Tag: "tribute"
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Herman Cain Dies After Battle with COVID-19. Business executive, talk radio host, and former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has died after an almost monthlong battle with COVID-19. Cain, 74, was admitted to the hospital around July 2. He’d traveled from his home base of Atlanta, appearing at President Trump’s Tulsa rally (where he was photographed not wearing a mask) and also visited the Phoenix area. The Herman Cain website states, “We knew when he was first hospitalized with COVID-19 that this was going to be a rough fight. He had trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. We all prayed that the initial meds they gave him would get his breathing back to normal, but it became clear pretty quickly that he was in for a battle.” Cain had a history of cancer. For years, he hosted a radio talk show on Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta — taking over the late morning daypart previously occupied by Neal Boortz — and was in national syndication for a period of time. Recently, he’d been doing a talk show available via his website. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “We in the talk media industry have lost one of our own with the tragic passing of Herman Cain. He was not only a luminous example of the African American entrepreneurial spirit and largely unheralded conservative political influence, but he was also an accomplished, dedicated talk show host who rose to the heights of the Heavy Hundred for his successful work at WSB and presence in national syndication. He was on the verge of adding yet another chapter to his talk media career with a new show on Newsmax TV. It is a shame our industry has lost such an important voice and yet another stark example of why we must take this wretched virus seriously.”
Urban One Reports Second Quarter Net Revenue Down 37.5%. The first big radio company out of the gate with Q2 2020 financial data is Urban One, Inc. – parent of Radio One. The company reports that net revenue was approximately $76 million, a decrease of 37.5% from the same period in 2019. Broadcast and digital operating income was approximately $30.2 million, a decrease of 33.1%. Operating income was approximately $20.4 million compared to approximately $29.1 million for the same period in 2019. Urban One CEO and president Alfred C. Liggins, III says, “The economic impact of Covid-19 is fully evident in our second quarter numbers: radio advertising was down 51%, and event revenues were -96% year over year. Our TV and digital businesses fared better, with TV advertising revenue down 4.4% and digital -20%, highlighting the benefits of our diversified media asset base. We had to make tough decisions to reduce costs, and I am proud of how our team, including on-air talent, made sacrifices and worked diligently to keep us operating smoothly through the pandemic. With the issue of racial equality featuring so prominently around the world, it is critical that diverse voices continue to be heard and I thank all our staff and talent for their exceptional work engaging with our audience and clients. The outlook for the rest of 2020 remains uncertain, but I anticipate a similar pattern of strong performance from our TV business offsetting some of the weakness in radio advertising and events. On a same station basis, our Q3 core radio business is currently pacing -41% and we continue to see sequential improvement. Our cost saving measures remain in place, liquidity is strong with $70 million of cash on the balance sheet, and I firmly believe that Urban One will continue to successfully navigate our way through these unprecedented times.”
Good Karma Brands Recognizes Mike Golic’s ESPN Radio Career. Tomorrow (7/31) is the last day of ESPN’s “Golic and Wingo” morning radio program as the company’s new radio programming schedule begins on Monday (8/3). While Trey Wingo’s future with the company is unknown at this time, Mike Golic is transitioning to a position as a college football analyst with ESPN and in recognition of his radio work, Good Karma Brands’ ESPN radio stations are celebrating his 22 years in mornings on ESPN Radio with “22 hours of Golic.” Good Karma Brands’ ESPN stations in Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Madison, and West Palm Beach will be featuring memories, pictures, videos, and stories from his career. Additionally, Golic will also be interviewed on 850 ESPN Cleveland’s “The Really Big Show” with Tony Rizzo and Aaron Goldhammer today (7/30). Golic played football at St. Joseph’s High School in Cleveland before heading to Notre Dame and the NFL.
