Tag: "CBS Radio News"
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Gow Communications to Pay $5.17 Million for KFNC, Houston. The sale of sports talk outlet KFNC, Houston to Gow and Educational Media Foundation that was announced in the spring is coming close to the finish line as David Gow and company should begin LMAing the station Cumulus put into bankruptcy protection as early as September 1. The station – positioned as ESPN 97.7 – is expected to continue to broadcast ESPN programming at least for a while. Gow also operates crosstown sports talk KGOW and Yahoo! Sports Radio and there have been some changes there with Travis Rodgers moving to the early afternoon slot on both KGOW and the national network. KGOW is preparing to debut Adam Clanton and John Wessling in the afternoon drive slot, according to David Barron of the Houston Chronicle. Clanton currently works for KPRC-TV but will wrap up his role with the station this weekend. As for the Yahoo! Sports Radio network, a new PM drive show is being developed and will be announced soon. The network’s Craig Shemon returns to weekends from the midday slot.
Heidi and Frank Return to the Terrestrial Airwaves in Los Angeles. Cumulus Media names Heidi Hamilton and Frank Kramer the new morning show on KLOS, Los Angeles, taking over for Mark & Brian beginning September 4. Brian Phelps surprised the industry last week announcing he would also be leaving the Cumulus classic rocker at the same time Mark Thompson would, although Thompson made his decision to retire public earlier this summer. Cumulus COO John Dickey told TALKERS over the weekend that Brian Phelps was “part of a large consideration pool” of candidates for the new morning program. In announcing “The Heidi and Frank Show,” Dickey states, “After a long and thoughtful search which overwhelmed us with great, established talent and new talent waiting to be discovered both in and out of radio, I couldn’t be more pleased with the selection of ‘The Heidi and Frank Show’ to continue on the tradition that Mark and Brian set in place with 25 years of Hall of Fame radio.” Hamilton and Kramer have been producing an internet radio show since CBS Radio shut down hot talk KLSX, Los Angeles in a format flip. The Frosty, Heidi and Frank program (with Frosty Stillwell) aired there successfully for years. They also worked at KABC after the demise of KLSX. Prior to the KLSX era Hamilton and Kramer hosted the morning show at crosstown Hot AC KYSR. On the new gig, Heidi Hamilton states, “KLOS is rock. KLOS is the definitive iconic rock radio station in the world. It’s one of those stations that evokes a feel good emotion while you’re driving in your car. I’m beyond honored that Frank Kramer and I have been invited to become a part of something so legendary! The ‘Heidi and Frank Show’ fans are second to NONE and I know they will be with us on this long fun ride together.” Frank Kramer comments, “If it would have been any other station than KLOS, I would have said no. We have a huge following across the world and only a station as large and iconic as KLOS could lure us back to radio. To be given this opportunity is an honor and a privilege. With the continued support from my partner, Heidi Hamilton, and the fans that never left us, and the fans waiting for us to return, the next 25 years are going to be one hell of a ride.”
The Battle for Control over Sirius XM Continues and the Momentum Seems to be Shifting in Favor of John Malone’s Liberty Media. Yes, what seemed like an odd story just a matter of months ago has developed into a high stakes big business drama. John Malone and Liberty Media, the company that rescued the merged satellite radio company from burning up in the atmosphere back in 2009 by gobbling up 40% ownership at what has turned out to be a super good deal for them has asked the FCC for approval to take outright control of Sirius XM Radio, noting it plans to raise its stake in the satellite radio company above 50%. The request follows disclosure earlier this week that Liberty, SiriusXM’s largest shareholder, was inching up its collection of shares in Sirius from approximately 46.2% to an aggressively postured 48%. In last week’s filing, Liberty said it will “have purchased sufficient shares of Sirius’s common stock and will convert its preferred shares such that the transfer of control will be completed within 60 days of commission consent.” Raising its stake above 50% and being granted FCC approval to take absolute control opens the way for Liberty to replace Sirius management and spin its Sirius stake off to Liberty shareholders. But would replacing Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin be a wise move? Probably not. Although coldly brash and hard-nosed as they come, Karmazin is an extremely effective radio broadcast executive and business strategist who has done a world class job of getting Sirius XM to its present state of health. Reports from inside Liberty indicate that John Malone recognizes that and is giving “Mel” wiggle room to back pedal off his earlier blurts that he wouldn’t work for anyone else. There is a huge lesson here for wannabe broadcast industry moguls (and there sure are a lot of them out there): When you turn to venture capitalists and outside big money investors to save your ass, they will likely wind up owning it.
