True Oldies Channel Goes Online

Radio Personality Scott Shannon has decided to keep his  True Oldies Channel alive...online.

Westwood One ended distribution of Scott Shannon's True Oldies channel yesterday.  Shannon, morning host at WCBS 101.1 FM in NYC, has decided to keep playin' the oldies online for now.  He hinted the format might soon return to broadcast radio.

In a Facebook posting, Shannon directs followers to TrueOldiesChannel.com, where his blend of mostly '60s and '70s hits streams commercial-free.

"We didn't have much time to get something together after we found out that we were getting tossed off the radio," Shannon stated. "However, we did manage to get everything needed to set up our own internet station on short notice!"

Not long after he left Cumulus Media-owned hot AC WPLJ 95.5 FMin February and joined CBS Radio classic hits WCBS-FM, Westwood One announced plans to transition the nearly 100 stations carrying the True Oldies format to its Good Time Oldies format.

July 1 In Radio History

In 1911…Radio Division of Department of Commerce created

In 1920…GE and AT&T sign cross-license agreement


In 1934…The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) became the new regulator of U.S. broadcasting, replacing the Federal Radio Commission.

In 1968…CHUM 104.5 FM changed formats from classical to progressive rock. The station now airs a Hot AC format.

In 1987…WFAN-AM, New York became the first 24/7 All-Sports Radio station

At 3:00 p.m. on July 1, 1987, Emmis Communications-owned WFAN signed on at 1050 kHz, replacing country music station WHN, and billing itself as the world's first 24-hour-per-day sports talk station. (The WFAN call sign was suggested by the wife of "The Fan's" first program director, John Chanin.   The first voice heard on WFAN was that of Suzyn Waldman, with a sports update,  followed by the first show, which was hosted by Jim Lampley. Waldman reported for the station, covering the New York Yankees and New York Knicks for 14 years.

Other hosts besides Lampley during WFAN's fifteen months at 1050 kHz included Bill Mazer, Pete Franklin, Greg Gumbel, Art Shamsky, and Ed Coleman. Ann Liguori is also one of the original hosts and was the first woman to host a show on the station. WFAN also inherited broadcast rights to the defending World Series champion New York Mets from WHN, who had held the rights for several years.

In early 1988 General Electric, which now owned NBC through its purchase of RCA two years earlier, announced that it would close the NBC Radio division and sell its stations. In February of that year GE made a multi-station deal with Emmis and, in New York, the WNBC license for 660 was included in the sale. On October 7, 1988 at 5:30 p.m., WFAN moved down the radio dial to replace WNBC at 660 kHz. 

Wolfman Jack

In 1995…Wolfman Jack died at his home in North Carolina at age 57.

Wolfman Jack had finished broadcasting his last live radio program, a weekly program nationally syndicated from Planet Hollywood in downtown Washington, D.C. 

Wolfman Jack said that night, "I can't wait to get home and give Lou a hug, I haven't missed her this much in years." Wolfman had been on the road, promoting his new autobiography. 

"He walked up the driveway, went in to hug his wife and then just fell over," said Lonnie Napier, vice president of Wolfman Jack Entertainment.

CBS Radio Promotes Michael Martin To Sr/VP Programming

Michael Martin

Michael Martin has been named to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Programming and Music Initiatives; it was announced today by Chris Oliviero, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS RADIO.

He will continue to be based in San Francisco where he serves as Program Director of KLLC-FM and KMVQ-FM.  The appointment is effective immediately.

In this role, Martin will be CBS RADIO’s lead executive liaison with the music industry, labels, managers and artists across all formats, working hand in hand with the division’s format vice presidents and program directors.

Additionally, Martin’s responsibilities will include the development and integration of music content across CBS RADIO’s live events and Radio.com digital platform.  Chad Fitzsimmons, Director, Music Initiatives will report to Martin.

“Michael has a deep understanding of radio and its audience, coupled with solid relationships in the business, and an unmatched enthusiasm for all things music,” said Oliviero.  “As we continue to evolve our long-standing and mutually beneficial partnership with the music industry, having Michael as our driving force and ambassador will produce immediate results for everyone involved.  Plus he also likes to stay out late so this makes him even more qualified for the position.”

Martin joined CBS RADIO in 2009 following a career managing the operations and programming for a number of stations in Los Angeles and San Francisco, including serving as Program Director of KYSR-FM, KMEL-FM, KYLD-FM and KIOI-FM.  He began his career as Music Director of KIIS-FM and would later be named Senior Vice President for Clear Channel’s West Coast programming operations, and Operations Manager of the Los Angeles cluster of stations.