CBS Audio and Skyview Networks Renew Partnership. After two years of their network sales and distribution partnership, Viacom’s CBS Audio Network and Skyview Networks announce they are renewing to continue their relationship. In a press release, the companies say, “Since partnering in 2018, the CBS network’s audience and revenue have grown through expanded programming and content integration campaigns that generate enthusiastic support and strong results from the advertising community. In the next phase of the partnership, the companies will further develop the CBS sales strategy that leverages its personalities and influencers in both long-form and short-form programming.” CBS Audio Network and CBS News Radio vice president and general manager Craig Swagler says, “Our CBS Audio Network partnership with Skyview Networks strengthens our ability to drive sales efforts. This collaboration continues to assure our 23 million weekly listeners that they will continue to get the highest level of quality journalism they are accustomed to, while also providing for new opportunities for growth.”
Industry Mourns Bob McCurdy. Radio sales and management pro Bob McCurdy died yesterday (7/29) after a long battle with cancer. The All-American basketball star at University of Richmond got into radio at WLEE, Richmond in 1976. He joined Katz Radio in Chicago in 1980 and, several years later, moved to New York to lead that office for Katz. In 1990, he was named president of Katz Radio. In recent years McCurdy returned to his roots in local radio taking on a leadership position with Beasley Media Group. Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley says of McCurdy, “Bob was a trusted confidant, a valued advisor, and an incredible ambassador on behalf of the Beasley Media Group family and the radio industry. His love and passion for the business could be seen and heard in everything he did within our company as well as the industry. Bob will be greatly missed and will be forever remembered as a beloved member of our family.” In a recently completed book about leadership, culture, and sales, McCurdy wrote, “It has often been said that one can never tell where a teacher’s influence ends. The same is true with leaders. As leaders, we are teachers and as with teachers you can never tell where an effective leader’s influence ends. That makes for an amazing legacy.”
Gordon Hastings: McCurdy. Retired Katz Television/Radio president Gordon Hastings writes a tribute to the late Bob McCurdy. He says, “I am not exactly sure why but he was always simply, ‘McCurdy.’ Stu Olds would say, ‘Get McCurdy in here.’ Jim Greenwald, ‘Who’s this guy McCurdy everyone talks about?’ ‘McCurdy taught me,’ said many of the dozens of ‘survivors’ of McCurdy’s legendary sales training program.” Read the complete tribute here.
COVID-19 Statistics & Projections, School Opening Debate, GOP Stimulus Bill, Tech CEOs Before Congress, Presidential Race, BLM Protests/Federal Troops, and U.S. Pro Sports Leagues Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (7/29). The rising number of positive COVID-19 cases in numerous U.S. states and in other countries, plus the projections for future cases; the debate over opening schools in the fall; the wrangling over what will be in the final Republican stimulus bill; CEOs from Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple appear before the House Judiciary Committee; the November presidential election; the Black Lives Matter protests and the controversial use of federal troops; and the issues pro sports leagues are facing playing games were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
TALKERS News Notes. Sports talk personality Dan Sileo says he’s launching a new, national program on Monday (8/3) via USA Radio Networks that will air 9:00 pm to 12:00 midnight ET. He says it’s debuting on stations in Dallas and Miami. Sileo says he’s also hosting a local show on Cielo Media Holdings’ WNMA, Miami “1210 The Man” from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm….. GCN-syndicated talk radio host Dr. Daliah Wachs tells TALKERS magazine
she’s had a busy summer having just published her 7th and 8th books. She says, “Generation Alpha: They’re Alpha for a Reason is a book on the generation that follows Generation Z, temporarily called Generation Alpha. It describes how their generation may be the most challenged when it comes to identity, social interactions, education, and health. The Art of the BooBoo is a guide written by me, some former students who are now physicians, and my own kids, for parents on how to navigate through minor illnesses, or
booboos, their children may incur.”…..ESPN Audio says it is collaborating with voice-over artist and host Cayman Kelly “to bring his contemporary sound to the network.” Kelly will work with ESPN Audio on a variety of sound for the network’s programming including updates, promotions, and more. Kelly’s career has included work across ESPN and other TV networks, radio stations of all genres, video games, live concerts and events and corporate presentations.
