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Jack is the new name in the valley radio scene. Choice FM at 92.7 on the radio dial is now Jack FM. Same station, different format.  Instead of new pop, listeners will hear tried and true hits from the '80s and '90s on Jack, which took over Choice at 5 p.m. Oct. 21.
What makes Jack different, said NRC Broadcasting vice president and general manager Steve Wodlinger, is no repetition. Jack boasts a library of 2,000 tunes, over Choice's 400 to 500 titles (read more Glenwood Springs Post Independent)

The most surprising TV image of the Halloween weekend wasn't Osama bin Laden's campaign video. It was rapper Eminem playing presidential politics on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," performing his anti-George Bush song "Mosh" just three days before the election (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

WFTL, South Florida's "Live 85," will begin all day election coverage at 6am Tuesday morning on the "Live 85 Election Network." 5 radio stations in the James Crystal Radio Group in the Miami and West Palm Beach markets will simulcast all day. WFTL is teaming with the Sun-Sentinel Newspaper, WTVJ
Miami, WPTV West Palm Beach and CNN. Listeners will also be invited to call in (visit Live 85)

A British outfit called Opcode Digital Media has a cute little program called OpD2d, free for the taking at www.opcode.co.uk  Digital audio recorders don't come any simpler than this one. It will copy any sound that passes through your computer's audio system, converting it into the same WAVE format used on audio CDs. OpD2d is excellent for transcribing old audiotapes or LP records. Plug the player into your computer's soundcard, and the software will make you a good digital copy. But it also captures Internet audio streams. Punch up your favorite online music channel, then push the record button (read more - Boston Globe)

The satellite radio wars are heating up. Every week seems to bring another attempt by XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. to outdo each other (read more - Businessweek)

A caller to a late-night radio show confessed to mowing down a teenager in his car - shortly after a 16 year-old was left for dead in a Midland hit-and-run. Last night police released a transcript of the dramatic phone call made to the James Whale programme on Talk-Sport by a Wolverhampton man named Paddy (read more - Sunday Mercury)  FOLLOWUP -- A man who rang a radio phone-in show to say he had driven off after deliberately knocking down a teenage boy was fined £80 yesterday for wasting police time (read more - The Sun UK)

If you stopped watching Channel 8's 10 p.m. news, why did you stop? If you still watch it, what makes you stay? If you drifted away, what could make you come back? A few of the answers emphasized style over content (don't like the anchors'/ reporters' looks or what they're wearing), and some said they stopped watching Channel 8 news because they believe it has become too liberal -- although that criticism was more often reserved for ABC Evening News With Peter Jennings. But for some, that was reason enough to stop watching an ABC affiliate altogether (read more - Robert Philpot-Star-Telegram)

Streaming Radio's DJ Roy Sandbrook is in training for his microphone marathon world record attempt to host the longest radio show in the world. Roy is attempting to stay on air for a full 6 days, starting in the Streaming Radio studios at 8am on Thursday 18th November 2004 hopefully running through until Wednesday 24th November 2004 in a bid to break the UK's current record of 33 hours held by Nick Lawrence on BBC Three Counties Radio in 2001. He will also be trying his best to beat Switzerland radio DJ Christoph Stockli’s record from 2002 which lasted a whopping 105 hours! (read more - UK Radio)

 

The commercials are as patriotic as those created for any presidential candidate. As wistful piano chords provide the soundtrack, a parade of Rockwellian images - front porches, mothers and children, construction workers and an American flag - passes by. These ads, however, were not created for President Bush or Senator John Kerry, but for Peter Jennings, the longtime anchor of ABC's "World News Tonight.'' (read more - NY Times)

Republicans have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission accusing two Los Angeles radio personalities of ‘‘criminal behavior’’ for attacking a local GOP congressman on the air and endorsing his Democratic opponent. The National Republican Congressional Committee contends that criticism of Rep. David Dreier by KFI-AM talk show hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou represents an illegal in-kind donation of more than $25,000 to Dreier’s challenger (read more - Pueblo Chieftain)

Grace Broadcasting recently bought WSIB-FM 93.9 in Selmer from The Victory Network. The station, dubbed Dove 94 FM, plays contemporary Christian music, featuring artists such as Point of Grace, Casting Crowns, 4 Him and Third Day (read more - Jackson Sun News)

Some of the radio folks who showed up at a recent surprise 60th birthday party for Bobby Jay of WCBS-FM (101.1) included Dan Ingram, Harry Harrison, Jane Tillman Irving, George Flowers, Vaughn Harper, Hal and Debbie B. Jackson, Jeff Troy, Darcell Holloway and Clay Berry.
... Tim Sabean has been named vice president of active rock programming for Infinity (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Radio Anyway, a self-styled, DIY alternative radio magazine, will air Sundays at 5PM on 90.7 FM (WNMC), and its mission is nothing short of changing the world with the microphone, the tape, and a thousand little radios. At once offbeat and significant, the half-hour program will bring listeners stories by, for and about people from the greater Grand Traverse area (read more - Michigan IMC)

Steve Malzberg checks in -- As you probably know by now, I have left WABC Radio after more than 23 years at the station. I started there, grew up there and met my wife there. But starting on Monday morning November 1st, I will be joining the morning show at WWRL Radio, 1600 on the AM dial in New York City. To all of you who can't get WWRL, you can listen live Monday - Friday from 6-10 AM at www.wwrl1600.com  I can't tell you how excited I am about this move. It's a great opportunity for me, and for you the listener, to hear the issues of the day debated and discussed in an informative, passionate and entertaining way ..."

Some Coast radio stations have stopped broadcasting Enough is Enough advertisements because of a complaint that they contain false information. The Committee For Our Coliseum, through its lawyer, sent the radio stations a complaint letter, an affidavit from Mississippi Coast Coliseum Executive Director Bill Holmes and a copy of an article from The Sun Herald about the newspaper's objections to its name being used in the ads (read more - Biloxi Sun-Herald)

Clear Channel Communications on Friday posted higher operating earnings and said a new strategy to trim advertising airtime showed early signs of success. Shares of Clear Channel rose 2 percent, despite a decline in third-quarter radio ad revenue on weak sales to automotive and telecommunications customers (read more - Reuters)


Financial terms weren't disclosed, but it's believed O'Reilly — and O'Reilly alone — paid multimillions of dollars. Fox News Channel television host Bill O'Reilly and a former  producer of his talk show have agreed to settle their legal dispute over her allegations of sexual harassment, O'Reilly's lawyer announced Thursday. Harvey Levin of the syndicated television series "Celebrity Justice," reports Bill O'Reilly settled his lawsuits with former producer Andrea Mackris, the night before their lawyers would have met up in a Nassau County, New York, supreme court. You will not be held to your pledged contributions to the "Save The Tapes Fund," now totalling nearly $175,000. Probably (read more - NY Post)  (read more - Keith Olbermann-MSNBC-Bloggermann) (read more - MSNBC) (read more - Art Buchwald) (read more - CNN)  (read more - Margaret Carlson-LA Times) (read more - NewsHounds)

Bill O'Reilly says it's over.  But, is it?  He says he's not going to say any more about it.  But why should that stop the media from covering this story of the sick behavior of another media person?  Is it because they are afraid that he or Fox News won't invite them to be on his show and the network?  Is that a form of blackmail, a way that the media buys the media's silence?  Chances are some in the media are hot on the trail of those two foreign ladies Bill bragged about bedding down, according to the lawsuit filed by his assistant producer. I might feel better about all of this if Bill had agreed to see a psychiatrist as part of the settlement. Are we talking about a double standard of conduct and justice here -- for media and non-media people? The settlement says there was no wrongdoing on either side.  But, if there wasn't any wrongdoing, why did he file a lawsuit? Bill paid the bill for silence. But, why won't  he turn over the tapes to the news media and let them -- and us -- in a fair and balanced way of course, play them and listen to them and be the judge? He claims to be a man of the people. But, something smells here.  What average workin' man masturbates in his hotel room while talking with his assistant?  There's something really sick about all of this. The next time I see Bill point to the TV camera with his finger to make a point, I'll think about where that hand has been. Some will, fairly or unfairly, compare this payoff to Michael Jackson's out of court settlements of 10 years ago. Is this a personal matter for Bill?  Sure.  But, he is a public person.  If he is going to hold others to higher standards, should not the media and the public hold him to a higher standard? Would an average man of simple means and average income be treated the same way as Bill O'Reilly? Therein lies the problem.  Once again, someone with millions and millions of dollars pays someone to be silent -- and now they think they can walk away as if nothing happened just because a piece of paper says nothing happened. Is that fair, is that balanced?  Perhaps not.  As Margaret Carlson writes, " ... a hush has fallen over the Fox News commentariat, and its brothers and sisters in arms. Apparently, there are no morals police to police the morals police" (WW Wimbish) 

Jay Randolph will be among those honored in San Antonio this Saturday evening October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration and Dinner. Some tickets might become available ... Full details and a phone # are at www.trhof.com (click here to hear Jay on a KLIF SMU promo and listen to Jeff Davis introduce you to Jay Randolph) (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

Don Wade and Roma, the husband-and-wife talk show hosts who've been missing in action since Sept. 14, could be back on the air as early as Monday morning. But it remains to be seen whether they'll return to their former home at news/talk powerhouse WLS-AM (890) or show up for the launch of WIND-AM (560) as a brand-new news/talk competitor (read more - Feder of Chicago)

A WABC TV Investigative Report -- Families of U.S. troops in Iraq are desperately trying to buy basic supplies for them. Some say those men and women are needlessly put at risk because of a critical shortage. Now the families of those soldiers in our area are speaking out. They say they're the ones who've been sending boxes of batteries, sheets, gun lubricant, even two-way radios to their sons and daughters in Iraq. WABC - TV  Investigators' Jim Hoffer has an exclusive report (read and view the video - WABC - TV) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series -- I heard about Jason Shrinsky in the early 70’s. He is certainly one of the most celebrated communications attorneys ever!!!! Everyone likes him, and the manner in which he operated his law firm….clear language for those of us who were not lawyers. That is the way he is today!! I watched Jason on CNN many times explain away what many of us thought was a complicated communications problem. He always had a sharp answer to a problem. I determined that quickly when we hired him to do legal projects for Burkhart/Abrams, our consulting firm. (Jason, if you read the above please send cash….just kidding!!!) Jason grew up in Pittsburgh (read it all at www.kentburkhart.com)

Clear Channel Communications Inc. posted higher operating earnings, but radio advertising revenue fell  due to weak sales to its automotive and telecommunications customers. Clear Channel cut its full-year earnings forecast (read more - Reuters)

Victor Diaz has died. He was a renegade, he was an original -- and he brought radio to the masses in San Diego and Tijuana. Victor Diaz was one of those individuals that was larger than life -- he knew and loved radio, and he was also at the forefront of trying new ideas and thinking of new formats (read more - SDRadio.net)

Ashleigh Banfield's wedding to Howard Gould made the cover of Modern Bride. The ceremony took place on a restored antique yacht in northern Ontario, where Ashleigh and her family spent summers (read more - NY Post)

Champagne bottles were popping this week at KFYI-AM (550) after the summer Arbitron ratings were released. The station finished No. 1 for the first time in its 19-year history, unseating spring winner KOOL-FM (94.5). "It feels very good," said Laurie Cantillo, KFYI program director. "But we're not going to rest on our laurels." She attributes some of the station's rise to the heated political climate, as well as new listeners tuning in (read more - Arizona Republic)

Liberals live in San Diego County! San Diego's new liberal talk station is a certified hit. KLSD bumped golden-oldies station KPOP off the air and took over its frequency in late August. The very next month, KLSD became the most popular station in the county among listeners aged 25-54, according to the radio ratings company Arbitron. That's an amazing success, especially considering that Clear Channel, which owns KLSD, relied largely on free media coverage to publicize the station's debut (read more - Randy Dotinga-North County Times)

Bob Cole was the all-night deejay on KIKK FM, when I arrived August 1977 directly from a one year contract at KTRM in Beaumont. Bob was huge in many ways. Physically he was a giant. Bob's voice was the deepest bass that I ever heard. Bob could really communicate with his listeners. He kept those all-night phones all abuzz (read more - Jim Rose Remembers)

A gift of free air time to GOP candidates from a Fresno-area broadcaster drew challenges on several fronts Thursday, as Democrats tried to stop the ads from running in key areas before Tuesday's election. Attorneys representing Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, D-Hanford, filed a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission arguing that Pappas Telecasting Cos. violated federal equal time rules by offering free time to GOP Assembly candidate Dean Gardner of Bakersfield -- but not to Parra (read more - Boston Globe)

Beasley Broadcast Group, which owns three radio stations in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market, posted a year-on-year 32 percent leap in third-quarter profits to $4.1 million, the company announced Thursday (read more - Miami Herald)

In yet another example of the growing popularity of Spanish-language television in the U.S., the Univision Network reached another audience milestone with the 2-hour grand finale of its primetime novela, "Amarte es Mi Pecado" (My Love, My Sin), this past Friday, October 22. The final episode of this highly successful drama delivered more Adult 18-49 viewers nationwide - Hispanic or non-Hispanic - than the programming of ABC, CBS, FOX, WB or UPN (read more - Business Wire)

Behind the deluge of tributes to John Peel lies a phenomenon not entirely explained by Peel’s charm and talent. It was previously apparent when the Today programme presenter, Brian Redhead, died in 1993. Both men were proof of the incomparable intimacy of radio broadcasting. Millions of Britons sincerely believe that they knew Redhead and Peel. That is because radio streams into their homes, cars and workplaces untrammelled by the requirement to sit before a screen (read more - The Times U.K.)

Meredith Corporation announced that Kevin O'Brien will no longer serve as President of the Meredith Broadcasting Group, effective immediately. Meredith President and Chief Operating Officer Stephen M. Lacy will oversee the broadcasting operations on an interim basis (read more - Reuters) (read more - PR Newswire)

KSJO-FM, serving the San Francisco/San Jose market, announced late last night that it flipped to a Spanish-language format, La Preciosa, featuring hot, original regional Mexican hits. KSJO-FM, which previously aired a rock format, will now feature the only local morning show, El Genio Lucas hosted by Alex Lucas, in the Bay Area

Viacom Inc. announced an $8 billion stock buyback--far exceeding previous estimates of the size of the program--and said it would increase its dividend by 17%. Viacom reported a third-quarter loss of $487.6 million, or 28 cents a share, compared with a profit of $699.6 million, or 40 cents a share, a year earlier (read more - Chicago Tribune) (read more - Crain's NY Biz)

The Radio industry showed its first signs of recovery in ad sales with total combined local and national spot revenue climbing up 4% in September of 2004 when compared to September of last year. Local ad sales remained the clear leader, rising 5% for the month over September of 2003. The national sector saw a return to a healthy figure in September, growing by 1% compared to September from a year ago (read more - RAB)

The NBA on ESPN Radio will tip-off its 10th season of live, exclusive national coverage on opening night of the 2004-05 campaign when the defending champion Detroit Pistons will receive their rings prior to hosting Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets with newcomer Tracy McGrady (visit ESPN Radio)

CNNfn, the financial news cable network owned by Time Warner Inc., said it will shut down by mid-December, due to competitive challenges (read more - Crain's NY Biz)

UTAH political junkies will want to tune into 105.7 FM for the new program "All Debate, All the Time." Starting at noon, KCPX will air the three presidential debates "over and over and over again." (read more - Deseret News)

Premiere Radio Networks announced that The Bob & Tom Show just signed its 150th affiliate – making it one of the top syndicated morning programs in the nation. Winners of an unprecedented four Marconi Awards; consecutive winners since 1991 for Billboard Magazine’s radio personality of the year, Bob and Tom have also released more than 30 comedy albums over the last 18 years, generating more than $4,700,000 for various charities nationwide (visit Bob and Tom)

There was yet another sign this week of Ohio's importance in the presidential election. ABC network's Sam Donaldson was in Cincinnati to host "Politics Live" from WCPO for the ABC news show. Donaldson interview correspondents from across the nation about undecided or swing voters. Donaldson said he believes those voters will probably decide this weekend how they'll vote next Tuesday (read more - WCPO)


Michael Powell's press secretary was visibly "upset," after the confrontation with Howard Stern ended, on San Francisco's KGO-AM, Newsradio host Ronn Owen told Stern yesterday on a call into Stern's show. When Tuesday's KGO show was over, Owen explained to Powell's staff that there was no way he would have been able to turn down a chance to put Stern on the radio with Powell. Howard Stern has another Powell to reckon with: Secretary of State Colin Powell. The nation's top diplomat came to the defense of his son, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell, after Stern said the younger Powell only got the job because of his family name. Colin Powell labeled the accusation "just so much nonsense"  Wednesday in an interview with CNBC (read more - Don Kaplan-NY Post) (read more - Indy Star)

Chuck Blore will be among those honored in San Antonio this Saturday evening October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration and Dinner. It's a sold out event!  But, a handful of tickets might become available.  Visit www.trhof.com or call 425-699-7498 to check on availability! (click here to hear Sonny Melendrez introduce you to Chuck Blore) (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

The sexual harassment allegations being tossed at Fox's Bill O'Reilly have generated a lot of heat but not much fire on cable's talking-heads shows. What's really needed is a Bill O'Reilly-type interviewing Bill O'Reilly + Air America, the liberal radio network airing on KKZN-AM (760), doesn't show up in the local summer Arbitron ratings report (July 1-Sept. 22), perhaps because it went on-air the last week in August. Clear Channel Vice President Lee Larsen says the company has been getting "positive feedback" from some listeners about the format (read more - Dusty Saunders-Rocky Mountain News)

It turns out WABC (770 AM) isn't the only station to have gotten a boost as the presidential campaign heated up over the summer.
WBAI (99.5 FM), which in many ways is the anti-WABC, saw its listenership rise 40% from spring (April-June) to summer (July-September). Mary Ellen Geist from KGO in San Francisco joins Wayne Cabot starting next week as co-anchor of afternoon drive, 3-7, on WCBS-AM (880)  (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Radio listeners throughout the region are about to encounter some new stations on the dial, thanks to the addition of translators. Translators are simply a way of retransmitting a station's signal, on a different frequency. One is for 92.9 in the Seattle area, which will retransmit KGHO-LP (94.3), a low-power FM station with a rock-oldies format broadcasting in Aberdeen-Hoquiam (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

In its final days as "The Fish," contemporary Christian WZFS-FM (106.7) has been airing commercials for its competitor, WJKL-FM (94.3), the noncommercial Educational Media Foundation's "K-LOVE" outlet. As of Monday, Salem Communications swaps WZFS with Univision Radio for WIND-AM (560) + Chicago-based Heartland Communications has acquired WRJO-FM and WERL-AM in Eagle River, Wis., for $2.2 million from Berner Broadcasting. Headed by Thomas Bookey (read more - Feder of Chicago)

If you listen to talk radio, you're likely convinced that an NBC story this week repudiated the New York Times story about missing explosives in Iraq. But a look at what NBC actually reported shows that's just not the case. Said Rush Limbaugh: "An NBC embedded reporting unit was with the 101st Airborne April 10th, 2003. Baghdad fell April 9th, 2003. When the embedded reporters got to the al-Qa'qaa weapons site with the 101st Airborne, there were no explosives in that cache that everybody thought were going to be there," according to a transcript of Limbaugh's Tuesday show. "They had been moved." Limbaugh's clincher, about the explosives already being moved, wasn't at all a part of Monday's NBC report (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Cox Radio Inc., the No. 4 U.S. radio chain by revenue, on Thursday said quarterly net profit was virtually unchanged as expenses rose, although revenue increased 4 percent (read more - Reuters)  (read more - PR Newswire)

A handful of executives with companies tied to the National Association of Broadcasters approached the Federal Communications Commission this week concerning local content available via satellite radio, reiterating to officials at the Portals their criticisms of the service. The broadcaster interests that met at the FCC asked commission officials to evaluate the economic impact of locally differentiated content available via satellite radio on traditional broadcasting (read more - Sky Report)

Hollywood dealmaker Michael Ovitz said of his ouster from Walt Disney — he was knifed in the back, carved "out like a cancer" and pushed from a headquarters window. Ovitz told how his former "very close friend," Disney Chairman Michael Eisner, and  executives sabotaged his every move to improve Disney, just to get him to leave. Shareholders are suing Ovitz, Eisner and certain directors for the return of a $140 million severance payoff Eisner handed to Ovitz after just 14 months as his No. 2 (read more - NY Post) (read more - Washington Post)

The Presidential Office said Thursday it was regrettable that a popular radio talk show host had filed a "frivolous" lawsuit against President Chen Shui-bian and Secretary-General to the President Su Tseng-chang in Taipei District Court earlier that day. James Huang, deputy secretary-general to the president, was responding to a civil suit by Jaw Shau-kong, the chairman of UFO Radio, that seeks to "restore his reputation." (read more - Central News Agency)

William Dowell is currently the editor for the Global Reporting Network, part of the Center for War, Peace and the News Media. He was a staff correspondent for Time Magazine for 12 years, and also worked for ABC and NBC. Washington Square News talked to him about the nature of media in America and Jon Stewart's recent appearance on CNN political talk show "Crossfire," where he fought with the hosts, accusing them of not fulfilling their responsibility as journalists in a democracy (read more - Washington Square News)

WOAI, the oldest San Antonio talk purveyor, the one that leans most decidedly to the right and the carrier of the biggest name in talk — Rush Limbaugh —was the Arbitrons winner with both the general S.A. audience and adults 25 to 54. Reid Reker, KTSA general manager, said he was pleased to see growth in the station's target audience — 35 and older. He also pointed out improvement with that age group in audience numbers for Trey Ware, host of the morning show, and Duel in the afternoons. KONO did phenomenally well in not only the general category and among listeners ages 25-54. One of the biggest winners was KSMG. KLUP-AM listeners who were highly dismayed by the switch in format from beautiful nostalgia music to conservative syndicated talk will have to wait to find out how the change affected the station's listenership. So, all you vocal Sonny Melendrez fans, be patient (read more - Jeanne Jakle-SA Express-News)

Simpson College has been put on a national boycott list due to its advertisements on KDSM, the Sinclair Broadcasting Group-owned Fox affiliate in Des Moines. The boycott list is made up of national and local groups that advertise on all Sinclair-owned stations. A boycott Web site, www.boycottsbg.com calls for protestors to send letters or e-mails to advertisers, asking them to pull their ads (read more - The Simpsonian)

Talk radio and urban vibes continue to dominate Atlanta's radio airwaves. WSB-AM 750, gained more market share than any other station during the ratings period from July 1 to Sept. 22 (read more - Atlanta Biz Journal)

Canadian Satellite Radio and GM Canada have struck a deal to put high-tech radios in more than 50 of its car models if the company gets federal approval for a subscription-based satellite radio service across Canada. If Canadian Satellite gets a licence for the service from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, GM Canada will factory install satellite receivers in more than 50 vehicle models beginning in the 2006 model year (read more - Toronto Star)

It has become conventional wisdom this season that, since we don't really need this woman in Congress, the former Rebecca Klein is not really running for Congress. Rather, today's Becky "Armendariz!" Klein is auditioning for her next GOP patronage job in the unfortunate event of a Bush victory – say, chair of the Federal Communications Commission (read more - Austin Chronicle)

Pappas Telecasting Companies, the largest privately-held, commercial television broadcast group in the United States, today announced non- monetary, in-kind contributions of airtime on several of its California television and radio stations to certain Republican and Democratic County Central Committees in California. Each California State County Committee will receive up to $25,000 in airtime to use at its discretion between now and Election Day, November 2 (read more - PR Newswire)

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs hosts a national roundtable discussion and call-in program on the importance of voting in the 2004 elections in a special SIRIUS Satellite Radio broadcast that airs first on Friday, October 29 at 5 pm ET. The hour-long program on SIRIUS music channel Hot Jamz // 50 will feature special program guests Mary J. Blige, Pharrell Williams, Ludacris, Nelly, Foxy Brown, Rev. Al Sharpton, Damon Dash, Russell Simmons and others, plus calls from listeners across the U.S. Founded by businessman/ entertainer/ actor/ music producer/ designer Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, the organization's slogan is "Vote Or Die." (visit Sirius 50)

Former San Antonio television news anchor Gerry Grant was released Wednesday from the Bexar County Jail. Grant had been in the lockup since he was released in September from a state prison, where he served two years for possession of child pornography (read more - KSAT)

NBC has admitted to misleading the public. The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation has admitted to lying to the public when it claimed that it was guided by the Communications Act in allocating radio airtime to political parties.  Lawyers representing the public broadcaster conceded that the NBC had, in fact, used its own discretion to proportionally allocate airtime to political parties, which disadvantaged those not represented in the National Assembly (read more - All Africa)

Sirius announced third quarter 2004 financial and operating results. The company continued to experience significant gains in the retail market, fueled by initial sales of its next generation products, broader distribution, and growing consumer awareness of SIRIUS' premium programming, including the NFL. SIRIUS ended the September 30, 2004 quarter with 662,289 subscribers.  On October 18, 2004, the company passed the 700,000 subscriber mark (read more - PR Newswire)

ABC News Radio will provide comprehensive coverage of the 2004 Presidential Election with special programming beginning on November 1 and running through the early morning hours of November 3. ABC News Radio’s coverage will include special reports on breaking developments, expert analysis and at least six hours of continuous coverage anchored by veteran ABC News correspondents Sam Donaldson and Gil Gross (visit ABC Radio)  (visit KRSY 1230)

It has all the makings of an incendiary story: a chilling pre-election videotape featuring a supposed member of al-Qaida, declaring in English that “blood will run red in the streets of America.” The problem, say ABC News executives, is that they can't determine whether the tape, obtained by a producer, involves a real threat — or even the identity of the figure on it, a man wearing an ammunition belt and a headdress that obscures his face. The network enlisted the aid of the FBI and CIA but still can't authenticate the 75-minute videotape (read more - Howard Kurtz-Washington Post)
 


Ronn Owens interviewed in-studio FCC Chairman, Michael Powell Tuesday. Powell's interview began at about 9:20 a.m. During the interview, about 20 minutes into it, Shock-Jock and FCC fined on-air personality, Howard Stern, called in to take on the Chairman, something he hadn't been able to do before. You can hear this hour until 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 27. To listen to that hour with the Windows Media Player, click here   (visit KGO)  (read Frank Ahrens-Washington Post)  (read more - Sarasota Herald Tribune) (read Don Kaplan-NY Post)

WABC (770 AM) weekend and overnight host Steve Malzberg has resigned, the station said yesterday. Malzberg said he is moving to another city station that he will announce Friday. Unofficial speculation centers on WMCA (570 AM, 970 AM). He will be replaced overnights by "Coast to Coast With George Noory." Boyce said he is "considering several options" for Sunday morning + more NY radio news (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Excerpt # 2 from From Chuck Blore's "OK, OK, I Wrote the Book" ---  The station’s one microphone was in a little room with a big transmitter. A big hot transmitter. There was a large window immediately behind where the person talking on the microphone sat. That person, for the most part, was me. And because it was so hot, that window, for the most part, was always open ... The station, KGAN, had one major advertiser; Frontier Airlines. Their commercials always began with the playing of an ET (Electrical Transcription) which consisted of the sound of an airplane taking off followed by an announcer voice proudly proclaiming: “There goes another Frontier Airlines flight.” One day, I opened the mike just as that little message was ending. A perfectly timed explosion came roaring in through the open window so what the audience heard was ...  (continued -- on the next page -- click here to read excerpt # 2 of Chuck Blore's book)

From Keith Olbermann -- I offered here Saturday to pay the reported $99,000 in debts of Bill O'Reilly's accuser Andrea Mackris, if they are the lone reason she's entertaining a settlement offer. My sole proviso was that she agree not to destroy the O'Reilly tapes, and give me a copy of them. Mind you: Just for safe-keeping. Yeah, safe-keeping, that's it. Safe-keeping. To say I have been surprised by the response is to understate it. Hundreds of e-mails (not surprising: y'all write more than I do, and I write 5,000 words a day), and dozens of them pledging contributions to the bid to Ms. Mackris. Everything from two cents to a thousand bucks. Somebody sent in a PayPal form. Now I have to discourage that. Don't send money (read more - Keith Olbermann-Bloggermann-MSNBC)

 Steve Hicks will be among those who will be honored in San Antonio this Saturday evening October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration and Dinner. Tickets remain, but today is absolutely the  last chance for you to buy tickets - Just $50 each. Do it today!  Full details and a reservation phone # are at www.trhof.com  (click here to hear Jeff Davis introduce you to Steve Hicks)  (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

In retaliation to a Fresno broadcaster's decision to give away air time to Republican candidates, Democratic leaders in the Central Valley called Tuesday on viewers and advertisers to boycott TV and radio stations owned by the Pappas Telecasting Cos. The effort comes in the wake of an offer from Pappas to give 13 Republican county committees a total of $325,000 worth of free air time to promote candidates on its stations. Mike Angelos, spokesman for Harry Pappas and his media chain, likened Pappas' airtime contribution to other nonmonetary donations permissible under state law, such as a caterer providing food for a candidate's fund-raiser. "I suppose there's always going to be someone somewhere claiming it's unfair," Angelos said. "But I think Mr. Pappas has the right to express his political opinions as much as anyone else." (read more - Fresno Bee)  (read more - Merced Sun Star) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Jim Rome's syndicated show has disappeared from WAUK-AM (1510), but there's no word when he'll pop up on WEMP-AM (1250), where the transition to sports should come by the second half of November (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

XM Satellite Radio on Tuesday introduced a handheld portable version of its satellite radio, hoping to extend demand for its service beyond it primary audience of automobile owners. XM's service, along with that of Sirius, has lacked the portability of devices such as the iPod and MP3 players. Now, with the MyFi, subscribers can receive XM's more than 130 channels of talk, news, sports, and commercial-free music, on a device about the same size as a handheld organizer. Unlike Delphi's plug-and-play satellite radio receivers, the MyFi doesn't require an antenna and can be used with headphones. The device also comes with a docking station for recharging and accessories to hook it up to car stereos and home audio equipment (read more - Washington Post) (visit XM Radio)

San Diego's first liberal talk-radio station – KLSD/AM 1360 – has made a big out-of-the-gate impression. Sources say the station was the most-listened-to outlet among 40 stations in the area among 25-to 54-year-olds during September. KLSD came on line Aug. 23, replacing KPOP/AM 1360, which played music from the 1940s, '50s and '60s (read more - San Diego Union-Tribune)

"I writing to you today to ask that NBC not feature conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh as a political commentator during election night coverage, as your network did in 2002. As you should know, Limbaugh has a track record of using extreme, hateful speech that has no place in civil discourse. To pick just a few examples from this year, as documented by Media Matters for America: Limbaugh compared the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib to a fraternity prank, telling America and an international audience on the taxpayer-funded American Forces Radio and Television Service that the torture was a "brilliant maneuver" and that the photos were "good old American pornography." Limbaugh further claimed that "the reaction to the stupid torture is an example of the feminization of this country." He has also labeled Senator John Kerry a "stupid S.O.B." and a "gigolo." (read more - Media Matters for America)

As of Friday, the 21/2-year-old "Woody & Jamie" show on KXXM-FM (Mix 96.1) was history. The new kid on the radio block is, well, a Kidd. He's Kidd Kraddick, a radio vet of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Listeners who have invested time and heart in the morning show led by Woody and Jamie were stunned. Have you listened in this week to "The Chris Duel Show" on KTSA and heard his broadcasts from Israel, where he and sidekick Ruben "The Bone" Hernandez traveled late last week? Travel seems to be the trend. Jeff Bolton, afternoon guy on WOAI, came live last month from a U.S. aircraft carrier — the USS Carl Vinson — from the middle of the Pacific Ocean (read more - Jeanne Jakle - San Antonio Express-News)

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said on Tuesday it has conditionally approved Cingular Wireless' $41 billion cash acquisition of AT&T Wireless Services Inc., clearing the last big hurdle for the deal (read more - Reuters)  (read more - Atlanta Biz Journal)

Zoo Atlanta is getting $5 million from Turner Broadcasting Inc. to create a children's educational center that will teach kids about the animal world using Turner cartoon characters, such as Magilla Gorilla, as a hook.  It's the largest corporate gift in the zoo's 118-year history  (read more - AJC)

The Satellite Sisters are inviting listeners to write into the show with their funniest, most horrific, and/or most memorable story from a family holiday. The winner- the listener with the best holiday story or best bit of advice- will be announced on the November 13th show. The prize will be a gift basket of milk and cookies from firstclasscookies.com, delivered to their next family gathering (visit Satellite Sisters)

If you're sick and tired of listening to too many horrible radio commercials, you're not alone. Believe it or not, so is the boss of the country's largest radio company. "We all know there are too many bad commercials," said John Hogan, chief executive of 1,200-station group Clear Channel Radio. "Everybody has a commercial they love to hate: The one that makes them crazy; the one that gives the phone number 26 times; the one that attempts humor that doesn't quite get there, or the one that yells at you. The quality level and effectiveness of commercials are way below where they can be," Hogan said (read more - Feder of Chicago)

CBS News apparently had an October surprise of its own for President Bush. The network, already reeling from accusations of bias over anchorman Dan Rather's use of bogus memos to challenge Mr. Bush's Texas Air National Guard record, acknowledged yesterday in a statement that it had planned to air a story critical of the Bush administration's handling of Iraqi munitions Sunday on "60 Minutes," two days before the presidential election. CBS opted to allow its "reporting partner," the New York Times, to run the story Monday, citing concerns over competition, and ran it on its network news Monday night (read more - Washington Times)

Salem Communications of Camarillo, Calif., Tuesday acquired KGBI-FM, Omaha, Neb., from Grace University for $10 million (read more - Big News Network)

Arbitron Inc will participate in the Morgan State University Symposium – entitled “Media Audience Ratings and Analysis, Radio Audience Ratings: Methods, Perceptions & Applications.”
Julian Davis, director of Urban Media Marketing, Arbitron, Inc.
Brad Feldhaus, vice president of Product Management and Client Services, Arbitron, Inc. Barbara O’Hare, manager of Methods Development & Evaluation, Arbitron, Inc. will appear on November 4, 2004 9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET at Morgan State University, Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center, Recital Auditorium, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane Baltimore, MD (visit Arbitron)

Former KYGO/Denver news personality Josh Spiegel, whose business card reads, "The most unique news guy in America," is offering customized, local newscasts for stations across the nation--at a fraction of the cost. Josh says, "I guarantee your station will stand out, your listeners will be hooked and you don't have to hire another employee." He's currently signing a very limited number of morning shows. Call him at 720-272-3754. In addition to KYGO, Josh has worked on morning shows at WPGC/Washington, WXYV/Baltimore, and KLIF/Dallas. For a demo, go to www.JoshSpiegel.com

Politicians have been using the media as scapegoats for decades, but in this year's presidential race, the candidates hardly needed to lead the attacks: Media issues and missteps often have managed to overshadow the campaigns. News companies and journalists who work for them are constant targets, but even more so during this hotly contested election, says Ken Auletta, a veteran media writer for The New Yorker magazine. "There's this giant echo chamber which desperately needs new information, and everything we do is grist for that mill," he says. "We have to be on our toes, just like the presidential candidates. Nothing is private anymore." (read more - Peter Johnson-USA Today)

One of the disco era's most influential personalities, Deney Terrio, joins SIRIUS Satellite Radio's commercial-free dance music channel The Strobe as an on-air host. Terrio brings his smooth moves to SIRIUS subscribers from 12-4 pm ET Monday through Saturday. Terrio is best known for coaching John Travolta on his dance moves for the classic disco-era film Saturday Night Fever and hosting the popular TV show Dance Fever for seven years (visit Sirius)

Usher won Hip-Hop Artist of the Year and Hip-Hop Song of the Year at the Radio Music Awards Monday night. Linkin Park grabbed the Alternative Rock Song of the Year and Rock Artist of the Year (read more - USA Today)

SIRIUS announced that SIRIUS radios are now available at Office Depot stores nationwide. Office Depot, which sells more office products to more customers in more countries than anyone else, is the first office supply superstore to offer SIRIUS radios through its 900 stores in the continental United States (visit Sirius)


Tom Joyner will be among those honored in San Antonio this Saturday evening October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration and Dinner. Tickets remain, but this may be the last chance for you to get 'em - Just $50 each. Do it today!  Don't delay! Full details and a reservation phone # are at www.trhof.com (click here to hear Jeff Davis introduce you to Tom Joyner) (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

Al Franken is bringing his radio talk show to Maine the day before Election Day. The former Saturday Night Live comedian and writer will broadcast his national radio show on the Air America network live from the 1,900-seat Merrill Auditorium from noon to 3 p.m. on Monday. The show is free and open to the public. Franken's visit is partially a thank you to the network's supporters in Maine. Earlier this fall, hundreds of listeners protested when Portland station WLVP announced it was dropping Air America for sports programming (read more - CBS 4 Maine)

Fans of holiday and Christmas music won't have the bonanza they had last year in New York, when WNEW (102.7 FM) and WLTW (106.7 FM) both went all-Christmas by Thanksgiving. Neither is likely to repeat that gambit. But WAWZ (99.1 FM) in North Jersey and WALK (97.5 FM) on the Island will. "You get some people who say, 'Don't play Christmas music,'" says Johnny Stone, program director of WAWZ. "Then you do it and ratings go through the roof." (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

It's 21 consecutive ratings periods at No. 1 for WFMS-FM (95.5), which again ranks as the area's most popular radio station among listeners 12 and older, according to summer Arbitron ratings. The country station topped classic-rock fixture WFBQ-FM (94.7). News/talk station WIBC-AM (1070) was in third place (read more - David Lindquist-Indy Star)

TalkRadio 790 KABC’s Al Rantel will appear on Dennis Miller, a political commentary show hosted by Emmy-award winning comedian, Dennis Miller, on CNBC. Tuesday, October 26 9:00PM
(To be re-aired at 12:00am) (visit KABC)

Few tears were shed on Dec. 12, 1985, when WIND-AM (560) played "The Wiffenpoof Song" for the last time and the once-great news/talk outlet switched to a Spanish-language format. By the time Group W had unloaded the station (for a mere $6.85 million), WIND's glory days were way in the past (read more - Feder of Chicago)

It's as if Bill Gates were to say he doesn't spend much time on the computer, or that Daniel Snyder actually prefers bridge to football. The head of the nation's largest collection of television stations insists that he rarely watches the shows his stations air, including parts of the anti-John Kerry documentary that brought so much controversy to his doorstep over the past two weeks. In a rare, wide-ranging and sometimes feisty and combative interview on Friday, David D. Smith, chief executive of Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., said he has been mischaracterized as a Republican activist who has attempted to use his family-controlled company to support GOP causes (read more - Frank Ahrens-Washington Post) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

On "Saturday Night Live" this past weekend, the show's opening sketch was an MSNBC "Hard Ball With Chris Matthews" spoof. "SNL" cast member Will Forte portrayed Sen. Zell Miller (D-Ga.) as a screaming, wild-eyed, gun-toting nutcase during the segment.  Darrell Hammond (playing Matthews) introduced last summer's Republican National Convention keynote speaker as "a guy who would have chilled the crowd at the Nuremberg rallies."  On Monday, Miller's Washington press secretary Sheridan Watson said: "I'm not sure if the senator saw it or not. He's been traveling a lot. I believe it's the first time he's been portrayed on 'Saturday Night Live.' " So what was the reaction Monday in Miller's D.C. office? Said Watson: "Nobody's really talking about it. Everybody is too busy talking about Ashlee Simpson's faux pas." (read more - Peach Buzz-AJC)

Veteran BBC broadcaster John Peel has died at the age of 65, while on holiday in Peru. Peel, whose radio career spanned 40 years, was on a working holiday in the city of Cuzco with his wife Sheila when he suffered a heart attack. He was BBC Radio 1's longest-serving DJ and in recent years had also presented Home Truths on Radio 4 (read more - BBC)

Forty-one years ago this weekend, a newly minted pop AM station, WKNR, blasted onto Metro Detroit’s airwaves on Halloween Night with a teen-friendly sound that entranced a generation. Just in time for that anniversary, XM Satellite Radio will pay homage to “Keener 13” this Friday on the ‘60s on 6 Channel. From 4 to 8 p.m., during Terry Young’s airshift, the ’60s channel will transform itself into Detroit’s Keener 13. WKNR’s Bob Green is acting as producer, and you’ll hear original Keener jocks as they were, playing music, jingles and ads. XM’s Channel 6 salutes a radio station from a different city every Friday in the 4-8 p.m. timeslot (read more - Susan Whitall-Detroit News)

It's sometimes the case in the radio biz that when you shuffle things to improve the ratings, the ratings come out and show improvement before you made your changes. That's what happened with WXSS-FM (103.7), which just revamped its on-air lineup. Even before the changes, the top 40 station known as Kiss FM had improved among listeners 12 and older, going from fifth place in summer 2003 to second in summer 2004, according to Arbitron ratings. The jump is less dramatic in the 25-54 demographic, where kid-skewing Kiss went to 8th place from 11th. Also moving up is is WJMR-FM (98.3) (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Pay to hear your local radio station? It could happen. Radio might someday follow in the path of television and be available mainly through cable and satellite receivers. Today, though, satellite radio is barely a blip on the radar screen. "I think actually it won't make a big difference for us," said Alan Chartock, president and chief executive officer of WAMC Northeast Public Radio, and a professor of communications at SUNY. "I think local and regional has always beaten the hell out of national," said Chartock. "When I was on (Channel) 6 before 13, we were up against national and we used to crash them. People want to know what's going on in their backyards." (read more - Daily Freeman)

The satellite radio business has been cranking up the volume these past few weeks. Sirius Satellite Radio struck first with its hiring of Howard Stern. That announcement pushed Sirius's stock up more than 15 percent. The stock has since settled back down a bit. Then last week the company's much larger rival, XM Satellite Radio, struck back: It announced that it would broadcast Major League Baseball games. Investors also loved that news, and XM ended the week at a new 52-week high (read more - Eric Hellweg- CNN Money)

Snowy mornings won't be the same this winter as KYW 1060-AM suburban bureau chief Jay Lloyd is retiring. Backcourt of Marc and Pat KYW's Pat Ciarrocchi and the Sixers' Marc Zumoff are leading a "Breaking into Broadcasting" workshop for recent college graduates this fall. To register, call 1-888-664-4999. Former WPVI reporter Jeff Barnes, now known as Jeff Barnd is the narrator of the piece about presidential candidate John Kerry that ran on Sinclair stations Friday.  Barnes had a brief marriage to former KYW news anchor Terri Merryman, who is now married to former WCAU news anchor Alan Frio.  Merryman and Frio anchor the weekend evening news for WSMV-4 in Nashville (read more - Laura Nachman)

The big, green city-issued garbage cans that caused so much controversy in 2002 and 2003 were a draw to the city for Vicksburg newcomer and Mississippi Public Broadcasting Radio personality Oliver Stoutner. “We have been impressed with how progressive the city is, from trying to rehabilitate downtown to the nice, big trash cans,” Stoutner said. Stoutner, 30, and his wife, Kimberly Stoutner, 31, moved to Vicksburg a year ago after moving to Mississippi three years ago (read more - Vicksburg Post)

First came pirate radio, then Internet radio. But in the past month, a new way of circumventing the big, bad broadcast corporations has emerged: podcasts. Tune in to these blog-based, homemade radio shows and you'll hear any number of things: a weekly hourlong program about board games; a daily amateur photography show hosted by an Australian computer programmer; regular people, unschooled in the ways of radio, talking about anything and everything the way real people talk - clumsily, with curses, dead air and all. If you've never heard of a podcast, don't worry. Neither has Google (read more - Susan Carpenter-LA Times)

Lance Armstrong is the latest celebrity athlete to host his own show on SIRIUS Faction, the innovative music channel created especially for action and outdoor sports enthusiasts (visit Sirius)

Liz Dolan (one of the five real-live sisters who co-host the Satellite Sister show) is about depart for the African Country of Zambia. She is leaving next week.  Dolan will be traveling with the non-profit group Friends of Zambia, an organization committed to providing economic assistance to the country and encouraging foreign investment. Dolan’s two-week stay will include private meetings with the President of the Republic of Zambia, local tribal leaders, World Bank/Bank of Zambia executives, and the U.S. Ambassador to Zambia (visit the Satellite Sisters)

France is launching its first TV channel for gay and lesbian audiences, called Pink TV. The station is backed by three of France's main channels, and is hoping to attract advertisers drawn to the higher spending power of gay couples (read more BBC)

Voice-Pro CC McCartney and family will make a cameo appearance on The Fox Networks " Trading Spouses". The show is scheduled to air on Monday, November 1st (visit CC McCartney)

Business Talk Radio Network has added ChickChat Radio to their weeknight schedule from 8-10 pm EST. ChickChat is a live, contemporary non-political and entertaining show that's not just for women only.  It's hosted by Heidi Hanzel and Lara Dyan (visit ChickChat Radio)

This year, a lot of people have left WFAA/ Channel 8. Some of them have been high-profile, such as longtime anchor Scott Sams. Some of them had been there more than 20 years, such as reporter Bill Brown, who was laid off last week. Some of them did strong work without being stars, such as Fort Worth bureau chief Barbara Griffith and Austin chief Shelley Kofler, both of whom were also laid off last week as part of a series of cuts announced by WFAA parent Belo Corp. in September. (Sams was released before the layoffs began last week.) + a look at the DFW ARBitrends (read more - Robert Philpot-Star-Telegram)

DJ Kidd Kraddick moved from radio to the TV last night (Monday) when he became an award presenter on The Radio Music Awards on NBC.  Kraddick was presenting with the unpredictable Nicole Richie. Kraddick's "SideKidds" Kellie Rasberry and "Big Al" Mack talk about it on his own show, which airs on KHKS/106.1-FM "KISS-FM." (visit KiddLive)


Mayor Edward D. Garza of the City of San Antonio has declared Saturday October 30th to be "Texas Radio Hall of Fame Day" in a special proclamation issued by his office.  Celebrants will gather at the San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa to honor the 2004 Inductees of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor. Tickets remain, but this may be the last chance for you to get your tickets - just $50 each. Do it today!  Order them safely and securely online using your credit card! Don't delay! Click a name to listen to previous year's acceptance remarks of  Ron Chapman -- Ken (Hubcap) Carter -- Jimmy Rabbitt in Real Audio.  Full details and an info phone # are at www.trhof.com  (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for ticket information and more about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

From Claude Hall Online -- Don Beno, program director of WMRR and a couple of other Clear Channel stations in Muskegon:  "Always enjoyed the BB column Vox Jox and now your writings on the web ..." + Pat Walsh II in Little Rock; "You are/were correct on the Arkansas start of the turkey drop. The reason that it made it into the WKRP shows was that 'Herb', the sales manager was from Malvern, Arkansas, and he passed the story idea along to the writers ..." + Dr. Roosevelt "Rick" Wright Jr. at Syracuse University: "I really enjoy reading your fantastic radio broadcast history stories. You are the greatest. Well I am in my 30th year on the faculty of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University ..." (read it all and more in the Commentary at www.claudehallonline.com)

Long before your radio alarm clock clicks on in the morning, long before your favorite morning show goes on the air, legions of gag writers, sound engineers and programming consultants are up, scanning the Web for cute and funny wire stories to funnel to DJs and talk show hosts so they can fill their daily programs. When KLIF in Dallas offered its listeners a chance to audition to be a talk show host, the idea spread quickly across the country courtesy of show-prep sites such as Holland Cooke's "Best Bit of the Month."  (read more - Marc Fisher-Washington Post)

As news of Wednesday night's clinching loss spread like a dark cloud, WFAN morning man Imus gleefully replayed tapes on Thursday of everyone who had predicted the Yankees would win. Non-sports hosts like WABC overnight guy Steve Malzberg and the WABC morning team of Curtis Sliwa and Ron Kuby all devoted much of their Thursday shows to the Yankee situation (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Julio G has joined "K-Day" 93.5 FM at nights. KSPN/ 710 AM's Joe McDonnell is recovering well from surgery. Passing Parade: Dee Dee Maxey, ex-KACE and KGFJ in the '80s, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; and Jack Rourke, ex-KABC talk host, 86. We know, it's fall, and with the recent cold weather, summer is a distant memory. Still, the Arbitron radio ratings on summer listening habits came out recently and are worth taking a look at (read more - Gary Lycan-Orange County Register)

South Florida TV meteorologist Bill Kamal was arrested Sunday in Fort Pierce as part of an investigation into sexual predators. Published reports claim he was planning to have sex with a minor after setting up the meeting over the Internet. Today Kamal is expected to make a court appearance on federal charges (read more Local 10-Miami)

It seemed just like the old days. A caller was on the line, and she and her husband had very generously agreed, during a comedy segment called "Guess What's in My Pants," to have sex so that listeners of a radio show and its hosts, Gregg Hughes and Anthony Cumia, could eavesdrop on all the fun. Before the sex got under way, though, Mr. Cumia asked, mock-seriously, "You are nowhere near a church, right? "There isn't a picture of Jesus in the room you're in, is there?" he added. "Or anything? I don't want anything religious in there." The two hosts - known as Opie and Anthony - once had a bad experience mixing sex and religion (read more - NY times)

The Delphi XM SKYFi2 features the first-ever "pause" and "replay" functions for satellite radio. Using leading edge technology, the "30 Minute Replay" function continuously and automatically saves the last 30 minutes of programming -- including programming from multiple XM channels. Portable XM satellite radio will become a reality when Dephi releases its new Roady portable adapter.  The unit will sport the usual XM radio controls such as category, display, memory, and favorites buttons.  It will use the headphones as an antenna (read more - Mi2) (read more - EnGadget)

Rhubarb Jones, Atlanta's longest-running morning-show jock on Eagle 106.7, had his second daughter last week and named her Callie Reeves after his friend, former Falcons coach Dan Reeves. For folks who know Jones, this isn't unprecedented: His first daughter, now 2, is named Presley, as in Elvis Presley (read more - Peach Buzz-AJC)

Air America has just struck a deal to enter the Seattle market beginning on Monday (today). Infinity's KYCW-AM, currently classic country, will change its call letters to KPTK and its format to "progessive talk (read more - Puget Sound Biz Journal)

The biggest losers in the recent shuffling of Grand Rapids radio are fans of classical music. With WFGR-FM (98.7) going to an oldies format, local classical music buffs have lost a rare gem. And Marilyn Hamill-Stewart of Grand Rapids is frustrated with the change (read more - Grand Rapids Press)

The BBC, the world's biggest public broadcaster, is to cut almost a quarter of its 28,000-strong workforce, in the biggest shake-up in its 82-year history, The Times newspaper said. The BBC rejected the report as speculative (read more - Yahoo News)

Listeners to Uvalde radio stations KVOU FM 104.9, KUVA FM 102.3 and KVOU AM 1400 will notice some changes come tomorrow morning. Jerry Rhattigan of Rhattigan Broadcasting, a company based in the Midwest that took over a cluster of radio stations from Equicom including the Uvalde stations, said hopefully the changes will be for the better (read more - Uvalde Leader News)

Cingular Wireless has won the approval of U.S. regulators for its $41 billion purchase of AT&T Wireless on the condition the companies sell airwaves and give up customers in some cities, people familiar with the matter said. The FCC will make the announcement on Tuesday said sources (read Bloomberg)  (read Reuters)

From Chicago Ed Schwartz -- It was a busy week for one of Chicago's favorite adopted sons. Wally Phillips, once the morning radio powerhouse of WGN was honored with a city street renamed in his honor and he was the special guest last Friday evening on Channel 11's Chicago Tonight. Wally's recent retirement from broadcasting and other activities was precipitated by the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. He is in the beginnings of a personal health battle that he chooses to share with his huge following of fans, friends and others facing the same battle. His courage in "going public" is one of his many gifts to the community over his 40 plus years of broadcasting here.  Everyone who has ever worked with Wally has a story or two. I have a few of my own. The day I began my WGN talk show I was assigned to use the same studio as Wally. We had not yet been introduced. I was a smoker then and my in studio production assistant was another human chimney (read it all at www.chicagoed.com)

The American public long has heard that the nation's newspapers and television networks are too liberal, and although the charges seldom withstand careful scrutiny that doesn't discourage the accusers. Until recently, few Americans knew of Sinclair Broadcasting Group, probably because, while it owns 62 stations (more than any other group), it doesn't have a unified network affiliation with one network in particular. It does have a single partisan political agenda, however, and that's why Sinclair is making headlines. Thankfully, a "small but vocal minority" obviously did influence Sinclair's behavior. Yet where is the FCC on this issue? It slapped "liberal" CBS with a huge fine for the infamous but essentially inconsequential "wardrobe malfunction" during halftime of the Super Bowl, yet Chairman Michael Powell says the FCC sees no need to examine Sinclair's blatant attempt to use the public's airwaves to influence a presidential election. What are Powell's priorities? Where is his sense of proportion? (read more - Times Argus Editorial) (read more - Republican-American) (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)  (read more - J. Grant Swink, Jr - MichNews.com)

After his outburst on CNN's "Crossfire," "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart had a few words for "60 Minutes." The comedian was  profiled on Sunday's broadcast. Though taped before Stewart's harsh comments of "Crossfire" and one its hosts, Tucker Carlson, he did have the subject of TV news on his mind. "You know ... what has become rewarded in political discourse is the extremity of viewpoint," Stewart says on the show. "People like the conflict. Conflict baby! It sells. Crossfire! Hardball! Shut up! You shut up!" (read transcript and view video + more - 60 Minutes) (read more Gadsden Times)

I want to become a radio jockey and would like to know about institutes where courses are held for becoming an RJ. What are the career prospects in this field? — Dhruv There are no specific courses for learning to be an RJ or VJ. You must have a natural aptitude to entertain people. An RJ needs to have a voice that is good to hear, an innate ear for music, strong presence of mind, a sense of humour and of course, good communication skills. Apart from these, knowledge of music, acoustics and sound-recording is helpful (read more - Hindustan Times)

Suppose schoolchildren in, say, 2054 are asked, "Did Howard Stern invent satellite radio?" Will they answer, "Howard who?" or "Of course he did, stupid"?  The moans emanating from the airwaves these days are coming from AM-FM radio executives stunned by the imminent departure of Howard Stern, the trashy disc jockey who has become fabulously wealthy as an icon for millions of Americans whose taste starts at the knees and ends at the neck line. If cable television is any example, the $12.95-a-month initial fee for this kind of radio will last about as long as any discerning human being above the IQ of moron and the age of 16 would spend listening to "Mr. Private Parts," the king of the talk show smut peddlers. The odds are pretty good that the base rate plus premium packages charged by XM and Sirius, the two main satellite players, ultimately will rival those of Comcast and Cox and the rest of the big players in the viewing arts (read more - Dan K. Thomasson-Washington Times)  (read more - NY Times)

As the Disney board searches for a new CEO — a process it plans to complete by June — Chernin's name is high on the short list of contenders. Robert Iger is clearly the second-in-command at Disney and the closest thing to an heir apparent, but he still has to fight for the top job. Some directors support him, but the full board nonetheless met on Friday to discuss which executive search firm to hire in its quest to line up a successor to Mr. Eisner, who said last month that he would retire in 2006. Mr. Iger may be hurt by his performance when he was overseeing the ABC network, where he had his ups and downs. But more important, friends, analysts and associates say, is whether he has differentiated himself enough from his boss, who has become a lightning rod for many of Disney's troubles (read more - NY Times)  (read more - LA Times)

MediaBay, Inc a leader in spoken-word audio entertainment, through its Radio Spirits, Inc. subsidiary, announced today that Celebrity Newsletter LLC, a New York based media and marketing company that develops and delivers Celebrity branded content and MediaBay are furthering their development of the Larry King brand beyond the Larry King Audio Book Club to develop a series of Mr. King's favorite  old-time radio collections. The Emmy Award-winning King has been dubbed "master of the mike" by TIME Magazine and described as the "Muhammad Ali of the broadcast interview" (read more - PR Newswire)

New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is examining whether radio is engaged in a new form of pay for play reminiscent of the payola scandals in the 1950s, a record company confirmed Friday. The London-based EMI Group PLC record label said it and other companies in the music and broadcast industries have been queried by Spitzer about the promotion of their recordings on radio stations (read more - Newsday)  (read more - Press Telegram)

Zeo Radio Networks today announced the signing of a long-term agreement with advertising agency Inventory Cash, LLC. The Englewood, CO firm specializes in marketing online businesses via radio. Zeo Radio will handle marketing and radio station affiliation duties for the company's cash flow programs. Inventory Cash helps broadcast radio stations and networks to turn their unsold advertisement units into cash by running pay-for-performance ads for the company's online clients. Radio stations now have a partner to help make additional revenue with what would have otherwise been wasted ad space (read more - Zeo Radio)

“ThePowerPig.com" is an online tribute to Legend WFLZ / Tampa.  ”The goal was preserve the extremely outrageous and entertaining history of The Power Pig / 93.3FLZ at a level it really deserved and to hopefully encourage others to build sites like it,” says owner, webmaster and former WFLZ air personality Brian Holmes. “With the way our industry is changing so fast, I’d like to hope we will at least have sites like this to remember today’s radio by, just in the same way we all enjoy sites like Reelradio.com.” (visit The Power Pig)

Sinclair Broadcast's program featuring material from a documentary critical of John Kerry aired Friday night, devoting as much coverage to the controversy as the film that sparked the uproar. At the end of the program, a statement was scrolled on the screen asking viewers to let the Federal Communications Commission know if they agree with Sinclair's decision to broadcast the show. The advance attention did not attract advertisers. Protests continued up to air time
 (read more - San Francisco Chronicle) (read more - Washington Post)

Jerry Hahn, who produced the Tarrant County Boat Show and introduced golfers at the Colonial Golf Tournament for 50 years, died Thursday. He was 77. Born in Pennsylvania, he began a career in radio but later opened his own business producing the shows so that he could spend more time with his family. He did most of his work early in the year, then spent the second half taking it easy. He met his wife, Pat, at a radio station in Fort Worth where he was a reporter and she was a copy writer. As a reporter, he covered President Kennedy's assassination. He told his family of driving to Parkland Memorial Hospital and awaiting news of the death.  For several decades, Mr. Hahn did commercial voice-overs for local businesses (read more - Star-Telegram)

Purdue Student Radio, the university's first off-campus student-run radio station, debuted Sunday, but only online. The station won't get an AM radio slot until next month. An FM frequency isn't expected for at least a year (read more - Fox 59 Indianapolis)

A former country-music radio station has found a new home in the rectory of a Catholic church. The owners of WRMS-AM/FM stations in Beardstown donated the AM side of their country station to a Catholic radio network based in St. Louis. Since early September, WRMS-AM 790 has been broadcasting out of the rectory of St. Alexius Catholic Church (read more - State Journal Register)

President Bush, Sen. John Kerry and their political parties are spending nearly $40 million on TV ads in the final week of the presidential campaign as they adjust their strategies in a shrinking battleground. Both candidates are all but abandoning their bids to pick up a state that went to the other side four years ago. The Republican incumbent is scaling back advertising in the historically Democratic state of Maine, while the Democratic challenger is not slated to run any TV commercials in GOP-leaning Colorado this week (read more - ABC News)

BBC Radio Scotland believes its improved football offering should put it in good stead to consolidate its strong rise in listenership in the latest quarterly industry figures. The station’s weekly reach between July and September was 941,000 or 23% of the population, two points higher than the same period last year, according to the latest figures from RAJAR. It was also nearly 100,000 ahead of the previous quarter, which was seen as a poor result. A spokesman said: “The million is the magic figure, and the nearer we are to it the more comfortable we are. The [second] quarter was an uncharacteristic dip.” (read more - Sunday Herald)

Radio today is a different animal than it was in the '30s and '40s, before television became the most widespread national entertainment medium. But those good old days were too good to disappear, it turns out, and every year a group called the Friends of Old-Time Radio gets together at the Holiday Inn North near Newark Liberty Airport to celebrate. Fans and memorabilia dealers get together with dozens of artists and others who either worked in old-time radio or had a direct connection (read more -David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Country station KMPS-FM continued its run at the top of the overall Seattle-Tacoma radio ratings during the summer quarter, but the interesting development to watch for the fall quarter might not be at the top but with a station currently sitting near the bottom of the regional chart. KYCW-AM is, like KMPS, both a country station and owned by Infinity Broadcasting. But while KMPS led the summer-quarter ratings with a 6.5 market share, KYCW-AM was 27th with a share of less than 1 (read more - Bill Virgin-Seattle P-I)

Until about a year ago, visitors scanning for radio stations along the Dixie County coastline used to be able to pick up a few FM stations, but the signal quality was inconsistent. But once Jimmy Brooks started fiddling around with some electronic gear in the dining room of his fish camp, finding a radio station got a lot easier in the Dixie County coastal community. Brooks installed a 90-foot radio tower outside his back door and converted his dining room into a broadcast booth for a 100-watt radio station. When WZRO-LP signed on the air for the first time a year ago, it became one of the first low power FM radio stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and the only radio station devoted exclusively to the coastal community (read more - Gainesville Sun)

The election year was 1924 and the candidate was Calvin Coolidge, the one-time Northampton mayor and Massachusetts governor who won the presidency while using a new tool at his disposal; the radio. "1924: The Radio Election," an exhibit at Historic Northampton, examines how Coolidge was the first presidential candidate to manipulate the newly minted broadcast technology to spin his image and usher in a new era of campaigning for the White House (read more - ABC News)

"XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc next week is expected to unveil a "wearable" device, marking the satellite radio industry leader's latest effort to woo audiences to the nascent format, analysts said.
A spokesman for Washington, D.C.-based XM declined to comment beyond saying a major product announcement was planned for Oct. 26 in New York with automotive parts and consumer electronics products maker, Delphi Corp.
"XMSR is also likely to announce its wearable device next week. There is a good shot this 'Walkman' type device, in the near term, will differentiate XM's hardware from Sirius," a rival satellite radio system, said Kit Spring, analyst with Stifel, Nicolaus in a note for investors (read more - Open Source) (read more - MSNBC)

His Frank Sinatra program on Sunday morning is the longest running radio show of its kind, says Jack Ellsworth -- the "Silver Fox" -- who has been a DJ for 57 years. Born Jack Shiebler, Ellsworth, an East Patchogue resident, got his first job in 1947 while attending Brown University on the GI Bill. Most regular listeners know DJs such as Ellsworth, Cousin Brucie Morrow (WCBS/101.1 FM), Jonathan Schwartz (WNYC/93.9 FM and XM Satellite Radio) and Scott Muni (WAXQ/104.3 FM), who died late last month. There are other well-known older jocks, too, including Al Bernstein of WLTW/106.7 FM, Jimmy Fink of The Peak/107.1 FM, and Bobby Jay, also of WCBS (read more - Newsday)

The English-language broadcast booth for the National League West champion Los Angeles Dodgers will get a makeover for 2005. Announcers Vin Scully and Rick Monday will return, along with a new play-by-play announcer and a baseball analyst, the Dodgers announced. The Dodgers also announced that Ross Porter will not rejoin the broadcast team next season (read more - KFWB News)

WMUR TV and WZID radio took top honors in the annual New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters Golden Mike Awards contest. The Manchester stations were named television and radio Station of the Year. WMUR also won awards for Best Newscast, Best Sportscast, Documentary News, Feature Story, Spot News and Station Promo. Long-time broadcaster Don Briand, news director at WOKQ, was named Broadcaster of the Year (read the full list of winners - CBS 4 Boston)

Wellesley-based Vox Radio Group LP continued to shake up its radio lineup, purchasing two FM radio stations in Florida from Crain Communications Inc. of Detroit. Vox bought WWUS and WCNK from Crain (read more - Boston Biz Journal)

The news that WKAT had been sold for $10 million to Salem Communications, a religious broadcaster, came as no surprise to the station's audience. In August, listeners tuned in to Classical 1360 to hear Mozart and Brahms, only to be regaled with programs shilling aromatherapy products and remedies for pesky colon dilemmas (read more - Sun Sentinel)

An $841,264 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will bring Wyoming Public Radio four-fifths of the way toward converting to a digital signal on 14 transmitters. The total cost will be around $1.05 million. "One of the enduring strengths of Wyoming Public Radio is our commitment to offering a wide variety of programming that appeals broadly to the residents of Wyoming," WPR General Manager Jon Schwartz said (read more - Billings Gazette)


The Fox News employee suing Bill O'Reilly is drowning in debt, Page Six has learned. Andrea Mackris, who's being countersued by Fox and O'Reilly for trying to extort them out of $60 million with "scurrilous" sex-harassment charges, is $99,000 in the red, thanks to credit-card bills and student loans, a source said. On Wednesday, Fox lawyer Ron Green told ABC that Mackris had confessed her money woes to co-workers before she filed her suit last week. "She was a financially challenged woman, maybe financially desperate, when she told co-workers she intended to bring down O'Reilly and Fox, get $1 million from them and buy the apartment in New York City that she always wanted and couldn't afford," he said. Mackris' lawyer, Benedict Morelli, and Green did not return calls for comment yesterday  (read more - NY Post-Page Six) Andrea Mackris may be ready to settle her sex-harassment battle with Fox TV host Bill O'Reilly.Mackris' lawyer, Benedict Morelli, made a back-channel overture to O'Reilly's team on Tuesday, according to a source close to O'Reilly. Morelli called Court TV anchor Lisa Bloom when he heard she would be discussing the case on air with Bo Dietl, a private eye who has been gathering information on Mackris for O'Reilly's lawyers, the source said (read more - George Rush/Adam Nichols-NY Daily News)

Rush Limbaugh appealed a state court ruling on Thursday that would allow prosecutors to examine the conservative radio commentator's medical records for a criminal investigation into his use of painkillers.  Limbaugh maintains that he has committed no crime and that the seizure of the records violates his privacy. Attorney Roy Black asked for a rehearing by the same three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal or by all 12 of the appeals court's judges. It also seeks additional review by the Florida Supreme Court (read more - Palm Beach Daily News) (read more - Miami Herald) (read more - Palm Beach Post) (read more - PR Newswire)

Carl Wiglesworth of San Antonio will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on Saturday evening  October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration and Dinner. Tickets remain, but this may be the last chance for you to get your tickets - just $50 each. Do it today!  Don't delay! Full details and an info phone # are at www.trhof.com (click here to hear Eye Lipson introduce you to Carl Wiglesworth) (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

The new CEO of Clear Channel Communications, Mark P. Mays, is a lot like the old CEO, his father, Lowry Mays. But the son takes over as the company faces more competition and challenging times. Lowry Mays, 69, built San Antonio-based Clear Channel into the largest radio station owner in the country. On Wednesday, he officially passed control to his oldest son, whom he has groomed for years to take over as CEO. The move by Clear Channel's board to make Mark Mays, 41, the permanent CEO was not unexpected. Lowry Mays, who has been reporting to work during the last few months in a wheelchair, plans to remain as the company's chairman (read more - LA Lorek-San Antonio Express-News)

From RDN Special Contributor Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series -- I am asked very frequently about how to localize a radio station. I mean super localize it!!! I always reply “use your imagination. There are many ways you can link your station (s) to a local subject…and sometimes your station can become a local giant as a result”. Below I have used my imagination as an example. I have taken a flu shot for the last 20 years. They have worked for me. Suddenly, this year half of the potential vaccine was tainted and unusable not only for me, but also for many of your listeners. How can my radio station help? Hey, I need to find 20 thousand vaccines and bring them to my home town to distribute to doctors, hospitals, senior homes, etc. How is this accomplished? Well maybe the late Gordon McClendon (whose promotional talents will live forever), and his two ace promotional people, Don Keyes and Ken Dowe, will have an answer. Let’s assume that they are in conference addressing the no vaccine problem. Gordon says “I’ve got an idea…Don you and Ken help me work it out”. Within minutes Don and Ken have  ... (read it all at www.kentburkhart.com)

Police in Orlando, Fla., believe an interruption in several radio station transmissions Tuesday night was the result of sabotage, according to Local 6 News. Investigators said an engineer for Cox Radio discovered someone broke into a transmission tower's breaker box, shut off the power and damaged a back-up generator.
As a result, several radio stations were knocked off the air for about an hour
(read more - Local 6 News)

In a highly unusual show of support, Chicago television executives rallied to defend the boss of WLS-Channel 7, who scolded her staff for not riding on station floats in community parades. Their remarks were prompted by the publication in this column Thursday of a memo by Emily Barr, president and general manager of Channel 7 + Wally Phillips, the king of Chicago radio for decades, talks candidly and courageously about his struggle with Alzheimer's Disease in an interview with Bob Sirott at 7:30 tonight on WTTW-Channel 11's "The Friday Night Show." (read more - Feder of Chicago)

The controversy over Sinclair airing generous portions of an anti-Kerry attack film, "Stolen Honor," has thrust into the spotlight two men who both suffered dramatic, if long ago, professional blemishes that have suddenly become relevant. Their past behavior confirms their critics' worst suspicions -- that Sinclair executives manipulate the company's broadcast properties for their own gain, contrary to standard corporate practice, and that "Stolen Honor" is a misleading hit piece. The two men, who play prominent roles in Sinclair's Friday night telecast, are a conservative broadcaster who has not shied away from exploiting his television properties to serve his personal needs, and a television journalist with a right-wing agenda who once famously aired explosive allegations in a Vietnam veteran-related exposé that was later found to be completely false (read more - KC Star)  (read more Eric Boehlert-Salon) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Eliot Spitzer, the New York State attorney general, has recently taken on a procession of corporate powers from Wall Street analysts to mutual funds to insurance brokers. Now he is casting his eyes on the music industry, particularly its practices for influencing what songs are heard on the public airwaves. According to several people involved, investigators in Mr. Spitzer's office have served subpoenas on the four major record corporations - the Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, the EMI Group and the Warner Music Group - seeking copies of contracts, billing records and other information detailing their ties to independent middlemen who pitch new songs to radio programmers in New York State (read more - NY Times)

Though WIP was quick to take Howard Eskin off its Web site when the host was suspended for 30 days, it hasn't been so quick to put him back on http://www.610wip.com/. Even though Eskin returned to the air on Oct. 14, he still isn't back on the Web (read more - Laura Nachman)

Jammin’ 105.9 (KFMK) in Austin will debut the nationally syndicated Kidd Kraddick in the Morning Show beginning Monday November 1.  Also, Mix 96.1 (KXXM) will debut the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning Show in San Antonio beginning Monday December 6. The show will be heard live weekdays from 5am-10am. To introduce the show to the market, throughout the month November KXXM will broadcast “best of” moments from previous Kidd Kraddick in the Morning shows (visit Kidd Kraddick)

From RDN Special Contributor Larry Todd -- Growing up in Amarillo, my hobby from the mid to late 1940's was listening to the radio. We had a floor model console radio that was about four or five feet high. It took one minute and thirty-nine seconds to warm up. Sometimes, I would pull it away from the wall just to watch those huge tubes start to light up. Guess there wasn’t much else to do up there back then. Hearing those great radio shows of yesteryear is an even greater experience for me today ... nearly six decades later. I liked 'em all ... but mysteries and westerns were my favorite, not discounting comedies like Fibber McGee and Mollie, Amos 'n' Andy, Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy, and the Great Gildersleeve. I liked the Life of Riley, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor Abbott & Costello and of course, the great Burns and Allen, among many others ...(read it all at www.larrytodd.com)

KPHX, Phoenix (1480 AM) and the All Comedy Radio Network (ACR) announced today that radio and TV personality Danny Bonaduce will debut as the host of the morning drive time show on the Arizona ACR flagship station starting Monday, October 25. Bonaduce will host his Phoenix morning show on KPHX via ISDN voice tracking from All Comedy Radio studios on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood (read more and visit www.allcomedyradio.com)

Tom Brokaw is giving Brian Williams a clear head start as he prepares to pass the baton on NBC's "Nightly News." Brokaw's broadcast has been dominant this fall over its closest rival, ABC's "World News Tonight," after a brief stretch last spring when the two ran neck-and-neck in the ratings, according to Nielsen Media Research. Brokaw, 64, steps down Dec. 1 as host of the program he's led since 1983. Williams, his chief substitute, takes over the next day (read more - ABC 7 Online)

Mike Gallagher's road to being the sixth most-listened-to radio talk-show host in the country (Talkers Magazine) began in 1978 as a 17-year-old high school senior in Dayton, Ohio. Mike talked his way into an on-air shift at WAVI-AM in his Ohio hometown and has been talking on the radio and television ever since. Mike's broadcasting career has taken him from Dayton to WFBC-AM in Greenville, S.C. (now WORD-AM) where his ratings and revenue success led to his eventual promotion to station manager. He was also host of the popular "Tiger Tailgate Show" on the Clemson Football Radio Network. From there, he became the afternoon drive-time leader in Albany, N.Y., on upstate powerhouse WGY-AM (read more - Centre Daily Times)

Texas Instruments has developed the wireless industry's first digital TV on a single chip for cellphones, which will capture broadcast signals and allow cellphone users to watch live broadcasts. Code-named "Hollywood", the chip will receive live digital TV broadcasts using new television infrastructure that is being developed for cellphones, doing for cellphones what HDTV did for home TVs (read more - Electronics Talk)

Jim Rose Remembers -- Kids on radio station request lines can be happy times or on occasion, be real torment. These two twerps should've been sawing logs or in a prison camp. Kept calling and calling with foul mouths. Over and over they called. Finally, I told them "Stop using that word. It's not a nice word for little kids to say." By 4 am, I just quit answering the phone. I got off the air at 5 am. Hung around awhile longer to record some commercial spots. All of a sudden, Stan Wilson stuck his head through the production room door! Uh oh, what have I done? Stan is a real class guy, but I was still pretty new at KFJZ. Didn't know if Stan Wilson even knew I existed. Anyway, Stan said "Jim, you didn't say **** to some kids on the phone, did you?"  (read more - Jim Rose Remembers)

SIRIUS today announced that it will carry all games of the 2004 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals. The games will be heard on ESPN Radio, Channel 120 (visit Sirius)

Though ABC still will rely on exit polling to spot voting trends, the premature calls networks made in the ulcer-inducing 2000 presidential race coupled with the expected closeness of this election has made Jennings more cautious about calling a winner that night. "I think its going to be a long night and may -- I think people are concerned about this to some extent -- may stretch out into days and even weeks," Peter Jennings said after moderating a "World News Tonight" town hall-style special from WTAE-TV's studio in Wilkinsburg on Thursday night. Five panelists debated whether the news media was too sensational, too liberal and not doing enough to engage people, particularly young people, on the issues of the day. One exchange between Jennings and Post Gazette columnist Ruth Ann Dailey over whether a liberal bias exists carried on into the commercial break. Dailey had cited a study published in 1990 that showed more journalists identified themselves as liberal than conservative. Jennings asked her why she used a 14-year-old report to make her point  (read more - Pittsburgh Tribune Review)

Canadian Satellite Radio and Corus Entertainment Inc. announced a partnership agreement that includes the right of Corus to acquire an ownership interest in CSR. Corus will also provide select French language programming to CSR as part of the deal. Under the partnership, Corus will have the right to take a small minority ownership position in CSR. Corus will also provide Canadian Content for the service, including French-language programming for use on CSR's proposed "A propos" national French-language news and information channel (read more - PR Newswire)

Salem Communications Corp., a leading radio broadcaster of religious and family-themed programming, announced Thursday that it has acquired WQBH 1400 AM in Detroit, from Queen's Broadcasting Corp.  The station is to be relaunched as WDTK in Salem’s syndicated news-talk format immediately (read more - Crain's Detroit News)

One of these days they're going to have satellite family newspapers, and I'm going to be able to use all those four-letter Anglo-Saxon functional verbs I've been storing up in my typewriter --- and now my computer --- all these years. I was encouraged in my quest for a place to display those words, hitherto known only as (expletive deleteds), last week when I read that Howard Stern has signed a five-year, $500 million contract to bring his (expletive deleteds) to satellite radio in 2006 (read more - Tom Henshaw-Holbrook Sun)

Disney and Viacom agreed to a fine of $1.5 million from the Federal Communications Commission over claims their children's cable television networks violated advertising restrictions, the FCC said Thursday (read more - LA Biz Journal)


The Charlie and Harrigan Team members (Ron Chapman, Jack Woods, Jack Auldridge, Brice Armstrong, Paul Menard and Dan McCurdy) of 1960's KLIF 1190 in Dallas will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on Saturday October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration and Dinner. Tickets remain, but this may be the last chance for you to get your tickets, just $50 each. Do it today!  Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com (click here to hear a brief aircheck of Charlie and Harrigan courtesy of ReelRadio.com) Don Keyes, Gordon McLendon's national program director, said "it was a dynamite two man morning show. It just owned the market" (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

Clear Channel Communications Inc. said Wednesday that Mark P. Mays has been named president and chief executive of the nation's largest radio station chain, taking over the position from his father who will remain chairman. Mays has served as Clear Channel's interim CEO since May, when L. Lowry Mays underwent surgery to treat a blood clot and bleeding in his brain. Lowry Mays will remain chairman of the San Antonio-based company's board (read more LA Lorek-SA Express-News)  (read more - Business Wire)  (read more - Miami Herald) (read more - Forbes)

Bill O'Reilly's accuser blasted him for pursuing a campaign of sleaze against her - and warned that her 74-year-old dad is out for blood. Andrea Mackris told the Daily News yesterday that the Fox talk-show host had "a lot to answer for, to his wife and to his God." In her first extensive newspaper interview, Mackris talked about how hard the last two weeks have been on her and her dad ... O'Reilly, a married father of two from Plandome, L.I., told The News he has been told not to talk about the case. "I feel badly for his family," Mackris said. "But I do not feel guilty. How is it my fault, what has happened here? I could have stood naked in front of him and there was still no way he should be allowed to get away with what he did. "I put my faith, my ambition, my trust into the people at (Fox) and these people are now trying to destroy me."  (read more - Adam Nichols-NY Daily News)  (read more - NY Post-Page Six)

The usually good-natured boss of WLS-Channel 7 exploded in anger when all but one of her on-air employees failed to show up on the station's float in Chicago's Columbus Day Parade. Competing stations had no shortage of local news stars on their respective floats. In a two-page tirade that she asked not be shared "with the newspaper writers who love to print these kinds of internal memos," Emily Barr, president and general manager of Channel 7, wrote to all anchors, reporters and contributors: "I must tell each of you how terribly disappointed I have been of late in your attitude towards our viewers (read more - Feder of Chicago)

WTOP Radio hovered above the ratings in the summer on the backs of the cicadas. The all-news station (1500 AM and 107.7 FM) drew more summertime listeners than any of its competitors during the important morning drive period, Arbitron Inc. reported yesterday. WTOP also scored the highest summer ratings in its history among adult listeners (read more - Chris Baker-Washington Times)

The world's largest Christian broadcasting network wants a former employee jailed or fined because he violated a court order barring him from talking about a homosexual encounter he says he had with its founder. Trinity Broadcasting Network is asking an Orange County, Calif., judge to hold Enoch Lonnie Ford in contempt of court (read more - NBC 4)

Wal-Mart canceled an order for a best-selling book by Jon Stewart and the writers of "The Daily Show" after executives learned that it contained a photo of nine naked, aged bodies, each with the superimposed head of a Supreme Court justice. "America (The Book)," a mock school text that lampoons the American government in much the same way the Comedy Central show spoofs the news, includes cutouts of the justices' robes and a caption asking readers to "restore their dignity by matching each justice with his or her respective robe." (read more - Washington Post)

Lawyers for John A. "Junior" Gotti want a radio host to stop trashing him on a drive-time morning show. The host, Curtis Sliwa, once was the target of a failed hit allegedly arranged by the son of late mob boss John Gotti. On Wednesday, defense attorneys told a federal judge that Sliwa's on-air rants against their client could poison a jury in his racketeering case. Each day, Sliwa "denigrates Mr. Gotti," attorney Jeffrey Lichtman said at a pretrial hearing in Manhattan. "He discusses the facts of the case in a highly inflammatory way." (read more - Miami Herald)

Add effective that day the end of a quarter-century tie between KQV-AM 1410 and CBS, in favor of Associated Press Radio's all-news service. Some CBS affiliates reevaluated ties over "60 Minutes'" use of allegedly forged memos about President Bush's National Guard status. AM 1410 gives a different reason. "It's a business decision," KQV News Director Frank Gottlieb said (read more - The Daily News)

No, WTMJ-AM (620) news folks are not reading ads pushing the re-election of President George W. Bush. But it's no surprise that listeners might have thought that was the case because of the role that an outfit called Metro Networks plays in traffic reports. A Bush ad was read Tuesday during a traffic report at the end of the 6 p.m. newscast. That traffic reporter works for Metro Networks. In an e-mail sent to one listener, WTMJ news director Dan Shelley said this: "Since our long-standing policy is not to broadcast any political advertising within the confines of our newscasts, regardless of who the candidate is, we immediately called Metro Networks and asked its personnel to cease reading the Bush-Cheney '04 commercial." (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

Drivers in Ohio and other battleground states are hearing live radio traffic reports sponsored by the Bush-Cheney campaign, apparently the first presidential ticket to adopt an approach typically favored by car dealerships. The ads are bracketed around regular traffic reports. An announcer reads "this traffic report is paid for by Bush-Cheney '04" and then launches into the traffic update. At the end of the report, the announcer reads a brief campaign message (read more - WCPO TV)

Filmmaker Michael Moore brought his Bush-bashing to conservative Utah Wednesday, saying he felt perfectly safe and was proud of student organizers who held firm against attempts to bar him from the Republican bastion. Student government leaders organizing the speech, who face a recall petition, said the money was spent properly and that Moore's appearance reflected freedom of expression. Because it received so many complaints, the school brought in conservative talk show host Sean Hannity to speak last week to balance Moore's perspective (read more - NY Post)

In a development that brings hope to the 40-something stations slated to lose Stern to Sirius in 15 months, KIOZ rebounded from a 16th place tie in the spring to rank top 5 in the summer with a 3.6. Meanwhile, top 40 sister KHTS (4.8-5.0) no longer shares 1st place with Jefferson Pilot smooth jazz KIFM, which slipped to 4th (4.8-4.3) (read more - Paul Heine-Billboard)

A psychotherapist years ago introduced me to the term "bear hug." I'm not sure anymore exactly how she defined it (and I don't think she originated it), but I've used it ever since to describe those situations where you are powerless to get out of someone's grip, causing anger and often rage. This, I think, helps explain the sexual harassment suit leveled against Bill O'Reilly. If the allegations are true, there is no excusing O'Reilly. He would not only be a sexual harasser but an old goat drunk with power. Still, she did not fear him so much that, after she had left O'Reilly's Fox News Channel show and gone to work at CNN, she would not go to dinner with him (read more - Richard Cohen-NY Daily News)

J.F.K. had to fight the anti-papist expectation that his Oval Office would take orders from heaven. For W., it's a selling point. Some right-wing Catholics want John Kerry excommunicated, while evangelicals call the president a messenger of God. "God's blessing is on him," the TV evangelist Pat Robertson says, adding, "It's the blessing of heaven on the emperor." Mr. Bush has shown all the evangelical voters who didn't like his daddy that he gets, as Mr. Robertson puts it, "his direction from the Lord." (read more - Maureen Dowd) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Hawaii will soon get 10 more FM radio stations, the first new signals in several years, and the bidding to build them is set for next month. The rights to construct the stations will go up for grabs in a Nov. 3 Federal Communications Commission auction that has been delayed since 1997. The FCC has been snarled in controversy over deregulation, consolidation, media ownership limits and other issues since that time (read more - Erika Engle - Honolulu Star-Bulletin)

The new facility that MSNBC anchors were reporting from, NBC's Democracy Plaza, includes public displays with information about elections, along with studios for WNBC/Ch. 4, NBC News and Telemundo. The trouble for MSNBC is that its broadcasting site at the complex is the only one without a glass enclosure. That left the anchors exposed to the weather and New York City (read more - Richard Huff- NY Daily News)

Poor Lenny Bruce, he was born too early. Bob Dylan said that eloquently in a song he succinctly titled, "Lenny Bruce." Dylan wrote: "Lenny Bruce is dead but he didn't commit any crime; He just had the insight to rip off the lid before its time." Boy, he sure did do that. Bruce used language in his shows that were routinely used by people on the street. He was a regular guy, using regular words, poking fun at the world and himself. How dare he! Not only that, he had the nerve to talk about black people, and homosexual people, and Jewish people, and sex, sex, sex. He was jailed in 1961 on obscenity charges, and banned from performing in Britain and Australia. Now we've got Howard Stern on his morning show graphically detailing the sex he had with his girlfriend the night before (read more - Shrewsbury Chronicle)

SIRIUS announced that its newest channel, Shade 45, will debut Thursday, October 28 at 8pm ET with a live and exclusive broadcast of the Shady National Convention from Roseland Ballroom, New York City, including a live performance by Eminem and other special guests (visit Sirius)

In an era of talk radio defined by the loudest, most outrageous voices, businessman-philanthropist Howard Jonas is betting on the notion that there is a space on the airwaves for a more thoughtful approach to conservative ideas. Jonas, chairman and founder of IDT Corporation, unveiled his vision for a more polite brand of talk radio last month on WMET, 1160 AM in Washington. Owned by Jonas's company, the station boasts a full roster of right-leaning pundits and is serving as a launching pad for his dream of building a national network of conservative radio stations (read more - Forward Newspaper)

KRKO-AM (1380), a commercial station, has signed a one-year deal with renewal options to carry all 76 home and away AquaSox games next year. Pat Dillon will continue to do the play-by-play. The games had been carried on KSER-FM (90.7). Station manager Ed Bremer said he's disappointed to lose the games (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

ARBitrends for Baltimore, Cleveland, Fredericksburg, Providence, Springfield, St. Louis and DC (read 'em)

Dallas-based Belo Corp., reeling from a costly newspaper circulation scandal, is closing the longtime Austin bureau for its flagship television station, WFAA/Channel 8. Austin Bureau Chief Shelley Kofler confirmed late Tuesday that she and the bureau's photographer/editor Paula McCarter, a 20-year Belo veteran, were told they had been laid off.  "Yes, it's true," she said. She declined to elaborate (read more - Star-Telegram)

Starting in November, Donald Trump’s international radio reach grows to include Australia and New Zealand. Trumped! will have national clearance on the Australian Radio Network and the Radio Network New Zealand. These new affiliates join an already hefty list of nearly 400 affiliates in the U.S. and Canada. Trumped! launched in Canada on 42 stations via Sound Source Networks when the 90-second feature debuted in June (visit Trump On Air)

Internet radio, IPods, music downloads, and Howard Stern's move to satellite--the negative buzz on broadcast radio has reached new heights. Will radio be the first casualty of the new media technologies? Radio industry pioneer Ralph Guild, CEO of Interep, the largest independent radio marketing firm in the country, says, "No Way!"  Radio is getting a sour deal, says Guild. In recent weeks, media analysts at competing financial houses have been downgrading radio's outlook in what appears to be a race for the lowest forecast (read more - Business Wire)

After years of listening to monologues from right wing radio ideologues, Sheldon Drobny had enough. He decided the public airwaves needed balance, and that the way to get that balance was by starting his own full time, liberal radio network--what would become Air America Radio. Drobny has written a book, "Road to Air America," and tells the story of the obstacles he and his wife Anita faced as they tried to make their concept for a progressive radio network a reality (visit Barnes and Noble)

Alexandria, Va.-based Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about the commission’s Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on violent television programming and its impact on children. The SBCA commended the FCC for publicly addressing such an important yet sensitive topic and urged the FCC to consider technical, jurisdictional, and constitutional issues before taking regulatory action to address the matter (read more - TelecomWeb)


Bill O'Reilly accuser turned down $2 million to make her sexual harassment complaint disappear, sources told the Daily News.
Lawyers for Fox News had proposed the $2 million settlement to Andrea Mackris and her lawyer Benedict Morelli, sources at Fox told The NY Daily News. The negotiations took place days before Mackris filed her suit. But Mackris and Morelli thumbed their noses at the money, the sources said, and suggested that $60 million was a more appropriate starting point. "When Benedict Morelli demanded $60 million, that was the end of any discussion, period and absolutely," said a Fox spokesman. Morelli said he had two weeks of discussions with Fox's legal team before the lawsuit was filed.
"There were numbers that we talked about, but $2 million was never an offer," Morelli said. He has always said that he considered the talks confidential - but he contends that the $60 million represents how much O'Reilly is worth to Fox, and not how much he was seeking A Fox News Channel producer Andrea Mackris filed new accusations Tuesday, alleging she has lost her job because she complained to Fox about her alleged mistreatment. A lawyer for O'Reilly and Fox denied that Andrea Mackris has been fired or retaliated against in any way. Mackris, 33, said that by Sept. 29 she had told top executives of News Corp., parent company of the Fox News Channel, about the alleged harassment and hostile work environment to which she was subjected while working for O'Reilly's show, "The O'Reilly Factor." (read more - Lloyd Grove/Adam Nichols-NY Daily News) (read more - NY Post)

From Chuck Blore's "OK, OK, I Wrote the Book" ---  So, how am I gonna make this into a best seller? I mean, if you’re gonna write a book, you want it to be a best seller, right? Absolutely. But it has to have some kind of fresh twist or trick, some inventive gimmick. Ah, I got it. Truth. Sometimes truth can be the best trick of all. So, here goes. I know a lot of this success, probably most of it, had to do with that being in the right place at the right time thing, but today, proud to say, I’m in two different broadcasting Halls Of Fame. I have been given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Broadcast Promotion Industry, two Professional Achievement Awards from the radio industry, I’ve spoken to advertising and/or broadcast groups in every English speaking country in the world where there is commercial broadcasting, I’ve taught at UCLA and I’m quoted in several other college textbooks, there have been feature articles about me and my company in every major broadcasting and advertising publication I can think of and, The National Association of Broadcasters has recently, designated me, a legend. All from just doing what seemed like a good thing to do. And of course, that right place at the right time thing. Looking back at it, the only problem is that I’m looking back at it. So, I guess it’s time to write the book. Damn ... (read excerpt #1 of Chuck Blore's book)

Buoyed by a jump in the summer ratings, WCBS-FM (101.1) is convinced that its new, tighter mix of '60s and '70s oldies is the way to go. "As we've said all along, we don't feel WCBS-FM needs drastic changes," says vice president Chad Brown. "We have a large core of listeners, and we feel that with our minor adjustments, we're giving them what they want." (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Because radio in the Washington area isn't dry enough, Bonneville International Corp. plans to flip its newest acquisition, WPLC-AM (1050) to a new format: Round-the-clock news and information for federal government employees (read more Chris Baker-Washington Times)


Suzie Humphreys will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on October 30th at the
2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.  This is the last call for you to get your tickets for just $50 each. Do it today!  Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com Suzie's background is as varied as her audiences...from administrative secretary to Television Talk Show Host at WFAA-TV, to 20 years in radio at KVIL 103.7. (click here to hear a brief aircheck of Suzie reporting on the Ron Chapman morning show at KVIL) She has hobnobbed with movie stars and politicians, interviewed the great and the "near" great. She has made hundreds of commercials, done musical comedy and motion pictures. She has been fired, been broke, been disappointed, been a petrified expectant mother at 40 years old and lived her life with a passion for learning not only how to be better, but to see things differently. Today, Suzie is a motivational humorist who crisscrosses the country speaking to Hospitals, Corporations, Conventions and even the Central Intelligence Agency (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

Piranha Man would be proud: Robin Baumgarten, who began on the cast of characters of Jonathon Brandmeier's old WLUP-FM (97.9) morning show, has been named a full-fledged morning news anchor at WGN-Channel 9 + WLEY-FM (107.9), Spanish Broadcasting System's regional Mexican music station known as "La Ley," shook up its morning and midday programming lineups this week in the face of steadily falling ratings + Scott Tyler, who was forced to resign after two years as afternoon personality at WKSC-FM (103.5), has landed as nighttime jock at Clear Channel Radio sister station KDWB-FM in Minneapolis. No word yet on a replacement for him at "Kiss FM" and more (read Feder of Chicago)

So you thought country music was too utterly ’80s, a relic of the line-dance, “Urban Cowboy” era? If you thought that, better check the latest rankings of Detroit radio stations from Arbitron. Arbitron’s summer 2004 ratings book shows just how strong a surge country music is making both locally and nationally. Detroit listeners always love their soulful R&B, and adult urban contemporary WMXD-FM (92.3) has taken over the overall No. 1 slot among listeners aged 12 and older from news-talk WJR-AM (760), moving from No. 4 in the spring book to first overall (read more - Detroit News)

Radio One announced that it has consummated the acquisition of the stock of New Mableton Broadcasting Corporation, the majority shareholder of which is an entity controlled by Alfred C. Liggins, III, Chief Executive Officer of Radio One. The purchase price was approximately $35.0 million. NMBC owns radio station WAMJ-FM, located in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area. Radio One has operated the station under a local management agreement since August, 2001 (read more - Business Wire)

KUVO is the first FM broadcaster in Colorado to broadcast HD Radio. They turned on the digital signal Aug. 1. As a stand-alone public radio station with a full-time classic jazz format, KUVO 89.3 FM has always tried to be on the forefront of technology (read more - Mi2n)

Donald Trump yesterday sent a note to Cuban, owner of basketball's Dallas Mavericks; the letter, in which Trump poked fun at "The Benefactor," was also obtained by The NY Daily News. "I am truly sorry to hear that your show has been canceled for lack of ratings," Trump wrote in the fax - ironically sent to ­Cuban at the Trump International. "When I initially called you to congratulate you on 'The Benefactor' - little did you or I realize how disastrous and embarrassing it would turn out to be for you," Trump wrote. Last week, ABC cut short the run of "The Benefactor," in which Cuban was putting a group of people through a series of tasks with the goal of winning $1 million. The program will air for the last time on Monday (read more - NY Daily News)

CNN's Tucker Carlson is still swatting at "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart in the wake of their angry on-air clash on "Crossfire" Friday night. The conservative commentator yesterday described Stewart's behavior as "bizarre" on the program — during which a stone-cold serious Stewart bashed "Crossfire," called Carlson a "d- -k" and made fun of his trademark bow tie. What's more, Stewart stayed an hour and a half after taping ended to continue haranguing Carlson and co-host Paul Begala. Eventually, a CNN director said Stewart had to leave the set, which was to be used for a taping of "Anderson Cooper 360." (read more - NY Post-Page Six)

Bowling and Rock ’n’ Roll — now there’s a combination. But for those of you who listen to WLUP-FM, 97.9 out of Chicago (better known as “The Loop”), the Friday morning show brought those two entities together, with Stardust Bowl II in Hobart as the backdrop. The morning tandem of Dobie Maxwell and Spike Manton brought their brand of classic and hard-rock music, mixed in with a little craziness, to the center on U.S. 30 for the third in a series of bowling outings (read more - NW Indiana Post-Tribune)

Seven Madison radio stations are moving into a new 36,000-square-foot building on Madison's West Side. The stations, owned by Midwest Family Broadcast Group, will begin moving into the building on Rayovac Drive next month. Sales and administrative staff members already have relocated (read more - Wisconsin State Journal)

Salem Communications, announced that Dr. Laura Schlessinger's talk show program returned to the New York airwaves on WMCA-AM (970) on October 18, from 2PM until 4PM (read more - Business Wire)

Sinclair flip-flops on anti-Kerry program -- In a statement, Sinclair said, "In order to minimize the interruption of normally scheduled programming in those markets where Sinclair owns and/or programs more than one television station, the news special will be broadcast on only one of those stations." Oh, and it's no longer called "The Point Special Edition: Stolen Honor," using the title of the film that criticizes Kerry's anti-Vietnam War activities. It's now "NewsCentral Presents: A POW Story: Politics, Pressure and the Media." "Contrary to numerous inaccurate political and press accounts, the Sinclair stations will not be airing the documentary 'Stolen Honor' in its entirety," the Sinclair statement says (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) (read more - NY Times)

Songwriter, musician, recording artist, actor, former MTV host, anti-censorship activist and rock radio DJ Mojo Nixon brings his bodacious and outrageous personality, twisted sense of humor and love of rebel music to SIRIUS Satellite Radio, when he joins the commercial-free Outlaw Country channel as an afternoon on-air host, starting on Monday, Oct. 25 (visit Sirius Radio)

Bob Schieffer on his role at the Presidential Debates -- I wanted voters to come away from them with a better understanding of exactly who these men are and what they stand for. In that sense, I feel very good about how this debate came out. But I also realize that you can never please all of the people any of the time. And some critics have scolded me for asking the candidates what they learned from the strong women in their lives. These critics said I wasted valuable time just to get a Hallmark-card moment. Well, they caught me, and I plead guilty. As our campaigns have become nastier and nastier, I think we all deserve a Hallmark moment from time to time. I hope the candidates give us a few more down the line. We know for sure there'll be no shortage of that other stuff (read more - CBS News)

Toni Cook and more than 150 people filled seats and stood inside a convention room at Imperial's Hotel Tuesday night for three showings of "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal."  The 45-minute film includes interviews from American prisoners of war who denounce Kerry's Congressional testimony regarding American soldiers' conduct in Vietnam. A group of Pennsylvania veterans funded the film, and three members of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth were on hand to support the screening. WMEL 920-AM talk radio host Andrea Shea King said she and co-host Mark Vance obtained a DVD copy of the film Monday and arranged its showing. "People are asking us when we're going to show it again," King said (read more - Florida Today)

ARBitrends for Akron, Allentown, Boston, Detroit, Hartford, Philadelphia, Riverside and San Diego (read 'em)

Before the days of video games, MTV and the Internet, families used to gather around the radio to listen to old radio shows. But when the era of television arrived, many of those old radio shows went off the air. Now you can hear all those great old radio programs again on www.RadioLovers.com. The site collects hundreds of old-time radio broadcasts that date so far back that many of their copyrights have expired. There are the old comedies such as the "Abbott and Costello" show and their infamous "Who's on First?" routine. "Amos and Andy" broadcasts featured here date back to 1928. There are also dramas such as "The Avenger" and westerns such as "Hopalong Cassidy," "Gene Autry" and "Death Valley Days." Even "Batman" was around way back then (read more - WISN 2)

Who's on KABC's McIntyre in the Morning on Wednesday live via telephone? Former President Jimmy Carter, former Vermont Governor, Howard Dean and former White House Press Secretary, Dee Dee Meyers (visit KABC)

XM Satellite Radio is close to taking the wraps off a deal with Major League Baseball that would be the largest in the brief history of satellite radio. Sources say the 10-year deal -- expected to be unveiled sometime before the first game of the World Series this Saturday -- is worth as much as $650M in cash and stock.. They added that the agreement won't begin until 2006 (read more - Washington Biz Journal)

The CIA is withholding a damning report that points at senior officials. It is shocking: The Bush administration is suppressing a CIA report on 9/11 until after the election, and this one names names. Although the report by the inspector general's office of the CIA was completed in June, it has not been made available to the congressional intelligence committees that mandated the study almost two years ago. "The agency directorate is basically sitting on the report until after the election," the official continued. "No previous director of CIA has ever tried to stop the inspector general from releasing a report to the Congress, in this case a report requested by Congress." (read more - LA Times) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

From the Rush Limbaugh Show Transcript-October 18 -- LIMBAUGH: "So anyway, anyway -- I haven't forgotten my place even though I've ravaged by the common cold virus and a little bitty fever -- Bush is in New Jersey today and here's Edwards making a speech in Fort Myers, and get what Edwards says. This is to precede Bush in New Jersey. Edwards says, "'George Bush is exploiting a national tragedy for personal gain,' in a blistering speech preceding Bush's own address about terrorism in a state in the shadow of September 11th, 2001. Accusing the president of using scare tactics, Edwards charged George Bush is playing on people's deepest fears. 'He's exploiting a national tragedy for personal gain. It's the lowest kind of politics.'" Hey, Johnny? Eat it! You know, you got nothing to say, pal, coming off your comment with all these quadra- and paraplegics out there in wheelchairs last week in Iowa and what you said. Talk about exploiting! Look at some of your jury summations..." (visit RushLimbaugh.com)

ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning show was presented with the “Broadcast – Human Interest” award from the New York State Association for Retarded Children (NYSARC) for a May 25, 2004 interview with Special Olympian Fred Siegel and NFL Hall-of-Famer and former Buffalo Bill Joe DeLamielleure (visit ESPN Radio)


Scandal-hit Bill O'Reilly's accuser had a crush on the talk show host and voluntarily engaged in "intimate" phone talks with him, according to a former friend of the woman, restaurateur Matthew Paratore . Andrea Mackris' lawyer, Benedict Morelli, slammed Paratore's claim as "garbage" and called him a "spurned potential lover." Porn queen Savanna Samson — who was interviewed by Bill O'Reilly just hours before he allegedly called his producer, Andrea Mackris, and "launched into a vile and degrading monologue about sex" — says she wishes the Fox News Channel star had phoned her that night instead. "He should have called me," Samson told us yesterday. "I would have given him phone sex for a lot less than $60 million" ... Samson isn't taking sides in the case, but she can't help but wonder if she and Adams overstimulated O'Reilly while discussing their book, "How to Have a XXX Sex Life."  There may be some confirmation about O'Reilly's sexual tastes in an old interview with Stuff magazine. Mackris alleges that O'Reilly bragged to her about romping with two "Scandinavian" women in a car and described women he had bedded in Bangkok. Back in 2002, O'Reilly told Stuff: "The most beautiful women in the world are located in two countries: Norway and Thailand. No question. It's just a matter of genetics. You have Norwegians: They are blond and blue-eyed. They are healthy. They are tall and Viking-esque. In Thailand, it's just a very elegant look. Beautiful women." O'Reilly added, "The most unattractive women in the world are probably in the Muslim countries. You can't see them. So you are assuming that if they're dressed head-to-toe in black and I can only see eyebrows, there's something going on. I could be wrong." (read more - NY Post-Page Six) (read more - Ethan Sacks and Adam Nichols-NY Daily News) (read more - Daily Dish-NY Daily News)

Almost everyone was happy yesterday at Emmis, which owns WRKS (98.7 FM) and WQHT (97.1 FM). They're tied with WSKQ (97.9 FM) for No. 2 in the summer Arbitron ratings. WRKS has been on a roll for a year, pulling ahead of rival WBLS (107.5 FM) with adult-oriented music plus strong shows in the morning with Jeff Foxx's Wake-Up Club and in the afternoon with relationships talker Michael Baisden. Replacing the popular syndicated Tom Joyner show with the local Foxx show now looks like "a perfect move," says WRKS programming consultant Tony Gray. Foxx is No. 5 in the city in that highly competitive time slot (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

The Cubs have disappointed their fans, but they again proved a godsend to WGN in the latest Arbitron audience survey. The other big Arbitron winner came in the Spanish-language arena, where Univision Radio's WOJO posted its highest share ever. WLS showed an ominous decline in mornings, however, with Don Wade and Roma off the air for several weeks during the summer ratings period -- and gone entirely since Sept. 14 when their contract extension expired. If the husband-and-wife team isn't brought back very soon, Monday's ratings suggest, the results could be disastrous. Speaking of renewals, Emmis Communications reupped morning franchise Mancow Muller just in time to save alternative rock WKQX from humiliation by Disney/ABC modern rock WZZN  (read more - Feder of Chicago)

  Skipper Lee Frazier will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.  There are only a few days left to get your tickets for just $50 each. Do it today!  Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com He began his radio career in 1957 at KYOK working weekends playing gospel music. Next, at KCOH for 22 years, he came to use the "Mountain of Soul" as his trademark and had an affect on the lives of millions. (click here to listen to a brief aircheck of Skipper Lee) Skipper Lee MC'd and promoted shows for James Brown, B.B. King, Wes Montgomery, the O'Jays and the Kool Jazz Festival in addition to holding talent shows for Houston artists.  He successfully managed two groups, the TSU Tornadoes and Archie Bell and the Drells, who had the #1 song, "Tighten Up," in the mid-sixties. Skipper Lee wrote his autobiography. He and his sons operate the Skipper Lee and Sons Eternal Rest Funeral Home. Each day, he is heard from 2-3 pm as a gospel disc jockey on KWWJ 1360 in Houston, broadcasting live from the second floor of the funeral home  (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

Famed shareholder attorney William S. Lerach will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. today to discuss insider self-dealing by officers of Sinclair Broadcasting, the Baltimore-based television chain that is forcing its affiliates to show a propaganda film that attacks presidential candidate John Kerry. He will release a set of demands aimed at making Sinclair executives disgorge millions of dollars in unjustified profits taken out of the firm when stock prices were high during the past 12 months. Yesterday the company's stock fell a further 8 percent after being down more than 50 percent from the year's beginning, as advertisers pulled back to avoid the station's self-generated political controversy (read more - US Newswire)

Critics said it wouldn't happen — but all-liberal WLIB is seriously challenging talk-radio rivals WABC and WOR. According to Arbitron ratings released yesterday, WLIB thrashed WOR and nipped at the heels of top-dog WABC among the 25- to 54-year-old listeners advertisers chase. "The elections are giving them an added boost in a largely liberal town, [and] they're benefiting from the whole Bush-Kerry thing," said Mark Lefkowitz of the Furman Roth ad agency (read more - John Mainelli-NY Post)

Warning that the burgeoning internet pharmacy trade threatens Canada's supply of medications, a group called the Best Medicines Coalition appealed to the federal government on Monday to stop it. Canada's controlled drug price regime, combined with a favourable exchange rate on the dollar, has been attracting increasing numbers of U.S. citizens who want to fill their prescriptions for less money. U.S. patients who don't live near a Canadian border have discovered they can order their prescriptions from pharmacies here over the internet and have them shipped across the border (read more CBC Canada)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Old-fashioned journalism will not become obsolete in the Internet age, but newspapers themselves will have to change or might not fare as well, a panel of United States media experts said on Saturday. "At some point in the current generation, more people will get their news from the Internet than from newspapers," said SW Papert III, chairperson and chief executive officer of Belden Associates, a newspaper research and consulting firm in Dallas (read more - IOL)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. lost his appeal of a 25-point penalty and $10,000 fine for using a vulgarity during a post-race TV interview. Instead of leading the Nextel Cup standings with five races to go, Earnhardt trails Kurt Busch by 24 points. Meanwhile, the Parents Television Council filed a complaint with the FCC asking it to fine every NBC station that aired the program (read more - Indy Star)

The debate on Sinclair Broadcasting's plans to air an anti-John Kerry documentary on its 62 stations underscores the need for new national safeguards for the electronic media in the U.S. Policies that ensure that digital media – including cable, satellite, and the broadband Internet – have an obligation to provide diverse viewpoints are more necessary than ever. While we must address the issue of bias in broadcasting, the principle at stake is bigger and has more far-reaching implications (read more - AlterNet)

Arbitron Inc. announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2004. For the third quarter 2004, the Company reported revenue of $82.0 million, an increase of 8.8% over revenue of $75.3 million during the third quarter of 2003 (read more - Arbitron)

How's this for a feud that straddles the line between politics and entertainment: CNN's bow-tied conservative Tucker Carlson vs. "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart. Carlson on Monday fanned embers still hot from their "Crossfire" confrontation, saying Stewart looked ridiculous during his CNN appearance and was a sellout for publicly backing Democrat John Kerry for president. Stewart, appearing on the debate show Friday, angered Carlson by saying "Crossfire" is "partisan hackery" that does little to advance the cause of democracy. And that was the mild stuff (read more - MyWay)

SIRIUS today announced that it has surpassed 700,000 subscribers, and remains on track to achieve one million subscribers by the end of the year. SIRIUS passed the 700,000 mark on October 18, helped by its best month ever on record in September with over 69,000 subscribers (visit Sirius Radio)  (read more - Forbes)

A duel of words is set to take place Friday between nationally syndicated radio personality Michael Gallagher and filmmaker Michael Moore. Gallagher, host of the Michael Gallagher Show, a conservative talk radio show, is visiting University Park in response to Moore's visit. He has challenged Moore to a public debate on student operated radio station WKPS-FM (90.7), The Lion. According to Joey Hudson, the executive director of Gallagher's Army, a non-profit charity organization, Moore has not returned Gallagher's messages thus far. "We've been e-mailing him and we haven't heard anything back from him," Hudson said. "We're hoping that he'll respond positively to our challenge." (read more - Penn State-Digital Collegian)

It was F. Scott Fitzgerald who famously said, "There are no second acts in American lives." He obviously spoke too soon. Rush Limbaugh proved him wrong. So did Bill Bennett. And bet your OxyContin and the vibrator that Bill O'Reilly will, too. Welcome to Trash Nation, where shamelessness triumphs over shame. Not only do the mighty who fall get a second act, it often pays better than the first! O'Reilly certainly qualifies (read more Michael Goodwin-NY Daily News)  (read more - Eric Deggans-St. Pete Times)

Here's a two-word programming update for conservative talk radio between now and the election: "Vote fraud!" Listen to Rush Limbaugh or his local lieutenants Charlie Sykes and Mark Belling, and that's the rant that's scheduled between now and the time that we know for sure who the next president is - whenever that may be. And if their guy doesn't win, expect it to be a mantra for months. Since this is a fair and balanced programming update, if you're listening to fledgling liberal talk radio on the Internet or satellite radio, the words are slightly different: "Voter suppression!" (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

Satellite radio-bound Howard Stern soared to his highest ratings since early 2000 in the summer Arbitron ratings released yesterday.
The quarterly figures also smiled on R&B/soul WRKS (98.7 FM), which is challenging WLTW for the No. 1 position among adult listeners; hip-hop WQHT (97.1 FM), which opened up a little distance over still-strong rival WWPR (105.1 FM),
and news/talk WABC (770 AM), which rode a surge of election-year interest to its highest ratings in almost a decade. Oldies WCBS-FM (101.1), which had hit a slump, rebounded into the top 10, and all-news WCBS-AM (880), which has revamped its sound and carries Yankees games, grew from 2.4% of the audience to 2.9% (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

ARBitrends for Chicago, NYC, LA, Middlesex, Nassau, Westchester and the Hamptons-Riverhead (read 'em)

From TVSpy.com -- "Let's be realistic. Politicians, news people, clergy all have images and all depend on the trust of the public to succeed ... You do something like (Bosley), although it's not illegal, it embarrasses your employer because your employer operates on credibility." - FOX's BILL O'REILLY to Fordham journalism professor Paul Levinson. O'Reilly and Levinson sparred on 'The Factor' in January while talking about Catherine Bosley, a anchor in Youngstown, Ohio. While on vacation in Florida with her husband, Bosley took part in a wet T-shirt contest, pictures of her surfaced on the Internet, and she was forced to resign.

