Boston Radio: GM Charlie Kravetz Suddenly EXITS WBUR

Charlie Kravetz

WBUR 90.9 FM General Manager Charlie Kravetz is leaving the non-com.

In a joint statement Monday, Boston University (BU), which owns WBUR’s broadcast license, and Kravetz said he will relinquish his day-to-day role at the station this week, but will step down effective June 30.

According to the station website, Sam Fleming, WBUR managing director of news and programming, will oversee operations until a permanent GM has been hired. BU says it will launch a nationwide search “in the upcoming days.”

BU says Kravetz is moving on at “an appropriate time for a transition.” WBUR’s new multimedia community venue, CitySpace, has just opened. And station journalists recently voted overwhelmingly to form a union.

“These periods are ones where you reflect on how you’re going to work going forward and we agreed with Charlie that this was an appropriate time to make a leadership change as well,” Gary Nicksa, BU’s vice president of operations, said in an interview.

In a statement of his own, Kravetz said his eight years at WBUR have been the best in his 40-year career.

“I’m enormously grateful to so many colleagues who have contributed to the growth and transformation of the station. At a time of great challenge for journalism and media, WBUR has essentially doubled in impact, revenue and service to the community,” Kravetz said. “Now it is time for a change for me and for WBUR. I know the station will thrive because of the exceptional talent there. I will be listening and rooting for WBUR’s continued success.”

The news was announced Monday at an all-staff meeting. Kravetz was not present at the meeting. Nicksa faced a number of questions about why Kravetz is leaving, why he was not there, and why he will only be coming into the station on an as needed basis between now and June 30, when his employment ends.

Several station employees asked if Kravetz is being forced out because of the union vote. Nicksa said no. Union organizers said they were surprised by Kravetz’s departure.

After leadership roles at WCVB-TV and NECN-TV, Kravetz, 66, joined WBUR as general manager in 2010. During his tenure — a period marked by upheaval in media — the station expanded its budget, programming, physical space and staff. The station’s operating revenue increased 91 percent to $39.5 million over his eight-year tenure, according to BU, and WBUR added 61 staffers over that period. The station’s footprint more than doubled in size with an expansion that included a new studio.

San Antonio Radio: David Abel To Manage CMG Cluster

Cox Media Group (CMG) has named 20-year radio veteran David Abel as VP/Market Manager of its cluster in San Antonio.

David Abel

Abel most recently served as Vice President of Radio with Griffin Communications in Tulsa. Prior to that role he was VP/GM for Apex Broadcasting's radio group in Charleston-Hilton Head, SC and also helped Apex launch new digital and IT companies, where he concurrently served as COO.

"I am thrilled to announce David's addition to our team in this key market. David returns to CMG with a wealth of experience and leadership qualities that make him the ideal fit for this role," said Regional VP Rob Rabin. "I look forward to the positive impact he will have on our incredible CMG San Antonio team."

"I am very excited to rejoin Cox Media Group in San Antonio," added Abel. "The team consists of extremely talented professionals who I am honored to work with and lead as we continue delivering the best in class local content that serves our audiences, our advertisers, and the San Antonio community."

Abel has a history as a member of the CMG family, having worked as a sales manager for 11 years in Greenville, Orlando and Birmingham. Abel began his radio career in sales and sales management in the New Orleans region.

CA Radio: Programming Vet Sky Daniels Retires

Veteran label and radio executive Sky Daniels, who helped launch Triple-A bastion KCSN/88.5 FM at Cal State Northridge in 2011, is stepping down from his post and retiring, reports Variety.

Daniels helped build the station from the ground up, bringing in Tom Petty for a memorable benefit concert and hiring such local mainstays as Nic Harcourt, Gary Calamar, Andy Chanley, Robert Hilburn and Kevin Bronson as on-air personalities.

“I was planning to retire prior to joining KCSN/88.5 FM in 2011,” said Daniels, who has recently battled cancer, pancreatitis and a heart attack. “But the opportunity to build a radio station that would put artist development first, in a market as influential as Los Angeles, was something I knew was vital. It has been an honor to serve musicians’ needs for the last eight years in developing a platform that recognized and supported their livelihood.”

Daniels cited the difficulties of working with the bureaucracies of two separate universities and the lack of proper funding as two reasons for his decision, along with the 70-hour work weeks and his health.

“This was a tough job,” Daniels told Variety about working at KCSN as one of just seven station employees. “My family begged me to walk away.” He admits many of his disagreements with the university were over budget and personnel cuts. “We were a David amidst Goliaths,” he adds.