Multi-talented Talk Personality Steve Trevelise Is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. He’s a news/talker heard weekday evenings on one of the most innovative radio stations in America – New Jersey 101.5. He’s also a sports/talk host heard weekends on one of the leading radio stations in that genre – WIP, Philadelphia. And he’s an established stand-up comic who’s opened for some of the greats for the past decade-plus at top clubs and venues all over the Delaware Valley. Steve Trevelise is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Born and
raised in the Garden State, Trevelise is described by TALKERS founder Michael Harrison as being “a real Jersey boy who, although not a member of the Four Seasons, is a man for all seasons.” Harrison and Trevelise take the listener on an insightful tour of today’s politically polarized society, the mask debate, similarities and differences between 1968 and 2020, the long-lasting impact of John Lennon and the Beatles, the state of pandemic-era sports, and the challenges faced by humorists during an age of hyper-political correctness. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the player box marked “The Michael Harrison Interview” located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. In Detroit, programming pro Scott Jameson is named director of programming for Beasley Media Group’s cluster there that includes: rock WRIF-FM, classic rock WCSX-FM, hip hop WMGC-FM, urban
contemporary WDMK-FM and the Praise Network. Jameson most recently was vice president of classic rock programming, program director of classic rock KQRS-FM and operations manager of KQRS-FM, KXXR-FM & WGVX-FM in Minneapolis for Cumulus Media. He says, “Joining Beasley Media Group in Detroit is a terrific opportunity. The Midwest is home for me, so it’s a natural fit. The legendary WRIF-FM and heritage WCSX-FM, joined with ‘The BOUNCE,’ ‘KISS,’ and ‘PRAISE’ boast exceptional talent across all five brands. Adding Beasley’s commitment to the community, along with an aggressive digital presence, turns listeners into fans. I’m thankful to Justin Chase for approaching me
about the Detroit situation and grateful to Mac Edwards and Brian Beasley for their endorsement.”…..Also at Beasley Media Group, the company announces that Al Beck adds evening jock duties at WRXK-FM, Fort Myers “96 K-ROCK.” Beck currently serves as the producer of the “Dave and Chuck The Freak Morning Show” at WRIF-FM, Detroit, is co-host of the Nerd Radio podcast, and can also be heard evenings on WBOS-FM, Boston “ROCK 92.9.” Beasley Media Group Southwest Florida operations manager Adam Star says, “We are excited to add Al Beck to our on-air line up at WRXK. Al’s on-air rock presentation is stellar, plus his connection with our syndicated morning show, Dave and Chuck the Freak, doesn’t hurt either! We felt bringing him on the air made perfect sense to embrace the Fort Myers rock world.”
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Beasley Presents to Lenders Regarding Greater Media Acquisition; Expects $6.2 Million in Combination Synergies. After the acquisition of Greater Media is consummated, Beasley Broadcast Group will jump from the 17th largest radio operator (by station count) to 9th largest with 73 stations (before the divestiture of three signals in Charlotte). In a presentation to lenders, Beasley executives are reporting that after the deal is completed, the company expects to realize $6.2 million in synergies from the combined companies. Specifically, Beasley believes it will save $4.7 million with the elimination of Greater Media executive staff and duplicative corporate departments, as well as other consulting, legal and Board of Director fees. At the station level, it expects to save $1.5 million in group benefit costs for employees and $900,000 in elimination of duplicative research, consulting and outside labor and advertising costs. It will, however, add about $1 million in costs in the operating expenses column. One specific item Beasley is budgeting for is about $300,000 to staff newly re-formatted classic hip hop WMGC, Detroit. You can see the whole presentation here.
