The NHL Los Angeles Kings and iHeartMedia Los Angeles have announced that as part of a new and innovative digital partnership, all Kings games – including preseason, regular season and postseason contests – will now stream live on the new official LA Kings Audio Network, a custom station available on iHeartRadio.
Coverage on iHeartRadio will also include the broadcast’s 30-minute pregame show. Additionally, iHeartRadio will feature Kings Talk, the club’s popular call-in radio show, which will stream live after most regular season and postseason home games inside the Impact Sports Bar & Grill inside STAPLES Center.
The LA Kings Audio Network will also be the only place to hear the additional online Kings content plus replays of each game, and as part of the agreement, iHeartRadio will feature exclusive Kings audio content for listeners.
Said Kings President and Hockey Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille: “Our streams will continue to not only serve our fans in a traditional sense but the LA Kings Audio Network will also feature additional content that our fans will enjoy listening to. With iHeartRadio’s incredible audience reach, this is indeed a special day in the broadcast history of our hockey club. We are looking forward to all the new opportunities iHeartMedia helps to provide and we look forward to working closely with our new partners who not only share our vision but will play a key role in implementing our vision.”
“We are also very excited to get back in to the audio game with the LA Kings and establishing the LA Kings Audio Network on iHeartRadio is the first step,” said Don Martin, Senior Vice President of Sports for iHeartMedia Los Angeles. “Kings fans will now be able to get content including the live game stream, repeats of the games, interviews, podcasts and other exclusive content on iHeartRadio. It’s as easy as downloading the free iHeartRadio app today!”
Calling the action for Kings games on the LA Kings Audio Network will be Kings Radio Play-by-Play Announcer Nick Nickson, who this year is in his 38th season calling Kings games, and Kings Radio Analyst Daryl Evans, now in his 20th season in that role.
In addition to today’s announcement with iHeartMedia, the Kings have extended their relationship with Skyview Networks to remain the official audio solutions partner of the Kings. The Kings will utilize Skyview Networks’ popular AdView software to manage and control all advertising as part of each club broadcast. AdView is a powerful application developed specifically for play-by-play sports inventory management.
After an extremely successful inaugural year, Hubbard Radio St. Louis - owner and operator of WXOS 101 ESPN has announce the return of Buds & Bourbon, presented by American Standard, on Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 6pm – 9pm. The event will be hosted at RYSE Nightclub at AMERISTAR Casino Resort Spa in St. Charles, Missouri.
Supported by Heaven Hill and Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, attendees will have the opportunity to sample the finest bourbons from distilleries such as McKenna Henry, Rittenhouse Rye, Bernheim, and more.
The event will also feature heavy hor d’ourves, LIVE music from The Tommy Halloran Trio, a variety of interactive experiences, and will be hosted by the sports talent of 101 ESPN.
New in 2018 - attendees can purchase a “Higher Standard” ticket for $50, which includes early access to the event and a special bourbon tasting, courtesy of Heaven Hill.
Tickets are available for $35. All-inclusive tickets include access to bourbon samples, a complimentary cigar, and commemorative glass. All attendees must be 21 or older.
Entercom has announced a partnership with former White House Director of Communications Anthony Scaramucci and his wife, Deidre. As part of the agreement, Radio.com, the exclusive digital home for all Entercom content across the company’s robust portfolio of 235 radio stations, will launch “Mooch and the Mrs.” Exclusive first access to the podcast will be available to listeners nationwide on the Radio.com app.
The new weekly podcast, available at radio.com/moochandthemrs, will feature the couple discussing the world we live in from opposite sides of the political spectrum, while offering an intimate look into the strength of their marriage.
“Anthony Scaramucci’s first-hand political experience from his time in the White House, combined with his and Deidre’s unique points of view, will provide Radio.com listeners with a compelling podcast experience,” said Pam Russo, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Entercom. “We’re committed to providing a forum for diverse points of view and look forward to hearing Anthony’s and Deidre’s differing perspectives on the political landscape, through the unique lens of their personal relationship.”
