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Monday, September 21, 2020
Sept 21 Radio History
➦In 1943...WNYC-FM call letters debut.
WNYC began regularly scheduled broadcasts on the FM band on March 13, 1943 at 43.9 megacycles. Known originally as W39NY, the FM outlet adopted its present WNYC-FM call letters and its present frequency of 93.9 MHz within a few years.
➦In 1948..."Life With Luigi" debuted on the CBS Radio Network. It continued to March 3, 1953.
➦In 1965..KYW 1060 AM in Philadelphia flipped to an all-news format.
In 1927, Westinghouse aligned its four radio stations (KYW, KDKA in Pittsburgh, WBZ in Boston and WBZA in Springfield, Massachusetts) with the NBC Blue Network, which originated from former sister station WJZ (the present-day WABC) in New York City. Westinghouse had been a founding partner of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), NBC's original parent company.
On September 21, 1965, shortly after Westinghouse regained control of 1060 AM, the newly rechristened KYW once again dropped its NBC radio affiliation and was converted into one of the first all-news stations in the country. Newsman Steve Porter read the first newscast. It had been edited by Fred B. Walters, the former Harrisburg bureau chief and eventual Executive Editor.
Five months earlier Westinghouse Broadcasting converted 1010WINS, KYW's New York sister station since 1962, from a Top-40 format to all-news. A similar move was made three years later at another Westinghouse-owned station, KFWB in Los Angeles. KYW has been one of the highest-rated radio stations in the country since that point and has been the market leader in Philadelphia for much of that time. The Westinghouse all-news trio, meanwhile, revolutionized and defined the all-news format. KYW's early format elements were shared with WINS, such as the distinctive teletype sound effect playing in the background, and the slogans "All News, All the Time", "The Newswatch Never Stops", "Listen 2, 3, 4 Times a Day" and "You Give Us 22 Minutes, We'll Give You the World".
KYW's present format runs on a 30-minute cycle. Regular segments include contains traffic and mass transit reports from Metro Traffic every ten minutes on the "twos" (six times an hour), sports updates every quarter-hour (twice an hour, at :15 and :45), weather reports as much as six times an hour (four regularly scheduled reports at :07, :14, :37 and :44 past every hour with breaking weather news plus special forecasts for the New Jersey Shore and the Poconos), and business news from Bloomberg twice an hour (at :25 and :55). When breaking news warrants, KYW will break format to provide continuous coverage of any event.
Its television sister took advantage of the radio station's popularity by incorporating a version of KYW's musical sounder into its news themes from 1991 to 2003. In addition, a television program entitled KYW Newsradio 1060 This Morning aired from 5 to 8 a.m. on sister station WPSG (channel 57) in the early 2000s, adapting KYW's "clock" to television. The show was popular among local cable programming in its daypart, and in late 2004 was usurped (due in part to a new affiliation to Traffic Pulse) by television staffers and assumed the name Wake UP News.
Westinghouse Electric announced its purchase of CBS in 1995, and upon its completion KYW became a sister station to its long-time rival, CBS-owned WGMP (1210 AM, now WPHT). That station, under its original WCAU call letters, attempted to compete with KYW in all-news programming during the late 1970s but failed, dumping the format after only three years. Today, the news format continues and the station is owned by Entercom.
KYW is currently the easternmost station in the United States whose call-sign begins with the letter K. It is also one of three such stations in Pennsylvania, the other ones being KQV and sister station KDKA, both in Pittsburgh.
➦In 1968...Harry Harrison air his last show at WMCA 570 AM. In 2-days he started at 77WABC.
From '65...
➦In 1970...Bob Grant aired first show at WMCA 570 AM as WMCA flipped from Top40 to Talk, calling itself "Dial-Log Radio."
➦In 2012... Michael Rye died at age 94. He was born John Michael Riorden Billsbury; March 2, 1918) and his decades-long career spanned radio, television, animated cartoons and video games. Aside from his voice over work, Rye also acted in on-screen television roles as well, including parts in Dr. Kildare and 77 Sunset Strip.
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| Michael Rye |
He was cast in numerous lead roles for radio shows, including Gary Curtis for the NBC soap opera, Ma Perkins; Tim Lawrence on Guiding Light; Jack Armstrong on the radio adventure series, Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy; and Pembroke in the soap opera, Backstage Wife.
He starred in radio productions produced and broadcast from Hollywood, including the ABC crime drama, This is Your FBI; the radio anthology series, Lux Radio Theater; the radio drama, The Whistler; the CBS radio comedy, Meet Millie; and the CBS drama, Suspense. He also provided the narration for the world's first full-length recorded book, the 1969 audio adaptation of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
- Author-comedian Fanny Flagg is 79.
- TV and film producer Jerry Bruckheimer is 77.
- Guitarist Don Felder (The Eagles) is 73.
- Author Stephen King is 73.
- Actor Bill Murray is 70.
- Filmmaker Ethan Coen of the Coen Brothers is 63.
- Actor-comedian Dave Coulier (“Full House”) is 61.
- Actor David James Elliott (“JAG”) is 60.
- Actor Nancy Travis is 59.
- Actor Rob Morrow (“Numb3rs,” ″Northern Exposure”) is 58.
Actor Angus Macfadyen (“Braveheart”) is 57.
Faith Hill is 53 - Actor Cheryl Hines (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) is 55.
- Country singer Faith Hill is 53.
- Drummer Tyler Stewart of Barenaked Ladies is 53.
- Actor-talk show host Ricki Lake is 52.
- Rapper Dave (formerly Trugoy the Dove) of De La Soul is 52.
- Actor Billy Porter (“Pose”) is 51.
- Actor Rob Benedict (“Supernatural,” ″Felicity”) is 50.
- Actor James Lesure (“Las Vegas,” “For Your Love”) is 49.
- Actor Alfonso Ribeiro (“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” ″In the House”) is 49.
- Actor Luke Wilson is 49.
- Actor Paulo Costanzo (“Royal Pains,” ″Joey”) is 42.
- Actor Autumn Reeser (“Entourage,” “The O.C.”) is 40.
- TV personality Nicole Richie (“The Simple Life”) is 39.
- Actor Maggie Grace (“Lost”) is 37.
- Actor Joseph Mazzello (“Simon Birch”) is 37.
- Actor Ahna O’Reilly (“The Help”) is 36.
- Rapper Wale is 36.
- Singer Jason Derulo is 34.
- Actor Ryan Guzman (“Heroes Reborn,” ″Pretty Little Liars”) is 33.
- Actors Nikolas Brino (“7th Heaven”) is 22.
Saturday, September 19, 2020
Sep 20 Radio History
➦In 1921...KDKA Pittsburgh established the world's first radio newsroom. The first daily radio newscasts featured a reports fro The Pittsburgh Post.
