NYC Radio: WFAN Wanted To Team Bart Scott With Craig Carton

ESPN's Bart Scott

While Evan Roberts is in line to be Craig Carton’s partner on WFAN afternoons, he was not the station’s first choice, The NY Post is reporting.

WFAN executives, led by Chris Oliviero, heavily recruited Bart Scott to leave ESPN and return to 101.9 FM 660 AM, according to sources.

It was close to happening.

Scott fit the description of what FAN wanted in Carton’s partner. He is an ex-athlete with radio experience, like Carton’s former morning partner, Boomer Esiason. The issue, of course, Scott was under a recently signed contract with a rival.

Scott, according to sources, was intrigued by the possibility of returning to WFAN in prime real estate, more money and Oliviero leading the management team again.

Craig Carton's WFAN return is imminent: Here's the favorite to be his new partner

With Scott on the radar, Oliviero spoke with his counterpart at ESPN New York, Tim McCarthy, to ask permission to speak to Scott. While this is somewhat akin to the Yankees-Mets making a deal, McCarthy, according to sources, allowed the under-contract Scott to speak with FAN, not wanting to prevent what could be a potential upgrade for Scott’s career, even if it meant competing against his ESPN New York “Michael Kay Show.”

At the same time, Scott, McCarthy, Scott’s agent Mark Lepselter and top ESPN executives discussed expanding Scott’s future presence on the network. Promises about future consideration have been made to expand Scott’s impact on ESPN.

Sun Broadcast Group Adds To Staffing

Sun Broadcast Group has made two more hires this week – Amanda Stetzy joins as Media Research Analyst and Alyson Tiller comes onboard as Assistant Traffic Coordinator. The new hires come on the heels of the recent expansion of the sales team, with the hiring of Jackie Cardillo and Angela Codella, as Sun continues to advance under new leadership.

“As advertising demand continues to grow at Sun, we needed more people to support the sales team and ensure that our advertisers’ and agencies’ needs are met and campaigns run as ordered,” said Danno Wolkoff, Chief Operating Officer of Sun Broadcast Group. 

“Amanda and Alyson will help our salespeople deliver exceptional client service and 100% accountability. I am delighted to welcome them both to Sun.”

Previously, Stetzy worked at Regional Reps and Tiller was at CBS Radio.

October 23 Radio History

➦In 1904...David Ford Bond born (Died at age 57 – August 15, 1962). He was the announcer for several popular radio shows in the 1930s and 1940s, earning him a spot on the This Is Your Life television show.  For his work on radio, Bond has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6706 Hollywood Blvd.

Bond began working on radio at WHAS in Louisville, Kentucky, and joined NBC in 1928. For 20 years in the 1930s and 1940s, he was the announcer for several radio soap operas and other shows, including the advertising voice for a sponsor's product called Bab-O. He was also a sports announcer for NBC radio in the 1930s, calling college football games as well as the 1934 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and 1934 World Series.

For almost 30 years, Bond was the spokesman for Cities Service petroleum company, "the longest sponsor-announcer association in the history of radio".

➦In 1928…RCA announced the creation of the Radio-Keith-Orpheum holding company, more commonly known as RKO, with David Sarnoff (general manager of RCA) as its chairman of the board.




➦In 1932...the "Fred Allen Show" premiered on radio.  Allen's radio show (1932–1949) made him one of the most popular and forward-looking humorists in the Golden Age of American radio.

His best-remembered gag was his long-running mock feud with friend and fellow comedian Jack Benny, but it was only part of his appeal; radio historian John Dunning (in On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio) wrote that Allen was radio's most admired comedian and most frequently censored.

A master ad libber, Allen often tangled with his network's executives (and often barbed them on the air over the battles), while developing routines whose style and substance influenced fellow comic talents, including Groucho Marx, Stan Freberg, Henry Morgan and Johnny Carson; his avowed fans also included President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and novelists William Faulkner, John Steinbeck and Herman Wouk (who began his career writing for Allen).

➦In 1940...Ellie Greenwich, songwriter with Jeff Barry on "Leader Of The Pack" by the Shangri-Las, "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes, "River Deep, Mountain High" for the Supremes & Four Tops and many others, was born in Brooklyn, New York.

Ellie Greenwich

Joining forces with legendary producer Phil Spector, a string of legendary hits were created, including: "Be My Baby," "Da Doo Ron Ron," "And Then He Kissed Me," "Chapel Of Love" and "River Deep, Mountain High." With Barry, this trend continued with number one smashes, such as "Hanky Panky," "Do Wah Diddy" and the epic "Leader Of The Pack," co-written with Shadow Morton.

Also, during these years, Greenwich reigned as one of New York's top demo/session singers and vocal arrangers, working with artists ranging from Dusty Springfield and Lesley Gore to Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra. One of her most exciting sessions was re-arranging the background vocals on Aretha Franklin's "Chain Of Fools" and working with Cissy Houston and the 'Sweet Inspirations.'

