Radio History: Jan 7

➦In 1904...The Marconi Company made a proposal that there be an international radio distress signal in Morse Code.

“C.Q.D” meant “Stop Sending and Listen” although many eventually thought it to mean “Come, Quick, Danger”. The code was replaced in 1908 by “S.O.S.” because it was quicker to transmit by wireless radio and could not be misinterpreted.

➦In 1924...composer George Gershwin began work on the incomparable score of “Rhapsody in Blue” (he completed it some three weeks later). George was only 26 years old at the time.

➦In 1927...First established commercial telephone service between North America and Europe.

Using radio, the American Telephone and Telegraph Co hosted a two-way conversation between New York and London. The two parties on the line were Walter S Gifford, the president of AT&T, in NY, and Sir Evelyn Murray, the Secretary of the General Post Office, which managed the British telephone system at the time.

➦In 1939...comedian Red Skelton was given his first national starring vehicle as ‘Avalon Time’ debuted on the NBC Red radio network.

➦In 1940...Gene Autry’s "Melody Ranch" debuted on the CBS Radio Network. It stayed on the air for 16 years.

➦In 1941...The NBC Blue Radio Network debuted "The Squeaky Door". The show was later became known as "Inner Sanctum." Raymond Edward Johnson was ‘Raymond your host’ for the first 4 seasons.  Thereafter an even more malevolent (but nameless) host was portrayed by Paul McGrath until the final Sanctum show in October 1952.

Nikola Tesla

➦In 1943...Inventor Nikola Tesla, best remembered for his design of the alternating current (AC) electricity supply system and his contributions to the invention of radio communication, died of a coronary thrombosis at the age of 86.

Tesla's theories on the possibility of the transmission by radio waves go back as far as lectures and demonstrations in 1893 in St. Louis, Missouri, the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the National Electric Light Association.  Tesla's demonstrations and principles were written about widely through various media outlets. Many devices such as the Tesla Coil were used in the further development of radio.

In 1898, Tesla demonstrated a radio-controlled boat—which he dubbed "teleautomaton"—to the public during an electrical exhibition at Madison Square Garden.  The crowd that witnessed the demonstration made outrageous claims about the workings of the boat, such as magic, telepathy, and being piloted by a trained monkey hidden inside. Tesla tried to sell his idea to the U.S. military as a type of radio-controlled torpedo, but they showed little interest.   Remote radio control remained a novelty until World War I and afterward, when a number of countries used it in military programs.

Philly Radio: Howard Eskin Denies He Grabbed Female Colleague

Former 94.1 WIP radio host Howard Eskin has denied allegations that he “forcibly grabbed” a female colleague during an argument that led to his abrupt departure from the station in December.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday that Eskin grabbed the woman — an employee of Audacy, the station’s parent company — during an escalated argument on Dec. 9 following a remote broadcast at a Chickie’s & Pete’s sports bar location in South Philadelphia

“I had hoped to avoid commenting on my departure from WIP but the vicious smear campaign being waged against me by a small group of employees at the station forces me to defend myself,” Eskin posted Saturday on X. “There was absolutely no ‘physical altercation’ between me and a female employee at the station. I did not ‘forcibly grab’ anyone.”

According to The NYPost, Eskin continued that the woman “interrupted” him during “an important conversation” with Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham after they’d gone off the air “and I raised my voice irritated at the interruption.”

“She stormed away and I followed her and tapped her arm to get her attention to apologize and explain why I was upset,” Eskin wrote. “I did not grab her. I apologized three times. She wouldn’t accept my apology or hear me out.

“The amount of piling on since has been disappointing to say the least. I am only commenting because in all the years of a very public life I have never put a hand on anyone. I can’t tolerate these lies. As they say, don’t believe everything you read in the paper or on social media.”

The woman, the Inquirer reported, had interrupted the conversation to inform Graham that a group of fans seeking autographs was waiting for him.

Over the summer, Eskin had been banned from Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies’ home stadium — but maintained his WIP radio gig after issuing a public apology — after an Aramark employee accused him of giving her an “unwelcome kiss” before a game.

