Portland OR Radio: Lars Larson Hosting Blue Fundraiser

Alpha Media, Portland announced that FM News KXL 101.1 FM’s Lars Larson is partnering today with Leader Capital and prominent Portland businessman Harry Merlo to host a fundraiser which benefits the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Leader Capital pledged to match total donations up to $15K, while Harry and Flo Merlo have pledged to match total donations up to $5K for a combined pledge to match total donations up to $20K.

Lars will broadcast both his regionally syndicated Pacific Northwest show and his nationally syndicated program from 12pm to 6pm PST. Listeners are invited to Paradise Harley-Davidson to show their support for law enforcement.

Larson commented on the announcement, “President John Adams observed that America is a nation of laws, not of men. But America’s laws mean very little if not enforced. Every day, almost a million men and women put on a uniform, a badge and a gun to do just that. They put their lives and their reputations on the line to keep us safe. Law enforcement has come under attack lately, from politicians, activists and assassins.  I think ‘Blue Lives’ matter and they come in every color and gender. When law enforcement comes under attack, Americans who believe in the law should stand up and come to their defense.”

“We are extremely excited about hosting this event and letting Law Enforcement Officers know that there are many people who truly support them and sincerely appreciate the job they do each day,” remarked Bruce Collins, KXL Operations Manager.

Solid Earnings Fuels Concern For SiriusXM Canada Shareholders

Solid quarterly earnings at Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc. are fuelling minority shareholder concerns that a proposal to take the satellite radio business private low-balls the company’s true value.

The offer of $4.50 per share in cash or stock, first announced in mid-May, has faced pushback from some minority shareholders, who will vote on the proposal at the end of August – which is later than expected.

Late Wednesday, Sirius XM Canada reported third-quarter earnings that were largely in line with or ahead of expectations, including a 3.5 per cent increase in revenue to $86-million and a 3.5 per cent increase in total subscribers to 2.75 million. Earnings were $7.2-million, or 6 cents a share, down 9.3 per cent year-over-year.

The company said it will release an information circular with further details on the proposed transaction no later than Aug. 4, ahead of a minority shareholder vote scheduled for Aug. 30.

Mark Redmond

On a conference call with analysts on Thursday, Mark Redmond, president and CEO of Sirius XM Canada, said the delay has been “all about the complexity of the transaction and nothing more.”

“We are confident that this transaction will maximize value for all stakeholders involved,” Mr. Redmond said, noting that the company’s board of directors and a special committee of the board overseeing the proposal recommend that shareholders approve it.

Sirius XM Canada's shares closed at $4.61 Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The $4.50 per share offer was calculated as a 22.3-per-cent premium on the company’s Feb. 11 share price, just before The Globe and Mail first reported plans to take the company private at a tentative price of $4.25 per share.

Yet the company’s solid third-quarter results are only adding to frustration among shareholders who feel the company’s offer is unfairly low. Sirius XM Canada reported free cash flow of $12.6-million for the third quarter, raising further questions about its decision to halt dividend payments pending the outcome of the privatization plan.

“Free cash flow is strong, so suspending the dividend was totally unjustified,” said Stephen Takacsy, chief investment officer at Montreal-based Lester Asset Management, which owns nearly a million shares in Sirius XM Canada. “The transaction isn’t done yet and it’s still our company, so public shareholders should still get their dividends.”

Three other institutional shareholders have expressed serious concerns about the deal, including Van Berkom and Associates Inc., a large minority shareholder that thinks the offer undervalues Sirius XM Canada “by a wide margin.”

Under the proposal, two of the largest Canadian shareholders – Slaight Communications Inc., which was built on radio assets, and Obelysk Media Inc., owned by Canadian businessman John Bitove – would each acquire 33.5 per cent of voting shares and 15 per cent of the company’s total equity. SiriusXM Holdings Inc., an American company that owns the SiriusXM brand in the U.S. as well as 32 per cent of the Canadian company, would own the rest of the equity.

The company’s other major shareholder, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., plans to sell its 12.5-per-cent stake, worth about $58-million at $4.50 a share.

If the transaction is approved, minority shareholders can accept $4.50 per share in cash, or take shares in the U.S. SiriusXM.

Relations between the Canadian Sirius XM and the U.S. parent company have at times been strained, most notably over a year-long dispute over activation fees from subscribers.

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The Mix Group Welcomes Newest Member to its Team

Wednesday at 10am ET, The Mix Group President Jason Garte, his wife Natally and their 2-year-old daughter Bella welcomed baby Daniel Jason Garte to the family.

Weighing in at 9 pounds, 12 oz and 21 inches tall, the healthy baby boy is Jason’s mini-me.

Jason comments, “The feelings are unreal.  I look down at Danny and he looks just like me! First we were blessed with an angelic baby girl.  Now I feel like we’re complete and it’s all thanks to Natally who magically transformed a mere couple into a family.”

