Veteran broadcasters in Charleston mourned the passing of a local radio icon this week. Bill Shahan, one of the best known radio personalities in the Kanawha Valley for more than two decades, died Thursday evening at the Hospice Unit of Thomas Memorial Hospital. Shahan battled esophageal cancer for nearly a year.
“Billy was a natural for this business,”said another longtime voice in Charleston Charlie Cooper. “There are some in this business who are fortunate enough to have that personal attitude, sunny disposition, never met a stranger quality, and that intensity that never fades. That’s how Billy was.”
Shahan started his radio career when he was hired as an intern at Charleston radio station V-100 in the early 80’s.
“I don’t even know how he got the job, but he was an intern and like all interns you give them the jobs nobody else wants to do,” said WVAF 99.9 FM V-100 morning man Steve Bishop. “But the weird thing about Shahan was he wanted to do them. He thrived on things like that.”
Bishop recalled how the station’s news department used Shahan’s outgoing personality as a tool for their work.
“They’d send him out to get man on the street interviews which was perfect for him because he was such a people person,” Bishop recalled.
Shahan eventually advanced from intern to full time employee at V-100 and started his DJ career working overnights. During the mid-1980’s he was hired across town at the competing station Super 102. It was there the Shahan legend was born. He became the popular jock among teenagers taking their requests, playing their songs, and entertaining them with personal appearances or working as the DJ for their high school dance.
Around 2000, he returned to V-100, now under the management of West Virginia Radio Corporation.
There he was able to continue to court the following he built in the 1980’s. Those loyal listeners who had grown up listening to Shahan and the popular music of their teen years, were now listening to new formats of music. Shahan was able to demonstrate his personality could transcend any genre of music. He worked for V-100 playing adult contemporary music, then WKAZ-FM where the format was oldies. Eventually he transitioned for a stint on the hip-hop station 98.7 The Beat, and eventually became the morning DJ on the company’s country station 96.1 The Wolf.
He had recently been elected to the 2016 class of inductees into the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He’ll now be inducted posthumously next month during the induction ceremony at the Hall of Fame in Huntington.
In 1910...James McCurdy sends first aircraft-to-ground wireless message.
In 1960…After almost 12½ years on the air, the series "Louisiana Hayride," known as "The Cradle of the Stars," presented its last performance on radio station KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Gracie Allen
In 1964...actress/comedienne Gracie Allen, co-star of radio & TV’s George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, died of a heart attack at age 69.
High Island as seen from Orchard Beach, Bronx County, NY
In 1967...An airplane knocked down transmitting tower on High Island, NY (Bronx County) shared by WCBS 880 AM and WNBC 660 AM (now WFAN).
The pilot died and a passenger died. The crash destroyed the antenna taking WCBS and WNBC off the air. The mishap occured just hours before WCBS was to have dropped its full-service format to go all news, challenging Westinghouse's two-year-old 1010 WINS format.
WCBS, WFAN Doghouse
The news format debuted instead on WCBS 101.1 FM, which had itself been readying a new "Young Sound" format. WNBC found a temporary home back in New Jersey, diplexing into the Lodi tower of rival WABC 770 AM, whose audio could be heard not so faintly behind WNBC's on 660 for a time.
WCBS accepted an offer from WLIB 1190 AM to use the site along the East River in Astoria, Queens that it had just abandoned in favor of a site in Lyndhurst, N.J. Within a few weeks, WCBS and WNBC were back on the air from High Island with a temporary tower; it would be the end of the year before both were back to 50 kilowatts from the current tower.
The taller of the towers is 548 ft. The shorter tower is 300 ft and was built in 2001 to replace the emergency tower erected in 1967.
In 2003...Jinx Falkenburg, personality on WEAF/WRCA/WNBC died.
Eugenia Lincoln "Jinx" Falkenburg was an actress, expert swimmer and tennis star, and one of the highest-paid and most ubiquitous cover-girl models in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s - one of the first supermodels. She married journalist and influential publicist Tex McCrary in 1945.
Known as "Tex and Jinx" to most American households, the glamorous couple pioneered and popularized the talk-show format, first on radio and then in the early days of television. They hosted a series of interview shows in the late 1940s and early 1950s that combined celebrity chit-chat with discussions of important topics of the day.
In 1941, Liebmann Brewery, the maker of Rheingold beer, decided it might sell a lot more of the brand if each year it bestowed on some attractive young woman the title Miss Rheingold. Miss Falkenburg was the first. It was a plum for any model, since, for starters, it put her name and face in every store in New York that sold beer.
