The FCC has dismissed a petition brought by the Media and Democracy (MAD) Project, which challenged the renewal of the broadcast license for Fox-owned WTXF (Channel 29) in Philadelphia.
This dismissal is part of a broader move by the FCC to reject challenges against broadcasters and news media organizations that it deemed politically motivated.
The MAD Project's petition, filed in July 2023, argued that Fox Corporation was unfit to hold a broadcast license for WTXF due to a multi-million dollar settlement involving Fox News and Fox Business Network over misinformation related to voting machines used in the 2020 presidential election.
The organization claimed that the separate business units of Fox News Media and Fox Television Stations were a distinction without a difference, as both were historically controlled by Rupert Murdoch1.
The FCC found that the MAD Project did not prove a link between the commentary aired on Fox News and the editorial operations of WTXF. The dismissal clears the way for the immediate renewal of WTXF's license, which had been operating under a temporary extension for two years while the challenge was pending.
The Special, which is availa blle to all radio stations, highlights Past Inaugurations from FDR to Donald J. Trump. Featuring Red Apple Audio Networks’ own Greg Kelly, Roger Stone, Dick Morris and The Red Apple Audio Networks News Team, Noam Laden, and James Flippin.
Plus, expert insight from historian Ryan Walters, an independent historian and the author of numerous books, including The Last Jeffersonian: Grover Cleveland and the Path to Restoring the Republic, and more.
The Inauguration: 2025 special is available to radio stations for download upon request. Stations may contact: affiliation@redappleaudionetworks.com
FOX Nation will present a new comedy special, “No Pardon Needed with Tyler Fischer” on Monday, January 20th, Inauguration Day. Taped at the Comedy Mothership, Joe Rogan’s comedy club in Austin, TX, the 45-minute special is a satirical look at the current state of politics and culture.
During the special, Fischer will blend his razor-sharp political commentary with impersonations of President-elect Trump, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Elon Musk and others in Trump’s cabinet. Delivering an unapologetic performance, Fischer captures everything from saying goodbye to the Biden years, imagining alternate political realities and more, just in time for the incoming administration to take office.
Fischer is a rising star in stand-up comedy and content creation fronting election and pandemic focused comedy specials, showcasing his celebrity impressions and knack for blending cultural commentary that resonates across generations and political leanings. He lives between Austin and New York City and is currently on his second nation-wide stand-up comedy tour. He’s a regular on Gutfeld!, Kill Tony and was a recent guest on The Joe Rogan Experience.
Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Joni Mitchell are among a star-studded set of musicians performing at a benefit concert this month for wildfire recovery and relief, organizers announced Thursday.
NBC News reports “FireAid” will be held Jan. 30 at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Inglewood in the Los Angeles area, featuring a number of artists with California ties.
Tickets will go on sale at noon Wednesday through Ticketmaster, AEG announced. The money will go to both short-term and long-term relief, it said.
The Palisades and Eaton fires have killed at least 27 people and displaced tens of thousands. Los Angeles’ fire chief has said it will be one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the city.
Millions in donations have been made after the devastating fires, which destroyed an estimated thousands of homes in Pacific Palisades and in the Altadena and Pasadena area.
Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, who play at the Intuit Dome, pledged $15 million. Other Hollywood and sports organizations and celebrities have also donated, including the Walt Disney Co., which committed $15 million.
A new report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) is optimistic about digital ad spending this year. Although the growth rate has slowed down, digital ad revenues reached a record high of $225 billion in 2023, with a 7.3% increase from 2022.
The report highlights several areas that are driving growth, including:
Digital Video: Digital video revenues, including both Connected TV (CTV) and online video, grew 10.6% to $52.1 billion in 2023. CTV/OTT is expected to be the fastest-growing media channel in 2024.
Retail Media: Retail media ad networks grew 16.3% to $43.7 billion in 2023, and this growth is likely to continue.
Audio Advertising: Audio advertising saw a robust expansion, growing 18.9% to reach $7 billion in 2023.
The report also notes that the industry is adapting to changes in consumer behavior and technological advancements, with a focus on privacy-preserving advertising practices, social commerce, and generative AI.
Apple is temporarily pulling its newly introduced artificial intelligence feature that summarizes news notifications after it repeatedly sent users error-filled headlines, sparking backlash from a news organization and press freedom groups.
CNN Reports the rare reversal from the iPhone maker on its heavily marketed Apple Intelligence feature comes after the technology produced misleading or altogether false summaries of news headlines that appear almost identical to regular push notifications.
