The billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Times is focusing on reviving the Fourth Estate on the West Coast, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is turning to an unlikely ally, one which he believes will be central to real news engagement: video games.
Soon-Shiong’s NantWorks holding company announced an investment in Daybreak Game Company, which will see Soon-Shiong take a controlling stake in the popular H1Z1 game, a one-player-versus-all predecessor to the breakaway hit Fortnite. The investment will also lead to development of mobile versions of Daybreak games, as well as a “next generation game publishing platform.”
Speaking to The Washington Post, Soon-Shiong said he sees the investment as part of an ambitious strategy to both combat fake news and shore up the Times’s position among young people and sports fans across the nation.
Recognizing that most young people get their news from social networks and other digital sources, Soon-Shiong wants to spread the footprint of his company’s reporting on platforms where this audience already spends its time.
“The most evolved engagement engine is video gaming, Fortnite . . . the Millennials, across Twitch, interconnect and communicate,” said Soon-Shiong.
“We could take an engine like this and find a way to enhance a different form of social network, and games add an element of storytelling,” he said.
Three more longtime employees of "A Prairie Home Companion" have been fired from the radio variety show's successor, "Live from Here," as the staff prepares to enter its third season.
According to St. Pioneer-Press, musical director Richard Dworsky, voice actor Tim Russell and sound effects master Fred Newman — who claim more than six decades of experience on the show between them — won't be around when "Live from Here" returns on Oct. 6.
"I stand in awe and will be forever grateful to these extraordinary gentlemen," said "Live from Here" host Chris Thile in a news release. "Their artistry, individually and collectively, is an essential, immortal part of America's sonic landscape. As we stay curious about what's next, we're mindful of and thankful for all the brilliant people that have helped make this show what it is today."
In July, American Public Media chose not to renew the contract of the show's managing director, Kate Gustafson Sanderson, and eliminated the positions of marketing director (David O'Neill) and technical director (Jason Keillor, son of former "PHC" host Garrison Keillor).
The changes signal a move away from comedy in favor of more music, a direction Thile has discussed since taking over the show two years ago. Last season, a typical show would feature three sketches, down from as many as eight in previous years.
Garrison Keillor retired as "PHC" host in July 2016 and Thile — an accomplished mandolinist and frequent guest — assumed the position that October. Under Thile's watch, the show has attracted some high-profile guests, including Paul Simon, Jack White, Chris Stapleton, David Crosby, Steve Martin, Kacey Musgraves and Randy Newman.
Last November, Minnesota Public Radio severed ties with Garrison Keillor over "allegations of his inappropriate behavior with an individual who worked with him."
A social media firestorm erupted this week with news of the termination of conservative Tallahassee radio personality Greg Marr Jr.
The self-described "unpolished, average Joe" who hosted a three-hour radio show called the "Voice of Freedom Today" weekdays on WVFT Real Talk 93.3, learned he was fired while at the doctor's office. His wife was served the legal papers at their home.
Greg Marr
On Monday afternoon, the station announced on Facebook its decision to "part ways" with Marr, who'd been employed by Magic Broadcasting II since May 2015. As negative comments piled up, the post was deleted.
It's not completely clear why Marr's three-year run at the station ended so abruptly. Station management and Marr declined to offer details on why his contract wasn't renewed.
“I can’t expand on that. I can’t explain why I was relieved without violating my non-disclosure agreement,” Marr told the Tallahassee Democrat. When asked if he saw this coming, Marr said, “I certainly felt like it was a possibility.”
“I have been an advocate for free-market capitalism," he added. "I worked at the pleasure of Magic Broadcasting II. If they or any other employer decides to terminate an at-will employee, I think they should be free to make whatever decision they feel is best for their company.”
In an email to the Democrat, Station Manager Jon Jopling said, "it is always difficult when an era comes to an end."
"Greg Marr is truly beloved by his fans, and I will look back on our time together with nothing but great memories," he said. "While we are sad to see the show come to an end, we are very excited about the upcoming future of Real Talk 93.3. Greg's contract was terminated per the contract terms."
Dickey Betts, the founding Allman Brothers Band guitarist, has been hospitalized following a "freak accident" at his home in Little Sarasota Bay, Florida, on Monday.
According to a statement posted on social media and his website Wednesday, the "Ramblin' Man" singer-songwriter was in his backyard playing with the family dog when he "slipped and cracked his head," which ultimately caused "bleeding from the brain."