During one of her many demo sessions, Greenwich met and "discovered" Neil Diamond and went on to co-produce all his early hits such as "Cherry, Cherry" and "Kentucky Woman," doing background vocals as well.

She died of a heart attack in New York City August 26, 2009.

➦In 1972...WOR 98.7 FM becomes WXLO. (Now WEPN 98.7 FM ESPN)

➦In 2001...Apple introduced the iPod.

Bill Mazer (undated)

➦In 2013…Longtime New York City Radio/TV sportcaster/program host "the Amazin'" Bill Mazer, who earlier in his career worked in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Buffalo, died at the age of 92.

Mazer's broadcasting career began in 1942, broadcasting in Grand Rapids, Michigan before joining the United States Military that same year.

His career as a sportscaster began in Buffalo, New York in 1947, where he signed on as a sportscaster on WKBW. In 1947, he was also the commercial announcer on the CBS William L. Shirer Newscast, as well as the commercial announcer for the soap opera, When a Girl Marries.

By 1948, he had also become the sports director for WGR radio and served as principal sports anchor for WGR-TV from the time that station signed on in 1954 through the early 1960s. Mazer dominated the airwaves in Buffalo, broadcasting the hockey and baseball Buffalo Bisons, the All-American Football Conference Buffalo Bills and Little 3 Basketball. With years of play-by-play and sports commentary in Buffalo under his belt, Mazer arrived in New York City in 1964 when WNBC (AM) went to its first all-talk format. His show was one of the pioneer examples of the modern sports talk show in America.

After filling in for Hugh Downs on the NBC game show Concentration, he was given his own show, Reach for the Stars, in January 1967, but the show was quickly cancelled. Mazer also filled in for segments of Monitor, even hosting on occasion.

Mazer served as a color analyst and intermission host, working alongside Dan Kelly on CBS' National Hockey League coverage from the late sixties until the early seventies, broadcasting the Stanley Cup playoffs a few times. Golf was another Mazer specialty on NBC, including the U.S. Open and Bing Crosby tournaments in the mid-1960s. ABC used Mazer for its regional New York football lineup in the late 1960s. Mazer also did sideline reporting for CBS coverage of the NFL in the late 1960s.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

• Singer Barbara Ann Hawkins of The Dixie Cups is 77. 
• Director Ang Lee is 66. 
• Jazz singer Dianne Reeves is 64. 
• Country singer Dwight Yoakam is 64. 
• Director-actor Sam Raimi (“Spider-Man” films) is 61. 
• Singer “Weird Al” Yankovic is 61. 
• Bassist Robert Trujillo of Metallica is 56. 
• Singer David Thomas of Take 6 is 54. 
• Drummer Brian Nevin of Big Head Todd and The Monsters is 54. 

• 

  Emilia Clarkes is 34

  Singer Junior Bryant of Ricochet is 52. 
• Actor John Huertas (“Castle”) is 51. 
• Country singer Jimmy Wayne is 48. 
• Bassist Eric Bass of Shinedown is 46. 
• “So You Think You Can Dance” host Cat Deeley is 44. 
• Actor Ryan Reynolds is 44. 
• Actor Saycon Sengbloh (TV’s “In The Dark”) is 43. 
• Singer Matthew Shultz of Cage The Elephant is 37. 
• “The View” host Meghan McCain is 36. 
• Actor Masiela Lusha (“George Lopez”) is 35. 
• Singer Miguel is 35. 
• Actor Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”) is 34. 
• Actor Inbar Lavi (“Imposters,” ″Prison Break”) is 34. 
• Actor Jessica Stroup (“90210”) is 34. 
• Trumpeter Allen Branstetter of St. Paul and the Broken Bones is 30. 
• Actor Taylor Spreitler (“Kevin Can Wait”) is 27. 
• Actor Margaret Qualley (TV’s “Fosse/Verdon”) is 26. 
• Actor Amandla Stenberg (“The Hunger Games”) is 22.

SiriusXM Making Progress On New Stern Deal

The boss of SiriusXM said the satellite-radio giant is “making significant progress” on a deal to extend Howard Stern’s contract.

“Howard tells me he’s never been happier and our relationship with Howard has never been stronger,” outgoing Chief Executive Jim Meyer said on a Thursday earnings call with investors. "I can tell you that where we are in the discussions today, we have a set of economics that Howard’s team is happy with and I’m happy with. Obviously, we’ve got to get the deal completed. And it would be a -- certainly a long-term arrangement is what we contemplate. But stay tuned there. And hopefully, we’ll have more to say here pretty soon.

The 66-year-old shock jock’s current contract lapses at the end of 2020, and media watchers have speculated whether he will retire or defect to a rival service like Spotify, which has been on a podcast spending spree this year.

