Young People In UK Abandon TV News 'Almost Entirely'

Young people in Britain have almost entirely abandoned television news broadcasts, according to Ofcom, while half of the country now gets its news from social media.

While the average person aged 65 and over watches 33 minutes of TV news a day, this falls to just two minutes among people aged 16-24, according to The Guardian citing the media regulator’s annual news consumption report.

The decline has been driven by audiences moving away from traditional live broadcast channels, where they might watch a popular drama and leave the channel on during the evening news bulletin, towards watching catchup content from streaming services.

The shift could have major implications for British politics, given services such as Netflix do not provide any news. Political parties have traditionally considered the BBC’s 10pm news bulletin to be their most important outlet for getting their message across to large swaths of the public, which in turn can shape policies being proposed and how they are presented.

TV news is still the main way that the British public learn about current affairs, however, in part because older viewers have remained loyal to traditional services.

Ofcom’s research also suggests that people are increasingly willing to wade into online arguments about news. “There is evidence that UK adults are consuming news more actively via social media. For example, those who access news shared by news organisations, trending news or news stories from friends and family or other people they follow via Facebook or Twitter are more likely to make comments on the new posts they see compared to the previous year.”

The most popular news source in Britain remains BBC One – consulted by 58% of the public – followed by ITV on 40% and Facebook on 35%. The increase in people turning to social media for news is being driven by the growing popularity of WhatsApp and Instagram as information sources.

CA Radio: Capital Public Radio Eyes Regional Partnership

In support of its commitment to expand local journalism and tell more of Northern California’s stories, Capital Public Radio (CapRadio) is studying a potential partnership with North State Public Radio (NSPR) in Chico, California.

Together, CapRadio and NSPR are evaluating opportunities with the goal of strengthening mission-based public radio services provided to listeners. Both stations are affiliated with California State Universities: CapRadio licensed to Sacramento State, and NSPR to Chico State.

The stations have hired Colorado-based Public Media Company, a nonprofit consulting firm whose mission is to foster sustainable and innovative public media growth. The opportunity under evaluation and consideration is a Public Service Operating Agreement (PSOA), which would formalize the cost sharing for programming, engineering, management and other services. CapRadio already operates a PSOA with Sacramento State to manage other public radio stations.

“As CapRadio enters an exciting chapter in its evolution with our future downtown Sacramento headquarters and community engagement space, we’re excited to explore a partnership with NSPR and Chico State,” President and CEO Rick Eytcheson said.

The potential partnership between CapRadio and NSPR would build on a longstanding relationship, which recently includes collaborating on California wildfire coverage. NSPR also works with CapRadio on an ongoing basis as an affiliate of the Capital Public Radio Network (CPRN), which provides coverage of state government in Sacramento to public radio stations throughout California, Oregon and Western Nevada. In addition to CPRN, CapRadio broadcasts a weekday public affairs show, Insight; creates and airs the documentary and community engagement series, The View From Here; and features dozens of locally hosted music shows and podcasts.

NSPR General Manager Phil Wilke said the business and programming model being studied would bolster his small newsroom by hiring more reporters and drawing on the considerable resources of CapRadio. In turn, CapRadio would have greater access to news coverage of California’s northernmost counties.

“A good partnership for NSPR would put more journalists on the ground in the communities we serve and provide a sustainable business model to ensure that NSPR remains a vibrant and vital public service to the North State, providing comprehensive and critical coverage to our listeners for decades to come,” he said.

The ongoing study will take approximately three months. Reports and conclusions will be presented to the respective radio station’s governing bodies.

July 26 Radio History

Burns & Allen

➦In 1895...Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen was born (Died of a heart attack at age 69 – August 27, 1964). She was a vaudevillian and comedienne who became internationally famous as the zany partner and comic foil of husband George Burns, her straight man appearing with her on radio, television and film as the duo Burns and Allen.

For her contributions to the television industry, Gracie Allen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6672 Hollywood Boulevard, while she and Burns were inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1988.

