Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s new media company has begun building its base of paying subscribers as it moves toward launch, its chief executive told Reuters.
“We’ve opened our site for membership pre-sales,” said Neil Patel, co-founder and chief executive of the new venture. “Once we are comfortable that all of the systems are running well, launch and brand release will follow.”
Patel said those paying subscribers will have access to members-only content and behind-the-scenes footage. He declined to comment on the pricing.
Carlson is capitalizing on his popularity among conservative viewers after being taken off the air by Fox News in April, following a defamation lawsuit over false claims of election fraud. In addition to its subscription offering, the venture will also distribute free content on X, formerly known as Twitter, and other platforms, the Wall Street Journal first reported.
Since June, Carlson has been releasing videos on X. On his show, “Tucker on X,” he has interviewed guests including Javier Milei, Argentina’s libertarian president-elect; Hungary’s nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán; and Larry Sinclair, who repeated unsubstantiated and widely dismissed claims that he had taken drugs and had sex with former U.S. President Barack Obama.
Carlson’s August interview with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had opted out of a Republican primary debate on Fox News the same night, drew more than 74 million views on X, according to statistics on the platform.
More than 750 Washington Post employees said they had walked off the job Thursday, refusing to work for 24 hours in the biggest labor protest at the company in nearly half a century.
Workers marched in a picket line outside The Post’s offices in downtown Washington, waving “Strike” signs, ringing bells, blowing horns, beating drums and chanting, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, our salary floor is much too low!”
But even as strikers asked readers to abstain from the newspaper and its website for the day in solidarity, editors and other managers carried on with many of the tasks that go into producing a daily news report, from writing articles to operating printing presses.
Union members said they are protesting a stalemate in bargaining with the company that has left workers without a contract for 18 months. They also object to the company’s recent offer of cost-saving buyouts to staff members, saying that the terms are stingy and that the ostensibly voluntary packages are being coerced by a threat of layoffs.
Company executives deny the union’s claim that it has bargained in “bad faith” and say they still hope to reach a contract agreement by the end of the month.
“We respect the rights of our Guild-covered colleagues to engage in this planned one-day strike,” a company spokesperson said. “We will make sure our readers and customers are as unaffected as possible.”
The company expressed confidence that it would be able to print and deliver newspapers as usual Thursday and Friday, while keeping its website updated as well.
The early Nielsen data is in, and as one might expect, the audience figures for last night’s Republican presidential primary debate are down from prior debates.
TV Newser reports upstart cable news network NewsNation, which hosted the live two-hour primetime affair, brought in around 1.6 million viewers for its live broadcast of the debate, by far the largest audience in network’s relatively brief history; among adults 25-54, the debate was watched by more than 350,000 viewers on NewsNation.
Broadcast network The CW, which shares a parent with NewsNation (Nexstar Media Group, Inc.), averaged more than 2.5 million total viewers and 500,000 A25-54 viewers for its simulcast of the NewsNation debate — making the debate The CW’s most watched primetime telecast since 2018. Combining viewership for the NewsNation broadcast with The CW simulcast, roughly 4.1 million total viewers (850,000 A25-54) watched the linear broadcast of last night’s GOP debate, per Fast Nationals from Nielsen.
Two networks announced Thursday that they would host Republican presidential debates next month in early nominating states, offering some contenders additional opportunities to sway voters after Wednesday night’s debate in Tuscaloosa, Ala., which might be the last one this cycle sponsored by the Republican National Committee.
CNN announced plans for two debates: the first in Des Moines on Jan. 10, less than a week before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses for Republicans; the second in Goffstown, N.H., on Jan. 21, ahead of the Granite State’s primary.
ABC News said it would team up with a local television station to host a debate in the Manchester, N.H., area, on Jan. 18, in coordination with the New Hampshire State Republican Committee.
Wednesday night’s debate was the fourth sponsored by the RNC, and the party has not announced any additional sanctioned debates. The RNC has partnered with various media organizations for its four debates but maintained strict control over the process.
Consulting and research firm Jacobs Media and leading mobile application development company jācapps announced today Chris Brunt has been added to their teams. His title – Director of Digital and Revenue Generation – is reflective of his unique skill set. Chris has deep experience in radio programming, digital content creation, and served as the Digital Sales Manager at Beasley Media in Detroit.
Chris Brunt
“Over the past forty years, we have constantly adjusted and upgraded our services to adapt to our clients’ needs,” remarks Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs. “Today, the big need of our clients across both of our companies is digital revenue solutions. Chris is like the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of digital – he’s a revenue generation expert, and he understands everything from programming to programmatic.”