In Search of the Effective Commercial. There’s a trend away from humorous commercials in radio, according to H-and-H Communications president Al Herskovitz. Research indicates Madison Avenue is questioning the effectiveness of funny ads and, as it applies to talk radio advertising, Herskovitz writes that the “recognizable spokesperson” – read, the talk show host – is much more effective. But there are still problems there that need to be solved. Read Al Herskovitz’s piece here.
Courtside Entertainment’s “Loveline” Clears Tampa Market. Cox Media’s FM hot talker WHPT, Tampa – The Bone – adds Courtside Entertainment Group’s “Loveline” featuring Dr. Drew Pinsky, Mike Catherwood and Simone Bienne for the 1:00 am to 3:00 am slot. “Loveline” becomes part of Cox’s young male-targeted talk outlet that features Bubba the Love Sponge in morning drive and Cowhead in PM drive.
Odds & Sods. Hubbard Radio’s WTOP, Washington hosts a special “school” edition of its “Ask the…” program today at 10:00 am. Mark Seagraves serves as moderator for the commercial-free hour featuring a Q&A session with superintendents and school board officials from Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Fairfax County and the District of Columbia…..Entercom’s New England sports talk juggernaut WEEI produces the 11th Annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon beginning today and running through tomorrow. The fundraising extravaganza takes place live from Fenway Park
from 6:00 am to 12:00 midnight both days. Last year the event raised more than $3.3 million for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute…..Nationally syndicated radio host Phil Grande of the “Phil’s Gang” program will broadcast his show live from the Republican National Convention in Tampa next week with broadcasts starting at 3:00 pm ET. Grande will have special guests Donald Trump, Florida Governor Rick Scott and Sarasota Republican Chairman Joe Gruters plus many other guests. In addition, he will have up to the minute news, updates and of course his own commentary. The 2012 Republican National Convention is being held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum August 27-30, 2012.
CBS Radio News Announces Convention Coverage. Dial Global and CBS Radio News will deliver coverage from the two national conventions – the Republican National Convention in Tampa August 27 through 30 and the Democratic National Convention September 4 through 6. Coverage plans include anchored coverage, updates, special reports, special features, and one-on-one interviews with correspondents, pundits and political experts. CBS Radio News states it will “provide expert reporting and analysis, featuring an experienced lineup of respected and award-winning correspondents and commentators, including Howard Arenstein, Pam Coulter, Peter King, Dan Raviv, Peter Maer, Andrew Mollenbeck, Brian Montopoli and Professors Dotty Lynch and Leonard Steinhorn.
Los Angeles Radio Personality Paul Crosswhite Passes Away. Southern California newsman and DJ Paul Crosswhite died on August 17 after a long illness. Crosswhite served as a news person at both KFI and KNX-FM during his career. He also was an evening and morning drive host at KTWV, Los Angeles – The Wave – for 10 years. According to LARadio.com’s Don Barrett, “Crosswhite did news during most of his tenure in Southern California radio and has received Golden Mike Awards for documentary, feature and best newscast. He did news during the glory years of KNX-FM. During the Gulf War, he won the Associated Press Award for best newscast. When he moved to “the Wave,” he gave up news to become a DJ, originally in the evenings and, later, mornings after the female morning drive team collapsed.”