Co-star Bea Benaderet said of Allen in 1966: "She was probably one of the greatest actresses of our time."  Today, the annual Gracie Awards are named in her honor.

The Burns & Allen Show debuted on radio in 1932, and ended on TV with Gracie’s retirement 25 years later.


➦In 1903...Donald Voorhees born (Died at age 85 – January 10, 1989, Cape May Court House, NJ. He was a  composer and conductor who received an Emmy Award nomination for "Individual Achievements in Music" for his work on the television series, The Bell Telephone Hour.

Starting in 1926, Voorhees' orchestra recorded prolifically for Columbia, Edison, Pathe, Perfect, Cameo, and Hit of the Week, playing the piano in early recordings. His recording career mostly ended in 1931, when he approached the bigger opportunities radio offered at the time. His first broadcast work was NBC Radio's The Texaco Fire Chief Show, which starred comedian Ed Wynn. Other of the programs he worked for was the Maxwell House Showboat, appearing in a 1933 "picturization", the short Captain Henry's Show Boat.

From 1935 to 1941, and from 1949 to 1953 (with Ardon Cornwell), Voorhees was the musical director and conductor for the radio and television show, Cavalcade of America.

Voorhees also served as conductor of the Bell Telephone Hour orchestra for 26 years, from its first broadcasts on radio in 1942 until its final television episode in 1968. He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1966 for "Individual Achievements in Music" for his work on the series.

➦In 1921...Jean Parker Shepherd Jr. born (Died – October 16, 1999). He was a storyteller, radio and TV personality, writer and actor. He was often referred to by the nickname Shep. With a career that spanned decades, Shepherd is known for the film A Christmas Story (1983), which he narrated and co-scripted, based on his own semi-autobiographical stories.

After military service, Shepherd began his broadcast radio career in early 1945 on WJOB in Hammond, Indiana, later working at WTOD in Toledo, Ohio, in 1946. He began working in Cincinnati, Ohio, in January 1947 at WSAI, later also working at Cincinnati stations WCKY and WKRC the following year, before returning to WSAI. From 1951 to 1953, he had a late-night broadcast on KYW in Philadelphia, PA, after which he returned to Cincinnati for several shows on WLW. After a stint on television, he returned to radio. "Shep," as he was known, settled in at WOR 710 AM in New York Cit at the end of February 1955, and on an overnight slot in 1956, where he delighted his fans by telling stories, reading poetry (especially the works of Robert W. Service), and organizing comedic listener stunts.

When he was about to be released by WOR in 1956 for lack of sponsors, he did a commercial for Sweetheart Soap, not a sponsor, and was immediately fired. His listeners besieged WOR with complaints, and when Sweetheart offered to sponsor him he was reinstated. Eventually, he attracted more sponsors than he wanted.

His last WOR broadcast was on April 1, 1977. His subsequent radio work consisted of short segments on several other stations, including crosstown WCBS 880 AM, and occasional commentaries on NPR's All Things Considered. His final radio gig was the Sunday night radio show "Shepherd's Pie" on WBAI in the mid-1990s, which had him reading his stories uncut, uninterrupted and unabridged. The show was one of WBAI's most popular of the period.

Throughout his radio career, he performed entirely without scripts. His friend and WOR colleague Barry Farber marveled at how he could talk so long with so few notes.

He died Oct. 16 1999 at age 78.  In 2005 he was posthumously inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.

➦In 1944...The New York Times took-over ownership of WQXR AM & FM in NYC.

➦In 195?...WCBS 101.1 FM PD Jim Ryan was born.

Jim Ryan

Ryan joined CBS Radio in April 2010 as Program Director of WWFS Fresh 102.7 FM and Vice President, Adult Contemporary Programming. He was named Program Director of WCBS-FM since early 2014.

From September 1996 to April 2008, Ryan worked for iHeartMedia’s WLTW 106.7 Lite-FM. During his time at the station, Ryan programmed and served as Director of Adult Contemporary Programming, went on to become Vice President of AC Programming and was later elevated to Senior Vice President of AC Programming.