Eskin hosted a show on Saturday mornings on the station and served as a sideline reporter for Eagles broadcasts.

Audacy announced before Christmas that the network had “parted ways” with him and was replaced by Devan Kaney on the sidelines for the Eagles’ Dec. 29 game against the Cowboys.

Skip Bayless Accused of Indecent Proposal

Skip Bayless was hit with a sexual harassment lawsuit Friday after allegedly offering hairstylist Noushin Faraji $1.5 million for sex, among other repeated, unwanted advances, according to The Wrap.

Also named as co-defendants in the suit were his former employer Fox Sports, where Faraji was employed as a hairstylist for over a decade 2012–2024, and its parent company, Fox Corporation. FS1, FS2, Fox Sports EVP Charlie Dixon and FS1 host Joy Taylor are also named.

Faraji asked for undisclosed monetary compensation for herself and other non-exempt Fox employees in California.

According to court documents obtained and reviewed by TheWrap, Dixon is accused of approaching Faraji at a birthday party in 2017, putting his arm on her lower back and moving “his hand lower and … rubbing her body and grabbing her buttocks.”

Bayless — who has been married since 2016 — is accused of pursuing Faraji for years and commenting that he could “change” her life if they had sex. In 2021, Faraji had a cancer scare and confided in Bayless, the documents say, in hopes that he would stop pursuing her.

“Instead, Mr. Bayless told her that he wanted to be with her,” the documents continue. “Ms. Faraji panicked and began rambling that there were cameras everywhere, that she has a child, and that she does not want him. Mr. Bayless then grabbed her hands, began kissing them and offered her $1.5 million to have sex. Ms. Faraji made an excuse to leave.”

The suit also claims that Bayless continued to be aggressive toward the hairstylist. In 2022 he reportedly accused her of having sex with host Shannon Sharpe and Faraji felt her job was threatened.

Faraji is seeking compensatory damages, emotional distress damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees and a trial by jury.

First Media Consolidation of 2025 Unveiled

FuboTV Inc. and The Walt Disney Company today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Disney to combine its Hulu + Live TV business with Fubo, forming a combined virtual MVPD company. The Transaction will enhance consumer choice by making available a broad set of programming offerings, and is subject to regulatory approvals, Fubo shareholder approval, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, at closing, Disney will own 70% of Fubo. Fubo’s existing management team, led by Fubo Co-founder and CEO David Gandler, will operate the newly combined Fubo and Hulu + Live TV businesses.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Disney to create a consumer-first streaming company that combines the strengths of the Fubo and Hulu + Live TV brands,” said Gandler. “This combination enables us to deliver on our promise to provide consumers with greater choice and flexibility. Additionally, this agreement allows us to scale effectively, strengthens Fubo’s balance sheet and positions us for positive cash flow. It’s a win for consumers, our shareholders, and the entire streaming industry.”

“This combination will allow both Hulu + Live TV and Fubo to enhance and expand their virtual MVPD offerings and provide consumers with even more choice and flexibility,” said Justin Warbrooke, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Development, The Walt Disney Company. “We have confidence in the Fubo management team and their ability to grow the business, delivering high-quality offerings that serve subscribers with the content they want and offering great value.”

Combined Business to Provide Enhanced Consumer Choice

Fubo and Hulu + Live TV each provide customers the ability to stream a broad array of live broadcast and cable networks on their connected TVs, mobile phones, tablets, and other internet-connected devices.

Combining the businesses of Fubo and Hulu + Live TV — which together have over 6.2 million subscribers in North America — will facilitate an enhanced choice of programming packages and address a variety of consumer preferences at attractive price points.

In connection with the Transaction, Disney will enter into a new carriage agreement with Fubo that will allow Fubo to create a new Sports & Broadcast service, featuring Disney’s premier sports and broadcast networks including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SECN, ACCN, ESPNEWS, as well as ESPN+.

Fubo and Hulu + Live TV will continue to be available to consumers as separate offerings post-closing. Hulu + Live TV, a leader in entertainment programming, will continue to be streamed in the Hulu app and be offered as part of the attractive bundle with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+. Fubo, which streams more than 55,000 live sporting events annually, will continue to serve its subscribers in the Fubo app.

