Boston Radio: WEEI's Dale Arnold Retires

Dale Arnold, a staple on WEEI 93.7 FM since it switched to a sports format 30 years ago, announced Thursday that he is retiring from the station. His final show will be Friday, reports The Boston Globe.

“I’m going to retire from the radio business,” said Arnold, who turns 65 later this month. “I am not going to be coming back after tomorrow’s show.”

Arnold, the cohost of the midday “Dale and Keefe” show, said the decision has been in the works for several weeks. He will continue in his studio host’s role on NESN’s Bruins broadcasts.

As many of you heard, today @DaleEArnold announced his retirement from the show, and ultimately @WEEI.

Dale will call select @RedSox games this summer on the station but tomorrow will be his last day on the program.

Here's his announcement: pic.twitter.com/U8VjHAv5ob

— Dale & Keefe (@DaleKeefeWEEI) March 11, 2021

WEEI is expected to name Andy Gresh as the midday cohost along with holdover Rich Keefe on Friday.

“Some of you know this and some of you don’t,” said Arnold at the end of the show, “My wife had to retire from her employment in September; she’s had some medical issues. And you start thinking about things.

Arnold estimated he has done 29,000 hours of sports-talk radio in his 33-year career in the Boston market.

“And I’ve had enough," he said.

He said he declined an offer to do some part-time hosting work on the station, but said he will return occasionally to call Red Sox games this summer.

Arnold is the second personality this week to depart WEEI, which has struggled in recent years in its ratings battle with competitor 98.5 The Sports Hub. Morning show cohost Danielle Murr announced Wednesday that this is her final week at the station.

“No one has the expansive experience covering this town’s sports landscape than Dale Arnold,” Mark Hannon, regional president of Entercom Communications, said in a statement.

Arnold has been a host in several different roles through the years at the station since first arriving in September 1991 when it flipped to an all-sports format.

He has primarily hosted midday programming, first with Eddie Andelman, and then with Bob Neumeier and Michael Holley. Since August 2018, he has been paired with Keefe in midday.

During his 30 years at the station, there was only one brief stretch from 2011-13 when Arnold was not a full-time daily host. In February 2011, Arnold and Holley were broken up as the midday program, with Holley moving to afternoon drive with Glenn Ordway, and Arnold moving to a fill-in/weekend role.

Military, Senator Repond To Tucker Carlson Women's Rant

Senior military leaders are voicing support for women in the military after Fox News host Tucker Carlson complained on his show about recent changes meant to attract and retain more female service members, reports The Hill.

“Women lead our most lethal units with character,” tweeted Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, the service’s top enlisted leader. “They will dominate ANY future battlefield we’re called to fight on. @TuckerCarlson’s words are divisive, don’t reflect our values. We have THE MOST professional, educated, agile, and strongest [noncommissioned officer] Corps in the world.”

On Monday, President Biden marked International Women’s Day by touting the recent promotion of two female generals. In his speech, Biden also touched on efforts in recent years to better accommodate women in the military, including work to design maternity flight suits and updating grooming standards to allow for a wider range of hairstyles.

The next night, Carlson railed against those efforts.

"So we've got new hairstyles and maternity flight suits. Pregnant women are going to fight our wars. It's a mockery of the U.S. military,” Carlson said.

“While China’s military becomes more masculine as it has assembled the world’s largest navy, our military needs to become as Joe Biden says more feminine, whatever feminine means anymore,” he continued.

Tucker delivered the monologue next to a picture of an Air Force officer, who was wearing an artificial bump, modeling a flight suit designed for pregnant women.

The changes Carlson focused on were initiated during the Trump administration.

The Air Force has been working on buying maternity flight suits after announcing in 2019 that it would allow pilots to continue flying longer into their pregnancies without a waiver.

Meanwhile, in January, the Army unveiled new grooming standards that had been recommended in December, including allowing longer ponytails and wider braids, cornrows or twists. While grooming regulations are meant to reinforce uniformity, many women of color have complained that the strict rules don’t allow for braids or other hairstyles that are easier for those with different textures and hair lengths.

Asked about Carlson’s comments Thursday, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby relayed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s “revulsion” at the segment.

“What we absolutely won't do is take personnel advice from a talk show host, or the Chinese military, and maybe those folks feel like they have something to prove, that’s on them,” Kirby told reporters.

But Kirby also said the American Forces Network (AFN), which broadcasts to troops deployed overseas, would continue to carry Carlson’s show.

“By instruction we are required to broadcast and make available for men and women and their families overseas the same type of content, news, information and sports content that their fellow citizens can get, so his show is aired on AFN,” Kirby said.

Meanwhile The Wrap reports, U-S Senator Tammy Duckworth went hard after Fox News’ Tucker Carlson on Thursday, tweeting from her campaign account, “F–k Tucker Carlson.”

F*ck Tucker Carlson. While he was practicing his two-step, America’s female warriors were hunting down Al Qaeda and proving the strength of America’s women.

Happy belated International Women’s Day to everyone but Tucker, who even I can dance better than. pic.twitter.com/E4wchht9lA

— Tammy Duckworth (@TammyforIL) March 11, 2021

This isn’t the first time Duckworth and Carlson have sparred, nor the first time she’s used her own military history to back herself up. In July 2020, she hit back after Carlson suggested she “hates America,” reminding him of her service in the armed forces.

“Does @TuckerCarlson want to walk a mile in my legs and then tell me whether or not I love America?” tweeted the Purple Heart recipient, who lost both legs while serving in Iraq.