➦In 1930...NYC Personality Harry Harrison was born in Chicago. (Died January 28, 2020)Harrison is the only DJ to be a WMCA "Good Guy", a WABC "All-American", and on the WCBS-FM line-up when the New York station flipped to the "Jack" format in June 2005.
He attended a seminary, intending to become a priest. But he decided to make broadcasting his career after spending nearly a year as a teenager glued to the radio while bedridden with rheumatic fever.
Harrison worked at WCFL in the early 50s as a summer replacement, yet remained there eight months, substituting for the permanent DJs. In 1954, Harrison became program director at WPEO, Peoria and hosted the morning show as the "Morning Mayor of Peoria." In just six months, Harrison made WPEO the top station.
In 1959, Harrison joined WMCA, New York, as the mid-day "Good Guy." Joe O'Brien (mornings) and Harrison gave WMCA a "one-two punch" for over eight years. In 1965, he recorded the nationally charted holiday narration "May You Always" on Amy Records.
Harrison became popular with his "Housewife Hall of Fame” feature, and participated in the 1966 WMCA Good Guy picnic. Often, he scored the highest ratings on WMCA. WABC program director Rick Sklar took note.
In 1968, when WABC morning man Herb Oscar Anderson left the station, Rick Sklar hired Harrison to replace him. Harrison was followed in the WABC day by Ron Lundy.
Every year, Harrison played seasonal songs, such as his holiday greeting "May You Always” in the winter (the Amy records single of this song made the Billboard Christmas charts in 1965).
Harrison had a number of "trademark" phrases, such as "Morning, Mom", "Every brand new day should be opened like a precious gift", "Stay well, stay happy, stay right here" and "Harry Harrison wishing you the best... because that's exactly what you deserve!” Also, on the last day of every year, Harrison would bring his four children to work with him and at the end of his shift.
Harrison was let go from WABC as the station changed direction in November 1979.
In March 1980, Harrison became the morning personality at WCBS 101.1 FM, playing oldies.
In 1984, with Lundy joining the station, they were once again heard back-to-back. Harrison would interact with Morning Crew engineer Al Vertucci, Phil Pepe, who reported sports, and joke about "wacky weather" and toupee warnings with Irv “Mr. “G” Gikofsky (weather), Mary Jane Royce, and Sue Evans. At 7:20 AM, Harrison opened the "birthday book" and announced listener and celebrity birthdays.
On April 25, 1997 New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani issued a proclamation, naming April 25 "Harry Harrison Day" in honor of the second "Mayor."
On March 19, 2003, after a 44-year career in New York radio, Harrison left WCBS-FM, saying "I am not retiring." His farewell to his loyal radio friends (from 5:30 to 10:00am) was held before a live audience at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City.
Shortly after he left WCBS-FM, Harrison's long-time wife, Patti, who he had always referred to as "Pretty Patti" on the air, died.
➦In 1953...Jimmy Stewart debuted NBC's radio western, "The Six Shooter". It was a weekly old-time radio program created by Frank Burt, who also wrote many of the episodes, and lasted only one season of 39 episodes on NBC. Some people called the program "a last, desperate effort by a radio network (NBC) to maintain interest in adventure drama by employing a major Hollywood movie star in the leading role." Actor James Stewart starred as Britt Ponset, a drifting cowboy in the final years of the wild west. Episodes ranged from straight western drama to whimsical comedy. A trademark of the show was Stewart's use of whispered narration during tense scenes that created a heightened sense of drama and relief when the situation was resolved.
In 1969...John Lennon left The Beatles, but agreed not to inform the media while the group renegotiated their recording contract.
He was outraged that McCartney publicized his own departure on releasing his debut solo album in April 1970. Lennon's reaction was, "Jesus Christ! He gets all the credit for it!"
He later wrote, "I started the band. I disbanded it. It's as simple as that." In a December 1970 interview with Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone magazine, he revealed his bitterness towards McCartney and spoke of the hostility he perceived the other members had towards Ono, and of how he, Harrison and Starr "got fed up with being sidemen for Paul ... After Brian Epstein died we collapsed. Paul took over and supposedly led us. But what is leading us when we went round in circles?"
➦In 1973...Singer-songwriter Jim Croce died at age 30 in a plane accident. He was killed, along with five others, in a plane crash on September 20, 1973, at the height of his popularity.
Croce and all five others on board were killed when their chartered Beechcraft E18S crashed into a tree during takeoff from the Natchitoches Regional Airport in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Croce was 30 years old. Others killed in the crash were pilot Robert N. Elliott, Maury Muehleisen, comedian George Stevens, manager and booking agent Kenneth D. Cortese and road manager Dennis Rast. An hour before the crash, Croce had completed a concert at Northwestern State University's Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches; he was flying to Sherman, Texas for a concert at Austin College.
An investigation showed the twin-engine plane crashed after clipping a pecan tree at the end of the runway. The pilot had failed to gain sufficient altitude to clear the tree and had not tried to avoid it, even though it was the only tree in the area. It was well after sunset, but there was a clear sky, calm winds and over five miles of visibility with haze.
➦In 1997…Veteran SoCal radio personality “Emperor” Bob Hudson died in his sleep at 66.
A master of the giant put-on, Hudson was on the air from the 1950s through the 1980s on several Southern California stations, initially anointing himself “emperor” on KRLA.
Self-appointed leader of the youth movement and ruler of the pop scene, he headed “Hudson’s Commandos” which he said had more than 40,000 members.
Hudson regularly signed off his programs by warning the “peasants” to clear the freeway because “His Highness is coming.” The “emperor” dressed the part, complete with turban and robes, and moved around Hollywood in a gold Rolls-Royce.
“The kids really thought I was nuts and they loved me,” he told The LA Times in 1968, when he was “Beautiful Bob” on KFWB in the days before its current all-news format.
Hudson was praised by colleagues in his highly competitive business for intelligent humor and clever chatter. Hudson began his career on radio when he was stationed in the Army in Anchorage. He had an all-night show and ran a business on the side.
“It was the Tidy Didy Diaper Service--'The tops for your baby’s bottom,’ ” he recalled proudly when he had gained radio fame.
After a stint on Anchorage television as “Cowboy Bob” hosting western movies, he backslid with jobs distributing telephone directories, selling office machines and creating ideas for advertising.
He landed back on radio in San Francisco on the rock station KEWB and from there was hired by KRLA.
Hudson also worked for other stations over the years, including KFI and KGBS in Los Angeles and KEZY in Anaheim.
He landed back on radio in San Francisco on the rock station KEWB and from there was hired by KRLA. Hudson also worked for other stations over the years, including KFI and KGBS in Los Angeles and KEZY in Anaheim.
A comedy duo was born in the early 1970s when Hudson met Ron Landry while both were working at KGBS in Los Angeles. The two became a potent morning duo and it was their on-air chemistry that led to the recording of several successful comedy albums on Doré Records.