On Thursday, Apple deployed a beta software update to developers that disabled the AI feature for news and entertainment headlines, which it plans to later roll out to all users while it works to improve the AI feature. The company plans to re-enable the feature in a future update.
As part of the update, the company said the Apple Intelligence summaries, which users must opt into, will more explicitly emphasize that the information has been produced by AI, signaling that it may sometimes produce inaccurate results.
Last month, The BBC complained to Apple about the technology, urging the company to scrap the feature after it created false headlines stating that Luigi Mangione, who is charged with murder in the death of the UnitedHealthcare CEO, had shot himself. On another occasion, three New York Times articles were also summarized in a single push notification, falsely stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been arrested.
A BBC spokesperson told CNN in December it “is critical that Apple urgently addresses these issues as the accuracy of our news is essential in maintaining trust. These AI summarisations by Apple do not reflect — and in some cases completely contradict — the original BBC content.”
➦In 1903...Radio game show host and actor Warren Hull was born in Gasport NY.
A movie actor in the 30’s, he turned to radio in the 40’s with announcer/host roles on such shows as Your Hit Parade and Vox Pop. Hull was also the emcee of Spin To Win, only the second game show created by the team of Mark Goodson and Bill Todman.
The next two decades he hosted TV game shows Strike It Rich, Top Dollar, Who In the World and Beat the Odds.
“Strike It Rich” was a wildly successful CBS radio‐television show of the 1950s that ‘was part quiz and part give‐away and offered the public the spectacle of often despondent people relating their hard‐luck stories to Mr. Hull.
Participants were able to win a few hundred dollars by correctly answering a few questions, in addition to which the program featured a “heart line” through which pitying viewers could telephone offers of cash, clothing, merchandise and jobs.
He died of heart failure Sept 14 1974 at age 71.
Betty White 1953 and 2019
➦In 1922...Comedic Actress Betty White was born. A pioneer of early television, with a career spanning over eight decades, White was noted for her vast work in the entertainment industry and being one of the first women to work both in front of and behind the camera. She was the first woman to produce a sitcom (Life with Elizabeth) in the United States, which contributed to her being named honorary Mayor of Hollywood in 1955. White is often referred to as the "First Lady of Television", a title used for a 2018 documentary detailing her life and career.
After World War 2, her first radio jobs included reading commercials and playing bit parts, and sometimes even doing crowd noises. She made about five dollars a show. She would do just about anything, like singing on a show for no pay. She appeared on shows such as Blondie, The Great Gildersleeve, and This Is Your FBI. She was then offered her own radio show, called The Betty White Show. In 1949, she began appearing as co-host with Al Jarvis on his daily live television variety show Hollywood on Television, originally called Make Believe Ballroom, on KFWB and on then KLAC-TV (now KCOP-TV) in Los Angeles.
After making the transition to television from radio, White became a staple panelist of American game shows, including Password, Match Game, Tattletales, To Tell the Truth, The Hollywood Squares, and The $25,000 Pyramid; dubbed "the first lady of game shows", White became the first woman to receive the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host for the show Just Men! in 1983. She was also known for her appearances on The Bold and the Beautiful, Boston Legal, and The Carol Burnett Show. Her biggest roles include Sue Ann Nivens on the CBS sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1973–1977), Rose Nylund on the NBC sitcom The Golden Girls (1985–1992), and Elka Ostrovsky on the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland (2010–2015). She gained renewed popularity after her appearance in the 2009 romantic comedy film The Proposal (2009), and was subsequently the subject of a successful Facebook-based campaign to host Saturday Night Live in 2010, garnering her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.
White earned a Guinness World Record for "Longest TV career by an entertainer (female)" in 2014 and in 2018 for her lengthy work in television. White received eight Emmy Awards in various categories, three American Comedy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Grammy Award. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was a 1995 Television Hall of Fame inductee. White died December 31, 2021, six days after suffering a stroke.
➦In 1949... after 18 years on radio, “The Goldbergs” starring Gertrude Berg, began its seven-year run on TV.
➦In 1964...the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “There! I’ve Said It Again” by Bobby Vinton. This song was the last No. 1 song before the British invasion. After four weeks at No. 1, Vinton gave way to the Beatles and their first U.S. hit, “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
➦In 1986...Longtime Chicago radio personality Joel Sebastian died at age 53. He began his radio career in his native Detroit at station WXYZ, moved to Chicago in 1966, after working at stations in Dallas, New Haven, Conn., and Los Angeles.