Nielsen: V-O-D Users Also Watch More Live TV

Focusing on the growing impact of the video-on-demand (VOD) platform on the media landscape, Nielsen’s Q1 2014 Cross-Platform Report reflects that VOD users of all ethnicities actually watch more TV—live or time-shifted—than non-VOD users. Overall, people in VOD homes watch an hour and five minutes of live television per day, compared with the 54 minutes of live TV time among non-VOD users. This was found to be true over all VOD platforms measured by Nielsen.

Highlighting industry shifts that have been occurring pursuant to the Upfront presentations, Nielsen’s most-downloaded report focused on the growing impact of digital as well as some early conversations around shifting currency models. The increased availability of content has helped power what Nielsen has coined the video viewing curve: as mobile device penetration coupled with on-demand options continue to grow, viewers spend more time watching.

According to Nielsen’s Cross-Platform Report, over the last two years, VOD has come of age. Currently available in more than 60 percent of U.S. household, VOD is increasingly contributing to the viewing potential and has emerged as a legitimate choice for consumers who might not have a DVR or simply missed recording last night’s episode. On average recently telecast VOD contributes between 4 and 5 percent in the coveted 18-49 demographic. The platform is appealing to younger demos and Asian-Americans, whose overall contribution through VOD is 8 percent.

“The great news for advertisers looking to connect with viewers is that video-on-demand users of all ethnicities actually watch more TV—live or otherwise!” shared Dounia Turrill, SVP Insights, Nielsen. “As we saw in this year’s Upfronts, today’s viewers are making device and platform choices that have a profound impact on the meaning of television and video. Americans continue to watch over five hours of traditional television per day. However, daily time spent watching time-shifted content has continued to rise, as has using the Internet on a computer and using a mobile device. With Nielsen incorporating mobile viewing in traditional television ratings as well as digital ratings in the fall, next year’s Upfronts and Newfronts will be fueled by new data. ”

The Cross-Platform Report: Click Here.

Rdio: Dickey Says It's Not Generating Revenue..Yet

Lew Dickey Jr.

Cumulus Media Inc. CEO Lew Dickey Jr. says the company got involved with Rdio not because of Pandora, but because of iHeartRadio.

In an interview with the AP, the 52-year-old Dickey says Rdio provides Cumulus with a 'bridge to the future'.  It got a  15 percent stake in Rdio in exchange for providing $75 million worth of promotional airtime on its stations. Cumulus also gets to sell ads for Rdio's free mobile service under the deal starting in July.

As to the strategy for Rdio, Dickey told the AP:  "This is a scale business. Rdio's in 51 countries. Janus Friis (who co-founded Skype) has spent close to $200 million on this business to build it. This is a business that will be a global scale business and I think there will be handful of survivors at the end of the day. I believe the digital music space today is very nascent. I liken it to the Myspace phase of social. I don't think it's clear who the winners are going to be."

He also disclosed Rdio isn't a revenue generator yet. Adding, "we've got a business that's growing, we've got a business that's generating an enormous amount of cash, and we're positioning this business for the long run."

Chicago Radio: WLS-FM, Eddie&Jobo Deal Falls Apart

Eddie & Jobo

The deal that would have brought Ed Volkman and Joe Calborn to mornings at WLS 94.7 FM has fallen apart.  Not only that but the Eddie & Jobo partnership apparently has come to an end.

The news first came in a weekend post From Chicago media blogger Robert Feder.

Two bumps in the road:

• An apparent rift between the duo.
• Jobo reluctance to get back into the routine. As eager as Volkman was to accept the deal, he couldn’t convince his longtime partner to agree.

Well, that's all, folks. There will be no Eddie & Jobo anymore. The offer was there but only one of us wanted it. Hope he finds happiness.
— Eddie Volkman (@EddieVolkman) June 28, 2014

Sources told Feder the duo had been offered a 2½-year deal to host mornings on classic hits WLS FM 94.7. As first reported here last week, talks began in May when the two met with John Dickey, co-chief operating officer and E/VP of Cumulus Media. According to Volkman, the deal would have paid each one of them $200,000 through January and another $500,000 a year for the next two years after that.

The two have been off the air since December 2012 when CBS Radio dropped them from classic hits WJMK 104.3 FM. Since then, Colborn moved full-time to Freeport, Illinois. Volkman continues to live in Chicago.

As for the deal, “Who turns that down?” Volkman asked rhetorically. “They offered him a microphone from his house, everything . . . Apparently Jobo saved his money while I put four kids through college and paid child support. Also he’s terrified of Jan Jeffries,” referring to the senior VP corporate/programming for Cumulus Media and PD of WLS FM.

The duo are best known for their 26 year run at WBBM 96.3 FM B96, for 24 years from 1984 to 2008. They were fired from B96 in 2008 and were hired by WLS-AM as Saturday night talk show hosts in 2010.  On March 10, 2011, it was announced that the duo would be returning to the CBS Radio Chicago cluster as the morning show on the new WJMK 104.3 FM K-HITS starting March 14, 2011. It was announced on December 6, 2012 Eddie & JoBo had their last day on 104.3 KHiTs.