Romney-Ryan Team, Obama Medicare Cuts, Facebook Stock Plummets and Syria Violence Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (8/20). The Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan ticket hitting the campaign trail full-swing; President Obama’s cuts to Medicare; the sagging stock price of Facebook; and the ongoing violence in Syria were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Marvin Kalb, Howard Stern Top List of Winners at New York Festivals Radio Awards Show. Radio legends and new faces shared the stage at New York Festivals’ 30th annual Radio Awards ceremony in Manhattan Monday to honor the most original and innovative work in broadcasting over the past year. The 2012 edition of the World’s Best Radio Programs featured entries from private stations, public broadcasters and production companies from 28 different countries. George Washington University’s Global Media Institute was awarded The Grand Jury Trophy for the Best Talk/Interview Special with “The Kalb Report-Anchoring 9/11: The Day and The Decade,” a discussion on the impact of the twin tower attacks with Dan Rather, Brit Hume, Charles Gibson and Frank Sesno. Host Marvin Kalb attended the awards ceremony, as did his former colleague Richard C. Hottelet, one of the original “Murrow Boys” who covered the Second World War for the CBS Radio News team led by legendary reporter Edward R. Murrow. (Pictured here is GWU professor and program executive producer Michael Freedman accepting the award.) Some of the most popular American radio hosts like SiriusXM’s Howard Stern and ESPN’s
Jeremy Schaap were also honored. The Howard Stern Show won a Gold Trophy for “Stern and SNL,” an in-depth special on Saturday Night Live cast member appearances on the hit morning show, while “The Sporting Life with Jeremy Schaap” received the top award for best regularly scheduled sports program. On the local level, Clear Channel-owned news/talk KFBK, Sacramento anchor Amy Lewis won the Silver Radio Trophy for Best Health Documentary with her acclaimed “31 survivors in 31 days,” a series of interviews commemorating breast cancer awareness month. Irish state broadcaster RTE had a big night on the international side, winning the Best Broadcaster of the Year Award for the second year running as well as a combined 15 gold, silver and bronze trophies for various segments. Several public radio programs from Australia, Austria, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, Romania, New Zealand and South Korea were also honored. (Story by Sam Trudeau of the Talk Radio News Service)
Jacobs Media News/Talk Webinar Set for June 26. The last of seven format-specific webinars produced by Jacobs Media and coinciding with the release of data from the firm’s Techsurvey 8 study takes place on Tuesday, June 26 at 2:00 pm ET. This webinar is designed specifically for news/talk practitioners and promises to provide information on the digital, social and media habits of radio listeners from the largest research project in the industry’s history, according to president Fred Jacobs. He states, “Response to the study has been amazing since we released the top-line findings. But the story is deeper in the format data because they’re all different. Each format-centric audience has a digital footprint.” Broadcasters wishing to take part in the webinar can find registration information here.
TALKERS New Media Seminar in New York Receives Rave Reviews; Sights Now Set on L.A. Event October 11. The first of two installments of TALKERS magazine’s innovative and economical one-day model for the New Media Seminar seems to have struck the right chord – at least for the approximately 400 industry professionals who recently packed the Concierge Conference Center on Manhattan’s East Side on Thursday, June 7. Photo, videos and letters of praise clearly indicate that the first half of the talk media industry’s longest-running and most important national convention was a home run that soared, as the saying goes, out of the park. Now as the editors of TALKERS magazine begin to post pictures, videos and comments from the Big Apple “happening,” the industry begins to anticipate part-two of the exciting event scheduled for Thursday, October 11 in Los Angeles. See photo gallery and read more here.
Des Moines-Based Steve Deace Becomes Weekly Columnist at the Register. Syndicated talk radio host Steve Deace is based in Des Moines where his daily two-hour program is heard on Clear Channel’s news/talk WHO. Sunday, June 24 he begins writing a weekly column for the Des Moines Register that will alternate between Saturdays and Sundays. Deace says, “I am excited about this opportunity because it gives me a chance to have a bigger platform to specifically address local issues in the community in which I am raising my children, while at the same time it allows me to continue to pursue the goals we have for our syndicated show.” Deace’s talk program is distributed by The Truth Network. Although a Christian talk network, many of Deace’s affiliate stations are secular outlets.
Rusty Humphries Headlines Conservative Media Conference. Talk Radio Network and WGST, Atlanta talk show host Rusty Humphries (pictured here with columnist and media figure Michelle Malkin) was a featured speaker at the recent “RightOnline” conference produced by Americans for Prosperity and held at the Venetian in Las Vegas. The new media and technology-focused conference spanned two days and Humphries was part of the program at the closing dinner that also included speakers Sarah Palin, Malkin and Scott Rasmussen.
