Bay Area Radio: Megan Holiday Returns To Live 105

Audacy announces on-air host Megan Holiday will return to the Live 105 (KITS-FM) on-air lineup in San Francisco. Holiday, who was previously with the station from 2010 to 2021, will be heard weekdays from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT beginning July 17. She will continue to host afternoon drive on KROQ (KROQ-FM) in Los Angeles.

“We are excited to welcome Megan Holiday back to Live 105, where her passion for music first ignited,” said John Allers, Regional Vice President of Alternative Programming, Audacy; Brand Manager, Live 105. “We’re looking forward to watching her reconnect with Bay Area listeners and set the tone for our station’s weekday programming.”

“First, I’ve got to start by saying two things…YAYYY AREA AND DUBNATION,” said Holiday. “When I found out about the return of the mighty Live 105, I screamed and texted Aaron Axelsen every emoji you could think of. This is the station where I cut my teeth, interviewed my heroes, and formed a family with listeners and my fellow team. I had zero expectations that I would be back on the air…I was just so happy for its return. Hearing ‘Soundcheck’ with Aaron Axelsen on Sunday night brought tears to my eyes. Finding out I was getting the opportunity to return as the first weekday voice back on the station left me speechless. I am beyond honored and excited to spend my weekdays with the Bay Area again. Let’s go!”

In the summer of 2007, Holiday attended Live 105’s BFD for the first time and knew then that she wanted to be a part of Live 105 somehow. In 2010, Holiday joined Live 105 as a sidekick on the “Free For All” night show, the first user-controlled radio program. Not long after that, Holiday began doing her own show on the weekends and fell in love with the craft. This led to hosting nights, middays, and eventually “Megan & Menace in the Morning.” Holiday was the last voice on ALT 105.3 before switching to Dave FM, and now she will be the first weekday voice back to proudly announce those iconic call letters, Live 105.

📻Listeners can tune in to Live 105 (KITS-FM) in San Francisco on air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

CNN's Jake Tapper To Talk With Candidate DeSantis Tuesday

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) will sit down for an interview with CNN this week, his first time appearing on the network since launching his presidential campaign earlier this year.

DeSantis will sit down with Jake Tapper on Tuesday for an interview that will air at 4 p.m., the network announced on Sunday.

The Florida governor launched his presidential bid in May, and he has largely avoided interviews with media outlets other than Fox News and other conservative organizations. His CNN appearance comes amid a shake-up of campaign staff as DeSantis seeks to gain traction with voters and narrow former President Trump’s lead in the polls.

The Hill reports DeSantis’s campaign let go of fewer than 10 employees last Thursday, primarily from its event-planning team, as was first reported by Politico. A campaign spokesperson said the decision would help boost the governor’s chances of defeating President Biden if DeSantis wins the Republican nomination.

But the shuffling of staff is likely to feed into concerns among Republican donors and others that DeSantis is struggling to break through in a crowded GOP primary field and solidify himself as Trump’s main rival.

Sean Hannity Remains Cornerstone of Fox News Primetime

Sean Hannity, who has been with Fox News Channel since it launched in 1996, will stay put at 9 p.m. ET when the network’s revamped lineup launches on tonight, providing viewers with a bedrock in the middle of primetime. 

"The Ingraham Angle" with Laura Ingraham will kick things off at 7 p.m. ET, followed by "Jesse Watters Primetime" shifting to 8 p.m. ET. "Hannity" will remain at 9 p.m. ET, "Gutfeld!" will begin at 10 p.m. ET and Trace Gallagher will close out the network’s primetime coverage at 11 p.m. ET with "FOX News @ Night."

"I think each host will put their own special fingerprint on the network and on their shows that will offer, you know, great programing," Hannity said. "They’re all phenomenal."

Fox News brings you unrivaled coverage and unique perspectives with the new primetime lineup launching on July 17th. pic.twitter.com/RBttlOAY6C

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 15, 2023

Last year, Hannity broke a longstanding record previously held by famed talk show host Larry King to become the longest-running primetime cable news host in televion history. At the time, Hannity hosted a primetime program on Fox News for 25 consecutive years, six months and 15 days. He hasn’t slowed down, and the streak seems insurmountable in the modern cable news era.