Over the last 20 years, he had been a disc jockey and morning on-air personality at eight Chicago radio stations, including WCFL, WLS, WGN, WMAQ and, most recently, WJMK-FM (104).
He began his Chicago career at WCFL as a talkative morning disc jockey. He would open each show with the greeting ''Good morning Chicago, baby,'' while playing Jack Jones` rendition of ''My Kind of Town.''
Sebastian performed a variety of radio roles, reflecting both the wide range of his abilities and the whimsical nature of the business. He was program director at WCFL, rock DJ at several stations and, in the late 1970s, an all-night classical music show host at WGN.
He survived a purge at WMAQ when the station switched to country music in 1975. Most of the on-air staff, including Mr. Sebastian, was fired. But he was rehired a short time later as production chief and weekend personality.
He also worked at WNEW, WKHK, WHN and WNBC in New York City, returning to Chicago in June 1983 to WJMX.
➦In 1989...Scott Shannon last show at WHTZ Z100 NYC. Shannon founded the "Z Morning Zoo" ensemble and he was the driving force in helping Z100 become the top-rated FM station in New York City within a mere 74 days of signing on the air.
The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday it is rejecting complaints over an ABC-moderated September presidential debate and Vice President Kamala Harris' appearances on CBS' "60 Minutes" and NBC's "Saturday Night Live."
Outgoing FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel also told Reuters the agency was rejecting a petition not to renew the license of a Philadelphia FOX station because the station's owner Fox also owns Fox News, which was settled a lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems over statements around the 2020 presidential election.
The announcement comes as President-elect Donald Trump has filed lawsuits against Paramount-owned in September called on the FCC to cancel licenses for Walt Disney-owned ABC over the network's moderating of the Sept. 10 presidential debate.
"The FCC should not be the president’s speech police," Rosenworcel said, saying the agency was rejecting complaints that "seek to weaponize the licensing authority of the FCC in a way that is fundamentally at odds with the First Amendment. To do so would set a dangerous precedent. That is why we reject it here."
Milwaukee Brewers and broadcasting legend Bob Uecker passed away Thursday at the age of 90, the Brewers have announced.
“Today, we take on the heaviest of burdens. Today, we say goodbye to our beloved friend, Bob Uecker," a statement from the Brewers reads.
“Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his passing is a profound loss. He was the heart and soul of Wisconsin and a dear friend. Bob loved people; his presence warmed every room and he had a way of welcoming all of us into his world as if we were lifelong friends.
“Saying goodbye to Bob shakes us all. He was so much more than a Milwaukee Brewers icon. He was a national treasure. Bob entertained us with his words and storytelling, so it is no surprise that his passing now leaves us at a loss for our own words.
“There is no describing the impact Ueck had on so many, and no words for how much he was loved. We are left with a giant void in our hearts, but also remember the laughter and joy he brought to our lives throughout the years.”
Uecker, who died Thursday at 90, spent 53 years doing what he loved most, which was to call Brewers games on the radio. Uecker was so good as a radio broadcaster, with his special comedic style and quick wit, the Baseball Hall of Fame honored him in 2003 with the Ford C. Frick Award. It’s one of several halls of fame honoring him, from Wisconsin’s to the WWE’s, a reminder of his wide-ranging ability to elicit smiles and laughter. No matter how bright a star he became outside of his sport and the city he called home, for the entirety of the franchise’s existence — 54 years — Uecker had been synonymous with Milwaukee Brewers baseball.
Uecker was born Jan. 26, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His parents, Gus and Sue Uecker, were Swiss immigrants who came to Wisconsin in the 1920s. Gus was a tool and die maker who played soccer in his native Switzerland. Uecker once said, “That’s where I got my talent.” Growing up, Uecker was actually a pitcher. He didn’t finish high school and in 1954, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the Army. He hoped to avoid going overseas by playing military baseball with soldiers who had played in the minors or in college. Since, Uecker hadn’t yet done either, he lied.
According to a USA Today article in 1997, he said he had played at Marquette, given that it was a college in his native Milwaukee. “Marquette didn’t have a team, but they never checked,” he said. After his time in the service, Uecker became the first Milwaukee native to sign with the Braves.
“You know, I signed with the Milwaukee Braves for $3,000,” Uecker once said. “That bothered my dad at the time because he didn’t have that kind of dough to pay out. But eventually, he scraped it up.”