Carlson responds:

Worth a watch, regardless of your politics. Tucker expresses concern about how openly political our Defense Department is at this moment, in ways it hasn't been before. https://t.co/vSmdHvOINA

— Mollie (@MZHemingway) March 12, 2021

Entravision Reports 4Q Revenue Increase

• Reports Quarter Over Quarter Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders Growth of 176%
• Reports Quarter Over Quarter Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Growth of 195% 
• Reports Quarter Over Quarter Operating Cash Flow Growth of 369% -
• Reports Quarter Over Quarter Free Cash Flow Growth of 495% -
• Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.025 Per Share 

Entravision Communications Corporation Thursday reported unaudited financial results for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2020.

Entravision Communications reports fourth quarter net revenues rose 142% to $171.6 million from $70.8 million in 2019. Of the overall increase, $13.6 million was attributable to its television segment and $2.3 million from its radio segment, primarily driven by increases in political advertising revenue.

“Entravision capped off a very challenging year with an exceptionally strong fourth quarter,” said Walter F. Ulloa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “In addition to achieving record political revenues in the fourth quarter of 2020, our digital business expanded significantly and was up 424% over the prior-year period due in large part to our acquisition of a majority interest in Cisneros Interactive. Importantly, all three of our business segments grew in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the prior year, positioning us well for 2021.”

Mr. Ulloa continued, “This past quarter, as we focused on streamlining our cost structure to maintain the stability of our business, we also made great progress in strengthening our digital segment. In November, we appointed industry veteran and member of our Board of Directors Juan Saldívar as our new Chief Digital, Strategy and Accountability Officer. Juan’s appointment followed a number of strategic moves in 2020 to strengthen our portfolio of digital assets, including both the formation of Entravision Digital and our majority investment in Cisneros Interactive. We will continue to build upon our digital offerings, while also maintaining and strengthening our television and radio segments.”

D-C Radio: WAMU Tweaks Line-Up

Effective Monday, April 5, 2021, WAMU will implement a new programming schedule to offer listeners a more robust weekday programming line-up.

These changes include introducing The Takeaway on Monday through Thursday from 12-1 p.m. to replace The Kojo Nnamdi Show, which ends production on April 1, 2021. The Takeaway, produced by WNYC studios, is a daily, national news program focused on convening conversations around listener questions. It features shorter news segments and opportunities to customize the broadcast with local journalism relevant to our listeners.

Kojo Nnamdi will remain on-air on Fridays from 12-1 p.m. for The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi, a rebrand of The Kojo Nnamdi Show’s Friday local politics programming. Listeners can tune in for this starting on Friday, April 2. The format of the show will stay the same – Kojo will continue to discuss local and regional issues with resident analyst Tom Sherwood and invite local and regional politicians, policy makers and notable leaders as guests.

In addition to this change, WAMU is shifting its weekday and Sunday program lineup to introduce new programs to the schedule.

The following program changes will be made:

• The Takeaway debuts Monday through Thursday at noon, replacing The Kojo Nnamdi Show, which ends production on April 1.
• Marketplace Tech, a short segment that uncovers how technology and the digital economy influences our lives in the most unexpected ways, will air Monday through Thursday at 12:35 p.m. in The Takeaway.
• On Point moves to Monday through Friday at 9 p.m., replacing the PBS NewsHour.
• Several shows will be added to the weekday evening line-up at 10 p.m. as follows:
• Planet Money & How I Built This will air on Mondays. The rebroadcast of the show will move from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Sundays, replacing The New Yorker Radio Hour.
• Climate One will air on Tuesdays.
• Innovation Hub will air on Wednesdays.
• Hidden Brain will air on Thursdays.
• Throughline will air on Fridays. A rebroadcast of this show will air on Sundays at 4 p.m.

Looking ahead to later this year, NPR will debut a radio version of its Code Switch podcast with an anticipated launch in late-summer 2021. This program will be added to our schedule when it becomes available.

Crystal Award Finalists Announced By NAB

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced today finalists for the 34th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards. Since 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards have recognized radio stations for their year-round commitment to community service. The finalists will be celebrated and the winners announced during a special awards program held Tuesday, April 13 and available exclusively on NAB Amplify.

NAB will also present Howard University’s WHUR-FM Washington, D.C. with the esteemed Crystal Heritage Award during the special event. The Heritage Award recognizes radio stations that have won a total of five Crystal Radio Awards for exceptional year-round community service efforts. Only nine other stations have received this honor.

Finalists for the 2021 Crystal Radio Awards are:

• KBFB-FM Dallas, Texas
• KCLY-FM Clay Center, Kansas
• KDKA-AM Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• KIKV-FM Alexandria, Minnesota
• KIRO-FM Seattle, Washington
• KKBQ-FM Houston, Texas
• KKFN-FM Denver, Colorado
• KKZY-FM Bemidji, Minnesota
• KMVP-FM Phoenix, Arizona
• KNDE-FM College Station, Texas
• KOSI-FM Denver, Colorado
• KPNT-FM St. Louis, Missouri
• KRSP-FM Salt Lake City, Utah
• KSBJ-FM Humble, Texas
• 
  KSL-FM Salt Lake City, Utah
• KSTP-FM Saint Paul, Minnesota
• KTAR-FM Phoenix, Arizona
• KTMY-FM Saint Paul, Minnesota
• KUPD-FM Phoenix, Arizona
• KYGO-FM Denver, Colorado
• KYW-AM Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• WARH-FM St. Louis, Missouri
• WBAB-FM West Babylon, New York
• WBAP-AM Dallas, Texas
• WBLI-FM Patchogue, New York
• WBYT-FM Mishawaka, Indiana
• WCCO-AM Minneapolis, Minnesota
• WDRV-FM Chicago, Illinois
• WDSY-FM Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• WDUV-FM St. Petersburg, Florida
• WFXE-FM Columbus, Georgia
• WGCI-FM Chicago, Illinois
• WHPT-FM St Petersburg, Florida
• WJJY-FM Brainerd, Minnesota
• WKTI-FM Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• WMCI-FM Mattoon, Illinois
• WMMR-FM Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• WNRP-AM Pensacola, Florida
• WOKV-FM Jacksonville, Florida
• WPLR-FM New Haven, Connecticut
• WSB-AM Atlanta, Georgia
• WSB-FM Atlanta, Georgia
• WSHE-FM Chicago, Illinois
• WTAW-AM College Station, Texas
• WTMX-FM Chicago, Illinois
• WTOP-FM Washington, D.C.
• WWPR-FM New York City, New York
• WWRM-FM Tampa Bay, Florida
• WXGL-FM Tampa Bay, Florida
• WXOS-FM St. Louis, Missouri
• WYCT-FM Pensacola, Florida
• WYKY-FM Somerset, Kentucky