Mom and baby are resting, happy and healthy.

July 15 Radio History

In 1913...country singer Cowboy (Lloyd) Copas was born in Adams County, Ohio. In the 1930’s he performed on radio shows for WLW and WKRC in Cincinnati. In 1940, he moved to Knoxville, where he performed on WNOX with his band, the Gold Star Rangers. In ’43, Copas achieved national fame when he replaced Eddy Arnold as a vocalist in the Pee Wee King band and began performing on the Grand Ole Opry. Hits included “Signed, Sealed and Delivered,” “Tennessee Waltz,” “Breeze,” “I’m Waltzing With Tears in My Eyes,” “Candy Kisses,” etc.  Copas was killed in a plane crash with Patsy Cline March 2, 1963.  He was only 49.

In 1929...“Music and the Spoken Word” debuted on KSL Salt Lake City.  It is still on the air today, the oldest continuous nationwide network broadcast in the world.  It is a 30-minute Sunday radio/TV/live streaming program of inspiring messages and music produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; the music is performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

In 2000…Douglas “Jocko” Henderson - WOV, WADO died.

Jocko Henderson

Henderson began his broadcast career in 1952 at Baltimore station WSID, and in 1953 began broadcasting in Philadelphia on WHAT.  He hosted a show called "Rocket Ship" out of New York radio stations WOV and WADO from 1954 to 1964, which was an early conduit for rock & roll.

He was known for a distinctive style of rhythmic patter in his radio voice, which he had learned from a Baltimore deejay, Maurice "Hot Rod" Hulbert.   Henderson continued on the stations WDAS and WHAT until 1974, as a personality  in Philadelphia and New York as well as hosting concerts in both cities and a TV music program in New York. 

In addition to Philadelphia, New York, and Baltimore, Henderson was also broadcast on stations in St. Louis, Detroit, Miami, and Boston.

In 1978, Henderson made an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district.   He also made some early rap records, recording 12" singles for Philadelphia International and Sugar Hill Records.

The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted Henderson into their Hall of Fame in 2004.

FCC: No New Rules On Retransmission Fights

(Reuters) -- The FCCs chairman said on Thursday he will not propose new rules on negotiations between broadcasters and pay-TV providers over retransmission rights.

In recent years, there have been a number of fights that have led to temporary blackouts of some channels on cable or satellite providers - including an ongoing dispute between DISH Network Corp and Tribune Media Co.

FCC chairman Tom Wheeler said in a blog post that "it is clear that more rules in this area are not what we need at this point."

Congress told the FCC in 2014 to look at its rules governing good-faith negotiations for retransmission consent. The FCC has a two-part framework to determine whether broadcasters and pay TV providers are negotiating in good faith.

Wheeler said what is not needed is "more rules, but for both sides in retransmission consent negotiations to take seriously their responsibility to consumers, who expect to watch their preferred broadcast programing without interruption and to receive the subscription TV service for which they pay."

The National Association of Broadcasters praised Wheeler for deciding no new rules are needed. "Broadcasters remain fully committed to reaching agreements with pay TV companies in good faith," said Dennis Wharton, a spokesman for the group.

Wheeler cited the dispute between DISH and Tribune as an example of the FCC's engagement in the issue.

Last month, Tribune chose to remove its television channels from Dish Network systems across the United States. Dish said its customers lost access to 42 local channels in 33 markets across 34 states and the District of Columbia. Its viewers also lost access to cable channel WGN America.

Dish has said Tribune is demanding an unreasonable rate increase and filed a lawsuit against Tribune, which Tribune called frivolous.

Tribune said Dish refused to reach an agreement based on "fair-market value" that Dish already pays other local station groups.

Wheeler summoned both parties to Washington to negotiate with staff. The FCC issued comprehensive information requests to both sides to determine whether they were meeting their duty to negotiate in good faith, Wheeler said. He said the FCC is currently reviewing their responses.

In 2013, U.S. broadcaster CBS went dark for millions of Time Warner Cable subscribers in the nation's two largest markets and other cities after the cable operator and CBS Corp failed to reach an agreement over fees. The blackout was resolved after a month.

FCC Votes To Advance 5G Networks

(Reuters) -- The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously Thursday to open substantial spectrum for next-generation high-speed 5G wireless applications and networks - a move that could eventually reshape significant portions of the U.S. economy.

The FCC approved opening nearly 11 gigahertz of high-frequency spectrum for mobile, flexible and fixed-use wireless broadband. The FCC said the new rules "will provide vital clarity for business investment in this area."

Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T Inc have said they will begin deploying 5G trials in 2017, and the first commercial deployments at scale are expected in 2020, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler said.