The 74-year-old was sedated at an undisclosed local hospital, and brain surgery to relieve swelling has been scheduled for Friday, the statement noted.
Betts' longtime friend and manager, David Spero, added that the star is in "critical but stable condition."
Last month, Betts suffered a “mild stroke” at his Sarasota home and had to cancel upcoming tour dates. A few weeks later, Spero announced Betts was responding “very well to treatment” and on Sept. 14 posted to Betts’ social media pages that, “Dickey Betts is raring to go. His recovery from his minor stroke is ahead of schedule and he has already started playing his guitar again.”
Now, though, Betts’ family, friends and band mates are focusing their attention on Betts regaining his health; with the upcoming November shows obviously being cancelled.
➦In 1921...KDKA in Pittsburgh established the world's first radio newsroom and started one of the first daily radio newscasts in the country, reporting from the city desk of The Pittsburgh Post.
➦In 1930...Longtime NYC Personality Harry Harrison was born in Chicago.
Harrison was a popular radio personality for over 50 years. Harrison is the only DJ to be a WMCA "Good Guy", a WABC "All-American", and on the WCBS-FM line-up when the New York station flipped to the "Jack" format in June 2005.
Harrison worked at WCFL in the early 50s as a summer replacement, yet remained there eight months, substituting for the permanent DJs. In 1954, Harrison became program director at WPEO, Peoria and hosted the morning show as the "Morning Mayor of Peoria." In just six months, Harrison made WPEO the top station.
In 1959, Harrison joined WMCA, New York, as the mid-day "Good Guy." Joe O'Brien (mornings) and Harrison gave WMCA a "one-two punch" for over eight years. In 1965, he recorded the nationally charted holiday narration "May You Always" on Amy Records.
Harrison became popular with his "Housewife Hall of Fame” feature, and participated in the 1966 WMCA Good Guy picnic. Often, he scored the highest ratings on WMCA. WABC program director Rick Sklar took note.
In 1968, when WABC morning man Herb Oscar Anderson left the station, Rick Sklar hired Harrison to replace him. Harrison was followed in the WABC day by Ron Lundy.
Every year, Harrison played seasonal songs, such as his holiday greeting "May You Always” in the winter (the Amy records single of this song made the Billboard Christmas charts in 1965).
Harry with Ron Lundy
Harrison had a number of "trademark" phrases, such as "Morning, Mom", "Every brand new day should be opened like a precious gift", "Stay well, stay happy, stay right here" and "Harry Harrison wishing you the best... because that's exactly what you deserve!” Also, on the last day of every year, Harrison would bring his four children to work with him and at the end of his shift, he would join them in giving listeners New Year's wishes.
Harrison was let go from WABC as the station changed direction in November 1979.
In March 1980, Harrison became the morning personality at WCBS 101.1 FM, playing oldies.
In 1984, with Lundy joining the station, they were once again heard back-to-back. Harrison would interact with Morning Crew engineer Al Vertucci, Phil Pepe, who reported sports, and joke about "wacky weather" and toupee warnings with Irv “Mr. “G” Gikofsky (weather), Mary Jane Royce, and Sue Evans. At 7:20 AM, Harrison opened the "birthday book" and announced listener and celebrity birthdays.
On April 25, 1997 New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani issued a proclamation, naming April 25 "Harry Harrison Day" in honor of the second "Mayor."
On March 19, 2003, after a 44-year career in New York radio, Harrison left WCBS-FM, saying "I am not retiring." His farewell to his loyal radio friends (from 5:30 to 10:00am) was held before a live audience at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City.
Shortly after he left WCBS-FM, Harrison's long-time wife, Patti, who he had always referred to as "Pretty Patti" on the air, died.
Harrison returned to WCBS-FM with a Saturday morning show in 2004. It offered two hours of variety and two hours of Beatles music and memories.
➦In 1953...Jimmy Stewart debuted NBC's radio western, "The Six Shooter".
Circa 1969
In 1969...Frustrated by what he sees as a lack of artistic fulfillment, John Lennon announces privately to the rest of the Beatles that he will be leaving the band.
The announcement, which comes at one of several grueling financial meetings designed to untangle the band's mismanaged assets, comes abruptly and takes everyone by surprise: when Paul announces that the band should go out on tour anonymously, playing small clubs to get back the feel of band unity, Lennon declares "I think you’re daft. I want a divorce."
