Superstar quarterback Tom Brady is freshly retired from football, but he’s got plenty else to keep him busy. His production company, Religion of Sports, is looking to raise around $50 million, according to The Information citing people familiar with the situation.
Such a deal would value the four-year-old company, co-founded by Brady, former NFL star Michael Strahan and filmmaker Gotham Chopra, at more than $100 million, according to the people.
There’s likely to be plenty of interest. Big investors have been piling into content production to feed the proliferation of streaming services that has popped up in recent years. And sports-focused plays are emerging as a particularly hot alternative to general entertainment studios, investors say.
Religion of Sports, which is behind such shows as the Tom Brady documentary “Man in the Arena,” as well as “Simone vs. Herself,” about gymnast Simone Biles, has raised $16 million to date and counts Shari Redstone’s Advancit Capital among its investors. The company’s revenue was around $35 million in 2021, according to people familiar with the situation.
President Biden again warned Americans still in Ukraine that they should leave as soon as possible, in an interview yesterday with NBC News. He said, "It's not like we’re dealing with a terrorist organization. We’re dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. It’s a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly." He also again said he wouldn't send U.S. troops to Ukraine, responding when asked if there were any scenarios where he might do it to rescue Americans, saying, "There’s not. That’s a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another." There are very high tensions about the possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine as Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops on its border with that country.
Analysis: Biden’s approval rating continues to erode, including with vital parts of his base https://t.co/Z4X1jfsFUd
➤DATA SHOWS INFLATION HIGHEST IN 40 YEARS: Inflation is at its highest rate in 40 years, according to data out yesterday from the Labor Department, which said consumer prices increased 7.5 percent last month compared to a year earlier, the highest increase from the same month the year before since February 1982. When inflation was measured from December to January, inflation was 0.6 percent, the same as from November to December, but more than economists had expected. The key factors playing into the inflation include a shortage of supplies and workers amid high demand and spending, including from all the federal aid that was distributed during the pandemic and very low interest rates. The Federal Reserve has indicated it will raise interest rates at its next meeting in March, and some economists suggested that after yesterday's inflation data, the Fed could raise its key rate by one-half a percentage point instead of its usual quarter-point increase.
“I’m going to work like the devil to bring gas prices down,” President Biden said Thursday assuring that his administration will lower health care costs, including prescription drug costs, for American families. pic.twitter.com/5ISJwFzasX
🚚U.S. URGES CANADA TO USE FEDERAL POWERS TO END TRUCK BLOCKADE OF KEY BRIDGE: The U.S. urged the Canadian government yesterday to use its federal powers to end the truck blockade of a key bridge by Canadians protesting Covid-19 mandates and restrictions in their country. The Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit was blocked for a fourth straight day by the truckers, and it's disrupting the flow of auto parts and other products between the U.S. and Canada, leading some auto plants on both sides of the border to close down or cut shifts. The bridge carries 25 percent of all trade between the two countries. Canada's Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said Royal Canadian Mounted Police reinforcements were being sent to Windsor, Ottawa and Coutts, Alberta, where another border blockade is happening. Meanwhile, Windsor's mayor announced the city will seek a court injunction to end the occupation.
A bumper-to-bumper truck blockade by Canadians protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions is in its fourth day. https://t.co/lwNNO3JzuT
➤100TH CAPITOL RIOTER SENTENCED, FIFTH FOR ASSAULTING POLICE: A 52-year-old military veteran from Seattle who punched two police officers in the head during the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol was sentenced to six months in prison yesterday, becoming at least the 100th person sentenced after pleading guilty to a Capitol riot-related charge, according to the Associated Press. Mark Leffingwell is also the fifth person to be sentenced for assaulting police that day, with the others getting sentences ranging from 41 months to 63 months. More than 730 people have been charged overall and 210 of them have pled guilty, mostly to misdemeanors with a maximum sentence of six months in prison.
➤BOMB THREATS AT D.C. HIGH SCHOOLS FOR THIRD DAY, DESPITE ARREST OF TEENAGER: There were bomb threats at high schools in Washington, D.C., for a third straight day Thursday, despite a teenager having been arrested for allegedly making some of the earlier threats. Five schools were evacuated and searched yesterday after getting phoned-in bomb threats, which came hours after the 16-year-old teenage boy was arrested. As with the previous threats, no bombs were found. The teen was charged with "terroristic threats." Police said that the fact that the bomb threats are continuing indicates multiple people are making them, including possibly copycats.
AUTOPSY..BOB SAGET HAD MULTIPLE SKULL FRACTURES PRIOR TO DEATH:
➤DOCTORS EXPLAIN WHAT TO DO—AND WHAT NOT TO DO—WHEN YOU HIT YOUR HEAD: Hitting your head can lead to an emergent situation. Emergency room physician Dr. Leana Wen explains, “When you hit your head, you could have bleeding in different ways. An epidural hematoma is a type of brain injury. You can also have a subdural hematoma, another possibility as well. A subdural hematoma is a very common hematoma. Both of these are when veins are ripped from a head injury that causes pooled blood to put pressure on the brain.” Wen says if you hit your head, your first step should be to tell someone, and to call your doctor if you’re particularly worried. If you’re an individual at higher risk—like if you’re taking a blood thinner, or if you’re older—you should be vigilant and seek medical attention if you hit your head. Symptoms you should look out for after hitting your head: losing consciousness (even briefly), forgetting the injury, any type of confusion, nausea, and vomiting. If you develop any sort of weakness or seizure-like activity you should go to an emergency room. Doctors recommend staying awake 2 to 3 hours after a head injury to make sure none of these symptoms present, but after that, your risk of any significant issue developing drops. Doctors also note that you don’t need to overreact every time you bump your head unless you have symptoms that worsen over time.
📺'DR. PHIL' REPORTEDLY A TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENT: According to a BuzzFeed article published on Thursday, a dozen current and former employees of the Dr. Phil show say that the show fostered a toxic environment.