Hudson & Landry recorded a total of 52 comedy vignettes, plus an unknown number of additional, shorter skits which were used as lead-ins for songs which were played on the station. 39 of them were released on 12" vinyl. Their first release was the single "Ajax Liquor Store", which was nominated for a Grammy Award alongside Lily Tomlin's "One Ringy Dingy".
During their partnership, they were frequent guests on a number of popular television shows including The Flip Wilson Show, The Steve Allen Show, and Smothers Brothers specials to name a few.
Harrison worked at WCFL in the early 50s as a summer replacement, yet remained there eight months, substituting for the permanent DJs. In 1954, Harrison became program director at WPEO, Peoria and hosted the morning show as the "Morning Mayor of Peoria." In just six months, Harrison made WPEO the top station.
In 1959, Harrison joined WMCA, New York, as the mid-day "Good Guy." Joe O'Brien (mornings) and Harrison gave WMCA a "one-two punch" for over eight years. In 1965, he recorded the nationally charted holiday narration "May You Always" on Amy Records.
Harrison became popular with his "Housewife Hall of Fame” feature, and participated in the 1966 WMCA Good Guy picnic. Often, he scored the highest ratings on WMCA. WABC program director Rick Sklar took note.
In 1968, when WABC morning man Herb Oscar Anderson left the station, Rick Sklar hired Harrison to replace him. Harrison was followed in the WABC day by Ron Lundy.
Every year, Harrison played seasonal songs, such as his holiday greeting "May You Always” in the winter (the Amy records single of this song made the Billboard Christmas charts in 1965).
 |
| Harry with Ron Lundy |
Harrison was let go from WABC as the station changed direction in November 1979.
In March 1980, Harrison became the morning personality at WCBS 101.1 FM, playing oldies.
In 1984, with Lundy joining the station, they were once again heard back-to-back. Harrison would interact with Morning Crew engineer Al Vertucci, Phil Pepe, who reported sports, and joke about "wacky weather" and toupee warnings with Irv “Mr. “G” Gikofsky (weather), Mary Jane Royce, and Sue Evans. At 7:20 AM, Harrison opened the "birthday book" and announced listener and celebrity birthdays.
On April 25, 1997 New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani issued a proclamation, naming April 25 "Harry Harrison Day" in honor of the second "Mayor."On March 19, 2003, after a 44-year career in New York radio, Harrison left WCBS-FM, saying "I am not retiring." His farewell to his loyal radio friends (from 5:30 to 10:00am) was held before a live audience at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City.
Shortly after he left WCBS-FM, Harrison's long-time wife, Patti, who he had always referred to as "Pretty Patti" on the air, died.
➦In 1953...Jimmy Stewart debuted NBC's radio western, "The Six Shooter". It was a weekly old-time radio program created by Frank Burt, who also wrote many of the episodes, and lasted only one season of 39 episodes on NBC. Some people called the program "a last, desperate effort by a radio network (NBC) to maintain interest in adventure drama by employing a major Hollywood movie star in the leading role." Actor James Stewart starred as Britt Ponset, a drifting cowboy in the final years of the wild west. Episodes ranged from straight western drama to whimsical comedy. A trademark of the show was Stewart's use of whispered narration during tense scenes that created a heightened sense of drama and relief when the situation was resolved.
 |
| Circa 1969 |
He was outraged that McCartney publicized his own departure on releasing his debut solo album in April 1970. Lennon's reaction was, "Jesus Christ! He gets all the credit for it!"
He later wrote, "I started the band. I disbanded it. It's as simple as that." In a December 1970 interview with Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone magazine, he revealed his bitterness towards McCartney and spoke of the hostility he perceived the other members had towards Ono, and of how he, Harrison and Starr "got fed up with being sidemen for Paul ... After Brian Epstein died we collapsed. Paul took over and supposedly led us. But what is leading us when we went round in circles?"
➦In 1973...Singer-songwriter Jim Croce died at age 30 in a plane accident. He was killed, along with five others, in a plane crash on September 20, 1973, at the height of his popularity.
Croce and all five others on board were killed when their chartered Beechcraft E18S crashed into a tree during takeoff from the Natchitoches Regional Airport in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Croce was 30 years old. Others killed in the crash were pilot Robert N. Elliott, Maury Muehleisen, comedian George Stevens, manager and booking agent Kenneth D. Cortese and road manager Dennis Rast. An hour before the crash, Croce had completed a concert at Northwestern State University's Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches; he was flying to Sherman, Texas for a concert at Austin College.
An investigation showed the twin-engine plane crashed after clipping a pecan tree at the end of the runway. The pilot had failed to gain sufficient altitude to clear the tree and had not tried to avoid it, even though it was the only tree in the area. It was well after sunset, but there was a clear sky, calm winds and over five miles of visibility with haze.
A master of the giant put-on, Hudson was on the air from the 1950s through the 1980s on several Southern California stations, initially anointing himself “emperor” on KRLA.
Self-appointed leader of the youth movement and ruler of the pop scene, he headed “Hudson’s Commandos” which he said had more than 40,000 members.
Hudson regularly signed off his programs by warning the “peasants” to clear the freeway because “His Highness is coming.” The “emperor” dressed the part, complete with turban and robes, and moved around Hollywood in a gold Rolls-Royce.
 |
| Bob Hudson |
Hudson was praised by colleagues in his highly competitive business for intelligent humor and clever chatter. Hudson began his career on radio when he was stationed in the Army in Anchorage. He had an all-night show and ran a business on the side.
“It was the Tidy Didy Diaper Service--'The tops for your baby’s bottom,’ ” he recalled proudly when he had gained radio fame.
After a stint on Anchorage television as “Cowboy Bob” hosting western movies, he backslid with jobs distributing telephone directories, selling office machines and creating ideas for advertising.
He landed back on radio in San Francisco on the rock station KEWB and from there was hired by KRLA.
Hudson also worked for other stations over the years, including KFI and KGBS in Los Angeles and KEZY in Anaheim.
He landed back on radio in San Francisco on the rock station KEWB and from there was hired by KRLA. Hudson also worked for other stations over the years, including KFI and KGBS in Los Angeles and KEZY in Anaheim.
A comedy duo was born in the early 1970s when Hudson met Ron Landry while both were working at KGBS in Los Angeles. The two became a potent morning duo and it was their on-air chemistry that led to the recording of several successful comedy albums on Doré Records.
Hudson & Landry recorded a total of 52 comedy vignettes, plus an unknown number of additional, shorter skits which were used as lead-ins for songs which were played on the station. 39 of them were released on 12" vinyl. Their first release was the single "Ajax Liquor Store", which was nominated for a Grammy Award alongside Lily Tomlin's "One Ringy Dingy".
During their partnership, they were frequent guests on a number of popular television shows including The Flip Wilson Show, The Steve Allen Show, and Smothers Brothers specials to name a few.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
- Actor Sophia Loren is 86.