The band realizes they cannot go on without him, but agrees to delay the announcement until after the release of the Let It Be soundtrack -- an agreement Paul will break. On the same day, ATV (Associated Television) of Britain buys up controlling interest in the Beatles' songwriting catalog.
➦In 1973...The great Jim Croce, who was on the verge of superstardom, died at age 30 when his light plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
➦In 1986...Billboard's Hot 100...Huey Lewis & the News grabbed the #1 spot with "Stuck with You" but Gloria Loring & Carl Anderson were close behind with their song "Friends and Lovers". Lionel Richie fell after peaking at 2 with "Dancing on the Ceiling".
The rest of the Top 10: Run-D.M.C. with their remake of the Aerosmith classic "Walk This Way" (never remake classics...). The rest of the Top 10: Canada's Glass Tiger with "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)", Daryl Hall's solo hit "Dreamtime", Janet Jackson had "When I Think of You" which moved from 14 to 7, Stacey Q and "Two of Hearts", Berlin was down with their former #1 "Take My Breath Away" and Billy Ocean's sixth but next-to-last Top 10 "Love Zone" was #10.
➦In 1997…Bob Hudson, of the radio and recording comedy duo Hudson & Landry, died at age 66.
"Emperor" Bob Hudson (born Robert Howard Holmes on October 7, 1929 in Erie, Pennsylvania) got his start in radio while serving in the United States Air Force in Anchorage, Alaska. He began his civilian career in radio during the mid-fifties first in Erie, Pennsylvania; Cleveland, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; and San Francisco before settling in the Los Angeles area.
He was consistently ranked among the top 10 DJs in Southern California from 1957 until his retirement in 1988. Hudson worked at a variety of LA radio stations, including KFWB, KBLA, KEZY, KFI and KGBS, and came to prominence when he replaced Bob Eubanks as morning man on KRLA in 1963. In 1966, Billboard ranked Hudson #1 in his morning drive time slot.
After Hudson & Landry split up, Hudson continued working in radio, including a stint at WMEX, later WITS, in Boston, until his retirement.
Bill Gable, who entertained audiences at stations across North America for 46-years passed away Tuesday evening. He died suddenly in a Windsor, Ontario hospital from complications of chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder (COPD).
Gable retired in 2014.
He got his start in radio as a teenager in Allentown, Pennsylvania and went on to work in the biggest markets in North America, including Detroit-Windsor at CKLW (The Big 8) in the 1970s. “All the American DJs, who were already in radio, they aspired to work there. To them, that was maybe one of the five best radio jobs in the world that you could get.”
Gable's daughter Lisa posted this on Facebook:
Yesterday 9/18/18 our family said an unexpected good bye to my wonderful, kind, loving and wise Dad, Bill Gable. Our hearts are completely shattered, shocked and broken. My Dad had been battling COPD, coupled with other health issues for sometime but it took a sudden turn. We covet your prayers at this time. We also know Facebook is the only way of communication with many of his beloved friends and colleagues. Memorial arrangements will be communicated by the family once we know those details. I “miss you already” Daddio. I’m so proud and grateful to be your daughter. I love you.
Gable had trouble with COPD off an on and recently had an unrelated operation. That all seemed to go well and he was recovering well…until last night.
Another CKLW personality, Pat Holiday commented:
I’ve only had a handful of super close friends. The kind that are with you through thick and thin, decade after decade, and are a large piece of your life, history, and memories. One of them is Bill Gable. I first met Bill as just kids really, back in 1970 at CKLW. He was the new kid coming up from Washington DC. “Brother Bill”. We immediately hit it off and have been close friends ever since regardless of distance, time, and most of life’s situations. He was one of those guys for me that I knew actually cared about whatever was going on in my life and me for him. You don’t get many of those kinds of friends. I was lucky. Just last week we had a super long conversation about virtually everything and solved all the world’s problems in one shot. All was good. Tonight, quite a shock, we lost Bill. It’s so odd even writing this. Hard to believe as it’s sinking in.
CBS News Radio has announced the unexpected death of longtime correspondent and anchor of the World News Roundup Late Edition Dave Barrett has died.
He was 63-years-of-age.
Barrett joined CBS News, Radio in February, 2001.
He anchored hourly newscasts, updates, Spectrum newsbriefs and was3-time winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award.