Tom Wheeler

Wheeler said 5G will help more Americans get access to high-speed internet. "This is a big day for our nation," he said, adding it could enable many innovations not yet imagined.

Policymakers and mobile phone companies say the next generation of wireless signals needs to be much faster and far more responsive to allow advanced technologies like virtual surgery or controlling machines remotely.

"There is seemingly no limit on how what we refer to as 5G could impact our everyday existence," FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn said. "A refrigerator that not only alerts you to a near empty egg carton, but automatically adds that item to a virtual shopping list, enabling a delivery to your door by week’s end, without any action from you."

There are still other questions to be answered before 5G networks are in place - including a standard definition of 5G and exactly how much spectrum is needed, commissioners said.

The FCC said the new rules balance spectrum use between new wireless services, satellite operations and federal government use.

Jessica Rosenworcel

The FCC will make spectrum available and rely on a process led by the private sector for producing technical standards.

New 5G networks are expected to provide speeds more than 10 times faster than today’s 4G networks, the FCC said.

The technology could improve traffic by installing sensors in streetlights, roadside architecture, and cars. It could help monitor pollution by installing sensors in trees to gauge environmental impacts.

"We are on the cusp of cars that drive themselves, streets that can be safer, emergency services that are more effective, healthcare that is more personalized, and more capability across the board because we are more connected," FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said.

There is a worldwide race to adopt 5G. South Korea and Japan plan to deploy 5G service by the time they host the Olympics, in 2018 and 2020, respectively. The European Commission, South Korea, China and Japan are all working on 5G research efforts.

Report: iHM's Pittman Under Consideration For Viacom CEO

Lawyers for besieged Viacom boss Philippe Dauman have begun settlement talks with entrenched foes — Shari Redstone and her 93-year-old founder father, Sumner — to try to end the nonstop litigation over who’s running the company, The NY Post is reporting.

Dauman accuses Shari Redstone of stepping into the void caused by Sumner’s mental incapacitation and masterminding an unauthorized corporate takeover of her dad’s $40 billion media empire, which includes CBS.

Shari’s pirating of Viacom included dismissing Dauman from the family trust and the board of Viacom’s controlling entity, National Amusements, Inc.

Dauman’s legal eagles at Paul Weiss believe they could leverage a winning hand to keep their client at Viacom’s wheel for another 18 months, sources said.

Meanwhile, she is continuing to spend big on numerous legal fronts to hasten Dauman’s exit. Courts in Delaware and Massachusetts have yet to decide whether to hear questions of Sumner Redstone’s competency.

“He [Dauman] knows he’s out, why not have a soft landing?” said a source close to the talks. “He’s thinking, ‘I’ll drag it out, or we can steady the ship and hold hands.’”

Meanwhile, Shari Redstone is reportedly working through a shortlist of prospective new CEOs for Viacom, even without a clear idea of when — or if — Dauman gets the ax.

Candidates include iHeartMedia’s Bob Pittman, former Sony TV chief Steve Mosko, DreamWorks Animation’s Jeffrey Katzenberg and former Disney top exec Thom Staggs, several sources confirm.

Viacom shares fell 1.4 percent on Wednesday, to $44.80.

NPR Stations Will Be Able To Stream Via iHeartRadio

iHeartMedia today announced an agreement with NPR that will allow its Member stations to make their live News Talk programming available via iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s free all-in-one digital music and live streaming radio service.

Through this agreement, more than 260 NPR Member stations will have the opportunity to stream their live programming on iHeartRadio, which is available across more than 80 unique device platforms including in-home entertainment, wearables, gaming consoles, enhanced auto dashboards and more. iHeartRadio has over a billion app downloads, more than 85 million registered users and its network reaches more than 85 million social followers offering these public radio stations the ability to reach millions of new listeners nationwide.

In support of the public radio mission, all stations that join iHeartRadio will also have access to fifty percent of their individual iHeartRadio landing page’s digital banner inventory to encourage listeners to donate and directly support the station’s public programming.

“The addition of NPR’s Member stations helps to create even more signature audio content for iHeartRadio listeners,” said Darren Davis, President of iHeartRadio & iHeartMedia Networks. “By joining forces, it is the perfect way for public radio stations to reach listeners on new platforms and to provide iHeartRadio users with additional high-quality News Talk programming wherever they are.”

“As part of our commitment to meeting audiences wherever they may be, this agreement provides another option for audiences to find public radio on their preferred listening platforms,” said Stephanie Miller, Managing Director of NPR Digital Services.

“iHeartRadio has been a valuable partner in helping us deliver and promote the content audiences most want, from The Current’s Prince music marathon, to our kids’ stream Rock the Cradle to Garrison Keillor’s final broadcast as host of A Prairie Home Companion,” said Diana Flotten, Director, Digital Partnerships and Business Development at American Public Media.