Ten Crystal Radio Award winners will be chosen from the above finalists by a panel of judges representing the broadcast industry, community service organizations and public relations firms.

Entercom Unveils Special NCAA Men's Hoops Programming

Entercom announced the launch of “BetQL Countdown to Tip-Off,” a six-episode series of special NCAA men’s college basketball tournament programming. The series will air on March 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET, March 14 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, March 20, March 27 and April 3 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET, and April 5 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET across Entercom’s portfolio of sports stations nationwide and digitally as part of the recently launched “BetQL Audio Network” on RADIO.COM.

Led by Nick Kostos, host of “BetQL Audio Network” podcast You Better You Bet, “BetQL Countdown to Tip-Off” will serve as breakdowns of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, featuring a mix of sports betting insight. The show will also welcome talent from across Entercom’s portfolio of sports stations, including Travis Thomas, 980 The Team; Mike Valenti, 97.1 The Ticket; Danny Parkins, 670 The Score; and Marc Malusis, WFAN 101.9 FM / 660 AM; as well as Eli Hershkovich, Executive Producer, “BetQL Audio Network,” co-host, “BetQL U”; Thomas Casale, Managing Editor of Sports Betting, BetQL/RADIO.COM, co-host, “BetQL U”; and Jimmy Patsos, NBC Sports Washington TV analyst and former college basketball head coach.

“The cancellation of last year’s NCAA Tournament will forever be linked to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and how our everyday lives as we knew them were impacted,” said Matthew Volk, Vice President of Sports, Entercom. “We’re so delighted to create this series of programming to celebrate the return of this classic tournament and give our listeners a destination for captivating content and the hottest takes surrounding this year’s bracket.”

“BetQL Countdown to Tip-Off” will be heard locally on 92.9 The Game (WZGC-FM) in Atlanta, Sports Radio 1300 (WJZ-AM) in Baltimore, WEEI (WEEI-FM/AM) in Boston, WGR 550 (WGR-AM) in Buffalo, 670 The Score (WSCR-AM) in Chicago, 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM) in Cleveland, Sports Radio 1270 (WXYT-AM) in Detroit, ESPN Upstate (WORD-AM) in Greenville, Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM) in Houston, 610 Sports Radio (KCSP-AM) in Kansas City, Sports Radio 1140 AM (KXST-AM) in Las Vegas, 680 AM ESPN (WMFS-AM/FM) and Sports Talk 790 (WMC-AM) in Memphis, AM 790 The Ticket (WAXY-AM) in Miami, 1250AM The Fan (WSSP-AM) in Milwaukee, WWL (WWL-AM/FM) in New Orleans, 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM) in Pittsburgh, 1080 The Fan (KFXX-AM) and 910 ESPN (KMTT-AM) in Portland, The New Sportsradio 910 The Fan (WRNL-AM) in Richmond, ESPN Rochester (WROC-AM/FM) in Rochester, ESPN 1320 (KIFM-AM) in Sacramento, 97.3 The Fan (KWFN-FM) in San Diego, 95.7 The Game (KGMZ-FM) in San Francisco, 106.7 The Fan (WJFK-FM) in Washington D.C. and KFH Radio (KFH-AM/FM) in Wichita.

March 12 Radio History

➦In 1900...Early radio announcer Harlow Wilcox born (Died - September 24, 1960 at age 60).

Harlow Wilcox

Radio shows for which Wilcox was announcer included Amos 'n' Andy, The Baby Snooks Show, Ben Bernie, Fibber McGee and Molly, Frank Merriwell, Hap Hazard, Hollywood Premiere, Suspense, The Victor Borge Show,  Your Electric Servant, Blondie, Boston Blackie and The Passing Parade.

Wilcox came from a show business-oriented family, with a father who played in the Ringling Brothers circus band and a sister who played violin both in vaudeville and in classical concerts. Harlow took vocal lessons and briefly performed on stage. His first radio work was for station WGES in Chicago in 1930. In January of 1934, he was signed as a Chicago staff announcer by NBC.

An April 1944 article in Radio Mirror magazine reported:  Wilcox was one of the masters of the integrated commercial, a technique that was popularized on Ed Wynn's and Jack Benny's shows. Instead of stopping the story for the mid-show commercial, Wilcox would just show up and work his plug into the plot, much to Fibber's consternation. Fibber tagged Wilcox with the nickname "Waxy" for his ability to turn any conversation topic to Johnson's Wax.