Dr. Phil
Sources told the outlet that workers were forced to perpetuate racist stereotypes on the show, told to prevent mentally ill guests from taking their medication, and forced to endure verbal abuse.
Although none of the people BuzzFeed News spoke with witnessed Phil McGraw engage in toxic workplace behaviors, two current and 10 former employees said that it was “common to be screamed at and berated by executive producer Carla Pennington and other senior-level staffers.”
According to the report, attorneys for McGraw and Pennington "categorically denied every allegation made in this story, insisting that Dr. Phil in no way fosters racism, inappropriate interactions with guests, bullying and harassment, or any other unprofessional behavior."
H. Patrick Morris, an attorney for the 71-year-old talk show host, said in a statement to E! News, "BuzzFeed was offered dozens of current and former staff to talk to but when the reporter started hearing the truth which ruined their salacious narrative they declined. Dr. Phil takes every guest and their circumstances very seriously and spends enormous amounts of time preparing for his time with them, including consulting with world class experts."
📻SEATTLE-AREA MAZDA DRIVERS REPORT RADIOS ARE STUCK ON THE LOCAL NPR STATION: Seattle-area drivers of Mazda vehicles from 2014-2017 have reported a strange problem—their radios are stuck on the local NPR station. The station confirmed it had been contacted by multiple Mazda drivers who reported the HD Radio in the Mazda infotainment center of their vehicles was stuck on the station. The drivers claim the radio is frozen on the station and the visuals on the dashboard screen are constantly rebooting, causing a visual hazard for some. KUOW 94.9 FM released a statement, saying, “We have been in contact with Xperi, the company who owns the technology behind HD Radio, and have given them complete access to our transmitters to investigate what is causing the issue.” Mazda said in a statement that affected customers should contact local dealers “who can submit a goodwill request to the Mazda Warranty department on their behalf, order the parts, and schedule a free repair when the parts arrive.”
🏈SUPER BOWL 56 PREVIEW:America's unofficial national holiday arrives on Sunday, when Super Bowl 56 will pit the Los Angeles Rams against the Cincinnati Bengals.
WHERE: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, home of the Rams as well as the L.A. Chargers. This is the second year in a row that one of the teams is playing in their home stadium, after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first last year, when they beat the Kansas City Chiefs for the championship. It's the first Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium, which opened in 2020, and the first in the Los Angeles area since Super Bowl 27 in 1993.
Covid: Unlike last year, there won't be any attendance limits because of the pandemic. However, fans will have to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours, or a negative antigen rapid test taken within 24 hours. Additionally, masks will be required, except while actively eating or drinking, and every fan will be given a KN95 mask.
WHEN AND HOW TO WATCH: NBC will be airing the big game, and their broadcast will include hours of pre-game coverage before getting to the main event, with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. E.T. The game will be streamed on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app, and NBC's streaming service, Peacock. However, you may have to link your cable or streaming provider to gain access on NBC websites, and for Peacock, you need to sign up for its Premium plan at $4.99 a month
THE TEAMS:
Rams: This will be the fifth Super Bowl for the Rams, who've only won one championship, beating the Tennessee Titans at the end of the 1999 season, when they were based in St. Louis. It will be the first Super Bowl appearance for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who's in his first year with the Rams. Until this season, Stafford had never even had a playoff win in his 12 previous seasons, all of them with the Detroit Lions. A key weapon for the Rams will be wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who this season became the fourth NFL player and first since 2005 to have the receiving triple crown by leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
Bengals: The Bengals will be trying to win their first Super Bowl in their third appearance in the championship game. They were last in the Super Bowl in January 1989, losing to the San Francisco 49ers. Until this year, the Bengals had not won a playoff game since the 1990 season, and had a league-worst 2–14 record just two seasons ago. Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow will be making his first Super Bowl appearance in just his second year in the NFL. One of the Bengals' key players will be wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who reunited with Burrow this season after being his teammate at LSU, and had the most receiving yards for a rookie in the Super Bowl era.
ENTERTAINMENT: Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige will perform during the halftime show. Country music's Mickey Guyton will sing the National Anthem, and "America the Beautiful" will be performed by R&B singer Jhené Aiko.
COMMERCIALS: The commercials have become part of the Super Bowl experience, with advertisers ramping up their creativity for the game's huge national audience. NBC hasn't said how much ads are costing this year, but a report in September, Dan Lovinger of NBC Sports Group cited a price of around $6.5 million, which would be a significant jump from the previous year's $5.5 million. Below is a look at a few of the ads that have already been released.
🎿BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS Highlights:
Hearing to Decide if Russian Figure Skater Can Compete After Positive Drug Test - A hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport will determine whether 15-year-old Russian figure skating phenom Kamila Valieva can compete in the women's event next week, where she's heavily favored to win gold, after she tested positive for a banned heart drug six weeks ago at the Russian Figure Skating Championships. The International Olympic Committee is appealing to the Court to reinstate the provisional suspension of Valieva, which was imposed by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency after the positive result was returned this past Tuesday, and then lifted by the same agency, which would allow her to compete. Meanwhile, the Russian Olympic Committee said it would fight to keep the gold medal won days ago by a team that include Valieva, a process that could take months. If the Russian team is disqualified, the U.S., which won silver, would be awarded the gold.
Shaun White Finishes Fourth in Halfpipe in Final Olympics - American snowboarding legend Shaun White finished just out of the medals in fourth place in the halfpipe, in what is his final Olympics and the close of his competitive career. Ayumu Hirano of Japan won the gold. The best of the 35-year-old White's three runs was his second, and he fell on the final run, the last of his career. An emotional White said after the event, "I just want to thank everyone for watching. Everyone at home, thank you. Snowboarding, thank you. It's been the love of my life." Among all his accomplishments, White won three gold medals in five Olympics.
U.S. Skier Mikaela Shiffrin Finishes Ninth in Super-G - After being eliminated within seconds in her first two races in Beijing, U.S. skier Mikaela Shiffrin finished the super-G yesterday, but finished out of the medals in ninth place. The two-time Olympic gold medalist said afterward, "I didn’t think there was a very big chance to come in and win, or even medal, in this race. . . . But I also did get to the finish and that’s really nice for my heart to know." She also thanked everyone for all the support she'd gotten since her disqualifications in the giant slalom and slalom, which are usually her best events. Winning the super-G yesterday was Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland.