Doug Stephan Re-Tools Syndicated Morning Show; Re-Branded ‘On Air with Doug, Jen and Victoria.’ In addition to now being distributed by Envision Networks, Doug Stephan re-brands his former “Good Day” nationally syndicated morning program “On Air with Doug, Jen and Victoria.” Envision says the show “delivers passionate discussions on items affecting listeners the most in their daily lives. Hosts Doug Stephan, Jen Horn and Victoria Keelan each bring a distinctive perspective to their highly entertaining conversations. Additional contributors round out each hour by providing listeners with news they can use on pop culture, entertainment,
astrology, health, technology, pets, travel, finances, home improvement and much more.” Moreover, each discussion in the program is self-contained so stations can opt to air all three hours or less and listeners won’t miss out on any part of the conversation. The show is delivered via satellite or FTP download to allow stations to broadcast it live or tape delayed based on their programming needs. Envision also says the show can be tailored to fit multiple formats including talk, adult contemporary, classic hits, hot AC, oldies and more. Stephan says, “I’ve done a lot of radio and have never had as much fun as I am now. And I know listeners love it.”
Cumulus Announces Staff Moves at Montgomery Cluster. There are three career moves to report at Cumulus Media’s Montgomery, Alabama station group. First, Rick Hendrick is promoted to operations manager for six-station cluster. He’ll continue to serve as program director for rock WXFX. Greg Thomas, who’s spent the last 14 years with Townsquare Media’s Tuscaloosa station group, joins Cumulus Montgomery to program country WLWI-FM. Joe Hunk moves from WJOX, Birmingham to Montgomery to program sports talk WMSP and news/talk WLWI-AM. Hunk will also serve as afternoon drive personality on WMSP. Vice president and market manager Marvin
Kopman says, “The passion, energy and talent of these three programming professionals are undeniable and together, they will create a strong force for programming excellence in Montgomery radio. Rick was a natural choice to lead our cluster operations as operations manager, with his leadership skills and experience within our cluster and community. Both Greg and Joe are tremendous additions to our programming team, and we welcome them and look forward to their contributions.”
Radio Tribute Show for Dr. Joy Browne Set for Tomorrow (9/9) on GCN. A group of industry figures who have worked with or knew the late Dr. Joy Browne have organized a live tribute show in her memory to air tomorrow (9/9) on her regularly scheduled program between 12:00 noon ET and 3:00 pm ET. It will be carried by the Genesis Communications Network (GCN) on Dr. Joy Browne’s roster of approximately 100 affiliates in addition to streaming live at www.gcnlive.com. Participants include (in alphabetical order):
David Bernstein, GM, TalkersRadio; Heather Cohen, EVP, The Weiss Agency; Alan Colmes, host, Fox News Radio; Bernadette Duncan, author, Yappy Days: Behind the Scenes with Newsers, Schmoozers, Boozers and Losers (AuthorHouse/Talkers Books, 2016); Jerry Crowley, VP/GM, Salem Media Group, New York; Ron Hartenbaum, Managing Partner, DGital Media; Mike Kinosian, managing editor, TALKERS; and Doug Stephan, president, Stephan Multimedia. The program, consisting of personal anecdotes and commentary, will be moderated by TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison. The conversation will focus on the significance of Dr. Joy’s career and its important place in talk radio history as well as a look at her life and times.
Fresno’s ‘Powertalk 96.7 and 1400’ Having Fun with ‘Trevor Nation World Tour.’ Afternoon drive personality Trevor Carey has been in that daypart on iHeartMedia’s news/talk simulcast “Powertalk 96.7 and 1400” (KALZ-FM, Fresno and KRZR-AM, Visalia) since February after moving from the company’s Stockton-Modesto talk combo. Now, Carey is setting out to “meet and thank every listener” he has on the “Trevor Nation World Tour.” The “World Tour” will stop at a variety of locations throughout the Valley, with Carey meeting his fans and listeners face-to-face during his live broadcasts. The first stop is the Elbow Room in Fig Garden Village this Friday, September 9. The tour will continue at Vino & Friends in Fresno on Friday, September 16. Carey adds, “I hear the voices of callers, I read emails and social media posts, and I want to shake hands with all of my listeners.”