“Radio.com provides a broad national platform for a wide range of conversations about American politics and American life,” said Scaramucci. “My first-hand experience and insights about the president, the White House and what happens inside gives added context to what we hope will be an engaging review of the events of the week.”
Anthony Scaramucci is a frequent commentator on current events. He and Deidre have previous on-air experience together, having joined programming on KNX 1070 News Radio (KNX-AM) in Los Angeles. Based on feedback and interest in these appearances, it’s clear that there is an appetite for a candid and refreshing look inside how this couple manages differing perspectives within their relationship.
PromoSuite and SoCast have announced a new integration that drastically improves the speed and accuracy of website and app updates for on-air contesting, contest rules, storm closing information, and event listings. With this new integration, information entered into PromoSuite Next -- PromoSuite’s cloud-based promotions management system -- is instantly and automatically updated on radio station websites and apps within SoCast’s digital platform.
“Our mission at SoCast is to make every aspect of digital easy and profitable for radio broadcasters,” said Elliott Hurst, CEO of SoCast.
“PromoSuite is the leader in radio promotions tools, and we’re excited about bringing the integration of our web and mobile platforms to their widely used promotions management system. We feel a natural camaraderie with Rocco and his team and look forward to future technical integrations and new developments down the road.”
“Promotions Directors are among the most overworked people in radio,” noted Rocco Macri, CEO of PromoSuite.
“As a former Marketing Director myself, I know that the to-do list is never-ending and things like updating digital content can often get pushed to the side. SoCast understands what radio needs and their digital platforms are built specifically for radio, making them the perfect partner for PromoSuite. Now, with this advanced integration our of two systems, station staff can enter content in just one place—PromoSuite Next—and have it automatically updated on two additional digital platforms—web and mobile!”
This new integration is live now on SoCast’s platform and free for any radio stations using both PromoSuite Next and SoCast. For more information about setting up this integration or signing up for either system, contact Rachel Field from PromoSuite at 212-509-1200 x205 or Eric Eisen from SoCast at 416-635-6678 x223.
Carrie Underwood last week performed at the WNSH NASH FM 94.7 "Up Close and Country" live event at the Opry City Stage in Times Square. The private launch event for Underwood's new album, Cry Pretty, was broadcast on all 82 of Cumulus Media's NASH Country radio stations across the U.S.
Pictured are, left to right:
John Foxx, Program Director, NASH FM 94.7 New York
Chris Schuler, Director, Promotion and Radio Marketing, Universal Music Group, Nashville
Annie Sandor, Director Northeast Promotions, Capitol Records Nashville
Mike Allan, Assistant Program Director, NASH FM 94.7 New York
Carrie Underwood
Charlie Cook, VP/Country Format, Cumulus Media
Katie Neal, Midday Host, NASH FM 94.7 New York
Bobby Young, VP, Promotion, Universal Music Group
➦In 1921..WBZ radio, which now broadcasts at 1030 kHz AM and is the oldest surviving commercial radio station in New England, began broadcasting from Springfield, MA.
The station has long been one of the highest-rated stations in the Boston area, and covers much of the eastern United States and Canada at night with its 50,000-watt clear-channel signal from its transmitter location in Hull, Massachusetts, which has been used by the station since 1940. The transmitter is a two tower directional array where each tower is 160 meters (520 ft) tall. The signal is intentionally directionalized from their coastal location for maximum power transmitted into the continental United States, giving WBZ outstanding multi-state coverage after sunset.
WBZ's initial license, for operation in Springfield, was issued by the Department of Commerce to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company on September 15, 1921; it was the first license to specify broadcasts on 360 meters (833 kilohertz), and was subsequently deemed to be the first license for a commercial broadcast station. However, other stations, such as WWJ in Detroit, 1XE/WGI in Medford Hillside, and sister station KDKA in Pittsburgh, were already broadcasting under different license classifications.
Original Studio on Page Blvd.
The station's original transmitter and studios were located at the Westinghouse factory on Page Boulevard in East Springfield. However, WBZ's inaugural program, on September 19, 1921, was a remote broadcast from the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.
