Here's the news for 7/3/08. To get today's news emailed directly to your inbox every day, click here.
» King Subs For Bohannon: Talk radio history buffs will recall that Westwood One late-nighter Jim Bohannon was the regular fill-in on Larry King's old radio show until Bohannon eventually took over the nightly slot when King moved to TV in 1993. Tomorrow (7/4) the tables will be turned when King fills-in for "Jimbo" as WW One mines its audio vaults to present an evening of classic King interviews conducted between 1978-1993. Among the heavies you'll hear chatting with "The King" are former Presidents Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, political figures including Barry Goldwater, Tip O'Neil, and Ross Perot and entertainers Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra. The special program airs from 10pm-1am (ET).
» Rush On The Record: In a must-read interview with New York Times reporter Zev Chafets newly re-upped Premiere Radio Networks talk titan Rush Limbaugh opines on politics, his life and career, and the competition. On Michael Savage; "He's not even in my rearview mirror." On Bill O'Reilly; "Somebody's got to say it, the man is Ted Baxter." On Sean Hannity finishing ahead of him in a recent poll by London's Daily Telegraph; "Media polls are not the measure, ratings and revenues are. And it still ain't close." But Limbaugh saves his harshest criticism for liberals. "They are destructive of the institutions and traditions that make this country great." Read the full interview in this Sunday's Times Magazine or online HERE.
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WCTC Flips To Oldies: Longtime morning man Jack Ellery is the sole survivor of the switch from News/Talk to "Good Time Oldies" at the Greater Media New Brunswick, NJ AM. Ellery remains in the 6-10am slot that he's occupied for just about as long as most Central Jersey listeners can remember, but the remainder of the station's local and syndicated Talk shows are history after 16 years in the format. WCTC will continue to broadcast Rutgers University football and men's and women's basketball. Greater Media SVP/Regional Manager Dan Finn characterized the change as a "return to the station's roots" adding, "WCTC was best known for many years as an entertaining music station with legendary personality Jack Ellery in the morning and Rutgers sports. The station has literally come full-circle."
» Cellecast Debuts "Cellegrams": The newly launched service allows listeners of a Talk radio program on Cellecast to easily share memorable comments with friends by phone. When a profound moment is heard, the listener can bookmark and send that precise program clip right from their phone for someone else to hear. Cellecast CEO Andrew Deal says the new service addresses the two biggest goals of every Talk host: How to better engage the audience, and expanding the listener base by word of mouth. "We've created a very simple way to virally share radio in a way that anyone can do, simply by pressing 3 while listening," he says.
» XM Gets First Ever Satcaster Murrow: Earlier this week we noted the many broadcast radio winners of this year's Edward R. Murrow Awards and today we salute XM Satellite Radio for being the recipient of the first-ever Murrow given to a satcaster. Fittingly, veteran broadcaster Bob Edwards is the impetus behind the award for his show's critically acclaimed documentary The Invisible: Children Without Homes. Edwards previously earned a Murrow Award during his long tenure at NPR for his "outstanding contributions to public radio." A special encore presentation of the thought-provoking documentary can be heard July 4, at 8am (ET) on XM Public Radio (channel 133).
» More Music For The 4th: We expand the list we first offered in yesterday's NTS Aircheck Today of songs that will add a red, white and blue feel to your bumper music over the upcoming Independence Day Holiday weekend. Find more songs for the 4th of July and other special occasions in The Green Book of Songs. Check it out HERE.
- Our Country - John Mellencamp
- Pledge Of Allegiance - Lee Greenwood
- Ragged Old Flag - Johnny Cash
- Red White & Blue Medley - Chet Atkins
- Red, White & Blue - Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Red, White And Blue - Brian McKnight with Rascal Flatts
- Saturday In The Park - Chicago
- Some Gave All - Billy Ray Cyrus
- Song Of Freedom - Bing Crosby
- Song Of The Patriot - Johnny Cash
- Star Spangled Banner - Lee Greenwood
- Stars And Stripes Forever - Boston Pops Orchestra
- This Land Is Your Land - Lee Greenwood
- U.S. Air Force - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
- U.S.A. Today - Hank Williams, Jr., George Jones
- Where The Stars And Stripes And The Eagle Fly - Aaron Tippin
- You’re A Grand Old Flag - Marilyn Horne
» Have A Great Holiday Weekend! Fly your flag, fire up the barbeque, enjoy the fireworks and an extended weekend with family and friends. That's what all of us here at NTS Aircheck Today will be doing, but we'll still be checking our email! So if you have news to share, or a tip on a breaking story, be sure to send it to us at al@ntsaircheck.com. Look for your next update on all the news from the Talk media industry in your inbox Monday, July 7.
Here's the news for 7/2/08. To get today's news emailed directly to your inbox every day, click here.