Prior to working in New York, Ryan played an instrumental role in establishing WBEB 101.1 FM in Philadelphia. Before joining CBS Radio, he was head of his own consulting company, Jim Ryan Media, where he advised many top radio stations, including market leaders in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston, and syndicated national personalities
.

Pete Fornatale

➦In 1969...One of the pioneers in FM Rock, Pete Fornatale started at rock WNEW 102.7 FM.

Fornatale hosted a weekly program, "Campus Caravan," on Fordham University's WFUV from 1964 to 1970. He began professionally in 1969 at WNEW-FM and also worked at WXRK. He returned to WFUV in 2001 and was heard weekly on his shows, "Mixed Bag" and "Mixed Bag Radio," which is also on XM satellite radio. He won the Armstrong Excellence in Broadcasting Award in 1983.

Fornatale died in New York City at age 66 on April 26, 2012 after suffering a brain hemorrhage.

➦In 2017...June Foray born June Lucille Forer (Died – July 26, 2017). She was a voice actress best known as the voice of such animated characters as Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Lucifer from Disney's Cinderella, Cindy Lou Who, Jokey Smurf, Granny from the Warner Bros. cartoons directed by Friz Freleng, Grammi Gummi from Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears series, and Magica De Spell, among many others.

She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honoring her voice work in television.

After entering radio as one of the WBZA Players, Foray starred in her own radio series Lady Make Believe in the late 1930s.   She soon became a popular voice actress, with regular appearances on coast-to-coast network shows including Lux Radio Theatre and The Jimmy Durante Show.

 She was still working well into her mid-90’s.

NJ Radio: Steve Chessare Joins Townsquare-Princeton

Steve Chessare

Townsquare Media Inc. announced today that industry veteran Steve Chessare has joined Townsquare as Market President and Chief Revenue Officer for its Princeton, NJ local media cluster.

Chessare will lead the local media team in Princeton, which includes market leader CHR WPST 94.5 FM, Sports WNJE 920 AM The Jersey, and Inspiration WCHR 1040 AM. He will report to Townsquare Senior Vice President Rob Williams.

“Steve Chessare is among the most talented media executives I have worked with,” said Rob Williams. “He has led some of the biggest brands in our industry and has an extraordinary ability to build winning teams that deliver consistently strong results for our clients.”

“I am extremely excited to be joining the Townsquare team in Princeton and the iconic WPST brand,” said Steve Chessare. “I’ve watched closely over the past few years how Erik Hellum and Rob Williams have attracted some of the best talent in media, many of whom I have worked with before. I’m looking forward to being a part of one of the most innovative media companies in the nation.”

Townsquare COO – Local Media, Erik Hellum added, ““With our “Local First” focus, Townsquare hires great Market Presidents for every single one of our markets, rather than splitting responsibilities across markets. Given that, I am thrilled that an incredible leader like Steve has joined the Townsquare team to run our Princeton market. One of America’s best CHR’s, WPST, is in great hands!”

Prior to joining Townsquare, Mr. Chessare held senior management positions at Greater Media, Westwood One, and Clear Channel Radio where he led the perennial top-billing station in the industry, WLTW-FM, in New York City.

Comcast Adds 209K Internet Customers

Comcast Corp. posted a slightly lower profit as strong growth at its internet and mobile business was offset by costs related to the acquisition of European pay-television provider Sky PLC and the continuing erosion of its pay-TV customer base.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Philadelphia-based company’s net profit inched 2.8% lower to $3.13 billion, or 68 cents a share, from a year earlier. The quarterly profit met FactSet analysts’ per-share estimates.

Overall, Comcast’s revenue increased 24% to $26.86 billion in the second quarter, due in large part to last fall’s acquisition of Sky. The company said, however, that the amortization of intangible assets related to the purchase of Sky affected its quarterly profit negatively.