Earlier this month, a Bloomberg report said Sirius was looking to fork over $120 million a year to keep Stern at the satellite radio station. Stern quickly shot that down on his show, saying he hasn’t seen a new contract and that he and his agent were “kind of baffled” by the report.

“I’m ready to take that deal if I can get it,” the shock jock quipped on air. “It sounded awesome.”

Stern’s previous five-year contracts reportedly have paid him between $80 million and $100 million a year, reports The NY Post.

SiriusXM Raises The Bar for 2020

SiriusXM today announced third quarter 2020 operating and financial results, including revenue of $2.025 billion, up 1% compared to the prior year period. The Company's net income increased 11% to $272 million in the third quarter from $246 million a year prior. Net income per diluted common share was $0.06 in the third quarter 2020, compared to $0.05 in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter totaled $661 million, an increase of approximately 1% from $657 million in the prior year period.

"SiriusXM maintains strong momentum heading into year end, and we are increasing all of our full-year subscriber and financial guidance today. Our talented people and our powerful business model have delivered stellar results during a challenging year for our company and country," said Jim Meyer, Chief Executive Officer, SiriusXM.

"Our commitment to having the best possible audio content from top talent, as well as leading media and sports brands, has never wavered. First, we are making significant progress in extending our relationship with Howard Stern. We reached a new agreement with Kevin Hart for more content, with LeBron James and Maverick Carter we launched UNINTERRUPTED Radio from the NBA bubble on Pandora, and we debuted our fulltime channel with the members of U2 on SiriusXM. Pat McAfee joined our sports lineup, and we returned to live sports across the MLB, NBA and NFL. And we brought our listeners special moments like the recent interview between Paul McCartney and Alec Baldwin honoring John Lennon's 80th birthday on The Beatles Channel," added Meyer.

Jim Meyer

As previously announced, Jim Meyer will retire as Chief Executive Officer of SiriusXM on December 31, 2020 and become Vice Chairman of SiriusXM's Board of Directors. Jennifer Witz, the Company's President, Sales, Marketing and Operations, is slated to become Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2021. Sean S. Sullivan has been appointed Chief Financial Officer and is starting in his new position on October 26, 2020.

"This will be my last earnings period as SiriusXM's CEO, and the numbers we are reporting today reflect the incredible progress our team has made during my tenure. It has been an honor to lead SiriusXM for the past eight years, and I'm thrilled to be passing the baton at year end to a leader as capable as Jennifer Witz," Meyer continued.

"I couldn't be more pleased to assume the role of CEO in January and to welcome Sean Sullivan to our team. Our goals are clear: we will maintain our track record of consistent execution and subscriber growth, and continue to drive higher OEM penetration and invest in our 360L platform, streaming efforts, podcasting, and more to ensure our place as the leader in digital audio entertainment and enable the next phase of our growth," said Jennifer Witz.

"The steady churn of 1.7% we saw in the third quarter was outstanding, particularly against a backdrop of rebounding auto sales and the vehicle-related churn which results from higher sales. Our new guidance implies that we will finish the year with self-pay net additions close to 90% of what we originally projected - an extraordinary performance in this year's environment. And the team delivered terrific results by driving a sequential jump of 46% in our advertising revenue in the third quarter," added Witz.

SiriusXM operates two complementary audio entertainment businesses — our SiriusXM business and our Pandora business. Further information regarding these two segments will be contained in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. The pro forma financial and operating highlights below exclude the impact of share-based payment expense.

➤SIRIUSXM

• Self-Pay Subscribers Nearly 30.5 Million. SiriusXM added approximately 169,000 net new self-pay subscribers in the third quarter. Self-pay monthly churn for the third quarter was unchanged from prior year at 1.7%. Total net subscriber additions were 186,000, resulting in 34.4 million total SiriusXM subscribers at the end of the period. Paid promotional subscribers increased due to higher shipments from automakers offering paid trial subscriptions with the purchase or lease of a vehicle. The total trial funnel stood at approximately 8.9 million at the end of the third quarter, up from approximately 8.1 million at the end of the second quarter as sales from automakers offering unpaid trials also increased.
• SiriusXM Revenue Increased 1% to $1.6 Billion. Third quarter revenue was up 1% to $1.6 billion with growth in subscriber revenue offsetting declines in advertising revenue. Monthly ARPU climbed 2% in the third quarter compared to the year ago period despite the reduction in advertising revenue per user, with the subscription component of ARPU rising 3% compared to the year ago period. Higher ARPU and a larger self-pay subscriber base versus the year ago period drove revenue increases and offset the effects of a lower paid trial subscriber base compared to the third quarter of 2019.
• Gross Profit and Margins Steady. Total cost of services at SiriusXM increased by 2% to $610 million in the third quarter, resulting in $979 million of gross profit, a 1% increase over the third quarter of 2019. Gross profit margin was 62%, nearly unchanged compared to the prior year quarter.