U.S. Wins Gold in Mixed Team Aerials in Its Olympic Debut - The U.S. won gold in mixed team aerials in the freestyle skiing event's Olympic debut. The team of two men and one woman, Christopher Lillis, Justin Schoenefeld and Ashley Caldwell, beat out the Chinese team for the win. Canada won bronze.
U.S. Women's Hockey Team Beat Czechs in Quarterfinals - The defending Olympic champion U.S. women's hockey team beat the Czech Republic 4-1 in their quarterfinal match.
U.S. Men's Hockey Team Beats China in First Game - The U.S. men's hockey team shut out host nation China 8-0 in the American men's first game in Beijing. Sean Farrell had a hat trick for the U.S. The U.S. team is made up mostly of NCAA players, with the NHL announcing in December that it wouldn't send players because the regular-season season schedule had been too disrupted by increasing Covid cases and games postponed as a result.
MEDAL COUNT: (As of 4:00 a.m. ET) - Austria is in first place with 14 medals, followed by Norway and Canada with 12 each, and the Russian Olympic Committee with 11. In the gold medal count, Germany is first with six, Norway has five, and the U.S., Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden have four each. The U.S. has 10 medals overall, four gold, five silver and one bronze. ESPN'S MEDAL TRACKER
OTHER SPORTS:
🏈AARON RODGERS WINS FOURTH NFL MVP AWARD: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers won his fourth NFL MVP award last night, getting 39 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. Only retired former quarterback Peyton Manning is ahead of Rodgers with five MVPs. Rodgers said as he got the award, "Being a four-time MVP is crazy. “They’re all different. They’ve all unique in their own ways and this one feels the sweetest." Rodgers didn't indicate what his future plans are and said no announcement is imminent.
🏀76ERS TRADE SIMMONS TO NETS FOR HARDEN: Ben Simmons finally got what he wanted, to be traded away from the Philadelphia 76ers, with Philly trading him to the Brooklyn Nets yesterday (February 10th) for star James Harden. The 76ers also sent guard Seth Curry, center Andre Drummond, a 2022 first-round draft pick and a 2027 first-round pick to Brooklyn, and the Nets included Paul Millsap with Harden. Simmons didn't play this season for the 76ers in the wake of a trade demand.
🏀MAVERICKS TRADE PORZINGIS TO WIZARDS: The Dallas Mavericks traded Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round draft pick to the Washington Wizards yesterday (February 10th) for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Washington also traded center Montrezl Harrell to the Charlotte Hornets for Vernon Carey Jr. and Ish Smith.
⚾MLB TO HAVE UNIVERSAL DESIGNED HITTER: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced yesterday (February 10th) that there will be a universal designated hitter starting in the upcoming season, meaning the DH is coming to the National League. He also said that a draft lottery will be added as a way to prevent tanking. Manfred's announcement comes as MLB and the players' union are set to have a negotiating session Saturday after an 11-day break. The players have been locked out by the league since December 1st.
🏀LEBRON, DURANT PICKS TEAMS FOR ALL-STAR GAME: LeBron James and Kevin Durant, the NBA All-Star Game captains, picked their team members during the live selection show last night on TNT. James had more all-star votes than Durant, so he chose first, picking the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Durant then chose the Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid with his first pick. Team members for the February 20th game were chosen by James and Duran from 22 players who were voted on by fans, media members and current players. See full rosters here.
Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (SBS), CXR Radio LLC, as divestiture trustee, and Cox Radio LLC have announced that SBS will acquire FM radio broadcast stations WPYO-FM and WSUN FM, two stations serving the Orlando and Tampa radio markets.
The stations are held in trust by CXR Radio as a result of a divestiture trust mandate by the FCC, which arose from FCC ownership limitations and the sale of Cox Radio in 2019. CXR, which holds the stations’ FCC licenses and controls the operations of the stations, conducted a sales process resulting in today’s agreement with SBS, the parties said. Cox Radio, which has supported the trust’s operation of the stations, will also convey certain related station assets to SBS as part of the transaction. Cox Radio is a subsidiary of Cox Media Group.
“SBS is pleased to acquire WPYO FM and WSUN FM per FCC rules in order to serve the Hispanic communities of Orlando, Tampa and Central Florida and to foster minority ownership in media,” commented SBS Chairman and CEO, Raúl Alarcón.
Elliot Evers, the principal in CXR who has overseen the stations since the formation of the trust, said, “I am pleased that our sale process has produced full value for these two impressive stations. We engaged Houlihan, Lokey to assist with the process, and I am grateful for the instrumental role that the Houlihan team played in making this a success. Working with the CMG and SBS teams was an honor and a pleasure.”
Rob Babin, a Senior Vice President for Cox Media Group, who leads Cox Radio commented, “These stations have been a part of our Cox Media Group family for many years. We are saddened to see WPYO(FM) and WSUN(FM) leave our company, but we also are pleased to have fulfilled the FCC’s mandate to sell these stations – and we thank Elliot and his CXR team for all they did to oversee this process.”
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including FCC regulatory approval. The parties expect to close the transaction later in the first quarter of 2022.
iHeartMedia Miami’s WMIA 93.9 MIA…90’s to Now, announced today the debut of “The DJ Laz Morning Show with Kimmy B,” effective Thursday February 10, 2022. “The DJ Laz Morning Show with Kimmy B” will broadcast weekdays from 6-10 a.m.
Miami’s legendary DJ Laz will reunite with his former co-host, Kimmy B, for an all-new morning show. “The DJ Laz Morning Show with Kimmy B” will feature local and relevant lifestyle conversations of the day along with the biggest hits from the last three decades.