The Youngstown, Ohio, native is a veteran promotion and radio executive who served a stint as DJ at the original KMET in Los Angeles, KFOG in San Francisco and KISW in Seattle, then worked at Island Records, Fontana Distribution, Sony Music, Best Buy and Polygram Label Group.

Augusta Radio: iHM Moving Classic Rock To 106.3 FM

Augusta’s iHeartMedia radio station group said Monday that it will be moving its “Eagle” classic rock station to a translator signal W292EE 106.3 FM (250 watts, via WLUB 105.7 HD2) dropping classic country.

iHM is in the process of selling the Eagle’s previous station, WEKL 102.3 FM, to the Educational Media Foundation, a nonprofit Christian music radio network.

The rock station will be simulcast on both frequencies until the Educational Media Foundation takes over WEKL, said Cliff Bennett, iHeartMedia’s Augusta program director.

Eagle broadcasts rock music from the early 1970s to the early 2000s, featuring artists such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Tom Petty, Van Halen and Foo Fighters. It also broadcasts the long-running “John Boy & Billy Big Show” morning program.

“It’s been 25 years since Eagle first came on air,” Bennett said in a news release. “Yes, we’ve moved a couple of times around the dial, but rock music never dies. We just couldn’t take this great and long-running station away from all its fans and loyal listeners in the Augusta river region.”

Full Programming Lineup:

• BMan John Beaulieu 12 a.m. – 6 a.m.
• John Boy & Billy Big Show 6 a.m. –10 a.m.
• Cliff Bennett 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Maria Milito 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
• Ken Dashow 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Big Rig 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.

The company’s other Augusta stations include WBBQ-FM, WLUB-FM, WKSP-FM, WPRW-FM and WYNF-AM.

Apple Expected To Unveil Streaming Service Plans

Apple has announced a press event that will take place at 10 a.m. Pacific on March 25 at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, according to CNBC.

It's where Apple is expected to introduce a new streaming TV service that will, at least to start, offer iPhone and iPad owners access to free original showsthat will be provided along with the option to sign up for other streaming services including Starz and Showtime, CNBC reported earlier this year.

The service is expected to launch as soon as April or May, but won't include Netflix or Hulu, CNBC reported.

The Wall Street Journal reported in February that the company is also planning a revamped Apple News product that will include a bundle of subscriptions from major news outlets in a single monthly plan. The new Apple News product will be based on Texture, the so-called "Netflix for magazines" app that Apple bought in 2018. Publishers have been resistant to Apple's revenue sharing terms, so some news outlets might not be a part of it at launch, according to The Wall Street Journal.

It has been about a year since Apple introduced new iPads. The iPad Pro was refreshed in October, but Apple hasn't updated the regular, low-cost $329 iPad since last March.

There have also been rumors of an updated iPad mini and new AirPods headphones with a wireless charging case. Finally, it's been well over a year since Apple first announced AirPower, a wireless charging pad that can simultaneously charge an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. AirPower was supposed to launch in 2018, but Apple hasn't provided an update on its status since the original announcement in September 2017.

Johnstown PA Radio: Classic Hits Debut On WKGE

Media company Zip2 has announced that a brand new music format has hit the airwaves in Johnstown and Western Pennsylvania at W267CM 101.3 FM (250 watts)and WKGE 850 AM (10 Kw).

Dubbed “favorites of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s”, the programming targets the important 35 plus adult demographic.

According to Robert J. Hamilton of Hamilton Communications, “Classic hits for Johnstown is the ticket, with a better variety of Johnstown’s greatest music along with local involvement of community projects.” Hamilton is a well known national broadcast consultant for Zip2, a New Jersey based media company, owner of the radio stations.

The stations were acquired in 2017 and have under gone extensive renovation of both the transmitting facilities and a new studio located in Lower Yoder Township. Bob Varner of Pennswood Commercial Reality, Johnstown, assisted with locating office space.

Zip2 Executive Manager Edward Schober notes “we have rebuilt the old 850 AM station WKGE that covers Cambria and Somerset counties and paired it with a great new FM signal at 101.3 that covers Cambria very well. Our programming will feature music from Johnstown’s heydays of the 60’s 70’s and 80’s along with all the news, weather, etc. that you expect to get from a local radio station.” Schober said other on-air local show plans are being firmed up at this time.