During his time at Beasley (and prior to that, Greater Media Detroit), Brunt made his mark in the development of websites, audio and video streaming, podcasts, and social media channels. And over the past seven years, he drove increases in revenue by leveraging both owned/operated and programmatic media.
➦In 1927…The term "Grand Ole Opry" was used for the first time to refer to the Saturday Night aired on WSM, Nashville. The show was originally named WSM Barn Dance, and George D. Hay billed himself as "The Solemn Old Judge."
The Barn Dance was broadcast after NBC's Music Appreciation Hour, a program featuring classical music and grand opera. On this day in, the final music piece on the Music Appreciation Hour depicted the sound of a rushing locomotive. After the show ended, "Judge Hay" opened the WSM Barn Dance with this announcement:
“ Friends, the program which just came to a close was devoted to the classics. Doctor Damrosch [host of the program] told us that there is no place in the classics for realism. However, from here on out for the next three hours, we will present nothing but realism. It will be down to earth for the 'earthy'. ”
Hay then introduced the man he dubbed "The Harmonica Wizard," DeFord Bailey, who played his classic train song, "The Pan American Blues," named for the crack Louisville and Nashville Railroad passenger train The Pan-American. After Bailey's performance, Hay commented, "For the past hour, we have been listening to music taken largely from Grand Opera. From now on we will present the Grand Ole Opry."
➦In 1940...the first NFL championship game heard nationally aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System. Red Barber called the game and the Bears beat the Redskins, 73-0, in the most one-sided NFL final ever.
➦In 1941…A Presidential Address was delivered at 12:30 p.m. to a Joint Session of Congress by U. S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, one day after the Empire of Japan's attack on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii. Roosevelt described the previous day as "a date which will live in infamy."
Within an hour of the speech, Congress passed a formal declaration of war against Japan and officially brought the U.S. into World War II. Britain and Canada also declared war on Japan, although both countries already had been fighting World War II in Europe against Germany.
➦In 1962…DJ-promoter Alan Freed appeared at his payola trial in NYC and admitted to receiving money from record labels to play their songs on the air.
He was found guilty, fined $300, and given six months probation, but the irreparable damage to his reputation and career had been done.
Dick Clark, host of ABC-TV's "American Bandstand," was also questioned but was cleared of all charges.
➦In 1962...During the 1962–63 New York City newspaper strike,WABC 95.5 FM programmed news for 17 hours daily. This was about two-and-a-half years before 1010 WINS launched its own around-the-clock, all-news format in April 1965.
The all-news effort on WABC-FM was followed by stints with Broadway show tunes and general freeform programming, including broadcasts of New York Mets baseball games.
➦In 1980...John Lennon, formerly of The Beatles, was fatally shot in the archway of the Dakota, his residence in New York City.
The perp was Mark David Chapman, who stated that he was incensed by Lennon's lifestyle and public statements, especially his much-publicized remark about the Beatles being "more popular than Jesus" and the lyrics of his later songs "God" and "Imagine". Chapman also said he was inspired by the fictional character Holden Caulfield from J. D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye.
Sen. Rand Paul (R–Ky.) is trying to stop legislation that requires automakers to continue putting dashboard A.M. radio in cars. According to reason.com, his new amendment to the A.M. radio bill would also eliminate electric vehicle subsidies.
Earlier this year, Sen. Ed Markey (D–Mass.) introduced the AM For Every Vehicle Act, with the explicit goal of ensuring "that this resilient and popular communication tool does not become a relic of the past." A skeptic might respond that if A.M. radio is both resilient and popular, car manufacturers would continue to provide it—but eight of the 20 major automobile companies have ceased offering the service, according to Markey's own press release. The market currently provides some cars that have A.M. radio and others that do not; yet a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R–Texas) believe that the federal government must mandate it.
Rand Paul
Enter Paul. On Tuesday, the senator introduced an amendment that would obviate the AM For Every Vehicle Act while also eliminating the electric vehicle tax credit.
"Mandating that all cars have AM radio is antithetical to any notion of limited government," said Paul on the floor of the U.S. Senate.
Supporters of the AM For Every Vehicle Act contend that the service is necessary for public safety in that it communicates information about driving conditions and extreme weather. Of course, there are many, many other ways for drivers to get that information, including from any passenger's cellphone. There's nothing stopping automobile manufacturers from equipping cars with A.M. radio, but federal legislators who support the bill are effectively saying that they know better.
A 98.5 The Sports Hub rising star who has been floated as a contender for the “Toucher and Rich” host opening has interviewed for the highly coveted job, according to The Boston Herald.