- Bassist Chuck Panozzo (Styx) is 72.
- Actor Tony Denison (“Major Crimes,” “The Closer”) is 71.
- Actor Debbi Morgan (“Power”) is 69.
Jazz guitarist Peter White is 66.
Crystle Stewart is 41 - Actor Betsy Brantley (“Deep Impact”) is 65.
- Actor Gary Cole is 64.
- Bassist Randy Bradbury of Pennywise is 56.
- Actor Kristen Johnston (“3rd Rock From The Sun”) is 53.
- Singers Gunnar and Matthew Nelson of Nelson are 53.
- Bassist Ben Shepherd (Soundgarden) is 52.
- Actor Enuka Okuma (“Rookie Blue”) is 48.
- Actor Moon Bloodgood (“Falling Skies”) is 45.
- Actor Jon Bernthal (“The Walking Dead,” “Daredevil”) is 44.
- Singer The-Dream is 44.
- Actor Charlie Weber (“How To Get Away With Murder”) is 42.
- Drummer Rick Woolstenhulme of Lifehouse is 41.
- Actor Crystle Stewart (“For Better or Worse”) is 41.
- Rapper Yung Joc is 40.
- Actor Aldis Hodge (“Straight Outta Compton,” “Hidden Figures”) is 34.
- Drummer Jack Lawless of DNCE and The Jonas Brothers is 33.
- Actor Malachi Kirby (2016′s “Roots”) is 31.
ViacomCBS CEO Explains Streaming Strategy
ViacomCBS will rebrand CBS All Access as Paramount+ early next year, as it continues to build out its streaming offerings and strategy. The service will get a slate of new original content and an international launch next year.
“Today’s an exciting day,” CEO Robert Bakish said at Goldman Sachs’ annual Communacopia media and telecom conference on Tuesday. “It’s really the beginning of a new chapter for one of the most storied brands in Hollywood.”
Barron's reports Bakish said that ViacomCBS is planning a major marketing campaign to announce the rebranded Paramount+ service next year. It’s essentially CBS All Access with some additional original content. That includes live sports, news, and talk shows; new and library TV series; and Paramount movies. It’s one of three legs of ViacomCBS’ streaming strategy, along with subscription-service Showtime and ad-supported PlutoTV.
Our streaming strategy allows us to have vast audience reach. See #ViacomCBS President and CEO Robert M. Bakish explain in his own words on @business. pic.twitter.com/yZjKlqiaQ2
— ViacomCBS (@ViacomCBS) September 17, 2020
Paramount+ international will be a mix of Showtime and CBS All Access programming, plus movies from Paramount and TV shows from Viacom channels. Starting in early 2021, the service will be available in Australia, the Nordic countries, and parts of Latin America.
Bakish said that a priority for ViacomCBS is ensuring that its streaming services are distributed on all the major streaming platforms. Some streaming services owners—like AT&T’s HBO Max—have bristled against requirements from streaming platforms—like Amazon.com’s Fire TV.
ViacomCBS’s traditional TV and movie businesses are beginning to recover from their second-quarter lows, Bakish said on Tuesday. He expects the company to show revenue growth for 2020, implying at least $14.9 billion in sales in the second half of the year, versus $12.9 billion in the first half.
Growth in affiliate fee, retransmission, and streaming revenues will be large enough to make up for cable subscriber losses, Bakish said, noting that advertising revenues are also recovering from their trough in the second quarter, but many categories remain below their levels a year earlier. The return of sports programming is also helping.
Austin Radio: KGSR Moves From Soft to Hot AC
At 2pm Friday, Waterloo Media launched 93.3 Austin “New Music Now”: a new music focused channel playing today’s most popular hits exclusively for Austin. KGSR will feature well-known artists such as Dua Lipa, Drake, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and Post Malone, plus breaking news, acts, and songs from Alternative, Pop and Rhythm genres. In addition, the station promises to break new and emerging music, including innovative acts from TikTok which will be heard every hour on the :10s.
The Brooke & Jeffrey Morning Show will air Monday through Friday, 6 to 10am. A full live and local air staff will be announced soon.
93.3 Austin will be programmed locally by Waterloo Media & Program Director Jay Michaels, who notes “This could be the most exciting job in the current radio climate. My goal is to program 93.3 using local and national tools like streaming, TikTok, and not just play the usual corporate Top 20 songs. It’s amazing to be back in Texas and do what I love with an incredible company and staff.”
Consumers Talking, Listening To Ads On Smart Speakers
Once or twice a year Adobe conducts a study that surveys more than 1,000 people on their habits around voice-based devices, with a focus on smart speakers. This year the company conducted the survey in July, asking 1,043 U.S. consumers ages 18 or older to share their habits to determine how things changed as a result of shelter-in-place orders.
With a similar study conducted last year, Adobe notes the year-over-year comparison.
Thirty-nine percent of those participating in Adobe’s smart-speaker survey in July 2020 report owning a smart speaker — up from 36% in February 2019 and 28% in January 2018.
Adobe did not segment the market in terms of the most popular brand, but eMarketer data from July 2020 suggests Amazon Echo owns 66.8% of the U.S. market share, followed by Google Home with 30.4% and other, at 17.6%.
Adobe’s findings suggest 58% of consumers find smart-speaker ads to be less intrusive than other major formats such as television, print, online and social — up from 43% in May 2019.
Even more interesting, 52% of consumers find the ads to be more engaging — up from 42% in May 2019. Advertisers must be doing a better job of targeting the correct message, because 57% said the ads are more relevant to their needs and interests.
This year, Adobe also asked about brand recall, a new question in the survey. Some 51% said they found it easier to recall the brand behind an ad on a smart speaker, compared with other major ad formats.
And 53% said a smart speaker ad drove them to make a purchase at a later time, up from 39% in May 2019.
When asked about the three-month period of April through July, 46% of consumers who own a smart speaker say they use voice assistants more often.
What do they do with the smart speaker?
- 60% listen to music
- 55% ask for information on the weather
- 46% ask fun questions
- 45% search for something
- 39% research or confirm information
- 39% check the news
- 39% set reminders and alarms
Return of Sports Boosts ESPN Podcasts in August
The unusual confluence of all major professional sports in August heated up ESPN Podcast listenership, as ESPN posted its best month ever and grew 29% over August 2019.
In addition, the combined podcast network of ESPN / ABC / FiveThirtyEight / National Geographic posted an increase of 44% year-over-year. In particular and reflective of increased attention to the coming presidential election, FiveThirtyEight enjoyed one of its best months ever and grew 178% from a year ago.
“It is clear that when current events are on the mind of listeners – be it sports or politics – fans turn to our network of podcasts for the best in analysis, storytelling and discussion,” said Tom Ricks, ESPN Audio’s vice president, digital marketing and strategy. “As baseball heads towards the playoffs, the NFL starts up and the election comes closer, we are focused on delivering our best for fans in a time like no other.”