The ratings needle may have been moving in the right direction at WBZ-TV (Ch.4), but apparently not fast enough for station owner Viacom Inc., which replaced longtime CBS 4 General Manager Ed Goldman yesterday with a Viacom insider and veteran of the local broadcast scene. Julio Marenghi, 48, a Watertown native who started his broadcast career in 1978 in WBZ's mail room, took over yesterday as president and GM of WBZ, along with UPN sister stations WSBK-TV (Ch. 38) and WLWC-TV in Providence. Goldman left to pursue other interests (read more Greg Gatlin-Boston Herald)

Viacom officers and directors have resigned from the Blockbuster board of directors as part of the spin-off agreement, the companies said Monday. The resignations, effective Oct. 16, are from Sumner M. Redstone, chairman and CEO of Viacom; Richard J. Bressler, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of Viacom; Philippe P. Dauman, member of Viacom's board; and Michael D. Fricklas, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of Viacom (read more - Dallas Biz Journal)

The Washington bureau chief for Sinclair Broadcast Group is out of a job. Jon Leiberman said he was fired for criticizing the company's plans to produce a news program based on a documentary that's critical of John Kerry's Vietnam-era anti-war activities. Leiberman said he was told he'd violated company policy by revealing information from a staff meeting to The Baltimore Sun (read more WISC TV-Madison)The Washington bureau chief for Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group's news division angrily denounced his employer last night for plans to air an hourlong program that is to include incendiary allegations against Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry for his anti-war activism three decades ago. "It's biased political propaganda, with clear intentions to sway this election," said Jon Leiberman, Sinclair's lead political reporter for more than a year. "For me, it's not about right or left -- it's about what's right or wrong in news coverage this close to an election." (read more - Baltimore Sun)

Just as they fed on sex allegations against President Clinton, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jackson, so too are reporters feasting on sexual harassment charges lodged against O'Reilly by producer Andrea Mackris.  "We're all over this story," says Bonnie Fuller, editorial director of American Media, which publishes tabloids including Star and The National Enquirer. "This is not going to go away." Depending on to whom you talk, such intense focus on the conservative commentator reflects well or poorly on the media. Already, lines have been drawn (read more - Peter Johnson-USA Today)

A lone gunman shot dead radio commentator Eldy Sablas here around 10 a.m. Tuesday, police said. Investigators quoted witnesses as saying that Sablas, whose real name was Eldy Gabinales, was on a “trisikad (motorized tricycle)” from the Ultra department store here, when an unidentified man shot him from behind three times in the head and in the body. Investigators said the suspect casually walked away after shooting the victim (read more - INQ7)

We the people own the broadcast-media airwaves, allegedly -- that's why licenses and governmental review are required. Those licenses require that the owner serve the public impartially -- again, allegedly -- because in 1987, President Reagan ditched the Fairness Doctrine (in place for four decades), which guaranteed television and radio news be presented with balanced objectivity. Since then, those with the most money bought up stations, programming their political and moral views directly through the airwaves. And in only 17 years since the doctrine fell, Sinclair grew into one of the larger TV chains, reaching 24 percent of United States' homes -- 14 of its stations in key voting states (including Tampa's WTTA "WB 38") (read more-Dawn Scire-The Radio Babe)

The Fort Worth Brahmas have found their radio home for the 2004-2005 season. Twenty Brahmas road games will be broadcast on KTFW 1460 AM, a station owned and operated by Cleburne based M&M Broadcasting

Alain Menargues, head of news at the state-owned Radio France International, resigned from his post Monday after he was accused of anti-Israeli bias. Promoting his new book "Sharon's Wall" on the wall being built to separate Israel from Palestinian centres of population, Menargues more than once described Israel as racist, earning condemnation from the government as well as RFI journalists and Jewish groups (read more - The Tocqueville Connection)

Nielsen Media Research's local people meters just got another high-profile backer: Kweisi Mfume, CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mr. Mfume described the electronic ratings-measurement system as a "more accurate and reliable way of tracking household viewing habits" in local markets around the country and said they would be an "effective tool in promoting greater diversity" in programming (read more -  Crain's NY Business)

Ford Motor Co. said that it will begin offering Sirius Satellite Radio as a dealer-installed option in four more vehicles by year's end and is targeting up to 20 vehicle lines for factory installation for the 2006 and 2007 model years. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury now offer Sirius as a dealer-installed option on nine models. In the coming months it also will be available on the Ford Escape and Crown Victoria and Mercury's Grand Marquis and Mariner (read more - Miami Herald)

Election 2004 Reuters/Zogby Daily Tracking Poll: Bush and Kerry, Back in Dead-Heat Race at 45%; Kerry Now Leads among Catholics; Bush and Kerry Tied On Personal Favorability, New Reuters/Zogby Poll Reveals (read more - Zogby Poll)

What is it with married men and hotel rooms? Bill Clinton in Arkansas. Kobe Bryant in Colorado. And now, Bill O'Reilly, the conservative commentator, who is being sued by a Fox News producer for alleged sexual harassment. O'Reilly claims the whole thing is a publicity stunt, an attempt to embarrass Fox News while it's at the top of its game. On the "Live with Regis and Kelly" show, O'Reilly said, "I'm a big mouth.... But I'm a person who will say 'Enough.' " Had enough? Good. Now forget all charges and countercharges and consider this: O'Reilly, who has made enough people mad in America to expect slings and arrows, admitted something in his lawsuit. And that's where the married men and hotel rooms come into play. He acknowledged having cocktails with Mackris and watching a presidential news conference alone with her in his hotel room. He denied engaging in physical or sexual assaults. He denied that any "offensive touching" took place. But he didn't deny having sex. He didn't deny talking with Mackris about vibrators and phone sex and engaging in stuff that people usually use pay-per-view to watch. He didn't even deny exchanging tales of his sexual prowess, something that guys sometimes do with other guys or women they think they know. He didn't deny any of the behavior that Mackris alleges in her suit (read more - Rochelle Riley-Detroit Freep)

Music publishers and U.S. commercial radio station owners said on Monday they had agreed to a new $1.7 billion deal to cover licensing rights for music played over radio airwaves or via radio station Web sites. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), representing over 190,000 members, and the Radio Music License Committee (RMLC), representing most of the nearly 12,000 U.S. commercial radio stations, said it was the largest single licensing deal in the history of American radio. The settlement, which was approved by U.S. District Court Judge William Conner in New York on Oct. 15, provides stations with the right to perform ASCAP music over the air and as part of a simultaneous stream on radio Web sites, the parties said (read more - Reuters)

From ClaudeHallOnline.com -- e-mail from Jay West: "Your idea of creating a book involving not ONLY big time radio jocks...but also lesser known DJs of the past, struck me as a genius idea. I consider myself one of the 'lesser knowns' (but a legend in my own mind) and would like to be considered (or mentioned) in your publication, if you  ever partake in completing the idea + e-mail from Frank Absher: "I can really empathize with your desire to create a 'who's who', and you were one of the few in the earlier days who had a nationwide forum to which all of us in the hinterlands could turn for info on all the other djs + e-mail from Jack Gale:  "Just read your stuff on Radio Daily News. I am quite honored to be in the same paragraph with such names as Gary Owens and the other legends + more (read it all at www.claudehallonline.com)

EchoStar Communications Corporation announced today that its DISH Network satellite TV service is teaming with six networks to create unique coverage of the upcoming U.S. elections. Viewers will be able to watch national and state election coverage simultaneously from the six networks on a single TV screen. They also can easily select an individual network and view its coverage in full-screen format (read more - TMC Net)

Ron Rogers will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.  There are only a few days left to get your tickets for just $50 each. Do it today!  Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com  Ron Rogers began his career in broadcasting by driving the first mobile news unit in Austin for the LBJ-owned KTBC AM/FM/TV stations in 1956, while attending the University of Texas. In 1964, Ron became one of the youngest General Managers in a large market as he guided a daytime station, KOKE in Austin, to number one in the ratings by changing the format to country music. This later resulted in Radio and Records and other publications calling him the "Father of Modern Country Music Radio." For 24 years, he served as President and General Manager of KVET AM/FM, KASE in Austin. He was the very first President of the Austin Association of Broadcasters. Rogers was the first winner of the Country Music Association's General Manager of the Year award. And, KASE won CMA Station of the Year four times. Ron Rogers served as President of the Texas Association of Broadcasters, and was given that organization's Broadcaster of the Year award and the TAB's highest honor, Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year for lifetime achievement to the industry in 2003 (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

Just once. It's Monday morning, and thinking back on almost every Sunday news-talk show I've ever seen, I would have liked just once to hear a host or reporter say to a guest: "But you didn't answer my question. What's the answer to my question?" It happens every day, every week to the best TV interrogators, including bulldogs such as NBC's Tim Russert on "Meet the Press." This is a nonpartisan complaint. Republicans as well as Democrats are equal-opportunity offenders when it comes to dodging questions. They never fail to take the chance to show up on these programs, because they have learned the fine art of totally ignoring the question asked and spouting the spiel they came to proclaim. The Sunday talk shows have largely become pipelines for political-party PR statements. Why don't the hosts nail their guests with tough follow-up questions? (read more - Tom Dorsey-Courier Journal) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Jack Benny, Ed Sullivan and . . . Jeff Smulyan? The three don't seem to go together. But they will next month when Smulyan, chief executive of Indianapolis-based media company Emmis Communications, is welcomed into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. Smulyan, one of 10 inductees announced last week by Broadcasting & Cable magazine, will join a list that runs from Guglielmo Marconi to Lorne Michaels. The ceremony is Nov. 8 at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The magazine lauded Smulyan as an industry innovator (read more - Indy Star)

One shock jock jumping to satellite radio does not a new entertainment medium make, unless you look to the past. Milton Berle (remember him, old-timers?) was the first star of any consequence to move from radio to TV. He switched in the late 1940s, when TV was a low-rent version of radio. Soon he became "Mr. Television," compelling millions of Americans to buy their first TV set just to watch him. By the early 1950s, most other big radio stars (Burns and Allen, Jack Benny, Edward R. Murrow, etc.) switched to TV. In the 1960s, radio listeners discovered the better sound and better music on FM, making AM a secondary medium until talk radio found its niche there. In the 1960s, teens who wanted their MTV forced their parents to get a cable box. Who would have thought people would pay for what they were getting for free? Today, almost 70 percent of America has cable, and half buy the premium pay channels. Now we have Stern threatening to drive broadcast radio down by drawing new audiences to satellite. Broadcast radio deserves its troubles. It's boring! (read more - Accent-Republican American)

Sinclair Broadcasting Group has ordered all of its 62 TV stations to pre-empt prime-time programming on Oct. 22 and show the film Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal. The Web site for the film bills it as a "documentary exposing John Kerry's record of betrayal." The film's producer is Carlton Sherwood, a Vietnam vet and personal friend of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge who was hired by the Bush administration to create a government Web site for first responders. Sinclair, you may recall, was the broadcasting group that ordered its ABC affiliates not to air Ted Koppel's Nightline show in which the names of the U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq were read as their photographs were shown on the screen. Talk about stealing honor (read more - Editorial Press and Sun Bulletin-Binghamton)  (read more - NY Times)  (read more - NY Post Editorial) (read more - Robert Philpot-Star-Telegram)

Just days before one of the closest and most contentious presidential elections in history, Dr. James Dobson will call on every pro-family American to cast his or her vote on November 2nd. This call to Christian duty will air in two special broadcasts on his nationally-syndicated "Focus on the Family" radio program on October 25th and 26th. The  two-day broadcast will feature a speech recently delivered to thousands in Rapid City, South Dakota by Focus on the Family founder and chairman Dr. James Dobson. Before a packed house in Rapid City's Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Dobson outlined the critical themes of the election, including same-sex marriage and judicial tyranny, and implored attendees to make their voices heard come November 2nd. "We have sat here, many of us, for 35 years," he said, "while the family has been battered and bruised and broken. And ... many of us have just let it happen. But I'm telling you, now's the time to say, 'Enough is enough.'" (read more PR Newswire)

I'm no fan of Howard Stern's vulgar humor on his radio talk show. But I cheered when he lifted a virtual middle finger to his current employer, signing a deal to take his program to satellite radio. It's almost beside the point whether Stern will justify his extravagant new financial arrangement, which will reportedly pay him $100 million a year starting in 2006. Something bigger is afoot -- an overdue shakeup of the medium itself. Radio today has sunk into stagnant mediocrity. It's not all a wasteland, but genuine choices have narrowed amid corporate homogenization and government censorship. Technology and creative thinking have come to our rescue (read more - Dan Gillmor-Mercury News)  (read more John Helyar-Fortune) (read more - The Herald)

Kidd Kraddick, who is celebrating his 20th anniversary in Fort Worth-Dallas radio, will be with Clear Channel Radio for 3 more years. Kraddick signed a contract extension last week; his show, Kidd Kraddick in the Morning, airs in 28 markets and has been on KHKS/106.1 FM "KISS-FM" since 1993. Before that, he was at KEGL/97.1 "The Eagle" during its Top 40 days (read more - Robert Philpot-Star-Telegram)

"That went great." That's how fake news anchor Jon Stewart wrapped up a visit to CNN's "Crossfire" Friday afternoon. And that was the funniest part of his appearance. He had come on to explain his frequent criticisms of the show and spoke directly to the day's hosts, liberal Paul Begala and conservative Tucker Carlson. "It's not so much that it's bad, as it's hurting America," he said of the show. "So I wanted to come here today and say . . . stop. Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop hurting America." "You're doing theater when you should be doing debate," he continued. "What you do is not honest. What you do is partisan hackery." Stewart directed his wrath at both hosts, but reserved most of his barbs for Carlson, known for his bow ties and frat boy sarcasm. "I thought you were going to be funny," he said to Stewart. "C'mon, be funny." "No," he answered. I'm not going to be your monkey." He later called Carlson a word that you won't find in the newspaper. If you missed it, the video is posted at www.mediamatters.org (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Radio hooked Jared Mims on the sidelines of a high school football game back in 1998. ''I was an intern,'' Mims said. ''I was extremely nervous. Once I started talking and realized what I was doing, I caught the bug. That was the end of that.'' Mims was an intern for AM/FM Radio then. Mims returned to Clear Channel Jackson after working at Thomas Media for about four and a half years. Roger Vestal, general manager for Clear Channel Jackson, said he was eager to get Mims back on the air at his stations. ''It's great,'' Vestal said (read more - Jackson Sun)

If Osama bin Laden ever buys a rap album, he'll probably start with a CD by KRS-One. The hip-hop anarchist has declared his solidarity with al-Qaida by asserting that he and other African-Americans "cheered when 9-11 happened," reports the New York Daily News. The rapper, real name Kris Parker, defiled the memory of those who died in the terrorist attacks as he spouted off at a recent New Yorker Festival panel discussion. "I say that proudly," the Boogie Down Productions founder went on, insisting that, before the attack, security guards kept Blacks out of the World Trade Center "because of the way we talk and dress. "So when the planes hit the building, we were like, 'Mmmm - justice.' " The atrocity of 9-11 "doesn't affect us the hip-hop community," he said (read more - Arizona Central)

My journey into the "no spin zone" was brief, only a few meaningless moments. I'm not sure what I learned from the experience. Probably nothing, except that I stink on TV. O'Reilly ranted and raved. The segment, he said, was all about "holding people accountable." Since that close encounter three years ago, O'Reilly has gone on to even further fame and especially fortune, supplementing his TV tough-guy act with a series of thin books including, "The O'Reilly Factor For Kids, A Survival Guide for America's Families." It's filled with the predictable wisdom of a man who settles most disputes by telling people to "shut up" ...  the book's release happened just as a $60 million sexual harassment lawsuit was filed by Andrea Mackris, a 33-year-old former producer and O'Reilly employee, who alleged that over a period of two years O'Reilly waged a lewd campaign to get her to engage in phone sex with him. He denied that he touched Mackris in any way, though none of her allegations mentioned physical contact. In his lawsuit, O'Reilly said the charges brought against him were "motivated by greed" and also by the "political connections" of Mackris' lawyer, Benedict P. Morelli, whom O'Reilly said was a contributor to Democratic candidates. I wonder what the Clintons and all those hedonists up in Chappaqua must be thinking. They must feel O'Reilly's pain (read more - Phil Reisman-Westchester Journal News)

Netflix warned investors this week that it is taking drastic steps to prepare for a new era of competition from Amazon.com Inc. Netflix already has new competition in the form of Blockbuster Inc., the nation's largest movie rental retailer. Earlier this year, Netflix increased its monthly fees to $22 despite Blockbuster's entry into the market with an offer of $19.99 a month. Netflix reversed course on Thursday and said it would cut the fee to $18 a month in response to the possible arrival of Amazon. Blockbuster soon followed suit and said yesterday it would cut its monthly fee from $19.99 to $17.49 (read more - Washington Post)

Radio listeners in Northeast Georgia are outraged that a popular news-talk station abruptly switched to a Spanish music format, taking even the station's employees by surprise. The Helen station, formerly known as WHEL-FM 105.1, is owned by Clear Channel. It had been simulcasting talk programs, such as Rush Limbaugh, with Atlanta's WGST-AM 640. But at 10 a.m. on Sept. 15, Clear Channel transformed the station into WVWA and began simulcasting contemporary Spanish music with Atlanta's WWVA-FM 105.3 (read more - Gainesville Times)

Too much turkey led Swanson to invent TV Dinner ...Two ill-fated versions of the idea, the Frigi-Dinner and One-Eye Eskimo, already had been attempted. Gerry Thomas perfected an aluminum compartmentalized container with turkey, cornbread dressing and peas, which could be retailed for 98 cents. Because the box design resembled a rectangular television screen, the product was dubbed the TV Dinner. Unsure of the salability, 5,000 were produced and instantly sold in the first year, 1952. The second year, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce were added and an astounding 10,000,000 were sold (read more - Lincoln Journal-Star)

"Each emerging technology needs stars (in order) to move from being an early-adopter curiosity to mainstream media," DeMers says. "If you look back a few decades, no one was buying TVs until Uncle Miltie (Milton Berle) came along. Breakthroughs like MTV certainly helped grow cable TV."  One week after Howard Stern's headline-grabbing Sirius Satellite Radio announcement, terrestrial broadcasters were looking for the upside to the shock jock's latest bombshell.  "It's going to force terrestrial radio to find and develop talent in a big way," Jeff Pollack tells Billboard. "Everything from voice-tracking to syndicated shows has impeded the progress of finding new talent." For Jacobs Media president Fred Jacobs, Stern's defection underscores how important it is that local radio be truly local. The threat: Traditional radio stations make money by selling advertisements. If listeners have the option of commercial-free music, the stations could take a financial hit, experts say. Take Clear Channel, the nation's largest radio station owner. Its New York pop music station Z-100, one night last week played eight commercials in the nearly six minutes between the No. 2 hit song of the night and the No. 1 hit song of the night (read more - Reuters) (read more - Asbury Park Press)

For someone who had got off the red-eye from New York just a few hours earlier, Pamela Thomas-Graham seemed surprisingly bubbly and energetic when I met her recently. The 40-year-old chief executive of CNBC was in London for just a day - welcoming her new European chief, Mick Buckley - before heading off to inspect another part of her global business TV empire. She showed no sign of jetlag or airport fatigue. But then I remembered reading that she was one of those infuriating people, like Napoleon and Baroness Thatcher, who could exist, indeed thrive, on just a few hours sleep a night. That ability must be one of the reasons for the achievements she has chalked up in her remarkable professional career (read more - The Observer U.K.)

Andrea Mackris, the Fox News Channel producer who is in a legal tussle with Bill O'Reilly over sexual harassment allegations, is a St. Louis native who graduated from Westminster Christian Academy in 1989. Jim Marsh, head of the small private day school, said that Mackris was editor of the Ambassador, the student newspaper. Marsh added: "She was a very good student, a very good writer." (read more - Deb Peterson-St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Radio listeners within earshot of Omaha airwaves have likely heard of Otis 12. The deep-voiced, often zany man behind the mike recently traded in his on-air persona for country living and tending to another of his talents. Doug Wesselman, aka Otis 12, lives with wife, Debbie, and daughter, Hannah, in Walnut. He was recently named a winner in the John Templeton Foundation's Power of Purpose essay-writing contest. Wesselman received a $10,000 prize, a big payout for a fairly new writer (read more - Daily Nonpareil)

A Sacramento radio station is facing a $55,000 fine for two episodes that the Federal Communications Commission considers indecent. The proposed fine against Sacramento's 98 Rock, KRXQ, and its Pennsylvania-based parent company, Entercom Communications Corp., is the maximum allowed under FCC guidelines. The fine, announced Friday, is over two separate segments that aired about two years ago on 98 Rock's "Rob, Arnie and Dawn" morning show (read more - San Jose Mercury News) (read more - J. Freedom du Lac-SacBee)

When my boyfriend bought XM Satellite Radio, I freaked. And not in the good way. "You're going to pay for radio?" I asked, outraged that he'd been swayed, like most men, by the latest electronic gadget. "It's free. We listen to NPR and ABC News, it's right there in our cars." "Give it a try," he said calmly, tuning to the comedy channel he'd discovered was part of his $9.99 a month basic package. In two minutes, I was slapping the dashboard and gasping for breath over the unedited routines of Chris Rock, Bobby Collins and Doug Stanhope. This was better than Comedy Central, I thought, because the network still bleeps the harshest swear words on comedians. He spun the dial to the 1990s music station, where I heard songs I hadn't heard for years -- one after another after another. No stupid ads for Coke. No Ryan Seacrest bleating about cell phones. No five repeats in one hour of Outkast's "Hey Ya." And if I got bored by that station's choices, there were at least 20 others offering something totally different. By the end of my weekend visit, I was begging him to turn it on every time we got in the car. By Christmas, I had my own XM and Jason and I were on the "family plan," which took us down to a whopping $6.99 a month. Reluctantly, but happily, I became the newest member of the XM Nation. And you know what? I am never going back to commercial radio (read more - Lara Brenckle-Centre Daily Times)

Radio Ink polled its radio biz readers, and they say Sean Hannity has the best syndicated political talk show in the country. They give Hannity's fellow WABC host Rush Limbaugh an honorable mention. For general talk, there was a tie among Imus, Tom Joyner and Howard Stern. For health/relationships, Dr. Laura Schlessinger was the winner, with Dr. Dean Edell and Dr. Joy Browne getting honorable mentions. Kim Komando won for best computer/technology show (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

The Mighty AM-1530 in Jacksonville, Florida, is adding Dan Conry's  weekend Saturday program from 3-5 PM to the station.  Beginning in early November. “Holding Court With Dan Conry” will debut on Jacksonville’s newest talk station. Conry is a former NYPD narcotics detective who made the transition into a talk radio personality when he spent almost two years with KSTP Radio in Minneapolis, and another year hosting a program at WMEL Radio in Melbourne, Florida

Radio pioneer Gary O'Callaghan was honoured for three decades of unequalled popularity with admission to the Hall of Fame at the Commercial Radio Awards on the Gold Coast. The cheerful breakfast voice of 2UE who shared the airwaves with feathered offsider, Sammy Sparrow, was celebrated as the most successful radio broadcaster in Australia (read more - The Australian)

"Fox is between a rock and a hard place," said Ken Marlin, of Marlin & Associates, an investment banking house that specializes in the media industry. "Fox is in a position of having to defend itself." "The CBS situation was worse only because it was an allegation of a failure by the news organization to vet a news story," Marlin said. "This allegation is personal to Bill O'Reilly. However, if Fox winds up having to part ways with O'Reilly, the impact will be worse for Fox than it has been for CBS." The news value of the charges is higher than it otherwise might be because of the O'Reilly factor. A nationally known tough-talking commentator and best-selling author, O'Reilly is the news personality who has been Fox's public face for several years. "O'Reilly is in some ways the brand for Fox News, as Dan Rather is for CBS and Tom Brokaw is for NBC," Marlin said. "This, without question, tarnishes the brand." (read more - CBS MarketWatch)

Tim Bull, head of Saga Radio, the over-50s network which launched in Glasgow last month and has bid for the Edinburgh licence, is preparing an assault on the UK market which could see it triple in size within two years. According to Bull, strong early indications from Saga in Glasgow and the prospect of profits elsewhere would give the company confidence to bid for eight of the 30-40 licences which the regulator Ofcom is expected to issue over the next few years. Saga has set a target of 190,000 listeners, around 10% of the adult population of Greater Glasgow, which it hopes to reach by September next year (read more - The Scotsman)

Walking through the WMBS office on South Mount Vernon Avenue, in Uniontown, is to hear the disembodied voices, conversations filtered out from the closed doors. Today and Yesterday together: An eight-foot-tall cabinet of digital satellite receivers sits in the in a hallway that creaks slightly as you walk down it. The "ON AIR" sign glows red above a closed door. The place seems to resonate with the ghosts of all the radio broadcasts that have taken place from the station's 1937 inception. Brian Mroziak is the general manager of the station (read more - Dan DiPaolo-Daily Courier)

Sinclair Communications started hearing from listeners about the Kerry show this week, after national media began reporting on Sinclair Broadcast’s plans. Right name. Wrong company. Since early this week, Norfolk-based Sinclair Communications has been barraged with telephone calls and e-mails over plans to air a program critical of Sen. John F. Kerry before the Nov. 2 election (read more - Virginian Pilot)

It's described as "the third wire," a third way to get broadband Internet into your home besides cable and telephone DSL lines. This one, approved last week by the Federal Communications Commission, uses the power lines that run past your house from your local electric utility company to beam an Internet signal to your computer. In Michigan, Consumers Energy plans the first pilot program for about 10,000 customers in Grand Ledge in Eaton County, probably by year's end (read more - Mike Wendland-Detroit Free Press)

"I was anchoring on Crossfire earlier this week because poor Bob Novak broke his hip, and Paul Begala introduced me as 'ex-N.C. State football star,'" J.D. Hayworth said. "I said, 'Whoa, Paul, let me stop you. For the purposes of full disclosure, I have to let everybody know I was one of the biggest washouts in Wolfpack history. I started out at right tackle and ended up as left out.' He began helping Wally Ausley and Garry Dornburg on Wolfpack radio broadcasts. " ... there's a lesson there, and it's one I hope the team remembers this week as it tries to get over the loss to Carolina. Whenever one door closes, another one opens. That's been the story of my life."  (read more - Winston-Salem Journal)

Leon Gray ended his talk show Thursday night with his weekly health segment. Moments later, he was handed a letter by the program director telling him he had been fired. For almost three decades, Gray has been associated with WLOK-AM 1340, the long-standing gospel music station owned by Gilliam Communications (read more - The Memphis Flyer)

Sports radio talk show host Bruce Drennan is no longer on the air in Cleveland, reported NewsChannel5.  The program director's office at WKNR told NewsChannel5 that Drennan is taking personal leave. Drennan is under federal investigation for his alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations (read more - NewNet 5)

A band of car and computer hobbyists has reconnected the XM Radio broadcasts to PCs, after the satellite radio company discontinued hardware that was being used to copy and archive digital music from the service. The XM satellite radio service is used largely through dedicated hardware, but until last month could be heard on a computer by using hardware that plugged directly into the PC. The company phased that PC link out, in part citing slow demand, after a Canadian programmer wrote software that allowed listeners to record and archive individual songs on a computer as MP3s. Now a small Florida company that makes in-car computer systems has re-created its own version of the hardware, saying its customers want a way to hook their onboard PCs to an XM system (read more - CNET News)

After Rush Limbaugh, who acknowledged an addiction to painkillers, and William Bennett, who admitted he had a gambling habit, O'Reilly -- a television and radio host and best-selling author -- is the latest high-profile conservative commentator to face humiliating allegations. "He's this guy who set himself up as the bastion of moral taste," said Robert Thompson, director of Syracuse University's Center for the Study of Popular Television. "A story like this would help Paris Hilton's career. This is so totally against what his identity is about. The question is going to be how much traction this is going to get." The battle between Fox News' Bill O'Reilly and the woman who has accused him of sexual harassment escalated Thursday on several fronts, from courthouses to the network morning shows. In a phone interview, O'Reilly would not say whether he had sexually explicit phone conversations with Mackris, as she charged in her lawsuit. "My lawyers have said to me I can't talk about anything remotely associated with their case because of the severity of our lawsuit," he said. "There are a whole bunch of legal things that are in play here, and they don't want to have any kind of interference, and I understand it." Mackris' attorney, Benedict Morelli refused to confirm whether he had tape recordings, saying only, "We have concrete and unrefutable evidence that [O'Reilly] did it." Fox News declined to comment on the suits Thursday. However, some former colleagues said there was no evidence of inappropriate behavior by O'Reilly in the past. The scandal apparently has had no effect on O'Reilly's syndicated newspaper column, featured in 300 publications, including the Daily News. None had canceled by last night, said the syndicate's president, Rick Newcombe. And O'Reilly said his program was being broadcast every weeknight as usual. Vanity Fair critic James Wolcott, who writes about O'Reilly in his new book "Attack Poodles and Other Media Mutants," said the host could become late-night comedic fodder. "If she's got the documentary goods, he's in real trouble," Wolcott said. "His only defense would be the Marion Barry defense," that he was set up by a scheming woman. "What will hurt him is there's so many weird and bizarre details, and weird details stick in people's minds, like Monica's blue dress."  (read more - Howard Kurtz-Media Notes) (read more - NY Daily News) (read more - Mark Jurkowitz-Boston Globe)  (read more - Newsday)  (read more - ABC News)  (read more - USA Today)

From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series -- The annual RADIO SHOW sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters was held last week (10-6th-8th) in San Diego. I know because I WAS THERE!!! For those of you who have not attended an NAB convention it is full of friendships, business, and surprises!!! And there are always hotel lobby whispers of supposedly secret dealings of some sort. The number one topic of conversation was Stern to Sirius!!! What does it mean to terrestrial radio? That was the question of day one. Also, in the world of financing radio stations the hedge fund people were there for the first time along with traditional lenders. The hedge pitch was to prospective buyers suggesting they could do major financing….with a much better deal than the traditional guys. Their projections caught a lot of broadcasters attention…including mine!!! This was also a major discussion point on day one (read it all at www.kentburkhart.com)

Michael Spears will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.  There are only a few days left to get your tickets, just $50 each.  They're selling quickly! This will be the third straight sold-out event. Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com. Michael Spears (Hal Martin) is a 40 year media veteran. In radio, he owned, programmed and performed on-air broadcasts in North America's top markets: Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Tampa, and even Canada! He has consulted over 30 radio stations and groups in 5 different formats from rock to R&B to all news radio. He is the winner of Billboard Magazine's Programmer of the Year and Station of the Year 3 times in multiple formats -- more than any other broadcaster. He has been associated with great Texas radio stations including KLIF 1190, KRLD 1080 and K-104 FM. His latest venture is The Beam, a diversified media company headquartered in Dallas syndicating, consulting and producing national radio and television programs (click here to listen to Michael in a brief audio clip as "Hal Martin" on KLIF 1190 and CKLW-The Big 8, courtesy of ReelRadio.com) (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

Wally Phillips, one of Chicago's most popular and influential radio personalities of all time, is about to be immortalized with a street named in his honor. The city's official recognition of the Radio Hall of Famer and longtime WGN-AM (720) icon comes at a poignant time. Phillips, 79, recently disclosed that he is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Okay, I admit it. The story of the salacious phone calls that Bill O'Reilly did or didn't make is a tad more interesting than the Kerry/Bush post-debate analysis. With both O'Reilly and his accuser hitting the morning-show circuit yesterday, and extremely aggressive lawyers on both sides, it's no wonder the Daily News banner headline was "O'REALLY!" That's why I spent yesterday trying to untangle the case, along with the intricacies of sexual harassment law, as well as talking to the Fox News host. And you can read my report here. But after careful reflection, I've decided that the presidential election is probably more important to the future of our country (read more - Howard Kurtz-Media Notes)

WHJJ-AM is moving sharply to the left. Starting this morning, the news/talk station at 920 AM will be airing a five-hour block of Air America in the 10 a.m.-to-3 p.m. time slot, formerly the home of John DePetro. Now Rhode Island can choose from Air America's leading personality, Al Franken, or conservative icon Rush Limbaugh, who airs on rival WPRO. Both will be on from noon to 3 p.m. "'PRO has the right wing locked up with Mr. Limbaugh. It will be interesting to see how long it takes Al Franken to beat him in the ratings," said Jim Corwin, market manager for the four Clear Channel stations in Rhode Island, including WHJJ. "I doubt it's going to take very long." (read more - Providence Journal)

Clearing the way for homes and businesses to receive high-speed Internet services through their electrical outlets, the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules on Thursday that would enable the utility companies to offer an alternative to the broadband communications services now provided by cable and phone companies. Known as broadband over power lines, or B.P.L., the technology uses a special modem that plugs into electrical outlets. So far, it has been offered at speeds of 1 to 3 megabits a second, which is comparable to broadband service over cable modems or conventional phone lines (read more - NY Times)

A California religious broadcaster has bought Miami radio station WKAT-AM 1360 for $10 million, a deal that could again leave South Florida without classical music on its airwaves. WKAT General Manager Andrew Korge said the station had been struggling for some time after failing to muster interest from advertisers, arts benefactors and banks. He and his two partners in the ownership group, Classical 1360, brother Christopher Korge and Spanish-language sportscaster Andrés Cantor, were forced to sell the station in order to make a $5 million payment on it by the year's end (read more - Miami Herald)

It's not about the sex. OK, it is about the sex. The late comedian Bill Hicks once observed that anybody who made a huge public stink about their own public morals, or about somebody else's lack of them, was almost inevitably hiding something in their own past or present. Hicks died in 1994, thus missing his theory, already affirmed by the falls of the Jim Bakers and Jimmy Swaggarts of this world, being publicly applied to Bill Bennett and Rush Limbaugh— although he pretty much forecast Limbaugh's embarrassment. Dear old Hicks completely missed Bill O'Reilly.  He would've enjoyed this, as he enjoyed seeing any moralizing knuckle-rapper hoist, as my Grandmother liked to say, on his own petard (read more - Keith Olbermann's Blog - MSNBC- Bloggermann)

Alhurra, a network with 150 reporters based in Springfield, is the U.S. government's largest and most expensive effort to sway foreign opinion over the airwaves since the creation of Voice of America in 1942. The 24-hour channel, which started operating in February, airs two daily hour-long newscasts, and sports, cooking, fashion, technology and entertainment programs, including a version of "Inside the Actors Studio" dubbed in Arabic (read more - Washington Post)

WCCO-AM general manager Dick Carlson, who worked at some of the nation's largest radio stations, died at his home Thursday, 10 days after heart surgery, WCCO said. He was 60. Carlson was senior vice president of Infinity Broadcasting Minneapolis and oversaw the operations of WCCO, WLTE-FM and WXPT-FM ('80s station Mix 104). He came to Minneapolis in 2001 from Seattle, where he oversaw a group of radio stations including KIRO. A Chicago native, Carlson worked at several big stations, including WCCO, WGN in Chicago, KOA in Denver and WLW in Cincinnati (read more - Star-Tribune)

Do any current Philladelphia Eagles have what it takes to make a transition to television broadcaster? According to WCAU's Vai Sikahema and KYW's Beasley Reece, both of whom made the transition from NFL player to television broadcaster, defensive end Hugh Douglas, quarterback Donovan McNabb, linebacker Ike Reese and safety Brian Dawkins do (read more - Laura Nachman)

Satellite radio is making a lot of noise within the radio industry, on Wall Street and elsewhere. Love-him-or-hate-him, take-him-or-leave-him radio star Howard Stern recently signed a $500 million, multi-year contract with Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and pundits began clanging the death-knell for terrestrial, traditional AM-FM radio. But local radio stations have nothing to fear, for now, since neither Sirius nor bigger dog XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. are permitted by the Federal Communications Commission to beam themselves down here (read more Erika Engle-Honolulu Star-Bulletin)

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.confirmed that it will release third quarter 2004 financial results before the market open on Friday, October 29, 2004 at approximately 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The Company will also host a teleconference to discuss its results on October 29th at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call number is 800-283-6901 and the pass code is 971641. Please call ten minutes in advance to ensure that you are connected prior to the presentation (read more - Business Wire)

We put ‘em in shock and it helped our sales, morale and enthusiasm.” …Larry Todd, former News Director, KHFI, Austin -- In September of 1966, I joined the nearly new KHFI AM, FM and TV as its second News Director. It was a challenge and more so that I ever dreamed. Not only was I young and inexperienced, as were most small market TV journalist during that time, but also the wife of the President of the United States ran the competition. Lady Bird Johnson owed KTBC AM and TV. My decision to leave my weekday morning and noon and Saturday 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. reporter/anchor slot at KFDA TV in Amarillo wasn’t easy. However, I needed to learn the Legislature and be around a more active news town. Austin was it. Especially, with LBJ in office and his home nearby, it all added up to some great experience. I loaded the family in my un-air-conditioned 1958 Plymouth station wagon and headed down to Austin (read more at www.larrytodd.com)

I was laid off in April 2002 for financial reasons. Q-13 was actually the last station to lay people off, but stations all over the country and in the Northwest had been taking some huge financial hits from the recession of 2000-2001 and then the 9/11 attacks. I felt confident I had a wealth of knowledge and skills, that I could go someplace else and do the job, but I had no luck despite hundreds of resumes. Television news departments all over the country cut back or shut down (read more - Bellingham Herald)

Last month, Henry LaRocca and his son drove all the way from Beaumont to Houston. Henry has been tugging and pulling to try and get me to return to Beaumont so we could do a Deejay team morning radio show. Henry knows full-well that I am quite interested in returning to the airwaves. We had such a fun time 27 years ago at KTRM when HENRY did weekend swing as a high school student. Henry was quite proud of his new satellite radio. He kept punching buttons like he was playing an accordian. He said over and over, "Listen to this! Ain't it great?" By the time we rolled back into Houston 12 hours later, I was sold. Yes, satellite radio is great! But, I'm remaining in Houston (read more - Jim Rose Remembers)

Sirius announced that Shade 45, the new uncensored hip-hop radio channel created by Eminem, Shady Records, Interscope Records and SIRIUS, will debut on Thursday, October 28. Shade 45 will be heard on SIRIUS channel 45 and will hit the air with a live broadcast of the Shady National Convention from New York's Roseland Ballroom. Shade 45 will feature a full lineup of on-air hosts and mixers, including Eminem's DJ, Green Lantern (visit Sirius Radio)

From Lynn Woolley --- We have a right to freedom of speech in this country that allows Dan Rather to broadcast his partisan story through all the CBS outlets.  No one is telling Michael Moore that he can't screen his movie in any theatre that will take it, or that Wal-Mart can't put it up for sale just days away from the election. So what is it with the political Left?  They screamed "foul" when the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth exercised their right to freedom of speech with a series of TV commercials and tried to get them pulled.  And now, they want the Sinclair folks - who have invited Kerry to come on the program - to be forced to cancel their show (read it all - Lynn Woolley)

WGME's plan to air a documentary critical of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry prompted three Maine companies Thursday to pull their advertising from the Portland TV station (read more - Portland Press-Herald)

The rapidly growing audience for satellite radio is spawning an effort by traditional AM and FM radio broadcasters to greatly improve their signal quality through HD, or high-definition radio technology. On Monday, iBiquity, the developer of HD radio, will announce that three more Detroit FM stations have embraced the format. WCSX-FM (94.7) is now "lit up" with HD signals. WDET-FM (101.9) and WRIF-FM (101.1) will begin digital HD broadcasts later this year. That will give Detroit 16 AM and FM stations broadcasting in the greatly enhanced format (read more - Mike Wendland-Detroit Freep)

Clear Channel plans to close its office in Covington, probably by the end of the year. About 25 jobs -- all that remain from a corporate office that once had about 60 employees -- will be moving to Cincinnati, according to Dave Crowl, senior vice president of radio for the Midwest division of Clear Channel Communications, which is based in San Antonio (read more - Cincy Post)

Kris Stevens Enterprises, producers of quality Christmas Programming for Radio stations for over 20 years, has unveiled their new Christmas Radio Specials for the holiday season. Kris Erik Stevens said: "We’ve added this year’s latest Christmas Hits, as well as updated many of the features and vignettes." Our Christmas Specials are heard annually around the world on the Voice Of America and leading Radio Stations worldwide. There are 4 Holiday Specials, The Magic of Christmas, The 12 Hours of Christmas, Christmas in the Country and Christmas in the Air. All are all 12 to 24 Hours in length, delivered on CD, and compliment every radio format (visit www.KrisStevens.com and click on the "Christmas" item on the menu to hear a demo)

HDNet Chairman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Xbox co-creator Seamus Blackley will be the keynote speakers for the first annual Billboard Digital Entertainment Conference & Awards. The two-day event will bring together the biggest names in the entertainment and technology industries. Mark Cuban, who in 1999 sold Broadcast.com to Yahoo, is the outspoken owner of the Dallas Mavericks. Cuban chairs HDNet, which operates two 24/7 all-high definition networks (read more - Business Wire)

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell said Thursday the agency can't prevent the airing of a controversial documentary about presidential candidate John Kerry's antiwar activities three decades ago, nor should it. "There's no rule to allow the Commission, nor would it be prudent, to prevent the airing of the program," Powell told reporters following an FCC meeting.  Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. (SBGI) has said it will run on its 62 stations - many of which are in swing states - parts of a documentary called "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal." The film chronicles presidential candidate Kerry's role as an antiwar protester (read more - KRON) (read more -IWON)

Ty "The Handy Guy" Pennington wants the Women’s Show to pay an outstanding $18,000 debt contracted for his appearance at the 2003 event. Engel booked Pennington for the 2003 show because she thought his image and popularity would draw large crowds. The attendance was low, though, drawing 875 patrons, she said (read more - McAllen Monitor)

A guest host for a radio sports talk show says he has been fired because he discussed the arrests of two Marshall football players on the air. J.J. Hester said he has been notified he was "released'' from the Insider Sportsline-Statewide show produced by Kindred Communications. "That's absolutely why, because of that show,'' he said (read more - Charleston Daily Mail)


Fox News Channel traded accusations Wednesday with one of the producers of Bill O'Reilly's show, with the woman alleging that the commentator had phone sex with her against her wishes three times. Fox in a claim of its own dismissed the sexual harassment complaint as a politically motivated extortion attempt. The woman, Andrea Mackris, is an associate producer on "The O'Reilly Factor," a job she returned to in July after a short stint at CNN.  During a phone conversation this August, Mackris, 33, said O'Reilly suggested she buy a vibrator and was clearly excited. Before hanging up, she said, O'Reilly told her: "I appreciate the fun phone call."  She contended he made a similar call Sept. 21, ending that one by saying: "Next time you'll come up to my hotel room and we'll make this happen." She said O'Reilly told her: "If any woman ever breathed a word I'll make her pay so dearly that she'll wish she'd never been born. I'll rake her through the mud, bring up things in her life and make her so miserable that she'll be destroyed." On his show Wednesday, O'Reilly said, "Obviously, I can't get into specifics as the litigation is in motion, but I do respect my audience and feel you should know exactly what's going on." He called the case "the single most evil thing I have ever experienced, and I've seen a lot. But these people picked the wrong guy."  Bill O'Reilly filed suit in Nassau County Supreme Court against a Manhattan attorney, his law firm, Morelli & Associates, and the FOX News employee for attempting to extort $60 million dollars from Mr. O'Reilly (read the full text of the Andrea Mackris September 28th, 2004 lawsuit on Smoking Gun)  (read more - NY Daily News) (read more - NY Post) (read more - CBS News)  (read more - ABC News) (read Talking Points memo at O'Reilly.com) (read more-Business Wire) Fox News Channel producer Andrea Mackris and her lawyer Benedict Morelli talk with "Today" show anchor Lester Holt about a lawsuit she is filing against Bill O'Reilly, accusing him of sexual harassment (click here to view it)

For at least one night, the Regular Guys are back together. Tonight at Buckhead's Andrews Upstairs, the once-popular 96rock morning show duo of Larry Wachs and Eric Von Haessler will make their first public appearance since they got fired for accidentally airing porn talk over the FM airwaves in March. This will be part of Von Haessler's third "Politically Incorrect"-style "Mad Pundit" panel. "He asked me to do it and it sounds like fun," Wachs told Buzz. "Free liquor doesn't hurt either." (Clarification: that's free liquor for the panelists, not the audience.) 96rock owner Clear Channel is still paying the guys through the end of the year, when their contracts run out (read more - Peach Buzz)

Four months after Zemira Jones left as president and general manager for a top operations post at Radio One, ABC this week named John Gallagher, a 19-year ABC veteran, as his successor. Gallagher, who most recently was director of sales at WJR-AM in Detroit, also will head Radio Disney's WRDZ-AM (1300). Gallagher inherits a station that has been without its morning-drive franchise since Sept. 14, when the Wades' last contract extension expired.
Long-stalled negotiations with WLS are getting under way in earnest just as a new suitor has entered the picture. Salem Communications, which is about to acquire WIND-AM (560) in a swap with Univision Radio and transform the Spanish-language station into a general market news/talk outlet, is believed to be a serious alternative for the Wades
(read more - Feder of Chicago)

On four mornings a week at 11:30 a.m., "The Most Trusted Man in News," Jon Stewart meets in his office with his production team at The Daily Show, the Comedy Central news-parody program that emanates, Monday through Thursday nights, from a down-at-heels brick building on the far fringes of Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan. Stewart, a man whose face somehow blends the hangdog Jewish sadness of a Woody Allen with the blue-eyed handsomeness of a potential movie star, sits behind a cluttered desk heaped with books and newspapers. Onscreen, Stewart is the sober-suited, Windsor-knotted fake anchorman. Offscreen, he's all about casual (read more - Rolling Stone)

Hurry!  Just a few days remain to get your tickets to the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in San Antonio on Saturday evening October 30th. (click here for ticket info, a list of this year's inductees and previous inductees) Many say that Texas is the birthplace of modern radio programming, its top personalities and players ... Find out for yourself when you meet some of the legends who were and are a part of it!  Last year, in addition to the introductions and acceptance remarks of the honored inductees, the Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration included video and audio moments that were unforgettable.  Among them was the "TRHoF Countdown" video.  To get an idea of what you'll experience in San Antonio on October 30th at the TRHoF 2004 Induction Celebration at the Radisson Hill Country Resort and Spa, click here to listen to the Real Audio from the dynamic "TRHoF Countdown" video that opened the evening's activities!  (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

From Frank Rich -- Once Woodward and Bernstein did start investigating Watergate, Nixon plotted to take economic revenge by siccing the Federal Communications Commission on TV stations owned by The Washington Post's parent company. The current White House has been practicing pre-emptive media intimidation to match its policy of pre-emptive war. Its F.C.C. chairman, using Janet Jackson's breast and Howard Stern's mouth as pretexts, has sufficiently rattled Viacom, which broadcast both of these entertainers' infractions against "decency," that its chairman, the self-described "liberal Democrat" Sumner Redstone, abruptly announced his support for the re-election of George W. Bush last month. "I vote for what's good for Viacom," he explained, and he meant it. He took this loyalty oath just days after the "60 Minutes" fiasco prompted a full-fledged political witch hunt on Viacom's CBS News, another Republican target since the Nixon years. Representative Joe Barton, Republican of Texas, has threatened to seek Congressional "safeguards" regulating TV news content and, depending what happens Nov. 2, he may well have the political means to do it (read more - Frank Rich-NY Times) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Liberal talk radio has come to eastern Massachusetts - just in time to add its volume to what is shaping up as the loudest presidential campaign in history. Air America, the network that debuted in March calling itself the progressive alternative to a medium long dominated by conservatives, was slow to find an outlet here in what should be fertile ground for its liberal message. It has now found its voice on AM 1200, Framingham's WKOX, and AM 1430, WXKS in Medford (read more - Winchester Star)

Longtime Milwaukee broadcasting personality Lee Rothman - veteran of the early days of rock 'n' roll on the old WRIT-AM and host of "The Bowling Game" well into the 1990s - will be remembered at a memorial service at 6 tonight at Congregation Shalom, 7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point. He died this week of complications from Alzheimer's disease at the age of 77 (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

On their first XM show, O & A called Howard Stern a “whining hypocrite,” claiming that Infinity wanted them to sign a contract that fined them $100,000 apiece if they mentioned Stern's name on their show. They also made comments about Stern's teenage daughter's physical assets. What a difference a day and a half made. The festivities came to a sudden halt, and no one's talking Opie & Anthony anymore. Late Tuesday evening, Stern made the startling revelation that he would be leaving Infinity when his contract's up in January 2006. On the same day as O & A's XM debut, Stern signed a deal worth an estimated $100 million a year, plus stock, for five years with rival Sirius satellite radio. Stern's announcement painted a lethal borderline that clearly separates satellite radio from the abortuary of free terrestrial radio. There's a thin line between love and hate, and the willingness to commit murder and the willingness to commit suicide. Terrestrial radio managed to do it all (read more - John Gorman-Cleveland Free Times)

Officials of the U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors have strongly defended Arabic-language Radio Sawa against criticisms contained in a draft report by the State Department inspector general. Board Chairman Kenneth Tomlinson and board member Norman Pattiz wrote employees Wednesday that Radio Sawa has achieved "some of the most important accomplishments in the history of international broadcasting." They said the two-year-old station has established "unprecedented credibility with Middle East audiences." The draft report questioned the station's compliance with Voice of America charter mandates that U.S. policies be presented "clearly and effectively" in "responsible discussions." (read more - VOA News)

Clear Channel Communications Inc. announced a series of ongoing initiatives that support the democratic process, culmination with the election this November. The company is enacting a variety of strategic initiatives across its divisions and in some instances in partnership with independent organizations (read more - Reuters)  (read more-Business Wire)

From music formats you've never heard of to personalities you have, the selection seems endless. Jazz, rock, pop, and talk, all with crystal-clear reception. NPR discusses satellite radio -- how good is it now, and where is it headed? Hear NPR's Neal Conan and guests including Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia of The Opie and Anthony Show; Richard Martin, contributing editor to Wired magazine; Rep. Gene Green (D-TX), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; and John Crigler, communications attorney for the firm Garvey, Schubert and Barer (read and listen at NPR)  Sirius closes on $230 Million notes, raising $321 Million (read Dow Jones)

Not near a television set when your favorite program comes on? Not a problem -- simply program the VCR or TiVo to capture the show so you can watch it at your leisure. Not near a radio when your favorite show is on? Big problem. Some stations such as KUOW-FM and KEXP-FM, actually archive programming on their Web sites (www.kuow.org; www.kexp.org) for online listening after they've been broadcast. So do some syndicated shows, and some hosts may store interviews, songs or comedy bits. For the most part, though, radio is an ephemeral medium for listeners: When it's gone, it's gone for good (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

Camarillo-based Salem Communications Corp. is buying WKAT-AM (1360 AM) in Miami from Classical 1360 LLC for $10 million.   After closing on the Miami station, Salem will own 101 radio stations, including 62 stations in 23 of the top 25 markets. This will be the company's entrance into the Miami market (read more - LA Biz Journal)

The Oscars are long past, and the fashions of the 2004 Emmy ceremony have already been forgotten, at least until someone at the dentist's office picks up an old issue of People magazine in the waiting room. But the year's not over, and there's still time to give out a few trophies. Yes, ladies and gentlemen (and Michael Jackson), it's time once again to hand out the highly coveted SCARs, the Static Column Awards for Radio. Here they are: Howard Stern gets the "smut's the limit" ---- um, I mean "sky's the limit" ---- award for embracing the uncensored and uncertain world of satellite radio (read more - Randy Dotinga-North County Times)

I've grown to enjoy being on the radio. I spent some time in college as a deejay (mostly late at night when the only people listening were kids stuck cramming for the next day's test) and been a guest frequently throughout my career as an editor. On Thursday, I was a guest on Billy Long's morning radio show on KWTO to talk about what is going on in and around Rogersville and Webster County.  I didn't think we'd run out of things to talk about. It turned out that the show's callers wanted to talk about several other things as well (read more Ozarks Newsstand)

All Comedy Radio, the Hollywood-based radio network, announced today that radio veteran Vickie Jenkins joins ACR as affiliate marketing specialist. Jenkins was part of the top-rated morning shows at NBC owned and operated station KYUU-FM and Bonneville-owned KOIT AM/FM, San Francisco  (visit All Comedy Radio)

Jim Weaver returns to Texarkana Radio as Operations Manager over BOB FM - KBYB 101.7 FM, Border Country 107.1 FM - KFYX, News/Talk 940 AM - KTFS, and ESPN Radio 740 AM - KCMC.  He was at ABC Radio "Coast to Coast" during the past 3 years (visit TexArkAna Radio)

Bill Cosby thinks Milwaukee will be "delicious." That's what he told me during a phone call last week after the famous entertainer/social critic spent 90 minutes fielding calls from listeners to a local black radio station. Cosby called into WMCS-AM's (1290) "Morning Magazine" program to discuss his Oct. 20 appearance at North Division High School for a community-oriented forum that will focus on education and other issues of importance to African-Americans. He was supposed to spend a half-hour talking with WMCS. He ended up staying way over because he was intrigued by the discussion (read more - Eugene Kane-Journal Sentinel)

Employees of a private voter registration company allege that hundreds, perhaps thousands of voters who may think they are registered will be rudely surprised on election day. The company claims hundreds of registration forms were thrown in the trash.  Anyone who has recently registered or re-registered to vote outside a mall or grocery store or even government building may be affected. The I-Team has obtained information about an alleged widespread pattern of potential registration fraud aimed at Democrats. The focus of the story is a private registration company called Voters Outreach of America, AKA America Votes.
The out-of-state firm has been in Las Vegas for the past few months, registering voters. It employed up to 300 part-time workers and collected hundreds of registrations per day, but former employees of the company say that Voters Outreach of America only wanted Republican registrations (read more/view video - KLAS-TV Las Vegas)
You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

If you ever wondered about the motivation of those who would go to great lengths of complain about your radio show, those questions are about to be definitively answered. Chicago native David Edward Smith turned a sincere avocation - to do something to take what he considers to be indecent programming off the air - into a regular gig for a family values group. Over the past four years, his barrage of complaints about Mancow Muller's show on WKQX Chicago led to a series of fines and an eventual consent decree between Emmis and the FCC. Even so, he's still not satisfied with the consent decree, let alone TV and radio programming. In an exclusive interview, Smith puts his perspective on broadcast indecency in full view. Find out who you may be up against in the very near future (read it all at MusicBiz)

Signs at the bank, the café and the Bottlinger Grain bins all declare Crawford - the proud home of the president's ranch - as "Bush Country." So when the Lone Star Iconoclast, a tiny weekly that bills itself as Bush's hometown paper, endorsed Democrat John Kerry, there was hell to pay. Local businesses pulled their ads and banned the paper from their stores. "We felt a little betrayed," said Larry Nelson, manager of the Crawford Country Style, a downtown shop that sells "Luvya Dubya" trinkets and other Bush memorabilia (read more - Arizona Daily Star)

Nationally syndicated radio talk show host, Glenn Beck, will kick off his “Real American Christmas Tour” in Fort Wayne, Indiana on November 30. Hosting the event is Beck’s affiliate, WOWO-AM. The live stage show was created to entertain and inspire people, and is a mixture of politically incorrect stand up comedy and sincere, heartfelt story-telling. The Tour will travel to seven other cities before Christmas (visit GlennBeck.com)

Cumulus Media Inc. will host a conference call on Thursday, November 4, 2004 at 10 a.m. ET to review the Company's third quarter 2004 financial results, together with an update of financial and operational developments. The call will be open to the general public on a listen only basis. A press release summary of the Company's third quarter 2004 financial results will be issued before market open on November 4, 2004 (visit Cumulus)


Nothing in life is free, including Sean Hannity. Though the conservative talk show host waived his $100,000 speaking fee to speak at Utah Valley State College Monday night, his travel expenses rival the total cost of bringing "Fahrenheit 9/11" director Michael Moore to the Orem campus Oct. 20, documents obtained by the Deseret Morning News reveal. According to a travel invoice sent to the state school from Premiere Speakers Bureau, UVSC was billed $35,000 for private Hawker jet service, which shuttled Hannity from New York to Utah and on to Arizona, where he'll broadcast his show during tonight's presidential debate there. While Hannity's visit generated $15,000 in donor contributions, Moore has generated just $1,500 from local donors — leaving UVSC with a $25,000 bill to pay, as opposed to Hannity's $8,900 tab  (read more - Deseret News)

The Federal Communications Commission yesterday proposed a record-setting $1.2 million fine against 169 Fox television stations for an April 2003 broadcast of "Married by America" that featured whipped-cream-covered strippers and digitally obscured nudity. It is the agency's most recent ruling in its stepped-up effort to police radio and television. Complaints to the FCC are at an all-time high as viewers and lawmakers object to the increasing raunchiness of over-the-air radio and television, and broadcasters compete to keep pace with edgier cable programming. Yesterday's action against Fox and its affiliates was the largest for indecency on television (read more - Frank Ahrens/Lisa de Moraes-Washington Post)  (read more - NY Post)

[Photograph] John Tyler will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.  Tickets are only $50 each but are selling quickly! This will be the third straight sold-out event. Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com.. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rhino Communications. He has over 30 years of experience in radio and television broadcasting. 1981-1990 he was Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of Satellite Music Network, Inc. (SMN), the #1 full-time satellite radio network in the world, with over 1,000 domestic and international affiliates. Successfully built SMN from a start-up to a public company. Successfully sold the company for over $55 million to CapCities/ABC (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Michael J. Copps released a statement Tuesday criticizing the Sinclair Broadcast Group for its decision to air what he sees as a blatantly political program in the days before the election, calling it an "abuse of public trust." Regular programming on 60 local stations nationwide owned will be preempted for the airing of Carlton Sherwood's "Stolen Honor: Wounds that Never Heal," an anti-John Kerry documentary about American POWs in Vietnam. "This is the same corporation that refused to air Nightline's reading of our war dead in Iraq," Copps said (read more - CNS News)

A former U.S. think tank employee has pleaded guilty to harassing an ex-boyfriend, former Vancouver radio personality Michael Morgan. The judge gave Rachel Marsden a conditional discharge with one year of probation, meaning she can avoid having a criminal record if she has no other run-ins with the law over the next 12 months (read more - CBS 2 New York)

A Time reporter will argue Wednesday that he shouldn't be jailed for refusing to name his sources, part of a legal drama that pits news media and law enforcement interests against each other. Matt Cooper will appear before U.S. District Chief Judge Thomas Hogan, who already has threatened to jail him and last week sentenced New York Times reporter Judith Miller to imprisonment, for refusing to identify sources in an inquiry into the release of CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity (read more - Peter Johnson-USA Today)

A hospital radio service has welcomed a new presenter to its team - blind DJ Adam Firth. The 18-year-old is a student at Henshaws College in Harrogate and already has his own DJ company, which he hires out for weddings and parties. He joined Harrogate Hospital Radio six months ago on work experience and has become totally hooked. He has now been given the chance to try presenting and has all the song lists and instructions written out in Braille, which he learned at the age of six (read more - The Northern Echo)

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but if you're in the midst of a heated political debate, that might be a gross undercount. Recall a pale and sweating Richard Nixon; a watch-watching George H. W. Bush; a sighing Al Gore; a scowling George W. Bush. How they must have wished they were heard but never seen. That was the privilege of Illinois senatorial candidates Alan Keyes and Barack Obama in Tuesday evening's debate, their words echoing live across the radio waves but not to be found on television. Analysts have pointed out that there are major advantages to the radio format. "The radio removes an element of preparation," said David Romanelli, director of debate for the Loyola University Chicago school of communication. "It allows the candidates a lesser degree of worry." (read more - NW Indiana Times)

President Bush and Democratic Sen. John Kerry remain deadlocked in the White House race going into their final debate, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday. Bush and Kerry held steady at 45 percent each in the latest three-day tracking poll, raising the stakes for Wednesday night's pivotal final debate in Tempe, Arizona (read more - Reuters)

Superstar chef Rocco DiSpirito is back, only this time he's out of the frying pan and into — radio. DiSpirito, whose now-defunct Rocco's restauranton 22nd St. was the focus of NBC's reality show "The Restaurant," has taken over the WOR "Food Talk" hour formerly hosted by Arthur Schwartz (read more - John Mainelli-NY Post)

WUWM-FM (89.7) airs a two-hour radio version of PBS' "Frontline" biographies of George W. Bush and John Kerry at 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday. . . . Until WEMP-AM (1250) goes all sports, probably next month, a temporary tropical music show, "Sabado con Sabor" (Saturday With Flavor), airs from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. . . . The WLZR-FM (102.9) morning show with Brian Nelson and Bob Madden has picked up a new state affiliate, signing on last week at WKQH-FM (104.9) in Stevens Point (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Saga Communications, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of 3 radio stations in Charlottesville, VA from Eure Communications, Inc. The stations are WWWV-FM, WINA-AM and WQMZ-FM. Saga expects to close the transaction, subject to the approval of the  Federal Communications Commission, during the 1st quarter of 2005 (read more - PR Newswire)

The pressure is on for Bob Schieffer. While most of the coverage has focused on how Bush and Kerry will perform during tonight's Tempest at Tempe, or whatever they're calling it, the moderator will play a key role as the spotlight shifts to domestic issues. How he frames his queries about taxes, health care and education--and what subjects he chooses to include--will have a major impact on the outcome (read more - Howard Kurtz-Washington Post) (read more - Maria Recio-Star-Telegram)

Radio talk show host Kidd Kraddick is reaching out to college students in his new competition "Pimp Your Dorm Room." The competition, which ends Oct. 20, will choose one student's room to be "pimped out," based on a paragraph written by the student to Kraddick explaining why his or her room should receive the makeover and also a picture of his or her dorm room. "We are looking for pathetic-looking dorm rooms. We want the bad and the ugly," Julie Garcia, Kidd Kraddick's assistant, said (read more - LSU Reveille)

A conservative Christian group will be permitted to advertise an anti-gay conference on signs at Pinellas County bus shelters under a settlement reached in a federal lawsuit, the group said Tuesday. Under the settlement, the bus system and sign contractor Clear Channel Outdoor refined its policies to allow the signs when the seminar comes to the area again sometime next year, said Mathew D. Staver, the attorney who handled the case for Focus on the Family (read more - Miami Herald)

XM Satellite Radio is now available through Microsoft's Windows Media Player 10 and Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. XM is offering its new premium Internet radio service XM Radio Online through Microsoft's Windows Media Player 10 and Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Microsoft users can choose XM Radio Online simply by clicking on the Windows Media Player 10 Digital Media Mall or through the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Online Spotlight (read more - XM Radio)

Florida's 4th District Court of Appeal ruled last week that its state's attorney did not violate medical privacy rights when seizing talk-show host Rush Limbaugh's medical records from four of his doctors. It's too bad Rush can't tie the SA's pill shopping investigation against him to abortion. Then legal authorities would consider his records off limits, even in the face of murder (of born people) (read more - Jill Stanek-WorldNetDaily Commentary)

John Edwards has a theory about what was hidden underneath an unusual wrinkle that appeared on the back of President Bush's suit jacket during his first debate with John Kerry. "I think it was his battery," a grinning Edwards told Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" on Tuesday. "I think tomorrow, before the debate, John Kerry ought to pat him down," Edwards said, referring to the final Bush-Kerry matchup, scheduled for Wednesday in Arizona. The Democratic vice presidential nominee, making his second appearance on the comedian's stage this year, was in turns silly and serious while chatting about issues from Iraq to chubby Secret Service agents (read more - NY Post)

The campaign to expand Indian gambling is taking radio stations to task for what it considers misstatements about its measure. Jamie Fisfis, spokesman for Yes on Proposition 70, said the campaign is focused on broadcast advertisements. In addition to contacting individual stations, the campaign also asked the California Broadcasters Association to alert its members to the issues in a radio ad by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Committee for Fair Share Gaming Agreements, which opposes Proposition 70 (read more - Reno Gazette Journal)

Radio Sawa, an Arab-language pop music and news station funded by the U.S. government and touted by the Bush administration as a success in reaching out to the Arab world, has failed to meet its mandate of promoting democracy and pro-American attitudes, according to a draft report prepared by the State Department's inspector general. The report credited Radio Sawa with attracting a large audience in key Middle East countries but said the station, which has an annual budget of $22 million, has been so preoccupied with building an audience through its music that it has failed to adequately measure whether it is influencing minds (read more - Washington Post) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Veteran news pro Rob Milford has left KTRH Houston and is looking for the next radio news opportunity (milfordnews@hotmail.com)

At least since the mid-'70s, Top 40 radio has been wary of what we will here call "quasi-acoustic rocklike songs." This is as it should be, since there are other places where one can enjoy that kind of thing--such as purgatory. If only Top 40 radio were even warier of quasi-acoustic rocklike songs, few of us would have been subjected to Extreme's "More Than Words" or Jewel's "Who Will Save Your Soul" or the Goo Goo Dolls' "Name." Then again, my late teen years were modestly enriched by Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," which charmingly answered the question, "What would 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' sound like if it were written by morons?" (read more - City Pages-Twin Cities)

Comic and V-103 regular Wanda Smith got a surprise birthday present Monday -- the "Frank Ski Morning Show" has changed its name to "Frank and Wanda in the Morning." "When he did that promo over the weekend about some big change happening, I thought he was going to leave us," Smith said. Ski's show was No. 1 this spring in key demographics but has slipped the past couple of years against Ryan Cameron at Hot 107.9. Ski relies heavily on Smith's sassy humor and bubbly energy (read more - Peach Buzz)

John Pearson, chief executive of Virgin Radio, will step down from the company in April 2005. The shock resignation, which was announced to Virgin staff at lunchtime today, is believed to be for family reasons. Pearson’s decision to quit will come as a body blow to parent company Scottish Media Group, which has had to field reports in recent weeks of interest in Virgin Radio from the agent of former owner Chris Evans. Speculation has also been increasing in recent weeks over the fate of a number of leading radio brands following the recent GWR-Capital merger (read more - Media Week UK)

On October 24 and 25, 100 radio stations will broadcast live from the Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas from noon to 4 p.m. PT, at Premiere Radio’s “Megablast,” the biggest radio event of the year and prelude to the Radio Music Awards on NBC-TV. Performing artists and celebrities from all walks of entertainment, who appear on the televised Radio Music Awards as nominees, winners, presenters, performers, or guests, take the opportunity to reach out to their fans through live radio interviews at “Megablast.” (visit Premiere Radio)

In a radio version of the old Politically Incorrect show, Liberty Broadcasting's syndicated talk show host Jeff Katz will be joined by former Congressman Bob Barr, vacuum maven David Oreck and legendary singer and author Kinky Friedman on his October 13 show. The Jeff Katz Show airs from 5PM-7PM eastern. (visit www.radiokatz.com)

Frequent listeners to public radio stations in Pittsburgh might be frustrated with the ubiquitous fund-raising drives that have taken over WDUQ, the local National Public Radio affiliate, and WYEP, an independent community radio station, in the past month. Flipping off of their regularly programmed buttons, they perhaps got a whiff of advertising-laden commercial radio, with its flashy commercials and gimmicks, and gave up on the airwaves until they could return to radio, commercial-free. In her new book "Radio Active: Advertising and Consumer Activism, 1935-1947," Carnegie Mellon's Kathy Newman looks back to the days when commercials and radio were inextricably intertwined, when working class listeners were grateful for whatever programming they could get for free (read more Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Steve Hicks will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.  Tickets are only $50 each but are selling quickly! This will be the third straight sold-out event. Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com. Steve Hicks is a 33-year veteran of the radio broadcasting industry, including 20 as a station owner. Steve was Vice Chairman of AMFM Inc., the nation's largest owner and operator of radio stations, with over 450 radio stations in markets across the USA. In August 1999 Capstar Broadcasting merged with Dallas-based Chancellor Media Corporation, in a transaction valued at $4.1 billion to create AMFM Inc. In addition to serving AMFM as Vice Chairman, Steve was President of its New Media division. Clear Channel Communications, Inc acquired AMFM for $23 billion in 2000. Today, Steve Hicks is the Chairman of Capstar Partners, LLC. (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

Wes McKane returns to WXSS-FM (103.7) Oct. 25 to do mornings with Rahny Taylor from WMYX-FM (99.1) as the Entercom stations keep shuffling voices. McKane left Kiss FM's afternoon shift in early 2003 for KDWB-FM in the Twin Cities. Van McNeil returns to afternoons and Tony Zamboni goes back to production duties, according to program director Brian Kelly (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Few Americans have heard of David D. Smith, a low-key Baltimore businessman with a million-dollar salary. Or, for that matter, of his three brothers, Frederick, Robert and J. Duncan. But the four men, while shunning the media spotlight, have assembled the nation's largest collection of television stations, a family-run operation that reflects their conservative views and time and again has sided with President Bush. After the 2001 terrorist attacks, the Smiths' company, Sinclair Broadcasting Group Inc., ordered its local anchors to read editorials backing the administration against al Qaeda. Earlier this year, Sinclair sent a vice president who has called John F. Kerry a liar to Iraq to find good news stories that it said were being overlooked by the biased liberal press (read more - Howard Kurtz/Frank Ahrens-Washington Post)  (read more - Washington Dispatch)

Phil Harper died early yesterday. He was 64. Cause of death was not immediately available. Harper would have been well-known for no other reason than the length and breadth of his career locally. At the time of his death, he was juggling a regular weekday afternoon shift as "Buffalo Phil" on KYCW-AM, a classic country station, being the promotional "voice" of jazz station KPLU-FM and performing the role of Harry Nile in the long-running series of radio dramas  (read more - Bill Virgin-Seattle P-I)

In the latest move in the file-sharing wars, the movie and music industries have filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to overturn a federal appeals court decision that favored Grokster and StreamCast Networks, the makers of software that allow users to trade copyrighted files. That decision upheld the notion that makers of a technology with legal uses cannot be held liable simply because some - or even most - of its users deploy it to violate a copyright (read more - NY Times)

Some years ago, Jim Ryan recalls, he was program director of a radio station in Portland, Ore., and the station ran a contest offering listeners a chance to see a little-known teenage singer from Canada named Celine Dion. The contest winners were invited to a lunch where Dion sang live to a taped musical track. Only trouble was, a lot of the contest winners didn't bother to show up. "At that time, they probably just didn't know who she was," says Ryan (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Elic Thomas was named the grand prize winner in the Radio Comedy Competition Friday at the NAB Radio Show in San Diego. Thomas claims a $10,000 cash award. He was evening personality on country formatted WXBQ-FM, Bristol, Virginia when he entered his parody of GM’s Onstar commercial, called Blondestar,  which can be heard at www.radiocomedycompetition.com (visit www.allcomedyradio.com)

Kim King, one of Georgia Tech's best quarterbacks and a beloved radio color analyst for Georgia Tech sports, has died. He was 59. King died Tuesday after a battle with leukemia (read more - WXIA TV 11)

A lifetime of frugal living, radio repairs and inherited stock shares helped Joe Lyman Pryor save up to give listeners in the Panhandle a stronger signal for public radio. The new 43,000-watt station will be renamed KJJP in his honor and will expand the reach of public radio to nearly 300,000 people within a 50-mile radius of Amarillo when it begins operating on 105.7 FM later this week (read more - Amarillo Globe News)

Someone phoned in to a northeastern Pennsylvania country radio station Monday morning and dedicated Toby Keith's song American Soldier to Army Sgt. Andrew W. Brown. Residents of Pleasant Mount on Monday were mourning the death of Army Sgt. Brown. Brown, 22, a 2000 honors graduate of Forest City Regional High School, died Friday in Iraq of injuries sustained when his vehicle was bombed. In Brown's high-school yearbook, his stated goal in life was to become an Army Ranger. His "Last Words" quote in the yearbook: "Look unimportant, the enemy might be low on ammo." "Isn't that devastating to read that now? Now that he's gone?" Mary Ann Burleigh said  (read more - Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

The Federal Communications Commission is said to be preparing to levy a fine of $1 million or more against Fox Broadcasting Co. and its affiliates for running afoul of indecency regulations in April 2003 with an episode of the reality show "Married by America," sources said.  The impending action, first reported in Monday's edition of Television Week, is expected to be announced by the commission as early as this week (read more - Washington Post)

Since the day Guglielmo Marconi got his first patent in 1897, radio has been radio. Whether FM or AM, you turned on your radio and out came music, news, sports and traffic, "The Lone Ranger," "The Shadow" and "Fibber McGee and Molly." It was all available on any radio, whether at home or in your car or at the beach, and all for free. Now, it's all changing (read more - Robert P. Laurence-San Diego Union-Tribune)  (read more - Tom Hespos-MediaPost)

Clint O'Neil, whose Sounds of the Caribbean radio program brought reggae music to overnight listeners for two decades, died Sunday of colon and lung cancer. He was 60. Known as the ''godfather'' of reggae this side of Kingston, Jamaica, O'Neil was widely credited with introducing the genre to South Florida during his 1 to 5 a.m. slot on WLRN-FM (91.3) (read more - Miami Herald)

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Terry McAuliffe and DNC Legal Counsel Joe Sandler will host a conference call today at 1:30 PM ET to announce the DNC's decision to file an FEC complaint against Sinclair Broadcasting for what they call an illegal in-kind contribution to the Bush-Cheney campaign (read more LA Times)

Pennsylvania State Representative Angel Cruz of Philadelphia is furious over the WCAU firing of reporter and anchor Joe Vazquez for allegedly acting inappropriately in front of an intern.  Last Friday, Vazquez was fired and a photographer suspended by the station. In an email, Rep. Cruz wrote, "Firing a person on hearsay…that's unacceptable in a court of law.  You need concrete evidence to find someone guilty. I think that this station has shown that they're anti-Hispanic.  Why should we tolerate this behavior and indulge it?   I'll be informing the viewers in Pennsylvania to watch other stations where there is a Hispanic anchorperson who can and will be sensitive to the needs of Hispanic viewers." (read more - Laura Nachman-Philly Burbs)

A new product promises to allow you to shift time, recording a radio program for later playback. At other times, you can use it to just listen to what's on the air, using your computer. The product is the $69.99 radioShark from Griffin Technology (read more - Washington Times)

National polls were split on Monday over who was leading the US presidential race, but Democrat John Kerry showed signs of making headway against President George W. Bush in the decisive state-by-state battle. A Washington Post/ABC News tracking poll three weeks before the November 2 ballot put Bush on top 51 to 46 percent and a survey by the Rasmussen organisation gave the Republican a four-point margin at 49.5 to 45.5 percent. But a tracking poll by the Zogby International group showed Kerry, the four-term senator from Massachusetts, with a three-point edge at 47-44 percent heading into the final stretch of an acrimonious, marathon campaign. A USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll gave Kerry a 49 to 48 percent lead over Bush among likely voters, while a poll in mid-September had given Bush a 54 to 40 percent edge (read more - iAfrica.com)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Southwest Florida's first official low power FM radio station, WSLR 96.5 FM, is looking for symbols. The new, not yet publicly operational LPFM station at Sarasota's New College of Florida campus, needs artwork to help it raise cash + "Free Talk Live," a little 'ol talk program on Sarasota's independent WIBQ (1220 AM) now is a bonafide syndicate (read more - The Radio Babe-Dawn Scire)

XM Satellite Radio launched its premium Internet radio service XM Radio Online. XM Radio Online delivers XM's 24-hour, commercial-free music channels and other exclusive XM programs, including "The Bob Edwards Show," the XM Comedy channel, and, for a limited time, "Opie & Anthony" on the Internet for one monthly fee of $7.99.  XM Satellite Radio subscribers receive a discounted rate for XM Radio Online of $3.99 a month (read more - PR Newswire)

On October 14, Mike Schiano talks to the MSNBC's Joe Scarborough of Scarborough  Country about his new book "Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day." InCharge Radio's Mike Schiano is heard live from 7 - 10 pm ET(visit Mike Schiano)


 

Charlie Payne will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.  Tickets are selling quickly and it's going to be the third straight sold-out event. Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com. Charlie Payne was born in Texas. The management and, later, ownership of radio stations took him from Dallas to San Francisco, New York, Virginia Beach and back to Dallas. When he was visiting WHO in Des Moines, he received a phone call from Gordon McLendon who hired him to bring the KIXL sound to San Francisco and KABL radio. In 1964, Gordon McLendon brought him home to KLIF. 1010 WINS in New York was in trouble and Group W hired Charlie to do something about it. "All News - All the Time" became profitable and 1010 WINS topped WOR in morning drive. Charlie then took the chance of a lifetime and purchased WCPK in Chesapeake, Virginia. Charlie increased WCPK's power from 1000 to 5000 watts and put a 50,000 watt FM on the air.  He sold them both and now lives in Dallas. Charlie has written a book, Feedback: Echoes from My Life in Radio. (click here for information about the book)  (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas) 

The conservative-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group, whose television outlets reach nearly a quarter of the nation's homes with TV, is ordering its stations to preempt regular programming just days before the Nov. 2 election to air a film that attacks Sen. John F. Kerry's activism against the Vietnam War, network and station executives familiar with the plan said Friday. Sinclair's programming plan, communicated to executives in recent days and coming in the thick of a close and intense presidential race, is highly unusual even in a political season that has been marked by media controversies (read more - Washington Post)  (read more - Arizona Daily Star)  (read more - Chicago Tribune)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Who will win Howard Stern's "star search?" The shock jock is taking more than just his bad-boy self to satellite radio in 15 months. He'll occupy most of one channel but also has to find enough like-minded rowdies, rebels and wackos to fill up two other R- or X-rated channels as part of a $500 million five-year deal signed last week. "I already talked to my new bosses [at Sirius Satellite Radio] and started work yesterday on two new channels," Stern told listeners Friday. "I've already picked a name for the channels," he said, without revealing the monikers. "I've already hired people. That's how fast I'm moving on this stuff." Stern isn't talking about who he hired or wants to hire, but he's famously loyal and has a relatively small family of regulars on his radio show — some of whom will no doubt be considered for slots on Sirius (read more - John Mainelli-NY Post)  (read more - Richard Roeper-Chicago Sun Times)

The legendary consumer electronics salesman Crazy Eddie is no longer around. But the job of hawking televisions has been taken over in recent weeks by a new TV personality: Michael K. Powell, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Some of his critics are arguing that Mr. Powell and the F.C.C. have no place spending tax dollars promoting $2,000 consumer electronics devices (read more - Matt Richtel-NY Times)

RealNetworks will air the Vote for Change finale  http://www.vfcfinale.org, concert performance live tonight, Monday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern, on http://www.realguide.com.  The finale
concert -- only available live -- promises to be one of the most compelling live Web concert broadcasts yet
(read more - PR Newswire)

No longer in the mix: Jim Hooley and Tuna gone from KIMN 100.3-FM ("Mix 100"). Both left "to pursue other interests." VP Drew Hilles says only that "you're always trying to make yourself better."  Marcia Neville has covered high school sports for KCNC-Channel 4 since 1983, spending her nights riding a helicopter over prep football games or shouting over the din in gyms, all over Colorado. She can't imagine doing anything else (read more - Dick Kreck-Denver Post)

From Claude Hall Online -- Another project I desperately wanted to do was a Who's Who of Radio. Not just the big ones.  Everyone that I could find anything about.  An impossible chore, of course, but I've had this in my mind since my early days on Billboard magazine in the 1960s.  Music came and music went.  But the disc jockey was there.  Like concrete to hold the music together.  The community together.  The world together.  He was more important in the way things were and the way things got done than anyone realized...even more than he realized. For often, the disc jockey was having too much fun or otherwise working too damned hard, to comprehend his role in the pattern of life. Some are still around. Don Imus, Joey Reynolds, Sonny Melendrez, Gary Owens, Jack Gale. Jimmy Rabbitt.  Some, in spite of this enormous talent, disappeared and no one remembers much about them today. No one at all remembers Bob Fasse. Few remember Horse Allen. The memories of Georgie Woods, Joe Smith, Reggie Lavong and countless  others seems to be fading fast. A part of the disappearing history of radio. How I wish that I could have written that book of bios of disc jockies so that, today, I could look back and remember them all (read more at www.claudehallonline.com)

Decades from now, will people point to the day Howard Stern left FM for satellite radio as the moment when a new medium changed from a curiosity into the big leagues? Radio megastar Stern became the latest high-profile terrestrial-radio defectors last week when he said he would sign on with Sirius Satellite Radio beginning in early 2006.  Sirius executives noted that during Howard Stern's long career in radio, he has shepherded thousands of people from his fan base of more than 12 million regular listeners to movie theaters, bookstores, cable shows, pay-per-view broadcasts and certain politicians. He is even credited with helping Snapple become a powerhouse brand in the 1980's. "Howard is an artist first, but we know how enthusiastic he can be when he gets behind something,'' said Scott Greenstein, the president of entertainment and sports for Sirius (read more - Bill Carter-Natives-NY Times) (read more - Detroit Freep)

Wachovia Securities cut its third-quarter forecast for radio and handed out downgrades. Morgan Stanley made a similar move. The Stanford Group Co. downgraded all of its radio stocks. And those moves came before Howard Stern decided to jump from Infinity Broadcasting to Sirius Satellite Radio. Last week's news only added more fuel to analysts' radio roast. Times have changed. Wall Street toasted radio during the go-go 1990s, as large public companies swallowed stations by the hundreds--providing fat fees to financial firms--and coronated radio titans like Mel Karmazin. Now, Mr. Karmazin is out of work and analysts are castigating the industry for its stagnant growth rate. The departure of the "King of All Media" further damages the medium's reputation (read more - Crain's New York Business)

It didn't take long for Ellen Stout to find a new full-time radio gig after losing her morning slot in last month's format change that turned soft rock WLTQ-FM (97.3) into an '80s station. The Milwaukee radio mainstay signs on at 10 this morning for the midday job at WJZI-FM (93.3), and general manager Bill Hurwitz is quick to say that her arrival doesn't signal any format change at her new station (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

It brings back a lot of memories," said Aguilar, who was one of about 1,000 people who attended the Steve Crosno Hop Reunion at the Speaking Rock Events Center. "I walked out of the bathroom and saw all this crowd and I felt like I was 16 again." Mariachis played as the crowd waited for El Paso radio legend Steve Crosno to take the stage and resurrect the atmosphere of his popular 1960s dance show patterned after Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" -- the "Crosno Hop." "We came to reminisce about the old times," said Cindy Valenzuela, who attended with her husband of 32 years, but never made it to Crosno's original hops (read more - El Paso Times)

Syndicated Lex & Terry debuted in Baton Rouge, LA today on Citadel's KOOJ-FM (Rock 93.7).  This marks the first Citadel station addition to the L&T family (visit LexandTerry.com)

Cellphones and TVs made the switch to digital years ago. Now, broadcast radio finally is joining the parade. After a number of delays — partly because of technology hurdles, partly because of cost concerns — more radio stations are beginning to roll out digital programming. A big reason for the change: better sound quality. A digital FM station has a crisper, cleaner sound approaching that of a compact disc. When digitized, even AM radio, which is prone to signal interference, sounds as good as a conventional FM station does today. Nearly 140 stations in the U.S. are broadcasting digital radio, and that number is rising every month (read more - Boulder Daily Camera)

NPR's Scott Simon talks to radio deejay Adrian Cronaur about technological changes in the medium, from satellite radio to digital audio and the role of the Internet. As an Air Force sergeant, Cronaur's broadcasts from Vietnam were legendary and provided the basis for the Robin Williams film Good Morning Vietnam (read and listen at NPR)

Rush Limbaugh's attorney argued that prosecutors should have used a subpoena, rather than a search warrant, to obtain the records. The court majority, however, noted that seeking subpoenas actually offers less privacy protection.  Mr. Limbaugh's name came up during an investigation into the widespread illegal sale of prescription drugs in the county. Using a warrant wasn't reckless; it was — to use one of Mr. Limbaugh's favorite words — conservative. Said the judges: "... the greater showing required by search warrants — probable cause and relevancy — exceeds that which subpoena statutes require." Moreover, the judges pointed out that "nothing in any statute purports to limit the use of search warrants in regard to medical records." (read more - Randy Schultz-Palm Beach Post)

What you need to realize, says Dan Tooker, KFDI's new morning personality, is that he's not a disc jockey. "I'm a horrible DJ -- and you can quote me. I don't have the fake radio voice. I'm extremely normal," says Tooker (rhymes with "looker"). His daily show runs from 5:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. "But," he teases, "I look at things a little differently." For example, he says, he came up with the term "table vultures" for people waiting in line for a restaurant table who give dirty looks to those already seated, trying to hurry them up (read more - Wichita Eagle)

When shock jocks Opie and Anthony considered their next career move after two firings in four years, the twisted twosome was ready to feign rehabilitation. Or at least that was the plan when they sat down with satellite radio executives. "After two years of being 'the other,' satellite radio is developing its own content," said Sean Ross of Edison Media Research, which conducts surveys for a number of media outlets. "This certainly could drive traffic to satellite radio." (read more - Newsday)  (read more - Diane Toroian Keaggy-St. Louis Post-Dispatch)  (read more - Joanne Ostrow-Denver Post)

Tim Closson, WUBE-FM operations manager and program director since the early '90s, is no longer with the station. The Infinity Broadcasting station bought out the last 60 days of his contract last week and sent him on his way. WYGY-FM did its share of housecleaning, too. The morning team of Mike Stiles and Dana Race is gone. So is afternoon guy Marshall Zerb (read more - Cincy Enquirer)

Think of it as Wi-Fi on steroids. The idea is to make it possible to do things like stream high-definition television signals throughout the home, send video shot on a digital recorder live across the internet, and even connect a digital music player to a car's stereo system -- all with a wireless connection. On its way to U.S. living rooms and maybe even automobiles is a new type of high-speed wireless connection that promises downloaded data rates of up to 1 gigabit per second -- roughly 18.5 times the speed of Wi-Fi -- to personal computers and other devices. The technology would also enable wireless USB 2.0 or FireWire connections, which transmit data at about 440 megabits per second. This would allow consumers to download photos, music, video and other data-rich tasks without having to plug the devices into their personal computers (read more - Wired)

I’m prone to making unusual comparisons, but this one takes the cake. What do Howard Stern and the Federal Communications Commission have in common? Answer: They both believe they can artificially accelerate a market transition. In that regard, only Stern is connected to reality. The FCC’s folly involves our tax dollars at work, or more appropriately, at waste. When it isn’t attempting to silence shock jocks such as Stern, the FCC has been busy promoting the virtues of digital television. Its latest effort entails a marketing campaign employing the slogan “DTV: Get It!” Government forays into marketing invariably make me cringe (read more - Tony Paradiso-Nashua Telegraph)

As the Bulls and White Sox radio rights come up for bid, team and radio sources say the biggest question facing WMVP is whether Jerry Reinsdorf can live in the same station as his archnemesis Jay Mariotti, whom he called a "pissant" during an interview on "Chicago Tonight" this year. An exclusive window during which the White Sox and Bulls could negotiate only with WMVP has closed with no new deal. Executives from the White Sox and Bulls are said to be planning talks with MVP competitor WSCR-AM 670 and, possibly, other stations (read more - Jim Kirk-Chicago Tribune)

Rush Limbaugh has claimed that the attempt to examine his medical records is all about him. In fact, it's all about trying to enforce Florida law, and the 4th District Court of Appeal agrees. Mr. Limbaugh will appeal, either for a rehearing or to the Florida Supreme Court. He will continue to claim that it's all political, but the court has noted the essence of the case: No one should be able to use medical privacy to conceal what may be evidence of a crime (read more - Palm Beach Post Editorial)  (read more - EOnline)

From Chicago Ed Schwartz -- Rush Limbaugh's fabulous wealth and influence have kept him out of a courtroom. This is a case where thousands of doses of narcotic drugs and large amounts of money changed hands. At some point Limbaugh and his legal eagles will run out of challenges and the truth will come out. Limbaugh will no longer be able to play the victim. The man who claims to posses "talent on loan from God" will need that heavenly connection he claims to have.  I checked him out this past Friday but I bailed when he suggested that Senator John Kerry was a Communist sympathizer. The karma train is coming, it's just around the bend and Limbaugh is on the tracks and it's heading right for him (read more - www.chicagoed.com)

Matt Botwin figures that he spends at least $250 a month on his subscription services. Satellite radio. Cell phone. High-speed Internet service. Matt Botwin, a Washington consultant, has it all -- and the bills that go with his growing bundle of technology.  "I'm not happy about it. It's a lot," Botwin said. But he also feels that his digital devices and services are necessities. The Sirius satellite radio is indispensable for his frequent drives to New York and Philadelphia. "It's like any luxury. I didn't think I needed a microwave [oven], but I'm sure glad I have it now." (read more - Washington Post)

Work has started on a new Fiji Broadcasting Law covering television and radio, infoNET, the quarterly newsletter of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Media Relations says ...a transparent system for licensing of broadcasters along with ensuring they operate in the public interest is being developed." InfoNET said broadcasters in Fiji operated either through licenses or in some cases agreements (read more Fiji Times)

Welcome to Camelot, Jimmy Dean style. The 76-year-old Texas-born businessman and entertainer entertains himself quite well, thank you very much, right here in the commonwealth. "There's something about this damn place," Dean says. What a story Dean has. Quickly, by the bootstraps he rose from grinding poverty in West Texas to a career on television, in music, on the silver screen and in the boardroom. He's befriended presidents and paupers, maids and millionaires. Read all about Dean in "Thirty Years of Sausage, Fifty Years of Ham: Jimmy Dean's Own Story" (Berkley, $22.95), an autobiography co-written with his wife of nearly 13 years, Donna Meade Dean (read more - Richmond Times-Dispatch)

O'ahu's radio landscape continues to change. At noon yesterday, 104.4 XME (KXME FM), dropped its contemporary urban format and launched an edgier sound embracing hip-hop and rhythm 'n' blues. Essentially, the station is rebranding its image and its name and now is called Power 104.3 (read more - Honolulu Advertiser)

Imagine a radio station where students could design and run their own programs. Local youth could play their own music, talk about subjects relevant to them and broadcast information important to students in the area, all the while learning the skills of operating a radio station. Such a radio station existed not long ago in Watsonville. Radio Watson was a low-wattage pirate station, illegal under the old laws of the Federal Communication Commission (read more - Curt Gabrielson-Register-Pajoronian)

Star Wars, Ray Charles, sun-dried tomatoes. What do they have in common? I discovered each long after it was hip to know. Which brings me to the blog. A "blog" - the shortened version of "Weblog" - is not, as I first thought, green crud clinging to 3-week-old refrigerator leftovers. The blog is changing your world, rocking your vote and basically making a mess of the establishment media. President Bush has a blog, and so does John Kerry. Do a Google search on "blog," and 57.5 million results come up. A blog is a real-time, online gold mine of buzz, the op-ed page's cool cousin: publicly dissed as irresponsible, but privately envied for choosing freedom instead of a paycheck from the Man (read more - John McDonald-Arizona Republic)

Before you start putting on your rainwear to avoid the flying bits of obliterated watermelon, it's not that Gallagher. It's radio host Mike Gallagher, whose syndicated conservative talk show moves to KRLD/1080 AM, making the station the flagship affiliate for the Salem Radio Network-owned show. In addition to two hours of the national show, Gallagher will do a live, KRLD-only hour as well (read more - Star-Telegram)

Daniel Frishberg, known as "The Money Man" to the Houston audience of his former investment-oriented radio show, is launching a new radio station where listeners might also end up as owners. The new radio station, K-BIZ, will debut in Houston, probably in January, according to Frishberg (read more - MSNBC)

A TV show, ESPN's SportsCenter, and ten prominent industry execs will be inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in November, the authoritative trade publication reports in this week's edition. B&C will announce this year's Hall of Fame inductees in its next edition  (read more - PR Newswire)

West Michigan's radio shakeup continued Friday as WFGR-FM (98.7) abruptly switched from a classical-music format to oldies (read more - Grand Rapids Press)

What was that bulge in the back of President Bush's suit jacket at the presidential debate in Miami last week? According to rumors racing across the Internet this week, the rectangular bulge visible between Mr. Bush's shoulder blades was a radio receiver, getting answers from an offstage counselor into a hidden presidential earpiece. The prime suspect was Karl Rove, Mr. Bush's powerful political adviser. President Bush's tailor pooh-poohed all the talk Friday. Georges de Paris, who made the suit Bush wore, said the bulge was nothing more than a pucker along the jacket's back seam, accentuated when the president crossed his arms and leaned forward on the lectern. Salon.com writer Dave Lindorff, who suggested in an online article Friday that Rove might have been feeding Bush answers through some electronic gizmo with an earpiece buried in his ear canal, wasn't convinced. ``There's definitely something under there pushing up through the suit,'' Lindorff said (read more Mercury News)  (read more - NY Times)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Saturday Night Live alum-turned-radio show host Al Franken brought his liberal satire to Miramar Friday, to drum up interest in his new talk show and to take potshots at the White House.  Air America on WINZ AM 940 started broadcasting within the last two months. It is part of a growing trend of ''progressive radio,'' which aims to do for political liberals what Rush Limbaugh did for conservatives. Franken's show runs in 36 markets (read more - Miami Herald)

Shock jock Howard Stern is dumping traditional radio for satellite. Should you? The question is on millions of listeners' minds after Stern stunned the radio world this week by announcing that he would stop broadcasting over the air to 46 markets across America, effectively ending his 20-year reign as the king of terrestrial radio. It is an incredible gamble (read more - Times Argus) (read more - Chicago Tribune)

Wires, batteries, plastic containers, cardboard boxes, drills, glue guns, a single-watt FM transmitter, perhaps a toy truck or a stuffed rabbit -- put these together and you have a personal radio station that could start a public revolution. At least that's the idea behind Radio Re-Volt: One Person .00One Watt, a project by Minneapolis' Walker Art Center that intends to open the radio airwaves to the general public, one small radio station at a time. Today's the Day. The Walker Art Center is sponsoring Radio Re-Volt workshops all over Minneapolis through the month of October. At the workshops, people are given free radio-transmitter kits and are taught how to build their own mobile radio station and how to broadcast with it (read more - Wired)

The Bush twins won't be the next reality TV stars. First Lady Laura Bush tells TV Guide that two production houses made offers to Barbara and Jenna (above), 22, for their own show. "The girls wouldn't come to me and say, 'Can I have your blessing?' " she tells the mag. "They would say, 'We definitely do not want to do this.' " (read more - NY Post-Page Six)

Tune in to WEEI Sports Radio 850 any weekday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and you'll likely hear Dale Arnold speaking about the Boston Red Sox, or New England Patriots, or Bruins, or Celtics, or any of the big sports topics of the week. There's also a good chance you'll hear him talking about Maine. "It's my home," said Arnold. "My family's there, my heart's there." (read more - Mike Lowe-Portland Press)

A runaway boom truck caused WMSK's tower to collapse, knocking the AM and FM radio station off the air. A utility company boom truck had been left at a repair shop on a hill over looking the station during the day Thursday, said Don Sheridan, the station's program director. A brake that was set on the truck apparently failed (read more - Lexington Herald-Leader)

From Sonny Melendrez -- I have been very busy exploring the possibilities of a new home for our program, format, and music. While this music is being played on many stations across the country, it is not being presented in quite the same setting as we have enjoyed it on our program. Keep in mind that the underlying attitude of the show is: Kindness. The music, the lyrics, the features, the fun, and most especially you, the listener, are a part of that kindness. Many people don't understand that. However, in this day and age, down deep inside, most of us long for the comfort of how well we can treat each other if we really try. Sounds corny, but as a friend said to me recently, "Life is corny." (read more - Sonny Melendrez at SanAntonioLightning.com)

Ellen Stout has landed a full-time midday slot at WJZI-FM (93.3) just a couple weeks after being canned by WLTQ-FM (97.1) when it dropped its light rock format. Stout will be spinning those smooth jazz platters from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays starting Monday morning (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

For four years now the neon glow of KRQZ-FM91.5 has peeked out from the front of Trinity Church of the Nazarene. For four years the station has defied the trends of commercial mainstream radio and preconceived notions of what Christian radio should sound like. As Brad Clark, the Youth Pastor at Trinity and a KRQZ disc jockey puts it, "How many churches have a radio station, a teen-age radio station?" (read more - Lompoc Record)

Michael Moore is in negotiations to screen his George Bush-bashing documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11," on television the night before the presidential election (read more - NY Post-Page Six)

Fax machines around the country observed a moment of silence this week after a federal court issued an order Tuesday against the nation's most notorious junk-fax blaster, Fax.com, prohibiting the company and its surrogates from spamming fax machines across the country (read more - Wired)

Sean Hannity takes his "Hannitization Tour 2004" to the Dallas-Fort Worth area at the Gaylord Texan on Friday October 22. Tickets are $20 + a service charge (WBAP 820 has details, details)

Long-time W-B-U-R general manager Jane Christo has resigned. The Boston University-owned public radio station made the announcement on its air today. Christo will step down effective October 15th, with the university to appoint a new interim general manager. The move comes amid reports that B-U was investigating possible wrongdoing at the station. The school released a statement last week saying it had received "anonymous allegations with regard to administrative practices" at W-B-U-R (read more - ABC 6)

Just two days after the New York pay radio shop signed the Long Island shock jock to a $500 million, five-year deal, Sirius moved quickly to silence critics who questioned the company's ability to pay for the pricey deal. Sirius said Friday that it would sell $290 million worth of stock and convertible debt to improve its finances. The company's return to the capital market reignited a fiery debate on Wall Street between believers in the satellite radio duopoly of Sirius and XM Satellite and its scores of doubters. Sirius fell 6% on the move, while XM rose 1%. The stock, which jumped 28% at one point Wednesday on word of the Stern deal, has now dropped 11% from that high. Sirius shares dropped a quarter to $3.75 in midday trading Friday (read more - Scott Moritz-The Street)

The 'Don't Vote' billboards that raised hackles around the Twins Cities aren't some sinister plot after all. The billboards that went up last week were the first phase of a campaign for a morning radio show. At least one of the 15 billboards was updated Friday in downtown Minneapolis. It now says, "Don't Vote for Dave," a reference to morning radio host Dave Ryan of KDWB-FM. The sign tells viewers to "Make your vote count!" next to a photo of Ryan, wearing an Uncle Sam outfit and giving the thumbs up (read more - Duluth News Tribune)

The fate of Northern Michigan University's public radio and television stations were put on hold - again. At Friday's meeting, NMU's board of trustees asked for more information about the educational benefits students receive from WNMU-TV and W-NMU-FM radio. The information is to be presented at the board's December meeting. "I'm inclined to say lets shut it down now unless I could see more information showing there is educational support," Finance Committee Chairman Sam Benedict said (read more - Marquette Mining Journal)

“It’s ironic” is a common refrain on Rush Limbaugh’s broadcasts. But don’t expect him to see the irony in his own legal troubles. If it were possible, though, to have Rush look honestly at himself, then “Honest Rush” might have this to say about Radio Rush: “When a tireless advocate of the Patriot Act complains that he’s the victim of improperly seized evidence, that, my friends, is the very epitome of irony.”  Ironically, prosecutors looking to press a case against Limbaugh for alleged drug-related offenses would not have needed to go to court to defend their actions if they had only used the Patriot Act and searched his records looking for any information related to terrorism. They would have been able to seize all of Limbaugh’s medical and financial records and then use it all against him, even though the records have nothing to do with terrorism (read more - Bob Underwood-Washington Dispatch)


Gary Owens will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.  Tickets are selling quickly and it's going to be the third straight sold-out event. Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com. Gary Owens really did begin his radio career at KORN in South Dakota.  He worked at KILT in Houston and KTSA in San Antonio in the 1950's before moving to California. Famous for his trademark hand–over–the–ear delivery on TV's Rowan and Martin's “Laugh – In”, Gary has lent his voice to over 3,000 cartoons and is currently heard on such animated adventures as “Space Ghost” and “Ren & Stimpy”. (click here to listen to a 30 second KFWB aircheck of Gary, courtesy of ReelRadio.com) Gary was recently voted LA’s favorite radio personality of the 20th century. He's the former afternoon disc jockey at KMPC/Los Angeles, where he remained for 20 years. He's reached national audiences with a series of syndicated comedy and music programs, including Soundtrack of the Sixties, Superfun, and Gary Owens’ Weekend Spectacular over the last 30 years.  Today, Gary is in LA at KLAC 570  (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas) 

Howard Stern hinted broadly yesterday that he might continue his involvement with Viacom after he switches to censor-free satellite radio in 15 months. Radio's frequently-fined bad boy even went so far as to imply that Viacom could buy Sirius, the smaller of the two "satcasters" that Stern will join on Jan. 1, 2006. "I said maybe this isn't the end of us working together," Stern told listeners yesterday, reporting on a conversation he had Wednesday with Joel Hollander, the president and COO of Viacom's radio station unit, Infinity Broadcasting (read more - John Mainelli-NY Post)

The winners of the 2004 National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Radio Awards were announced at the annual NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner & Show. The event was held in conjunction with The NAB Radio Show (click here to read the complete list)  (click here to read Eddie Fritts opening remarks)

From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" -- At the NAB Radio Show in San Diego I hope to shake hands with an old friend. His name is Howard Kalmenson. Howard is president (and owns the majority of the stock) in Lotus Communications. Howard headquarters and lives in the Los Angeles area. I am quite familiar with Lotus because our consulting firm advised them for more than a decade in the 80’s. Specifically we were involved with some of his stations in Las Vegas, Tucson, and Reno. Howard and I discovered that we have a lot of things in common regarding operating a group and family values. I distinctly remember a three hour luncheon about ten years ago at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills discussing varied subjects ... (read more at www.kentburkhart.com)

DJ Mike Marrone gave up on "terrestrial" radio in 1995, when a big conglomerate bought his 100,000-watt radio station in New Mexico and slashed his play-list by two-thirds. Now Marrone, 48, programs an eclectic mix of soft alternative rock for The Loft, a channel offered by XM Satellite Radio, one of two satellite services that are reshaping the industry (read more - Kevin Diaz-Star-Tribune)  (read/listen more - NPR)

The John and Ken Show held a "political human sacrifice' of Rep. Joe Baca, D-Rialto, at Ontario Mills Thursday to ridicule the Democratic Congressman for being lenient on illegal immigration. Swarms of dedicated listeners of the KFI-AM (640) show came to Dave & Buster's in the mall to see John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou speak on the radio (read more - SGV Tribune)

Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. is planning to raise about $290 million from a sale of common stock and convertible notes (read more - LA Times)

RDN Special Contributor Chuck Blore remembers the early days and late nights of Talk Radio's Michael Jackson -- Here's an interesting parallel to the Machado talk-radio story you printed a couple of weeks back.  Years ago, after the remarkable success of KFWB in Los Angeles, we brought Color Radio to San Francisco. We had a remarkable deejay line-up, beginning with Don MacKinnon in the morning and ending with Michael Jackson doing all night.  Back then, the FCC carried a very big stick and a station presenting a certain amount of "conversation" while not actually required was looked upon by the commission in a very positive light ... (read the rest from Chuck Blore)

Is Howard Stern worth $12.95 a month? Fans told the Daily News yesterday they aren't sure they're ready to fork over cash for a daily dose of sex jokes and stripper interviews. "He's funny, but I wouldn't pay for him," said Ansley Tolleson, 28, from Nashville, who was admiring a storefront window she designed in midtown. "If it were a nickel a month, I'd get it." "Absolutely, I'm going to pay," said Peter Petrou, 47, a jeweler from Paramus, N.J. "He makes me happy in the morning. He makes your mood change when he says, 'Baba Booey, Baba Booey.'"
"Absolutely, I'm going to pay," said Peter Petrou, 47, a jeweler from Paramus, N.J. "He makes me happy in the morning. He makes your mood change when he says, 'Baba Booey, Baba Booey.'"
(read more - David Epstein-NY Post)

Miller Brewing Co. and Univision Communications Inc. have signed a $100 million cross-platform advertising and marketing deal (read more - LA Biz Journal)

Bush's Isolation From Reporters Could Be a Hindrance. Several Bush advisers said the president may well pay a price for his decision to remain isolated from tough or unexpected questions when he faces Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), whose events are notably less scripted, in a town-hall-style debate tonight at Washington University in St. Louis. The questions are likely to be tougher than those he faced when he taped an interview about parenting for the "Dr. Phil" show this summer (read more - Washington Post) (click here to read latest polls)

Lawmakers last night derailed legislation that would have substantially increased the amount the Federal Communications Commission can fine broadcasters for airing indecent material, giving media companies at least a temporary reprieve after months of scrutiny and public outrage. A partisan struggle removed language from a bill that would have allowed the FCC to raise fines from the current $32,500 to as much as $275,000 for each incident of indecent content aired, confirmed Brian Hart, spokesman for Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), who sponsored legislation to increase the fines (read more - Frank Ahrens-Washington Post)

There's more at stake in Howard Stern's flight from the FM dial to a cutting-edge satellite broadcaster than fuddy-duddy programming restrictions: The shock jock's high-tech leap underscores a widening digital divide between the old world of radio and the new. The rise of the iPod, digital television, TiVo and other high-tech entertainment devices has made it painfully clear to many that traditional radio's continued reliance on analog transmissions is outdated and has to go. Now radio is facing a technological transformation from both above and below, as stations begin to move from analog transmissions toward the new digital medium, and as companies and consumers apply high-tech tools to capture broadcasts in their current nondigital form (read more - John Borland/Evan Hansen-CNET)

WIP 610-AM morning show host Angelo Cataldi and ESPN national correspondent Sal Paolantonio aren't pals anymore. The former Philadelphia Inquirer reporters haven't talked since Paolantonio left Cataldi's show for the competing "Michael Smerconish Show" on WPHT 1210-AM in the summer of 2003. According to Paolantonio, there was no "falling out." "It was strictly a business decision ... " (read more - Laura Nachman-Philly Burbs)

Robert W. Nelson, a longtime broadcaster in the Manatee/Sarasota area, died Wednesday at the age of 57. Mr. Nelson, of St. Armands Key, helped found, with his parents, WBRD-AM, WDUV-FM and ABC Channel 40, which is now ABC Channel 7. His career started in Bradenton, according to his father, Robert R. Nelson (read more - Bradenton Herald)

A former BBC head blamed women executives for making the television service "dumb, dumb, dumb" and said they had dragged down the public broadcaster's quality, in comments published today in The Times newspaper. Alasdair Milne, who ran the BBC as director general from 1982 to 1987, told the daily: "It just seems to me that the television service has largely been run by women for the last four to five years and they don't seem to have done a great job of work." He described a discussion over lunch with new BBC chair Michael Grade: "I told him I thought the programs were terrible." "There was no innovation; constant make overs and far too many cookery and gardening programs. Dumb, dumb, dumb," he said. "I think the BBC has to pull its socks up quite considerably." (read more - ABC News-Australia)

Turn on the radio while driving through West Virginia, Iowa or Oregon -- or just about any other competitive state in the presidential race -- and you'll be far more likely to hear ads by President Bush than by John Kerry. The president and the Republican National Committee have spent about $10 million on radio ads during the general election campaign so far, outpacing Kerry, his party and allied groups roughly 3-to-1 (read more - Newsday)

A former Cincinnati television reporter accused of sexually abusing teenage boys reached a plea agreement with prosecutors Thursday. Stephen Hill, 45, a former investigative reporter at WCPO-TV, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual battery and was sentenced to five years in prison, WLKY NewsChannel 32 reported (read more - 32 WLKY) (read and view video at NBC 5 Cincinnati)

Radio station 91.1 FM in Sun Valley has been upgraded to a full-power radio station, KBSS. The station upgrade is the latest in a series of radio stations that carry the National Public Radio News 91 signal to cities throughout western, southern and central Idaho. NPR News 91 has been in the Sun Valley area since 1990, operating on a low-power, 8-watt translator. The new station on Seattle Ridge operates with 700 watts and a new, optimized antenna, Boise State Radio said this week (read more - Times News-Twin Falls)

Though Howard Stern's defection from broadcast to satellite radio is still 16 months off, the industry is already trying to figure out what will fill the crater in ad revenue and listenership that he is expected to leave behind. "What did it mean to late-night TV when Johnny Carson left?" said David J. Field, chief executive of Entercom Communications Corp., which owns 100 radio stations. "The reality is, that was not the demise of late-night TV."  (read more - Frank Ahrens-Washington Post)

File this one under “rumor” for right now, but we just got a tip that XM Satellite Radio and Delphi are going to introduce a wearable satellite radio very soon. Supposedly it’ll be called “MyFI” (to go along with Delphi’s line of SkyFI receivers) (read more - EnGadget)

The BBC licence fee should be replaced by subscription, the author of a study of the corporation's finances said yesterday. Prof Sir Alan Peacock, who led a government inquiry into the funding of the broadcasting industry in 1986, said the time was now right to consider the radical proposals he made at the time (read more - Telegraph U.K.)