The original format was general entertainment and information, which included live music (often classical music and opera), sports, farm reports, special events, and public affairs programming. Despite WBZ being housed in Springfield, it somewhat difficult to attract top-flight artists to the station, leading Westinghouse to open a studio at the Hotel Brunswick in Boston on February 24, 1924. WBZ also expanded its news programming via a partnership with the Boston Herald and Traveler. It also carried a considerable amount of sports broadcasts, including Boston Bruins hockey, Boston Braves baseball, and Harvard Crimson football.
Circa 1932
Because of its comparatively wide reach, the station often referred to itself as "WBZ, New England" as opposed to associating itself solely with Springfield or Boston. However, even after several power boosts (the station broadcast at a power of 100 watts in 1921, but was using 2,000 watts in April 1925, the station still had some trouble reaching Boston, leading Westinghouse to sign on WBZA, a 250-watt station at 1240 kHz, on August 20, 1925. Efforts were soon made to operate WBZA as a synchronous repeater of WBZ, by then at 900 kHz; this process was difficult, as the two transmitters often interfered with each other even in Boston, and WBZA went back and forth between the two frequencies for nearly a year before finally going to full-time synchronous operation in June 1926.
WBZ also continued to boost the power of its primary East Springfield transmitter; it was granted permission to operate with 5,000 watts on March 31, 1926, and by 1927 it was operating with 15,000 watts. Meanwhile, a combination of WBZ's growth and continued difficulties with the WBZA signal led the station to move its Boston studio to the Statler Hotel (now the Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers) on June 1, 1927 and activate a new WBZA transmitter on June 9. The Federal Radio Commission (FRC) moved WBZ and WBZA to 990 kHz on November 11, 1928.
Amidst the technical changes, WBZ also began engaging in network activities. By 1925, it often shared programs with WJZ in New York City (which Westinghouse had also started in 1921, but sold to the Radio Corporation of America two years later), and a WBZ special commemorating the 150th anniversary of Paul Revere's "Midnight Ride" was also fed to WRC in Washington, D.C. and WGY in Schenectady, New York. This paved the way for the station to become a charter affiliate of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) on November 15, 1926, carrying the WJZ-originated NBC Blue Network beginning on January 1, 1927.
➦In 1932...the soap opera “Just Plain Bill” was first heard as an early evening quarter-hour on a regional CBS network from Chicago.
It was “The real life story of people just like people we all know.” Stories centred around the town barber (just plain) Bill Davidson and his daughter, Nancy, who lived in (just plain) Hartville. The broadcast moved to New York at the end of the year, and to NBC daytime in 1935, where it continued daily for another 20 years.
➦In 1955...Bill Cullen starts at WRCA 660 AM.
Bill Cullen
Cullen's broadcasting career began in Pittsburgh at WWSW radio, where he worked as a disc jockey and play-by-play announcer or color commentator for Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Hornets games. In 1943, Cullen left WWSW to briefly work at rival station KDKA before leaving Pittsburgh a year later to try his luck in New York. A week after arriving in New York he was hired as a staff announcer at CBS. To supplement his then-meager income, he became a freelance joke writer for some of the top radio stars of the day including Arthur Godfrey, Danny Kaye, and Jack Benny; he also worked as a staff writer for the Easy Aces radio show.
His first venture into game shows was in 1945 when he was hired as announcer for a radio quiz called Give And Take. Between 1946 and 1953 he also worked as announcer for various other local and network shows, including the radio version of Mark Goodson and Bill Todman's first game show, Winner Take All, hosted by Ward Wilson; Cullen took over as host four months later when Wilson left.
After a brief stint at WNEW in 1951 he later hosted a popular morning show at WRCA radio from 1955 to 1961. His last regular radio job was as one of the hosts of NBC Radio's Monitor from 1971 to 1973.
➦In 1970...Ed Baer does last show at WMCA 570 AM NYC.
Aircheck from 1964 (note: Video Slate in incorrect..the year is 1964)
In Audio Monitor US 2018, a joint study on music habits in the US, Music Biz and AudienceNet have found most Americans still listen to more music on the radio. Both organizations surveyed 3,000 consumers in the US aged 16 and above.