He won in 2015 for Feature Reporting, for a piece on the 200-year anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner. In 2011, he won a Murrow for Use of Sound, for his story on Kids' Digital Day. In 1998, Barrett won his first Edward R. Murrow Award for Sports Reporting, for a profile on Tiger Woods.
From 1998-2001, Barrett was News Director for the Fox News Radio Network. Prior to that, he spent a storied 15 years at ABC Radio News, where he covered everything from political conventions and hurricanes to the Olympics. Barrett has been to the Persian Gulf region twice. He was based in Bahrain during Operation Earnest Will (1988), where oil tankers transiting the Gulf were escorted to and from Kuwait. He also covered the allied buildup in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield in 1990.
During 1993 and 1994, Barrett journeyed to ESPN Radio, where he worked as a commentator for several major sporting events, including Super Bowls, the NCAA Final Four, the British Open, Wimbledon, the NBA Finals and the Kentucky Derby. He returned to ABC News in 1994.
The CBS family bids farewell to a great correspondent, colleague, and friend Dave Barrett on today's "Reporter's Notebook."
In 1981, Barrett ran the Washington, DC bureau of the San Francisco-based Pacific News Service. Before that, he spent several years in Houston as a sports reporter, a talk show host and a disc jockey. While working in Houston, he was the play-by-play announcer for the Central Hockey League's Houston Apollos and a PA announcer for the Astros, the Rockets, the Houston Oilers, the WHA Houston Aeros and the University of Houston.
The U.S. Senate approved the Music Modernization Act on Tuesday, putting the first substantive reform to the nation's music copyright laws on the precipice of becoming law, according to The Tennessean.
Stakeholders representing virtually every corner of the music industry backed the legislation, which received rare bipartisan support from a bitterly partisan Congress. The legislation has been championed by everyone from Paul McCartney to Maren Morris for the promise of improving the licensing system and increasing digital royalty payouts to songwriters.
Before the Music Modernization Act becomes law, a reconciled version of the bill must be approved by the House and then President Donald Trump must sign it. Neither of those actions is viewed as an obstacle by the bill's backers.
The Music Modernization Act creates a new organization to identify the copyright owners for a song's composition and to pay them the digital royalties they are owed when their music is played on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming services.
The new organization will be run by publishers and songwriters, and the onus for finding copyright owners and paying them will no longer fall to the streaming services. That is why Spotify and the streaming trade association backed the bill. Those companies have been subject to expensive class-action lawsuits and subsequent settlements by songwriters who said their songs were used without proper licenses.
The bill also aims to improve royalty payouts for songwriters by creating a new legal standard that judges can use to set rates. Under the new standard, judges can factor in a song's free market value — including how much a song fetches when placed in a commercial or television show, and how much a record label is paid for a similar license. Those standards should raise streaming rates and therefore increase the paydays for songwriters, who have complained the copyright system is antiquated and unfair.
The bill closes a federal copyright loophole that allowed internet radio companies such as SiriusXM and Pandora to play songs recorded before 1972 without paying royalties to the artists and record labels responsible for those songs. SiriusXM opposed this portion of the bill and late Tuesday afternoon the Nashville Songwriters Association International called out Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, for holding up the bill.
Finally, the Music Modernization Act creates a new digital royalty for producers and engineers. In many cases, those professionals are already receiving royalties after a song is streamed, but the legislation adds the new royalty to the copyright law.
Some last-minute horse trading helped to secure the Music Modernization Act’s approval in the Senate, according to Digital Music News citing details shared by SiriusXM.
A late-stage deal assured the company’s support of the bill, potentially easing the objections of certain Senators.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Music Modernization Act passed the Senate in a miraculous ‘hotline’ vote, a mechanism that bypasses traditional Senate floor debate. The fast-tracking move is designed to quickly shuttle non-controversial bills to a vote.
According to an email sent Tuesday night to Digital Music News by executives at SiriusXM, the satellite radio giant was offered a number of key concessions to win its approval.
That includes a preservation of its existing non-interactive streaming radio rate, with an extension granted until 2027. That’s a five-year extension, and allows Sirius to avoid a lengthy court battle over a recent increase.
Additionally, Sirius secured a guarantee that its recorded royalty payments for pre-1972 songs would be shared 50% with the artists in question. Previously, no such guarantee existed, raising concerns at Sirius that labels were hoarding the money.
