Gene & Julie Exit KVIL-FM/Dallas; Tony Zazza Returns To Mornings
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 3RD, 2013 –– Longtime Dallas morning hosts Gene & Julie (shown) got word just before Christmas that their contract wouldn't be renewed with CBS' 103.7 Lite FM due to the proverbial "Going in a different 
direction." That direction apparently going to be headed by Tony Zazza (shown below), who shifts from middays. Gene (Gates) wrote in a release that "Right before Christmas, we were disappointed to learn from our new boss that we would no longer be working at 103.7 Lite FM .. It has been an honor to host mornings at the legendary KVIL for nearly 8 years and we never took that responsibility lightly. " As for their future, they added: "We don't know. We love radio and North Texas is our home ... While we try to figure it out, we will concentrate on opening our restaurant Battuto Italian Kitchen in Far North Dallas (hopefully a late-February launch)." Tony Zazza last covered mornings at the former Mix-FM/Dallas.
Dallas Icon Ron Chapman Recovering From Pre-Christmas Stroke
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 3RD, 2013 –– Recent National Radio Hall of Fame Inductee and longtime Dallas radio legend, Ron Chapman, has been in the hospital since the night before Christmas Eve and expects to remain there for at least two more weeks reports Dallas News. After that, he says, “The rehab will continue for several months but this is not the worst thing that has ever happened to me. It’s a setback to my retirement — whenever that was. But I didn’t have to cancel very much," he joked. He said “I began speaking in a foreign tongue and my wife was very alert to stroke signs, and the moment she heard my speech change she was on the phone with 911. When Nance called the ambulance, they were there in three minutes. I said, ‘That’s where I should be,’ and I got in. Getting here very quickly seems to have been the difference.” Asked about going public with the news, Chapman said, well, “It might as well be official.” But, he added, “So long as it comes out with a happy note.”
Things Taking Shape At WOR Under New Ownership: John & Ken Added At Night; Dave Ramsey Renews
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 3RD, 2013 - Under its new Clear Channel ownership, more changes are underway at WOR New York. First it was David Patterson, Mike Huckabee & Mike Gallagher being dropped. Now comes word that they'll be beaming in KFI/LA's John & Ken show for evenings. The duo will continue with its afternoon drive show in LA. This is somewhat of a homecoming for John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou, both originally from the New York area who arrived in LA by way of WKXW Trenton in the early '90's. Meanwhile, WOR announced the renewal of the syndicated Dave Ramsey show from 2-4p (ET). Other expected changes at WOR include Rush Limbaugh & Sean Hannity who are expected to be added to WOR's lineup when their current deals with Cumulus owned WABC-AM expire next year.
Cumulus Signs Multi-Year Contract With Arbitron Covering 450 Stations In 100 Markets Currently Surveyed By Arbitron
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 3RD, 2013 /PRNewswire –– Arbitron Inc and Cumulus Media Inc. have signed a multi-year agreement for Arbitron diary and Portable People Meter™ (PPM®) radio ratings services covering all 450 Cumulus stations in the 100 Cumulus radio markets currently surveyed by Arbitron. The agreement provides Cumulus stations in 44 diary markets access to the Arbitron radio ratings service for the first time in more than three years. It also renews ratings agreements in 17 PPM markets and 39 diary markets. In addition to diary and PPM local market ratings, the agreement also provides Cumulus with access to Arbitron software applications, Scarborough consumer profile services, and national and network radio ratings for Cumulus Media Networks. "With this agreement, Arbitron and Cumulus are demonstrating a long-term commitment to collaborate for the benefit of the radio industry," said Lew Dickey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cumulus.
TOP NEWS FROM THE UK: BY Graham Mack
Aussie Hosts Behind Radio Hoax Will Not Face Charges
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 3RD, 2013 –– Scotland Yard has not asked to interview two Sydney-based 2Day FM hosts and Australian police say they don't expect there to be any further requests. Mel Greig and Michael Christian duped Jacintha Saldanha and another nurse at the King Edward VII Hospital in London into revealing private medical details about the condition of the Duchess of Cambridge. Just days after Ms Saldanha transferred the call, she was found hanged. Since her death, it has been revealed Ms Saldanha had attempted to kill herself twice in the past year and had been prescribed anti-depressants. Since the nurse's death, the presenters have been subjected to hate mail and death threats forcing them to go into hiding. Apart from a TV interview in the days after the suicide, the two have not been seen in public. They made a tearful apology and their radio station, Today FM has pledged at least $500,000 ($523,750 USD) to help the dead nurse's family.Ms Saldanha left three notes, in one of them she criticised the DJs.