Kendra Middleton, who makes regular appearances on the morning show, confirmed on Wednesday that she interviewed for the open position.
Longtime host Rich Shertenlieb left “Toucher and Rich” last month after host Fred Toucher signed a multiyear extension to stay with the morning show.
Kendra Middleton
Middleton on Wednesday joined 98.5’s Mike Felger on the Facebook Live “Off-Air Show,” and Felger asked her if she had interviewed for the morning show.
“I think I got a courtesy interview, so yes,” Middleton responded. “I think because I applied, they brought me in, which was really nice.”
Felger asked why she thought it was just a courtesy interview.
“Just because I think that I’m young and new,” Middleton responded, later adding, “I think (Program Director) Rick (Radzik) took me very seriously. It’s just I think that there’s probably someone who, I don’t know, I think that I’m qualified. It’s just I haven’t been here very long, so I don’t know.”
Felger again asked if she thought she was a serious candidate. “I would love to be. I just, I don’t know,” Middleton responded.
Jim Murray, also known as “Big Jim” who’s the third chair on “Felger and Mazz,” had been floated as a possible replacement for Shertenlieb.
Felger on a previous Off-Air Show had asked the fan favorite if he was interested in the morning show opening, and Murray vowed that he was “100% not interested.”
A top name being mentioned as a replacement on the morning show has been Rob “Hardy” Poole, who’s on the midday 98.5 show “Zolak and Bertrand.” Hardy has been called a good fit for the morning show with his production work and music background.
Joe Castiglione, the popular radio voice of the MLB Boston Red Sox for more than four decades, was announced Wednesday as the winner of the 2024 Ford C. Frick Award by the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
The award, given annually by the Hall for excellence in broadcasting, will be presented to Castiglione at Hall of Fame Weekend in July.
“Bringing knowledge and passion to the booth every day for more than four decades, Joe Castiglione has given voice to the greatest era of Red Sox success in the broadcast era,” said Josh Rawitch, president of the Hall of Fame, in a statement. “Starting with the team in 1983 in Carl Yastrzemski’s final season, Joe has connected generations of Red Sox fans with a delivery that has become part of the New England fabric.”
The Boston Globe reports Castiglione has called Red Sox games on radio for a record 41 seasons, with his calls through four World Series triumphs — and in particular the highs of 2004 — becoming iconic in Boston. He has also called four Sox no-hitters: by Hideo Nomo in 2001, Derek Lowe in 2002, Clay Buchholz in 2007, and Jon Lester in 2008.
Castiglione, a Hamden, Conn., native, joined the Red Sox radio team at Fenway in 1983 and has shared the booth with partners such as Bob Starr, Dave O’Brien, Jerry Trupiano, and Will Flemming.
Castiglione, 76, was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014 and is the franchise’s longest-tenured broadcaster. He reduced his role to 81 games in 2023 in order to spend more time with his family.
The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball." The award, named after the late broadcaster, National League President, Commissioner, and Hall of Famer, has been presented annually since 1978. Frick was a driving force behind the creation of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and he helped foster the relationship between radio and the game of baseball. Mel Allen and Red Barber were the first two recipients in 1978. A single winner has been selected in each year following.
Cumulus Media announces that it has promoted Holly Paras to Regional Vice President of Cumulus Media in Providence, RI, and New London, CT. Paras currently serves as Vice President/Market Manager of Cumulus Providence and adds responsibilities for Cumulus Media’s three radio stations and digital offerings in New London, CT, to her purview.
Holly Paras
Prior to her appointment in 2016 as Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Providence, Paras was Director of Sales for Cumulus Providence for more than 10 years. She was previously National Sales Manager for WHJY, WSNE and WWBB in Providence. Paras was also an Account Executive for Katz Radio Group in New York City.
Dave Milner, President, Operations, Cumulus Media, said: “Holly is an extremely effective and capable leader. Having her lead New London in addition to Providence allows for us to provide enhanced solutions for customers in Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut.”
Holly Paras commented: “I am thrilled to be able to work with the incredible stations and team at Cumulus New London. Together, Cumulus Media’s vibrant brands in these two adjacent markets create a highly effective marketing platform and opportunity for advertisers and community partners.”
📻Cumulus Media owns and operates three radio stations in New London, including: The Wolf 102.3/WMOS-FM (Classic Rock); Q105/WQGN-FM (CHR); and 980 AM WXLM/WXLM-AM (News/Talk).