➤PANDORA

• Advertising Revenue Declined 3% to $306 million. Third quarter ad revenue at Pandora, which includes off-platform results such as the Company's AdsWizz business, declined 3% year-over-year to $306 million. Monetization of $84 per thousand hours at Pandora was down just 1% year-over-year.
• Total Ad Supported Listener Hours of 3.1 Billion. Monthly Active Users (MAUs) at Pandora were 58.6 million in the third quarter, down from 63.1 million in the prior year period. Total ad supported listener hours were 3.12 billion in the period, down from 3.32 billion in the third quarter of 2019. Average monthly listening hours per active ad-supported user increased 1.8% to 19.5 in the third quarter of 2020 versus 19.1 in the third quarter of 2019.
• Self-Pay Net Adds of 105,000. Pandora added 105,000 net new self-pay subscribers to its Pandora Plus and Pandora Premium services in the third quarter to end the period with nearly 6.4 million self-pay subscribers to those services. Paid promotional subscribers remained near 43,000, roughly unchanged from the prior year period.
• Gross Profit Declined 4%. The decline in advertising revenue exceeded the 1% reduction in costs of services during the quarter, resulting in gross profit at Pandora of $162 million, down 4% over the third quarter of 2019. Gross margin for the quarter was 37%, down from 38% in the third quarter of 2019.

In general, the COVID-19 pandemic, has had, and is continuing to have, a widespread and broad reaching effect on the economy. Vehicle sales have declined and concerts have been postponed indefinitely.

Progressive Journalist Rips MSM Over Hunter Biden Crickets

Progressive journalist Jordan Chariton slammed corporate media on Thursday for ignoring the ongoing scandal surrounding Hunter Biden’s laptop in a scathing Twitter thread that blasted MSNBC, CNN, The New York Times and Washington Post for selective censorship, reports FOX News. 

Jordan Chariton

“The corporate media—and Twitter/FB—are still crickets as Hunter Biden's biz partner confirms the emails in @nypost story are real,” Chariton wrote to caption a Fox News report that Tony Bobulinski — who was listed as the recipient of an email published by the New York Post that appeared to detail a business arrangement involving a Chinese company and members of the Biden family — confirmed that the email is "genuine" and provided more information regarding the Bidens' role in the deal. 

Chariton, who worked a variety of media organizations before starting Status Coup in an attempt to dissociate himself with corporate media, noted that he isn’t a fan of Trump but the blackout on coverage of Hunter Biden is simply unfair.  

The mainstream media has essentially ignored the Hunter Biden laptop scandal, while critics have pointed out that a similar situation involving Donald Trump Jr. would presumably be front-page news. Twitter and Facebook have both censored reporting on Biden’s laptop and the Democratic nominee has dodged the few questions he’s received about it, dismissing it as a “smear.”

  

The corporate media—and Twitter/FB—are still crickets as Hunter Biden's biz partner confirms the emails in @nypost story are real (& that the reference to the "big guy" that 10% equity should be set aside for is...@JoeBiden)

THREAD...https://t.co/GsCGwWSRFB

— Jordan (@JordanChariton) October 22, 2020

 House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., claimed that the information was on that laptop is not legitimate and that it was part of a Russian disinformation scheme. However, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe pushed back against this claim, saying, "There is no intelligence that supports that."

Chariton added that it “doesn’t matter” if you like Trump or not because the underlying issue is not about the election.  

“What matters is if news consumers and Americans become numb and OK with corporate, for-profit media outlets (and now tech platforms) selectively pushing and elevating one set of dubious/suspect stories that might weaken a politician they don't like (dubious Russiagate stories that make Trump look bad) while censoring and suppressing less suspicious story that might hurt Biden (@nypost Hunter Biden story)...then media and tech platforms are just one more cog in the political tribalism machine,” Chariton wrote. “If people are ok with this selective censorship with no consistent journalistic standards....we are in much worse shape as a country than even I thought.” 

The Rundown: Final Debate Between Trump, Biden Tonight

President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden will meet in their second and final presidential debate tonight in Nashville, in what could be the last major opportunity to affect the course of the race, in which polls show Biden leading nationally and more narrowly ahead in the battleground states. After a contentious first debate late last month in which constant interruptions, mostly by Trump of Biden, made it frequently difficult to follow what was being said, each candidate will tonight have their microphone muted while their opponent gives an opening two-minute answer at the start of each of six segments during the debate. 

NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker will be moderating the second and final presidential debate

Here's what you should know about her: https://t.co/eI83sQxDIY

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) October 21, 2020

What was supposed to be the second of three debates last week was canceled when Trump backed out after it was changed to a virtual format in the wake of his illness with the coronavirus. Trump and Biden ended up both having separate televised town halls at the same time instead.