“We’re excited to bring Miami’s beloved duo, DJ Laz and Kimmy B, back together,” said Rob Miller, Senior Vice President Programming Miami. “With their infectious personalities and deep investment in our local communities, ‘The DJ Laz Morning Show with Kimmy B’ on 93.9 MIA will quickly become a favorite destination for South Floridians.”
“Kimmy B is Miami,” said DJ Laz. “Kimmy B’s all about the community, our listeners, and we’re ready to deliver some great morning radio.”
“I’m super excited to be back on-air co-hosting a morning show with the legendary DJ Laz, said Kimmy B. “We love morning radio and can’t wait to share good times and good vibes with our community.”
In addition, 93.9 MIA…90’s To Now, will continue to be the home for the greatest hits of the 90s while expanding its music library to include the top artists of the past two decades with a more robust playlist. The station consists of hits from Bruno Mars, Adele, Backstreet Boys, Rihanna, Maroon 5, and Justin Timberlake and 3 hours of commercial-free music to kick off the workdays, beginning weekdays at 9:30 a.m.
102.7 KIIS FM, L.A.’s #1 Hit Music Station, announced today that Kayla Thomas will join the station’s on-air talent lineup, hosting over nights and weekends, effective February 14. Thomas will be live on KIIS FM Monday -Thursday from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 2- 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 – 4 p.m.
“Kayla will be a perfect fit here in Los Angeles/Orange County,” said Beata Murphy, Program Director for KIIS FM. “She is passionate and charming and works hard to establish that ‘Best Friend’ relationship with the audience. Kayla has already accomplished so much in her career, and I am excited to work with her and see her continue to grow here in Los Angeles.”
Kayla is a Maryland native who grew up with a love for music, content creation and making people laugh. After graduating from Liberty University in 2016, she received her first shot in the radio world at a local radio station in Roanoke, Virginia. Kayla went from being an intern to doing weekends, nights, then middays at WXLK-K92. Her powerful voice and sassy personality quickly made her a recognizable voice throughout the Virginia Blue Ridge. In 2018, Kayla got the opportunity to move to New Jersey and become an on-air personality at Townsquare Media.
Not only did she do the night show at WPST in Trenton, but she also landed her very own nationally syndicated show at just 24 years old. In just three years, Kayla helped grow ‘Popcrush Nights’ into a number one show with over 50 affiliates across the country. In 2020, Kayla was named one of Radio Ink Magazine’s 30 Under 30 Superstars. Throughout her career, she has also interviewed some of the biggest names in music, such as Adele, BTS, Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, Lizzo and more. Major publications like People Magazine and Billboard have also featured her interviews.
“I’ve been dreaming of living in Los Angeles since I was a little girl and to be able to do what I love at the legendary KIIS FM is an indescribable feeling,” said Kayla. “Words cannot express how thankful I am to John Ivey and Beata Murphy for this exciting opportunity. Being a world away from home is bittersweet, but it’s still surreal to be living my childhood dream. I’m ready to bring my east coast flavor to this LA heat!”
Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal is finalizing a plan that would drastically change its partnership with Hulu, shifting high-profile programming to its own Peacock streaming platform, according to The Wall Street Journal citing people familiar with the matter.
Starting this fall, new episodes of shows like “The Voice,” “Saturday Night Live” and “American Auto” would no longer be available on Hulu soon after they air as a result of that plan, they said.
NBCUniversal has taken many steps recently to strengthen Peacock, which has struggled to establish itself in a crowded environment. The move would also be the latest indication of the changing relationship between Hulu’s co-owners—Walt Disney Co. and NBCUniversal—which went from streaming partners to direct competitors in recent years.
Comcast, which owns a third of Hulu, launched Peacock less than two years ago, while Disney, which owns the rest, introduced Disney+ in late 2019. The two new services have had varying fortunes: Disney on Wednesday said Disney+ had nearly 130 million subscribers globally, while NBCU last month said over 9 million people were paying for Peacock, which is available free of charge to subscribers of Comcast and other cable providers. Peacock also offers a no-frills, ad-supported version that is free to anyone.
Expanding Peacock’s subscriber base is one of Comcast’s top priorities, as the company is looking to become a streaming giant in its own right. Comcast is doubling its content spending for Peacock to $3 billion this year, and the service is betting that a series of high-profile sporting events—from the Beijing Winter Olympics to the coming Super Bowl—will help it attract more customers. Starting this year, NBCUniversal is also making most Universal movies available for streaming on Peacock as soon as 45 days after their theatrical release.
Hulu rose to prominence among cord-cutters as a destination for next-day airings of broadcast TV series, such as ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and NBC’s “This Is Us.” NBCUniversal is considering making next-day airings of future NBC shows exclusively on Peacock’s premium tier, which subscribers have to pay for, some of the people familiar with the matter said. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported NBCUniversal was considering removing content from Hulu and making it exclusive to Peacock.
NBCUniversal has until Friday to inform Disney of its plans regarding the Hulu content-sharing pact, people close to the situation said. The company was originally scheduled to announce its decision earlier this year, but the deadline was pushed back to Feb. 11 as the two sides continued to negotiate an exit strategy, they said. If NBCUniversal chose not to exercise the option to remove the shows, they would remain on Hulu through 2024.
The recent proliferation of streaming services—many of which are owned by companies that also produce content—has led to a major realignment of priorities for most players. Many media giants that were once happy to license their shows and movies to streaming platforms are now having to decide what to take back, giving up licensing revenue for the promise of attracting more subscribers. Shortly after it announced the launch of Peacock in 2019, Comcast said it would take away “The Office,” one of the most popular shows on streaming, from Netflix Inc. and offer it on Peacock exclusively.
President Joe Biden called Lester Holt a 'wise guy' during a TV interview on Thursday after the NBC News anchor asked him for his definition of 'temporary' on the day inflation showed no sign of slowing and instead hit a 40-year high, reports The Daily Mail.
The White House has insisted that spiraling prices are 'transitory' and will begin coming down as pandemic supply chain pressures ease.
But on Thursday, the Labor Department reported that year-on-year inflation hit 7.5 percent in January - its highest level since 1982.