Audacy Struggles With Soft Ad Demand and Heavy Debt

Audacy last week confirmed that it has begun negotiations with its creditors to restructure its $1.9 billion in debt as the Philadelphia-based audio content provider grapples with financial challenges linked to declining advertising revenue.

“As we have previously stated we intended to do, we have initiated discussions with our lenders to refinance our debt and optimize our balance sheet to position Audacy for long-term growth as we continue to invest in our people, platform, technology, content and growth initiatives,” Audacy said in a statement Tuesday.

Audacy first indicated renegotiations could be on the horizon in a quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission after releasing its first quarter earnings on May 10. 

In the first quarter, Audacy experienced a revenue decline of 5.7%, with an operating loss of $12.2 million compared to operating income of $8.5 million during the same quarter last year. It reported adjusted EBITDA of $3.5 million and a net loss of $35.9 million in 1Q compared to $26 million in adjusted EBITDA and an $11 million net loss during the first three months of 2022. The company also said the soft advertising demand that has been in place for the past year could get worse before getting better.

While soft advertising demand has clearly had a negative impact on Audacy, so has its debt load. The company inherited most of its debt from the November 2017 acquisition of CBS Radio. That transaction increased its debt from $468 million at the end of 2016 to $1.86 billion at the end of 2017.

The debt has impacted the company’s cash flow, as its adjusted EBITDA sank from $500 million when the CBS deal was announced to just $138 million at the end of 2022.

Audacy has worked in recent months to cuts costs and sell non-core assets. During the first quarter earnings call, the company’s top executives said they expect costs will decline 4%, or $35 million, in the last three quarters of this year.

Audacy has more than 220 radio stations across the country.

Taylor Swift Boasts Four Albums In The Top 10

Taylor Swift is the first living artist in nearly 60 years to boast four albums simultaneously in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart, the music trade publication reported Sunday.

The pop musician is the first living artist in nearly 60 years to boast four albums simultaneously in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart, the music trade publication reported Sunday.

She also made history as the first woman to achieve this rare feat, thanks to her hit records “Lover” (No. 7), “Folklore” (No. 10), “Midnights” (No. 5) and “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” (No. 1), which came out this month.

According to Billboard, the last living musician to have four albums in the top 10 at the same time was trumpet player Herb Alpert, who reached the milestone in 1966 with “Going Places,” “Whipped Cream and Other Delights,” “South of the Border” and “The Lonely Bull.”

The only other entertainer to post at least four concurrent albums in the top 10 was Prince — whose records “The Very Best of Prince,” “The Hits/The B-Sides,” “Ultimate,” “1999” and the “Purple Rain” soundtrack dominated the chart following the music legend’s death in 2016, Billboard said.

Swift is no stranger to the top of the music charts, with her re-recording of “Speak Now” marking her 12th No. 1 album overall. While performing in Nashville as part of her sold-out Eras tour, the singer announced in May that she would soon be releasing her version of her third studio album.

R.I.P.: Elise Finch, WCBS-TV2 Metereologist Was Just 51

The WCBS TV2 website has announced the passing beloved Elise Dione Finch Henriques.   

Elise has been a friend and team member at WCBS for 16 years. She first joined the team in 2007 as our weekend meteorologist ist at WCBS.

Elise passed away at a local hospital. The cause of death has not been determined. 

Elise was 51 years old.and was most recently on the morning news with Mary Calvi and Chris Wragge. In September, Elise joined Cindy Hsu on the 9am newscast.

Elise was a gifted and consummate professional who took great care with her work. She was also a wonderful ambassador in the community, including her hometown of Mount Vernon. 

Above all, Elise was a fiercely loving and devoted mother to her daughter Grace and wife to Graig Henriques, who is a photojournalist.

7/17 WAKE-UP CALL: U-S Is Hot 'n' Wet

An extreme heatwave peaked in the western United States on Sunday, with temperatures reaching 128 Fahrenheit in the California desert, while flash flooding continued to menace the Northeast, killing at least five people. Nearly a quarter of the U.S. population fell under extreme heat advisories, partly due to a stubborn heat dome that has been parked over western states. While baking parts of the country, the heat dome has also helped generate heavy rains in the Northeast, a pattern expected to continue for days if not weeks, according to the National Weather Service. In Bucks County PA, just north of Philadelphia, downpours and flash flooding over the weekend killed at least five people. Nearly 7 inches of rain fell on the area in 45 minutes late Saturday.