Revenue from Comcast’s residential internet subscribers increased 9.4% to $4.66 billion, while its business services segment revenue rose 9.8%. The addition of 209,000 internet subscribers in the second quarter was lower than the 260,000 it added a year earlier.

Comcast said it had 224,000 pay-TV subscriber losses in the second quarter, compared with 140,000 a year earlier. That marked Comcast’s ninth consecutive quarter of TV-subscriber decline.

The cord-cutting trend has been a larger pain point for many of Comcast’s peers. AT&T Inc. on Wednesday said it experienced a net loss of 778,000 “premium video” subscribers, which are mostly DirecTV customers. It also said it lost an additional 168,000 streaming DirecTV Now accounts, the service that provides a cable-like package of channels via the internet.

Comcast said it added 181,000 Xfinity Mobile phone lines during the second quarter, bringing its total to about 1.59 million, more than doubling the number of subscribers compared with last year. Mobile service has become a new way for cable operators to retain TV subscribers and increase revenue.

Facebook Posts Strong Earnings

Facebook Inc. pushed past a record-setting privacy fine, posting strong second-quarter earnings that show the resilience of its social-media empire despite persistent negative headlines and intensifying Washington scrutiny.

The Wall Street Journal reports the tech giant earned $16.9 billion in revenue, up 28% from a year ago. The company posted $2.6 billion in profit, or $0.91 a share, reflecting a one-time $2 billion charge as part of its $5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission announced earlier on Wednesday, and an accounting change regarding tax deductions for stock-based compensation. Without those two charges, the company would have earned $1.99 a share, beating analysts’ expectations of $1.88.

Yet even as Facebook resolved one major federal probe, it disclosed the existence of another: an FTC antitrust review that the company said began in June.

Facebook’s results show the duality that currently defines the company: It is a punching bag for critics, who pummel it for repeated privacy missteps and misinformation on its platforms, but a darling of investors, who prize the earning power of its targeted advertising.

The company’s top executives said they believe they can continue to grow the business even while investing further in security and privacy. “This quarter shows once again we can do both,” Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said on an earnings call.

The tech giant’s stock has risen 56% since the beginning of the year, despite a pile of regulatory and legal challenges and a skeptical reception for its plans to develop a global cryptocurrency called Libra. Facebook shares climbed more than 3% in after-hours trading Wednesday before dropping slightly.

The FTC settlement puts new guardrails around the company’s management and how it approaches privacy but doesn’t severely curtail Facebook’s data-collection or ability to sell ads based on it. The pact keeps Mr. Zuckerberg’s power over the company largely intact, while requiring the board to keep closer watch on privacy matters.

Chicago Radio: Country WUSN Unveils New Morning Show

Jason, Katie and Erin

Entercom has announced a new morning show on WUSN US99, Chicago’s #1 Country Station. Chicago-area native Katie Bright and Jason Pullman will host the show with contributions from Erin, weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. CT beginning on August 8.

In addition, the morning show will also feature a rotating group of contributors.

“We are thrilled to welcome this talented team to US99,” said Jimmy de Castro, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Chicago. “The team will bring country music fans an entertaining and informative live, local show that is built for Chicagoland.”

“I’m excited to make the transition back into radio,” said Bright. “I can’t wait to start out my mornings with Jason and Erin on the air.”

Bright joins Entercom from Warner Music Nashville, where she served as the National Director of Promotion. The move marks Bright’s second stint with US99, where she was previously in a sales role. Bright’s on-air career began at WAXX-FM in Eau Claire, WI on the station’s top-rated morning show, for which she later received a Marconi Radio Award. She later transitioned to the WSIX-FM morning show in Nashville.

“I look forward to getting to work with Katie and Erin to create a show that brings the country fans of Chicago a consistent home for their morning commutes,” said Pullman. “I want to bring realness, authenticity, kindness and genuineness to the audience with this new show. I want people to feel comfortable listening and to consider us a part of their family.”