Tucker Carlson Doubles-Down Over Bubba Comments

Fox News has not yet officially commented on remarks by Tucker Carlson, who faced a second day of scrutiny after the left-wing advocacy group Media Matters for America exhumed offensive comments he made on a shock-jock radio program about a decade ago, reports The NYTimes.

In excerpts published by Media Matters, Mr. Carlson, calling into the “Bubba the Love Sponge” show, mused in 2006 that “arranging a marriage between a 16-year-old and a 27-year-old is not the same as pulling a stranger off the street and raping her.”



On the Monday episode of his 8 p.m. program on Fox News, “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” the host cast himself as a target of a liberal “mob” and suggested that the political left wanted to shut down his network.

“Fox News is behind us as they have been from the very first day,” Mr. Carlson told viewers. He added: “We will never bow to the mob. Ever. No matter what.”

https://t.co/0wKM84mP3L

— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) March 12, 2019

As Mr. Carlson was speaking, Media Matters released a second batch of excerpts from his appearances on the “Bubba” radio program, including a clip from 2008 in which Mr. Carlson described Iraq as “a crappy place filled with a bunch of, you know, semiliterate primitive monkeys — that’s why it wasn’t worth invading.” Calling into the show in 2006, Mr. Carlson said of Barack Obama, then an Illinois senator, “How is he black, for one thing? He has one white parent, one black parent.”

The Time points out  Fox News is not the only cable news network that has had to grapple with a star anchor’s troubling past remarks.

Joy-Ann Reid

Joy-Ann Reid, the MSNBC host, apologized last year after revelations that she had published numerous homophobic posts and jokes on a blog that is now defunct. She also claimed without evidence that the homophobic remarks had been inserted by hackers intent on harming her reputation. MSNBC did not discipline Ms. Reid.

Meanwhile, Variety reports Fox News’ broadcast of “Tucker Carlson Tonight” Monday night featured just four ad breaks and very few big national commercials, relying instead on direct-response ads and sundry promos for other Fox News programs and properties distributed by its parent company, 21st Century Fox.

Advertisers have boycotted “Tucker Carlson Tonight” in the recent past, and it’s not immediately clear whether the ad load featured on Monday’s broadcast was at the show’s current norm. But the program featured longer commercials from direct-response advertiser MyPillow, a regular Fox News client. Bayer AG, the pharmaceutical manufacturer, aired commercials for Clairtin-D and One-A-Day vitamins.

Fox News has grappled for several months with efforts by advocacy organizations to erode Madison Avenue’s ties to the network’s primetime schedule. Some sponsors have pulled their advertising from “Tucker Carlson Tonight” or Laura Ingraham’s “The Ingraham Angle” after remarks made by the hosts in 2018 and amid subsequent protests. Those commercials have been moved elsewhere on the Fox News schedule, and those two programs have in recent months sported a narrower roster of national advertisers.

Fox News has supported both hosts during the scrutiny and said it would not let them be “censored by agenda-driven intimidation efforts.”

AOC At SXSW: You Know, Like, Whatever, You Know?

New York’s freshman congressman, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has, like, a lot to say, lol.

Over the course of a wide-ranging 80-minute interview at South by Southwest on Saturday, the 29-year-old left-wing lightning rod let loose a litany of “likes,” “you knows,” and “whatevers.”

In between calling America “garbage,” capitalism “irredeemable,” and President Reagan racist, AOC said “like” no fewer than 71 times, “You know” at least 34 times, and “whatever” five times.

She also said “ummm” too many times to count. The popular progressive personality also has a penchant for peppering her prose with, “I think” and “I guess.”

Speaking of her strategy of not trying to convince critics “of anything,” AOC advised: “Stop trying to win people over, stop trying to enter a conversation thinking that you’re going to, like, ‘aha’ them into changing their minds. And so, I think, that, you know, we’ve kind of lost the art of conversation. So when I enter a conversation with someone I actually try to learn more about where they’re coming from, like I try — I actually use it as an experience to — like, let’s say, I’m talking to someone who’s saying something really racist and they don’t even realize that they’re saying something really racist, I — I asked some questions because I’m interested, I’m fascinated by that. How does that work, you know?”

Fascinating, sure, but she was hardly finished: “But you have to — we have to learn to, like, really disarm ourselves in these conversations first of all, because we approach them with so much hostility and, like, they get mad and we get mad and all of these things and — and we have — so, part of it is, like, emotional work. And — and the second part of it is intention, like, what are you trying to get out of this conversation?”


According to the folks at Grabien, this is but a small sampling. There was so, so much more. Which is why we compiled everything into one short supercut featured above.