Nielsen: August PPMs Good to News/Talk. According to research from Nielsen Audio, its August PPM survey (July 14 – August 10) indicates that as a format, news/talk listening was up compared to the same period in 2015. Not only was 6+ listening up from an 8.7 to a 9.6 (AQH share), but in both Persons 18-34 and Persons 25-54, AQH share was up 3.5 to 4.3 and 6.1 to 7.1, respectively.
The Presidential Race/Wednesday’s Candidate’s Forum, Iran Cash Payment Controversy, U.S.-Philippines Relations, iPhone 7 Reveal, and MLB Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (9/7). The activities of the candidates for president including the buildup to last night’s candidate’s forum; the controversy over the U.S.’ payment of $1.7 billion to Iran at the same time four hostages were released by the country; President Obama meets with Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte days after Duterte threatened to curse at Obama; Apple reveals details about the new iPhone 7; and Major League Baseball action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Newspaper Media Columnist and Former Television Producer Dave Berg is this Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. In what can be described as a media freak’s delight, Orange County Register and USA Today media columnist Dave Berg and Michael Harrison engage in a multi-faceted dialogue about the evolving history of late-night television in America and its role in reflecting, as well as influencing, societal change. It all happens on this week’s
installment of the award-winning PodcastOne series “Up Close and Far Out with Michael Harrison,” posted today (9/6). Berg served 18 years as co-producer of NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and wrote the best-seller Behind the Curtain: An Insider’s View of Jay Leno’s Tonight Show (Penguin Publishing, 2014). In his career he has served as a producer for Fox News Channel’s The O’Reilly Factor, a writer for NBC News and the Los Angeles bureau chief for CNBC. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the “Up Close and Far Out” player box located in the right-hand column of every page of Talkers.com and RadioInfo.com.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
KNBR-SAG/AFTRA Negotiations Getting Rancorous. The two sides of the contract dispute involving Cumulus Media’s sports talk KNBR, San Francisco and the SAG/AFTRA-represented staffers at the station is heating up with both sides far apart and accusing each other of not bargaining in good faith since February of this year. Cumulus Media San Francisco vice president/market manager Justin Wittmayer says, “Recently, it has come to our attention that our KNBR SAG-AFTRA employees have been holding press conferences expressing their concern that KNBR is either not agreeing to wage increases or is offering only very small increases, in the context of its union contract negotiations. While KNBR normally would not comment on these negotiations, it is important that our San Francisco business partners, clients, city officials and employees understand that such statements are completely false. In fact, during the last
negotiation session, which included the assistance of a federal mediator, the company offered wage increases ranging from 3% to 16.3% depending on the pay and the position held by KNBR union members, which by any means are significant. The company has also offered other concessions, including paid vacation for KNBR’s part-time employees, which is a benefit largely unavailable to part-time employees. Unfortunately, the union has responded with wildly unreasonable demands, including, without limitation: demands for immediate wage increases as high as 145%, total increases of nearly 153% and time off proposals that are completely unworkable.” This comes as the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Tuesday (8/2) calling on Cumulus Media to reach a fair contract. SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris says, “KNBR is one of the top five revenue-generating stations among the 453 stations Cumulus owns nationwide, yet its employees are paid poverty-level wages, and many are forced to take second or third jobs just to survive.” SAG-AFTRA repeats its allegation that “Cumulus has refused to offer compensation in line with KNBR’s sister stations.” The union says many KNBR staffers are making minimum wage, including producer James Kincaid who testified at the Board of Supervisors hearing, saying, “I love working for KNBR because it’s been my dream since my freshman year of high school. The only way I keep my dream alive is by working two other jobs. And I know I’m not the only one. It’s a reality for most of us here at KNBR.”