Pullman is a seasoned radio personality with over 15 years of experience. Prior to joining Entercom, Pullman was an on-air host for WUBL-FM in Atlanta starting in 2009. He was previously an afternoon drive host for KYSR-FM in Los Angeles and served as voice-over talent for CBS TV, as well as for brands like Chili’s and Expedia. Pullman also appeared on TLC’s “Faking It,” ABC Family Channel’s “Perfect Match,” and has been heard on national promotions for numerous media outlets including CBS, ABC, FX and TBS.

“I’m thrilled to begin this new role and am thankful to Entercom for giving me this opportunity,” said Erin. “I look forward to learning from my new co-hosts and expanding my career with US99.”

Erin, also a Chicago native, joined Entercom in 2018 as the Lead Promotions Coordinator for US99 and sister station 104.3 JAMS (WBMX-FM). Erin is familiar to Chicago listeners as US99’s “Bachelor” expert.

Listeners can tune in US99 (WUSN-FM) in Chicago on air, as well as nationwide on the RADIO.COM app and website. Fans can also connect with the station on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Smart Speakers Bringing Radio Back Into The Home

This week’s Westwood One blog post looks at the rise of smart speaker adoption and how this shift in media use has brought AM/FM radio back into the home via smart speaker AM/FM radio streaming.

A brand new smart speaker infographic illustrates who’s streaming on smart speakers, when they’re listening, where smart speaker streaming is taking place, and more.

• Smart speaker ownership is bigger than ever: According to Nielsen, 28% of U.S. households own a smart speaker.
• Smart speaker streaming is on the rise: 19% of streaming listening to AM/FM radio stations occurred via smart speaker at the start of this year, up from 9% in January 2018.
• Streaming audiences skew female: 68% of the total music streaming audience is female, compared to 50% of the on-air audience to the same AM/FM radio stations. Across the board, streaming formats also skew more female including Adult Contemporary, CHR, Country, Classic Hits, Classic Rock, Rock, and Urban.
• Smart speaker users listen longer and more often: Smart speaker AM/FM radio streamers listen to 7:55 hours and 6.3 sessions per month, higher than the average streaming listener.
• Smart speaker streaming is a weekend activity: A higher proportion of smart speaker streaming occurs on Saturdays and Sundays. Smart speaker listening on the weekend peaks between 11AM and 6PM.

Norfolk Radio: Max Media 'Delighted' Returning To Nielsen

Nielsen and Norfolk-based Max Media have reached a multiyear agreement for Nielsen audio measurement. This agreement includes nearly all syndicated products and services including Portable People Meter (PPM) data, Nielsen Scarborough, Polk by IHS Markit data, Nielsen Rhiza, PD Advantage and Tapscan’s suite of services.

“We are delighted to be working again with Nielsen,” said Keith Barton, VP and General Manager of Max Media. “The comprehensive capabilities of Nielsen’s tools, including Nielsen Scarborough, Polk by IHS Markit, Nielsen Rhiza and Tapscan, are integral to our ability to facilitate success for the advertisers and agencies that we work with. We are now armed with the tools necessary to provide valuable marketing and advertising expertise to our clients and ultimately increase ROI.”

The agreement includes a range of audience measurement and analytical services including local buying behavior data from Nielsen Scarborough and Nielsen Rhiza. Nielsen Rhiza is an advanced, easy-to-use sales tool that enables Max Media to offer clients granular insights about its customers, media consumption and the competitive landscape. Rhiza is powered by Nielsen ratings and marketplace buyer behavioral data, which makes it easier for media buyers and sellers to identify current and new customer segments by location and demographics.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Max Media’s Norfolk cluster of radio stations back into our valued family of Nielsen Audio clients,” said Brad Kelly, Managing Director of Nielsen Audio. “Despite the fragmentation that exists across the broader media landscape, radio remains remarkably resilient with American consumers, reaching 92% of Americans each week. We look forward to assisting Max Media  in helping Norfolk advertisers understand radio’s important role in the marketing mix, as well as the uniquely qualified consumers that they deliver.”