Greg Maffei
That ‘concession’ is a bit ironic, given that mega-stars like Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, and Max Martin threatened to ‘boycott’ Sirius if they didn’t relent. But even prior to the last-second deal, Sirius had been fighting for language guaranteeing the 50% payout to artists.
Unfortunately for Sirius, that means that traditional radio stations will continue to enjoy huge exemptions, and a major financial advantage over its satellite rivals. But maybe that’s a fight for another time, and Sirius obviously got enough to move forward.
Greg Maffei, president and CEO of Sirius parent Liberty Media, heralded the new deal. “We are pleased to join with the music community in sponsoring amendments that protect artists in this legislation,” Maffei offered.
“It is important that the music industry move forward so that artists can showcase their work throughout the United States.”
Both Mitch Glazier, president of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and David Israelite, CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), affirmed their solidarity with Sirius moving forward.
The NAB released the following statement from President and CEO Gordon Smith:
"NAB applauds Senate passage of the Orrin G. Hatch Music Modernization Act. Naming this critical legislation after Senator Hatch is a fitting tribute to his tireless efforts to improve the lives of songwriters. NAB appreciates the hard work of Senators Hatch, Whitehouse, Alexander and Coons, Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Feinstein in producing a compromise bill that will benefit songwriters, legacy recording artists, producers, digital streaming services, and music listeners.
"We are particularly supportive of a provision added to the Senate bill ensuring enhanced congressional review of any DOJ changes to ASCAP and BMI consent decrees. These decrees are essential to a functioning music marketplace, and any action to terminate them will now be preceded by appropriate Congressional oversight to protect the interests of songwriters, licensees, and consumers of music."
The D.C. Circuit on Tuesday refused to alter a ruling by the Copyright Royalty Board that set how much streaming services like Pandora Radio must pay for music until 2020, rejecting the argument that the board had used improper benchmarks from the private market.
The appeals court affirmed the CRB’s 2015 decision to use voluntary licensing agreements that Pandora and iHeartRadio struck with copyright owners when it set the rates from 2016 to 2020.
Those statutory rates are paid by non-interactive streaming radio providers, including Pandora, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and online radio stations, among others
The ‘Copyright Royalty Board’ sets the statutory rates for non-interactive streams, which are typically funneled through SoundExchange. That process is repeated every five years, and decisions can be appealed.
The CRB is appointed by the Librarian of Congress, and its determinations are sent to the Register of Copyrights for legal review. Once approved, they are published by the Librarian of Congress in the Federal Register, and subject to review by the U.S. Court of Appeals.
For that reason, SoundExchange was an appellate in this case, arguing for higher rates.
According to Digital Music News, the companies paying these rates are happy with the outcome. That includes traditional radio broadcasters, as represented by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).
“NAB is delighted by the D.C. Circuit’s decision to uphold the streaming rates for broadcasters set by the Copyright Royalty Board,” the group emailed Digital Music News this morning.
Television’s biggest night wasn’t that big. The Emmy Awards drew a record-low audience of just under 10.2 million people, down 11 percent from the past two years, according to the Associated Press citing Nielsen data.
The show reached virtually identical audiences of 11.4 million each of the last two years, the Nielsen company said.
The ratings decline continues a troubling trend for televised awards shows. The Oscars audience this year was down 19 percent from 2017 and the Grammys were down 23 percent.
The further fragmentation of television undoubtedly plays a role in audience interest levels. When “Frasier” was winning awards in the 1990s, the comedy was regularly seen in nearly 20 million homes. Streamed shows like “Mrs. Maisel” are far less popular and, in fact, it’s still difficult to get precise numbers about how many people watch them.
Three times in the 1990s, the audience for the Emmy Awards exceeded 20 million people.
Otherwise, football dominated the television ratings last week. Five of the 10 most-watched shows were football games, and two others were football pregame shows, Nielsen said.
Ratings for the NFL’s first 13 telecasts this season are holding their own against last year’s running tally — despite the lowest Week 2 rating for “Monday Night Football” since the game started airing on cable in 2006.
The 119.7 rating points amassed by the NFL so far this season are only 0.2 percent off the 119.9 rating points racked up during the first 13 NFL telecasts last year.
This week’s “MNF” had the Seattle Seahawks bowing to the Chicago Bears in a game that drew an overnight rating of 8.2 — a new low that replaced the 8.3 rating notched by the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016.