Transaction Details and Litigation Settlement

In conjunction with the Transaction, Fubo has settled all litigation with Disney and ESPN related to Venu Sports, the previously announced sports streaming platform planned by ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery. Fubo has also settled all litigation with FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery.

S-F Radio: Go Fund Me Set-Up to Benefit KGO Icon Ronn Owens

Ronn Owens, the beloved Bay Area radio personality who shaped the airwaves for nearly five decades, says he is facing significant financial hardship after enduring a series of health challenges.

The S-F  Chronicle reports the 79-year-old former KGO host, whose voice became synonymous with San Francisco talk radio, revealed in a Facebook post on New Year’s Eve that his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease, along with multiple bouts of cancer, heart issues and recent hospitalizations, has left him struggling to keep up with medical costs.

“Life has thrown a few more punches my way,” Owens wrote on Tuesday, Dec. 31. “It’s been a rough road, and honestly, it’s hard to admit that the financial strain has become overwhelming on top of everything else.”

Owens, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2001, retired from KGO in 2021 — shortly before the station’s longtime news-talk format was discontinued. 

A fixture in the Bay Area media landscape, KGO had been the region’s top-rated radio station for decades, with Owens hosting influential guests like President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his tenure. 

For much of his career, KGO was the station where the Bay Area’s daily news agenda was set, and Owens was its trusted voice.

Despite his long-standing success, Owens acknowledged that he never imagined a time when he would need financial assistance.

A member of both the National Radio Hall of Fame and the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame, Owens has seen his health decline over the years, with Parkinson's disease complicating his recovery from other illnesses, including COVID-19 and pneumonia.

Friends and family have set up a GoFundMe page to help Owens cover his mounting medical expenses, including a recent extended hospital stay. The goal is set for $60,000.

Owens, now living in Arizona with his wife, Jan Black, expressed his gratitude for the support, thanking the community that has been integral to his career.

Biden Scolds Reporters

President Biden gave some parting attacks to the press during a public White House event Sunday night.

Fox News’ Lucas Tomlinson reported that after signing the Social Security Fairness Act, Biden took a few questions from the crowd which led the president to target President-elect Donald Trump.

"Do you still believe he’s a threat to democracy?" a reporter asked.

"I think what he did was a genuine threat to democracy," Biden responded.

After responding to the allegation that Trump plans to end birthright citizenship, Biden switched the topic to attacking the reporters.

"I might be the oldest president, but I know more world leaders than any one of you have ever met in your whole goddamn life!" Biden said.

The most civil, decent, and devoutly Catholic president we’ve ever had. 🙄 https://t.co/O9cK0WuLH9

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) January 5, 2025

Many X users quickly blasted the comment. 

CES 2025 Sets The Stage For The Year Ahead

CES, the annual technology extravaganza hosted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), kicks off the new year Tuesday with over 150,000 industry attendees and 4,000 exhibitors converging in Las Vegas. It’s not just the first big tech event of the year—it’s the one that sets the tone for the next twelve months of innovation.

As Kinsey Fabrizio, President of the CTA, put it in an interview last week, “Every company is a tech company now, and CES reflects that reality. We’ve gone from being the Consumer Electronics Show to the ‘Consumer Everything Show.’” In fact, the CTA has fully embraced this evolution, officially dropping the phrase "Consumer Electronics Show" from its branding years ago.

According to Forbes, this transformation has been decades in the making. CES has grown far beyond its roots as a showcase for gadgets and electronics. Today, it spans categories as diverse as automotive, health tech, extended reality (XR), and wearables. “From tractors by John Deere to AI-driven health diagnostics and prototypes of autonomous vehicles, CES is where the future comes to life,” said Fabrizio.

What to Expect at CES 2025

CES 2025 promises to be an exciting blend of established tech trends and emerging innovations. Among the highlights are keynotes from two industry heavyweights: Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, and Samsung.

Huang’s keynote is expected to spotlight Nvidia’s role in powering the AI revolution. “We’re thrilled to have Jensen kick off CES,” said Fabrizio. “His insights into AI and its applications across industries are going to set the tone for the show.” Nvidia’s influence spans far beyond gaming GPUs—it’s shaping the future of generative AI, autonomous vehicles, and data centers.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s keynote may offer a glimpse into its much-anticipated AR headset, a move that could accelerate the adoption of extended reality technologies. As CES continues to be a launchpad for breakthroughs, this presentation is one to watch.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the key zones and themes at CES 2025:

• Mobility: Automotive tech has become a centerpiece of CES. From EVs to autonomous systems, major players like BMW and Hyundai will showcase their latest innovations. Fabrizio highlighted this shift: “CES went from featuring aftermarket car tech to full-scale OEM exhibits. Today, it’s a destination for transformative mobility stories.”
• Health Tech: With AI-enabled diagnostics and remote monitoring systems, health tech is expected to be one of the fastest-growing sectors at CES. Gary Shapiro, CEO of the CTA, emphasized its importance: “Technology is solving critical problems in healthcare, from addressing shortages of professionals to enabling aging populations to live independently.”
• Wearables: This year’s wearables will focus on consumer-friendly devices like health trackers, smart glasses, and voice-enabled tools. “Voice will become the operating system,” said Fabrizio. “This year, expect a lot of innovation around frames and wearables.”
• XR: Augmented and virtual reality remains a hot topic, with new devices and platforms competing for attention. Samsung’s rumored AR headset could be a major talking point.

Audacy, Claritas Introduce New Enhanced Measurement Capabilities

At the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2025, Audacy and Claritas announce a partnership to deliver enhanced measurement capabilities for clients through a cross-platform multi-touch attribution solution for analyzing the impact of broadcast and digital audio campaigns.

Audacy is leveraging Claritas’ advanced broadcast radio measurement capabilities to give advertisers deeper insights into campaign performance, including audience engagement and content responsiveness. Clients will be able to optimize their total audio campaigns based on key performance indicators by market, creative, time of day, etc., to make data-driven decisions and realize better outcomes for their media investments.

The Audacy and Claritas solution will integrate broadcast radio spot logs into multiplatform campaigns that Claritas is measuring for Audacy clients, tracking reach and impression frequency for ads running on Audacy broadcast stations. Claritas will combine this data with census-level website activity, including site visits, purchases and form fills, and analyze it through a proprietary data science model. This model identifies incremental website activity driven by Audacy’s radio campaigns by comparing exposed and unexposed markets. These analytics will be delivered in near real-time for fast learning and opportunities to optimize campaigns quickly.

“Multi-platform audio campaigns that couple traditional radio and digital to deliver better outcomes for our advertiser partners' audio investments and to their overall media plans,” said Paul Suchman, Chief Marketing Officer, Audacy. “By integrating Claritas’ advanced measurement methodology into Audacy’s analytics stack, we’ll equip our clients with even more actionable data on how their campaigns are performing and Audio’s impact on overall campaign results.”

“Audacy and Claritas have delivered an important breakthrough in advertising measurement, integrating broadcast and digital. The insights on who is converting based on Claritas ID Graph, combined with GenAI analysis, are immediately actionable,” said Rex Briggs, Chief AI Officer, Claritas. “We are enabling advertisers to bolster their return on investment while proving the strategic value audio advertising delivers to businesses.”

By offering precise measurements of audio campaign performance, Audacy and Claritas are enabling advertisers to bolster their return on investment while proving the strategic value audio advertising delivers throughout the marketing funnel.

Chicago Radio: WCHI Launches New Morning Show

iHeartMedia's WCHI-FM Chicago's has launched "The Morning Mosh Pit" hosted by Maria Palmer, Michael Mason and Matt "Marris" Harris.

"The Morning Mosh Pit" is being launched following the exit Angi Taylor's from the station in November.

The show promises to deliver "truly compelling content every morning" to Chicago's rock lifestyle fanbase. Show Features.  Some of the exciting features you can expect from "The Morning Mosh Pit" include:

• Top 5 Things to Know: A daily rundown of the top stories and news
• Rock Talk: In-depth discussions on rock music and culture
• Fun To Your Head: A segment that brings humor and entertainment to the show
• Thirstday: Maria Palmer's on-air and social media feature that's sure to quench your thirst for fun and excitement 

Host Bios

• Maria Palmer: Formerly the evening host at WCHI-FM, Palmer has also worked at Alternative "106.5 The End" WEND Charlotte and "DC 101" WWDC Washington DC
• Matt "Marris" Harris: Joined iHeartMedia Chicago in 2017 as Promotions Director for Hip Hop 107.5 WGCI and Gospel 1390 WGRB, later becoming morning show producer at WCHI-FM
• Michael Mason: Previously hosted mornings at Townsquare Media Country 99.1 KUAD Fort Collins CO and nights at "98.9 The Bull" KNUC Seattle

YouTube’s Push Into The Living Room Is Just Beginning

Historians likely will recall July 2024 as the moment that forever changed television, according to The Wrap. 

That was the month YouTube broke not one but two Nielsen viewership records: It became the first streaming service to account for more than 10% of total TV viewing time as well as the first to surpass the sum totals of major media distributors like Disney and Paramount.

YouTube’s viewership — in living room TVs, not just on phones or laptops — has been growing steadily. But 2024 was a breakthrough year for the 19-year-old Alphabet-owned platform. In October, YouTube accounted for 10.6% of all TV viewership compared to Netflix’s 7.5%, according to Nielsen’s Gauge report, which measures the most-watched streamers each month. That was up from December of 2022, when the platform hit 6% compared to Netflix’s 7%.

YouTube also ranked No. 1 on Nielsen’s Media Distributor Gauge Report, which measures the most-watched media distributors on a monthly basis. During the eight months the Gauge has existed, YouTube has come in first place once and second place seven times. And in July, streaming on YouTube surpassed Disney’s total viewership, 10.4% compared to the 9.9% seen by the whole of The Walt Disney Company. (While only Disney+ appears on the Gauge report, the total for the Disney-owned Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ appears in the Media Distributor Report.)

YouTube’s viewership metrics are “a symptom of the way young people are consuming entertainment today,” Jon Giegengack, founder and principal at Hub Entertainment Research, told TheWrap. “It has big implications for the rest of the industry.”

The platform’s stellar 2024 doesn’t mean that traditional TV is dead. But it does underscore why other companies will need to become savvier in how they appeal to their audiences. And the numbers reflect a major shift in the greater media landscape at a time when major entertainment conglomerates are racing to minimize their exposure to plummeting cable television networks that are burning holes in their bottom lines.

➤Read More: HERE

CNN Defamation Trial Set To Start

After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, many people were desperate to flee the country. CNN reported that a security consultant was among those offering to evacuate them — for a price — as part of an investigation into claims of "black market" rescue operations.

CNN's story, which aired on Nov. 11, 2021, showed a photo of Zachary Young, head of Florida-based Nemex Enterprises. The caption below warned of "exorbitant fees" and "no guarantee of safety or success." Chief national security correspondent Alex Marquardt told viewers that CNN could not confirm that Young had successfully evacuated anyone who had paid him to leave the country.

Young has sued CNN for defamation. In his complaint, his attorneys say CNN gave him just hours to respond to its questions before it first aired that story on The Lead with Jake Tapper. They say Young had, in fact, successfully evacuated dozens of people from Afghanistan.

In rebutting those allegations in court, CNN has since cast doubt on Young's claim of the successful evacuations. Behind the scenes, however, some editors expressed qualms about the reporting, court filings show.

NPR reports the trial kicks off today in the Florida Panhandle, a deeply red part of the country, at a time when public perceptions of the media are increasingly ideologically polarized.

Young's attorneys say he is a logistics and security expert who helped U.S. and European corporations and nongovernmental organizations extract people from Afghanistan during a dangerous time. His lawsuit alleges that CNN unfairly implied on the air and online through a subsequent written story and social media posts that he was profiting from illegal tactics. And in his legal complaint, his lawyers write that Young's business has lost millions of dollars in revenues as a result of the hit to his reputation.

Four months after the initial broadcast, as Young's lawyers demanded a retraction, CNN offered a correction on Tapper's show. A substitute anchor told viewers that the term "black market" should not have been used in the story at all and that the network "did not intend to suggest that Mr. Young participated in a black market." The anchor, Pamela Brown, concluded by telling viewers: "We regret the error. And to Mr. Young, we apologize."

The TV version of the story was taken down. 

Norfolk Radio: The Party Continues at 107.7 FM

iHeartMedia Norfolk has announced the launch of the new WMOV Party 107.7, the feel good hit music station, bringing listeners a blend of today’s most popular songs. The station’s energetic lineup and sound, where every day feels like a party, took over the airwaves on December 26.

Party 107.7 is set to become Norfolk’s go-to destination for feel-good vibes and chart-topping hits. The station will broadcast an all-star playlist of hit music, including songs from artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Rihanna, Eminem, Ariana Grande, and Shaboozey.

The station will also feature The Fred Show in the morning, delivering high-energy entertainment to start the day, and The V-Bros at night, keeping the party going after dark.

“We are excited to turn the dial to a new chapter for Norfolk radio by introducing Party 107.7, a radio station that’s all about feel-good hit music, endless fun, and an incredible talent lineup that will host the party every day on the radio,” said David Miller, Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia New England and Virginia Areas.

Full Weekday Programming Lineup:

• The Fred Show 6 a.m.-10 a.m.
• Showbiz Shelly 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Mike Klein 3 p.m. -7 p.m.
• V-Bros 7 p.m. -11 p.m.

N-H Radio: WHEB-FM, Greg and the Morning Buzz Ink Extension

iHeartMedia New Hampshire has announced a five-year extension for the long-running morning show Greg and the Morning Buzz – featuring Greg Kretchmar and co-hosts Laura Boyce, Kayla Winsor, Scott “Roadkill” McMullen and Kelly Brown.

Celebrating nearly four decades on air, the iconic show, which began in Portsmouth, NH, in 1987, now entertains listeners on iHeartMedia’s 100.3 WHEB The Rock Station (Portsmouth) and Rock 101 WGIR New Hampshire’s Rock Station (Manchester).

This new contract ensures Greg and the Morning Buzz will continue waking up New Hampshire with their unique mix of humor, heart and connection to the community with a morning filled with fun segments like “What’s your Point” and “Weekly Punch in the Face.” Greg and the Morning Buzz broadcasts weekdays from 5:30 a.m. -10 a.m. and can be heard digitally on the iHeartRadio app.

“2025 will mark my 41st year on the radio. We’re all thrilled to keep doing what we love – connecting with our audience and making them part of our family. Scott, Laura, Kayla, Kelly, and I couldn’t be more grateful,” said Kretchmar.

“Greg, Laura, Kayla, Scott, and Kelly embody the spirit of what radio is all about. They bring joy, laughter, and compassion to our listeners every morning, and I’m thrilled they’ll continue to do so for the next five years,” said Sean Davey, New England Area President for iHeartMedia.

The team’s dedication to community service is equally impressive. Greg and the Morning Buzz have raised over $3 million to support 12 agencies in New Hampshire and Vermont through their signature Lend a Helping Can campaign and events like The Buzz Ball.

“Greg, Laura, Kayla, Scott, and Kelly are more than radio personalities; they’re part of the fabric of our community. I couldn’t be happier to see them continue this incredible journey,” added Joe Graham, recently retired Market President for iHeartMedia New Hampshire.

R.I.P.: Net Neutrality Dealt Final Defeat

A U.S. appeals court ruled on Thursday the FCC did not have legal authority to reinstate landmark net neutrality rules.

Reuters reports the decision is a blow to the outgoing Biden administration that had made restoring the open internet rules a priority. President Joe Biden signed a 2021 executive order encouraging the FCC to reinstate the rules.

A three-judge panel of the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the FCC lacked authority to reinstate the rules initially implemented in 2015 by the agency under Democratic former President Barack Obama, but then repealed by the commission in 2017 under Republican former President Donald Trump.

Net-neutrality rules require internet service providers to treat internet data and users equally rather than restricting access, slowing speeds or blocking content for certain users. The rules also forbid special arrangements in which ISPs give improved network speeds or access to favored users.

The court cited the Supreme Court’s June decision in a case known as Loper Bright to overturn a 1984 precedent that had given deference to government agencies in interpreting laws they administer, in the latest decision to curb the authority of federal agencies. “Applying Loper Bright means we can end the FCC’s vacillations,” the court ruled.The decision leaves in place state neutrality rules adopted by California and others but may end more than 20 years of efforts to give federal regulators sweeping oversight over the internet.

Incoming FCC Chair Brendan Carr voted against the reinstatement last year and praised the decision to invalidate what he called Biden’s “internet power grab.” He vowed to unwind additional regulations.

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel called on Congress to act after the decision. “Consumers across the country have told us again and again that they want an internet that is fast, open, and fair. With this decision it is clear that Congress now needs to heed their call, take up the charge for net neutrality, and put open internet principles in federal law,” Rosenworcel said in a statement.

USTelecom, an industry group whose members include AT&T and Verizon, said in a joint statement with other groups that sued that the ruling is “a victory for American consumers that will lead to more investment, innovation, and competition in the dynamic digital marketplace.”

R.I.P.: John Lauer, Former WGST, WPCH Atlanta Executive

John Lauer (1930-2024)

John Lauer, 93, died Dec. 22 of pneumonia and complications of old age. Daughter Amy Lauer Alcorn grew up watching her dad’s career, noting that though her father was a people person, he was no pushover.

“Dad was a big believer in hiring the right people for the job and letting them do the job. But … if you didn’t perform, you left.”

Ajc.com reports Alcorn also had a front-row seat for her father’s passions for sports and technology. She’d perch in the press box for WGST’s broadcast of Atlanta Falcons and Hawks games where Lauer, acting as statistician, used a groundbreaking software program he and a partner had developed called Statman, which turned raw data into statistical bites.

He arrived in Atlanta in 1971 to take the reins at WPCH, fresh from a stint as sales manager of all-news WBBM-AM in Chicago, where he had been passed over for the general manager’s job.

With the help of a savvy New York programmer, Lauer shepherded the station’s changeover from religious programming to music with limited commercials and a trademark 2-second gap between songs. Listeners flocked to it, and two local competitors gave up and switched formats.

Fast forward to 1977. Lauer helped persuade Meredith Corp., an Iowa-based multimedia corporation, to buy WPCH. The firm already owned WGST, a low-rated AM station with a musical mishmash of a format. Lauer sensed that music on the AM band was dying and pushed to change WGST to all news.

A fellow Meredith executive told him, “You can’t compete with (radio competitor) WSB.” Lauer, in a podcast interview recorded by the Friends of Georgia Radio, said he countered with “Yes I can. And I did.”

R.I.P.: Gary Fruin, Longtime K-Lite Santa Barbara Morning Host

Gary Fruin

The airwaves are a little quieter as Santa Barbara bids farewell to one of its most treasured voices, Gary Fruin, who passed away at the age of 68.

Fruin, a cornerstone of the KSBL K-LITE radio station for 34 years alongside his co-host, Catherine Remak, succumbed to complications from a relapse of esophageal cancer, a battle he had bravely fought and thought he had conquered a few years prior.

Fruin was not just a voice on the radio; he was a fixture in the Santa Barbara community, bringing information, entertainment, and sports commentary each morning from 101.7 fm.

Last year Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse and the City Council honored him with a proclamation of appreciation on National Radio Day.

Radio History: Jan 6

➦In 1838...Morse Code privately demonstrated.

➦In 1912...actor/comedian Danny Thomas was born Amos Muzyad Yahkoob in Deerfield Michigan.  His broadcast credits began in radio with Baby Snooks, the Bickersons (Drene Time) & The Big Show.  Besides his own successful TV sitcom Make Room for Daddy (later renamed the Danny Thomas Show) he had a hand in producing the Dick Van Dyke Show, the Andy Griffith Show, and the Mod Squad.  He founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

He died Feb 6, 1991 after a heart attack, at age 79.

➦In 1939...producer/journalist Carlton E Morse, premiered 'I Love A Mystery', which aired afternoon's on NBC's West Coast radio Network.

He is best known for his creation of the radio serial One Man's Family, which debuted in 1932 and ran until 1959 as one of the most popular as well as long-running radio soap operas of the time.

Carlton E Morse

A radio legend, he experimented with television and published three novels. Morse is considered by many to be one of the best radio scriptwriters.

After losing his newspaper job, Morse brought several scripts he had written throughout the 1920s to an interview with NBC. He soon was offered a job at KGO, the San Francisco outlet of NBC's Blue Network, and began his radio career scripting House of Myths. Morse began work on NBC Mystery Serial, which included such episodes as "Captain Post: Crime Specialist" and "Case of the One-eyed Parrot". Other mysteries scripted by Morse included The Witch of Endor, The City of the Dead, Captain Post: Crime Specialist, The Game Called Murder and Dead Men Prowl.

He also did four programs based on San Francisco Police Department files: Chinatown Squad, Barbary Coast Nights, Killed in Action and To the Best of Their Ability. Morse worked closely with San Francisco Police Chief William J. Quinn, who narrated all four series.

"One Man's Family" was a daily soap opera, targeted at housewives, and "I Love a Mystery" was an adventure serial for adolescents and lovers of the macabre. Both are regarded by radio historians as two of the all-time best radio serials.

➦In 1941...a young actor appeared for the first time in a new program on CBS Radio, 'Home of the Brave'. This marked Richard Widmark‘s professional acting debut.  His first film appearance was 6 years later.

➦In 1945...a new mystery drama ‘The Saint’ based on the Leslie Charteris novels, began a Saturday evening run on NBC radio. Vincent Price did not come to the lead role of Simon Templar until 1947 on CBS.

➦In 1957…Elvis Presley made his third and final appearance on CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show, performing seven numbers over a 20-minute segment. Among them were “Peace in the Valley” and “My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again.” Sullivan called Presley a “fine boy” and said he was easy to work with.

Sullivan demanded that the cameramen shoot Elvis only from the waist up this time. Presley sang seven songs: "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Peace in the Valley" (at the request of the network), "Too Much," and "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again."

Joe O'Brien

➦In 1969...NYC personality Joe O'Brien started at WNBC 660 AM.  A Yonkers native, O'Brien began his career in 1935 when he got his first radio job with WMCA 570 AM in NYC. He worked at the station for 34 years and became one of the Good Guys team of DJs in the late 1960's. They played Top 40 hits and became nearly as popular as the music they played.

For a time, O'Brien was the No. 1 morning man in New York City.

O'Brien handled morning duties until he was replaced by Don Imus in 1972. Mr. O'Brien then went to WHUD in Peekskill, N.Y. He retired in 1986, but continued to do weekend specials for WHUD until 2000.

He died in a car accident in 2005 at age 90.

➦In 1971...WJRZ 970 AM sold to Pacific Southern.  It changed its call letters on May 16 and became WWDJ, known on the air as "97-DJ", attempting to take on WABC and replace WMCA as the New York market's second Top 40 outlet.

For a brief time, program director Mark Driscoll began imaging the station as "9-J", giving rise to a recorded parody of the station called "Nine" produced by a group that included future disk jockeys Howard Hoffman and Randy West.

The station was hampered by a directional signal that covered Manhattan and parts of New Jersey well but suffered in the rest of the Five Boroughs and was virtually nonexistent on Long Island and western New Jersey. Eventually, FM competition from WCBS-FM and adult top 40 station WXLO (now WEPN-FM), and an evolution to adult Top 40 by WNBC (now WFAN), began to eat into WWDJ's ratings. In November 1973 it was ranked 15th in the Arbitron ratings.