Tag: "Christopher Ruddy"

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Conservative Talk Host Steve Malzberg Begins New Project with Newsmax.  Longtime New York City conservative talk host Steve Malzberg – he’s worked at WABC and WOR – is joining the talk media initiative of Newsmax, the Florida-based conservative news and opinion outlet.  Malzberg is doing an afternoon drive program (3:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET) that will air online in both audio and video formats and for which Newsmax will seek terrestrial radio affiliates.  Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy states, “When I first heard Steve Malzberg on WABC he was an innovator in bridging radio content with other media.  He developed that talent further at WOR with ratings success and I think he will bring the same type of innovation and success to Newsmax TV.”  The program will emanate from Newsmax’s New York City offices and begin on February 4.

Schnitt Versus Bubba: Day 4.  The defamation case Compass Media Networks talk show host Todd Schnitt filed against Bubba the Love Sponge (Todd Clem) was back in session Tuesday after a break for the Monday holiday.  Plaintiff Schnitt took the stand (as did Bubba producer Brent Hatley) and told the jury how his life and career changed after Bubba returned to the air in Tampa in 2008 and the morning show battle began.  In order to win the case, Schnitt must convince the jury that he suffered damages and that’s what he tried to do on the stand yesterday as he painted a picture of feeling harassed both via email and telephone and in person through physical confrontations with the “Bubba Army” as Todd Clem’s radio fans are called.  WTSP, Tampa reports that when asked if his reputation had been harmed, Schnitt replied, “Yeah, I consider myself, still, a broadcaster in good standing.  But um… not as good as it used to be.”  That Schnitt and his wife were affected by the battle being waged by Bubba is pretty clear.  The goal for Schnitt’s attorney is to get the jury to believe that Bubba the Love Sponge was responsible for their pain and suffering.

WTOP’s Jim Farley to Retire.  He’s not going anywhere right away but WTOP, Washington vice president of news and programming Jim Farley announces he’ll work full time through 2013 and step down into a consultant role with Hubbard and WTOP after that.  In his official announcement, he says he’ll remain dedicated to the brand.  “I bleed WTOP blood and am deeply invested in our continued success.  I plan to stay involved until I start to drool conspicuously.  I’ll be a proactive resource for Joel Oxley, Laurie Cantillo, WTOP, and Hubbard, and I will visit often.  I have so many good friends in this building and spent the best part of my long career here.  On to the next chapter, but not until 2014.”

Sports Talk Host Paul Finebaum Begins Sitting Out a 90-Day Non-Compete.  Birmingham-based sports talk host Paul Finebaum has exited Cumulus’ WJOX, Birmingham and, according to the Birmingham Business Journal, his representatives say he will not entertain any media offers until the 90-day window has closed.  Finebaum had been in a legal battle with Cumulus earlier this year but after numerous back-and-forths in court ended up working to the end of his deal with the company.  That deal ended Monday.  The smart money is on Finebaum landing at Cox Media’s crosstown WZNN but Finebaum’s camp is saying nothing until the 90-day period is over.  (WZNN is one of a number of signals that Cox Media has put up for sale.)  The paper also reports that Cumulus does have the right to match any offer Finebaum receives within the 90-day period but after that, Finebaum’s a free agent.

CBS Radio to Flip WNEW-AM, Washington to Sports Talk.  For four months, CBS Radio aired “1580 Gov.Biz Radio” on WNEW-AM, Morningside, Maryland in the Washington, DC metro in hopes of competing with Hubbard Broadcasting’s WFED “Federal News Radio.”  Now TALKERS learns that CBS will flip the AM signal to sports talk using the national programming from CBS Sports Radio Network.  The station will also apply for the WJFK-AM call letters to match up with sister DC sports talker WJFK-FM.

Clear Channel Gives WLW, Cincinnati an FM Presence.  It’s not a big presence – 99 watts on the translator W233BG at 94.5 – but according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Kiesewetter, the signal reaches most potential listeners within the market’s I-275 loop.  Clear Channel bought the translator from Northern Kentucky University and then moved the city of license from Port Union, Ohio to Cincinnati.  Kiesewetter reports there’s been no comment from Clear Channel about why the need for an FM presence for “The Big One,” but speculates getting the market dominating talk station on FM where more people are listening is what local management wants in the long run.  Another thing to consider is smart phones with radio receivers get FM, not AM.

KHRO, El Paso Talk Host Hector H. Lopez to run for Mayor.  KHRO, El Paso afternoon drive host Hector H. Lopez has filed papers to run for mayor of El Paso.  The election is May 11 and at this time there’s no indication when Lopez will step down from his radio show.

The VP Meets the Governor.  New Townsquare Media regional vice president Greg Janoff (second from right) meets New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (second from left) on Tuesday, January 22 before he goes on the air on WKXW, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” for his monthly “Ask the Governor” program.  Pictured here with the governor and Janoff are “Ask the Governor” host Eric Scott (right) and New Jersey 101.5 brand manager Eric Johnson (left).

Obama’s Second Term Agenda, Israel Parliamentary Election, Benghazi Attack Testimony, and Gallup American Optimism Poll Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (1/22).  The agenda for President Obama’s second term as outlined in his Inauguration speech; the parliamentary elections in Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu’s likelihood to remain as prime minister; the pending testimony from Hillary Clinton on the Benghazi attack; and the Gallup poll that concludes American optimism is at its lowest point since the Carter Administration were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.