November's another biggie this year in Houston. Barry Mailow's  mashing Toyota Center Thursday November 4. Tuesday, November 16, carves another notch in my long string of hits and misses on God's green earth. Always been partial to redheads. Bette Midler's loud and lively frolic moves to Toyota Center November 19. That little redhead really knocks me out (read more - Jim Rose Remembers)

Howard Stern's leaving Infinity brings up an issue that Les Moonves understands could determine his future. Sumner Redstone, who will  step down as CEO in 2006, said that he will choose his successor -  Moonves or Tom Freston, ex-cable chief and co-president. Redstone has said that Moonves' radio division performance will be a key test of his leadership skills — and an opportunity (read more - LA Times)

For the last six years, WNBP has been owned by old-school radio giant Bob Fuller, who grew up on Newbury's Sunny Ridge Farm and made a fortune owning stations coast to coast, and eventually selling his company Fuller-Jeffrey Broadcasting Companies Inc. in 1999 for $65 million. Fuller made a lifetime career out of radio - a career that had bumps in the road, but more ups than downs. The station's first studio was in an old gas station at the Newburyport traffic circle (read more - Merrimack River Current)

A federal judge ordered that New York Times reporter Judith Miller be jailed for refusing to reveal how she learned the identity of Valerie Plame, the CIA operative whose name became public after her husband criticized the Bush administration for relying on discredited evidence to justify the Iraqi war. The order was stayed, pending appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals, which is slated for early November (read more - Crain's NY)

How do the analysts see Infinity? Howard Stern leaves Infinity Broadcasting as a different company than when he first joined it almost 20 years ago. The Viacom-owned radio company began as a small, then fast growing station group in a wide-open industry. Infinity chief Mel Karmazin transformed Infinity into a powerhouse (read more - Hollywood Reporter)

A stunned hairdresser has been told she has been breaking the law for 35 years - by playing a radio in her own salon. Mary Methven’s radio has provided the soundtrack to her daily working life since the Beatles and Rolling Stones were in the charts with Get Back and Jumping Jack Flash. So she was flabbergasted when the Performing Rights Society (PRS) contacted her and demanded £65 a year for the privilege. Mrs Methven, who owns the A&M Methven salon in Sighthill, is one of 7000 Scottish firms being targeted in a new crackdown by the PRS. The society exists to enforce copyright laws on behalf of songwriters, and says even a background radio playing in a shop counts as a "public broadcast" requiring a licence (read more - The Scotsman)

Univision Communications Inc. announced that the Univision Network's Adult 18-49 audience grew an extraordinary 23% during the competitive primetime novela block over the course of the 2004 third quarter. In addition, Univision's third quarter primetime novela block audience was 150% larger than Telemundo's primetime novela audience (read more - BusinessWire)

At the Capitol Civic Centre, Masquers is staging the nostalgic musical “The 1940’s Radio Hour.” For people of a certain age it is like gathering around the Zenith once again to listen to big band sounds, swing music, comic routines, catchy advertising jingles, and colorful radio personalities. Only this time, we get to see it all as part of Station WOV’s studio audience in New York (read more - Herald Times Reporter)

Salem Radio Network, a division of Salem Communications Corporation and Bill Gaither, Gospel Music legend, announce the launch of "Bill Gaither's Homecoming Radio." Following the extremely successful "Homecoming" concert - tv/video series, Gaither created and is hosting this weekly radio show. The one-hour program features performances recorded "live" by the "Homecoming" artists on stage at the concert venues and presented in the "down-home" flavor that is unique to his style (read more-BusinessWire)

Radio listenership is down, revenue growth is anemic, and complaints about programming are omnipresent. But the radio industry, said Stephen Soboroff, owner of KCJJ-AM 1630, a 10,000-watt independent station in Iowa City, has only itself to blame for its many troubles. "Consolidation killed local radio, it dumbed down content, stripped news departments and eliminated the diversity that once made it such an enjoyable medium," Soboroff said. "Big Radio has made it worse." When Soboroff talks about Big Radio, he's referring to the handful of companies that purchased hundreds of stations following passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. That landmark law eliminated caps on the number of stations a company could own in a single market (read more - Leon Lazaroff and Maureen Ryan-Chicago Tribune)

Palm Beach County prosecutors didn't violate Rush Limbaugh's privacy rights when they seized his medical records late last year as part of an investigation into the conservative radio host's prescription drug use, an appeals court ruled Wednesday. The ruling by a three-judge panel technically clears the way for prosecutors to resume their investigation, stalled since December. Limbaugh has repeatedly flogged State Attorney Barry Krischer on the airwaves.  Krischer answered Wednesday in a prepared statement. "This office did not violate any of Mr. Limbaugh's rights, constitutional or statutory, but to the contrary acted in accord with Florida law. . . . Mr. Limbaugh's rights have been and will continue to be scrupulously protected, as are the rights of all individuals investigated by my office," he said. Krischer declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigation. Limbaugh's attorney, Roy Black, held a news conference later in the afternoon at a private club overlooking Miami's Biscayne Bay. Black scoffed at Krischer's use of the word "scrupulously."  (read more - Sun Sentinel)  (read more - Susan Spencer-Wendel-Palm Beach Post) (read Roy Black/Rush Limbaugh News Release)

In a statement, FCC Chairman Michael Powell said good riddance to Stern. ''The FCC ... has stopped me from doing business,'' Stern said during his on-air announcement. ''Clear Channel, you (expletives), I will bury you.'' The news that shock jock Howard Stern is jumping from free AM/FM radio to pay satellite radio has brought instant attention to the young medium. Experts say the business is simply an evolution of the radio industry, the way FM grew from AM. The challenge, however, is for the money-losing start-ups to persuade consumers to pay for radio. But skeptics point out satellite radio does not offer local stations with local traffic or news — staples of free broadcasting. "When people get up in the morning they want to know the local traffic, the local news and did the world blow up," says Joel Hollander, president of traditional station owner Infinity Broadcasting, which has Stern until 2005 (read more-Michael McCarthy-USA Today)  (read more - Peter Johnson, David Lieberman and Mike McCarthy-USA Today) (read more - Peter Johnson-USA Today)  (read more - Jackson Sun News)

The King of All Media is moving to satellite radio — putting "Wheel of Sex," "Lesbian Dating Game" and the rest of his raunchy comedy shtick beyond the reach of government regulators (read more - John Mainelli-NY Post)

If you can judge a man by his enemies, Tom Barberi, who was fired Tuesday from his talk show after 34 years, should be content.
The iconoclastic talk jock on KALL-AM radio regularly lambasted Utah's dominant religion, its dominant political party and just about anything else that sought to dominate
(read more - Salt Lake Trib)

Howard Stern's program is No. 1 in its time period in New York and No. 1 in Los Angeles among English language stations, according to Infinity spokeswoman Karen Mateo. In a telephone interview, Stern said his current predicament made it necessary to take a big risk. "I got into the medium to change things, to be different, to be funny. And increasingly what's happened is that material I want to do on the air, I can't do. ... The rules are changing so rapidly and are so restrictive, especially for me." While Stern for some time has mused on-air about the allure of satellite radio, the timing of the deal took fans and industry observers by surprise, given that Stern still has more than 14 months left on his current contract.  Signing a household name like Stern could be a game-changer for satellite radio, luring millions of new subscribers and spiking ad revenues. (While the music channels on Sirius and XM are commercial-free, the talk, sports and news channels often are not. "It validates satellite radio as an industry,'' said analyst April Horace of Janco Partners Inc., a Colorado investment banking firm.  (read more - Scott Collins-LA Times) (read more - Benny Evangelista-San Francisco Chronicle)

Clint Formby will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.  Tickets are selling quickly and it's going to be the third straight sold-out event. Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com. Clint Formby is the president of KPAN AM-FM and Hereford Cablevision Company in Hereford. He is a former member and Chairman of the Board of Regents of Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University (Past-National/ Health Sciences Center (12-year member of Board), a former Chairman of the Radio Board of Directors of National State Association of Broadcasters. He has been inducted into the Texas Tech Mass Communications Hall of Fame and Texas Panhandle Broadcaster Hall of Fame. He also was named the Texas Association of Broadcasters (TBEF) Broadcaster of the Year  (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas) 

RDN COMMENTARY FLASHBACK - AUGUST 20, 2003 --- With the "Technologies of the 2000’s" we use FM modulators and portable XM and Sirius Satellite receivers to listen to crystal clear, static-free music, news, sports, talk and information beamed down to earth from nearly 25,000 miles away. Given this track record of technological advances, do you think that time will now stand still and there will be no further advances in radio programming distribution? Did the quest for the technology to distribute music, news and talk programming suddenly end with the invention of radio transmitter towers? Hardly. I have a feeling that, in time – and I don’t know how long a time it will be - AM and FM radio receivers, as we know them, will become antiques, and radio-TV towers will become nothing more than junk metal that will be sold by the pound. These things are inevitable. They will happen. Are you embracing the new "Technologies of the 2000’s" or are you allowing the new technologies to swallow you up and spit you out? Are you still investing your time, energy and attention in the old technologies of the 60’s? (read more - Shannon's Corner-RDN)

KABC is inviting you to join in the fun at Ken Minyard’s final broadcast and send off party beginning at 5AM Friday, October 15 at the luxurious Ritz Carlton Hotel in Marina del Rey, 4375 Admiralty Way.  Doug McIntyre, host of Red Eye Radio on TalkRadio 790 KABC will move to mornings as he replaces the newly retired Ken Minyard (read more - KABC)

This year, fresh off the publication of several best-selling books, Al  Franken came very close to making a deadly career move. He joined fledgling Air America network last spring and watched helplessly as it promptly began to drown in a sea of mismanagement and financial problems. The network, a response to the domination of the airwaves by Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly, nearly tanked. Franken himself gave up his salary. Then along came Portland (the one in Oregon, not the one in Maine). Air America debuted there and socked its competitors in the ratings. The radio industry noticed, and the network quickly expanded to not-so-liberal places such as San Diego, where it bumped the golden oldies of KPOP off the air and debuted on a newly renamed KLSD (read more - Randy Dotinga-North County times)  (read more - Capital Times-Madison)

Howard Stern has long had two words for the Federal Communications Commission--and in 15 months, he can finally utter them on the air. Howard Stern's move to Sirius Satellite Radio will unlock the one key regulatory advantage possessed by the satellite radio industry: Stern can finally say exactly what he wants on the air.  The Stern move may expose traditional radio's Achilles' heel: Stations' free use of the airwaves makes them subject to unique content regulations by the Federal Communications Commission. Sirius Satellite Radio's $500 million deal to land shock jock Howard Stern was seen yesterday as a coup that could do for satellite radio what ``The Sopranos'' did for HBO and cable TV. That's got traditional radio stations worried, observers said. ``Howard will not be subject to the same constraints that he is . . . on terrestrial stations,'' said Jack Casey, general manager of WERS-FM (88.9) (read more - Greg Gatlin-Boston Herald) (read more - Forbes)  (read more - Middletown Journal)  (read more - Bruce Westbrook-Houston Chronicle)

The number of digital radios in the UK will jump to 13 million by 2008 from fewer than 1 million now, according to forecasts from the industry body. The rapid expansion will put digital radio into the homes of 29% of Britons and create an industry worth £500m a year. It is expected to be driven largely by falling prices and better sets with memory cards that allow listeners to pause, rewind and record live radio. At present, just 4pc of households have digital radios, although more can listen via digital TV (read more - The Telegraph U.K.)

The letters that arrive at the three-room studio of Radio Karabagh are small works of folk art. They come on elaborate stationery, covered with glitter applied by hand, pictures cut from newspapers, and small bits of metal foil applied like gold-leaf in patterns. A flower seller named Shahrwani, who implores the station to play a song from a cassette he has included, has covered the back of his letter with 15 red, plastic daisies, surrounded by hand-drawn hearts. More important for Radio Karabagh, a tiny provincial station north of Kabul, are the envelopes the letters arrive in. Sold for four Afghanis -- about 10 cents -- the envelopes are a fundraising tool for the station (read more - Washington Post)

In an unscientific poll conducted online yesterday by www.newsday.com, 58.2 percent of the 837 respondents said they would be willing to subscribe to Sirius to hear Mr. Stern's show, according to the Long Island-based Web site. The bigger question, though, for radio purists, is what kind of show Mr. Stern will bring to satellite. Sirius' announcement calls it "the most important deal in radio history." That's an exaggeration, but only a slight one. Satellite radio signed on three years ago. Charles Segrest, who installs the systems for clients, says once his clients experience satellite radio, many wish they had subscribed to it sooner. So, does hundreds of digital music and talk channels... many without commercial interruption, mean that traditional FM and AM stations are on their way out? Satellite radio may be making great strides in programming and customers, but for those in broadcast radio, they see it as a challenge that raises the bar for broadcast stations (read more - Christian Toto-Washington Times) (read more - Stuart Burson-KTRE 9) (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

Longtime Philadelphia radio personality Mark "The Shark" Drucker of KYW 1060-AM is being treated for cancer at Holy Redeemer Hospital in Huntington Valley, PA. Through a friend, Drucker, 48, said that he is "fighting hard and keeping his spirits up." Drucker does the entertainment report "The Buzz" on KYW. In the 80's, he was part of the extremely popular "Morning Zoo" on WMMR 93.3-FM (read more - Laura Nachman-Philly Burbs)

Howard Stern plans to be on the airwaves after 2005, but if his fans want to hear him they'll need a new type of radio. He has signed a five-year contract to jump to satellite radio service Sirius as of Jan. 1, 2006. Stern won't come cheap. Sirius says it expects to spend $100 million a year for the show's cast and staff, overhead, programming costs and construction of a special studio for the show. But Sirius says the contract will be paid for if Stern brings in "a small fraction of his weekly audience." Even neutral observers tended to agree with that assertion yesterday. Michael Harrison, editor of Talkers magazine, a leading radio trade publication that is based in Springfield, said Stern's move will "act as a catalyst to satellite radio getting bigger faster." Adam Jacobson, radio editor for Radio & Records, a Los Angeles-based trade publication, said the deal "will singlehandedly propel satellite radio onto an equal level with both AM and FM" and will "give large radio companies in the US pause as far as understanding how far satellite radio has come and what a threat it is to them from now on."  (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)  (read more - Don Aucoin and Clea Simon-Boston Globe)  (read more - MetroMix)

Michael Moore has cancelled his speech  in St. Louis Thursday due to a bout with pneumonia, said Student Union President David Ader. The Campus Programming Council is working in conjunction with Moore and the Pageant to reschedule the filmmaker's talk (read more - Washington University-Student Life)  (click here for related story about Sean Hannity's cancellation)

With Howard Stern looking forward to unbridled free speech when he jumps to Sirius Satellite Radio from Infinity in 2006, industry experts say his home base of WXRK-FM could be forced into making a format change (read more - Crain's NY Biz)

What did he do, exactly? That's the question making the rounds in WCAU's newsroom as shocked troops try to make sense of Friday's firing of respected reporter-anchor Joe Vazquez. Officially, Channel 10's mantra is that Vazquez's departure was a mutual decision. Unofficially, he was fired. He's negotiating for a settlement of his contract, which expires in mid-March. This much is beyond dispute: Vazquez and his cameraman, regular freelancer Joe Stroup, got into hot water for using graphic language off-camera while covering a story involving an alleged rape at La Salle University (read more - Gail Shister-Philly Inquirer)

Chinese authorities have attempted to obtain radio broadcast licenses in Taiwan and to purchase local radio stations, Government Information Office (GIO) Director-General Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said yesterday. Lin revealed during an question and answer session at the legislature yesterday that intelligence information indicated that these applications were submitted on the Chinese government's behalf by nominally unaffiliated organizations for the purpose of furthering China's nationalistic message  (read more - Taipei Times)

Radio Ink magazine publisher B. Eric Rhoads has announced Radio Ink's second annual Forecast 2005 event, to be held December 6-7 at the Harvard Club in New York City during the week known as Media Week. This two-day conference has become the premiere forecasting event in the radio industry and includes a laser-focused agenda designed to help analysts and broadcasters determine the direction of the radio broadcasting industry for the coming year. Attendees will receive an invitation to Radio Ink's annual "40 Most Powerful People in Radio" event, which last December attracted a who's who in the radio industry (read more - Radio Ink)

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox announced today that two Detroit morning radio hosts have pledged to donate $10,000 to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through the "Support MI Troops" campaign, kicked off yesterday by Governor Jennifer Granholm, Attorney General Mike Cox and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Foundation, businesses and individuals can make tax deductible donations to purchase gifts for  Michigan troops overseas. This morning, while the Attorney General was appearing on the "Drew and Mike" Show on WRIF 101.1 to promote the initiative, the hosts revealed that they would be donating the money (read more - PR Newswire)

On ABC NightLine -- Some wounds will heal. Some wounds are obvious. But estimates are that 60 percent of the wounded from Iraq are also suffering from brain injuries. And their fight for recovery is much tougher than most of us can imagine (visit ABC NightLine)

The staff of a popular Peruvian TV news magazine program has resigned after fallout from an on-air confrontation between the presenter and President Alejandro Toledo over the broadcast of a video touted as supporting allegations Toledo registered his political party with fake signatures (read more - CNN)

News weathercaster Adrian Gibson has a broadcast career that spans more than five decades. December 1st, 2004 will be Adrian’s last day on the air. Adrian has announced his retirement and the end of his distinguished half-century radio and television dynasty (read more - WAAY 31 News)


A state appeals court ruled Wednesday that Rush Limbaugh's medical records were properly seized by investigators seeking information on alleged illegal drug use. Investigators raided the offices of Limbaugh's doctors seeking information on whether the conservative commentator illegally tried to buy prescription painkillers. Limbaugh, 53, has not been charged with a crime and the investigation had been at a standstill pending a decision on the medical records. "We hold that the constitutional right of privacy in medical records is not implicated by the State's seizure and review of medical records under a valid search warrant without prior notice or hearing," the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled. Chief Judge Gary M. Farmer wrote the opinion (read more - CNN) (read more - ABC News) (read more - CNS News) (read more - Palm Beach Post) (read ruling - RushLimbaugh.com)  (click here to listen to Rush Limbaugh comments on his radio program)

Howard Stern, one of the most popular U.S. entertainment personalities, said Wednesday that he is leaving Infinity Broadcasting and will take his show to subscription-based Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) beginning in January 2006. Sirius stocked jumped on the news. "I've decided what my future is," Stern told his millions of listeners in a live announcement of his five-year, multimillion dollar contract. "It's not this kind of radio any more." (read more - USA Today)  (read more - MSNBC) (read more - Reuters) (read Sirius News Release) (read more - NY Times)

Since he can't fly in style, Sean Hannity says he won't come to St. Louis at all. After promising to counter Michael Moore's speech this Friday, the conservative commentator pulled out of the deal less than a week before his scheduled appearance-but reportedly asked that the media not be informed of his motivations for the decision. Hannity cited personal reasons for his cancellation, said law student Ruth Hollander after speaking with the right-wing pundit over the phone yesterday. Hannity, Hollander said, requested a private jet to fly him to St. Louis for the speech, but then rejected "several" different jets offered by a private donor. He told Hollander about a "bad experience" with the prominent company that had manufactured all the jets offered for his trip (read more - Washington University-Student Life)

Frank Fallon will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.  Tickets are selling quickly and it's going to be the third straight sold-out event. Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com Frank Fallon served as General Manager of KWTX radio for almost three decades. There, and later as an instructor at Baylor, Fallon helped launch the careers of hundreds of other young broadcasters. For two decades he was the public address announcer for the NCAA Final Four and he also did television play-by-play of Southwest Conference basketball games for NBC and ESPN. He died in May 2004 after a long illness  (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)  (click here to hear Frank Fallon with the  play-by-by call of an interception and a touchdown during the 1989 Baylor-Texas football game)

Afternoon and late-night playoff games have much of Red Sox Nation grumbling, but not WEEI-AM (850). The sports radio station likes 4 p.m. start times just fine, says Julie Kahn, vice president for Entercom's Boston stations, including WEEI. Red Sox fans who can't watch afternoon games on TV at work or stuck in rush hour traffic listen on the radio. ``The 4 o'clock game is such an advantage for advertisers,'' Kahn said (read more - Greg Gatlin-Boston Herald)

Al Franken is arguably the most visible leftie in the country today. With a best-selling book ("Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them") and the primo midday slot on the Air America radio network, which is expanding into half a dozen new markets in the coming months, the demand for Franken's surly humor and knowledge of current events is growing by the day. "At least it's only an eight-city tour, not an eight-month tour," he says, distractedly shuffling printouts of the news stories that provided background for his just-concluded live broadcast (read more - Jane Ganahl-San Francisco Chronicle)

dMarc Broadcasting, Inc., a newly formed media and technology firm, today announced it has acquired market-leading radio automation and digital systems vendors Scott Studios and Computer Concepts, as well as the broadcast assets of dMarc Networks, the leader in broadcast data services. The integrated company will boast the largest installed  customer base for radio automation and digital systems, with more than 4,600 radio station clients and over 1,800 stations in Arbitron-rated US markets (read more - PR Newswire)

Cincinnati Infinity broadcast officials are offering no explanation of why the market's longest running program director -- and one of the most successful country radio PDs in the country -- has been fired. Tim Closson, for 14 years the program director at top-rated country station WUBE-FM (B-105), was let go last Friday. Jim Bryant, Infinity vice president and market manager, refused any comment on the reason behind Closson's dismissal. He said assistant program director Kat O'Connor has been named the acting PD (read more - Cincy Post)

The best TV moment came when the vice president pummeled Edwards for his attendance record in the U.S. Senate, presided over by Cheney. "The first time I ever met you was when you walked on the stage tonight," he told Edwards. That's the clip you're likely to see on newscasts today, sure to be followed by investigative reports on whether the two had actually ever met before. What the vice presidential debate had over last Thursday's presidential session was that there was full-body-contact between the debaters (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Early polls indicated differing reactions to Tuesday night's debate between Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. John Edwards. An ABC News snap poll showed Cheney the winner, aided by a more-Republican audience, while a CBS News poll among undecided voters showed the opposite (read more - CNN)

Martha Stewart will get her first taste of prison life with a humiliating strip search — including a nude squat-and-cough in front of a female guard, jailhouse sources said. All new inmates to the Alderson, W. Va., prison known as Camp Cupcake get the same exam, done by a guard wearing latex gloves. To prove they're not hiding contraband, the jailbirds must lift their breasts, crouch low with their legs spread and cough (read more - NY Post)

Rejecting a defense lawyer's argument that his client now prefers writing children's books to extortion and racketeering, a federal judge denied bail yesterday for John A. Gotti, the prince of the Gambino crime family, who is accused of trying to murder Curtis Sliwa, the sharp-tongued New York radio talk show host, 12 years ago (read more - NY Times)

A Central Texas radio station says it will end its affiliation with C-B-S in response to the recent flap over President Bush's military records. Bryan-College Station radio station W-T-A-W had been affiliated with C-B-S since the mid-1980s. Station manager Ben Downs says the station -- which has a news-talk format -- will switch its affiliation to A-B-C within 90 days (read more - KLTV)

The CMA Awards will be presented in New York City at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2005, marking the first time the gala event will be held outside Nashville and the first major event that NYC Big Events has successfully brought to the Big Apple. The CMA Awards will be televised live on their traditional broadcast home -- the CBS Television Network (read more)

It's good to know there are no security privileges for celebs at Dodger Stadium. On Sunday, Mary Hart and her husband, Bert Sugarman, were stopped by guards because his bag was bigger than stadium rules allow. Sugarman grumbled to the unimpressed guards, "My wife is singing the National Anthem today," adding, "I'm sitting next to [Dodgers owner] Frank McCourt." After supervisors reiterated the policy to him, Sugarman took the bag back to his car (read more - NY Post)

XM Satellite Radio announced it will broadcast live the finale of the Vote For Change concerts -- presented by MoveOn PAC to benefit America Coming Together (ACT) -- on October 11, starting at 7:00 pm (ET). All of the 13 artists participating in this fall's 33 city Vote For Change tour, including Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews will be performing at Washington, D.C.'s MCI Center and heard live on XM. A team of XM on-air personalities will be reporting before, during and after this landmark concert (read more - XM)

Naughty boys Opie and Anthony resurfaced, this time in the no-rules world of satellite radio, and they likely astonished some critics by not immediately turning the airwaves blue. But the hot-talk hosts, off the air since they were kicked to the curb by WNEW in August 2002 for saying that two of their listeners were having sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral, were not reluctant to flex the freedom they now have on XM Satellite Radio. Four-letter expletives flowed freely in recorded bits and calls from listeners, who far more than the hosts seem to love hearing dirty words. The show started with a rapid-fire recorded recitation of George Carlin's famous "seven words you can't say on the radio." (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Each day, Carole Marks is introduced to thousands of listeners as "one of the leading experts on issues involving the graying of America," as well as one of the nation's "most active foes against ageism."  Her popular radio show, "A Touch of Grey," heard on more than 50 stations across the country, is one of the few nationally syndicated radio talk shows targeting the 50-plus demographic (read more - Hartford Courant)

Mark Mays will be a featured speaker at this year’s "must see" Group Executive Super Session at the NAB Radio Show on Thursday, October 7, 1:30-2:45 p.m. Expect Mark to comment on the overall health of the sector, and to present his ideas for resolving some of the industry’s most challenging issues (visit NAB Radio Show schedule)

You may start seeing fewer of those ubiquitous ads for CortiSlim, now that the diet supplement is under fire from the government.  The Federal Trade Commission says CortiSlim and a sister product called CortiStress have been promoted with false and unsubstantiated claims.  The assertions made about CortiSlim "fly in the face of reality," Lydia B. Parnes, acting director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement. "No pill can replace a healthy program of diet and exercise." Marc Ullman, an attorney for Window Rock, said the company had signed an agreement with the FTC to stop any "offensive advertising." He said the marketing claims that prompted the agency to file suit resulted from overenthusiasm. The F-T-C also accuses the marketers of using a deceptive format in at least two of their infomercials to make them look like independent T-V programs and not paid advertising (read more - LA Times)

In victory lane that Sunday afternoon Earnhardt was asked about his fifth restrictor plate victory at Talladega and the very excited driver replied "it don't mean s- - t right now, daddy's won here ten times." Two days later we found out about the current price of s- -t when NASCAR announced they were fining Earnhardt $10,000 and docking him 25 driver’s points. That loss of points comes at a crucial time when Earnhardt is a heavy favorite to win the Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship. Dale Earnhardt Inc, who fields Junior's Budweiser Chevrolets, announced plans to appeal the decision but don't expect anything to come from it (read more - Racing West)   (read more - Sports Canada)

Manhattan-based television company Young Broadcasting Inc. sold a Chicago-area ABC affiliate for $20.8 million, one year after splitting the station into digital and analog outlets in a practice called “multiplexing (read more - Crain's NY Business)

The creator of "60 Minutes," Don Hewitt, said Thursday he would not have done the story on President Bush's National Guard service that got CBS anchor Dan Rather in so much hot water. Speaking on a South Dakota Public Broadcasting radio show, Hewitt said the story was an old one that had already been dealt with in the 2000 presidential campaign (read more - Newsday)

XM Satellite Radio, the nation's leading satellite radio provider, and Starbucks Coffee Company today announced the debut of the Starbucks "Hear Music" channel featuring music programming from Hear Music, the voice of music at Starbucks. The 24-hour Starbucks "Hear Music" channel, on XM 75, offers customers an ever-changing mix of the best new music and essential recordings from all kinds of genres (read more)

A Saudi truck driver who was kidnapped and released by a militant Iraqi group in June has sued Al-Jazeera television for “moral” damages and is demanding compensation, a lawyer told AFP yesterday. Saydan Saadun Saydan charged before Kuwait’s lower court that a cameraman from the television station shot a video of him while reading a statement during captivity, Al-Jazeera’s lawyer in Kuwait, Ali al-Nimesh, told reporters (read more - Arab News)

On October 12, the Matthew Shepard Foundation and Sirius Satellite Radio will host the premiere of a music video for the Randi Driscoll single "What Matters," commemorating the sixth anniversary of Matthew Shepard's violent death. The screening will take place at Sirius's New York City studios, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, from 6 p.m. to 9 pm (read more - Daily News-Advocate)

NBC Nightly News Monday displayed the words "ILIE" for 16 seconds next to President Bush's face in a graphic of Bush at a campaign stop in Iowa earlier that day while NBC anchor Tom Brokaw introduced a story, a media watchdog group said Tuesday. The letters came from the words "TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES," which was shown as a backdrop during the campaign stop, where Bush signed a bill which extends the $1,000 child tax credit and marriage tax penalty relief, among other tax breaks for working families (read more - CNS News Services)

Entravision Communciations' KLYY-FM and Fútbol de Primera have announced KLYY will be the official radio station of the Mexican National Team. KLYY will broadcast World Cup qualifying, friendly matches and the prestigious 2006 FIFA World Cup Game. It is the only radio station serving the Los Angeles market to broadcast the Mexican National Team. The first broadcast will be the World Cup qualifying match between the Mexican National Team and St. Vincent on Wednesday, October 6, 2004 at 2:30 p.m. PDT (visit KLYY)

The CBS independent investigation into Dan Rather's report critical of President Bush's National Guard service should probably wait until after Election Day to announce its findings, Viacom co-president Leslie Moonves said Tuesday. "Obviously, it should be done probably after the election is over so it doesn't affect what is going on," Moonves, who oversees CBS, said in response to a question at a Goldman Sachs investment conference in Manhattan. Some media analysts and conservative critics challenged that view, asking why such a delay would be necessary (read more - AJC)

John Hogan joins the "Keeping the Audience/Keeping the Advertiser: The Manager’s Tightrope" panel on Wednesday, October 6, 2:15-3:30 p.m. John will update the audience on CCR’s initiative for clearing through the clutter—Less is More. John will also be presenting an award to an industry leader at the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner and Show on Thursday, October 7, 6:00-9:30 p.m. (visit NAB Radio Show schedule)


Laura Morris will be among those honored with induction in San Antonio on October 30th at the 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.  Tickets are selling quickly and it's going to be the third straight sold-out event. Don't delay! Full details are at www.trhof.com. Laura Morris joined KTRH in 1981 as Executive Producer for talk programming and was the Director of News & Programming from 1983 until being named VP/GM in 1988. In August 2000, she became Senior Vice President & Market General Manager with Infinity Radio and oversees all aspects of operations for Country 100.3 KILT-FM, Smooth Jazz 95.7 KHJZ-FM The Wave, SportsRadio 610 (KILT-AM), BusinessRadio 650 (KIKK-AM) and the Houston Texans Radio Network.  In 2004, she launched Houston’s newest radio station, Smooth Jazz 95.7 KHJZ-FM The Wave, taking it from 17th to 4th in just 2 Arbitron ratings books. She was named to Radio Ink’s list of “Best of Managers in Radio” in the Major Market category in 2003. She was honored as Radio General Manager of the Year when she received the 2004 Houston Star Award from American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT) and was recognized as one of the “Most Influential Women in Radio” in the 2003 and again in 2004 (visit www.texasradiohalloffame.com for more information about the induction celebration of "The National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas)

It was just about a year ago that Capitol Records released what it called the "Naked" version of the Beatles' 1970 "Let It Be" album. With several songs returned to their original stripped-down form, this release was a big event for Beatles fans, and to help promote it, Capitol made a deal to premiere the record exclusively on Infinity radio stations, including WCBS-FM in New York. That didn't score big with Scott Muni over at rival WAXQ. Going back to the '60s, Muni's radio friends say, nothing bothered him more than getting "beaten" to a new record. He hated it on WABC, he hated it at WNEW-FM, and now he hated it at Q. So he flexed his 45 years of musicbusiness contacts to get a copy of "Let It Be...Naked" himself and play it before 'CBS-FM. It was his last major scoop and, for a guy who wouldn't even hold a discussion on whether any band could be better than the Beatles, a fitting finale (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Scott Muni was remembered Monday. The 74-year-old, gravelly-voiced disc jockey, died last week almost 10 months after suffering a stroke. His funeral was at 10 a.m. at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan (read more - WNBC TV)  (read more - NY Newsday)  (read more - 1010 WINS)

Salem Communications Corporation announced today a radio station exchange with Univision Communications. Salem Communications, through certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is exchanging two radio stations, WZFS-FM (106.7 FM) in Des Plaines, IL (Chicago market), and KSFB-FM (100.7 FM) in San Raphael, CA (San Francisco market), for four radio stations, WIND-AM (560 AM) in Chicago, IL, KOBT-FM (100.7 FM) in Winnie, TX (Houston market), KHCK-AM (1480 AM) in Dallas, TX, and KOSL-FM (94.3 FM) in Jackson, CA (Sacramento market) (read more)

State Republicans filed a complaint against Democratic congressional candidate Dave Ross, his campaign and KIRO-AM Radio on Monday, accusing the former radio talk show host of violating federal election law by staying on the air for about two months after announcing his plans to run. In a complaint filed with the Federal Elections Commission, the state GOP accused Ross and KIRO Radio of illegally using the "Dave Ross Show" to promote his candidacy (read more - Seattle P-I)

Senator John Kerry came out of the first presidential debate having reassured many Americans of his ability to handle an international crisis or a terrorist attack and with a generally more favorable image, but he failed to shake the perception that he panders to voters in search of support, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll (read more - NY Times)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Unless you've turned your radio on in Williston, N.D.; Stephenville, Texas; or Kennewick, Wash., it's unlikely you've heard a station owned by Cherry Creek Radio. CCR quietly mines the hinterlands, picking up small-market stations by the handful. On Tuesday, it adds KKXK-FM, KUBC-AM and KBNG-FM in Montrose to its stable, giving it 32 stations in 12 Western markets. CCR, with offices in colorful downtown Glendale, not far from Shotgun Willie's Emporium of the Dance, is happy to work the radio fringes + Greg Thunder is leaving the "Greg and Shea" morning show on KALC 105.9-FM on Oct. 22 to go to Minneapolis  (read more - Dick Kreck-Denver Post)

When you're plugging a book, it's nice to have your own national show. CBS anchor Bob Schieffer was checking out Amazon.com ratings of his latest work, "Face the Nation: My Favorite Stories from the First 50 Years of the Award-Winning News Broadcast," when he discovered that it was somewhere under one-millionth place. Sunday he mentioned it on "Face the Nation," and the sales ranking soared to the 92,000s. "I  wonder what'll happen once I go on Imus," he excitedly told a book-party crowd that arrived via red carpet Sunday night at Georgetown's trendy Blue Gin (read more - Reliable Source-Washington Post)

The growing popularity of satellite radio is not a new-age business opportunity for Networx Corp. in Perinton. The company launched Companion Radio 11 years ago and two years later started broadcasting pre-1960s-era music into nursing homes via satellite. Two years ago, it launched Golden Age Entertainment, a service for senior centers. “The whole idea was to take people back into their 20s and 30s, when they were having families and life was really good for them,” said Ken Unger, president of Networx Corp. The company — owned by Tom Golisano, Paychex Inc. founder, chairman and chief executive — would not disclose sales but said they are growing 20 to 25 percent annually (read more - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)

Thousands attended a rally in western Iowa to hear Christian psychologist James Dobson condemn gay marriage. During the "Take a Stand for Marriage" rally yesterday (Sunday), Dobson talked about same-sex marriage and judicial activism. A national radio host and founder of the group Focus on the Family, Dobson says the attack on marriage underway in the United States has prompted him to tour the nation for a variety of speaking engagements (read more - WHO-TV) (read more - Sioux City Journal)

Motorists in Metro Detroit are just a click away on the radio dial from up to date traffic conditions, thanks to new travel information signs strategically placed along area freeways. The new signs detail radio stations that provide traffic information 24 hours a day. "Michigan is the first state in the country to include satellite radio frequencies along with our standard over-the-air stations," said Metro Region Traffic and Safety Engineer Gregory Krueger. "These stations are selected because they provide traffic information around-the-clock, seven days a week." Eleven signs recently were installed along freeways in Detroit's tri-county area. The traffic information signs advise motorists to tune in AM 950 (WWJ Radio in Southfield), AM 760 (WJR Radio in Detroit), SR 155 (Sirius satellite radio) or XM 261 (XM satellite radio)

Chicago media mavens were thrown for a loop Monday with news that one of the market's most famous rock radio stations was changing hands. WLUP-FM (97.9), the heritage classic rock station with roots in the 1970s, is being acquired by Emmis Communications, parent company of alternative rocker WKQX-FM (101.1). In a second blockbuster transaction Monday, the owners of Spanish-language WIND-AM (560) agreed to swap frequencies with the owners of WZFS-FM (106.7), effective Nov. 1 +  If you think commercials are too long and too boring, you're not alone. So does the country's No. 1 radio operator. As part of its drive to reduce advertising clutter on its 1,200 stations nationwide, Clear Channel Radio announced plans to encourage clients to cut their messages from 60 seconds to 30 seconds and to use the ad time they buy more creatively (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Linda Nunez returns to KNX after 12 weeks on the injured reserve list and partners with former partner Tom Haule + Part II of Jay Stevens Radio Journey (read more - LARadio.com)

In the midst of the Presidential debate season, NPR's Justice Talking will host top representatives from the Democratic and Republican Parties as they go head to head about how new voting methods, changed balloting practices, and greater scrutiny of voter rolls will affect the 2004 elections. NPR's Margot Adler will moderate the political face-off between DNC General Counsel Joseph Sandler and Benjamin Ginsberg, who has served as national  counsel to the Bush-Cheney campaigns and played a central role in the 2000 Florida recount. The rescheduled program, originally set for September 28th, will be taped October 6th before a live studio audience at George Washington University (read more) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Sonata Stanton loves music, but she doesn’t love commercials. So when her friends told her about XM Satellite Radio last year, she gave it a listen. “They just raved and raved about it,” she said. ”I listened to it at their house and loved it, too.” Stanton, a business recruiter for the state of Tennessee, began subscribing to XM last June. She tunes into its CNN radio stream in the morning and jazz, ’40s and eclectic music channels at other times. ”I love it because there’s no commercials,” she said. ”I’m hearing better music than I hear on the radio -- really fresh stuff mixed with old vintage stuff.” Tom Anderson had a different reason for subscribing (read more - Detroit News-Jeanne Anne Naujeck)

Radio advertising clutter got you dial-hopping?  Clear Channel Communications, the giant radio operator with more than 1,200 stations, is trying to minimize the constant commercial interruption that drives many listeners away by asking advertisers to run shorter ads (read more - Greg Gatlin-Boston Herald)

U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell plans to recommend Cingular Wireless receive approval to purchase AT&T Wireless Services with some divestitures, sources familiar with the matter said on Monday.  Some of the proposed conditions would likely force the companies to sell assets in some rural areas where the number of competitors to the new company will dwindle to one or two, the sources said (read more - Reuters)

If you hum along to show tunes, turn your dial to WFYI (90.1-FM) starting Wednesday for "Broadway Memories: The Music and the Stars"  (read more - Indy Star-Peter Szatmary)

Hosted from Los Angeles by public radio veterans Barbara Bogaev and Bill Radke, Weekend America, a live two-hour radio magazine designed for the weekend state of mind, will be launched on public radio stations across the country on Saturday, Oct. 9. Weekend America is a major addition to the public radio lineup (read more)

Officials with WGBH and the Foundation for Ocean State Public Radio plan to meet Thursday to discuss the future of the public radio stations in Rhode Island that had been put up for sale by Boston University (read more - Mark Jurkowitz-Boston Globe)

A small, entrepreneurial record producer won a trademark victory for his music products against opposition by the giant Univision Hispanic media company in a decision rendered by the United States Trademark Trial & Appeal Board. Univision's Fonovisa Records had tried to prevent registration of the trademark "Puros Corridos Malandrines" by family owned AJR Discos, a small Los Angeles producer of Spanish language music, owned by Aaron Lopez Valdovinos. The English translation for the trademark is "Truly Scandalous Ballads." (read more-Hispanic Newswire)

In June 2003, WMHT radio (89.1 FM) converted the majority of its musical programming to network-provided material and fired four longtime on-air hosts. Sixteen months after their dismissal, the quartet provides vivid evidence of the scarcity of disc jockey jobs in today's classical-broadcasting marketplace -- and the difficulty of restarting a career at middle age (read more - Albany Times Union)

For those who knew Bruce Gordon when he was growing up in Warminster, PA, it's no surprise that today he is an Emmy award-winning reporter in his eighth year on WTXF +  Former WTXF news anchor Rich Noonan is beginning a two-month anchoring stint at CBS affiliate WGCL (www.cbs46.com) in Atlanta, Georgia (read more - Laura Nachman - Philly Burbs)

Compared with television commercials, radio ads seem to drag on forever. That's one reason radio giant Clear Channel Communications Inc. set out earlier this year to persuade advertisers to cut their standard 60-second spots in half. But with the plan already meeting some resistance, Clear Channel now is launching a new program to help radio advertisers spice up their abbreviated messages.
The minute-long format lets radio advertisers drone on about their car dealerships, their mattresses and their electronics stores. Clear Channel thinks these verbose, sometimes amateurish messages prompt some listeners to change stations (read more - Wall Street Journal-Cincy Post)

Coconut Grove-based Spanish Broadcasting System said it has joined with Viacom to more effectively target Hispanic consumers through a multimedia platform that will include radio, television and outdoor advertising nationwide (read more - PR Newswire) (read more - South Florida Biz Journal)

Cindy Rakowitz will be launching the first Radio Show ever dedicated to the public relations business. "STARS OF PR (with Cindy R)" will debut on November 4th, 2004 on Internet radio station VoiceAmerica (http://www.voiceamerica.com/). VoiceAmerica is a division of SurfNet Media Group, Inc, a leading Internet broadcast media company (read more - PR Newswire)

This year I made what is perhaps my greatest acquisition since I got a complete set of Nike Slingshot irons: a Sirius satellite radio. At $10 a month, it's cheaper than having a satellite dish installed. I've found that following football on the radio is more difficult than I thought. My generation grew up in the cable era, so we never had to rely on radio as our sole connection to our team. I had no Jack Brickhouse, no Ernie Harwell (read more - Sports Illustrated - Lang Whitaker)

Emmis Communications Corporation announced that the company has signed a letter of intent with Bonneville International Corporation to swap three Phoenix radio stations – KTAR-AM, KMVP-AM and KKLT-FM – in exchange for WLUP-FM (The Loop) in Chicago and $70 million in cash, which Emmis will use to pay down debt. Emmis has owned WKQX-FM (Q101) in Chicago since 1988 (read more - Inside Indiana Business)

Congratulations to LIBERTY BROADCASTING syndicated talker JEFF KATZ and his wife HEIDI on the addition of what JEFF tells ALL ACCESS is his "newest affiliate," JOSEPH JAILLET KATZ, born Friday (10/1) at 1:10p ET, weighing in at 8lb 14oz. Less than four hours later, Dad was back on the job and live on the air (visit Radio Katz)

On ABC NightLine -- Just days to go and it and now it is the turn of Dick Cheney and John Edwards to do their part for the team. While usually the Vice Presidential debate doesn't sway many voters, after last Thursday's Presidential debate there is a heightened sense of attention to this one (visit ABC NightLine)

The Federal Communications Commission launched a drive Monday to help consumers figure out what kind of HDTV to purchase. With sales of "high-def" sets rapidly increasing and more shows available, agency officials believe the new television technology is set to enter the mainstream and want to give it a push. FCC Chairman Michael Powell said the switch to HDTV is similar to the move from black-and-white to color television sets in the late 1960s (read more - CBS MarketWatch)

Ed Krampf, a major domo at Clear Channel, wants to make 1,229 things clear. That's how many radio stations the San Antonio-based corporation owns, and that number is one reason the company is the target of brickbats from virtually every corner of the entertainment industry and from the media. The basic song goes: Clear Channel is radio's big bully, the brutish product of consolidation following the Telecommunications Act of 1996. It's the reason radio sounds so homogenized, with dull DJs playing the same old songs. To cut costs, Clear Channel employs disc jockeys who voice-track (prerecord) DJ patter, producing full four- or five-hour shows in less than an hour and sending them to other Clear Channel stations, cutting down job opportunities in those markets (read more - San Francisco Chronicle)

The ChickChat Radio Program has been named one of Talk Radio's Rising Stars of 2004. The September 17th issue of Radio and Records Magazine (R&R) highlighted ChickChat and its co-hosts, Heidi Hanzel and Lara Dyan, in the News-Talk-Sports section. ChickChat was chosen as one of the format's "up-and-comers," citing that "smart radio people are always looking for tomorrow's big names" (visit Chick Chat Radio)

A voice from the past greeted participants in this year's Christopher Robinson Memorial AIDS Walk, which began and ended Sunday at Public Square. It was the voice of Christopher Robinson, himself, the young man from Mountain Top who at age 13 went public with his story of having AIDS. He died five years later, in 2000, after working bravely to promote AIDS awareness in the Wyoming Valley. Before the walk, Doc and Selena of Froggy 101.3 FM played a 1996 radio interview Christopher had with WKRZ 98.5 FM's Rocky and Sue. The stations are owned by Entercom Communications, a company that sponsored the walk with WNEP-TV and Edward Mitchell Communications (read more - Times Leader)


Lucky for her, Kris Olinger wasn't in the radio business in 1934.  Olinger, director of AM programming for Clear Channel Denver, is the most powerful woman in local radio and one of a handful of high-level female radio executives across the country. But there was a day when women in radio were viewed as fit only to portray wives and mothers on soap operas and weekly comedies (read more - Dick Kreck-Denver Post)

Bob Edwards, the radio host whose silky voice meant morning to millions of listeners across the country, was scheduled to begin broadcasting again this morning from a Washington, D.C., studio located an eighth of a mile from his former employer, National Public Radio. Just hours before, in a New York studio, the irreverent radio duo, Opie and Anthony, were due to start a new show, their first since 2002, when they were forced from their WNEW-FM program in New York City, after they broadcast a producer's live account, delivered via cellphone, of a couple who were purported to be having sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral (read more - NY Times)

Arbitron Inc. announced today the release of its September 2004 RADAR radio network audience reports (RADAR 82) covering the period June 26, 2003 – June 23, 2004. Sporting News Radio Network has been added to the roster of RADAR-rated radio networks, bringing the total number of measured networks to 47 (read more at Arbitron)

VOICE ONE: Welcome to THIS IS AMERICA, in VOA Special English. I’m Faith Lapidus.
VOICE TWO: And I’m Steve Ember. Today we present the second part of our report about the American media.
(MUSIC) VOICE ONE: The media in the United States have changed in recent years.
For example, in nineteen eighty-four, about fifty companies owned or operated thousands of North American media. They included daily newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations and book publishers. In two thousand-two, only six companies owned about the same number of these media. Companies with large media holdings include the Walt Disney Company, Viacom, Time Warner, General Electric and News CorporationThe chance to choose among more media pleases many Americans. They enjoy the Internet and cable and satellite. But others protest that some material presented by the media can seem too similar.
VOICE TWO: Last year, the Federal Communications Commission voted to loosen restrictions on media owners
 (read it all - VOA)

From ClaudeHallOnline.com -- You know who used to pull out a clipping from Vox Jox to show me something I'd said about him? Bill Drake. Of course, in those days it was quite often negative. Not easy to face a man when you've written something negative about him + I suppose I should update my poem "Gone..." one of these days. Scott Muni just died; he was a legend on WNEW-FM, New York, a great deal of his career. Prior to Scott's death, Bill Ballance, San Diego. Bill gained considerable renown on KGBS in Los Angeles for his double entendres, a show actually contrived, if I may use that word in a broader sense, by Chuck Blore.  Bill became a master of the genre; he could walk right up to the edge of insult and lawsuit better than anyone I ever heard on the air + e-mails from Kent Burkhart, DJ Fraiser, Mike Milner and more (read it all at www.claudehallonline.com)

In an apparent concession it went too far too fast in "modernizing," oldies station WCBS-FM is bringing back legendary DJ Harry Harrison.  "The Morning Mayor" voluntarily left his weekday wakeup show 18 months ago, complaining that all the changes took the "fun" out of the oldies station. He'll be back — albeit for Saturday mornings only — with a "Beatles for Breakfast" show starting next weekend (read more - John Mainelli - NY Post) (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Clear Channel Radio today announced the next step in its broad initiative to improve the overall quality of radio to listeners and value to advertisers with the creation of the Clear Channel Radio Creative Resource Group. The group, which officially launches this fall, will be a resource to advertising agencies and local stations, assisting them in creating engaging and memorable radio ads, offering creative coaching, online toolkits and ongoing direction in the creation, writing and production of compelling ad spots. The group will also conduct comprehensive training of Clear Channel Radio station professionals to ensure that sales and creative staffers are indispensable resources in the quest for more compelling content. "Reducing the number of ads and promotional clutter is only part of the answer," said John Hogan, chief executive officer of Clear Channel Radio. "We, as an industry, must also do a better job of using the power of our medium to engage and enchant listeners with better creative." (read more - Clear Channel)

With summer now officially o-v-e-r, inquiring minds want to know: What happened to KMBC-TV's two-year-plus deal to morph news personalities like Kris Ketz, Lara Moritz and Jim Flink into talk show hosts on Hot Talk 1510 AM? Hot Talk's “Kansas City Today” show featuring Channel 9 stationalities took a bullet last July. “It's actually a real mess over there,” says one Channel 9-er who asked not to be named. “They have no ratings, and it's all they can do to pay the bills.” Hot Talk's lackluster ratings are all too obvious (read more - Kansas City Star)

Fox News, which proclaims itself the “fair and balanced” news network, posted a made-up story on its Web site, complete with fabricated quotes from Sen. John Kerry in which he fake-proclaimed himself a “metrosexual” with a fine manicure and President Bush an unpolished “cowboy.” This came Friday, after Thursday night’s first presidential debate, which most pundits said Kerry won handily. Carl Cameron, Fox News’ chief political correspondent, wrote the fake news article. So far I haven’t heard anyone screaming for Cameron to be fired. While the Internet is still buzzing with conservatives screaming for CBS to ax Dan Rather over the National Guard story nearly a month ago — and for which both the network and the anchor have apologized for not authenticating certain memos — cyberspace has been eerily silent about Fox News and Cameron (read more - USA Today) (read more - Diane Holloway-Austin American-Statesman)  (read Fox News)  (read Talking Points Memo-Josh Marshall)

The Broadcasting Council (BC) has squeezed a sh1.8m fine from a popular Luganda FM, Radio Simba, as a penalty for hosting a group of homosexuals in a live talk-show. Radio Simba was also ordered to make a public apology, “regretting having offended a wide section of the public,” by hosting the homosexuals in the Olutindo programme (read more - BBC)  (read more - Uganda New Vision)  (read more - Kenya Broadcasting Corporation)

It's tough these days to take a news anchor at face value. We're always reading hidden meanings into their expressions and inflections, into the things they say and the things they don't. The general idea still holds, though, that a news anchor should do everything he or she can to maintain the appearance of objectivity. So when a news anchor does something that shows a personality side you don't necessarily see on the air, you look at the person a little differently. Jody Dean, the 4 p.m. co-anchor (and sometimes reporter) for KTVT/Channel 11, is aware of this -- and yet there was a side of him that he couldn't keep silent. So Dean recently wrote and published Finding God in the Evening News (Revell, $14.99), an unabashedly Christian book about finding the bright spots in dark times (read more - Robert Philpot/Star-Telegram)

Dear Readers, Tsk, tsk, some of you have gotten all into a twist. Radio Babe's ears burned from comments spinning through airwaves and letters arriving at R.B.-central. Let's view a sampling, shall we? M.W. said, "I… wish to commend KIX Country for the wonderful job that they have done in keeping the community informed during our recent outbreaks of hurricanes. "During Charlie, they were the only source of information that we had 'til the power was restored, they went above and beyond broadcasting without a roof, and around the clock… the only way I knew where the comfort stations were, were through the radio." (read more - Dawn Scire-The Radio Babe)

Paul Harvey has three out of the top ten programs in Network Radio. Paul Harvey’s programs rank second, third, tenth, thirteenth, and fourteenth, respectively, according to RADAR 82. In addition, ABC Radio Networks has eight out of the Top 10 programs and 15 out of the Top 25 programs in Network Radio (visit Paul Harvey News)

John Cerutti, a popular Toronto Blue Jays television analyst and former Jays pitcher, was found dead in his SkyDome hotel room yesterday.  The 44-year-old Cerutti, who recorded the first win at the SkyDome on June 7, 1989, was believed to have died of natural causes and that no foul play was suspected, the club said in a release (read more - The Globe and Mail)

Ellen Stout is sleeping later these days, although it's not a schedule she was looking for. The former WLTQ-FM (97.3) morning voice had her routine abruptly changed a couple weeks back when the station dropped its soft rock format in favor of '80s music. It's not the first time that she's suffered a fate that's common in the cold, cruel radio biz. And at age 51, after nearly 30 years in broadcasting, she's hoping to get back into the game (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Sentinel Journal)

Here’s why this new industry of “Free To Air” TV and Stereo Radio via satellite will boom -- We are at the beginning edge of a new technological revolution. It’s called, “Free To Air” DVB Television. It won’t be long and there will be little dishes on the roof of every home and looking out the window or on the deck of condo’s and apartments. At the present time the entire system to pick up this new revolution only costs $200.00 ... So far there are about 1,700 broadcasters world-wide using this system and about 200 already serving North America. That’s why the FTA systems are so cheap already (read more - Chuck Harder)

Don, the general manager of KKEA 1420AM Sports And Talk Radio, and Scott are one of two widely recognized father-son broadcast teams that cover UH sports. The other duo consists of Jim Leahey, who handles most of the television coverage, and his son, Kanoa, who in July left his position as a sportscaster at KITV for the lead sports anchor and sports director position at top-rated KHON-TV. Jim and Kanoa also have a Tuesday night radio show on KKEA called "Leahey and Leahey." Don said there's always a concern about nepotism, especially in the broadcasting business, but that no one thinks twice about a father who hires a son to work in his hardware store (read more - Honolulu Star-Bulletin)

Public libraries and schools around the nation have suddenly stopped receiving any new grants from a federal program that is wrestling with new rules on how it spends $2.25 billion each year to provide high-speed Internet and telephone service. The moratorium at what is known as the E-Rate program began two months ago, with no notice, and may last for months, causing significant hardships at schools and libraries, say state officials and executives at the company that runs the program. The suspension came after the Federal Communications Commission, in consultation with the White House, imposed tighter spending rules that commission officials say will make it easier to detect fraud and waste in the program  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

During my years at WIND Radio, a Westinghouse station that carried the Chicago Bulls, we auditioned, chose, hired, and compensated all on-air talent. They answered only to the broadcasting company. Now the sports franchises have wrested control of the "freedom" of the broadcast booth from the radio and TV entities, and in many cases the "on air" guys self edit at the fans expense. Steve Stone's refusal to toe the company p.r. line and "tell it like it is" has gotten him in trouble more than once. Stone has a tremendous advantage as a broadcaster (read more - www.ChicagoEd.com)

Here's a question to ponder at the end of the major league baseball playoff races: When is a homer (in the broadcasting booth) not a homer? All home team broadcasters must have local perspectives - to a point. That's traditional. But looking at this season's Colorado Rockies coverage on TV, let's ask the question: Was the FSN crew too lenient when assessing manager Clint Hurdle's pitching decisions? (read more - Dusty Saunders - Rocky Mountain News)

The first Bush-Kerry debate gives hope to CBS's Bob Schieffer. This will be the first presidential moderating assignment for Schieffer, 67, also chief Washington correspondent. (Charlie Gibson of ABC's Good Morning America presides at Friday's town meeting in St. Louis.) Some critics argue that CBS should not be represented after Dan Rather's use of allegedly bogus documents in a 60 Minutes report about Bush's Vietnam-era Texas Air National Guard service. "I can handle the pressure," Schieffer says. "If I thought for a minute that either one of these men thought I couldn't be fair and square, I'd step aside. Both sides seem satisfied, and that's OK by me." When Schieffer got the call at home a month ago about the debate, "the first thing I did, stupidly, was ask my wife, 'Do we have anything on Oct. 13?' It was a reflex." (read more - Gail Shister)

Former KING Broadcasting president Ancil Payne has died. They say the most memorable thing about Ancil Payne was his jovial laugh, his backslapping, aw-shucks manner that charmed everyone and masked the tough businessman and political operator that he was. "He had a special charismatic gift for making people laugh, getting them to enjoy, but understanding at the same time that he was the boss of KING Broadcasting," said O. Casey Corr, author of a book on the Bullitt family and KING Broadcasting (read more - KING 5)

The Federal Communications Commission has just fined CBS half a mil for showing a nanosecond of Janet Jackson's breast on TV but cares not a whit for regulating media mega-monopolies. Yes, Go! says: Protect us from Janet's forbidden flesh -- and Howard Stern's tart tongue too! -- but make it A-OK for Rupert Murdoch and Clear Channel to rule the world. If this kind of thinking frosts you -- or even if you agree with it -- check out today's "brown bag" lunch/discussion with Frederick Schauer, the Frank Stanton Professor of the First Amendment at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Topic: "The FCC, Indecency, and the First Amendment." Starts at noon. Free (read more - Boston Globe)

Bruce Springsteen, the Dixie Chicks, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Dave Matthews and others this weekend embarked on a Vote for Change tour, a 10-day series of shows featuring multiple concerts in multiple venues in the same state on the same night. For the first time, Springsteen is encouraging members of his vast audience to cast their votes for a particular candidate (in this case, John Kerry) on Nov. 2. The tour is emblematic of what may turn out to be the lasting legacy of the 2004 campaign: the year American activists returned to participatory democracy. For many voters, and particularly the young, there has been a fundamental distinction between "activism" and "politics." (read more - Bill Bradley commentary-USA Today)

The autographed guitars, photos with professional wrestlers and framed newspaper stories hanging on the walls of his home office all but scream it. Bubba the Love Sponge Clem was a star behind the microphone. There is even a framed, handwritten letter from the politician who was grateful for the opportunity to reach Clem's radio listeners in 1997. A few months later, Jeb Bush was elected to his first term as governor. "P.S. Please say hello to your mother," Bush wrote. Like him or not, Clem had an audience - about 130,000 weekly listeners in Tampa Bay last year. Then Clear Channel fired him for crossing the line into indecency. With the microphone gone, Bubba the Love Sponge is looking for his next role. Sheriff Bubba (read more - St. Pete Times)

The Bob Edwards Show - Premieres October 4th on XM Public Radio - XM 133. This week, guests include Walter Cronkite, author Joyce Carol Oates, Pulitzer-Prize winning historian Arthur Schlesinger, writer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., folk music greats Peter, Paul and Mary, and legendary classical pianist Leon Fleisher, as well as regular contributors such as Washington Post columnist David Broder, Fox Sports analyst Tim Green, and writer Carl Hancock Rux. Weekdays on XM Public Radio - XM 133. During the first week, you can listen to each day's broadcast of The Bob Edwards Show online at http://publicradio.xmradio.com

If freedom of expression has limits in Canada, Jean-Francois Fillion is testing them as the radio shock jock federal regulators and Quebec separatists want to silence. On one of his recent early morning talk shows on the hard-rock station CHOI-FM, he intimated that "there is a lesbian in every woman." He suggested — half-jokingly, but without substantiation — that the mayor of Quebec City, Jean-Paul L'Allier, was "probably a drunk, and nobody is aware of this." (read more - Houston Chronicle)

Forecasting the future lineup and policy decisions of the Federal Communications Commission after the Nov. 2 presidential election right now is a job best done by observers with a lot of Washington experience, a crystal ball and a divining rod. Some insiders say they are sure Michael Powell will leave the chairmanship even if President Bush wins re-election (read more - Reuters)

During the early 1980s, a passionate and persevering group of radio enthusiasts set its hopes on creating the Lehigh Valley's first community radio station. Determined to air its music and opinions, the group began raising money to bring the Valley a public radio station it could call its own — a dream realized in 1995 when WDIY, its call letters standing for ''do it yourself,'' went live at 88.1 FM. Now, almost 10 years later, the WDIY board is set to vote Monday on whether to take the station in a radically new direction by merging with its bigger and more established public television counterpart, Channel 39 (read more - McCall Morning Call)

In a controversial arrangement, the company formed by the merger of Capital Radio and GWR will have both an executive chairman and a chief executive. Ralph Bernard insists to Martin Baker that he'll be boss. The agreed deal with Capital Radio, which is subject to the nod of both sets of shareholders and the competition authorities, will create a company with a market capitalisation of over £700m, combined revenues of £243m and pre-tax profits of over £40m. The new entity - the name is yet to be announced, but it probably won't be just Capital - will have more than 16 per cent of radio listening in the UK. The BBC has some 54 per cent of the market, and Bernard believes the merged group is the first of some serious challengers to the Beeb that will emerge from a commercial sector which is still relatively fragmented, being composed of lots of small companies (read more - Telegraph U.K.)

Thomas Friedman-NY Times --- We're in trouble in Iraq. I don't know what is salvageable there anymore. I hope it is something decent and I am certain we have to try our best to bring about elections and rebuild the Iraqi Army to give every chance for decency to emerge there. But here is the cold, hard truth: This war has been hugely mismanaged by this administration, in the face of clear advice to the contrary at every stage, and as a result the range of decent outcomes in Iraq has been narrowed and the tools we have to bring even those about are more limited than ever. What happened? The Bush team got its doctrines mixed up: it applied the Powell Doctrine to the campaign against John Kerry - "overwhelming force" without mercy, based on a strategy of shock and awe at the Republican convention, followed by a propaganda blitz that got its message across in every possible way, including through distortion. If only the Bush team had gone after the remnants of Saddam's army in the Sunni Triangle with the brutal efficiency it has gone after Senator Kerry in the Iowa-Ohio-Michigan triangle You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Former WQHT (97.1 FM) morning host Star can't return to New York radio before Jan. 15 under a settlement approved Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Kimba Wood. Star is on Clear Channel's WPHH in Hartford, and the company is expected to put him on Hot-97's rival WWPR (105.1 FM) here, as well. Emmis Radio, parent of WQHT, sued to keep him off any other New York station through March 6, when Emmis says his noncompete clause expires (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Supporters of Air America have won their battle to keep the liberal talk radio network on the air in Maine. Officials at Nassau Broadcasting reversed their decision to drop Air America from Portland station WLVP (870 AM) after about 150 people showed up at a public event Thursday evening (read more - Maine Press Herald)

RDN Quotes 'em -- "I had to wash myself using water from the toilet. I was afraid to take my suit off in case I got raped" - Paul McCartney in Uncut magazine, on being jailed after a 1980 drug arrest (source: NY Post-Page Six)

Free Radio Santa Cruz was warned to stop broadcasting at least four times before its equipment was seized this week, according to a federal court complaint released Friday. The Department of Justice civil forfeiture complaint filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, Northern District, led to Wednesday’s raid of Free Radio Santa Cruz by armed U.S. marshals and Federal Communications Commission officials (read more - Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Being dumped is part of the TV business, former WNYW/Channel 5 anchor Len Cannon told the Daily News yesterday. "I'm fine," Cannon said, a day after he and the station confirmed he was being dropped. "They're entitled to make changes. It's the nature of the business, and as the main anchor, it's the nature of the beast.  "They can go with who they feel is best," he added. "That's their prerogative." (read more - Richard Huff-NY Daily News)

Even though neither George W. Bush nor John Kerry has spent much, if any, time talking about things like communications policy, stock options and intellectual property, they are not trivial issues. Today, in the second part of a series of columns about the presidential campaign, we'll look at where the candidates stand on tech issues. As always, these are brief summaries, and you should check the candidates' Web sites www.georgebush.com and www.johnkerry.com -- for more details on these and other matters (read more - Mercury News)

As a result of the purchase of two radio stations by Copper Mountain Broadcasting, country station KDHI has become KXCM and alternative rock station KKJT has become KQCM. KXCM at 96.3 on the radio dial plays country music, while KCQM at 92.1 plays Top 40 hits. The new formats went on air this week (read more - Hi-Desert Star)

According to newsroom sources, reporter and weekend evening anchor Joe Vazquez was fired from WCAU Friday because a news intern complained about the reporter's behavior while on a story. Last week, Vazquez was covering a story at LaSalle University about the school basketball players who were accused of rape. While riding around campus, according to those familiar with the situation, Vazquez and a news photographer engaged in "locker room type banter" that offended the male intern (read more - Laura Nachman - Philly Notes)

Caught a glimpse of those "Don't Vote" billboards appearing across the Twin Cities this week? Does the request exactly one month before a highly anticipated Election Day make you want to say: "Huh? What's up with that?"  Lee Ann Muller, president of Clear Channel Outdoor, which is running the billboards, said the provocative message does not involve a political party nor is it a candidate's new slogan. "You can speculate all you want," she said coyly. "It's meant to draw attention, and it has. That's about all I can say." While keeping mum on the sponsor, Muller will admit that the signs are "teasers," which typically give bits of a promotion away. She said all will be revealed Oct. 11 (read more - Star-Tribune)

Jean Ruth Hay, 87, who woke millions of American troops each morning during World War II with her upbeat radio program "Reveille With Beverly," which was broadcast into foxholes, cockpits and military outposts from Alaska to New Zealand, died Sept. 18 in Fortuna, Calif., after a stroke. Between 1941 and 1944, her dawn broadcast as the effervescent Beverly reached an estimated 11 million people. Her jumpin', jivin' selections -- Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole -- were a welcome alternative to the 5:30 a.m. bugler's blast that jarred American troops from their beds in military outposts worldwide (read more - Washington Post)

Boston University is investigating its university-owned public radio station, WBURFM. The Boston Globe reports that the school has recieved a number of anonymous allegations about administrative practices at the station. The school released a statement yesterday saying BU's general counsel's office and auditors who are — quote — "conducting an aggressive, thorough, and impartial inquiry." (read more CBS 6 Albany)

Opie and Anthony return to radio Monday, but good luck finding them on the public airwaves. To hear the bawdy duo, diehard fans must subscribe to satellite radio. XM Satellite Radio, a subscription-based broadcaster, signed up Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia this summer, two years after they were dumped by Viacom unit Infinity Broadcasting over a stunt in which they broadcast descriptions of listeners having sex in public places, including St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York (read more CNN Money)

John Kerry's biggest hurdle is the relentlessly negative press, which has pictured him as an equivocating loser, left behind as the popular—if sometimes seemingly befuddled—president draws further away. In fact, most polls—certainly those in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and Florida—show the two men pretty close together. The news coverage is nearly hopeless. Last night networks showed a gaggle of screaming students mugging for the cameras. But TV did not show the hundreds of protesters outside and the parade of 76 flag-draped coffins, one for each soldier killed in the last month. To get news of that event, you had to search the Net until you eventually landed at the site for the Winnipeg Sun, the Canadian newspaper (read more - James Ridgeway)

XM Satellite Radio announced that it finished the third quarter 2004 with more than 2,500,000 subscribers. XM added more than 415,000 net new subscribers in the quarter and is on pace to exceed 3,100,000 subscribers by year's end. The XM subscriber gain during the quarter is 75% higher than the 237,000 net new subscribers added in the third quarter of 2003 (read more)

Dear Big Shot Program Director, Well, you've done it again. I had known since May that KRTS owner Mike Stude had sold the station to your Washington, D.C.-based radio megacorporation for $72.5 million, but nobody knew what your plans were for the station. This was Houston's last independent commercial FM station and the only full-time classical outlet in town, and I was sad to see it bite the dust, but I had pretty high hopes that something decent might take its place. So instead you give us KROI, "The New 92.1 KROI -- The '90s and Today." Which means lots of Sheryl Crow, Smash Mouth, Train and Red Hot Chili Peppers on the one hand, and Maroon 5's "This Love," Finger Eleven's "One Thing" and Bowling for Soup's "1985" approximately three times an hour -- each -- on the other (read more - John Lomax-Houston Press)

On October 4, 20-year broadcast veteran Van Earl Wright joins the FOX Sports Radio Network as host of The Morning Extravaganza, the Los Angeles-based national morning show that airs live from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. PT/8 a.m. to noon ET, Monday through Friday. He joins Co-host Andrew Siciliano and Sports Anchor Krystal Fernandez. Andrew Ashwood, VP/GM of FOX Sports Radio Network, stated “With his experience and energy, Van Earl is the perfect fit with our morning crew of Andrew, Krystal, our seven contributing NFL Head Coaches, and “The Insider” Pat O’Brien. Our listeners, affiliates, and advertisers are going to love the magic that this team is going to create everyday.” (visit Fox Sports Radio)

It didn’t take long for a common ground to emerge between advertising agencies, media buyers and the members of the Broadcast Cable Financial Management Association (BCFM) and its Broadcast Cable Credit Association (BCCA) subsidiary who participated in the Association’s 2004 regional seminar, Buying Time: Inside the Multimillion Dollar Media Buying Business, held in New York last week. Jean Bergantini Grillo, an independent writer following the media advertising industry, moderated the seminar, which identified a number of strategies and requirements for accelerating payments by advertisers and their media buyers (visit BCFM.com)

While indicators identify a healthy local marketplace on the horizon for local Radio, revenues remained depressed in August. Total combined local and national ad sales for the month declined 1% over August of 2003. Local sales figures came in flat for the month compared to last August. National ad dollars experienced a decline of 5% during August of 2004 compared to the same month from a year ago (read more-RAB)

Concerned Women for America (CWA) called for the Senate-House Conference Committee to use the Broadcast Decency language in the final Senate version of the Department of Defense (DOD) Authorization Bill. The conference committee is expected to vote at any time to resolve differences between the Senate and the House versions. The Senate version would allow the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to increase fines up to $275,000 for a first offense and $375,000 for a second offense, with a $3 million cap per day (read more)


Three post-debate polls suggested voters who watched the policy-driven confrontation Thursday night were impressed by Kerry. Most of those surveyed said he did better than Bush (read more - ABC News)

L. Lowry Mays is a Texan's Texan, rock-ribbed, 6 foot 2 and larger than life. He started out as an investment banker; in 1972, when a client he was advising backed out of a deal to buy an FM radio station in San Antonio, Tex., Mays partnered with a pal and did the deal himself, paying $125,000. In the three decades since, he has built one of the largest and most powerful media companies in the nation, Clear Channel, a much-maligned giant that, in the view of its enemies, is just too damned big for anyone else's good. Its tentacles stretch into myriad reaches of media and pop culture (read more - Forbes)

From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series -- In 1964 I was GM of WQXI in Atlanta. I was always looking for public service announcements or programs that made sense for our popular TOP 40 station. Bayard Walters entered my life at that time. Everyone calls him Bud. He was the information officer for the Air Force Reserve for the southeast ... I remember thinking two things…first, what a likeable guy…and second, this guy really enjoyed the tour and the radio talk. During his assignment in Atlanta we talked by phone quite a few times. Then, suddenly he was gone. I didn’t know where the heck the guy was until one day in the early 90’s the phone rang…and I heard a very familiar voice say, “Hi, I’m Bud Walters…remember me?” I responded, “I sure do…where are you and what have you been up to?” Bud said, “Well, you probably don’t know this, but I am owner of a group of radio stations called the Cromwell Group…mostly small market stations…although we do have a couple on the outskirts of Nashville.” He asked if I had time to fly to see him ... (read the rest of the story at www.kentburkhart.com)
 

Herb Humphries will be one of a number of radio people from across the USA who will be inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in San Antonio on October 30th. Tickets are quickly headed toward a sell-out at www.trhof.com. Herb began his radio career at KGVL Greenville.  He was a reporter at KNOW in Austin and WINS New York, and served as news director at KFWB Los Angeles. From 1974-1994 he was a reporter at KMOX TV in St. Louis.  He retired to Gladewater, Texas where he passed away in 2003 (click here to visit Herb's photo and bio page)  (click here to listen to a short audio clip of Herb talking about his early days in radio)

The potential of satellite radio, advertised as programming without commercials, is about to be realized said analysts Thursday when they upgraded two companies. Sanders Morris Harris analyst Steve Mather raised his rating of XM Satellite Radio to "strong buy" from "buy" and his price target on the stock to $37 from $32.  The next six months "will likely add further support to the notion that XM is on track to change the way we listen to radio, and in broader terms, shift the music industry," said Mather. J.P. Morgan raised its rating of XM competitor Sirius Satellite Radio(SIRI: news, chart, profile), to "overweight" from "neutral," though the firm was bullish on both companies. Shares of XM rose 41 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $30.71 and Sirius climbed 16 cents, or 5.3 percent, to $3.17 (read more CBS MarketWatch)

Scott Tyler is out after two years as afternoon personality at WKSC-FM (103.5). Program director Rod Phillips said Tyler resigned after violating company policy by sending an unauthorized message on the Top 40 outlet's digital readout system that was "damaging to our image as a radio station" + Carl Grapentine and Lisa Flynn premiere Monday as the new morning team on WFMT-FM (98.7) + Katey Kohn, director of marketing at WSCR-AM (670), has been named director of marketing at WFAN-AM in New York and even more (read Feder of Chicago)

"My mother is Dominican, so yeah, I know about platanos, pasteles, and codfish cakes. Just don't ask me to speak Spanish.
"Ah, very interesting," Muñoz said with a smile. "This is why I do the radio show, to connect the community."
The area's pioneering Latin disc jockey shares that flavor across the airwaves from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays as host of "La Fiesta After Dark." The music and information show on Norfolk State University's WNSB-FM is one of the few lifelines that connect the small, but vibrant, Latino community (read more - Daily Press)

Sen. John Kerry fared better than President Bush in Thursday night's presidential debate, according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll of 615 registered voters who watched the event. Most of those interviewed said Kerry did a better job than Bush, and nearly half said the debate made them feel more favorably toward Kerry. By narrow margins Bush came out better on believability, likability and toughness (read more CNN)

John Kerry regained the initiative in the US presidential race last night with a forceful performance in his first debate with George Bush, occasionally leaving the president scowling and at a loss for words. Instant-response polls by three major television networks all showed that a large majority of their viewers thought the challenger had won the 90-minute verbal contest at the University of Miami - the first of three debates in the last month of the campaign. Perhaps even more seriously for President Bush, the networks ignored broadcasting guidelines agreed beforehand and showed both candidates at the same time (read more - The Guardian U.K.) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Clear Channel Communications Inc. on Thursday forecast a "challenging" fourth quarter for radio as the nation's No. 1 radio station operator readies a plan to cut the share of commercial time on its broadcasts. Clear Channel Chief Financial Officer Randall Mays repeated the company's forecast from July that business would be flat in the current third quarter. "We believe that business will be essentially flat and we think that will hold up. The fourth quarter is going to be a challenging environment, more challenging," Mays said at a conference for investors in Pasadena, California sponsored by Merrill Lynch (read more - W Scott Bailey-SA Biz Journal) (read more - Reuters)

Glenn Macnow, WIP 610-AM host, is the co-author of a book for the Philadelphia sports fan for the second consecutive fall, "The Great Philadelphia Sports Debate," co-written by WIP's Angelo Cataldi + For listeners who have noticed that Garry Cobb has been on WIP more often, it's no coincidence. In an e-mail, Cobb wrote: "I'm on WIP more because [former program director] Tom Bigby is gone. Tom and I didn't have the best relationship. I'm happy to be working on WIP much more." (read more - Laura Nachman)

Dave Jarrott writes: Bill Noble (real name, Knobler) is a GM of a tv station in Waco these days. I don't think he ever worked at KHFI, but he did middays at KNOW in the mid 60s. When we had our KNOW reunion in 2002, I just had to shake Bill's hand + Bob Tomlinson says: Jim it was good to hear from Jeff McClain. Jeff might not remember me but he hired me at the country station in Bay City Texas. Jeff was the manager at the time (read more at Jim Rose Remembers)

Armed with a battering ram and three search warrants, U.S. Marshals and Federal Communication Commission agents - some with weapons drawn - Wednesday raided a local pirate radio station that's been on the air for nearly a decade. As nearly 20 agents confiscated box-loads of equipment, including the station's antenna, which they plucked from the rooftop of the Laurel Street residence Free Radio Santa Cruz had called home for the last six months, swarms of angry protestors taunted and jeered officials, chanting, "Shame! Shame!" (read more - Register Pajorian)

Salem Communications Corporation announced that it has completed the acquisition of WQBH-AM in Detroit, Michigan from Queen's Broadcasting Corporation. The station is being re-launched as WDTK-AM (1400 AM) in Salem Communications' syndicated News/Talk format immediately (read more)

SIRIUS Satellite Radio will honor legendary New York City radio personality Scott Muni on Friday, October 1 with all-day special programming by SIRIUS on-air hosts who have worked with the celebrated DJ. Muni passed away on Tuesday at age 74 following a 50-year career as a rock radio personality. The staff of SIRIUS commercial-free music channel Classic Vinyl - all of whom worked at the legendary WNEW-FM in New York alongside Muni - will anchor the special programming, including Dennis Elsas (between 7am-1pm ET), Pat St. John (1pm-7pm) and Carol Miller (7pm-Midnight). Other SIRIUS staff that worked with Muni, including Meg Griffin, Thom Morrera, Harris Allen, Paul Cavalconte, Vin Scelsa and Zach Martin, will share their remembrances (visit Sirius)

ABC Radio Networks and Mediaguide today announced a major marketing agreement that establishes ABC Radio Networks as the exclusive national sales agent to U.S. radio stations for Mediaguide’s StationMonitor™ music monitoring and reporting services (visit www.mediaguide.com)


Rupert Murdoch is causing a rethink in American media. Fox was created to answer a perceived imbalance to the Left; now the Left is answering back. Former vice-president Al Gore is backing moves to launch a liberal cable news outlet. A syndicated radio format, Air America, offers liberal viewpoints to counter the string of right-wing commentators personified by Rush Limbaugh and is growing slowly after a shaky start. Last week America's biggest radio group, Clear Channel, a Texas-based corporation with close ties to the Bush administration, programmed Air America on one of its San Francisco outlets. This caused some eyebrows to rise, but Clear Channel replied that it was merely a business decision. Senior vice-president Ed Kampf says: "We're capitalists. We put on what the audience wants."  (read more - Mark Day-The Australian)

John (Johnny Dark) Borders will be one of many radio people from across the USA who will be inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in San Antonio on October 30th. Tickets are quickly headed toward a sell-out at www.trhof.com.  John began his radio career in high school at KBEC in Waxahachie, went on to serve as PD at KLIF, KTSA, KQV, WNOR, KEYS and KFJZ. He and partner Don Turner formed Sunburst Media, which was sold to Clear Channel, Salem, Radio One and Entravision in 2000 and 2001 (click here to visit John's TRHoF bio and photo page)  (click here to listen to a short aircheck of Johnny Dark on KLIF 1190 in the mid-60's)

A year has passed since Rush Limbaugh's racially insensitive comments about Donovan McNabb led to a maelstrom McNabb neither asked for nor wanted. But as he has so many times before, McNabb has delivered a defiant answer to Limbaugh's assessment on ESPN's popular "Sunday NFL Countdown'' that the quarterback was a figment of a media "desirous that a black quarterback do well." "What happened last year was that Rush, quite frankly, took a two-game period and decided to make that, in his estimation, a culmination of what Donovan McNabb was about," said Tom Jackson, who was on the ESPN set with Limbaugh that day. "There was no place for it then, and that's the reason we have someone else on our show (read more - Phil Sheridan-Philly Inquirer)

After a long night at work as a radio DJ, Junko Suzuki likes to snuggle at bedtime _ and she says she's found the perfect partner: a man-shaped pillow. Linen maker Kameo Corp.'s new "Boyfriend's Arm Pillow" _ which consists of a headless torso and a stuffed arm that curls around the sleeper _ might make some people uneasy. But not Suzuki, or about 1,000 others in Japan who have bought the pillow, which Kameo says is the first of its kind. The product went on the market last December. "I like to sleep holding someone's hand," Suzuki, 34. "And this pillow makes me feel relaxed because I can hold the arm and feel something warm at my side." (read more - WINK News)

Bryon Mengle got his start in local radio in 1998 by picking up a notice on the internship board at Seattle Pacific University for a post at KBKS-FM. He worked with the Chris & Dana show as a producer; when that station went through a format and personnel switch, he moved to KLSY-FM (92.5) to work with the Murdock, Hunter & Alice morning team and then Mitch & Lisa. His last day with that show is tomorrow. Mengle was part of a trend, noted in a past edition of Radio Beat, of morning-show producers doing more than just lining up guests, but actually becoming an on-air cast member. Aside from the adventures jumping out of a plane and riding in a stock car, he has done entertainment reporting for the morning shows and woke up a contest winner with a marching band on the front lawn (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

Sounds 24-7, Inc. has acquired exclusive rights to the name "Radio Station Library" both as a domain name and a company name. It will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Sounds 24-7 and will be the site to which recordings from the industry will be uploaded and from which radio stations and club DJs can download. Through Radio Station Library, independent artists, labels and distributors can get their music out to thousands of authorized radio stations and club DJs for air play (read more)

Three new affiliates will debut Monday on the nationally syndicated Kidd Kraddick in the Morning Show. The new affiliates are Clear Channel’s KSAS Boise and KNIN Wichita Falls, and Opus Media Partners’ KQLQ Monroe, LA. This brings to 28 the number of affiliates nationwide, making Kidd Kraddick in the Morning one of the largest female-based syndicated morning shows in the country. The show is heard weekday mornings from 5-10am central time (visit 'em online at www.kiddlive.com)

Beyond Scott Muni's memorable on-air personality, say people who worked with him at WNEW, he also fought well for radio's musical freedom. In 1965, Muni parted from WABC, arguably America's best deejay gig, because the playlists were too restrictive. He went to WOR-FM and did the same. So when he got to WNEW-FM in 1967 and became program director, he opened things up. "No higherups in radio would ever have played Jimi Hendrix in 1968," says Meg Griffin, now a Sirius Satellite Radio host. "Scott did. The reason it's 'classic rock' today is because he played it then. He was a rebel." "He was one of us," says Vin Scelsa (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Scott Muni, one of the legendary voices of New York radio, died Tuesday. He was 74. The cause of death was not immediately known. The popular disc jockey, who was an AM and FM star for nearly 50 years in the country's biggest radio market, suffered a stroke in January. It sidelined him from his last on-air job, a one-hour daily show at the New York classic rock station WAQX-FM (Q104.3). For many, gravel-voiced Muni -- known to fans as "Scottso" and, reflecting his musical erudition, "the Professor" -- was the embodiment of New York radio. He was one of the first major top 40 announcers to take his trade to the emerging free-form FM side of the dial in the 1960s (read more - Reuters)  (visit Q104.3 for the Scott Muni tribute page)  (read more - Rolling Stone)  (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

KSTM, 88.9 FM, "The New Storm Radio", has a batch of new voices as young disc jockeys take over this year. Sophomore Sarah Harriman, productions promotions manager, is excited about the new staff (read more - The Simpsonian)

The watershed event for CBS was Dan Rather's weekend meeting with retired National Guardsman Bill Burkett. During the meeting, Burkett said something that dislodged CBS from its death grip on the assertion that the story was true. CBS' about-face suggests that whatever Burkett conveyed to Rather that weekend was something wholly different from whatever he had originally presented to the network as a rational and consistent explanation of the memos' origin. This "something" suggested to the network that the creation of the memos might actually constitute a crime (read more - Fox News)

Salem Communications announced that Albert John Moll II and Jim Seemiller have joined 960 The Patriot KKNT (KKNT-AM 960) and KPXQ-AM (1360) as Senior Account Managers according to John Timm, General Manager of KKNT-AM and KPXQ-AM (read more)

John Eisenhower, son of Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower, says in a New Hampshire newspaper column that he will vote for Democratic Sen. John Kerry on Nov. 2. "Recent developments indicate that the current Republican Party leadership has confused confident leadership with hubris and arrogance," Eisenhower wrote. The 700-word column assails Bush and the GOP for federal budget deficits, for invading Iraq "unilaterally" and for infringing on Americans' personal liberties. The Bush campaign did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request for comment (read more - Union Leader-New Hampshire Sunday News) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Ernie Anastos might have counted his chickens before they hatched. The popular WCBS/Ch. 2 anchor leaked to the Daily News earlier this week that he was jumping to Fox/Ch. 5 for a whopping $10 million. But it turns out that Anastos overestimated his salary — and the Ch. 5 deal has not even been signed yet. "He jumped the gun," said a Ch. 2 insider  (read more - Page Six)

Guns drawn, agents of the U.S. Marshals Service served a warrant on a tiny Santa Cruz pirate radio station early Wednesday, rousting and frisking the pajama-clad residents of the co-op house from which the station had been broadcasting. No one was arrested. ``This is not a criminal action against people,'' said Supervising Deputy Cheryl Koel (read more - San Diego Mercury News)

When Dick Cheney and John Edwards debate in Cleveland that night, Bruce Springsteen will be barnstorming in another swing state, as the Vote for Change tour hits St. Paul. All that's needed to make the day complete is a smackdown between Kinky Friedman and Teresa Heinz Kerry on "Imus in the Morning." Of the many cultural grenades being tossed that day, though, the one must-see is "George W. Bush: Faith in the White House," a DVD that is being specifically marketed in "head to head" partisan opposition to "Fahrenheit 9/11." (read more - Frank Rich-NY times)

The festivities started early for Sirius on Wednesday, as the satellite radio broadcaster opened its investor-day gala with a retail push highlighted by an analyst upgrade. The company hopes to crank up even more buzz later Wednesday when it unveils an array of new radios, including one that will be sold at Wal-Mart (read more - Forbes)  (read more - The Street)

Delilah, the 44-year-old single mother of seven, who is heard 7 p.m.-midnight on 222 stations in all 50 states (here on KBAY-FM (94.5) seven nights a week), broadcasts from Seattle and makes her first-ever Bay Area appearance in San Jose on Saturday (read more - Brad Kava-San Jose Mercury News)

In his personal life, the late Bill Ballance had mixed luck with the ladies. His love life, like his age, was mysterious. But he did have two sons, and an obituary said he is survived by a female companion. He took at least one caller into his personal life: Laura Schlessinger, now better known as radio shrink "Dr. Laura." Ballance had a May-December affair with Schlessinger in the late 1970s when she was a nobody. Two decades later, he sold explicitly nude photos of her, which didn't take long to show up on the Internet. True to form, Schlessinger failed to take any responsibility and blamed the "morally reprehensible" shutterbug for the mess. Why did he do it? It apparently had had nothing to do with his need for money or the hypocrisy of her endless moralizing. Ballance, after all, was hardly a liberal. Instead, he may have simply held a grudge, exacerbated by Schlessinger's apparent snub of him during her rise to fame. "When he felt you crossed him, you knew it was going to be tough," Larson said. "He had a long memory." But Ballance had plenty of heart too (read more - Randy Dotinga-North County Times)

Recently I saw an amazing piece of political video. It was ten-year-old footage of George W. Bush, and it changed my mind about an important aspect of the upcoming campaign. Because the President so rarely exposes himself to live, unscripted questioning, and because he has expressed himself so poorly the few times he has risked such exposure this year, the political establishment assumes that John Kerry has a big advantage in this fall's debates. I'm not so sure (read more - James Fallows-Atlantic Monthly)

Dallas-based media conglomerate Belo Corp. said Wednesday that it would cut 250 jobs, mostly at its flagship newspaper The Dallas Morning News (read more - Dallas Biz Journal)

John Kerry, the Democratic nominee and windsurfing enthusiast says he picked up his brand-new glow at a football game last week in Massachusetts - just in time for tonight's first presidential debate.  But can a rain-drenched New Yorker get a Kerry glow in time for the debate? To find out, I tried the friendly folks at Hollywood Tans on 25th Street and Sixth Avenue. "I want to look like John Kerry," I announced. The staff at the front desk laughed (read more - Michael Kane-NY Post)

A US senator has called for an expansion in American radio and television broadcasts around the Muslim world to repair the country's 'image problem'. Senator Joe Biden on Wednesday said such broadcasts would help correct "a bastardisation of US views by Aljazeera and many other Arab networks" (read more - Al Jazeera)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Capital Radio and GWR's merger will not mean any standardisation of programming, the stations insist. Dave Ferguson, chairman of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, told BBC News Online the long-term prospects could be blander networked shows with no room for local talent, as the group tried to cut costs. "We don't welcome this. All the evidence that we see shows that merging of companies like this and consolidation generally in the radio sector leads to a decrease in diversity. "The way they save money is by centralising playlists and centralising programming." Mr. Ferguson said the example of the US, with giant groups such as Clear Channel, showed consolidation led eventually to the widespread used of networked programmes instead of distinct local content. "It is so vital that the BBC charter is renewed. It becomes the sole saviour of local diversity in a consolidated sector." (read more BBC News)

XM Satellite Radio is launching "XM Nation: Operation Helping Hand," a major effort to help support the American Red Cross disaster relief in the wake of four devastating hurricanes that have struck the U.S. in the last seven weeks. XM is broadcasting on-air appeals to rally its millions of listeners nationwide to make contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund through XM's Operation Helping Hand web site at http://www.xmradio.com/helpinghand or by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW (press "2" to participate in Helping Hand)

KTNV Channel 13 went without its usual morning newscast today as a result of a Tuesday morning evacuation of the station prompted by a suspicious powder in a hate letter. Jim Thomas, vice president of communications for the Journal Broadcast Group, which owns the station, said the substance had not been identified. He did not know when employees would be allowed to return to their offices at the ABC affiliate (read more - Las Vegas Sun)

Radio ratings giant Arbitron Inc. and VNU, which owns TV audience-monitoring firm Nielsen Media Research, are considering collaborating on a new service, which would track the impact of advertising and marketing on consumers' spending habits (read more - Crain's NY Business)


Disc jockey and radio personality Scott Muni has died. He was 74. The announcement was made by Clear Channel Radio, which owns Q104 FM, where Muni worked most recently (read more - WNBC TV) (read more - Crain's NY Business)

Capital Radio and GWR Group say they plan to merge in an all-share, nil-premium deal that would create the dominant company in the UK radio sector. The deal would combine London's most popular commercial radio station, Capital 95.8 FM, with GWR's nationwide Classic FM station, along with dozens of smaller local stations. The combined company would control about 40 percent of the 600 million pound per year UK radio advertising market (read more - Reuters) (read more - The Scotsman)

Reacting to growing public concerns about sex and violence in the media, Capitol Hill lawmakers turned up the pressure Tuesday on the entertainment industry to provide clearer information about the content of films and TV shows. At the same time, legislators signaled that stronger punishments are ahead for broadcasters airing shows with objectionable content. During a Senate Science, Technology and Space subcommittee hearing, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) blasted the movie and broadcast industries' separate rating systems. Brownback said they failed to help parents shield children from inappropriate content. "Many [parents] find the current rating system overwhelming and confusing," Brownback said. The hearing marked the first Capitol Hill appearance by Hollywood's new top lobbyist, Dan Glickman, who joined predecessor Jack Valenti in defending the film rating system that Valenti fathered more than 30 years ago.  (read more - LA Times)

Lee Abrams' office at XM headquarters in Washington, DC, is a mini-museum chronicling his role in rock history. On the walls: gold records, like the Stones' "Exile on Main Street" and "Smash" by the Offspring, framed LP covers (including prog-rock classics Fragile and Close to the Edge by Yes, a band whose career Abrams helped shape), photos with the great and near-great, and mounted magazine profiles of himself ... "He's one of those rare people who really lives and breathes music radio," says Hugh Panero, XM's CEO. "He has that booming voice that'll wake the dead. We'll be in a taxi, and he'll start grilling the cabbie: 'What station do you listen to? How come?' Whatever city we're in, he knows the history of the radio market intimately." (read more - Wired)

WKNR AM/850 program director Michael Luczak is non-committal on the future of Bruce Drennan at the sports station, following a gambling-related raid on the talk host's home. "Right now, we're just gathering all the facts," Luczak said. "Other than that, there's nothing else to say about [Drennan] for now." (read more - Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Comedian and political satirist Al Franken will take his radio show to Columbus during a tour along the campaign trail. "The Al Franken Show" will broadcast live across the country starting Thursday and ending Oct. 9, making stops in eight cities. When asked about Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly's recent interview on "60 Minutes," in which O'Reilly called Franken a "character assassin," the comedian said he wasn't surprised. And Franken says he'll pay O'Reilly $1 million if he can prove his blue-collar history of a childhood in Levittown, N.Y.. O'Reilly has defended his upbringing as being in a part of Levittown, but technically in the adjoining town of Westbury (read more - NBC 4i)  (read more 2)

Laura Hirsch , the morning co-host on southwest suburban WSSR-FM (96.7) turns her personal efforts to conceive through in vitro fertilization into a full-fledged ongoing radio bit +  "Java Joel" Murphy, evening personality at WKSC-FM (103.5), is putting it all on the line in challenging his counterparts at Top 40 rival WBBM-FM (96.3), Doug Stylz and Justin Roman. "If you can beat me in the first Chicago Radio Music Trivia Challenge, I will leave Chicago," Murphy wrote to Stylz and Roman. "If I beat you, you have to leave Chicago." (read more - Feder of Chicago)

One of KMOX radio's top personalities, John Carney, is off the air indefinitely after being accused by police of drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident, the station's general manager said Monday. The incident, in which nobody was reported to be seriously hurt, came just days after the station completed a 10-part news series raising the question of whether Missouri is doing enough to combat drunks behind the wheel. "John Carney will not be on the air, pending further investigation," said Tom Langmyer, vice president and general manager of KMOX (read more - St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Roy Duncan of Canton writes: "I'm a little confused about CKWW. A couple weeks ago there was an article in the Free Press about Wayne Stevens retiring from broadcasting. Your article on Sept 13 said that he would be on from noon to 6 p.m. I hope that CKWW doesn't change its format as I enjoy the big bands that they play." + Salem Communications is skedded to take over WQBH-AM (1400) Friday, which will end its run as a blues/talk/gospel station (read more - John Smyntek - Detroit Freep)

Dino Costa, Director Of Programming with AM-1530 Radio in Jacksonville, in conjunction with Westwood One, and Premiere Radio, announced several new programming moves for radio station AM-1530 in Jacksonville, Florida. The station is undergoing significant changes involving new additions to its program lineup, including Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck, and a revamping of its format. WYMM which has been re-cast as the "Mighty 1530", will be projecting a brand new format in mid-October of 2004 and will be only one of two 50 KW stations in Jacksonville (click here to e-mail Dino)

The newspaper in President George W. Bush's adopted hometown of Crawford threw its support on Tuesday behind Bush's Democratic rival, Sen. John Kerry. The weekly Lone Star Iconoclast criticized Bush's handling of the war in Iraq and for turning budget surpluses into record deficits. The editorial also criticized Bush's proposals on Social Security and Medicare. "The publishers of The Iconoclast endorsed Bush four years ago, based on the things he promised, not on this smoke-screened agenda," the newspaper said in its editorial. "Today, we are endorsing his opponent, John Kerry." It urged "Texans not to rate the candidate by his hometown or even his political party, but instead by where he intends to take the country." (read more - Reuters)

XM Satellite Radio will air a recent, never-before-heard interview with Yusuf Islam, the singer/songwriter formerly known as Cat Stevens, this Thursday, September 30, at 8:00 am ET on XM Public Radio (visit XM Public Radio)

Baseball great Cal Ripken will be appearing on the ABC Radio show “Satellite Sisters” this weekend; among other topics, he will be discussing parents involvement in their children’s sporting events. Are some parents too involved? Cal Ripken and the Sisters will discuss what happens when a parent’s behavior becomes more disruptive than supportive (visit Satellite Sisters)

Debbie Durban, President of the Interep Marketing Group; Weezie Kramer, Regional Vice President of Entercom and Amy Rosenthal, President and General Manager for ABC Radio of Minneapolis have agreed to share their real-life stories of triumphs and struggles on a Wednesday, October 13, 2004, 90-minute conference call.  It begins at 2:00 pm ET and is the latest American Women in Radio and Television-coordinated Tele-Seminar series. Seminar moderator Jaye Albright, Partner in Albright & O’Malley consulting says that the tele-seminar is open to the public (read more at AWRT or read more at RadioMIW.com)

Emap's finance director, Gary Hughes, said yesterday that a tie-up between the media conglomerate and rival Scottish Radio Holdings would create "the strongest radio group in UK". But as Capital Radio and GWR attempt to put the finishing touches to their own merger, Mr Hughes said Emap, which currently owns just under 30pc of SRH, would not be rushed into any deal. He said any action would be taken "at the time of our own choosing". Mr Hughes said: "We accept that radio consolidation is necessary and inevitable. There are too many radio groups and consolidation would strengthen the sector (read more - Telegraph U.K.)