➦In 1912... orchestra leader Paul Weston was born Paul Wetstein in Springfield Mass.  First big break was as arranger for Rudy Vallee’s Fleischmann Hour on NBC Radio.  Worked as arranger for Tommy Dorsey, Dinah Shore and Bob Crosby, then joined Capitol Records, where he met & married singer Jo Stafford. He worked on radio with Johnny Mercer’s Music Shop, his wife’s Chesterfield Supper Club, & the Joan Davis & Duffy’s Tavern sitcoms.  In TV Weston was musical director for Danny Kaye, Jonathan Winters, Jim Nabors, etc. He died Sep 20, 1996 at age 84.


➦In 1917...Georgia Ellis was born (Died – March 30, 1988). She was an actress who is best known for her recurring role of Kitty in the Western radio drama Gunsmoke.  Other featured radio credits include Dragnet, Dr. Kildare, Escape, Romance, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, This is Your FBI, and dozens of lesser known series.

➦In 1923...Radio pioneer Dr. Lee DeForest developed a sound-on-film optical recording system called Phonofilm and demonstrated it in theatres between 1923 and 1927. Although it was basically correct in principle, its operating quality was poor, and he found himself unable to interest film producers in its possibilities. Paradoxically, within a few years’ time, the motion-picture industry converted to talking pictures by using a sound-on-film process similar to de Forest’s.




➦In 1933...President Franklin D Roosevelt spoke to American in his first fireside chat, just days after his inauguration. The chats were a series of 30 evening radio addresses given between 1933 and 1944. Roosevelt spoke with familiarity to millions of Americans about the promulgation of the Emergency Banking Act in response to the banking crisis, the recession, New Deal initiatives, and the course of World War II.

On radio, he was able to quell rumors and explain his policies. His tone and demeanor communicated self-assurance during times of despair and uncertainty. Roosevelt was regarded as an effective communicator on radio, and the fireside chats kept him in high public regard throughout his presidency.  The name 'Fireside Chats' was coined by CBS newsman, Robert Trout.

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➦In 1953...Rufus Thomas, rhythm-and-blues, funk, soul and blues singer, songwriter, dancer, DJ and comic entertainer from Memphis, signed with Sun Records.

➦In 1985...Orchestra leader Eugene Ormandy died at age 85 (Born November 18, 1899). He was a Hungarian-American conductor and violinist, best known for his association with the Philadelphia Orchestra, as its music director. The maestro's 44-year association with the orchestra is one of the longest enjoyed by any conductor with a single orchestra. Under his baton, the Philadelphia Orchestra had three gold records and won two Grammy Awards.

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➦In 2001...Sean Morton Downey died at age 68 (Born - December 9, 1932). He better known as Morton Downey Jr., was a radio, television talk show host of the late-1980s who pioneered the "trash TV" format on his program The Morton Downey Jr. Show

He was a program director and announcer at radio station WPOP in Hartford, Connecticut in the 1950s. He went on to work as a disc jockey, sometimes using the moniker "Doc" Downey, in various markets around the U.S., including Phoenix (KRIZ), Miami (WFUN), Kansas City (KUDL), San Diego (KDEO) and Seattle (KJR).

Like his father, Downey pursued a career in music, recording in both pop and country styles. He sang on a few records and then began to write songs, several of which were popular in the 1950s and 1960s.  In the 1980s, Downey was a talk show host at KFBK-AM in Sacramento, California, where he employed his abrasive style. He was fired in 1984. He was replaced by Rush Limbaugh, who has held the time slot ever since, later via his national syndication.

Downey also had a stint on WMAQ-AM in Chicago.  His third – and final – attempt at a talk radio comeback occurred in 1997 on Cleveland radio station WTAM in a late evening time slot.  It marked his return to the Cleveland market, where Downey had been a host for crosstown radio station WERE in the early 1980s prior to joining KFBK. This stint came shortly after the surgery for lung cancer that removed one of his lungs. At WTAM, Downey abandoned the confrontational schtick of his TV and previous radio shows, and conducted this program in a much more conversational and jovial manner.

🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

• 

  Kendall Applegate is 22

  Actor Barbara Feldon (“Get Smart”) is 88. 
• Actor-singer Liza Minnelli is 75. 
• Singer-songwriter James Taylor is 73. 
• Singer Bill Payne of Little Feat is 72. 
• Actor Jon Provost (TV: “Lassie”) is 71. 
• Bassist Steve Harris of Iron Maiden is 65. 
• Actor Lesley Manville (“Phantom Thread”) is 65. 
• Singer Marlon Jackson of The Jackson Five is 64. 
• Actor Courtney B. Vance is 61. 
• Actor Titus Welliver (“Deadwood”) is 59. 
• Actor Julia Campbell (“Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion”) is 58. 
• Actor Jake Weber (TV’s “Medium,” film’s “Dawn of the Dead”) is 58. 
• Actor Aaron Eckhart (“The Dark Knight”) is 53. 
• Guitarist Graham Coxon of Blur is 52. 
• Drummer Tommy Bales of Flynnville Train is 48. 
• Actor Rhys Coiro (“Hostages,” “Entourage”) is 42. 
• Country singer Holly Williams is 40. 
• Actor Samm Levine (“Freaks and Geeks”) is 39. 
• Actor Jaimie Alexander (TV’s “Blindspot”) is 37. 
• Actor Tyler Patrick Jones (“Ghost Whisperer”) is 27. 
• Actor Kendall Applegate (“Desperate Housewives”) is 22.

CBS Hoops Sold Out

Despite ongoing issues with both sports television ratings in the United States and the administration of the ongoing college basketball season amid the Covid-19 pandemic, officials for CBS Sports and Turner Sports said they are generating record ad sales for the upcoming NCAA men’s basketball tournament. 

Sportsbusiness.com reports the two networks, which share coverage of the prominent event widely known as March Madness, said they are “virtually sold out” of ad inventory for the tournament, with the exception of a handful of units being held in reserve for one Final Four contest and the national championship game, both of which will be on CBS. And pricing that increased at an undisclosed percentage has, as a result, produced record ad sales revenue for the event.