According to The Podtrac Podcast Category Audience Rankings, in August ESPN was home to 13 of the top 30 podcasts, including five of the top 10. Of note, The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz – which in August added two hours of podcast-exclusive content each weekday – ranked second with a unique audience of 1.282 million. That represents an increase of 33% over July. Also, the return of the NBA boosted The Lowe Post (seventh on the list) to a monthly increase of 231%, more than triple its audience in August 2019.
September 19 Radio History
➦➦In 1921..Boston's WBZ radio, which now broadcasts at 1030 kHz AM and is the oldest surviving commercial radio station in New England, signed-on broadcasting from Springfield, MA.
WBZ's initial license, for operation in Springfield, was issued by the Department of Commerce to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company on September 15, 1921; it was the first license to specify broadcasts on 360 meters (833 kilohertz), and was subsequently deemed to be the first license for a commercial broadcast station. However, other stations, such as WWJ in Detroit, 1XE/WGI in Medford Hillside, and sister station KDKA in Pittsburgh, were already broadcasting under different license classifications. |
| Original Studio on Page Blvd. |
The original format was general entertainment and information, which included live music (often classical music and opera), sports, farm reports, special events, and public affairs programming. Despite WBZ being housed in Springfield, it somewhat difficult to attract top-flight artists to the station, leading Westinghouse to open a studio at the Hotel Brunswick in Boston on February 24, 1924. WBZ also expanded its news programming via a partnership with the newspaper Boston Herald and Traveler. It also carried a considerable amount of sports broadcasts, including Boston Bruins hockey, Boston Braves baseball, and Harvard Crimson football.
 |
| Circa 1932 |
Amidst the technical changes, WBZ also began engaging in network activities. By 1925, it often shared programs with WJZ in New York City (which Westinghouse had also started in 1921, but sold to the Radio Corporation of America two years later), and a WBZ special commemorating the 150th anniversary of Paul Revere's "Midnight Ride" was also fed to WRC in Washington, D.C. and WGY in Schenectady, New York. This paved the way for the station to become a charter affiliate of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) on November 15, 1926, carrying the WJZ-originated NBC Blue Network beginning on January 1, 1927.
Today, WBZ is owned by iHeartMedia and airs a News/Talk format.
➦In 1932...The radio soap Just Plain Bill started airing It aired for about 20-years. It was a 15-minute daytime radio drama program heard on CBS Radio and NBC Radio. Originally called Bill the Barber, it told the story of Bill Davidson (Arthur Hughes), a barber in the town of Hartville, and his daughter Nancy (Ruth Russell). Bill often became involved in helping his friends and neighbors when he wasn't cutting hair. Also in the cast: Dick Janaver (1911-1999).
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| Bill Cullen |
A week after arriving in New York he was hired as a staff announcer at CBS. To supplement his then-meager income, he became a freelance joke writer for some of the top radio stars of the day including Arthur Godfrey, Danny Kaye, and Jack Benny; he also worked as a staff writer for the Easy Aces radio show.
His first venture into game shows was in 1945 when he was hired as announcer for a radio quiz called Give And Take. Between 1946 and 1953 he also worked as announcer for various other local and network shows, including the radio version of Mark Goodson and Bill Todman's first game show, Winner Take All, hosted by Ward Wilson; Cullen took over as host four months later when Wilson left.
After a brief stint at WNEW in 1951 he later hosted a popular morning show at WRCA radio from 1955 to 1961. His last regular radio job was as one of the hosts of NBC Radio's Monitor from 1971 to 1973.
➦In 1970...Good Guy Ed Baer aired last show at WMCA 570 AM NYC.
Aircheck from 1964:
Baer spent more than a 60 years on New York area stations, including as a “Good Guy” on WMCA 570 AM, followed by stints on WCBS 101.1 FM, WYNY, WHN 1050 AM, and WHUD among others.
Baer began in New York radio at WMCA in the fall of 1961, at age 25, the youngest member of the air staff. He remained there for 12 years, doing music, news and talk shows. Then, on to WHN, playing Country Music for 10 years, followed by 4 years at WYNY, where he also did sports on the NBC Radio Network. In 1986, he took over mornings with the Ed Baer Affair on 100.7 WHUD while also beginning fill-in stints on WCBS-FM, and often heard on their Radio Greats Weekends.
➦In 2018...Bill Gable, who entertained audiences at CKLW Windsor-Detroit and other stations across North America for 46-years died in a Windsor, Ontario hospital from complications of chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder (COPD). Gable retired in 2014.
➦In 2018...CBS News Radio announced the unexpected death of longtime correspondent and anchor of the World News Roundup Late Edition Dave Barrett has died. He was 63-years-of-age. He anchored hourly newscasts and was 3-time winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award.
➦In 2018...CBS News Radio announced the unexpected death of longtime correspondent and anchor of the World News Roundup Late Edition Dave Barrett has died. He was 63-years-of-age. He anchored hourly newscasts and was 3-time winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
- Actor Rosemary Harris is 93.
- Actor David McCallum (“The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and “NCIS”) is 87.
- Singer Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers is 80.
Singer Sylvia Tyson of Ian and Sylvia is 80.
Trisha Yearwood is 56 - Singer-songwriter Paul Williams is 80.
- Singer Freda Payne is 78.
- Singer David Bromberg is 75.
- Actor Randolph Mantooth (“Emergency”) is 75.
- Guitarist Lol Creme of 10cc is 73.
- Actor Jeremy Irons is 72.
- Actor-model Twiggy Lawson is 71.
- TV personality Joan Lunden is 70.
- Actor Scott Colomby (“Jack Frost,” ″Porky’s” films) is 68.
- Guitarist-producer Nile Rodgers of Chic is 68.
- Singer-actor Rex Smith is 65.
- Musician Lita Ford is 62.
- Director Kevin Hooks is 62.
- Actor Carolyn McCormick (“Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”) is 61.
- TV chef Mario Batali is 60.
- Comedian Cheri Oteri (“Saturday Night Live”) is 58.
- Country singer Jeff Bates is 57.
- Country singer Trisha Yearwood is 56.
- News anchor Soledad O’Brien is 54.
- Singer Esperonza Griffin (Society of Soul) is 51.
- TV chef Michael Symon is 51.
- Actor Victor Williams (“The Affair,” ″King of Queens”) is 50.
- Actor Sanaa Lathan (“The Cleveland Show”) is 49.
- Singer A. Jay Popoff of Lit is 47.
- Comedian-talk show host Jimmy Fallon is 46.
- Home-improvement host Carter Oosterhouse (“Red Hot and Green,” ″Trading Spaces”) is 44.
- Actor-TV host Alison Sweeney (“Days of Our Lives,” ″The Biggest Loser”) is 44.
- Singers Tegan and Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara are 40.
- Actor Columbus Short (“Scandal”) is 38.