Falkenburg first met John Reagan "Tex" McCrary when he came to photograph and interview her for a military publication after she opened in Hold On to Your Hats. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Air Forces. They were about to be engaged in 1942 but World War II intervened and, after a globe-trotting romance during the hostilities, they married on June 15, 1945, in a civil ceremony conducted by New York Supreme Court Judge Ferdinand Pecora, famous for investigating the 1929 stock market crash and its aftermath.
During the war Falkenburg traveled extensively on USO tours entertaining troops. The most arduous was a 42,000 mile 80-stop series of shows in the rugged China-Burma-India theatre of operations. In 1945 she was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal for her contributions.
Backed by some of his well-connected friends like millionaire statesman Bernard Baruch, McCrary convinced David Sarnoff, the chairman of RCA which owned NBC, to give the couple a morning show on the network's New York radio station, WEAF. The show was called "Hi, Jinx" and first aired on April 22, 1946. Reviews ranged from "sprightly" to "rather intense discussions of foreign affairs." In a cover story about the couple, Newsweek wrote: "A soft-spoken, calculating Texan, Tex McCrary, inched up to the microphone and drawled 'Hi, Jinx.' A voice with all the foam substance of a bubble bath answered, 'Hello Tex.'" Over time they came to be known as "Mr. Brains and Mrs. Beauty."
The McCrary's radio show was broadcast five mornings a week on New York radio station WEAF, and became a hit with critics and the public for tackling controversial issues like the A-Bomb, the United Nations and venereal disease along with talk about theatre openings and New York nightlife.
McCrary wrote the scripts and taught Falkenburg the art of interviewing and the basics of broadcast journalism. Over time she was considered the better interviewer, eliciting candid responses, often from the show's more intellectual guests. Her technique was to ask questions until she understood the answer and so presumably, did all the housewives at home listening to her.
In January 1947, McCrary and Falkenburg had their first network TV show, Bristol-Myers Tele-Varieties, also known as Jinx and Tex at Home, broadcast Sunday nights on NBC. The program combined film and live interviews of celebrities in their residences. In May 1947, The Swift Home Service Club combined household tips with breezy interviews. Another radio show, Meet Tex and Jinx got such a big audience that in 1947 and 1948 it became a summer replacement for one of radio's most popular shows, Duffy's Tavern.
Falkenburg informally retired from broadcasting in 1958.
She died in 2003 at the age of 84
For her contributions to the television industry, Jinx Falkenburg has a star on the Hollywood Blvd. Walk of Fame at 1500 Vine St.
iHeartMedia/Houston announced today that noted radio veteran Michael Saunders has been named Program Director for KQBT 93.7 FM The Beat in Houston, effective immediately.
In addition, Saunders will serve as Urban Brand Coordinator for iHeartMedia’s National Programming Group.
As the Program Director for 93.7 THE BEAT, Saunders will work closely with on-air personalities and sales to oversee the station’s on-air content, digital footprint and music programming. In his new role as Urban Brand Coordinator, he will serve on iHeartMedia’s Urban Brand Management Team, which provides strategic guidance to the company’s Urban music brands and connects keys advertisers with iHeartMedia’s Urban music audience.
Saunders joins iHeartMedia Houston from WCFB 94.7 FM in Orlando, where he has been Program Director for the past five years. He also previously served as Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Detroit and Program Director for iHeartMedia’s Power 105.1 in New York City. In addition, Saunders’s extensive background includes serving as Operations Manager for CBS Radio’s Washington, DC market, Program Director for WJHM-FM in Orlando, Vice President of Client Services for the Left Bank Organization in Los Angeles and Operations Manager and Program Director for WPEG-FM, WBAV-FM and WGIV-AM in Charlotte.
He began his radio career as an on-air personality for WGCD-AM in his hometown of Chester, SC.
“Michael is a proven leader who will bring incredible results to iHeartMedia,” said Marc Sherman, Region Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Houston. “We are excited to bring a programmer of his caliber to Houston and are eager to make history
as we transition to this exciting new chapter of THE BEAT.”
“I’m excited to have Michael back on iHeartMedia’s Urban programming team,” said Doc Wynter, Senior Vice President of Urban Programming and Urban Brand Manager for iHeartMedia. “He is one of the best in the business when it comes to understanding the Urban format and its listeners. I can’t wait to get back into the radio trenches with him.”