» Rush's Big Deal: No financial details were disclosed, but if the rumored numbers connected to Rush Limbaugh's just-signed contract extension with Premiere Radio Networks are even close to real, it's a safe be that nobody will have to throw "El Rushbo" a rent party anytime soon. On the eve of his 20th year behind the "golden EIB microphone" Premiere announced earlier today that the network will "continue syndicating The Rush Limbaugh Show for many years into the future." Along with distribution of Rush's daily radio show, Premiere will also continue to oversee his monthly Limbaugh Letter, the daily 90-second radio commentary The Rush Limbaugh Morning Update, and Limbaugh's website. Limbaugh's radio program airs on a reported 600+ stations nationwide attracting an estimated 20 million listeners a week.
» Leaving Las Vegas: KDWN News Director Brian Hudson is leaving the Sin City News/Talker tomorrow (7/3) to take a position in corporate communications with Sutter Health in Sacramento. Hudson tells NTS Aircheck Today that the decision to return to California, where he previously served as Director/Programming and News at News/Talk KSRO/Santa Rosa, "is exclusively to have my family closer to relatives and dear friends." He also says his days in broadcasting are "far from over" and that he plans to, "stay active in Sacramento and/or San Francisco radio as I begin my new venture." News anchor John Shaffer will assume interim ND duties as KDWN Program Director Charlotte Burke searches for Hudson's permanent replacement.
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New Media Execs Descend On Austin: At the upcoming NAB Radio Show (September 17-19 at the Austin Convention Center) digital media opportunities will be the subject of a "super session" on Thursday, Sept. 18, moderated by Saga Communications EVP Steve Goldstein. Also on the dais to provide insights into how to use new media tools to increase profitability will be: Deb Esaylan, President of Emmis Interactive; David Goodman, President/Digital Media and Integrated Marketing at CBS Radio: Marc Horine, VP/Digital Partnerships for ESPN Radio; and Jeff Vettrus, Director/Interactive Media for Saga. Find out more about this session and the full convention agenda HERE.
» Talk Media News Notes: For the first time in the network's history FOX Sports Radio will be broadcasting live from the Wimbledon Tennis Championships beginning tomorrow. FSN host Chris Meyers and the network's tennis analyst Jim Gimelstob will broadcast July 3-6 from The Dog & Fox, a classic English pub in the heart of Wimbledon Village ... WFTL/Ft. Lauderdale adds Westwood One's Dennis Miller Show for 10pm-1am weekdays on the James Crystal Broadcasting News/Talker beginning July 7 ... Arbitron has mailed Summer 2008 Station Name Preview packets to all stations in markets measured during the summer survey. Station name changes and reports of stations not using their identifiers in accordance with Arbitron guidelines will be accepted through Sept. 17.
Summer On The Island: A bevy of radio consulting brain power gathered for a few days of rest and relaxation recently at McVay Media News/Talk Specialist Holland Cooke's Block Island, RI retreat. Looking tanned and casual are (l-r): Bernstein Talent's David Bernstein, McVay Media's Mike McVay, Greater Media VP/Program Development Buzz Knight, and Cooke.
» Red, White And Blue Tunes With the upcoming Independence Day holiday just around the corner, here are some suggested songs to give your station's bumper music a decidedly patriotic feel, courtesy of the Green Book Of Songs. Look for additional titles in tomorrow's edition of NTS Aircheck Today. Meanwhile, you can find songs for the 4th and just about any other holiday or special occasion HERE.
- 4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) - Bruce Springsteen
- America (My Country 'Tis Of Thee) - Pat Boone
- America Is - B.J. Thomas
- America Is My Home - James Brown
- America Remains - Willie Nelson/Johnny Cash/Waylon Jennings/Kris Kristofferson
- America The Beautiful - Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Charlie Rich
- America Will Always Stand - Randy Travis
- America Will Survive - Hank Williams, Jr.
- Are You Proud Of America - Ricky Skaggs
- God Bless America - Celine Dion, LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride
- God Bless America Again - Bobby Bare, Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
- God Bless The USA - Lee Greenwood
- God Must Have Blessed America - Glen Campbell
- House I Live In (That's America To Me) - Frank Sinatra
- Homeland - Kenny Rogers
- In America - Charlie Daniels Band
- Independence Day - Martina McBride
- Living In The Promiseland - Willie Nelson
- My Beautiful America - Charlie Daniels Band
- Only In America - Brooks & Dunn
- Our America - Big & Rich
Here's the news for 7/1/08. To get today's news emailed directly to your inbox every day, click here.
» Zier Pilots Air America: The New York City-based liberal Talk network has tapped veteran media exec Bennett Zier as the company's new CEO. In his new position Zier will help to expand the AAR brand by "spearheading on-air, online and video initiatives and lead the executive team." Most recently a founding member of Umansky, Wyatt, Zier, a DC-based management and marketing consulting firm, Zier was previously CEO of Red Zebra Broadcasting. Prior to that he was EVP for Clear Channel/Washington where he oversaw 32 stations for the company's mid-Atlantic region. His broadcast resume also includes 14 years at CBS Radio in both New York and Boston. "I'm eager to begin rolling out with the team at Air America a number of exciting initiatives that we have planned to enhance the progressive, multimedia experience offered to our listeners, viewers and readers," says Zier.