- Rapper Eamon is 37.
- Actor Kevin Zegers (“Transamerica,” “Air Bud”) is 36.
- Actor Danielle Panabaker (TV’s “The Flash”) is 33.
- Actor Katrina Bowden (“The Bold and the Beautiful,” “30 Rock”) is 32.
Friday, September 18, 2020
Time Is Running Out For TikTok, WeChat
The Commerce Department announced Friday morning that it would ban U.S. business transactions with Chinese-owned social apps WeChat and TikTok on Sunday.
CNBC reports the announcement comes ahead of an expected statement Friday by President Donald Trump on whether or not the government will approve a deal for Oracle to take a minority stake in TikTok and become a 'trusted technology partner for the company in the U-S.
It’s unclear if the Commerce Department’s announcement means there’s no possibility of a deal going through before the Sunday deadline, and it could be an aggressive move from the Trump Administration to push for its original intention for TikTok to be fully owned by a U-S company.
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| Wilbur Ross |
Friday’s announcement from the Commerce Department is an enforcement of Trump's original executive order from Augusy 6that gave TikTok 45 days to sell its U.S. business to a U.S. company or face a ban in the U.S. WeChat, which is one of the most popular social messaging apps in the world, is owned by the Chinese company Tencent. TikTok’s parent company is the Chinese company ByteDance. Trump’s executive order cited national security concerns over the Chinese government’s access to user data in those apps to justify the potential ban.
The Commerce Department’s statement on Friday said that starting Sept. 20, U.S. companies would be banned from distributing WeChat and TikTok, meaning the two major mobile app stores run by Apple and Google would have to remove the apps from their libraries. The statement also blocks U.S. companies from providing services through WeChat “for the purpose of transferring funds or processing payments within the U.S.”
In an interview with Fox Business on Friday, Ross said the bans will affect TikTok and WeChat differently at first. He said TikTok will still function if it’s already installed on a device, but users will not be able to upgrade the app. It’s still unclear what kind of functionality WeChat will have in the U.S. after Sept. 20, and it’s unclear whether or not TikTok will still be allowed in mobile app stores, but not allowed to provide updates to users.
The Rundown: Biden Slams Trump's Handling Of Pandemic
Over the course of the night, Biden took questions ranging from farming regulations, the military presence in Afghanistan, to how he would approach the coronavirus pandemic.
— CNN (@CNN) September 18, 2020
Biden made a few errors and misleading statements. Here's a look at the facts. https://t.co/gMH7Yq5RoT
During the town hall, which was held in a drive-in format because of the pandemic just outside of Biden's hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden also said people have lost "freedom" because of the administration's response, such as the freedom to go to a ball game or send your child to school, and declared, "I never, ever, ever thought I would see such a thoroughly, totally irresponsible administration."
➤REPORT: CDC GUIDANCE SAYING NO NEED TO TEST ASYMPTOMATICS IN CONTACT WITH INFECTED PUT OUT OVER SCIENTISTS' OBJECTION: Guidelines released in August by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that were strongly criticized for saying it wasn't necessary to test asymptomatic people for the coronavirus who'd been in close contact with an infected person was not written by CDC scientists and was put out over their strong objections, the New York Times reported yesterday, citing several sources.
U.S. CDC testing guidance was published against scientists' objections: NYT https://t.co/KuGM5iiQZS pic.twitter.com/2dAtga6Dp3
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 18, 2020
A federal official told the Times the document came from the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and bypassed the CDC's scientific review process. Admiral Brett Giror, the administration's testing coordinator, told the Times he didn't know why it didn't go through the CDC's typical scientific review, but that it wasn't at his direction.
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| Newsday 9/18/20 |
Ex-Pence Adviser Criticizes Trump Response: Olivia Troye, a former adviser to Vice President Mike Pence who served on the White House coronavirus task force and just recently left the administration, yesterday criticized Trump's handling of the coronavirus and said she's voting for Joe Biden. Troye, a Republican who was Pence's homeland security adviser, said in a video released by the group Republican Voters Against Trump that Trump had been more concerned with his reelection chances than about protecting the country from the virus. She said, "If the president had taken this virus seriously, or if he had actually made an effort to tell how serious it was, he would have slowed the virus spread, he would have saved lives." She also recalled Trump saying the virus might be a good thing because, "I don't have to shake hands with these disgusting people." Pence said yesterday in response, "It reads to me like one more disgruntled employee that has decided to play politics during election year."
WATCH: All three companies leading the coronavirus vaccine race say they do not expect to have FDA-approved vaccines by election day. https://t.co/jO8U2PXI9D - @NBCNIghtlyNews
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 18, 2020
There have been more than 197,600 deaths in the U.S. as of early this morning, according to Johns Hopkins University's count, and more than 6,675,000 confirmed cases.
➤JUDGE BLOCKS POSTAL SERVICE CHANGES THAT SLOWED MAIL: A U.S. judge yesterday blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed the mail, and blasted them as a, quote, "politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service" before the election. Judge Stanley Bastian in Washington state issued a nationwide preliminary injunction that had been sought by 14 states that sued the administration and the Postal Service. He ordered the Postal Service to stop the "leave behind" policy, under which mail trucks have been leaving on time even if there was more mail to load, to treat all election mail as first class mail, and to reinstall any mail processing machines needed to ensure the prompt handling of election mail. A Postal Service spokesman said they're reviewing their legal options, while Lee Moak, a member of the USPS Board of Governors, called the claim that the changes were politically motivated "completely and utterly without merit." Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who was appointed by President Trump earlier this year, announced during the summer after an uproar over mail delays that he was suspending some changes.
Smoke from the U.S. wildfires has traveled thousands of miles east, turning skies from New York to Washington D.C. hazy and reaching as far as the skies above the UK. @ReutersGraphics visualizes organic carbon released into the atmosphere during the fires https://t.co/CcS4dQRWt7 pic.twitter.com/wYkeoeKFfT
— Reuters (@Reuters) September 18, 2020
➤TRUMP SAYS WILL ESTABLISH COMMISSION TO PROMOTE 'PATRIOTIC EDUCATION': President Trump said at an event yesterday marking the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the Constitution that he will sign an order establishing a commission to promote what he called "patriotic education," as he accused Democrats, the media and others of having, quote, "fed hateful lies about this country" to children. Trump's move to set up the commission, called the 1776 Commission, is in response to The New York Times' 1619 Project, which highlights the long-term consequences of slavery and the contributions to the nation of Black Americans. The project, which developed educational materials, grew out of a New York Times Magazine essay of the same name, named that because in 1619 a ship arrived in America with 20 to 30 enslaved Africans, marking the first arrival here of slaves. But Trump has blasted the project, and said yesterday, "American parents are not going to accept indoctrination in our schools, cancel culture at work, or the repression of traditional faith, culture and values in the public square. Not anymore."