Odds ‘n’ Sods. WLAC, Nashville-based talk host Steve Gill has published – along with co-authors Noelle Federico and Celeste Triola – a new book called, The Patriots Guide to Prayer. The 136-page, 30-day devotional contains
quotes from the Founding Fathers and the Bible and Gill says, “Our Founders were men of deep faith and conviction. Almost all of them were well versed in the Bible and relied upon it for both spiritual guidance as well as a foundation for the creation of a new nation. Their words, and the word of God, are as relevant and instructional today as they ever have been.”…..Journal Broadcast Group’s WTMJ, Milwaukee wins a National Edward R. Murrow Award for sports reporting for Dan O’Donnell’s piece about a young boy killed by a drunk driver and his family’s effort to build a baseball field in his honor. The company’s KTTS-FM, Springfield, Missouri wins a National Edward R. Murrow Award for continuing coverage of last year’s tornado that destroyed much of Joplin, Missouri…..CBS Radio’s KILT, Houston reports baseball great Roger Clemens chose to give the local sports talk station’s Barry Warner and Shaun Bijani the first exclusive interview following his acquittal on perjury charges earlier this week. Program director Gavin Spittle says, “I think this is great for local radio and proves that once again, it’s one of the top go-to outlets!”
Public Radio Personality Jim Packard Dies at 70. Jim Packard was a longtime Wisconsin Public Radio personality and also served as the voice of Public Radio International’s “Whad’ya Know?” Packard, who’d been suffering from cardiopulmonary disease, became sick while in New York on June 9 to tape the PRI program. He died on Monday, June 18. He worked for Wisconsin Public Radio from 1981 through 2010.
Euro Zone Debt Crisis, Eric Holder ‘Fast and Furious’ Standoff, 2012 Presidential Race, ‘Flame’ Virus, G20 Summit, and Obama Youth Amnesty Proposal Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (6/19). The debt crisis facing the European Union; Attorney General Eric Holder’s standoff with Congress on ‘Fast and Furious’ program; the 2012 presidential race; U.S. and Israel’s alleged work to create ‘Flame” virus to slow Iran’s nuclear program’; President Obama faces Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit; and the president’s proposal to give amnesty to illegal alien youths in America were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
The Next Generation. “Into Tomorrow” nationally syndicated talk host Dave Graveline – he’s the tall one on the left – gives a local cub scout pack a tour of the new studios for his consumer electronics and technology program. Graveline’s program is produced in South Florida.
Friday, June 8, 2012
WTOP’s Jim Farley Accepts 2012 “Freedom of Speech Award” at Talkers New Media Seminar; Honor Presented by CBS Radio’s Harvey Nagler. The 2012 “Freedom of Speech Award” was presented at the 15th annual Talkers New Media Seminar held yesterday in New York City to Hubbard Radio‘s vice president of news and programming at WTOP, Washington, Jim Farley. In presenting the honor to Farley, CBS Radio News vice president Harvey Nagler noted that when one enters the WTOP newsroom the First Amendment is written in large, bold letters on the wall. Nagler described Farley as part P.T. Barnum, one part Edward R. Murrow and one part cheerleader. “He’s
steeped in journalism and his journalistic ethics are unparalleled. Just think how many newsrooms have the First Amendment written on their wall. Very few I suspect. He has a very strong sense of principles. His favorite statement is, ‘First get it right, then get it first.’” In accepting the “Freedom of Speech Award,” Farley recounted to the standing-room-only crowd the story of the ACLU taking the principled stand of defending the rights of a group of neo-Nazis to march through the largely Jewish suburb of Skokie, Illinois in 1977 even though it cost the organization 30,000 members. “I’ll never forget that kind of defense of the First Amendment contrasted with people today who want to silence opposition and controversial voices. A big damned difference!” The “Freedom of Speech” ceremony was part of the New York edition of the New Media Seminar attended by a sold-out crowd of 400 talk media practitioners. TALKERS magazine will have more coverage of the event in the days and weeks to come. The Los Angeles edition of the NMS takes place on October 11. Visit Talkers.com for updates about the coming exciting West Coast event
CBS Radio Prepares to Celebrate 25th Anniversary of Sports Talk WFAN, New York. The country’s first full-time sports talk radio station is preparing for the July 1 25th anniversary of its debut as a sports station with events and retrospectives commemorating the groundbreaking format birth. Operations manager of WFAN and vice president of sports programming for CBS Radio Mark Chernoff states, “We are proud to be a part of the fabric of New York sports. WFAN has appreciative and engaged listeners who are the backbone of the station. Our audience, along with our sports talk personalities have allowed WFAN to achieve such groundbreaking success and helped the station become an institution in the Big Apple. It is no coincidence that the station is nicknamed ‘The Fan,’ acting as a mouthpiece for die-hard sports enthusiasts.” The station will celebrate all summer long with special programming and highlights will include “Subway Series” ticket giveaways and live broadcasts from New York sports events and locations. Also, the station is asking its loyal fans to vote on the top 25 New York sports personalities of the past 25 years for a chance to win $500, along with a key which could start the grand prize, a brand new Kia from Global Auto Mall. In July, the station will hold auditions for its annual “Fantasy Phenom” contest at locations throughout the Tri-State area, where single entrants, and this year, teams, can try out to become a host on the station.