Warnings of extreme red flag fire weather have largely expired in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, giving fire crews a break as they continue their work to contain the devastating Southern California firestorms.
Red flag warnings in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, as well as the mountains of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, were set to end by 6 p.m. Wednesday.
A red flag warning will remain in effect for a smaller portion of L.A. and Ventura counties through 3 p.m. Thursday, including the Grapevine section of Interstate 5, the western San Gabriel Mountains and the Santa Susana Mountains.
Gusts of more than 30 mph were recorded early Wednesday afternoon along a traditional Santa Ana wind corridor stretching southwest through places including Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Ventura, Oxnard, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.
There will be lingering dry air through Thursday, with relative humidity between 8% and 20% in and around Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Temperatures will remain much cooler than normal.
With increasing humidity Friday and Saturday, there should be minimal fire weather concerns, although there could be localized gusts of 25 to 40 mph from the northwest.
“On the good side for our weather concerns, humidities will continue to climb, especially after [Thursday], with lowering fire weather concerns,” said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard.
Judge William Henry blasted CNN’s lead counsel in the ongoing defamation trial on Wednesday, ordering him to apologize to plaintiff Zachary Young for repeatedly calling him a "liar" and telling the high-powered lawyer he lost all credibility in the courtroom.
"This isn’t kindergarten. Y'all matriculated from kindergarten a long, long time ago," Judge Henry said.
Young, a Navy veteran, alleges that CNN smeared him by implying he illegally profited when helping people flee Afghanistan on the "black market" during the Biden administration's military withdrawal from the country in 2021. Young believes CNN "destroyed his reputation and business" by branding him an illegal profiteer who exploited "desperate Afghans" during the November 2021 segment.
Young's lead counsel Vel Freedman informed Judge Henry on Wednesday that his client had just learned he lost his security clearance, which had been previously renewed right after the CNN report aired. CNN’s legal team had earlier suggested that Young maintaining security clearance was proof that he lied about being able to work in the wake of the CNN segment.
Fox News Digital reports Freedman said Young checked his security clearance status after testifying, and discovered that he actually lost it in 2022. As a result, Freedman sought to add a witness from Helios Global, the firm that held Young’s now-defunct security clearance, in order to tell jurors that the relationship "dissolved" in 2022.
On Tuesday afternoon, 100.3 The Bull Houston KILT took to Facebook to address the "Bull Nation" concerning its recent change from The Morning Bullpen with George, Mo and Erik to the new Frito and Katy Show. In December, George Lindsey, Monica "Mo" Lunsford, and Erik Scott suddenly signed off for the last time after nearly 10 years on the air. Last Friday, their replacements, hosts Tucker "Frito" Young and Katy Dempsey, had their Houston morning show debut.
"We understand change can be hard, and we know how much you care about the shows and voices that have been a part of your mornings," the station wrote in the post. "Your connections to The Bull means the world to us and we deeply appreciate the memories we've shared with you over the years. As we move forward, we're excited to introduce a new morning show that we believe has the heart, humor and energy to start your mornings."
The station noted the new hosts have a "genuine" Texas connection, as Young grew up in Bryan and Dempsey grew up in Spring. The award-winning duo recently left their San Antonio morning show after being Y100 since January 2022. They previously worked for CHR "Candy 95" KNDE in College Station.
"As Frito and Katy get settled, we hope you'll give them a try and have some fun with them," the station added. "Our goal has always been, and always been, and always will be, to bring you the best country music experience for Houston."
The Houston Chronicle reports reaction to the post was swift and strong. As of Wednesday morning, the post had garnered more than 1,000 mostly negative comments. "This will not be a station we listen to anymore. George, Mo and Erik are the heart of Houston and a household staple, they will be greatly missed and not replaceable," read one comment.
"It's not that change is hard," another quipped. "It's that George, Mo, & Erik were a part of Houston's every day lives. They literally changed lives and helped the community. You fired them days before Christmas and gave listeners no real reason. Then just replaced them and told us to move on."
However, some listeners said they would give the new show a chance. "I'm welcoming the new show in with a warm Texas welcome. Thanks Mo, George and Erik with a K! Great memories and going to miss the 5 minute tunes and Mo knows Country, great things are in store for those 3 in 2025!"
Houston radio fans recently also big farewell to the long-running Dean and Rog morning show on The Eagle 106.9/107.5 KHPT-KGLK, which also abruptly ended in December without warning. Co-hosts Dean Myers and Roger Beaty had been on the air in the Bayou City for 27 years.