Cincy Radio: Nella D Lands Middays On the Wiz

Radio One Cincinnati station manager, Dan Abercrombie, has announced that Nella D is the new Midday on-air personality at WIZF 101.1 FM The Wiz.

Nella D began working at Radio One Cincinnati in 2012 working in the promotions department. She became a part-time announcer and board operator who could be heard on the weekends before her promotion to on-air talent for the Midday daypart. Nella D is best known for keeping the audience informed with the latest celebrity gossip and covering local events with the “411,” her brand of celebrity news.

Nella D

“I am very excited for Nella to have this opportunity to be on the station in a full-time, prime-time fashion,” stated Abercrombie. “I believe she brings great energy to the station and getting our local shows started with Nella in Middays will be a strong formula moving forward. Nella is extremely excited to take on this challenge, and her passion and dedication to THE WIZ will come thru in her show and translate well to our audience.”

Nella D was a longtime listener of Radio One’s THE WIZ 101.1 before she began her career with the station. Her new full-time role represents the fulfillment of her professional goals and dreams to be a part of the Radio One family.

“I’ve waited for a long time for an opportunity like this one,” stated Nella D. I’m excited and thankful! I look forward to serving the Cincinnati community and working with my Radio One family.”

Philly Radio: WIOQ Presents '102 Grand In the Sand' Sunday

WIOQ Q102, Philly’s # 1 Hit Music Station, will host 102 Grand in the Sand Presented by Acme, taking place on Sunday, July 28 at Atlantic City Beach, New Jersey.

The event will consist of a treasure hunt hosted by nationally-syndicated on air personality, Elvis Duran, beginning at 10 a.m. 102 Grand in the Sand Presented by Acme will also feature a live broadcast on Q102 with the stations’ DJ Ghost mixing live and a performance from singer-songwriter MAX.

Listeners were chosen to participate in the 102 Grand in the Sand Presented by Acme treasure hunt by listening to Q102, registering via Q102.com and attending shovel raids across the greater Philadelphia area. All participants were given a Golden Shovel for an opportunity to dig for a prize. Listeners can also register to participate and receive a Golden Shovel on the day of the event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The buried prizes will include trips around the world, a 2019 Chevy Camaro from Elkins Chevrolet, $5,000 cash provided by Pepsi, plus a flyaway trip to see Shawn Mendes or Lizzo, a Yeti cooler packed with concert tickets and more. For more information and the official contest rules, listeners can visitQ102.com.

“This is the biggest promotional event with the largest amount of premium prizing available in Q102’s history,” said Q102 Program Director and air personality Buster Satterfield. “Our team can’t wait to watch Q102 listeners dig for their treasure in Atlantic City!”

BetR Radio Network Launches August 5

The BetR Network, distributed by Gow Media, announces affiliation agreements with radio stations in the nation’s largest sports betting markets.

Beginning August 5, KBAD 920 AM in Las Vegas and WBSS 1490 AM in Atlantic City will begin airing The BetR Network’s content, which will highlight the latest news, insights and analysis around the sports betting markets.

“Our addition of BetR Network solidifies Lotus Las Vegas as the market’s destination for sports,” Natalie Marsh, General Manager, Lotus Broadcasting Corp, Las Vegas (KBAD-AM). “Mitch Moss, Pauly Howard, the legendary Brent Musburger, and the rest of the team on BetR Network delivers national network quality shows from a uniquely, local perspective. We’re thrilled with the opportunity to add BetR Network to our lineup as the Las Vegas ‘flagship’ of this groundbreaking network.”

“With the legalization of sports betting in New Jersey, sports betting as a 24/7 format and specifically the BetR Network is a perfect choice for WBSS,” said Paul Kelly, President/General Manager at Longport Media, LLC. “There’s a real appetite for sports talk that actually talks about sports. BetR Network delivers expert analysis and information that listeners can use to make informed bets and cash winning tickets right here in Atlantic City. Sports Betting Radio 1490 is excited to be Atlantic City’s home of the BetR Network.”