Marlow FM Continues On-Air Underwater - Marlow FM continues on-air.. underwater Marlow FM is continuing normal programmes despite being 14 inches below the water line of the River Thames. Flood water has surrounded the building which the station is broadcast from and they currently have two petrol driven pumps sucking the river water out faster than it comes in. Presenters wear Waders and Wellingtons to reach the studio. If the river rises any more there is the possibility that the site will loose power and the station will have to resort to emergency programming with the transmitter powered by generator. Marlow FM covers Marlow and the surrounding area, including parts of High Wycombe, Loudwater, Flackwell Heath, Bourne End, Cookham and Hurley.
Welsh Language Sation, Now Broadcasting In English - The world's only full Welsh-language radio service, BBC Radio Cymru, has cut hours and introduced English songs in a dispute over music royalties. The station is unable to play as many as 30,000 Welsh-language songs, the majority of station's national music repertoire because of a royalties dispute. They’ve cut programming by two hours a day and introduce English music. They failed to strike an 11th-hour royalties deal with Eos, the body representing more than 300 composers, authors and publishers in HYPERLINK "http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/wales" \o "More from guardian.co.uk on Wales" Wales.The BBC's current broadcasting rights deal is with the Performing Rights Society and expired on 1 January. In September, an alliance of 331 Welsh artists transferred the rights for their songs to a new body, called Eos, which aims to drive a better royalties bargain in the next deal. The BBC claims that Eos is asking for 10 times the amount that is paid in the existing deal with PRS. Eos claims that a PRS policy change in 2007 led to royalty payment cuts of up to 85% for Welsh artists and that it is trying to recoup that loss in the new deal.
EMAIL GRAHAM HERE
Twitter: @GrahamMack
Jay Mohr Kicks Off Show On 70 Stations; Breaks News Of Raven's Ray Lewis' Retiring
LOS ANGELES, January 2, 2013 – FOX Sports Radio’s new midday program Jay Mohr Sports launched yesterday on more than 70 stations nationwide and, for his first show, he didn't disappoint listeners. NFL Insider Jay Glazer broke the news that NFL great and Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis will retire after this season. Mohr: “I understand you have some breaking news for us, my man.” Glazer: “Ray Lewis has announced to his team that he is done. After this season, Ray Lewis' career will come to an end. He'll try to get ready for a playoff game, but he has told the team he doesn't want it to linger and linger, and for him to be the focus over the next week or however long it’s going to be. He is done after this season…There is a chance Ed Reed could be done after this season also - maybe not retired, but not coming back to the Ravens. So a big end of an era, even if it's just Ray Lewis; huge end of an era for one of the greatest defensive players of all time.”
CASTRONOVO: "Stations That Show Consistency With Their Talent Are The Ones That Have The Most Success"
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 3RD, 2012 –– Great piece in recent edition of Florida's New Times on the Clear Channel syndicated Paul & Young Ron Show. In recalling his favorite moments over his long career in Florida, he told writer Lee Zimmerman that interviewing a drunk Tom Cruise and Hillary Clinton if she ever inhaled among the coolest. He also said "Robert Duvall sitting across from me doing the "Godfather" was nuts. Steve Spurrier made me nervous, then became a friend. One-on-one with John Travolta... And he didn't hit on me? Hell, hanging with Tony Curtis and Kevin Spacey? Yeah, that's pretty cool. Anybody you know, other than a football player, that has caught a pass from Dan Marino? I have." When asked why he thinks radio continues to be so resilient, Paul said "When satellite radio showed up, everybody was like, "Oh no." Guess what? It's just another button in the car. We're your buddies and we don't cost a red cent to listen to ... Stations that show consistency with their talent are the ones that have the most success. TV has blown it over the years by getting rid of high-priced talent, thinking they can get away with a hot chick right out of college for a tenth of the money, but you know what? I call it b.s. It takes years to build up trust with an audience, and I think we've done that and no podcast or satellite show is gonna take radio down. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
Delilah Teams With St. Martin's Press For National Book Club Venture
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 3RD, 2013 — “Home Front,” Kristin Hannah’s #1 New York Times bestselling novel, has been selected as the inaugural book club pick by Premiere syndicated Delilah and publisher St. Martin’s Press to launch on January 8, 2013. It will coincide with the paperback release of “Home Front,” and will feature an innovative multimedia format, including on-air discussions on Delilah’s nationally-syndicated evening radio program, extensive online outreach and active engagement with fans and readers through a variety of social media platforms. Of her new book club, Delilah says “The sensation of reading a great book, and being able to share it with friends, is one of those great connections in life. I hear from so many listeners with the names and stories of books they’ve discovered and wanted to share. Starting our own book club in the New Year with ‘Home Front’ by Kristin Hannah is the perfect story to share with my listeners for all kinds of reasons.”
