Tag: "ABC Radio News"
Another Breaking News Weekend…
By Howard B. Price
ABC Television Network
Director, Business Continuity
NEW YORK — It’s been a few years now since I worked on the editorial side of the business, but my adrenaline still starts pumping anytime news breaks.
Weekend before last, it was the unexpected passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Network radio and TV were all over it – smart local stations used those resources, and were all over it, too.
But local radio stations WITHOUT a network news affiliation likely found themselves behind the eight ball – unable to meaningfully respond beyond whatever they were able to pass along from social media and news websites. Better than nothing, but not good enough.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
KTRS, St. Louis Personality JC Corcoran Suspended for Twitter Activities. There’s no official word from CH Holdings’ news/talk KTRS, St. Louis but the reports from St. Louis-area media seem to confirm that afternoon host JC Corcoran has been suspended from the station for two weeks after engaging in a back-and-forth Twitter argument with listener-followers in which he used foul language. The incident started when Corcoran declared Cardinals star Albert Pujols would re-sign with the team by November 18. When that didn’t happen, Corcoran was taken to task for his prediction on Twitter and his responses including questionable language went out on the internet. This case illustrates that even though the “letter” of FCC rules applies specifically to over-the-air language on terrestrial radio, the “spirit” of the law can now extend to social media activities as well giving the morals clause found in most talent employment contracts expanded relevance. Talk show hosts beware – you are what you tweet!
News/Talk KFBK, Sacramento Gets FM Signal. As the historic AM station prepares to celebrate its 90th anniversary early next year, Clear Channel announces it is ending the Hot AC on KGBY-FM and begins simulcasting news/talk KFBK on the signal as FM NewsTalk 92.5 today (12/1). Vice president and market manager Jeff Holden states, “Today is a milestone for Sacramento broadcasting as KFBK expands to the 92.5 FM frequency to better serve the local community. The void for quality, local and full service news and talk on FM has now been filled. This will give a younger audience access to one of the most influential stations in, not only, Sacramento but all of Northern California. KFBK has demonstrated leadership over the past 90 years and it continues with the same dedication and progressive nature that makes it unique. KFBK will now reach the nearly 70 percent of the market that doesn’t tune into the AM band.”
WFLA, Tampa Adds Jock Corey Dylan to AM Drive Program. Former WPOI-FM, Tampa DJ Corey Dylan is now part of the morning show at Clear Channel’s WFLA, Tampa. The St. Petersburg Times reports Dylan joins Jack Harris and Tedd Webb as co-host on the “AM Tampa Bay” program and will serve as a lifestyle reporter for the station as well. Program director Steve Versnick tells the paper, “We wanted to change the co-host role and Corey seemed a perfect fit. She’s got a sterling reputation in the market and a broadcast journalism degree. So while it might seem like stretch to go from an ’80s station to news/talk, her background and interest seem perfect.”
Georgia Talk Host Martha Zoller Zeroes in on Congressional Seat. WXKT-FM, Gainesville, Georgia talk host Martha Zoller is preparing to take leave of her talk radio career to run for Congress in Georgia’s newly created 9th Congressional District. Zoller is still heard on Cox
Media Group’s WXKT-FM but has exited the Georgia News Network from which she was syndicated across the state. Zoller says Cox attorneys say she can stay on the air until she’s officially qualified as a candidate in May but realistically expects to have to leave her program prior to that time. Zoller reports she has excellent name recognition in the district – 62% of likely primary voters in the conservative district have heard of her – as she will face a battle against State Representative Doug Collins and possibly others in the Republican primary election.
Dial Global’s Bill Press to Remain on San Francisco Affiliate. Yesterday we reported Clear Channel’s plans for its AM talk stations in San Francisco that include the end of progressive talk outlet Green 960 (KKGN). Dial Global notes that although much of the progressive talk that’s currently heard on that station will be relegated to the KKSF-FM HD-2 signal and online, the Bill Press show will be heard in the early morning daypart prior to Premiere’s Glenn Beck on KNEW 960 in the new year.
WGN, Chicago’s John Williams Organizes Holiday Food Drive. Upon learning that food banks and pantries across the country are reporting a shortage of peanut butter, WGN talk host John Williams is organizing the “Peanut Butter & Jolly” drive to rally his listeners to donate peanut butter to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Peanut butter is sought after because of its protein content, appeal to children and long shelf life. All day today (12/1), Williams will encourage listeners to donate to one of the many participating locations around Chicagoland that will be delivered to the depository tomorrow. Williams says, “Everyone wants gifts at Christmas, but these people just need food. If you give to this campaign, we can all say Merry ‘Chrithmath!’”