On average, Americans spend 151 minutes each day listening to music, reports Digital Music News. Breaking down total music listening share by medium, broadcast radio had a 31% share, down 3% over last year. On-demand streaming made up 27%, up just 1% from 2017. Downloaded music had a 10% total listening share, down 3% over last year, but down only 2% over 2016.
‘Other internet radio’ (Pandora, etc) had a 12% share, up 2% over the past 2 years. Satellite radio had a 7% total listening share, up 1% over the past 2 years. And, a growing number of Americans (5%) now spent more time streaming AM/FM radio stations online, up 2% over last year.
On average, older audiences spent the majority of their time listening to music on the radio.
Broadcast radio had the largest share among those aged 45-54 (42%), 55-64 (45%), and 65 and up (45%). Radio had a significantly lower share among younger people – 30% among 35-44 year olds, and a 27% share among 25-34 year olds.
In a warning sign for the medium, just 12% of groups aged 16-19 and 20-24 reported listening to music on the radio.
Unsurprisingly, on-demand streaming music had the lowest amount of listening time among older age groups.
Just 8% of people aged 65 and older spent time streaming music. That number rose to 11% among those aged 55-64, and 15% among 45-54 year olds. 24% of 35-44 year olds spent time listening to on-demand streaming music platforms.
Music Biz and AudienceNet also found on-demand streaming music has become the new standard among younger generations.
33% of 25-34 year olds listened to streaming music platforms. Among 20-24 year olds, on-demand streaming music had a 49% share. And, a whopping 60% of 16-19 year olds dedicated the majority of their listening time to on-demand streaming.
So, where do people enjoy streaming music from?
Unsurprisingly, with a 38% share, YouTube emerged as the preferred on-demand streaming platform. Spotify came in second with 28%. Apple Music and Amazon Prime Music had a 9% and 10% average share, respectively.
Among those aged 65 and over that listened to on-demand streaming, 40% used YouTube. Spotify had a 13% share. Amazingly, a whopping 24% reported using Amazon Prime Music. Only 5% used Apple Music. Amazon Music Unlimited and Google Play Music had a 4% and 2% share, respectively. Other net platforms – SoundCloud, Deezer, TIDAL, Napster – had an 11% share.
Interestingly, among younger audiences aged 16-24, at 38%, YouTube tied with Spotify as the preferred on-demand listening.
U-S Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tennessee) believes the Music Modernization Act is on the brink of clearing the Senate and heading to President Donald Trump's desk to be signed into law.
According to The Tennessean, the act would be the first major overhaul of the nation's music copyright laws in two decades. Its advocates say the legislation would improve paydays for songwriters by creating a new, more favorable standard for how digital royalty rates are set for services like Spotify and Apple Music.
The bill also creates a new licensing organization that would be in charge of identifying copyright holders and paying them the royalties they're due.
Sen. Lamar Alexander
The Music Modernization Act was set to enter the Senate's informal "hotline" process, which allows noncontroversial bills to pass with a simple voice vote, possibly as early as this week.
Representing a state with a heavy music industry presence, Alexander said the bill will be a boost for working songwriters at all levels of their careers.
“We are on the brink of the Senate passing the most significant legislation in a generation that will help make sure songwriters get paid for their work and even more important, get paid a fair market value,” Alexander said. “We have 74 cosponsors working carefully with all the voices we’ve heard who had concerns, because we want a result that lasts for a long time and has stability.
“It was a big help to have the National Association of Broadcasters issue their statement of support. Virtually everyone is on board, and now it’s a matter of finding time on the Senate floor to approve the bill, send it back to the House of Representatives and then back to the president.”
Alexander, R-Tennessee, said he hasn't spoken to President Donald Trump about the legislation, but added "I can't imagine the president not signing it with a lot of enthusiasm particularly given the broad base of support."
The legislation is backed by music publishers, songwriters, record labels, broader music industry groups like the Recording Academy, the streaming services, broadcasters and the performance rights organizations.