Bill Keeler Debuts On WIBX/Utica; Bob "The Wolf" Wohfeld Takes Over Mornings At WDST Woodstock
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 3RD, 2013 –– Townsquare Media of Utica announced that local radio and television personality, Bill Keeler (shown left), has been named the new morning show host on WIBX in a show called WIBX FIRST NEWS WITH KEELER IN THE MORNING’ will debut at 6am on Monday, January 14th. “I am so excited about 
doing mornings on WIBX,” said Keeler. “This is a heritage radio station that’s been around for 87 years and it remains one of the top stations in the market. I can’t wait to get on the air and get started,” he said. Keeler will broadcast from 6 until 9 a.m. weekdays along side news anchor and Townsquare Bureau Chief, Kristine Bellino. •••••••••••••••••••••• We're now happy to report that longtime WDST Woodstock NY host, Bob "The Wolf" Wohfeld (shown below) who dropped by his former employer last spring, is back on the air at Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST according to the Times Union. Wolf was at WPYX from 2000 to 2012, when he was let go. Before that, he was with WPDH out of Poughkeepsie for a decade. "I am thrilled to be the new morning show," said Wohlfeld, who called Radio Woodstock "a legendary station in its own right, owned and run by actual humans."
JENNIFER LAWRENCE: 'Acting Is Stupid'
Justin Bieber Wants New Laws Regarding Paparazzi - [LA TIMES]
Al Jazeera Buys Current TV - [DEADLINE]
JULIANNE HOUGH: "I Was Abused As A Child - [GOSSIP COP]
Shakira And Usher To Bring Edge To 'The Voice' - [ROLLING STONE]
Russell Crowe Kinda, Sorta Agreed With Adam Lambert's Les Miserables' Diss - [CINEMA BLEND]
Jennifer Hudson And Jessica Simpson Join For Weight Watchers Ad - [TOO FAB]
Patti Page Passes Away At 85 - [CBS]
Kanye West Hot Happy At First With Kimmy Pregnancy News - [HOLLYSCOOP]
Ray Lewis Surprises Teammates With Retirement Announcement - [BALTIMORE SUN]
Karson And Kennedy Ink For Multi-Year Extension At Mix 104.1 Boston
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 2ND, 2012 –– They've come a long way since their days at WHBQ Memphis a short four years ago. But Karson and Kennedy (shown with Salt) have just announced they've re-signed with a new multi-year deal to stay at Mix 104.1 Boston. On the heels of their fourth anniversary, Karson posted on FB this morning: Woohoo! RT @KarsonKennedy: BREAKING NEWS: Just announced K&K signed a new multi-year deal to stay w/Mix! #happy4yearanniversary"
Buzz Bissinger Exits WPHT: Calls Radio Fundamentally Trivial
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 2ND, 2013 –– That was quick. Less than six months after novelist Buzz Bissinger got his first shot in talk radio with a PM Drive show on WPHT/Philly, comes word that the "Friday Night Lights" author and journalist has left the station. He told philly.com in an email “While I enjoyed doing talk radio, I had increasingly come to the conclusion that it is fundamentally trivial.” While being allowed to comment on the specifics of his exit, he did say that he resigned in December, a fact confirmed by Andy Bloom, WPHT’s operations manager. Reportedly, due to Bissinger’s frequent F-bombs, the station added at least one additional “dump button.” According to another source, Bissinger was involved in two separate F-bomb-filled office confrontations that resulted in him being charged with “creating a hostile work environment.” Bissinger did say his motivations for leaving "were less about the radio industry and more about his true love: writing. He added "The the management of the CBS group in Philadelphia, Marc Rayfield and Andy Bloom, treated me wonderfully. I appreciate the chance they gave me. Sometimes things are just not meant to work out.”
