NYC Radio: WFAN's Boomer Esiason and Gio Dominate

WFAN 660 AM /101.9 FM secured another decisive victory over WEPN ESPN 98.7 FM New York in the quarterly winter radio ratings book, leading by wide margins in every segment of the daytime schedule.

Neil Best at Newsday reports the morning show starring Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti ranked first among all stations in the New York area among men ages 25-54, averaging 12.1% of that key audience for advertisers.

That was up from 9.7% in the autumn book and was far ahead of ESPN, which ranked 14th overall for the winter with 3.0% of the key demographic tuning in.

On Jan. 3, ESPN moved to a more local-centric lineup, starting with Rick DiPietro and Dave Rothenberg going head-to-head with WFAN from 6 to 10 a.m.

The winter book covered the period from Jan. 5 through March 29. Results were released by Nielsen Audio on Tuesday and obtained by Newsday from an industry source.

The ratings for the WFAN morning show were up 36% over last winter.

From 3 to 6:30 p.m., when the stations’ afternoon shows are head-to-head, WFAN’s Craig Carton and Evan Roberts ranked third overall at 7.7% of men 25-54 compared to ESPN New York’s “The Michael Kay Show” at 15th and 2.9%.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., WFAN’s Tiki Barber and Brandon Tierney finished fourth with 5.7% of the audience compared to ESPN’s 15th and 2.5%.

All data includes both over-the-air and streaming numbers but not the shows’ TV simulcasts.

Boston Radio: The Sports Hub Dominates WEEI

In the winter Nielsen Audio ratings, WBZ-FM 98.5 The Sports Hub ran away from the field once again, finishing first by an exponential margin in sports radio’s desired men 25-54 demographic and crushing longtime rival WEEI, which saw a huge decline from the fall.

The Boston Globe reports The Sports Hub averaged a 19.4 share, finishing first in all day parts, nights, and weekends, from the period of Jan. 5-March 29. Classic rock station WZLX was a distant second this winter with a 7.5 share.

The Sports Hub’s winter share was nearly five times the share of fellow sports radio station WEEI, which finished tied for eighth with a 4.0.

That was a significant falloff for WEEI since the fall, when it finished second with a 9.0 share to the Sports Hub’s 19.6 share.

The winter period was WEEI’s first since shaking up its lineup with moves that took effect Jan. 3.

Those changes included pairing former afternoon drive host Christian Fauria in middays with Andy Gresh, moving previous midday cohost Rich Keefe to evenings, and parting ways with afternoon drive cohost Lou Merloni. (Merloni remains part of the station’s Red Sox broadcasts.)

WEEI also did not renew the contract of evening host Mike Mutnansky.

Additionally, Adam Jones (formerly of the Sports Hub) joined WEEI as an afternoon drive host (with Meghan Ottolini and Christian Arcand) beginning Jan. 30.

As for how it broke down over specific day parts:

TV Ratings: CBS and '60 Minutes' Tops For The Week

CBS had seven of the eight highest-rated programs for the week, led by “60 Minutes,” to finish first in the network race for the fifth consecutive week, eighth time in nine weeks and 10th time in 12 weeks. The first-place finish was the third for “60 Minutes” in the last five weeks. CBS’ coverage of the NCAA men’s Final Four accounted for the other two first-place finishes during that span.

For a broadcast consisting of an interview with author David Grann and a double-length segment on Google’s advancements in artificial intelligence, “60 Minutes” averaged 7.376 million viewers. It was the only prime-time program between April 10 and Sunday to average more than 7 million viewers, according to The L-A Times citing live-plus-same-day figures released by Nielsen Tuesday.

CBS had five of the six other programs to top 6 million viewers — “Young Sheldon” (6.883 million), “FBI” (6.837 million), “NCIS” (6.832 million), “The Equalizer” (6.527 million) and “Ghosts” (6.257 million) — and averaged 4.5 million viewers for the week.

ABC’s coverage of the Sacramento Kings’ 126-123 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of their NBA Western Conference first-round series Saturday, which averaged 6.257 million viewers, had the biggest audience of any program not on CBS, tying the supernatural comedy “Ghosts” for sixth. The game had the biggest audience for any Saturday night NBA opening playoff game on ABC.