KQBT 93.7 FM (100 Kw) Red=Local CoverageArea
“I’m thrilled to be returning to iHeartMedia to work with the Urban Brand Management Team and the amazing talent and staff in Houston,” said Saunders. “In less than three years, THE BEAT has become Houston’s premiere destination for Hip Hop and R&B and they are a prime example of iHeartMedia’s unparalleled reach with Urban music audiences. I can’t wait to help THE BEAT and all of iHeartMedia’s Urban stations continue to grow and serve millions of listeners.”
Greater Media have suspended three WPEN 97.5 FM The Fanatic employees for their role in a fake caller scandal that has garnered national media attention, according to philly.com quoting sources with knowledge of the situation.
Sources say Pat Egan, the producer who created the “Dwayne from Swedesboro” character, and Mike Missanelli’s on-air partner Jason Myrtetus have been suspended for three days, effective Friday.
Matt Nahigian, the station’s program director, has also been suspended. All three will be able to return to the station Wednesday.
Nahigian was scheduled to meet with Black Lives Matter Pennsylvania organizer Asa Khalif at 10 a.m. Friday.
All three maintain that Missanelli had no clue that “Dwayne from Swedesboro” was a character created and voiced by Egan. On his show Tuesday, Missanelli said he was “sensitive to the racial undertones involved” and thought the character’s racial stereotypes might have pushed “racial bounds.”
Total national TV advertising dollars grew by 3.2% in July to $2.46 billion -- in line with overall U.S. advertising growth for the month -- with cable networks posting the strongest results.
MediaPost is reporting Cable networks grew 5.6% to $1.59 billion, with broadcast networks up 1% to $722 million, according to Standard Media Index. The entire market survey was based on data from 70% of national media agency billings.
Cable news networks benefited from higher ratings as a result of strong interest in the presidential election race --- as well as generally high ratings from HGTV, TNT, Food Network and Bravo, according to SMI.
For broadcast networks, NBC had a ratings gain from pre-Olympic programming and “America’s Got Talent” while CBS grew ratings from a major golf tournament.
Broadcast networks witnessed an 11% decline in ad revenue for prime time to $411.8 million, with late-fringe programming down 7% to $31.2 million. Only daytime network programming posted a gain -- 13% -- to $65.7 million. Average 30-second unit costs dipped 10% to $62,400 in prime time and 5% in late night to $18,720.
SMI says total U.S. ad spending improved 3% in July.
Digital media revenues grew 12% for the month-- with social gaining 40%; ad exchanges up 25%; and video, down 23%. Search media witnessed a 2% decline -- the first ever since SMI begin reporting.
Among other media, out-of-home was up 4%; magazines were down 10%; radio also lost 10%; and newspapers slipped 1%.
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday released a long-delayed update of its media-ownership rules with few substantive changes, prompting renewed criticism from broadcasters and others, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Notably, the new rules generally leave in place the longstanding newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership prohibition, which dates from the mid-1970s and bars a single individual or company from possessing a daily newspaper and a radio or TV station in the same market. Other rules left in place create high barriers for ownership of more than one local TV station.
Broadcasters on Thursday fired off a letter to the FCC in response, suggesting they would continue to pursue legal challenges to the rules, which make consolidation in many markets difficult.
The National Association of Broadcasters said the FCC “failed to conduct the rigorous media ownership review mandated by Congress,” and termed its decision to maintain the existing broadcast-ownership restrictions “arbitrary and capricious and…contrary to law.”
The FCC had been under growing pressure from federal courts to finish the latest update, which is required by law every four years. Until this month, the last one the FCC had completed was the 2006 cycle.
A three-judge panel of the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, in a case brought by broadcasters, in May threatened to toss out the rules altogether if the FCC didn’t get its effort on track.
Experts say the agency’s update has been hampered by a number of factors, including the tough political infighting involved in making any substantial changes to the media-ownership rules.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) on Thursday tore into the Federal Communications Commission's updated media ownership rules, according to The Hill.
The FCC’s rules, released Wednesday, dictate that entities cannot own both a newspaper and broadcast station in the same market. The requirement isn’t new, but the FCC decided this month to keep the regulation in place after a review.
In a statement, Goodlatte said the FCC had “overreacted” and that it was “likely to harm the objectives of smaller media outlets eager to compete.”
Mignon Clyburn
“Today, the FCC continues its recent tradition of advancing unnecessary and burdensome regulations on a partisan basis while ignoring new technologies and market realities, with the likely outcome of harming competition,” he said.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) also noted its disappointment on the ruling in a letter to the FCC, and the group later sent a Freedom of Information Act request to the agency for documents regarding the decision.