WTKK Pulls Plug On Talk; Jim & Margery Say Goodbye
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 2ND, 2013 - It's been the buzz in Boston throughout the holidays and now, according to The Boston Globe, this morning's final show show will air from 7 to 10 a.m. with Jim & Margery (Jim Braude and Margery Eagan). Some of it staff members like midday host Doug Meehan has already landed a new gig at a TV station in Phoenix. Braude continues with his wee
First Chio, Now Co-Host Shila Exits Morning Show At 96.5 Wired Philly
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 2ND, 2013 ––
In a story you first read about in Jockline Daily (12.14.12), longtime Philly morning host, Chio, shocked both fans and fellow show members with news of his resignation from 96.5 WRDW/Philly. Back then, the station, according to Philly.com, said remaining hosts Shila (shown) and Tingle would remain. That appeared the case until a couple of days ago when Shila tweeted: "Hey Philly! I had a great time with you on Wired, but I've been let go. Thanks for letting me into ur lives. On to the next one ;)" No word on Tingle, yet. Shila had formerly co-hosted with Danny Bonaduce at WYSP/Philly before his move to Seattle. We'll keep our eyes on this one for you.
JACOB'S TOP READ OF 2012: Power Of Personalities Over Music; Resolutions For 2013
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 2ND, 2013 –– Industry futurist and consultant Fred Jacobs of Jacobs Media is well known for his insightful blogs. In reviewing his top post of 2012 he declared that his article on Annenberg School study confirming that radio listeners bond with their favorite DJs by Paula Woodley, as his top read of 2012. As you may recall, this study surveyed listeners from seven L.A. radio stations, and confirmed that the “stickiness” of radio brands comes from personalities rather than music. Bought and paid for by Katz, it’s a very positive study for radio that reinforces much of what we saw in Techsurvey8. Jacobs wrote "In our nationwide study, being connected to DJs, shows, or personalities is the #2 driver that explains why consumers love radio. And what followed were those four emotional triggers – at work listening, mood elevation, companionship, and escape – that fill in the picture of broadcast radio’s appeal. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE. And what about improving your game in 2013? Jacobs offers his thoughts in 'Resolutions' for 2013 READ RESOLUTIONS ARTICLE HERE
Seacrest' Co-Host McCarthy Locks Lips With Soldier On New Years [VIDEO]
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 2ND, 2013 –– As radio hosts SLOWLY make their way back to the microphones, surely one of the topics they'll be talking about is giant face mash, Ryan Seacrest New Year's co-host Jenny McCarthy gave one happy soldier at the strike of midnight. Following the extended kiss she asked whether he was single. He said 'yes' and panted “I think I’m in love.” McCarthy. Benjamin rated her kiss a 10. McCarthy disagreed saying “I’d say it’s an 11!” WATCH VIDEO HERE AT MEDIAITE
Stern Fan Disrupts Two New Year's Broadcasts With Penis Rant [VIDEO]
THE MOUTH, JANUARY 2ND, 2013 –– In a bit as cliche as a Li-Lo having a bail revoked, another Howard Stern's fan once again took advantage of at least two TV reporters covering the New Year's night festivities to rant the infamous Boba Booey line and throw in several mentions of Howard Stern's Weenus. Fortunately, neither CNN or Fox News was impressed with the heckler opting to laugh it off or merely walk away from the site. Back at CNN, Dr. Sanjay Gupta seemed to find it quite funny. WATCH VIDEO HERE
'Skyfall' Sets UK Record; Tops $162 Million - [THR]
OY: Source Say Kris Jenner Is Reaching Out To Celeb' Mags For Baby Bump Cover Stories - [NYDAILY NEWS]
UH OH: Sofia Vergara's Fiance Gets Tossed From Miami Club Following Spat - [NYPOST]
Kathy Griffin Gets Down With Anderson Cooper On New Year's
Jeremy Strong To Play Lee Harvey Oswald in New JFK Assassination Drama - [CINEMA BLEND]
Adam Lambert Not Impressed With 'Les Miserables' - [CAFE MOM]
2013 Movie To Watch: 'Star Trek Into Darkness' - [HUFFPO]
Scarlett Johansson Covers UK's Elle - [STYLEITE]
AWWWWWW: Hugh Hefner Ties The Knot With Runaway Bride - [NEWS SKY]
TRAILERS WE LOVE: 'Dead Man Down' with Colin Farrell - [THE WRAP]