» Wilmot's Career Peaks: Former KFYI and KGME/Phoenix PD Jason Wilmot resurfaces in the same role at Peak Broadcasting's News/Talk KIDO and Talk KFXD/Boise. Wilmot will oversee on-air and online programming and operations for both stations, as well as for the recently formed Peak/BSU Radio Network that will provide play-by-play coverage of Boise State athletics throughout the northwest region. It's a return to the market for Wilmot who previously programmed crosstown KBOI. "For over 80 years KIDO and Idaho's first radio station, KFXD, have been the Treasure Valley's heritage radio brands," says Wilmot. "I am enthusiastically looking forward to being a part of this special community."
» DeSantis Upped At Dial-Global: Longtime network radio exec Frank DeSantis is named Senior VP/Business Development at Triton Media-owned Dial Global. DeSantis has been with DG's just acquired Jones Media America for most of the past two decades, most recently as VP/Business Development. "We're pleased to promote Frank in recognition of his enormous talents in network radio," said company co-President Ken Williams. "I have known Frank for almost 20 years and am thrilled to welcome him to the management team at Dial Global."
» CBS Radio News Wins Five Murrow Awards: The network will soon be proudly displaying a slew of new hardware in their trophy case after picking up five Edward R. Murrow Awards including the coveted "Overall Excellence Award" for the second year in a row. Additionally CBS picked up Murrow's for "Best Spot News," "Best Newscast," a "Writing Award" for commentator Dave Ross, and "Best Use of Sound" for reporter Steve Futterman. "These awards exemplify the quality of service we provide to our affiliates of every type of format every day," said CBS News VP Harvey Nagler. "We are thrilled to be honored by our peers."
» More Murrow Madness: This year's Radio-Television News Directors Association Edward R. Murrow Award winners also include News/Talkers WBAL/Baltimore (Radio, Large Market); KGO/San Francisco (Feature: Hard News, Use of Sound); and WBZ/Boston (News Series, Writing). ABC News Radio will pick up two awards, one for "Continuing Coverage" and one for "Sports Reporting." The complete list of this year's Murrow Award winners can be viewed HERE.
Here's the news for 6/30/08. To get today's news emailed directly to your inbox every day, click here.
» Denise Gallagher Succumbs To Cancer: All of us at NTS Aircheck Today were saddened to learn that the wife of Salem Radio Network syndicated talker Mike Gallagher lost her year-long fight with endometrial cancer yesterday (6/29) at her home in Dallas. She was 51. Among the many in the media paying tribute to Gallagher today were SRN's Bill Bennett, Michael Medved and Hugh Hewitt, ABC Radio Networks' Mark Levin, WBAP/Dallas host Mark Davis and Talk Radio Network's Laura Ingraham. A memorial service to celebrate Denise's life will be held July 2. Donations may be made in her memory to the Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation to benefit low-income, single mothers at www.roywilliamssafetynet.org.
» Rutgers Dumps Legendary Radio Voice: For the past 23 years, Bruce Johnson has been the voice of New Jersey's Rutgers University Sports. Eight years ago he was replaced as the school's football voice by WFAN/New York host Chris Carlin, who will now also take over as play-by-play announcer for the Scarlet Knights' men's basketball beginning next season. Johnson, who is Sports Director at Greater Media News/Talker WCTC/New Brunswick, NJ, told NJ's Star-Ledger that he was "not angry," but called his dismissal by the university "abrupt." Rutgers' Deputy Director of Athletics said the move was made out of a "desire to have a single voice for football and basketball" and to get "additional exposure" for the team in the greater New York area on WFAN.
» "Sports Animal" Is Road Kill: After a four-year run, Sports KKML/Colorado Springs gives way to Classic Country with new call letters pending and a new identity, "KCS 1300, Colorado Country Classics." The just-launched station's morning drive will be anchored by ABC Radio Networks' Imus In The Morning. The demise of the Citadel-owned ESPN Radio affiliate leaves the Springs without a 24/7 Sports radio outlet because another southern Colorado Sports outlet, KGHF/Pueblo, also switched formats last week, flipping to Oldies. Regionally, KKFN/Denver moved from AM to FM earlier this year, meaning that the Sports station also can no longer be heard in most of the southern Colorado region.
» Beck's Back In Cincy: After a nearly two-year absence, The Glenn Beck Program returns to the Cincinnati airwaves today on WKRC from 9am-noon (ET). "I'm thrilled to be back on in Cincinnati, and am especially thrilled to be back on 'KRC," said Beck. "The only thing I've missed more than the people of Cincy is my regular fix of Skyline Chili!" WKRC is the latest in a series of major market stations to add the Premiere Radio Networks-syndicated talk show in recent weeks including KXL/Portland, KFMB/San Diego and WRNO/New Orleans.
» Joyner Searches For "The Commentator": Nationally syndicated host Tom Joyner has begun a search to find "The Commentator," an eight-week oratory presentation to identify up-and-coming leaders in the African-American academic, news and entertainment communities. Each week a new personality will present his or her commentary during Joyner's Reach Media-distributed morning show. Following the two-month search, one of the eight finalists will assume on Joyner's show the role of commentator currently held by Tavis Smiley, who earlier this year announced plans to exit the program to focus on his many other multimedia projects.