One outlying opponent has been SiriusXM, which may see its royalty rates increase as a result of the legislation. Alexander said he believes it is too late to make any changes to the bill.
In a letter published by Variety on Monday, some 150 artists and executives, including Paul McCartney, Don Henley, Carole King, Katy Perry, Pink, Sia and hitmaker Max Martin, threatened to boycott Liberty Media, corporate parent to SiriusXM, over its opposition to the Music Modernization Act, which is thisclose to passing in the Senate.
Specifically: SiriusXM has raised objections to portions of the bill, which aims to protect recordings released before 1972 from falling out of copyright protection, including the exclusion of terrestrial radio from mandatory payouts to rights holders.
SiriusXM’s response to the letter follows in full below:
Over the past several weeks, we have been the subject of some stinging attacks from the music community and artists regarding our views on the Music Modernization Act. Contrary to new reports and letters, this is really not about a SiriusXM victory, but implementing some simple, reasonable and straightforward amendments to MMA. There is nothing in our “asks” that gut the MMA or kills the Act. So let’s talk about the substance of the amendments we propose, because we truly do not understand the objections or why these concepts have incited such a holy war.
Contrary to the accusations, SiriusXM has proposed three simple amendments to the MMA. First, SiriusXM has asked that the CLASSICS Act recognize that it has already licensed all of the pre-1972 works it uses. This amendment would ensure that artists – the people who are supposed to be at the heart of the MMA – receive 50% of the monies under those existing licenses. Is that unfair? Just today, Neil Diamond wrote in the LA Times that: “I receive a small amount of songwriting royalties, but no royalties as the recording artist.” How can that happen? To date, SiriusXM has paid nearly $250 million dollars in pre-‘72 royalties to the record labels. We want to make sure that a fair share of the monies we have paid, and will pay, under these licenses gets to performers. Without this provision, artists may never see any of the money SiriusXM paid, and will pay, for the use of pre-1972 works. Artists not getting paid hurts our business! Second, Sirius XM thinks that the fair standard to use in rate setting proceedings is the standard that Congress chose in 1995 and confirmed again in 1998 – which is called the 801(b) standard. However, we are willing to move the “willing buyer/willing seller” standard contained in the MMA. In exchange, we have asked for the same concession that the MMA grants to other digital music services, but we were left out of — simply that the rates that were set last year for five years now apply for ten years. We thought this was a fair compromise when we read the “new” MMA that was released this weekend by the Senate, and are willing to live by that compromise. Third, SiriusXM is asking the simple question: “Why are we changing the rate court evidence standard for musical compositions in this legislation so that it gives another advantage to broadcasters over satellite radio and streaming services?” There is no policy rationale for this change to tilt the playing field further in their favor, and frankly no one has been able to explain it to us. It is only fair that we debate why the change to Section 114(i) is in the MMA. So that is the sum total of our changes. There is nothing hidden or underhanded in our views. We have offered these simple amendments on a one-pager. We are prepared to work with the NMPA and RIAA to adopt these amendments, pass the MMA, and move the music industry forward.
On Monday, some 150 artists and executives, including Paul McCartney, Don Henley, Carole King, Katy Perry, Pink, Sia and hitmaker Max Martin, signed a letter addressed to the board members of Liberty Media, corporate parent to SiriusXM. At issue: The satellite radio giant’s opposition to Music Modernization Act, which is thisclose to passing in the Senate. Specifically: SiriusXM has raised objections to portions of the bill, which aims to protect recordings released before 1972 from falling out of copyright protection, including the exclusion of terrestrial radio from mandatory payouts to rights holders.
iHeartMedia/Raleigh has announced that Joe Johnson has been named Program Director and Afternoon Drive On-Air Personality for Classic Rock WRDU 100.7 FM, effective September 24.
As Program Director, Johnson will work closely with on-air personalities and the sales team to oversee on-air, digital and music programming integrations for the radio station and their local events. Listeners will also hear Johnson weekday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the station.
He will report to Chris Edge, Area Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Raleigh and Greensboro Markets.