“Financially, we’ve never been in better shape,” said Jon Diament, Turner Sports chief revenue officer. “This is the best year we’ve had.”

More than 100 total advertisers have signed on for the tournament, with about 90 per cent of them coming back from prior 2020 plans that were scuttled when the entire event last year was canceled in the early days of the pandemic.

That lack of a tournament last year has created additional pent-up demand, network executives said, even as college basketball ratings thus far in the season have shown softness and some key brand names in the sport such as Duke and Michigan State are not at certain to be selected for the tournament. The pandemic has also led to dozens of college basketball games being canceled or rescheduled. 

Most of the tournament’s linear advertisers will carry a digital presence as well, taking advantage of both the continued growth of the March Madness Live streaming product as well as the heightened presence of the newly rebranded Paramount+, which will also stream CBS’ tournament games.

The entire event this year will be staged within the state of Indiana and carries a series of contingency plans in the event of further virus-related issues.

Media Stocks Are Booming

What a difference a year make. One year ago, investors took a grim view of legacy media companies, reports The L-A Times.

The economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic was coming into focus: Theme parks and movie theaters were shuttered, sporting events were canceled, and TV and film production ground to a halt. Wall Street responded by bludgeoning shares of traditional media, including Walt Disney Co., ViacomCBS Inc. and Discovery Inc.

One year later, these stocks have not only regained their value, they have soared to stratospheric heights.

On Wednesday, Disney stock closed at $195.06 — an extraordinary rebound from a year ago when its shares traded around $85. Since March 23, 2020, Disney’s market value has increased nearly $200 billion. The Burbank entertainment behemoth now is worth $354 billion.

ViacomCBS, Discovery, Comcast Corp., Fox Corp. and AMC Networks Inc. also have benefited despite ongoing challenges, including consumer cord-cutting that has dimmed the prospects of their cash-cow cable TV channels.

There are several reasons for the boom, including the stock market’s overall strength and the reopening of an economy that has forced the shutdown of theaters, productions and live events and prompted massive layoffs. Investors also had been looking for undervalued stocks to diversify their holdings.

But perhaps the biggest factor, according to analysts, has been the runaway success of Disney+, the streaming service that launched in November 2019 with the “Star Wars,” Marvel Entertainment, classic Disney, National Geographic and Pixar properties.

In the last year, media companies have joined the streaming stampede. AT&T Inc. launched the HBO Max streaming service, Comcast/NBCUniversal trotted out the Peacock service, Discovery launched Discovery+ and this month, ViacomCBS unveiled Paramount+, which is bolstered by programming from the CBS broadcast network and fare from the Melrose Avenue movie studio as well as Nickelodeon, BET, MTV and Showtime.

Discovery was struggling a year ago because the bulk of its business had long been selling its domestic cable channels — including Animal Planet, Discovery, TLC, HGTV, Food Network and Investigation Discovery — to pay-TV distributors such as DirecTV and Charter.

But with millions of consumers dropping their pay-TV subscriptions, Discovery had to adapt. It rolled out its $4.99-a-month Discovery+ this year and has grown faster than expected to more than 11 million subscribers. Discovery shares have tripled in value since last spring, closing up 4.5% to $65.82 on Wednesday.

NYC Radio: 77WABC Ladies Wonder "What The F!"

Have you been asking yourself "what the F is going on" lately? So have co-hosts Julie, Lisa, and Jacqui - that is why they are announcing a rebrand of their hit 3-4 pm Sunday show on TALKRADIO 77 WABC. “Ladies, It’s Not Our Fault, It's Our Hormones and High Heels!” which has officially changed its name to "Ladies, What the F” Fashion. Food. Fitness & Fun! answering the question of ‘What the F is going on lately?

The executive decision to change the show name is part of 77 WABC’s initiative to empower women and advance their commitment to provide a larger platform for women’s voices during these uncertain times. The pioneer show ‘What the F is going on lately?’ merges fashion and wellness and is a strong example of the stations overall movement toward creating stronger female programming. The three dynamic radio show hosts are Julie Sagoskin, fashionista: Jacqui Justice, world renowned nutritionist and Lisa Avellino, fitness guru.

“Women’s voices have always been important, and now we want to make sure that they are truly heard,” says Sagoskin, co-host of "Ladies, What the F!" 

"There’s nothing more gratifying to me than sharing women’s unique viewpoints, opinions, and concerns. That is why I am so honored that I get to do just that every Sunday with our listening audience. While I am mostly known as editor-in-chief of Resident magazine and co-founder of The Skinny Line, giving a weekly platform and voice to the thousands of women out there who have so many questions about how to handle today's challenges, as well as showcasing those who are giving back to the community, makes me so proud."

"My team and I at TALKRADIO 77 WABC are excited to welcome the ladies of this inspiring, edgy, and informative show to our lineup," says Red Apple Media and 77 WABC President Chad Lopez. "It is important that WABC radio continues to highlight and support issues facing women today and this show is a great addition to that initiative."

These three dynamic personalities are also the co-founders of The Skinny Line, www.theskinnyline.com an all-natural line of spritzes, creams and supplements that are scientifically backed and made with safe FDA compliant carcinogen free ingredients. The program is designed to help you lose weight, build your immune system, and stay healthy. Unlike fad diets, The Skinny Line is created by women for women who want to safeguard their health and curb their appetite and achieve long-term results.

ESPN Expands Sports Betting Content Via Podcast, Radio Specials

With its sports betting news and information television program Daily Wager celebrating its second anniversary this week, ESPN is further expanding its sports betting portfolio and the Daily Wager brand with the launch of a new podcast and a series of radio specials.