Thanks to all the people who've ascertained that my talents haves been overshadowed by a loudmouth blowhard all these years. New chapter!
— Eddie Volkman (@EddieVolkman) June 29, 2014

For the first time in more than 25 years, Volkman is now seeking work solo.

DC Radio: Matt Drudge Gives Rare Interview to WTOP

Matt Drudge

Matt Drudge, creator of drudgereport.com, gave a rare interview to WTOP 103.5 FM on Friday when he stopped by the glass-enclosed nerve center and sat down with Hillary Howard and Shawn Anderson.

Drudge talked about how D.C. has changed, how the summer is shaping up news-wise and the state of the media business.

He also said it's an exciting time to be in news. "It's not going away anytime soon, and I approach it every time I get in front of a computer as 'This is exciting. This is not old. This is not boring. ... And the more people involved, the better."

When asked how he felt about an increasingly partisan press, Drudge says, "But the country is divided. All of these polls are always divided. Capitol Hill is divided. How can you say the airwaves or the website should not be divided. We are."

LISTEN TO INTERVIEW: Click Here.

Aereo TV Streaming Service Now On "Pause"

On behalf of the entire team at Aereo, thank you for the outpouring of support. It has been staggering and we are so grateful.
— Aereo (@Aereo) June 28, 2014

Streaming television service Aereo pulled the plug on its service Saturday, after the Supreme Court ruled last Wednesday that its business is illegal.

The court said that Aereo's service violates copyright law because the firm did not pay the same fees as cable companies when streaming live television broadcasts to devices such as computers, tablets and smartphones.

Service in all of Aereo's 11 markets nationwide stopped as of 11:30 a.m. Eastern on Saturday. All subscribers will be refunded for their last paid month, Aereo chief executive Chet Kanoja said in a letter sent to customers and posted on the company's Web site.

Read Chet’s letter to consumers in its entirety here: http://t.co/YxP6x2HQsc
— Aereo (@Aereo) June 28, 2014

Seattle Radio: Personality Ichabod Caine Leaves Radio

Ichabod Caine

Seattle legendary personality Ichabod Caine hosted his final show Friday afternoon on Everett/Seattle market Classic Country KKXA 1520 AM, where he has been hosting p.m. drive since October 2013.

The station's Facebook page notes he and his wife Scallops are planning to travel and pursue photography.

Caine is well-known to listeners of KMPS 94.1 FM and KRPM (now KBKS).  He started at KMPS in 1983.

Caine is among a handful of Northwest radio icons whose life and storied broadcast career was rooted in Washington State. Raised on the Olympic Peninsula in Forks and Port Townsend, Caine’s radio achievements in Bellingham, Spokane, Tacoma, and Seattle propelled him to earn the title of Billboard Magazine’s “Radio Personality of the Year” three times and serve as host of KING-TV’s (NBC) Evening Magazine.

Grand Rapids Radio: Police Search For Other Possible Victims

John Balyo, un-identified child

Federal investigators say they have heard from several people who are concerned a longtime Christian WCSG 91.3 FM host accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old may have also targeted their children, according to WOOD-TV8.

John Balyo, 35, is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of second degree criminal sexual conduct. He allegedly admitted to investigators that he sexually assaulted an 11-year-old boy in Battle Creek in May. He also allegedly pointed them to his storage unit, which contained what federal investigators called a “bondage kit.”

One week after his arrest, authorities said they have received “several” calls from people who worry Balyo may have acted inappropriately with their children.

Kenneth Duke, resident agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, says authorities will investigate every single call — and that’s just the beginning.

Duke says they will also investigate Balyo’s contact with children through the photography business he ran on the side. The website featuring Balyo’s pictures of children and families has been taken down since his arrest Friday.  He also sponsored at least two children overseas through an international aid agency.

Duke also revealed that despite Balyo’s alleged confession to sexually assaulting a boy in a Battle Creek hotel room, agents do not believe the former radio host has been entirely truthful with them.

“He was slightly cooperative. He was definitely not fully candid with us during his interview,” said Duke. “We’ve talked to him once, but we (have since) developed information during forensic examinations of various electronic media that he wasn’t fully candid with us.”

Aussie Radio: Host Fired Over Prophet Mohammed Comments

Michael Smith

Australian radio personality Michael Smith has been dumped from a guest slot on radio station 2GB after he referred to the prophet Muhammad as a paedophile.

Smith had been booked to present Chris Smith’s  afternoon program for three weeks. However, he has revealed on his website that 2GB’s program director, David Kidd, phoned him on Friday evening and allegedly said: ‘‘We won’t be needing you, you can’t call a Deity a paedophile.’’