Please, like, enjoy, or whatever.

Syracuse Radio: WAQX' Scott Dixon Enter SAMMYS HoF

Scott Dixon

Cumulus Media has announced that Scott “dXn” Dixon was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) Hall of Fame in Syracuse, NY.

Dixon has been a major supporter of Syracuse’s local music scene for over 20 years, booking shows and festivals including WAQX’s 95X Locals Only Fest. Dixon is the Assistant Program Director/Music Director and PM Drive host on Alternative 95X/WAQX. He also hosts 95X/WAQX’s local music show, Locals Only, on Sunday nights.

Beth Coughlin, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Syracuse, said: “dXn is a champion of the rich and varied pool of local musicians in our region. His SAMMY’s Hall of Fame award is well earned and deserved!”

Joe Detomaso, Program Director, 95X/WAQX, said: “dXn has been a long-time supporter of the Syracuse music scene and I can’t think of someone more deserving of this honor!”

Scott “dXn” Dixon said: “I am flattered to be honored with this award and am so proud of all the bands and musicians I have had the honor of working with over the last 2+ decades.”

Facebook Pulls, Then Re-Adds Warren Political Ads

Facebook removed several ads from Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign that called for the breakup of tech giants, including Facebook.

But after media reports on the ads' removal and getting criticism for doing it, Facebook reversed itself and said it was returning the ads, saying it wanted to allow for, quote, "robust debate."

However, Facebook also claimed the reason it removed the ads in the first place was because they, quote, "violated our policies against use of our corporate logo."

The ads said: "Three companies have vast power over our economy and our democracy. Facebook, Amazon, and Google. We all use them. But in their rise to power, they’ve bulldozed competition, used our private information for profit, and tilted the playing field in their favor."

The ad removal gave a talking point to Warren, who tweeted: "Curious why I think FB has too much power? Let's start with their ability to shut down a debate over whether FB has too much power."

FCC Call Sign Activity For February 2019

The FCC Call Sign Activity for February 2019:

CBC Apologizes Over Covington Kids Story

In the January 20th edition of one of CBC’s flagship news programs, The Weekly, hosted by longtime CBC reporter Wendy Mesley, the national broadcaster falsely reported that the #MAGAKids were harassing and bullying a peaceful indigenous elder by crowding him and chanting, “Build that wall!”

These kids were in Washington D.C. on Friday, January 18, to attend the massive pro-life rally being held in the capital that day. While initial media reports of the confrontation ran hot with charges of racism and cries of “Trump’s America!”, thanks to a viral photo showing what appeared to be a smug teen encroaching in on an elderly native man’s space, the facts that followed proved these claims to be worthless.

It turns out that it was actually Native Elder, Nathan Phillips, who initiated the encounter, approaching the #MAGAKid, Nick Sandmann, and beating his drum right next to Sandmann. Phillips was followed by a group of Black Hebrew Israelites, a black supremacist cult, who hurled insults and racial epithets towards Sandmann and his classmates.

All of this became clear once further video of the encounter began to surface on Saturday. Despite the adjusted coverage of mainstream news sources like the New York Times, CNN, and the Washington Post, Mesley covered the story on her Sunday morning show in an uncritical fashion.

Further to that, Mesley actually repeated the now debunked claim made by Phillips that the boys were chanting “build that wall!” at him during the encounter. In addition, Mesley also commented that “Trump rhetoric” was now “inspiring teenage bullies.”

Even after the Washington Post issued an apology on March 1st for their erroneous coverage of the event, under threat of a $250 million dollar lawsuit from Sandmann, Mesley and the CBC had still not corrected their reporting nearly a month and a half after the incident.

Seeing this, a reporter from The Post Millennial reached out to the national broadcaster to inquire whether an apology was in the works. After some initial contact and deliberation, the CBC agreed to issue an apology and made good on their word this morning.

Mesley ended her show on Sunday saying they wanted to, “clarify the record” on this story and pointed out that the claim made by Phillips that the boys chanted “Build that wall!” was false.

Finally, ending off the program, Mesley said that they “regret characterizing those teens as ‘teenage bullies’.”

Detroit Radio: WJR Honored As MAB's Station Of The Year

Cumulus Media has announced that Detroit station News/Talk WJR 760 AM was honored as Radio Station of the Year at the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) Broadcast Excellence Awards this month.