Former President Barack Obama returned to the campaign trail, launching a blistering attack on Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic https://t.co/Dac4VGwaJL pic.twitter.com/tRNaZ3CL13

— Reuters (@Reuters) October 22, 2020

Obama Hits Campaign Trail: On the eve of tonight's final debate, former President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail in person yesterday for the first time for Biden. Appearing in Philadelphia at a drive-in rally, Obama vouched for his former vice president, but went after Trump in much of the 35-minute speech, charging that the president is, quote, "incapable of taking the job seriously," and that he approaches it as a reality TV show. Obama charged that Trump had mismanaged the coronavirus pandemic, saying he can't keep Americans safe and couldn't even keep himself safe, referring to Trump getting Covid-19.

Iran and Russia accessed some voter registration data, top intel officials say https://t.co/GFDrjNwiJu

— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 22, 2020

➤OFFICIALS CHARGE IRAN BEHIND EMAILS SENT TO INTIMIDATE VOTERS: Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe charged in a hastily-called news conference yesterday evening  that Iran was behind intimidating emails that have been sent to Democratic voters in several battleground states pressuring them to vote for President Trump. The emails, which said, quote, "we will come after you" if the recipient doesn't vote for Trump, falsely said they were from the violent far-right group the Proud Boys. Although the emails pushed for votes for Trump, Ratcliffe said they were intended to harm the president, but didn't say how. Ratcliffe and FBI Director Chris Wray also said that both Russia and Iran had obtained voter registration information, although there was no allegation they'd hacked into a database to get the information that AP noted is sometimes easily accessible. Ratcliffe and Wray both emphasized that the integrity of voting is secure.

  ➤HOSPITALS BEING STRESSED AS CORONAVIRUS CASES RISE: Hospitals across the U.S. are being stressed as coronavirus cases are rising nationally in the apparent arrival of the warned-about fall surge of the virus. Dr. Jay Butler, the deputy director for infectious diseases for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday that the U.S. is experiencing what he called a "distressing trend," with coronavirus cases increasing in nearly three-quarters of the country, particularly in the Midwest, where some states have raised concerns about a falling number of intensive care beds available. The seven-day rolling average for daily new cases is now nearly 60,000, the highest it's been since July.

Some politicians say #COVID19 isn’t a “death sentence” but 1,574 people in Wisconsin have lost their lives to this deadly pandemic.

We all need to listen to our frontline health care workers. https://t.co/xHmlHts3yb

— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) October 19, 2020

 

There have been more than 222,200 deaths as of early this morning, according to Johns Hopkins University's count, and more than 8,337,000 confirmed cases.

➤DEMOCRATS TO BOYCOTT SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTE TODAY ON BARRETT: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced late yesterday (October 21st) that Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee will boycott its vote today on whether to send Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate for a vote. Democrats have objected to Barrett being nominated so close to an election, and Schumer also charged that her views are, quote, "so far out of the mainstream." Republicans hold the Senate majority, so Barrett is almost certain to be confirmed, and while boycotting today's committee vote won't stop the process toward confirmation, it could force Republicans to change the rules that say at least two members of the minority party must be present for the committee to do business. Republicans are planning a rare weekend Senate session as part of their rapid schedule to get Barrett confirmed as early as Monday.

All tied up. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/AWwG4R5kiK

— MLB (@MLB) October 22, 2020

⚾RAYS DEFEAT DODGERS 6-4 TO EVEN WORLD SERIES AT 1-1: The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 last night to even the World Series at one game each. Tampa Bay second baseman Brandon Lowe hit two home runs, a solo shot in the first inning and a two-run homer in the fifth, while starter Blake Snell struck one nine Dodgers in four and two-thirds innings and didn't allow a hit until he gave up a two-run home run in the fifth. Tampa Bay's bullpen fended off an attempted comeback by L.A. in the eighth inning and held on for the win. Game 3 of the neutral-site World Series, held at the Texas Rangers' new stadium, is on Friday night.

🏈RAIDERS' BROWN POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS, OFFENSIVE LINEMEN SENT HOME: Las Vegas Raiders right tackle Trent Brown has tested positive for the coronavirus and all five of the team's starting offensive lineman were sent home as they apparently were in contact with him. The team held practice yesterday without those players as well as without safety Johnathan Abram, who was also held out due to contact tracing.

🏀VAN GUNDY TO BE PELICANS' NEW HEAD COACH: Stan Van Gundy has signed on to be the New Orleans Pelicans' new head coach, reportedly agreeing to a four-year deal with the NBA team. He tweeted yesterday that he is, quote, "excited to join a talented" Pelicans team. He is replacing Alvin Gentry, who was let go after the Pelicans missed the playoffs this season. Van Gundy has been head coach for the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and most recently the Detroit Pistons, who he was with from 2014 to 2018.