'I think it was back in July, you said inflation was going to be temporary,' said Holt.
'I think a lot of Americans are wondering what your definition of temporary is.'
Biden smiled as he pushed back: 'Well, you're being a wise guy with me a little bit.
'I understand, that's your job.'
The issue has sent Biden's approval ratings plunging and previous efforts to dismiss increases as temporary led critics to accuse him of being out of touch.
During the interview, which will be broadcast in full before Sunday's Super Bowl, Holt pushed Biden to explain when Americans could expect some relief.
'According to Nobel laureates - 14 of them that contacted me - and a number of corporate leaders it ought to be able to start to taper off as we go through this year,' he said.
Americans paid more for virtually every facet of life last month, from food to cars, and even housing and their monthly bills.
Energy costs rose by a staggering average of 27 percent, amid right-wing criticism of Biden's efforts to revamp the sector and move away from a dependence on fossil fuels.
The latest data show drivers are still hurting at the pump, with gas prices up 40 percent from last year. Used cars and trucks are up by 40.5 percent.
Costs at the dinner table are also up. Grocery prices are up by an average 7.4 percent since January 2021. People can also expect to pay more for meat, eggs, poultry and fish after their costs rose by 12.2 percent last month.
As the Winter Olympics near the halfway point, NBC’s viewership is nearly half of what it was four years ago and is on pace to be the lowest in the event’s history, reports Bloomberg.
An average of 12.3 million nightly viewers per day have watched the Winter Olympics on Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal TV and streaming channels through Feb. 8. That compares with about 23 million viewers at the same point for the 2018 games in PyeongChang, South Korea, according to an NBC spokesman.
NBC anticipated about 40% fewer viewers than four years ago and cut its ad rates by a similar amount, according to people familiar with the matter. The network was trying to avoid what happened during the Tokyo games last summer, when the ratings fell below what it had guaranteed. That hurt NBC’s potential revenue because the broadcaster had to give additional commercial time to advertisers to make up for the shortfall.
So far this week, NBC’s Olympics viewership is roughly on par with what it promised, said Adam Schwartz, director of sports media at Horizon Media.
“Do I want the ratings to be down 40%? Absolutely not,” said Schwartz, whose clients bought commercial time during the games. “But I don’t think it’s a cause for panic about the Olympics whatsoever.”NBC is hoping to make up for lower ad rates by airing the games on more platforms than in 2018, including TikTok and Peacock, its streaming service. That has boosted the amount of commercial spots the company can sell. As a result, NBC could lessen any potential financial hit from the ratings decline.
“Is there a scenario where we make as much, if not more? Yeah, there’s a scenario,” Dan Lovinger, NBCUniversal’s president of advertising sales and partnerships, said in an interview.
NBC generated $920 million in national ad sales for the PyeongChang games and turned a profit. Lovinger declined to say how much revenue NBC expects for these Olympics. The combined sales from the Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl, which NBC will air on Sunday, would be about the same as in 2018, when it also aired both events, he said. The network has said this year’s Super Bowl set an ad-price record, as much as $7 million for a 30-second spot.
There are many theories for why the Olympics ratings are down. There’s the general decline in TV viewing; a 13-hour time difference between Beijing and the East Coast; a controversy over the host country’s human rights record; fewer fans attending due to Covid-19 restrictions; and potential viewer fatigue with a second Olympics just six months after the summer games.
Like last summer in Tokyo, NBC is hoping the games will draw viewers to Peacock. The streaming service is showing every Olympics event for the first time to people who sign up for its $5-a-month premium tier. NBC said total digital usage of the Olympics, including Peacock, surpassed 1 billion minutes, the fastest it had hit that milestone for a winter games.
NBC is also using the Olympics as a testing ground for a new way to measure viewership. While its advertising deals are still based on ratings provided by Nielsen, NBC is promoting audience data this week from market researcher iSpot.TV. That data has shown Olympics viewers are more engaged in the commercials, among other things.
Sarah Palin said at her defamation trial against the New York Times on Thursday she felt "powerless" after a 2017 editorial incorrectly linked the prominent Republican to a mass shooting six years earlier, accusing the newspaper of trying to "score political points," reports Reuters.
Before both sides rested their cases, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate told jurors in Manhattan federal court that she was "mortified" after the editorial appeared to connect her to inciting murder.
"It's hard to lay your head on a pillow and have a restful night when you know that lies are told about you, a specific lie that was not going to be fixed," Palin testified under questioning from her lawyer. "That causes some stress anyone would feel."
Palin, 57, said the Times was "trying to score political points," calling the newspaper "the be-all, end-all, the loud voice in American media." Palin likened the newspaper to the biblical giant Goliath, and herself to the underdog David.
"It was devastating to read, again, an accusation, a false accusation that I had anything to do with murder, murdering innocent people," Palin said. "And I felt powerless."
Under cross-examination by Times lawyer David Axelrod, however, Palin struggled to provide specific examples about how the editorial harmed her reputation, while saying that "things changed" and many people thought less of her.
Palin testified for about 3-1/2 hours over two days, following testimony by James Bennet, a former Times editorial page editor and also a defendant in her lawsuit.
Bennet said he never intended to blame Palin or her political action committee in the disputed editorial headlined "America's Lethal Politics," which addressed gun control and the growth of incendiary political rhetoric.
After six days of testimony, closing arguments are scheduled for Friday. Jurors may begin deliberating Friday afternoon or on Monday.
A New York state appeals court freed the New York Times to publish documents concerning the conservative activist group Project Veritas, putting on hold a lower court ruling that alarmed First Amendment advocates, reports Reuters.
In an order made public on Thursday, the Appellate Division in Brooklyn stayed a December ruling that blocked the Times from publishing memoranda from an in-house Project Veritas lawyer, and required the newspaper to turn over or destroy the memos.
Critics called the ruling by Justice Charles Wood of the state Supreme Court in Westchester County an unconstitutional prior restraint. Project Veritas has said the memos are protected by attorney-client privilege.