This marks the third time in four years that WJR has been recognized as the Michigan Association of Broadcasters’ Station of the Year. In addition, WJR was selected for 10 “Best” awards, and 7 “Merit” awards. Nearly every aspect of WJR operations was singled out for recognition, including: Talent, News, Marketing, Production, Public Service, New Media, Feature Programming, and Lions Play-by-Play and Pregame Show.

The MAB Broadcast Excellence Awards program is Michigan’s premiere broadcasting competition and awards show. Stations from across the state compete against a standard of excellence in various categories designed to showcase the best materials that Michigan broadcasters have to offer. The Broadcast Excellence Award Ceremonies are held at the conclusion of the Great Lakes Media Show each year.

Steve Finateri, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Detroit, said: “We here at Cumulus Detroit couldn’t be prouder of our WJR team. The level of creativity and professionalism at all levels rivals that of any station in the country.”

Mike Wheeler, Operations Manager, Cumulus Detroit, said: “Thank you to the Michigan Association of Broadcasters who have, yet again, recognized and validated this talented group of people who continue to make history on this iconic radio station.”
 
WJR Best Awards:

• MAB Radio Station of the Year
• Breaking News Story - $15 Protest
• Investigative News Story – Unsolved Murders Revisited
• Feature/Use of Medium – The Resurrection of St. Joseph (WJR News)
• Commercial – Labatt Blue Fall Best Season Ever
• Community Involvement – WJR Community Involvement
• Use of New Media – WJR Use of New Media
• Morning Show Broadcast – The Frank Beckmann Show
• Weekday Broadcast, Personality or Team – The Mitch Albom Show
• Play-By-Play Sports – Detroit Lions Play-By-Play
• Regularly Scheduled Weekend Broadcast, Personality or Team – Food For Thought

 For a complete list of winners, Click Here.

Nexstar's Sook Awarded BFA's Golden Mike Award

L-R: Daughter Laura Sook, Perry Sook, wife Dr. Sandy Sook, son Perry Sook, Jr., daughter Victoria Sook,
and Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of Sugarland

New records were set at the Broadcasters Foundation of America’s 2019 Golden Mike Award gala last Wednesday night, as more than 300 broadcast industry executives and celebrities filled the Plaza Hotel’s ballroom to capacity in honor of Perry Sook, Founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nexstar Media Group.

The event raised more than $450,000, a record-breaker, including a $100,000 personal donation from Mr. Sook and his wife, Dr. Sandy Sook. Mr. Sook announced the donation during his acceptance speech to overwhelming applause. The annual Golden Mike Award Gala is a major fundraiser for the Broadcasters Foundation, the only charity devoted exclusively to providing aid to broadcasters in acute need.

The evening was hosted by Craig Melvin, anchor of NBC News’ Today and MSNBC, and featured a performance by country superstar duo Sugarland. The evening’s presenters were Gordon Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Broadcasters, Joe Ianniello, President of CBS Corporation, via video, and Dr. Sandy Sook.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has distributed millions of dollars in aid to broadcasters who have lost their livelihood through a catastrophic event, debilitating disease or unforeseen tragedy. Personal donations can be made to the Foundation’s Guardian Fund. Corporate contributions are accepted through the Angel Initiative, and bequests can be made through the Foundation’s Legacy Society. For more information, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.org.

R.I.P.: Karl Eller, Media Executive, Station Owner

Karl Eller

Longtime Arizona business executive Karl Eller, a University of Arizona alumnus and namesake of the UA’s Eller College of Management, died Sunday in Phoenix. He was 90.

In a business career spanning more than four decades, Eller was CEO of several billion-dollar corporations, including the Circle K Corp., Columbia Pictures and his own billboard company, Eller Media Co.

According to tucson.com, Eller was a native oc Chicago and moved to Tucson with his family in the mid-1930s and lived across the street from Arizona Stadium, where his mother rented rooms to students. After a stint in the Army, Eller studied business and played football at the UA, graduating with his lifelong spouse, Stevie, in 1952.

After working for two major advertising agencies in Chicago, Eller returned to Tucson in 1961 to buy the Western outdoor advertising division of Foster & Kleiser, where he had worked previously.

He built the billboard venture into a media company, Combined Media, that owned TV and radio stations and billboard companies across the U.S. and Canada. Combined Media was sold to Gannett in 1979.

In 1983, Eller became CEO of Phoenix-based convenience-store operator Circle K Corp., where he spearheaded a massive store expansion.

He started and grew a new outdoor media company, Eller Media, which was sold to Clear Channel Communications for $1.2 billion in 1997.