LSU has banned Odell Beckham Jr. from its football facilities for two years related to the NCAA's investigation into improper booster payments to its football players, first reported by Sports Illustrated.

More on the penalties: https://t.co/Cod97v5kt6 pic.twitter.com/5XmhQ50ZUG

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 21, 2020

➤BECKHAM BANNED FROM LSU FOR TWO YEARS: The Cleveland Browns' Odell Beckham Jr. has been banned from Louisiana State University's facilities for two years after the wide receiver handed out cash to several LSU football players after the win by his alma mater over Clemson in the national championship game in January, according to reports. Sports Illustrated cited sources as saying the ban came after a years-long investigation into improper payments in the LSU football program found that Beckham gave $2,000 in $100 bills to four players on the field after the game. LSU also revoked eight of its own football scholarships over the next two years after the probe with the NCAA found booster payments connected to the football program.

➤PENN STATE BASKETBALL COACH CHAMBERS RESIGNS AFTER INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT PROBE: Penn State men's basketball head coach Pat Chambers resigned Wednesday  following an investigation by the school of allegations of inappropriate conduct. Penn State said that new allegations surfaced after The Undefeated reported in July that Rasir Bolton, who transferred to Iowa State in 2019, said he left the school because Chambers made a reference to a noose around Bolton's neck. Bolton said Chambers told him, "I need to get some of this pressure off you. I want to loosen the noose that's around your neck." The new allegations were reportedly unrelated to Bolton's.

🐶WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW HEADING OUTDOORS NEXT YEAR: The Westminster Kennel Club dog show will be leaving its traditional Madison Square Garden home in New York City for an outdoor location when it's held next June due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Westminster Kennel Club said yesterday that the dog show will be held at the Lyndhurst estate in Tarrytown, New York, about 25 miles north of Manhattan. It will be the first time in more than 100 years that the Westminster dog show hasn't been held at Madison Square Garden.

And The 2020 CMT Music Award Winners Are...

Carrie Underwood already had the most CMT Music Awards of any artist, but she’ll need to make more room on her shelf. The superstar picked up two more trophies for video of the year and female video of the year in a remotely shot awards show, reports The Associated Press.

Underwood appeared on video to accept for “Drinking Alone” and thanked fans for voting for her during an unpredictable year when touring ground to a halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OMG! Thank you guys so much! You’re the best! ❤️ @CMT #VideoOfTheYear #FemaleVideoOfTheYear #CMTawards pic.twitter.com/UCf3m2Koxj

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) October 22, 2020

Pop star Gwen Stefani won her first CMT Music Award for collaborative video of the year for her duet with Blake Shelton on “Nobody But You.” The couple shared a hug and drinks together and expressed their love for one another in their recorded speech. “What is happening in my life?” Stefani exclaimed.

Here's a complete list of the evening's winners:

• Duo video of the year: Dan + Shay, "I Should Probably Go To Bed"
• Female video of the year: Carrie Underwood, "Drinking Alone"
• Equal play award: Jennifer Nettles
• CMT performance of the year: Chris Young, "Drowning"
• Male video of the year: Luke Bryan, "One Margarita"
• Breakthrough video of the year: Gabby Barret, "I Hope"
• Group video of the year: Old Dominion, “One Man Band”
• Collaborative video of the year: Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani “Nobody but You”
• Video of the year: Carrie Underwood “Drinking Alone”
• Quarantine video of the year: Granger Smith "DON'T COUGH ON ME!"

Nielsen: Host-Read Podcasts Ads Pack Recall Punch

Recently, It’s been well documented that podcast audiences are among the most engaged there are, and much of that reflects the hosts. But, according to a Nielsen posting, listeners’ affinity for show hosts is just as important from an advertising perspective as it is for show content. That’s because the ads that hosts read drive more brand recall than non-host-read ads. It is worth noting, however, that sponsor-read ads still drive powerful recall results, states Nielsen.

Unlike other media, measurement in the podcast space isn’t a cut-and-dry endeavor. The myriad parties involved and increasing platforms that host and distribute the content inhibit the ability to collect holistic and representative listener data. As marketers weigh their campaign efforts, their real focus should be on aligning with podcasts that cater to their specific audiences rather than podcasts that simply boast mass reach. Importantly, a Nielsen study last year found that top-of-mind brand awareness for many popular brands was nearly 70% among podcast listeners.

To better understand and benchmark brand and content metrics among podcast listeners, Nielsen has conducted more than 260 surveys across 240 brands. That research, which involves presenting listeners with podcasts clips and assessing their engagement vs. those not exposed across an array of key brand metrics and content measures allows brands to measure the impact of their advertising or sponsorship on podcasts. 

From a marketing investment perspective, our brand engagement data illustrates how host-read ads excel. For example, host-read ads outperform non-host-read ads when we look at inspiring listeners to seek more information about a product. Host-read ads also produce an average of 50% increase in purchase and recommendation intent among listeners when compared against non-host-read ads.