2012 Presidential Race, European Debt Crisis, Occupy L.A. Ousted and Penn State Abuse Case Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/30). The GOP candidates for president in 2012, the ongoing efforts to deal with Europe’s debt crisis, the clearing of the Occupy Los Angeles protesters and additional allegations in the Penn State sexual abuse case were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday. Pictured here is ABC Radio News correspondent Alex Stone covering the Los Angeles Police Department’s breakup of the Occupy L.A. camp.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Al Sharpton Gets MSNBC Talk Show. Dubbed “Politics Nation” and airing in the 6:00 pm time slot, Rev. Al Sharpton’s news/talk cable TV program officially debuts on Monday, August 29. We say officially because Sharpton has been subbing at the network this summer. In a statement, MSNBC president Phil Griffin says, “I’ve known Rev. Sharpton for over a decade and have tremendous respect for him. He has always been one of our most thoughtful and entertaining guests. I’m thrilled that he’s now reached a point in his career where he’s able to devote himself to hosting a nightly show. ‘PoliticsNation’ is going to be an incredibly strong kick-off to our evening schedule.” Sharpton also hosts a daily syndicated radio talk show distributed by Syndication 1 that airs live from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET on about 20 affiliates. That’s cutting awfully close to his 6:00 pm TV airtime but there’s no word from Syndication 1 if Sharpton will continue his radio show or not. (August 25, 2011)
Philadelphia Talk Radio Friend Joey Vento Passes Away Unexpectedly. Vento, who died of a massive heart attack on Tuesday (8/23) at age 71, was not a talk show host but was very friendly with a number of Philadelphia-based and nationally syndicated hosts. He made national news – and many conservative media friends – after posting a sign at his famous Geno’s Steaks restaurant in South Philly that reads, “This is America. When ordering, please speak English.” The move caused cries of racism from critics but Vento stood fast and made many appearances on talk radio since that time and included among his talk radio friends WPHT host Dom Giordano and Salem Radio Networks host Mike Gallagher. (August 25, 2011)
ABC Radio News Offers 9/11 Anniversary Programming. The 10th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 takes place in less than three weeks. Among the news organizations offering long-form programming to mark the event is ABC Radio News. ABC airs a three-hour program that Sunday morning from 8:06 am to 10:58 am. ABC Radio News correspondents Cheri Preston and Aaron Katersky will anchor from Ground Zero in New York City; Ann Compton reports from the White House; Steve Portnoy reports from Shanksville, Pennsylvania (the site of the downing of Flight 93); and Vic Ratner reports from the Pentagon. (August 25, 2011)
WDSM, Duluth Talk Host Lew Latto Dies at 71. Latto was more than just a talk host at MidWest Communications’ WDSM, Duluth. Latto had worked in radio since his high school days in the 1950s. He went on to own stations, manage stations and remained a “radio guy” his entire career. Latto was hosting his daily morning show, “Talk of the North,” on WDSM and was reportedly getting dressed to prepare for his show there when he passed away suddenly. (August 25, 2011)
Clear Channel Buys FM Translator for WIOD, Miami. Way FM Media Group sells W228BY, Allapattah, Florida to Clear Channel for $200,000. The signal is close to downtown Miami and will serve as a second FM signal for news/talk WIOD. Currently, WIOD can be heard in Broward County on 100.3 FM as well. (August 25, 2011)
United Stations Radio Networks Names Sue Falco Director of Affiliate Relations. USRN announces Sue Falco becomes director of affiliate relations for the company. Falco most recently served as national director of affiliate sales at Westwood One where she was responsible for long- and short-form programming. USRN VP Dan Brassem says, “Sue brings a vast knowledge of both the radio network business and an understanding of what our radio clients need and expect from a program supplier. We’re excited that she’s on board and we anticipate that her experience, her contacts and her overall know-how will be assets that will help us grow our networks.” (August 25, 2011)
KNBR, San Francisco Adds Oakland Raiders Coach Hue Jackson to “Coaches Tuesday.” Cumulus sports talk outlet KNBR, San Francisco announces Oakland Raiders coach Hue Jackson will join Brian Murphy and Paul McCaffrey each Tuesday morning at 7:00 am. Jackson is followed by San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh who becomes part of the show at 8:00 am. OM and PD Lee Hammer states, “We’re excited to have both 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and Raiders coach Hue Jackson on KNBR 680 every week. The head coach in football is the decision maker, and Bay Area football fans will now be able to hear directly from both of them, on the same station every Tuesday morning.” (August 25, 2011)
Libya Status, 2012 Presidential Race, Iran, Nukes and Hurricane Irene Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (8/24). The status of the Libyan government and whereabouts of Moammar Gaddhafi, the 2012 presidential race, Iran’s nuclear weapons program and Hurricane Irene’s anticipated path were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday according to ongoing research from TALKERS. (August 25, 2011)
15 Years of Jim Rome. Premiere Networks celebrated 15 years of the nationally syndicated Jim Rome program at W Hotel in Westwood, California recently. Rome’s program was the first sports program to be syndicated nationally by Premiere Networks and today it remains one of the most-listened-to national sports programs heard on 230 affiliates each week. Pictured here are Rome (l) and Premiere Networks president, content and affiliate relations Julie Talbott (r). (August 25, 2011)