ESPN Podcasts will debut the Daily Wager Podcast on Monday, March 15, and the first of four Daily Wager Tournament Preview radio specials will air on ESPN Radio on Saturday, March 20.

The podcast will be year-round on weekdays, hosted by a rotation of Daily Wager television program anchor and sports betting analyst Doug Kezirian and ESPN sports betting analysts Joe Fortenbaugh and Tyler Fulghum. Other ESPN sports betting analysts also may appear. The fast-paced podcast, which will be released early in the afternoon (ET), will focus on the biggest games and best plays for the night.

The Daily Wager Podcast joins two other sports betting-related podcasts produced by ESPN — Behind the Bets with Doug Kezirian, which is weekly and year-round, and Stanford Steve and The Bear, which is primarily produced weekly during football season but will have editions during the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The four Daily Wager Tournament Preview radio specials are planned for the time of the NCAA Tournament and will air on ESPN Radio at 9 a.m. ET. In addition to the debut special on March 20, editions will air on March 21, March 27 and April 3.

The radio specials will be hosted by Dalen Cuff, joined for the first episode by ESPN sports betting analyst Chris “The Bear” Fallica. Fortenbaugh, Fulghum and other Daily Wager hosts will contribute in the weeks ahead.

The launches of the podcast and radio specials continue to build upon a stable of ESPN sports betting-related content that dates back more than a decade, including:.

• Daily Wager, daily sports betting news and information program on ESPN2, airing from from ESPN’s studio at The LINQ Hotel + Experience in Las Vegas.
• Co-exclusive link integrations across ESPN digital platforms connecting fans to sportsbooks from Caesars Entertainment’s sports betting partner, William Hill, and DraftKings.
• Bet, thrice-weekly sports betting show available on the ESPN App and on ESPN’s social media feeds on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, also originating from the Las Vegas studio.
• ESPN sports betting channel on YouTube.
• Behind the Bets with Doug Kezirianpodcast from Las Vegas.
• Stanford Steve and The Bearpodcast (football season).
• Betting news, discussion segments in signature shows (SportsCenter).
• Bad Beats monthly TV program and weekly segment on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt.
• Bettor Days with Mike Greenberg on ESPN+.
• Sports betting and gambling industry coverage on ESPN.com for more than 10 years.

ESPN Podcasts experienced strong growth in 2020, with downloads growing 28 percent to nearly 500,000,000, a record (499.3 million). The previous mark was set a year ago.

Wake-Up Call: Checks Are Coming

CONGRESS PASSES $1.9 TRILLION COVID RELIEF BILL, HEADS TO BIDEN FOR SIGNATURE: President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill was approved by Congress yesterday, passed by the House on a near party-line 220-211 vote after having been passed by the Senate, also on a party-line vote, over the weekend. All Republicans in the House and Senate voted against it. The legislation now heads to Biden, who said he will sign it on Friday. A central part of the bill will send $1,400 to most Americans, and it also includes money for Covid vaccines and testing, aid to state and local governments, help for schools, the restaurant and airline industries, and more. It further extends $300 weekly emergency unemployment benefits into September, and includes expanded tax credits for children and child care.

From $1,400 checks and unemployment relief to vaccines for every American — help is here. pic.twitter.com/R0AYaTbkTV

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 10, 2021

 Biden will deliver the first prime-time address of his presidency tonight, marking the one-year anniversary of the Covid pandemic, and will speak about the relief legislation during his remarks.

➤SENATE CONFIRMS GARLAND AS ATTORNEY GENERAL: The Senate confirmed federal appeals court Judge Merrick Garland as the new U.S. attorney general Wednesday (March 10th), approving his nomination on a 70-30 bipartisan vote. The elevation of the widely-respected Garland comes five years after Senate Republicans refused to hold a vote on his nomination for the Supreme Court by then-President Barack Obama after the February 2016 death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Among those who voted to approve Garland's nomination yesterday was Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who in 2016 as majority leader blocked the vote. Garland said during his confirmation hearings that his first priority would be to fight extremist violence, initially focused on the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6th.

➤AIDE CLAIMS CUOMO GROPED HER IN GOVERNOR'S MANSION: An aide to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has charged that he groped her in the governor’s residence late last year, The Times-Union of Albany, New York, reported yesterday (March 10th), the most serious allegation that's been made of several by women accusing him of sexual harassment. According to the report, the unnamed woman was alone with Cuomo after he summoned her to come to the governor's mansion to help him with his cellphone. She charges he closed the door, reached under her shirt and fondled her. Cuomo said through a spokesman in response, "I have never done anything like this," while also saying, "The details of this report are gut-wrenching." He cited an ongoing investigation in saying he wouldn't address the specifics of any allegation, including this one. Cuomo has refused any calls to resign.

➤TRIAL FOR 18-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF KILLING TWO DURING WISCONSIN PROTESTS DELAYED FOR MONTHS: The trial for 18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, who's accused of killing two people and wounding a third during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last August against police brutality, was delayed yesterday (March 10th) by at least seven months. Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time, faces multiple charges, including reckless homicide. The trial was scheduled to begin on March 29th, but both the prosecution and defense said they needed more time to prepare. A new trial date was set for November 1st. However, the judge said the trial could potentially be pushed back further.

➤PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD MAKE DST PERMANENT: Daylight Saving Time will begin this weekend, and if some senators had their way, it would never end. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is reintroducing legislation, called the Sunshine Protection Act, that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, one of the measure's co-sponsors, cited several benefits of making the change, including helping reduce the risk of seasonal depression and reducing the number of car accidents. Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, who also backs making Daylight Saving Time permanent, said studies have shown it would, quote, "improve public health, public safety, and mental health -- especially important during this cold and dark COVID winter." Daylight Saving Times is currently in effect for eight months of the year, starting on the second Sunday in March and ending on the first Sunday in November. Hawaii and Arizona are the only states that don't observe it.