Aside from the fact that podcast ads drive significant brand lift, the podcast landscape is additionally lucrative because of its growth trajectory. Data from Nielsen’s Podcast Buying Power service shows that the U.S. podcast listener base has been growing at a 20% CAGR since 2014, and is projected to double by 2023. And even more importantly, adults 25-44 (a key buying demo) are driving much of that growth. Nearly 30% of adults 25-34, for example, listen to podcasts.

Podcast engagement in the audio space stands out much like streaming stands out in the video space, providing an ever-expanding array of options while growing the amount of time consumers spend each day with media. The big difference in the podcast space is the engagement with advertising.

NAB Supports HEROES Lifeline Act

U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) Wednesday introduced the HEROES Small Business Lifeline Act— a comprehensive package of measures that would provide over $370 billion of support to the hardest-hit, most vulnerable small businesses, including minority-owned businesses and very small businesses that have been left behind in this pandemic, and industries, such as restaurants and live venues. The bill is nearly identical to the small business provisions of HEROES 2.0, which passed the House of Representatives on October 1.

The HEROES Small Business Lifeline Act would include:

• Extend and improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to better serve small businesses. HEROES 2.0 extends PPP through March 2021; provides a second PPP for the hardest-hit small businesses and nonprofits; expands eligibility to ensure that all nonprofits, regardless of size and type, critical access hospitals, and local news media can participate; simplifies the forgiveness process; repeals the requirement of deducting an EIDL advance from the PPP forgiveness amount; and removes limitations that unfairly restrict small businesses owned by formerly incarcerated individuals from securing a PPP loan.
• Extend and expand the Debt Relief program. HEROES 2.0 extends payments of principal, interest, and fees on all preexisting and new Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a), 504 and microloans for up to a year, with more relief targeted to existing borrowers in underserved markets and the hardest-hit sectors. This debt relief program is also expanded to include SBA’s physical and EIDL disaster loans.
• Support the smallest, most vulnerable businesses. HEROES 2.0 includes a new $40 billion Lifeline Grant program, of which half is set aside for undeserved businesses, that provides grants of up to $50,000 to vulnerable small businesses that have suffered a significant economic loss and creates a new $15 billion grant program for state and local governments to provide funds to vulnerable small businesses in their communities.
• Deliver targeted assistance to small businesses in struggling industries. HEROES 2.0 includes the Save our Stages (SOS) Act and the RESTAURANTS Act, which provide dedicated assistance for industries that rely on large gatherings, including restaurants, concert venues, and theaters.

In response to the introduction in the Senate yesterday of the HEROES Small Business Lifeline Act, which includes provisions to expand eligibility for U.S. Small Business Administration loan access to struggling local newspapers and radio and television stations, the following statement can be attributed to NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith:

Smith

“NAB applauds the inclusion of provisions in the HEROES Small Business Lifeline Act that would expand eligibility to Payroll Protection Program loans for local media outlets, including radio and television stations. These provisions would help local broadcasters weather unprecedented economic challenges while continuing to provide critical news and information about important issues affecting our communities.

"We thank Senators Schumer, Cantwell, Cardin, Shaheen, and Coons for the introduction of this critical legislation, and the many members of Congress who have voiced their support for America’s radio and TV stations during these difficult times. We also thank Speaker Pelosi and Chairwoman Velázquez for including similar provisions in the House-passed Heroes bill, and we appreciate the leadership of Reps. Cicilline and Sensenbrenner, Sens. Cantwell, Boozman, and Schumer, and their bipartisan cosponsors of standalone legislation in both Houses to provide this much-needed aid for local media.”

The expansion of PPP for local media would provide television and radio broadcasters, as well as newspapers, the same treatment as hotels and restaurants received under the original CARES Act PPP – eligibility based on a physical location basis.

In May, Reps. David Cicilline (D-RI) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced the Local News and Emergency Information Act in the House, standalone legislation that would expand eligibility for U.S. Small Business Administration loan access to struggling local newspapers and radio and television stations. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), John Boozman (R-AR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Local News and Emergency Information Act in the Senate, and the bill continues to garner bipartisan support.

Chicago Radio: Jennifer Keiper Joins CBS News Radio

Jennifer Keiper

Jennifer Keiper, an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience, is joining CBS News Radio as Midwest anchor and correspondent. Jennifer will be based in Chicago and starts reporting on Monday, November 9, 2020.

Keiper has been an anchor and reporter at WBBM-AM in Chicago, where she was also the co-anchor of the “Noon Business Hour.”

She brings a wealth of reporting experience to CBS News Radio. Jennifer was the first Midwest Correspondent for Fox News Radio, where she covered the presidential campaign trail, Capitol Hill hearings, EF-5 tornadoes and the near collapse of the U.S. auto industry. 