LIVE UPDATES: Heat warnings issued for more than 110 million people across the U.S.

• Phoenix saw its 16th consecutive day of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher

• Excessive rainfall and flash flooding possible across Northeast https://t.co/1MGUACbSlq

— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 16, 2023

⛈NEW YORKERS URGED TO STAY OFF ROADS: An unpredictable rainstorm in New York City on Sunday put the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and the east side of Manhattan under a flood warning and pushed Gov. Hochul to urge New Yorkers to stay off roads. “Please heed this warning — it’s just for a short time,” Hochul said at an afternoon news conference in Midtown Manhattan. “Please stay home. Stay off the roads until this has passed.” Rain totals in southern New York could approach records, the governor said. The flood warning, issued by the National Weather Service, also covered Nassau and Westchester Counties and swaths of southwestern Connecticut, including Stamford and Norwalk. More than 5 million people live in the area put under the warning, the National Weather Service said.

➤S-W BAKES: A dangerous heat wave currently affecting the US Southwest persisted Sunday - bringing with it triple-digit temperatures that could break several records. The forecast, for the most part, pertains to communities in Arizona, Nevada, and a sprawling slice of California, where more than 110million are under heat advisories. It's a continuation of blistering temperatures seen last week, which came to a head Saturday - slamming  cities such as Phoenix with temps that topped a record 118 degrees, and others, such as Vegas and Fresno, with heat just a few degrees cooler. The forecast, for the most part, pertains to communities in Arizona, Nevada, and a sprawling slice of California, where more than 110million are under heat advisories.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution headline 7/17/23

➤GEORGIA GUNMAN DEAD: A man accused of killing four people and injuring two officers near Atlanta over the weekend was shot and killed during a manhunt for the 40-year-old. The intense manhunt for Andre Longmore began after the Saturday morning shootings of three men and one woman in a subdivision of Hampton before driving away from a subdivision. A Henry County Sheriff's spokesperson said law enforcement forces killed Longmore in a nearby area of Clayton County, adding a Henry County sheriff's deputy and a Clayton County police officer were injured in the attempt to arrest Longmore.

NY Post 7/17/23

➤GUNS TAKEN FROM SUSPECT'S HOME: Authorities Sunday carted off a bin of rifles from the Long Island home of suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann, who had legal permits for 92 guns. A state police investigator hauled the blue plastic tub of weapons from Heuermann’s Massapequa Park home as authorities continue to scour for evidence after his arrest Thursday in the 12-year-old slayings of three women. “He has a very large safe in which guns are kept,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said. “We’re continuing to execute search warrants.” Most of Heuermann’s weapons were rifles, a law-enforcement source said. 

Twitter's Cash Flow Still Negative As Ad Revenue Drops 50%

Twitter's cash flow remains negative because of a nearly 50% drop in advertising revenue and a heavy debt load, Elon Musk said on Saturday, falling short of his expectation in March that Twitter could reach cash flow positive by June, according to Reuters.

"Need to reach positive cash flow before we have the luxury of anything else," Musk said in a tweet replying to suggestions on recapitalization.

Musk said on Sunday in another tweet that Twitter did not see the increase in advertising revenue that had been expected in June, adding, "July is a bit more promising." Twitter Spaces also hasn't generated revenue yet and is "all-cost", Musk said.

This is the latest sign that the aggressive cost-cutting measures since Musk acquired Twitter in October alone are not enough to get Twitter to cash flow positive, and suggests Twitter's ad revenue may have not recovered as fast as Musk suggested in an interview in April with the BBC that most advertisers had returned to the site.

After laying off thousands of employees and cutting cloud service bills, Musk had said the company reduced its non-debt expenditures to $1.5 billion from a projected $4.5 billion in 2023. Twitter also faces annual interest payments of about $1.5 billion as a result of the debt it took on in the $44 billion deal that turned the company private.

