REPORT: Is Steve Harvey The Next Op rah?

THE MOUTH, MARCH 18TH, 2013 –– His Premiere Networks syndicated show pulls in more than 6 million listeners daily and his new Steve Harvey daytime TV show is steaming forward while others have already come and gone. There are also his best selling books, including one which was turned into a smash hit film. Add to this the 155% increase in 'Family Feud's audience since he joined as host and it's easy to see why The Hollywood Reporter now ask if he's the new Op rah? "Harvey's success in daytime comes as the ax already has fallen on fellow freshman talkers hosted by Ricki Lake and Jeff Probst, while Anderson Cooper's Anderson Live has been canceled in its second season," says THR. "He has a gift because he's able to spin anything that's happening around him into a funny situation," says producer Stan Lathan, who first put Harvey on Def Comedy Jam in 1990. "He's got this magnetic kind of energy that people respond to. Audiences just totally love him." READ ARTICLE HERE

JACOBS: Live & Local Key To FM Rock's Surviving Streaming Revolution

THE MOUTH, MARCH 18TH, 2013 –– You may have noticed that Jacobs Media's Fred Jacobs has been getting a lot of ink lately in Jockline Daily. We're not alone. He's also the centerpiece of a new Forbe's piece: "What FM Rock Must Do To Survive The Streaming Revolution." They asked: "With the popularity of Internet radio (iHeartRadio and TuneIn, for instance), streaming stations (Pandora, Slacker) and the myriad of other music options available on line like Rdio and Spotify, does this spell the end of the viability of FM radio?" Jacobs, creator of the Classic Rock, maintains that rock/alternative brand of FM radio is alive and well and thriving in other areas, and the lack of such a station in the New York metro region does not cast a shadow on the industry, just on that market alone. As for rock radio's viability in the age of the Internet and streaming radio, Jacobs says "When you look around the country, it’s not hard to find radio brands that are fulfilling the promise – stations that have adjusted or that have been committed over the long haul to doing great local radio. Of course, KROQ in LA is the poster child, but beyond them, WMMR/Philly is a live, local station that IS Philadelphia. They have a #1 high-profile local morning show in Preston & Steve (shown), a market institution in middays, Pierre Robert, who is a fixture at key concerts and community events in town. Their afternoon guy, Jaxon, champions local Philly rock. And they even have a live overnight guy, Jacky Bam Bam, who is a bona fide personality.” READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Hall of Fame Bound, Chipper Jones And Others Join "Voices of The Game" With Newy Scruggs On NBC Sports Radio

THE MOUTH, MARCH 18TH, 2013 –– NBC Sports Radio announced that weekend talker Newy Scruggs will expand his duties with a new show premiering on Monday, April 1st, the day the network rolls out 24/7 programming.  Voices of the Game with Newy Scruggs will air during the 12noon-3p ET Monday-Friday slot. Newy will be joined each day by a major renowned and recognizable sports “voice” during the entire second hour of the show. Personalities will include Chipper Jones (shown), Adrian Wojnarowski, Stan Van Gundy, Bobby Valentine and Chris Mannix. Voices of the Game with Newy Scruggs brings a proven top-market radio host together each day with an added expert voice and perspective. Newy gets the conversation going and is then joined every second hour with a major guest host, live, who will appear consistently each week. Jones will begin baseball season in this hourly role on Tuesdays and then move into a weekly major contributor role as NBC Sports Radio's MLB Senior Analyst once baseball season is fully underway. Mannix, Valentine and Van Gundy are already part of the NBC Sports Radio roster and are expanding their roles.

MOTION: Big Changes In Chicago; WNIC/Detroit Welcomes Donielle Flynn To Jay Towers Show; Dave & Jimmy Added In Lubbock

THE MOUTH, MARCH 18TH, 2013 –– The afternoon and night-time lineups at two NextMedia Chicago Rocker's:WERV-FM/95.9 The River & WRXQ-FM/Q-Rock 100.7 will see some noticeable differences beginning today. According to chicagoradioandmedia.com,The changes include Zander moving from WRXQ-FM to WERV-FM where he'll cover the afternoon shift of 3:00pm-7:00pm. Local legend, Mitch Michaels, moves to weeknights from 7:00pm-Midnight. Current night host, Leslie Harris, moves to weekends and fill-in shifts.Mark Zander also continues to be Program Director for both rock & roll radio stations. ––––––– WNIC-FM Fresh 100.3, Detroit announced that Donielle Flynn (shown) will join its morning show, Jay Towers in the Morning, as a Co-Host, beginning Monday, March 25, 2013. Flynn will join WNIC from WRNR in Annapolis, Md., where she most recently served as an on-air host. ––––––– IQ 106.9/Philadelphia morning co-host Al Gardner exits. Lionel and Michele Murillo to continue as anchors. ––––––– Flick (shown) joins CBS 100.7 Star/Pittsburgh as its PM Drive host. The move marks Flick's return to CBS Radio in Pittsburgh where he previously worked at the former B94. Flick arrives by way of crosstown 96.1 Kiss –––––– Star 102.3/Eugene, OR, adds Michael Morales to wakeups. –––––––– Tim Richards Exits KZZP-FM 104.7 Kiss FM/Phoenix where he programmed and served as PD for The Johnjay and Rich Show. –––––––– United Stations Radio Networks announced that The Dave & Jimmy Show has been added to the on-air lineup at Walker Broadcasting and Communications’ KRBL-FM in Lubbock, TX, an alternative rock radio station that is known locally as “105.7 The Edge.