“Joe’s knowledge of the format and understanding of the rock lifestyle made him a great choice,” said Edge. “I’m looking forward to having Joe work with our morning show Woody and Wilcox and lead WRDU programming for many years to come.”
Johnson joins iHeartMedia Raleigh from WROV Roanoke-Lynchburg where he most recently served as the Program Director and Afternoon Drive On-Air Personality for the past seven years. He began his career at WXTB-FM and is a graduate of the University of Florida.
WRDU 100.7 FM (100 Kw) Red=Locak 60dBu Coverage Area
“I’m excited to join the iHeartMedia Raleigh team and work with one of America’s most iconic rock radio stations, WRDU,” said Johnson. “I feel a strong connection to the station and I’m thrilled to interact with the WRDU listeners and contribute to the station’s ongoing success.”
iHeartMedia has announced that Vladimir “DJ Loui Vee” Scott has been named Program Director for WZRL REAL 98.3, The Nap’s Number 1 Hip Hop N’ R&B, and WTFX REAL 93.1, The Beat of Louisville.
As Program Director, Vladimir will be responsible for overseeing programming and promotions for WZRL and WTFX. He will report to Mike Killabrew, Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Indianapolis.
“Vladimir possesses the creativity, passion, and leadership we look for in programmers,” said Killabrew. “His direction and attention to detail will take WZRL and WTFX to the next level.”
Scott joins the Indianapolis Market from iHeartMedia Columbia, South Carolina, where he most recently served as Assistant Program Director. He is a graduate of South Carolina State University.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to grow and win in Indianapolis and Louisville,” said Scott. “I’m looking forward to working with the WZRL and WTFX teams and contributing to each station ongoing success.”
After playing Free’s “All Right Now” in a constant loop for months, a new Fort Smith radio station, K270BR The River 101.9 FM (via KISR 97.3 FM-HD3), has started airing a Classi Rock Format.
The River 101.9, has played Free’s 1970 Rock Classic “All Right Now”, over 70,000 times to draw attention to the station’s new format.
The River 101.9 is the newest addition to the group of stations owned by long-time area broadcaster Fred Baker, which includes: contemporary hits radio KISR 93.7 Fort Smith-96.1 Fayetteville, on the FM band since 1971, which originally played these classic rock tunes when they were topping the charts; La Raza 92.3, Fort Smith’s first and only Spanish-language FM station; Hog Country 93.1, featuring the newest in country music; The Rooster 105.5, playing the very best in classic country and western music, launched just over a month ago.
The River 101.9 will feature all the great classic rock hits from that era, plus deep album cuts. The playlist is described by program director Rick Hayes as “deep and wide”, just like the river. The station will also feature very limited commercial interruptions, playing far less commercials than most area stations.
K270BR 101.9 FM (250 watts) Red=Local 60dBu Coverage Area
The River 101.9’s library boasts thousands of classic rock songs, far more than other stations, and in uncompressed extra-high-fidelity digital audio. The River 101.9 will have state of the art equipment, with its programming delivered to the transmitters digitally via a dedicated laser fiber optic link.
Baker thanked the station’s staff, whom he called a great team of dedicated professionals, for all their hard work in building and preparing the station. Baker says he wants to thank the community for its nearly fifty years of support by bringing several unique new stations to Fort Smith, of which the River will be the second. Asked about others, he responded, “Keep listening!”
The next step in the Mets’ radio game is deciding who will be sitting next to Howie Rose in the WCBS 880 AM booth and who will be doing the pre- and postgame.
For the No. 2 play-by-play position, it will likely come down to the incumbent, Josh Lewin, and the current host, Wayne Randazzo.
Josh Lewin
Meanwhile, the most interesting aspect could be the fate of longtime WFAN Mets reporter stalwart Ed Coleman, who, according to The NY Post, has mulled retirement.
Another source said WOR lost money on its five-year deal to broadcast the Mets. CBS is all-in for seven years, which means whatever is decided could have long-term consequences.