NBA playoffs coverage enabled ABC to end its four-week post-Oscars streak of third-place finishes among the broadcast networks as it landed in second, averaging 3.44 million viewers. Its top-ranked non-NBA program was the Sunday edition of “American Idol,” ninth for the week, averaging 5.35 million viewers.

NBC dropped to third following four consecutive second-place finishes, averaging 2.5 million viewers for a schedule that included a recap show of “The Voice” and reruns of its three Chicago series and three “Law & Order” series. “The Voice” was NBC’s ratings leader, averaging 4.022 million viewers, 22nd among the week’s broadcast and cable programs.

Fox averaged 1.82 million viewers for its programming. The procedural drama “9-1-1” was its top show, averaging 4.477 million viewers, 19th for the week. Each of the four original episodes of “9-1-1” to air in 2023 have led Fox’s rankings.

The top 20 prime-time programs consisted of “60 Minutes”; 12 CBS scripted programs and its alternative series “Survivor”; three ABC alternative programs — the April 10 and Sunday editions of “American Idol” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos”; two NBA playoff games — one each on ABC and TNT; and Fox’s “9-1-1.”

ESPN To Begin Layoffs Early Next Week

ESPN will begin layoffs early next week as part of parent company Disney’s cost cutting efforts, according to CNBC citing people familiar with the matter.

Cuts will include some on-air talent and management, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. The number of layoffs at ESPN is unclear and the decision process is still fluid.

Disney is eliminating 7,000 jobs in three rounds, with the second round happening next week, said the people. The company will also lay off about 15% of the staff in its entertainment division next week, Bloomberg reported this week.

Disney’s first round of cuts occurred last month and included its metaverse strategies unit and part of its Beijing office.

Disney is slashing costs under CEO Bob Iger as it tries to boost free cash flow as streaming losses persist. ESPN is interested in renewing a contract with the National Basketball Association and will likely have to pay a significant premium on the $1.4 billion per year rights fee it already pays the league. Renewal discussions with the NBA are already taking place, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Disney said earlier this year it plans to cut $5.5 billion in costs, including $3 billion in content spending.

ESPN laid off about 300 employees in 2020.

Michael Irvin Remains Suspended From ESPN

Michael Irvin won’t be part of the NFL’s extensive draft coverage as the former Cowboys star remains embroiled in the fallout of an encounter that took place at this year’s Super Bowl.

The Dallas Morning News reports the league sent out a release Wednesday detailing the more than 75 hours of content the NFL Network will broadcast over the course of next week for one of its signature events. Irvin’s name was not included in the long list of contributors.

When asked to clarify Irvin’s status, Alex Riethmiller, the NFL media vice president of communications, said the Hall of Fame receiver “remains suspended.’’

Irvin was part of the NFL Draft Kickoff Show last year, interviewing prospects on the red carpet along with Melissa Stark. That role will be filled solely by Stark this year.

Michael Irvin

Irvin was scheduled to be part of the NFL Network’s coverage of Super Bowl LVII two months ago. The Sunday before the game, after having dinner and drinks with a former Cowboys teammate, Irvin returned to the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown hotel before 11 p.m.

An interaction with a female employee of the property in the lobby a short time later resulted in a sexual harassment complaint, Irvin’s removal from the hotel and Riethmiller telling the The News that Irvin would no longer be part of the network’s Super Bowl coverage. A scheduled appearance on ESPN that week was also canceled.

Irvin has repeatedly maintained his innocence, saying he’s baffled how a brief, cordial and largely non-physical encounter could be viewed in this context. He has filed a $100 million lawsuit against Marriott for defamation and tortious interference in a business relationship. Originally filed in Collin County, the suit was later moved and refiled at an Arizona state court in Maricopa County.

Video surveillance footage from the hotel shows Irvin shaking hands with the woman twice. He also extends his right arm and touches her arm on two occasions, with the woman taking a step back both times.

No audio has been released. But the employee asserts Irvin made a lewd comment and added he would find her later in her work week.

Chicago Radio: Kenzie K Joins Q101's Morning Crew

Cumulus Media  announces that it has appointed Kenzie Roman (known on-air as Kenzie K) as Co-Host of “Q101 Morning Crew,” on Q101 – Chicago’s Alternative (WKQX-FM). Kenzie K debuts on “Q101 Morning Crew” with co-hosts Brian Haddad and Justin Nettlebeck on Tuesday, May 2nd. The popular morning radio show airs Monday through Friday from 6:00am-10:00am.