For the third straight year, Clear Channel Entertainment couldn't make good on its promise in Cumberland County. County officials said Clear Channel owes $61,000 for only bringing in eight of the 15 shows it promised to book at the Crown Coliseum (read more - News 14 Carolina)

Radio humorist and author Garrison Keillor, who has helped raise money for Minnesota Democrats, is appearing next month at a fund-raiser for Joe Satrom, North Dakota's Democratic candidate for governor. The Oct. 9 reception at a Fargo hotel will follow the broadcast of Keillor's Saturday radio show, "A Prairie Home Companion" (read more - Miami Herald)

"I saw the impact of Fahrenheit 9/11, the impact it had on the public debate. It changed the dynamic of the debate ... although it was a political commercial disguised as a movie," "Celsius 41.11" executive producer David Bossie told Inside the Beltway before the premiere.  So, I decided somebody must take this on; somebody has to have a response to this. It's not right to let it sit out there by itself," he said of "Fahrenheit 9/11." "When lies are told consistently, over and over again, they become the truth in perception. I said 'enough is enough.' " Mr. Bossie, president of the grass-roots lobby Citizens United who previously headed the Center for Government Integrity, picked up the phone and called Hollywood heavyweight Lionel Chetwynd. He agreed to write and produce the film (read more - Washington Times)

Alaska Public Broadcasting, Inc. (APBI) has named Jamie Waste of Juneau as Executive Director. Waste, a veteran Alaska public broadcaster, will head the organization that provides leadership and support for Alaska’s public radio and television organizations (read more Capital Weekly)

Republican Illinois U.S. Senate candidate Alan Keyes, a conservative who opposes gay lifestyles, is refusing comment on an Internet rumor his daughter is gay. The outspoken conservative talk show host declined to answer questions on whether his 19-year-old daughter had posted details of her homosexual relationship with another young woman on her Web blog. Politics1, a political Web site, posted a story and a picture of Maya Keyes with a woman identified as her lesbian girlfriend. Keyes is staunchly anti-gay and told a New York radio talk show all gays were living in sin and were "selfish hedonists," including by definition Mary Cheney, the openly lesbian daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney (read more - WBBM 780) (read more - Washington Times) (read more - ChiIllinois Blogspot)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Martha Stewart has been ordered to serve her sentence at the federal prison in Alderson, W.Va., a source close to the case told NBC News on Wednesday. Stewart had asked to serve her five-month sentence at the federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut close to her home in Westport, or as a second choice at the federal prison in Coleman, Fla. But the federal Bureau of Prisons instead chose Alderson, a minimum-security women's prison that houses about 1,000 inmates (read more - News 4 New York - WNBC)

RDN TechFact --  161 million people had cellular phone service as of the end of 2003, up from 142 million in 2002, according to a recent Federal Communications Commission (read the study)

Michael Imperioli & Jim Breuer guest on SIRIUS' The Wiseguy Show Wednesday. Sept. 29. The show is hosted by actor Vinnie Pastore ("Big Pussy" Bonpensiero from HBO's The Sopranos) with regular co- hosts Vinny Vella, Cha-Cha ("The Mayor of Little Italy"),  Joe Regano and "Brooklyn" Joe Causi; executive produced by Steven Van Zandt (visit Sirius Raw Dog Comedy Channel 147)

SIRIUS announced that Sanyo has joined the roster of brands that manufacture SIRIUS satellite radios. The Sanyo CRSR-10 Plug & Play SIRIUS satellite radio system will arrive at Wal-Mart stores this month. The Sanyo CRSR-10 is the first SIRIUS Plug & Play satellite radio system to include both home and car kits in one package and sell for $149.99 (read more - DesignTechnica)

Ask Chance Patterson for evidence that satellite radio is turning a listless industry on its ear, and he’ll tell you a story about rocker Lenny Kravitz. “The other day,” says XM Satellite Radio’s vice president of programming, “Lenny called us because he wanted to come out and visit. That’s the kind of thing that’s happening. It’s just getting to be fun.”  In a mere three years, subscription-based radio has transformed itself from pie in the sky dream to an emerging broadcasting force. XM is on pace to top 3.1 million subscribers by year-end. Rival Sirius, which got a later start and has been playing catch-up, just signed its 600,000th subscriber and will likely hit 1 million by December (read more - Doug Bedell-Dallas News)

President George W. Bush fielded questions at his ranch in Crawford about family from popular TV psychologist Phil McGraw in a warm-and-fuzzy wooing of the coveted undecided woman's vote. The timing of the broadcast is great for the president, who needs to try to win over likely voters who have yet to make up their minds. Campaign officials, having seen former president Bill Clinton work the daytime-television trick like a charm, are convinced it can work (read more AFP)

A "boycott CBS" website says thousands of people have "inundated" the Commission on Presidential Debates with emails calling for CBS correspondent Bob Schieffer to be replaced as moderator for the third and final presidential debate on October 13. Boycott CBS.com is a project of the Framers Institute, Inc., a conservative public policy think tank. Co-founder Michael Paranzino launched BoycottCBS.com last fall, when the network tried to air a TV movie smearing Ronald and Nancy Reagan (read more - CNS)

Governor Rick Perry declares October to be "Texas Music Month" -- With a growing influence on the sound of contemporary music, the Lone Star State is home to more than 10,000 songwriters, 110,000 music business professionals, 800 annual music events and 7,500 music businesses.  These range from radio stations, booking agencies, and record labels to recording studios and music schools (visit Texas Music Office Web site)

Dan Rather, who'll anchor CBS' coverage this week of the first presidential debate, told USA TODAY that he respects both President Bush and his father and has no ideological ax to grind. He has long denied that either he or CBS lean left. CBS staffers defend the anchor and the network. Veteran White House correspondent Bill Plante says detractors are approaching with biases of their own: "If you're predisposed to believe that, then how am I going to convince you otherwise? It's like nailing Jell-O to a wall." Mike Wallace says that the liberal tag is bogus and that he has "nothing but professional respect" for Rather (read more - Peter Johnson-USA Today)


It didn't take long for Dan Rather's radio brethren in Chicago to break bad on him. Within hours of CBS News' backpedaling on its "60 Minutes" report about President Bush's National Guard service, the Infinity Broadcasting all-news station here dropped all station identifications featuring the star anchorman's voice. Until last week, WBBM-AM (780) had been airing one of four different station IDs and promos delivered by Rather at the top of the hour and during Bears pre-game and post-game broadcasts + Jack Diamond, morning personality at adult-contemporary WRQX-FM in Washington, will turn up as a talk show host alongside Teri O'Brien on news/talk WLS-AM (890), starting Wednesday. O'Brien has been filling in with Art Wallis since Don Wade and Roma signed off from the morning show when their contract extension expired Sept. 14 (read more - Feder of Chicago)

The folks at Comedy Central were annoyed when Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly kept referring to "The Daily Show" audience as "stoned slackers." So they did a little research. And guess whose audience is more educated? Viewers of Jon Stewart's show are more likely to have completed four years of college than people who watch "The O'Reilly Factor," according to Nielsen Media Research (read more - NC Times)

Federal agents over the weekend raided the home of a Cleveland radio sports talk show host who they say is suspected of participating in illegal sports gambling and seized cash, a computer and other items. Bruce Drennan, morning drive host on WKNR/AM and a former commentator on Cleveland Indians television broadcasts from 1980 to 1982, was not arrested and has not been charged (read more - WKYC TV)

I caddied at one of the Jewish country clubs. You should have heard the nasty, bigoted things people yelled from their car windows as they rode past. In a way, what Steve Deace did last week was almost as bad. The yahoos in the cars are clearly yahoos. You know they're narrow-minded and arrogant. Deace is a glib fellow, an opinion-maker with a forum. When he's narrow-minded and arrogant, he becomes dangerous. He fuels the yahoos. What Deace did on his KXNO (AM-1460) sports show Thursday was say that a Jewish baseball player's troubles would be over if he'd accept Jesus Christ as his savior. The ballplayer is Shawn Green of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Out of religious conviction, Green decided not to play during Yom Kippur. He said it was a tough decision, involving great soul-searching (read more - Des Moines Register)

Dan Rather's daily CBS radio broadcast is off the air where he grew up. Houston CBS radio affiliate KPRC hasn't been running it for the last couple weeks in reaction to his ``60 Minutes'' report questioning President Bush's National Guard service. ``I felt no anchor ... should ever be the story or bigger than the story,'' Ken Charles, program director of the news-talk station, said Monday. ``I thought it was appropriate to take him off the air.'' (read more - San Diego Union Tribune)  (read more - State Journal Register)  (read more - GOP USA)

WIVB in Buffalo, NY's Chris Musial says he has counted about 1,300 e-mails in the past week. Most are part of a national campaign against Dan Rather from conservatives who have hated him since he covered the Nixon White House. Starting late last week, a backlash campaign in support of Rather has been growing. Deborah Hooper, the general manager of WFMY in the Triad, said that her station has gotten thousands of e-mails on both sides of the debate over Rather. "It really looks like it's on a national basis," she said. "Not to say we haven't gotten any locally, but the majority by far are from out of this area and out of this state." The e-mails have come from as far away as Hawaii and Alaska. The subject lines seem to be the same, indicating that the e-mails are coming from a mass address list. This week, she said, most of the e-mails have the subject line "from a viewer"; last week, most of them said "regarding Dan Rather and CBS news." (read more - Winston-Salem Journal)

1996 was a watershed year in radio. It signaled the start of an enormous rise in revenue while, at the same time, it marked the end of positive press for the industry. Now, eight years later, radio groups are seeing a softening of revenue while getting pounded by the press for delivering a "homogenized sound." The press is aiding listeners to abandon local stations with these stories, reaffirming what they already know (read more - Audio Graphics)

Boston University has said it will delay the sale of Rhode Island's public radio stations until the concerns of state officials can be resolved. The school, which owns Boston-based WBUR-FM, the parent station of Rhode Island's WRNI-AM and WXNI-AM, said late Monday the sale would be suspended for an indefinite length of time (read more - 10 News)

The CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Awards go to Kelly & Jonathan with Mudflap + JD Cannon + The Ron & Becky Morning Show and the CMA Radio Stations of the Year are KMPS/Seattle, WFMS/Indianapolis, WIVK/Knoxville and WQXK/Youngstown (read more)

Emmis Communications Corp.'s second-quarter profit rose about 57%, helped by the company's radio and television operations. In a press release Tuesday, Emmis said its second-quarter income improved to $15.3 million, or 23 cents a share, on revenue of $166.8 million (read more - Smart Money)

In early August, South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Bob Sahr was in China on a tour for young political leaders. He ended up at a breakfast with a handful of U.S. senators, including Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. Sahr used his five minutes with Frist to make a pitch on behalf of Jonathan Adelstein, the Rapid City native whose renomination to the Federal Communications Commission has been stalled for 19 months. "I don't think (Frist) expected to hear about Jonathan Adelstein in China," Sahr said with a chuckle. "But I couldn't pass up the chance." (read more - Rapid City Journal)

AWRT Empowering America, the third in a series of inspirational 60-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) vignettes from the Foundation of AWRT, the philanthropic arm of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT), and the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) are now available for download from www.awrt.org and www.rab.com

This week, San Antonio listeners of National Public Radio could find themselves surrounded by one or more of the distinctive voices that come into their homes and cars day after day, week after week on KSTX-FM. A bunch of these radio notables will be on San Antonio soil, starting Wednesday, to attend the four-day Public Radio Program Directors Association conference. You probably would pass them on the street and not recognize them, but their voices, for the most part, would be unmistakable (read more - Jeanne Jakle - SA Express-News)

There's a mystery going on in York County that rivals the Bermuda Triangle, the Single Bullet Theory and icing penalties in the National Hockey League. The mystery in question is whether or not Kelly West will return as co-host of WARM-FM (103.3)'s "Morning Show." (read more - York Daily Record)

“Then, all of a sudden, this really skinny Iraqi kid comes running up to us with a f---- HAND GRENADE in his hand,” Buzzell wrote on his war blog. “ ’Drop the f---- hand grenade! Drop it now!’ We all started yelling. The little kid, still with this proud smile on his face that said, ’Look what I just found’ just dropped the grenade on the ground, and walked over to my squad leader and said, ’Give me money!”’ The grenade didn’t go off. The squad leader explained to his men that an Army division that had been in the area earlier had paid children for weapons or unexploded ordnance. For Buzzell, it was grist for his online war diary, http://cbftw.blogspot.com, whose fans range from soccer moms and truck drivers to punk band leader Jello Biafra. Before the counter dropped off the site, says Buzzell, he was getting 5,000 hits a day (visit Buzzell's Blog) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Cam Goodwyn played psychic Sunday, telling fortunes to radio free brattleboro supporters at a fund-raiser. But there was one question she couldn't even fake an answer to: What is the future of the unlicensed radio station? Will it be forced off the air? "I wouldn't even pretend," said Goodwyn, an rfb deejay. "I would love to be able to predict the future of rfb." (read more Brattleboro Reporter)

Tony Harris, evening anchor for perennial ratings also-ran WGCL-TV, is moving to CNN after just 18 months at the CBS affiliate. WGCL General Manager Sue Schwartz said CNN approached Harris, and when that network offered him an anchor job, she decided to let the Baltimore native out of his three-year contract (read more - Peach Buzz)

Texas Radio Hall of Fame member and Radio Legend Barry Kaye is now available for voice imaging! Want to hear Barry Kaye?  Go to the samples page at www.ccmccartney.com  

How is it possible that amateur political junkies are potentially having an effect on actual campaigns? The answer is that the Internet has fundamentally changed politics as we know it. There is just so much out there that we didn't have access to four years ago: polling data, fundraising data, media-buy data; instant access to every TV ad and press release and unguarded gaffe and well-timed leak to jolt the campaign; insider dish on what the media's covering and what it's not covering and why; and perhaps most fun of all, there are massive online communities in which hundreds of thousands of people submit their mostly corny, often silly, and sometimes unimaginably brilliant ideas for how this candidate or that should run his campaign (read more - Salon) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Gary Fries, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) today announced the election of Joe Bilotta, Chief Operating Officer for Buckley Broadcasting, as Chairman of the RAB Board of Directors. Bilotta was voted into the two-year term that begins on January 1, 2005 earlier this week during the RAB Fall Board of Directors Meeting in New York City (read more - RAB)

With her mop hair, smart suit and Scouse accent, British Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife, Cherie Blair, has always had the trappings of a Beatle and yesterday she proved it by jumping on stage with a Beatles tribute band and giving an impromptu performance of Twist and Shout. Rattling a tambourine above her head and gyrating to one of the group's earliest hits, the prime minister's wife surprised conference delegates - and the Liverpool group The Mersey Beatles - with her performance (read more - The Guardian)

Oil prices soared to a new record above $50 on Tuesday as uncertainties over Nigerian output heightened worries of a severe supply disruption ahead of winter. U.S. light crude jumped 71 cents to $50.35 a barrel, the highest level recorded in the 21-year history of crude futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange (read more - Reuters)

Mike Harvey has a new addition to his "SuperGold" show... if you are a subscriber to "SuperGold", you will get free consulting services from veteran Programmer and Consultant TOM WATSON of "ACC Consulting & Marketing International" ... Tom has put such Oldies stations as KOOL 105 in Denver at #3 12+, #2 25-54, and #1 35-54. His track-record speaks for itself... having been "hands-on" PD for such stations as KVIL Dallas, WASH-FM Washington DC, KJR Seattle, WQXI-FM Atlanta, WNCI Columbus, and others Call Tom at 561-470-0910 for details

The Star Tribune analysis of "faith-based politics" (Sept. 20) suffers from old information about the Catholic vote. A Zogby poll of Minnesota voters released Sept. 6 indicates that Catholics, who supported Sen. John Kerry by a margin of 48 to 42 percent in the Star Tribune's July Minnesota poll, now are with President Bush by a startling 60 to 36 percent. One organization that has worked hard to make it that way is "Relevant Radio," 1330 AM, the new right-wing Catholic voice of God in town -- and a presence in swing states Wisconsin, Iowa and Pennsylvania (read more - Frank Reilly-Star-Tribune)

Coconut Grove-based Spanish Broadcasting System said it has sold its San Francisco radio station, KPTI-FM, to Three Point Media-San Francisco (read more - South Florida Biz Journal)

WPVI weekend weather anchor Sally Ann Mosey who gave birth to a baby girl and WCAU reporter Lisa Kelly, who gave birth to a baby girl recently. Former WPHT 1210-AM host Jeff Katz is back on the air in the Philadelphia area. His show airs on WCOJ 1420-AM in Coatesville weekdays 5-7 p.m.  In the latest ratings period, which concluded last week, the top ten radio stations for ages 12 and over are WDAS 105.3-FM, KYW 1060-AM, WBEB 101.1-FM, WJJZ 106.1-FM, WUSL 98.9-FM, WYSP 94.1-FM, WMGK 102.9-FM WPHT 1210-AM, WXTU 92.5-FM, and WOGL 98.1-FM.  (read more - Laura Nachman)

State Rep. Jeff Kropf, a Republican from Sublimity who has angered some in his own party with his criticisms of their voting records, is getting his own radio show. Kropf, who is also a farmer and agricultural-supplies salesman, will host a Sunday morning program between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. His slot came after several months spent substituting for Lars Larsen, the conservative talk show host on KXL 750 AM in Portland (read more - The Oregonian)

A Spanish-language radio station that recently bought nine Washington radio stations has secured about $103 million in venture capital to accelerate its acquisitions. Bustos Media Corp. of Sacramento last month bought eight stations in Central Washington from Yakima-based Butterfield Broadcasting Corp (read more - Puget Sound Biz Journal)


RDN "FIRST EXCLUSIVE" -- It's hard to imagine a career that can throw you for a curve more often than one in radio broadcasting. The highs can take you into the stratosphere and the lows into an abyss. It comes with sticking your neck out in public. Sometimes you get rewarded and then, suddenly, you get whacked, mob-style. The last week, for me, has been a blend of the two extremes. A strange existence in another place, where events that by themselves would have seemed unimaginable two weeks ago came at me one after another. One week ago I was fired for, in my view, speaking out against Dan Rather and CBS news on a station that is a CBS affiliate and regional network radio newsroom. A large amount of media attention followed after an AP story ran outlining my contentions. When it's your job to stir the pot, give opinions, and fearlessly charge ahead day after day, it's always a shock to be punished for doing just that, the best that you can. But it happens. The standard advice you'll get from many people in radio is to keep your mouth shut when you've been fired. Stay quiet or you'll get blacklisted in the industry ... (read more - Brian Maloney - RDN Guest Viewpoint)

KDAY, one of the first stations to go hip-hop 20 years ago, is back on the air in Los Angeles and Orange County. This time around, it's at 93.5 FM, pumping out such current and classic artists as Run-DMC, Jay-Z, 2Pac and 50 Cent. From the early '80s to 1991, it was at 1580 AM + Bill Ballance's death Thursday in his San Diego home was not unexpected. One of KFWB's "Color Radio" original disc jockeys (1955-65) and at KGBS-FM in the early '70s, he had been in failing health for some time. He never gave his age, but he was believed to bein his mid-80s (read more - Gary Lycan-OC Register)

Fans of WABC's Mark Levin and Laura Ingraham will spend this evening cruising New York Harbor in their company on the good ship Spirit of New York, and to WABC program director Phil Boyce, this is a little more than just a routine promotional event. It also celebrates success. Levin, who's heard 6-8 weeknights, and Ingraham, who follows at 8-10 p.m., have kept WABC (770 AM) ahead of some formidable competition: Michael Savage, who is heard 6-9 p.m. on rival WOR (710 AM) (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

In the high-value New York market, consolidation is even more intense. The market's top three players — Clear Channel, Viacom's Infinity Broadcasting and Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications — together broadcast to roughly half of New York radio listeners. Meanwhile, a new crop of national competitors is drooling over the New York pie. Univision took over Latino Mix 105.9 last year, trying to beef up its presence in New York's hot Spanish-language market, while at 1050 AM, ESPN Radio is making a run for Infinity's No. 17-ranked sports talker WFAN. New technologies like satellite and Internet radio are chipping away at local broadcast audiences as well (read more - Rachel F. Elson-NY Post)

From ClaudeHallOnline.com -- Just off the top of my head, I would think that George Wilson is probably the greatest real radio person still alive.  Maybe Kent Burkhart would also be in the running. Chuck Blore, too, of course. And, without question, Ron Jacobs, the great Hawaiian guru of broadcasting. My oldest son, John Alexander Hall, wrote me the other day that people used to read Vox Jox to find a job.  Now, he said, they read Commentary to see who's still alive ... + e-mail from Dean Landsman, David Martin, Joe Nick Patoski and more  (read it all - www.claudehallonline.com)

Joanne Crump of Grand Rapids turned on her car radio Monday, and instead of hearing nostalgia music from the '50s, '60s and '70s, she heard Spanish-language music. "The minute I get in my car, I automatically put the radio on 810 AM. Not anymore," said Crump, a longtime fan of the station. On Monday, ownership of WMJH-AM (810) switched from nostalgia music to locally programmed Spanish-language music. The music on "Magic 810" had been programmed by Westwood One Radio Network, a satellite service (read more - Grand Rapids Press)

 

The folks at Comedy Central were annoyed when Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly kept referring to "The Daily Show" audience as "stoned slackers." So they did a little research. And guess whose audience is more educated? Viewers of Jon Stewart's show are more likely to have completed four years of college than people who watch "The O'Reilly Factor," according to Nielsen Media Research (read more - NC Times)

Federal agents over the weekend raided the home of a Cleveland radio sports talk show host who they say is suspected of participating in illegal sports gambling and seized cash, a computer and other items. Bruce Drennan, morning drive host on WKNR/AM and a former commentator on Cleveland Indians television broadcasts from 1980 to 1982, was not arrested and has not been charged (read more - WKYC TV)

I caddied at one of the Jewish country clubs. You should have heard the nasty, bigoted things people yelled from their car windows as they rode past. In a way, what Steve Deace did last week was almost as bad. The yahoos in the cars are clearly yahoos. You know they're narrow-minded and arrogant. Deace is a glib fellow, an opinion-maker with a forum. When he's narrow-minded and arrogant, he becomes dangerous. He fuels the yahoos. What Deace did on his KXNO (AM-1460) sports show Thursday was say that a Jewish baseball player's troubles would be over if he'd accept Jesus Christ as his savior. The ballplayer is Shawn Green of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Out of religious conviction, Green decided not to play during Yom Kippur. He said it was a tough decision, involving great soul-searching (read more - Des Moines Register)

Dan Rather's daily CBS radio broadcast is off the air where he grew up. Houston CBS radio affiliate KPRC hasn't been running it for the last couple weeks in reaction to his ``60 Minutes'' report questioning President Bush's National Guard service. ``I felt no anchor ... should ever be the story or bigger than the story,'' Ken Charles, program director of the news-talk station, said Monday. ``I thought it was appropriate to take him off the air.'' (read more - San Diego Union Tribune)  (read more - State Journal Register)  (read more - GOP USA)

WIVB in Buffalo, NY's Chris Musial says he has counted about 1,300 e-mails in the past week. Most are part of a national campaign against Dan Rather from conservatives who have hated him since he covered the Nixon White House. Starting late last week, a backlash campaign in support of Rather has been growing. Deborah Hooper, the general manager of WFMY in the Triad, said that her station has gotten thousands of e-mails on both sides of the debate over Rather. "It really looks like it's on a national basis," she said. "Not to say we haven't gotten any locally, but the majority by far are from out of this area and out of this state." The e-mails have come from as far away as Hawaii and Alaska. The subject lines seem to be the same, indicating that the e-mails are coming from a mass address list. This week, she said, most of the e-mails have the subject line "from a viewer"; last week, most of them said "regarding Dan Rather and CBS news." (read more - Winston-Salem Journal)

1996 was a watershed year in radio. It signaled the start of an enormous rise in revenue while, at the same time, it marked the end of positive press for the industry. Now, eight years later, radio groups are seeing a softening of revenue while getting pounded by the press for delivering a "homogenized sound." The press is aiding listeners to abandon local stations with these stories, reaffirming what they already know (read more - Audio Graphics)

Boston University has said it will delay the sale of Rhode Island's public radio stations until the concerns of state officials can be resolved. The school, which owns Boston-based WBUR-FM, the parent station of Rhode Island's WRNI-AM and WXNI-AM, said late Monday the sale would be suspended for an indefinite length of time (read more - 10 News)

The CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Awards go to Kelly & Jonathan with Mudflap + JD Cannon + The Ron & Becky Morning Show and the CMA Radio Stations of the Year are KMPS/Seattle, WFMS/Indianapolis, WIVK/Knoxville and WQXK/Youngstown (read more)

Emmis Communications Corp.'s second-quarter profit rose about 57%, helped by the company's radio and television operations. In a press release Tuesday, Emmis said its second-quarter income improved to $15.3 million, or 23 cents a share, on revenue of $166.8 million (read more - Smart Money)

In early August, South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Bob Sahr was in China on a tour for young political leaders. He ended up at a breakfast with a handful of U.S. senators, including Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. Sahr used his five minutes with Frist to make a pitch on behalf of Jonathan Adelstein, the Rapid City native whose renomination to the Federal Communications Commission has been stalled for 19 months. "I don't think (Frist) expected to hear about Jonathan Adelstein in China," Sahr said with a chuckle. "But I couldn't pass up the chance." (read more - Rapid City Journal)

AWRT Empowering America, the third in a series of inspirational 60-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) vignettes from the Foundation of AWRT, the philanthropic arm of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT), and the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) are now available for download from www.awrt.org and www.rab.com

This week, San Antonio listeners of National Public Radio could find themselves surrounded by one or more of the distinctive voices that come into their homes and cars day after day, week after week on KSTX-FM. A bunch of these radio notables will be on San Antonio soil, starting Wednesday, to attend the four-day Public Radio Program Directors Association conference. You probably would pass them on the street and not recognize them, but their voices, for the most part, would be unmistakable (read more - Jeanne Jakle - SA Express-News)

There's a mystery going on in York County that rivals the Bermuda Triangle, the Single Bullet Theory and icing penalties in the National Hockey League. The mystery in question is whether or not Kelly West will return as co-host of WARM-FM (103.3)'s "Morning Show." (read more - York Daily Record)

“Then, all of a sudden, this really skinny Iraqi kid comes running up to us with a f---- HAND GRENADE in his hand,” Buzzell wrote on his war blog. “ ’Drop the f---- hand grenade! Drop it now!’ We all started yelling. The little kid, still with this proud smile on his face that said, ’Look what I just found’ just dropped the grenade on the ground, and walked over to my squad leader and said, ’Give me money!”’ The grenade didn’t go off. The squad leader explained to his men that an Army division that had been in the area earlier had paid children for weapons or unexploded ordnance. For Buzzell, it was grist for his online war diary, http://cbftw.blogspot.com, whose fans range from soccer moms and truck drivers to punk band leader Jello Biafra. Before the counter dropped off the site, says Buzzell, he was getting 5,000 hits a day (visit Buzzell's Blog) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Cam Goodwyn played psychic Sunday, telling fortunes to radio free brattleboro supporters at a fund-raiser. But there was one question she couldn't even fake an answer to: What is the future of the unlicensed radio station? Will it be forced off the air? "I wouldn't even pretend," said Goodwyn, an rfb deejay. "I would love to be able to predict the future of rfb." (read more Brattleboro Reporter)

Tony Harris, evening anchor for perennial ratings also-ran WGCL-TV, is moving to CNN after just 18 months at the CBS affiliate. WGCL General Manager Sue Schwartz said CNN approached Harris, and when that network offered him an anchor job, she decided to let the Baltimore native out of his three-year contract (read more - Peach Buzz)

Texas Radio Hall of Fame member and Radio Legend Barry Kaye is now available for voice imaging! Want to hear Barry Kaye?  Go to the samples page at www.ccmccartney.com  

How is it possible that amateur political junkies are potentially having an effect on actual campaigns? The answer is that the Internet has fundamentally changed politics as we know it. There is just so much out there that we didn't have access to four years ago: polling data, fundraising data, media-buy data; instant access to every TV ad and press release and unguarded gaffe and well-timed leak to jolt the campaign; insider dish on what the media's covering and what it's not covering and why; and perhaps most fun of all, there are massive online communities in which hundreds of thousands of people submit their mostly corny, often silly, and sometimes unimaginably brilliant ideas for how this candidate or that should run his campaign (read more - Salon) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Gary Fries, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) today announced the election of Joe Bilotta, Chief Operating Officer for Buckley Broadcasting, as Chairman of the RAB Board of Directors. Bilotta was voted into the two-year term that begins on January 1, 2005 earlier this week during the RAB Fall Board of Directors Meeting in New York City (read more - RAB)

With her mop hair, smart suit and Scouse accent, British Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife, Cherie Blair, has always had the trappings of a Beatle and yesterday she proved it by jumping on stage with a Beatles tribute band and giving an impromptu performance of Twist and Shout. Rattling a tambourine above her head and gyrating to one of the group's earliest hits, the prime minister's wife surprised conference delegates - and the Liverpool group The Mersey Beatles - with her performance (read more - The Guardian)

Oil prices soared to a new record above $50 on Tuesday as uncertainties over Nigerian output heightened worries of a severe supply disruption ahead of winter. U.S. light crude jumped 71 cents to $50.35 a barrel, the highest level recorded in the 21-year history of crude futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange (read more - Reuters)

Mike Harvey has a new addition to his "SuperGold" show... if you are a subscriber to "SuperGold", you will get free consulting services from veteran Programmer and Consultant TOM WATSON of "ACC Consulting & Marketing International" ... Tom has put such Oldies stations as KOOL 105 in Denver at #3 12+, #2 25-54, and #1 35-54. His track-record speaks for itself... having been "hands-on" PD for such stations as KVIL Dallas, WASH-FM Washington DC, KJR Seattle, WQXI-FM Atlanta, WNCI Columbus, and others Call Tom at 561-470-0910 for details

The Star Tribune analysis of "faith-based politics" (Sept. 20) suffers from old information about the Catholic vote. A Zogby poll of Minnesota voters released Sept. 6 indicates that Catholics, who supported Sen. John Kerry by a margin of 48 to 42 percent in the Star Tribune's July Minnesota poll, now are with President Bush by a startling 60 to 36 percent. One organization that has worked hard to make it that way is "Relevant Radio," 1330 AM, the new right-wing Catholic voice of God in town -- and a presence in swing states Wisconsin, Iowa and Pennsylvania (read more - Frank Reilly-Star-Tribune)

Coconut Grove-based Spanish Broadcasting System said it has sold its San Francisco radio station, KPTI-FM, to Three Point Media-San Francisco (read more - South Florida Biz Journal)

WPVI weekend weather anchor Sally Ann Mosey who gave birth to a baby girl and WCAU reporter Lisa Kelly, who gave birth to a baby girl recently. Former WPHT 1210-AM host Jeff Katz is back on the air in the Philadelphia area. His show airs on WCOJ 1420-AM in Coatesville weekdays 5-7 p.m.  In the latest ratings period, which concluded last week, the top ten radio stations for ages 12 and over are WDAS 105.3-FM, KYW 1060-AM, WBEB 101.1-FM, WJJZ 106.1-FM, WUSL 98.9-FM, WYSP 94.1-FM, WMGK 102.9-FM WPHT 1210-AM, WXTU 92.5-FM, and WOGL 98.1-FM.  (read more - Laura Nachman)

State Rep. Jeff Kropf, a Republican from Sublimity who has angered some in his own party with his criticisms of their voting records, is getting his own radio show. Kropf, who is also a farmer and agricultural-supplies salesman, will host a Sunday morning program between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. His slot came after several months spent substituting for Lars Larsen, the conservative talk show host on KXL 750 AM in Portland (read more - The Oregonian)

A Spanish-language radio station that recently bought nine Washington radio stations has secured about $103 million in venture capital to accelerate its acquisitions. Bustos Media Corp. of Sacramento last month bought eight stations in Central Washington from Yakima-based Butterfield Broadcasting Corp (read more - Puget Sound Biz Journal)


RDN "FIRST EXCLUSIVE" -- It's hard to imagine a career that can throw you for a curve more often than one in radio broadcasting. The highs can take you into the stratosphere and the lows into an abyss. It comes with sticking your neck out in public. Sometimes you get rewarded and then, suddenly, you get whacked, mob-style. The last week, for me, has been a blend of the two extremes. A strange existence in another place, where events that by themselves would have seemed unimaginable two weeks ago came at me one after another. One week ago I was fired for, in my view, speaking out against Dan Rather and CBS news on a station that is a CBS affiliate and regional network radio newsroom. A large amount of media attention followed after an AP story ran outlining my contentions. When it's your job to stir the pot, give opinions, and fearlessly charge ahead day after day, it's always a shock to be punished for doing just that, the best that you can. But it happens. The standard advice you'll get from many people in radio is to keep your mouth shut when you've been fired. Stay quiet or you'll get blacklisted in the industry ... (read more - Brian Maloney - RDN Guest Viewpoint)

KDAY, one of the first stations to go hip-hop 20 years ago, is back on the air in Los Angeles and Orange County. This time around, it's at 93.5 FM, pumping out such current and classic artists as Run-DMC, Jay-Z, 2Pac and 50 Cent. From the early '80s to 1991, it was at 1580 AM + Bill Ballance's death Thursday in his San Diego home was not unexpected. One of KFWB's "Color Radio" original disc jockeys (1955-65) and at KGBS-FM in the early '70s, he had been in failing health for some time. He never gave his age, but he was believed to bein his mid-80s (read more - Gary Lycan-OC Register)

Fans of WABC's Mark Levin and Laura Ingraham will spend this evening cruising New York Harbor in their company on the good ship Spirit of New York, and to WABC program director Phil Boyce, this is a little more than just a routine promotional event. It also celebrates success. Levin, who's heard 6-8 weeknights, and Ingraham, who follows at 8-10 p.m., have kept WABC (770 AM) ahead of some formidable competition: Michael Savage, who is heard 6-9 p.m. on rival WOR (710 AM) (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

In the high-value New York market, consolidation is even more intense. The market's top three players — Clear Channel, Viacom's Infinity Broadcasting and Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications — together broadcast to roughly half of New York radio listeners. Meanwhile, a new crop of national competitors is drooling over the New York pie. Univision took over Latino Mix 105.9 last year, trying to beef up its presence in New York's hot Spanish-language market, while at 1050 AM, ESPN Radio is making a run for Infinity's No. 17-ranked sports talker WFAN. New technologies like satellite and Internet radio are chipping away at local broadcast audiences as well (read more - Rachel F. Elson-NY Post)

From ClaudeHallOnline.com -- Just off the top of my head, I would think that George Wilson is probably the greatest real radio person still alive.  Maybe Kent Burkhart would also be in the running. Chuck Blore, too, of course. And, without question, Ron Jacobs, the great Hawaiian guru of broadcasting. My oldest son, John Alexander Hall, wrote me the other day that people used to read Vox Jox to find a job.  Now, he said, they read Commentary to see who's still alive ... + e-mail from Dean Landsman, David Martin, Joe Nick Patoski and more  (read it all - www.claudehallonline.com)

Joanne Crump of Grand Rapids turned on her car radio Monday, and instead of hearing nostalgia music from the '50s, '60s and '70s, she heard Spanish-language music. "The minute I get in my car, I automatically put the radio on 810 AM. Not anymore," said Crump, a longtime fan of the station. On Monday, ownership of WMJH-AM (810) switched from nostalgia music to locally programmed Spanish-language music. The music on "Magic 810" had been programmed by Westwood One Radio Network, a satellite service (read more - Grand Rapids Press)

Ernie Anastos is local television's new $10 million man. Anastos is set to make a stunning move — he's walking away from his anchor gig at WCBS/Ch. 2, his home of the past four years — for WNYW/Ch. 5. He's jumping ship to Channel 5 with a new five-year deal estimated to be worth a whopping $10 million, the Daily News has learned (read more - NY Daily News-Richard Huff)

No doubt you’ve called a radio station at one time or another and requested a song. The DJ on the other end probably said, “Okay, we’ll see what we can do.”  You then you thought to yourself, “Well…that sounds…positive.”  And you wait. And wait. And wait some more until either your drive to work is done and you have to leave the car or you have to leave the streaming audio on your PC because it’s lunchtime. And you didn’t hear your song. First of all: it’s not you. It’s nothing personal. Most people don’t hear their song.  That’s because radio today (at least terrestrial radio) long ago moved away from programming by listener request and instead programs by research (read more - Corey Deitz)

Will Rosie O'Donnell be the next Rush Limbaugh or Dr. Laura — by going on radio where the really big bucks are? The former daytime TV star — who recently launched a gay- family cruise line — is trying out a talk show tomorrow night by subbing for Jim Bohannon Bohannon is syndicated by Viacom/CBS's Westwood One, causing rampant industry speculation that the network is testing O'Donnell for her own radio show. A Westwood One spokesman couldn't be reached for comment over the weekend (read more John Mainelli-NY Post)

The FCC is punishing CBS-owned affiliates, but more than 200 other independently owned affiliate stations were not fined, since the regulators felt they had no real decision-making power in the surprise CBS aired. But that argument is irrelevant. All licensed stations, network-owned or affiliated, have a legal obligation to uphold community standards. Ignorance is no excuse: You break the law, you suffer the consequences. The FCC also limited fines specifically to the exposure of Miss Jackson's right breast in a "wardrobe malfunction" when singer Justin Timberlake ripped away her brassiere (read more - L. Brent Bozell, III - Washington Times)

Starting next week, when Bob Edwards, the longtime host of National Public Radio's "Morning Edition," returns to the radio, he will be heard not over the air on the FM band, but on the $10-a-month XM Satellite Radio service. Edwards, whose new show will be a one-hour interview program, is the centerpiece of a new channel that the satellite company calls XM Public Radio, which is public only in the sense that its programs are produced by public radio outlets such as Public Radio International and WBUR in Boston. But for most of the public radio establishment, including local stations such as Washington's WAMU and WETA, Edwards's new gig is a harsh reminder that the future of public radio is very much in flux (read more - Marc Fisher-Washington Post) (read more - SkyWaves Research Report)

The media biz is supposed to be about communication, but in certain situations, media folk either get tight-lipped or clam up completely. Those situations usually happen when a personality and a station, um, "mutually agree to part ways." And so it was last week, when longtime reporter/anchor Scott Sams and WFAA/Channel 8 parted ways. Aside from sports guy Dale Hansen, anchor Gloria Campos and weather dude Troy Dungan, Sams was perhaps the most recognizable face at Channel 8 -- he had also been a weather dude, and a 5 and 10 p.m. news anchor, but he was best-known as the co-host of morning shows News 8 Daybreak and Good Morning Texas, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary (read more - Robert Philpot/Star-Telegram)

The University of Kansas' Kansas Public Radio took home five news awards, including three first-place awards, in the yearly contest sponsored by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.  Lawrence, Kansas - KPR's "All Things Considered" host Laura Lorson won first place for best newscast. KPR's J. Schafer took second place in that category (read more - KC Infozine)

From Chicago Ed -- The Federal Communications Commission is the umbrella agency regarding the EAS. The National Weather Service plays an important role as well. Provisions exist for participation by states and municipalities such as Illinois and Chicago and certain elements of law enforcement via Amber Alerts. But the principal reason for the development of Conelrad and its successors was to give the President immediate access to communicate with the population in an emergency. It has never been used for this purpose. The only use of the system since its inception has come from tests, weather warnings and Amber Alerts (read more - www.ChicagoEd.com)

NPR's Catrin Einhorn reports on how Chicago-based Jam Productions is struggling to compete against media behemoth Clear Channel Communications, which dominates the U.S. concert promotion business (visit and listen at NPR)

Jim Kerr, one of New York's most popular morning radio hosts for 30 years, is a conservative Republican who plans to vote for George W. Bush. In his current morning slot on classic-rock WAXQ (104.3 FM) he often plays the music of Bruce Springsteen, who starting Friday in Philly will help launch a blitz of "Voters for Change" concerts in support of Bush's opponent, Democrat John Kerry. "Does it bother me?" says Kerr. "Not at all. I always loved Bruce's music and I still do." (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Battle weary from marathon coverage of three hurricanes, the Tampa Bay area media hunkered down for a fourth when Jeanne blew through Florida this weekend. Reporters were out in the rain and driving winds; meteorologists spent hours pointing at swirling circles; and once again, many in Jeanne's path ended up huddled around battery-operated radios. This time around, there was less prehurricane buildup on television (read more - Walt Belcher-Tampa Tribune)

Fred Schneider, frontman of the multi-platinum music group The B-52's, will host a new program on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Party Out of Bounds with Fred Schneider will air on SIRIUS commercial-free music channel First Wave starting Friday, October 1 (visit First Wave-Sirius Radio)

Lehman Brothers already is referring to 2004 as a "great disappointment" for the radio industry, while a prominent Banc of America securities analyst dubbed 2005 as "the year of repentance for the excesses from the go-go '90s." At the same time, radio giant Clear Channel Communications Inc. has turned heads with significant programming moves that may be a sign of things to come from an industry fighting revenue woes and Wall Street concerns (read W Scott Bailey-SA Biz Journal)

The recording industry, which has shut down online jukeboxes and sued individuals to stem massive losses in music sales, now fears songs streamed over Internet radio sites could be pirated.  The Recording Industry Association of America is turning its focus to software that essentially allows listeners to use a personal computer just like a conventional tape deck for AM/FM radio. But as Internet radio becomes increasingly popular, so does the drive to monitor how consumers receive music (read more - Evan Pondel-Rocky Mountain News)

Radio talker Jeff Katz, who left WPHT-AM (1210) last winter, tomorrow will see his syndicated talk show picked up by WCOJ-AM (1420) in West Chester, from 5 to 7 p.m (visit Jeff Katz Show)

Dear Readers, Radio Babe is more exhausted from hurricane "hoopla" than the actual weather. She sometimes must turn OFF radio and/or TV, simply looking outside to see what's really going on, if need be -- it's a lot less disturbing than the constant sensationalism she hears from some outlets. It's enough to seriously terrify people. Programmers, jocks -- are you listening? (read more - Dawn Scire "The Radio Babe")

Something new is riding radio airwaves in Madison and it is not the latest music craze. Clear Channel station 92.1, “the Mic,” hit Madison’s FM dial on Tuesday, Sept. 7, with Air America, the city’s self-titled first Progressive Talk Radio. WMIC took the spot of former adult contemporary station “the Mix.” (read more - Badger Herald)

Radio retained its position as a mainstay medium over the past year, reaching all demographics in all locations, both in and out of home, according to the latest total radio listening estimates compiled by RADAR ® , the radio network and national audience measurement service of Arbitron Inc.  Initial findings indicate that, over the course of a typical week, radio reached 95 percent of Persons 18+ who live in a household with an income of $75,000 or more. Ninety-five percent of college grads listened to radio, as compared to only 92 percent of people who did not go to college. Eighty-two percent of Persons 18+ listened to radio while in their cars; 25 percent listened at work (read more-Arbitron)

The Press Club of Dallas' 46th annual "Katie Awards" recognize excellence in print and broadcast journalism and mass communication in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma (read the complete list of winners-Dallas Morning News)

Look no further than the CBS News-Dan Rather imbroglio of recent weeks to see the intertwined nature of politics, TV and radio. And it's not just the usual suspects. By now viewers are accustomed to cable news pundits from both ends of the political spectrum jousting on-air for the entertainment of viewers who love or loathe them, depending on the viewer's or listener's political persuasion. In what's quite likely the most heatedly partisan election since 1968, politics is poking out of every corner of TV (read more - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

If you were watching the network evening news in June, July and August, you would have seen somewhat favorable coverage of John Kerry -- six out of 10 evaluations were positive -- and somewhat unfavorable coverage of President Bush. If you were watching Fox News Channel's 6 p.m. newscast, you would have seen about the same coverage of the president. But Kerry's evaluations were negative by a 5 to 1 margin. That finding, by the Center for Media and Public Affairs, might suggest that some Fox folks have it in for Kerry. Or it might suggest that the broadcast networks are too easy on Kerry, who the group says has gotten the best network coverage of any presidential nominee since it began tracking in 1988. Or that we have entered an era of red media and blue media to match the country's polarization (read more - Howard Kurtz-Media Notes)

Ms Rebecca Tan, Nielsen's executive director, said about improved ratings for Gold 90.5FM: 'More people are tuning in to Gold 90.5FM, possibly because the station has slightly modified its programming to include more songs. This might have helped draw listeners who prefer music to deejay banter.' Does this mean that people are sick of radio DJs talking on air? (read more - Newpaper Asia)

After three years spent tweaking the business model, the two companies that offer the service — XM and Sirius Satellite Radio — are projecting they'll turn the corner next year, based on a hoped-for exponential growth of subscribers starting this fall.  Although the concept of satellite radio has charmed Wall Street with its promise of commercial-free content and variety, XM and Sirius still are spending a lot to acquire content and subscribers, and they're still a long way from even starting to recoup their estimated $2 billion investment in the technology (read more - The Tennessean-Jeanne Anne Naujeck)

Clear Channel has its eye on Britain's radio stations. Its European chief tells Guy Dennis that Capital's merger with GWR is good for his business On page 227 of a little-known management book, which has yet to attract a single review on Amazon.co.uk, sit a few paragraphs highlighting the benefits of mergers. Their title: "Consolidation savings are real in radio." This is intriguing - not only because of what is going on in the UK radio industry, notably the proposed merger of Capital Radio Group and GWR that was announced last week, but because the author is Roger Parry (from his sententiously titled book Enterprise, the Leadership Role) (read more - The Telegraph U.K.)  (read more - Scotland Sunday) (read more London Times)

Willie Mae McIver, the national program director for ABC Radio Networks 24-Hour Music Format Rejoice! Musical Soul Food, was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame September 25, 2004, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. With this distinguished honor, McIver joins such notable broadcasters as Tom Joyner, Mike Douglass, Phil Donahue, Dr. Bobby Jones and Rev. Rex Humbard (visit ABC Radio)

A new breed of TV -- featuring on-demand programs and choose-your-own music video channels -- is delivered over phones lines that are equipped with a high speed Internet connection. TV over phone lines, also known as TV over Internet protocol (TVIP), is already taking root in Europe, with offerings from France Telecom, Italy's FastWeb, Britain's HomeChoice and others. There are many more on the way, with Britain's top fixed-line phone company BT Group in talks with content companies as it prepares to launch its own service. In Washington, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell said on Sept. 15 that almost every major U.S. phone company he has talked with is working to develop TVIP off (read more - Reuters)

Ratcheting up the pressure on Boston University after it announced its intention to sell public radio station WRNI-AM (1290) in Providence, Rhode Island.  Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch sent a letter yesterday asking the station to provide his office with financial documents including tax returns, contracts, financial statements, donor lists, business plans, and "any materials related to the sale of WRNI." (read more - Mark Jurkowitz-Boston Herald)

Comedian Al Franken is bringing his ambitious attempt to create a liberal talk radio network to the Bay Area's airwaves starting Tuesday. Air America, which got off to a rocky beginning after its start in April, will take over the slot now occupied by KABL on 960 AM. The new station will be called KQKE, "the Quake." KABL, which plays American standards from the 1940s and 1950s, will move to 92.1 FM, broadcasting out of Walnut Creek (read more - San Franciso Chronicle)

The twenty-first century has begun with the first media war in world history. Although tools of propaganda and use of the mass media to further political aims have been characteristic of previous conflicts, wars and political strategies, the case of Venezuela evidences the first time that the media, as a powerful, private actor, has waged war against the people in order to advance its own agenda. Public access to media and diversity of voices have been usurped by private media moguls in Venezuela propagating their own political and economic aims (read more - Venezuela Analysis)

In hopes of turning around its feeble morning-drive ratings, local country radio station WKQB is adding the syndicated ''Rick and Bubba Show'' to its lineup Monday morning. The program originates out of WYSF in Birmingham, Ala (read more - Fayetteville Online)

James C. Newton, 76, passed away. "Shootin' Jim Newton" began his career as a radio air personality in the 1950s and '60s at stations throughout Texas and Oklahoma, including Dallas radio stations WFAA and KPCN. He later operated his own advertising agency, Newton Advertising Agency, and in 1959 worked with University Advertising Company helping to get Dallas radio station KVIL on the air. His television career included two years in Hollywood (read more - Star-Telegram)

Three St. Louis-area companies that operate sports radio stations have agreed to pay $158,000 to settle federal charges that they aided in illegal gambling activities. The three companies - Missouri Sports Radio, Simulcast and All Sports Radio, operators of KFNS-AM, KFNS-FM and KRFT-AM - forfeited proceeds from the promotions of illegal gambling activities (read more - St Louis Biz Journal)

For 80 years, WCCO Radio has been the station Minnesota's kids and parents tune in to find out whether their school has been closed by a blizzard, to catch up on the news, or to follow a Twins or Gophers game. "We use the word `utility' - that WCCO is your information utility. And when you need to know, there's one place to go," says Dick Carlson, senior vice president/market manager for WCCO and its sister stations. But the "Good Neighbor to the Northwest," as WCCO (830 AM) bills itself, also has had to adjust to a declining audience and changing tastes (read more - Miami Herald)

Bill Ballance, a radio personality whose bold 1970s talk show tackled relationships and sex and helped pave the way for today's shock jocks, died Thursday, his son said. He was 85. Ballance's Feminine Forum became one of the most popular radio shows in Los Angeles within a year of its 1971 debut on KGBS-AM (read more - Canadian Press)

American Jewish Music From the Milken Archive With Leonard Nimoy" will explore scared and secular Jewish music from the Milken Archive of Jewish American Music during 13 two-hour episodes on WFMT Radio Network stations and XM Satellite Radio. The series will air beginning Sept. 30 (read more - Chronicle)

It has been a tough week to be a CBS executive. Two days after the news division admitted serious flaws in its blockbuster story about President Bush's National Guard service, the Tiffany network's parent company, Viacom, was hit with a $550,000 fine from government regulators over pop star Janet Jackson's breast-baring moment at the Super Bowl (read more - St Pete Times Editorial)

Premiere Radio Networks offers monthly subscriptions to its fleet of radio hosts, including Rush Limbaugh and Dr. Laura Schlessinger. Fans of Phil Hendrie, a Los Angeles-based personality, can pay $6.95 a month to stream his three-hour show live, download the complete show later in Real and Windows Media formats and have access to a 30-day archive of shows. For archived shows, Premiere Radio removes the commercials, cutting total listening time to around two hours. "This lets fans listen to their favourite hosts in the office or late at night when it's more convenient for them," said Brian Glicklich, vice-president of Interactive Services at Premiere Radio (read more - NY Times-The Globe and Mail)

TBN officials confirmed that Mrs. Jan Crouch, wife of Pastor Paul Crouch, founder of Trinity Broadcasting Network, has been admitted to an undisclosed California hospital, after being taken to the emergency room for severe abdominal pain. Mrs. Crouch has been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and gall stones. There is no word on how long she will be in the hospital (read more)


From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series -- I have been asked many times about the differences in formats from the two guys who created the radio revolution called TOP 40. I worked for both Todd Storz and Gordon McLendon as a VERY young broadcaster. I was a disc jockey in Omaha and a program director in Miami for Storz. I was a disc jockey in Houston and New Orleans for McLendon. Both Storz and McLendon believed programming and promotion came first because it made the sales departments job easier when the big…and I mean super jumbo…ratings were published monthly. But they got at it differently. McLendon believed in local news and Storz hid the hourly newscasts at 5 of each hour. In the early days McLendon let the disc jockeys have their say with music played; whereas, the Storz music rotation and policy was tightly controlled ... (read it all at www.kentburkhart.com)

Listeners of Air America have persuaded a Portland radio station to continue airing the liberal talk network. But only for another month.  WLVP (870 AM) will continue to run Air America's nationally syndicated programming through the Nov. 2 elections, said Patrick Collins, who oversees the station for Nassau Broadcasting. Collins announced earlier this week that his station would stop running Air America on Oct. 4 and replace it with the ESPN Radio sports network (read more - Maine Today)

From Sonny Melendrez -- Want a multimedia shot in the arm that will remind you of why you got in this business to begin with?  Visit www.ChuckBlore.com.  It is a most impressive offering from one of the most creative human beings ever to come near a microphone. Chuck Blore has always been ahead of his time and a few steps ahead of mine.  You see, we were both program directors and on the air at KELP-El Paso and KTSA-San Antonio, some 20 years apart. In the 1970’s I had the good fortune to work for Chuck as his Program Director at KIIS in Los Angeles. It was the most enlightening year of my career.  This was the man who turned KFWB-Los Angeles into Color Channel 98 and made it the highest rated major market station ever in the 1960’s when radio was bigger than life. Chuck’s creative approach to radio has always been from a listener’s perspective.  As he puts it, “What’s in it for them?”  (read more - SonnyRadio.com)

It didn't take long for WLS-AM (890) to begin suffering the consequences of losing Don Wade and Roma, the popular husband-and-wife morning team who've been off the air since their contract extension expired. The Wades had been touted as the main draw for an overnighter this weekend with listeners at Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena. But when the Disney/ABC-owned news/talk station failed to renew the couple, the Wades and all but a handful of the fans who'd signed up for the weekend bailed out. So now WLS account executives are scrambling to get station staffers to fill up the rooms. But here's the catch: The employees are still being charged the full package price of $378 per couple for one night's stay (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Dan Rather's eyes welled up with tears when Barbara Walters praised "my wonderful colleague" and told him, "You have the support of all of us here." The crowd Wednesday night at ABC's Times Square Studios who honored Walters on her retirement from "20/20" after 25 years included bigwigs from all three networks, including Rather's boss, CBS News president Andrew Heyward +  Just when things couldn't get any worse for CBS News, along comes "Tick . . . Tick . . . Tick . . .: An Inside Account of '60 Minutes' " that reveals, for the first time, charges of sexual harassment leveled against the show's creator and executive producer, Don Hewitt (read more - Page Six)

It isn't often that a radio station survives 25 years with the same format. If it's a public radio station and a jazz format, and it's survived for 25 years, that's cause for celebration. WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM, broadcasting straight-ahead jazz since 1979 from its headquarters in Newark, will celebrate on Oct. 7 at The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Battery Park (read more -Worrall Community Papers)

In the lobby of Detroit radio station WQBH-AM (1400), the walls are lined with framed newspaper pages of articles about the late founder Martha Jean (the Queen) Steinberg. But in the conference room, the walls have been stripped of art, plaques and photographs and things are being packed. There is little left for the station's staff to discuss, because Sept. 30 will be their last day on the air. The new owners, California-based Salem Communications, will take over the suite of offices on the 20th floor of the Penobscot Building and introduce a new format on Oct. 1 (read more - Detroit Freep)

The Board of Directors of the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) passed the following resolution during their semi-annual meeting, held in New York City earlier this week: The Board of Directors of the Radio Advertising Bureau recognizes the efforts of all Radio broadcasters employing IBOC high-definition Radio, technology that brings a new and improved digital sound to Radio stations nationwide (read more - RAB)

Storz, McClendon, Drake, Jacobs, Sklar. Each a major player in the drama of early Top 40 radio. In "Top 40 - The Fox and The Hedgehog" industry legend Bob Henabery tells the unvarnished story behind the story of the industry icons that first brought Top 40 to major market American radio (read David Martin's Blog)

The "Black Avenger" will sail the airwaves no more. Ken Hamblin, unabashed conservative talk-show host revered by his listeners (and, not incidentally, by himself) as "the black Rush Limbaugh," has retired after 22 years. "I was just tired of it." "My syndicated radio show," as he was fond of calling it in print, went silent on Aug. 20. At the end, he was carried by 39 stations nationwide, down from a high of 100 at its height in 1995. He also wrote a frequently controversial column in The Denver Post, dropped by editors in January (read more - Dick Kreck-Denver Post)

Air America – the politically liberal radio network that arrived in San Diego a month ago – couldn't have come at a better time.  Since Aug. 23, the Republican National Convention has come and gone, the 2004 presidential campaign has picked up speed, and the radio airwaves warfare between the political right and left has intensified. KLSD/AM 1360 (formerly KPOP) is the Clear Channel Communications outlet that carries Air America here. Kudos to Clear Channel, whose founders and top brass are Republicans, for bringing Air America to GOP registration-dominated San Diego County (read more - Preston Turegano-San Diego Union Tribune)

"Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline" is The Consumer Electronics and Technology Show on the air LIVE every Sunday from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. ET (11 a.m. - 2 p.m. PT).  The show airs on over 100 radio stations around the country and worldwide on the American Forces Networks. Dave Graveline is also heard on Sirius TalkCentral, Channel 148, XM Ask! Channel 165 and via our web site. In addition, we air 60-second technology features every weekday (visit www.graveline.com) 

Former WAAF-FM (107.7) bad boys Opie & Anthony are prepping for their Oct. 4, 6-10 a.m., debut on the XM satellite radio network with a meet-and-greet tonight from 5-7 p.m. at the Big Easy at 1 Boylston Place, and they both know that XM is their last chance in radio. ``This is the third stage of the Opie & Anthony era,'' Opie told the Herald (read more - Dean Johnson-Boston Herald)

In an unusual arrangement, two Treasure Coast radio stations said Thursday they will combine news operations to deliver official government information for Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties -- vital material some residents said was lacking during Hurricane Frances -- as Hurricane Jeanne threatens the region. "WQCS [88.9 FM] and WPSL [1590 AM] are partnering for coverage of this latest storm," said Adrienne Moore, spokeswoman for WQCS, the public radio station based in Fort Pierce (read more - Sun Sentinel)

From JimRoseOnline.com -- Jeff McClain writes: It's been sometime since I sat behind a mike as a jock. I left KENR in 81 for WNOE in New Orleans. I did mornings there for 4 years. It was a great job and I had a lot of fun. In May of 85 I was offered a PD/morning position at WYYN Jackson, MS. I took the job because I wanted to move into management, but little did I know how bad a decision it was. By Christmas I was on my way back to Texas. Moving from a major to a medium market at that stage of my career truly was a mistake. It was a one book a year market (April/May) and I took responsibility for a book that wasn't mine. Actually it was the best thing that could happen to me in the long run. I joined Royce Guinn at Video One (general video production business) and continued to work part-time in radio in Houston (KFMK) (read more at www.jimroseonline.com)

Rob Dibble, the former Reds pitcher who is Dan Patrick's sidekick on ESPN's popular weekday radio sports talk show (10 a.m.-1 p.m., KSPN 710 am), and pro wrestler Dallas Diamond Page went inside Iraq and hop-scotched to U.S. bases for meet-and-greets with American soldiers in places where the war is not an abstract on your TV screen or fodder for talk shows (read more - Press Telegram)

Jim Johnson wasn't away long. The easygoing and popular DJ - who has worked at WCRZ-FM (107.9), WWCK-FM (102.5), WFBE-FM (95.1) and Saginaw's WCEN and WGER - takes over as program director at WKQL-FM (100.5) in Saginaw on Thursday. Johnson left the market recently to manage two Chicago-area FM stations. But he left his heart, and family, in Flint. (read more - Doug Pullen-Flint Journal)

Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman walked out of the KUER radio studio in Salt Lake City during a live interview Wednesday morning after she became upset with the line of questioning.  Workman - who has been charged with two felonies but is continuing her re-election campaign - took issue with questions from RadioWest host Doug Fabrizio and left the show about 15 minutes into the program (read more - Salt Lake Tribune)

I believe we now have conclusive proof that: (1) Dan Rather is not an honest newsman who was simply duped by extremely clever forgeries; and (2) We could have won the Vietnam War. A basic canon of journalism is not to place all your faith in a lunatic stuck on something that happened years ago who hates the target of your story and has been babbling nonsense about him for years. And that's true even if you yourself are a lunatic stuck on something that happened years ago (an on-air paddling from Bush 41) who hates the target of your own story and has been babbling nonsense about him for years, Dan (read more - Ann Coulter-FrontPage)

Lawmakers are near a compromise on legislation that would significantly raise the penalties for television and radio broadcasters that violate decency standards, Sen. Sam Brownback said on Thursday. The Kansas Republican declined to detail how much the maximum fine could be but said the compromise was tracking a measure the Senate passed in June, a bill that would increase fines to as much as $275,000 for the first incident and up to $3 million a day.  The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to boost fines to as much as $500,000 per violation (read more - Reuters)

ARBitrends for Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Cincinnati, Minneapolis-St Paul, Monterey and Pittsburgh (read 'em)

From Lynn Woolley -- Imagine being in the broadcast booth next to a legendary play-by-play man and having the opportunity - and the challenge - of being his analyst on gameday.  That's the situation I found myself in several years ago when Frank Fallon asked me to be his broadcast partner. I had followed Frank's career for a long time before I ever had a chance to meet him. Frank, who passed away on April 30th, was the long- time voice of the Baylor Bears and had also been the voice of the Texas A&M Aggies (read more - Lynn Wooley)

Judy Ellis, COO of Citadel -- I happen to think our First Amendment rights are vital to freedom and everything we stand for, because the alternative is pretty scary. It's important to be persistent and fight for free speech. As I said previously, if you are not confronted from time to time with things that offend you, you're probably not living in a free society. Then, of course, there's always the issue of "If you don't like it, don't listen to it." Should there be rules on indecency? Hasn't the Constitution already dealt with this issue? If you think Howard Stern is indecent, are you telling me that the millions of people who listen each week are indecent? Should millions of listeners need to have their hands slapped? Are we in America? (read more - MusicBiz)

Brian Davidson was stunned when a cop fined him £30 — for playing his car radio too loudly. Brian was tuned in to dance music on Radio 1 when he passed a police car in his street. As he parked up the bobby booked him for “unnecessary noise”. Dad-of-four Brian had his driver’s window wound down when he was nabbed in Ashington, Northumberland (read more - The Sun)

A Virginia radio station has dumped C-B-S News following the "60 Minutes" report questioning President Bush's National Guard service.  Norfolk news-talk station W-N-I-S switched to ABC News, after at least a dozen years with CBS News. CBS spokesman Dana McClintock said the network has more than 1,000 radio affiliates nationwide and WNIS is the only one to drop CBS. None of the network's more than 200 television affiliates has done so.  Lisa Sinclair is general manager of Sinclair Communications, which owns W-N-I-S and four other stations in the Norfolk area. She says they made the change after getting many calls from listeners, some saying they wouldn't listen to C-B-S news any more. Many e-mailers offer the same message.  The e-mail campaign appears to originate from a blogger on the Web site www.Rathergate.com, who is forwarding e-mails to stations around the country (read more - Richmond Times Dispatch)  (read more - KBCI)

They’re your own personal Jesus, according to Depeche Mode. Televangelists, as they are loathe to be called, are spewing less and less scripture and more and more propaganda. They proselytize on your television screen on their own networks, which they had to create to disseminate their views, under the guise of God’s messengers. But no longer are their messages about salvation and Christian charity; they are of conservatism and political activism. Perhaps the two best known of these anointed apostles are Pat Robertson and Larry Flynt’s best friend, Jerry Falwell. For two ministers so committed to the word of God, their Web sites are noticeably focused on political views that are noticeably devoid of scriptural substantiation. Falwell’s site highlights his answers to the world situation. He states that television is becoming debased and immoral. While I can’t completely disagree with him, I can’t truly say that television is creating the problem rather than presenting an accurate image of it. The kicker, though, is Falwell’s good-old-days nostalgia of the black-and-white beginnings of television (read more - Richard McVay - Auburn Plainsman)

SIRIUS Satellite Radio announced that Jeremy Tepper has been named Format Manager for commercial-free music channel Outlaw Country. Tepper is responsible for managing the channel’s music and on-air staff. He coordinates these functions with SIRIUS Director of Country Programming Scott Lindy, and the channel’s executive producer, and creator of the format, Steven Van Zandt. The announcement was made to coincide with the 5th annual Americana Music Conference taking place in Nashville (visit Sirius)

Radio stations WMOO-FM and WIKE-AM in Derby Center and 17 others are being sold to a New Jersey company. Bill Macek, president and general manager of Northstar Media, which runs WMOO and WIKE, on Wednesday confirmed the pending sale to Nassau Broadcasting (read more - Caledonian Record)

ESPN Radio 710 will broadcast their 24-Hour Angels Pre-Game Marathon beginning today at 6:00PM live from “under the caps” at Angels Stadium in Anaheim.  The entire broadcast will be anchored by Steve Mason and John Ireland, hosts of KSPN’s The Big Show with Mason & Ireland, and will include numerous guest appearances (visit ESPN 710)

Pope will not be pogoing. Britain's BBC television said on Thursday it had scrapped plans to broadcast an animated series that depicts the Pope on a pogo stick in a fictional Vatican after complaints from outraged Catholics. "Despite all of the creative energy that has gone into this project and the best efforts of everyone involved, the comic impact of the delivered series does not outweigh the potential offence it will cause," BBC 3 Controller Stuart Murphy said (read more - Reuters)


My e-mail box began to fill up with dozens of messages last Friday morning, a full day after my weekly column appeared in this space. From all parts of the county came tirades calling me "judgmental," "irresponsible" and "despicable," not to mention incompetent. It turned out that the morning hosts of KGB and Channel 933 had just taken me to the woodshed for criticizing their decision to allow a suicidal man to speak on the airwaves. They stood by their actions. "My only thought from the moment I realized what was going on that morning was, 'How can we make this work out for the best?'" said Channel 933's A.J. Machado during his show (read more - Randy Dotinga-North County Times)

With the nation at war and a presidential election around the corner, you'd think that Chicago radio's flashiest news/talk station would be operating at peak form right now. But WLS-AM (890) begins the fall ratings period today with no morning show, half an afternoon show, and cobwebs collecting in the vacant office of the general manager.  These are tough times at the Disney/ABC-owned station -- made worse by absentee management that chooses to ignore how badly confidence and morale have eroded at one of the once-great 50,000-watt powerhouses in all of broadcasting + Linda Marshall, the former WLS news anchor who became a financial reporter at WCIU-Channel 26, will reunite with radio pals Tommy Edwards and Larry Lujack.  She'll fill in next week for news anchor Kathy Worthington on Edwards' WRLL-AM (1690) "Real Oldies" morning show, which features Lujack
 
(read more - Feder of Chicago)


His first job was at a legendary radio station in Fort Worth that also produced other brilliant radio people like George Carlin, Chuck Dunaway, Rod Roddy, Joe Holstead, Paxton Mills, Jim Lowe, Mike Selden and programming giant, Kent Burkhart.  He's acted in movies and in TV series alongside actors Johnny Depp, Kevin Spacey, Raquel Welch, Burt Reynolds, James Caan, James Arness, Michael J. Fox, Martin Laudau, Bill Murray, Sarah Jessica Parker and Shelley Fabares.  Before there was a "Mr. Goodwrench," Norm Alden was "Lou the Mechanic" in AC Delco TV commercials. Before J.R. got shot, Norm played the cowboy badman who shot Matt Dillon in the back on a famous episode of Gunsmoke. His was the voice of Aquaman in the Saturday morning cartoon series "Superfriends."  RadioDailyNews.com welcomes Norm Alden as a special contributor -- soon -- You'll be reading about the people he's met, the places he's been and where this fascinating man is headed from here
(visit www.normalden.com)

Pop singer Janet Jackson's bare breast flash earlier this year during the nationally televised Super Bowl football game will cost 20 CBS stations that aired it a combined $550,000 for violating indecency rules, U.S. communications regulators said on Wednesday. As expected, the Federal Communications Commission said it has officially voted to fine $27,500 each the 20 stations owned by the CBS television network, which is a unit of media conglomerate Viacom Inc (read more - Reuters)

This week's format change at WLTQ-FM (97.3) has produced a ton of e-mails and calls from listeners both angry and happy about the '80s rock that has replaced the more sedate music. The angry reaction - roughly two-thirds of the responses - falls into half a dozen categories + With WEMP-AM (1250) going all-sports in the weeks ahead, some of the weekend ethnic and specialty programming is heading elsewhere on the dial (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

The world's largest Christian broadcasting network responded Wednesday to recent news articles about its operations and once again denied a claim by a former employee that he had a homosexual affair with its founder. The Trinity Broadcasting Network issued a press release claiming that articles published by the Los Angeles Times over the past week failed to accurately depict the Costa Mesa-based organization in a fair light. "The newspaper's publisher has its own agenda," said TBN spokesperson Colby May. "Its reporting has been selective and subjective." The Times did not immediately provide a response late Wednesday night to the network's statements (read more - KFWB)

A Valley radio station is betting that some listeners are ready to move a little left of center, as liberal talk network Air America Radio arrives today. "I know Arizona has changed since 1964," says humorist and political commentator Al Franken, whose show is one of the network's flagships. "Phoenix has a lot of conservatives, but we find a lot of liberals in every place we air and that conservatives also tune us in."
Air America programming began airing at midnight on KXXT-AM (1010)
(read more - Arizona Republic)

Star and Buc Wild may have moved one step closer to New York this week when Clear Channel said they'll do mornings at Philadelphia's WUSL (98.9 FM) in addition to Hartford's WPHH (104.1 FM).
It's widely felt that Channel next wants to put them on WWPR (105.1 FM) here.
But nothing can happen at least until next week, because Emmis Radio, owner of rival WQHT (97.1 FM), last Friday secured a 10-day temporary restraining order from U.S. Southern District Judge Kimba Wood (read more - David Hinckley)

Reality TV host Charles Gant is in jail accused of pretending to be Osama bin Laden and threatening attacks on "Australian pigs". The threats were allegedly made this month in a series of bizarre calls from Mr Gant's mobile phone to media outlets and government offices.
He also claimed to be "the God of Islam", "al-Qaida" and "Allah", and warned of more Jakarta-style attacks on Australian embassies in Malaysia and Singapore, a Gold Coast court was told yesterday
(read more - Herald Sun-Australia)

Remember low-power FM radio? You are forgiven for not recalling; deployment of the service has moved at a glacial speed. Low-power FM stations are what the name suggests -- limited-range, non-commercial broadcasters. LPFM was opposed by established broadcasters who said the dial was too crowded to accommodate new stations that likely would interfere with their own signals. LPFM advocates say the existing broadcasters simply didn't want the competition and that they'll provide the local content most radio stations have given up (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

Sir Elton John warmed up his vocal chords for a concert Thursday in Taiwan by telling photographers they're a bunch of "rude, vile pigs."  The media ambushed the rock star after he arrived by private plane Thursday shortly after midnight at Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek International Airport. John was angry that police allegedly did not properly restrain the pack and protect him "from the ensuing chaos," a statement issued by the singer said (read more - CTV)

Billionaire Mark Cuban has been beaten badly by his arch-rival Donald Trump — but he's not going away quietly. The brash young owner of the Dallas Mavericks told PAGE SIX's Fernando Gil that Trump isn't a very good businessman and that he's starring in "The Apprentice" because he needs the money. Trump started the hostilities last week on CNBC's "Squawk Box" when he trashed Cuban's very similar ABC show, "The Benefactor," which drew just 4.5 million viewers with its first episode. "The Apprentice" had 15.9 million viewers last week. "I saw 'The Benefactor,' " Trump said. "I thought it was absolutely terrible. I thought Mark was terrible . . . They really tanked, so I doubt they can finish out the season." (read more - NY Post)

Nearly two-thirds of parents in a new survey want the government to place tighter controls on sex and violence on television, researchers said Thursday. Federal law bars radio and non-cable television stations from airing references to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. But that anti-indecency standard is only enforced when a complaint is filed with federal regulators, triggering a review and possible fines by the Federal Communications Commission. And the law doesn't address violence (read more - CBS News)

As a homegrown Santa Cruz County conservative, Brian Maloney was accustomed to occasionally ruffling some political feathers without backing down. He isn’t wavering now either, less than a week he was ousted as a talk show host from CBS Radio affiliate KIRO in Seattle. Maloney said he was fired Friday after saying CBS newsman Dan Rather should be fired, or forced to retire, over the credibility of memos regarding President George Bush’s National Guard service that were the basis of a "60 Minutes" news story. (Rather apologized this week.) Maloney believes that was the reason he was canned (read more - Santa Cruz Sentinel)

Kevin Cruise is returning to Triad Broadcasting, after being fired in January, as the afternoon disc jockey on 97.9, WCPR. After being fired by Triad Broadcasting in January after what was termed as "a professional disagreement," radio personality Kevin Cruise is returning to the company as an afternoon disc jockey on WCPR beginning Monday (read more - Biloxi Sun Herald)

Originally designed for drivers cruising down highways, satellite radio technology is now available in boom box-like devices that can be carried from room to room and taken outdoors to the back yard, the park and beyond. The PlayDockXM is a particularly grand way to go. Designed to work with Delphi's Roady XM Satellite Radio receivers, the Cambridge SoundWorks' portable amplified speaker system produces sounds that are far richer than those coming from a typical boom box. And because the system picks up satellite signals from XM Satellite Radio's 100-plus digital channels, the offerings are more diverse (read more - USA Today)

CBS News appointed former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and former Associated Press chief executive Louis Boccardi to investigate what went wrong with its story on President Bush's service in the National Guard. Thornburgh is a former two-term governor of Pennsylvania and served as attorney general in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Boccardi retired last year as president and chief executive officer for The Associated Press. He served on the panel that probed operations at The New York Times following the Jayson Blair scandal (read more - Twin Falls News)

Midcontinent Media announced it has sold all five of its radio stations in Sioux Falls, including the original KELO-AM to Backyard Broadcasting of Maryland. For many of the employees, today's announcement marks the end of an era. "It's an emotional decision as well as a business decision for our chairman, Larry Bentson and he shared that with staff today, this will be the first time that he's out of the broadcasting business since he was in the 7th grade," said Tom Simmons of Midcontinent Media (read more - Keloland TV)

ARBitrends for Baltimore, Fredericksburg VA, San Francisco, San Jose, Springfield MA, St. Louis and Washington DC (read 'em)

This past Saturday’s exclusive air talent seminar: The Conclave’s TalenTrak 2004, attracted top talent to the Holiday Inn Select/ City Centre Lakeshore in Cleveland where attendees learned valuable lessons on how to stand out from the crowd! The one-day event provided a peak into what attendees can expect when the Conclave Learning Conference convenes to celebrate 30 years at Conclave XXX: Hard Core Radio in Minneapolis from July 21-24, 2005 (visit the Conclave)

J Paul Slavens says Ten Hands worked because of his burgeoning music sophistication, the abilities of the countless young instrumentalists with whom he worked, and a man who, every weeknight on the local public radio station 90.1-FM/KERA, played weird music. DJ Chris Douridas was later lured to Santa Monica’s public station to enliven the influential “Morning Becomes Eclectic” format and then moved on to a series of corporate gigs with music and film companies. But during the 1980s, as KERA program director, Douridas taught the best kind of “Intro to Music” course from the studios in Dallas with the unlikeliest play list imaginable (read more - FW Weekly)

Jeffrey A. Citron, chairman and CEO of Vonage will be the guest speaker at the upcoming Museum of Television and Radio Boardroom Luncheon. Mr. Citron's address will highlight Vonage's growth and leadership in the broadband telephony industry and the Company's plans to remain competitive in light of RBOCs and MSOs entering the market (read more)

Has radio gone to hell in a handbasket? Find out on Oct. 28 at the Long Island Coalition for Fair Broadcasting's Connection Day, where popular New York radio personality Bob Buchmann will deliver a no-holds-barred luncheon address. Buchmann is program director and on-air personality at Q104.3, WAXQ, New York's only classic rock station (read more)

Salem Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:SALM), the leading radio broadcaster focused on religious and family themes programming, announced the appointment of Ron Walters to the position of Vice President, National Program Development and Ministry Relations.  Walters will have responsibility for managing Salem Communications' relationships with all its national ministry clients. A seasoned Salem Communications professional, Walters currently serves as Vice President of Church Relations (read more)

Longtime North Texas radio-TV personality "Shootin' Jim Newton" has died.  More details soon


It's like giving a baby a loaded gun, and former Boston shock jocks Opie (Gregg Hughes) and Anthony (Anthony Cumia) know it. They return to the airwaves Oct. 4 after a two-year suspension with a daily 6-10 a.m. show on XM Satellite Radio, and their new bosses told them to go crazy. ``We told them, `Do you really want to tell us that? Do you realize the damage we can do?' '' Opie said yesterday. The pair will celebrate their return to radio with a meet-and-greet at the Big Easy at 1 Boylston Place from 5-7 p.m. Friday. XM is offering a pre-order deal.  Order by September 30, 2004 and you'll get Opie & Anthony for all of October at no additional charge (read more - Dean Johnson-Boston Herald)

CBS News appointed former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and former Associated Press chief executive Louis Boccardi to investigate what went wrong with its story on President Bush's service in the National Guard.  Thornburgh is a former two-term governor of Pennsylvania and served as attorney general in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Boccardi retired last year as president and chief executive officer for The Associated Press. He served on the panel that probed operations at The New York Times following the Jayson Blair scandal (read more)

Sheila Stewart, one of the best-known personalities in Charlotte's urban radio universe, was fired Tuesday by Infinity Broadcasting after a decade as news and public affairs director for WPEG FM ("Power 98" 97.9). Stewart said she was told she had violated policy by sending a letter on company stationery about a high school dance she was organizing for her private Sheila Stewart Education Foundation (read more - Charlotte Observer)

A former Trinity Broadcasting Network employee who was paid $425,000 to keep quiet about his claims of a homosexual tryst with televangelist Paul Crouch has disclosed details of his complaint, saying that he had felt forced to engage in the alleged sexual acts to keep his job. Enoch Lonnie Ford, 41, said he was going public with his story because he believes TBN officials breached a confidentiality agreement that was part of a 1998 settlement that provided the payment to him. Network officials broke the agreement, he contends, by issuing a statement last week responding to a news account of the ministry's legal effort to silence him. TBN's statement described the circumstances of the settlement and highlighted Ford's criminal background (read more - LA Times)

Bobby Ocean adds KFRC to his station imaging list that includes  other recent additions of 93Q Syracuse, Magic 102.7 Miami, Oldies 107.5 Houston and Mega 97.9 Fresno (visit www.bobbyocean.com) 

John Farneda, music director at WXRT-FM (93.1), has been promoted to operations manager of the Infinity Broadcasting adult rocker + Dave Berner, who was an award-winning reporter and news anchor at WBBM-AM (780) and the former WMAQ, has joined the faculty of Columbia College's radio department (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Terry Gross remembers the time John Burnett, National Public Radio's Southwest correspondent, interviewed a Texas prison inmate with a swastika tattoo whose library included Aryan Brotherhood literature and a copy of "Mein Kampf." "You're from NPR?" the inmate said. "I like Terry Gross." Which goes to show, muses Gross - host of NPR's civilized afternoon program "Fresh Air" - "that with public radio, you never know who's listening." (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Public radio listeners, at least those familiar with Garrison Keillor's imaginary American Duct Tape Council, will find humor in the fact the indestructible tape kept Mississippi Public Broadcasting on the air in southern counties during Hurricane Ivan. When Mississippi was a likely target, MPB officials had to make a decision: Concentrate on the WMAH-19 TV antenna taken off the air two days earlier for repairs or shore up the 90.3 FM radio antenna on the same tower near McHenry (read more - Biloxi Sun Herald)

Dale Sommers, "The Truckin' Bozo," will host a new show exclusively on XM Satellite Radio. Sommers was set to appear solely on XM's trucker channel Open Road (XM Channel 171). The new show marks Sommers' long-awaited return to radio following a summer hiatus. XM's Open Road is an all-trucker radio station. In addition to Dale Sommers, Open Road carries well-known trucking industry broadcasters such as Bill Mack, Dave Nemo, and Steve Sommers, Dale's son (read more - ETrucker)

A war of words has erupted within the halls of "60 Minutes" following Dan Rather's admission that CBS News aired a report on President Bush using questionable documents. On one side of the battle is Steve Kroft, a veteran correspondent on the Sunday edition of "60 Minutes." On the other is Don Hewitt, founder of the pioneering newsmagazine (read more - Richard Huff - NY Daily News)

ARBitrends for Akron   Boston   Detroit   Hartford    Philadelphia   Riverside-San Bernadino   San Diego (read 'em)

Longtime Dallas-Fort Worth TV personality Scott Sams has left WFAA-TV.  Official words from station manager Kathy Klements: "We appreciate Scott's years of service to WFAA and wish him well. We decided to go in a different direction in the mornings – and therefore we met with Scott and mutually agreed that it's time we part ways" (visit WFAA)

Clear Channel Radio's online auction on www.StormAid.com, which featured 45 celebrity-signed guitars and 100% of the proceeds from the auction will be distributed to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, concluded on September 20th at 3:00 p.m. and raised $79,175. Combined with efforts by local Clear Channel stations, Clear Channel Radio has raised more than $740,000 through radiothons and fundraisers, which have gone directly the American Red Cross in support of disaster relief, which benefits the victims of hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan and thousand of other disaster victims across the country each year (visit www.stormaid.com)

The race for President of the United States continued to tighten during the last two weeks, as President Bush continued his long, hard slog back toward parity with Democratic challenger John Kerry, throwing the race into a virtual dead heat, the latest package of polls by Zogby Interactive shows. Based on individual polls conducted simultaneously Sept. 13-17 in 20 battleground states, neither Mr. Bush nor Mr. Kerry holds a clear-cut lead in enough states to win the Electoral College votes required to capture the White House (read more - Zogby Poll)

The fallout from CBS's doomed story about President Bush's National Guard service most endangers a woman few viewers know but who played a key role in two of the biggest television stories of the year. Mary Mapes, a veteran producer at CBS News, reported most of the National Guard story, including obtaining the documents CBS now says it can't authenticate. She also passed on the phone number of her source, former Texas National Guard officer Bill Burkett, to the Kerry campaign. Mapes, 48, was described by colleagues on Tuesday as a dogged and talented journalist who made no secret of her liberal political beliefs. She's only a few months removed from a career-defining highlight. Mapes took a story that had received little attention _ the abuse of prisoners by American soldiers in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison _ and unearthed the photos that gave the story its visceral impact (read more - Rapid City Journal)  (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

"Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)" is getting bigger with the announcement today that seven-time CMA Awards nominee Alan Jackson will perform when "The 38th Annual CMA Awards" airs at 8:00 PM/EST, Tuesday, Nov. 9 on the CBS Television Network live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. Joining Jackson on the list of performers will be five-time nominees Kenny Chesney and Gretchen Wilson (read more)

The late Douglas Adams, creator of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, will be heard in the first new radio adaptation of his work in 25 years. He recorded the part of Agrajag in his home studio 18 months before he died in 2001, aged 49. Digital technology will be used to include his voice in a 14-part adaptation of the final three Hitchhiker books on BBC Radio 4 (read more - BBC)

A programmer who recently left WCBS-FM (101.1) says that despite changing demographics and growing competition, there's still a viable market for the long-running oldies station. Mel Phillips, who oversaw special programming at WCBS-FM for 6-1/2 years under Joe McCoy, was formerly program director at WXLO and WNBC. He left WCBS-FM after McCoy's departure this summer and says he's looking for another gig around the city, where his wife is a school principal (read more - David Hinckley)

Univision Radio announced the launch of "Tu Voz en Washington," a national weekly Sunday morning public affairs and open microphone program which will air LIVE starting this Sunday, September 26th from 11:00 AM to 12 Noon (ET) on RadioCadena Univision, Univision Radio's AM Network. "Tu Voz en Washington" will be moderated by veteran Univision Network News Washington Correspondent Lourdes Meluza and will originate from Univision Network's Washington News Bureau. RadioCadena Univision can be heard in ten markets including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago and Las Vegas (read more)

Commercial radio executives have fired a shot across the bows of media regulator Ofcom with a staunch defence of their public service credentials in an industry survey. The amount of news on commercial radio had increased by 60% since a similar study four years ago, and regulators should take note of their commitment to public service, the broadcasters said. The study was carried out among 218 stations for up to six weeks. It was published yesterday ahead of an Ofcom review of analogue and digital radio in November. "It is too narrow to define public service broadcasting as that which television or just the BBC transmits. The value and importance of the work of 280 commercial radio stations across the UK is significant," said Paul Brown, chief execu tive of the Commercial Radio Companies Association (read more - The Guardian U.K.)

Ray Wilkinson, who worked for WRAL-TV and Capitol Broadcasting Company, received one of North Carolina's highest honors -- the Old North State Award for his service to the community (read more - WRAL)


Clear Channel, the US radio giant headed outside the US by Roger Parry, is closely monitoring the £700m merger talks between Capital Radio and GWR. Industry sources said Clear Channel could launch a bid for the enlarged group if the deal passes regulatory hurdles. Meanwhile, confirmation of the merger talks sent radio stocks higher as further consolidation in the sector was forecast (read more - The Independent U.K.)



570 KLAC's Gary Owens book, "How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice (or Lose Your Tonsils Trying)" is on sale now.  So is his CD with Jonathan Winters.  Gary will be inducted along with others into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame on October 30th in San Antonio (click here to read more or buy the book) (click here to visit the Texas Radio Hall of Fame Web site for ticket info)
 

CBS arranged for a confidential source to talk with Joe Lockhart, a top aide to Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, after the source provided the network with the now-disputed documents about President Bush's service in the Texas National Guard. At Burkett's request, we gave his (telephone) number to the campaign," said Betsy West, senior CBS News vice president  (read more - USA Today)

David Edward Smith Smith is now fighting the settlement that wiped Emmis' slate clean with the FCC in exchange for a $300,000 "voluntary payment." Smith is the Chicago-based crusader who filed dozens of complaints against Mancow Muller, morning host on Emmis-owned WKQX-FM (101.1) + Clancy Woods, former senior president of Infinity Broadcasting, has been named president of Sporting News Radio, the north suburban-based sports radio network. He succeeds Chris Brennan, who was forced out last June (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Repeat after me: The debates are crucial. But which debates? The three that Bush and Kerry just agreed to, beginning in nine days (whatever happened to the Bush camp's insistence that they'd only do two? Was that traded for making foreign policy the first subject?) The debate over Iraq? The debate over Dan Rather? The debate over whether the Democrats had anything to do with the "60 Minutes" story? The debate over Kerry's Purple Hearts vs. Bush's non-appearance at a Guard physical? (read more - Howard Kurtz-Washington Post) 

"It's that fear that keeps journalists from asking the toughest of the tough questions," the aging American journalist told the British television audience. In June 2002, Dan Rather looked old, defeated, making a confession he dare not speak on American TV about the deadly censorship -- and self-censorship -- which had seized U.S. newsrooms. After September 11, news on the U.S. tube was bound and gagged. Any reporter who stepped out of line, he said, would be professionally lynched as un-American. "It's an obscene comparison," he said, "but there was a time in South Africa when people would put flaming tires around people's necks if they dissented. In some ways, the fear is that you will be necklaced here. You will have a flaming tire of lack of patriotism put around your neck." No U.S. reporter who values his neck or career will "bore in on the tough questions." Dan said all these things to a British audience (read more - Guerilla News)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Some conservative radio talk-show hosts in Seattle are disputing the contention of fellow talker Brian Maloney, who claims he was fired by CBS-affiliate KIRO because of critical comments about network news anchor Dan Rather. David Boze of KTTH in Seattle asserted Maloney's version of events, as reported by WND Saturday, has "as many holes in it as Dan Rather's infamous memos." (read more - WorldNet Daily)  (read more - Jeanne Jakle/San Antonio Express-News)

ARBitrends for New York Los Angeles Chicago Nassau Middlesex Westchester (read 'em)

When classical music station KRTS-FM bit the dust last week, The Stevens and Cleverley Show also vanished. The Stevens and Cleverley Show was about restaurants, hotels, travel, theater and, ah, the good life. "Mark (Stevens) and I are committed to continuing the show on radio, and we're currently in talks," said Cleverley Stone. "Ironically there's a TV station in town that wants to put our show on the air. So you may see us before you hear us. Stay tuned; we'll be right back." (read more - Ken Hoffman/Houston Chronicle)

Milwaukee's radio dial picked up an '80s music format at 6 a.m. Monday when WLTQ-FM (97.3) began its new lineup with "You Can Still Rock in America" by Night Ranger. That was just the start of 10,000 commercial-free songs as the ratings-challenged "light" rock format transformed itself into "The Brew: Rock of '80s." (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

When he wasn’t preparing his own home and family for the seemingly constant onslaught of hurricanes over the past several weeks, Orlando based, syndicated evening talk host, Mike Schiano, was providing live updates around the clock as a guest on several radio shows across the country. Stations including KTSA, San Antonio, WIBC Indianapolis, KAHI, Sacramento, WWIB Chippewa Falls, KAKC Tulsa, and the Louisiana Radio network enhanced their coverage of the hurricanes by interviewing Mike. As a veteran journalist, Mike brought insight and facts on the economic and personal devastation that was taking place; as a resident of Central Florida, he brought the unique perspective of someone facing unprecedented natural disaster to the radio broadcasts (visit the Mike Schiano Show)

CBS News apologized Monday for a "mistake in judgment" in its story questioning President Bush's National Guard service. The network claimed it was misled by the source of documents that several experts have dismissed as fakes. CBS said it would appoint an independent panel to look at its reporting about the memos. The story has mushroomed into a major media scandal, threatening the reputations of CBS News and chief anchor Dan Rather (read more - Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Rush Limbaugh denounced the Travis County Democratic Party on Thursday in a broadcast implicating the organization in a case involving allegedly fraudulent National Guard memos undermining President Bush's service. TCDP issued a statement Friday denying Limbaugh's allegations. "I must say I had a good laugh," TCDP Chair Chris Elliott said in the statement. "I can state without hesitation that the Travis County Democratic Party played no role in the matter."  (read more - The Daily Texan)

Fans of the Seattle music pop station Kiss 106.1 FM usually have to sit through an array of disc-jockey antics and advertising between listening to favorite artists like Avril Levigne and Ashlee Simpson. But not anymore. As part of its much-touted new MSN Music offering, Microsoft Corp. is testing a Web-based radio service that mimics nearly 1,000 local radio stations, alllowing users to hear a version of their favorite radio station with far fewer interruptions. It's a move analysts say is annoying, but not seriously threatening, the stations (read more - Allison Linn/Seattle P-I)

The big news in yesterday's mea culpa by CBS News isn't that the network was "misled" about "documents whose authenticity is in doubt," as it was finally forced to concede. The story is the admission that the source Dan Rather trusted with CBS's reputation was none other than Bill Burkett, a noted antagonist of President Bush. Journalists--including us--use all manner of sources, of course, and many of them are partisans of one kind or another. But as much as possible we owe readers an indication of where those sources are coming from. And if those sources turn out to be wrong, as they sometimes are, then our obligation is to own up to the error as soon as possible (read more - Wall Street Journal)

Rush Limbaugh may have just ruined CNN for me. The conservative talk-show host is a fixture on the radio, not TV, but recent news about the combative commentator has colored the way I feel about the cable news network and one of its popular anchors, Daryn Kagan. It seems that the lovely Ms. Kagan, host of CNN Live Today, has been seen in the company of the bellicose Mr. Limbaugh, and a spokesman for the partisan pundit confirms that the twosome are, in fact, an item. I think I speak for a lot of American women when I say, "Ewwwwwww." Politics aside, I just can't seem to think of the irascible radio personality as dating material. This is, after all, a man who once opined that "feminism was established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream"  (read more - Kim Harwell-Dallas News)

The parking lot of Sam's Club in Bellevue was a beacon of hope for victims of Hurricane Ivan on Monday. Nashville Clear Channel radio stations have been collecting donations to send to the Gulf Coast throughout the day (read more - News 2 Nashville)

U.S. television broadcasters on Monday labeled as inadequate planned legislation to ensure millions of consumers can still watch television once broadcasters begin airing only in digital. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain plans to offer a bill on Tuesday that would require broadcasters to only air the new, crisp digital television signals by 2009 and would subsidize the cost for those consumers who rely on traditional television to see those signals (read more - Reuters)

Dear Radio Babe, In response to your Monday column about storm coverage on Sarasota radio… I think it's a serious issue that has been ignored for too long. No. 1 -- You were 1,000 percent on the money about 970 WFLA. They covered both Charley cleanup info and Frances info from Citrus County to Charlotte County and over to Hardee. They are the experts at this kind of coverage and the ONLY station I know in the entire area with back-up plans should they lose total power and a back-up broadcasting area should they have to leave the Gandy Boulevard building. They covered it all. If anyone didn't hear the area they live in, you can call and ask (read more - Dawn Scire - The Radio Babe)

A student disc jockey who was fired after celebrating Ronald Reagan's death on his radio show has his job back, and no regrets about his comments. Scott Hornyak was reinstated Monday as business manager of the University of Alaska Fairbanks radio station. According to the university, he's to be back on the air Tuesday morning. Hornyak, who is known as "Spider-Bui" to listeners of KSUA-FM, said on his June 6 radio show that he wanted to "walk over the newly laid dirt" on Reagan's grave and that he was sick of the media glorifying the ex-president (read more - NBC 4)

Davis will have a new local radio station on Friday, when KDRT (101.5 FM) signs on. The new signal is a "low-power" station that will operate under the umbrella of Davis Community Television. Broadcasting will begin on Friday at 6 p.m., when Mayor Ruth Asmundson throws a symbolic switch as the new station goes on the air (read more Davis Enterprise)

The AFLAC Duck has been inducted into the Advertising Walk of Fame in New York as one of America's favorite brand icons. The spokesduck is among five finalists chosen by online voters as one of the most beloved advertising symbols and will be honored with an image-enshrined sidewalk plaque at 50th Street and Madison Avenue in New York City (read more - Atlanta Biz Journal)


CBS News said Monday it cannot prove the authenticity of documents used in a 60 Minutes story about President Bush's National Guard service and that airing the story was a "mistake" that CBS regretted. CBS News Anchor Dan Rather, the reporter of the original story, apologized. CBS News claimed a source had misled the network on the documents' origins. The network pledged "an independent review of the process by which the report was prepared and broadcast to help determine what actions need to be taken." In a statement, CBS said former Texas Guard official Bill Burkett "has acknowledged that he provided the now-disputed documents" and "admits that he deliberately misled the CBS News producer working on the report, giving her a false account of the documents' origins to protect a promise of confidentiality to the actual source." (read more - CBS News)  (Statement of Dan Rather)  (read NY Times)

KIRO-AM's general manager yesterday disputed allegations that the weekly "Brian Maloney Show" was canceled because of comments Maloney made about CBS newsman Dan Rather.  Maloney said Saturday that he was fired for criticizing Rather's handling of challenges to the credibility of memos aired on "60 Minutes II" about President Bush's National Guard service. Station manager Ken Berry said that wasn't the issue (read more - Seattle P-I)  (read previous report - Seattle PI)

While a suspension keeps Howard Eskin from bothering people on his 610 WIP show, nothing stopped him from chewing the ears off Hollywood stars at an Emmy party in Beverly Hills. The other night at Spago, Eskin chatted withthe likes of Kim Cattrall, Anne Heche, Tony Shalhoub, Edie Falco, Bonnie Hunt, Jeffrey Tambor and West Catholic grad Peter Boyle. Eskin's old pal Steve Mosko, formerly of Fox 29 and WB-17, is to thank for the invitation (read more - Dan Gross-Philly Daily News)

Salem Radio Network, a division of Salem Communications  announced this morning that it has signed the 100th affiliate for Bill Bennett’s Morning in America, the network’s new nationally-syndicated morning show hosted by former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett. MIA hit the 100-affiliate mark in less than six months, making it one of the fastest-growing programs in national radio today. Cumulus-owned KRMD-AM in Shreveport, LA is Bennett’s 100th affiliate (visit Salem)

Bush Continues To Hold Slim Lead Over Kerry (46%-43%); President Widens the Gap In the War on Terrorism (75%-19%)- While Kerry Leads On Other Top Issues, New Zogby America Poll Reveals With just 44 days to go before voters cast their ballots, President George W. Bush continues to hold a slim lead over Senator John Kerry (46%-43%), according to a new Zogby America poll. The telephone poll of 1066 likely voters was conducted from Friday through Sunday (September 17-19, 2004). Overall results have a margin of sampling error of +/-3.1% (read more - Zogby Poll)    You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Commercial radio giants GWR and Capital Radio have confirmed they are in talks over a possible merger. A marriage between the two would create an enlarged group with a market value of around £710m, bringing Capital FM and Classic FM under the same roof.
The companies gave a joint statement after recent speculation in the press that a deal was imminent. "A further announcement will be made as appropriate in due course," the groups said on Sunday (read more - BBC)

Televangelist Paul Crouch often blames Satan for the difficulties he encountered building Trinity Broadcasting Network into the world's largest Christian broadcaster. But the most serious challenge TBN has faced was from an earthly source: the Federal Communications Commission. In 1995, the agency ruled that Crouch had created a "sham" minority company to circumvent limits on the number of television stations his network could own.  Crouch told viewers that the ruling, if allowed to stand, would prevent TBN from acquiring two new stations and, worse, would jeopardize the station licenses it already held (read more - LA Times)  (read more LA Times 2)

Like many others, Bob Frederick finds it extremely frustrating that there is no full-time commercial radio station serving this area's multimillion-member Caribbean community. Unlike most others, the 1ong-time WLIB veteran known as "Spice Man" was in a position to do something about it (read more - David Hinckley)

From thousands of independent media outlets during Walter Lippmann's heyday in the middle of the past century, media ownership dropped to only 50 companies by 1983. Today what was a concern has become a nightmare: The majority of our media are controlled by just five companies. Consider the frightening loss of diversity in media voices: • Less than 20 percent of our newspapers are independent and locally owned. • In just the past decade, the 10 largest owners of local television stations have tripled the number of stations they own. • About one-third of the population now listens to radio stations owned by a single company (read more -Frank A Blethen-Washington Post)

From Claude Hall Online -- After I got married and began work on Billboard, I got to know Greenwich Village quite well.  I loved the Cafe au Go Go.  Great music there.  And phenomenal ice cream.  One of best jars of ice cream ever compiled; four flavors (Barbara, a Woody Allen fan, remembers the ice cream, not the music).  No booze at the Cafe au Go Go.  Always enjoyed the performances of Richie Havens.  Fred Neil.  Paul Butterfield and his Blues Band (I think I caught them here; used to hear them frequently at the Town Hall in mid- town where I also caught the Weavers, Ian and Sylvia, etc.).  Here, I caught the Cream in their first performance in the United States.  Here I caught both versions of the Blood, Sweat and Tears...their initial unveilings by Al Kooper.  Here, I heard the Paupers, which never happened on disc, wipe out the Jefferson Airplane. Here, Al Grossman once sent a flunky over to tell me that I couldn't take a picture of him (I was shooting the crowd); I don't remember what I told the flunky, but I probably wouldn't print it here anyway + e-mails from Rick Frio, Katherine Josenhans, DJ Frasier, Pat Randle and more (read it all at  www.claudehallonline.com)

If a stopped clock is right twice a day, why shouldn't Bill O'Reilly be right at least once in a blue moon? When Fox News's most self-infatuated star attacked CNN for keeping James Carville and Paul Begala as hosts on "Crossfire" after they had joined the Kerry campaign, he fingered yet another symptom of the decline and fall of the American news culture. "In the wake of the vicious attacks on Fox News for allegedly being `G.O.P. TV,' I expected the media to brutally dismember CNN and the new boys on John Kerry's bus," Mr. O'Reilly wrote in his syndicated column. "But instead it's been the silence of the lambs from the press. Can you say media bias?" Yes, you can, though it must be said in the same breath that Mr. O'Reilly is only half-right. Fox News isn't "allegedly" G.O.P. TV — it is G.O.P. TV (read more - Frank Rich-NY Times)

Over the last 31 years, Paul Crouch and his wife, Jan, have parlayed their viewers' small expressions of faith into a worldwide broadcasting empire — and a life of luxury. The network, little known outside fundamentalist Christian circles, was buffeted by unwanted publicity last week, when The Times reported that Crouch had paid a former employee $425,000 to keep silent about an alleged homosexual tryst. In the U.S. alone, TBN is watched by more than 5 million households each week, more than its three main competitors combined. Its signature offering, "Praise the Lord," has as many prime-time viewers as Chris Matthews' "Hardball" on MSNBC — remarkable for a faith network. Televangelists who once dominated the field, such as Pat Robertson, now air their shows on TBN (read more - LA Times)

From Chicago Ed -- The lady with the strange first name blew into town in 85' to host a local morning TV show and in just under twenty years she has become a TV star, movie star, winner of numerous honors and awards, owner of a successful production company, the richest woman in the entertainment industry and the distinction of joining the Forbes list of billionaires. This sounds more like a movie than a real life. She joined me on my WGN radio show several times shortly after her arrival. She was warm, friendly and in love with her new city. I sensed a hard worker, but the richest woman in show biz someday? Oprah's 19th season on daytime television began with a show that was plugged, promoted and publicized like a second coming (read it all at www.chicagoed.com)

President Bush's mother defended her son's service in the Texas Air National Guard, saying "the truth was, he served." "That's really true," Barbara Bush said in an interview Saturday with The Dallas Morning News. "So, that doesn't bother me at all." Still, the former first lady said she was surprised at the harsh allegations hurled her son's way in his campaign for re-election against Democrat John Kerry. "It's nasty," she said. "It bothers me because good people aren't going to run." (read more - Dallas Morning News) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

From Larry Stoler -- On Friday September 10, 2004, I attended a four hour program at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York, City.  The participants were Max Kinkel along with special guests Dan Ingram and Joe Franklin. The program came about as the result of a Fourth of July broadcast which featured Max Kinkel AKA SuperMax on WODI in Brookneal, Virginia.  Tony DeNicola, one of the owners of the radio station, arranged for this broadcast to take place.  The show was a live six hour recreation of CKLW the Big 8 in Windsor, Ontario, complete with some of the original jingles from the days of the Drake format on that station (read more from Larry Stoler)

Laura Nachman is a "very Brady" lady. She runs an award-winning Web site -- www.bradyresidence.com -- devoted to the popular 1970s TV sitcom "The Brady Bunch," from her Delaware County home. Nachman has taken her love for TV and made it into a career. She writes a local TV column for the Bucks County Courier-Times and appears occasionally as a TV critic on the CN8 cable network’s "Your Morning Show." Her articles also run occasionally in the Delaware County Daily Times (read more - Delco Daily Times)

The owner of Rhode Island's 6-year-old public radio station plans to sell the station, angering donors and disappointing public radio listeners. Boston University announced Friday that WRNI-AM, which broadcasts at 1290 AM from Providence and 1230 AM from Westerly, will be up for sale. The general manager of WRNI's parent station, WBUR in Boston, said her hope is that a group of Rhode Islanders purchase the station and continue to offer National Public Radio programming (read more - SouthCoast Today)

During its early years, the former Trenton radio station WTTM seemed to attract on-air talent that belied its relatively small size and modest power. The station hired people (mostly men back then) who were reaching for stardom as their ultimate goal, and saw in the management and ownership a dedication to quality broadcasting, which was rarely found in the helter-skelter world of commercial AM broadcasting during the 1940s and '50s To this day, many Trenton area residents remember the clever fun favored by Ernie Kovacs; the serious, stentorian tones of John Scott who went on to fame at WOR in New York; and the light but intelligent chatter of Jack Barry, who disgraced himself and the industry when he rigged his huge TV hit "Twenty One." He was on his way up again when he dropped dead in Central Park while jogging (read more - The Times)

After years of wrangling, negotiation and setbacks, free over-the-air radio is slowly making the transition to in-band, on-channel technology (IBOC). Clear Channel plans to convert 1,000 of its 1,200 stations within three years, while third-ranked Cox Radio and fourth-place Entercom promise 80% of their stations will be digital within four years. (read more - Reuters)

The world's largest Christian broadcasting network denied a report that its founder has sought repeatedly to prevent a former male employee from going public with allegations of a sexual encounter between them in 1996. Paul Crouch, 70, president of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, reached a $425,000 settlement in 1998 with the former worker, Enoch Lonnie Ford, who contended that he had been unjustly fired from the network and threatened to sue. Crouch later won a closed-door arbitrator's ruling against Ford, 41, when he tried to violate a provision of the settlement that barred him from discussing the alleged encounter (read more - Washington Post)

For the Library of American Broadcasting’s (LAB) second annual “Giants” luncheon, a capacity crowd gathered at the Grand Hyatt in New York to honor broadcast pioneers Ralph Baruch, John R. Gambling, Don Hewitt, Ed McLaughlin, Pierre “Pepe” Sutton, Marlo Thomas and Mike Wallace, who were in attendance, and Merv Griffin who participated via videotape. As the “Giants of Broadcasting” were being honored by the LAB, host for the afternoon, Charles Osgood (CBS News Sunday Morning and The Osgood File) pointed out the import of the library noting that it “is the industry’s attic…where we store all things too precious to throw away...(and) it is the industry’s historian, keeping the record of everything that has happened to these two great media (radio and television) since the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.” Broadcasting legends Roone Arledge, James Cox, Fred W. Friendly, John B. Gambling and John A. Gambling, Shari Lewis, Don McNeill, Jack Paar, Tony Randall, Todd Storz and Danny Thomas, who are no longer with us, were also honored (read more)

While the city doesn't have a full-time Caribbean radio station, producers and hosts at several stations are raising money for relief from the hurricanes that have battered the islands over the last month. Independent producers on WRTN (93.5 FM) are holding a "Hurricane Ivan Relief Radiothon" today, 11:30 a.m.-midnight, with a show from Cox Nissan at 4001 Boston Road, corner of Dyer Ave., in the Bronx (read more - David Hinckley)

A judge set court dates Friday for two radio personalities who face felony charges for allegedly distributing pornography to a 16-year-old boy during a June 27th gay pride parade. Phillip Beard and Christine Brown, of Little Rock, were charged with possessing and distributing pornographic materials (read more - KATV 7)

Jose Ramon likes to think he's extending a helping hand to the Latino community via the airwaves. Ramon, 32, is the morning show host at KBBX (97.7 FM), Omaha's only commercial Spanish-language radio station. It's a responsibility Ramon takes seriously (read more - Omaha World-Herald)