“Broadcasters Foundation of America Giving Day” - Thursday, July 20

The Broadcasters Foundation of America Giving Day is this Thursday, July 20 -- a day for everyone in radio and television to come together as one community to support colleagues, across every position, in need of financial assistance due to critical illness, accident, or disaster. The campaign also strives to raise awareness of the Broadcasters Foundation to ensure that anyone in radio and television who might qualify for aid knows about its charitable mission and can apply.

“Giving Day is an opportunity for everyone in radio and television to help our colleagues,” said Tim McCarthy, President of the Broadcasters Foundation. As broadcasters, we are storytellers. Whether behind the scenes in marketing, sales, or administration, part of the production team, or on-air talent, everyone in the radio and television broadcasting profession has a common goal: to share vital stories with their communities. But who is there to help these essential community members when a natural disaster strikes, or an illness disrupts a family’s financial security and safety? The Broadcasters Foundation of America’s unique mission is to support our professional community during these hard times, when our colleagues are unable to work and struggling to pay basic living expenses.”

Louisville Radio: WLOU Adds DeDe In The Morning and KJ Bland

WLOU 104.7 JAMZ announced the return of Louisville Legend, KJ “In the Midday” Bland. KJ is returning home as the new Midday Host starting Monday, July 17, 2023.

KJ kicked off her three-decade career in Louisville in the 90’s, moving on to spend time in multiple top 50 markets including stops in Greenville, SC, Greensboro, NC, Denver, CO and top 5 market Dallas.

 

KJ Bland

WLOU also announced the addition of syndicated personality, “DeDe in The Morning”. DeDe in the Morning can be heard nationwide in over 80 markets.

“We are thrilled that KJ and DeDe are both part of our family. They both bring immense talent and energy to WLOU,” said David B. Smith, Jr. CEO of Aircom Media.

“KJ is FAMILY, so having her here feels like HOME. Her connection to Louisville is unmatched by any other local personality and WLOU is a better radio station because of it,” said VP of Programming, Mark Gunn.

“I am BEYOND excited and grateful to join the WLOU family and I want to sincerely thank everyone who continues to believe in my abilities”, KJ added. “I am looking forward to returning to my hometown roots to do what I LOVE…. GREAT RADIO WITH AN EVEN GREATER COMPANY THAT DEFINITLEY MOVES LIKE A FAMILY!”

📻You can listen to “DeDe in the Morning” weekdays 5:00 am-10:00 am EST followed by “KJ in the Midday” blazing the airways 10:00 am-2:00 pm EST. 

Country Jason Aldean Stops Concert Due To Heat Stroke

Jason Aldean's concert came to an abrupt end after the singer showed obvious distress on stage Saturday night in Connecticut.

While performing at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford, Aldean struggled to get through his song "Crazy Town." In the middle of his performance, he retreated from the microphone to cough.

Trying to power through, Aldean could barely sing another line of his song before he ran off-stage.

Sunday morning, the concert venue tweeted out a statement regarding the incident.

An update on Jason Aldean at Xfinity Theatre pic.twitter.com/AazUm1jala

— Xfinity Theatre (@XFINITYTheatre) July 16, 2023

Thanks everyone for checking in on me. Hartford, we’ll share rescheduled info soon. Saratoga Springs, see ya tonite!🤘🏼 pic.twitter.com/wVWGAmDmSZ

— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 16, 2023

ESPN's Sam Ponder Backs Sage Steele In Rapinoe Spat

ESPN's Sage Steele, Sam Ponder

ESPN broadcaster Sam Ponder defended her colleague Sage Steele after U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe sideswiped the latter anchor over comments about transgender participation in women’s sports.

Rapinoe said in an interview with Time magazine when people like Martina Navratilova and Steele are talking about fairness and equality in women’s sports, they are really talking about how they are going to treat transgender people for the rest of their lives. She also equated Dave Chappelle’s jokes about transgender people to "violence."

Rapinoe also said it was "bulls----" when people talk about the fairness in women’s sports and that transgender athletes taking advantage in women’s sports is "just not happening."

Megan Rapinoe

Ponder disagreed with the sentiment.

"Sage says bio males shouldn’t compete in female sports and now she’s to blame for violence? This is an attempt to silence good-faith discussion and debate," she wrote on Twitter. "Disagree passionately, say she’s wrong (& why)… but to claim she is responsible for violence is absurd."

