Thousands of Job Cuts Coming To WarnerMedia

AT&T Inc.’s WarnerMedia is preparing a restructuring that seeks to reduce costs by as much as 20% as the coronavirus pandemic drains income from movie tickets, cable subscriptions and TV ads, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Wall Street Journal reports the overhaul is expected to begin in the coming weeks and could affect staffing across Warner Bros. studios and TV channels like HBO, TBS and TNT.

Rivals including Walt Disney Co. and Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal have also cut jobs in recent months as the film and TV business struggles.

“Like the rest of the entertainment industry, we have not been immune to the significant impact of the pandemic,” a WarnerMedia spokesman said, adding that the company would reorder its operations to focus on growth opportunities. “We are in the midst of that process and it will involve increased investments in priority areas and, unfortunately, reductions in others.”

Jason Kilar

This is the second wave of substantial cuts at the company, after WarnerMedia eliminated more than 500 jobs at Warner Bros. in August.

The move is the latest by WarnerMedia chief Jason Kilar to remake the Hollywood icon since he took control of the division in May. The former Hulu boss ousted many of the unit’s top executives in August and rolled all production operations into a single unit under Warner Bros., suggesting more positions could be at risk.

AT&T has staked much of its media-focused strategy on HBO Max since the streaming video service launched in late May. About 4.1 million subscribers had activated the streaming app about a month after its launch, lagging cheaper rivals from Netflix Inc. and Disney. Overall HBO subscriptions, which include viewers watching the slimmer premium channel through cable TV bundles, still rose to about 36 million.

That early growth hasn’t offset deeper declines at the commercial entertainment cable networks TNT, TBS and TruTV, which used to be known as the Turner networks. The company’s other cable networks include news channels CNN and HLN as well as Cartoon Network.

CBS Unveils Unified Rebranding Effort

CBS has unveiled a new brand identity that evolves, simplifies and elevates the look and feel of all its divisions across platforms while creatively featuring iconic elements of the brand’s rich history, it was announced today by President and Chief Marketing Officer Mike Benson.

The updated brand identity for entertainment programming debuted on the Network this week in advance of the upcoming fall season. Viewers can expect to see it rolled out across CBS News leading up to the 2020 election and for CBS Sports by the Network’s broadcast of Super Bowl LV on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. Similar iterations are being developed for CBS Television Stations and CBS Television Distribution.

The strategy and execution, developed by Benson and his team with agency Gretel, unifies the CBS brand while differentiating it in an increasingly crowded media landscape. It is designed to create stronger continuity and clarity from the core brand to the subsidiary brands while driving attribution for CBS’ content, whether on the brand’s platforms or others – live, on demand or streaming.

Mike Benson

“CBS has long been one of the most unifying brands in media, bringing people together from all walks of life. Vibrant, trusted, inviting, inclusive – a connector with heart. We needed to make that clearer and more consistent at every consumer touchpoint,” said Benson. “We are defining every aspect of the CBS brand to make it more meaningful for existing and new consumers, regardless of where they encounter the brand.”

The brand identity draws upon CBS’ 91-year history, with key visual and audio elements from the past integrated into the new aesthetic. The ubiquitous CBS Eye logo remains central to the new identity in a unique animated way. The voiceover “This is CBS,” which was used for decades in the Company’s radio and television broadcasts beginning nearly a century ago, is another example of memorable legacy elements playing a strong role moving forward.

In addition, to reflect its role as a prominent content creator for all platforms more accurately, CBS Television Studios, one of the industry’s leading suppliers of programming with more than 70 series currently in production across broadcast and cable networks, streaming services and other emerging platforms, has been renamed CBS Studios.

New elements of the CBS brand strategy and its evolved look, feel and sound:

• The iconic CBS Eye will be used across the brand identity in a flexible style that elevates it as a standalone logo and leans into the shapes and elements that make it up – separating and rejoining in unity via lively animation.
• Brand attribution will be applied to programming and promotion that drives better connection between the CBS core brand, its sub-brands and our premium content available across CBS-owned and third-party platforms.
• Content on CBS and CBS-owned platforms will be tagged with “CBS Original,” “CBS News,” “CBS Sports” or “CBS Presents” to reinforce its role as a leading creator and content provider for its platforms and many others. For example: “CBS Presents The 56th Academy of Country Music Awards.”
• Content produced by CBS Studios will also include “A CBS Studios Production” and CBS Studios branded marks.
• An audio expression of the updated brand identity comes to life in a five-note mnemonic written by assigning musical notes to the historic “This is CBS” voiceover slogan, creating a new melody and animation that will appear at the top of the hour during primetime programming on CBS.

Texas Dems Launch Black Media Ad Buy For Biden-Harris

The Texas Democratic Party is launching its largest ad buy in Black media this cycle, a six-figure investment that comes less than a month before Election Day, reports The Hill.

Now in the home stretch leading up to Nov. 3, the ad buy — which features print, digital and audio spots — follows a $500,000 purchase that the party made two weeks ago.

Both ad buys are part of a Get Out the Vote campaign that began at the beginning of the year. It started with the goal of getting 2 million previously unregistered Texans signed up to cast a ballot on Election Day in hopes of regaining control of the state House for the first time since 2000. 

The Texas Democratic Party's efforts, coupled with the state's struggles with the coronavirus pandemic, have put Texas, typically a Republican stronghold, into play in the general election.

The new ads encourage Black Texans to vote and cast their ballots early. Texas has some of the strictest voting laws in the country, but does have an early voting period from Oct. 13-30.

“Early voting starts on October 13. Be one of the first to vote to move our country forward,” one of the digital video ads says.

Since 2010, Texas’s electorate has increased in size and become more diverse. From 2010 to 2018, the Lone Star State added 400,000 eligible Black voters and well over 1 million eligible Latino voters. As of 2018, Texas has the largest population of eligible Black voters and the second largest population of eligible Latino voters in the U.S.

TX Radio: Townsquare Promotes Shannon Brazier To Brand Manager

Shannon Brazier

Townsquare Media Killeen-Temple, TX announced today that Shannon Brazier, brand manager of the Company’s KOOC-FM B106 and KSSM Kiss 103.1, has been promoted to Director of Content for the local media cluster. He replaces Chad Heritage, who departs the Company.

Brazier, who goes by the air name Trey the Chok-Lit Jock and has been with the company since 2015 commented, “Townsquare Media is a unique company that I’ve been so proud to be a part of for the past five years. Local content is what we do and we do it best. I am very thankful for Kurt Johnson and Todd Lawley who have given me an opportunity to continue to lead our local team into 2021 and beyond. I’m ready for the challenge!”

Kurt Johnson, Townsquare SVP/Programming, added, “Promoting our great talent from within is important to us. Trey has done an outstanding job elevating our Hip Hop and R&B brands to dominant positions and I’m very happy to now have him leading all our stations in Killeen-Temple.”

Brazier will now oversee all the local media cluster’s brands, including Hip Hop KOOC-FM (B106), R&B KSSM-FM (Kiss 103.1), Country KUSJ-FM (US 105.5), Classic Rock KLTD-FM (K-Rock 101.7), and Local News-Talk/Sports KTEM-AM.

iHM Launches “HBCU Homecoming Celebration On iHeartRadio”

iHeartMedia has announced the launch of “HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio,” an uplifting month-long celebration showcasing Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ (HBCU) school pride and elevating student achievement through iHeartMedia’s multiple platforms, including on-air across iHeartMedia’s Hip Hop and R&B broadcast radio stations, streaming, social channels, iHeartMedia’s Black Creator podcasts and live virtual events. Beginning October 19 and continuing through November 12, the celebration will bring together HBCU students and alumni with their favorite musical artists, influencers and entertainment.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of HBCUs and their students and alumni will not be able to attend in-person homecoming celebrations to honor their institutions’ rich histories, cultural impact and notable alumni.  

The month-long “HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio” will feature special themed podcast episodes and a month of custom vignettes celebrating Black excellence and achievement highlighting its alumni and students including singer, songwriter Bobby Valentino; singer and songwriter Brian McKnight; recording artist, songwriter, actor and activist Killer Mike; actress and personality La La Anthony; actor Lance Gross; singer, songwriter and actor Lionel Richie; producer, songwriter and DJ Metro Boomin; actor and entertainment reporter Terrence J; singer and songwriter Toni Braxton; recording artist Wale; film producer Will Packer; and iHeartRadio on-air personalities Bev Johnson, Bushman, Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy, Kendra G, Kyle Santillian, Mike Evans, Monica Barnes, Queen B and Zach Boog.

“HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio” was developed in partnership with several partners including McDonald’s, through its Black & Positively Golden movement, and Ulta Beauty – all of whom have collaborated to create unique and impactful programming to celebrate students and alumni while bringing awareness to the profound influence historically Black colleges and universities continue to have on our country. 

The celebration will culminate with a special event across all iHeartMedia Hip Hop and R&B stations and include a special pre-show and performance sponsored by McDonald’s through its Black and Positively Golden movement, which shines a positive light on Black excellence through initiatives that provide opportunities for the next generation of leaders taking steps today to own tomorrow. 

“Homecoming is a time of celebration and unity on college campuses across the country.  With in-person activities being cancelled due to COVID, the “HBCU Homecoming Celebration on iHeartRadio” will keep our communities connected, engaged and entertained during a challenging time,” said Thea Mitchem, Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia. “As a HBCU graduate, I understand the transformative role HBCUs play in enriching and improving the lives of young people.”

Philly Radio: Beasley's Jaime Frankel Makes 'Distinction' List

Jaime Frankel

Beasley Media Group is pleased to announce Jaime Frankel, general sales manager of Philadelphia’s Sports Talk radio station, 97.5 The Fanatic, has been named among the 2020 Women of Distinction by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

The annual selection process recognizes Philadelphia’s most influential women who are making a difference in the region’s business community.

“Jaime has been an instrumental part of The Fanatic’s growth and has been an amazing contributor to our company for nearly 15 years,” said Beasley Media Group Philadelphia Vice President of Sales, Paul Blake.” She’s literally done it all…National Sales Manager, Local Sales Manager, General Sales Manager. Jaime certainly has distinguished herself with all of us…and now the rest of the city realizes it!”

Edison Research To Present Spoken Word Audio Webinar

Since the inaugural report last year, Americans’ share of listening to spoken word audio is up over eight percent. This year, NPR and Edison Research explore what is driving this increase and how news, podcasts, audiobooks, and talk radio continue to cut into time that was previously spent with music.

The radio inustry is invited to join Michael Smith, Chief Marketing Officer from NPR, and Megan Lazovick, Vice President from Edison Research, on Tuesday, October 13 at 2:00 p.m. EDT as they host an online presentation of the findings from the second annual Spoken Word Audio Report.

➤Click here to register for the Spoken Word Audio Report webinar on Tuesday, October 13 at 2pm EDT

In this webinar, registrants will learn:

• Which listeners are spending more time with spoken word audio
• How time spent with audio has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Excerpts from in-depth interviews that help explain changes in listening behavior
• Results from a new national survey that measured these behaviors on a larger scale

The Spoken Word Audio Report is derived from a national quantitative survey and analysis of in-depth, one-on-one interviews. It also includes six years tracking data from Edison Research’s Share of Ear® study, measuring the daily listening habits of Americans using a 24-hour diary.

The Rundown: Pence, Harris Face-Off

Wall Street Journal 10/8/2020

Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic nominee Senator Kamala Harris faced off last night in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the lone vice presidential debate, sitting distanced from each other by more than 12 feet and with plexiglass shields between them as precautions against the coronavirus. The first topic was the Trump administration's handling of the coronavirus, which Harris called "the greatest failure of any presidential administration," citing the toll of the dead and sick and the economic fallout. Pence, who heads the president’s coronavirus task force, defended the administration's handling of the pandemic, citing Trump's early ban on travel from China and what he described as the biggest mobilization since World War Two. 

Other issues they discussed included the economy and taxes, the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, climate change, our relationship with China, foreign policy, and racial justice and policing. In a amusing moment that seemed to grab all of social media's attention, a fly landed on Pence's hair at one point, and remained there for more than two minutes, spurring all kinds of fly memes. 

These were some of the key moments from the first and only vice presidential debate of the campaign. https://t.co/0OPWXPs4TS #VPDebate pic.twitter.com/VY7M6rMZm4

— ABC News (@ABC) October 8, 2020

The fly that stole the show. #VPDebatehttps://t.co/SjrKADurnE pic.twitter.com/jqV6j6CEdk

— POLITICO (@politico) October 8, 2020

➤TRUMP SAYS EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENT HELPING RECOVERY, CALLS ILLNESS 'BLESSING IN DISGUISE': President Trump released a video yesterday in which he claimed that experimental drug treatment he's received is helping with his recovery from Covid-19 and said his illness could be a, quote, "blessing in disguise" in the fight against the pandemic. However, Trump is still not fully recovered and there's no way to know whether the treatment had an effect. Trump promised to get the experimental antibody treatment he received quickly approved for broader use and to distribute it for free, although he can't order that himself, as the drug from Regeneron has not yet been proven to be safe and effective. Trump also again downplayed the threat from the coronavirus, saying that people who are ill with it will, quote, "get better fast, just like I did." Trump's physician, Dr. Sean Conley, said in a memo yesterday that Trump had been symptom-free for over 24 hours and that his oxygen and respiratory rates were normal.

Trump's reelection campaign is already planning his return to the campaign trial as early as next week, according to ABC News, depending how he feels in the coming days. Trump is also insisting that he will show up in person for the second presidential debate against Joe Biden next Thursday (October 15th) in Miami, which is a town hall format. Biden plans to attend, but has said of Trump, "I think if he still has COVID, we shouldn't have a debate." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that people can end their quarantine 10 days after the start of symptoms. His doctors say Trump's symptoms began last Thursday.

➤WISCONSIN TO OPEN FIELD HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF SURGING CORONAVIRUS CASES: Wisconsin health officials said Wednesday that a field hospital will be opening next week at the state fairgrounds near Milwaukee because a surge in coronavirus cases is threatening to overwhelm hospitals. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the 530-bed field hospital in April, but it hadn't been needed until now. Wisconsin has become third in the nation over the past two weeks in new cases per capita. 

Weather.com graphic

➤HURRICANE DELTA MOVES INTO GULF AFTER HITTING MEXICO, HEADING FOR LOUISIANA: Hurricane Delta moved into the Gulf of Mexico yesterday (October 7th) after making landfall in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula just south of Cancun early in the morning with top winds of 110 miles per hour. There were no reports of any deaths or injuries. Delta had weakened to a Category 1 storm, but began strengthening in the Gulf and was expected to strengthen more before making landfall Friday or potentially Saturday morning in Louisiana, possibly as a Category 3 storm. The state is still recovering from Hurricane Laura, which hit as a Category 4 storm in August.

➤ADMINISTRATION FILES EMERGENCY SUPREME COURT APPEAL TO STOP CENSUS COUNT: The Trump administration filed an emergency appeal last night (October 8th) with the Supreme Court, asking it to stop an appeals court decision that extended the 2020 U.S. Census count to the end of the month because of obstacles caused by the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh had ordered the count to go through October, responding to plaintiffs' argument that it would reduce the risk of undercounting immigrants, minorities, and lower-income groups. The Trump administration set a target date of October 5th to stop the count anyway, which Koh said was a violation of her order. Extending the count would push back analysis of the data from the end of the year to next April 30th. The Trump administration has argued Census workers won't have enough time to analyze the data if counting extends to the end of the month.

➤EX-POLICE OFFICER CHARGED IN GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH FREED ON $1 MILLION BAIL: The former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder for George Floyd's death, Derek Chauvin, was released from jail yesterday (October 7th) after posting $1 million bail. In Minnesota, someone who posts bond is required to pay 10 percent to the bail bond company, which would be $100,000 in this case. It wasn't immediately clear where Chauvin got the money. Chauvin, who kneeled on Floyd's neck for several minutes as Floyd said he couldn't breathe, is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other officers are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. Attorneys for Floyd's family said in a statement yesterday, "The system of due process worked for Chauvin and afforded him his freedom while he awaits trial. In contrast, George Floyd was denied due process, when his life was ended over a $20 bill. There was no charge, no arrest, no hearing, no bail. Just execution."

 Newsday 10/8/2020

➤BRITISH ISIS MEMBERS CHARGED IN KILLING OF U.S. HOSTAGES: Two British members of the Islamic State (ISIS) have been charged in U.S. federal court for their alleged role in the torture and killing of four American hostages: journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid workers Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller. Alexander Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh appeared in court in Alexandria, Virginia, yesterday (October 7th) via video link from prison. They face charges of conspiracy, hostage taking resulting in death, and material support to a terrorist organization. They are accused of having a lead role in an ISIS cell in Syria that kidnapped, tortured and, in some cases, beheaded hostages.

➤NETFLIX FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES OVER CUTIES: Netflix has been indicted by Texas’ Tyler County grand jury over the film Cuties. According to docs obtained by E!, the streamer is facing a charge of "promotion of lewd visual material depicting child." The docs go onto state that Cuties is comprised of "visual material which depicts the lewd exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of a clothed or partially clothed child who was younger than 18 years of age at the time the visual material was created, which appeals to the prurient interest in sex and has no serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value." Netflix responded to the allegations in a statement to E! News. "Cuties is a social commentary against the sexualization of young children. This charge is without merit and we stand by the film."

BELLI ROBS TATIS! pic.twitter.com/V9l4YCL0M4

— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2020

⚾MLB PLAYOFFS: Results from Division Series yesterday:

• Atlanta Braves 2, Miami Marlins 0 -- Atlanta leads series 2 games to 0 (NL)
• Oakland A's 9, Houston Astros 7 -- Houston leads series 2 games to 1 (AL)
• Tampa Bay Rays 8, New York Yankees 4 -- Tampa Bay leads series 2 games to 1 (AL)
• L.A. Dodgers 6, San Diego Padres 5 -- Los Angeles leads 2 games to 0 (NL)

🏈NFL FINDS SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF TITANS BREAKING CORONAVIRUS PROTOCOLS: The NFL's investigation into the Tennessee Titans' coronavirus outbreak found several incidents of the Titans possibly breaking coronavirus protocols, AP reported yesterday citing an unnamed source with knowledge of the probe. That came as the Titans had two more players test positive yesterday, according to AP, bringing their total number of cases, including non-players, to 22. The Titans can't return to their facility before Saturday at the earliest, and the NFL has to decide if they'll play the Buffalo Bills as scheduled on Sunday.

➤PATRIOTS' GILMORE POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS: New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore has tested positive for the coronavirus, leading the team to cancel practice yesterday and today. Gilmore, the third player on the Patriots to test positive in five days, tweeted that he's asymptomatic. Quarterback Cam Newton has also tested positive, as has practice squad player Bill Murray. The Patriots are still scheduled to play the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

➤DOLPHINS TO KEEP FANS TO 13,000 IN STADIUM EVEN THOUGH ALLOWED FULL CAPACITY: The Miami Dolphins announced yesterday that they will continue to only have 13,000 fans at Hard Rock Stadium for games for the remainder of 2020, even though Florida Governor Ron DeSantis moved the state into Phase 3 of reopening from coronavirus restrictions, which allows them to have full capacity. Hard Rock Stadium can hold 65,000 people.

Nashville Radio: New AAA Station To Sign-On

Nashville Public Radio has announced 91.ONE, WNXP as its new music discovery radio station and names Mickey Lernard Parks as its Assistant Program Director and on-air host. The station, launching later this fall, will be a platform for new local music and serve as Nashville’s Music Experience.

Parks is a Nashville native who hosts This Is The Place, a podcast about the Nashville restaurant and bar scene. Parks hosted several radio shows on Vanderbilt University’s station WRVU from 2000 to 2005 where he had the opportunity to play new bands before they broke through locally and nationally. Parks also served as the store manager in the first several years of Grimey’s New & Preloved Music which has grown to be an important part of Nashville’s music scene. Most recently, he has managed a wide variety of corporate teams in the hospitality industry.

Program Director Jason Moon Wilkins announced Parks appointment. “Mickey Lernard Parks has deep roots in the city and is well-known for introducing so many music fans to their future favorites through his work at Grimey’s and WRVU,” Wilkins said. “We are so fortunate that his desire to return to music coincided with the launch of this station.”

“It’s great to be back on the air in the Music City and so exciting to have the opportunity to share new music with Nashville again,” Parks said.

“The station truly will be ‘Nashville’s Music Experience’ bringing new music AND local music to Middle Tennessee listeners with hosts like Jason and Mickey who are well-versed in Nashville’s music scene,” said Nashville Public Radio’s President and CEO Steve Swenson.

SiriusXM Radio: John Lennon's 80th Birthday Celebration

SiriusXM's The Beatles Channel is honoring John Lennon's 80th birthday on October 9 with exclusive programming featuring special guests Paul McCartney, Alec Baldwin, Sean Ono Lennon, and more.

Listeners will hear celebrities pay tribute to Lennon, as well as exclusive specials about his music and legacy on The Beatles Channel.

The weekend-long programming will include a new show, featuring Paul McCartney in conversation with Alec Baldwin. The exclusive show will feature McCartney reflecting on his songwriting partner, bandmate, and friend John Lennon. The special will air on Friday, October 9 at 11:00 am ET, 4:00 pm ET and 9:00 pm ET on SiriusXM radios (channel 18) and on the SiriusXM app. The special will also air multiple times on The Beatles Channel throughout the weekend and will be available On Demand via the SiriusXM app after its debut.

Select audio clips below from Paul McCartney and Alec Baldwin's conversation:

Paul McCartney And Alec Baldwin On John Lennon At 80




Full schedule below of specialty programming airing to celebrate John Lennon on SiriusXM's The Beatles Channel. *Broadcast Schedule (all times ET)*

✔Sean Ono Lennon Guest DJ Musician, songwriter, producer, and the only child of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Sean Ono Lennon joins host David Fricke in a two-part series, sharing memories of his dad along with his favorite John Lennon songs, both with and without The Beatles.
Part 1 Saturday, October 10 at 1pm
Part 2 Sunday, October 11 at midnight

✔The Ballad Of John And Yoko: 1969 It's hard to imagine the life of John and Yoko in 1969 — The Beatles, Plastic Ono Band, The Bed-Ins for Peace, War Is Over… it's a story only they can tell. Listen to John and Yoko talk about their lives and thoughts on many topics in their own words from 1969.
Friday, October 9 at 11pm
Sunday, October 11 at 10am

✔Eight Songs A Week… Times Two Beatles fans are giving John Lennon a special birthday playlist composed of their 16 favorite songs with John on lead vocals. It's Eight Songs A Week… Times Two!
Friday, October 9 at 1pm
Saturday, October 10 at 10am
Sunday, October 11 at 1pm
Monday, October 12 at 12pm

✔Imagine Special Bill Flanagan explores John Lennon's Imagine: "The Ultimate Collection" in a two-part series. Hear the original masters, alternate versions, and interviews with those who were part of the creation of the landmark album.
Imagine – New York Special
Saturday, October 10 at 6pm
Imagine – UK Special
Sunday, October 11 at 3pm

✔Magical Lennon Maxi Concert In honor of John's birthday, The Beatles Channel has imagined the greatest John Lennon concert ever! Sixty minutes of Lennon, Beatles and solo hits live.
Saturday, October 10 at 9pm

✔Fab Fourum The Beatles Channel's weekly live Fab Fourum talk show, hosted by Dennis Elsas and Bill Flanagan, will be dedicated to John on his birthday and feature special guests, as well as your phone calls, plus the chance to win an Epiphone guitar and the new JOHN LENNON: GIMME SOME TRUTH deluxe edition box set.
Wednesday, October 7 at 9pm
Saturday, October 10 at 7am
Sunday, October 11 at 6pm

✔Northern Songs Beatles historian and author Bill Flanagan puts together a themed playlist of hits and rarities by the Fab Four for this weekly audio adventure. This week, it's all about John Lennon's songs with The Beatles in honor of his 80th birthday.
Friday, October 9 at midnight
Saturday, October 10 at 7pm
Sunday, October 11 at 6am

✔Peter Asher: From Me To You Musician, host, and friend of The Beatles Peter Asher explores the connection between John Lennon and legendary author Lewis Carroll, plus an Imagine set, Plastic Ono Band, and more.
Thursday, October 8 at 9pm
Saturday, October 10 at 5pm
Sunday, October 11 at 8am
Tuesday, October 13 at 1pm

✔Dark Horse Radio In this weekly show dedicated to the music that George Harrison wrote, produced, sang and loved, musician and host Laura Cantrell will explore the special relationship between George and John Lennon.
Thursday, October 8 at 3pm
Saturday, October 10 at 11pm
Sunday, October 11 at 4pm
Tuesday, October 13 at 1am

The Beatles Channel, SiriusXM's channel created in collaboration with and fully authorized by The Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd., celebrates popular music's most legendary and influential band, showcasing all-things-Beatles with regular and special programming spanning the history-making careers of the band and its members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. 

Pew: Attention To Coronavirus News Declined Prior To Trump Diagnosis

Six months into a coronavirus pandemic that has claimed more than 200,000 lives in the United States, and before President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, a new Pew Research Center analysis finds that the share of U.S. adults following news about the outbreak very closely has dropped from 51% in early March to 35% in early September and that this decline is sharper among Republicans (from 48% to 26%) than Democrats (from 53% to 44%).

The survey of 9,220 adults conducted Aug. 31-Sept. 7, 2020, as part of the Center’s American News Pathways project, finds that about six-in-ten Americans (61%) say the country has not controlled the coronavirus outbreak as much as it could have. At the same time, about four-in-ten Americans (39%) believe that the outbreak has been made into a bigger deal than it really is. The study finds deep disagreement between Democrats and Republicans on these issues, and particularly within the GOP, public opinion varies by media diet.

Respondents were asked whether each of eight news providers is a major source of political and election news for them. Researchers then grouped these responses based on the political composition of the outlets’ audiences. For example, Republicans were analyzed based on the degree to which they get political news from the outlets with conservative-leaning audiences and Democrats were categorized based on the degree to which they get news from the outlets with liberal-leaning audiences. See here for more details about how respondents were grouped by their major news sources.

Among the report’s other key findings:

• About two-thirds of Republicans and independents who lean toward the GOP (68%) say the U.S. has done about as much as it could in controlling the outbreak. This view is held by only about one-in-ten Democrats, including independents who lean Democratic (11%). Republicans and leaners are also more likely than Democrats and leaners to say that the outbreak has been made into a bigger deal than it really is (66% vs. 15%).

• Fully 90% of Republicans who rely only on Fox News and/or talk radio (among eight providers asked about) say that the U.S. has controlled the outbreak as much as it could have, as do 62% of Republicans who use Fox News, talk radio and other sources. In contrast, among Republicans who do not rely on Fox News or talk radio but do rely on at least one of the other major news providers asked about, 46% say the U.S. controlled the outbreak as well as it could have.

• There are far smaller differences on this question among Democrats with varying media diets. But unlike other groups, Democrats whose major sources of political and election news are only those with liberal-leaning audiences – MSNBC, CNN, NPR, The New York Times and The Washington Post – are almost unanimous in saying that the U.S. has not controlled the outbreak as much as it could have (97%).

• Similar patterns by media diet emerge among the GOP on the question of whether the pandemic has been made a bigger deal than it really is. Among Republicans who only use Fox News and/or talk radio as major news sources, 78% say the coronavirus has been made a bigger deal than it really is. That falls to 54% among Republicans who use a mix of major sources, and 47% for those who name some major sources, but not Fox News or talk radio.

• About three-in-ten U.S. adults (31%) say they try to tune out news about the coronavirus, with Republicans (43%) about twice as likely as Democrats (20%) to say this. But on the whole, most Americans (68%) say they are trying to stay tuned into news about the pandemic.

• Americans are about evenly split over whether it has become harder or easier to identify what is true and what is false about the coronavirus outbreak since the early days of the pandemic; and there are major partisan differences. While 38% of U.S. adults say they are now finding it harder to identify what is true and what is false, an almost identical share (36%) say they are finding it easier. The remainder (26%) say it hasn’t changed much in either direction. Nearly half of Republicans (49%) say it is now harder to determine what is true, while Democrats are more likely to say it has become easier (42%).

• Partisan disagreement also arises when it comes to how susceptible young people (under the age of 18) are to becoming infected with the virus. A plurality of Republicans (44%) say young people are far less susceptible than adults, and a majority of Democrats (61%) say those under 18 are about as susceptible as adults. (There is no strong evidence that younger people are less likely than adults to be infected with the virus, though there are differences by age in likelihood of death and severity of symptoms.)

Radio Research Consortium Renews With Nielsen

Nielsen has announced that Radio Research Consortium,Inc. (RRC) has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to license individual non-commercial stations for Nielsen syndicated products including Nielsen Scarborough syndicated services.

RRC is an independent, not-for-profit research firm that contracts with Nielsen Inc. to produce local market audience estimates for non-commercial radio stations. RRC serves station managers, programmers, marketing, and development professionals. Founded in 1981 by Tom Church as a 14-member alliance, RRC has hundreds of non-commercial subscribers.

“As a long-term user of Nielsen data, we are looking forward to continuing our relationship as we advance our mission and commitment to provide audience data to non-commercial radio stations,” said Joanne Church, President of the RRC. “Nielsen is an integral part of our capabilities, and we look forward to utilizing the comprehensive insights that Nielsen provides.”

“Radio Research Consortium holds a unique place in the industry, representing non-commercial radio, and we have enjoyed a trusted relationship over many years,” said Brad Kelly, Managing Director, Nielsen Audio. “As the industry landscape continues to evolve, RRC remains a valued collaborator, and we are excited to continue to empower them with the comprehensive insights necessary for non-commercial stations with which to showcase their offerings to underwriters and meet their programming and marketing objectives.”

In April, Nielsen announced that RRC could license individual non-commercial stations for Nielsen Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM). In August 2019, Nielsen announced the launch of CDM. CDM positions radio on a level playing field with other media such as digital and TV, and it helps clients react more quickly to marketplace changes. CDM also helps reduce “bounce” in the ratings with rolling samples designed to provide a more consistent and stable view of the market.

R.I.P.: Vince Bagli, 'Dean Of Baltimore Sports'

Vince Bagli 1927-2020

Former WBAL-TV sportscaster Vince Bagli, who became known as the “Dean of Baltimore Sports” in nearly five decades on air, died Tuesday.

The former Finksburg resident was 93. The Baltimore Sun reports his death was caused by complications from a pulmonary embolism, according to his son Vince Bagli Jr..

A former Baltimore Colts color commentator, the elder Mr. Bagli was an old-fashioned broadcaster who used handwritten notes instead of scripts on air. His inner fan — and his innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life — endeared him to generations of Baltimoreans.

Along with the professional sports scores, Mr. Bagli took pride in delivering the results of every local high school football game on Friday nights and name-dropping the players who had made big contributions, his son said.

The broadcaster spent 31 of his 46 years on air at WBAL-TV before retiring in 1995.

Vincent Thomas Bagli Sr. was born in Baltimore in 1927. His father, Francis Bagli, was an obstetrician, and his mother, the former Elizabeth O’Connor, was a nurse. He was raised in Hamilton, where he attended St. Dominic’s Parochial School.

Bagli first appeared behind a microphone in 1949, during his senior year in college. Loyola’s basketball team had traveled to Kansas City to play in a national basketball tournament, and while there was interest in the game back home in Baltimore, there was no live radio broadcast.  Bagli and several friends combined efforts to re-create the game by using telegrams and then broadcasting the game over the college’s public-address system in the gymnasium.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree and serving as a pharmacist’s mate in the Navy, he worked at two radio stations as a disc jockey and then joined WBAL as a staff announcer. After four years, he left to host an afternoon music and sports program on WWIN Radio.

October 8 Radio History

➦In 1906..William N. Robson born in Pittsburgh (Died at age 88 – April 10, 1995).  Robson spent most of his career involved with radio. His radio debut came in 1936 as director of Big Town. He succeeded Irving Reis as head of the Columbia Workshop.

William Robson

Perhaps the most notable of Robson's productions was Suspense, followed closely by the similarly formatted Escape. Suspense lasted more than two decades on the air with more than 900 episodes broadcast. Ronald L. Smith wrote about Suspense and Escape in his book, Horror Stars on Radio: The Broadcast Histories of 29 Chilling Hollywood Voices: "Both used the same format: a challenging (if anonymous) host introducing a story of murder or perhaps classic horror. Robson favored adaptations of anything from Poe tales to a good yarn in the latest issue of Esquire magazine."

Robson left CBS in 1939 to become director of an advertising firm's radio department, and after the United States entered World War II he helped to prepare broadcasts for the Office of Emergency Management and the War Production Board. He returned to CBS in May 1942 to help the network prepare programs related to the war.

On June 22, 1950, a pamphlet called Red Channels appeared, focusing on the field of broadcasting. Robson was among 151 entertainment industry professionals (erroneously) named in the context of "Red Fascists and their sympathizers".  During the ’50′s he wrote TV dramas, and in 1961 joined The Voice of America, where he was reunited with Edward R. Murrow, and won four Peabody Awards.

➦In 1935...“The O’Neills” first aired.  The serial drama also aired on Mutual, CBS and NBC Red and Blue from 1934 to 1943. Created by actress-writer Jane West, the series was sponsored at various times by Gold Dust, Ivory Snow and Standard Brands.




➦In 1937...The radio series Grand Central Station started a long run long run on the major networks from 1937 to 1954.  Each program opened with an announcer intoning that Grand Central was "the crossroads of a million private lives, a gigantic stage on which are played a thousand dramas daily."



➦In 1944...the first broadcast of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet was heard on the CBS radio network. The show would continue on radio until 1953 and on ABC-TV from 1952 to 1966.
“Hi Mom, Hi Dad, Hi Dave, Hi Ricky.”

When Red Skelton was drafted in March 1944, Ozzie Nelson was prompted to create his own family situation comedy. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet launched October 8, 1944 on CBS, it moved to NBC in October 1948, then made a late-season switch back to CBS in April 1949. The final years of the radio series were on ABC (the former NBC Blue Network) from October 14, 1949 to June 18, 1954.
In total 402 radio episodes were produced. In an arrangement that amplified the growing pains of American broadcasting, as radio "grew up" into television, the Nelsons' deal with ABC gave the network the option to move their program to television. The struggling network needed proven talent that was not about to defect to the more established and wealthier networks like CBS or NBC.

The Nelsons' sons, David and Ricky, did not join the cast until the radio show's fifth year (initially appearing on the February 20, 1949 episode, ages 12 and 8, respectively). The two boys were played by professional actors prior to their joining because both were too young to perform.

➦In 1956...Yankees pitcher Don Larsen throws a perfect game as New York beats Brooklyn Dodgers, 2-0 in Game 5 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium.  Vin Scully with the call..

➦In 1984...Flashback from Radio&Records

➦In 1984....From R&R's Back Page..

➦In 2001...Syndicated talk host Rush Limbaugh announced the was totally deaf in his left ear and had only partial hearing in his right ear. The condition had happened in a three month period. (subsequently his hearing was restored through a revolutionary implant procedure.)

➦In 2010…News Correspondent Frank Bourgholtzer died at the age of 90. Born in New York City, Bourgholtzer attended Indiana University, where he majored in government and minored in economics and journalism. He graduated with a BA in 1940. Bourgholtzer returned to New York after graduation and wrote comic book scripts until joining the Wall Street Journal as a reporter in 1943. He became a Capitol Hill correspondent for the paper in 1945.

Bourgholtzer and President Truman

The following year, Bourgholtzer joined NBC News as the TV news service's first full-time White House correspondent.  From 1947 until 1953, he covered President Truman. During the first live televised tour of the White House, Bourgholtzer convinced the president to play on the piano in the East Room.

From the early 1950s through the 1960s, Bourgholtzer worked overseas for NBC News and served as bureau chief in Paris, Bonn, Vienna, Moscow, and Yemen. In 1969 he joined NBC's Los Angeles bureau, where he stayed until retiring in 1986.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

• Actor Paul Hogan is 81. 
• Singer Fred Cash of The Impressions is 80. 
• Actor-comedian Chevy Chase is 77. 
• Author R.L. Stine (“Goosebumps”) is 77. 
• Country singer Susan Raye is 76. 
• TV personality Sarah Purcell (“Real People”) is 72. 
• Singer Airrion Love of The Stylistics is 71. 
• Actor Sigourney Weaver is 71. 
• Singer Robert “Kool” Bell of Kool and the Gang is 70. 
• Singer-guitarist Ricky Lee Phelps (Brothers Phelps, Kentucky Headhunters) is 67. 

• 

  Molly Quinn is 27

  Actor Michael Dudikoff is 66. 
• Comedian Darrell Hammond (“Saturday Night Live”) is 65. 
• Actor Stephanie Zimbalist is 64. 
• Actor Kim Wayans (“In The House,” ″In Living Color”) is 59. 
• Singer Steve Perry of Cherry Poppin’ Daddies is 57. 
• Actor Ian Hart (TV’s “Dirt”) is 56. 
• Singer CeCe Winans is 56. 
• Bassist C.J. Ramone of The Ramones is 55. 
• Actor Karyn Parsons (“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”) is 54. 
• Singer Teddy Riley is 54. 
• Actor Emily Procter (“CSI: Miami”) is 52. 
• Actor Dylan Neal (“Blood Ties,” ″Sabrina, The Teenage Witch”) is 51. 
• Actor-screenwriter Matt Damon is 50. 
• Actor Martin Henderson (“Grey’s Anatomy”) is 46. 
• Singer Byron Reeder of Mista is 41. 
• Singer Noelle Scaggs of Fitz and the Tantrums is 41. 
• Actor Nick Cannon is 40. 
• Actor J.R. Ramirez (TV’s “Manifest”) is 40. 
• Singer-songwriter Bruno Mars is 35. 
• Actor Angus T. Jones (“Two and a Half Men”) is 27. 
• Actor Molly Quinn (“Castle”) is 27. 
• Actor Bella Thorne (TV’s “Shake It Up,” film “Midnight Sun”) is 23.

Howard: No Deal Yet With SiriusXM, But I Like What I Hear

Satellite-radio star Howard Stern told listeners Wednesday morning that he isn’t yet close to a new contract with Sirius XM Holdings Inc., but he said the reported figures he’s heard sounded good to him, reports Bloomberg.

Stern is nearing a contract renewal that would boost his pay to US$120 million a year, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because talks are ongoing.

“I have seen no contract, I have heard nothing about this money,” Stern said on his SiriusXM show. He added, “I’m ready to take that deal if I can get it -- it sounded awesome.” Stern’s previous five-year contracts have paid him US$80 million to US$100 million a year.

Sirius shares were volatile in premarket trading Wednesday and gained after the open, rising as much as 5.9 per cent to US$5.89.

Stern said he called his agent upon hearing reports of his potential new contract and “we were both kind of baffled by it.”

“I am telling you with my hand over my heart, I don’t have anywhere near a deal,” Stern said.

However, laughing with co-host Robin Quivers, Stern added, “I’m telling Sirius now, whatever I read, I want. I’ll take that, right now. I’m a bad negotiator. I’m like, ‘OK, I’ll take it, I’m in, let’s do it.’”

Before moving on to talk about the late guitarist Eddie Van Halen, Stern said, “We’ll see what happens. There’s talks all over the place going on, that’s all I’ll tell you.”

The Rundown: Recovering Trump Stops Pandemic Relief

President Trump was continuing to improve in his Covid-19 recovery on Tuesday, his first full day back at the White House from Walter Reed Medical Center, with his physician, Dr. Sean Conley, saying in a letter than Trump had a "restful" night Monday and, quote, "reports no symptoms."

As he recovered, Trump was back to sending out a stream of tweets, including one in which he said he was stopping ongoing negotiations between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on a new coronavirus relief package and said there'd be no action on aid legislation before the election. That announcement came not long after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said such relief was essential for the economic recovery, and Trump's announcement caused stocks to immediately plunge. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden blasted Trump, saying in a statement, "Make no mistake: if you are out of work, if your business is closed, if your child’s school is shut down, if you are seeing layoffs in your community, Donald Trump decided today that none of that -- none of it -- matters to him." Trump appeared to pull back a few hours later, tweeting that he'd sign legislation sending another $1,200 stimulus check to Americans, as well as $25 billion for airlines and $135 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses. Pelosi has been opposed to passing piecemeal items instead of a comprehensive aid package.

 

Tucker: Mainstream media enraged by Trump's positive COVID message | https://t.co/vZ9irgDME7

— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) October 7, 2020

Meanwhile, the White House cluster of coronavirus cases continued to expand, with Stephen Miller, a top Trump policy adviser and speechwriter, testing positive. Additionally, the nation's top military leaders including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, and the vice chairman, General John Hyten, were in quarantine after being exposed to Admiral Charles W. Ray, the vice commandant of the Coast Guard, who tested positive on Monday. 

Newsday 10/7/2020

➤VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE TONIGHT BETWEEN PENCE AND HARRIS: The lone vice presidential debate will be held tonight in Salt Lake City, Utah, between Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic nominee Senator Kamala Harris. Pence and Harris will be 12.25 feet apart on stage and separated by plexiglass barriers as protection against the spread of the coronavirus, and all audience members will be required to wear a mask. There have been questions about whether Pence should participate because of his exposure to President Trump and others who've tested positive, but he's repeatedly tested negative and his staff and doctors say he doesn't need to quarantine, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

➤FDA PUBLISHES VACCINE GUIDELINES DESPITE WHITE HOUSE EFFORTS TO BLOCK: The Food and Drug Administration released updated safety guidelines for coronavirus vaccine candidates yesterday despite efforts by the White House to block them. Doing so clears the way for requirements that are expected to prevent any vaccine being approved before Election Day. The new guidelines that the FDA posted on its website advise vaccine makers that trial participants should be followed for at least two months to make sure the vaccine is safe and effective before seeking emergency approval. 

Weather.com graphic

➤HURRICANE DELTA HEADED FOR MEXICO LANDFALL, THEN WILL TARGET U.S.: After rapidly intensifying on Tuesday Hurricane Delta is heading for a landfall on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula south of Cancun this morning as a dangerous Category 3 storm with winds of 120 miles per hour. Delta is then expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico, where it will re-strengthen and take aim at the U.S. Gulf Coast, with Louisiana in its sights for a late Friday or early Saturday landfall.

➤REPORT: WHITE SUPREMACISTS BIGGEST DOMESTIC TERROR THREAT: The Department of Homeland Security's first annual homeland threat assessment says that white supremacist extremists are the deadliest domestic terror threat to the U.S. The report said white supremacists have since 2018 conducted more deadly attacks in the U.S. than any other domestic extremist movement, targeting racial and religious minorities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, politicians and those they believe promote multi-culturalism and globalization. The report also speaks out the exploitation of nationwide protests what it calls anti-government and anarchist groups. It says a significant increase in violence against law enforcement and government symbols in 2020 has been in part linked to an influence of anarchist ideology.

➤TEXAS POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH MURDER IN SHOOTING OF BLACK MAN: A 22-year-old white police officer has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Jonathan Price, a 31-year-old Black man, at a convenience stores in the town of Wolfe City, Texas, Saturday night after a reported disturbance. The Texas Rangers said in a statement that Price was walking away from Officer Shaun Lucas when Lucas opened fire, killing him. Lucas' attorney stated that his client fired, quote, "when he was confronted with an aggressive assailant who was attempting to take his" stun gun. The Rangers' statement said Lucas responded to a disturbance call following a report of a possible fight. He encountered Price, who was reportedly involved in the disturbance, and who, quote, "resisted in a non-threatening posture and began walking away." Lucas used a stun gun before fatally shooting Price. Officials haven't released details about the disturbance, but AP cited family and friends of Price as saying he was intervening in a domestic disturbance.

🏀LAKERS BEAT HEAT 102-96 TO TAKE 3-1 NBA FINALS LEAD: The L.A. Lakers beat the Miami Heat 102-96 last night to take a 3 games to 1 NBA Finals lead, putting them one win away from a 17th NBA championship. LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points and Anthony Davis had 22 points, including a key three-pointer with 39.5 seconds left. The Heat's Jimmy Butler had 22 points and Tyler Herro had 21. Game 5 will be played Friday night. [Look in "Last Night's TV" audio for sound from the game.]

A huge inning for the @Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/4FBZ4wqg2N

— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2020

⚾MLB PLAYOFFS: Results from Division Series yesterday:

• Houston Astros 5, Oakland A's 2 -- Houston leads series 2 games to (AL)
• Atlanta Braves 9, Miami Marlins 5 -- Atlanta leads series 1 game to 0 (NL)
• Tampa Bay Rays 7, New York Yankees 5 -- Series tied at 1-1 (AL)
• L.A. Dodgers 5, San Diego Padres 1 -- L.A. leads 1 game to 0 (NL)

🏀STORM WIN WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 92-59 WIN TO SWEEP ACES: The Seattle Storm beat the Las Vegas Aces 92-59 last night to complete a three-game sweep for the WNBA championship, the Storm's second in three years and fourth in franchise history. Breanna Stewart, who scored 26 points, won the WNBA Finals MVP, the second time the 26-year-old has won it in her career.

🎾NADAL WINS, THIEM, SVITOLINA UPSET IN FRENCH OPEN QUARTERFINALS: Second-seeded Rafael Nadal of Spain won his quarterfinal match at the French Open Tuesday, beating unseeded Jannik Sinner of Italy in straight sets. Third-seeded Dominic Thiem of Austria was upset in the other men's quarterfinal, falling to Number 12 Diego Schwartzman of Argentina in a five-set loss. In the day's two women's quarterfinals, third-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine was upset by unseeded Nadia Podoroska of Argentina in straight sets, and Poland's Iga Swiatek defeated Italian Martina Trevisan, both of them unseeded, also in a straight-set loss.

🏒NHL LOOKING TO START NEXT SEASON ON JANUARY 1ST: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said last night that the league is aiming to start the new season on January 1st. That could potentially mean kicking off the season with the annual Winter Classic that's played on New Year's Day. Bettman has said the NHL hopes each team will be able to play a full 82-game schedule. Last season, which was shut down for months because of the pandemic, just ended on September 28th when the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup championship over the Dallas Stars.

TV Ratings: Network Viewing Tanks

The surest sign of how the coronavirus shutdown has devastated the television industry is the fourth-place finish of CBS in what was nominally the first week of a new fall season.

The Associated Press reports the network’s viewership was down a whopping 61% from the premiere week last year according to Nielsen.

CBS has essentially been America’s favorite television network for two decades. But that success was built primarily on its scripted dramas and comedies, particularly crime procedurals like “NCIS.” The shutdown in TV production because of the pandemic means CBS is struggling to cobble together a competitive schedule each week.

ABC, NBC and Fox were all down from last year, too. But between pro football and the return of some popular unscripted shows like “The Masked Singer” and “Dancing With the Stars,” they weren’t hurt as much as CBS. Fox’s animated series, including the ageless “The Simpsons,” are also back.

Overall television viewing was down 13% compared to the same week last year, with the decline more pronounced among younger viewers, Nielsen said.

Technically, CBS was actually the fifth-place network last week, with Fox News Channel reaching more viewers in prime time. Fox News recorded an important milestone as the first cable network to beat all of the broadcast networks in viewership over a three-month period, Nielsen said. That’s testament to the popularity of Fox’s political programming and the summer cupboard being barren for the broadcasters.

NBC led the season-opening week, averaging 5.5 million viewers in prime time. Fox had 3.9 million, ABC had 3.8 million, CBS had 2.7 million, Univision had 1.14 million, Ion Television had 1.11 million, Telemundo had 1 million and the CW had 570,000.

Fox News Channel dominated the cable networks, averaging 3.73 million. ESPN had 2.91 million, MSNBC had 1.9 million, TNT had 1.82 million and CNN had 1.2 million.

Nielsen has also begun releasing a list of the top shows on streaming services, based on the total number of minutes watched, although the timing lags behind the TV ratings. For the last week of August, Nielsen said Netflix’s “Lucifer” was the most popular streamed show, with 2 million minutes watched, followed by “Cobra Kai” and reruns of “The Office.”

👉Top 20 Prime-Time TV Shows (Total Viewers):

1. NFL Football: Green Bay at New Orleans, NBC, 17.8 million.

2. NFL Football: New Orleans at Las Vegas, ABC and ESPN, 15.96 million.

3. “NFL Post-Game,” Fox 14.44 million.

4. “NFL Pre-Kick,” NBC, 12.07 million.

5. “60 Minutes,” CBS, 7.56 million.

6. “Football Night in America, Part 3,” NBC, 6.7 million.

7. “America’s Got Talent” (Wednesday, 9 p.m.), NBC, 6.57 million.

8. “America’s Got Talent” (Tuesday), NBC, 6.16 million.

9. “Dancing With the Stars,” ABC, 6.1 million.

10. “The Masked Singer,” Fox, 5.92 million.

11. “Monday Night Kickoff,” ABC, 5.62 million.

12. “America’s Got Talent” (Wednesday, 8 p.m.), NBC, 5.48 million.

13. NFL Football: Miami at Jacksonville, NFL Network, 5.43 million.

14. “Celebrity Family Feud,” ABC, 5.27 million.

15. NBA Playoffs: Denver vs. L.A. Lakers (Tuesday), TNT, 4.89 million.

16. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Wednesday), Fox News, 4.87 million.

17. NBA Playoffs: Denver vs. L.A. Lakers (Saturday), TNT, 4.79 million.

18. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Monday), Fox News, 4.76 million.

19. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Thursday), Fox News, 4.75 million.

20. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Tuesday), Fox News, 4.74 million.

👉Week of Sept. 28 Cable TV Ranker (Total Viewers):

ABC’s “World News Tonight” won the evening news ratings race, averaging 8.4 million viewers for the week. NBC’s “Nightly News” had 7 million and the “CBS Evening News” had 5.1 million.