"Newstalk 950 WROC-AM changed its format to feature liberal talk show hosts. We want to make it clear to News 8 Now viewers that WROC-TV and WROC-AM are two separate entities," said WROC-TV. WROC-AM is owned by Entercom Radio (read more - WROC-TV)

Salem Communications has announced that Chuck Jewell has been named General Manager of stations KKHT-AM (1070 AM) and KTEK-AM (1110 AM) according to Rob Adair, Vice President of Operations (read more)

A liberal media watchdog group is accusing PBS of "pandering" to conservatives through its introduction of several new programs that feature conservative hosts, writers and editors. "Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered," which debuts Friday night and features conservative CNN pundit Tucker Carlson, "The Journal Editorial Report," which features writers and editors from the Wall Street Journal editorial page, and a planned program featuring conservative talk show host Michael Medved will be added to the Public Broadcasting Service's lineup. Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR) complains that the shows are an attempt to balance out public television's "alleged liberal bias." (read more - CNS)

CC McCartney Voice Imaging of Nashville announces the signing of Texas Radio Hall of Fame member and Radio legend Barry Kaye to it's roster of imaging voices. Barry Kaye has a storied career including stints at KHJ Hollywood, KGB San Doego, and KILT Houston. Barry will be available for imaging in the Spring of 2005 (visit CC McCartney Voice Imaging)

Just as Jeremiah Trotter and Hugh Douglas returned to their former employer, the Eagles, after unsuccessful stints elsewhere, former WIP 610-AM host Mike Missanelli was back at his old station this week to substitute for former partner Howard Eskin, who was suspended as part of the Richard Sprague defamation lawsuit settlement. Missanelli left WIP in 2003 to become a rock disc jockey on WMMR 93.3-FM, but the sports-rock lasted only a year, before he was let go at the beginning of the summer. With former tough-guy program director Tom Bigby gone to a radio station in Dallas, would Missanelli be willing to pull a Trotter/Douglas permanently? "All I'm doing is filling in," said the Bristol native, who is also working Eagles pregame shows. "I am open to all options. I know there are no slots open at WIP." (read more - Laura Nachman)

Sirius Trucking Network debuted former trucker Tim Brady's new radio show last week during the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. Brady's show, Driven 4 Profits, is based on his book of the same name and features discussion of business and financial issues that affect owner-operators and company drivers. Topics include taxes, accounting, business planning and preventive maintenance. The show is expected to begin at its regular time (8 p.m. to 10 p.m. CST) before the end of the year (read more - etrucker.com)


TBN President and founder Paul Crouch has emphatically denied the accusations leveled at him by former disgruntled TBN employee, Enoch Lonnie Ford. In a show of solidarity, Christian leaders from around the world have sent e-mails, faxes and have called in their support and prayers for Dr. Crouch, reports Susan Zahn, WDC Media, TBN's publicist. "This heartfelt outpouring of support has been nonstop from both ministry leaders and the public at large," announced Zahn "People see this for what it is, a malicious, false claim designed to harm Dr. Crouch and TBN with the intent to extract money. But the prayers of the TBN family are being answered," said Paul Crouch Jr (read more)

A suspicious package forced the evacuation of the offices of KTSA and its FM counterpart KSRX on Thursday after a man left a backpack and said that police would have fun looking through it. A police bomb squad unit used explosives to blow up the backpack. Inside the backpack, police found several objects but nothing dangerous (read more - San Antonio Express-News)

Michael D. Eisner may have quelled speculation about his future last week, but the board of Walt Disney will have to answer several tough questions about the company's future in the weeks and months to come. Directors will start to grapple with the immediate issues of succession when they meet in Burbank, Calif., on Sunday for the first time since Mr. Eisner announced that he would step down as chief executive when his contract expired in 2006 (read more - NY Times)

Willie Davis' 25 years of Milwaukee broadcasting will be marked with the unveiling of the "All-Pro Wall of Fame". It will be aired live on Davis' WMCS-AM (1290). . . . Cindy Zganjar McDowell, the market manager for Clear Channel Radio's six Milwaukee stations, was named Clear Channel executive of the year + more (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

Soldiers from a Fort Carson combat unit say they have been issued an ultimatum - re-enlist for three more years or be transferred to other units expected to deploy to Iraq. Hundreds of soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team were presented with that message and a re-enlistment form in a series of assemblies last Thursday, said two soldiers who spoke on condition of anonymity. "They told us if we don't re-enlist, then we'd have to be reassigned. And where we're most needed is in units that are going back to Iraq in the next couple of months. So if you think you're getting out, you're not," he said. The brigade's presentation outraged many soldiers who are close to fulfilling their obligation and are looking forward to civilian life, the sergeant said. "We have a whole platoon who refuses to sign," he said (read more - Rocky Mountain News-Dick Foster)   You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Viva International announced that Legends Production Company  has signed a national and international radio syndication agreement with "Sports ByLine" radio network. Under the syndication agreement, twice weekly programming of "Legends on Sports and other stuff" radio talk-show will be broadcast to over 50 US station affiliates, in addition to Armed Forces Radio and "Sirius Satellite Radio" network as well as Sirius subscribers on EchoStar's "Dish Network."  (read more)

From KentBurkhart.com -- I was having lunch in Dallas last week with broadcasters Marty Greenburg, Michael Spears, and George G. Before we began our business conversation I mentioned that hurricane Ivan might be looking at Florida to join cousins Charley and Frances. Marty said, “I don’t know why anyone would live there…with that threat all the time”. And I responded, “Because the other 364 days of the year are so beautiful”. Since then I have had some time to think about both statements, and I have come to the conclusion that I must be crazy!!!!  (read more - www.kentburkhart.com)

Adelaide talkback radio host Leon Byner's failure to disclose personal sponsorship arrangements breached broadcasting laws, the Australian Broadcasting Authority said today. The ABA said it had found 15 breaches of the commercial radio standards involving popular 5AA announcer Mr Byner. They included 12 occasions between October 7 and December 18, 2003 when Mr Byner failed to make disclosure announcements when he interviewed his personal sponsors (read more - Adelaide Advertiser)

95.5 KLOS personalities Cynthia Fox and Joe Reiling will participate in the California Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 18 from 9AM-noon at Santa Monica Beach just north of the Pier. Coastal Cleanup Day is a nationally organized effort and is the premiere volunteer event focused on preserving the marine environment (visit KLOS)

From Sonny Melendrez -- Formats come and formats go.  Some say there is nothing new in radio.  I disagree.  What if you built a radio station that went against all the rules?  A station that presented the largest segment of the audience, Baby Boomers, with the greatest music of their generation.  And what if you appealed to their children and  their parents?  Imagine seniors enjoying the same songs as their grandchildren or 30 something's grooving to that music at the office.  And, visualize teenagers fascinated by the kind of radio they have never heard. That's right, at least 3 generations connected by good clean radio and the "greatest music of all-time."  What a concept. This is what I am proud to say we built on KLUP Radio in San Antonio (read more - Sonny Melendrez)

That radio restaurant show is back. And on Saturday, it's our show. Radio host Jim White of Dallas is in his 10th year talking about restaurants and wine on a weekly show, now on KLIF/570 AM. Each week, he devotes a segment to Star Time and the restaurant news from Fort Worth, Arlington and Tarrant County. But this week, he's away at a charity event. So Eats and Drinks With Jim White will become an Eats Beat talk show (read more - Bud Kennedy/Star-Telegram)

From JimRoseOnline.com -- Buddy Holly made such a tremendous mark in music in such a short 21 year time frame before his tragic plane crash during that bitter cold 1959 winter flight over North Dakota.  The bands were on their way to put on a performance. The bus was frozen over. BUDDY leased a small private airplane.  Buddy, the Big Bopper, J.P. Richardson and Richie Valens were the three chosen for that fatal flight. The Big Bopper was truly large. He was a Dee Jay at my alma mater in Beaumont, KTRM.  Waylon Jennings, a guitar pickin' member of the troupe, was a Lubbock Dee Jay (read more - JimRoseOnline.com)

A state appeals court Thursday ruled an out-of-work racetrack announcer who paid a radio station to let him host a talk show must repay unemployment benefits even though he was not paid for the air time. John Bothe lost his appeal of a state board's decision telling him to repay $605.50 in benefits paid between April and July while he hosted the weekly radio show for free (read more - The Buffalo News)

Ralph Wendel Wright, better known to many as Mike Rivers, Mike Donahue and Ed Richards has passed away.  He dominated the airwaves from 1967-1970 at The Big 8 CKLW Windsor-Detroit.  He worked at KVIL in Dallas-Fort Worth, as well as at stations in Austin, Oklahoma City and Philadelphia (read more from Art Vuolo)  (read more from Steve Eberhart)

A new talk radio station has opened in the Iraqi capital Baghdad that for the first time, lets callers vent their frustrations at government officials over everything from trash pick-up to the continuing violence. It is called Radio Dijla and it is making waves across the capital and beyond (read more - Voice of America)

The 46th Annual Katie Awards are Saturday, September 25 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas.  Special keynote speaker is Ann Compton, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent, who will discuss the upcoming election and anecdotes from her presence on Air Force One on September 11.  Tickets are $75; go to www.katieawards.com for information

Al Rantel talks with Kitty Kelley and Newt Gingrich on KABC 790 (visit KABC)

CBS curmudgeon Andy Rooney indicated yesterday he believes the controversial documents on President Bush's National Guard service are fake and said it could cost Dan Rather down the road.
"I'm surprised at their reluctance to concede they're wrong," Rooney said, referring to CBS brass. Despite praising Rather as "a good, honest newsman," Rooney added, "I'm unsure if they're whistling in the dark instead of apologizing."
(read more - Paul D. Colford-NY Daily News)

Former WCBS/Ch. 2 anchor Gerry Grant this week was moved to a work-release center for sex-offender treatment after spending two years and a month in the Texas prison system. In August 2002, he was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty of possession of child porn. Meanwhile, one-time Ch. 2 weatherman David Rogers was released from prison after serving four months for a mowing down two highway workers while driving drunk in Cleveland. At the time of the July 2003 incident, he was still employed by Ch.2 (read more - Richard Huff - NY Daily News)

By now, most sports fans have seen footage of Wednesday's melee at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland ... Jennifer Bueno stands dazed and bloodied after a chair hurled by Rangers reliever Frank Francisco hit her in the face. Thursday, her husband Craig Bueno and their lawyer joined Jeff Rickard on Sporting News Radio's The Jeff Rickard Show to discuss speculation that he and other fans crossed the line when heckling the Texas bullpen, something Bueno flatly denies (read more - Sporting News)

On Feb. 12, 1996, I picked up a phone at CBS News in New York and called Dan Rather, who was in Des Moines covering the Iowa caucuses. It was a call that I--then a CBS correspondent--wasn't anxious to make. I'd written an op-ed for this page about liberal bias in the news that was going to run the next day. I knew I had to give Dan a heads up. "I wrote a piece for the Journal, Dan, and my guess is you won't be ecstatic about it." (read more - Bernard Goldberg - Wall Street Journal)

Republican William Bennett and Democrat Howard Dean will debate opposing political ideologies and key issues that will determine the upcoming Presidential election on Thursday, September 30, in Portland, Maine. The titled "The Maine Event," begins at 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn By the Bay. Bennett currently hosts a syndicated radio show, "Bill Bennett's Morning in America." (read more)

Denise Plante and Scott Patrick seem like nice people. Attractive, outgoing, play well together. They're co-hosts of "Colorado & Co.," KUSA-Channel 9's hour-long happy-talk infomercial that debuted Monday and airs at 10 a.m. weekdays. After watching the show, I feel like the three of us are buddies. Mind if I call you "Denny" and "Scotty"? (read more - Dick Kreck)

After trying out consultants for the era of digitalisation and migration from the present set-up, broadcast and cable regulator, Telecom Regulatory of Authority of India (Trai), now wants to engage consultants for satellite radio broadcast to advise it on a policy framework for the segment. Trai has invited expressions of interest from reputed consulting firms by 1 October, 2004. Presently, worldover, there are three satellite digital radio systems, which are in operation. These are World Space, XM Radio and Sirius Radio. The three systems are capable of individually providing about hundred radio channels of digital quality. World Space, through the western beam of its Asiastar satellite is providing about 40 radio channels over the Indian sub-continent. The satellite digital radio has great potential for India due to its large size, Trai feels (read more - Indian Television)

Boston Red Sox fans in the Ellsworth area have had to "get their Sox on" from another radio source for the last month with Ellsworth station WDEA (1370 AM) off the air. "We lost our main transmitter [at noon on Aug. 19] and at the same time, our backup failed," said WDEA general manager Tom Preble. "And because it's one of the best-sounding AM signals in the area, we didn't want to rush to replace it." (read more - Bangor Daily News)

HarperCollins Children’s Book Group, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, signed a two-book deal with news analyst Cokie Roberts. The first book will be a picture book for kids based on Ms. Roberts’ adult bestseller, “Founding Mothers: the Women who Raised our Nation” (read more - Crains NY)

Charter Communications announced the resignation of Margaret A. "Maggie" Bellville, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective September 30, 2004. "We have appreciated Maggie's positive contributions over the past two years, and respect her decision to depart the Company," said Carl Vogel, President and Chief Executive Officer (read more)


Clear Channel Communications Inc. moved to strengthen its hold in Hispanic broadcasting with a plan to convert up to 25 stations to Spanish-language programming in the next 12 to 18 months. "The Hispanic radio audience remains largely underserved, especially outside the largest markets," said John Hogan, chief executive officer of Clear Channel's radio division (read more - Reuters)

Houston Hawk Reports --- Radio One's newest station signed on last night at 92.1fm.    The former classical KRTS is now Modern/AC 92.1 KROI "The 90's and Today." The station is jockless at this time. One of the shows left in the wake is "Stevens and Cleverley" with Mark Stevens and Cleverley Stone. Stevens was formerly 1/2 of the "Stevens and Pruett" show on KLOL  (Houston Hawk)  (read Forbes)

Emmis Communications, under siege for buying its way out of trouble with the Federal Communications Commission, is fighting back. The Indianapolis-based parent company of WKQX-FM (101.1), which paid $300,000 last month to wipe out dozens of indecency complaints against Q-101 morning star Mancow Muller and clean its slate with the FCC, insists that its case is now closed (read more - Feder of Chicago)

However the flap over CBS and those National Guard "memos" turns out, the past few weeks mark a milestone in U.S. media and politics. Along with the Swift Boat Veterans' ads, the widespread challenge to Dan Rather's reporting--to his credibility--means that the liberal media establishment has ceased to set the U.S. political agenda. This is potentially a big cultural moment. For decades liberal media elites were able to define current debates by all kicking in the same direction, like the Rockettes. Now and then they can still pull this off, as when they all repeated the same Pentagon-promoted-torture line during the Abu Ghraib uproar. But the last month has widened cracks in that media monopoly that have been developing for some time (read more - Wall Street Journal's Review and Outlook)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

It's pop quiz time. Question: You're a radio morning host, and a guy calls the studio and says he's thinking about killing himself. Do you (a) Call the suicide prevention hotline; (b) Call the police; or (c) Talk to the man on the air. If you answered (a) or (b), well, you sure don't belong in broadcasting. Consider what happened Monday morning when a man named "Greg" called A.J. Machado, host of "A.J.'s Playhouse" on Channel 933, and said he wanted to kill himself by jumping off a bridge. Machado brought in Dave Rickards, co-host of KGB's "Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw," to help, and after about 30-45 minutes, Greg found himself live on the air, talking about his emotional breakdown after a run-in with an armed car burglar nearly cost him his life. "I've got that feeling again, Dave," the man said ominously at one point (read more - Randy Dotinga-North County Times)

Radio listeners looking for on-demand access to talk and music programs might want to consider a new Internet service that records radio shows. Like a kind of TiVo for Internet radio, AudioFeast can be set to save hundreds of shows, from "Washington Journal" to "Stamp Talk," and manage their transfer onto certain audio players. AudioFeast carries news, weather, business and entertainment programs from dozens of media partners, including National Public Radio, the Arts and Entertainment Network, and The Wall Street Journal (read more - NY Times)

U.S. broadcasters could do more in terms of election coverage as part of their public interest responsibilities, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell said Wednesday. Citing a "public interest expectation" of political content in programming, Powell said in a press conference that "The question is: Do (broadcasters) do enough?" "We believe they could do a bit more," he added, noting that broadcasters are "potentially taking a pretty woeful step" (read more - Dow Jones)

Back in the '80s, Todd Pettengill is saying, "I remember people listening to the radio and saying, 'This music is so forgettable.' Now it's totally the opposite. People look back and say this music was amazing." He's got a point. No one beats up on the '80s they way they beat up on, say, the '70s. With Michael Jackson, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Prince, the Police, rap, new wave and punk, the decade in retrospect created some mighty lively radio.
That makes a new retro radio show called "Saturday Night at the '80s" a very logical thing, and Pettengill, who grew up in the '80s, a very logical host (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Tom Clendening returns to Entercom talk stations KIRO-AM and KTTH-AM today as program director with a big question mark in the middle of KIRO's schedule. With former morning host Dave Ross a primary winner in his race for Congress, Clendening will have to wait until November to see if Ross will be elected to office or return to the airwaves + KTTH-AM (770) has tweaked its schedule, carrying Michael Savage 3-6 p.m. weekdays and moving Bill O'Reilly to 6-8 p.m (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

CBS anchor Dan Rather acknowledged for the first time yesterday that there are serious questions about the authenticity of the documents he used to question President Bush's National Guard record last week on "60 Minutes." "If the documents are not what we were led to believe, I'd like to break that story," Rather said in an interview last night. "Any time I'm wrong, I want to be right out front and say, 'Folks, this is what went wrong and how it went wrong.' " Rather spoke after interviewing the secretary to Bush's former squadron commander, who told him that the memos attributed to her late boss are fake -- but that they reflect the commander's belief that Bush was receiving preferential treatment to escape some of his Guard commitments (read more - Howard Kurtz-Washington Post) (read more - NY Post)

The Armed Forces Radio Network, an online streaming radio station dedicated to providing broadcast quality radio and information to the personnel of all divisions of the armed forces, police, and firefighters at home and around the world, has decided to raise and distribute funds to help those families “torn apart to defend America”. The Armed Forces Radio Network will provide funding for Housing, Medical, Scholarships, and many other needs to the families of armed forces members who have been killed or critically injured in the line of duty, as well as for victims of crime, terrorism, fires, and accidental death (read more)

From CBS 60 Minutes Wednesday -- “Did or did not Lt. Bush take a physical as ordered by Col. Killian,” Dan Rather asked Killian's secretary, Marian Carr Knox. “The last time, no he didn’t,” says Knox. “It was a big no-no to not follow orders. And I can’t remember anyone refusing to. Now for instance, with the physical, every officer knew that before his birthday he was supposed to have that flying physical. Once in a while they might be late, but there would be a good excuse for it and let the commander know and try to set up a date for a make-up. If they did not take that physical, they were off flying status until they did.”  Did Knox ever hear Killian talk about this, or did he write memos about Bush not taking the physical?  “He was upset about it. That was one of the reasons why he wrote a memo directing him to go take the physical,” says Knox. “I’m going to say this, but it seems to me that Bush felt that he was above reproach.” (read more - CBS 60 Minutes Wednesday)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Agents from the Federal Communications Commission raided a pirate radio station Wednesday in Knoxville. The three FCC officials were accompanied by three U.S. marshals when they closed down the station called Knoxville First Amendment Radio and confiscated all its equipment (read more - WATE TV)

The last official day of broadcasting as the local radio station K-BUC was actually Saturday, September 11, but you may still find the sounds echoing on your radio at 95.7 FM. Now sold to Border Media Partners, the signal will soon be carrying Hispanic programming. BMP already owns a large number of South Texas radio station and includes larger stations in Austin and Laredo. One of the aims of the group is to become the largest Hispanic group of stations in the nation (read more - Pleasanton Express)

A group of the largest US email providers filed six joint lawsuits against hundreds of spammers yesterday in a rare moment of corporate cooperation. AOL, EarthLink, Microsoft, and Yahoo! filed the suits under the recently enacted Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act of 2003, accusing major spammers in California, Virginia, and Washington of misleading consumers and illegally sending unsolicited email (read more - Connected Home Magazine)

Renegade Talk Radio welcomes comedian and voice artist Jim Florentine on Thursday, September 16, 2004. Jim will be featured on Scotch & Water at 4 PM Pacific Standard Time. Call in live, toll-free at 866-473-2170 with questions, comments or opinions. The forum is open; callers can ask anything. On Renegade, nothing is taboo. Renegade Talk Radio (www.renegadetalkradio.com) continues to make a splash in cyberspace with their brand of true cybershock radio. Renegade Talk Radio has visitors from over 50 countries and the international audience is growing every day (read more)

A former Cleveland weatherman received shock probation Wednesday, and was released from prison after serving four months of a drunk driving sentence. David Rogers was sentenced in May to 10 months in prison for running down two construction workers and leaving the scene of an accident. Rogers admitted to driving drunk through a construction zone on Interstate 480 and the Jennings Freeway on July 10, 2003 (read more - News Net 5)

Documents allegedly written by a deceased officer that raised questions about President Bush's service with the Texas Air National Guard bore markings showing they had been faxed to CBS News from a Kinko's copy shop in Abilene, Tex., according to another former Guard officer who was shown the records by the network. The markings provide one piece of evidence suggesting a source for the documents, whose authenticity has been hotly disputed since CBS aired them in a "60 Minutes" broadcast Sept. 8 (read more - Washington Post)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Having trouble with viruses through your Microsoft Internet Explorer?  Try downloading and using the free Firefox browser.  Open-source browsers Mozilla and Firefox have won over a significant number of defectors from Microsoft's Internet Explorer in the past nine months, Web site metrics suggest.  The gains for Firefox, which was released in a version 1.0 preview on Tuesday, and for Mozilla are most noticeable at Web sites popular by geek-chic early adopters (read more - ZDNET)

The Wall Street Journal will begin publishing on Saturday (read more - Crains NY)

You couldn't visit a radio or internet-related web site Tuesday without seeing the headline "Yahoo Buys Musicmatch for $160 Million." Welcome to the new world of radio, even if it really isn't "radio" as you know it. Today the fight for the online music audience is wrapped up in four names: AOL, Yahoo!, MSN, and Apple. It's these four companies that will drain the at-work and at-home audience from local radio because they are becoming ingrained in the minds of 18-24 year olds as an alternative to the Clear Channels of the world. One reason the online crowd is moving toward these four online music sources is their ability to promote. Among them, they reach upwards of 85% of those who use the internet. It's time for radio groups to fight back using the same ability to spread the word, and by altering the typical broadcast radio mindset for using the internet (read more - Audio Graphics)

Johnny Ramone, guitarist and co-founder of the punk band The Ramones, has died. He was 55. He had battled prostate cancer for five years (read more - CBS News)

Tuesday, September 21 is "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day," a HHS-ABC Radio Networks campaign recently announced by HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. The campaign is designed to reduce health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minorities by encouraging individuals to go to a doctor or health professional for a health screening. Joining with Secretary Thompson to lead the effort for the third year is Chairperson Tom Joyner, nationally syndicated radio personality and host of the ABC Radio Network’s Tom Joyner Morning Show (visit Tom Joyner's Web site)

"Bush's Brain", the film from the book of the same name, debuts in selected theater on Friday, September 17.  From their movie's Web site:  "Many Washington insiders believe that the strength of the Bush machine lies not in its leader but in Karl Rove, the man who picked Bush to run for Governor of Texas, tutored him on the workings of government, and ran brilliant yet brutal campaigns that would eventually sweep Bush into the Presidency. In Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential, readers will enter the powerful world of White House Senior Advisor Karl Rove and learn how this man created George W" (visit the Web site)  (click here to view the movie's trailer in QuickTime video) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Olin Terry (O.T.) a talented corporate meeting producer, mentor to many, and friend to all, recently passed away in his hotel room while on a show in Montreal.  Born an only child in Mineral Wells, Texas in 1929, on scholarship to SMU, received his Degree in Theology. While at SMU he, along with Aaron Spelling and others, founded KSMU, the campus radio station. Olin worked as program manager for radio stations in Detroit and Amarillo before taking a pay cut to switch to television and a job at Channel 11 in Dallas (read more-OlinTerry.com)

After more than a year of litigation, an arbitration panel has unanimously ruled that EchoStar Communications Corp. (DISH Network) violated its contract with direct broadcast satellite (DBS) licensee Dominion Video Satellite Inc., owner-operator of Sky Angel, the nation's only faith-based direct-to-home satellite television service and the country's oldest DBS company. The order will enable Dominion to move forward with plans to expand its multi-channel Sky Angel programming service into more U.S. homes and locations while laying the groundwork to deliver the service internationally. The 36-channel Sky Angel package is available nationwide for $11.99 per month or $119.90 per year through a small satellite dish and will work alongside or without another television service. A free information video is available at www.skyangel.com   (read more - Broadcast Newsroom)


CBS News' Bob Schieffer said Tuesday he hopes the network does more reporting to definitively prove the authenticity of memos 60 Minutes II received about President Bush's service in the Air National Guard. "I think we have to find some way to show our viewers they are not forgeries,'' Schieffer, CBS' chief Washington correspondent and host of the network's "Face the Nation,'' said at a news conference in Sioux City. "I don't know how we're going to do that without violating the confidentiality of sources'' (read more - Sioux City Journal)

If you think you've heard the last of David Edward Smith and his crusade to rid the airwaves of indecency, guess again. Ready or not, he's back. Before approving a consent decree last month that essentially wiped the slate clean for Emmis (and cleared the way for renewal of its station licenses), the FCC had been pursuing dozens of indecency complaints against Q-101 and "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" filed by Smith and his Chicago-based Citizens for Community Values. On Tuesday, Smith announced that he was challenging the legality of the settlement, arguing that the FCC had overstepped its authority (read more - Feder of Chicago)

XM Satellite Radio announced the introduction of XM Radio Online, a premium Internet music service to debut in early October. As part of the launch, eligible Dell customers who purchase Dell Inspiron notebook and Dimension desktop computers will receive a special trial offer for the commercial-free online music service (read more)

So there it is, exposed for all to see on the front page of yesterday's Washington Post. The total cost of Bush's proposals at the Republican convention -- permanent tax cuts, prescription drugs, rural health clinics, the whole shmear -- is "likely to be well in excess of $3 trillion over a decade." This from a guy who's been hammering Kerry for proposing a mere $2 trillion in programs (a figure Kerry denies, just as the Bush camp disputes the $3 trillion). So will this now become the subject of endless cable debates, blogosphere posts and newspaper investigations? The conservative president, the apostle of limited government, is revealed as a Big Spender? Nah. The chatter is still about IBM Selectrics and Kitty Kelley. Whether we spend ourselves into bankruptcy: Booorring. Whether the candidates are over promising: Yadda yadda yadda. After all, there are no secret sources, no coke-at-Camp-David allegations, no 1972 documents with a raised "th." That's what media people like to argue about. Maybe the campaign coverage will turn serious at some point (read more - Media Notes-Howard Kurtz) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Big changes are in store for the on-air shifts at WXKS-FM (107.9). Longtime DJs Artie the One Man Party and Ed McMann are out, and the new personalities include Deirdre Degata, who jumped from sister station WJMN-FM (94.5) to handle the 10 a.m.-3 p.m. shift, and Kory, a former New Haven DJ who will man the 7-11 p.m. shift. Current WXKS-FM personality Romeo will be the station's 3-7 p.m. personality (read more - Dean Johnson-Boston Herald)

Martha Stewart surrendered to start serving her prison sentence as soon as possible, in a move aimed at bringing some stability to her company (read more - Crains NY Business) (read more- Washington Post)

Election officials in Binghamton are hailing a local radio talk show host as a hero. They said it was Tony Russell's sharp knife that got things moving at a local polling place (read more Capital News)

NBC’s Tom Brokaw will deliver the keynote address at the Radio-Television News Directors Association’s Awards Dinner next month in New York. RTNDA will honor winners of the Edward R. Murrow Awards and the RTNDA/UNITY Awards on October 4 at the Grand Hyatt New York (read more - RTNDA)

Lex & Terry will debut in  Louisville, KY Monday, Sept 20th as the new morning show on WLRS, owned by Radio One (visit Lex and Terry)

The moving sign is up at Sinclair Communications, where two of its radio stations are scheduled to swap frequencies Sept. 23. The recently launched WPYA-FM, now heard on 106.1 Bob-FM, will move to 93.7. That frequency has been occupied by WKCK-FM or Kick FM, which in a previous incarnation was WKOC-FM, The Coast. Kick will take 106.1 (read more - Virginian Pilot)

MSNBC may be flagging in the cable news ratings war, but it does have a No. 1 ranking in Keith Olbermann. Playgirl magazine's tallies are in and it looks like the anchorman's robust campaigning has earned him the highly coveted sexiest male newscaster title. Winning nearly a quarter of the 50,000 votes cast, Olbermann beat Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity and CNN's Anderson Cooper, who placed second and third, respectively. Fox's Shepard Smith was fourth, and "60 Minutes's" Andy Rooney and CNN's Bill Hemmer tied for fifth place (read more - Reliable Source)

Several million Americans recently lost power when Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances came ashore in Florida. The refrigerator stopped working, the televisions went off, and air conditioning was no longer able to keep people cool from the summer heat. Unless you like to read books, you realize how few things there are to do without electricity.  However, Sirius Satellite Radio helped many find entertainment with their portable boombox. "They work GREAT!! I had no signal dropout, I had the tunes cranked sitting in garage, the neighbors came by just for some entertainment. One word of advice, fix the antenna well outside and buy a load of batteries" said one Sirius subscriber from Florida about how he dealt with the Hurricane Frances (read more)

Tribune Co. lowered its third-quarter earnings estimate Wednesday, saying publishing and broadcasting revenues were lower than anticipated (read more - Journal Gazette)

A man charged with raping and murdering a 12-year-old neighbor told two television stations that he would like to give the girl's father a chance to kill him. I did the wrong thing," John McGuckin told WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids on Monday. "I wish I could take it back, but I can't." (read more WAVE 3 TV)

"Enough is enough," Mark Greenberg says. "We keep waiting for the cash to come in. When it does, it seems they always have to make new growth acquisitions. And the real return to investors hasn't been that great." He's part of a growing army of disillusioned Wall Streeters hoping to force media giants, including Time Warner, Viacom and Comcast, to scale back the extravagant ambitions that for more than a decade made them so intriguing — but not lucrative for shareholders (read more - USA Today)

In the 8th district congressional race, radio talk-show host Ross outpaced Bellevue interior designer Heidi Behrens-Benedict and retired high-tech businessman Alex Alben. Ross credited hard-working volunteers and the appeal of his message, in addition to the fame he brought to the race (read more - Seattle Times)

An all-sports format is, indeed, coming to WEMP-AM (1250), but Entercom Milwaukee market manager Ray Quinn can't say just when + Audra Evans, late of WRIT-FM (95.7), has resurfaced doing part-time on-air work at smooth jazz WJZI-FM (93.3). She's filling in this week on the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. shift + more (read more Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Clear Channel Communications Inc., the largest U.S. radio station chain, is expected to tap the corporate bond market with a $500 million debt sale as early as Wednesday, dealers said (read more - Reuters)

Moshannon Valley Broadcasting, owner of Philipsburg radio stations WPHB-AM and WUBZ-FM, has confirmed that both stations will be purchased for more than $2 million by Magnum Broadcasting of Warren. "It was an offer that we could not refuse," Laura S. Mack, co-owner of Moshannon Valley Broadcasting and manager of the stations, said Tuesday (read more - Centre Daily Times)

Can ABC trump Trump? That's the question as ABC News' revamped newsmagazine "Primetime Live" takes on "The Apprentice" star and business icon in his own time slot. "Primetime Live" kicks off its new season at 10 p.m. with a lengthy segment on Donald Trump. The piece promises to look behind the self-styled billionaire's finances and his life beyond his new TV career. ABC promotional materials say the show attempts to discover "the real deal" about Trump, with interviews with critics and his ex-wife Marla Maples. The "Primetime Live" piece hasn't thrilled the Donald, who thinks that ABC wants to ride the "Apprentice" wave (read more - Reuters)

Sirius Satellite Radio on-air host Grandmaster Flash, with his former group the Furious Five, are semifinalists in the nominations to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. They are the first rap artists to be nominated for inclusion. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were nominated along with U2, Randy Newman, Percy Sledge, The Pretenders, ABBA, Jeff Beck, The Harptones, The O'Jays, Kraftwerk, Ringo Starr, Buddy Guy, the late Conway Twitty and others (visit Sirius Radio)

This has been a busy year for Maria Shriver, the NBC News correspondent of Kennedy clan fame whose movie-idol husband, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was elected governor of California 11 months ago.  Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Shriver marks her return to television with an hour-long look at the recovery of Roy Horn, the Las Vegas performer who was mauled and nearly killed by one of his tigers last fall (read more Peter Johnson-USA Today)

Syndicated columnist Robert Novak apparently believes that the principle of not revealing confidential sources is rather flexible. The man who has stood on this principle for months, in deflecting calls for him to identify who in the Bush administration "outed" CIA operative Valerie Plame, said this weekend on national television that CBS should release the name of its source for the documents at the center of the dispute over its recent program on President Bush's National Guard service. On the CNN panel show, "Capital Gang," Novak expressed grave doubts about the CBS documents, then said: "I'd like CBS, at this point, to say where they got these documents from. They didn't get them from a CIA agent. I don't believe there was any laws involved. I don't think we'll have a special prosecutor, if they tell. I think they should say where they got these documents because I thought it was a very poor job of reporting by CBS ...." (read more - Editor and Publisher)

Millionaires — in some cases billionaires — all, men with enough money and clout to do whatever they wanted. They had gathered at a news conference in October 2003 to show their support for a foundation that was trying to buy KOCE-TV. With the support of these businessmen, raising funds for Orange County's PBS station seemed a cinch. But nearly a year later, the KOCE-TV Foundation still does not have the $7.9 million it needs to buy the station from the Coast Community College District (read more - LA Times)

ABC Radio Networks was recently recognized with eight awards by Radio Ink’s 2004 Reader’s Choice Awards for Network/Syndicated Programming. Each year, radio executives, managers, programmers, and marketing executives vote for their favorite personalities programs. Votes were submitted in thirteen categories, including Political Talk, Music, News and Sports (visit Radio Ink)

At the WBTM radio studios, Ned Richardson was the one constant. He was in the radio business for about 50 years - the past 48 at WBTM. Danville area residents have been buying and selling on his show “Trading Post” for 40 years. When the weather was too bad for him to drive to work, he walked. And in recent weeks, when his health was at its worse, he was still on the air. “That’s the kind of work ethic Ned always had,” WBTM program director Alex Vardavas said. “If he called in sick, you knew Ned was sick. That’s just the way he was.” Richardson, 77, died Sunday after a period of declining health (read more - Danville Register Bee)

On ABC NightLine: Today was one of the bloodiest days in Iraq in a long time. Almost 60 dead, well over a hundred injured. We see the pictures of fighting every day, tonight you'll hear from an ABC News producer who was embedded with the military during the worst of the Najaf fighting  (visit ABC NightLine)

ABC Radio will produce a special one-hour program celebrating television’s biggest night, the 2004 Emmy Awards, beginning Thursday September 16th. Hosted by Keith Carradine, star of the new fall ABC-TV comedy, “Complete Savages,” ABC News Radio’s Emmy Guide will be available for broadcast by affiliates all weekend, leading up to the awards show taking place live at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Sunday, September 19th (visit ABC Radio)


While the Christian community buzzed Monday about allegations that televangelist Paul Crouch had been involved in a homosexual tryst, Trinity Broadcasting Network officials said their leader would continue "God's call" as the network's president. They also said that Christian leaders from around the country offered private words of encouragement Monday for Crouch. He said the network received unsolicited backing from dozens of Christian leaders who called or e-mailed their support, including author Josh McDowell; Doug Wead, a onetime advisor to former President George H.W. Bush; and singers Pat Boone and Carman (read more - LA Times)

John Facenda Jr. has sued Campbell Soup Co. and an advertising firm over a Chunky Chili ad that allegedly misappropriates his late father's voice. Facenda charges in the federal court suit that the company spoke to him in May about using a "sound-alike" narrator in radio and television ads this NFL season, but later said they had were changing course. Campbell's spokesman John Faulkner said the commercial was voiced by a man with a similar - but "not a sound-alike" - voice. John Facenda Sr. was a prominent Philadelphia broadcaster who long served as the dramatic voice of NFL Films before his 1984 death (read more - Fort Wayne News-Sentinel)

Hard as it may be to believe, the Disney/ABC-owned news/talk station WLS could be on the verge of losing its morning-drive franchise --Don and Roma -- less than four months after its afternoon-drive duo imploded with the acrimonious exit of Garry Meier as Roe Conn's partner + Garry Lee Wright will be broadcasting his WGN-AM (720) weekend shows from Fort Collins, Colo., while his daughter, Amanda, remains hospitalized there. She was injured in an auto accident Aug. 26 in Laramie, Wyo (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Gospel and popular music have often had a wary relationship, despite their common roots and stylistic kinship. Not so at WRKS (98.7 FM), whose main musical turf is "old school and today's R&B," but which mixes daily gospel into a format that has lately become the hottest in New York. The most recent Arbitrend ratings put WRKS in second place with 5.1% of the audience, trailing only perennial leader WLTW (106.7 FM) at 5.6%. Back in early 2003, Kiss wasn't even in the top 10 (read more - David Hinckley)

You can forget about "Fahgeddaboutit!" as far as television catch phrases are concerned. According to a new list issued on Monday of top television buzzwords, the favourite expression from "The Sopranos" is so yesterday that it has been replaced by several new phrases this past TV season including Donald Trump's message to losers on "The Apprentice" -- "You're fired!" (read more - Reuters U.K.)

TVN Entertainment, a leading provider of on demand television programming, management and delivery solutions, announced today that Sundance Channel will provide encore presentations of Air America  Radio's The Al Franken Show exclusively for the Video On Demand (VOD) platform via TVN's TVNow rapid turnaround service (read more)

Fangs are bared at WSM-FM 95.5, newly branded as ''The Wolf.'' The Nashville country station, which has consistently languished in its rating category, repositioned itself at noon yesterday with a new music mix and a vow to overtake its competition. That doesn't just mean Nashville's other two FM country stations — WKDF and WSIX, which traditionally swap the top slot and leave WSM in their dust, according to John Sebastian, the station's new programming director. Sebastian is aiming for WJXA-FM, the ''lite rock'' format station, which consistently tops every other Nashville radio station (read more - The Tennessean) (read more - Nashville City Paper)

Yahoo Inc. is buying online jukebox provider Musicmatch Inc. for $160 million in a deal designed to broaden the Internet giant's appeal with the growing audience of consumers who buy songs off the Web. The all-cash acquisition, announced Tuesday, gives Sunnyvale-based Yahoo a major drawing card as it competes against the likes of Apple Computer Inc., RealNetworks Inc. and Napster in the rapidly growing field of digital music management (read more - Contra Costa Times)

If ever there was a workaholic, it's Larry Greene. He gets up at 2 a.m. to do the morning news on Channel 4, then does the noon news, does weather updates, does spots on KYGO 98.5-FM, and does the 4 p.m. news on Channel 4 on Fridays. He's also a regular as an emcee on the fundraising rubber-chicken circuit. He loves it, and he's good at it. "I still do 90 events a year. I don't charge a dime for any of them. They're trying to raise money. How can you go to them and say, 'I want some of that'?" (read more - Dick Kreck - Denver Post)

NBC Universal Chairman Robert Wright joked after hearing the news that "it's Eisner's job that I'm after." Wright was kidding, but for plenty of other media heavyweights, Disney's bombshell that its longtime CEO Michael Eisner will retire when his contract expires in 2006 is serious business. The surprise announcement will make the Hollywood parlor game of "who's on the rise" a little more interesting than usual. Indeed, the news was barely out before the Tinseltown rumor mill started buzzing about who would be a good choice to run the $30 billion-a-year media giant (read more - Mac News World)

View the video interviews of "Today" host Matt Lauer profiling controversial author Kitty Kelley as her new book "The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty," is released + Kitty Kelley discusses the alleged cocaine use at Camp David + Lauer interviews Sharon Bush (visit and click at NBC Today)  

Record companies don't normally contact the AJC Buzz Central to discuss songs they're not making a buck off. That's what made Atlantic Records' recent e-mail missive unique. The label was touting "Dry Your Eyes," the unexpected, suddenly hot radio single by the Streets and Coldplay vocalist/celebrity shutterbug punch-out artist Chris Martin on 99X (read more - Peach Buzz)

I don't know if anyone has been paying attention to what is supposed to be local radio during this storm emergency. Local radio stations are doing virtually nothing to keep residents that may have lost power, and those without TV, abreast of current conditions. Simulcasting Channel 40 TV and their constant "look at this video," "look at this radar image" does nothing for radio listeners (read more - Dawn Scire-The Radio Babe-Sarasota Herald Tribune)

FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein -- I want to hear directly about your experience with television and radio. I want your perspective on how well broadcasters are meeting the needs of your community. Are they providing sufficient coverage of issues of local concern, including local elections? Do you have enough choice in news sources? Are broadcasters providing sufficient family friendly programming? Are you hearing local artists played on the radio? (read more - Detroit Free)

Memorial services for Audrey Jane Malkan, a radio pioneer whose holdings included three Corpus Christi radio stations, will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center.  Malkan died Aug. 29 in Decorah, Iowa, after a battle with cancer. She was 75.  Malkan’s career in radio began in 1965 when she and her husband Arnold Malkan moved from New York, bought a Fort Worth radio station and jumpstarted the Texas State Network, a group of interconnected radio stations across the state. The Malkans had owned and operated more than a dozen radio stations in Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Alabama, Tennessee and Indiana (read more - Corpus Christi Caller-Times)

A consortium led by the Sony Corporation of America reached a tentative agreement yesterday to buy Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the Hollywood studio famous for James Bond and the Pink Panther, for about $4.8 billion in cash, snatching it from Time Warner at the 11th hour. The deal, which ends an auction that was filled with behind-the-scenes machinations for months, included one last surprise twist: Comcast, the cable giant, joined Sony's consortium as a strategic partner and a possible investor (read more - NY Times)

Sirius announced that Monday Night Football analyst and legendary NFL head coach John Madden has signed on with SIRIUS NFL Radio, the first 24/7 year-round radio channel devoted entirely to the NFL. Madden will serve as commentator on SIRIUS NFL Radio's Sunday pre- game program, The Stadium Tailgate Show (read more)

The Brazilian government wants to set up a broadcasting and television bureau to regulate television, video and broadcasting. This proposition was met by criticism, and the Ministry of Culture was forced to make concessions. These media-restricting policies are most directly aimed at repeated media reports about increasing corruption, including things such as the ruling party's manipulation of campaign funds. This Brazilian story should sound familiar to Taiwan's journalists and the Taiwanese public (read more - Taipei Times)

The eighth installment of the almost annual alternative rock concert X-Fest is headed back to where it began — Centennial Park. The concert will be held Thursday, Oct. 21. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. The concert is sponsored by 99X WJBX 99.3 FM (read more - News-Press)

The escalating battle for the votes of U.S. armed forces personnel is stoking congressional Democrats’ efforts to end what they see as a right-wing tilt on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (AFRTS). They are focusing on the broadcast of Rush Limbaugh’s popular daily talk show and say that its inclusion without a left-leaning counterweight violates Department of Defense (DoD) guidelines to provide balanced political programming to active-duty military personnel in 177 countries (read more - The Hill)

President Bush may have gotten a "bump' in support during the GOP convention, but it's already dissipated. Once again, he's tied with Democrat John Kerry. That's the evidence emerging from daily tracks by the Rasmussen poll. And focus groups in 17 battleground states conducted by Democratic consultant Bob Beckel also suggest that Bush failed to decisively convert undecided voters. Polling 1,000 voters a night, Rasmussen found that Bush went into the Republican convention with a one-point lead, 47 percent to 46 percent, and came out Sept. 4 with a lead of 4.4 points, 49.1 percent to 44.7 percent. By Sept. 7, however, the race had slipped back to 47-47 (read more - Mort Kondracke) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Now it can be told. There was an ineligible player on at least one of those KMEN softabll teams of the 1960s. He was a ringer, actually. A teenage kid from San Bernardino named Chuck Street and he used to haunt the station at its old cow pasture site because he loved the hard-edged music its deejays played. So they gave him a glove and put him in the lineup. Most of those jocks have long sine disperseed to all parts of the country -- in at least one case, the world. And KMEN itself is no more.  Street, now Commander Chuck Street, the veteran traffic reporter/helicopter pilot for KIIS (102.7 FM), has been in the process of recreating it at a hangar in Fullerton. And he plans to bring the finished product to San Bernardino Monday (read more - San Bernadino Living)

The 13th Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference of the National Association of Black Telecommunications Professionals (NABTP) - will be held in Washington, D.C., September 16-18. The Minority Media and Telecommunications Council (MMTC) will present an intensive seminar on the FCC auction process. In light of the high interest level among small and minority entrepreneurs in FM Auction 37 and Wireless Auction 58, the seminar will cover both wireless and broadcast auctions (details, details)

Analyst David Bank of RBC Capital Markets expects most of the US-based radio broadcasting companies to report their 3Q 2004 results in-line with or marginally short of expectations (read more - New Ratings)

Jeff Britton loves to throw in all the bells, whistles and sound effects. If he needs a bird call and doesn’t have the right one, he does it himself. “It’s awful,” Britton said of his bird imitations. But the sometimes humorous result only adds to the “goofy neighbor, over-the-fence feel” of “Nature Trust,” the weekly, three-minute program he produces for local public radio station WBOI, 89.1-FM (read more - News Sentinel)

Screaming "Let's Go Huskies, Let's Go," 26 students in Jeff Beechler's fifth-grade classroom seemed a formidable kickball force against Wallace and Steve O'Brien, the DJs from 93.9 The Song WISG-FM. The students' Orange Crush team gave it their best shot but came out a little slushy in the end, losing by three points. To prepare for the game, O'Brien said, the men decided to eat like fifth-graders. "We've been eating tater tots, Twinkies and Ding Dongs," he joked (read more - The Noblesville Ledger)

A bold stroke by a Houston-based company could establish the U.S. as the first nation with digital mobile TV broadcasting based on DVB-H, or Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld, a system originally developed in Europe. Crown Castle's spectrum coup comes as portable television, radio, broadcast multimedia and wireless Internet services are all vying to reach handheld terminals for content delivery. The industry is facing a number of technology choices including GPRS, 3G, Digital Mobile Broadcast and DVB-H — a variation on the terrestrial digital TV standard (read more - EE Times)

As if the 2004 campaign for the presidency has not been dirty enough -- get ready for a 700-page book by America's most famous tabloid biographer that alleges illegal drug use and other youthful misdeeds by President George W. Bush. More than 700,000 copies of Kitty Kelley's "The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty" are set to hit bookstores on Tuesday with the 62-year-old Kelley launching into a series of television interviews starting with three days on NBC's "Today Show." Despite sensational allegations and the heavy duty publicity accompanying the book, the mainstream U.S. press has been reluctant to delve into the claims, partly because of doubts about Kelley's reporting and partly because the Republican party has labeled the book fiction. The White House spokesman has called it garbage (read more - Reuters)

On ABC NightLine: 50 days to go until Election Day and we are entering the homestretch. At the moment, the President is enjoying a post-convention bounce, which happens to coincide with the traditional Labor Day launch of the campaign. This is the time when people are supposedly really focusing on the election for the first time. And what are the candidates talking about? National security. And also tonight, what are the political cartoonists saying about this election? (visit ABC NightLine)


The founder of the world's largest Christian broadcasting network has sought repeatedly to prevent a former male employee from going public with allegations of a sexual encounter between them eight years ago, a newspaper reported today. Paul Crouch, 70, president of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, reached a $425,000 settlement in 1998 with the former worker who threatened to sue over claims he had been unjustly fired from the network, the Los Angeles Times said (read LA Times) (read more - Star-Tribune)

Could The Wolf be sniffing at doors of WSM-FM? That’s the rumor swirling around the radio station’s anticipated announcement today of a new sound and logo for the Nashville country station. Trying to turn the tide for Nashville’s third-rated country station, Cumulus Broadcasting Inc. of Atlanta will unveil a host of changes, including a new on-air line-up and branding campaign, starting at noon today. Radio wags and bloggers have been floating the idea that WSM-FM 95.5 will be known as The Wolf, particularly since Cumulus registered the domain name www.955thewolf.com on Aug. 4. The Wolf is used as a moniker for some other stations, including an Internet radio station in Nashville and KPLX-FM in Dallas, a country station that mixes in Texas-based music (read more - Nashville City Paper)

Kate Delaney, the former "Sports Princess" at KRLD/1080 AM, begins a morning show today on KMSR/990 AM "Main Street Radio." She'll take the place of the Don Imus Show, which will vanish from Fort Worth-Dallas airwaves once again. Her sidekicks, oddly enough, will include vice president of operations Dave Marcum and general manager Jerry Overton (another KRLD alum) +   Classic-rock fans, have you been checking out KZPS' "15 Years in 15 Days" stunt? It started Tuesday, with 1967, and ends next week with 1981. Each day, the station plays music exclusively from one year, and while that makes for some weirdness -- Sonny & Cher and Bobbie Gentry on KZPS, home of the never-ending Pink Floyd/Led Zeppelin/ZZ Top rotation? (read more - Robert Philpot-Star-Telegram)

Mike Missanelli and Steve Fredericks are going back to WIP-AM (610). For a week, anyway. Missanelli - a WIP-er from 1992 until 2003, when he quit for a morning stint that ran 13 months on WMMR-FM (93.3) - will cohost today's pre-Eagles broadcast from 1 to 4 p.m. with Angelo Cataldi and Rhea Hughes. Missanelli, last heard on the air on June 4, also will cohost WIP's afternoon show (3 to 7) all this week with his old on-air partner, Fredericks, who's been lured out of retirement. Fredericks' last shift after 14 years on WIP was April 16. The two are filling in for Howard Eskin, who on Thursday began a 30-day suspension as part of a lawsuit settlement. Eskin is due back Oct. 14 (read more - Michael Klein-Philly Inquirer)

Talk-show host Randi Rhodes joined a new liberal network hoping to advance her career while shaking up this election season. But things haven't worked out exactly as planned.  Randi Rhodes always gets stage fright before she goes on the air, even after 20-odd years in radio, but this is not her usual pre-show panic; this is different. This, she says, lighting her umpteenth Parliament Light, is "the tensest day of my entire adult life." She managed to sleep, for the first time in several nights, only because "somebody took pity on me and gave me an Ambien." (read more - Washington Post-Paula Span)

Infinity Broadcasting's WIP learned a costly lesson when it settled for "substantial compensation" a defamation suit filed by super-attorney Richard Sprague against perennial loudmouth Howard Eskin, but broadcasters doubt it will have a chilling effect on what Philadelphians hear on the radio. The settlement prohibits revealing the monetary award, but chatter around WIP (610 AM) is that the payout is "huge." One station source tells me he heard it was over $1 million, maybe well over. Someone familiar with Sprague and his attorneys, Shanin Specter and Tom Kline, describes them as "seven-figure lawyers. They wouldn't settle for less." Specter discussed the case with me, but not the cash (read more - Stu Bykofsky-Philly Daily News)

Talk about a stunner. KABC/790 AM's Ken Minyard caught listeners by surprise the other day when he announced on the air that he will be retiring Oct. 15 + KLSX/97.1 FM is running NFL games Sundays. KBIG/104.3 FM's Charlie Tuna hosts a three-day radiothon starting Saturday to benefit the Children's Miracle Network. Comedian Elayne Boosler appears with Duncan Strauss on "Talking Animals," 9-10 a.m. Monday on KUCI/88.9 FM. Boosler has her own animal-assistance foundation, Tails of Joy (read more - Gary Lycan-OC Register)

From ClaudeHallOnline.com -- I tapped into Chuck Blore's website at www.chuckblore.com.  Blore's interview with George Wilson is rather unique, as well as quite interesting.  It's a legend interviewing a legend + e-mails from Gary Allyn, Karin Moss, Bruce Goss, Garvin Rutherford, Duane Kirkland, Burt Sherwood, Dale Tucker and more (visit www.claudehallonline.com)

XM Satellite Radio announced that it has launched a new channel, XM Emergency Alert (XM Channel 247), dedicated to providing critical, updated information before, during and after natural disasters, weather emergencies and other hazardous incidents to listeners across the country (read more)

Nostalgia station CKWW-AM (580) is cutting its programming to the bone this week. Most music host shifts have been lengthened to 6 hours. Weekdays, it's Charlie O'Brien 6 a.m.-noon; Wayne Stevens noon-6 p.m. and Robb Duncan 6 p.m.-midnight with an interruption for the "When Radio Was" syndicated show at 10 p.m. Gone from weekends are the syndicated "Big Bands, Ballads & Blues" and "Broadway's Biggest Hits," a Saturday evening staple (read more Detroit Freep-John Smyntek)

Univision Radio, the largest Spanish-language radio broadcaster in the United States, is collaborating with Wal-Mart to host community-focused health fairs across the country. The effort is entitled "Pensando en su Salud", and is part of Univision's corporate health initiative, "Salud es Vida, Enterate!" Each health fair event will offer attendees the opportunity to receive free health screenings, and provide information/materials in a fun and family-oriented atmosphere on a variety of health topics affecting U.S. Hispanics. The fairs will be held at select Wal-Mart locations in eleven cities throughout the United States from September through November 2004 (read more)

From  Ken Hoffman: I am absolutely heartbroken that we are losing our only full-time classical music station (KRTS-FM). I can't believe that a city as large as Houston can't support one. And we really don't need another hip-hop, dance or R&B station. I am sick, I tell you, just sick. Laura K. Chapman, Houston --- There is a classic equivalent of a "goodbye" song. We may not have a symphonic arrangement of Goodbye to You by Scandal, but we do have stuff like March to the Scaffold or Death and Transfiguration , plus lots of requiems and famous dying scenes from operas. Madame Butterfly has a classy exit. Catherine Lu, Program Director, KRTS-FM (read more - Ken Hoffman-Houston Chronicle)

What it was like to be on the Radio September 11, 2001 -- There have been a handful of days where the medium I work in has been called to speak to all in a different voice. There have been just a few times when my mission was to be a messenger because I was the first to know something. I have broadcast during very adverse times. Early in my career, I stayed on the air 24 hours straight and broadcast during the worst blizzard in Ohio history. I was the messenger who said it was coming and during the darkest hours, when power was gone and people were scared, I was the lifeline of communication that gave solace and hope. When I worked on the Mississippi Gulf coast in Biloxi ... (read more - Corey Deitz)

Fox News' sometime war correspondent Geraldo Rivera has a battle to fight in his own backyard. Rivera is suing his co-op board in the Edgewater Colony, saying the directors wrongly kept a $10,000 deposit he made on a home he bought years ago and prevented him from buying another property that he wants to use as a guesthouse (read more - NY Daily News)

An Arab television journalist was killed and two other journalists were wounded Sunday when a U.S. helicopter opened fire to destroy a U.S. vehicle disabled by a car bomb, witnesses and their employers said.  Mazen al-Tumeizi, who was working for Al-Arabiya television, was taping a report when an explosion behind him caused him to double-over and scream "I'm dying, I'm dying." He died moments later, Al-Arabiya said after airing the video. An Iraqi working as a camera operator for Reuters Television was wounded and reported in stable condition, the agency said here. His name was withheld for security reasons (read more - KCRA Channel)

September 13, 2004, will mark the day for the launch of a new Internet radio rock show. Radio Warehouse will begin transmitting at 10:00 a.m. (CST) on Industrialinfo.com Radio and raise the bar for Internet radio shows. The show will feature the hottest songs of the past ten years, retro cuts from the 80's, tracks from emerging independent artists, and some of Houston's own local talent. Offering music from an array of genres and musicians, Radio Warehouse will transcend the blight pigeonholes of terrestrial radio stations, as well as be unhampered by corporate "suggested" play lists (read more)

Members of New Jersey's congressional delegation have asked federal regulators to examine whether plans to move much of WWOR-TV's operations back to New York violate a mandate to serve New Jersey. The request for a formal inquiry by the Federal Communications Commission was made by Sens. Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg, and Reps. Robert Menendez, Bill Pascrell, Donald Payne, Steven Rothman, and Rush Holt, all D-N.J. (read more - Newsday)

They've always been there, it seems, telling us whether we can count on sunshine for that Saturday picnic or a breeze for our early-morning run. But only in the past month have the five chief meteorologists for Tampa Bay's TV stations become such fixtures in our daily lives. "Life and death decisions are made based on what we say," says Dick Fletcher, chief meteorologist for Tampa Bay's 10. We count on them so much, and yet we know little about them. Here's what they don't talk about when they're standing in front of their maps: their education and training, what they base their predictions on, and their own plans for hurricane preparation (read more - Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler-St. Pete Times)  (read more - Hernando Today)

Former Arizona Channel 3 weekend sports anchor and now CNN babe Daryn Kagan is dating former Royals publicist-turned-conservative radio talk show host, Rush Limbaugh. There are some things you just can't explain (read more - Arizona Central)

Life without Monday Night Football? Unimaginable. Dastardly. Empty. And, just maybe, possible. According to a recent Los Angeles Times report, ABC is looking hard at its popular franchise as it loses $150-million annually. According to the Times, "Disney executives under pressure to prove to Wall Street that they can reverse the network's fortunes and turn a profit by next year ... must decide whether the benefits of Monday Night Football outweigh the financial losses." (read more - St. Pete Times)

A showdown is looming between cable and satellite TV in Hawai'i. Tim Batchler, operations manager of Microcom in Pearl Harbor, explains an order to customer Max Paguio, a Pearl City resident who signed up at the Navy Exchange for services by DISH Network. Microcom is the main installer for DISH Network in Hawai'i. For years, cable television has dominated the state. Satellite TV was seen as a poor second choice, mostly for people who could not get cable. Not anymore. For the first time since it was introduced nearly a decade ago, satellite TV has become a serious player in Hawai'i. With a recently expanded all-digital channel lineup, addition of local channels and free installation and equipment, they've been siphoning off customers from Oceanic Time Warner Cable, the state's lone cable TV company (read more - Honolulu Advertiser)

No matter how hard you look, you won't find much regarding technology mentioned in President Bush's recent convention speech. Bush didn't bring up Internet taxes, cheaper broadband, tax credits or a host of other topics he could have squeezed into his 62-minute speech in Madison Square Garden. The closest he came was a mention of his campaign Web site. So have the last four years been good or bad when viewed through the lens of what's best for tech? (read more - CNET)

Air America, the left-leaning national talk radio network, has landed a home on an Atlanta radio station — on the far right end of the AM dial. The voices of Chuck D., Randi Rhodes, Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo will be heard at AM 1690 sometime next week once technical issues are resolved, said Air America president Jon Sinton, who is based in Atlanta. The 1690 spot on the dial recently was running classic country music but is now playing nothing as station owner Intermart Broadcasting prepares for the Air America launch. Current call letters are WSWK-AM but Sinton said the owners plan to change that to WWAA-AM (read more - Atlanta Journal Constitution)

In a report on Friday night's "CBS News Evening News," Dan Rather reported that many of those raising questions about the documents have focused on something called superscript, a key that automatically types a raised "th." Critics claim typewriters didn't have that ability in the 1970s. But some models did, Rather reported. In fact, other Bush military records already released by the White House itself show the same superscript – including one from as far back as 1968. In a report on Friday night's "CBS News Evening News," Dan Rather reported that many of those raising questions about the documents have focused on something called superscript, a key that automatically types a raised "th." Critics claim typewriters didn't have that ability in the 1970s. But some models did, Rather reported. In fact, other Bush military records already released by the White House itself show the same superscript – including one from as far back as 1968 (read more - CBS News)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Disney announced Friday that Michael Eisner, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Co., will leave the company in 2006. In a letter to the board, Eisner said he plans to retire effective Sept. 30, 2006 -- when his contract with the company ends. Without Michael D. Eisner at the helm of the Walt Disney Company, will Harvey Weinstein and Steven P. Jobs stay as partners? That is the question on the minds of analysts and Hollywood executives . The strain between Disney and its two prominent partners and executives, Mr. Weinstein of Miramax and Mr. Jobs of Pixar Animation Studios, have been attributed in part to clashes with Mr. Eisner (read more - LA Biz News)  (read more - NY Times)

Three years before the Great Depression started, L.R.B. Braun founded General Outdoor Advertising Co., establishing the billboard business at 511 Madison Ave. in Downtown Indianapolis.  Nearly 80 years later, Clear Channel Communications Inc., a broadcast and outdoor media company that operates three radio stations in Indianapolis, owns Braun's company. And the bulk of billboards it has had produced -- called "posters" for their small size -- are what Braun founded his business on (read more - Indy Star)

On Friday Rap artist MC Hammer was at the new bar Celebrities, to promote the new Citidel station 102.5 The Praise. Hammer, along with his many other talents, is now serving an alternate cause, promoting inspirational selections in the ministry. He feels with all the turmoil in the world, that Arkansas needs a station like the praise to lift spirits (read more - KATV)

Air America will soon be on the air in the Boston area, according to local radio sources, likely on some combination of local Clear Channel properties WKOX-AM (1200) in Framingham and WXKS-AM (1430) in Boston. Clear Channel managers were unavailable for comment, but Herald sources indicate both stations are expected to simulcast a mix of Air America shows along with programs by such syndicated liberal talkers as Ed Schultz (read more - Boston Herald-Dean Johnson)

Guy Sharpe studied to be a minister instead of a meteorologist, but his sunny, warm personality ensured his popularity as an Atlanta weather forecaster for almost 50 years. He reported on radio and for all three network television affiliates here, starting on ABC, moving to CBS and ending his television career on NBC's Channel 11. Sharpe, 75, died Friday at Crawford Long Hospital. A longtime heavy smoker, he died of congestive heart failure, emphysema and lung cancer (read more - AJC)

In a move that could eventually transform the radio industry, central Puget Sound stations are adopting a new technology that replaces static-filled broadcasts with crystal clear, CD-quality sound. The new configuration is called high-definition radio, or HD radio. Seattle is central to the nationwide HD radio movement because the Corporation for Public Broadcasting selected it as a test market for public radio stations (read more - Puget Sound Biz Journal)

Empower MediaMarketing has signed a 10-year lease for a 32,600-square-foot office building on St. Gregory Street, filling the void left by Clear Channel Communications Inc.'s relocation of its eight local radio stations to Kenwood earlier this year (read more - Cincinnati Biz Courier)

KRTR-FM 96.3 listeners will hear a new morning show with familiar voices starting Monday. Chris Reiser and "Sista" Sherry Clifton are joining the ranks of radio hosts who have to drag themselves out of bed at oh-dark-thirty to help listeners start their days entertained, informed and with a smile (read more - Erika Engle - Honolulu Star-Bulletin)


From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series -- Everyone needs a Texas brother-in-law named Bubba!!! Indeed, I have one. Bubba, whose real name is Edward Bates Tomlinson III, came into my life when he was ten. Bubba is a guy who wears many cowboy hats…that is, he has a lot of talents. On labor day weekend my wife and I were with Bubba to discuss….well, wait, hold on… I am getting ahead of myself….lets do some of Bubba’s life/ history first. While in high school he realized he had musical talent, and formed a TOP 40 band called the Galaxys. Bubba could sing, and still can. I thought the group was good, and arranged an audition with music publisher/record producer/concert promoter Bill Lowery. Bill liked the band and took them to a recording studio where they made a number of cuts….and would you believe that Mercury records bought their masters, released a single, and it made it to the 40 range in the Billboard popular charts ... (read it all at www.kentburkhart.com)

Local radio personality Steve "Rhino" Reinhardt was arrested early Thursday morning on felony stalking and burglary charges, said Lawrence County Sheriff Tim Sexton. Reinhardt, 50, is program director and morning drive personality for WRYV-FM, 101.5, The River. A Tri-State radio personality for a number of years, his current show is the "Rhino in the Morning Show" (read more - Herald Dispatch)

A decision is expected to be announced about the middle of next week on the replacement for Jay "Jammer" Scott on the early afternoon program on WGOW, Talk Radio 102.3. Bill Lockhart, WGOW program director, said he interviewed one finalist on Thursday and had appointments with four others today (read more - The Chattanoogan)

A start-up is bringing radio to portable MP3 players, betting that digital audio fans will want a diet beyond their own music collections. AudioFeast announced on Wednesday that it is creating a subscription service that offers downloadable radio shows for portable players--the first of its kind, the company said. It hopes to attract customers who are looking to fill their commute time with something other than songs downloaded from the Internet or ripped from a CD, executives said. Right now, the company is offering a smattering of broadcast talk shows, including programs from National Public Radio and the BBC, available only on the company's Web site (read more - ZD Net)

New research indicates that two radio ads released this week by Saudi Arabia in an effort to improve its image in the United States fell on deaf ears. The ads, which are part of a $1 million radio ad campaign, highlight the September 11 commission's finding that the Saudi Government was not involved in the terrorist attacks on the United States.  A study conducted today revealed that 78% of responders indicated that they believe the ads are directly related to the presidential election. 50% of responders believe the Saudi Government knowingly funds terrorist organizations  (read more)

Howard Eskin, the long-time sports-talk radio-show host, is off the radio airwaves for 30 days after 610 WIP-AM's owners suspended him for comments that caused a lawsuit. Eskin, who is also an NBC 10 sports anchor, was reached by NBC 10 but said he was unable to comment. A statement has been issued by 610 WIP-AM on behalf of its parent company, Infinity Broadcasting (read more - NBC 10)  (read more - Seattle P-I)

Attendees at next week’s TalenTrak – the Conclave’s exclusive air talent seminar being held on Saturday, September 18th in Cleveland – will have an opportunity to see history! Moonlight Groove Highway, a loyal Conclave supporter, will supply a limited number of entrance passes to registrants and faculty to visit the world-renowned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum on Friday, September 17. Those who pre-register for TalenTrak 2004 and plan to arrive in Cleveland on Friday afternoon are invited to tour the museum between 6 PM and 9 PM. Details are available by calling the Conclave office at 952-927-4487 (visit The Conclave)

Media rating giant Arbitron Inc. announced that it may buy back up to $25 million worth of its common stock in a program recently authorized by its board of directors (read more - Crains NY Biz)

From JimRoseOnline.com -- Reading some of the remembrances of those who write to you causes me to think back on my "formative" years in radio. My first job was at KMAE in McKinney, owned by George Smith and his wife. Had it not been for the Smiths radio would have remained an elusive dream for me. I connected up with some of my early day mentors and encouragers, names of legendary status in Dallas radio. Ron Jenkins taught me how to write news and how to read it, Sam Pate showed me the early ropes of his being THE ACE mobil reporter in Dallas...the best ever....and Ron Rice encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a jock. Rice, in fact, gave me my first "big city" job, working all nights on weekends at KBOX when he was the PD. Ron knew Joe Walker, one time RCA promo man in Dallas, who by then was PD at KCAW in Port Arthur, Texas. Joe hired me on Ron's recommendation to be afternoon drive and I was finally in full time radio. A year later Jack Pieper, News Director of KAYC, hired me as his number two man and my education quadrupled (read more at www.JimRoseOnline.com)

WISN-AM (1130) program director Jerry Bott has invited yours truly (Tim Cuprisin) to sit in as a guest on the morning show alongside Jay Weber on Monday and Tuesday from 5:30 to 9 a.m. The show's co-host, Bob Dolan, is jetting off to Ireland for the week, and it'll be a chance to see another morning radio show from inside. With the shift starting before dawn, Mr. Dolan clearly gets the better part of this deal (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

XTRA was on the cutting edge when the all-sports radio format was born in the 1980s. Industry insiders say the station's run may end soon. Sources said that Clear Channel will move its sports talk format from XTRA (690/1150) to Los Angeles-based KLAC (570), with 690 taking the music-for-your-life format and 1150 going to a news-talk format. What does that mean for San Diego listeners? (read more - North County Times - John Maffei)

NPR's Ivan Watson in Baghdad reports on an American military radio station that broadcasts pop tunes, advice and good news to U.S. troops in Iraq (read and listen at NPR)

Talk radio's Ken Minyard is hanging up the microphone. The "Ken & Company" anchor told listeners to his KABC-AM (790) morning show he'll retire Oct. 15 after 35 years on local airwaves. Minyard broke new ground. He and former radio partner Bob Arthur were the first to take their ever-affable show outside the studio for live remotes, now standard practice for radio programs (read more - LA Daily News)

Larry Wert, the onetime Chicago radio executive who became president and general manager of WMAQ-Channel 5, is suing his former employer over a fortune in stock options + Amy Scott, the former Chicago radio personality who made a successful transition to television, is returning to the cable network that brought her national recognition. Scott has signed on with VH1 Classic as an on-air personality and program host (read more - Feder of Chicago)

The Radio-Mercury Awards presents its sixth Radio Creative Workshop, and the second to be held in New York City, on Wednesday, September 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis. The Radio-Mercury Creative Workshop is part of the Radio Advertising Bureau’s (RAB) Focus On Radio Series held in conjunction with Advertising Week in NYC, September 20 to 24. It is designed exclusively to help agency creatives explore the essentials of developing great Radio commercials (read more - RAB)

Last month, the FCC said it will overhaul the Emergency Elert System and possibly expand it to include cell phones and the Internet. But critics say officials are neglecting the existing system. "Unfortunately, I think it will take a major catastrophe where hundreds of thousands of people are killed for people to understand what (we) have been saying," said Jim Gabbert, a former Northern California broadcaster who oversees the state's Emergency Elert System and serves on a national advisory committee that's been exploring alert issues for two years. Despite decades of technological advances, the Emergency Elert System ---- which lost its old name, the Emergency Broadcast System, in 1997 ---- is hardly a model of high technology in action. In fact, it's not much more advanced than it was back in the 1950s when the federal government worried about nuclear bombs, not dirty bombs (read more - Randy Dotinga-North County Times)

A radio station broadcasting group, which includes two Clinton stations, has been sold. WPW Broadcasting of DeKalb, Ill., announced Wednesday a transaction with Prairie Communications, LLP. The transaction includes KCLN-AM (1390) and KZEG-FM (94.7) in Clinton. Local station manager Chris Streets said "all personnel and programming will remain the same." (read more - Clinton Herald)

Jodi Applegate, once a red-hot star at NBC News, may be headed back to New York City. She is currently co-host of the morning news on WFXT-TV, Fox's station in Boston, where she has worked for four years. But that could change - soon. There's been speculation for weeks on TV Web sites that Applegate was looking for a move to Fox-owned WNYW/Ch. 5 (read more NY Daily News - Richard Huff)

Rush Limbaugh, the Will Rogers of our time, jokingly ran a tape of a surgeon of Mr. Clinton's announcing the former president was sedated but capable of "arousal." Rush ran the risible tape more than once and doubtless his audience got the joke. Mr. Clinton's two terms may not be remembered for thwarting terrorism or making any geopolitical leaps. But they will be remembered for transforming the White House into Animal House, just what one would expect from 1960s youth (read more - Washington Times - R. Emmett Tyrrell) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

On ABC NightLine: New allegations about President Bush's service in the National Guard. Vice-President Cheney makes a statement that many in his own party consider over-the-top. Looking for the truth, but in politics these days, does the truth really matter? (visit ABC NightLine)

Sirius announced at the Custom Electronics Design Industry Association (CEDIA) Expo that it has joined forces with Monster Cable Products, Inc. (Brisbane, Calif.) to market and distribute SIRIUS branded accessories for the home and mobile entertainment markets (read more)

XM Satellite Radio announced the debut of its exclusive, original music series for the Fall 2004 season featuring many of the music industry's biggest stars.  XM's new season kicks off Sunday, September 12th at 8 PM ET with the one-on-one interview and performance series "Artist Confidential," this week featuring nine-time Grammy-winner Bonnie Raitt.  In the coming weeks music legends Tom Petty, Snoop Dogg, Quincy Jones and many others will deliver exclusive, original XM shows on a variety of XM channels for music fans nationwide (read more)


Hot 97 has gone to court to keep bad- boy DJ Star — whom it fired last year — from getting a new job in New York anytime soon. Hip-hop rival Power 105 has long been rumored to want Star. He is currently employed by a Hartford station that is owned by Clear Channel, the same company that owns Power 105. Star, aka Troi Torain, had killer ratings at Hot 97 until he was fired early last year for, among other things, allegedly threatening to "cut" the general manager (read more - John Mainelli - NY Post)

Six legendary figures in Chicago journalism -- including former WLS-Channel 7 news anchor John Drury and former WBBM-Channel 2 reporter John Drummond -- will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Chicago Headline Club + Chicago's seven Infinity Broadcasting stations will be among all of the company's 185 radio outlets to participate in a one-day nonpartisan voter registration event on Tuesday + Carl Jeffers has signed off as Saturday evening talk show host at WLS-AM (890) to take on two weekend shows at KIRO-AM in Seattle. Jeffers' former on-air partner, David Jennings, is expected to continue solo on WLS (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Howard Stern wants to expand his Web site to maintain access to his fans after he gets fired. "With the site, we won't have to rely on terrestrial radio when the FCC finagles a way to get us thrown off the air because they put too much pressure on Viacom and all the other companies we work for," Stern told his radio audience this week (read more - Investors Business Daily)

It's over for Ken Jennings . The software engineer from Salt Lake City who'd won 41 "Jeopardy" shows — and $1.4 million — as of last night has finally lost. The episode where Jennings was defeated won't air until the end of the month, and everyone at yesterday's taping signed a strict confidentiality agreement (read more - NY Post)

The much-loved Scott Muni, now at WAXQ (104.3 FM), is still recovering from a serious stroke, with no timetable for his return. Fans who would like to send him a get-well card or a note of appreciation can mail it to: The Dewitt, 211 E. 79th St., Room 1102, New York, NY 10021 + Scott Shannon says his True Oldies Channel, distributed by ABC Radio, is "a two-year project that's going great." Besides WREF (850 AM) in Danbury, Conn., it's on in Los Angeles, San Diego, Knoxville, Tenn., and other cities (read more - David Hinckley)

TalkRadio 790 KABC’s Ken Minyard, host of Ken & Company (5-9AM, M-F), announced today that he will retire after completing thirty-five years of broadcasting in Los Angeles. Minyard will broadcast his final show on KABC on October 15, 2004, marking his thirty-fifth anniversary on Los Angeles morning radio. “Its been a great run, but I need to get some sleep,” said Minyard on his show on KABC today. “I went to management a couple of weeks ago and told them that I’m going to retire. Its hard because its been a lot of fun, but it seems that all the stars are lined up properly and now is the right time to do this.” (visit KABC Ken and Company)

A new style of liberal talk radio is coming to Asheville next week, as daytime-only station WPEK/880-AM drops its "adult standards" music format and joins the edgy Air America network. The station, formerly known as "The Peak," will morph into "The Revolution." (read more - Asheville Citizen-Times)

Talk radio programs help Pennsylvania voters from across the entire political spectrum form opinions on current issues, according to a new survey by Arbitron Inc. A quarter of Pennsylvania voters who consider themselves Independents tell Arbitron that talk radio programs help them form opinions on current issues. This survey also shows that half of Republicans and nearly a third (30 percent) of Democrats in Pennsylvania also believe that talk radio programs influence their views on current issues (visit Arbitron)

WMMR (93.3 FM) announces the addition of Paul Jaxon to the WMMR air staff. "Jaxon" will be hosting the afternoon drive show (3pm to 7pm) show beginning this Thursday (read more)

KMPS-FM (94.1) recently billed a concert it sponsored at the Evergreen State Fair as marking its 30th anniversary, although program director Becky Brenner says she wasn't sure whether the country station was marking the start or the end of its 30th year with those call letters and that musical format (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell endorsed setting a 2009 deadline for U.S. television broadcasters such as Viacom's CBS to switch to digital signals (read more - Seattle Times)

A Columbus radio station is trading little ratings for Lil John. The station, WBFA-FM 101.3, hopes to usher in a new era with help from the likes of, well, Usher, and Lil John, OutKast and other rap and R&B acts. Gone is the name B101. Station owner Clear Channel is calling the new station "101.3 The Beat." "The concept is true hip-hop, rhythm & blues," said Wayne Bishop, director of sales for Clear Channel Columbus (read more - Ledger-Enquirer)

A month after leaving Canadian TV network Chum Ltd. as part of a management restructuring, veteran TV executive Stephen Tapp on Wednesday was named president and chief operating officer of Canadian Satellite Radio. Tapp will steer a bid in November by the Toronto company to secure a broadcast license to operate a subscription-based satellite radio service (read more - Hollywood Reporter)

Daniel Frishberg, radio host of "The MoneyMan" on KIKK-A Talk 650, is leaving the station effective Wednesday afternoon to start his own radio station called K-BIZ.  Frishberg is leaving what was formerly known as Business Radio 650 with plans to launch the new radio station in Houston in January (read more - Houston Biz Journal)

George W. Bush had just graduated from Yale, and faced the prospect of being drafted himself. But former Texas House Speaker and Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes says he helped keep that from happening. So what happened with Mr. Bush, the draft and the National Guard? And why is Barnes finally telling his story? Dan Rather has new information on the president’s military service – and the first-ever interview with the man who says he pulled strings to get young George W. Bush into the Texas Air National Guard (read the transcript of the Dan Rather-Ben Barnes 60 Minutes II interview)  (read the memo's, official Dept of Defense documents, etc)  (read more - NY Times) (read GOP-USA) (read Salon.com)   You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Tribune Co. will ask the U.S. Supreme Court for permission to operate newspapers and television stations in the same markets, according to the company’s Washington lobbyist, Shaun Sheehan.  The Chicago-based media conglomerate suffered the latest in a string of frustrating setbacks last Friday, when a federal appeals court rejected Tribune’s request to lift the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) cross-ownership ban (read more - Chicago Business)

Happy music is back on the air weekday mornings on KULP, El Campo’s radio station. “What are you going to do? Polka music is happy music,” said KULP broadcasting director Stephen Zetsche. “I’ve never been to a polka dance where everybody wasn’t smiling.  
“Polka Time” made a surprise comeback at 8 a.m. Thursday morning after KULP general manager Jerry Aulds told listeners the station had a special guest to deliver a special message
(read more - Wharton Journal-Spectator)

President Bush's former sister-in-law denied yesterday that she had given author Kitty Kelley any information about allegations of past drug use by Bush. Sharon Bush is quoted in Kelley's forthcoming book about the Bush family as making one of the allegations, and Kelley's editor said in an interview Tuesday that she had provided "confirmation" for the information. Publication day is set for Monday, when Kelley will begin three days of "Today" show interviews, but some of the allegations have already leaked to a British newspaper (read more - Washington Post - Howard Kurtz)

A federal appeals court ruled that rap artists should pay for every musical sample included in their work — even minor, unrecognizable snippets of music. Lower courts already had ruled that artists must pay when they sample other artists' work, but it has been legal to use musical snippets — a note here, a chord there — as long as it wasn't identifiable (read more - Washington Times)

The "Live 85" Hurricane Network continued a live simulcast for over 6 days, even when a few of the stations were forced off the air for a short period of time during the height of the storm. The station remained live and locally produced the entire time, using WFTL hosts and news people including Dave McBride, Neil Grant Trish Anderson and Andy Bass, most working double shifts. Air staffs from some of the other stations were called in for duty, too, including Don Agony and Joyce Kaufman from WJNA (visit Live85.com)


Viacom Inc. is trying to entice its shareholders the chance to swap some of their Viacom holdings for stock in Blockbuster Inc. by offering a ratio of 1-to-5.15 (read more - Crains NY Business)

The members of the Federal Communications Commission should be ashamed of themselves for continuing to capitulate to self-appointed moralists who believe the accidental flashing of one breast during the Super Bowl halftime show was a sign of the impending apocalypse (read more - Richard Roeper-Chicago Sun-Times)

In his first big move since taking on a wider role at media giant Viacom, CBS chief Les Moonves promoted several key network executives yesterday. The moves were made to shore up the network's executive ranks given that Moonves himself — while he retains the title of chairman of CBS — now has much broader responsibilities within Viacom (read more - NY Post - Tim Arango)

Letters to Feder -- Gary McLaughlin: Why do you waste ink on this crude, talentless, self-promoting hack? Mancow Muller is a stain on Chicago and his constantly changing network of cow town affiliates. Tim Murphy: Are you kidding? I listen to Don and Roma most mornings and consider myself more conservative than Don, but to say that WLS-AM (890) can "ill afford to lose the Wades" is poppycock. Don is insufferable at times because he can be so condescending and insolent. Roma just does not have a clue about real life. Lee Johnson: I'm no fan of Don Wade and Roma, but at least they do commit good radio. But that Teri O'Brien is the absolute worst: a shrill, one-note conservative who seems to get testy with the callers and rides the dump button a little too hard. But I could listen to Jay Marvin all day. I've long thought he was the best thing in local talk radio (read more - Feder of Chicago)

The new MSN Radio offers Internet stations playing most of the same songs heard on over-the-air outlets such as New York's WNEW, "The Mix 102.9"; or Chicago's WLUP, "The Loop." "It results in a more pleasant experience because you don't have the ads or the DJs," Rob Bennett, senior director for MSN Entertainment, said during a news briefing last week. But radio-industry experts said creating stations that sound like local radio outlets presents a possible trademark-infringement problem, much like selling a generic soft drink that's "just like Coca-Cola" with the same ingredients (read more - Seattle P-I - Benny Evangelista)

Dan Rather talks exclusively to former Texas House Speaker and Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes, a Democrat, about the role Barnes says he played in getting President George W. Bush into the Texas Air National Guard -- and why he now regrets it. Rather's exclusive interview will be broadcast Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 8 p.m. ET/PT (visit CBS 60 Minutes)

A radio morning man convicted of paying a 17-year-old girl for sex was back on Quebec City's airwaves yesterday, promising to use his job to fight violence against women (read more - Toronto Globe and Mail)

Several familiar voices have returned to the city's radio air.
Veteran sportscaster Warner Wolf this week started doing sports for Curtis and Kuby in the mornings on WABC (770 AM), and he's doing a sports talk show 8-10 a.m. Saturdays on sister station WEPN (1050 AM).
Wolf sounds as enthusiastic as ever, and the potential for interaction with Yankee fan Curtis Sliwa is promising. Ron Kuby - not the biggest of sports fans - yesterday said sharing a mic with Wolf was an honor and that it left him speechless, though just momentarily. Mike Thompson, program director of WEPN, said Wolf will also do fill-in work there (read more - David Hinckley)

A Chuck Buell Thought of the Day -- Those freshman entering college this fall were born in 1986. And to them, there has always been a Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame! (visit ChuckBuell.com)

The Federal Communications Commission plans to fine CBS parent Viacom $550,000 for Janet Jackson's breast-exposing dance during the Super Bowl halftime show, two FCC officials say. However, the FCC has no plans to fine CBS' 227 independent affiliate stations or to impose a penalty for the steamy dance that preceded the breast baring. "We would be extremely disappointed in such a ruling," CBS said in a statement. Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein plans to partly dissent, arguing the CBS affiliates also should have been fined for the episode (read more - USA Today)

Martha Stewart will surrender to start serving her five-month sentence for obstruction of justice as soon as there is a vacant cell at the Danbury federal prison for women, sources say, leaving her daughter Alexis, 38, to oversee her company. "There is no available bed at Danbury, and hasn't been for a couple weeks," said one insider. "She's just waiting." The Post's John Crudele reported last month that Stewart, saddled with huge legal bills, is cash-poor. She is selling her $7 million Perry Street apartment and has put one of her East Hampton estates on the market (read more - NY Post)

In a big win for Nielsen Media Research and its controversial people-meter system, the Rev. Jesse Jackson has endorsed the TV audience-measurement technology, saying it accurately represents viewing patterns of minorities in local markets (read more - Crains NY Business)

The media should be sanctuaries of dissent, Amy Goodman told a packed auditorium at Southern Vermont College on Tuesday night.
Instead, the media acts as a megaphone for those in power, allowing for the perpetuation of stereotypes about other people and cultures, and ignoring their voices, said the award-winning broadcast journalist who helped to launch the independent Pacifica Radio's "Democracy Now!" show in 1996
(read more - Bennington Banner)

Home entertainment trendsetters Netflix Inc. and TiVo Inc. hope to link up on a service that will use high-speed Internet connections to pipe DVD-quality movies into the homes of their mutual subscribers (read more - SF Gate)

A Great Barrier Island radio station announcer who abused police officers after they sprayed some of the island's cannabis crop has been ordered to apologise on air. The Broadcasting Standards Authority upheld complaints that The Beach 94.6FM breached two principles of the Radio Code of Broadcasting Practice.  On March 19 this year Beach 94.6FM announcer Tony Storey, who was arrested in the police operation, referred to police in disparaging terms and broadcast songs with offensive lyrics. The complaints were lodged by two police officers' wives (read New Zealand Herald)

Donald Trump calls the war in Iraq "a total catastrophe" and praises John Kerry: "He's a great guy. He's a very smart guy, and I think he's highly underestimated, and I think he's going to run an amazingly successful campaign. Look at what he did in the primaries. It appeared as if he was off the radar, and all of a sudden he made this great comeback. I have a feeling he's going to do very well." (read more - NY Post)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Steve Jones, Vice President and General Manager of ABC News Radio, announced that Richard Cantu, formerly of WBBM in Chicago, and Alex Stone, formerly of KOA in Denver, have joined the ABC News Radio team. Cantu will anchor the network’s hourly newscasts from New York, and Alex Stone will broadcast from the West Coast as the new Los Angeles Bureau Correspondent (visit ABC Radio News)

Young, Web savvy Canadians are abandoning their radios for play lists on the Internet, their personal computers and MP3 players, experts say -- music to the ears of Canada's largest Internet broadcaster and some major corporations looking to target the often difficult-to-reach demographic (read more - Globe and Mail)

Sirius Radio announced that Michelle McKinnon has joined Sirius as Senior Director, Investor Relations (read more)

For years, the political spectrum on talk radio stretched from the right all the way to the far right, with Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Michael Savage and Sean Hannity syndicated in almost every market. There were a few liberal success stories, such as Jim Hightower and Randi Rhodes, but by and large conservatives had a stranglehold on the medium. While their grip remains awfully firm, that may be starting to change. In fact, Madison now is in the surprising position of having two radio stations openly skirmishing over which one gets to call itself "Madison's Progressive Talk."  One is Clear Channel's WXXM/FM 92.1, the former "hot adult contemporary" Mix 92.1, which today is being re-christened The Mic 92.1, "Madison's Progressive Talk." (read more - Madison Capital Times)

Satellite radio is not for everybody -- especially for those who can't comprehend forking out money to listen to the radio. But because many Radio Waves readers have told me that they want alternatives to traditional AM and FM, and those options come down to the Internet and the satellites, I'll tell you, this time out, what I know about the two big birds, XM and Sirius (read more - Ben Fong-Torres - SF Chronicle)

Will Bill O'Reilly be a factor in the 2006 Senate race in New York State? The Fox News Channel personality, host of the top-rated "O'Reilly Factor," occasionally gets mentioned as a possible Republican opponent to Sen. Hillary Clinton - and the speculation usually goes no further. But I'm told that in recent days, O'Reilly, a registered independent, has confided to friends that he's seriously considering a run (read more - Lloyd Grove-NY Daily News)

Sirius Satellite crossed the 600,000 subscriber mark for its radio service over the Labor Day weekend, the company said Monday (read more - Investors Daily)

BCCA is hosting a Distance Learning Seminar called Essential Collection Tools and Techniques on Thursday, September 9, from 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm ET. The seminar is targeted to individuals at television, radio and cable companies who are responsible for collection calls to the station’s or system’s agencies and advertisers (read more)

The second a good song on the radio turns into an annoying commercial, listeners start searching for more music. The minute those same commercials disappear and music comes on, Don Chaney and Brian Keleher search for new commercials. Although their radio choices suggest otherwise, Chaney and Keleher aren't certifiably nuts, they're hilarious and effective businessmen. Chaney, 40, of Glenwood, and Keleher, 35, of Carbondale, own 24 Six Communications Group, a company that creates radio commercials. Keleher and Chaney listen for radio commercials that hold their interest and then implement good technique into their commercials. "If you're going to make an ad be stupid or silly, you have to make it smart," Chaney said (read more - Glenwood Springs Post Independent)

George W Bush snorted cocaine at Camp David, a new book claims. His wife Laura also allegedly tried cannabis in her youth. Author Kitty Kelley says in her biography The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty, that the US President first used coke at university in the mid-1960s. She quotes his former sister-in-law Sharon Bush who claims: "Bush did coke at Camp David when his father was President, and not just once either." Other acquaintances allege that as a 26-year-old National Guard, Bush "liked to sneak out back for a joint or into the bathroom for a line of cocaine."  According to the inside cover, a key premise of the book is "the obsessively protected public image into the family's intimate private lives: the matriarchs, the mistresses, the marriages, the divorces, the jealousies, the hypocrisies, the golden children, and the black sheep." (read Washington Dispatch)  (read Columbia Indymedia)  (read more - Mirror, U.K.) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Medallion Financial Corp., a taxi finance company, said it sold its taxicab advertising unit to Clear Channel Communications Inc. for about $33 million, exiting a money-losing operation (read more - Reuters)

The Global Entertainment & Media Summit will be held November 6-7, 2004 in New York City (details, details)

From SD Radio -- Is there going to be a radio shuffle in the near future? Strong street buzz indicates that Clear Channel Communications may realign several stations in the San Diego and la LA market on the AM and FM dial. The plan, if carried out, includes the return of adult standards to the San Diego market on a legendary station (visit SDRadio.net)

Stevens&Cleverley, Tuesday nights at 7 pm on KRTS, 92.1 FM, Houston. Mark Stevens & Cleverley Stone are "Guides to the Good Life. It's an irreverent & entertaining  romp featuring chefs, celebrities and other surprises.  Co-host Mark Stevens is celebrating his birthday (e-mail a birthday wish to him at markebaby@ev1.net)  Visit the show at CleverleyNewsletter.com 

The editor of one of Russia's oldest newspapers, Izvestia, has been fired over publication of pictures of wounded and dead children from the three-day school hostage drama in Beslan.  According to sources in the Russian media, the firing of respected editor Raf Shakirov was initiated by the Kremlin, which was infuriated by newspaper coverage of the Beslan hostage drama (read more - Brand Republic)

From Chuck Dunaway's "The Radio Diaries" --- Johnny Holliday/ABC Sports/Washington, DC: Chuck Dunaway and I share something that the broadcasters of today are missing big time…the excitement, the creativity, the emotion, the involvement of radio's greatest days, the Sixties, working in Top 40 and loving every minute of it. I am asked today more than ever by young people in radio what it was like back in the sixties. Was it fun? How did you get such great numbers? What sort of promotions did your station run? Chuck Dunaway/Houston: This is the last of the series of radio stories that we will have hosted on this web page. Thank you very much, Larry Shannon, for the time and effort that you've put into this project. Thank you to everyone who sent emails and comments to me from the beginning of this adventure over two years ago. We hope you've enjoyed the many stories that have been shared during the past few months. I also appreciate the renewing of old friendships during the posting of "The Way I Remember It" episodes. Now we are looking forward to the next Texas Radio Hall of Fame awards dinner in October. During the first two Awards dinners, seeing old pals I've worked with and enjoyed off time with for years was nothing short of the greatest feeling in the world ... (read it all at www.chuckdunaway.com)

Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong-based affiliate of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., said it would work with a Beijing radio station to set up a national radio network in China, Shenzhen Daily reported Monday. The two companies signed an agreement Friday to set up a joint venture, to be 55 percent owned by the State-owned Beijing People’s Broadcasting Station and 45 percent by Phoenix.  Both companies will contribute their libraries of programs — which in Phoenix’s case would have to be converted to radio format — to the planned network (read more - China View)

XM Satellite Radio announced that XM is airing Big Ten Conference football and men's and women's basketball games, the latest addition to XM's line-up of college sports programming  (visit XM Radio)

Best talk-show topic last week, from Mike Rosen on KOA 850-AM: "Is the size of your butt the government's business?" ... Get off the couch: KUVO 89.3-FM hosts its second annual Labor Day Race at Washington Park. The 5280-meter run benefits the nonprofit station's capital campaign (read more -Dick Kreck-Denver Post)

Wide-eyed and a bit weary, five German women bought cowboy boots and hats Saturday morning in downtown Cheyenne. The group attracted more attention than most customers as they were surrounded by a Tangram Film camera crew. The five women were selected from 1,000 who applied to be in a five-part documentary series called "Cowgirls." The show will air on a French-German cultural channel (read more - Casper Tribune)

In 1934, a remarkable set of circumstances changed the nature of labor-management relations in the U.S. South and the rest of America forever. That year, nearly 500,000 textile workers across the South and in parts of the North went on strike. It was the largest worker revolt in U.S. history at that time. Music and radio -- the emerging technology of the time -- played an important role in bringing those huge numbers of people together for their common cause. Folk songs and the famous "fireside chats" of President Franklin D. Roosevelt were key to mobilizing workers.
Vincent Rosigno, assistant professor of sociology at Ohio State University, and William Danaher, associate professor at the College of Charleston, chronicle the role radio and music played in the textile strike in their new book The Voice of Southern Labor: Radio, Music and Textile Strikes, 1929-1934. The book tracks the rise in popularity of radio, and also the enduring bond between music and union movements in the United States. The authors also talk with NPR's Tony Cox about the role race played in midst of a huge strike across the segregated Jim Crow South
(read and listen at NPR)

From Claude Hall Online:  "George Wilson" --
Where George Wilson tread, gods feared to follow
Radio at cliff's edge drew only a few
Top 40 no science, your gut had to do
While the "circus" moved on, new towns like a song
Gary Allyn, Guy Williams, new disc jockies, too.
Radio stations in chaos, the reason unknown
Playlist in shreds, promotion budget gone
Equipment like history, salaries a mystery
Radio your friend and your enemy, too
+ e-mails from Patrick Robinson, Khan Hamon, Jack Gale, Dan Hughes, Susan Rice and more ...
(read www.claudehallonline.com)

Last week's GOP convention in New York City appears to have given President Bush a modest bounce and a small lead among likely voters, according to a poll released Monday. The CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll of 1,018 adult Americans, including 778 likely voters and 926 registered voters, was conducted by telephone September 3-5.  Bush's convention bounce appeared to be 2 percentage points. The percentage of likely voters who said he was their choice for president rose from 50 right before the convention to 52 immediately afterward (read more - CNN)

Dear Radio Babe, What station do I listen to to listen to the Savage Nation on radio? P.M. -- Dear P.M., Your lovely "Savage Nation," the oft hate-filled talk program of Michael Savage -- the Talk Radio Network's syndicated agitator whose own friends aren't sure they believe his "angry Jew" shtick -- is on several area stations. (Gee, what a surprise). Savage (legally, Michael Weiner) is extremely literate, earning master's degrees in both medical botany and medical anthropology as well as a Ph.D. in epidemiology and nutritional science. He authored 19 books and originated the phrase "compassionate conservative" in 1994 (read more - Radio Babe - Dawn Scire)

The impending sale of five radio stations by Spanish Broadcasting System has raised concerns among Latin music industry executives about the potential loss of Spanish-language outlets in key markets. In particular, observers expressed surprise at the radio chain's decision to sell Los Angeles outlets KZAB and KZBA (La Sabrosa) to Styles Media Group (read more - Reuters)

Technologies that let people record satellite and Internet radio broadcasts digitally are opening a new front in the recording industry's war on music piracy. Until recently, the music industry focused its efforts on the widespread sharing of music files online. But a proliferation of software that make recording radio streams a breeze now has recording companies worried. The latest trouble comes of a hardware/software combination that has catalyzed a new type of backdoor recording (read more - Houston Chronicle)

 

Rush Limbaugh, 53, is dating Atlanta-based CNN anchor Daryn Kagan, 41, reports the Washington Post. The two were spied at a party "The Godfather" co-hosted at a New York restaurant, where guests included Vice President Dick Cheney and New York Gov. George Pataki + After a month of Ronald Reagan speeches on WAFS-AM/1190 as a stunt, Salem Broadcasting has retired the former president in favor of praise-and-worship music. Salem is using its Nashville-based syndicated format "Word in Praise" on 1190, which used to be conservative news/talk (read more Peach Buzz)

TV and radio personality Leeza Gibbons is set to begin Leeza at Night, a daily, 5-hour U.S. radio music program, which debuts Nov. 8.  Leeza at Night will feature Leeza Gibbons' take on entertainment news and the trends shaping American culture, as well as taking call-ins from listeners nationwide on hot adult contemporary stations, including 12 Infinity Broadcasting-owned stations (read more - Big News)

A Kansas company says it has a deal to buy NBC affiliate KTGF-TV. Federal approval is necessary for the sale to become final.  Destiny Communications of Wichita, Kan., announced recently that a purchase agreement was reached with Max Media of Montana. Max Media put the television station up for sale after signing a deal to buy KFBB-TV, the ABC affiliate in Great Falls (read more - Billings Gazette)

The issue of paid spins at radio stations and broadcast groups has become a hot-button topic on Nashville's Music Row and in the country radio community. While MCA Nashville was hardly the first record label to employ these legal programs, the company's strategic use of paid spins for Reba McEntire's "Somebody" attracted the industry's attention and ignited a debate over programing ethics in late July. As that debate continues, Billboard polled programers and radio group executives representing major chains, as well as independent operators, and found that most have objections the practice (read more - Reuters)

ARBitrends for Albuquerque, Austin, Bakersfield, Baton Rouge, Colorado Springs, El Paso, Greenville, Jackson, Madison, Toledo and West Palm Beach (read 'em)

When President Bush officially accepted the presidential nomination, his speech went out live via a satellite channel many delegates had never heard of in a language most could not understand. But his words reached an audience of 35 million Arab-speaking viewers, who tune in to Al Jazeera. The convention coverage has raised the profile of the almost 8-year-old Arab-language channel, which is already quite well known internationally, though not always due to favorable circumstances (read more - LA Times)

Hurricane Frances knocked several Treasure Coast radio stations off the air during the height of the storm.  WPSL (1590 AM) and WSTU (1450 AM) went dark from 9:30 p.m. Saturday until at least 3 p.m. Monday. "We lost our studio-to-transmitter link," said Carol Wyatt, owner of both stations. "The wind blew one of our towers over." WQCS (88.9 FM), the 100,000-watt public radio station in Fort Pierce, remained on the air but its phone lines went dead from 3 p.m. Sunday to 11 a.m. Monday (read more - TC Palm)

Apparently, it's not enough for WFMS-FM (95.5) to be popular. The Country Music Association has deemed the radio station to be quite good, as well -- worthy of four nominations in this year's broadcast award categories. WFMS, the most-listened-to local station for the past 20 quarterly ratings periods, was listed earlier this week as one of five CMA nominees for "Large Market Station of the Year." WFMS won this award in 1997, 2000 and 2001. The other nominations are crowded into the "Large Market Personality of the Year" category (read more - Indy Star)

A federal appeals court Friday turned down a Tribune Co. request to allow media companies to own a newspaper and a broadcast TV station in the nation's biggest media markets. Since 1975, a federal rule designed to promote diversity in news markets bans media companies from owning a newspaper and a TV station in one market, although companies that already had dual holdings were allowed to keep them. The ban presents a problem for Chicago-based Tribune which, as a result of acquisitions, now owns newspapers and TV stations in the New York, Los Angeles, south Florida and Hartford, Conn., markets (read more - Chicago Tribune)

The Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration will be held on Saturday evening October 30th in San Antonio! The event will be sold-out, so don't delay your purchase. (click here for more information about celebration tickets and celebration hotel reservations) 2004 Inductees have been announced. Book a super discounted room today at the Radisson Hill Country Resort while they last at these incredibly low rates! Become a Premier voting member for only $15 (click here or visit www.trhof.com)

The liberal radio talk show format is finally gaining a foothold — in none other than the Clear Channel Radio empire so close to the heart of Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs. St. Paul radio consultant Steve Moravec notes that at least seven Clear Channel stations are moving to at least a partial liberal talk format. For years, conservative hosts have held a near monopoly on politically oriented radio talk shows. Clear Channel's new liberal talk stations are in Boulder-Denver; Albuquerque, N.M.; Miami; San Diego; Portland, Ore.; Santa Barbara, Calif.; and Ann Arbor, Mich (read more - St. Paul Pioneer Press)

The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote unanimously for a record-setting fine against CBS-owned stations for violating broadcast decency standards with the network's January breast-baring Super Bowl halftime show, though some commissioners are expected to say the fines are not severe enough, FCC sources said. The $550,000 indecency fine would be the largest levied against a television broadcaster. The decision could be released as early as next week but may come the week after (read more - Washington Post - Frank Ahrens)

Bob Crowley, a news reporter and anchor for radio station KRLD/1080 AM, was fired from the station on Tuesday, he said Thursday. Crowley anchored the KRLD Evening News weekdays from 7 to 9 p.m. He had been at the station since May 2001.  Crowley says his firing is the latest in a string of KRLD employee terminations. "About three or four months ago, KRLD fired half the staff," he said. "Four reporters, three or four editors, anchorman Dave Cooke. (Sports director) Allan Stanglin quit and was not replaced. (Anchorman and editor) Jerry Overton quit and was not replaced. Three weeks ago, they fired one of their engineers. I was the latest to go." Tom Bigby, KRLD's operations manager, directed calls to Jerry Bobo, the station's vice president and general manager. Bobo declined to comment. "We don't make a practice of commenting on employees once they leave," Bobo said (read more - Star-Telegram)

The number of U.S. wireless subscribers who are switching providers while keeping their telephone numbers is accelerating, the Federal Communications Commission said on Friday. Since November, 5.4 million customers have switched, but over half of those, about 2.8 million, jumped to another carrier in the three months from May to July, said FCC spokeswoman Lauren Patrich (read more - Reuters)

WFTL, "Live 85," Fort Lauderdale, began round the clock coverage of Hurricane Frances Thursday morning with information on how to prepare for the storm. By 12 noon, all the stations in the James Crystal Radio group began a simulcast of the "Live 85 Hurricane Network" with updates on evacuations, shelters and twice per hour updates on the location of the hurricane from the National Hurricane Center, Miami and Accuweather. The network is airing live briefings from all the area Emergency Operations Centers and from the state's Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee (visit www.live85.com)

The Conclave announces that the already special tuition rate of only $49 has been extended until September 17 for TalenTrak 2004, The Conclave’s - exclusive air talent seminar taking place on Saturday, September 18, 2004 at the Holiday Inn Select/ City Centre Lakeshore in Cleveland, Ohio (visit The Conclave)

XM Satellite Radio refinanced $33.3 million from L.J. Melody & Co. for its headquarters in Northeast Washington. XM Satellite, which leads all satellite radio stations with 2.1 million subscribers, bought its home at 1500 Eckington Place for $34 million in 2001 -- about a year and a half after signing a 10-year lease in the three-story building (read more - Washington Biz Journal)

Dean Richards celebrated his 10th anniversary on WGN-AM (720) with a special edition of his show last Sunday. Chicago radio veteran Leslie "Lane Closure" Keiling, last heard on John Landecker's old morning show at WJMK-FM (104.3), fills in next week on midday and afternoon traffic reports at WGN. The post has been open since Anne Maxfield left to join Mike North's upcoming morning show at WSCR-AM (670) (read more - Feder of Chicago)


Fox News Channel made history - again - Wednesday when it topped all other networks' ratings for coverage of the Republican National Convention. Fox's coverage between 10 and 11 p.m., which included the acceptance speech of Vice President Cheney, averaged 5.9 million viewers (read more - NY Daily News-Richard Huff)

From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series --- I got a call from a representative of the National Association of Broadcasters last week. I am requested to be on a panel Friday, October 8th at 10:30 AM at the Radio Convention in San Diego. As I understand it this panel will have consultant/specialists dealing with every form of today’s radio…including programming, promotion, research, etc. I have been asked to talk about consulting to managers, owners, and presidents…and it will be my pleasure. I’ll have a surprise or two. I will certainly comment on the recent decision to reduce hourly commercial content. Also, I’ll point you to a monthly magazine that will definitely help you focus on the future. If you will be attending the NAB convention please come to the podium to shake hands and say hello!!!! Let’s talk some radio!! (read more at www.kentburkhart.com)

President George W. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney have taken a two point lead over Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and North Carolina Senator John Edwards (46%-44%), according to a new Zogby America poll. The telephone poll of 1001 likely voters was conducted from Monday through Thursday (August 30-September 2, 2004) during the Republican National Convention in New York City. Overall results have a margin of sampling error of +/-3.2 (read more - Zogby Poll)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Harry Harrison, the "Morning Mayor" of New York for more than four decades on WMCA, WABC and WCBS-FM before he stepped down in March 2003, says he still could return to the radio. But what he assured listeners was a near certainty on the day he left WCBS-FM became more problematic with the death two months later of his wife, Patti. "That changed the situation dramatically," says Harrison (read more - David Hinckley)