WLS-AM, Chicago Adds ‘Ramblin’ Ray Stevens to Big John Howell Morning Show. Former WUSN, Chicago “US99” air personalities Big John Howell and “Ramblin” Ray Stevens are back together working for Cumulus Media now co-hosting the morning show on its news/talk WLS-AM. Stevens is
joining Howell as co-host of the AM drive program on Monday (8/8). Cumulus Media Chicago VP/market manager Peter Bowen says, “Big John and Ray are deeply rooted in Chicago and are well known to the community. We are excited for our listeners, as Big John and Ray are a winning combination.” The station says Stevens has “been a Chicago media fixture for over two decades,” noting that he’s won ACM, CMA and CRB Personality of the Year awards.
Howie Carr Show Unveils New Studio; Announces Newsmax Simulcast. Boston-based, syndicated talk show host Howie Carr began broadcasting from his new, state-of-the-art studio located in suburban Needham. The studio (pictured here) is a radio and TV hybrid built using digital technology, including Telos’ Axia AoIP mixing consoles and livewire technology. The video-friendly set features full-graphic video walls, backlit walls and a backlit desk. The Howie Carr Radio Network operations manager Jared Goodell managed the studio buildout. He tells TALKERS, the new facility will help expand the reach of the Howie Carr brand across multiple platforms – including terrestrial radio, internet radio, YouTube, Facebook Live and other digital platforms. The studio dovetails with Carr’s new agreement with Newsmax for the conservative media company to simulcast the 4:00 pm ET hour of the Howie Carr show on its cable/satellite channel that’s available in some 40 million American homes. Howie Carr comments, “Radio is evolving rapidly and I think we all need to be thinking about new studios that are going to catch the attention of non-traditional listeners who may actually be viewers — online, on smart phones, on tablets or somewhere else we haven’t even thought of yet.” With sentiment in mind, the Howie Carr Radio Network is planning to expand its programming in the coming year. Goodell says, “Having worked in several markets with terrestrial news/talk-formatted stations, I am well aware of the lack of quality programming available to program directors. We hope to help fill that gap with compelling content that will assist local stations in growing ratings and revenue.”
iHeartMedia Promotes Three in Realigned Markets. The company announces that region presidents Brian Olson, Linda Byrd and Justin Schaflander are being elevated to presidents of their newly aligned markets within the Midwest Southeast Division. All three will continue to report to Tom McConnell, president of the Midwest Southeast Division of the iHeartMedia Markets Group. Brian Olson becomes president of the South Florida Region, including West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers/Naples and Punta Gorda. He’ll also manage day-to-day operations in the Miami market. Olson joined iHeartMedia in 2006 as SVP of sales in Miami. Linda Byrd now becomes president of the Central/North Florida Region, including Orlando, Tampa/Sarasota, Jacksonville, Melbourne, and Brunswick, Georgia. Byrd has been with iHeartMedia since 1982. Byrd previously oversaw operations in Orlando. Justin Schaflander rises to president of the expanded Atlanta Region which now includes Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, Columbus/Albany, Charleston, Columbia, Savannah, Myrtle Beach and Florence. Schaflander joined iHeartMedia in 2007 as director of sports for the Atlanta Braves Radio Network.
Nielsen Audio Releases Second Round of July 2016 PPM Data. The second of four rounds of July 2016 PPM ratings data from Nielsen Audio has been released for 12 markets including: Washington, Boston, Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The June 2016 survey period covered June 16 through July 13. You can find the complete 6+ ratings numbers from subscribing stations here. Additionally, TALKERS/RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Twelve Takeaways” from this group on the main page of our sister publication here.