📻Cumulus Media owns and operates five radio stations in Providence, including: News Talk 99.7 FM – 630 AM/WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM (News/Talk); 92 Pro FM/WPRO-FM (CHR); The Score Sports Radio 790/WPRV-AM (Sports); Hot 106/WWKX-FM (Rhythmic CHR); and Lite 105/WWLI-FM (AC).
Subscribers to Disney+ and Hulu will begin seeing Hulu content on their Disney+ apps beginning Wednesday as Disney prepares to combine the two streaming services into a one-app experience next March.
As part of the beta test, viewers who subscribe to both services will see a designated Hulu streaming tile on Disney+, similar to existing tiles for Disney’s Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and National Geographic brands.
Once they click on the tile, subscribers will be able to watch Hulu originals including “Only Murders in the Building,” FX series such as “The Bear” and next-day titles from Disney’s linear TV networks, like ABC’s “Abbott Elementary.” Hulu + Live TV will not be available on Disney+ as part of Wednesday’s rollout.
The Los Angeles Times reports Hulu will remain as a standalone app, even after the official integration with Disney+ launches next year. The company is also preparing to do the same integration for Disney+ content on Hulu, though company executives have not provided a timeline for that feature.
Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger previously said during the company’s Nov. 8 earnings call that he felt “really good” about early versions of the integration and was optimistic about Disney’s ability to increase engagement and lower subscriber churn by offering an all-in-one app.
A lone shooter opened fire on the main campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on Wednesday, killing three people and wounding a fourth before the suspect was shot dead by police, authorities said at a news briefing hours afterward. Police declined to publicly identify the assailant, going so far as to avoid any mention of the suspect's gender, nor did they give any information about the four victims struck by gunfire - three fatally - or their connection to the university. The surviving gunshot victim was listed in stable condition, according to Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. He said several other people suffered panic attacks during the pandemonium, and a number of officers were treated for minor injuries sustained during a search of the sprawling campus for any additional victims or suspects. None were found. No mention was made of a possible motive for the violence, and police did not disclose the type of firearm used.
A gunman opened fire at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Law enforcement sources say multiple victims and the suspect are dead.@pattersonnbc has the latest. pic.twitter.com/xbl6dnEHkQ
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) December 7, 2023
Unconfirmed reports said the gunman who killed three at the University of Nevada on Wednesday was a 67-year-old professor who had been rejected for a job at the college, according to reports. The unnamed shooter had connections to Georgia and North Carolina, CNN reported. His failed job application was reported by 8 News Now, with sources telling the site that he may also have had connections to a person who works on campus. The three people who died have not been named. A fourth victim was shot but is in a stable condition, said Sheriff Kevin McMahill, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday night.
➤SUSPECT ARRESTED IN MULTIPLE TEXAS SHOOTINGS: Police in Travis, Texas, have charged a suspect in multiple deadly shootings carried out across a wide area on Tuesday. Shane James allegedly killed his parents in San Antonio before shooting four other people dead in four separate locations in Austin. A police officer was wounded during the ordeal.
Texas authorities are investigating a daylong shooting spree that left six people dead and three others injured at multiple sites in Austin and San Antonio. @MattRiversABC has details about what police know about the suspect, 34-year-old Shane James Jr. https://t.co/Wr1DhAO5SRpic.twitter.com/52kEMSjWjl
➤SENATE BLOCKS ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN: Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked a bill to ban the sale of semiautomatic weapons and expand background checks for gun buyers. The National Rifle Association condemned the bill as a violation of Americans’ Second Amendment rights.
➤DEBATE MUD: Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie called tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy "the most obnoxious blowhard in America." Ramaswamy said former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is "the only person more fascist" than Democratic President Joe Biden. Later in the fourth Republican presidential debate on Wednesday, he waved a handwritten note reading "Nikki = Corrupt," as the audience audibly groaned. The four candidates on stage in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, showed little reticence in attacking each other in what could be their last face-off before the Iowa caucuses, which kick off the 2024 Republican presidential nominating contest in less than six weeks' time.
NEW: The Republican debate has been an absolute beatdown on Chris Christie.
Christie had to sit through 30 seconds of the brutal truth from Megyn Kelly after she reminds him how unliked he is compared to Donald Trump.
Christie and Ramaswamy, in particular, did not hold back on the insults during fiery exchanges. Ramaswamy, who sits in fourth place in most national polls and has frequently attacked his rivals at previous debates, was particularly acid. At one point, he appeared to poke fun at Christie's weight, while referencing a past scandal in which allies of the former governor closed a bridge to exact retribution on political rivals. "Chris, your version of foreign policy experience was closing a bridge from New Jersey to New York," Ramaswamy said. "So do everybody a favor, just walk yourself off that stage, enjoy a nice meal and get the hell out of this race."