Smith's controversial comments came during a regular guest spot with 2GB host Ben Fordham on Thursday: ‘‘The prophet Muhammad was a paedophile, a pederast, a sexual offender, a man who promoted the idea that it was OK to marry a six-year-old and consummate the marriage when the little girl was nine. And that’s written into their books, it’s part of the philosophy ... the Koran.  It’s factually correct,’’ he said.

Smith remarked that he was legally permitted to make the comments having previously been cleared by an Australian Communications and Media Authority investigation, following an almost identical rant when he was the 2UE afternoon host in 2011.

But his latest blast triggered a barrage of angry calls from listeners.

Read More Now

Chicago Radio: WGN WOF Ceremony Honors Its Voices

Some familiar voices echoed outside the studios of WGN 720 AM on Friday, as the station honored 10 of its air personalities enshrined with sidewalk plaques in a new Walk of Fame.

Roy Leonard, Spike O'Dell and Orion Samuelson were among the honorees on a makeshift stage as a crowd of friends, family and fans gathered for the 90-minute ceremony near The Chicago Tribune Tower.

"Without the listener, this doesn't happen," O'Dell told the audience. "It's overwhelming."

The event was broadcast live on Tribune Co.'s WGN-AM 720, which is celebrating its 90th year on the air.

Plaques honoring the 10 on-air personalities have been installed outside the showcase studio along Michigan Avenue. Other inaugural inductees include Jack Brickhouse, Bob Collins, Judy Markey, Kathy O'Malley, Wally Phillips, Milt Rosenberg and Quin Ryan.

COMPLETE PHOTO COVERAGE: Click Here

Chicago Tribune publisher Col. Robert McCormick put WGN on the air in March 1924, with the call letters taken from the newspaper's audacious claim as the World's Greatest Newspaper. Over the years, the groundbreaking station aired everything from the first Indianapolis 500 broadcast to the Scopes Monkey Trial.

Read More Now

June 30 In Radio History

In 1961...Radio pioneer, Dr Lee De Forest, died at age 87.  He had 180 patents to his credit and named himself the "Father of Radio," with this famous quote, "I discovered an Invisible Empire of the Air, intangible, yet solid as granite."

Dr. Lee De Forest

In 1906 De Forest invented the Audion, the first triode vacuum tube and the first electrical device which could amplify a weak electrical signal and make it stronger. The Audion, and vacuum tubes developed from it, founded the field of electronics and dominated it for 40 years, making radio broadcasting, television, and long-distance telephone service possible, among many other applications. For this reason De Forest has been called one of the fathers of the "electronic age". He is also credited with one of the principal inventions that brought sound to motion pictures.

He was involved in several patent lawsuits, and spent a substantial part of his income from his inventions on legal bills. He was indicted for mail fraud, but later was acquitted.

De Forest was a charter member of the Institute of Radio Engineers. DeVry University was originally named DeForest Training School by its founder Dr. Herman A. DeVry, who was a friend and colleague of De Forest.

In 1983...WPLJ 95.5 FM switched from AOR To Top 40.  In the Spring of 1983, the station began a transition from AOR to CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio). With word that a Top 40 format was coming to 100.3 FM, WPLJ moved further into a CHR direction. Though the station began playing artists like Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, Larry Berger stated that he did not make the decision to move to a CHR format until the last week of June, and WPLJ adopted a Rock-leaning CHR format on June 30, 1983.

From 1985...Jim Kerr on WPLJ...





In 1987...WYNY 97.1 FM, New York moved from a AC format to gold-based Country format as "Country 97".

The first song played was Dolly Parton's, "Think About Love."

The initial lineup included Mike Wade, Randy Davis, Jack Scott, Lisa Taylor, Mike McCann, Floyd Wright, Jay Michaels, Bill Rock and Jessica. "Dandy" Dan Daniel later joined the station, as well as Scott Carpenter and Carole Mason.

The PD was Michael O' Malley, who is currently a country format radio consultant.

Saturday Aircheck: Big Jay Sorensen On WCBS-FM From 2011

Big Jay Sorensen

As his website puts it...Jay Sorensen has been assaulting the airwaves for four decades, in some really extraordinary places, as Disc Jockey, Talk Show Host, News Anchor, Beat Reporter, Commercial Production Director ... and occasionally even as Program Director and Operations Manager.

Currently, Jay can be heard on the much-heralded and world-famous WCBS 101.1 FM in New York City.

Previous stops have included Sirius Satellite Radio, the legendary 66 WNBC-AM in NYC, New Jersey 101.5 FM, KLIF-AM in Dallas, and various radio places in Philly.

A three-time Clio Award nominee, Jay has also been recognized by the New Jersey Broadcasters Association for his expertise in commercial production.



Videography and editing by Scott Lowe.