The NAB characterized the FCC’s decision as a “ ‘head in the sand’ approach” to the media marketplace.
Ajit Pai
According to the FCC's release, the decision to maintain most of the existing rules came down to a 3-2 vote on Aug. 10.
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn defended the decision in a statement.
“We are on the cusp of seeing major changes to the television landscape,” she said. “There will be fewer broadcast television stations on the air post-auction. Relaxing the Commission’s media ownership rules at this time, will neither increase the number of diverse stations nor will it create additional local voices.”
Commissioner Ajit Pai gave the dissenting statement. Pai highlighted the significant changes that have taken place in media since the rules were drafted in 1975 and expressed his disappointment that the rules have not been altered to keep up with the times.
The NBA Golden State Warriors have that they’ve ended their 32-year run with KNBR 680 AM and signed a multi-year deal with KGMZ 95.7 FM The Game starting this coming season.
According to The Mercury News, This is a major move for the franchise–away from KNBR’s monster signal and tradition–but it has been in the works from the moment Warriors executives (led by owner Joe Lacob and president Rick Welts) were infuriated when KNBR moved several Warriors playoff games this spring to a sister station in order to broadcast Giants games.
Big bullet point for Warriors management: 12 of their 24 playoff games this past season were not broadcast on KNBR 680 due to Giants conflicts. Also, eight other exhibition-season or regular season games were moved from 680.
“We’re excited about our new partnership with 95.7 the Game and the opportunity to provide our fans with increased coverage of the Warriors in a centralized location,” said Warriors President Rick Welts in a statement. “Under the terms of this partnership, virtually every Warriors game — including the playoffs — will be broadcast on 95.7. Additionally, our fans will benefit from increased programming overall throughout the year, including extended pre- and postgame shows, more in-season programming, a dedicated offseason presence and numerous call-in shows featuring front office staff, players and broadcasters.”
According to the Warriors, their radio network will include affiliates in San Jose (KRTY 95.3 FM) and Vacaville (KUIC 95.3 FM).
“We are truly excited about this new relationship with the Golden State Warriors,” said David Field, President and CEO of Entercom. “It is a privilege to partner with such an extraordinary organization. We look forward to bringing our listeners exclusive, unparalleled coverage of the team both on and off the court.”
“We know that our fans turn to us for the best-in-class sports content from the teams and leagues they care about the most,” said Steve DiNardo, Vice President and General Manager of Entercom’s 95.7 The Game. “The Warriors are one of the most popular basketball teams in the world and we are proud to deliver play-by-play broadcasts and 24/7 team coverage to local fans in the Bay Area and to be the official home of Warriors basketball.”
The surprise move ends a long-standing relationship between KNBR and the Warriors, who had partnered with the Bay Area’s top sports talk radio station dating to the team’s arrival in the Bay Area in 1962. KNBR, owned by Cumulus, has broadcast the Warriors for the past 32 years and 40 seasons overall.
KGMZ 95.7 FM (6.9 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area
“We’d also like to thank KNBR and the management at Cumulus for being a valued and trusted partner for nearly four decades,” said Welts in the statement. “KNBR has been a staple of the Bay Area airwaves for many years and we’ve been extremely fortunate to enjoy such a terrific long-standing relationship.”
The Warriors’ release mentions that long-time radio play-by-play man Tim Roye will remain on the call for their games on 95.7. The release does not mention the very popular Tom Tolbert, who has been the analyst for home games and all playoff games the past several years.
Cox Media Group (CMG) Orlando has named Dawn Campbell, as its new Director of Branding and Programming for WCFB Star94.5 FM’s Today’s R&B and Throwbacks.
In this role, Campbell is responsible for coaching and developing on-air talent, as well as creating and executing a branding and programming strategy for CMG Orlando’s Urban Adult Contemporary Station.
Stevie DeMann, Operations Director for WCFB-FM, WCFB-HD2, WPYO-FM, WWKA-FM, said, “I’ve had a front row seat to see Dawn grow through her entire career. Her passion, dedication, and knowledge of the brands she’s been able to touch is unmatched. I’m so excited for her personally and have all of the confidence in the world that she will be a great leader for the Star 94.5 brand and the staff.”