While not setting aside Wood's ruling, Thursday's order means it will not be enforced during the Times' appeal.
Elizabeth Locke, a lawyer for Project Veritas, said she was pleased the court denied the Times' "overreaching request" to vacate the ruling, and was confident it would find that the Times "violated Veritas' substantial rights by acquiring and publishing attorney-client privileged materials in the midst of ongoing litigation."
Led by James O'Keefe, Project Veritas has used what critics view as deceptive tactics to expose what it describes as liberal media bias.
The Times obtained the disputed memos in connection with coverage concerning a U.S. Department of Justice probe into Project Veritas' possible role in the theft of a diary from President Joe Biden's daughter Ashley.
Project Veritas objected to a Nov. 11 Times article that drew from the memos, calling it an attempt to embarrass a litigation opponent.
The group is suing Times for defamation over an unrelated September 2020 article describing a video it released about alleged voter fraud in Minnesota.
Country Radio Specialists Albright & O’Malley & Brenner have added a new session on how sales and programming can create successful brand integration into station events and programs. A panel of branding experts will cover everything from inception to execution to help attendees develop win-wins for programming and sales.
VP/Consulting Partner Becky Brenner comments, "Attendees will walk away with an understanding of best practices and the ability to reach the prospects and decision-makers who are spending money." This panel of experts features CMA VP of Strategic Initiatives Emily Evans, Owner and President of REACH Lindsay Bertelli, and Wasserman Music VP of Branding Chappel McCollister.
Emily Evans, Lindsay Bertelli and Chappel McCollister
Emily Evans has worked on branding, marketing, and sponsor integration for numerous artists, including Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and more. With the Country Music Association, Emily oversees the development of brand strategies for the CMA Awards, CMA Fest, CMA Country Christmas, and CMA Songwriters Series. Emily is also responsible for CMA’s efforts to educate corporate brand executives on Country Music consumers and the many opportunities for partnership with Country Music artists and CMA properties.
As Owner and President of REACH, Lindsay Bertelli has 20+ years of in-depth experience in strategic brand marketing campaigns and tour/event promotion and production. Her work with top entertainment and corporate clients has made her a well-known force in the industry with the knowledge and expertise needed to navigate the changing and increasingly virtual, event and sponsorship environment.
Chappel McCollister represents Wasserman’s music clients across various areas, including brand & corporate partnerships, premium VIP experiences, and product licensing. McCollister was previously with Sandbox Entertainment, where he executive produced the Showtime documentary chronicling Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's 2017 Soul2Soul tour and helped launch Mattel’s 60th anniversary of Barbie campaign featuring Kelsea Ballerini.
Evans, Bertelli, and McCollister join the previously announced panel “The Next Generation of the Connected Country Listeners” with Futuri Founder/CEO Daniel Anstandig. Guests will also enjoy a performance from BMLG Nashville newcomer Laci Kaye Booth.
The A&O&B team will present the first highlights from their 16th annual online perceptual study, “Roadmap 2022.” Data analysis from thousands of Country P1's from across the U.S and Canada will focus on the state of country music and country radio, along with social media & technology.
The seminar is free to clients, industry professionals, and broadcasters in non-competitive situations.
British singer-songwriter Sting has sold his career music catalogue to Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), the company said on Thursday, in the latest such move by an artist to cash in on their work, reports Reuters..
The deal comprises the entirety of Sting's solo works as well as those when he was with rock band The Police - including classics "Every Breath You Take", "Roxanne", "Shape Of My Heart", "Message in a Bottle", "Fields Of Gold", "Desert Rose" and "Englishman in New York" among others.
UMPG, the publishing arm of Universal Music Group (UMG), did not disclose financial details of the deal, which brings together Sting's music publishing and recorded music catalogues, while sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the deal was valued at $300 million.
"It is absolutely essential to me that my career's body of work have a home where it is valued and respected – not only to connect with longtime fans in new ways but also to introduce my songs to new audiences, musicians and generations," Sting said in a statement.
"Throughout my career, I have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with UMG as my label partner ... so it felt natural to unite everything in one trusted home, as I return to the studio, ready for the next chapter."
The Police, of which Sting was co-founder, frontman and bassist, released five studio albums between 1978 and 1983.
As a solo artist, he has released more than a dozen studio albums, starting with 1985's "The Dream of Blue Turtles". His latest record "The Bridge" was released in November.
The 70-year-old's many accolades include three BRIT Awards, including one for Outstanding Contribution to Music, Billboard Magazine's Century Award, a Golden Globe and Emmy Award. He has been nominated for an Oscar four times.
Sting, also an actor, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. His songs have been covered by the likes of Johnny Cash, George Michael and Herbie Hancock among others.
In 2019, U.S. performing rights organization BMI said mega hit "Every Breath You Take" was the most played song in radio history.
➦1938…'The Big Broadcast of 1938' opened in theaters. It is a Paramount Pictures musical comedy film featuring W. C. Fields, Martha Raye and Bob Hope.
The film is the last in a series of Big Broadcast movies that were variety show anthologies. This film featured the debut of Hope's signature song, "Thanks for the Memory" by Ralph Rainger. He and Leo Robin won the 1939 Oscar for Best Song for the song. In the movie they song was performed by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross.
➦In 1940... NBC radio presented “The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street” for the first time. The famous Blue network series included several distinguished alumni — among them, Dinah Shore and Zero Mostel. The chairman, or host, of “The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street” was Milton Cross.
Milton Cross
He would say things like, “A Bostonian looks like he’s smelling something. A New Yorker looks like he’s found it.” The show combined satire, blues and jazz and was built around what were called the three Bs of music: Barrelhouse, Boogie Woogie and Blues.
➦In 1941...Glenn Miller's 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' was released on RCA Records. It was originally recorded as a big band/swing tune and featured in the 1941 movie Sun Valley Serenade. It was the first song to receive a gold record for sales of 1.2 million copies.
➦In 1949...the private-eye radio drama Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar debuted on CBS Radio, with Charles Russell in the title role. It amazingly survived five changes in the lead actor during its 13 year run.