Kenzie K

Kenzie K joins Q101 from B96 (WBBM-FM) in Chicago. She was previously heard on KDWB-FM in Minneapolis, MN, and on WLLD-FM in Tampa Bay, FL. Kenzie K is also seen on “The MVP Game” on Marquee Sports Network, home of the Chicago Cubs, and is a multi-year co-host of the Emmy Award-winning New Year’s Eve special, “Countdown Chicago,” on ABC-7 Chicago.

Troy Hanson, Program Director, Q101, VP/Operations, Cumulus Chicago, and VP/Programming, Rock Formats, Cumulus Media, said: “After an extensive search of strong candidates to add to The Q101 Morning Crew, we are incredibly pleased to have Kenzie K joining the team. Her energy, personality, and comedy chops are simply undeniable. From the moment we met with her, we knew we had found exactly what we were looking for to enhance our strong Q101 lineup.”

Kenzie K, commented: “A morning show in Chicago has always been a huge dream and goal of mine, so I’m beyond excited and grateful that my dream will come true with Brian and Justin on the legendary Q101!”

Jax Radio: Toni Foxx Lands Wake-Up Duty At WEZI

Easy 102.9 (WEZI) has announced that Toni Foxx will be its new morning show host. Foxx is a seasoned radio and TV personality with over a decade of experience.

Foxx has worked at various radio stations in Virginia, Ohio and Florida. During her time as a radio morning show host, Foxx also hosted a TV show for Tegna Broadcasting in Jacksonville from 2014 to 2017. Most recently, Foxx was the morning show co-host for almost 20 years at competitor WQIK.

Toni Foxx

“I’m delighted to join the team at Easy 102.9 and connect with our listeners every morning,” said Toni Foxx. “I look forward to bringing my energy and passion for music to Jacksonville’s airwaves once again and becoming a part of this vibrant Easy 102.9 community.”

Foxx graduated from Ashland University with a bachelor’s degree in Radio & TV Broadcasting.

“We’re thrilled to have Toni Foxx join our team at Easy 102.9,” said Jud Heussler, Easy 102.9’s Director of Branding and Programing. “Toni is an incredible talent who has built a loyal following throughout her career in radio. Her expertise and passion for music, combined with her fun and engaging personality, make her the perfect fit for our station and our morning show.”

Starting Monday, April 24, Foxx will be on air Monday – Friday 6 am-10 am.

4/20 WAKE-UP CALL: Leakers' Military Unit Faces Scrutiny

The Air Force inspector general is investigating whether the intelligence unit of an Air National Guardsman who allegedly shared highly classified intelligence complied with anti-leak procedures. One concern is whether the 102nd Intelligence Wing effectively disposed of printed secret documents. Defense officials said that maybe nothing happened that isn’t endemic to dozens of other such units, but it’s the first sign of a push to hold people accountable. If the probe finds wrongdoing, more charges could follow. Separately, a detention hearing for Jack Teixeira, charged with taking and sharing government secrets, was postponed for roughly two weeks to give his lawyers more time to address issues prosecutors raised. Teixeira hasn’t yet entered a plea. His public defenders declined to comment.

⚡️BREAKING: The United States has arrested several individuals in a “significant national security matter”.

It is suspected that these arrests are tied to the “Discord Leaks” of national security documents. More details will follow. https://t.co/42TAWpbWRa pic.twitter.com/762AuSgTf0

— The Enforcer (@ItsTheEnforcer) April 17, 2023

Treason and espionage laws are increasingly popular weapons in Russia’s arsenal. Moscow is using them to silence critics of the war against Ukraine. Journalists and activists risk longer sentences than they did before the invasion, Russian lawyers and human-rights defenders say, and prosecutors often add more severe charges including terrorism and extremism to acts of dissent that were previously punished with petty fines or suspended sentences. Moscow-based rights group OVD-Info counted 10 espionage and treason cases in March, including the detention of reporter Evan Gershkovich on a spying allegation that the WSJ and the U.S. government vehemently deny.