Campbell just celebrated her 5th anniversary this month with the CMG Orlando Radio family as Music Director for WCFB-FM & WPYO-FM and Promotions Manager for WCFB-FM. Prior to her time spent at CMG, she was with CBS Orlando for 15 years. Her radio journey began when she was in high school. She started as a research/promotions assistant and within 2 years was promoted to Assistant Promotions Director for WJHM-FM. She spent most of her CBS career as the Music/Promotions Director for WJHM-FM.
Campbell, originally from Chicago, moved to Orlando as a child and has been here with a strong presence ever since.
WCFB 94.5 FM (100 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area
“I am excited to step up and lead the great team at STAR 94.5!,” she said. “Our goals haven’t changed - we’ll remain focused on being a leader in our community, engaging our listeners wherever they are, and playing the best music daily for the adult urban audience. The leadership at Cox Media Group has been wonderful to me, and I would like to thank Bill Hendrich, Susan Larkin, Stevie DeMann, Steve Smith, and Tony Kidd for the opportunity to lead this heritage brand.”
Orlando Country station WOTW 103.1 FM The Wolf hosts BBQ 4 The Blue, a FREE picnic for Central Florida law enforcement officers and their families, this Saturday 11a-2p at Bill Breeze Park at Starke Lake in Ocoee.
“103.1 The Wolf proudly supports the brave men and women in law enforcement locally and across this great country who protect us day in and day out”, says WOTW Program Director Len Shackelford. “BBQ 4 The Blue is a wonderful way to bring together our local heroes and families for a down-home backyard picnic.”
WOTW General Manager Chris Ganoudis adds, “We have to thank the City of Ocoee and Mayor Rusty Johnson for helping us host BBQ 4 The Blue – they are great partners and immediately offered the use of Lakeshore Center Park for this non-profit event.” Ganoudis continues, “We know our community will wrap their arms around law enforcement and come together to show support for all they do for us.”
JVC’s Executive Vice President Shane Reeve adds his remarks, “Community involvement is one of the hallmarks of JVC Media. Law enforcement officers and their families are true heroes and deserve a day to relax, eat, socialize, and have fun… for FREE!” Reeve wraps up, “Our partners have stepped up to donate food, supplies, and more to make BBQ 4 The Blue a success. Invite any heroes you know to this event. They deserve it!”
Cumulus Media has announced that it has promoted Country WDRQ Nash 93.1 FM Midday Host Jessica Poxson to Assistant Program Director, effective immediately.
In her new role, Poxson will report to Detroit Director of FM Programming Robby Bridges and Cumulus Media-Detroit Operations Manager Mike Wheeler. She will continue as On-Air Host of “The Jess Show” weekdays from 10AM-2PM on NASH FM 93.1.
Poxson joined Cumulus Media-Detroit in 2010 and rose through the cluster’s ranks with positions ranging from promotions to news reporting for sister station WJR, on-air for WDVD, traffic on WDRQ and now host of its Midday slot.
Bridges said: "In the longstanding Cumulus tradition of promoting from within, it is a pleasure to enhance Jessica's role here in Detroit as we build DRQ’s brand and profile in the community and continue providing the best country music content to Detroit’s passionate country fans. I am thrilled she'll be working closely with me and our team."
WDRQ 93.1 FM (26.5 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area
Poxson said: “It’s a thrill to take on this new role in the city that I love with an amazing team of people who are just as committed to growing this radio station as I am.”
CBS RADIO Las Vegas has announced the launch of 98.5 Da Shaka, Vegas’ Island and Reggae Station on 98.5 KLUC’s HD-2 frequency. In addition to listening to Da Shaka locally through the HD-2 frequency, listeners can also stream the station through Radio.com or the Radio.com app for mobile devices.
Las Vegas has long been considered the Ninth Island by the Hawaiian community and this station will cater directly to that audience. From current island music like Common Kings, Anuhea and J Boog to current reggae hits from Rebel Souljahs and Katchafire, and even traditional island songs from Keali’I Reichel and IZ, 98.5 Da Shaka will serve the Hawaiian and Island community of Las Vegas.
In addition, 98.5 Da Shaka will participate in concerts and cultural events integral associated with the Hawaiian and Island community. The station is programmed by CBS RADIO Las Vegas Operations Manager JB King and Yung Jon Que (Jon Quiamzon). Born and raised in Hawaii, Que is a veteran of multiple Hawaiian radio stations, including Island 98.5 & 93.1 Da Pa’ina. Together, the duo has developed the overall sound and vibe of the station.
“It is very exciting to offer an HD format and live stream for the Las Vegas Hawaiian and Island community, which has been steadily growing in Vegas for well over two decades”, says King. “98.5 Da Shaka will feature a mix of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music. We are very fortunate to have some passionate team members creating the sound on 98.5 Da Shaka.”