"Liberals are simply not wired intellectually and emotionally to be receptive to talk radio," claims Scott Hogenson, the Republican National Committee radio director. Syndicated radio host Mike Gallagher is rated sixth in the world of talk radio. He’s leading his 9 to 11 a.m. slot Thursday morning talking about Democratic Senator Zell Miller. "A Democratic turncoat is a conservative radio host’s dream," Gallagher says just before going on the air. Conservative talkers like Gallagher own the mornings at Madison Square Garden. It’s an echo-chamber of conservative ideology. More than 100 hosts chatter and yell, some with flailing arms, some relaxed. There are maybe a half dozen liberal talkers on Radio Row, most prominently the folks from Al Franken’s Air America. The truth is liberals – and Democrats – covet the great megaphone that is talk radio. But talk radio is like Texas -- there are liberal corners but its Bush country as far as the eye can see (or the ear can hear, in this case) (read more CBS 2 NY)

It's already well known for its cheesesteak sandwiches, the Liberty Bell - and for sports fans who once booed Santa Claus. Now, the city of Philadelphia is trying to forge a new reputation - by way of the Internet. City officials are trying to find a way to turn the town into the world's biggest wireless Internet hot spot.  The plan would place thousands of small transmitters around the city (read more - Canada.Technology)

Entercom Communications Corp. shook up its morning shows on its two Milwaukee FM radio stations. The "Knight in the Morning" show that had been airing on WXSS-FM (103.7 'Kiss'), moved to WMYX-FM (99.1 'Mix') with hosts Michael Knight and Rahny Taylor. Jane Matenaer, who had been co-host of the morning show on WMYX, remains at the station on the new "Knight in the Morning with Jane Matenaer and Rahny Taylor" show (read more - Milwaukee Biz Journal)

Hurricanes bring out the local coverage in Florida radio. WQCS (88.9 FM), the 100,000-watt public radio station out of Fort Pierce, is the primary Emergency Alert System for Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. New to the broadcasting party this year is WFTL (850 AM), a 50,000-watt all-news station out of West Palm Beach. The station reaches virtually all of the Treasure Coast (read more - TC Palm)

From JimRoseOnline.com -- My name is Kerry Moore and I live in Sunnyvale, TX. I did a websearch for WFAA 820 and came across your web pages. Since you indicate a great knowledge of Broadcast Radio in this area I thought you might be able to answer my question or at least point me in the right direction.
I am putting together a family history and am currently collecting info on my father. His name was Gray Moore
+ Pat Walsh writes: My own Texas experience is limited since I only consulted 6 markets there in a 25 year time ZZZframe. However I worked with or against and even for many of the older broadcasters and during the ten years I spent with LIN Broadcasting. I did a lot of things with Dickie and KILT (read more - JimRoseOnline.com)

From RDN Special Contributor Bob Crowley --Immediacy is radio’s one key advantage. We can tell the listener what’s happening, RIGHT NOW. That, by definition, is spot news. To effectively communicate the story, you need the juice. I don’t care for ‘cop tape’ but some of the most memorable quotes I have gotten came from officers. Once there was a murder. The victim was on the sidewalk, in a pool of blood. I asked the Sergeant, do you have a motive? "Yes. Yes we do." He said. "What is the motive?" I asked. "We believe this man was not well liked." (read more from Bob Crowley)

ARBitrends for Des Moines, Jacksonville, Tulsa, Grand Rapids, Orlando, Chattanooga, Columbia SC, Lansing-East Lansing, Charleston SC and Johnson City TN (read 'em)

The Magic is gone, but The Beat goes on. After a 17-year run of playing “the great hits of the ’60s and ’70s,” Magic 96.1 became 96.1 The Beat on Thursday. The Beat is labeled by parent company Clear Channel Communications as a “party station” featuring hits from Usher, Eminem, Alicia Keys, Beyonce and Nelly, among others. Magic 96.1 signed off at midnight Wednesday night by playing Don McLean’s “American Pie.”  According to Clear Channel, the Oldies format had become a “niche format” in Charlotte and a new product was necessary to deliver more to advertisers (read more - Shelby Star)

Rob Dibble, co-host of ESPN Radio's The Dan Patrick Show and Baseball Tonight analyst, will be volunteering his time in support of the troops September 7-17. Dibble will visit soldiers who are too close to the action to enjoy diversions like ESPN and the USO. Traveling with pro wrestler Diamond Dallas Page, the duo will be making stops in Kuwait, Baghdad and Tikrit (visit ESPN Radio)

The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday that it would vote next week on whether to require 414 digital television stations to air educational children's programming, a plan pushed by the agency's Democratic members. The proposal has been opposed by more than 1,000 local TV stations that are members of the National Assn. of Broadcasters. They say it's premature to impose such a requirement during the early stages of U.S. conversion to digital TV (read more - LA Times)

Robert Gillet, the radio morning man convicted of paying for sex with a 17-year-old prostitute, said he was sorry Thursday "for everything that happened" as he announced plans to return to his old job. Gillet, whose arrest in a teen prostitution case faced so much public scrutiny in Quebec City that his trial had to be moved to Montreal, will be back on the air on CJMF at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Gillet also asked listeners who may hold a grudge against him to try to pardon him (The Globe and Mail) (read more - Canadian Press)

Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse and WMMR 93.3-FM have agreed on an exclusive deal for the upcoming NFL season.  Kearse, who wears No. 93 and is nicknamed "The Freak," will join the 93.3 WMMR morning show "The Philly Guys" every Friday for "The WMMR Friday Freak Show with 93 Jevon Kearse." (read more - Laura Nachman)

For better or worse, talk radio has more than carved out a place among today's political media. Interep, the New York-based radio advertising and marketing firm, reports that talk radio reached an all-time high in the spring, rising to 12 percent of total listenership. Citing Arbitron data, Interep director of researcher Stu Naar says talk radio is likely to continue its steady growth as more and more stations adopt the format. During the four-day convention, more than 150 networks and individual talk show hosts broadcast from Radio Row, says Greg Chapin, the RNC's associate director of radio. Rush Limbaugh didn't make it to Radio Row, though President Bush appeared on his Tuesday show, prompting a snarling Ed Schultz to label the interview "unchallenged, free publicity." (read more - Chicago Tribune)

ABC News Radio will offer two one-hour specials over Labor Day weekend (Thursday, September 2nd through Monday, September 6th): “Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity with ABC’s John Stossel” and “Back to School – The ABC News/Court TV Safety Challenge 2004.”  ABC News Radio will also provide affiliates with extensive coverage of the third anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The network, which will have correspondents at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA (visit ABC News Radio)

Houston-based Border Media Partners, which owns the two top-rated radio stations in the Laredo market, has a couple of new "Amigos." BMP Radio has bought Amigo Broadcasting and its eight stations in four Texas markets, including Laredo, Dallas, Austin and Waco. The deal, which is worth an estimated $70 million, is still subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission, but is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The three Amigo Broadcasting stations in Laredo include KNEX-FM, KLNT-AM and KQUR-FM, which is in a long-term lease with Amigo. The lease agreement basically would transfer to BMP, with an option to buy (read more - Laredo Morning Times)

You can call Michael Moore a lot of things — and Republicans do. They say the creator of “Fahrenheit 9-11” is a traitor, a liar, a scoundrel, but inevitably some deploy the last acceptable slur in the American arsenal of insults. They call him ... a fat man. Moore, who attended this week’s Republican National Convention as a columnist for USA Today, was greeted by delegates who derided him as a “fat pig.” (read more - MSNBC)

Local Radio revenue remained steady for July, increasing 1% over the same month from a year ago. National dollars decreased 15% this July when compared to July of 2003, contributing to an overall dip of 3% in combined total local and national ad sales revenue (read more - RAB)


ARBitrends for Birmingham, Fresno, Knoxville, Oklahoma City and Raleigh Durham (read 'em)

Obituaries for the medium and the industry have been written ever since the emergence of television, and through the rise of such competitors as the Internet, satellite radio and personal listening devices such as the iPod. But in the space of a week two national business publications -- Forbes and Barron's -- devoted considerable ink to chronicling radio's problems. The articles take slightly different tacks. Forbes contends that traditional radio should be dying in the face of satellite radio's myriad advantages, but the political clout of the National Association of Broadcasters has kept the lid on the technology's growth. Says a subhead on the article, titled "Broadcast Bullies," "competition in the broadcast industry is anything but fair." (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

Democratic Sen. Zell Miller was tough on his own party's presidential nominee, but things got even hotter when the combative conservative all but challenged an interviewer to a duel.  Fresh off a keynote speech to the Republican National Convention that blistered John Kerry, the Georgia senator engaged in a raucous television interview with Chris Matthews that got increasingly rambunctious (read more - Sarasota Herald Tribune)

With his indecency troubles behind him at last, Mancow Muller signed a two-year contract renewal Wednesday to continue as morning personality on WKQX-FM (101.1). Brad Behnke, former director of marketing and promotions at WLS-AM (890), WUSN-FM (99.5) and WLXX-AM (1200), has been named vice president and general manager of "La Mera Mera," the new Spanish-language format airing via a local marketing agreement on WNTD-AM (950). Two sportscasters employed by Shadow Broadcast Services/Metro Networks are swapping stations: Dave "The Governor" Kerner moves to WBBM-AM (780), while Zach Zaidman switches to WSCR-AM (670). Both stations are owned by Infinity Broadcasting (read more - Feder of Chicago)

From Houston Hawk -- Classical KRTS/92.1 will be going off the air soon.  It was sold to Radio-One.  They have kept very quiet on what format they will debut on the Seabrook, Texas move-in, but you can bet it will compliment CO-owned Urban AC KMJQ/102.1 and Urban KBXX/97.9 ... There were few folks that ever gave Gordon McClendon a headache.  Dave Morris did.  Considering he was being that much of an irritant with a mere 250 watts speaks volumes for him and his staff at KNUZ/1230 when they battled KILT/610 all those years.  Dave is no longer with us, but he leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten in Texas Radio ... Laura Morris is no relation to Dave.  From all accounts she worked her way from the bottom to the top at KTRH/740 (read it all - Houston Hawk)

Last week, Boulder community radio station KGNU announced the purchase of Denver's KJME/1390-AM for $4.1 million, plus an extra $100,000 fee for an operating agreement that allowed the new signal to begin broadcasting on August 29, just in time for the opening of the Republican National Convention. KGNU only had a bit over $1 million of that sum when the transaction went down and now faces the biggest fundraising challenge of its 26-year existence, not to mention rivalry with a slew of long-entrenched Denver outlets and a prominent new one: New York-based Air America Radio (read more - Westworld)

Veteran newsman Bob Crowley is no longer at Infinity's KRLD 1080 in the Dallas-Fort Worth market.   After 3 years at KRLD, the reporter and anchor has packed up his microphone.  Bob's already been in touch with a couple of other news organizations.  He was previously at KVET in Austin (e-mail Bob at bobcrowley@ev1.net)

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Alan Keyes refused to back down Wednesday from calling Vice President Cheney's lesbian daughter a "selfish hedonist," even as Illinois GOP leaders called Keyes' remark "idiotic," "extremely inappropriate," and "shameful." Keyes made his initial comments about Mary Cheney on Monday night to gay activists with a talk show on the little-heard Sirius satellite radio service station OutQ, which targets a gay audience. Keyes argued that homosexuality is "selfish hedonism," then was asked if that makes Mary Cheney "a selfish hedonist." "Of course she is," Keyes said. "That goes by definition." (read more - Chicago Daily Herald)

WEMP-AM (1250) will drop its predominantly religious programming this fall for a combination of local and national sports-talk shows and game broadcasts, giving Milwaukee its only 24-hour sports radio station. "Midday Memories" — the creation of local detective Paul Baker, which gave listeners the chance to reminisce on the air as they requested favorite tunes — was doing so well, it was even expanded to two hours recently. Now, it, the cute-and-lively morning show of Sonny Melendrez and the beautiful music lovefest by Glueck in the afternoons all are history
 (read more - Milwaukee Biz Journal)

The former keynoter at the '92 Democratic convention totally overshadowed the vice president of the United States. He looked really hostile -- even if you turned the sound off -- as he eviscerated Kerry. No flicker of a smile ever crossed his lips. Senator Miller -- who's been a Republican in all but name for more than a year -- was the talk of the chattering classes. Cheney's monotone, CEO-style speech got 'em booing at Madison Square Garden, but Zell's barely cooked slab of red partisan meat will be debated for many news cycles to come (read more - Howard Kurtz-Media Notes)

S.A. listeners of nostalgia station KLUP-AM must feel it's not necessarily a "goodie" to be an "oldie" in this market. The one musical outlet for fans 50-and-older — who loved the station's soothing strains of Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw, Ol' Blue Eyes and Barry Manilow —will be history next week. Conservative syndicated talk — as if we don't already have enough of it on KTSA and WOAI — will replace the tunes, starting Monday (read more - Jeanne Jakle-SA Express News)

Police identified two people they believe were involved in an assault on radio personality Tom Leykis and detained one of them but released him without filing charges. Authorities were seeking a second person. A 28-year-old Seattle man was taken into custody Friday and released Tuesday without being charged, police said Wednesday, adding that the case remained under investigation (read more - Seattle P-I)

A radio station that tested the bounds of Singapore's censorship laws, and lost, has been fined S$30,000 ($17,500) after its disc jockeys made sexually suggestive on-air comments about pornography and women's panties (read more - Reuters)

At the high tea for Republican potentates that Fox News Channel commentator Monica Crowley hosted yesterday at Asprey, the talk naturally veered toward politics and media. One guest noted that Jesse Ventura, the erstwhile wrestler/governor who hosted an MSNBC talk show last year that was swiftly dumped, is getting the last chuckle: "He out-lawyered NBC and now he's collecting $2 million just to sit at his lake house in Minnesota and keep his mouth shut. If he appears in any media before April of next year, the payments stop." (read more - NY Post)

Wednesday morning, listeners of the "Bob and Sheri" show on WOZN (98.7 FM) were greeted to a rude awakening: music. There was no familiar banter. No jokes. No laughs. And no Bob Lacey and Sheri Lynch. They were off the air. Their contract ended Tuesday, and the station chose not to renew it to instead offer local programming. It was that simple. Come Monday, a guy named Jeff Wicker debuts (read more - Record Leader)

The mischievous magnets produced by Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" have created a sticky situation for the RNC. The "Make Your Own Headlines With the Daily Show Newsmaker" kits were banned from RNC gift bags because they included words like "tranvestite," "goat," "dances" and "dumb" as well as "Dubya," "Rumsfeld" and "Cheney." The RNC apparently feared the magnets could be used to poke fun at GOP leaders (read more - NY Post)

To disc jockey Delana Bennett, the diverse lineup of her new morning show sounds like the makings of a good ethnic joke: "So this white girl, two black guys and a Mexican walk into a bar." And meet a priest and a rabbi? Not exactly. Judging by the raunchy tone of Bennett's gig with rap station Jammin' Z90, she and her new crew would be more likely to run into a hooker and a pimp. Yes, Bennett is letting her hair down and scooching her skirt up. After seven years as the frisky but PG-rated co-host on Magic 92.5's morning show, the brunette bombshell plans to let loose with a show about "sex, drugs and hip-hop." She's even got a new name. "Delana" is history; in her place is "Roxy." And who is this Roxy woman? (read more - Randy Dotinga)

Usually, when a rock 'n' roll radio station switches format or goes off the air, the choice for its last song is pretty easy. It's either Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) by Steam, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John or Goodbye to You by Scandal. They all work. But when the radio station is KRTS (92.1 FM) and the format is classical music, it's slim pickings for a last song. "Put it this way: We won't be playing Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin," joked station manager Tom Richards. Richards said the station has something special planned for its last moments on the air, which should come sometime in the next two weeks. That's when new ownership  (read more - Ken Hoffman-Houston Chronicle)

Out of a busy basement office across the street from the Republican National Convention center, an Arabic-language news channel helps shape the views of millions of people in the region that plays a key role in the presidential race: the volatile Middle East.  For 40 million viewers in the Arab world, Al Jazeera, a Qatar-based satellite television channel, provides a window into the intricate world of American politics. This week, its 16 reporters and staff will air 13 hours of broadcasts from the convention -- more time than the combined coverage of America's major television networks, ABC, CBS and NBC (read more South Coast Times)

Fisher Communications CEO William Krippaehne plans to board a chartered plane Monday for a roadshow to sell $150 million in high-yield debt being offered in a private placement (read more - Seattle Times)

Before there was Karl Rove, Lee Atwater or even James Baker, the Bush family's political guru was a gregarious newspaper owner and campaign consultant from Midland, Texas, named Jimmy Allison. In the spring of 1972, George H.W. Bush phoned his friend and asked a favor: Could Allison find a place on the Senate campaign he was managing in Alabama for his troublesome eldest son, the 25-year-old George W. Bush?  "The impression I had was that Georgie was raising a lot of hell in Houston, getting in trouble and embarrassing the family, and they just really wanted to get him out of Houston and under Jimmy's wing," Allison's widow, Linda, told me. "And Jimmy said, 'Sure.' He was so loyal." (read more Mary Jacoby-Salon)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

“Lindsey Graham! Oh, I can’t believe this!” You’d think he was a Beatle. He poses for a keepsake picture with them. “Say ‘Flat tax,’” he grins before the flash. On the day after his 2 minute, 45-second introduction of John McCain, he is much in demand. He had come over to “Radio Row” to do several pre-arranged interviews, but once he’s here, producers from other shows keep coming up to ask for a couple of minutes. He always obliges. It’s “such a free-form thing that it’s bam, bam, bam,” notes Mr. Bishop (read more - The State)


Bobby Ocean has left KFRC. After 3 years and a recent good rating report card, the afternoon drive jock says he was told that the budget for his show was being halved and KFRC was not renewing his contract. Ocean had a personal investment in his show, having purchased his Johnny Mann jingles and many giveaway prizes with his own money. Ocean has worked at such legendary stations as KGB, KCBQ and KHJ. He continues to be a highly sought after voice talent and radio producer. You can reach Bobby at 415-472-5625 or via e-mail at himself@bobbyocean.com Bobby's Web site is www.bobbyocean.com

Talk radio may be dominated by Republicans, but some stations are finding it hard to secure interviews at the party's convention. Some talkers are so desperate to fill airtime that they've taken to hanging out in front of the ABC Radio booth used by Sean Hannity, dubbed by one colleague as having "Elvis status" in talk radio. Once Hannity has finished with a guest they are pounced on for follow-up interviews with other shows. Kerianne D. Rodrigues, a news anchor and reporter at WTAG/580 AM in Worcester, Mass., said: "I didn't get one single guest from the RNC [Republican National Committee] during my first day here. However, I did get a guest from the DNC [Democratic National Committee]." Paul Gleiser, owner of KTBB/600 AM in Tyler, Texas,  was frustrated by the GOP's logistics or lack of them. "I don't think the Republican Party has a better media friend than talk radio," he said. "So, I'm surprised that we are having to work so aggressively to find guests."  (read more - Newsday)

ABC Radio has signed an agreement with Media Monitors® to provide its online broadcast monitoring services to all 27 of the ABC radio stations in 10 major American markets. Media Monitors delivers broadcast data to various media online, same-day via the AirCheck service at www.mediamonitors.com

Air America Radio will enter the Madison airwaves Tuesday morning, replacing the struggling adult contemporary outlet "Mix 92.1." Air America, which debuted March 31, will make Madison its 27th market and its first on an FM frequency. At talk outlet WTDY-AM (1670), veteran morning host John "Sly" Sylvester, who also programs the station, has already altered WTDY to counter Air America's arrival (read more-Wisconsin State Journal)

At WZZN-FM (94.7), on Tuesday, Pete McMurray learned just how temporary he was. The Disney/ABC-owned active rocker dropped McMurray after just eight months + Tickets go on sale today for an onstage performance by a cavalcade of WLS-AM (890) talk show hosts Oct. 2 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. Among the "WLS Stars on Stage" will be Roe Conn, Jay Marvin, Eileen Byrne, Jim Johnson, Deborah Rowe, Teri O'Brien, David Jennings and Bruce DuMont + Kevin Robinson, who lasted 10 years as program director at oldies WJMK-FM (104.3), has landed in the same role at KYKY-FM in St. Louis. Both stations are owned by Infinity Broadcasting (read Feder of Chicago)

New Hampshire radio talk show host Arnie Arnesen has become a bit of a conversation piece. Arnesen was hit by a bicyclist while on her way to a radio studio in New York during the weekend and suffered a broken left arm. She said the biker was drunk and took off after hitting her on Saturday. A driver chased him down (read more - Nashua Telegraph)

Santa Barbara radio announcer Bonnie Campbell is recovering from a violent attack near her home. A woman with a pair of scissors stabbed Campbell twice. The motive for the attack is unknown. Campbell is the host of the K-R-U-Z 103-point-three F-M morning show  (read more - KESQ News)

In June, John McCain, the Arizona Republican senator, and FCC Chairman Michael Powell (son of Colin) wrote to the jefes at the Big Three networks and Fox pointing out that before the 2002 elections, more than half of the top local news shows had zero campaign coverage. Do they think these men don't know that already? That's the plan. Let election issues crowd out a freeway chase? Interrupt speculation on which would last longer, Liza Minnelli's TV show or her marriage? Result — want your campaign heard? Buy your way onto the air. Networks are happy: News coverage costs money, advertising makes money. Major politicians are happy: They get the unchallenged forum of TV ads. Major moneybags are happy: They get "access." (read more - Patt Morrison commentary-LA Times)

The Log Cabin Republicans, a homosexual advocacy group, is criticizing CNN for refusing to air a TV ad that urges Republicans to concentrate on what unites them rather than what divides them. The ad is running on the Fox News Channel and other broadcast outlets.  "We are deeply disappointed that CNN has refused our voices the opportunity to be heard," the Log Cabin Republicans said in a press release (read more - CNSN News)

Philadelphia - arguably America's most Democrat-dominated city - yesterday finally got access to liberal Air America, which for months had been rumored to be landing at WHAT, which calls itself the voice of the African-American community. Word of the deal leaked out Friday and on Monday - boom! - Air America swooped in to cherry-pick WHAT's noon-7 p.m. hours. The comic/author Franken (with co-host Katherine Lanpher) works noon-3 p.m., while Randi Rhodes gets the 3-7 p.m. slot (read more - Stu Bykofsky-Philly Daily News)

"Here's a guy I've always sort of liked, a courageous war hero reduced to carrying water for the Bush campaign. So it was Monday night, as I sat in the press section — unbeknownst to Sen. McCain — when he switched from pro-war convention speaker to film critic. Out of nowhere, he began to attack my movie, Fahrenheit 9/11, calling me a "disingenuous filmmaker." The problem is, he hasn't seen the movie, a fact he later admitted to Chris Matthews on MSNBC. I know Republicans are mad that my film may have convinced just enough people to tip the balance in this election. Yet with all the serious issues facing our country, and right smack in the middle of an important speech about the need to catch the terrorists and continue the war in Iraq, McCain decided to turn the convention into the Ebert and McCain Show ..." (read more - Michael Moore's commentary in USA Today) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

It looks like Republicans are coming home to Fox News Channel at this convention. CNN, which draws a more mixed audience, scored a rare victory over Fox at the Democratic convention in Boston. But that was then. In last night's ratings, CNN was down 39 percent from the first night of the Democratic gathering, to 1.2 million viewers. MSNBC was down 28 percent, to 819,000. And Fox? Rupert Murdoch's network was up 127 percent last night, to 3.7 million viewers (read more - Howard Kurtz)

Randy Lee Coffey's funeral services will be Thursday September 2 at 2 pm in Dallas.  He was a disc jockey for numerous radio stations for more than 30 years including KNUS, KLIF, and the legendary Q-102 and KZEW.  He was previously an anchor, newsman, and air traffic reporter for KRLD for approximately ten years while at the same time remaining in law enforcement as a reserve officer (read more - Dallas News)

Denver-based Zeo Radio Networks today announced a long-term alliance with Clifton Radio Consulting to offer consulting services to CHR/Rhythmic and Urban stations on barter. Clifton is well-known for launching such stations as KYLD (Wild 94.9) in San Francisco, and most recently WRDW (Wired 96.5) in Philadelphia. He also carries a track record for long-term success consulting such stations as KKDA (K-104) Dallas, WPOW (Power 96) Miami and WLLD (Wild 98.7) Tampa (visit Zeo Radio)

In honor of the Republican National Convention, Maxim the magazine (click here) is devoting a day each to first cousins Lauren and Noelle Bush, and first daughters Barbara and Jenna Bush. Besides the vital stats, expect such gems as Noelle's mug shot and Lauren's admission: "I can remember sliding down the banisters in the White House when I was a kid and generally going on the rampage. It used to make Grandma (the elder Barbara Bush) mad." (read NY Post)

The Federal Communications Commission plans to impose tough new obligations on TV stations to air children's programming on their new digital TV channels, two FCC officials told USA TODAY. Children's TV advocates say the rules would ensure broadcasters serve the public interest after getting billions of dollars in digital spectrum free. The requirements are part of a raft of rules the FCC plans this year to guide the U.S. transition to digital TV. But some broadcasters say the rules could hinder their plans to multicast — or chop their digital spectrum into as many as five additional channels (read more - USA Today)

Iowans were quick to bristle at Tuesday's misspeak by President Bush on Rush Limbaugh's radio show, placing their state "in the hinterlands." Talking about the big crowds he's drawn in Iowa, Bush said: "I believe something is going on here in the hinterlands, in the heartland, that is going to mean a victory come November ..." Iowans from both parties seemed peeved by the characterization. Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Gordon Fischer said it was insulting. "We deserve a president who doesn't treat Iowa like somewhere you point at and make fun of while on the way to somewhere else you'd rather be," Fischer said in a statement (read USA Today)

ARBitrends for Albany, Houston, San Antonio, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Honolulu and Las Vegas (read 'em)

Like many U.S. presidents, the elder George Bush has had a love/hate relationship with the nation's so-called paper of record, The New York Times. But Monday, Bush told CNN's Paula Zahn that he has "given up" on the paper. He said that his son, President Bush, may have as well. "The thing that troubles me is, in my opinion, their news columns are getting to show a certain bias," Bush said. "There is a new way you do it now: 'Reporter's Notebook.' That gives you a little chance to be an advocate in the news column. Or 'Washington Whispers' or something like that. And that relieves the reporter of objective reporting. ... I've given up on them." Zahn: "Has the president given up on them?" Bush: "I don't know. He might be like his mother; she won't read it anymore." (read more - Peter Johnson-USA Today) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Charlie Eads of KGAL/KSHO in Albany/Lebanon was recognized as Oregon Broadcaster of the Year during the annual Fall Conference of the Oregon Association of Broadcasters. Previous Broadcasters of the Year include Bill Schonely, long-time Portland Trailblazers announcer (read more - Albany Democrat-Herald)

President George Bush told conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh that he could have been clearer when he said in a TV interview that ``I don't think you can win'' the war on terror. The remark has been seized upon by Democrats to show Bush as being defeatist and flip-flopping from previous predictions of victory. "I should have made my point more clear," Bush said in a telephone interview ... Limbaugh asked Bush to respond to a report that Republicans had been warned not to make 9-11 an issue during the convention. Bush laughed. "Sept. 11 is a defining moment in our history and in my presidency," he said. "We had to learn lessons: If we say something, we'd better mean it. If you say it, you have to act on it.... These are people you can't negotiate with. They use terrorism as a tool to further their ideology.' (read more - Star-Tribune)

Stephanie Miller is returning to radio.  The former KTZN talk show lady, cable news show commentator and I've Got A Secret regular has revamped her Web site at (Home Page)  (read article about her)

Although full media coverage of Hurricane Charley is lessening -- many readers are likely tiring of it altogether -- the wreckage is still a reality for thousands of Floridians. But thanks to an unprecedented outpouring from hundreds of radio stations (and in many cases, the stations' corporate administrations) from around the United States and Florida, substantial contributions of money and physical supplies have provided some support and hope. As quickly as the day after the storm, radio station jocks rallied -- including Dave Smiley from Entercom's WZPL, Indianapolis' "The Smiley Morning Show" (read more - Dawn Scire-Radio Babe)

TalkRadio 790 KABC’s Al Rantel will broadcast his show live from the Party for the President at Route 66 Classic Grille in Santa Clarita on Thursday, September 2nd from 6-9PM. The Al Rantel Show will broadcast live with guest appearances by local political figures, including outgoing Mayor, Bob Kellar and Mayor-elect, Cameron Smyth. KABC will carry live, uninterrupted coverage of President Bush’s speech at approximately 7:00PM when he is expected to accept the official nomination of the Republican Party (visit KABC)

Thomas “Tony” Penny of Ellicott City, Md., is the winner of 630 WMAL’s radio reality show, “Who Wants to be a Talk Show Host” and his first show will air this Sunday, September 5th at 12:00pm (visit WMAL)

WGOW Radio Program Director Bill Lockhart on Monday afternoon announced that Jay "Jammer" Scott is no longer employed by Citadel of Chattanooga after he picked up still another DUI arrest. At the same time, prosecutors said they will seek to revoke his probation. A hearing is set Thursday morning before Criminal Court Judge Doug Meyer for Scott Riseman (his real name) (read more - The Chattanoogan)


The Republican National Convention dominated news and talk radio yesterday the same way it dominated the streets near Madison Square Garden. The stature of WABC midday host Rush Limbaugh among Republicans was reflected in the fact he could casually begin sentences with phrases like, "I was talking with the Vice President and his wife last night..." The strongest anti-Bush radio, not surprisingly, came from WBAI (99.5 FM), which blended convention coverage with a fund drive. One of the premiums was the new film "Bush's Brain," a critical look at chief Bush strategist Karl Rove (read more - David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

On one end of a lobby area in Madison Square Garden was Al Franken, the comedian and liberal talk show host, interviewing House Majority Leader Dick Armey, a Republican stalwart. At the other end was Tony Snow of Fox News Radio gabbing with singer Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. It is called Radio Row. And it is the meat market of journalism at the Republican National Convention. More than the television network booths overlooking the convention floor or the curtained corrals of newspaper reporters and photographers, it is the most intense, most raucous collection of interviewers, politicians and celebrities at the convention. "There is a spur-of-the-moment feel you don't often get," Tony Snow said, acknowledging that soundbites and attempts at spin are much more plentiful than news (read more - Newsday-Harry Berkowitz)

A Pensacola radio station is getting its groove on. WRRX changing its format Monday -- from rock to classic soul. The new Magic 106.1 will play standards by such artists as Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and Aretha Franklin (read more - WEAR)

WLS-AM (890) is moving Sean Hannity's syndicated radio talk show into the last hour of afternoon drive time. The move means curtains for "Chicago P.M.," the news recap that bridged the 6-to-7 p.m. hour between Roe Conn and Hannity. "Chicago P.M.," originally hosted by Jay Marvin, Bill Cameron and Jim Johnson, hasn't been the same since Johnson took on full-time duties with Conn's afternoon show, according to Michael Packer, WLS program director. Marvin continues as midday co-host alongside Eileen Byrne at the Disney/ABC-owned news/talk station. Cameron continues as a reporter + With Mike North moving from afternoons to mornings at WSCR-AM (670), other pieces are falling into place at the Infinity Broadcasting sports talker. Jonathan Hood, evening host at the Score, is expected to team up with North's current afternoon partner, Doug Buffone, starting Wednesday (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Sacramento radio entrepreneur Amador Bustos has spent the past year assembling a chain of Spanish-language stations across the West. On Monday, he announced his first acquisition in his headquarters city, purchasing Sacramento's top-rated Spanish-language radio station. His Bustos Media Corp. said it's buying Sacramento's KTTA-FM 97.9, along with KEJC-FM in Modesto, from two companies for a total of $21.7 million (read more Sacramento Bee)

Audrey J. Malkan, owner of KZFM, KEYS and KKBA in Corpus Christi and WMSR-FM in Florence, Alabama, passed away Sunday afternoon following a valiant battle with cancer. She and her late husband, Arnold, previously owned WNOR Norfolk, KFJZ 1270 AM, KFJZ-FM and the Texas State Network in Fort Worth.  Audrey was recognized as a pioneer throughout the radio industry.  In 2003, she was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, an organization of which she was a founding board member.  Her children, Matthew and Hope, will continue family ownership and operation of the Malkan Broadcasting properties.  A memorial service will be held in Corpus Christi with interment in Iowa, the state of her birth (Expressions may be sent to KEYS AM)

ARBitrends for Dayton, Indianapolis, Louisville, New Orleans, Omaha, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Tucson (read 'em)

A housewife calls to talk about a broken sewer pipe. A student calls to talk about a lost love. A shopkeeper calls to say what he thinks of the violent insurgency that has swept his country. The callers have reached Iraq's first talk radio station, Radio Dijla, which opened in April and has been putting Iraqis' opinions directly on the air, mainlining democracy from a two-story villa in central Baghdad for 19 hours a day. In all, about 15 private radio stations have sprung up since the American occupation began, but Dijla, Arabic for Tigris, is the first to serve only talk (read more - NY Times)

Compared with the Democratic bashes in Boston, where the stars glowed brightly and mingled with reporters, the RNC parties are decidedly restrictive and low-wattage. Distancing themselves from Hollywood (where most of the talent is liberal), the planners have erected Potemkin village celebrity events where the media angrily demand access to hot parties featuring . . . pro wrestlers. Sen. John McCain tended to his political base Sunday night: the entire national media. The maverick Arizona Republican, once (and future?) presidential aspirant and press secretary's dream hosted a hyper-exclusive 68th birthday party for himself at La Goulue on Madison Avenue, leaving no media icon behind. Guests included NBC's Tom Brokaw and Tim Russert, ABC's Peter Jennings, Barbara Walters, Ted Koppel and George Stephanopoulos, CBS's Mike Wallace, Dan Rather and Bob Schieffer, CBS News President Andrew Heyward, ABC News chief David Westin, Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons, CNN's Judy Woodruff and Jeff Greenfield, MSNBC's Chris Matthews, CNBC's Gloria Borger, PBS's Charlie Rose -- pause here to exhale -- and U.S. News & World Report publisher Mort Zuckerman, Washington Post Chairman Don Graham, New York Times columnists William Safire and David Brooks, author Michael Lewis and USA Today columnist Walter Shapiro (read more - Washington Post-Reliable Source)

XM Satellite Radio will debut the new XM Public Radio channel (XM Channel 133) this Wednesday, September 1.  XM Public Radio, the newest addition to XM's programming line-up, will feature programs from Public Radio International (PRI) and its station partners Chicago Public Radio and WGBH Boston; American Public Media, the national production and distribution branch of Minnesota Public Radio; and Boston public radio station WBUR (read more)

Alan Keyes arrived at Madison Square Garden on Monday one very grouchy and hungry U.S. Senate candidate. At 7 a.m. he started a long day of media interviews on an empty stomach, but the Garden food stands were peddling only sinfully carb-heavy snacks. His communications director tried repeatedly to interest him in a protein bar. "No, I don't want it. I've said it a million times," Keyes said. Keyes was interviewed later by Eileen Byrne of Chicago's WLS-AM. He barked at Byrne, an avowed supporter, for asking him about the role of race--Keyes is an African-American, as is Obama--in his selection. "You look at Alan Keyes and the only thing you're willing to see is race," he said. "Does the media ever ask how I'm going to get the Roman Catholic vote?" One of Keyes' last stops was an interview with Darrell Ankarlo of KLIF in Dallas. Again Keyes railed against Obama for supporting abortion rights (read more - Chicago Tribune)

Delegates to the Republican National Convention found a new way to take a jab at Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's Vietnam service record: by sporting adhesive bandages with small purple hearts on them. Morton Blackwell, a prominent Virginia delegate, has been handing out the heart-covered bandages to delegates, who've worn them on their chins, cheeks, the backs of their hands and other places. Blackwell is president of the Leadership Institute, a nonpartisan educational foundation he founded in 1979. According to its Web site, the institute prepares conservatives for success in politics, government and the news media (read more - CNN) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

KPLU Radio announced it has begun broadcasting in the new high definition (HD) radio format, a format that broadcasters say provides a clearer and stronger signal.  Several Seattle commercial radio stations currently broadcast in the format, although consumers must buy a special, high-definition radio receiver to pick up the signals. The first public radio station broadcasting in HD was KUOW-94.9 FM, which instituted its signal in May (read more - Puget Sound Biz Journal)

Talk about a power dinner. Rush Limbaugh, Peggy Noonan and Matt Drudge - Republican sympathizers all - hosted a glittering affair at Patsy's, headlined by Vice President Dick Cheney and wife Lynne, Gov. Pataki and wife Libby, Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and the ubiquitous Mary Matalin (sans her Democratic firebrand husband, Ragin' Cajun James Carville). A restaurant source told me that a surprised guest was CNN anchor Daryn Kagan, who I hear is friendly with recently separated fellow broadcaster Limbaugh (read Lloyd Grove-NY Daily News)

At the opening of the Republican National Convention, Bush and Kerry remained deadlocked in the race for the White House, with each claiming 48 percent of likely voters, with 1 percent supporting independent Ralph Nader, virtually unchanged from a survey taken immediately after the Democratic convention. Among all registered voters, the poll found Bush at 48 percent and Kerry at 47 percent, a shift in the president's direction since the previous survey (read more - Washington Post) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Before being quietly discontinued this month, the XM PCR was one of several hardware devices sold by XM Satellite Radio to give its more than 2 million subscribers satellite radio reception. In conjunction with a third-party software title called TimeTrax, however, the PCR let listeners download songs to their personal computers. Since XM discontinued the PCR, units have fetched steep premiums on eBay. The device, which retailed for about $50, is getting bids of more than $350 in recent auctions, with sellers advertising the unit as "discontinued" and "rare." XM declined to confirm the discontinuation of the PCR (read more - ZDNET)  (XM PCR on XM for $49? click here)

DFW Metroplex radio veteran, Jack Bishop, is The Sammons Center For The Arts, Dallas, Outstanding Volunteer of the Year 2004. Jack can be heard weekday afternoons as host of Bishop and Company on Legends 770AM KAAM. Jack also co-hosts The Auto Answerman show Sundays at 3:00PM on KAAM (visit KAAM)

Texas Republicans have pulled up the welcome mat for media at most of their activities for state delegates during this week's convention. The GOP has barred from media scrutiny everything from the welcoming party for delegates Sunday to a prayer service Gov. Rick Perry is holding for the delegation on Thursday. Organizers have cited security or the preference of corporate sponsors of the events for closing them. The Texas GOP had decided last week to allow media into the delegates' welcoming party at the New York Stock Exchange. But late Friday calls went out saying media were not allowed after all. More than 600 delegates and their guests planned to attend the Texas delegation welcoming party, said Tina Benkiser, state GOP chairwoman. But the state GOP said New York Stock Exchange rules prohibited media from being at the exchange on weekends during private affairs (read more - Houston Chronicle) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

America’s top Country radio stations and air personalities were recognized when Capitol Records Nashville artist Dierks Bentley announced the finalists for the 2004 CMA Broadcast Personality and Radio Station of the Year honors during a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in Nashville, Tenn. This year’s winners will be recognized during “The 38th Annual CMA Awards,” broadcast live Tuesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the CBS Television Network from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.  The Broadcast finalists were announced during a press conference following the announcement of the final nominees for the 2004 CMA Awards. Included in the nominees was longtime Phoenix radio personality H.G. Listiak, who died April 27. He is nominated in the Major Market category with his radio partner of 15 years “Big Shoe” Stu Evans on KMLE’s afternoon drive program (read more)

Everything's topsy-turvy. KKZN 760-AM disappeared off your local radio Friday, to be replaced this morning by Air America, featuring Al Franken and his liberal compatriots. A very odd pairing, considering that parent Clear Channel also carries the pin-up boy of the right, Rush Limbaugh. KKZN tipped its intentions on Friday by airing "Bushisms," verbal blunders from the president. All this follows last week's major shake-up at KHOW 630-AM which Peter Boyles survived but Scott Redmond didn't. Confronted by sinking ratings (down to a 2.0 in the latest rankings), KHOW comes out with a new lineup this morning.  Kris Olinger, the new boss in charge of Clear Channel's Denver AM outlets, shook things up, adding conservative Bill O'Reilly and dropping syndicated night-time guy Phil Hendrie (read more - Dick Kreck-Denver Post)

An unsolicited effort to land advertisers has one Chicago radio station on the end of what could become a class-action lawsuit. WSCR-AM (670) is the latest in a string of Chicago businesses to be sued by two attorneys who say their office fax machine has been clogged by ad-driven faxes (read more - Chicago Sun-Times)


Longtime Dallas-Fort Worth area newsman, Randy Coffey, died in his sleep from an apparent heart attack this weekend.  He was 50. Randy had a great interest in law enforcement.  He had worked at KNUS, 102.1 and KRLD 1080, and was most recently a security officer at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

With four awards each, OutKast's "Hey Ya!" And Jay-Z's "99 Problems" were the top winners at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, presented last night (Aug. 29) at the American Airlines Arena in Miami (read more - Billboard)  (read more - NY Times)

As a consultant for Sirius Satellite Radio, Scott Greenstein helped nail down a $220 million deal to bring NFL games to satellite radio subscribers. Since then, the former chairman of USA Films and co-president of October Films has joined Sirius as its president of entertainment and sports. He spoke to the Hollywood Reporter recently about football, cash and shock jocks (read more - Reuters)

As Laura Ingraham begins broadcasting at the Republican convention, her sympathies are hardly a secret. The radio host served as master of ceremonies at a Minnesota rally for President Bush 11 days ago. She regularly ridicules John Kerry as "very left-wing," Teresa Heinz Kerry as a flake and John Edwards (dubbed "Silky Pony") while chatting up a parade of mostly conservative guests. And she just as regularly lambastes what she calls "the media machine helping John Kerry." "My goal is not to be an objective analyst," says Ingraham. Talk radio emerged as a conservative political force in the 1994 elections, when Republicans captured Congress and made Rush Limbaugh an honorary member of the freshman class (read more - Washington Post-Howard Kurtz)

From ClaudeHallOnline.com -- George Wilson, KeokiWC@aol.com e-mails: "Claude...Blore's website is up www.chuckblore.com.  If he told you before me I'm not answering his questions...I wanted to be first even if he said you would be first to know ..." + e-mails from Mike Anderson, Joey Reynolds, Bob Madigan, Janet Miller and more (visit www.claudehallonline.com)

From reality programming to the use of blatant exhibitionism in promotion, from the way TV measures its audiences to the way it tells stories, MTV's impact on television has been immense. Entire networks have been created to serve the youth market it single-handedly created. Some analysts even argue that without MTV, we might still linger in a dim three-channel universe -- if not for MTV, there would be no cable television. ''MTV was really the fuse that finally lit the cable revolution,'' declares Robert Thompson, head of Syracuse University's Center for the Study of Popular Television. ``Cable had been around for awhile, with a lot of people deciding not to take it. ``In 1981, MTV finally comes up with something you really can't get anywhere else. Everybody under 18 is screaming for it. I think an awful lot of people finally got their houses wired for cable thanks to MTV.'' (read more - Glenn Garvin-Miami Herald)

Albuquerque radio listeners will be part of Air America Radio Network which is coming to the Duke City today (Monday) on KABQ-AM (1350), owned by Clear Channel Radio. Al Franken's show is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., directly opposite Limbaugh on KKOB-AM (770) (read more - Albuquerque Tribune)

WTMJ-AM (620) apologized on the air last week after one of its talkers ripped a local lawyer for "ambulance-chasing." The lawyer at the center of this is Jason F. Abraham, who represents the parents of two girls who drowned in the Milwaukee River in May in their claim against the city. Fill-in talker Joe Scialfa ripped the lawyer after word of the claim broke: "Some ambulance-chasing lawyer contacted the parents of these two little girls and said, 'Someone must pay for your loss,' " according to a tape WTMJ gave to Abraham (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

There's a lot of complaining that radio isn't like it was in the days of free-form FM. Actually, a lot of that complaining has turned up in this very column through the years. No one argues with that. Radio stations have turned from quirky, alternative, underground ventures to multimillion-dollar entities where each percentage of a ratings point is crucial. So yeah, when I turn on the radio in Denver today, what comes out is very different from the day I arrived here 16 years ago. Fans complain that radio is repetitive and homogenized, if you look around the country, you'll realize just how good we've got it here (read more - Mark Brown-Rocky Mountain News)

Ticket prices increase on September 1 (Wednesday) so buy yours today, before the price increase! (click here for info)  The 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration will be held on Saturday evening, October 30th in San Antonio at the San Antonio Radisson Hill Country Resort and Spa. For the 3rd consecutive year, the celebration will be sold out. A limited number of super-discounted rooms and suites are available for attendees - while they last! Read the list of this year's inductees and find full event details and the list of this year's inductees are at www.trhof.com

The mother of the a teenager who reportedly received a pornographic video from a radio personality from KABZ.  "The Buzz" is now suing the station. Rebecca Rawls is also suing 3 radio personalities, saying they acted recklessly in handing out the material to teens (read more - KATV TV)

It's not the trade deficit that ought to be worrying Republicans. I'm talking about the eye-popping celebrity deficit. The star gap. The gaping chasm between Democratic and Republican celebs. Have you seen what passes for "star-studded" at the Republican National Convention this year? Country crooner Darryl Worley! Atlanta-based rock band Dexter Freebish! Latin gospel singer Jaci Velasquez! Christian rock group Third Day! These are the performers the Grand Ol' Party is putting up on the stage at Madison Square Garden to entertain the 2004 delegates. Not since the "Joe Franklin Show" went off the air has New York seen such an assemblage of not-quite-household names (read more - Ellis Henican-Newsday)

Denver's radio station KKZN AM 760 ended regular programming on  Friday and announced there'd be a new format starting Monday. This  ended the 8-year run with the morning time slots of T.J. Maxwell and Scott Cortelyou. Rumors on Friday were that Air America Radio would be replacing the KKZN programming (read more - Denver Biz Journal)

From Chuck Dunaway's "The Radio Diaries" -- Tony Hayes/Charlotte, NC - I'm leaving out the name of the GM for the obvious reason. My first radio job was at KCLE in Cleburne, Texas. Being 17 years old at the time, I thought I had made it to the closest thing there was to heaven. And I had. The General Manager at the time was returning from the Colonial Golf tournament in Fort Worth and swung by the station and asked if I wanted a beer. Trying to fit in, I said okay. To keep the owner from finding out that there was beer in the station, we carefully poured it into a large styrofoam cup, just in case he dropped by…which he did often + more (read more - www.chuckdunaway.com)

Hovering 22,000 miles above the Earth, two satellites for XM satellite Radio blanket every corner of the continental U.S. with 130 digital channels--everything from heavy metal to the BBC News to children's songs to seven different flavors of country music. XM's chief executive, Hugh Panero, proudly ticks off the new technology's advantages over traditional radio, which dates back 90 years: greater variety, clearer sound, better coverage, lower cost. And no advertising to interrupt the music--none of the blaring and banal spots that fill almost 20 minutes of every hour on radio; freedom from homogenized formats or cookie-cutter playlists.  Yet XM's geriatric competitors dominate the market in listeners, revenue and profits, nine years after the federal government first cleared satellite radio to compete. For decades the radio industry has crushed incipient competitors by wielding raw political muscle and arguments that are at once apocalyptic and apocryphal. Radio station owners, who formed the National Association of Broadcasters in 1923, have won laws and regulations that have banned, crippled or massively delayed every major new competitive technology since the first threat emerged in 1934: FM radio (read more - Forbes)

Larry McCormick, a longtime Los Angeles news anchor and public-affairs host who was one of the first Black TV news anchormen in Los Angeles, died Friday afternoon. He was 71. McCormick died after a long illness that prevented him from co-anchoring KTLA's News at Ten: Weekend Edition for most of the last year (read more - AZ Central)

Terry Conder, a piano player at Nieuport 17 twice a week in Tustin, was lamenting the loss of another adult standards station - KPOP/1360 AM.  "First it was 540 AM going to oldies, now KPOP. The sad thing is KPOP didn't just play the standards; it offered a lot of background on the songs, the artists, the events that may have influenced the melodies," he said between sets Thursday night. "Now all we have is KLAC (570 AM)," he added (read more - Gary Lycan-OC Register)

With a newly robust endowment burning holes in its not-for-profit pockets, National Public Radio is in the midst of a major expansion. But NPR's ambition has stirred anxiety within the public radio system over how to preserve the character and financial viability of local stations in the ever larger shadow of the national production service they created more than 30 years ago as a modest support operation (read more NY Times)

Telos-Omnia-Axia ... It's not a household name because the company doesn't make consumer products. But its audio equipment has become the industry standard worldwide. It's used at virtually every FM station in town, by a substantial majority of the top-rated stations in the nation and by most leading stations overseas.  The company looks for a "wow factor" in what it makes. Judging from reaction at trade shows and in industry publications, they've scored a major wow with one of their newest developments, FM Surround Sound (read more - Cleveland Plain-Dealer)

WILM-AM, a tiny news-radio station that covers the Iraqi National Conference and the New Castle County, Del., Planning Board, deserves its valuable piece of the public communications spectrum.   Clear Channel Communications, a $9 billion corporation that broadcast "humor" about anal sex last year with "sound effects of flatulence and evacuation," according to the Federal Communications Commission, does not.  Now they are merging. Clear Channel said last week that it will pay $4 million to absorb WILM, which is based in downtown Wilmington, Del., and calls itself the only independent all-news station in the country.  Clear Channel praises WILM, promises to honor its achievements and says the merger is for the little broadcaster's own good. Napoleon spoke similarly of Poland before invading it (read more - Baltimore Sun Op/Ed)

Two popular radio talk-show hosts are planning the "political human sacrifice" of a Republican they deem weak on illegal immigration, and they've got a longtime area representative in their sights. Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, is on the short list of potential targets for John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou - hosts of "The John & Ken Show" on top-rated Los Angeles talk station KFI-AM - who say Republicans in Congress are standing idly by as undocumented immigrants wreak havoc on the state's economy and clutter up freeways, prisons, hospitals and schools. The pair is urging their conservative listening base to send a message to Washington by defeating one of their own in November, and Dreier, they say, has emerged as the clear favorite (read more - Pasadena Star-News)

For nearly 20 years, working behind the scenes in Texoma radio, Bill Harrison has made his mark on the community. Whether volunteering his time on boards, on committees, volunteering for charity, or putting his radio skills to work in Texoma, he's engineered a career out of making people happy. Well, he's hanging up his microphone, the keys to his lake cruiser, and retiring from the radio biz. Vice president and general manager of KLAK FM, KMAD FM and KMKT FM in the Texoma area, as well as KKAJ FM, KTRX FM, KYNZ FM and KVSO AM in Ardmore, is a mouthful but what Harrison's been going at for some time now (read more - Herald Democrat)

Radio, record and motion pictures stars Lulu Belle [born in Boone, N.C.] and Scotty [born in Alleghany County, N.C.] were the nation's leading husband-and-wife country team of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. For some 20 years they starred on the "National Barn Dance" from WLS Chicago and for three years (1938-1940) were also featured on "Boone County Jamboree" over WLW Cincinnati. ... Lulu Belle and Scotty hit it off both professionally on "National Barn Dance" and romantically -- the two were married in Naperville, Illinois on December 13, 1934 (read more - Charlotte News-Observer)

Laura Branigan, a Grammy-nominated pop singer best known for her 1982 platinum hit "Gloria," has died. She was 47. Branigan died of a brain aneurysm Thursday in her sleep at her home in East Quogue, said her brother Mark Branigan. He said she had complained to a friend of a headache for about two weeks before she died, but had not sought medical attention (read more - NY Post)  (visit LauraBraniganOnline.com)

Broadcaster Walter Thornton Jr. wakes some of us every weekday morning on our clock radios with his personalized version of that day's news, sports and weather mixed with a bit of South Mississippi opinion and humor.  "I try to let my listeners know some things they didn't know and get their mornings started in the right direction," said early bird Thornton, who is up at 4 a.m. and on the air from 6 to 9 a.m. He is the news-sports-weather staff of WZZJ-AM (1580), the only radio station in Pascagoula and Moss Point (read more - Biloxi Sun-Herald)

ARBitrends for Atlanta, Columbus OH, Miami, Milwaukee, Seattle and Tampa (read 'em)

With the nation's first openly gay district attorney, a majority of Democrats on the city council and this week's invasion by the Air America liberal talk radio network, San Diego is in danger of losing its image as a bastion of West Coast conservatism. On Monday, Clear Channel Communications, syndicator of Rush Limbaugh and owner of more than 1,200 radio stations nationwide, started broadcasting Al Franken and his left-leaning Air America cadres on Clear Channel stations in San Diego and Ann Arbor, Mich. That makes five cities, including Miami; Portland, Ore.; and Santa Barbara, Calif., where Clear Channel broadcasts Air America. The company is expected to announce soon that a sixth station it owns will switch to a "progressive'' format. Air America is also broadcast in 18 other cities, including New York, where it is heard on WLIB-AM (1190) (read more - NY Times)

A recent switch in local sports radio programming could mean a shift in advertising dollars for two Wichita radio stations. Journal Broadcast Group recently signed a 15-year contract to air Kansas State University's football, baseball and men's and women's basketball games on one of its six radio stations, KFTI AM 1070 (read more - Wichita Biz Journal)

Following the Texas Music Project’s successful first CD, 19 new artists are contributing songs to Volume Two of “Don’t Mess With Texas Music, Beyoncé, Clint Black, Eric Clapton, George Strait, Jimmie and Steve Ray Vaughan, Pat Green, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Bonnie Raitt and Steve Miller are just a few of the all-star artists on the compilation CD dedicated to raising awareness and funding for music education in Texas schools. Volume Two is the latest in the series of CDs in which Texas music legends and deserving artists are brought together by TMP to support music education throughout the state.  Proceeds from sales of the CD benefit Texas’ schools via TMP grants for music education distributed through the Texas Commission of the Arts (visit Texas Music Project)

Although Web radio isn't as daunting as it first seems, it's still not for those who use classical radio merely as good company. For that audience, there's satellite radio, mainly Sirius and XM. With some equipment outlay and a fairly modest subscription price, the two networks each have three stations with symphonic, vocal and pops programming drawn from preexisting recordings (though Sirius has the occasional live or taped studio performance by Yo-Yo Ma or Opera Babes). Programs are judiciously chosen, and once you trust the choosers, satellite radio is the pleasantly passive experience that so much of American classical radio turned into during the 1990s (read more - Philly Inquirer)

Thirty-eight years ago, when his voice first floated across the Indiana County airwaves with "The Laymen's Witness," J.D. Varner was hesitant to believe he'd have more than a handful of listeners for the 20-minute Sunday morning program. By 1999, with WDAD-AM providing the microphone, Varner bought a five-hour Sunday program block to provide himself and his friends with a forum to share stories of faith to a Christian audience. This week, Varner intends to launch a noncommercial, low-power FM station that will offer local and live programming daily to the greater Indiana region. Christian music of several genres will fill out the programming, which will air 24 hours a day (read more - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Cox Radio Inc. plans to buy KHNR-AM and KHCM-AM, which operate in Honolulu, form Salem Communications (read more - Atlanta Biz Journal) (read more - Honolulu Star-Bulletin)

An antitrust lawsuit against Clear Channel Entertainment is set to go to trial in Chicago. The suit accuses the Houston-based concert promoter, which is a subsidiary of San Antonio's Clear Channel Communications, of using monopolistic practices to win over a lucrative contract promoting dirt-track motorcycle racing. In a 46-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly wrote that enough evidence exists for an antitrust lawsuit against Clear Channel Entertainment to proceed. Kennelly set a trial date for Nov. 15 (read more - L.A. Lorek-San Antonio Express-News)


From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series -- I have fortunately met a lot of interesting people in my travels. Here are a few of them. John Kluge: One of the super wealthy people in the world!! Carl Brazell: Carl bought the Metromedia Radio chain from Mr. Kluge. Chesley Maddox-Dorsey: She was a very important advisor in my ownership career. Bill Drake: In the early 90’s I asked Bill to co-form a division in our consulting company to consult oldie stations. Dwight Case: He was the president of the prestigious RKO Radio chain (read more at www.kentburkhart.com)

Beginning today, RNC protesters plan to use wireless phones to call in live, in-the-trenches reports that will be streamed over the Internet and picked up for rebroadcast nationwide on community-based micro radio stations — some licensed, most illegal. "It has become sort of a thing that whenever there's a big protest like this, someone sets up a pirate radio station the same as someone setting up the food truck or the sound system," said Pete Tridish, a longtime activist and founder of the Philadelphia-based Prometheus Radio Project, an advocacy group for legal, noncommercial micro-radio broadcasters. "Someone knows how to start a radio station, and so someone does it." (read more - LA Times)

The owner of a controversial Quebec radio station breathed an audible sigh of relief after a federal court ruled yesterday that CHOI-FM can remain on air while he fights a shutdown order. "I think there are 40 people in Quebec city very happy today that they will still have jobs Sept. 1, and I'd like to believe our 380,000 listeners are probably happy, too," Patrice Demers exclaimed when the Federal Court of Appeal said CHOI can continue broadcasting through appeal hearings next spring (read more - Canadian Press)

What's the status of the ruling by a Florida state court on whether or not Rush Limbaugh's medical records can be used by investigators who are looking into his use of Oxycontin and possible doctor shopping?  Insiders report that these kinds of rulings are handed down Wednesdays and that they expect a ruling will be handed down very soon (visit With Regard to Rush Limbaugh)

ABC News is quietly gunning to launch what would be the newest kind of cable channel on the block — a heavy blend of local and national news. It comes in the form of ABC News Now, which first appeared on digital cable tiers across the U.S. last month as a part of a test to showcase ABC's gavel-to-gavel coverage of the political conventions. The test has also landed ABC a toe-hold on cable. ABC News has long coveted its own cable news channel. Until it fell apart last year, the network spent years in talks with CNN about a merger. ABC News Now can be seen on several digital cable distributors across the U.S., including Time Warner's channel 730 (read more - Don Kaplan-NY Post)

This decade is looking a lot like the last one on the local airwaves. Cars 108 (WCRZ-FM, 107.9), which ranked No. 1 in the Flint area for most of the '90s, finished first in the overall ratings for spring 2004. It's the fourth straight time the adult contemporary station has topped the local ratings, going back to fall 2002. Cars clocked in with a 11.2 figure, up from 10.8 last fall. The number reflects the percentage of listeners 12 and older who tuned in to a particular station for at least 15 minutes Monday through Sunday. Each ratings point equals about 1,800 listeners. Flint is the No. 126-ranked radio market nationally, according to Arbitron (read Doug Pullen - Flint Journal)

Mike North, whose on-air sidekicks at WSCR-AM (670) have included burly ex-Bears Dan Jiggetts and Doug Buffone, is in for a new kind of partnership when he shifts to mornings. Starting Sept. 13, North will team up with Chicago radio veteran Anne Maxfield, the feisty firecracker who's been delivering drive-time traffic at WGN-AM (720) since 1992 + Chicago radio veteran Lyle Dean has called it quits after five years as host and producer of "To Your Health," the nationally syndicated health show that aired at 11 p.m. Sundays on WGN. He continues as a weekend news anchor at WGN (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Taxi and Limousine Commission officials said Thursday that their agents had acted "somewhat overzealously" in arresting CBS newsman Mike Wallace and that the disorderly conduct charge against him would be dropped (read more - Arizona Daily Star)

ARBitrends for Cincinnati, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Minneapolis-St Paul, Monterey and Pittsburgh (read 'em)

President Bush acknowledged for the first time that he made a "miscalculation of what the conditions would be'' in postwar Iraq. But he insisted that the 17-month-long insurgency that has upended the administration's plans for the country was the unintended by-product of a "swift victory'' against Saddam Hussein's military, which fled and then disappeared into the cities, enabling them to mount a rebellion against the American forces far faster than Mr. Bush and his aides had anticipated (read more - NY Times) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

The 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration will be held on Saturday evening, October 30th in San Antonio at the San Antonio Radisson Hill Country Resort and Spa. For the 3rd consecutive year, the celebration will be sold out, so get your tickets now before the price goes up and they're all gone. A limited number of super-discounted rooms and suites are available for attendees - while they last! Full event details and the list of this year's inductees are at www.trhof.com

The Conclave announces that for the first time ever, TalenTrak, The Conclave’s - exclusive air talent seminar-taking place on Saturday, September 18, 2004 at the Holiday Inn Select/ City Centre Lakeshore in Cleveland, Ohio, will be taking registrants and faculty “out to the ballgame.” On Saturday evening, 50 registered attendees will receive a complimentary ticket to attend Jacobs Field, where this year’s surprise of the American League Central Cleveland Indians will play division foes, The Kansas City Royals! Preceding the ballgame, a Conclave Happy Hour will occur at the host Holiday Inn Lakeshore where attendees will enjoy hors-d’eouvres; complimentary beverage and fun conversation prior to their short walk over to the legendary Jacobs Field (details at The Conclave)

Reba McEntire announced the lineup for the KZLA Country Bash during the Peter Tilden Morning Show. The World's Most Listened to Country station will celebrate its 7th annual Country Bash Saturday, October 9, at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, Calif. This year's all-star line-up includes Rascal Flatts, Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, SHeDAISY, Chris Cagle, Lee Ann Womack, Julie Roberts, Shiloh, The Jenkins, Josh Gracin, and more (read more)

The Shelby County grand jury indicted three suspects for the murder and rape of a Memphis radio personality found dead inside her downtown apartment. The grand jury indicted Stanley Andrews, 24, on charges of first degree murder in the perpetration of aggravated rape, first degree murder, and aggravated rape for the murder of Rebecca Glahn, 24 (read more - WMC-TV)

Dave Graveline is on location live from the Mid-America Consumer Electronics Show in Dayton, Ohio this Sunday.  It was formerly known as ComputerFest and is presented by the Dayton Microcomputer Association (visit GraveLine.com)

In the 21-year history of MTV's Video Music Awards, viewers have been treated to some eye-popping moments - Prince's bare buttocks, Lil' Kim's sequined pasty, Britney and Madonna's steamy kiss last year. But after the firestorm over the MTV-produced Super Bowl halftime show, in which Justin Timberlake ripped off part of Janet Jackson's costume to reveal her bare breast, might we see tamer VMAs when they air Sunday? MTV President Van Toffler isn't promising any flesh-baring moments. But he's also not promising a Nickelodeon-friendly affair (read more - Concord Monitor)

President Bush's re-election campaign refused a request by the U.S. Olympic Committee on Thursday to pull a television ad that mentions the Olympics. Bush campaign spokesman Scott Stanzel said the ads will continue through Sunday, the final day of the Athens Games. The USOC asked the campaign to pull the ads on Thursday, committee spokesman Darryl Seibel said. The ad shows a swimmer and the flags of Iraq and Afghanistan. ``In 1972, there were 40 democracies in the world. Today, 120,'' an announcer says. ``Freedom is spreading throughout the world like a sunrise. And this Olympics there will be two more free nations. And two fewer terrorist regimes.'' Some of the players on the Iraqi Olympic soccer team have complained about the ad appearing as part of a political campaign (read more - CBS 2 NY) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

SIRIUS Satellite Radio on-air personality Kerri Walsh is now an Olympic gold medal winner. Walsh and her partner Misty May defeated a team from Brazil Tuesday night in Athens, Greece to win top honors in the women's beach volleyball competition. Walsh joined SIRIUS shortly before the 2004 Summer Olympics and has been filing regular reports from the Olympic Village exclusively for Faction, the new action sports-themed music station heard exclusively on SIRIUS (visit Sirius)

Jim Chapman will be back on radio after Labour Day. Chapman, who left as CJBK's talk show host in June after his contract was not renewed, will be on the air at 94.9 CHRW (read more - London Free Press)

Channel 4 is planning to launch a national digital radio station and is in talks with a high profile radio executive to act as a consultant on the project. It is expected to announce today that it has signed a development deal with radio broadcaster UBC Media that will explore establishing a talk radio station on a national digital licence (read more - The Guardian)


Seattle police are looking for radio listeners who allegedly assaulted syndicated shock jock Tom Leykis outside a Seattle bar early Monday. Leykis said yesterday that the attack left him with 17 stitches above his right eye. Leykis said he had stepped outside of the Five Point Cafe, 415 Cedar St., near Fisher Plaza, about 3:45 a.m. when a man began talking to him and another kicked him in the head. "I was minding my own business. It was a person who knew who I was from the radio."  (read more - Seattle Times)

In a year of economic growth, presidential campaigning and summer Olympics, investors expected lots of advertising. But so far, advertisers have come up short, especially on the national front. Nowhere is this more true than in the radio business. Over the first six months of the year, national spot radio declined 0.3%. On the plus side, local radio advertising was up 3.5%, but even that gain was well below earlier Street expectations (read more - MSN Money Central)

Ever since the eclectic music station known as "Nine FM" signed on earlier this summer, DuBiel has been going by the on-air name of Jack Effem. It was, to those in the business, a subtle joke on a trendy radio format that's being marketed as "Jack-FM." Apparently, not everyone thinks it's funny. Lawyers for Big Sticks Broadcasting Corp., parent company of "Jack-FM," this week sent a letter to "Nine FM" demanding that DuBiel no longer call himself Jack Effem. Listeners might become confused, they claimed (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Countdowns and record charts used to be a big deal among both stations and listeners. Several stations in the hometown of Radio Beat's writer had their own charts, and an FM Top 40 station hourly played a "minichart" featuring snippets of the week's top five songs. Legendary Northwest radio programmer Pat O'Day's book "It Was All Just Rock 'n' Roll" includes a "KJR Fabulous Fifty" survey, with a caption noting that "in the '60s, any station worth its salt published a weekly Top 40 list." (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

While hosting WWTN’s popular SportsNight show on 95.5 FM, George Plaster resisted attempts by Gaylord Entertainment Co. to move him over to its country station, WSM-AM. Plaster was in discussions with competitor Citadel Broadcasting as early as 1998, Gaylord attorneys contend. But those talks heated up in 2003 when Gaylord arranged to sell its FM stations, including WSM-FM (95.5), to Cumulus Broadcasting for $62.5 million. Plaster, who is now on Citadel’s talk station, WGFX (104.5, The Zone), claims that Cumulus and Gaylord had a “secret side deal” to keep him off the air and do whatever necessary to protect Cumulus from losing the highly rated sportscaster to a competing station (read more - Nashville City Paper)

Larry Elder's TV court is once again in session. Elder, last seen on the small screen as the judge and jury of the syndicated series "Moral Court," is back to mete out his own brand of justice on "The Larry Elder Show" (read more - NY Daily News)

Beenie Man was supposed to play an MTV-sponsored concert on Saturday, the day before the VMAs. MTV pulled him from the roster in response to South Florida gay activists who had planned to protest because of Beenie Man lyrics. He has one song that says, "I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays," and another that says, "Queers must be killed." (read more - San Diego Channel)

Coming tomorrow to RDN ... The next episode from Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series --  John Kluge: One of the super wealthy people in the world!! I had never met a person worth that much money. He was listed way up there on the Fortune most wealthy as I recall. But, I read him as just a good guy…like his money was not a big deal. He was the owner of Metromedia Radio and Television ... (read it all  tomorrow at www.kentburkhart.com)

An Austin sports anchor who was fired for muttering an expletive in a taped segment that ran in the early morning hours on CBS affiliate KEYE-TV is in the running for a sportscasting post in San Antonio. Robert Flores spoke to KENS executive news director Kurt Davis about Luke Stuckmeyer's weekend sports anchor job. Stuckmeyer is leaving for a cable sports channel anchor/reporter job in Chicago. Davis described Flores as being "in shock" (read more - Jeanne Jakle-San Antonio Express-News)

A new Austin radio station wants to replicate . . . your iPod. Or so it seems. Listeners were shocked Friday when they tuned into Oldies 103 (103.5 FM) and found that the format had changed without warning. Instead of a tight playlist of old Motown and '60s rock, they found themselves listening to U2, Bob Dylan and Ashlee Simpson, all on the same frequency. Oldies 103 has converted to a format known as "The Bob." This is the brainchild of Bob Sinclair of the Norfolk, Va.-based Sinclair Communications, minority owner of the former Oldies 103 with Indianapolis-headquartered Emmis Communications (read more - Austin 360)

WOR food maven Arthur Schwartz abruptly resigned Tuesday, claiming his "integrity as a journalist" had been compromised at the all-talk station. "I was trained as a newspaperman and we always kept advertising and editorial separate," said Schwartz, implying that WOR required him to work undeserving food and restaurant advertisers into his show. WOR (710 AM) owner Rick Buckley says Schwartz was never forced to do anything (read more - John Mainelli-NY Post)

Clear Channel Radio stations in Chattanooga, Tennessee donated three tractor trailer loads of relief supplies for victims of Hurricane Charley as part of “Operation Good Neighbor.”  The supplies were collected specifically for the small town of Wauchula, Florida, a highly devastated area near Port Charlotte (read more - KTOK 1000)

The 2004 Texas Radio Hall of Fame Induction Celebration will be held on Saturday evening, October 30th in San Antonio at the San Antonio Radisson Hill Country Resort and Spa For the 3rd consecutive year, the celebration will be sold out, so get your tickets now before the price goes up and they're all gone. A limited number of super-discounted rooms and suites are available for attendees - while they last!  Full event details and the list of this year's inductees are at www.trhof.com 

A Florida satellite talk-radio host was thrust into the middle of an armed standoff in a Manitoba town early Wednesday when he spent almost five hours on the phone with a suspect who had already fired a gun at police. Peter Kawaja of Melbourne, Fla., was just closing down his program Highway to Health at about 10:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday when the phone rang. "I was still in the studio and we started to talk," Kawaja said. At 3 a.m., when the phone line was finally cut, they were still talking (read more - Canadian Press)

Having cable TV problems? Cell phone blacking out? Don't look to the Federal Communications Commission for reasons why. It voted to withhold from the public any news of communication blackouts involving cable TV operators, satellite operators and telephone companies on the grounds that such information could provide "a road map for terrorists." Releasing such information, the FCC said, would "seriously undermine national defense and public safety" (read more - Knox Studio)

Three Nebraska television stations have refused to run an ad promoting vegetarianism that shows a pig being bludgeoned and a chicken getting its beak burned off, a spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said Wednesday. The ad has been pulled from the air on TV stations across the country following complaints from viewers about its content (read more - Aberdeen American News)

It's sad but not surprising that WILM 1450 radio, one of northern Delaware's venerable institutions, has been bought the media behemoth Clear Channel Communications. WILM News Radio has been one of the last locally owned and produced all-news operations in the nation. The station has been owned in the Hawkins family since 1949. It successfully maintained its programming for more than 20 years. Given Clear Channel's reputation, WILM's news-talk-information format will likely change, though we hope it doesn't (read more - Delaware News Journal Editorial)

The federal government and Canada's broadcast watchdog have cleared the way to delay next Tuesday's death sentence for a Quebec City radio station, say court documents. Ottawa and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission will not oppose CHOI-FM's request to block a shutdown order by the CRTC, say documents filed Wednesday in the Federal Court of Appeal. The CRTC and the federal government said they would allow CHOI to file its injunction unopposed in order to speed up the station's appeal process. The case was set to go ahead in the Federal Court of Appeal on Thursday (read more - CTA)

Tongues really will be wagging next year when Shonda Tate's third novel, Kinfolk, is set for publication. The subject of that one: Houston television stations and personalities. "I guess that book will shake some people up," she said. She guesses? I guarantee (read more - Ken Hoffman-Houston Chronicle)

ARBitrends for Baltimore, Fredericksburg VA, Providence, San Francisco, San Jose, St Louis, Springfield MA, Washington DC (read 'em)

On ABC NightLine: The group known as the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" continues to stir this year's Presidential election. One of President Bush's election lawyers, Benjamin Ginsberg, stepped down from his role in the Bush campaign after admitting ties with the group that has been attacking John Kerry's war record. Mr. Ginsberg is the NightLine guest (visit ABC NightLine)

The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) sued 744 people Wednesday for alleged illegal file-sharing.  Also, the Justice Department announced raids meant to squelch intellectual piracy on the internet (read more - LA Biz Journal)

In 1978, Bush, while running for Congress in West Texas, produced campaign literature that claimed he had served in the US Air Force. According to a 1999 Associated Press report, Bush's congressional campaign ran a pullout ad in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that declared he had served "in the US Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard where he piloted the F-102 aircraft." Bush lost that congressional race, but twenty-one years later, the AP questioned him about the ad. The news outlet had a good reason to do so. Bush had never served in the Air Force (read more - The Nation-David Corn) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Update of previous story -- Talk-radio veteran Preston Westmoreland ended his 25-year relationship with KTAR (620 AM) on Tuesday. "I felt kind of put out to pasture," Westmoreland said. "I think I'm too good a horse to be put out to pasture just yet."  On Monday, KTAR told its staff about several lineup changes (read more - Arizona Central)

Sirius satellite radio will provide extensive news, The group known as the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" continues to stir this year's Presidential election. Today, one of President Bush's election lawyers, Benjamin Ginsberg, stepped down from his role in the Bush campaign after admitting ties with the group that has been attacking John Kerry's war record. Mr. Ginsberg will be our guest tonight. talk and entertainment programming from, and related to, the upcoming Republican National Convention taking place in New York, NY from August 30 to September 2.  "Sirius will have the most variety of choices in convention coverage, period.  Our coverage not only includes news, but also our entertainment and talk programming resources," said Jay Clark, Executive Vice President of Programming, Sirius (details, details)

It appears that the big media conglomerates are certain their beloved President George W. Bush will be reelected to another four-year term. Should that worst-case scenario occur, Bush will cleanse his administration of the deficient elements that failed to march his march. One is FCC Chairman Michael “Lieatollah” Powell. Under his watch, the FCC failed to deliver the second round of radio and TV deregulation Bush promised big media supporters. We were supposed to be living in a country free of media regulation; where radio and TV groups would have nearly limitless sovereignty to accumulate new properties and have the benefit of cross-ownership of radio, television and newspapers sanctions. It didn't happen. It got worse (read more - John Gorman-Cleveland Free Times)

Creative Broadcast Consulting is syndicator of the new Chicken Soup for the Soul Minute, a daily radio feature based on the bestselling book series, hosted by TV and radio personality Kate Jackson.  The :60 vignette offers heartwarming stories from popular books. In less than a week, over fifty stations have signed up to air the new program. The national sales representation for Chicken Soup for the Soul Minute is by Dial Communications -Global Media, Inc (read more - Syndication.Net)

HDNet's coverage of the Democratic National Convention, the network will once again preempt its prime-time lineup to provide viewers with extensive live high-definition coverage of the Republican National Convention from New York City Monday
through Thursday, August 30 through September 2.
HDNet's coverage will include speeches by former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, First Lady Laura Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Mrs. Lynne Cheney, and President George W. Bush as he accepts his re-nomination as the Republican candidate for President (visit HD.Net)

Salem Communications Corporation announced today that its  syndicated talk show hosts will be broadcasting live at the Republican National Convention in New York City from August 30 – September 2.  Talk show hosts Bill Bennett, Mike Gallagher, Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved, Janet Parshall and Dennis Prager all will conduct live interviews with speakers and delegates in addition to offering their opinions and commentaries. Radio Talk Show Row will be located in the Theater area of Madison Square Garden (visit Salem Radio)

Boulder-based community radio station KGNU (88.5 FM) announced Wednesday it bought Denver AM signal 1390 for $4.1 million from KJME, a former Spanish-language station (read more - Denver Business Journal)

As part of the ongoing effort to promote minority advancement within the Radio industry, the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) and BMI have announced the first wave of recipients for the 2004 FastStart to Radio Sales Success Minority Scholarship Program. 
The BMI-sponsored initiative provides full tuition for a total of twenty-five minority salespeople per year to attend the RAB Radio Training Academy’s five-day course in Dallas, Texas (read more - RAB)

Arrow 93 starts selling tickets on Sunday to Arrowfest 04.  It'll be October 2 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine and feature John Kay and Steppenwolf, Boston, REO Speedwagon, .38 Special and Edgar Winter (details at Arrow 93)

Emmis Communications President Rick Cummings has always been one of the most upfront, plain-speaking broadcast executives in this industry. Overseeing a cutting edge group of stations that have been perennially successful in markets such as New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Indianapolis, Cummings has brought a savvy common sense to a business that occasionally strays into hype or empty public posturing (read more - MusicBiz)

Bay Area broadcasting veteran Dave McQueen has been hired as night time news anchor. He replaces Steve Little who moves to weekends. McQueen has been a radio voice in San Francisco since the late '60s, spinning records, delivering news and hosting talk shows. He has been featured at the original KSAN, KFRC, KKCY, KCBS (in the mid-'80s hosting late night talk) and KNEW during its "classic country" days (read more - KCBS 740)

The NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner & Show, held October 7 in San Diego, will feature some of the industry's most respected leaders presenting the awards. This year's presenters include: Susan Austin, Sheridan Broadcasting; Rick Buckley, Buckley Radio; Ed Christian, Saga Communications; Rick Cummings, Emmis Communications; Lew Dickey, Cumulus Media; Eddie Fritts, NAB; John Hogan, Clear Channel Communications; and Susan Patrick, Legend Communications (read more - NAB)


Twenty-three radio personalities throughout the state, including several from San Antonio, will be inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in October. The local honorees include Carl Wiglesworth, formerly a talk show host at KTSA and WOAI, and Ricci Ware, afternoon talk show host on KTSA. Other inductees include Chuck Blore, who once worked in radio programming in San Antonio but now lives in Los Angeles. DJ Ben Laurie now works in the Dallas-Fort Worth area but once worked in San Antonio, and DJ Gary Owens also worked in San Antonio but now lives in Los Angeles. Steve Hicks of Austin, a former radio company owner who founded Capstar Broadcasting Corp. in 1996, which Clear Channel Communications eventually acquired, will also be honored. The third annual induction event will take place at the Radisson Hill Country Resort and Spa on Oct. 30 (read more - L.A. Lorek - San Antonio Express-News)

The 10-month-old 99X "Don Miller Morning Show" is now called . . . "The Toucher Show Featuring Toucher and Jimmy." Straightforward, if a tad redundant. Fred Toucher told Buzz it was management's decision to nix the fictional Don Miller, not his (read more - Peach Buzz)

Don Wade and Roma, the husband-and-wife talk show team whose contracts as morning hosts at WLS-AM (890) expire next Tuesday, have stopped the clock -- for two weeks. Through their agent, Eliot Ephraim, the Wades have agreed to extend their current deal until Sept. 14 while negotiations proceed with the Disney/ABC-owned news/talk station + Sherman Kaplan, who announced plans to retire at the end of the month after 35 years at WBBM-AM (780), isn't going far after all + news about Mancow Muller and more (read more - Feder of Chicago)

ARBitrends for Akron, Allentown, Boston, Detroit, Hartford, Philadelphia, Riverside and San Diego (read 'em)

A farewell to Frank Cameron -- Kids today don't have the same attachment to disc jockeys that we had as teenagers in the 1960s. Today's jocks are pretty much interchangeable parts. They sound the same and look the same, no matter what station they work for. Let's go back to the early days of rock and roll radio in Halifax. First of all, there was no such thing as FM and there wasn't a heck of a lot of AM either. Real radio fanatics would lie in their bed at night trying to pick up music from the States on their transistor radios. With luck, they'd get WKBW in Buffalo, N.Y., or maybe Murray the K on Winsland (read more - Halifax Herald Limited)

The Detroit market got a new No. 1 radio station Tuesday. For a month at least. Clear Channel-owned WMXD-FM picked up almost a full percentage point of total listeners in the Arbitrend monthly radio ratings and surged to the top of the heap. The former top dog, ABC-owned news-talk WJR-AM, maintained its 5.7-percent listener slice but dropped to second place. WMXD is led by syndicated morning talker Tom Joyner (read more - Detroit Free  Press)

Catching Blondie's reunion tour broadcast at 4 in the morning wasn't an option for XM satellite radio subscriber and single father Scott MacLean. "I was missing concerts that were being broadcasted when I was asleep or out," he said. So the 35-year-old computer programmer from Ottawa, Ontario, wrote a piece of software that let him record the show directly onto his PC hard drive while he snoozed. The software, TimeTrax, also neatly arranged the individual songs from the concert, complete with artist name and song title information, into MP3 files. The RIAA and XM are both busy figuring out if any copyright laws and user agreements have been broken (read more - Reuters)

San Diego radio's Mark Larson will be on Clear Channel's  KOGO/AM 600's weekday lineup beginning this week.  He'll be heard from noon to 3 after Rush Limbaugh and before Roger Hedgecock's afternoon-drive-time show. "Dr. Laura" has been moved from the noon-to-3 slot to 6 to 9 p.m slot (read more - Sign On San Diego)

The movie, "Bush's Brain," which opens Friday, advances the widespread belief among Bush-bashers that Rove punished former Ambassador Joseph Wilson after he wrote a New York Times op-ed piece saying there was no truth to charges that Iraq tried to buy weapons-grade uranium from Niger. Rove ally Robert Novak subsequently wrote a column outing Wilson's wife as an undercover CIA agent. Rove denies he planted the story. But "Bush's Brain" claims that Rove was fired from the 1980 Reagan/Bush campaign for leaking another story to Novak. Asked for comment, a White House spokesman told us, "We simply don't offer film reviews from the White House." (read more - NY Post) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Classical 1360 announced Monday that it has begun to sell brokered programming, clearing the way for South Florida's only full-time classical radio outlet to abandon Bach and Brahms for diet supplements and collegiate basketball. Citing a 20 percent drop in advertising revenue from last year, WKAT General Manager Andrew Korge said that the Miami station was forced to rent air time to remain viable as a classical outlet (read more - Sun Sentinel)

More than 200 tech and telecom insiders spent the past three days - and some of them spent $2,500 in registration fees - to immerse themselves in heady discussions about the future of the Internet and deregulation. They listened to movers and shakers such as Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell, who spoke Monday (read more - Denver Post)

Sirius Satellite Radio has named John McMullen Station Manager for SIRIUS OutQ, the nation's first and only full-time talk radio channel dedicated to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender community. As Station Manager, McMullen will develop partnerships with other media, organizations and individuals to further serve the community (visit Sirius OutQ)

Upscale automobiles have been offering satellite radio for a couple of years, as have some of the TV satellite services. I know better, from commercial radio’s history, than to predict its death. But if I were a DJ, a drive-time shock-jock, a talk-show host or a radio advertising sales rep, I’d be very, very nervous about what’s coming out of the skies on the satellite radio bands ... Commercial radio may never die. But if someday I hear its obit broadcast over a satellite radio feed at a remote Caribbean outpost, it won’t come as a shock. And if “free” commercial radio in America gets any worse than it is right now, its funeral won’t draw many mourners. Probably won’t draw flies (read more - David Addis-Virginia Pilot)

Forget about leaning left or right. At Ann Arbor radio station WLBY, a move Monday from oldies music to the nationally syndicated Air America liberal talk-radio format was prompted more by a desire to attract a younger and larger audience, and the advertisers that group represents. "Based on the liberal mood of Ann Arbor, we think there's a pretty good chance of that happening," said Bob Bolak, general manager (read more - Ann Arbor News)

26 year veteran Preston Westmoreland was let go by KTAR radio on Friday. CBS-5 news talked with him Tuesday afternoon and the talkshow host said he was shocked by the decision--caught completely off guard, and wasn't given a reason (read more - CBS 5)

IDT Corporation announced that WMET 1160 AM, its owned and operated radio station in Washington, D.C., has upgraded its signal to 50,000 watts. The upgrade will extend the reach of the station's signal from Richmond, Virginia to Baltimore, Maryland (read more)

George Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, sits down with Fox News Channel's Brit Hume for an exclusive at 5 Wednesday + Jon Stewart grabbed the biggest scoop of the political season Tuesday night when he went for the jugular with Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry. "I watch a lot of the cable news shows," he told Kerry on Comedy Central's "Daily Show." "I understand that you were never in Vietnam." "That's what I understand, too," Kerry answered. "But I'm trying to find out what happened." (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

Brad Davis, at WDRC-AM, begins his morning radio show with "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless the U.S.A." Ever since the "under God" controversy, he features a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. "I know," he says, "it sounds corny." (read more - NY Times)

Real Networks has sold more than a million song downloads since launching a 49 cent per song campaign a week ago, the Internet media and software company said on Tuesday. Real cut its song downloads to 49 cents and most albums $4.99, and said that the recent surge in downloads "firmly establishes us as the number 2 player in online music downloads."  (read more - Reuters)

On Sunday, August 29th, the four finalists in 630 WMAL's “Who Wants to be a Talk Show Host" will each host a live one-hour talk show on 630 WMAL beginning at 12:00pm. The winner will be announced on Monday, August 30, during The WMAL Morning News with Fred Grandy and Andy Parks.  The four finalists are:
Russell Day of Washington,  Joseph Paternoster of Alexandria,
Thomas Penny of Ellicott City and Abby Price of Gaithersburg.  Listeners will have the opportunity to vote at
www.630WMAL.com for their favorite (visit WMAL)

Clip Smith, who worked in Buffalo radio, died Saturday in New York state. He was on WKBW in the 80's. He has been doing a radio show in Niagara Falls and he also wrote a column for the Niagara Falls paper. Bob Skurzewski reports that Clip was on WKBW TV as a weather man and later a sports reporter. He also worked at WBEN Radio (Buffalo) evolving into a talk show host. He was most noted for his humor that at times he would not shut off and caused many groans from those watching as well as in the studio. When the spirit moved him, he had his trusty Tuba with him, and yes, played it live on KB TV as well as his radio programs. He was one of a kind, and will be missed (read more - Buffalo News)

Kris O'Donnell, former KTRH (AM 740) Sportsbeat host and behind-the-scenes producer for Fox 26 Sports, is leaving Houston to take an on-air TV reporting job in Buffalo, N.Y. (read more - Ken Hoffman-Houston Chronicle)

When new editions of Carson Daly's "Last Call" play on NBC next week, the show will have a few more laughs. Daly and his show's staff have been added more comedy to the mix and there's more to come during the coming season (read more - Richard Huff-NY Daily News)

CMA will announce the hosts of the 2004 CMA Awards Monday, Aug. 30, during the CMA Awards Press Conference at The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in Nashville. After hosting the CMA Awards for a record 12 consecutive years, Vince Gill stepped down from his podium duties in January leaving the door open for future hosting duties, but taking a welcomed break (visit CMA)

Detroit Public Schools’ plan to lease management of the radio station it has owned and operated since 1948 has protesters mobilized to meet school honcho Kenneth Burnley and other administrators outside after school (so to speak). Last Friday, protesters gathered at the former WDTR-FM — now renamed WRCJ-FM (90.9) and slated to be leased to a commercial outfit to operate with a jazz and classical format (read more - Detroit Metro Times)

A broadcast engineer from Cheyenne was electrocuted while working at a transmitter site in northern Colorado.  Thirty-nine-year-old Robin Thomas was killed at a tower site about 18 miles northwest of Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. Robin Thomas was a partner in Radio Frontier Broadcasting and Blue Moose Broadcasting. He was the brother-in-law of Vic Michael, who has owned several radio stations in Cheyenne (read more - KGWN)

CNNRadio will offer a variety of special programming opportunities employing well-known CNN talent for its affiliates during the Republican National Convention in New York. For the entire convention from Aug. 30 - Sept. 2, special one-minute reports will be available at the bottom of the hour from 8:30 p.m. through 11:30 p.m. each of the four nights of the convention. Special reports at :15 and :45 past the hour will be available Wednesday, Sept. 1, and Thursday, Sept. 2, from 7:45 p.m. through 11:45 p.m. CNNRadio correspondents Gary Baumgarten and John Bisney will report from New York. CNN’s Kyra Phillips and Carol Costello will anchor CNNRadio’s longform programming each night of the convention (visit CNN Radio)

Al Dvorin, the concert announcer who made famous the phrase "Elvis has left the building," died Sunday in an auto accident in California. He was 81 (read more - Star-Telegram)


Ellis Henican, Newsday columnist and frequent commentator on the Fox News Channel, is filling in this week on the ABC News and Talk channel on XM and Sirius satellite radio.  The stylish, popular, ruggedly handsome, quick-witted and razor-tongued Henican can be heard from 1-3 PM Eastern daily on "Live from 125" (visit ABC News Channel XM 124)  (Sirius 140)

Lurid talk with guests and callers about sex acts. Scatological references complete with occasional sound effects. Derisive jokes about homosexuals. Is it Howard Stern on late-night cable? No, this is Spanish-language radio in Los Angeles, "in flagrante" and in broad daylight (read more - AZ Central)

Count right-wing pundit Michelle Malkin as a dissatisfied "Hardball" customer. Since her raucous appearance the other night on the MSNBC show - where she didn't get to hawk her provocative book, "In Defense of Internment: The Case for Racial Profiling in World War II and the War on Terror" - Malkin has been on a rampage against "Hardball's" host, Chris Matthews. On her personal Web site, C-SPAN's "Washington Journal" and Rush Limbaugh's radio show, Malkin has been attacking Matthews as a "sexist" who employs "slimeball tactics" and worse (read more - NY Daily News-Lloyd Grove)

Carl Grapentine, who's been hosting mornings all by himself at WFMT-FM (98.7) for much of the last two decades, is about to have some company in the studio. Starting Sept. 6, Lisa Flynn will be giving up her evening shift at the classical music station to join Grapentine as morning co-host + A format change at KPOP-AM in San Diego has squeezed Chicago radio veteran Jerry G. Bishop out of his job as midday personality. By the miracle of voice tracking, he continues to host weekends at "Real Oldies" WRLL-AM (1690) here. Both outlets are owned by Clear Channel Radio (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Some major fines -- Clear Channel, for example, paid more than $1.75 million to settle a complaint against shock jock Howard Stern -- and the threat of more have prompted some radio stations and ownership chains to clean up their acts. But now that the FCC has turned breaches of decency into hangin' offenses, it apparently wants broadcasters to buy their own rope. Many smaller stations, according to Bill Johnstone of the Oregon Association of Broadcasters, can't afford the recording equipment that would be required. "It's going to cost them thousands of dollars to try to do this," Johnstone said (read The Oregonian)

With help from Clear Channel engineers (and a diesel generator), Kix has been simulcasting through five other stations (WKII 1070 AM, WCCF 1580 AM, WBCG 98.9 FM, WCVU 104.9 FM and just-added Christian station WVIJ 91.7). Note that these are NOT all Clear Channel stations. Volunteers came by and built a new roof. Others dropped off food, water, the air conditioner that cools the booth -- even a Bose radio, running on a generator. There were so many supplies donated, the jocks finally had to say, "No more, please!" (read more - Dawn Scire-The Radio Babe)

Wilmington radio station WILM is being sold to radio conglomerate Clear Channel Communications Inc., WILM General Manager E.B. Hawkins said this morning. The local family-run company billed itself as the last “independently owned and operated all-news station in the U.S.” Hawkins said that the family, which has owned the station since 1949, has rejected purchase offers for the past five years. Clear Channel appears dedicated to keeping the station’s local news format intact, he said (read more - Delaware News Journal)

The fourth annual News/Talk 750 WSB Care-a-Thon benefiting the AFLAC Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta continues through Tuesday (details, details)

Playing up its football coverage as a pitch to the gridiron-giddy crowd almost makes sense for Sirius. I say almost because while its aim is true, its target is bogus. Why do I need satellite radio coverage when as a season ticket holder I will be at half of the games? And if I live close enough to attend the home games, that means that I have free local radio coverage of the away games, too (read The Fool)

"The Black Knight and Squire G Show with Jay 'Capone'" radio show (James Arthur Jancik, Gary Hermann and Jay Stephen) kicks off a publicity push Saturday, August 28th 2pm-5pm Central with a live, remote broadcast at the Waukegan Harbour Arts and Recreation Festival (W.H.A.R.F.) in Jack Benny Memorial Plaza. The native Chicagoans, whose show is syndicated by the International Broadcasting Corporation (IBC Radio Network) and originates in the Chicago area, seeks to ink a deal with a local AM or FM station. Their zany, impromptu, stream-of-consciousness style of talk radio is well known in Chicago, being pioneered by local legends Steve Dahl, Garry Meier, Johnny B and Kevin Matthews, to name a few. An archive of past live shows can be found on their website: www.bksgshow.com. Several other live remote broadcasts are being planned (read more)

Clear Channel Entertainment withdrew its name Monday as the preferred operator for a proposed downtown performing arts center, leaving the city in search of another company to take on the project under its terms. Officials with the media conglomerate said they wouldn't undertake the project because the company is redefining its "strategic plan" and "can't commit to a project like this under the conditions the City of Durham proposes," according to a letter sent to Alan DeLisle, the city's director of economic development (read more - Raleigh-Durham Herald Sun)

Laura Bush delivered a diss to Sean "P. Diddy" Combs by refusing to appear alongside the hip-hop heavyweight at last night's grand opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, sources said. Combs was supposed to join the first lady, actress Angela Bassett, U2 frontman Bono, Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, Sen. Mike DeWine, Black Entertainment Television CEO Bob Johnson and other dignitaries at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but Bush's office nixed the photo-op with Combs. "Her reps made it very clear to Freedom Center that they would not have Laura Bush appearing in the same photo-op as P. Diddy," tattled our source (read more NY Post - Page Six) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Air America Radio network launched in San Diego on Monday. It can be heard on KLSD AM 1360, previously known as KPOP. KLSD is operated by Clear Channel Communications, which also carries conservative voices such as Rush Limbaugh and former San Diego mayor Roger Hedgecock (read more - San Diego Channel) (read more - L.A. Lorek-San Antonio Express-News)

The United States has confirmed it has begun broadcasting Radio and TV Marti into Cuba from military planes.  "On Saturday, the United States successfully (broadcast) Radio and TV Marti to the Cuban people for several hours from an airborne broadcasting platform operated by the Air National Guard," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said. Cubans got their first taste late Saturday of the $US18 million campaign. US President George W Bush adopted the measure in May, that "such broadcasts be carried out on a regular basis for the purpose of breaking the Castro regime's information blockade on the Cuban people," Mr Ereli said (read more - ABC News Online)

In an effort to increase support for American troops overseas, the Advanced Radio Network is urging listeners to participate in its latest nationwide campaign to have Americans send care packages to our troops based in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, or anywhere else in the world. The campaign is promoted on "Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline", the network's flagship radio broadcast.  This program airs LIVE every Sunday on over 100 radio stations around the U.S., XM and Sirius Satellite Radio, worldwide on the American Forces Networks and online at www.graveline.com

A 3 year old company plans to describe a new service that will measure radio audiences in cars, combining global positioning technology and continuous tracking of the radio dial to challenge Arbitron, the dominant radio ratings provider. The service, from Navigauge, is not likely to weaken Arbitron's grip, but it may remind radio executives and advertising agencies that established ratings systems have room to improve, executives said (read more - NY Times)

Nashville country radio personality David "Earl" Hughes has died at his home in Chattanooga. He was 48. Hughes' program was on WSM FM. It moved to the station last year after 13 years on WUSY FM in Chattanooga, where he still lived  (read more - WDEF)  (read more - WKRN)

ARBitrends for New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Westchester, Nassau and Middlesex (read 'em)

An ownership shuffle of this city's airwaves will leave the nation's largest radio chain with no South Dakota stations. Aberdeen Radio Ranch, owned by brothers Rob and Todd Ingstad of Valley City, N.D., have signed an agreement to acquire five stations owned by Clear Channel Communications. Those stations are KSDN-AM 930, KSDN-FM 94.1, KBFO-FM 106.7, KKAA-AM 1560 and KQAA-FM 94.9 (read more - Aberdeen American News)

Net Radio Sales and Ando Media executives today announced the launch of Webcast Metrics - a revolutionary new platform for measurement of Internet radio audiences. In a manner far more accurate than standard broadcast radio ratings, Webcast Metrics monitors the size of a station’s audience and converts it to standard radio metrics including Average Quarter Hour, Cume, and Total Time Spent Listening (read more)

A long time ago — as one of them pointed out on a CD — they were Fab. More than 40 years ago, a KRLA disc jockey named Bob Eubanks watched the Beatles sing on "The Ed Sullivan Show," and days later decided to mortgage his house to bring them to Los Angeles for their first local appearance (read more - LA Times)

Pamela Steele returned to KZPS middays in March. KZPS isn't quite what it was in the early '90s, and the station has been in a rebuilding mode after some ratings struggles. One step in the rebuilding was getting classic voices such as Bo Roberts and Jim White back in the morning, Jon Dillon back in the afternoon and Steele in the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. midday slot. Except that Steele has walked away again. Her last day was Friday. She has been doing commercial voice-over work for the past few years, and she wants to stick with that, which means giving up the radio gig. "I thought I could do both," she says. "I thought I could do voice work and the radio job, and it's just turned out that I can't do both of them. My availability is really important as far as the voice work is concerned, and unfortunately, people tend to want to do those voice sessions in that midday time period." (read more - Robert Philpot)

From ClaudeHallOnline.com -- They owe me a personal--as well as a public--apology. Three radio men I used to know and knew for many years and some small-town radio station general manager whose name I'd never heard of before and quickly forgot + e-mails from Bob Badger and Jack Gale + chapter 1 of a new novel (Snake and the Spider Lady) dedicated to Bill Randle (read it all at  www.claudehallonline.com)

It sounds curious, admits WOR general manager Bob Bruno, but when one of New York's earliest radio stations moves from Times Square to lower Manhattan next winter, it won't bring a lot of physical history with it. Although huge chunks of American, world and broadcast history have been carried over WOR (710 AM) during the 78 years it has had offices at 1440 Broadway, Bruno says the station's archives are modest (read more - David Hinckley)

Making his first campaign visit to heavily Republican Charlotte since being named John Kerry's vice presidential nominee in early July, the North Carolina senator was introduced to about 6,000 spectators braving a steady rain in a football stadium by nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. "It is good to be home. I heard this event was going on. I had to come by and say hello," Edwards said from the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium. Joyner, who hosted the event, indicated there was a surprise guest after a police motorcade, lights flashing, pulled into the stadium parking lot. The radio host warmed up the crowd with criticism of President Bush's narrow victory in 2000 and war in Iraq. "He stole the election in Florida (in 2000), sending our boys and girls to die in Iraq," Joyner said. "Bush has got to go. We can get him out in 2004." He introduced Edwards and the two walked together to the microphone (read more - Winston-Salem Journal)

When people complain to the Federal Communications Commission about an indecent or obscene broadcast, their evidence already may have vanished into thin air. The FCC does not routinely record broadcasts or require television and radio stations to record their programs. As the agency steps up its fight against indecency and obscenity, however, the FCC staff has proposed to require every television and radio station to record all programming from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and hold onto the recordings for either 60 or 90 days. The FCC said the plan could help it resolve disputes over broadcasts (read more - Oregonian)

Radio talk show wonks will soon get an earful of something they've rarely experienced in San Diego: lefties with a mean right hook.  Liberal talk radio network Air America Radio will begin airing in San Diego tomorrow, mano a mano with the largely conservative talk radio personalities who dominate the air waves (read more - San Diego Union-Tribune)

From Chicago Ed Schwartz -- Part of being fair in the "old days" included a requirement for all broadcasters, both radio and TV, when presenting issues of controversial public importance to notify any person or group of any attack upon their integrity, honesty, character or like personal quality. The broadcaster was required by law to notify the subject of a "personal attack" by transcript or recording and offer the "attacked" entity the station's facilities to reply. I don't think a Rush Limbaugh program could have survived the old criteria. The last things on his mind are fairness or balance. The reason it bothers me is his "people" confront his critics with the explanation that it's just entertainment. Limbaugh likes to wave his fat cigars and huge wallet at his critics. He answers them with his "clever" on air promo lines like "talent on loan from God." One day last week I tuned in when he was chatting with a caller who claimed to be a psychiatrist. She was giving her "professional" opinion of what was wrong with John Kerry. The conversation led to Limbaugh making one of the most outrageous statements to ever come out of his misleading mouth. He said, and I quote, "Liberals think Bush is worse than Saddam or Hitler." That idiotic remark occurred at 1:22 p.m. Chicago time on Wednesday, August 18th. Limbaugh has some kind of unhealthy interest in Nazis (read more - www.chicagoed.com)

Had things turned out differently, "Kiz" might be one of the distinctive, memorable names in jazz lore, like Ella and Louie, Dizzy and Maynard. But Kiz Harp died far too soon. Bruce Collier, then a young salesman (who later imagineered jingles at PAMS of Dallas)  who loved jazz, made a hobby of hauling clunky recording equipment to local clubs. "I asked if I could record them, and they said yes," he says. "They were really special."  You don't need big money and big companies to put out records anymore. A couple of years ago Mr. Collier decided to revive 90th Floor Records, even if it only amounts to a few CDs on a Web site. "It was too special a time in my life to leave behind," he says. "We hope it has a niche in the jazz world." The first re-release, Circa 1960, is a compilation of Dallas-area jazz groups from that time, including the soon-to-be-famous Lab Band from then-North Texas State University (read more - Dallas News)  (visit 90th Floor Records Web site)

From Chuck Dunaway's "The Radio Diaries" -- Chuck Chellman/Nashville:  March 25, 1965 was the big civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, the most historic march in our nation's history, with Rev. Martin Luther King in the lead. On that night, I was at WLAC, the 50,000 KW soul giant of America, "Deep in the Heart of Dixie." John "R" Richbourg was getting off the air at 11:00 PM and we had some things to discuss. At the time, I was National Promotion Director of Monument Records. John "R" was producing R&B records for our subsidiary label, Sound Stage 7 + Phil Parr: I read every word of the radio diaries and to me, an old worn out radio man they were to say the least, wonderful. Thanks everyone for sharing those great stories. In the early 80's I was working at KLPR, licensed to Diboll, Texas and serving Lufkin and the surrounding area + John Borders: Jim O’Brien (Oldham) did overnights at KBGO, Waco in the early sixties. One night his counterpart on WACO across town appeared to be “off the air”. Thinking it strange after about thirty minutes, O’Brien called the Waco Police to investigate ... (read more at www.chuckdunaway.com)

The Library of American Broadcasting has announced the 17 pioneers it will honor during its second annual dinner Sept. 15 at the Grand Hyatt. Radio honorees include the Gambling family - John B., John A. and John R.; Ed McLaughlin, former president of the ABC Radio Network; Don McNeill, genial long-time host of "The Breakfast Club"; top-40 format pioneer Todd Storz; and Pierre (Pepe) Sutton, chairman of Inner City Broadcasting (read more - David Hinckley)

Don Keyes was recently chosen to do some voice-overs for the John Kerry for President campaign.  The Texas Radio Hall of Famer has done tons of political spots over the years, but this is the first time that he's voiced spots for a Presidential Candidate.  The spots are running on the Fox News Channel and are scheduled to run in West Virginia, Ohio and Michigan

John Bell and Bob Rogers will be joined by actors Jacki Weaver, Alastair Duncan and Jacqueline Kott, who will revive some of the best remembered radio plays to celebrate the 21st anniversary of 2RPH, a station dedicated to listeners who are visually impaired.  The station was founded 25 years ago in Hobart before being picked up in Melbourne, where it was heard by author Barbara Blackman (who is blind herself) and requested that a similar station be started in Sydney. It now plays to an audience of 148,000 people and is run by 240 volunteers who read Australian and international newspapers, journals and magazines (read more - The Australian)

Is it "Fair and Balanced" coverage that the Fox slogan promises? A growing legion of critics that condemns the Fox News network for parroting Republican ideology, waving the flag and glorifying American military might feel it is not. It is a view that has gained increasing currency with the surprising popularity of Outfoxed, filmmaker Robert Greenwald's detailed look at Fox's slavish adherence to the White House line. Democrats have seized on the issue, with members of Congress demanding that Rupert Murdoch, chair of the network's parent company, abandon a campaign of "improving the president's standing with the American people on the basis of not news, but disinformation." The right-wing network that has learned that, as a former producer says, "there is money in the flag," is under unprecedented attack (read more - Toronto Star)

Interep announced that it has reached a settlement with Citadel Broadcasting with respect to a dispute arising after Citadel ended its representation with Interep in October, 2003. The parties agree to jointly state that Citadel no longer contends that McGavren Guild breached the Representation Agreement or failed to adequately perform. The precise terms of the settlement are confidential (read more)

WWDL-FM owner Douglas V. Lane will face trial on all 19 charges against him, District Justice James P. Kennedy ruled Friday.  Friday's ruling came after two days of testimony at Mr. Lane's preliminary hearing, on June 18 and July 22. On each day, a young man testified about how Mr. Lane allegedly abused him sexually as a boy (read more - Scranton Times Tribune)

Chicago's television stations said hello to Alan Keyes and goodbye to millions of dollars in ad revenue. The U.S. Senate race between impromptu Republican candidate Keyes and Democrat Barack Obama is expected to generate little in the way of political television advertising in Chicago. That, combined with the expectation that the presidential campaigns will largely bypass Illinois, means the 2004 political season is shaping up to be a bust for the local TV market. "This would normally be a big-money year," said Emily Barr, vice president and general manager of WLS-Ch. 7. "Chicago, right now, doesn't seem to be reaping the benefits" of a statewide race (read more - Chicago Tribune)

Jorge Ramos, Maria Elena Salinas and Enrique Gratas are anchoring Univisión's coverage of this week's Republican National Convention, live from New York. Through Sept. 3, Univisión's early-evening newscast and Última Hora will feature daily reports and special convention editions. In addition, the network's morning show, Despierta América, will offer viewers next-day convention reports and wrap-ups (read more - Houston Chronicle)