➦In 1960...The Payola scandal reached a new level of public prominence and legal gravity, when President Eisenhower called it an issue of public morality and the FCC proposed a new law making involvement in Payola a criminal act, according to History.
What exactly was Payola? During the hearings conducted by Congressman Oren Harris (D-Arkansas) and his powerful Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight—fresh off its inquiry into quiz-show rigging—the term was sometimes used as a blanket reference to a range of corrupt practices in the radio and recording industries. But within the music business, Payola referred specifically to a practice that was nearly as old as the industry itself: manufacturing a popular hit by paying for radio play.
As the Payola hearings got under way in February 1960, the public was treated to tales of a lavish disk-jockey convention in Miami bought and paid for by various record companies. One disk jockey, Wesley Hopkins of KYW in Cleveland, admitted to receiving over the course of 1958 and 1959 $12,000 in “listening fees” from record companies for “evaluating the commercial possibilities” of records.
Another DJ named Stan Richard, from station WILD in Boston, also admitted to receiving thousands of dollars from various record promoters, and though like Hopkins he denied letting such fees affect his choice of which records to play on the air, he also offered a vigorous defense of Payola, comparing it to “going to school and giving the teacher a better gift than the fellow at the next desk.”
He practically likened it to Motherhood and Apple Pie: “This seems to be the American way of life, which is a wonderful way of life. It’s primarily built on romance—I’ll do for you, what will you do for me?” It was this comment that prompted President Eisenhower to weigh in on February 11, 1960, with his condemnation of Payola.
Dick Clark testifies
But what explains the involvement of Congress in this issue? Technically, the concern of the Harris Committee was abuse of public trust, since the airwaves over which radio stations broadcast their signals are property of the people of the United States. However, 1960 was also an election year, and Rep. Harris and his colleagues on the Subcommittee were eager to be seen on the right side of a highly visible “moral” issue. Though it is widely agreed that the famous 1960 hearings on Payola merely reorganized the practice rather than eradicating it, those hearings did accomplish two very concrete things that year: they threatened the career of American Bandstand‘s Dick Clark and they destroyed the man who gave rock and roll its name, the legendary Cleveland disk jockey Alan Freed.
The Beatles in concert, Washington DC
➦In 1964...The Beatles played their first U.S. concert at the Coliseum Arena in Washington, DC. Tickets ranged from $2 to $4.
The band had traveled from New York to Washington, DC early in the day by rail, as an East Coast snowstorm had caused all flights to be cancelled. Upon arrival at Washington's Union Station The Beatles were greeted by 2,000 fans who braved the eight inches of snow on the ground. They gave a press conference before visiting WWDC, which had been the first US radio station to play a Beatles record.
Also on the bill at the Coliseum were The Chiffons and Tommy Roe. However, The Chiffons were unable to make it due to the previous day's snowstorm. Instead, the opening acts were Jay & The Americans, The Righteous Brothers and Tommy Roe.
The Beatles took to the stage at 8.31pm, and performed 12 songs: Roll Over Beethoven, From Me To You, I Saw Her Standing There, This Boy, All My Loving, I Wanna Be Your Man, Please Please Me, Till There Was You, She Loves You, I Want To Hold Your Hand, Twist And Shout and Long Tall Sally.
The group were performing in the round, and Ringo Starr's drum riser was turned 180 degrees after the third song by Mal Evans, to allow the audience behind them to watch the performance. This was repeated again after I Wanna Be Your Man, and following She Loves You they turned 45 degrees.
➦In 1994…Actor William Conrad died after a heart attack at age 73. He’d been an extremely busy member of the Hollywood talent pool for bigtime radio, notably playing Marshall Matt Dillon in CBS Radio’s Gunsmoke. On TV he starred in two series, “Cannon” & “Jake and the Fat Man,” and also was greatly in demand for narration.
Conrad estimated that he played more than 7,500 roles during his radio career, including providing the voice of Marshal Matt Dillon in the radio version of 'Gunsmoke'. At KMPC L-A, the 22-year-old Conrad produced and acted in The Hermit's Cave (circa 1940–44), the Los Angeles incarnation of a popular syndicated horror anthology series created at WJR Detroit
In January 1956, Conrad was the announcer on the debut broadcast of The CBS Radio Workshop, a two-part adaptation of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World which Huxley himself narrated.
➦In 2012…singer Whitney Houston was found dead submerged in her bath tub at a posh LA hotel. Cause of death was a lethal combination of prescription drugs and liquor. She was 48. An L-A Coroner's report concluded Houston drowned accidentally and autopsy results revealed heart disease. Chronic cocaine use was a contributing factor.
➦In 2013...Tom Aspell, a veteran foreign correspondent for NBC News, died after a two-year battle with lung cancer at age 62.
Bob Simon - 2010
➦In 2015…Bob Simon, the longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent and legendary CBS News foreign reporter died when the limo he was in was involved in a car accident in New York City, at age 73. He was one of a handful of elite journalists who had covered the important news events of the late 1960’s to the present.
Tina Louise is 88
🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAYS:
Actor Conrad Janis (“Mork and Mindy”) is 94.
Singer Jimmy Carter of The Blind Boys of Alabama is 90.
Actor Tina Louise (“Gilligan’s Island”) is 88.
Musician Sergio Mendes is 81.
Actor Philip Anglim (“The Thorn Birds”) is 70.
Sheryl Crow is 60
Actor Catherine Hickland (“One Life to Live”) is 66.
Drummer David Uosikkinen of The Hooters is 66.
Actor Carey Lowell (“Law and Order”) is 61.
Singer Sheryl Crow is 60.
Actor Jennifer Aniston is 53.
Actor Damian Lewis (“Billions”) is 51.
Singer D’Angelo is 48.
Actor Brice Beckham (“Mr. Belvedere”) is 46.
Vocalist Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park and of Fort Minor is 45.
The Academy of Country Music® announced today the nominations for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards™, honoring country music’s biggest stars and emerging talent, and celebrating the year’s top hits, most successful collaborations, and thrilling performances.
Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett revealed this year’s ACM Award nominees for Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, New Female Artist of the Year, and New Male Artist of the Year on the ACM Awards Twitter, where Allen and Barrett both surprised each other with respective nods in the Male and Female Artist of the Year categories and shared their excitement about co-hosting this year’s show with Dolly Parton.
This year's show, on Prime Video, will make history as the first major awards show to livestream exclusively and promises to be a nonstop party, bringing legendary artists together with today’s favorites for exciting and unexpected collaborations, surprising moments fans will never forget, and world television-premiere performances. Further details including the ACM Awards performance lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by global icon Dolly Parton and co-hosted by reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year winner Jimmie Allen and reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Gabby Barrett, will stream live on Prime Video and without commercial interruption, on Monday, March 7, 2022, 8:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. CST/5:00 p.m. PST from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
🎸Nominee Highlights for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards:
Chris Young leads with seven nominations including Album of the Year and Single of the Year. Young shares three of his nominations with fellow artist and collaborator Kane Brown for their song Famous Friends.
Miranda Lambert receives record-tying 16th Female Artist of the Year nomination (tied with Reba McEntire), as well as four other nominations.
Walker Hayes receives five nominations as a first-time nominee. This comes 17 years after Hayes moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music.
Women continue to see an increase in representation, pulling in 37% of nominations, compared to an average of 35% in the past 5 years (2% increase).
The Academy continues its legacy of being the first to recognize artists early in their careers, with 35% of this year’s nominees being first-time nominees overall, or first-time nominees in their respective categories.
57th Academy of Country Music Awards co-hosts Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett receive their first nods in the Male Artist of the Year and Female Artist of the Year categories, respectively.
Women make up 50% of the producers and directors in the Video of the Year nominations.
Nominations include three members of the LGBTQ+ community. TJ Osborne of Brothers Osborne receives a nomination for Duo of the Year, Lily Rose receives a nomination for New Female Artist of the Year, and Shane McAnally receives four nominations.
Chris Stapleton receives five nominations including his fourth nod for Entertainer of the Year and his seventh for Male Artist of the Year.
Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton are nominees for Entertainer of the Year. A win for either artist in that category will also clinch the coveted Triple Crown Award, which consists of an Entertainer of the Year win, plus wins in an act’s respective New Artist (male, female, or duo or group) and Artist (Male, female, duo or group) categories.
Kelsea Ballerini and Miranda Lambert both receive nominations as producers for the first time.
Nicolle Galyon receives her first Songwriter of the Year nomination. She has previously been nominated for three ACM Awards, winning two. She is the second woman to be nominated for Songwriter of the Year.
Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris are the first married couple to be nominated in the same year since Tim McGraw and Faith Hill in 2017.
With the vision of an outlier, Scott Shannon created one of the most successful radio stations and music formats in the history of the business. In just 74 days, he took New York City’s Z100 WHTZ from Worst to First in 1983 and it has dominated the market for 39 years.
Z100's Elvis Duran
Elvis Duran has hosted the morning show for the past 26 years and is the most listened-to morning show host in America. The two of them are fierce competitors today with Duran on Z100 and Shannon on Classic Hits WCBS 101.1 FM, but they have formed a lasting friendship built on mutual respect and admiration.
Together, they created Worst to First: The True Story of Z100 New York, a feature-length documentary that premieres tomorrow, February 11, on VOD platforms including Apple/iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, Vudu, and Microsoft. Additionally, it will be available on such cable platforms as InDemand (Comcast, Spectrum, Charter, Cox, Frontier, etc.) and DirectTV.
“What Scott Shannon did - taking a little swamp-based radio station and making it the greatest radio station in America - is the stuff of legend,” comments Duran. “Easy to say now, but this was Radio 101. Everyone in radio should know this story. I’m happy I had the chance to team with Scott and share this tale with the world.”
WCBS-FM's Scott Shannon
Shannon comments, “At first I thought the documentary was a crazy idea and I’m still a little suspicious. I’d like to thank Elvis for participating in this labor of love because I know he thought it was a wacky idea too!”
Worst to First portrays the against-all-odds inspirational story of New York City’s Z100. Shannon’s merry band of misfits began broadcasting from the swamps of New Jersey where no artist would venture and the DJs had to buy their own records just to have music to play on air. Fun, chaotic and aspirational, the film features Scott Shannon and other Hall of Fame radio personalities as well as industry legends like Clive Davis, Elvis Duran, Don Ienner, Tom Poleman and Patty Steele.
Iconic artists who exploded on Z100 such as Jon Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Tony Orlando, Nile Rodgers, and era superstars, Debbie Gibson and Taylor Dayne, all share their personal stories of the importance of the station, their love of radio and passion for performing music.
Capturing the times, personalities and music of the 80’s, Worst to First portrays the ultimate David and Goliath story that built the foundation behind the legacy that endures and continues to grow, reaching eight-digit audiences daily, and continuing to influence the face of media and entertainment.
Worst to First was directed, written and produced by Mitchell Stuart and produced by Trish Hunter Shannon, Elvis Duran, David Katz and John McConnell.
The cast includes Scott Shannon, Elvis Duran, Jon Bon Jovi, Nile Rodgers, Clive Davis, Debbie Gibson, Joan Jett, Taylor Dayne, Tony Orlando, Joe Piscopo, “Magic” Matthew Alan, “Professor” Jonathan B. Bell, Frankie Blue, Anita Bonita, Ross Brittain, Pete Cosenza, Michael Ellis, Gavin DeGraw, Cathy Donovan, Gary Fisher, Frank Foti, Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton, David Hinckley, Donnie Ienner, Jim Kerr, Steve Kingston, Ken Lane, Kenny Laguna, Jimi LaLumia, Tom Poleman, Geraldo Rivera, Trish Hunter Shannon, Patty Steele, Claire Stevens, Mitchell Stuart, John Sykes and Jim Wood. “Radio’s Best Friend,” Art Vuolo, contributed video.