'Elitist' AOC lambasted for objecting to NYPD raises: 'Her facts are wrong' https://t.co/M18wUbphNm

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 20, 2023

➤IRS AGENT WANTS TO BLOW WHISTLE ON HUNTER PROBE: An IRS Criminal Supervisory Agent seeking whistleblower protection claims the investigation into Hunter Biden is being mishandled by the Biden administration. In a letter dated April 19, 2023, attorney Mark D. Lytle of the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Nixon Peabody LLP tells members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate that his client has been overseeing the "ongoing and sensitive investigation of a high-profile, controversial subject since early 2020 and would like to make protected whistleblower disclosures to Congress." In Wednesday’s letter, Lytle said his client has already made legally protected disclosures internally at the IRS. The protected disclosures, Lytle notes, "contradict sworn testimony to Congress by a senior political appointee.

➤SUPREME COURT PUTS HOLD ON ABORTION PILL BAN: The Supreme Court allowed the abortion pill to remain on the market through Friday. Justice Samuel Alito extended the pause on a lower-court order that would limit access to mifepristone, so the court has more time to decide how to rule. The Biden administration and a drug maker filed emergency appeals to keep the pill available during ongoing litigation over the FDA’s approval more than 20 years ago. Antiabortion groups had challenged the original approval and more recent regulations that made mifepristone easier to get. The drug is used in more than half of abortions.

More Cases Pending For Dominion

Dominion Voting Systems did more on Tuesday than settle its lawsuit against Fox News for $787.5 million: It also set the tone for the many related defamation cases it has filed.

Legal experts say the settlement with Fox News, one of the largest defamation payouts in American history, could embolden Dominion as it continues to defend its reputation, which it says was savaged by conspiracy theories about vote fraud during the 2020 election. The company has several cases pending against public figures including Mike Lindell, the MyPillow executive, and news outlets such as Newsmax.

The targets of Dominion’s remaining lawsuits, few of which have deep pockets and legal firepower at Fox’s level, are likely to take a cue from Dominion and Fox’s face-off, legal experts said.

“Even though it was a settlement, it certainly was a victory for Dominion,” said Margaret M. Russell, a law professor at Santa Clara University. “For other possible defendants, I don’t think this will make them double down; it will make them fearful.”

Dominion is the second-largest election technology company operating in the United States, where there are few other major players. The company, whose majority owner is the private equity firm Staple Street Capital, was made “toxic” by the false fraud narratives in 2020, one of Staple Street’s founders said in court documents. At one point, Dominion estimated that misinformation had cost it $600 million in profits.

After Fox Settlement, Assault on Media Protections To Continue

The last-minute settlement of Dominion Voting Systems’ lawsuit against Fox News defused a high-stakes test of the First Amendment protections afforded to the media. But more challenges are likely on the horizon, according to The NY Times.

Nearly 60 years after the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in New York Times v. Sullivan, which made it harder for public figures to win libel cases against the media, the landmark ruling is under sustained assault from judges, politicians and lawyers, most but not all of them conservatives.

Spotify CEO Lobby's Lawmakers About Apple's 'Power'

Spotify Technology SA’s chief executive officer is engaged in a Washington charm offensive this week that he hopes will convince the US government to curb the power of his company’s nemesis, Apple Inc.

Bloomberg reports Daniel Ek, who is also the company’s co-founder, said in an interview that he’s taking a “bipartisan” approach as he encourages lawmakers to reintroduce policies that would lessen Apple’s enormous control over its app store.

He said he’s had meetings with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer among many others on his first trip to Washington in years.

Daniel Ek

Ek added that Spotify’s recent clashes with Apple over audiobooks prompted him to get personally engaged in the fight.

“That got me to feel like this is untenable,” Ek said, referring to Apple rejecting Spotify’s new audiobook features several times before allowing it in a limited capacity last year.

Ek said that audiobooks would play an important role in the Swedish company’s future, but right now the experience of buying audiobooks from Spotify on the Apple app store is “pretty horrible.”

Apple said in a statement that “the Spotify app was rejected for not following the guidelines regarding including explicit in-app communications to direct users outside the app to make digital purchases. We provided them with clear guidance on how to resolve the issue, and approved their app after they made changes that brought it into compliance.”

Ek’s visit comes as legislation known as the Open App Markets Act has stalled in Congress after Schumer chose not to bring it to the floor for a vote last year.