Beasley Media Group announces the appointment of AJ Lurie as Vice President and Cluster Manager of the company’s New Jersey-based radio properties. Lurie, who also works with Beasley’s Fort Myers radio stations, will lead a diverse portfolio of stations across New Jersey, including WDHA-FM, WMGQ-FM, WCTC-AM, WRAT-FM, WMTR-AM and WJRZ-FM.
In his new role, Lurie brings extensive leadership experience and a proven track record of driving growth and results. Prior to managing Beasley’s Fort Myers market, he served as the Director of Local Market Integrated Partnerships, where he played a key role in fostering strategic collaborations and increasing revenue opportunities across the company.
AJ Lurie
Lurie also served as Market Manager of Beasley’s Wilmington, Delaware radio property, WJBR-FM, and contributed to the sales development of Beasley Esports. He began his career as an account executive at Beasley’s Southwest Florida cluster.
“AJ’s proven experience, ability to drive results and commitment to localism made him the perfect choice to lead our New Jersey cluster into the future,” said Beasley Media Group Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Brian Beasley
“I look forward to working alongside the talented team in New Jersey to build on their success and continue delivering exceptional results for our listeners, advertisers, and communities,” said Lurie. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Dan Finn, whose legacy of excellence has set a high bar for all of us.”
He succeeds Dan Finn, who will officially retire from Beasley at the end of March 2025 after a distinguished career in broadcasting.
Audacy elevates Matt Cahill to Brand Manager of The Team 980 (WTEM-AM) in Washington D.C. In this role, Cahill will oversee the station’s content strategy, talent, operations and branding. He will continue to serve as Assistant Brand Manager of 106.7 The Fan (WJFK-FM) and Executive Morning Show Producer.
“Matt’s creativity, love for sports and commitment to evolving the brand makes me confident that he will be a great Brand Manager for The Team,” said Ivy Savoy-Smith, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Washington D.C. “Those that have worked with Matt know his dedication to creating a positive working environment and we’re excited to see how he leads the internal team while increasing external traffic for the station.”
Matt Cahill
“I'm absolutely thrilled to lead Team 980 into the future with our outstanding group. The Team has a storied history and to be given this opportunity is humbling,” said Cahill. “I'm very thankful for the guidance and trust that Chris Kinard and Ivy Savoy-Smith have given me. We have great on-air talent talking about issues that matter to D.C. sports fans, and the potential for The Team 980 brand is unlimited.”
Cahill was named Assistant Brand Manager of 106.7 The Fan (WJFK-FM) in 2019 and took on the same responsibilities for The Team 980 in 2021. He has also served as Executive Producer of 106.7 The Fan’s “The Sports Junkies” morning show since 2012. Cahill began his radio career at CBS Radio Phoenix in 2006 before joining WJFK-FM as a Producer in 2007.
📻Listeners can tune in to The Team 980 (WTEM-AM) in Washington D.C. on-air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station via X, Facebook and Instagram.
Jessica Rosenworcel, the outgoing Democratic chair of the FCC, is taking decisive action before her term ends on January 20. She has rejected four efforts to weaponize the government's TV licensing authority for political purposes. Rosenworcel is concerned that President-elect Donald Trump and his pick for FCC chair, Brendan Carr, might use the agency to punish media outlets.
In a statement obtained by CNN, Rosenworcel announced the dismissal of all pending petitions and complaints before the FCC that she asserted "seek to curtail freedom of the press." She emphasized that the FCC should not act as the President's speech police or journalism’s censor-in-chief.
Rosenworcel
Trump has called for the punishment of major American TV news networks on multiple occasions, often in reaction to interview questions or programming he disliked
The FCC has historically prided itself on its independence. However, Brendan Carr, who will take charge at the agency next week, has echoed Trump's grievances with media outlets and spoken sympathetically about some of the pending complaints against station owners.
By dismissing the pending petitions, Rosenworcel is putting the Biden-era FCC on the record about the role of government before the second Trump era begins. The complainants could re-file once Carr takes charge. One of the dismissed petitions targeted Fox's Philly TV station to hold the Murdochs accountable for Fox News Channel's falsehoods. The other three complaints were pro-Trump and filed by the Center for American Rights, a conservative nonprofit.
Rosenworcel emphasized that all four cases "ask the FCC to penalize broadcast television stations because they dislike station behavior, content, or coverage," which she asserts is not the role of the US government
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