Wayne Randazzo
In the booth, Rose, 64, has assumed the mantle as the heir to Bob Murphy, relinquished by Gary Cohen when he went to the more lucrative TV side. In a somewhat quiet way, Rose has become a New York sports broadcasting legend with his iconic, “Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!” radio call to his years with the mostly dreadful Islanders, but, most importantly, his association with the Mets. Rose and CBS’ parent company, Entercom, will have to figure out the financials.
Lewin, 49, has been in the booth since 2012. He was picked by WFAN’s Mark Chernoff. Chernoff, with FAN and CBS both owned by Entercom, is expected to have a big say in what the booth looks like. The Mets will have final approval.
Coleman, 69, could remain a part of WCBS/FAN’s coverage, perhaps on the pre- and/or postgame, depending how the potential Lewin/Randazzo decision shakes out. Coleman also could stay on the beat, especially since his job could become a bit easier with the Mets now being with a sister station to WFAN.
iHeartMedia has announced an expanded role for Alissa Pollack as Executive VP/Global Music Marketing to now include creating music strategies.
She'll now work closely with the company's Brand Managers and National Programming team to oversee and create custom data-focused roadmaps for artists, brands and advertising partners. In addition, Pollack will plan strategic roll-outs with artists, as well as generating opportunities for music's current and next superstars in all formats. Pollack will also retain her current duties and oversight of Mediabase, M-Score, RatetheMusic and BuzzAngle Music.
In addition, Pollack and her team will continue to spearhead artist relations for Premiere Networks' more than 5,000 affiliates, the iHeartRadio Digital and Podcast teams and internationally through iHeartRadio's broadcast partnerships. Her team will also continue to work with iHeartMedia's brand partners to develop targeted music strategies and programs.
As a 24-year veteran of iHeartMedia, Pollack has played a key role in helping iHeartMedia discover and develop new artists early in their career, she has been instrumental in guiding the roll out strategy for top artists ranging from Katy Perry, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, twenty-one pilots, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, to Post Malone, NF, Bazzi, Marshmello, Dua Lipa, and Bebe Rexha.
Beasley Media Group’s WMMR 93.3 FM will receive an official Resolution from Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh and other members of the council in recognition of the station’s 50 years of serving as an outstanding contributor to the Philadelphia and surrounding area community’s way of life.
The ceremony will take place at 10 am on today in The Mayor’s Reception Room at City Hall.
Pierre Robert
WMMR-FM legendary Midday personality Pierre Robert will broadcast the reading of the Resolution live as part of The Preston & Steve Show that morning. The event will kick-off “Alumni Week”, a weeklong celebration featuring former DJs as guest hosts on the air with Pierre throughout the week, including Michael Tearson, Earle Baily, and WMGK-FM Morning Personality John DeBella.
“Alumni Week” will culminate with the station’s 50th Reunion on Saturday, September 22nd, 2018. The event will take place from 5-8pm at The Foundry, located inside The Fillmore Philadelphia.
In addition, the celebration will coincide with a special weekend-long feature on the airwaves highlighting archived DJ audio from the many talented personalities and DJs that worked at the station over the past five decades.
WMMR-FM is regarded by the industry as the longest running rock station in America. The station has continued to expose new artists as well as play a familiar mix of ‘Everything that Rocks’ since its beginning on April 29, 1968, when the very first record played on-air was ‘Flying’ from a new album at that time called Magical Mystery Tour.
The following is a report on the status of communications services in geographic areas impacted by Hurricane Florence as of September 17, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. EDT.
Amazon is doubling down on its Alexa-powered devices, with plans to release at least 8 new voice-controlled hardware devices before the end of the year, CNBC is reporting.
The devices include, among others, a microwave oven, an amplifier, a receiver, a subwoofer, and an in-car gadget, people familiar with the matter said. All of the devices will be Alexa-enabled, meaning they can easily connect to the voice assistant. Some of the devices will also have Alexa built in.
Amazon is expected to reveal some of these devices at an event later this month.
The new devices reflect Amazon's ambition to make its Alexa voice technology ubiquitous by focusing on areas where people spend most of their time — at home and in the car. Alexa was initially considered a geeky experiment at Amazon. Now it is now one of the most popular voice assistants, leading the growth of the burgeoning smart speaker market, which is expected to be worth $30 billion by 2024, according to Global Market Insights.