Public radio fans can visit iHeartRadio.com to check out all the available News Talk programming. iHeartRadio offers instant access to thousands of live radio stations from across the country, custom artist stations from a catalog of more than 24 million songs and 830,000 artists, on-demand podcasts and its newest feature “My Favorites Radio” which combines all of a listener’s favorite artists and thumbed up songs in one station personalized just for them.

Celebs Support Jennifer Aniston's Take On Media Sexism

Jennifer Aniston

(Reuters) - Hollywood celebrities are lining up behind actress Jennifer Aniston after she penned a blog criticizing the media for the way it scrutinizes female stars.

Melissa McCarthy, Jason Bateman and Olivia Wilde were among the A-Listers who showed their support.

"Everybody needs to stop tearing down women," McCarthy, 45, said on "Entertainment Tonight," after declaring she was "one hundred thousand billion percent" behind Aniston.

Former "Friends" star Aniston, 47, published the blog, "For the Record," on the Huffington Post on Tuesday, writing that she was sick of being harassed by photographers and tabloid reporters.

"For the record, I am not pregnant," she wrote. "What I am is fed up. I'm fed up with the sport-like scrutiny and body shaming that occurs daily under the guise of 'journalism,' the 'First Amendment' and 'celebrity news.'"

"The objectification and scrutiny we put women through is absurd and disturbing," Aniston also wrote, saying that "we define a woman's value based on her marital and maternal status."

Aniston's husband, actor Justin Theroux, posted an image of her to his Instagram page with the hashtag #wcw for "Woman Crush Wednesday." He linked to her letter and wrote, "Here's just one reason why."

#wcw Here's just one reason why. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_57855586e4b03fc3ee4e626f #gogirl

A photo posted by @justintheroux on Jul 13, 2016 at 5:25am PDT

Aniston, who People magazine named as the most beautiful woman of 2016 in April, said she wrote the blog because she "wanted to participate in a larger conversation" even though she does not use social media.

The blog post was "liked" on Facebook more than 27,000 times by Wednesday afternoon.

“The way I am portrayed by the media is simply a reflection of how we see and portray women in general, measured against some warped standard of beauty,” Aniston wrote.

NBA Stars Speak Out Against Violence, Profiling

ESPN's annual ESPY Awards opened last night (July 13th) with NBA stars LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade speaking out against gun violence and racial profiling, and calling on fellow athletes to do more in their communities, educate themselves on the issues, and renounce violence, saying, "Enough is enough."

They spoke after a week that saw the police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, sparking nationwide protests, and the murders of five Dallas police officers in revenge.

Anthony said, "The events of the past week have put a spotlight on the injustice, distrust and anger that plague so many of us. The system is broken. The problems are not new, the violence is not new and the racial divide is definitely not new. But the urgency to create change is at an all-time high."

Wade stated, "The racial profiling has to stop. The shoot-to-kill mentality has to stop. Not seeing the value of black and brown bodies has to stop. But also the retaliation has to stop."

James noted that the ESPYs would be honoring the late Muhammad Ali, and said, "To do his legacy any justice, let's use this moment as a call to action for all professional athletes. To educate ourselves, explore these issues, speak up, use our influence and renounce all violence."


The four athletes reportedly asked the network to open the show.

Miami TV Station Suspends Host Over 'Martyr' Remark

Kalyn James

A Miami-area PBS Affailitie WPBT2 TV has suspended host Kalyn Chapman James for calling Micah Xavier Johnson, the man who killed five police officers at an anti-police-brutality march in Dallas last week, a "martyr" in a video she posted Sunday.

In a video, James, filming from her car after church, said she'd been feeling torn up and conflicted over the recent shooting in Dallas.

"My heart weeps, but I think more than anything, I'm dealing with a bit of guilt," she said before bursting into tears.

"Because I don't feel sad for the officers that lost their lives. I know that's really not my heart. I value human life. And I want to feel sad for them, but I can't help but feeling like the shooter was a martyr. And I know it's not the right way to feel because nobody deserves to lose their lives."



But, she said, she was "so torn up in her heart" about the recent shootings of black men such as Louisiana's Alton Sterling and Minnesota's Philando Castile that she "can't help but feel like I wasn't surprised by what the [Dallas] shooter did."

James, a former beauty queen who became the first black Miss Alabama, currently hosts the program Art Loft on WPBT2, Miami's PBS affiliate.

In response to James' video, WPBT2 announced via Twitter that it had placed James on temporary administrative leave while the station "carefully looks further into the matter:

WPBT2's statement regarding comments made by one of its contractors surrounding the tragic events in Dallas. pic.twitter.com/WCDvVq0eOi

— WPBT2 (@WPBT2) July 11, 2016