Mancow Does Midday Show on Merlin’s WIQI-FM, Chicago. The speculation is beginning about the future formatting of Merlin Media‘s WIQI-FM, Chicago after Mancow was heard hosting a talk show in the midday hours this week. Industry watchers suggest Merlin is thinking about going to a news/talk format with newswheels in the AM and PM drive with talk programs in the midday and possibly evening dayparts as well. Stay tuned!
“Broadcaster” Makes #10 on CareerCast’s Worst Jobs List. Don’t tell this to WTOP’s Jim Farley but CareerCast‘s list of the 10 Worst Jobs for 2012 as published by CNBC places “broadcaster” – meaning on-air TV or radio talent – as one of the 10 worst jobs for 2012. CareerCast writes, “The news business has always been high stress for comparatively low pay, which makes it a shoe-in for the ‘worst’ list. Add to that the changing digital times and you’ve got your No. 10 worst job…The broadcast industry has gone through a lot of shrinkage as much of the news is moving to digital formats including online or mobile, which has shrunk demand for broadcasters as well as salaries and compensation. Many radio and TV stations are relying heavily on young talent and interns (i.e., lower pay) as opposed to experienced broadcasters.” CareerCast lists the median pay as $27,324.
KFWB, Los Angeles Debuts Ken Rutkowski’s “Business Rockstars” Program. A new afternoon talk program debuts on KFWB, Los Angeles beginning June 18. Ken Rutkowski hosts “Business Rockstars” daily from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – a program that promises to focus on business successes including CEOs of high-performing companies and money-making start-ups. KFWB general manger Valerie Blackburn says in a statement, “Listeners are about to hear one of the most original and compelling programs to hit talk radio. Ken is incredibly informed and well-connected with people in the media, entertainment and world of technology. This show will provide invaluable information for anyone starting a business, running a business or dreaming of being on their own.”
TALKERS Weekly Affiliate Roundup. “Free Talk Live” featuring Ian Freeman and Mark Edge is added to the weekend schedule at KXLE, Ellensburg, Washington…..Doug Stephan‘s “Good Day” joins the program lineup at WFOY, Jacksonville; WISW, Jackson, South Carolina; WPBQ, Jackson, Mississippi; KQTY, Amarillo, Texas; KMAS, Shelton, Washington; KBND, Bend, Oregon; and WONW, Defiance, Ohio…..Magic Broadcasting‘s Burnie Thompson show picks up affiliates WORL, Orlando; WGWD, Tallahassee; WINK, Ft. Myers; WNPL, Naples; and WLSS, Sarasota…..United Stations Radio Networks‘ “Our Time with Kim Iversen” is added to the nightly lineup at KTMY-FM, Minneapolis…..Malcolm Out Loud‘s “Malcolm Minute” is airing on KOGO, San Diego…..The Cigar Dave show becomes part of the weekend programming at WXYT, Detroit; WMCD-FM, Statesboro, Georgia; and WRHL, Rochelle, Illinois.
Wisconsin Recall Election Tops Talkers Ten for Week of June 4-8. The recall election of Republican Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker edged out the 2012 presidential campaign (which was #2 on this week’s chart) as the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio this week, according to ongoing research from Talkers. Coming in at #3 this week was financial markets activity followed by the Bush tax cuts debate at #4. The Talkers Ten is a chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio across America and is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View the entire chart here.

























