Ballard Named Key Account Manager for Cumulus Birmingham. Market radio pro Donna Ballard joins Cumulus Media as key account manager for the company’s six-station Birmingham cluster, effective October 10. Ballard has worked in the market for more than 30 years, most recently with the SummitMedia station group. Ballard comments, “The incredible opportunity to represent the Cumulus stations in Birmingham – with WJOX, the market’s exclusive sports station, along with 99.5 FM, Birmingham’s new live-and-local news/talk station and WUHT “Hot 107.7,” headlined by the ‘Steve Harvey Morning Show,’ is a very exciting venture for me. I look forward to working with both regional and local clients, doing what I love most, which is to help businesses achieve success and meet their goals. That is truly my passion. I feel very blessed to be working alongside the talented staff at Cumulus Birmingham.”
The Presidential Race, Wikileaks-Benghazi Emails, Black Lives Matter Economic Proposal, US Cash Payment to Iran, Rio Olympics Troubles, and MLB Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (8/2). The activities of presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump; the claim by Wikileaks’ Julian Assange that emails indicate the U.S. was arming jihadists in Syria via Benghazi; the Black Lives Matter movement and its recently announced economic proposal; controversy over the US’ $400 million payment to Iran at the same time Americans were being releasing from Iranian custody; the problems facing Rio De Janeiro as it prepares for the Olympic opening ceremony; and Major League Baseball action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Las Vegas Tribute to Jerry Doyle Being Planned for September. Las Vegas-based talk show host Dr. Daliah Wachs is helping to organize a tribute to talk show host and actor Jerry Doyle, who died unexpectedly last week at age 60. Wachs tells TALKERS that the tribute is in the planning stages. A venue is being secured and the lineup for the event is being worked out. Radio friends of Doyle wishing to have input, can contact Wachs at: doctordaliah@hotmail.com. She says those who can travel or will be in Las Vegas mid-September are invited to speak if they wish. They can contact her regarding their availability. Those who cannot attend are invited to make a short tribute video to be played if they wish.
ESPN Radio Reveals New Fall Shows. There are two new sports programs being added to ESPN Radio’s weekends this fall. First, the three-hour, “McNabb & Custer” show – hosted by former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb and veteran Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Brian Custer will premiere Sunday, September 11, at 10:00 pm ET (or immediately following Sunday Night Baseball). Second, “espnW presents: The Trifecta with Spain, Jane & Kate” will take a break, but hosts Sarah Spain, Jane McManus and Kate Fagan will appear elsewhere during weekend programming. Spain will join Jon “Stugotz” Weiner – co-host of the Dan Le Batard show – for the “Weekend Observations with Stu & Spain” program. McManus will co-host Sunday’s “Operation Football” alongside Randy Scott and Field Yates, and Fagan will continue hosting “Will & Kate” with Will Cain. On Sundays, former NFLer Domonique Foxworth will pair with WMVP, Chicago’s Jonathan Hood on “NFL Nation.”
Odds & Sods. WGN, Chicago adds former coach and Chicago Bears safety Doug Plank as an analyst on “The Download with Justin Kaufmann” every Monday night, beginning August 8 for its Bears and NFL coverage, joining the station’s Dan Hampton, Ed O’Bradovich and Glen Kozlowski. Hall of Famer Hampton and former Bears Ed O’Bradovich and Glen Kozlowski return to host the three-hour football postgame program, “The Hamp & O’B Show with Glen Kozlowski,” following every regular season Chicago Bears game, starting Sunday, September 11. Additionally, Hampton will join the Steve Cochran show in the mornings and Glen Kozlowski will join the Roe Conn show in the afternoons every Monday and Friday to recap and preview Bears games…..The Premiere Networks-distributed SourceAudio – a white label music DAM platform – announces that the company’s Alpha Libraries for Radio service has achieved the industry milestone of more than one million production library and SFX tracks now available for download by subscribing radio stations. Alpha Libraries for Radio says it’s the industry’s largest collection of production music beds, sound effects and imaging elements. Alpha releases at least five new albums each day – as well as new libraries monthly – to thousands of radio station affiliates.