NBC won the week in prime-time, averaging 6.7 million viewers last week. CBS had 4.8 million viewers, ABC had 4 million, Fox had 2.3 million, Univision had 1.4 million, ION Television had 1.33 million, Telemundo had 1.31 million and the CW had 740,000.
ESPN was the week’s most popular cable network, averaging 2.65 million viewers in prime time. Fox News Channel had 2.42 million, MSNBC had 2.13 million, HGTV had 1.35 million and USA had 1.34 million.
ABC’s “World News Tonight” topped the evening newscasts with an average of 8.8 million viewers. NBC’s “Nightly News” was second with 8.3 million and the “CBS Evening News” had 6 million viewers.
ABC’s Good Morning America was the most-watched weekday morning show yet again, averaging nearly 4.3 million total viewers for the week of Sept. 10, according to TV Newser.
GMA attracted its largest weekly audience in 5 months, while posting its strongest numbers in the key A25-54 demo in over 3 months.
That said, the program was -1 percent in total viewers, and down even more in the demo (-12 percent) vs. the same week in 2017.
NBC’s Today show was the No. 1 weekday morning show in the key A25-54 demo for the 142nd straight week, its best streak in over six years. Today posted its best total viewer and A25-54 delivery since March, and delivered year-over-year growth in total viewers (+2 percent), the latter a feat none of the morning shows accomplish very often.
The latest Westwood One blog post shares the results from a major cable network’s advertising campaign that used AM/FM radio to help launch the returning season of a scripted drama series.
Their media plan also included paid TV and promos running on their network and co-owned networks. Westwood One retained Nielsen to study how the combination of AM/FM radio and TV helped drive tune-in for the premiere.
This was one of the first TV tune-in ROI studies to examine both TV and AM/FM radio.
AM/FM radio accounted for a small percentage of the media budget but generated significant impressions and incremental reach: Although AM/FM radio only represented 5% of paid media, it delivered 20% of total campaign impressions.
With amplified frequency, AM/FM radio drove tune-in conversion: The more frequently consumers were exposed to tune-in ads, the greater the conversion to viewing the premiere. Tune-in conversion is especially high among consumers who are exposed to ads six or more times.
Compared to TV, AM/FM radio delivered a much younger audience: TV’s audience skews older than AM/FM radio’s audience. 70% of AM/FM radio impressions came from 18-54 year olds. Conversely, nearly half of all the TV impressions were from 55+.
AM/FM radio is the exceptionally efficient media choice: From a cost standpoint, AM/FM radio’s reach and impressions were achieved much more efficiently. AM/FM radio is only 20% of TV’S CPM and cost per thousand net reach.
TV tune-in best practice: Utilize 125-150 GRPs of network radio to efficiently optimize a tune-in campaign with incremental reach and amplified frequency.
iHeartMedia/Charlotte has announced that Maria Palmer has been named Music Director for iHeartMedia Charlotte and On-Air Host for Alternative WEND 106.5 FM The END.
As Music Director Palmer will assist with the day-to-day operations of the station’s music programming, including managing relationships with record label partners and scheduling daily music logs. Palmer will also lead WEND’s social media accounts where she’ll regularly update and engage with listeners on multiple social platforms. As On-Air Host for 106.5 The END, Palmer will broadcast weekdays from 7 p.m. to midnight.
She will report to Chuck ‘DZL’ Thompson, Program Director for iHeartMedia Charlotte.
“I can’t wait for the people of Charlotte to hear Palmer on 106.5 The END,” said DZL. “She has a rare blend of creativity, humor, passion and drive, but also possesses the administrative and organizational skills needed to assist in running the day-to-day operations of the programming department. Palmer is definitely one to watch and we couldn’t be more excited to add her to the iHeart and WEND family.”
WEND 106.5 FM (84 Kw) Red=Local 60 dBU Coverage Area
Palmer joins the Charlotte Market from Washington, DC, where she began her radio career as the swing shift, fill-in and weekend talent on WWDC and WMZQ.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team at WEND and cannot wait to discover everything Queen City has to offer,” said Palmer. “I look forward to connecting on-air and online with my listeners, while simultaneously growing and expanding my skills behind the scenes as Music Director. I am very enthusiastic to dive headfirst into my duties and am privileged to be a part of such a strong family at iHeartMedia Charlotte.”
Entercom has announced the addition of Jordin Silver to Alternative KRBZ 96.5 The Buzz in Kansas City as host of “Mornings with Jordin Silver and Friends,” effective September 24.