These products mark Amazon's first move into the home appliances space, putting it in direct competition with companies like Sonos and GE. Sonos already has an amplifier and subwoofer that works with Alexa, while GE has a smart microwave that can be connected to and controlled with Alexa. Garmin also has an Alexa-compatible dash cam that can be used in the car.
The move signifies Amazon's heavy interest in the connected home. The amplifier, for example, can be used as the central audio panel to control multiple speakers that are set up across the home. The microwave can make Alexa a key part of the kitchen.
HBO’s Game of Thrones and Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel were the big winners at the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday.
The evening was hosted by Saturday Night Live head writers and "Weekend Update" co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che. The show kicked off with a star-studded skit led by Kenan Thompson and Kate McKinnon that poked fun at the Academy’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
After much (often humorless) soul-searching on the part of Hollywood, especially at awards shows, the skit—which eventually pulled in a veritable roll call of culturally, physically, racially and sexually diverse Hollywood, including John Legend, Rupaul, Ricky Martin, Kristen Bell and Aidy Bryant—set the show off to a rollicking start.
Che and Jost continued the party, coming out to roast Hollywood’s well-meaning, but often ham-fisted attempts at diversity at all costs, but ultimately concluding that television has truly come a long way in the past 70 years.
Going in, HBO’s Game of Thrones led the pack, raking in 22 nominations, after missing the eligibility window last year. Westworld, another HBO drama, landed 21 nods, as did NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale was hot on their heels with 20, and FX’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story nabbing 18 and FX’s Atlanta earning 16.
Ultimately, Game of Thrones landed the coveted Outstanding Drama Series Emmy, while The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel grabbed the equally sought-after Outstanding Comedy Series Award. FX’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story nabbed Outstanding Limited Series. Claire Foy clinched Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work in The Crownand Matthew Rhys landed Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work inThe Americans.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:
Henry Winkler, 72, gave social media all the feels when he won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in Barry. It was, he noted, his first-ever Emmy, following three previous nominations in the 70s for his role in Happy Days. Winkler closed his brief thank you with a shout-out to his son, Max, and daughter Zoe — yelling triumphantly: “You can go to bed now, daddy won!”
Mrs. Maisel
Amy Sherman Palladino’s trademark fast-paced and eccentric but delightful patter was on display during back-to-back acceptance speeches when she won writing and directing awards for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Merritt Wever gave an awkward but adorable acceptance speech after winning the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for Netflix’s Godless. The visibly flustered star appeared to taken completely by surprise by the honor and after struggling to read from the crumpled up note she was clutching, she thanked the Academy profusely and left the stage, saying she’d thank people in private.
Betty White, 96, saying ‘Oh my goodness’ about 1,000 times as she soaked in and reflected nothing but 100% sunbeams of love from the Academy. Over her career, White has been nominated 24 times and won 8 Emmys.
Regina King’s pure, unadulterated shock and delight at winning an Emmy for her role in Seven Seconds.
Che presented the tongue-in-cheek “Reparation Emmys” to black actors, including Tichina Arnold, Marla Gibbs and John Witherspoon, whom he felt got looked over by a racist Academy.
Glenn Weiss stole the show during his acceptance speech for Outstanding Directing For a Variety Special… and turned the thank you into a proposal. He said: "You wonder why I don't call you my girlfriend? it's because I want to call you my wife." Needless to say, she joined him on stage and accepted.
The 2018 In Memoriam tribute was jam-packed with phenomenal talent this year. "Tonight, we celebrate the lives of some people who have been our very good friends," Tina Fey said as she introduced the segment which honored Anthony Bourdain, Burt Reynolds, Aretha Franklin, John McCain, Hugh Hefner, John McCain and many others.
Claire Foy won Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series and acknowledged “this wasn’t supposed to happen.” Many hoped that Sandra Oh, nominated in the category for her work on Killing Eve, would clinch the award and make her the first woman of Asian descent to win a Best Actress Emmy.