🏒LIGHTNING BEAT ISLANDERS 2-1 IN OT TO REACH STANLEY CUP FINAL: The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New York Islanders 2-1 in overtime last night (September 17th) to win the Eastern Conference championship 4 games to 2 and reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2015. Anthony Cirelli scored the winning goal in OT. Tampa Bay will play the Dallas Stars for the NHL title.
YOUR OT HERO, ANTHONY CIRELLI. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/9ORlHj2MRD
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 18, 2020
- Miami Heat 106, Boston Celtics 101 -- Miami leads series 2 games to 0 (East)
🏈BROWNS TOP BENGALS 35-30: The Cleveland Browns topped the Cincinnati Bengals 35-30 last night at home, as the NFL marked its 100th birthday. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield went 16 of 23 for 219 yards, throwing two touchdown passes. Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner who led LSU to a national tittle last season, was 37 of 61 for 316 yards and threw for three touchdowns, but was sacked three times. There were 6,000 fans at FirstEnergy Stadium, which can seat 68,000 people, who were socially distanced and wearing face masks.
🏌THOMAS LEADS AFTER OPENING ROUND AT U.S. OPEN: American Justin Thomas is in the lead after the opening round of the U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, yesterday ending the day at 5-under 65. He has a one-stroke lead over Americans Patrick Reed and Matthew Wolff and Thomas Pieters of Belgium, who are all tied in second place in the major.
⚾YANKEES HIT FIVE HOME RUNS IN ONE INNING, FIRST TIME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY: The New York Yankees hit five runs in one inning for the first time in franchise history yesterday as they beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-7. The five runs were hit in the fourth inning, all off of Toronto pitcher Chase Anderson. The Yankees tied the MLB record, becoming just the seventh team in MLB history to hit five home runs in an inning.
Atlanta Radio: WSTR-FM Relaunches
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| WSTR Morning Host Jen Hobby |
The upbeat station will be home to Atlanta’s largest music library, delivering a unique blend of expertly curated music from artists like Prince, Bruno Mars, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and more.
Listeners will enjoy more variety and unpredictability as part of their listening experience, including surprise moments and tunes that have been missing from ATL’s airwaves.
“The New Star 94 will bring the rhythm of Atlanta to life and capture the vibe of the metro area,” said Rick Caffey, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Atlanta. “In these difficult times, radio serves as a platform to both entertain and inform. We look forward to growing the well-established Star brand into a place for our audience to feel good through top hits from their favorite artists.”
According to Atlanta Media Watcher Rodney Ho...At 3 p.m.Thursday, the station reintroduced itself with Michael Jackson’s 1984 hit “Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," then added hits from the 1990s (Notorious B.I.G.'s “'Mo Money, Mo Problems”), 2000s (Eve’s “Let Me Blow Ya Mind") and the 2010s (Rihanna’s “We Found Love”) as well as some current songs such as Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Stop Now" and the Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.”
So far, the 1980s hits are all familiar songs that Star played when it was 94Q including Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want To Have Fun," Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and Prince’s “I Would Die 4 U.” During the 1990s, Star avoided many of the more hip-hop- and R&B-leaning hits that this new version is now playing, such as Aaliyah’s “Back & Forth” and Naughty by Nature’s “O.P.P.”
According to Ho, the reality is Star’s younger suburban female target audience is now more receptive to those songs than the comparable folks they courted 20 to 30 years ago. There is no stigma attached to hip-hop in the pop world anymore and all of those 1990s songs are heard on other stations in town, especially O.G. 97.9.
Star 94 (WSTR-FM) has garnered passable ratings in recent years but regularly lagged behind its pop rivals. In August, the station drew a 2.1 share, good for 17th place overall, behind Power (2.9), Q99.7 (3.2) and B98.5 (4.5.)
NYC Radio: Craig Carton Docu Trailer Released
The documentary "Wild Card: The Downfall of a Radio Loudmouth" chronicles the rise and fall of Craig Carton, the former WFAN morning show radio host who was arrested by FBI agents and charged with conspiracy, wire fraud and securities fraud on September 6, 2017. Through a series of candid interviews with Carton, the film reveals how the radio host’s secret insatiable gambling addiction, financed by an illicit ticket-broking business, brought his career to a sudden halt.
It debuts Oct. 7 at 9 p.m. on HBO and HBO Max.
In June, Carton was released from prison just 12 months into his three-and-a-half-year sentence for scamming investors in his ticket resale business out of a reported $5.6 million. As part of his sentence, Carton was ordered to pay the victims $4.8 million in restitution.
According to a recent bankruptcy filing, Carton claims assets of around $1 million and liabilities of $9.4 million which includes the restitution payments. Casino operators still seek more than $1.5 million in paybacks from Carton, who racked up gambling debts and illegally sought to use money from his investors to fund betting habits.
The filing acknowledges $4,300 in monthly income for Carton, which is received from Street Smart Video, the company producing an upcoming documentary about his life titled Wildcard: The Downfall of a Radio Loudmouth. The film which will be featured on HBO, was recently given a premiere date of Oct. 7.
What's Going On With Liberty Media and SiriusXM?
The rumor mill surrounding the departure of Jim Meyer, CEO at pay-radio operator SiriusXM and the broadcaster’s CFO (David Frear) announced at the same time, has ramped up in earnest, according to Chip Forrester at advance-television.com.
Forrester reports one influential analyst, Jessica Reif Ehrlich from the Bank of America, describes the changes as a “significant shake-up” and says that a move by John Malone’s Liberty Media – and perhaps also involving Live Nation Entertainment and perhaps iHeart Radio, where Malone holds stakes – could be a possibility.
Another commentator suggested that the appointment of new executives into SiriusXM could be a sign of changes to come.
The bigger surprise is the instant departure of Frear “ to pursue other opportunities” after 17 years – and one analyst suggests that he might have expected the CEO position and perhaps is the victim of disagreement.
However, according to an opinion piece at Seeking Alpha, the most likely explanation for the sudden departure of David Frear could be that he had hoped to become CEO himself after Jim Meyer's retirement. He has been 17 years in his role, which makes an immediate departure highly unusual.
Clearly, there is also the possibility that majority-owner Liberty Media is pushing for some move which Frear believes to be too risky from a financial standpoint.
Yet we also have to consider that Frear has been perfectly fine with Liberty Media's decisions and strategy for many, many years. He was perfectly aware of Sirius XM being effectively controlled by John Malone's company and his alter ego Greg Maffei. Moreover, it is hard to argue that Liberty Media's direction has been bad for Sirius XM.
Annual Mental Health Special to Air On Entercom Stations
Entercom stations will broadcast the fourth annual “I’m Listening,” a live national program that brings together artists, athletes and medical specialists to raise awareness and end the stigma of talking about mental health. The two-hour special will air nationwide and, for the first time, in primetime on Wednesday, September 23 at 6:00 p.m. local time across more than 230 Entercom stations and RADIO.COM livestream.