Silver will be joined by station on-air personalities Danny Boi and Mark weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET.
“We’re truly excited about the addition of Jordin to our morning show,” said Dave Alpert, Regional President and Market Manager, Entercom Kansas City. “Pairing her with Buzz morning vets Danny Boi and Mark will provide our listeners with a fresh show to start their day.”
“Lazlo [Program Director and on-air host for 96.5 The Buzz] gave me advice during my first aircheck that has defined my entire career: ‘Make ‘em feel, or don’t turn on the mic at all,’” said Silver. “That’s exactly what we’re going to do at 96.5 The Buzz. The team already feels like family and I can’t wait to explore the great Kansas City.”
KRBZ 96.5 FM (100 Kw) Red=Local 60 dBU Coverage Area
Silver has 12 years of broadcast experience, which includes on-air roles at sister station 107.7 The End (KNDD-FM) in Seattle from 2006 to 2010. She has also held on-air roles for ALT 98.7 in Los Angeles and ALT 105.7, Power 96.1 and Project 96.1 in Atlanta.
Following a remarkable 37-year run with parent company Sarkes Tarzian, Inc., AAA WTTS 92.3 FM Indianapolis President/General Manager Geoff Vargo will be retiring at the end of the year.
WTTS Program Director Brad Holtz will be moving into the GM role effective January 1, 2019.
As part of the transition process, WTTS APD/MD Laura Duncan has been named WTTS PD, effective immediately. She will also serve as PD of News/Talk sister station WGCL Bloomington, and will transition into the role of PD for WAJI HD-2 Fort Wayne by the end of the year. WTTS has launched an immediate search for an on-air Music Director.
Brad Holtz
A 21-year veteran of Indianapolis radio, Brad Holtz started his career in programming and promotion roles with Emmis Communications. He has programmed WTTS since 2002, adding WGCL and WAJI-HD2 duties over the past several years.
He was named Station Manger in May 2018.
Laura Duncan has served as MD since 2004, winning Music Director of the Year accolades on multiple occasions. She was also been heard on the late KPRI/San Diego.
A 30-year veteran programmer and air personality, Laura will continue to be heard in afternoon drive on WTTS.
Of the transition, Holtz remarked “As I move into a new role in my career, I’m delighted that Laura Duncan will take over the programming reigns at WTTS. As our APD/MD for the past 14 years, Laura has set herself apart as one of the most dedicated and passionate in our business. She’ll be an outstanding programmer at WTTS.”
WTTS 92.3 FM (37 Kw) Red=Local 60dBu Coverage Area
The popular Canadian mystery podcast Nighttime has joined Corus Entertainment’s Curiouscast podcast network in a first-of-its-kind partnership. The deal sees the podcast – which has gained more than 5 million downloads since debuting in 2016 – expand its reach by launching onto select Corus-owned Global News Radio AM stations across the country this October; flipping the traditional content model by becoming the first show originating in the podcast medium to broadcast nationally via commercial radio in Canada.
Nighttime is an award-winning audio documentary series covering unique stories from across Canada; hosted and produced by creator Jordan Bonaparte. Topics range from true crime and mysteries to the paranormal or the plain weird. The series has garnered significant buzz – most notably for its episodes investigating the mysterious 2012 disappearance of Emma Fillipoff, a Canadian woman, in B.C.
Jordan Bonaparte
“We’re thrilled to welcome Nighttime to the Curiouscast network and to be working with Jordan,” said Chris “Dunner” Duncombe, Director of Streaming and Podcasting for Corus Entertainment. “Bringing the Nighttime podcast into our network and to the air on our news talk stations will give Canadian radio listeners the opportunity to enjoy what avid podcast listeners have for the past few years.”
Innately curious with a passion for investigation, Sydney, Nova Scotia native Bonaparte lives in Halifax. Nighttime is aptly named, as having to balance time between a career in the insurance industry and a young family, Bonaparte records the podcast in his basement studio after putting his son to sleep – at night time.
“As an independent journalist working in new media, the quest for legitimacy is an uphill and often dangerous battle,” said Bonaparte. “With Nighttime now a member of Corus' Curiouscast network I've found a partner that provides me with the resources of a professional production, and allows Nighttime to expand its reach to listeners of traditional media across Canada.”