Cable News Ratings Begin to Suffer Trump Slump https://t.co/jBjLfrhhey pic.twitter.com/6TggBNiDC1

— Variety (@Variety) March 10, 2021

➤STUDY...SOCIETY STIGMATIZES HAIR LOSS, BALD PEOPLE SEEN AS LESS ATTRACTIVE, DIRTY: It seems society does not favor bald people. Harvard researchers surveyed 2,000 people about how they felt about hair loss. They found that about 17 percent said they’d be uncomfortable having physical contact with someone with alopecia, which is the medical term for hair loss. Also, six percent said they would not be comfortable hiring someone with alopecia, and people generally viewed those with hair loss as being sick (30%), not attractive (27%), contagious (10%), unintelligent (4%), and dirty (4%.) Researchers note, “These findings confirm the concerns of patients with alopecia who have expressed fear that their disease could affect their professional careers.”

WATCH: Bear appears on ski slope, chases skier down trail. https://t.co/RtRKtkQ91N

— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 11, 2021

➤CICADAS LIVING UNDERGROUND FOR THE PAST 17 YEARS TO EMERGE IN THESE STATES THIS SUMMER: Cicadas are a part of summer many people might like to forget. But, scientists from several US universities say a brood of periodical cicadas is set to emerge from underground for the first time in 17 years. It’s known as Brood X, or the “Big Brood,” and will likely first emerge across the Southern US at the beginning of spring, before surfacing in states along the East Coast. Americans can likely expect to see swarms across 15 states as the ground temperature warms. Dr. Michael Raupp says, “[…] They’re going to emerge in massive numbers. And, when I say massive, I mean massive. There are going to be as many as 1.5 million cicadas per acre. This is going to translate up and down the coast west of the Mississippi—people say billions. I tend to hyperbole, but I’m saying there are probably going to be trillions.” The black-bodied insects with bright red eyes last appeared en masse in 2004, and generally die after two-to-four weeks, following intercourse. Raupp recommended that people who might be afraid of cicadas try to learn as much about the harmless insects known for their loud mating calls as they can.

Models for the upcoming snow show everything from a few inches to several feet, but there's a reason there's so many different forecasts out there about the storm coming in, according to Chief Meteorologist @MikeNelson247.https://t.co/b2Aa2DmKqX

— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) March 10, 2021

🏌TIGER WOODS MAY BE DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL SOON: Tiger Woods is in good spirits and may be discharged from the hospital soon. According to Ace Show Biz, Tiger's friend, golfer Rory McIlroy said that Tiger is "feeling better" and may be transferred to his home in Florida in the "next week or so."

He told Jimmy Fallon, “He’s doing better. Hopefully if things go well over the next week or so he might be able to get home and start recovery at home (sic).”

Rory added that Tiger is still trash talking from his hospital bed, saying, “Even from the hospital bed, he’s still giving me some heat! I just think all of us are wishing him a speedy recovery at this point.”

As previously reported, Tiger was in a serious car crash near Rancho Palos Verdes in California on February 21st. He suffered multiple injuries, including breaking his leg and shattering his angle.

🏈KANSAS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR STEPPING DOWN AFTER MILES OUSTED OVER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CLAIMS: Kansas athletic director Jeff Long is stepping down, with the university announcing the news yesterday, two days after football head coach Les Miles was ousted over allegations of sexual misconduct while he was head coach at LSU. Long hired Miles to be Kansas' coach in 2018, and the two have a long relationship dating back decades. Long said in a statement that he and the university's chancellor had agreed it was in the best interest of the program and its student-athletes for him to resign.

🏀ALDRIDGE LEAVING SPURS: San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich announced last night that LaMarcus Aldridge is leaving, something he said the team and Aldridge had mutually agreed on. He said, "He won't be with the team moving forward," but denied any issue, stating, "There was no problem there." The Spurs will try to trade the 35-year-old before the March 25th deadline, or could buy him out so he's a free agent. Aldridge was in his sixth season with the Spurs after playing his first nine seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.

🏒PANARIN REJOINS RANGERS FROM TWO-WEEK LEAVE: New York Rangers star player Artemi Panarin rejoined the team at practice yesterday after taking a two-week leave of absence. Head coach David Quinn said the timeline for his return to play is still unclear. Panarin left the team on February 22nd after a Russian tabloid printed allegations from a former coach that he attacked a woman in Latvia almost a decade ago. He denies the claim, and the Rangers said it was a fabricated story meant to intimidate Panarin for his political views. Panarin has been a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Miami Heat player Meyers Leonard will be "away from the team indefinitely" after he used an anti-Semitic slur while playing a video game, the NBA says. https://t.co/oZ6Wrxg5Ey

— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 11, 2021

➤EDELMAN WRITES OPEN LETTER TO HEAT'S LEONARD, WHO USED ANTI-SEMITIC SLUR: New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman wrote an open letter to Miami Heat forward Meyers Leonard Wednesday, in the wake of Leonard using an anti-semitic slur while playing a livestreamed video game earlier this week. Leonard publicly apologized, saying he didn't know at the time what the word meant. The Heat said Tuesday that he would be away from the team indefinitely and the NBA is investigating. Edelman, who is Jewish, wrote, "I get the sense you didn't use that word out of hate, more out of ignorance. Most likely, you weren't trying to hurt anyone or even profile Jews in your comment. That's what makes it so destructive." He continued, "When someone intends to be hateful, it's usually met with great resistance. Casual ignorance is harder to combat and has greater reach, especially when you command great influence. Hate is like a virus. Even accidentally, it could rapidly spread." He ended by inviting Leonard to a Shabbat dinner.