98.5 FM HD2 (100 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area
Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Tony Perlongo adds, “The station is unlike any other offering in the market. It brings the music of the islands to Las Vegas and will cater to those looking for a station that soothes and relaxes just like the islands.”
CNN executive vice president Ken Jautz announced Thursday that "Dr. Drew and I have mutually agreed to air the final episode of his show on September 22."
"Dr. Drew and his team have delivered more than five years of creative shows and I want to thank them for their hard work and distinctive programming," Jautz said in a statement. "Their audience-driven shows, in particular, were innovative and memorable TV. And Dr. Drew has been an authoritative voice on addiction and on many other topical issues facing America today."
It's the latest in changes at HLN, which is CNN's sister network.
In June the network announced that Nancy Grace would be ending her very popular show and leaving after a dozen years as one of HLN's biggest stars.
In its latest reboot, HLN is going for more straight news fare, add shows hosted by CNN’s Erica Hill, Michaela Pereira and Banfield.
On January 5, 2015, Pinsky launched a new weekday program, "Dr. Drew Midday Live with Mike Catherwood," on KABC 790 AM in Los Angeles. In April 2016, Pinsky announced Loveline would wrap up.
The Washington Post is reporting the decision came eight days after Pinsky’s comments on a radio show on Aug. 17 questioning the health and medical care of former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president. After looking at bits and pieces of Clinton’s health-care records she made public in 2015, he said he was “gravely concerned not just about her health, but her health care.”
His comments came as the campaign of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, along with its surrogates and supporters, including former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and Fox News host Sean Hannity, have attempted to portray Clinton as lacking “the mental and physical stamina” demanded by the job, as Trump has put it.
Pinsky’s views, which he said were shared by another physician with whom he had consulted, aired on KABC’s “McIntyre in the Morning.”
Former Fox News White House correspondent Ed Henry will be returning to the network after an almost four-month absence from the airwaves on Monday, The Hill reports.
'He took the summer off to work out some issues,' an insider told the website.
But the 45-year-old will no longer be the network's chief White House correspondent, but will serve as a general assignment reporter - and will not be reporting on the presidential campaign at all.
His first reporting hit will on Monday's episode of 'Fox & Friends' which airs at 6am. He'll based in Washington and will be assigned to a specific 6am to 2pm shift.
Henry, who is married with two children and previously worked for CNN, was sideline by Fox officials after In Touch magazine revealed his affair with Natalia Lima.
Lima, a veteran stripper, said she and Henry engaged in a ten-month affair after meeting in a Las Vegas gentleman's club.
Megyn Kelly is the most prized anchor in cable news at the moment.
Vanity Fair is reporting when word circulated that Kelly has recently spoken with the Murdochs, “everyone got nervous all over again,” according to one staffer, suggesting that she might be preparing to leave. It turns out that Kelly has spoken multiple times with all of the Murdochs, and has spent the most time with Lachlan, who has been in close touch with her throughout the whole Ailes imbroglio, according to a person familiar with the matter. “Lachlan was the one who talked to her throughout this entire ordeal,” this person added. But both brothers are aligned in their desire to keep the broadcaster, this person added. “James loves Megyn. He believes she’s a big part of the future of this channel.”
Besides a ratings hit, losing Kelly would be devastating for the optics of Fox News. “On top of all their troubles they have, if they lose their ‘It girl,’ they’ll be in even worse shape,” one rival television executive told Sarah Ellison at VF. The Ailes scandal has given her additional leverage.
Bill O'Reilly
Some rival television executives engage in optimistic thinking that one additional wrinkle to keeping Kelly at Fox News is O’Reilly himself. The two of them anchor the channel’s two highest-rated shows, but they rarely interact. O’Reilly tapes his show most days between four P.M. and six P.M. Kelly is on live nightly at nine P.M.
O’Reilly, who also has one year to go on his contract, was one of Trump’s biggest defenders throughout his public battle with Kelly. Rupert Murdoch knows and likes O’Reilly. The brothers, however, reportedly are not fans. The rival news executive floated the possibility that if O’Reilly stays, Kelly is likely to go. She is soon to be a free agent, and like a star player, may decide that whatever the money, she wants to live in a different universe.
One former Fox executive broached that to keep both Kelly and O’Reilly under the same roof, “you’d have to have the world’s greatest interventional therapist to come and sit down with them both.”
