392,000 in the 25-4 demo, while the broadcast late-night competition was off for the week. 
  • At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night secured 1.6 million viewers and 254,000 in the 25-54 demo. 

On July 4th: FNC averaged 2.1 million viewers and 319,000 in the 25-54 demo in primetime dominating the competition and seeing a 50% increase year-over-year with viewers and a 108% increase in the demo. Comparatively, CNN collapsed to just 532,000 viewers and 139,000 in the 25-54 demo down 37% with viewers and down 14% in the demo compared to 2024.

FNC continued to see its daytime programs outpace the broadcast competition. The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4 PM/ET; 2,370,000 viewers), America Reports (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 2,184,000 viewers), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 2,166,000 viewers), The Story (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 2,119,000), The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 2,050,000 viewers) and America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET; 2,033,000 viewers) all led CBS Mornings (1,822,000 viewers), NBC’s Today Third Hour (1,662,000 viewers) and ABC’s GMA3 (1,217,000 viewers).


On Saturday:
 The Big Weekend Show (weekends, 6-8 PM/ET) drew 1.7 million viewers leading cable news, while FOX & Friends Weekend (weekends, 6-10 AM/ET) led the way in the 25-54 demo with 224,000 viewers. My View with Lara Trump (Saturday, 9 PM/ET) was the top show in primetime with 1.5 million viewers.

On Sunday: Maria Bartiromo’s Sunday Morning Futures (Sunday,10 AM/ET) was the top show of the day with over 1.6 million viewers and 196,000 in the 25-54 demo. Sunday Night in America (Sunday, 9 PM/ET) led the way in primetime with 1.6 million viewers.

Source: Nielsen. Live+SD. Week of 6-30-25 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.