Corus Entertainment’s Curiouscast podcast network launched earlier this year and is home to internationally recognized brands with diverse audio storytelling, including the #1 music podcast in Canada on Apple Podcasts, The Ongoing History of New Music, and Global News’ This Is Why.
Nighttime will debut on radio across Canada the week of October 22, 2018 on Corus-owned Global News Radio AM stations: CKNW (Vancouver), CHQR (Calgary), CHED (Edmonton), CJOB (Winnipeg), CFPL (London), CHML (Hamilton) and 640 Toronto. Nighttime will continue to release new episodes – which, alongside its back-catalogue – will be available on all major podcast platforms under the Curiouscast umbrella.
Subscribe to get every episode of Nighttime on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find your favourite podcasts. Listen now.
Fox Business Network will debut a new primetime lineup starting on Oct. 15 that will see host Trish Regan moved from afternoons to 8 p.m. ET, according to a Tuesday announcement.
Regan, a former CNBC and Bloomberg host and reporter, will host a new program titled "Trish Regan Primetime."
“As we mark our 11th year on the air and continued dominance over rival CNBC during Business Day, we are excited to extend our live programming through 10PM, ensuring all of our viewers get the most robust and comprehensive look at how the political economy affects their everyday lives," said Brian Jones, president of the network.
According to The Hill, the program "will feature Regan as she expands upon the leading headlines of the day and their economic impact on the country. Additionally, each night Regan will be joined by a rotating lineup of industry experts and business titans to explore how the policy set forth by Washington affect the markets, economy and personal finance," according to the network.
Charles Payne's "Making Money" will move from 6 p.m. ET to Regan's old spot at 2:00 p.m.
"The Evening Edit with Elizabeth MacDonald" will fill Payne's timeslot at 6:00 p.m. ET, while "Bulls and Bears with David Asman" will be featured in the 5 p.m. slot.
Connell McShane will take Asman's old co-hosting spot on "After the Bell" with Melissa Francis at 4 p.m.
“We have an incredible roster of expertise across both our daytime and primetime lineup and this new schedule will ensure our viewers get the best, most experienced analysis across the critical business and post-market hours," Jones added. "Charles’ keen eye for spotting market moves along with Connell and David’s seasoned backgrounds, will further enhance our business coverage, honing in on the critical news that will impact Americans most.”
Fox Business Network topped rival CNBC in the race for total viewers in business television for the 14th consecutive month in August, according to Nielsen Media Research as CNBC held on to a slim lead in the key 25-54 demographic.
With more than 1,600 entries received from across the U.S., Cumulus Media has announced the five Rock artists selected as finalists for its annual neXt2rock competition — a national and local grassroots search for the nation’s newest rock star. The winner of this four-month-long competition will receive a record deal with Big Machine/John Varvatos Records, as well as substantial exposure, commensurate with a major label release, on Cumulus Radio stations nationwide.
The finale event will take place on October 4, 8 – 11 pm PT, at The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles. Music personality and longtime radio and TV host Matt Pinfield will host the evening’s festivities, while Los Angeles rock band and fan favorite, Dorothy, will headline the event.
The five national finalists, selected by a panel of Rock radio professionals, are:
Friday Pilots Club representing Chicago, IL (WKQX)
The Zealots representing Des Moines, IA (KGGO)
Black Rock Revival representing Memphis, TN (WXMX)
No Resolve representing Saginaw, MI (WILZ & WKQZ)
Late Night Savior representing Salt Lake City, UT (KBER & KHTB)
These five emerging artists will be judged in the finale by Rock music luminaries and industry professionals, including: Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta; fashion designer and record label head John Varvatos; musician, songwriter and producer Desmond Child; Korn frontman Jonathan Davis, and Fozzy frontman, actor and wrestler Chris Jericho.
Mike McVay, Executive Vice President, Content & Programming for CUMULUS MEDIA, said: “This competition is all about the talent who will deliver the future sound of Rock. Every artist who entered this year’s neXt2rock competition is incredibly gifted and we, as a company, are extremely excited to see who will be named the next Rock superstar.”
Across radio, one out of every three (33%) Americans listens to rock music weekly. The rising popularity of the rock genre can be attributed to a younger audience coming to the format, with Millennials making up more than 30% of weekly listeners. (Source: Nielsen Audio Fall 2017)
Cumulus Media reaches over 245 million listeners weekly, and is home to some of radio's most iconic rock stations, including KLOS, KQRS, WLUP, KATT, WGRF and KSAN.