Steele added: "Yes Sam…it’s absurd. And predictable! This is what happens when ppl allow their emotions to get in the way of FACTS & SCIENCE. Esp when they’re fighting to keep a false narrative alive. You said it best after (USA Today columnist Nancy) Armour attacked you: ‘biology is not bigotry.’"

Steele has expressed support for former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines for her advocacy to keep women’s sports fair. Steele declared that she stands with Gaines and called what has occurred with trans people overtaking women’s sports "ridiculous," "heartbreaking," "difficult to watch" and added the hashtag "savewomensports."

Steele came to Ponder’s defense after Armour attacked Ponder’s views on transgender participation in women’s sports in May.

For Rapinoe, she went as far as to say that she would "absolutely" accept a transgender woman on the U.S. women’s national team.

"‘You’re taking a "real" woman’s place,’ that’s the part of the argument that’s still extremely transphobic. I see trans women as real women," she said. "What you’re saying automatically in the argument—you’re sort of telling on yourself already—is you don’t believe these people are women. Therefore, they’re taking the other spot. I don’t feel that way."

R.I.P.: Jo McMullen-Boyer, Longtime Manager at KSVC Public Radio

Jo McMullen-Boyer, a former longtime Station Manager of KVSC, a student-run educational and community-based public radio station licensed to St. Cloud State University, has died.

McMullen-Boyer, who retired as KVSC Station Manager in April after 31 years in that role, was awarded the lifetime achievement award in June

She first started at KVSC as a student in 1988 writing news copy and splicing and editing reel-to-reel recordings for the news director. After graduating from SCSU in 1991, she became the Station Manager of KVSC in August of 1992 and held that role since her retirement in April.

McMullen-Boyer has been a leader and steadfast supporter of SCSU students and Mass Communications student journalists interested in radio, television and print at SCSU. She has enjoyed teaching, supporting and working with students throughout her career.

While at SCSU, McMullen-Boyer played an integral role of leading or assisting efforts such as KVSC’s transition from a single FM station to eight stations, KVSC being the first area on campus with a web presence and to host a podcast, the growth of Trivia Weekend and connections with the community, and much more. 

Radio History: July 17

➦In 1912...Art Linkletter born Arthur Gordon Kelly (Died at age 97 – May 26, 2010). He was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada and was an American radio and television personality, best known as host of  House Party which ran on CBS radio and television for 25 years, and People Are Funny on NBC radio and television for 19 years. He became a naturalized United States citizen in 1942.

Art Linkletter

One popular feature of his House Party program was the Kids Say the Darndest Things segments. A series of books followed which contained the humorous comments made on-air bychildren.

When he was five, his family moved to San Diego, California, where he graduated from San Diego High School at age 16. During the early years of the Great Depression, he rode trains around the country doing odd jobs and meeting a wide variety of people.

In 1935 he met Lois Foerster. They were married at Grace Lutheran Church in San Diego, November 28, 1935. Their marriage lasted until Linkletter's death, ​74 1⁄2 years later.

After receiving his teaching degree, Linkletter decided to go to work as a radio announcer at KGB in San Diego, because radio paid better than teaching. He directed radio programs for fairs and expositions in the mid-1930s. Afterwards, he moved to San Francisco and continued his radio career.

In the 1940s, Linkletter worked in Hollywood with John Guedel on their pioneering radio show, People Are Funny, which employed audience participation, contests and gags. The series served as a prototype for future radio and television game shows. People Are Funny became a television show in 1954 and ran until 1961.

➦In 1934…FCC adopts Order No. 1

➦In 1981…Bruce Bradley did his final show on WBZ 1030 AM, Boston.

Bradley joined WBZ in 1960, when the station is still playing middle of the road pop music. Gradually, as the music becomes more top-40, “Juicie Brucie” Bradley’s night-time show became extremely popular.

The station moved from Top40 to Full-Service AC in 1974.

Bradley passed away in June 2013. Click Here for more.

➦In 2009…Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. died at age 92 (Born - November 4, 1916). He was a broadcast journalist who served as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years (1962–1981). During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll.