Tag: "Dan Yorke"

Friday, September 13, 2013

Premiere Networks and Sean Hannity Agree to Multi-Year Extension.  This contract renewal, which keeps nationally syndicated talk superstar Sean Hannity with Premiere Networks for years to come, also extends his reach.  The company states that Hannity’s program will expand to additional major market Clear Channel talk stations as well as non-Clear Channel stations in 2014.  Those details regarding station clearances will be announced at a later date.  Additionally, the program will also move from delayed status to live on some of its existing Clear Channel affiliates, “providing listeners with up-to-the-minute programming and real-time news and information.”  As part of this new deal, Sean Hannity will participate in key live events, touring and iHeartRadio Talk, the latter of which the company calls, “the first mass-market focused audio platform to offer on-demand listener-created talk content side by side with established personalities, celebrities and shows.”  Clear Channel Media and Entertainment chairman and CEO John Hogan states, “We’re really excited to be able to expand our relationship with Sean, one of the greatest talk radio talents in the country.  Sean continues to be one of the most successful radio personalities in both ratings and delivering results for advertisers, and his provocative show has seen significant growth.  His blend of intelligence, passion and integrity is what makes him such a successful broadcaster and important asset to radio.  We expect this new distribution plan to offer even more exposure and growth for The Sean Hannity Show.”  Hannity adds, “From the very first day I went on the air in 1986, and that red light went on, I have been in love with radio.  That love has grown every day since.  I am extremely appreciative and grateful for the opportunity to do what I love every day.  Premiere has been an incredibly supportive partner and a huge part of the show’s success.  I look forward to some amazing announcements to come, and the opportunity to continue a dialogue on the issues of the day with the single greatest audience in radio.”

Talkers Los Angeles 2013 Will Sell Out by End of Business Today!  The third annual installment of TALKERS magazine’s West Coast convention set for Thursday, October 10 is shaping up to be a blockbuster.  The gathering is closing in on being an advance sellout some four weeks before the event so it is advisable for media professionals interested in attending to register now!  Due to space limitations at the intimate Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood reaching maximum capacity, reservations ($149 per person) will be sold out by the end of business (5:00 pm ET) TODAY (9/13).  The conference is again being presented in association with the Los Angeles Press Club at the historic Steve Allen Theater on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.  TALKERS VP/executive editor Kevin Casey states, “We are very enthusiastic about the growth and positive impact of this Southern California gathering.  It started out three years ago as an experimental LA regional get-together and blossomed into an exciting companion to our big New York convention.”   The event - open only to members of the working media – will feature a power-packed day of panel discussions, keynote addresses, special presentations, technology and services exhibits by leading companies such as Comrex Corp. and Broadcasters General Store, tremendous networking opportunities and abundant food and refreshments lavishly catered by the Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company (lunch is sponsored by Premiere Networks and Fox News Channel star Sean Hannity who will address the attendees from New York).  For registration or sponsorship information call 413-565-5413.  To see the latest agenda, click here.

WTOP, Washington Hosts Special Town Hall on Syria.  Hubbard Radio all-news WTOP, Washington hosted a special one-hour edition of its “Town Hall” program this morning from 10:00 am to 11:00 am during which WTOP Capitol Hill correspondent Dave McConnell and midday anchor Mark Lewis conducted a Q&A session with U.S. Reps Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) on the issues surrounding Syria.

OPINION: The Only Thing We Have to Fear Is…Ourselves.  Sun Broadcast Group Inc. CEO Jason Bailey states in an op-ed piece that the future of talk radio is dependent upon today’s players being bold enough to dare to be different at the same time that we defend the nature of the format in the sales arena.  Bailey, referencing the Rush Limbaugh-Sandra Fluke controversy, writes, “The hypocrisy of what a brand will run next to on television but not radio should enrage us all.  But we’re afraid to stand up.  Have you watched television lately?  Calling somebody a slut is like the new way of saying hello.  It’s not just modern day television either.  I recall in the 80s, and now in reruns, Ms. Blanche Devereaux being called much worse.  Did I miss the outrage, the boycott?  Is it happening somewhere today because the Hallmark Channel chooses to run such “outrageous content?”  No.  There isn’t one because the television industry defended itself and stood up to being bold and different.  They aren’t afraid to create (or in this case rerun) content for the people that are most important in their world, the viewers.  If they push the envelope or they get a few complaint emails, they accept, and move on.  We have not been able to move on from our darkest day because we’re afraid to be bold, break the mold, and more importantly, defend ourselves.”  Read Jason Bailey’s entire piece here.

“Healed Planet with Alan Colmes” Debuts Sunday on Talkers Radio.  A new experimental talk show conceived and hosted by Fox News Radio personality Alan Colmes will debut on Sunday night (9/15) as an exclusive monthly feature on TalkersRadio, the new internet radio station launched on the website of this trade publication earlier this week to serve as a professional “laboratory/workout gym” for talk show hosts to test new concepts.  The program will air live every third Sunday of the month between 8:00 pm ET and 9:00 pm ET with numerous repeat airings during the period between new installments.  ”Healed Planet with Alan Colmes” will be an eclectic mix of science, metaphysics, unexplained mysteries, relationships, a small dose of politics and everything else rolling around the mind of Alan Colmes.  According to TalkersRadio GM David Bernstein, “It is going to be fun, fascinating, stimulating and informative for talk listeners to hear all the dimensions that make up the personality, creativity and interests one of the nicest and smartest guys in the business – beyond the paradigm of general news/talk radio and TV where – let’s face it - Alan is quite famous.  And THAT is what TalkersRadio is all about!”  TalkersRadio debuted this past Tuesday with two new live and exclusive programs, “The Robbie Student Show” hosted by noted record producer (and emerging talk talent) Rob “Robbie Student” Stevens (Monday-Friday 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET) and “The Brent and Meg Show” hosted by the husband/wife team of legendary newsman Brent Seltzer and PR veteran Meg McDonald (3:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET).  The station is being developed in layers and is expected to be featuring a full line up of creative, experimental programs within several weeks.  For more information please contact David Bernstein at david@talkers.com.

Yahoo! Sports Radio Picks Pepe For Mid-Mornings. WUFC, Boston general manager amd midday personality Anthony Pepe has been tapped to host 10:00 am – 12:00 noon ET duties on Yahoo! Sports Radio.  Longtime Boston Globe sports columnist Bob Ryan and Boston Herald sportswriter Ron Borges will also be featured on the daily two-hour program, which launches next Monday (9/16).  ”Anthony is an exceptional host; contributions from Ryan and Borges will provide compelling insights,” comments Yahoo! Sports Radio chief executive officer David Gow.  Pepe remarks, “I am honored to host a show on Yahoo! Sports Radio and to work with guys like Ron Borges and Bob Ryan.”  Pepe and Borges have been doing a weekly boxing show on the network.

New Dan Yorke TV Show Wraps First Full Week of Production.  WPRO, Providence midday talk show host Dan Yorke debuted his nightly television program – “Dan Yorke State of Mind” – on Fox Providence’s myRITV on Monday, September 9.  The nightly half-hour show airs at 7:30 and touches on the issues of the day with a special focus on Rhode Island stories.  Yorke, who’s been a fixture in local talk media since first moving to WPRO in 2000, is no stranger to local TV.  During his long stint on talk radio in the Springfield, Massachusetts market, he did a local program on WGGB-TV, Springfield that aired in late nights.  Check out the Providence Phoenix piece on Yorke and his new show here.

KIRO-FM, Seattle Adds Weekend Programming.  Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM, Seattle announces some fall programming changes that surround its coverage of Seattle Seahawks football.  The station notes the Jason Rantz show expands to a live three-hour show on Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm and Sundays from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.  Rantz provides an in-depth analysis of the local and national stories that matter most to the Pacific Northwest, and offers one-on-one interviews with some of the biggest newsmakers in the region, including Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and Washington’s marriage equality author Ed Murray.  Three new shows are added to the Saturday night lineup: “Geekwire” is the preeminent technology news hub in the region, covering the people, companies and innovations emerging from the Pacific Northwest and impacting the world.  Founders and co-hosts John Cook and Todd Bishop host the show beginning at 7:00 pm; renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts the first and only radio program devoted to all things space during “StarTalk.”  Tyson’s faithful media following lends himself to bridge the gap between pop culture and science with clarity, humor and passion each week with popular celebrities and special guests.  It airs from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm; and the station adds Premiere Networks’ “Coast to Coast AM” to air from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am Sunday.  Program director Pete Gammell says, “We’re excited to expand live and local news as part of the new KIRO Radio weekend lineup.  Alongside live coverage of the Seahawks each weekend, our programming offers something that every Washingtonian can enjoy.”

Odds & Sods.  Talk show host – and former U.S. Rep. from Arizona – J.D. Hayworth sits in for Michael Savage on tonight’s Cumulus Media Networks-syndicated program from 9:00 pm to 12:00 midnight ET…..Talk media personality Jeff Katz‘s daily 60-second feature “The Katz Commentary” — which currently airs on WCAP in the Boston area and KEWI in Little Rock is now heard every day at 1:00 pm on WDBF, Delray Beach, Florida during the Dick Farrel show…..Actress Julia Louis Dreyfus sits down with Entertainment Weekly editor Jess Cagle in front of a studio audience on SiriusXM’s “Town Hall” program.  The show will be recorded on September 16 and air on September 19 at 8:00 pm ET on Entertainment Weekly Radio…..Comcast Sports Net New England is reporting that CBS Radio’s WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub” will be the new home for the NBA’s Boston Celtics and the deal should be announced soon.  Entercom’s WEEI chose not to renew with the team after the two sides could not agree to a contract renewal.

Chris Markowski ‘Money Minutes’ Feature Expanding.  Financial expert Chris Markowski’s industry profile continues to grow as the host of the weekend syndicated program “Watchdog on Wall Street” continues to garner more affiliates for his free daily feature “Money Minute.”  The program just added WJHC, Jasper, Florida “Talk 107.5.”  Markowski is a regular face on cable news/talk and business talk television in addition to his weekly radio program daily vignettes.  Stations interested in adding the daily “Money Minute” can contact Shannon Rose at info@mediaproductions.tv.

SiriusXM and Bleacher Report Team for Sports Talk Show.  Adding the program to its SiriusXM Sports Zone channel, the satcaster is teaming with Turner Broadcasting-owned digital sports destination Bleacher Report to create “Bleacher Report Radio.”  The daily show will air from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and be hosted by SiriusXM’s Steve Covino and Rich Davis and feature some of Bleacher Report‘s most prominent contributors, including Mike Freeman, Matt Bowen, Matt Miller, Michael Schottey, Adam Kramer and Michael Felder.  SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein states, “Bleacher Report has distinguished itself as a go-to source for passionate sports fans and we’re excited to team up to deliver a new and unique brand of sports talk to our subscribers.  We are focused every day on giving our listeners access to the best sports content available, and the most in-depth access to their teams, no matter where they are across the U.S.  ‘Bleacher Report Radio’ was created with that goal in mind and will showcase many of Bleacher Report‘s best writers while giving sports fans a forum in which they can react to and discuss the day’s headline stories involving their favorite teams and players.”

TALKERS Weekly Affiliate Roundup.  Panama City, Florida-based Burnie Thompson show is added to the program schedule at WDVH-AM, Gainesville, Florida and WRZN, Hernando, Florida…..“Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline” is added to the 10-station “SuperTalk Mississippi Radio Network” that covers the state…..“The Freedom Feens” hosted by Michael W. Dean and Neema Vedadi joins the weekend program schedule at WKRO, Cairo, Illinois…..Talk Media Network-syndicated “Frontlines of Freedom” with host Lt. Col. Denny Gillem adds KYYA, Billings and WHFB, Benton Harbor-St. Joseph, Michigan to its roster of affiliates.  The network also announces “Fat Guys at the Movies” with hosts Kevin Carr and Kristin Dreyer Kramer is added to the program schedule at WBCF-AM/FM, Florence, Alabama and WHFB, Benton Harbor-St. Joseph, Michigan.

U.S. Debate Over Syria Action Top News/Talk Story of the Week.  According to the Talkers Ten^TM, the debate over United States action in Syria was the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio during the week of September 9-13.  Landing at #2 on the chart was Vladimir Putin’s chastising the U.S. tied with threats from Iran.  At #3 was the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and at #4 was the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  The Talkers Ten^TM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is published every Friday at Talkers.com.  To view this week’s chart, click here.