In 2011, she traveled to London to cover the Royal Wedding and reported from Berlin on the 20th Anniversary of President Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” speech. She has also attended sessions at the European Union and NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Along the way, her work has earned several prestigious awards, including an Edward R. Murrow Regional Award for Best Newscast while with WLS-AM Radio in Chicago. She has also been honored with numerous Associated Press, IBA Silver Dome and Peter Lisagor awards.

Jennifer spent her early years in Wilkes-Barre, Pa, attended high school and college in the Chicago area and received her master’s degree from Columbia College Chicago.

NYC Radio: Fauci Tells WCBS-AM Trump Insults 'A Distraction'

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, spoke with WCBS 880’s Michael Wallace this week to answer questions about the coronavirus pandemic and recent insults lodged at him by President Donald Trump.

A day after calling Fauci a “disaster,” and saying that the American people are getting tired of the infectious disease expert, the president said he gets along with the doctor, but complained that he's not a "team player."

According to a posting on the WCBS-AM website, when asked about the tensions with the president, Fauci said, "I developed the capability over the many years that I've been doing this to really focus like a laser on what you really need to do and right now I'm focusing on the virus."

Fauci said the virus is the enemy and his attention is now on getting vaccines and therapies out.

"So when things like that come up, quite frankly, it's a distraction," Fauci said. "I don't pay much attention to it and I go ahead and do the job that I'm supposed to be doing, safeguarding the health, the safety and the welfare of the American people, including all of my loved ones in New York."

Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and member of the White House coronavirus task force, acknowledged that with the colder weather approaching, states are likely going to see more and more cases of the virus.

Currently, 38 states are seeing upticks or spikes in COVID-19 cases, with Wisconsin being hit especially hard. Fauci says the situation is only going to worsen as the cold weather moves in and people move back inside, and that's cause for worry.

NYC Radio: Breakfast Club Host Says Trump Courting Young Blacks

Charlamage Tha God (NY Times photo)

WQHT Power 105 and nationally syndicated "Breakfast Club" co-host Charlamagne Tha God acknowledged President Trump's efforts to reach out to "young Black male voters," a group the radio personality said "never gets courted," FOX News is reporting.

During a CNN appearance Tuesday night, Charlamagne was asked about "prominent Black men" who have either endorsed Trump or expressed willingness to work with him, likely alluding to 50 Cent's social media posts indicating that he's voting for the president and Ice Cube's partnership with the Trump campaign on its "Platinum Plan" to benefit Black Americans. 

"I don't like that narrative," Charlamagne told anchor Don Lemon. "You know, because if Trump wins, they're about to turn this into a 'Black men are the reason why Trump is in office.'"

"When it comes to those Black people you see who maybe [are] showing support for Trump, I just think because Trump is actually talking to young Black male voters," the radio talk show host added. "He's directing ads towards them. They are a group that, you know, never gets courted. I mean, Black people don't get courted either as a whole, but that old Democratic regime speaks to old Black men and they think that everyone else in the Black community, the Black family is supposed to fall in line ... they think the rest of us all speak the same language."

He added, "So Trump is targeting young Black males. And promo ad and marketing, it works." 

Charlamagne Tha God tells Don Lemon "Trump is actually talking to young black male voters, he’s directing ads toward them. They are a group that never get courted." pic.twitter.com/w1Xpi7Za8R

— Eddie Zipperer (@EddieZipperer) October 21, 2020

During the interview, Charlamagne told Lemon that he wasn't "necessarily voting for Joe Biden" but was instead "voting for Kamala Harris.”

"I believe she’s a political change agent, exactly the leader this country needs to lead us in the future. If she’s not, I’ll just be wrong,” he explained. “I’m just so tired of old White male leadership in politics.”

D-C Radio: El Zol's 'Radioton' Raises $289K+ For St. Jude

Entercom raised over $289,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during WLZL 107.9 El Zol’s “Radiotón” in Washington D.C. The amount donated during the 4th annual radiothon brought the overall fundraising total to over $1.3 million since 2017.

“The love of community and generosity to help others never stops, even during a pandemic,” said Ivy Savoy-Smith, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Washington D.C. “The El Zol audience is passionate, loyal and giving and we’re so proud to team up with them to support the selfless work of St. Jude and their efforts to cure childhood cancer.”

The radiothon was broadcast on Friday, October 16. Programming featured pre-recorded interviews with patients and staff from St. Jude Children’s Hospital and listener call-ins.

Founded in 1962, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s mission is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.

Entercom is committed to supporting the health and success of the communities that are the heart of its business. “Radiotón” is a part of Entercom Serves, the Company’s social impact platform that raises awareness of social issues and brings communities together for good. Entercom unites with its listeners and brands to support sound communities through several pillars of impact: children’s health, diversity, equity and inclusion, mental health and anti-bullying, veterans and service members, the environment and civic education.