This year’s “I’m Listening,” program will poignantly address mental health through the lens of the global pandemic, the fight for racial equality, among other issues facing the country today. Co-hosted by BJ Shea, morning show host for 99.9 KISW (KISW-FM) in Seattle and Dr. Chris Donaghue, international lecturer, therapist, educator and CHANNEL Q on-air host, the show will highlight shared mental health stories and experiences while also acting as a resource for those simply looking to connect, heal, and share. Listeners are encouraged to call in for advice or to share a story.
Singer Jon Bon Jovi, DJ Khaled, Guns and Roses’ Duff McKagan, Cage the Elephant’s Brad Shultz, TLC’s Chilli, singer-songwriter Thomas Rhett, singer-songwriter Katy Perry, singer-songwriter Demi Lovato, rapper G-Eazy, singer-songwriter Luke Combs, producer deadmau5, rapper Waka Flocka Flame, singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi, singer-songwriter Julia Michaels, singer-songwriter Jewel, Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx, singer-songwriter Ava Max, Judah and the Lion’s Judah, X Ambassadors’ Sam Nelson Harris, and former Chicago Blackhawk Daniel Carcillo and Philadelphia Eagles’ Brandon Brooks are among those participating.
“Conversations have the power to save lives and in this time of heightened unrest, human connection and sharing experiences have never been more powerful,” said Pat Paxton, Chief Programming Officer, Entercom. “Like millions of others, my family has been impacted by mental health issues and the effects it has on families and friends. ‘I’m Listening’ is part of our year-round mental health initiative that is integral to not only who we are as a company, but who we are as people. We’re committed to continuing to leverage our national platform to engage in these crucial and healing conversations.”
“It’s very important during these times that we look to things that inspire us to be great...to be excellent,” said DJ Khaled. “Keeping a positive mindset is the key to mental health. Always remember we have life...embrace it.”
“The conversations we are all having about mental health are deeper and timelier now than they ever have been. By reaching out and asking people in your life about their mental health, you can start a potentially lifesaving dialogue,” said Dr. Christine Moutier, Chief Medical Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “As the largest suicide prevention organization, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we applaud Entercom for its ‘I’m Listening’ campaign. By encouraging their listeners to talk about mental health and suicidal struggles, they are showing that media can make a real difference in people’s lives.”
What began in 2017 as a World Suicide Prevention Day special has grown into a yearlong commitment to mental health – and one of Entercom’s largest social impact initiatives – that, in addition to the broadcast, includes suicide prevention PSAs, on-air promos and content such as daily audio capsules and weekly live shows, social media posts, videos and a dedicated website with information and resources to end the stigma of talking about mental health.
Entercom is committed to supporting the health and success of the communities that are the heart of its business. “I’m Listening” 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: mental health and anti-bullying, veterans and service members, children’s health, the environment, civic education, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Singer Jon Bon Jovi, DJ Khaled, Guns and Roses’ Duff McKagan, Cage the Elephant’s Brad Shultz, TLC’s Chilli, singer-songwriter Thomas Rhett, singer-songwriter Katy Perry, singer-songwriter Demi Lovato, rapper G-Eazy, singer-songwriter Luke Combs, producer deadmau5, rapper Waka Flocka Flame, singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi, singer-songwriter Julia Michaels, singer-songwriter Jewel, Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx, singer-songwriter Ava Max, Judah and the Lion’s Judah, X Ambassadors’ Sam Nelson Harris, and former Chicago Blackhawk Daniel Carcillo and Philadelphia Eagles’ Brandon Brooks are among those participating.
“Conversations have the power to save lives and in this time of heightened unrest, human connection and sharing experiences have never been more powerful,” said Pat Paxton, Chief Programming Officer, Entercom. “Like millions of others, my family has been impacted by mental health issues and the effects it has on families and friends. ‘I’m Listening’ is part of our year-round mental health initiative that is integral to not only who we are as a company, but who we are as people. We’re committed to continuing to leverage our national platform to engage in these crucial and healing conversations.”
“It’s very important during these times that we look to things that inspire us to be great...to be excellent,” said DJ Khaled. “Keeping a positive mindset is the key to mental health. Always remember we have life...embrace it.”
“The conversations we are all having about mental health are deeper and timelier now than they ever have been. By reaching out and asking people in your life about their mental health, you can start a potentially lifesaving dialogue,” said Dr. Christine Moutier, Chief Medical Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “As the largest suicide prevention organization, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we applaud Entercom for its ‘I’m Listening’ campaign. By encouraging their listeners to talk about mental health and suicidal struggles, they are showing that media can make a real difference in people’s lives.”
What began in 2017 as a World Suicide Prevention Day special has grown into a yearlong commitment to mental health – and one of Entercom’s largest social impact initiatives – that, in addition to the broadcast, includes suicide prevention PSAs, on-air promos and content such as daily audio capsules and weekly live shows, social media posts, videos and a dedicated website with information and resources to end the stigma of talking about mental health.
Entercom is committed to supporting the health and success of the communities that are the heart of its business. “I’m Listening” 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: mental health and anti-bullying, veterans and service members, children’s health, the environment, civic education, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
“I’m Listening” aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.
D-C Radio: WAMU Struggled To Dismiss Suspected Sexual Harasser
In 2016, public radio WAMU 88.5 manager J.J. Yore made repeated attempts to get rid of an employee he suspected was a serial sexual harasser. But the administrators he answered to recommended warnings and reprimands instead.
It wasn’t until late 2017 that anything changed, reports The Washington Post.
Media reporter Paul Farhi and Elahe Izadi write as the #MeToo movement galvanized workplaces across the country on the issue of harassment, Yore redoubled his efforts to address a situation he feared could turn into a scandal at Washington’s WAMU-FM — and uncovered a troubling track record of past behavior at the employee’s previous job, according to several people familiar with the sequence of events and emails detailing what occurred.
WAMU insiders spoke for The Washington Post story on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel decisions. A story first published late Wednesday by DCist also detailed American University’s role in overruling station managers in dealing with the harassment complaints.
A co-creator of the popular show “Marketplace,” Yore was a rising star within public radio in 2014 when he took over as general manager of WAMU, an NPR affiliate and home of the then-widely syndicated “Diane Rehm Show.” During his time there, revenue nearly doubled and the roster of regular donors shot up nearly 60 percent. The station also doubled its news and production staff at a time when other local news organizations were cutting back.
Di Caro, who had joined WAMU as a part-time reporter two years before Yore’s arrival, covered the local transportation beat. He also allegedly had problematic personal relationships: In late July, the news site DCist, owned by WAMU, documented complaints from more than 20 people who said he had subjected them to inappropriate and unwelcome comments during his five years at the station. When Di Caro resigned, he told colleagues he wanted to take a break from reporting; there was no public indication that his departure was related to harassment.
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