Ten years ago, Michael James and Mike Kapler faced a problem. They had no music, staff, time or money, but they were determined to put KWOF back on the air. James, general manager, and Kapler, program director, knew that bringing the Christian hits station back would be a risky venture. To raise enough money for startup costs, they hand-wrote letters to former KWOF listeners, asking for donations. They initially were able to raise $2,000, enough money to close the sale of the property and take ownership of the building (read more - Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier)

For 39 years, Cubans have awakened to the familiar voice of Aurora Basnuevo, undisputed queen of radio. She's host of one of Latin America's longest-running comedy shows and creator of a character named Estelvina, the quintessential Cuban mulatta. In July, Ms. Basnuevo won the country's national humor award for her contributions to Cuban culture. Her secret? She does comedy the old-fashioned way. "I don't use bad words. I don't say bad things about my country. And I don't ridicule people. Anyone can get a laugh that way (read more - Dallas News)

After his anti-George W. Bush remarks hit the international media and fueled Neal Boortz's syndicated talk show, Atlanta Symphony conductor Donald Runnicles issued his regrets + Star 94's Vikki Locke took a look around the room and joked, "How do you like swimming in this pool of estrogen?" (read more - Peach Buzz)

The new low-power radio station that will broadcast from North Greensboro and West Weaver streets figures to be more interactive than its larger brethren on the FM dial. Along with being a haven for volunteers who want a shot at performing music on the air or talking about local issues, there are plans for little things to let people in on the activities of the station, which will be known as WCOM and broadcast at 103.5 FM in both English and Spanish. For one thing, there will be a couple of windows into the broadcast studio facing North Greensboro Street so interested passersby can look in on live shows and tapings, said Ruffin Slater, one of the station's organizers (read more - Herald Sun)

Maury Parent, the man with the deep bass voice that was a fixture on local radio, died Thursday just hours after turning off his microphone and ending his morning call-in show in Nashua. His career took him to several local radio stations, where his jobs ranged from working the microphone to general manager. Frank Teas of Santerre Street hired Parent in the early 1960s to work in sales and be a voice on the air at WSMN, now The Tiger 1590 (read more - The Telegraph Online)

BOB-FM, we play anything! That phrase describes the most unusual and non-traditional radio station to hit the Austin airwaves in years. At 103.5 FM, BOB is a new radio station that addresses listener complaints about cookie-cutter formats with too much repetition and clutter. BOB has a much longer playlist and very little repetition. BOB plays hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. BOB also promises to minimize clutter -- in short, BOB is a radio station operator who's doing what listeners would do if they could! Scott Gillmore, vice president and market manager of Emmis-Austin Radio, notes, "BOB loves Austin, BOB loves music and BOB has a really big CD collection." BOB adds, "Here's my music, enjoy it." (visit Emmis Austin)

David Limbaugh, author of "Persecution: How Liberals Are Waging War Against Christianity," will be the featured speaker at the Excellence in Journalism awards banquet during the fourth annual Baptist Press National Journalism Student Conference Oct. 7-9 in Nashville, Tenn. The brother of talk show host Rush Limbaugh, David Limbaugh is an expert in law and politics. Persecution, which spent five weeks atop The New York Times best-seller list last fall, documents more than 800 examples of discrimination against Christians in America (read more - Baptist Press)

"For many journalists, the proper relationship between government and the news media begins and ends with the First Amendment’s charge that “Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” In this view, government is an adversary of the press — a source of censorship at worst, corruption and disinformation at best. Paul Starr’s profound and illuminating The Creation of the Media: Political Origins of Modern Communications offers a different view. In Starr’s wide-ranging historical analysis, the federal government emerges as a force that can, with the right decisions, create the conditions in which journalism can flourish ..." (read more - Columbia Journalism Review)

Boston has always been one of the country's best talk radio markets, and now a Boston-bred talk radio vet is getting ready to shake up audiences nationwide. Kevin Straley is a Hull native who spent 13 years working at the Hub's leading talk station, WRKO-AM (680), and even spent 3 years as its program director. Now he's responsible for programming the nearly 50 talk/news/sports stations on the XM satellite network with formats that range from the Playboy Channel and NASCAR Radio to The Power (24/7 African-American talk). The upcoming High Voltage channel, due Oct. 4, will basically have an OAAT format: Opie & Anthony All the Time (read more - Dean Johnson-Boston Herald)

Regis Philbin has lived a lifetime on television. Logging 15,188 hours on the tube has yielded him fame, fortune -and now a place in the record books. Friday's broadcast of Live With Regis and Kelly gives the talk-show host the Guinness World Record for most hours on camera. He passes broadcaster Hugh Downs for the record, as calculated by Guinness World Records researcher Stuart Claxton (read more - Yahoo News)

Operating in a trashed building without a working phone line, the DJs -- and general manager and news director and even a volunteer ham radio operator -- have been running a round-the-clock news operation patched together with ingenuity and sheer will. ''We're doing it 24/7 since Charley hit and we'll keep doing it as long as we need to,'' said Bob Alexander, news director for Kix Country, WKIX-FM (92.9), and four other ClearChannel stations in the area. ``There are a lot of people out there with no power. They can't watch TV. . . . A lot of them don't even have phones. All they have are their battery-operated radios.'' (read more - Miami Herald)

While his legendary vocal chords didn't ripen until puberty, Verne Lundquist fell in love with sports way before that. That passion was born in Everett. The long-time television announcer spent eight years in Everett, attending George Washington Elementary School from first through sixth grade until his family moved to Texas. Now Lundquist, 64, who was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2003, is coming back to the area. The one-time Everett resident will make his debut as television play-by-play man for Seattle Seahawks preseason games Saturday night at Qwest Field. The Seahawks-Denver Broncos game will be televised on KONG Channel 6/16 (read more - HeraldNet)

A federal appeals court on Thursday delivered a stinging blow to the anti-piracy efforts of major movie studios and music companies, ruling that several online file-sharing software companies are not liable for copyright infringement (read more - Reuters)

From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series -- We have all met people who are unusually nice and with whom we develop an immediate friendship. Such was the situation when we first moved to Atlanta to operate WQXI AM and FM. Bill and Billie Lowery welcomed us to Atlanta within days after we moved there. I found out later that this was their nature and pleasure. They loved Atlanta and wanted to share it with newcomers. Bill died a month or so ago. Bill and Billie own a music publishing company called the Lowery Group in Atlanta ... Bill’s publishing company and his recording studio produced 45 RPM hits by Ray Stevens, Tommy Roe, Joe South (Games People Play won a Grammy for the best song of the year), Billy Joe Royal, Jerry Reed and others… and in the album era the Atlanta Rhythm Section. And in the disco era I Love the Night Life by Alicia Bridges. Hit after hit after hit Bill knew songs. Bill knew artists. He had the talent of marrying them (read it all at www.kentburkhart.com)

One of the country's largest noncommercial religious broadcasters offered to buy St. Olaf College's classical-music station WCAL (89.3 FM) for "a lot more money" than the $10.5 million winning bid made by Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), its president said. "It's clear they didn't want to maximize their investment," Richard Jenkins told the Star Tribune. "They wanted MPR to operate the station." (read more Star-Tribune)

News Talk 820 WBAP leads the way in nominations for the 2004 Katie Awards from the Press Club of Dallas Foundation. WBAP is up for 11, followed by KRLD with 8, USA Radio Network of Dallas with 6, KERA 5, KOSU (Ok. State U.) 5, KOMA (Oklahoma) 2, KESN 2, TSN 2, KLIF 1, KCBI 1, KURV, South Texas Public Broadcasting 1, KOAI 1. The awards will be given out on September 25th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dallas (read the full Katie Award list)

A series of interviews and a review of documents show a web of connections to the Bush family, high-profile Texas political figures and President Bush's chief political aide, Karl Rove. Records show that the (Swift Boat Veterans for Truth group received the bulk of its initial financing from two men with ties to the president and his family - one a longtime political associate of Mr. Rove's, the other a trustee of the foundation for Mr. Bush's father's presidential library. A Texas publicist who once helped prepare Mr. Bush's father for his debate when he was running for vice president provided them with strategic advice. And the group's television commercial was produced by the same team that made the devastating ad mocking Michael S. Dukakis in an oversized tank helmet when he and Mr. Bush's father faced off in the 1988 presidential election (read more - NY Times)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

As part of Clear Channel Radio's ongoing support of relief efforts for the communities effected by Hurricane Charley, the company is auctioning off 43 celebrity-signed guitars on www.StormAid.com. The site will feature one of the largest charity auctions in radio history with guitars autographed by Robert Plant, George Thorogood, Tom Petty, Sammy Hagar, Stone Temple Pilots, ZZ Top, Kenny Rogers, Wynonna Judd, Incubus, The Strokes, Linkin Park, Britney Spears and many other artists and celebrities. All proceeds will go directly to displaced families and the Red Cross.  The auction on www.StormAid.com has begun and will end at 3PM ET on September 20, 2004 (read more)

For the satellite radio business this was the ultimate showdown. Within 24 hours of each other, rivals Sirius and XM wooed the media with a glitzy luncheon spread and a glimpse of all the shiny, new satellite radio receivers that will be hitting the market in time for Christmas (read more - MSNBC)

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 82 percent of the  music industry's $1.4 million in political donations so far this year has gone to Democrats, including some $200,000 to Kerry. Bush, the sole Republican among the top 20 individual recipients of music-biz largesse, has only gotten $61,275. TV and radio companies want administration favors, too—specifically, more leeway to merge—and they're richer and more Republican than record companies. Their $3.6 million in donations so far this cycle is more than double the music business's, and 62 percent of it has gone to Republicans. (Kerry's gotten $171,379; Bush, more than twice that.)  (read more - Douglas Wouk-The Village Voice)

One of KATU's most well-respected television personalities is stepping away from his anchor position. Paul Linnman anchored KATU News since 1987 and has worked as a writer, film editor, reporter, and even a sports director during his 36 years in television (read more - KATU Portland)

From Jim Rose Remembers -- In 1967, I landed at WFAA in Dallas! This was an historic time in Radio history! WFAA-Dallas and WBAP-Ft. Worth both shared the same two Radio frequencies! While WFAA broadcast on 820, WBAP was on 570! Vice versa at other times! First rattle out of the box, CHARLIE VAN, the Program Director, asked me to say the call letters. I said "Dubya eff a a!" That was just like any good ole East Texas boy would say. CHARLIE grabbed his heart! He acted like someone had hit him with a crow-bar! He yelled "Don't ever say WFAA that way! It's Double-yew F A A!" (read more - Jim Rose Remembers)

Virgin Radio and online music service Napster, combining one of the oldest music mediums with the newest, have teamed up to create the first UK radio programme counting down the week's most downloaded songs. Starting on August 29, the Napster Online Music Chart will feature songs that are downloaded or streamed on the online music service, the companies said in a statement on Thursday (read more - Reuters)

On ABC NightLine -- It sounds like John Kerry has decided that the pushing and criticism have just gone too far. He sounded angry as he took President Bush on. He was referring to the campaign ad funded by a Republican group that attacks the veracity of John Kerry's war record. Kerry accused the President of letting others do "his dirty work" and invoked the President's own words "bring it on" to challenge him to a one on one debate on their respective war records. The President has not responded. So what happened to make Kerry so mad? And why did he do it now? (visit ABC NightLine)

Until this past spring, Koz was best known as a multimillion-selling one- man brand: successful solo artist, radio personality and independent- label record executive. (His 40-plus-date Dave Koz and Friends "Smooth Summer Night Tour" draws to a close after performances Saturday at the Chronicle Pavilion in Concord and Sunday at the Montalvo Center for the Arts in Saratoga.) But something was missing, at least from the public Koz persona. And so, in April, Koz, who had just turned 41, told the world, in an interview with the Advocate magazine, that he is gay (read more - SF Gate)

If you're a University of Texas Longhorn fan in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, you'll be able to hear UT football and basketball games for the next two years on News Talk 660 KSKY-AM (read more - Dallas Biz Journal)

The woman who says she dated Sen. John Kerry for 20 months in the early 1990s - former Harvard graduate student Lee Whitnum - tells me she has written a novel in which a Kerry-like character tries to become President. Kerry, she revealed to the Daily News this week, liked to cook seafood dinners for them in his Beacon Hill apartment and whisper sweet nothings in her ear - in French - during moments of passion. Whitnum's Web site, hedgefundmistress.com, features a blog in which she worries that her novel - if published before Nov. 2 - might harm her one-time lover's election chances. Especially if conservative radio jocks exploit it to damage the Democratic nominee (read more Lloyd Grove - NY Daily News)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

It's difficult for non-New Yorkers to fully grasp the Michael Wolff phenomenon. In the most literal terms, Wolff, from 1998 until he decamped for Vanity Fair this winter, wrote the weekly "This Media Life" column for New York magazine, spinning out stylish, pointed observations on everything from Viacom's power struggles to Rupert Murdoch's love life. From the start, Wolff was adamant about being neither a media reporter (working the phones isn't really his style) nor a media critic ("that dour schoolmarm figure"). Instead, he put himself at the center of the story, giving readers a first-person glimpse of the inner workings of the media biz as it happened to, and all around, him (read more - The New Republic-Michelle Cottle)

When a radio station gives five or six minutes of commercials in a row, Tom Belge, of Syracuse, often gives it right back. He turns the dial. But it's not just frustration with long blocks of advertising that prompts Belge to switch stations - or even to turn off the radio. He complains of too many promotional announcements and too much pointless chatter, and not enough of the music, news or factual talk he wants from radio. "Absolutely, I listen less than I used to. There's a lot of fluff where there didn't used to be a lot of fluff," says Belge, 41, a program supervisor at Elmcrest Children's Center (read more - Syracuse Post Standard)

The announcement of a new, multiyear contract ended a conflict that had become public on June 24, when Infinity announced that it had elected not to renew with Arbitron. By doing so, Infinity (which owns 185 stations nationally, including Boston's WBZ-AM, 1030; WBCN-FM, 104.1; WBMX-FM, 98.5; WZLX-FM, 100.7; and WODS-FM, 103.3) was losing the right to use information from the service's quarterly ratings reports (read more - Clea Simon - Boston Globe)

Bets are we'll see a bigger audience for local talk radio after all the drama at KTSA sent the format roaring into the San Antonio spotlight this summer. The spring ratings that just arrived essentially covered the months before the big upset — April, May and June — that had KTSA ousting talk vets Carl Wiglesworth and Eliza Sonneland. The numbers weren't much to write home about for either WOAI or KTSA. But the summer book (due out this fall), which will include the theatrical element of KTSA's new afternoon man Chris Duel going head to head with the talk host who replaced him on WOAI — Jeff Bolton —may give the stations a sizable audience jolt. Or not (read more -Jeanne Jakle-San Antonio Express-News)

A black ministers group says it will meet with officials of WBLS (107.5 FM) to express its concern about WBLS afternoon host Wendy Williams - who, for her part, says she regrets and repents nothing. The Rev. Amen-Ra Jamal of the NAACP, spokesman for the Black Ministers Conference, said last week the group would write letters, contact advertisers and possibly picket the station over what he terms the sexually explicit content of Williams' popular 2-6 p.m. show (read more - David Hinckley)

Kathryn Mead wanted to see her first sitting president when George W. Bush visited the city. Instead, Bush campaign staffers tore up the 55-year-old social studies teacher's ticket and refused her admission because she sported a small sticker on her blouse that touted the Democratic ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards. "I had my ticket and photo identification, but they would not let me in because of this sticker," said Mead, a teacher at Traverse City West Senior High, who said she has seen Queen Elizabeth and Pope John Paul in person. "I have never found this kind of screening anywhere in my travels around the world. I can't imagine being denied access to hearing the president of the United States speak." "I really, truly wanted to have the experience of having seen the president and hear him speak, which is very important to me as a social studies teacher," she said. "How can anyone in the United States deny someone entry? Isn't this a democracy?" (read more - Traverse City Record Eagle) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Howard Stern is making a new foray into television next summer, appearing this time as a teenage cartoon character of himself. The male-oriented cable channel Spike TV said on Wednesday it has ordered 13 episodes of a new animated series tentatively titled "Howard Stern: The High School Years," which is aimed for launch in the summer of 2005 (read more - Reuters)

Saudi Arabia is using a radio advertising campaign to tell Americans it is a loyal ally in the fight against terrorism and to tackle allegations made in Michael Moore's film 'Fahrenheit 9/11'.  Both ads, which have a voiceover provided by an actor with an English accent, finish with the line: "A message from the people of Saudi Arabia: strong allies, committed friends." (read more - Media Bulletin U.K.)

One of the largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States may open a branch office in Mission, Kansas. On Thursday, Entercom representatives met with City Administrator Mike Scanlon to discuss moving to Mission. Entercom owns eight radio stations in the metropolitan area, including FM stations 98.9 KQRC, 99.7 KYYS, 96.5 KRBZ, 106.5 WDAF and the AM station 980 KMBZ, and many other stations across the country (read more - Johnson County Sun)

When people think about radio, which probably isn't very often, they wonder why they can't find the perfect music station. One devoted just to reggae, for example. Or rockabilly, opera or show tunes. In a revolution that's spreading beyond the world of technogeeks, disgruntled radio listeners are finally getting an opportunity to hear what they want. If you can imagine a kind of music station, there's probably something close to it a few clicks away on the Internet. Want to hear female bands of the present? Try the Chicks Who Rock channel. Do you favor the Fab Four? Point your browser to Beatles-a-Rama. Got a working knowledge of "goth music"? Join the five other people who do and check out the "ethereal tunes" on TwiNight Music Radio (read more - Randy Dotinga)

It was nice of Rush Limbaugh to grace our fair town with his words last week. While discussing Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards’ visit to Lawrence on Aug. 8, Limbaugh ridiculed not just the visit, but also the town and, sure enough, the University of Kansas. In doing so, Limbaugh demonstrated both his ignorance of the University and its students and his inability to contribute to substantive discussions ... Limbaugh’s comments cheapen the value of the degree we will hold. Under the cover of political speech, Limbaugh spewed ridiculous assertions for which he has no reasonable purpose other than claiming, repeatedly, that Lawrence is “liberal.” Why Limbaugh considers himself an expert on the University of Kansas, other than because he used to accompany athletes here and knows a guy at a sports bar, we do not know, but his attack on the reputations of every student and instructor at this facility is baseless and irresponsible. He will not apologize or admit a mistake, so we are forced to defend ourselves. His ignorance, like that of so many others, has thus become our burden (read it all - The University Daily Kansan)

When KING-FM (98.1) announced a few weeks ago that afternoon drive-time host Tom Dahlstrom was no longer with the station, management cited as one of its tasks the recruitment of "new listeners from diverse age groups" to the city's only classical music station. That objective, as well as recent changes at the station, have prompted questions about why KING is doing what it's doing, where the new listeners will be coming from and what the station will sound like in order to attract them (read Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

A brand new radio station has taken to the air in north Down with the promise of being Northern Ireland's most accessible service.  Bangor FM 106.2 will initially be operating on a trial for the next couple of weeks to coincide with the North Down Borough Council's Summer Events Programme. It will broadcast a mixture of music, chat and local news to a potential 80,000 people daily.  The new venture is backed by Citybeat, the local council and Bangor's Flagship Centre, where the studio is located (read more - Belfast Telegraph)

There’s a new radio station broadcasting from downtown Waxahachie, but you won’t find it on the AM or FM dials.
Instead, the streaming audio of Texas Music Theater Radio, or TMTR, can be accessed from the World Wide Web at www.TMTR.net.
Fans of local radio personality Gary Barton can’t hear him on the KBEC airwaves nowadays, but they can catch his show from 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday on the TMTR site (read more - Waxahachie Daylight)

Fresh from his success with Fahrenheit 9/11, the filmmaker has made a deal with Simon & Schuster for a new hardcover, Will They Ever Trust Us Again? (read more - Crain's NY)

The Texas Association of Broadcasters named Gainesville resident Joe Leonard the 2004 Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year. The award, TAB's most prestigious honor, was presented last night during TAB's Annual President's Reception and Awards Gala at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Austin. The gala was part of TAB's 51st Annual Convention and Trade Show. The Pioneer of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has served 25 years in the broadcasting industry and has exemplified outstanding public service and lasting contributions to broadcasting in Texas and the nation. Leonard's biggest accomplishment was creating and building Gainesville's own broadcast media from scratch. He signed KGAF-AM on the air Oct. 1, 1947 - the first radio station in Gainesville, Texas (read more - Gainesville Daily Register)


Delphi Corp. and XM Satellite Radio are introducing another breakthrough product, the new Delphi XM "SKYFi2" -- the next generation SKYFi satellite radio receiver. The Delphi XM SKYFi2 takes SKYFi, the best selling satellite radio receiver ever, and makes it even better by adding several new exciting features, including the first-ever "pause" and "replay" functions for satellite radio (read more)


According to a new study, cable and satellite companies will pass newspapers for third place of this year's campaign spending.  TV and radio stations still attract the bulk of election ad and marketing dollars   (read more - David Lieberman-USA Today)

The Radio Ad Effectiveness Lab (RAEL) announced the first of several major new research studies that identify how Radio works, and how to maximize Radio Return On Investment (ROI): Personal Relevance; Personal Connections: How Radio Ads Affect Consumers. A large-scale project conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide, the study demonstrates how Radio advertising affects consumers in ways that are different from television and newspapers. The study was released at a press conference this morning in New York City (read more)

Arbitron Inc. announced that it has reached an agreement with Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, a division of Viacom Inc., for a multi-year contract including radio ratings and other related services for its 185 stations. This agreement, which is effective immediately, gives Infinity Broadcasting access to Arbitron quarterly radio ratings in 42 markets including the Spring 2004 survey (read more - Business Wire) (read more - Joe Mandese-Media Post)

WKTU's annual two-night "Beatstock" festival this weekend not only provides a cool summer wrapup party, says program director Jeff Z, it shows exactly what makes WKTU (103.5 FM) unique as a radio station (read more - David Hinckley - NY Daily News)

San Diego's KPOP to drop adult standards this week. Progressive talk radio with Air America, Ed Schultz, and San Diego's Stacy Taylor kicks off Monday. (read more - SDRadio.net)

Radio listeners in Brevard are loving Rush Limbaugh and light rock.  Others prefer their rock a little heavier. And radio oldies are seeing less of the sock-hop days. Talk radio station WMMB-AM (1240), which simulcasts on WMMV-AM (1350), had a 16 percent increase in its listenership share in Arbitron's "12-plus" category (read more - Florida Today)

"There's bottled water at the corner of Harbor and 41." "Ice across from Taco Bell." "Does anyone have a porta-potty?" The voices radiate from a tiny radio station -- broadcasting over five frequencies -- planted on the edge of a mangrove bog in the shredded-aluminum core of Hurricane Charley's path. The round-the-clock broadcasts have been like a step back in time, a time when radio was king. There is no power in Punta Gorda. No television. Spotty phone service. In other words, radio rules. But the reign of Seaview-104.9 and its sister stations has been all the more remarkable because the radio station itself is a victim (read more - Washington Post)

Legendary newsman Walter Cronkite has done a 180 on convention coverage. A longtime proponent of reducing airtime for the political pep rallies, Cronkite changed his mind after the Democrats anointed John Kerry last month. The Big 3 devoted three prime-time hours each to the four-day event. Ditto for the Republicans starting Aug. 30. "It became obvious that when you're bringing in a fairly unknown candidate challenging a sitting president, the population needs a lot more information than reduced coverage provides," says Cronkite, 87 (read more - Gail Shister - Philly Inquirer)

Denver-based Zeo Radio Networks announced it has launched the Zeo News Network (Z/NN) to provide quality news services to broadcast-radio stations across the United States. The first feature from the new network will be the long-planned Custom News Service. Headed by veteran KMOX-AM St. Louis news talent Jim Miller, the Custom News Service will offer custom local news reports to stations for morning and afternoon drive slots (read more - Zeo Radio)

It'll be a slow recovery, but U.S. radio's business should begin turning around in 2005. So says an analyst with Wachovia Securities (read more - Washington Times)

From Bill McLellan -- ... if Michael Moore can get rich smearing conservatives and Rush Limbaugh can get rich smearing liberals, why shouldn't Jim O'Neill get rich smearing John Kerry? Especially about Vietnam. At least O'Neill went. Actually, like Kerry, he was decorated for bravery. I suppose it won't be long before somebody claims he doesn't deserve his medals, but at the moment, he's clear (read more - Bill McLellan-St Louis Post-Dispatch) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Spanish Broadcasting System Inc. said Tuesday it has signed an agreement to sell its Southern California radio stations, KZAB-FM in Torrence and KZBA-FM in Ontario, to Styles Media Group for $120 million in cash (read more - LA Biz Journal)  (read more - Reuters)

Veteran radio journalist Bob Edwards of XM Satellite Radio has been selected for induction into the Radio Hall of Fame. Edwards is one of five broadcasters selected to be part of the 2004 class. His new morning program "The Bob Edwards Show" will air exclusively on XM Radio on the new XM Public Radio channel (XM Channel 133) beginning October 4 (read more)

A resident of Pittsford, NY is suing national television network CBS for defamation, libel, violation of state civil rights law and intentional infliction of emotional distress after the network showed a picture of him while airing a segment on alleged terrorist suspects detained in prison camps at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (read more - The New Standard)

Christian Talk Radio WCVC AM 1330 in Tallahassee is temporarily off the air because of a lightning strike last Wednesday (read more - Tallahassee Democrat)

Many commentators, referring to that elusive concept of "human nature," have pointed out that if reporters are embedded with the authorities, they almost invariably take the viewpoint of the authorities.  Before you expose yourself to the blizzard of coverage of next week's convention at Republican Square Garden, you have to get some perspective on the people bringing it to you. Even if there isn't the ballyhooed embedding that took place during the invasion of Iraq, many electronic reporters and anchors are sure to respond to the events as if they were embedded, because they'll depend on the authorities for access and will be beholden—and because most of them always take the authorities' viewpoint automatically anyway (read more - Ward Harkavy-Village Voice)

KUVO 89.3-FM turned on its high-definition signal Aug. 1. The lack of response has been deafening. But that's OK with Flo Hernandez-Ramos, KUVO's president and sometimes deejay. They're looking to the future, when every car and home will be equipped with an HD receiver. Right now, there are almost none, given the cost of a receiver ($500 or more) and the lack of stations broadcasting in HD (read more - Dick Kreck-Denver Post)

An elderly man wearing khaki pants and a golf polo, leans across the front desk of XM Satellite Radio's office in Boca Raton, Fla.  Cheerfully he asks the receptionist, a middle-aged woman with a diamond nose stud, if he can bring his friends in for a tour. "Because we don't understand it - how it works, this satellite radio," he explains. The poor guy - probably not a spy - has no shot. He isn't getting past the lobby. This is XM's Innovation Center, the creative heart of a company that has more than 2.1 million subscribers and predicts that it will have 3.1 million by the end of the year (read more - Miami Herald-Ashley Fantz)

The Fredericksburg Area Food Bank received about 7,000 pounds of food in the past three weeks, thanks to local radio stations and auto dealerships. Announcers with WFLS, WWUZ and WYSK started encouraging area residents July 27 to drop off nonperishable food items at local auto dealerships. Donations had hit historic lows for this time of year (read more - Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star)

AM 580 WDBO, along with Central Florida Blood Centers, Second Harvest Food Bank, WFTV 9 Family Connection, K92FM, WHTQ, WMMO, Power 95.3, Star 94.5 and The Humane Society are helping Florida cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. On Wednesday, August 18th, from 8:00am to 7:00pm all of these groups will be outside the T.D. Waterhouse Centre collecting goods for The Hurricane Charley Recovery Drive (visit WDBO)

ABC Talk Radio Row, the custom-designed broadcast facility inside Madison Square Garden, will host more than 15 ABC News Radio affiliates from across the country as they broadcast the latest convention news to their regional markets.  Some Infinity Radio, Citadel Communications, and Clear Channel stations will also use ABC Talk Radio Row facilities while in New York. As part of their in-depth convention coverage, talk radio superstars from ABC Radio Networks will broadcast nine hours of programming live every day from talk radio row, hosting discussions with newsmakers and exploring the issues impacting races across the country (visit ABC Radio)


Nobody who knew the late Chuck Leonard says a bad word about him. "Super-nice guy," says Harry Harrison, who worked with him at WABC.  "A man of style and class," says Jim Kerr, who met Leonard when Kerr was a star-struck kid at sister station WPLJ. "A helluva guy and a helluva talent," says Dan Ingram, who recommended him to WABC after hearing him on WWRL in 1965. "He could do any shift, any style, any format - and all at the highest level."  (read more - David Hinckley - NY Daily News)

Peter Jennings calls ABC News' experiment a "guerrilla operation." Correspondent Chris Cuomo says it has "unvarnished appeal." Tune in, says producer Mike Clemente, and you'll know you're not "driving Dad's Oldsmobile." What they're talking about is ABC News Now, a low-budget channel now available via an increasing number of digital TV channels over the air and on cable in major cities, the Internet and, in some cases, your cell phone (read more - Peter Johnson-USA Today)

The 2004 inductees for the Texas Radio Hall of Fame have been announced and there's a trio of Houstonians on the list. One, Dave Morris, owned a legendary rock station. One, Skipper Lee Frazier, is still a legendary gospel disc jockey. And one, Laura Morris, is currently the most powerful woman on the dial (read more - Ken Hoffman-Houston Chronicle)

The numbers for the start of NBC's coverage of the Athens Olympics have been strong, with some 56 million Americans tuning in to some of the opening ceremonies, and prime-time weekend coverage winning both nights. Overall, ratings are off a bit from the 2000 Sydney Games (read more - Tim Cuprisin-Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

At 2:30 p.m. every weekday, Bill O'Reilly descends from his office on the seventeenth floor of the News Corp building in midtown Manhattan to the Fox News Channel's basement bunker deep below street level. There, he moves with a studied, gunslinger's stride borrowed from his hero, Clint Eastwood, past long rows of office pods where teams of producers cook up the cable network's daily lineup of "fair and balanced" programming. O'Reilly graduated from Marist College in 1971, then worked for two years as a high school teacher in Miami. Unhappy, he enrolled in the master's program in broadcast journalism at Boston University. After graduating in 1975, he landed a job at a tiny station, WNEP-TV in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Within nine months, he caught the eye of one of the country's best local TV stations: WFAA in Dallas. From the start, O'Reilly had an innate understanding that emotion and outrage grabbed viewers. "In a business where there are a lot of reprehensible people," says longtime WFAA reporter Byron Harris, "he stood out as particularly dishonest, obnoxious, self-centered." After two years at WFAA, O'Reilly moved to KMGH-TV, a station in Denver. He was at first as unpopular in Denver as he had been in Dallas (read more - Rolling Stone)

Tom Joyner is not only going to be inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame on October 30th in San Antonio, but he is also now an author. JOYNER is co-author of the hottest and latest of the best-selling "CHICKEN SOUP" series, "CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN SOUL, CELEBRATING AND SHARING OUR CULTURE ONE STORY AT A TIME." The 384 page book is available on HCI BOOKS for $12.95, and is set to release on SEPTEMBER 14th. A portion of book sale proceeds will benefit the TOM JOYNER FOUNDATION, which has raised more than $25 million to help keep students in historically black colleges and universities to date (visit HCI Books Web site)

For decades, KLUV-FM DJ Ron Chapman has had a monopoly at the microphone, but on Thursday, he will hand it over to his tormentors when he is skewered at the Dallas Ad League's annual Ad Roast. Almost three years ago, the Wall Street Journal took note when Ron's boss, Viacom's then-president Mel Karmazin, paid $14.9 million for Ron's vacation home in Naples, Fla. This week, Mel is jetting in to be a roaster along with advertising exec Stan Richards , state Sen. Florence Shapiro and Ron's veteran sidekick Suzie Humphreys. The voice of the Cowboys, Brad Sham, is emceeing the gathering at the Fairmont (read more - Alan Peppard-Dallas News)

In San Antonio, "The Beat" (KBBT-FM) and KONO FM and AM continued to capture top honors among the young and more mature crowds, respectively, there were a couple of surprises. Rock is starting to really rock with San Antonians, who are going not only for the perennial winner, KISS-FM, but also for relative newcomer KSRX — which switched from KTFM's dance-tune beat to a harder rock format last year + "The Ticket 760" (KTKR-AM) team of Rob and Jason Thompson, Clear Channel's one-and-only sibling sports team, are so fun to hear that Fox actually runs their live Sunday night show — 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. — nationally  (read more - Jeanne Jakle-SA Express-News)

Marches will proceed under the eyes of a massive police, FBI and Secret Service presence, as more than 10,000 local officers will patrol the barricaded streets around the convention. Undercover police have infiltrated meetings of anarchist groups, and prosecutors are ready to process as many as 1,000 arrests per day. The FBI acknowledged Monday -- after a report in the New York Times -- that agents have interviewed potential demonstrators across the nation. In some cases, protesters say they were asked about their political views. FBI officials insisted their agents conducted interviews only after learning of people planning disruptions at the conventions. "Dissent is a cornerstone of a democratic society," said Norman Siegel, former director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. "It's how we measure whether we're an open society, and it's under a lot of stress now." Tension is already evident  (read more - Washington Post)  (read more - Fox News) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Buddy Smith, a spokesman for the American Family Association, said the way to keep the attention of stations is through their licenses — and the threat of non-renewal. "That's the only way," he said, "that this kind of activity is going to be deterred in the future." FCC Commissioner Michael Copps took his fellow commissioners to task for the settlement. "If we are not actually changing the rules of the game," he wrote, "we are, at a minimum, sending a wrong and discouraging signal to those citizens upon whom we rely in implementing the law." TAKE ACTION/FOR MORE INFORMATION -- Let Michael Copps and the four other FCC commissioners know how you feel about the "Mancow" Muller fine and the agency's fight against broadcast obscenity in general by visiting the CitizenLink Action Center. You'll find an easy-to-use e-mail form that will allow you to send one message to all five commissioners (read more - Family.org)

Running as a Republican in a heavily Democratic district in Texas against a five-term incumbent, Ms. Klein, 39, has received more in donations and fund-raising help from the telecommunications and power industries than any other rookie candidate in the nation. Why is Ms. Klein such a draw? Because administration officials have said that in the event of a second Bush administration she would be considered by the president, whom she served as a senior policy adviser when he was governor of Texas, as a candidate to be the next head of the Federal Communications Commission. And even if that does not work out, she is expected to receive a seat on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, should a vacancy occur. Her husband is a senior official at the Pentagon (read more - NY Times)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Tom Reynolds describes his voice as "helium-filled." The Ansonia resident jokes that customer service workers occasionally address him as "ma'am" on the telephone. Now Reynolds is using his voice to communicate his liberal ideas as a host of the "News Maverick Radio Show" on WXCT-AM 990. "My main goal for the show is that everybody should vote, regardless of party," he said (read more - Connecticut Post)

Oprah Winfrey was picked to serve on a jury in Cook County Criminal Court. Winfrey reported for jury duty along with about 300 other prospective jurors (read more - Palm Beach Post)

Fans of Opie and Anthony are in heat . The duo, which was last heard locally on 92.3 FM WXTM (Xtreme Radio), will be back on the air with a live weekday program on XM Satellite radio, beginning October 4. Their show will be carried on a new premium channel, which will cost an additional buck ninety-nine per month to subscribers. XM's basic monthly subscription rate is $9.99. XM has 2.1 million subscribers. Rival Sirius has half a mil (read more - John Gorman-Cleveland Free Times)

Mountain Stage will be part of XM's new public radio channel starting Sept. 1. XM is the nation's largest satellite radio company, so it should mean even more exposure for Mountain Stage. Satellite radio is becoming more popular as people buy systems by XM and its smaller rival, Sirius, for their automobiles (read more - Charleston Daily Mail)

RealNetworks plans to announce on Tuesday that it is putting its digital music offerings on sale at half price as part of an aggressive strategy to force its way onto Apple Computer's popular iPod digital music player.  At the same time, the company acknowledged that the sale - which lowers the price of songs on the online RealPlayer Music Store to 49 cents and the cost of most albums to $4.99, tentatively through Labor Day - would have an impact on the company's finances (read more - NY Times)

From Larry Stoler, a frequent contributor to RDN -- There are many sites on the Internet that salute the medium of radio.  You can browse the web and listen to everything from top 40 radio of the 60's and 70's to original broadcasts from the 1940's. One of the sites is a tribute to NBC Monitor.  Monitor was a program that ran every weekend on hundreds of affiliated NBC radio stations from June, 1955 till January, 1975.  The website is www.monitorbeacon.com.  It contains a history of the program plus a photo album and audio clips which are updated monthly.  Dennis Hart, a long time broadcaster and listener of the program maintains the site (read more - from Larry Stoler)

 

KPOI fans can take a deep breath and relax. The modern rock FM station with the rich island legacy returned to the airwaves at midnight last night. It's dial location, however, changed from 97.5 FM to 105.9 FM — replacing the classic rock station KAHA (read more - Honolulu Advertiser)

Ruth Jones, Clear Channel Radio Regional Vice President Virginia Trading Area, announced the appointment of Tex Meyer as Market Manager for the Roanoke/Lynchburg markets. Meyer will oversee the nine-station cluster beginning immediately. Meyer comes to Clear Channel from Tampa where he most recently served as Director of Sales for WMGG and WLCC. Prior to Tampa, Meyer spent 11 years as Senior Vice President/General Manager of WBZZ and WZPT in Pittsburgh. His long list of radio experience also includes Nashville, Norfolk and Augusta (visit Clear Channel)

Radio disc jockeys may seem boldly outspoken, but the broadcasters behind them are making sure they speak with caution now that the Federal Communications Commission is tightening the leash on indecency. The public seems less tolerant, too (read more - The Sentinel)

SIRIUS announced the introduction of the SiriusConnect Receiver for satellite radio. The new product utilizes SIRIUS’ next generation technology, and is compatible with any SIRIUS-ready headunits from manufacturers such as Alpine, Audiovox, Jensen and Kenwood. The new system combines a receiver with a translation device all in one unit, and is 43% smaller than current receivers. The SiriusConnect receiver also utilizes SIRIUS’ next-generation chipset for improved performance, and is less costly for SIRIUS to produce (read more)

Philly Rock station WMMR-FM (93.3) has hired Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider to host the 7 p.m.-to-midnight weekday shift.   The Philly Inquirer reports that Snider said, "They made me an offer I couldn't refuse.". Snider's due in town today (Monday) for a 4 p.m. news conference to announce the gig (read more - Michael Klein-Philly Inquirer)

Global satellite radio pioneer 'World Space' made its Middle East debut with the launch of its operations in the UAE. Headquartered in Dubai for its Middle East Operations, World Space provides listeners with world-class programmes offering a unique combination of popular local, regional and international audio content from around the world, in digital quality sound (read more - AME Info)

Arbitron Inc.has signed an agreement with eMediaTRADE (www.emediatrade.net) for access to that company’s Media eXchange DeskTM technology and services. Arbitron plans to use the eMediaTRADE technology to assist in making future versions of Arbitron’s media planning and buying software and Arbitron radio sales software compatible with the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA) standards for the exchange of transaction data between advertising agencies and media outlets (visit Arbitron)

BCFM’s Broadcast Cable Credit Association (BCCA) subsidiary is hosting a Distance Learning Seminar on “Essential Collection Tools and Techniques” for individuals at television, radio and cable companies who are responsible for collection calls to the station’s or system’s agencies and advertisers. The teleconference seminar will be held on Thursday, September 9, from 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm ET (read more)

Scan the radio dial in Detroit, and you'll likely land on a station that's owned by Clear Channel Communications. Seven of the city's most popular stations belong to the company, including WJLB 97.9 (an R&B station that once pushed Parliament-Funkadelic to national prominence), a Top Forty station, a classic-rock station and two adult-contemporary options. Clear Channel also owns two AM talk stations in Detroit, which broadcast Pistons games and conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck, who MC'd the "Rallies for America" that drummed up support for attacking Iraq. Clear Channel also has a near lock on Detroit's concert business (read more - Rolling Stone)

Habitat for Humanity and Clear Channel Entertainment on Monday announced that pop icon Cher will serve as the honorary chair of Raise the Roof -- a national initiative that brings artists and fans together to promote neighborhood development (read more - San Antonio Biz Journal)

Gary and Anne Wakenhut say live radio broadcasts are a lost art. So the couple is trying to bring art to that lost art. The Wakenhuts, both certified music practitioners, soon will begin live broadcasts on the Internet that will focus on telling stories and reading poetry to music. The broadcasts are scheduled from 8 to 9 p.m. every Monday starting Aug 23 (read more - MLive)

When John DePetro was a Providence schoolboy, he regularly used a tape recorder to interview his friends. His eighth-grade yearbook listed his future ambition as ``talk show host.'' Now, that might be a little weird,but it's clearly the sign of someone who loves talk radio. DePetro, 38, brought that love of the medium to WRKO-AM (680) Monday when he began in the 9 a.m.-to-noon shift. DePetro succeeds Pat Whitley, who wanted to be free from the grind of a daily show, though he will continue to pop up during special events and fill-ins (read more - Dean Johnson-Boston Herald)


Is AM radio harmful? Korean scientists have found that regions near AM radio-broadcasting towers had 70 percent more leukemia deaths than those without. The study, to be published in an upcoming issue of the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, also found that cancer deaths were 29 percent higher near such transmitters (read more - Wired)

Telstra has struck a deal with Turner Broadcasting to provide its i-mode subscribers with access to CNN and Cartoon Network content on their mobile phones. Telstra's i-mode service will be launched later this year (read more - Sydney Morning Herald)

If you're still expecting to get a blast of rock on KPOI 97.5 FM today, forget about it. During the weekend, KPOI became KHNR — Hawai'i's lone FM outlet with conservative news and talk. KPOI, a rock staple since the '50s, went off the air Friday night. The format switch is part of a restructuring of O'ahu radio. Visionary Related Entertainment of Maui sold KPOI and KHUI FM to Salem Media of Hawai'i for a reported $3.7 million. The sale was approved by the Federal Communications Commission and the handover was completed Friday (read more - Honolulu Advertiser)

Chuck Leonard, a disc jockey at WABC Musicradio whose deep voice resonated across the airwaves for 14 years, died Thursday of lung cancer. He was 67. Leonard was hired by WABC in 1965 when the station was putting together a team of top-40 DJ's known as the "All Americans." (read more - Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Kerry Favored Over Bush 47%-43% In Multi-Candidate Race; Voters With Passports Give Kerry 58%-35% Edge; Candidates in Dead Heat Among Investors; New Zogby America Poll Reveals (read more - Zogby Poll)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

From Chuck Dunaway's Radio Diaries -- Gary Allyn/Dayton:  Bob Harper's Santa Claus Story reminded me of this one that happened while on WING in Dayton, Ohio back during my first job in 1955. I was all of 17!! This Christmas, WING sales had sold a promotion to a big department store to have Santa talk to the kids. There was a cut-a-way at 5 before the hour where WING would bring in Santa LIVE from the department store ... (read more at www.chuckdunaway.com)

You won't find Gary Parsons and Hugh Panero, the top executives of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., on this year's list of Washington's highest paid executives, even though they made more money for their stockholders than most of the people on the list (read more - Washington Post)

One of the bigger Fort Worth-Dallas radio mysteries has been solved -- partly, at least. KNOR/93.7 FM -- which probably set some sort of record last year when its then-owner, Richard Witkovski, played nothing but the same Boney James/Rick Braun smooth-jazz CD for months -- became "Party 93.7," an R&B/hip-hop station + more (read more - Robert Philpot-Star-Telegram)

Old Rush Limbaugh can fit and snort all he wants about politics. Entitled to his opinion, perverse, juvenile or not. But when this insecure egomaniac picks on Lawrence and KU with ill-informed snippets, the line's in the sand. Sure, we can bitch and scream at each other, like family -- but when an outsider from Missouri a la Rush gets tacky, time to drag out some dirty linen. Perhaps you recall that Limbaugh back around 1980 and 1981 was director of group sales and public events for baseball's Kansas City Royals. A fellow who was a top K.C. executive then said Rush came to his office two and three times a day seeking strokes, begging to be told how great he was (read more - Bill Mayer-Lawrence Journal-World)

From Claude Hall Online: I have wandered many places, some far afield, and some of these were beautiful. I still dream of Port Soller on the island of Mallorca, the beach at Granada, the beach and the conch chowder at Paradise Island, Bahamas, yet know I shall never see these places again. But I do love Pismo Beach. It is not a  weak alternative, Pismo Beach. Four days there and I shall be a new man. But no fear; if you didn't like the old Claude you more than likely won't like the new one either (read it all at www.claudehallonline.com)

Miller Brewing is celebrating the "50th anniversary of rock 'n' roll" with eight beer cans that feature Rolling Stone cover shots of Elvis Presley, Blondie and others. What is missing, some say, is a black artist. Robert Thompson, a professor of popular culture at Syracuse University, called the absence "beyond conspicuous," because black artists are often credited with inventing rock music (read more - NY Times)

The commentator most sympathetic to New Jersey Governor James McGreevey's plight was WABC's Rush Limbaugh - who has supportive words for Democrats like McGreevey about as often as he has Al Franken over for dinner.  Limbaugh's sympathy was personal, it might be added. He joined virtually every host and caller everywhere in agreeing that McGreevey was at best amazingly stupid for trying to slip his boyfriend Golan Cipel into a state homeland security job for which Cipel was unqualified (read more - David Hinckley)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been questioning political demonstrators across the country, and in rare cases even subpoenaing them, in an aggressive effort to forestall what officials say could be violent and disruptive protests at the Republican National Convention in New York. F.B.I. officials are urging agents to canvass their communities for information about planned disruptions aimed at the convention and other coming political events, and they say they have developed a list of people who they think may have information about possible violence (read more - NY Times)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

At 101.9 on your FM dial, ''Vibez'' has all the trappings of a full-service radio station serving South Florida's growing Caribbean community. Between 10 a.m. and noon, Vibez takes calls from listeners on the day's issues facing Jamaican natives. Local advertisers promote their businesses. Traditional reggae music airs throughout the afternoon and in the evening. But there's one slight problem: Vibez isn't supposed to be there (read more - Miami Herald)

Later this week, XM is set to introduce receivers capable of storing up to 30 minutes of any live broadcast to play back at a later time. With a function that works much like the pause control of a digital video recorder, the units will also be able to replay the last 30 minutes of the channel to which the unit was most recently tuned. With fee-based satellite radio gaining a foothold in the United States, the two companies that offer the service are hoping to expand their customer base by selling smaller after-market receivers with a range of new capabilities (read more - NY Times)

Project Popstar, sponsored by Knowles' Music World/Sanctuary record label, 104 KRBE Radio, Pepsi and the city of Houston, brought out an estimated 400 young contestants between the ages of 16 and 21 to compete for up to five spots in a new female singing group (read more - Houston Chronicle)

Stung by criticism of its labor practices, expansion plans and other business tactics, Wal-Mart is turning to public radio, public television and even journalists in training to try to improve its image. So far this year, the company has become a sponsor on National Public Radio, where recorded messages promote its stores. It has underwritten a popular talk show, "Tavis Smiley" (read more - NY Times)

From Chicago Ed: The Late Late Show on CBS will soon be seeking a new host. Craig Kilborn is over and just about out. Naturally there are several stories. His departure will be welcome in my TV world. His low budget show never caught on at my place. Parked in the enviable post David Letterman time slot the Late Late Show could have been a big hit had the right host be hired. Kilborn wasn't it. The production was low rent. No announcer. No sidekick. No band. Limited production values (read it all at www.chicagoed.com)

The Conclave announces a TalenTrak 2004 keynote presentation sure to score with those in attendance, along with a masterful faculty line-up for the upcoming exclusive air talent seminar-taking place on Saturday, September 18, 2004 at the Holiday Inn Select/ City Centre Lakeside in Cleveland, Ohio. Designed to give maximum training in a one-day event, the sessions will be a career must for young and up-and-coming air talent (visit The Conclave)

The instant message blinked on the computer at Jessica Cutler's desk in the Russell Senate Office Building. "Oh my God, you're famous." Before she could form the thought -- "famous, cool" -- or puzzle how she, a lowly mail clerk, had escaped obscurity, a second instant message popped up on her screen. Startled, Jessica recalls, she began to curse. "Your blog is on Wonkette," the message said. Jessica's blog (short for "Web log") was the online diary she had been posting anonymously to amuse herself and her closest girlfriends. In it, she detailed the peccadilloes of the men she said were her six current sexual partners, including a married Bush administration official who met her in hotel rooms and gave her envelopes of cash; a senator's staff member who helped hire her, then later bedded her; and another man who liked to spank and be spanked (read more - Washington Post)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Retired Lincoln radio personality Dick Perry has died after a battle with emphysema and pneumonia. He was 72. Perry had been hospitalized since Aug. 4, his wife, Jeanie Perry, said.  Dick Perry was known as Lincoln's "morning mayor" when he was host of a popular morning show on KFOR from 1960 to 1978 (read more - Omaha World-Herald)

Some Australian broadcast outlets have been forced to shut down their Internet radio broadcasting streams to avoid breaching the International Olympic Committee's strict rules governing use of Olympic Games material (read more - ZD Net)

On thousands of TVs Friday, Hurricane Charley's change of mind and direction -- from Tampa Bay to a path headed for Polk -- could not have been more dramatic. And area television broadcasts captured the drama with a mix of measured concerned, professional hyperbole and beguiling ironies worthy of the date: Friday the 13th (read more - Lakeland Ledger)

The five Clear Channel Communications radio stations in Aberdeen are in the process of being sold. The Aberdeen Radio Ranch, which is owned by two Valley City, N.D., brothers, is buying the Clear Channel stations (read more - Aberdeen News)

Satellite radio has launched the battle of the beverages. Presumably by coincidence, Sirius Satellite Radio just announced it will be carrying a weekly show from the Beer Radio Network at the same time that rival XM announced it will launch a whole Starbucks music channel (read more - NY Daily News - David Hinckley)

JR Broadcasting, a local company owned by Janet Robert, purchased KSNB-AM 950 in Minneapolis from Infinity Broadcasting for $3 million (read more - Twin Cities Biz Journal)  (read more - St. Paul Pioneer Press) (read more - Star-Tribune)

Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" is provoking strong Arab reaction. Kuwait banned it, Jordan tried to cut it, Syria has not decided, and Saudi commentators are denouncing it. Many Arab moviegoers say with a twinge of envy that they wish the region, where free speech is for the most part restricted, had its own Moore. Some say it reinforces their bad image of the United States and shows Americans what their own media does not (read more - Palm Beach Post) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Satellite television providers appear to be gaining rapidly in the battle for control of the subscriber airwaves. The three television service providers in the Quad-City market have all recently released quarterly results that detail the national gains being made by the satellite providers (read more - Quad Cities Times)

Broadcasting & Cable Magazine reports that the FCC will replace the "seriously outdated" Emergency Broadcast System with a new high tech version that'll reach people wherever they are -- even if their TV sets and radios are off (read more)

The SIRIUS XACT XTR1 "Stream Jockey" Plug & Play satellite radio, manufactured by XACT Communication, will be first introduced to the public via the Home Shopping Network on Saturday, August 14 from 11:00-11:20 am ET and 9:00-9:20 pm ET. Resembling a cell phone, the new unit is palm size (visit Sirius)

A lot has changed since WQFL radio signed on for the first time 30 years ago. For one, the station's format has evolved from traditional to inspirational to Christian rock to contemporary Christian music. The most significant changes, however, have been technological, said Ron Tietsort, the station's first general manager. "We started with records, then it was tapes, then CDs, and now everything is on computer. We really have to hustle to keep up" (read more - Rockford Register Star)

Many today probably don’t even know that mixed racial relations were verboten until the 1960’s in this country. Hunter Hancock, with his daily radio show probably did more to accomplish a change in society than any other person on the radio. He dared to give exposure to black entertainers when others didn’t. It was a time when rock n’ roll was called “the devils music”. Even so, Hunter Hancock soon had a lock on virtually all of the youthful southern California radio listeners of that era as he gave exposure to the Penguins, the Crows, Johnny Otis,the Platters, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Little Esther, the Robins and dozens of black artists on small independent record labels heretofor unheard of (read more - www.JohnRook.com)

KSFO has helped the San Francisco SPCA find homes for over 500 abandoned dogs. Every morning at 8:35, Miss Wanda Wags or Debbie Dingo drops by The Lee Rodgers and Melanie Morgan Show with the Dog of the Day. Click here to see today's dog

Local radio pioneer John Arthur Chauvin died this morning at his home following a short illness with cancer, family members said today. He owned WFPR-AM and WHMD-FM,  was 82 and lived in Hammond. Chauvin's 58-year radio career ended in 1996 when he retired from the industry (read more - Daily Star)


For well over a decade, turning on WQAM was a morning ritual for South Florida sports fans. That's about to change. When syndicated shock jock Howard Stern joins the station's lineup Monday, WQAM's overall audience likely will grow, but sports fans with no interest in Stern will be looking elsewhere. Not long ago, WQAM GM Greg Reed would never have done anything to jeopardize his relationship with the Dolphins, who are miffed by WQAM's acquisition of Stern. But that changed when the NFL signed a seven-year, $220 million deal with Sirius Satellite Radio, a service that allows fans to hear the radio call of every NFL team's games. That makes Dolphins' radio rights less valuable, in Reed's estimation. (read more - Barry Jackson-Miami Herald)

Emmis Communications Corporation announced that the company has entered into a consent decree with the Federal Communications Commission to settle all outstanding indecency-related matters. "Earlier this year we adopted an aggressive policy to ensure that Emmis provides quality, compelling, on-air content that conforms to decency standards," Emmis President and CEO Jeff Smulyan said. "We announced a zero tolerance policy and are taking extraordinary steps to educate our on-air employees and program directors. The consent decree settles all pending indecency-related issues, and allows us to move forward." (read more - Indy Star) (read more) (reach Chicago Daily Herald)  (read Chicago Tribune) (read Washington Post) 

From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series: Felton Jarvis: You may or may not have heard of Felton. He was quite an outstanding music man. He admired a guy named Elvis (yep, that Elvis), and even though not much of a singer Felton recorded “Don’t Knock Elvis” in 1959. In 1963 Felton moved from Atlanta to Nashville where he worked for ABC Paramount and RCA records. A few years later he met Elvis and in 1970 went to work for him full time for him. When in Las Vegas my wife, Pat, and I always went to see Elvis live. He was wonderful on stage. One evening while attending a music convention we were joined by Bill and Billie Lowery of Atlanta.  Felton dashed up and after a handshake said “Let’s go down to Elvis dressing room”. Bill and Billie new Elvis, but Pat and I had never met him…..so this sounded like fun!!!! To meet the King…..WOW!!!! With Felton leading the way we walked past security (a lot of big guys) to the basement of the hotel and entered Elvis' dressing room that was decorated in the usual Vegas glitz (read it all at www.kentburkhart.com)

The federal broadcast regulator went too far when it ordered CHOI-FM off the air at the end of the month, the lawyer representing the station said Thursday. Guy Bertrand said the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission can't place limits on freedom of expression (read more - the Globe and Mail)

No radio team - not the legendary Hal and Charley, not Irv and Joe - has been together longer on one Denver station than Rick Lewis and Michael Floorwax. It's been 14 years - July 30, 1990, to be precise - since Lewis and Floorwax hooked up as the morning team at KRFX 103.5-FM ("The Fox"). They're still at it, covering topics that bounce from reopening the Statue of Liberty to bobble-head dolls to Cokie Roberts to loogies (read more - Denver Post-Dick Kreck)

Todd Manley, production czar at WGN-AM (720), on the release Thursday of "WGN Gold -- 80 Years of Radio Memories." Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Tribune Co.-owned news/talk station, Manley has produced a treasure trove of great moments and small delights culled from WGN's archives. It's a keeper (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Is there a cable news channel in ABC's future? It's starting to look like the Walt Disney unit has designs on joining CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC in the war for news junkies' eyeballs. In July, ABC quietly launched what it's calling ABC News Now, a 24-hour service that kicked off with coverage of the Democratic National Convention and will run at least through Election Day (read more - Businessweek)

Ron Reagan, Jr. spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Boston — the Republicans have confirmed that Michael Reagan, the late president's adopted son from his first marriage to actress Jane Wyman, will speak at their convention in New York later this month. Reagan's the host of a nationally syndicated radio talk show (read more - Fox News)

WDBO's 2nd Meeting of the Mouths has been postponed.  WDBO received word that, due to the impending weather associated with Hurricane Charley, the University of Central Florida is closing the entire campus on Friday at 7am and will re-open no earlier than Noon on Saturday. As a result, WDBO is postponing "Meeting of the Mouths 2" scheduled for Friday August 13th at the UCF Arena. The event will be rescheduled and all tickets will be honored at that time (visit WDBO 580)

Look out, Wolfman Jack. Shove over, Dick Clark. Here's Papa Hemingway, the Toronto Star Raddio Daddio with all the platter chatter that matters ... Yessir, I can tell you that it was this very same Toronto Star that, on June 22, 1922, started the first radio station with live musical programming in Canada. And it was Ernest Hemingway who became one of Toronto's first music jocks (read more - Toronto Star)

On CNN's Larry King Live last night: President George W  and Laura Bush (visit LKL)

DJ Joey Baggz had great news to share with his V-100 guests Thursday morning. Ratings put his station number one overall and in the morning. But V-100 isn't the only number one. 94 Country can say it is, too. So can KMAJ-FM and US-103.  Confused? "I see a radio market that looks healthy," said WIBW-AM-FM General Manager Craig Colboch. "There's no single dominant station anymore," said Cumulus Broadcasting General Manager Don Pollnow. Both Pollnow and Colboch can claim victory (read more - 13 News Topeka)

You can listen to all 61 SIRIUS music channels free for three days on your computer (click here to do it)

On ABC NightLine: The Governor of New Jersey, James McGreevey, made a stunning announcement. He is going to resign, acknowledging that he had an affair with another man. The Governor is married. His announcement was probably one of the most personal, and searing statements by any politician in recent times. Will there be a larger impact? This comes on the same day that California's Supreme Court annulled all of the gay marriages that had been performed in San Francisco. Has the climate of this country changed in terms of gay rights?  (visit NightLine)

By contributing to KUNR, thousands of listeners from Susanville to Bishop and Elko to Truckee also provide indirect support to programs like “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.” However, it remains important that public funding — $380 million a year, or only 60 cents per U.S. citizen — helps make local access to these and other award-winning news programs possible (read more - Reno Gazette Journal)

The very first time I got out of Radio was between KNUZ and KULF in 1978. I composed a one month letter of resignation, gave it to my buddy LARRY VANCE at KNUZ for a bit of r'n'r and to shake the bushes to see what might jump out (read more - Jim Rose Remembers)

August 12 -- With three months to go until the presidential election, the American public remains largely dissatisfied with economic conditions and with President Bush's stewardship of the economy. Two-thirds rate the national economy as "only fair" or "poor," while just one-third judge it to be "excellent" or "good." Accordingly, Bush gets low ratings for his handling of the economy: 42% approve, 52% disapprove (read Pew Research) + August 12 -- Democratic challenger John Kerry leads President George W. Bush 47 – 41 percent  among Florida voters, with 4 percent for independent candidate Ralph Nader, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.  With Nader out of the race, Sen. Kerry leads President Bush 49 – 42 percent (read more - Quinnipiac Poll) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Karen Feld is a three-time winner in the 2004 National Federation of Press Women journalism awards competition. "The Media During Wartime," Feld's discussion (5/4/03) of the blurring lines between news and entertainment, received top honors in the Speech category. Feld's website - www.karenfeld.com -- took first place for content and design. "Saving Amaretto," Feld's cover story in The Delta Shuttle Sheet (2/03)  won third place honors in the Feature Story category (visit www.karenfeld.com)

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has concluded that the lyrics "I want to f--- you like an animal" would not have offended the majority of the target audience of community radio station FBi 94.5FM. On one level this is a huge relief, given that a large chunk of the audience listening at that frequency is more than 30 years of age (read more - Sydney Morning Herald)

NextMedia Operating, Inc. announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 (read more)
 


For seven years Tolo hosted a nightly sports talk show on Pittsburgh's KDKA-AM, the nation's oldest commercial station and still one of its best-known. He anchored Pittsburgh Steelers' pre- and post-game shows in the sports-mad town.  Today he's doing an afternoon drive talk show on politics, current events and issues, culture and religion on KGNW-AM (820), a Christian-programming station that is one of Salem Communication's five Seattle outlets (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

WorkSafe Victoria claimed a landmark victory yesterday after a Ballarat radio station was fined $50,000 for failing to act against bullying in the workplace. Ballarat Radio was convicted in the Ballarat Magistrates Court over the verbal harassment of staff by an announcer after pleading guilty to a series of incidents between February 2000 and October last year (read more - The Age)

The Wichita Eagle editorializes on Rush Limbaugh's "disrespectful" comments about Lawrence and Kansas: Mr. Limbaugh had great fun telling his listeners about the "big boondoggle." "This is 'believing in America,' my friends -- a stinking wave to crazed followers in a liberal college town at 1 in the morning?" he asked. But Mr. Limbaugh didn't stop with mocking the Kerry campaign. He also had plenty to say about Lawrence and Kansas -- none of it kind. Among his comments: "The only people that go to Lawrence are the students and the visiting football teams. Nobody goes there." Hmm. We thought Lawrence was a fast-growing city and a nice place to visit. "Lots of professors there. Lots of students. Lots of students that date the professors. And it's just all that you've thought liberal academia is rolled into one little population center." Has he been talking to state Sen. Susan Wagle, R-Wichita? We weren't aware of all this dating. "The one thing people in Missouri know is you go through Kansas at night, because there's nothing to see there anyway." (read more - Wichita Eagle)

John Hogan, Clear Channel Radio President & CEO, today announced the appointment of Steve Gable as the Vice President of Technology for Clear Channel Radio. Gable in his new position will assume a leading role in strategically maximizing efficiencies provided by Clear Channel Radio’s information technology infrastructure. Gable will report directly to Hogan + Clear Channel Radio announced the hiring of Greg Gillispie as Program Director for Pittsburgh’s WWSW-FM (3WS) and WBGG-AM (AM 970) + the appointment of Rick Beck as Market Manager for Alexandria, LA. (visit Clear Channel)

A black ministers' group is asking listeners and advertisers to tune out WBLS' sometimes controversial afternoon host Wendy Williams. "What we're hearing now is just too much," says the Rev. Amen-Ra Jamal, coordinator for the NAACP and the Black Ministers Conference (BMC) + Little Steven Van Zandt's first Underground Garage Festival, running all day Saturday on Randalls Island, will be carried live, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., on Sirius satellite radio (read more - David Hinckley)

In what may be nothing more than a bargaining ploy, WLS bosses have been conducting a survey this week among select listeners to gauge opinions about possible replacements for Don & Roma. Alternative teams listed include midday hosts Jay Marvin & Eileen Byrne, and weekend hosts Jake Hartford & Teri O'Brien + Ryan Hermes, a reporter at WOKV-AM in Jacksonville, Fla., is joining Illinois Radio Network as a Springfield-based reporter (read more - Feder of Chicago)

It seemed like a match made in liberal heaven: Air America Radio, the upstart lefty radio network, and the San Francisco Bay Area, the progressive capital of the Left Coast. But it looks as if the Anti-Rush won't be coming to local airwaves -- at least not anytime soon (read more - EastBay Express)

Late Central Texas broadcaster Frank Fallon, who spent more than 40 years behind the microphone as the voice of the Baylor Bears, is one of the more than 20 people who will be inducted this fall into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Fallon died in May after a long illness. His home was in Waco, but he enjoyed a national reputation (read more KWTX) (read Dallas Biz Journal)

Dear RadioDailyNews.com: I am contacting select DJs from the 440 Satisfaction Web site hoping they can help me out with some work I’m doing for the 60’s band “The Doors”. What I do is help The Doors track down audio and video items for their archive. I have found DJs to be great contacts since they tend to know people, such as soundmen, who may have recorded show in the 60’s or possibly have these recordings themselves. Would you happen to have any information that might help me in my research? In case you were curious about the e-mail address, I am also Ray Manzarek’s webmaster. Thank you and I look forward to any response. Dave Dutkowski (Can you help Dave? Send him an e-mail at webmaster@raymanzarek.com)

Rolling Stone magazine will hit newsstands Friday. This issue features an article that blasts Clear Channel Communication's radio and live concert business, calling Clear Channel "a music company on steroids" and it reports "that Clear Channel uses its size to crush the competition while force-feeding audiences the same playlists no matter where they live." (read more - San Antonio Express-News - LA Lorek)

Regent Communications, which purchased Radio Bloomington's four stations and a Pontiac station early in the year from Citadel Communications, took the top three spots, with WBNQ-FM, 101.5; WJBC-AM, 1230; and WBWN-FM B-104 at first, second and third respectively (read more - Pantagraph)

An examination of the Washington Post's coverage on WMD's, and interviews with more than a dozen of the editors and reporters involved, shows that The Post published a number of pieces challenging the White House, but rarely on the front page. Some reporters who were lobbying for greater prominence for stories that questioned the administration's evidence complained to senior editors who, in the view of those reporters, were unenthusiastic about such pieces. The result was coverage that, despite flashes of groundbreaking reporting, in hindsight looks strikingly one-sided at times. "The paper was not front-paging stuff," said Pentagon correspondent Thomas Ricks. "Administration assertions were on the front page. Things that challenged the administration were on A18 on Sunday or A24 on Monday. There was an attitude among editors: Look, we're going to war, why do we even worry about all this contrary stuff?" (read more - Howard Kurtz-Media Notes) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

On ABC NightLine: For all of the expectation, or fear, that there might be a terrorist attack right before the election, or even on election day, what would we do? Cancel the election? Delay it? There really is no mechanism to deal with something like that (visit NightLine)

A Republican-funded group is running ads on black radio stations in Ohio and four other competitive states calling Democrat John Kerry "rich, white and wishy washy" and criticizing Teresa Heinz Kerry for highlighting her South African background   (read more - Louisville Channel)

On the Street -- What do you think about the comments Rush Limbaugh made about Lawrence, Kansas? "He's a jerk. I know at least two conservatives in this town." — Jesse Johnson, patient care technician, Lawrence ... "The professors don't sleep with their students. I'd like to know where he came up with his information because I haven't seen that." — Catherine Tonroy, Kansas University student, Mill City, Ore. (read more - Lawrence Journal World)

Smokey Rivers moves to DFW's KVIL as PD.  Kurt Johnson continues to wear the PD badge at Jack-FM and The Oasis  (visit KVIL)


The Texas Radio Hall of Fame has announced the names of the 2004 Hall of Fame inductees and Hall of Honor instatees.  The names are posted online at www.trhof.com or www.texasradiohalloffame.com  The 2004 Induction Celebration will be held on Saturday evening, October 30th in San Antonio at the San Antonio Radisson Hill Country Resort and Spa.  For the 3rd consecutive year, the celebration will be sold out! A limited number of super-discounted rooms and suites are available for attendees - while they last!  Full event details at www.trhof.com  (read Robert Philpot - Star-Telegram)  (read more - KLTV)

Midday radio jock Willard of Z93 is now account executive Willard Arbour of Dave FM. He admits this is an unusual career switch. After 21 years on air at 96rock and another six with Z93, the native Atlantan was canned last month by owners Infinity Broadcasting when classic rock Z93 became a younger, broader rock concept called Dave FM. (Former morning hosts Mara Davis and Jeff Dunham are still under contract but remain in limbo until the station owners figure out what the new lineup will be.) (read more - Peach Buzz)

CBS News veteran Mike Wallace, 86, was arrested Tuesday evening outside a New York City restaurant and issued a summons for "disorderly conduct." (read more - NY Daily News)  (read more - CNN) (read more - CBS 2 NYC)

Al Jazeera has been deemed acceptable viewing for Canadians ... but Fox News? No. It's currently only available to Canadians with illegal satellite connections. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), a federal agency that decideswhat constitutes appropriate viewing and listening for Canadians, and that, last month, granted Al Jazeera the right to broadcast in Canada, is a paleo- concept  (read more - Christian Science Monitor)

Just because Mancow Muller dropped his harassment lawsuit against his anti-indecency nemesis doesn't mean David Edward Smith is out of the picture + "Radio Free Chicago," which aired every Thursday night for six years on Loyola University's WLUW-FM (88.7), has returned in the form of an online music and media blog -- with an emphasis on radio -- at: radiofreechicago.blogspot.com (read more - Feder of Chicago)

A familiar name has returned to Milwaukee radio to take the helm at WMCS-AM (1290), the all-talk station targeting African-American listeners. Don Rosette will officially take over station manager duties by Aug. 23 (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

Jonathan Schwartz, who plays American standards Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. on WNYC (93.9 FM), and also programs the standards channel "Frank's Place" on XM satellite radio, has signed five-year contracts with both WNYC and XM + WXRK (92.3 FM) is breaking out a new show called "Mash-Up Radio" Friday at 10 p.m., with DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill mixing rock and rap by combining vocal tracks from one song with instrumental tracks from another (read more - David Hinckley)

BBC Radio 2 is Going Digital from 30 August, with a month long campaign to highlight the opportunities offered by digital media. The initiative will see the launch of the ‘World Wide Wogan’ and the Johnnie Walker ‘MP3 Shuffle’ as Radio 2 finds new ways to help listeners understand the digital age (read more - UK Radio)

St. Olaf College is going to sell its radio station, WCAL, to Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). The price and other details will be announced later (read more - Minneapolis St Paul Biz Journal)  (read more - Star-Tribune)

Bernie Sanders' career as a weekly radio talk show host on WDEV came to an end last week, but Vermont's lone congressman won't be gone from the airwaves for long (read more - times Argus)

Brian Lamb's "Booknotes," the weekly C-SPAN interview series is ending. The final broadcast will be December 5 (read more - CNN)

The Walt Disney Company reported earnings for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2004. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter were $0.29, up 21% from $0.24 in the prior-year third quarter. During the quarter, the Company recorded restructuring and impairment charges totaling $56 million ($0.02 per share) in connection with the proposed sale of the Disney Stores in North America and the closure of certain other stores (read more - NY Daily News)  (read more)

Five thousand angry radio listeners from Quebec City descended on Parliament Hill Tuesday. They came to protest the decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to refuse to renew the licence for the controversial radio station CHOI-FM (read more - CBC Ottawa)

When I heard Clear Channel radio, a.k.a. the Darth Vader of broadcasting, a.k.a. the Evil Empire, was promising to cut the amount of airtime devoted to commercials each hour, I was certain someone was smoking crack. I mean, come on. Clear Channel?  As K102's operations manager and program director, Gregg Swedberg, explains it, the squeeze will allow him to add as many as two and possibly three more songs per hour, depending on the time of day (read more - Brian Lambert-St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Tammy Bruce joins the 630 WMAL line-up Saturday nights from 7pm-9pm, live on the nationally-syndicated Tammy Bruce Show.  630 WMAL listeners will get a preview as she hosts The Chris Core Show during his vacation, this week from 6pm-9pm (visit WMAL)

The amount of money received through subscriptions by the television industry has overtaken advertising revenue for the first time in the sector's history (read more - UK Media Week)

A lawyer in New York wants to launch a Jewish television network. John Odoner has lined up programs for Jewish Television, the proposed new Jewish cable channel.  He hopes it will air early next year (read more - JTL)


Don Imus rubbed out Victoria Gotti's scheduled appearance on his radio show yesterday because of last-minute restrictions on questions about the mob. "You don't tell me what I'm going to ask," said Imus, whose wakeup show airs on both WFAN (660 AM) and cable news channel MSNBC (read more - NY Post-John Mainelli)

U.S. communications regulators have asked a federal appeals court to reconsider its decision putting on hold new, tighter radio ownership limits, according to a copy of the petition obtained on Monday (read more - Reuters)

Candidate John Kerry has courageously opposed big media companies on a dispute close to their financial hearts: the issue of how many TV stations, radio stations and newspapers one company may own in the same town. The Bush administration wants to allow more (read more - Seattle Time Editorial)

Joy Hearn has turned up the heat in a nonpartisan race for Palm Beach County Appraiser by accusing incumbent Gary Nikolits of showing favoritism toward the rich and famous by approving tax breaks for Donald Trump and Rush Limbaugh  (read more - Palm Beach Post)

A federal judge has ordered "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert and  Matthew Cooper of Time magazine to testify before a grand jury investigating the leak of the identity of a covert CIA officer. Cooper and Russert could appeal the court's decision (read more - ABC 15)  (read more - Washington Post)  (read more - Peter Johnson-USA Today)

XM Satellite Radio announced that Eric Logan, former President of Programming at Citadel Broadcasting, will be joining XM as Executive Vice President of Programming (read more)

A promotional party on a cruise ship sponsored by a Capital Region radio station got out of hand Wednesday night with fights, partygoers jumping into the Hudson River and police being called in. Police were called to the Snow Dock in Albany by the Dutch Apple Cruise Line. Some attendees at the weekly event, sponsored by WQBK Radio and called "The Edge Booze Cruise," were allegedly getting out of control (read more - MSNBC)

Chris Ryan, who was fired along with the rest of the air staff when CC's KEGL/97.1 FM "The Eagle" switched from hard rock to soft-oldies "Sunny 97.1 FM," is back on the air at sister station KDGE/94.5 FM "The Edge"  (read more - Robert Philpot)

The challenges faced by music radio today simply demand the aggressive employment of innovation and creativity. The mediascape is changing at a velocity that is difficult to grasp. This is particularly true for pre-recorded music which is again approaching a "pong" moment. The last such moments were in the eighties - Sony introduced "The Walkman," Jerrold rolled out Cable Radio and a new storage media was introduced - the disc and along with it the multi-disc player. Then, as now, we were warned that consumers no longer had a need for music radio. Then, as now, a significant group of consumers purchased the new hardware and began programming, producing and listening to their own mixes of pre-recorded music. Today consumers have iPODs and hard drives loaded with their favorite music, they burn their own cds (read more - David Martin)

Two Wichita radio stations are changing frequencies effective Aug. 30. KNSS and 1330 on the AM band. The call letters will swap as well. KFH will continue to broadcast on 98.7 FM in simulcast coverage (read more - Wichita Biz Journal)

Cox Radio announced that it will use iBiquity Digital Corp.'s HD Radio technology to upgrade 80 percent of the company's stations over the next four years to digital (read more - San Antonio Biz Journal)

Boring, liberal Bush-haters. That was Rush Limbaugh's characterization of Lawrence on his radio program Monday, a day after Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards visited town. "I got to tell you about liberal Lawrence, Kansas," Limbaugh, the conservative radio commentator -- and native Missourian -- said during a segment of his show. "They hate Bush there as much as they hate Bush anywhere in the country, and they desperately want to love Kerry." Limbaugh was lampooning Edwards' decision to return to Lawrence on Sunday (read more - Lawrence Journal-World) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Interep, the largest independent sales and marketing company specializing in radio, the Internet and complementary media, today announced its second quarter financial results. Commission revenue decreased $2.2 million, or 9.6%, to $20.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, from $22.8 million for the same period last year (read more)

ARBitrends for Albuquerque, Baton Rouge, Charleston SC, Des Moines, El Paso, Greenville SC, Jackson, Madison, Spokane, Bowling Green, Battle Creek, Clarksville, Cookeville, Lawton, Williamsport (read 'em)

On ABC NightLine: Service in the Vietnam War, or lack of service, has become an issue in this election. John Kerry is running on his service record, the President is still dogged by questions about his service in the National Guard. Now there are veterans for Kerry, and veterans against him (visit ABC NightLine)

WPDR/WDDC will host an on-air auction Wednesday to raise funds for a John Muir Elementary fifth grader with leukemia, 10-year-old Brandon Craig. The station will auction off four tickets to the National PGA Championship to be held this weekend (read more - Portage Daily Register)

Regulators have denied complaints that TV stations violated indecency rules when they aired episodes of NBC's "Will and Grace" and UPN's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" with fake lesbian and heterosexual sex, according to orders released on Monday (read more - Reuters)


Since the early 1990s, Rush Limbaugh’s three-hour radio talk show could be heard every Monday through Friday on an Arkansas River Valley radio station. At 11 a.m. July 1, however, the conservative talk show host’s voice was silent when listeners tuned in to Russellville radio station KCAB (980 AM). River Valley Radio’s general manager explained Friday the decision to not renew the station’s annual contract with Limbaugh had nothing to do with previous allegations of Oxycontin abuse. “It was strictly a business decision,” Jim Kelley said. “Rush Limbaugh was one of the first shows we broadcast when KCAB came back on the air in the early 1990s. I listened to Rush Limbaugh, and it was a part of the day that attracted many listeners. “However, over the past few years, sponsorship for the show has dwindled to the point we had one sponsor for the show last year (June 30, 2003 through July 1, 2004). The bottom line is we were losing money on the show for the past year, so we asked not to renew our annual contract with Rush Limbaugh earlier this year.” (read more - Courier News)

From Claude Hall Online -- For several years at Billboard, I carried a little Vivitar flash in one coat pocket, my mini Rollei  35S in the other.  I would take out the flash, snap it onto the camera, take a picture, then put flash and camera back in their pockets and continue taking notes for a story.  I've thus taken pictures of George Wilson, Sam Phillips, Marty Robbins, Ron Jacobs, Bill Stewart, Bill Randle, Joe Smith, John Mayall, Flip Wilson...countless others.  All on the fly, so to speak.  My photographic life was rather simple. Not so now + e-mails from Artie Kornfield, Raul Cardenas, Sam Hale, Chuck Blore, Diane Kirkland and more (read more at  www.claudehallonline.com)

Local radio was largely responsible for inflating the profiles of these bands. Back then, before monolithic radio corporations gobbled up all the stations and wrapped red tape around their entrances, bands could simply walk into stations like KFJZ and hand their recordings to Mark Stevens (Mark E. Baby) or Randy Robins, two popular Fort Worth DJs. If they liked it, they played it. "If a band made a recording and it was halfway decent, they could get it played on the radio just like that," says Joe Nick Patoski, a music historian and former Texas Monthly editor who grew up in Fort Worth in the '60s. "Radio treated local acts a lot differently back then. Larry & the Blue Notes were huge because they cut singles that got played on the radio all the time. It's very different than the way things are today." (read more - Malcomb Mayhew-Star-Telegram)

Not many years ago, news came but twice a day. There were two news cycles, one for A.M.'s, morning papers delivered to your door, and one for P.M.'s, for afternoon papers on the newsstands and the evening TV news. Then, in 1961, a radio pioneer named Gordon McLendon, aiming for the Los Angeles market, turned XETRA in Tijuana into the first all-news station. In 1965, WINS in New York adopted and enlarged the format, becoming one of the most listened-to stations in America. In 1980, Ted Turner brought America's eyes into the picture with CNN, all-news cable television. TV kept evolving with the arrival of Fox as a fourth network, more cable networks and satellites that enabled local stations to report from distant places. In the mid-70's, there were 617 members of the Senate's TV and radio press gallery. Today, there are 3,031 (read more - Jack Rosenthal-NY Times)

The management of KNRC-AM (1150) saw the ratings handwriting on the dial when it pulled the news-talk format off the air July 28. The spring Arbitron audience ratings, one of the four reports issued annually, again shows KNRC didn't register that all-important 1 audience share (read more - Dusty Saunders - Rocky Mountain News)

From Chuck Dunaway's "Radio Diaries" -- Frank Haley/Albuquerque, New Mexico: I remember this well because I was the news director of KILT at the time and no one knew how long the kid could stay on the dome ... Well, one week day at about 10 in the morning, Podna’ Dickie the GM came rushing into the news room and said, "Get your tape recorder and come with me." That was weird, 'cause he never ask me to go anywhere with him ... (read 'em all at www.chuckdunaway.com)

Crystal Mountain Productions Ltd. today announced the creation of an innovative overnight live radio show from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio . The program, called Moonlight Groove Highway -- Rock and Roll Through the Night, is a midnight to 6 a.m., seven-days-a-week production that delivers a wide range of music and commentary on the cultural, social and personal impact of rock and roll music. Produced from the Alan Freed Radio Studio in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum as well as from other locations around the world, it offers recorded music, interviews, live performances and listener feedback celebrating the art form that is rock and roll. Legendary Team of Personalities Includes Raechel Donahue, David Spero, Dusty Street, Ben Fong-Torres and Billy Bass (read more)

The din of commercials is becoming toxic financially, judging by No. 1 U.S. radio giant Clear Channel Communications Inc.'s decision last month to drastically cut the number of ads and promotions it airs over its 1,200 radio stations. Listeners have apparently grown weary of repetitive jingles, jarring catcalls and other incessant advertising banter. And lately, rather than putting up with it or switching stations, they've been steadily tuning right off the dial. "Clutter is a major issue in our industry and our decision to limit the amount of commercial time and length of breaks, while reducing promotional interruptions, will benefit listeners, advertisers and the industry as a whole," John Hogan, Clear Channel Radio's chief executive, said in a statement announcing the company's intentions (read more - Toronto Star)

Jeff Katz is back on the air with a regular gig. The talk host who left WPHT (1210 AM) around New Year’s presides over the 5 to 7 p.m. show on WMET (1160 AM) in Washington. He and his wife, Heidi, are expecting their third child at the end of September (read more - Delcotimes)

Satellite radio's two providers recently began announcing new programming -- something neither did before, except for a few tweakings in the first year of inception -- seemingly going head-to-head to increase business. A new way to hear XM is the Audiovox's Delphi Roady2 XR9, which plugs in to existing car units and has its own FM adapter. The device also displays almost 20 stock quotes (read more - Radio Babe-Dawn Scire)

Imagine a radio station that plays 59 minutes of music every hour. No DJ patter or jingles, no contests or pledge drives. No commercials. Just music. Welcome to WMUD, a 100-watt FM station operating out of an 1830 farmhouse in Bridport (read more Burlington Free Press)

Today the mega corps that control radio all across America, believe that all you want is "entertainment", defined as, "sexy, light, trashy, or provacative in some daring, bold, or outrageous" way. Sort of Entertainment Tonight, combined with Howard Stern! The Infinity guy who fired Eliza Sonneland and me said he thought really great contemporary radio includes asking girls in to show their breasts on the air, while describing them, or making fun of handicapped people, or topics that have a lot of sex talk. No, I'm not kidding ... (read more Carl Wiglesworth commentary - San Antonio Lightning)

Richard E. "Dickie" Schock, 71, a WLEC Sandusky country music host of almost 40 years, died of complications from cancer Thursday, in Firelands Regional Medical Center after a long bout with the illness. Lease Schock said his father's career and the popularity of his Dickie Schock Show, which for years was the only country radio show in the area, were rooted in "his 40-year love affair" with Sandusky (read more - Toledo Blade)

A North Dakota radio talk-show host has inked a book deal.
Ed Schultz hosts a show on Fargo's K-F-G-O radio. He also hosts an afternoon show that is nationally syndicated, and is aired by 40 stations.
Schultz says he's writing the book with author Judith Regan (REE'-gan), who has penned books on Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern (read more - KFYR)

Progressives, libertarians, and all who take the First Amendment to heart may be holding their noses these days - and covering their ears. For the latest challenge to free speech targets a lowbrow radio personality who traffics in banal sexuality, physical oddities, racial stereotypes, and pathetic ignorance. He thinks such sideshow subject matter is fascinating. So do millions of his listeners. There is no accounting for taste. But Howard Stern has made several fortunes by keeping his mind - and mouth - in the electronic gutter (read more - Christian Science Monitor)

This is what radio used to mean around these parts. Not all the way back, not in 1919, when Frank Conrad became the first platter-pushin' poppa from his "studio" in the family garage in Wilkinsburg. Folks were thrilled with the music suddenly popping up on their amateur crystal receivers. All Conrad wanted was to give his voice a break. And let's not go back to the '30s and '40s, either, when entrepreneurs began piping in all sorts of noise -- from FDR's fireside chats, to finding out what The Shadow knew, to big bands, to Amos 'n Andy antics, to live bands in local radio studios, to the ethnic music that inspired sentimental journeys for thousands of western Pennsylvania's immigrants. Let's go back to the '50s and '60s, when a nation was still fiddling with the knobs on newfangled black-and-white televisions to stop the snow from falling on the few channels their rabbit ears could collect (read more - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

A Chicago man who has battled with Emmis Communications over a Chicago-based shock jock is objecting to renewal of licenses for the company's Indiana radio stations. David Smith has asked the Federal Communications Commission not to renew broadcasting licenses for Emmis stations, including WIBC-AM (1070), one of Indianapolis' top-rated stations. Smith said Emmis lacks the "basic character qualifications" required for a license (read more - Indy Star)

Jane Pauley has a new daytime talk show on Ch. 4. Jane Pauley and the folks behind her new daytime talk show are trying to lure female viewers by addressing a highly sensitive issue - hair styles. Pauley's, not theirs. In fact, one of the promo spots for "The Jane Pauley Show," premiering Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. on WNBC/Ch. 4, is a comical montage of the longtime newswoman's many different hair styles (read more - NY Daily News)

Speaking out can cost an entertainer some fans, but Bruce Springsteen and others are doing so together. On Wednesday, Bruce Springsteen, the Dixie Chicks, R.E.M., John Mellencamp and other pop stars announced a series of concerts addressing ''the need to make a change in the direction of this country.'' The Vote for Change tour, as it's called, is the latest salvo fired by a music community galvanized by debate over Iraq and an election that promises to be among the most feverishly scrutinized in history. Other musician-supported initiatives range from P. Diddy's nonpartisan ''Vote or Die'' campaign and similar efforts in concerts by many bands, including Bush-supporting Christian rock band Third Day, to Nashville's Music Row Democrats, who have staged regular ''Kerry-oke'' shows (read more - Jackson Sun)

Reasons real men listen to Rush Limbaugh: Rush knows the meaning of the word "is." Rush is confident. He doesn't try to be John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt or for that matter, Ronald Reagan. In short, when Rush sits in a room all by himself, he behaves just like he does in public. When Clinton is in a room all by himself- it's empty. More people listen to Clinton when he is on a Rush sound bite than when he gives his State of the Union speech. These are just a few examples of the many jokes and satirical comments that pepper the recently published "Real Men Listen To Rush." Self-proclaimed conservative and BYU alumnus, Shane Fortune, said he wrote the book for entertainment and lighthearted fun.
"This being a presidential year, I thought it very appropriate to come up with something like this," Fortune said. Fortune is a teacher who instructs junior high students in history and drama. He finds that a little bit of humor goes a long way
(read more - BYU NewsNet)

I have a stock question for network news and programming honchos. It's a question that never fails to set the gurus' eyes rolling, and it invariably elicits a big sigh, as if to say I must have just fallen off a turnip truck or something. It is: "Why not move the nightly news into prime time? Either at 7 or 9, you pick it. But something other than 5:30 in the Midwest, when the only guaranteed audiences are retirees, the homebound and agoraphobics. At 5:30, your target audience — working men and women with families, mortgages and, presumably, an interest in the news of the day — is either stuck in rush-hour traffic or dealing with after-school activities/chaos. "At the very least, it might help you with that upper-end household income demographic." (read more - Brian Lambert)

Seven more people have told investigators they were victims of a scam in which an Indianapolis man allegedly pretended to be a radio personality to get people to remove their clothes. Investigators on Friday filed 14 new felony charges against 40-year-old Richard Brown, officials said (read more - Indy Channel)

In Washington and swing states across the country, a manly chunk of politically unpredictable and historically apathetic voters are hearing the call of a New York City shock jock bent on ousting President Bush. Some analysts predict that syndicated radio host Howard Stern and his legions of listeners, most of whom are young male swing voters, will tip the presidential election in favor of Democratic nominee John Kerry (read more - Seattle P-I)

Sunday night at 9 o'clock, Trio kicked off a month-long look at the Lone Star State. It starts with "Texas: America Supersized," an engrossing hour written and hosted by journalist Christopher Hitchens. This is so good, it easily could have been stretched to two hours. The film looked at President Bush and the Texas sensibilities that state's one-time governor brought to Washington. "He's not a bad guy," a man says of Bush in the film, "but he's guided by people with an agenda." That's about as critical as the hour gets, except for some comments by Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Molly Ivins and Archer City, Tex.-based author Larry McMurtry ("Lonesome Dove"), who says casually, "I don't like him." (read more NY Daily News)

Jonathan Adelstein has gained a surprising ally in his efforts to continue serving on the Federal Communications Commission. Mississippi Republican Senator Trent Lott helped stall Adelstein's nomination in 2002 after Democrats in the Senate blocked Lott's friend from appointment to the U-S Court of Appeals. Lawmakers eventually called a truce, and Adelstein began serving an FCC term that expired in June 2003. Lott joined 16 other Senate Commerce Committee members in signing a letter urging President Bush to send Adelstein's nomination to Congress (read more - KOTA)

ARBitrends for Little Rock, Huntsville, Omaha, Shreveport and Wichita (read 'em)

Veteran public radio anchorman Bob Edwards, legendary Chicago disc jockey Larry Lujack, broadcasting executive L. Lowry Mays of Clear Channel Communications, Dick Purtan of WOMC/Detroit and the late Walter Winchell make up the Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2004. The announcement was made by RHOF President Bruce DuMont. The induction ceremony will be nationally broadcast at 9:00 PM (CT) on Saturday, November 6th, from the Renaissance Chicago Hotel. Tickets are $500 per person (visit Radio Hall of Fame)

Bill Clinton has been all over television promoting his new book. But one show he won’t be visiting is “Saturday Night Live.” The former president has turned down an invitation to be guest host of the NBC sketch-comedy series next season, spokesman Marc Liepis confirmed Friday (read more - MSNBC)

After 10 years at CNNRadio Atlanta, Senior Producer Ken Pauli is moving southeastward. Ken relocates to sunny-warm South Florida to become the News Director for "Live 85," WFTL Fort Lauderdale/West Palm Beach/Miami (say your hello or goodbye to Ken at kfpauli@yahoo.com)  


After two years of radio silence, Opie & Anthony have been hired by a broadcaster that will let them say whatever they want — even the infamous f-word. But the question is: How long will that shock-jock nirvana last in a post-Janet Jackson world? "O&A" told a fan-packed news conference yesterday that they're joining XM Satellite Radio Oct. 4. Satellite radio is not regulated by FCC censors — for now (read more - John Mainelli-NY Post)  (read CNN/Money)

From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series -- "Clarke Brown is a wonderful person and a fine broadcaster as you will read below. As I recall Clarke’s father was in the media business in Atlanta. If not, Clarke certainly learned about the world of media from someone who knew a lot about it. I first met Clarke when he was hired by Gerry Blum to be a sales person at WQXI AM-FM in Atlanta. Gerry assured me that Clarke was a super winner. And did he perform!!! I recall a memo I wrote to him in 1967 that stated something like this ..." (read it all at www.kentburkhart.com)

U.S. radio stocks have slumped in 2004 amid investor concern that advertising revenue will decline for a second year. Growth in jobs and the economy may spark a rebound in the shares, if history is any guide (read more - Bloomberg)

Once upon a time, disc jockey Vin Scelsa believed radio's accessibility served as the industry's bedrock — a transistor radio and fistful of batteries is all one needs. Now, the veteran gabber isn't so sure.  Mr. Scelsa is spinning discs for Sirius radio these days, one of two satellite radio companies offering consumers a new way to hear music and talk. The disc jockey's conversion may smack of pragmatism — his long-running "Idiot's Delight" program long ago ran out of homes on the commercial radio dial (read more - Washington Times)

Every single radio personality, radio station, and radio company in the United States has been negatively affected by the Radio Indecency crackdown which turns out to be a bloated, over-compensated response to programming that was permitted to continue mostly unfettered for several decades by both the industry, the Federal Communications Commission, and lawmakers. In short, it’s all been one major freak-out which will takes years to settle down  (read more - Corey Deitz)

Some TV shows offer an extreme makeover, others a bid for pop stardom. But the hottest reality show in the U.S. Hispanic market is offering the ultimate prize -- a potential green card to immigrants desperate to pursue the American dream (read more - Reuters)

Radio bad boys Opie and Anthony are coming back, and they just might be badder than ever. This time, however, they do come at a price for listeners. Starting Oct. 4, the former WNEW afternoon hosts will do a four-hour show each morning on XM Satellite Radio, where there are almost no content restrictions and which is creating a premium channel just for Gregg (Opie) Hughes and Anthony Cumia. That means fans have to buy an XM radio, pay the regular $9.99 monthly subscription fee and then pay an additional $1.99 per month for the new channel, which will start with just Opie and Anthony before it adds other programming (read more - David Hinckley)

Dave Jarrott writes: "I had been working in Austin at KTBC AM doing afternoons and working on my Master's Degree at UT in Radio/TV/Film and was getting tired of the whole scene and wanted to go to Hollywood and be a famous movie star. Then in the late spring of 1968 I got an offer from an independent producer to do a TV show in San Antonio. I moved my wife and infant son to SA, where I had grown up and first decided to try to be a radio star, and lived in an apartment complex near what is no Loop 410 and Broadway. That's where I knew (just to say "hello") Johnny Enos. In retrospect, I probably should have gotten to know him better and tried to get a job at KTSA, but..." (read more - Jim Rose Remembers)

Indianapolis' new contemporary Christian station, WGRL-FM (93.9), has lured an Atlanta radio personality to host its morning show. Kurt Wallace's Wallace & Company is the rise-and-shine program on WVFJ-FM (93.3) in Georgia. He's leaving Atlanta for the smaller market here to take over the 5:30 to 10:30 a.m. time slot at WGRL (read more - Indy Star)

102.5 Radio Pembrokeshire is the most popular radio station in the UK - according to the latest listening figures published by RAJAR for Q2/04. Results releases by RAJAR show that the countywide service has recorded a massive weekly reach of 66%. Two-thirds of county residents listen to the station every week. This is the highest audience level achieved by any radio station, commercial or BBC, anywhere in the UK (read more - UK Radio)

Oprah Winfrey,  has renewed her contract.  She's one of the highest-paid woman in U.S. television.  The new contract will take her top-rated daytime show to 2011(read more - Feder of Chicago) (read more - Reuters)

Nearly all traditional radio stations regard the two satellite radio networks - XM and Sirius - as intruders and pests looking to steal listeners, talent and revenues. But WBUR-FM (90.9), Boston University's public radio station, has taken a different approach. It has embraced the fledgling medium in a big way. Starting Sept. 1, WBUR will provide almost 20 hours of weekly programming to XM, much of it in live time (read more - Dean Johnson-Boston Herald)

Hootie & The Blowfish will perform live in-studio with Mark & Brian Friday morning (visit KLOS Mark and Brian)

XM Radio is totally worth the 10 bucks a month. Just for the sheer thrill of hearing a song you haven't heard since '87 that makes you smile. I like that there are stations like America Left and America Right that offer someone who isn't heavy into politics the chance to see both points of view. And me being the traffic Nazi that I am, we can scroll to the traffic channel for the city we are entering to make sure we aren't stuck on some highway. Definitely worth the money (read more - Ari Hest-Denver Post)

ARBitrends for Fort Walton Beach, Kalamazoo, Chattanooga, Greenville and Columbia SC (read 'em)

Mark Cuban, the founder of Broadcast.com before moving on to become owner of basketball's Dallas Mavericks, said he exited Mamma.com (MAMA: news, chart, profile) because the firm was growing by acquisition, rather than "slowly and organically." "What could be more fun than taking on Google in the search engine business?" Cuban wrote on his blog.  The new venture is Dallas-based IceRocket.com. Its search results include thumbnail snapshots of sites it finds (read more - Frank Barnako)

Speaking of "W," KTSA radio host Chris Duel, in honor of the Democratic Convention no doubt, received a case of "W" ketchup last week: the Republicans' answer to the Heinz — as in Teresa Heinz Kerry — brand. The new sauce, tagged "America's Ketchup," is supposed to be the perfect complement to "freedom fries" (titter, titter) (read more - Jeanne Jakle-San Antonio Express-News)

After lengthy negotiations involving ECU electronic media director Jeff Charles, interim ECU athletic director Nick Floyd, Beasley's North Carolina market manager Bruce Simel, Hinton and the attorneys who must carefully state what the high level parties have agreed to, the radio signal carrying Pirate sports network events emanating from Greenville is set to take a quantum leap. Not only will 10,000-watt WNCT-1070 AM be joining the Pirate network, the station expects to boost its signal to 50,000 watts before the end of the 2004-05 scholastic year (read more - Bonesville Net)

On ABC NightLine: Arrests in Albany, N.Y. More arrests in England. Barricades and heavily armed police on the streets in New York, Washington, and Newark. The new intelligence is too old, or too new. What should we make of all this? (visit ABC NightLine)

It's available now.  The just-published RAEL Guide to Commercial Testing Services (click here to read), a directory of companies which provide ad testing services oriented toward Radio (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)


XM Satellite Radio today announced that talk radio personalities Opie and Anthony will make their long-anticipated return to radio on XM Satellite Radio. Opie and Anthony will premiere a live, weekday program on XM on October 4. The show will be carried exclusively on a new premium XM channel. We learned a lot during our two years away from our fans, and we can't wait to get back on the radio and reconnect with them," said Greg "Opie" Hughes. "This is a huge milestone for us because XM provides a nationwide audience that local radio simply can't match." Anthony Cumia added, "XM is the future of radio as we know it, and it is the perfect platform for us to entertain our radio fans, in the same way that HBO provided more creative freedom for people in TV."  (visit O & A at XM)  (read more)  (visit the Opie and Anthony Web site)

A controversial radio consultant hailed as a ''turnaround king'' will take over programming at Nashville country station WSM-FM 95.5. John Sebastian is currently program director for WLXX-FM, a Lexington, Ky., country station, but he has had a long — some say checkered — history in radio, working in a number of formats, including classic rock, Top 40 and smooth jazz, over the past three decades. He will begin in Nashville on Aug. 16 (read more - The Tennessean)

WMTR (1250 AM) in Morristown, N.J., has increased its night power to 7,000 watts and will now see how well a format of pre-Beatles rock 'n' roll can do on AM. The new signal, directed toward the city, "has already gotten a good response from the five boroughs," says Dan Finn, regional vice president of WMTR's parent, Greater Media. With oldies leader WCBS-FM dropping most pre-1964 music, WMTR is hoping a good number of fans will find WMTR an alternative (read more - David Hinckley)

The next time you hear a traffic report on a local radio station, remember the voice. You might be hearing the next host, co-host or team member of a radio show. Many local radio personalities got their start as traffic reporters, including three women with regular daytime gigs on Seattle radio: Lisa Foster, teamed with Mitch Elliott mornings on KLSY-FM (92.5); Flo (she doesn't give a full name) middays on KYCW-AM (1090) and as part of the afternoon team at KMPS-FM (94.1); and Angela Kirby, a recent addition to Pat Cashman's morning crew at KJR-FM (95.7) (read more - Bill Virgin's Seattle Radio Beat)

Satellite radio service XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. on Thursday reported significant second-quarter subscriber growth, which, together with an improving outlook for both the retail aftermarket and new car business in the second half of the year, is causing the company to increase year-end subscriber guidance to 3.1 million subscribers from 2.8 million subscribers. As of June 30, the company had 2.1 million subscribers, up from 692,253 subscribers at the same time last year (read more - Forbes)

On June 2, 2003, the Federal Communications Commission, under the Republican stewardship of Commissioner Michael "Son of Colin" Powell, decided on a radical rewrite of media ownership laws. The Bush-approved decision would have allowed any one of the Big Five media giants – AOL Time Warner, Walt Disney Company/ABC, Viacom, News Corporation and Vivendi-Universal (now NBC Universal) – to own both a newspaper and a broadcast station in the same market. On that day, participatory democracy in America took another step toward extinction and most citizens didn't even know it happened. It was a sadly ironic summation of the state of the media in this country. Yet, thanks to the below-the-radar work of groups like the Prometheus Radio Project and other media-reform organizations, word managed to spread and, once people were finally made aware of what happened, an unprecedented public response to the agency's corporate media giveaway erupted and the FCC received more than two million comments, most of which were highly critical of the decision (read more - Orlando Weekly News)

The Parents Television Council has come out with its annual 10 worst and best list and surprisingly says the WB's "Everwood" is less family-friendly than NBC's "Fear Factor" + Bill Clinton's Tuesday chat with David Letterman pulled in the show's best ratings since March 29, beating the "Tonight Show" for just the 13th time this TV season, according to Nielsen numbers (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

Terra Lycos global Internet group, today announced its fourth annual list of the most popular radio talk show hosts with Web users based on The Lycos 50(TM). The Lycos 50 is a weekly list of the most popular people, places and things users are searching for online.  Howard Stern is #1, Rush Limbaugh is #2. Although Bill O'Reilly, Dr. Laura, Larry King, Clark Howard and Paul Harvey all made this year's list, search activity for each is down over last year. Dropping out of the top 20 this year are Don Imus, Click and Clack, Laura Ingraham, Don and Mike, Neal Boortz and Dr. Drew and Adam Corolla, whose search activity all dipped dramatically over the past year  (read the full list)

Citadel Broadcasting Corporation announced its second quarter results: -- Second Quarter Net Revenue Up Over 12% -- Second Quarter Operating Income Up Over 700% -- Second Quarter Station Operating Income Up 13% -- Second Quarter Free Cash Flow Up 56% (read more)

Cable-TV executives scoffed at satellite television services and their huge 8-foot dishes when they began sprouting in rural lawns in the 1980s. By the mid-1990s, the dishes were the size of pizza pans. But the cable industry still dismissed satellite TV as a mild nuisance. Today, satellite is trouncing cable in the battle for subscribers in rural and urban areas alike, badly damaging the cable industry's reputation as a growth sector on Wall Street (read more - Las Vegas Review-Journal)

When the Iraq war began, artists such as Darryl Worley and Clint Black rushed to defend the country, while war-related songs by more skeptical artists such as Lenny Kravitz and the Beastie Boys barely got a drop of attention on the airwaves. Then the Dixie Chicks got in hot water ---- and bounced off San Diego's two country stations ---- for daring to say something snotty about President Bush at a concert. There was a hit protest song ---- "Where Is the Love" by the Black Eyed Peas ("A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover") ---- which got plenty of airplay on stations such as San Diego's Star 100.7. But its criticism of war was blunted by a grab bag of other complaints about gangs, racism and the media. Now, the tide is turning. Three new protest songs are making news in the radio world and beyond.
In San Diego, both Channel 933 and Jammin 'Z90 play the rap song "Why." 
(read more - Randy Dotinga)

Baseball might have lost its influence and importance -- as well as many of its personalities -- on the English end of the radio dial, but the sport is enjoying an epoca dorada in Spanish broadcasting. Although many of baseball's legendary English-language radio voices have either retired or moved on to television over the past few seasons, more teams are broadcasting more games in Spanish than ever. Nearly half of baseball's 30 big-league teams do at least some games in Spanish (read more - Miami Herald)

"About 75 percent of my friends have satellite sets," Alif said. "No matter what you want to listen to, you can find it. And there aren't any of those stupid commercials to interrupt the music." Satellite radio's audience is mushrooming. In less than three years, XM Satellite Radio Holdings has signed more than 2.1 million customers, who pay $9.99 a month to listen to 120 channels of music and talk. Its smaller competitor, Sirius Satellite Radio, has about 400,000 subscribers at $12.95 a month (read more - Christopher Boyd)

The American Red Cross, the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties and 95.5 KLOS announced that the 23rd Annual KLOS Blood Drive collected a total of 6,250 units of blood, smashing the previously held national record (5,021 units) for the most blood collected during a multi-day donation event (visit KLOS)

Technicians and engineers at Channel 9 are up in arms over an incident involving a minicam truck traveling at high speed on the Bishop Ford Expy. Tuesday. Without warning, a tire and wheel broke off the truck, whose commercial vehicle inspection sticker expired last February. No one was injured. Union representatives say the inspection lapse is typical of management's attitude toward employees and their welfare.  "Our bad -- the inspection sticker was expired," said Greg Caputo, news director of the Tribune Co.-owned station. "We don't know why the wheel fell off, but we're hoping to find out." (read more - Feder of Chicago)

On ABC NightLine: Can celebrities and artists influence an election? This year, quite a few are going to try. Ted Koppel talks to Bruce Springsteen, who along with a high-wattage group of other artists, is going to do a series of concerts in key 'swing states.' Can this really change the way people vote? Or does it further divide an already divided nation? (visit ABC NightLine)

Since December, Republican legislator Jeff Kropf  has been substituting off and on as the host for Lars Larson, the Portland talk show host whose radio program is syndicated around the country. Now KXL Radio in Portland has signed him up for a weekly talk show of his own. Starting Sept. 5, Kropf will be holding forth and taking calls from 7 to 9 a.m. every Sunday morning (read more - Albany Democrat-Herald)

"Southside" Steve Rickman, the 39-year-old ponytailed workhorse at 96rock, has survived five morning shows over his 10-plus years at the rock station but has always been the sidekick, the foil, the whipping boy. Until now. 96rock last week rewarded Rickman and his bud Tim Rhodes with an afternoon drivetime radio show, the second most lucrative time slot after mornings (read more - Peach Buzz)

ARBitrends for Nashville, Syracuse, Oklahoma City, Knoxville, Grand Rapids, Greensboro, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Lansing and Johnson City (read 'em)

Univision Communications Inc. announced financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2004, exceeding second quarter guidance as to net revenues, operating income before depreciation and amortization, and earnings per share (read more)