Nikki Haley’s Republican presidential nomination rivals attacked her for being too cozy with American corporations during a debate Wednesday night that showcased her ascent in the race and the party’s sharp populist turn. The former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador took heat for receiving support from wealthy Democratic donors on Wall Street and in Silicon Valley, holding a lucrative seat on Boeing’s board, and calling for technology companies to verify users who post online. “I love all the attention, fellas,” Haley said to the three men who joined her on the stage. “Thank you for that.”
Ron DeSantis vowed to 'get the inflation down and the interest rates down' which he plans to accomplish by 'vetoing a lot', if elected. The Republican candidate told audiences in Alabama that 'student loans are going to be backed by universities' and not taxpayers. 'I don't support having a truck driver paying a student loan that got a degree in gender is studies, that's wrong, but I'm going to get to the root cause of the problem,' DeSantis said.
➤U-S URGED TO SHOW RESTRAINT WITH SHOPPING TERORISTS: Saudi Arabia has asked the United States to show restraint in responding to attacks by Yemen's Houthis against ships in the Red Sea, two sources familiar with Saudi thinking said, as Riyadh seeks to contain spillover from the Hamas-Israel war. The Iran-aligned Houthis have waded into the conflict that has spread around the Middle East since war erupted on Oct. 7, attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles at Israel itself. The group which rules much of Yemen says its attacks are a show of support for the Palestinians and has vowed they will continue until Israel stops its offensive on the Gaza Strip - more than 1,000 miles from their seat of power in Sanaa. The Houthis are one of several groups in the Iran-aligned "Axis of Resistance" which have been attacking Israeli and U.S. targets since the start of the conflict on Oct. 7, when their Palestinian ally Hamas sparked the war by attacking Israel.
Israeli troops have surrounded the home of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who they believe is hiding in an underground headquarters. @JamesAALongman reports and has details on the leaked audio of a meeting between PM Netanyahu and the families of hostages. https://t.co/F5sQbzO2kVpic.twitter.com/UuiXXoEj1d
➤BIDEN PUSHES FOR AID TO UKRAINE: President Biden’s push to pass tens of billions in new aid for Ukraine stalled in the Senate on Wednesday, but the setback could inject new urgency into bipartisan talks over border-security measures that Republicans have demanded as a condition for their support. Democrats’ sweeping foreign-aid measure providing $110.5 billion for Ukraine, Israel and other global hot spots was blocked by Republicans in an initial procedural vote. Forty-nine senators backed the measure and 51 were against, falling short of the 60-vote threshold needed to advance.
Cumulus Media’s Westwood One Wednesday announced that Dan Bongino has extended his contract to host both his syndicated radio program “The Dan Bongino Show” on Westwood One and his podcasts, including the unique podcast The Dan Bongino Show, on the Cumulus Podcast Network for multiple years. Both the radio program and the podcasts showcase Bongino’s natural ability to forge connections and engage with his listeners.
Westwood One launched “The Dan Bongino Show” on syndicated radio in May 2021 with 115 stations and has tripled station affiliations in just over two years, now boasting 356 affiliates and airing in nine of the top 10 US markets. “The Dan Bongino Show” airs from 12 to 3 p.m. ET each weekday, featuring commentary, live guests, and listener calls.
The Dan Bongino Show podcast is a perennial Top Ten in Apple’s News category ranking and has seen well over 200 million downloads so far this year. In addition, the show has been downloaded more than 350 million times on Rumble and was one of the most requested podcasts on Alexa devices this year.
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez on Wednesday said the state sued Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, saying the social media company had failed to protect children from sexual abuse, online solicitation, and human trafficking.
"Our investigation into Meta’s social media platforms demonstrates that they are not safe spaces for children but rather prime locations for predators to trade child pornography and solicit minors for sex,” Torrez said in a statement.
He said Meta had enabled "dozens of adults to find, contact, and press children into providing sexually explicit pictures of themselves or participate in pornographic videos."
Reuters reports Meta in response said it uses sophisticated technology, hires child safety experts, reports content to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and shares "information and tools with other companies and law enforcement, including state attorneys general, to help root out predators."
In August alone, Meta said it disabled more than 500,000 accounts for violating child sexual exploitation policies.
Torrez said Zuckerberg and other Meta executives "are aware of the serious harm their products can pose to young users, and yet they have failed to make sufficient changes to their platforms that would prevent the sexual exploitation of children."
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen on Tuesday announced the state was suing Meta, saying Instagram was "intentionally designed to be addictive, particularly to minors."