🏒NHL REACHES SEVEN-YEAR DEAL WITH ESPN: The NHL has reached a seven-year deal with ESPN, with games to be shown on the sports network for the first time 2004. Included in the deal, which starts next season, will be 25 regular-season games on ESPN or ABC, early-round playoff series and one conference final each year, and four Stanley Cup Final series on ABC. The deal also includes opening-night games and the NHL All-Star Game. Since 2004, all NHL games have been on NBC or its cable stations.

NYC Radio: Jonah Griss-Bush Added to Kelly Ford Show On WNSH

Jonah Griss-Bush

Entercom welcomes Jonah Griss-Bush as morning show on-air host and content producer for New York’s Country WNSH 94.7 FM in New York. Griss-Bush will join “Kelly Ford in the Morning” and will be heard alongside host Kelly Ford, effective immediately.

“We’re excited about adding Jonah’s fun personality to our popular morning show program,” said John Foxx, Brand Manager, New York’s Country 94.7. “His experience entertaining audiences as they get ready for their days ahead will set him up for success in his new role, and we look forward to him and Kelly delivering must-listen content to our listeners together.”

“I'm excited to join the Entercom family and honored to be alongside Kelly Ford in my favorite city in the world,” said Griss-Bush. “I grew up listening to New York City radio, so to be on these airwaves is a dream come true.”

A native New Yorker, Griss-Bush joins Entercom after most recently serving as a morning show host for Hubbard Broadcasting in St. Louis. Prior to that role, he held on-air positions for Hot 101.7 in Santa Rosa, CA; 98Q in Danbury, CT and K-Rock Radio in New York. Griss-Bush also previously served as a producer for CBS Radio from 2010 to 2012 and a promotions assistant for now sister station ALT 92.3 (then 92.3 NOW) from 2009 to 2012.

Listeners can tune in to New York’s Country 94.7 (WNSH-FM) in New York on air, as well as nationwide on the RADIO.COM app and website. Fans can also connect with the station on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Boston Radio: Danielle Murr EXITS WEEI's Morning Show

Danielle Murr

Danielle Murr, co-host of WEEI 93.7 FM’s “The Greg Hill Show” and the only woman with a daily on-air role at a Boston sports radio station, announced Wednesday that she is leaving, reports The Boston Globe.

“It was a very, very, very difficult decision for me,” said Murr during the first hour of the program. “One that I have been wrestling with for months. But I’m at a time in my life where I need to take a chance on myself.”

Murr has been part of “The Greg Hill Show” since 2005, when it aired on classic-rock station WAAF. Hill and Murr moved to WEEI in July 2019 when parent company Entercom Communications decided to replace morning drive program “Mut and Callahan.”

Since the station switch, Murr has been the most prominent female on-air personality in Boston sports radio. Herald reporter and NBC Sports Boston “Quick Slants” personality Meghan Ottolini, who co-hosts a WEEI weekend program, is the only other woman with a prominent sports radio presence.

“I think it’s been a special connection having Danielle as a full-time female voice on the radio station,” said Mark Hannon, regional president at Entercom. “So that’s certainly not going unnoticed for us. And that will be a critical piece of how we think about going forward with the show. It was even alluded to today on the air.

“So as we begin to open the search, you should expect that we’ll be talking to as many potential candidates as possible, men and women. But I think we’re very cognizant of that [situation].”

The show will begin auditioning potential co-hosts over the next couple of weeks. Murr, who said she wants to pursue some business opportunities, including a podcast, will co-host her final show Friday.

“I’ve talked about my passions on the show before, whether its animal welfare or plants or food or any of that stuff,” she said. “I really want to go in a direction where I can focus on all of that.”

Entercom's Podcorn Connects Advertisers With Midsize Podcasters

Entercom's David Field

Entercom Communications Corp. will acquire podcast ad network Podcorn in a deal aimed at helping the second-largest U.S. radio broadcaster expand its advertising business, reports the Wall Street Journal.

The deal is the latest in a spate of consolidation in the podcast realm as large media and tech companies build out podcast advertising capabilities to attract more ad dollars to the rapidly growing medium. Entercom sees Podcorn as key to helping its advertisers reach the audiences for thousands of influential up-and-coming podcasters.

The deal values Podcorn at $22.5 million, with Entercom paying $14.6 million upfront in cash and a performance-based earnout over the next three years.

U.S. advertising revenue from podcasts is projected to grow to more than $1 billion this year, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau. The migration of listeners to on-demand audio has sparked an arms race among major media and tech players, including Spotify Technology SA, iHeartMedia Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and Sirius XM Holdings Inc.

In recent months, these companies have focused on laying the groundwork and building—or buying—an infrastructure to better serve advertisers interested in podcasting, which has historically lagged behind other media in its ability to measure data and analyze its reach. The industry is aiming to make podcasts a more popular place for brands of all sizes to advertise.

Los Angeles-based Podcorn operates a self-service marketplace that connects advertisers with almost 40,000 midsize podcasters to facilitate campaigns and native sponsorships. It was founded in 2019 by Agnes Kozera and David Kierzkowski after they sold their previous company, FameBit—which connects video influencers and YouTube stars with advertisers—to Alphabet Inc.’s Google. Both founders will stay with the company and join Entercom’s leadership team.

“The market doesn’t really create opportunities for leading brands to connect at scale across thousands of those influencers,” said Entercom Chief Executive David Field. “That’s what we think is untapped.”