RAEL will hold a Press Conference and Breakfast to announce the release of the Wirthlin Worldwide Study: Personal Relevance, Personal Connections: How Radio Ads Affect Consumers --  This new report concerns a large-scale project conducted in 2004 with Wirthlin Worldwide to better understand how Radio advertising affects consumers in ways that are different from television and newspapers. It is the first in a series of major research studies from RAEL, all designed to help advertisers and agencies maximize Radio ROI (read more - RAB)

Irving's Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc. on Wednesday posted a $1.2 million second-quarter profit -- relatively small, but a big improvement over the $15 million net loss reported for the same quarter the year before (read more - Dallas Biz Journal)

ChickChat, Town & Country, and London Jewelers celebrated “The Spirit of Carnival” at the 7th Annual Summer Celebration held at London Jewelers in The Hamptons on Saturday July 31st. Partygoers sipped martinis from ChickChat Martini glasses and enjoyed a sizzling evening of music and hors d'oeuvres while surrounded by award-winning jewelry, timepieces and a custom-designed collection of whimsical carnival masks.  All proceeds from the event benefit Operation Smile (visit ChickChat Radio)


After years of operating on the fringes of Chicago radio, media mogul Fred Eychaner has finally gotten serious about turning his Newsweb Corp. into a real player + Congratulations to the incomparable Dick Biondi, who this week celebrates his 20th year on the air at oldies WJMK-FM (104.3) + Terry Foxx, former afternoon personality at WBBM-FM (96.3), has been named director of programming for X-Radio Network  (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Results from the most important radio ratings period of the year -- the spring Arbitron ratings "book" -- have been released, and nobody should be unhappier locally than Infinity Broadcasting, parent to WCCO (830 AM) and WLTE (102.9 FM). Despite a stellar season for the Twins, whose games air on WCCO, the station's 7.7 ratings share hasn't been this low in years. WLTE has dropped as well, raising the question: What's going on over at Infinity? (read more - Star-Tribune)

In late June, the BBC put out new editorial standards. The BBC wants to prevent another "unfounded report" like the one last May from reporter Andrew Gilligan. On live radio, Gilligan suggested that British officials knew the claim that Iraq could use WMDS within 45 minutes was weak. Gilligan relied on an off-the-record conversation with scientist David Kelly, who later committed suicide. The BBC's new standards make editors, reporters, anchors, and producers more accountable. They call for limited use of anonymous sources; better note-taking; better preparation for anchors; and editorial lawyers in the newsroom (read more)

Ken Herrera's time at Chicago's WBBM-AM (780) played a big role in his landing the morning anchor job at WTMJ-AM (620). "He's a guy who's been close enough to Milwaukee to know something about it for the last six years," says WTMJ program director Rick Belcher, "both the city and WTMJ."  Herrera leaves his afternoon co-anchor job at the all-news station to take the helm at "Wisconsin's Morning News." (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

President Bush's most prominent bashers and boosters are broadcasting in an echo chamber, according to a new study. Fans of Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 and of Rush Limbaugh's radio show are like-minded audiences who already agree with the partisan preaching, the University of Pennsylvania's National Annenberg Election Survey found. Accordingly, Mr. Moore's movie isn't changing many minds. Of the 5,051 people polled, only 12 had both tuned in to Mr. Limbaugh and watched Fahrenheit 9/11. Darin Decator, a Michigan resident, told the survey that he wanted to hear opposing views before making up his mind. "There are different sides to everything, and there's a truth somewhere in the middle," he told pollsters. In general, though, Mr. Moore and Mr. Limbaugh are playing to friendly crowds. "Preaching to the choir isn't entirely a bad thing," said Adam Clymer, political director of the survey. "It makes the choir more attentive. It makes the choir more energetic." (read Howard Kurtz-Media Notes) (read more - Dallas News) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

From football phone-ins to consumer complaints, Radio Dijla is flourishing within the constraints of a deeply unstable Iraq. While the station confronts ministers and public officials with complaints in its regular interview slots, and sometimes intervenes directly to help particularly needy listeners, Majid Salim argues that listeners appreciate the chance to air their grievances at all. Not surprisingly, given the continuing failure to reconstruct Iraq's utility infrastructure, electricity leads the list of complaints, with with water and sewage second and health services third (read more - The Independent)

Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Murphy, who covered the New York Mets from the team's inception in 1962 until his retirement after last season, died Tuesday. He was 79.  Murphy died at the Hospice of Palm Beach County, the team said. He had battled lung cancer since his retirement (read more - Newsday)  (read more - CBS Sportsline)

"NAB remains mindful of the challenges of and potential trade-offs involved in converting the nation’s radio stations to hybrid digital operations, especially in the case of AM nighttime operation, which, because of the mercurial nature of nighttime propagation, will require careful monitoring and, in many cases, individual resolutions. But we remain steadfast in our belief that digital radio will be transformative of both the AM and FM services, in terms of greatly improved audio quality, robustness of reception and opportunities for new, innovative services. This will be particularly so for the AM service, which, we are confident, will see a resurgence of formats, audiences and new services. These benefits will justify efforts to deal with instances of interference and some trade-offs of secondary service ..." (read the full text of NAB's comments to the FCC about digital broadcasting in PDF format)

ARBitrends for Harrisburg, Memphis, Mobile, Tucson and York (read 'em)

Sirius announced that it has promoted Doug Kaplan to Senior Vice President, Business Affairs and Business Development, Entertainment and Sports. Kaplan, previously SIRIUS' Vice President, Business Affairs, has worked with Greenstein to negotiate many of the company's recent content initiatives, including agreements with the NFL, Maxim, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Tony Hawk and the company's just-announced venture with rapper Eminem, Interscope Records and Shady Records. In his new position, Kaplan will oversee all entertainment and sports transactions for the nationwide satellite radio broadcaster (read more)

Entercom Communications Corp. announced plans to accelerate the rollout of digital broadcasting on nearly all of its radio stations. Entercom has already taken a leadership role in the digital radio upgrade process by initiating HD RadioTM broadcasts in Boston and Seattle with upcoming launches in Denver and Portland in the next few months. Entercom’s digital radio plans include upgrading 80% of its stations over the next four years. Entercom said Tuesday that second-quarter earnings rose 26 percent, beating analysts' estimates.   (read more - Forbes)

Nancy Reagan has gone on record in "full and complete support" of President George W. Bush's re-election despite his opposition to embryonic stem cell research. Reagan spokeswoman Joanne Drake said: "The campaign is certainly about more than one issue." (read more - NBC 4) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

WQAM's decision Friday to add the Howard Stern radio show, effective Aug. 16, could impact the Dolphins' willingness to stay on the station long-term. WQAM has one season left on its contract and has been trying to negotiate an extension (read more - Sports Business News)

Bill Clinton came to sell his book on "Late Show with David Letterman" Tuesday night but left a copy as a gift for Letterman's son. Reading aloud the inscription in his hefty 957-page memoir, the former president wished Harry Letterman (born to Dave and his girlfriend, Regina Lasko, Nov. 3) a happy 9-month birthday. "With luck," Clinton went on, "you will finish this by your 21st birthday. Meanwhile, carry it around and build more muscles than your dad has." (read more - Newsday)  (read NY Daily News)

SanDiegoRadio.net reports that Air America radio hits San Diego as early as Monday, no later than a week from .... at KPOP AM 1360 (visit SDRadio.net)

XM Satellite Radio and Audiovox Electronics Corporation are introducing the Audiovox XR9, the newest plug-and-play satellite radio (expected MSRP: $99.99, plus car kit or home kit for $69.99) which is expected to ship to retailers in October (read more)

Granite Broadcasting Corporation announced that the Company's Common Stock (Nonvoting) will be delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market effective with the opening of business on Thursday, August 5, 2004. Granite Broadcasting Corporation operates eight television stations in geographically diverse markets reaching over 6% of the nation's television householdsGranite Broadcasting Corporation operates eight television stations in geographically diverse markets reaching over 6% of the nation's television households (read more)

Bill O'Reilly interviews first lady Laura Bush on "The Media": O'REILLY: What do you think of the media in America? BUSH: I mean, I think there are a lot of reasons to be critical of the media in America. I think a lot of times, the media sensationalizes or magnifies things that really shouldn't be, different issues maybe or different opinions more than reporting. I do think there's a big move away from actual reporting, trying to report facts. And you know, it's in newspapers and everything you read that a lot more is opinion. And a lot of words... it's very, you know, I'm interested in words, I'm interested in language. I'm a librarian. I'm a big reader and I see words that are actually subjective in a lot of news accounts (read the full transcript on Fox News Channel)

Over the weekend, the frequency of 94.3 FM began its transformation by showcasing a variety of possible formats with the “Wheel Of Music”. After much speculation, the "Wheel” landed on NewsRadio! Charleston’s ONLY FM NewsRadio station, NewsRadio 94-3 WSC-FM is now on the air as of this morning. News Radio 94-3 WSC-FM will simulcast on AM 730 (visit 94-3 WSC-FM)

“IT’S WAR,” the New York Post declared last Friday, over a front-page photo of a beaming John Kerry. The message worked nicely in two senses: The candidate had just called out his opponent in bold terms—”Kerry bashes Bush in prez race kickoff”—and he had done it while wrapping himself in the bullet-shredded flag of his Vietnam swift boat. But there was the third sense: the Post’s own war, waged during the Democratic National Convention as at no other time yet in the campaign. It was a noisy conflict, but a subtle and indirect one—the target was John Kerry, but the real foe was the rest of the press (read more - NY Observer)

It's almost like they're trying to provoke a reaction. Many conservative radio hosts use popular songs from known liberals – Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Cockburn, John Mellencamp – as filler or background music on their shows.  One host uses Bruce Hornsby's civil-rights ballad The Way It Is, "and all my fans are freaking out about it," Hornsby says (read more - Mark Brown-Rocky Mountain News)

Young Broadcasting announced stronger results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004. The Company's net revenue in the second quarter grew 8.1% and operating income grew 48.6% compared to the same period last year (read more)

Crude oil futures today jumped to a new record high, riding upward on continuing concern about threats to supplies from Iraq and Russia. U.S. light crude for September delivery briefly hit an intraday high of $44.30 a barrel in electronic pre-session trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. That price was the highest on record since oil futures began trading on the Nymex 21 years ago (read more - Houston Chronicle)

A message to my fellow journalists: check out media watch sites like campaigndesk.org, mediamatters.org and dailyhowler.com. It's good to see ourselves as others see us. I've been finding The Daily Howler's concept of a media "script," a story line that shapes coverage, often in the teeth of the evidence, particularly helpful in understanding cable news. For example, last summer, when growth briefly broke into a gallop, cable news decided that the economy was booming. The gallop soon slowed to a trot, and then to a walk. But judging from the mail I recently got after writing about the slowing economy, the script never changed; many readers angrily insisted that my numbers disagreed with everything they had seen on TV. If you really want to see cable news scripts in action, look at the coverage of the Democratic convention (read more - Paul Krugman) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Former long-time Channel 8 sports anchor Gerry Oher is now a successful PR exec at Wheatley & Timmons www.wheatleytimmons.com in his hometown of Chicago. Oher stopped in studio for a chat on 990 MainStreet radio with Kevin McCarthy while visiting Dallas on a business trip

While Anderson Cooper's all over CNN, mom Gloria Vanderbilt's autobio, "It Seemed Important at the Time," is about to drop on us. Next month Vanity Fair excerpts some juicy parts — like her Brando one-nighter, Sinatra fling, Howard Hughes affair, and "restless search for love." (read NY Post)


Former radio talk show host Jon Matthews was formally sentenced to seven years' probation on a charge of indecency with a child for exposing himself to an 11-year-old girl last year in his Sugar Land home. After sentencing, the father of the victim read a statement in the court of state District Judge Brady Elliott describing Matthews' actions as inexcusable.  Matthews then took some potshots at the American judicial system. "Those of you who have listened to my radio show and read my newspaper columns over the years know how strong a supporter I was of our criminal justice system. I can only say how misguided I was. Our criminal justice system is not based on justice; it is a quota system where conviction is the only scorecard," he said. Matthews said he hopes one day to talk about the case (read more - Houston Chronicle)

Attention, Rush Limbaugh and everyone else who thought that liberal talk radio couldn’t work: Portland is proving otherwise. At least if you believe the folks who measure listenership.
The spring Arbitron ratings show that KPOJ (620 AM), which carries the upstart Air America Network with Al Franken, Randi Rhodes, et al., has made huge strides since its March 30 launch.
In the midday period from10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Air America’s Al Franken and Schultz rank No. 1, leaving Limbaugh, KPAM’s (860 AM) Sean Hannity and KXL’s (750 AM) Lars Larson in their wake (read more - Pete Schulberg - Portland Tribune)

The federal government may have to compensate for any damages incurred by the controversial Quebec City radio station CHOI-FM if its broadcasting licence is not renewed, the station's lawyer has warned Prime Minister Paul Martin. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ruled in July that it would not renew CHOI's licence, citing a long pattern of offensive, harassing comments by its morning shock-jock hosts (read more - The Globe and Mail)

The spacious headquarters of Sirius Satellite Radio, which launched a 24/7 NFL channel from its state-of-the-art studios in midtown Manhattan yesterday, is just a few miles from WFAN's Astoria basement. But everything from Sirius' digital technology, the scope of its marketing and promotion ($30 million spent in advertising in 2003) and the NFL's equity stake in the project, make other comparisons to WFAN's meager beginnings totally invalid. Yet if the niche channel grows to dominate its field as WFAN did, you'll see Sirius executives doing the Ickey Shuffle down Sixth Avenue (read more - Newsday-Steve Zipay)

ClearSky Mobile Media, Inc. announced that Ron Willett, a nine-year veteran of Clear Channel Radio, has joined the company to expand the company's leadership position in mobile entertainment for radio broadcasters. Through his radio career, Mr. Willett has worked both on-air as a DJ and as a promotions director. His broad experience provides insight into all aspects of the radio business (read more)

The "Starbucks Hear Music" channel, featuring music programming from Hear Music, the voice of music at Starbucks, will debut this fall for XM Radio's more than 2.1 million subscribers. Beginning in 2005, millions of Starbucks customers will be able to listen to the "Starbucks Hear Music" channel programming and be exposed to XM in more than 4,000 Starbucks locations nationwide (read more)

"There is nothing right now that we're hearing that is new," said one senior law enforcement official who was briefed on the alert. "Why did we go to this level? . . . I still don't know that."  Much of the information that led the authorities to raise the terror alert at several large financial institutions in the New York City and Washington areas was three or four years old, intelligence and law enforcement officials said on Monday. They reported that they had not yet found concrete evidence that a terrorist plot or preparatory surveillance operations were still under way  (read more - NY Times) (read Washington Post)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Satirist-commentator Al Franken will return to his TV roots next month when his radio show begins appearing on cable's Sundance Channel.  Beginning Sept. 7, "The Al Franken Show," heard live each weekday from noon to 3 p.m. Eastern on Air America Radio, will go on display in a one-hour edition on Sundance each night at 11:30 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. (read more - Miami Herald) (read Seattle P-I)

Satellite hasn't killed the radio star — at least not yet. These days, commercial-free satellite radio is just one alternative to its broadcast counterpart. Analysts say radio broadcasters
will eventually have to change their ways to keep up with the trends.
Clear Channel Communications, the nation's largest radio station owner, is already planning a lower cap on its commercial time, citing too much clutter on its stations.  "There have been declining ratings across the board," said Peter Mirsky, a media analyst with Oppenheimer & Co. "Listeners are going somewhere. A lot of it is attributed to too much of a commercial load." He says that satellite radio is not yet converting the masses, but rather adding fuel to the competition. "It's out there on the fringe and one more piece of ammunition," Mirsky said (read more - Houston Chronicle)

It looks like WTMJ-AM (620) has decided to go outside again for a morning news anchor, picking up Ken Herrera, an afternoon anchor from Chicago's all-news WBBM-AM (620).
There's no official word from the station just yet, but Herrera has resigned from WBBM.
He told the Chicago Sun-Times that his new Milwaukee morning job would give him more on-air freedom than the traditional anchor role on Chicago's all-news station (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

While radio fans have been buzzing about satellite radio making a splash by hiring edgy hosts like Opie and Anthony who could push the content envelope, XM went the other way last week and hired long-time National Public Radio "Morning Edition" host Bob Edwards. Edwards will start on XM Oct. 4 (read more - NY Daily News-David Hinckley)

Alice Porter was supposed to be the traffic reporter, alerting Bruce Murdock and Tim Hunter's radio listeners on KLSY-FM (92.5) about congestion and delays. But it quickly became clear that Ms. Porter could chat about much beyond morning commutes. So what had been the "Murdock and Hunter Show" within weeks became the "Murdock, Hunter and Alice Show."   Ms. Porter, of Maple Valley, died Friday (July 30) at Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue after a sudden illness. She was 44 (read more - Seattle Times)

When Al Gore spoke to the Democratic convention here last Monday, Fox News Channel didn't carry it live. Host Bill O'Reilly allowed viewers to hear the former vice president for about 40 seconds before saying: "Oh man, I wish I was out there. I would have said hey, a deficit, we've got a war on terror, we're attacked. What are you talking about?" Whatever happened to "we report, you decide?" Shouldn't Fox viewers get to hear Gore before O'Reilly and his guests start sounding off? O'Reilly, responding to this reporter's criticism of that move on washingtonpost.com, told viewers: "The newspaper pinheads claim that because we aren't covering the speeches we aren't fair. That, of course: a bunch of baloney. . . . How desperate some in the print media are to smear Fox News. In the words of Teresa Heinz Kerry, the newspaper critics can shove it." But sometimes even pinheads have a point, as some Fox staffers, both publicly and privately, acknowledge (read more - Howard Kurtz-Media Notes)

Cumulus Media Inc. reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004. Lew Dickey, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to announce strong results for the second quarter of 2004. For the quarter, pro forma net revenues grew 5.5% versus the prior year. Same station net revenues grew 6.3% for the quarter (read more)

Four Infinity stations are affiliated with All Comedy Radio, and one's in Tampa. Yessir, the brand new WBZZ 1010 AM (the former WQYK AM) adds the mix of news/sports parodies, standup comedians, prank/funny calls, radio comedy and celebrity interviews 1 to 6 a.m. weekdays, and at least once on the weekend  (read more - Radio Babe-Dawn Scire)

WKQX-FM (101.1) morning personality Mancow Muller has dropped the lawsuit he filed last March against the indecency crusader who's been dogging him with the federal government (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Internet radio stations have long been popular because of the wide variety of music they offer and the relative lack of commercials. But for those who crave musical playlists tailored to their personal tastes, it might be difficult to find a service more useful than Last.fm. Last.fm is an online radio site -- but with a twist. It works hand-in-hand with Audioscrobbler, a small software plug-in that works with popular software music players like Winamp and iTunes. The plug-in scrutinizes the music files on users' computers and sends the information to a server. From that, Last.fm creates a personalized Internet radio station based on each user's taste (read more - Wired)

ARBitrends -- San Antonio, Austin, Tulsa, Raleigh-Durham, Rochester, Albany, Fort Collins, Marion-Carbondale, Pueblo, Daytona Beach (read 'em)

Salem Communications announced today results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004. Commenting on these results, Edward G. Atsinger III, President and CEO said, "Our second quarter 2004 net broadcasting revenue and station operating income growth of 10.1% and 18.9%, respectively, will, once again, significantly exceed the performance of the overall radio industry (read more)

SIRIUS NFL Radio will provide in-depth radio coverage of the NFL, including daily live shows hosted by legendary NFL figures, including Cris Carter, Dan Reeves, John Riggins and Shannon Sharpe. Each show will feature team-by-team reports, expert analysis, exclusive conversations with team personnel and sports insiders - and best of all, phone calls from football fans from around the country. The channel will  also cater to fantasy football fans with a show dedicated to fantasy leagues every Friday (read more)

It was a hard decision for Christina Burr to leave her broadcasting position at public radio station WQCS-89FM in Fort Pierce, but it turned out to be a good one. Willi Miller took over Burr's Arts Spotlight program in 1997 and Burr, a flutist, got back to focusing on her music career (read more - Palm Beach Post)


Experts say that it's time that the traditional yardsticks used as gauges — network and cable ratings — be updated to give a better sense of the many forums today, from MTV and political Web logs to talk-radio shows and e-mail. "We're going to have to come up with a whole new way of measuring 'public interest,' " PBS anchor Jim Lehrer says. "Right now it's all anecdotal. The networks have numbers and I will tell you about our numbers, but beyond that? Somebody smarter than me has got to figure out how do you take this factor, that factor and come up with something that is meaningful, that you find yourself nodding when you hear it." Networks down, cable up  "Just because Americans don't tune in for NBC's or ABC's analysis doesn't mean they don't care," says Brian Stelter, editor of mediabistro.com, a Web site about  broadcast news. Last week, "I woke up to newspaper headlines and morning show segments about the convention. As I rode into work, the local deejay joked about it. At lunch, I talked about the speeches with colleagues. Before dinner, I checked AOL to preview the night's schedule. None of those actions were recorded by Nielsen. But they all contributed to my awareness of the convention." (read more - Peter Johnson-USA Today)

"In New York City, the top four companies control 80 percent of the [radio] market," says Jenny Toomey, executive director of the Future of Music Coalition. The top ten rated FM stations in New York City are owned by four companies: Clear Channel Communications, Emmis Communications, Spanish Broadcasting System, and Viacom. Radio station WEVD, was sold in 2001 to the Walt Disney Company media conglomerate, and the local, independent, multi-lingual station was reformatted into just another outlet for the sports network ESPN Radio. And even though New Yorkers are in a better situation than most other places of the country – we have, for instance, eight local daily newspapers in Spanish and English owned by six different companies – media consolidation gives a small group of people huge influence over what we see and hear (read more - Joanna Erenberg-Gotham Gazette)

From Claude Hall Online -- Mysteries still grow up like weeds around the man Jerry Wexler.  Even down these long years.  How really well did any of us know the man?  Is he really 87  years old now?  Hard to believe.  The man I knew was ageless + e-mails from Novella Smith Cromer, Chuck Blore, David Martin, Pat Walsh, Gordon Hull -- "An old friend of mine, Greg Perdue of Birmingham AL, says you and I need to talk; your advice may prove to be invaluable.  I'm a broadcaster who has created a dynamite format, along with a fine veteran  programmer as a partner ..."  and more (read www.claudehallonline.com) 

Prominent former Los Angeles radio executive Bill Ward has died. Ward died at his home in Sherman Oaks. His son says Ward started his career at age 15 in Waxahachie, Texas, near his hometown of Italy, Texas, at W-R-R Dallas. At the time he was a student at the University of Texas at Arlington. In 1967, he joined K-B-L-A in Los Angeles as programming director. He became station manager at K-B-L-A in 1970. Ward went on to become general manager of K-L-A-C in Los Angeles, and eventually president of Golden West Broadcasters, where he became manager of K-M-P-C. He was most recently at K-S-C-A in Los Angeles when he retired in 1997 (read more - KESQ)

Corey Deitz has done radio shows in Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Richmond, Norfolk, St. Louis, Toledo, Little Rock and other cities. He's seen the business from top to bottom. Through his humorous and casual writing style in "The Cash Cage," you'll meet an army of wanderers who spin tunes, give the time and temp, take the requests and when the pressure is on are easily discarded by a cutthroat business that disguises itself as your favorite song. The ordinary perception that disc jockeys have a glamorous life, flanked by popularity and perks, is quickly put into perspective as the darker side of an industry is exposed where constant moving, loneliness, backstabbing and job termination are the prerequisites for success (read more - "The Cash Cage")

A man was busted outside Madison Square Garden after allegedly stalking radio personality Monica Crowley for more than a year, The NY Post has learned. Crowley, a talk-show host for WABC and political analyst for the Fox News Channel, was leaving the radio station's Penn Plaza studios when she spotted Ronald Martin outside the Garden about 2 p.m., authorities said (read more - NY Post)

From Chuck Dunaway's "The Radio Diaries" -- Rene’ Lynn/San Antonio:  When I was hired as the evening news anchor for a now long-defunct country station KBUC in San Antonio, TX summer 1981 I was told that whenever a news person was on duty he or she was responsible for the meter readings, which I thought odd since this equipment was located to the exact left of the on-air DJ! + Ray Whitworth/San Antonio:  It was the summer of 1975. I had an all night shift at KEEZ in San Antonio, which was then Clear Channel's very first station. The studios were located on the 28th floor of the Tower of Life Building in downtown San Antonio. I had a beautiful view of the San Antonio River and of the Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel + Larry Vance/Nebraska: I spent twenty years at KNUZ Houston, first as a jock, then as Program Director then finally General Manager. Dave Morris was my boss and I wish I could have told him how much he meant to me. He was "second to none!" more (read www.chuckdunaway.com)

After a federal judge rebuffed radio shock jock Erich "Mancow" Muller's claim that Chicago decency advocate David Smith's filings with the Federal Communications Commission violated his freedom of speech, Muller dropped a $3 million lawsuit against Smith last week. Mancow, who is currently involved in contract renewal negotiations with Emmis Corporation, pleasantly surprised Smith with his decision to drop the lawsuit (read more - Illinois Leader) (read more)

It's improving all the little things that will lift WCBS-FM (101.1) out of its modest recent slump, says Vice President Chad Brown - and he says newly hired program director Dave Logan is just the guy to get that done. "I can't emphasize enough that we're staying the course with the music," says Brown (read more - David Hinckley)

Since he was 5 years old, Dave Ross has never been far from a microphone. In his nerdy youth, he wired his parent's suburban New York home into a de facto radio station. He would put on shows in his bedroom, wrangling siblings as interview subjects. But in recent years, Ross began to express some dissatisfaction with his work, said his father, Richard Ross. "He felt that he wanted to do more than be a guy on the radio," the elder Ross said. "He felt that he wasn't doing anything constructive; he felt that he wasn't contributing enough." Last month, Ross walked away from the broadcast microphone and onto the campaign trail as a candidate for Congress. It's a move that appears driven by a convergence of his itch to have a direct hand in policy and the Democratic Party's fervent desire to win the 8th District. Campaign theme: I want to go to Washington, D.C., with the common sense I cultivated on the radio talking about public policy with hundreds of people. "Talk is cheap," Ross said in a recent interview, as he sat on the front porch of his Mercer Island home (read more - Seattle Times)

Clear Channel Radio's plan to remove the "clutter" on its 1,200 or so stations with across-the-board cuts in commercial and promotional spot inventories has been hailed by some of its competitors as a bold move that could help spark positive change throughout the industry. But it is a move that could cost the San Antonio-based company untold advertisers and revenues (read more - SA Biz Journal)

The buzzing noise emanating from U.S. District Court in Nashville is echoing in radios all across the country. But according to the plaintiffs in a federal copyright case, the only place that the ''Buzz'' should be heard is over the signals broadcast by Nashville-based Cromwell Group Inc. It is fighting national broadcasting behemoth Clear Channel Communication's use of the marketing moniker to describe several of its own radio stations. The corporate branding battle over Buzz Babes, Buzzweiser, Buzz Armies, BuzzFests and BuzzHeads has raged since at least 2000, according to federal court records, when Cromwell realized that Clear Channel had registered the Internet domain name, www.1021thebuzz.net, for a station it owned in Dallas (read more - Tennessean)

ABC Radio Networks announced the debut of "Saturday Night At The 80s," a new weekly program featuring hits from the decade that gave the world Flashdance, Men At Work and MTV. Hosted by WPLJ's Todd Pettengill and originating from New York, "Saturday Night at the 80s" will be carried on stations from coast to coast including WPLJ-FM (New York), WRQX-FM (Washington, D.C.) and WDVD-FM (Detroit) beginning September 25 (visit ABC Radio Networks)

Coming out of the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Sen. John Kerry now holds a seven-point lead over President George W. Bush (49 percent to 42 percent) in a three-way race with independent Ralph Nader (3 percent), according to the latest NEWSWEEK poll.  The poll was taken over two nights, both before and after Kerry's acceptance speech. Respondents who were queried after Kerry's Thursday night speech gave the Democrat a ten-point lead over Bush. Three weeks ago, Kerry’s lead was three points (read more - Newsweek) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

At 5 a.m. Monday on Channel 5, WNEM, Lenise Ligon and Craig McMorris will launch a new era in mid-Michigan media -- the cross-ownership of a television and radio station in the same market. Pulling the plug on WKNX-AM, 1250, Channel 5's parent company Meredith Corp. begins WNEM-AM, 1250, with a simulcast of Ligon and McMorris' morning news show (read more - MLive)

The Beer Radio Network (www.BeerRadio.com) has joined the SIRIUS Satellite Radio on-air lineup. Beer Radio will broadcast its national message about the passion for beer every Saturday from 4-7 PM (eastern) on SIRIUS Talk Central, channel 148 (read more)

Archivists are trying to preserve and copy the only known sound recording of the gunshots that killed President John F. Kennedy - a recording that has fueled conspiracy theories.  The recording, made by a police motorcycle radio, is now too fragile to be played and has never been authentically copied, officials said. Researchers at the National Archives in Washington hope optical scanning will help. The recording became a focus of a 1979 report by the House Select Committee on Assassinations. Gary Mack, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, near where the shooting took place, said an authentic copy of the recording might "resolve part of the Kennedy assassination, one way or the other."  (read more - Fort Wayne Gazette)

Cox Enterprises Inc., which owns 62 percent of Cox Communications Inc., said it wants to pay $7.9 billion for the shares of the fourth-largest U.S. cable- television company it doesn't already own. Cox Enterprises, whose other subsidiaries include Cox Radio Inc. and Cox Newspapers Inc., said in the statement that, because of the increasingly competitive nature of the cable industry, it believes that future investments are best made through a private company structure (read more - Bloomberg) (read more - NY Times)

Radio disc jockey and former Lotto presenter Grant Kereama is the donor who gave his kidney to rugby superstar Jonah Lomu. Kereama, a breakfast presenter on 91ZM, released a media statement on Monday confirming he was the donor for last week's transplant operation in Auckland (read more - Xtramsn) 

To hear liberals tell it, free speech is under siege. When crooner Linda Ronstadt imposed her unsolicited fawning views of America-basher Michael Moore on a Las Vegas audience at the Aladdin casino recently, a large portion of that audience did the principled thing: They got up and left. The management at the Aladdin asked Miss Ronstadt to do the same. These people must have been First Amendment insensitive; according to the New York Times, they interfered with Miss Ronstadt's "right to express a political opinion." But didn't the audience members have the right to express their opinions? (read more - Washington Times-Steven Zak)

George Carlin, so famous for taking on the Federal Communications Commission over decency standards during the '70s, acknowledged in an interview that he last voted in 1980.  Dennis Miller, the former SNL news anchor, excoriates John Kerry nightly on his CNBC talk show and rallies for President Bush with Las Vegas crooner Wayne Newton. Al Franken, fresh off his bestselling book Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right, contemplates a run for the Senate as he trashes conservatives around the dial. Janeane Garofalo and Sam Seder host The Majority Report, a program on the liberal radio network Air America, which was broadcasting live from Boston last week. There's even Whoopi Goldberg, not necessarily known as a political comic, but whose outspoken routine at a recent fund-raiser for Kerry cost her an endorsement deal with Slim-Fast. "Comedy was born of anarchism, and now it's moved into advocacy," says Mark Katz, 40, who wrote humorous speeches for then-President Clinton and recently published Clinton & Me: A Real Life Political Comedy (read more - Geoff Edgers - Boston Globe)

When George Martin's daughter, Spc. Jeanetta Martin, was deployed to Kuwait more than a year ago, she tried to keep up consistent communication with her family. "She called about once a week," said George Martin, who added that it was important to have that communication with his daughter.  KLAQ, KVIA, the El Paso Times, the University of Texas at El Paso and other sponsors will launch a campaign Monday to collect 1 million minutes of phone-card time by Sept. 11 so that soldiers stationed overseas will be able to call home. "A lot of people are going to want to remember what happened and want to do something" to commemorate the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said Brad Dubow, general manager of Regent Broadcasting in El Paso (read more - El Paso Times)

Dennis Miller's show is only 7 months old, but already it has been through a few permutations. Beginning tomorrow, "Dennis Miller" returns at 9 p.m. on CNBC with yet another new and improved version, said the comedian. And the first order of business? Less politics as usual. "I'm not a wonk," Miller told the Daily News during a jaunt to New York. "I don't want to talk about politics [the whole time]." (read more - NY Daily News)

Orion Samuelson, a well-known agricultural radio reporter in Illinois whose name recently surfaced among the possible candidates to run against Barack Obama, is cautious. "Am I interested? Yeah, if my concerns could be met," Samuelson said.  Samuelson is among six to 10 candidates expected to be interviewed Tuesday by the Republican State Central Committee in Chicago. The 19-member board will choose a replacement for Jack Ryan, who won the primary (read more - St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

China will tighten its control over the illegal production, sale and installation of satellite TV receiving equipment, according to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. No company or individual is permitted to produce, sell and install satellite TV receivers without official approval, according to Chinese law (read more - Telecom Asia)

After almost 40 years in business, WCMT-FM is moving. It's still in the same building in Martin. But the station has a new home on the radio dial. It moved Wednesday from 101.7 to 101.3 on the radio dial. So how do you tell your listeners you are moving? You do it right in front of their eyes, or ears, in this case. That station made the switch during its morning show, ''Good Times in the Morning with Chris and Paul.'' The station also has increased its power from 6,000 watts to 25,000 watts (read more Jackson Sun)

Radios which only receive FM and medium wave may be little more than paperweights by 2020. As more listeners move to digital radio, which promises more stations and better sound, some experts believe the old analogue signals may be switched off for good within 15 years. The move from analogue to digital follows the recent announcement by ministers that they expect TV signals to go all-digital by 2012, and that those who do not either buy a new set or a box to receive digital signals will find themselves staring at blank screens (read more The Scotsman)

Dave Logan, who programmed the old WNEW (102.7 FM) as well as the opening weeks of the new liberal network Air America, starts Tuesday as program director of WCBS-FM (101.1).  WCBS-FM is at "an important juncture," says vice president Chad Brown (read more - David Hinckley)

A CRTC decision to take Quebec City's CHOI-FM off the air at the end of August can't be appealed to the federal government, Heritage Minister Liza Frulla said Friday. Ms. Frulla said in a statement that Genex Communications Inc., which owns the station, can appeal the decision to the Federal Court or apply for a new broadcasting licence. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ruled earlier this month that CHOI can't broadcast beyond Aug. 31 (read more - The Globe and Mail)

Bill Barnard’s father-in-law was half-kidding, half-sneering when he nicknamed him “Diogenes.” The demon, his daughter, Tonia McNamara said, was ambition: “He was trying to break into the big time.” Barnard, who died July 12 at 77, broke into radio in 1948 in Portland, Maine. By the early 1950s, he put his good looks and wavy hair to use on TV, at WEEI in Boston. In 1954, he trucked his family across country for a radio job at KBIG in Catalina Island, Calif. A few years later, back to TV, working in Bakersfield. Three years later, radio again, the morning deejay for KGBS in Los Angeles. Then back to TV, as news director at KHJ in Hollywood. In 1967, back East for a radio job in Providence, R.I. In 1968, another radio job, back in Boston. Three years later, to California for a radio job, followed by three successive TV gigs in Los Angeles and Bakersfield. In 1981, the Barnards were in the Boston area once more, with Bill accepting a job as news director at WKOX radio (read more - Virginia Pilot)

He's baaaack! Howard Stern has agreed to return to the South Florida airwaves Aug. 16 on WQAM-AM Sports Radio 560 (read more - Miami Herald)

Radio personality Crazy Al has propelled Industrialinfo.com and their daily oldies web-based radio broadcast to the top of the charts in just one year. Originating from their studios in the affluent Detroit suburb of Pontiac, Michigan, Crazy Al’s Radio Party serves up an eclectic and unique blend of quintessential classic oldies rock n’ roll (read more - Industrial Info)

An Indianapolis man accused of posing as a radio station employee and tricking men into taking off their clothes appeared in Marion Superior Court on Friday for a hearing on three felony charges. Richard C. Brown appeared in court wearing a bright orange jail uniform. Judge Mark Stoner ordered him to be held in the county jail and set a hearing for Aug. 30. Tom Severino, a vice president for the station's parent company Emmis Communications, told police Brown is not affiliated with WNOU and that the station did not sanction the contest (read more - Indy Star)

Two shows. Two audiences. Two sides of one eccentric brain. That might be the best way to think of the curious dual radio life of Darrell Brogdon, a veteran broadcaster who has found a way to showcase his personal obsessions and impose his creative will on Kansas Public Radio. For years Brogdon has devoted love and attention to "Right Between the Ears," a topical sketch comedy show that lampoons commercials and pop culture and takes equal-opportunity potshots at both political parties. Brogdon is the principal writer for the show, which has picked up a trunk load of national and international awards (read more - KC Star)

While religious faith has emerged as a key cultural and political issue in 2004, nothing has incited political bickering as much as decency on the airwaves, which has even managed to transform shock-jock Howard Stern from a bimbo-ogling stooge into an impassioned Bush basher. "We're a weird culture, we just are," says comic Al Franken, author of the best-seller "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them" and host of his own program at the upstart liberal radio network Air America. "It's so bizarre. If you think about the amount of pornography that is consumed -- two-thirds of the pay-for-view movies in hotels are pornography, and the average time that one is on is 12 minutes -- that's my favorite statistic in life. But our stupid, hypocritical culture has to go through these paroxysms of self-cleansing." (read David Kronke - LA Daily News)

Ed Schultz may have the fastest-growing liberal radio talk show in the country, but outside of the Midwest many listeners have yet to hear of the North Dakota-based host. His new three-hour syndicated “Ed Schultz Show” airs on 38 stations (as well as Sirius and XM satellite radio), but talk radio is still dominated by conservatives like Rush Limbaugh, who pulls in millions of listeners each afternoon. This week, Schultz moved his show to the Fleet Center in Boston to cover the Democratic National Convention. There he found himself surrounded on "radio row" by conservative colleagues and overlooked by many of the big-name Democratic speakers and supporters. But that may soon change (read Newsweek)

Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's address Thursday had its share of sound bites, including, "The future doesn't belong to fear; it belongs to freedom." But for people watching CNN's coverage, the night's most memorable lines may be, "Jesus, we need more balloons," and "What the -- are you guys doing up there?" (read more - Noel Holston-Newsday)

Sixties pop star Lulu, actress Elaine Paige and TV presenter Dermot O'Leary are to become Radio 2 DJs as part of the station's new weekend line-up. Lulu, 54, will present a Sunday show celebrating the art of writing songs (read more - BBC News)

Mike Lynch, who took a failing Wichita radio station and built it into a $100 million country-western radio empire with his partner, the late Mike Oatman, died Thursday in a Houston hospital after a long battle with leukemia. He was 74. Mr. Lynch died on the same night that he and his wife, Dorothy, who was at his side, celebrated their 53rd wedding  anniversary. Mr. Lynch and Mr. Oatman built Great Empire Broadcasting into a chain of 15 radio stations in six states.  Their flagship stations, KFDI AM and FM, and Great Empire headquarters were always in Wichita, a town both loved, recalled Johnny Western (read more - Wichita Eagle)

American TV is obsessed with extreme makeover shows so it came as no surprise this week when Les Moonves, the head of CBS television and one of the industry's most powerful executives, attempted an extreme makeover on himself. "We will vigorously defend our right to produce such content as some may deem too controversial," Moonves told an audience of television critics in Los Angeles. "We believe the viewing and listening public will not tolerate government censorship and we're going to take a very strong stand on that," he said.  In their rush to praise the CBS boss, most of the critics forgot that Moonves's words were utterly at odds with his actions late last year (read more - The Observer)

ARBitrends for Honolulu, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Louisville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Richmond and Salt Lake City (read 'em)

Baby boomers and Generations X, Y, and Z all have fond memories and horror stories about summer jobs past. Here are stories of several prominent Hoosiers' past summer employment: Jeff Smulyan Age: 55. Current job: Founder and chairman of the board, Emmis Communications. Smulyan said he had a variety of jobs during his high-school days, including stints at The Indianapolis Star and the now-closed Indianapolis Times. "I was a copy boy for the Times," he said. "I was basically a go-fer. It was my first paying job, and I was 16." (read more - Indy Star)

Howard Stern's syndicated radio show will take over the morning slot at WQAM-AM (Sports Radio 560) starting Aug. 16. The Beasley Broadcasting Group station will air Stern from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. followed by Neil Rogers until 2 p.m. and then the afternoon sports talk lineup (read more - South Florida Biz Journal)

The Atlanta Falcons have hired veteran Georgia Tech broadcaster Wes Durham to handle play-by-play duties on the team’s radio network this season. Durham will split duties between the NFL and Georgia Tech. He has worked 10 years at Georgia Tech, where he covers football and basketball.
Durham worked as the Falcons’ preseason radio voice during the 1999 and 2000 seasons
(read more - Gwinnett Daily Post)

The most recent Zogby poll shows deeper trouble for President George W. Bush beyond just the horserace. Mr. Bush has fallen in key areas while Senator John Kerry has shored up numerous constituencies in his base. The Bush team’s attempted outreach to base Democratic and swing constituency has shown to be a failure thus far, limiting his potential growth in the electorate. The most important group in this election now is the undecideds and Mr. Bush’s standing among them is weak. He is generally well liked among the undecideds, having a strong favorability (56%), but his job performance is another story. Only 32% approve of Bush’s job in office and only 31% believe the country is headed in the right direction (read more - Zogby Poll) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Why are campaign commercials so bad? Election seasons flood the airwaves with ads. By a wide margin, campaigns are now spending more on advertising than on anything else, and with each cycle the amount they spend grows dramatically (read more - The Atlantic)

Brian Purdy, currently VP/GM at Infinity’s KLLI/KJKK has been promoted to Senior Vice President/Market Manager for Infinity’s KVIL, KLUV, KOAI, KRLD, KLLI, KJKK, Texas State Network, Dallas Cowboys Radio Network and the Texas Rangers Radio Network, it was announced today by Brian Ongaro, Executive Vice President of the Western Region for Infinity Broadcasting.  The appointment is effective immediately (visit Infinity Broadcasting)


Complete text of John Kerry's Acceptance Speech at the Democratic National Convention (click here to read it) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

If you ever heard the phrase "It's a bird ... It's a plane ... It's Superman!" on the radio, you knew Jackson Beck. If you remember the Cisco Kid or Philo Vance or Bluto on "Popeye," or the fake commercials on the early "Saturday Night Live," or TV commercials for Kellogg's Sugar-Frosted Flakes, you knew Jackson Beck. He was the voice of Josef Stalin on the "March of Time" radio series and narrated Woody Allen's "Take the Money and Run."  Lifelong New Yorker Beck died here yesterday, five days past his 92nd birthday, and he took more than 60 years of radio history with him (read more - David Hinckley) (read NY Times)

Normally this is the week when WEEI radio hosts John Dennis and Gerry Callahan would be modestly letting listeners know they had ranked No. 2 in the Boston market among males 25-54 in morning drive time in Arbitron's spring ratings book. Oh, but they're on vacation. It's also the week when midday host Dale Arnold would be making a similar announcement, to the effect that he and partner Bob Neumeier are No. 1 in that same demographic for their time period. Oops, Dale's on vacation, too. And afternoon "Big Show" host Glenn Ordway and crew would be whispering the news that they're No. 1 among all adults 25-54 in p.m. drive time for the third straight ratings book. But no word about ratings is coming from WEEI . . . and it doesn't have anything to do with all the vacationing staffers. It seems that Entercom, parent company of WEEI as well as Boston stations WQSX ("Star" 93.7 FM), WAAF (107.3 FM), and WRKO (680 AM), hasn't renewed its contract with Arbitron. As a result, WEEI is prohibited from commenting on its rating numbers, which the station surely knows given the networking that goes on among radio people in this market (read more - Bill Griffith-Boston Globe)

A jury is deliberating the fate of a former Kingman radio personality accused of killing a California man. Attorneys in the trial of Alan Lama, who is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, made closing arguments Monday. Lama, who worked as a disc jockey at KGMN-FM for about two and a half years, was charged with murder last year in the beating death of James Quinn, the husband of a woman Lama met through the Internet. Lama also was charged with special circumstance of murder by lying in wait and conspiracy to commit a crime with a profit motive (read more - Kingman Daily Miner)

From Kent Burkhart's "I Was there" series -- For those of you who missed column one reference Stan Kaplan’s “photographic close” please read it in my archives (#20 at www.kentburkhart.com). Stan had many sales tales, but one of the best was while he was manager of WIL in St. Louis. WIL and KMOX were tied in ratings, but the time buyer for Budweiser Beer (a local product in St. Louis) refused to buy WIL because it broadcast with 1,000 watts while KMOX had 50,000 watts. Stan tried time and time again to convince the buyer to buy WIL…but the buyer kept saying….”not enough watts, Stan” (read how this story turns out at www.kentburkhart.com

There could be major changes soon to the on-air lineups at both local all-sports radio stations. According to industry sources, WSCR-AM (670) has decided to shift popular host Mike North from afternoon drive to morning drive +  According to industry sources, ESPN 1000 will drop Jim Rome's insult-fest from its daily lineup beginning Sept. 1 (read more - Feder of Chicago)

It's 20 consecutive rating periods at No. 1 for WFMS-FM (95.5), which again ranks as the area's most popular radio station among listeners 12 and older, according to spring Arbitron ratings released today. The country station topped classic-rock fixture WFBQ-FM (94.7). Hip-hop/R&B station WHHH-FM (96.3) and news/talk station WIBC-AM (1070) posted identical-sized audiences for third place (read more - Indy Star)

An Indianapolis man on home detention was arrested Thursday for allegedly pretending to be part of a radio contest to lure people to his home. Police said Richard Brown, 40, has been calling area restaurants recently asking young male employees if they wanted to win money or a car as part of a Radio Now 93.1 contest. Brown, who was on home detention for a criminal confinement conviction, allegedly asked the males to come to his home in the 1700 block of Fletcher Avenue to claim their prize (read more - KSBW TV) (read more - WRTV)

No other major city in the country listens to National Public Radio as much as Boston. You may have assumed that, but now it's official. Those are the results of a new Media Audit study of listening habits of people 18 and older in more than 80 markets nationwide + Jay Severin learned the Federal Communications Commission opted not to act on a complaint filed against him by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Severin reportedly had said during an April broadcast that American Muslims were ``a fifth column,'' and he told a caller, ``You think we should befriend them. I think we should kill them.''  Severin claims the comments were taken out of context. Regardless, the FCC ruled he was within his First Amendment rights to say them, in or out of context (read more - Dean Johnson-Boston Herald)

Staffers at the Federal Communications Commission grilled cable industry reps Thursday about their opposition to letting viewers pick their channels individually, or "a la carte," expressing skepticism that it would destroy the economics of the industry. Consumer advocacy groups have been asking Congress to look into why cable companies won't let subscribers pick the channels they want in their subscription packages instead of being forced into accepting dozens of channels they may never watch while still paying for them (read more - Wired)

Regent Communications, Inc. announced today financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. For the second quarter of 2004, net broadcast revenues increased 3.6% to $22.2 million from $21.5 million reported for the second quarter of 2003. For the same period, station operating expenses increased to $14.4 million from $14.3 million (read more)

Syndicated radio host Michael Savage's commentary on the Democratic National Convention was riddled with name-calling and insults.  Savage referred to Democratic leaders using German titles used by the Nazi party, calling former President Bill Clinton "Obergrupenführer Clinton," former President Jimmy Carter "Grupenführer Carter," and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) "Brigadeführer Daschle." Savage called poet, educator, best-selling author, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, who spoke at the convention on July 27, a "liar," "moron," "fraud," and "dirtbag." He also mocked her for speaking about oppression and accused her of not being a real poet and not having a real PhD, saying "[M]y dog has a bigger doctorate than she does." (read more - Media Matters)

On Monday, Aug. 2, Salem Media of Georgia launches Air Force One on 1190 AM (WAFS-AM) in Atlanta and relaunches WGKA-AM on 920 AM. In memory of President Reagan and in honor of what he meant to our country, 1190 AM (WAFS-AM) will air 27 of President Reagan's key speeches in their entirety beginning Monday. These speeches include the one many credit as launching Reagan's political career, his now famous campaign speech for Barry Goldwater's 1964 Presidential bid entitled, "A Time For Choosing." Others include his "Brandenburg Gate" speech, his two Inaugural addresses, six of his State of the Union addresses and his "Farewell Address to the Nation." (read more)

Westwood One and The Associated Press (AP) announced today an agreement in which Westwood One will exclusively represent all AP Radio Ten Second Sponsorship Inventory, effective January 1, 2005 (read more)

Quote from Rush Limbaugh's Thursday Program: "The purpose of armies is not to die. Remember this undeniable truth of life: 'The purpose of armies is to kill people and break things.' Therefore, our United States military is sent by no one 'to die.' The United States military is sent to kill, and win -- and we love them." (read more - visit RushLimbaugh.com)

From Jim Rose Remembers: "Your fantastic KLIF web site (www.historyofklif.com)  kept me up well into the wee hours! Had to force myself to shut it down to get some shut eye! Only scratched the surface! Gonna hit it again tonight when get finished with this! The picture of the KLIF Triangle and front door were so real! Started to head off for my car to go on duty! Brought goose bumps! I just reared back in my chair, stared at the picture on my screen! REMEMBERED when I was there at KLIF! MIKE SELDEN mesmirizrd listeners in PM Drive! MICHAEL O'SHEA was program director! TED AGNEW was the outstanding news director who reeled me in from KBOX!  Those Were the Days, My Friend!"  (read more at Jim Rose Remembers)

Jerry Agar, host of "The Jerry Agar Show," got an interview with the lusted-after Al Franken by grabbing the comedian and liberal talk show host in the halls of the FleetCenter, home of the Democratic National Convention.  Agar is just one of dozens of radio talk show hosts who have been broadcasting from inside the convention this week. He said most of the hosts get their guests by catching them as they walk by or chatting with them after they do other radio shows.   Agar, 49, from Raleigh, N.C., has hosted his show on WPTF for 4 1/2 years  (read more - Abilene Reporter News)

W.W. Wimbish's mini-analysis of the Democratic National Convention Coverage: With 15,000 members of the media and a third of that number of delegates, you'd think that the media could have at least interviewed a few of the delegates instead of using the delegates as an audience and backdrops while they interviewed themselves repeatedly. The media have become, like the Rolling Stones song says, "Star F_ _ _ ers" + Once again the media trivializes news coverage by commenting on the length of a speech, its being rushed, the balloons not dropping, etc. instead of analysis of the content of speeches and difference in the candidates.  Worst moment of the convention? Bill O'Reilly grandstanding in his fake New Yawk accent when he tore into Michael Moore during a moment of "convention tension" on O'Reilly's Fox News Channel show -- Best repetition of talking points? References to John Kerry's not voting for the $87 Billion -- Weirdest Cut? Chris Matthews' breaking into Al Sharpton's speech to say that Sharpton's political career began with a lie, the Tawanna Brawley episode. Best commentary and insight during the convention? Mike Barnicle.  Worst commentary and lack of insight? Joe Scarborough. Best comedy commentator? Triumph the dog  W.W. Wimbish

It looks like the FBI's Boston field office faked a threat of domestic terrorism just before the start of the Democratic National Convention by leaking "unconfirmed" reports of white supremacist groups readying an attack against media vehicles in Boston. Fox News, for one, reportedly was wildly trying to disguise its trucks by covering up its logos. The effect of this probably was to make the press even more suspicious of anti-war demonstrators than it already is—to even view them as possible terrorists, and if not actual terrorists, then a crowd within which terrorists could operate.  All of this is taking place in an atmosphere of fear and tension whipped up by the Bush administration, with its reports of Al Qaeda "sleeping cells" preparing to strike against America in the midst of the presidential campaign (read more - James Ridgeway)

ARBitrends for   Birmingham    Fresno    Indianapolis     Kansas City    Milwaukee   Portland OR   Puerto Rico   Seattle (read 'em)

Radio revenue climbed in June posting a gain of 3% in combined total local and national ad sales compared to June of last year. Local revenue continued to lead, increasing 5% over June of 2003, while the national sector continued to lag, dropping 3% compared to last June. For the 2nd Quarter of 2004, Radio revenue rose 2% in combined total local and national advertising sales when compared to 2nd Quarter of last year. Local business for 2nd Quarter was up 3% over the same quarter from a year ago, and national dollars remained flat (read more)

American Public Media, the nation's second-largest producer of national public radio programs, announced today that it has agreed to supply a package of programs to XM Public Radio, a new channel that will be launched by XM Satellite Radio on September 1. The new XM channel will also include programming from Public Radio International and WBUR, including This American Life, Whad'Ya Know?, On Point and Only a Game. It will also feature a new morning interview program hosted by Bob Edwards (read more) Detailed information about XM Public Radio, including the programming schedule and show descriptions, will be available in mid-August on XM's Web site,  http://www.xmradio.com/publicradio)

XM Satellite Radio will launch a new channel, XM Public Radio (XM Channel 133), featuring programs from Public Radio International (PRI) and its satellite radio subsidiary American Public Radio; American Public Media, the national production and distribution branch of Minnesota Public Radio; and Boston public radio station WBUR.  The new channel is scheduled to debut on September 1.  Former NPR newsman Bob Edwards has joined XM (read more - Washington Post) (read more)

Teresa Heinz Kerry's address to the Democratic convention here was not exactly a smash hit with the Fox News commentators. "Eccentric, bordering on the bizarre. . . . Extremely self-indulgent," said Fred Barnes. "I think she got this slot because she demanded it," said Bill Kristol.  "Stacked up against Laura Bush, she's going to be a very difficult sell," said Mort Kondracke. The reviews weren't much better in the rest of the media. While a few pundits defended Sen. John F. Kerry's wife as refreshingly unorthodox, her moment in the FleetCenter spotlight seemed to crystallize the media portrait of her as a bit of an oddball (read more - Howard Kurtz-Media Notes)

A few weeks after his passing friends of Norm gathered in Napa at the Silverado Country Club for "The Great Goldsmith's Last Hurrah!" We raised a glass to the life and times of one of the world's most lovable duffers.  While Norm is certainly respected for his many and valuable contributions as a management consultant, sales consultant and trainer, he is best remembered as an advocate, a candid maverick and friend to those working in ad supported, measured media (read more - David Martin Blog)

Right Productions Inc., which books the acts for and runs Chene Park, is the latest serious prospective bidder to download the Detroit Public School's proposal to manage its FM station, WRCJ (90.9) + Wayne State's public radio station WDET-FM (101.9) is up for three Radio and Records (R&R) 2004 Triple A Industry Achievement Awards to be presented Aug. 7 in Boulder, Colo. Meanwhile, WRIF-FM (101.1) and its morning ratings titans Drew Lane and Mike Clark are up for two National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Awards to be presented Oct. 7 in San Diego (read more - Detroit Free Press)


ARBitrends for Denver, Columbus OH, Atlanta, Charlotte, Toledo, Orlando, Colorado Springs, West Palm Beach and Miami (read 'em)

A Louisville mother is upset with what she calls porn on the airwaves. Her anger stems from a Louisville radio station s refusal to pull a popular song from its playlist. She claims the song is indecent and kids are listening to it. The song is called "Freak A Leak." And Debbie Mayberry, a mother of four, says it couldn't possibly be "today's best music," which is the kind of music WDJX, the station that plays the so-called "clean" version of the song claims to play. Here's an excerpt from "Freak A Leak" -- and remember, this is the clean version: "Tell me what you want. Do you want it missionary with your feet crammed to the headboard? Do you want it from the back with your face in the pillow so you can yell as loud as you want to?" Mayberry says she was shocked to hear the song on WDJX on her 8 a.m. drive to work. She calls the lyrics "a porno movie in text." WDJX is owned by Radio One. We contacted Vice President Dale Schaefer, who says all its stations play a twice edited version of the song. "We feel we've done everything in terms of in due dilligence to make sure it's as clean a version as we can possibly air." (read more - WAVE 3)

ABC News, Talk Show Hosts Join Forces on Talk Radio Row" --  Seated at a small folding table on the first floor of the Fleet Center, with Democratic operatives rushing past hawking retired governors and former legislators as guests, Mark Davis leans toward his microphone and says, “Go ahead -- you’re on the air.” Talk Radio Row also has room for stations not affiliated with ABC. It provides space and support for some Clear Channel-owned stations that are broadcasting their own hourly newsbreak Even those of the network’s 4,600 2,500 U.S. affiliates that haven’t sent their own talent will benefit from what Chris Berry, president and general manager of WMAL in Washington, D.C., calls “a Chinese menu of options.” (read more and view the photo of Jay Marvin, Danny Davis, Rob Milford and Mark Davis - Media Nation-Boston Globe)

Ryan Seacrest, who launched his recently canceled TV show in January and said he wanted to be the next Dick Clark, shouldn't feel too bad. Of the 17 syndicated talk shows this year, nine were canceled, including those starring Sharon Osbourne, Rikki Lake and Wayne Brady.  In hometown Atlanta, Seacrest's show did well on WAGA-TV, coming in second during May sweeps, topped only by ABC affiliate WSB-TV's "General Hospital." But nationally, he was ranked 10th out of those 17 talk shows, tied with John Walsh and far behind leaders Oprah, Dr. Phil and Regis & Kelly (read more - Peach Buzz)

Don Imus is boiling mad over accusations by his former employee Chef Ron, who claims Deirdre Imus stole his recipes for her book "The Imus Ranch: Cooking for Kids and Cowboys." "This is a guy who went bankrupt on a restaurant in Las Vegas and couldn't spell 'vegetarian,' " Imus ranted on WFAN (read more - NY Post)

The spring ratings are in, but this quarter the celebrations are somewhat muted as the number of stations using radio's top ratings service, Arbitron, starts to slip. But first, the winners: WXKS-FM (107.9) did well in Arbitron's ratings for the period April through June, which were released last week. The Top 40 station was riding the success of the annual "Kiss" concert (this year's 25th-anniversary edition held May 22) (read more - Clea Simon-Boston Globe)

Jacksonville-based Waller Broadcasting could sell several of its East Texas radio stations, including three in Longview, as part of a possible $19 million agreement with a Tyler company. Longview radio stations KYKX, KFRO-AM and KFRO-FM and Tyler radio stations KKUS and KOYE are part of the possible sale to Tyler Texas Radio Partners, said Dudley Waller, owner of Waller Broadcasting (read more - Longview News Journal)

Federal regulators Wednesday began soliciting public comment on whether there is too much violence on television and whether the government should step in. The Federal Communications Commission wants to hear from parents, the television industry and others about the effectiveness of the V-chip and the television ratings system. The FCC also sought public input on what kind of regulation, if any, might be needed. The House Energy and Commerce Committee asked the agency to study the issue. Michael Copps, one of two Democrats on the five-member commission, has railed against indecency for years. "Wanton violence on the people's airwaves has gone unaddressed for too long." The FCC will take public comment for two months and then report to Congress (read more - Houston Chronicle)

Radio One announced today that it has agreed to acquire the assets of radio station WABZ-FM, which is moving to Radio One's existing facilities located in the Charlotte, North Carolina market, for approximately $11.5 million in cash, subject to all necessary approvals. Following the completion of this acquisition, likely during the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company expects to change the call sign and format of the station (read more)

Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. a large- and mid-size market radio broadcaster, today announced operating results for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004. For the three months ended June 30, 2004, consolidated net revenue rose 8.7% to $31.0 million from $28.5 million in the same period of 2003 (read more)

(Rush) Limbaugh's talent ("On loan from God," he jokes) and broadcasting skills made his outrageous conservative advocacy not just palatable but enormously entertaining. The combination of qualities attracted millions of listeners and became the template for turning moribund AM radio stations into profit centers. Talk radio - conservative talk radio - spread through American media like kudzu, spawning a generation of Limbaugh wannabes. By 1996, Limbaugh and his pale imitators had deposited enough ripe compost to assure success for the launch of the like-minded Fox News Channel. The power of the Internet echo chamber extended the reach of their messages and conspiracy theories, and the new medium's easy interactivity created an illusion of influence that subtly intimidated traditional news outlets. Also by 1996, Bill Clinton - considered the incarnation of the profligate counterculture of the 1960s - had become the irresistible, ideal target of these attack dogs, and the president's character defects kept them supplied with plenty of red meat.  But Clinton and his team knew something about attack politics, too, and docility was not in his personality. When the right began its methodical campaign for his impeachment, Clinton did not go quietly, and the failure to remove him from office became an object lesson in aggressive resistance. The right, it turned out, was neither infallible nor invincible (read more - Eric Mink-St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Denver news-talk radio lost a potential strong voice Tuesday when KNRC-AM (1150) was yanked from the airwaves. Potential is the key word here. KNRC, on-air for slightly more than two years, never registered a 1 audience share in any Arbitron ratings report. Tim Brown, CEO of NRC Broadcasting, said he and his staff were aware of the challenges facing KNRC when the station debuted in June 2002 (read more - Dusty Saunders)

Bob Edwards, who recently was removed as host of National Public Radio's Morning Edition after nearly a quarter-century, is leaving the network to start a new morning show for distribution on satellite radio. Edwards' new program will be distributed through the XM Satellite Radio system (read more - USA Today)  (read Tampa Trib)

Leave it to Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" to offer the best analysis of how TV is covering the Democratic National Convention this week. "I'll be here on the floor all week," intoned Ed Helms, "senior political correspondent" for the nightly fake newscast, "ignoring the content of speeches to ask inappropriate questions about Teresa Heinz Kerry's behavior and to show irrelevant, embarrassing pictures of the candidates." (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

Radio One, Inc. today reported its results for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. Net broadcast revenue was approximately $86.2 million, an increase of 7% from the same period in 2003. Operating income was approximately $39.2 million, an increase of 11% from the same period in 2003. Station operating income(1) was approximately $48.0 million, an increase of 11% from the same period in 2003 (read more)

Focus on the Family founder and chairman Dr. James C. Dobson dedicates his entire radio broadcast Thursday to countering the misleading statements made by Ron Reagan during his Tuesday night Democratic National Convention speech on stem-cell research. "Ron Reagan's comments cannot be left unchallenged -- yet that is precisely what the media has allowed to happen," Dobson said. "Somebody needs to speak the truth to the thousands of Americans who have heard Reagan's misleading statements and been allowed to think that destroying embryonic human life is going to cure them. It is not." That point is compellingly made during Thursday's broadcast by Dobson and Walter L. Larimore, M.D., Focus on the Family's physician in residence. They discuss in detail the medical limitations of embryonic stem-cell research (read more)

ZeoRadio adds Tech Minute to lineup: Bringing technology to the listeners with fun and insight, computer marketing expert Cosmo delivers an informative, fun filled minute of what's new and exciting (read more at Zeo Radio)

ABC NightLine: When you read that members of the media outnumber delegates at this week's Democratic Convention by 6 to 1, you figure someone has got to care about what is going on there, right? Or are so many members of the press there because the media world is getting more and more fragmented? Do we only go to a news source that we think will comport with what we already believe? Does that explain multiple cable channels, local coverage, and even the much talked about "bloggers" who are getting official recognition at the convention? (visit ABC NightLine)

Longtime radio personality Sherman Kaplan is retiring from WBBM-AM Newsradio 780 after 35 years with the station. The 63-year-old co-host of the “Noon Business Hour” leaves at the end of August (read more - Chicago Biz)

The BBC upheld a complaint against one of its commentators for describing an altercation between rugby players as a “gay slap”. Brian Moore, a former England International, made the comment about an ineffectual blow delivered during a Six Nations Grandstand game this year. Ten viewers complained about the phrase, aired during February’s Scotland v England game, saying it reinforced stereotypes about gay people (read more - The Scotsman)

Denver television executive Terry Brown has been named executive director of Vail Valley Community Television, a local community access channel. A New York native, Brown began work with Channel 5 on July 19. Brown was vice president and general manager of Denver's KTVD-TV from 1991 to 1999. Brown, who lives in Edwards, moved to the Vail Valley following his retirement from KTVD in 1999 (read more - Vail Daily News)

Saga Communications, Inc. reported net income of $4.9 million ($.23 per fully diluted share) for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 compared to $4.2 million ($.20 per fully diluted share) for 2003. For the quarter ended June 30, 2004, net operating revenue increased 10.5% over the comparable period in 2003 to approximately $35.1 million (read more)

The staffs of Greeneville radio stations WGRV-AM and WIKQ-FM have been working feverishly since Sunday night to repair serious damage inflicted on the stations’ equipment by lightning (read more - Greeneville Sun)


The ongoing government crusade against broadcast indecency has had a "chilling effect" on at least two of Chicago's most free-wheeling radio personalities. Despite their reputations as uninhibited raconteurs, afternoon hosts Steve Dahl and Mike North, the stars of Infinity Broadcasting's WCKG-FM (105.9) and WSCR-AM (670), respectively, acknowledge that they're under increasing pressure to censor themselves for fear of crossing a line they can't even discern (read more - Feder of Chicago)

"On Air With Ryan Seacrest" is going off the air, permanently. Seacrest was unable to turn his visibility as host of Fox's "American Idol" into success for the talk and music show, and low ratings led Twentieth Television on Tuesday to announce the end of production (read more - Washington Post) (read ABC News) (read more - Reuters) (read E-Online)

With its no-insults-barred attacks on politicians, celebrities and whoever happens to have the misfortune of making the news, CHOI-FM has never been music to the ears of the mighty or famous in Quebec city. But the controversial "shock radio" station, which the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission plans to take off the air Aug. 31, has started to win support from some of Quebec's most influential politicians (read more - Toronto Star) (read more - The Globe and Mail)

Television viewership for the first night of the Democratic convention was down on ABC and NBC compared to four years ago, but the comparison may not be completely fair. Both networks had just under six million viewers four years ago but may have gained an audience from CBS, which aired only highlights of the convention during a newsmagazine then.  During the same 10 p.m. ET hour, CNN averaged 2.54 million viewers, Fox News Channel had 1.44 million viewers and MSNBC had 1.10 million, Nielsen said (read more -  Gadsden Times) (read Richard Huff - NY Daily News)

Fox News Channel's mud-wrestler-in-chief Bill O'Reilly finally got one of the left's biggest mud-wrestlers, Michael Moore, to take him on. The terms were simple: No editing of the interview, and Moore got to ask a question after each one he answered. The bottom line: Moore thinks George W. Bush lied about the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Saddam Hussein's Iraq, while O'Reilly thinks the president just got bad advice. If you're a fan of O'Reilly's, you'll likely think he bested Moore. If you're on the other side of the political spectrum, you'll say Moore scored a victory. But if you're in the middle, you'll think it was just two guys arguing (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

Denver radio station KNRC 1150 AM News Radio has gone off the air. On Tuesday, the company that owns the station, NRC Broadcasting, Inc. issued a statement explaining their decision to pull the plug. "Unfortunately we found that the station was unable to attract enough of a listener base over the past two years to continue operating," it said (read more - Denver Post) (read more - Rocky Mountain News) (read more - 9 News)

My ship has come in. My lottery ticket has paid off. My eagle has landed. Through an accident of timing, I've now been interviewed for the "Daily Show." Two possibilities loom large. One is that they will slice and dice my remarks and make me look like an utter buffoon. The other is that they won't use the interview at all. I wonder which would be worse (read more - Howard Kurtz-Media Notes)

Former Lima talk-show host Ric Bratton was sentenced yesterday to 30 days in jail for theft. Judge Warren placed Bratton on community control for four years and ordered him to perform 480 hours of community service and pay court costs. Bratton, who had a long-running show on WLIO-TV and ran his own company, was charged with failing to pay for $21,000 in newspaper advertising for a client and using the money for other purposes (read more - Toledo Blade)

Franken walked into a media blitz Monday night when he, filmmaker Michael Moore and Jesse Jackson strolled in through the main entrance doors of the FleetCenter. An out-of-breath Franken said the youth of America will hold one of the crucial keys to this year’s tightly contested presidential election (read more - the Herald News)

Arthur Crier worked for many years with the people of the Bronx, and he also sang the music of the Bronx, especially 1950s-style vocal group harmony. So it was fitting that for many years he often dropped in at a Bronx radio station, WFUV (90.7 FM) at Fordham, to help spread the music through the "Group Harmony Review," the long-running show heard at midnight Saturdays with Dan Romanello. This Saturday, Romanello has the sad task of announcing Arthur Crier died last Thursday, 69, of a heart attack (read more - David Hinckley)

Wayne Gregory, a longtime classical music announcer for public radio station WEKU-FM, died of an apparent heart attack Monday at Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center. He was 65. Gregory worked at the Eastern Kentucky University radio station for 18 years, hosting programs such as Afternoon Classics. He was to have retired officially on Friday, and his final time on the air was last Friday. He was taking vacation time this week, according to the station (read more - Lexington Herald Leader)

Westwood One, Inc. today reported operating results for the second quarter, ended June 30, 2004. Net revenues for the second quarter of 2004 were $139.6 million compared with $132.7 million for the second quarter of 2003, an increase of approximately $6.9 million, or 5%. Net revenue gains were led by an 8% increase in national commercial advertisements and a 3% increase in local/regional commercial advertisements (read more)

Clear Channel Entertainment Television has reached an agreement with the nonprofit group Citizens Helping Heroes Inc. to produce a benefit concert this fall to raise money for the families of soldiers injured or killed in Iraq and Afghanistan (read more - San Antonio Biz Journal)

ARBitrends for Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Buffalo, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Tampa (read 'em)

All Comedy Radio, the Hollywood-based radio network, announced that legendary radio veteran Dan Mason joins ACR as consultant and advisor. Mr. Mason, a thirty-year radio pro will advise All Comedy Radio on operational and strategic matters within the company. Mason, upon retiring from the position of President of Infinity Broadcasting, has been serving in advisory roles to a selective and elite group of companies in the radio industry. He will work directly with co-founder and CEO Michael O’Shea and his team to help build upon the success of All Comedy Radio, America’s fastest growing radio network, with over 80 affiliates in the US, Canada and South Africa. In addition to his position with Infinity, Mr. Mason was also the President of CBS Radio, Group W Radio and Cook Inlet radio (visit AllComedyRadio)

When the largest blackout to hit the Brazos Valley in decades struck last year, city and county emergency management teams faced a big hurdle in trying to communicate with residents about what was going on. With many telephone systems shut down and several commercial radio stations without backup power, no one seemed to know what transpired, College Station Councilman Dennis Maloney recalled Tuesday. But a new AM radio station expected to be operated in conjunction with Bryan, College Station and Brazos County could help in preventing such a communication breakdown in the future (read more - The Eagle)

In her comprehensive industry report titled "Radio With Altitude: The Promise and Potential of Satellite Radio," analyst Alissa Goldwasser wrote that "satellite radio is transitioning from big risk to big time." "With 2.6 million subscribers at the end of June 2004, satellite radio is bridging the span from a speculative technology with unproven demand to a high-margin business with broad, enthusiastic consumer acceptance. We believe it is early enough in the business' life cycle for investors to capitalize on tremendous expected growth, but late enough to better gauge the economics of the business." (read more)

I was going to talk about Fox News's coverage of Al Gore's speech, but the fair-and-balanced network blew off the former veep's speech in favor of Bill O'Reilly. O'Reilly interrupted his segment to toss to the Gore address for about 40 seconds, then started to rebut Gore. When Jimmy Carter took the podium, Fox joined it late and got out way early. Instead, viewers were treated to an interview with Republican activist Bill Bennett. While Carter was talking, Sean Hannity told Bennett: "I call this the reinvention convention. One of the things the Democrats want to do is create a false perception of who they are." How would Fox fans know, since they weren't able to hear Gore (the man who won the popular vote last time) or former president Carter? What happened to "we report, you decide"? While Carter continued, Hannity played the video of Teresa Heinz Kerry telling a reporter to "shove it."  This is the kind of thing that makes critics question whether Fox has a Republican agenda (read more - Washington Post-Howard Kurtz-Media Notes)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Route 81 Radio, which owns and operates six local radio stations - including Lite 92.7-FM and Oldies 97.7-FM - recently announced plans to relocate its main studio facilities, sales and administrative offices to Market Street (read more - The Leader)


WABC morning cohost Curtis Sliwa started a mob-induced vacation yesterday while his comrades back in the studio alternately explained that his temporary exile is very serious and, well, sort of funny. Sliwa's absence also triggered a lively debate among listeners whether WABC (770 AM) was manufacturing more drama than actually may exist. Sliwa left town Friday after the indictment of John Gotti Jr. for trying to have long-time Gotti critic Sliwa bumped off in 1992. Sliwa had heavy police protection during Friday's show and he said yesterday it was "uncomfortable for everyone." (read more - David Hinckley)

You have to hand it to the CRTC. Not many government agencies can bring 50,000 angry people into the streets. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission clearly struck a nerve when it rescinded the licence of Quebec City's CHOI-FM for broadcasting a few off-colour remarks on the radio (read more - The Globe and Mail)

Pity the poor delegates, who are chiefly roaring human backdrops and are outnumbered 6 to 1 this year by the 15,000 media members. And pity further the poor party types who are charged with the care and feeding of the horde. "For the most part they are very reasonable," said Peggy Wilhide, communications director of the Democratic National Convention. She has to make sure that everyone from Dan Rather to the reporting crew from the World Wrestling Entertainment is properly credentialed and situated. "I would say that occasionally, someone becomes, ah, difficult, but then we all do when we are tired and frustrated." (read more - NY Times)

Impressed with a tasty sandwich, Oprah Winfrey decided to invest in the Art Cafe and Bakery. "It turns out this was the most expensive sandwich I've ever had," Winfrey said Sunday after a restaurant photo shoot for the October issue of her magazine, O. A few weeks ago, Winfrey ate a chicken curry sandwich from the San Luis Obispo, Calif., cafe and was overwhelmed. She offered to buy the place. Less than 24 hours later, the talk-show host sent cafe owner and chef Margaux Sky a check -- the amount wasn't disclosed. The two had never met, and Winfrey hadn't even seen the cafe (read more - Indy Star)

WFUV (90.7 FM) has begun digital transmission - a technological step that doesn't affect the average listener now, but points to a future where, in a few years, many or even most broadcasts will offer CD-quality sound. The shift from analog to digital signals - known as "high definition" or HD Radio - got an even bigger boost last week when Clear Channel, which owns 1,200 radio stations, said it will convert 1,000 of them to digital, with almost all major market outlets on line by 2007. In New York, Clear Channel owns WAXQ, WHTZ, WLTW, WKTU, WWPR and WALK on the Island. "Digital transmission means your radio broadcast sounds like a CD," says Ralph Jennings, general manager of WFUV. "It's a difference you will notice." (read more - NY Daily News-David Hinckley)

Stop the presses: Carol Marin, a Chicago broadcasting icon and one of the city's most honored and respected journalists, is joining the Sun-Times as a political columnist + Jim Avila, who signed off in January after eight years as Chicago-based national correspondent for NBC News, has been hired by ABC News (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Searching for a way to describe Hillary Clinton's popularity with Democrats, ABC News anchor Peter Jennings said last night, as the crowd at the FleetCenter in Boston cheered her, "Senator Clinton is a rock star." Maybe so, but guess who was about to come out there and set the Democratic National Convention on its ear: a veritable combination of Elvis, the Beatles, James Brown and Bruce Springsteen put together. There he was, huger than life: Bill Clinton, who after his introduction by his wife raced breathlessly through what seemed a 40-minute speech crammed into about 25 and got the 2004 presidential race roaringly underway. He was just plain magnificent (read more - Tom Shales-Washington Post)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Down on the ground level of the FleetCenter, right where the commuter trains normally disgorge their passengers into North Station, Ed Schultz is doing his show from 2:00 to 6:00 every afternoon. One of the new breed of liberal talkers, Schultz, who's based in Fargo, North Dakota, landed a national syndication deal in January and is now heard on 37 stations across the country. That hardly puts him in the same universe as Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity, but it's not a bad start. "If we keep up this pace, we'll break Limbaugh's record of 54 stations in his first year," Schultz said (read The New Republic)  (read Dallas News)

ARBitrends for Cincinnati, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and St. Louis (read 'em)

All of the local stations will be covering the Democratic convention this week in Boston, MA. WPVI is sending Vernon Odom and Dann Cuellar. KYW is sending Colette Cassidy. WTXF is sending Bruce Gordon. CN8 is sending Arthur Fennell and Laura Jones and Lynn Doyle will host "It's Your Call" from Boston. WPHL is using Tribune reporter Grant Rampy and WCAU is using NBC pool reporters (read Laura Nachman - Philly Burbs)

Update on changes at DFW's 990 Mainstreet Radio: Dan Lewis moves to 5-9 am and Imus is cradled in the 2-5 am slot (visit Dan Lewis/990 Mainstreet Radio)

In an era when the "mix" radio format combining old (or at least slightly old-ish, eighties or nineties rock) with new music seems in vogue, Toronto FM station Q107 entrenched itself deeper in the classic rock genre yesterday by announcing that veteran Canadian rocker Kim Mitchell will be its new afternoon host starting Aug. 9. Theirs is a belief that older is better. When morning man John Derringer made the announcement yesterday, he described Mitchell as a "heritage act," adding that "we have been playing his music both with his original band [Max Webster] and his solo stuff since the station went on the air in the summer of 1977." (read more - The Globe and Mail)

Kim Jeffries is no longer broadcasting on radio station WCCO-AM 830. A longtime Twin Cities radio personality, who most recently served as host of WCCO's "Midday Live," Jeffries stopped broadcasting on the station as of last week, said Wendy Paulson, spokeswoman. Reached at home, Jeffries said the switch was not her choice (read more - Star Tribune)  (read more - Minn/St Paul Biz Journal)

In the late 1960s, when Turner Communications was a business of billboards and radio stations and I was spending much of my energy ocean racing, a UHF-TV station came up for sale in Atlanta. It was losing $50,000 a month and its programs were viewed by fewer than 5 percent of the market.  I acquired it. When I moved to buy a second station in Charlotte – this one worse than the first – my accountant quit in protest, and the company's board vetoed the deal. So I mortgaged my house and bought it myself. The Atlanta purchase turned into the Superstation; the Charlotte purchase – when I sold it 10 years later – gave me the capital to launch CNN (read Ted Turner - AlterNet)

Teresa Heinz Kerry, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, said Tuesday she didn't regret having told a journalist to "shove it," telling NBC News that the man had misrepresented what she had said and was pestering her. Asked if she had any regrets, Heinz Kerry said, "No, I don't." "I say what I believe," she added on NBC's "Today" show. "I really wanted him to back off ... and so I defended myself, wouldn't you?" ... When Teresa Heinz Kerry told him to "shove it," Colin McNickle almost laughed in her face. The paper - which in the mid-1990s notoriously promoted the theory that Clinton White House lawyer Vince Foster's suicide was really a sinister murder plot to protect the political interests of Bill and Hillary - is owned by reclusive right-wing billionaire Richard Mellon Scaife.Has Scaife phoned to give his employee an "attaboy?"  "I haven't talked to him about it," McNickle answered. "But I do have regular contact with Mr. Scaife."  (read more - MSNBC) (read more - Lloyd Grove-NY Daily News)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Dunedin's WLVU (1470 AM) switched over from business talk to full-time ESPN sports last week. While not a huge competitor for WDAE's (620 AM) 50,000-watt sports station, WLVU airs some of the programs that were kicked off WQYK (1010 AM, now WBZZ) to make room for Howard Stern's Tampa arrival (read more - Radio Babe Dawn Scire)

Blogging is making a breakthrough into what had been a realm of mainstream American journalism. More than 30 bloggers are covering this week's Democratic National Convention, a first for the popular keepers of online journals. The move by politicians to embrace bloggers has been called groundbreaking, but given the increasing visibility of blogs, it may have been inevitable (read more - Star-Telegram)

Filmmaker Michael Moore is bringing his blockbuster documentary “Fahrenheit 9/11” to President Bush’s adopted hometown — and has invited the film’s star to attend. When it appeared that no movie theater in the president’s home county would show the anti-Bush documentary, Moore promised a copy to the Crawford Peace House, a facility for seminars, meetings, or workshops dedicated to peace (read more - MSNBC)

ARBitrends for Akron, Baltimore, Cleveland, Fredericksburg VA, Hartford, Springfield MA, Washington DC (read 'em)

Thomas R. Ranker, general manager and vice president of local radio stations WSBA, WARM and WSOX, died of a heart attack Friday. He was 56. A York native, Ranker graduated from West York High School in 1966, then attended Shippensburg University (read more - York Dispatch)

David Pearlman, head of Triple Play Partners, a Lexington, Mass. based entertainment company, and a former senior vice president of Infinity Broadcasting, purchased a controlling interest in the Baysox, the Delmarva Shorebirds and the Frederick Keys teams from previous owner Comcast-Spectator (read more - Washington Times)  (read more - Gazette.net)

Texas Instruments Incorporated and iBiquity Digital Corporation announced the availability of two new single-chip HD Radio basebands -- one offering HD Radio technology and the other combining HD Radio technology with analog AM/FM. Depending on their design approach, designers can choose either of the new digital basebands from TI to provide them with the industry's lowest cost solution for building an HD Radio receiver (read more)

Alpine, Texas Public radio may be coming to the remote West Texas town of Alpine. The Desert-Mountain Institute has hired a consultant to gauge the interest in an N-P-R radio station for the Davis Mountains and Big Bend. The arts institute is an Alpine nonprofit. The Odessa American reports a Baltimore-based public radio consultant is in the area this week to talk with potential supporters. Desert-Mountain Institute also will hire a consulting engineer to look at possible availability of stations (read more - KLTV TV)

Kerry Favored Over Bush Among Hispanics 60%-32%; 12% of Hispanics Believe Their Vote Not Counted Accurately, New Zogby International Survey Reveals -- Massachusetts Senator John Kerry holds a twenty-eight point lead over President George W. Bush among likely Hispanic voters, according to a new Miami Herald/ Zogby International Poll. The telephone poll of 1003 Hispanic American likely voters was conducted from Thursday July 15 through Tuesday July 20, 2004 (read more - Zogby Poll) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Talk radio stations are a lot more excited about the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions this year than news stations. That will be evident on the air as the Democrats gather this week in Boston. All-news WINS (1010 AM) and WCBS-AM (880) are each sending just one reporter to Boston, letting their networks handle the scheduled news as it rolls out (read more - David Hinckley)

Carl Cameron’s hard-boiled choir-boy look and crisp on-air news stand-ups don’t make him the kind of West Side Highway billboard-ready face of Fox News that Bill O’Reilly is. Instead, Mr. Cameron is the guy Fox shoves out when they need to produce a good old-fashioned, non-ideological reporter. Just call John Kerry’s people, insisted Rupert Murdoch’s publicity team. They love Carl. "We feel that Carl has been very fair to us," said Stephanie Cutter, Mr. Kerry’s chief spokeswoman. "And I’ve enjoyed working with him." That’s probably what Eisenhower’s press secretary said about the correspondent from Izvestia. "I am—and I think all of Fox is—very grateful that the Kerry campaign has seen fit to work closely with us," said Mr. Cameron (read more - NY Observer)

Clear Channel Entertainment has announced the appointment of Miles Wilkin to Chief Operating Officer for the company, effective October 1, 2004. Wilkin assumes administrative and operational responsibility for the company's divisions and assets. Wilkin's tenure with the company dates back to his role as Chairman and Founder of Pace Theatrical Group, which he led to become one of the largest theatrical organizations in North America. Under Clear Channel Entertainment, he has served as Chairman of CCE-Theatrical Worldwide and Chairman of CCE-Europe, and as well as Executive Vice President of the company with responsibility for theatrical, sports, motor sports, exhibitions and corporate initiatives (read more)

"I was here when your father came here," a middle-aged beer-drinker told MSNBC correspondent and featured Democratic convention speaker Ron Reagan. "Your father was a good man - a great man," another patron declared. A different drinker offered: "A lot of politicians are trying to lay claim to the legacy of your father. But around here, that's not a good legacy to lay claim to." Whatever. The late President Ronald Reagan's 46-year-old son - these days the archenemy of another President's son - smiled and nodded agreeably. He long ago accommodated himself to the out-of-body weirdness of such encounters (read more - Lloyd Grove)


Exiled radio bad-boys Opie & Anthony say they're ready to apologize for the "Sex in St. Pat's" stunt that cost them their top-rated show two years ago. But not to whom you might expect.  In an exclusive interview with The Post after 23 months of virtual media silence, "O&A" called Howard Stern a "hypocrite," railed against "indecency hysteria" that has filled radio with "scared" drones and sounded optimistic about a return to the air Oct. 1 - probably via satellite radio (read more - NY Post)

As Clear Channel Communications gobbled up companies to create the nation's largest radio station owner, it also became one of the most-hated media giants in the country. Critics called it names like "Cheap Channel" and the "Evil Empire.''  But John Hogan, CEO of Clear Channel Radio, says the culture at the radio giant has changed since he took the helm almost two years ago. "We had to learn how we were going to operate," Hogan said. "There wasn't a blueprint. We were the first group to own this many radio stations" ... In addition to lackluster ads, the radio industry finds itself in an increasingly competitive environment. New electronic devices, such as Apple's iPod, have become like portable radios for people, without the commercials. The changes in the radio industry mean Clear Channel must continue to innovate, Hogan said. Along those lines, Clear Channel expects to convert hundreds of its stations to digital radio, he said. It also has an ownership stake in XM, a satellite radio station operator, but Hogan doesn't think the future is satellite radio. Today, satellite radio has 2 million subscribers, while Clear Channel reaches more than 180 million listeners weekly. But it's never good to take the competition for granted, Hogan said. "Our company today is poised for greatness,'' Hogan said. "But the greatness will have to be engineered. It will have to be  created. It's not just going to happen.''  (read L.A. Lorek - San Antonio Express-News)

Starting today (Monday), you can watch LIVE Gavel-to-Gavel webcasts from the Democratic National Convention (click here to go there)

Abby Goldstein, 42, has been around the Dallas radio scene for the better part of 15 years now, becoming one of the market's most recognizable and popular voices. Much of her career has been spent at Dallas' public station, KERA-FM (90.1), where she is radio program director. These days, most of her work happens behind the scenes. But Ms. Goldstein is still on the air Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m. as host of KERA's Lone Star Saturday Night, the Tex-centric music show she launched two years ago. She had created a similar show during a previous Dallas stint as a DJ at "The Zone," KKZN-FM (93.3), in 1997 ... legendary Austin producer-musician Lloyd Maines told her: "All the Texas musicians want to come here, Abby. They think if they get to play your show, they've made it." (read more - Dallas News)

From Chuck Dunaway's "The Radio Diaries" -- Stan Wilson: One day I received an urgent wire from ABC reading in essence:"Cancel local sponsorship of Paul Harvey News by Farley-Williams Gin immediately.  ABC does not permit sponsorship of its  co-op programs by Alcoholic Beverages!"  ... Bill Young: I fell in love with the production room.  It became the best of radio for me...every project began with a blank palette.  Most often, I was simply given a "fact sheet" so the copy could be ad-libbed or written to fit all the other elements in the spot.   I was given the time to create and enough positive input to grow ... KOIL had already built a history of top talent with such "KOIL GOOD GUYS" as Roger W. Morgan, "Real" Don Steele, Gary Owens, Fred Winston, Kris Eric Stevens, Gary Gears, and a great staff at the time that included Bob Wilson and Sandy Jackson and the most incredible "production" man I had ever met...his name was Steve Brown (read more - www.chuckdunaway.com)

Dubbo radio announcer Leo de Kroo has become an unwitting witness in a local shooting murder after being contacted by a man shortly after the incident. One man is dead, another critically wounded and a third is recovering in Dubbo Base Hospital after being shot on an Arthurville property near Geurie on Friday night. Mr de Kroo said the man, whom he knew "quite well" but couldn't name for legal reasons, called him about an hour and a half after the shooting (read the Daily Liberal Australia)

From Claude Hall Online: One guy who could cook and, in fact, was a gourmet chef was L. David Moorhead (KMET, WOKY, etc.).  Barbara and I spent a couple of days one Christmas with him in Los Angeles at a place he'd rented in the San Fernando Valley.  He cooked for two days! + an e-mail from Novella Smith Cromer, novellasmith@yahoo.com: "I'm Novella Smith. You found me. Or rather I found you, when my husband Googled me and turned up your article. It has been a long time ago and I can't remember a lot of what happened but sent you looking for Dick Gregory maybe to save your life? Because the gangsters came to take over (The Fair Play Committee, the ones in robes) and all white people were in trouble! They were looking for Jerry Wexler! (read more at www.claudehallonline.com)

RealNetworks Inc. says it has created technology that allows songs purchased through its online music services to be played on Apple Computer Inc.'s popular iPod player, just a few months after complaining that Apple was rebuffing attempts to form an alliance. The new system, called Harmony Technology, will let people securely transfer music bought using RealNetworks' music download services to an iPod or virtually any other portable music player (read more - NY Post)

In the wake of conditions it attached to the distribution of Al-Jazeera, the Arabic satellite network, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is under fire from across the political spectrum. Having suggested in these pages something only slightly different, you can count me in the CRTC's corner. (In truth, I'd have preferred a series of graduated fines to persuade CHOI to clean up its act, but the CRTC does not have this power) (read Norman Spector - The Globe and Mail)

"Fast Eddie" Coyle, returns to full-time Fort Worth-Dallas duties as morning guy on KEGL/97.1 FM "Sunny 97.1." Coyle has done gigs at several area stations -- including KEGL, back in the late '80s-early '90s, when it was a Top 40 station. His most recent was a weekend stint at KLUV/98.7 FM + more (read Robert Philpot - Star-Telegram)

The adjective most commonly associated with schlock jock Howard Stern's radio program is "vulgar." After listening to one morning's worth, I firmly believe the word most descriptive of the show is "boring." Older, hard-of-hearing listeners will find it hard to understand what's being said on the show. Stern and his sidekicks in the studio frequently all talk at once. The effect is like being in a bar or restaurant and having to endure the harsh gaiety from that inevitable table of overserved loudmouths (read more James Howard Gibbons - Houston Chronicle)

Recent attacks on Fox News Channel by liberals — most notably by the documentary Outfoxed — have actually helped ratings, according to the network. Fox's total viewer numbers are up 13% since July 8 over the same period last year; CNN is up 1%, with MSNBC down 9% (read Peter Johnson - USA Today)

The wacky gang from Comedy Central's "Daily Show" will be doing special convention editions Tuesday through Friday at 10 p.m. + Washington, D.C., cybergossip Ana Marie Cox - the face behind www.wonkette.com - offers an arch perspective on the convention on MTV this week. While she'll do some on-air stuff that has yet to be scheduled, you'll also be able to find her at www.mtv.com (read more - Tim Cuprisin)

Before taking its next commercial break, Fox News Channel offered a glimpse of the Democratic presidential running mates in action. Seen tossing around a football, John Edwards passed it to John Kerry, who, only a few yards away, dropped it. Then, picking up the ball, Kerry threw it back to Edwards. He dropped it. This fleeting comic sequence -- which might as well have been subtitled FOX NEWS ALERT: DEMOCRATS FUMBLE -- is typical of what Fox News Channel employs as "Fair & Balanced" journalism. It aired last Tuesday, by chance also the day a documentary premiered that slammed Fox News Channel for right-wing bias and Bush administration cheerleading (read Centre Daily Times)

Al Franken has developed a successful career as a comedian and writer for ''Saturday Night Live" and in Hollywood. Earlier this year he took to the radio airwaves as a liberal alternative to conservative talk shows. Here's an edited version of answers he gave Media Nation's Seth Effron. Where do you think your listeners are getting their information about public affairs and the political debate? They are getting [more of their] information from blogs than [Rush] Limbaugh's listeners or [Bill] O'Reilly's listeners -- probably because they are a lot younger (read more Boston Globe)

For four decades, the nominating conventions served as great gladiator coliseums for the three old-line networks and their anchors. The conventions were where they went all out to be the first to break news over several hours of broadcast television coverage. But in separate interviews in New York last week, as they were preparing once again for one of their highest-profile roles presiding in their high-tech booths, the three anchors seemed oddly diminished (read more - NY Times)

Among the international media covering the Democratic National Convention, one name sticks out: Al-Jazeera, the Arab satellite news channel accused by the Bush administration of anti-U.S. bias. Perhaps symbolic of its growing influence, Al-Jazeera even has a skybox in the convention hall, along with the American television networks, although it says it was denied a separate sign with its logo (read more - Miami Herald)

Jay Meyers, Senior Vice President of Clear Channel, will serve as Chairperson of RAB2005, the largest gathering of sales and management professionals in the Radio industry.  Presented annually by the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), RAB2005 takes place at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, February 10 to 13, 2005 (read more - RAB)

DFW's 990 Mainstreet Radio goes "live and local" from 5 am til midnight. Imus in the morning moves to become "Imus After Midnight" during the post-midnight, pre-5 am slot (check the full schedule at www.990mainstreet.com)

In terms of its success, Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" is in uncharted territory. By next week it will probably surpass $100 million in domestic box-office revenues, nearly five times as much as the next-highest-grossing documentary feature -- Moore's own "Bowling for Columbine."  In terms of its politics, though, "Fahrenheit" is strictly par for the course. At a time when the right-leaning Fox News Channel leads all cable news channels, when radio airwaves resound with Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, when bookstores are piled high with the pronouncements of Bill O'Reilly and Ann Coulter and Bernard Goldberg, one form of nonfiction narrative remains determinedly liberal: the documentary film (read Tommy Nguyen - Washington Post)

John Kerry narrowly trails President Bush in the battle for the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House, as he makes his case at the Democratic National Convention this week to topple the Republican incumbent. With three months remaining in a volatile campaign, Kerry has 14 states and the District of Columbia in his column for 193 electoral votes. Bush has 25 states for 217 votes, according to an Associated Press analysis of state polls as well as interviews with strategists across the country (read more - Newsday) You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

If you are a bowler who is a regular listener of local sports-talk radio, you probably know that comments regarding our game usually are less than flattering. So, imagine my surprise last week when I heard two of the Professional Bowlers Association's biggest names on an Orlando station (read Barry Farley - Orlando Sentinel)

Lon Simmons, longtime radio broadcaster for the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame Sunday (hear more - NPR)

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. announced that it has signed a definitive asset purchase agreement to sell its suburban Chicago radio stations WDEK-FM, WKIE-FM and WKIF-FM to Newsweb Corporation for $28 million in cash.  The sale is subject to FCC approval and is expected to close in the fourth quarter (read more)

Former Boca Raton chiropractor and syndicated radio host Bruce Eric Hedendal pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and agreed to pay at least $718,000 in restitution.  Hedendal, 57, faces up to five years in prison after Friday's plea in federal court, but the prosecution agreed to drop two other counts (read more - Gainesville Sun)

At 567 pages, The 9/11 Commission Report rocketed to the top of Amazon.com's best-seller list last week because it was big news. But it deserves to be there. The commission has produced one of the most riveting, disturbing and revealing accounts of crime, espionage and the inner workings of government ever written. Even for obsessive historians who have vacuumed up every available fact and theory about 9/11, the report provides a trove of rich new details. The chapters on how the government tracked and dealt with the threat from al-Qaeda before 9/11 fascinate and dispirit. Ten missed opportunities are identified — four during the Clinton era, six in Bush's first eight months — and each leaves the reader wondering, What if? Late in his presidency, Clinton mused out loud in a meeting that "it would scare the s___ out of al-Qaeda if suddenly a bunch of black ninjas rappelled out of helicopters into the middle of their camp" (read more - Time Magazine)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

The first sentence of Bob Edwards' book about Edward R. Murrow says: "Egbert Roscoe Murrow was born on April 24, 1908, at Polecat Creek in Guilford County, North Carolina." Several times Edwards raises the obvious "What Would Murrow Do?" refrain. For example, when summarizing his criticism of the sensationalism of cable television, Edwards asks, "How could Murrow do a program on education if his cable bosses insisted he talk with 'experts' about the woman who killed her husband by driving the family car over his cheating carcass three times?" (read more - Houston Chronicle)

From Chicago Ed -- The Air & Water show will be carried live on WBBM-AM 780 Saturday and Sunday August 21st and 22nd from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Radio reporters cover the event from the beach, boats, and high-rises. Sunday evening August 22nd following the evening news WLS TV will present a 30 minute highlight program featuring the jets, the boats, and "death defying" stunts. Two of the most popular airborne performance groups star in this 46th edition of America's largest drawing air & water thrill show. The US Navy Blue Angels precision flying team will headline along with the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team (read more at www.chicagoed.com)

The liberal talk network Air America, heard locally on WLIB (1190 AM), is adding Mike Malloy, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. weeknights, starting Aug. 2. Air America President Jon Sinton also says the network is adding another "major California affiliate" early next month, and "chances are very good" it will find affiliates soon in Los Angeles and Chicago. Sinton says he thinks the flurry of stories about instability at the fledgling network "are pretty much behind us now. ... We're focused on making this work, and it's happening." (read David Hinckley-NY Daily News)

Static continues to drown out the radio biz. Clear Channel Communications - the country's largest radio chain whose New York stations include KTU and Z100 - said its profit rose a measly 1% in the past quarter because of slack radio ad sales (read more - Phyllis Furman-NY Daily News)

While the Federal Communications Commission cracks down on radio shock jocks across the country, the agency doesn't have the capability to listen in on Spanish-language stations that engage callers in explicit sex talk or broadcast disparaging ethnic remarks. A few weeks ago, for example, the popular Spanish-language morning radio show, Otro Día, on Casselberry-based Salsa 1030 AM (WONQ), aired callers imitating sexual acts and ethnic slurs aimed at Mexicans and blacks (read more - Orlando Sentinel)

Radio talk show host Dave Ross has signed off for the duration of his run for Congress, but he may not be done working in the media. "This may not be my last show,” he said. “I mean, let's just be up front about this…I'm going on a leave of absence and anything could happen." Ross left KIRO News Radio 710 so he can run for the 8th District congressional seat (read more - KING 5-TV)

The oldest local AM radio station in the area, which broadcast Orson Welles' well-known "The War of the Worlds" in 1938, these days is sending out cutting edge information for and about Catholics over the airwaves. Relevant Radio started airing about one year ago over WKBH 1570 AM and already is gaining a local following, said Jack Socha, station manager.  "Their motto is to bridge the gap between faith and everyday life, and that's exactly what they're doing" (read more - LaCrosse Tribune)

Rhino Records, the label famed for its exhaustive reissues and boxed sets, and XM Satellite Radio are teaming to produce a wide range of exclusive music and pop-culture specials based on the Rhino catalog. The two companies are developing in-depth programs about Ray Charles, the Monkees, the Grateful Dead, Elvis Costello, Aretha Franklin, Chicago and Dwight Yoakam, among others. Lee Abrams, chief programming officer for XM, says that almost all of its music stations that are not focused on current catalog will air Rhino specials (read more - Reuters)

WIP 610-AM assistant program director Neal Newman has been named the interim program director at the station to take over for 15-year-veteran Tom Bigby, whose last day at WIP is today + Langhorne's Ryan Feldman is moving on to the next round of the reality show "Dream Job" on ESPN. The Temple University sophomore communications major, who also got some training at WBCB 1490-AM, was one of the contestants selected from the open audition in Washington, D.C., this week. This season, ESPN will have two "Dream Job" openings (read more - Laura Nachman-Philly Burbs)

On the heels of a failed negotiation with Infinity Broadcasting Corp., Arbitron Inc. decided to cut the media off from its radio ratings reports in San Antonio and a number of other markets where Infinity Broadcasting has a presence. But mounting pressure from the media has apparently caused international media and marketing research firm Arbitron to back down from such an embargo (read more - MSNBC)


The FCC won't let him be, but satellite radio will. And the airwaves may never be the same again. Eminem's deal with Sirius Satellite Radio to launch a new 24-hour hip-hop channel is more than just a smart business move. Besides boosting Sirius in its battle with more-entrenched rival XM for subscribers, it could go down as a watershed moment in the history of the medium, the tipping point when the pay-radio market went from niche to rich. Howard Stern has said he'll consider switching to satellite when his current contract with Infinity Broadcasting is up in about a year and a half. "I have heard from satellite companies about going to satellite, and I am giving it lots of consideration," Stern said in a CNN/Money article last month (read more - Chicago Tribune - Joe Knowles)

From Kent Burkhart's "I Was There" series -- Stan Kaplan is one of the best radio sales people of all time!!! Unfortunately, he is no longer with us. I first heard of Stan while he was managing WIL in St. Louis in the 60’s. His sales reputation was legendary for such a young guy. Everyone in the broadcasting business knew Stan was a sales tiger! For example, Stan and Dick Clark (yep, that one) became the operating gurus for MARS which was a radio syndication company….something NEW in radio those days. It was very successful. MARS marketed one minute well produced (by Bob Whitney) contests (called StarTests) plus a three hour Dick Clark DAILY syndicated radio program ( distributed by reel tape mailed to stations). It was during the MARS days that Stan Kaplan entered my life, and introduced me to his world-class salesmanship (read it all at www.kentburkhart.com)

This year, two very different stations tied for the most listeners in the Boston area: all-news WBZ-AM (1030) and hip-hop station WJMN-FM (94.5). Right behind them in third place was the spring's biggest success story: all-sports station WEEI-AM (850), which also racked up top station honors with the prized 25- to 54-year-old demographic. Springtime wasn't the best of times for most local music stations. The majority stayed flat or even fell below their winter totals. There were some exceptions, however (read more - Dean Johnson-Boston Herald)

CBC/Radio-Canada, Standard Radio Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio announced the appointment of Kevin Shea as CEO for the partners' joint venture to bring satellite radio to  Canada. Shea will oversee the new Canadian controlled company's efforts to obtain a license from the CRTC to offer Canadian subscribers approximately 100 digital audio channels, including over 60 commercial-free music channels and a diverse array of information, sports and other entertainment
programming. The new service will feature Canadian channels from CBC/Radio-Canada and from Standard Radio
(read more)

Scott Thomas takes his WYLL-AM (1160) afternoon show on the road for two weeks, starting Monday. While traveling through the Midwest and East Coast with his family, Thomas will broadcast his show from a 38-foot luxury RV + Another Chicago radio veteran has signed on with WRZA-FM (99.9), the new eclectic music station known as "Nine FM." Mitch Michaels, who's been a top jock on some of Chicago's biggest rockers, will work weekends and fill-in, including from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturdays and from 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays (read more - Feder of Chicago)

Clear Channel Communications Inc. reported results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2004.  The Company reported revenues of $2.5 billion in the second quarter of 2004, a 7% increase over the $2.3 billion reported for the second quarter of 2003. Clear Channel's net income and diluted earnings per share were $253.8 million and $.41 per diluted share during the second quarter of 2004  (read more)  (read Reuters)

After al Qaeda set out in 1999 to deliver a devastating attack on America using hijacked airplanes, only one thing worked right in the nation's defense. According to the final report of the 9/11 commission, only a small band of civilians, strangers to one another -- without benefit of staff meetings, bylaws, uniforms or task forces -- communicating by cell phone with loved ones who happened to be watching TV -- managed to figure out what was going on in time to thwart a guided-missile attack on Washington (read more - Washington Post)  (read more - NY Times)  (download the full report and executive summary)  You'll find this and other "Talk Bites" like it at RDN's sister site, www.talkradiodailynews.com

Ready for the exclusive scoop on the "exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime" private local radio station listener appearance by Sarah McLachlan set for Tuesday? Well, for one thing, there's two of them. One of Q100 and the other on Star 94. So what gives? + With Z93 becoming Dave FM on Wednesday, the station is going without jocks for now. But morning host Mara Davis will be back, says her agent, Norm Schrutt (read more - Peach Buzz)

Texas Radio Hall of Fame voting ends in 5 days on July 28th!  The 2004 Inductees names will be announced around August 10. The 2004 ballot is ready to download and complete if you haven't done so.  Or e-mail and TRHoF will fax you a ballot. The 2004 TRHoF Induction Celebration will be held on Saturday, October 30 in San Antonio! Tickets are now on sale at www.texasradiohalloffame.com ... Better book a super-discounted room today at the Radisson Hill Country Resort while they last at incredibly low rates for Friday and Saturday nights! There's still time for you to become a  voting member for only $15 (click here for details)

For the first time since the departure of Mel Karmazin, the former president, the two new operating officers - Tom Freston, who oversees Paramount Pictures as well as the cable business, and Leslie Moonves, whose responsibilities, along with television, now include the radio unit and outdoor advertising - handled themselves well, and Sumner M. Redstone, the chief executive, seemed pleased with his new team (read more - NY Times)

Reporters Without Borders voiced concern about the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)'s refusal to renew the broadcasting licence of the Quebec radio station CHOIradioX, calling it an "an precedented case of curbing freedom of expression" in the French-speaking Canadian province. "Silencing a station just because of controversial remarks during a daily programme is excessive and amounts to censorship," the worldwide press freedom organisation said (read more - Reporters Without Borders)

KPOI-FM, a well-known and once-influential rock 'n' roll radio station broadcasting at 97.5 on the FM dial, will take on new call letters, becoming known as KHNR-FM in the next few weeks as it changes hands in a transaction awaiting approval from the Federal Communications Commission (read more - Honolulu Advertiser)

A team of Univisión Network executives will undergo training conducted by gay-rights activists in an effort to improve the portrayal of gay and lesbian people on Spanish-language television (read more - Miami Herald)

Tie Domihas filed a $1.65 million lawsuit against an Ottawa sports radio station and an on-air broadcaster for comments that suggested the Toronto Maple Leafs player beat his wife, the Toronto Star reported yesterday (read more - Philly Daily News)

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