With the goal of informing, entertaining and educating listeners about sports and sports betting, The BetR Network will provide radio stations with access to select content from the Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN) and SB Nation Radio Network. In addition to existing shows and personalities The BetR Network will launch new programming on August 5, including “Lombardi Line” a 3-hour weekend show hosted by former NFL executive, Michael Lombardi.

“With the explosive growth of the sports betting market serving as a backdrop, we’ve seen incredible interest in airing programming from our 24/7 line up of sports betting content,” said Gow Media Vice President, Mike Sinnott. “In less than a month, we’ve signed contracts in the biggest betting markets in the country and have dozens more radio stations in the pipeline. We expect to have at least 50 affiliates on board by the launch and are excited to deliver this unique content to a growing number of terrestrial radio stations.”

Reporter's High Hopes Crushed by Mueller ‘Disaster’

By lunchtime, NBC News had a tracker going on its website: “How many times has Robert Mueller deflected, declined or deferred a question?” (The count had ticked past 100 before noon, reports The NY Times.)

On CNN, the legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin called the former special counsel’s testimony “phlegmatic.” On The Drudge Report, it was “Dazed and Confused.” “A little unsure of himself,” said Paula Reid of CBS. “The years have clearly taken a toll on the Bob Mueller we used to see,” said Pete Williams of NBC.

And on Fox News, in words that would later turn up on President Trump’s Twitter feed, the political anchor Chris Wallace laid down a brutal verdict: “This has been a disaster for the Democrats, and a disaster for the reputation of Robert Mueller.”

Few in the media business, which had long anticipated the potential fireworks (and potential ratings) of Mueller’s televised testimony before Congress on Wednesday, expected the veteran prosecutor to match Donald Trump’s supernova TV persona. Stolid and lawyerly, his button-down collar securely fastened, Mueller looked reluctant from the start to submit to a cable news spectacle.

But even TV anchors were surprised by the halting, donnish presence of Mueller on their screens.

If the left-wing media were hoping for a slam dunk during Special Counsel Mueller’s testimony on Capitol Hill Wednesday, it’s clear from their reactions that they don’t think they saw one, reports newsbusters.org.  The responses from TV journalists ranged from nonplussed to outright upset with some analysts and reporters going so far as to declare the hearings “a disaster,” and the cause of impeachment “over.”

This disappointed reaction stood in comically stark contrast to the excitement permeating cable and broadcast news in the days and hours before Mueller testified.

Watch the video below for a comparison of TV news before and after:



By the end of the day, most of this excitement had been hopelessly dashed.

“Did this move the ball at all?” ABC’s George Stephanopoulos asked senior national correspondent Terry Moran after the Judiciary hearing. “No,” Moran spat. “Impeachment’s over.”

NBC political director Chuck Todd deemed the event “a complete failure.” He added: “As they were using him for clarity, he’d somehow fog it up, and how he would do certain things. So look, on optics, this was a disaster.”

MSNBC’s coverage was similarly dour, with a depressed-looking Brian Williams remarking: “A lot of Democrats in particular used the D-word and branded this a disaster early on.”

FCC, FEMA To Conduct Nationwide EAS Test

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019.

The nationwide test will be sent to radio and television stations beginning at 2:20 p.m. EDT.

The test is being conducted through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. This year, the test message will originate from designated radio stations, known as Primary Entry Point stations, which participate in a component of IPAWS called the National Public Warning System.

All other radio and television stations, cable, wireline service providers, and direct broadcast satellite service providers should subsequently receive and broadcast the test message.

This year’s test will evaluate the readiness of the national alerting capability in the absence of internet connectivity. The test will be approximately one minute long, have a limited impact on the public with only minor interruption of radio and television programs, and will be similar to regular monthly EAS tests.  Both the audio message and text crawl should be accessible to people with disabilities.

The test will not include a message on cell phones via Wireless Emergency Alerts.