97X Davenport's Bill Michael's Daughter Chosen By Medical Specialists To Speak To Congress

THE MOUTH, MARCH 18TH, 2013 –– Bill Michaels, one half of Quad-Cities IA legendary, Dwyer & Michael's Show, has a 14-year old daughter who's quite accomplished. According to qconline, Mallory Obenauf (shown) is her student council president, a first-rate competitive swimmer, dabbles in school drama productions, and is editor of her school's newspaper. She's also quite brave. As Jockline told you last year, she has the spinal condition scoliosis. By the time she reached age 13, her spine had a 65 percent curvature. Last year she underwent a very risky spinal-fusion procedure which involves a long rod and a series of plates and pins inserted into her spine. Here recovery took more than a year. That was in November 2011. 16 months later, Mallory has returned to competitive swimming and two weeks ago, after being selected by specialists from the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Mallory spoke to four members of Congress and U.S. Sens. Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley from Iowa about musculoskeletal research. "Maybe my surgery will be the one they look back on as the one that helped fix spinal curvatures,'' said Mallory. PHOTO: Bill Michaels READ ARTICLE HERE

WBLI Post 40 Weeks Of Dana Di Donato's Pregnancy [VIDEO]

THE MOUTH, MARCH 18TH, 2013 –– As a longtime attendee of Morning Show Boot Camp, Dana DiDonato (left), co-host of the Dana and Jeffrey Show, has heard the expression "sharing your life " with audience members many times over. This week, however, along with her long awaited return to the morning show at WBLI/Long Island following maternity leave, her listeners are not only getting a quick recap of baby news, but an actual close up of her expanding belly on a day by day look over the last 9 months. We have a sneaky suspicion that Jeffrey was the one taking pictures, but it was likely her husband that got the first snap of Alannah Hope (shown). Meanwhile, check out Dana's pregnancy in photos. CHECK OUT VIDEO HERE

WPHT's Chris Stigall Broadcast Live From Phillie's Spring Training

THE MOUTH, MARCH 18TH, 2013 –– For baseball die-hards, this time of year is the equivalent to the week before Christmas. The 2013 season is upon us and Philadelphians take their Phillies seriously. Apparently, so doe Talk Radio 1210 WPHT Philadelphia Morning Show Host, Chris Stigall, who took his show to the Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training Camp in Clearwater, FL March 11-13th. While there, he interviewed Phillies Senior Vice President and General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel (shown) and Second Baseman Chase Utley, among others. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Talk Radio 1210 WPHT is the flagship station for the Fightin' Phils baseball games.

101-7 The Bone Goes To The Dogs

THE MOUTH, MARCH 18TH, 2013 –– Townsquare Media's Op's Mgr. John Henry Medina for its Killeen/Temple TX market wrote last week "Tens of thousands of phone interviews were conducted. A direct mail questionnaire was sent nationally to over 1.8 million radio listeners like you. And then the arduous project of looking at the numbers and seeing what they mean and where they point us. ...The research is in and the numbers are irrefutable. The large gaping formatic hole that has been all but ignored? Music For Dogs. With the national company (Arbitron) that surveys radio listening now including dogs in their ratings methodology and with over 300,000 in the Killeen-Temple alone, this broadens the audience base and potential advertisers. .. So please welcome to 101-7 The Bone, the first of what will soon be a worldwide musical canine revolution. The new Music For Dogs sound of 101-7 The Bone. And just for the record, Arbitron doesn't track dogs and the station returns to its regular programming today. Photo: Shutterstock

Jackson Family Members Wants $40 Billion From AEG Live - [HUFFPO]

Julianne Hough Hits The Beach Following Seacrest Split - [PEOPLE]

Is Emma Watson Playing Lead For '50 Shades of Grey?" - [THE WRAP]

UH OH: Jay Leno And NBC Executive In Tussle Over Network Jokes - [THE NEW YORK TIMES]

Christian Bale As Moses? - [THE INQUISITR]

Hasselbeck Exit From 'The View' Inevitable? - [NY POST]

Danny Devito & Rhea Pearlman Back Together - [EXTRA]

Casey Anthony Offered $10K To STFU - [THE HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP]

Madonna Wears Boy Scout Uniform To Glaad Awards - [THE CHRISTIAN POST]

IT'S OFFICIAL: Clem, Schnitt Feud Finally Over

THE MOUTH, MARCH 15TH, 2013 –– There wasn't any kissing and hugging, but the five year feud between Bubba The Love Sponge Clem and Todd "MJ" Schnitt finally reached a settlement at midnight, after nearly 13 hours of negotiation. "We have an agreement. It's over," said Bubba, after waking up from a nap during the last hour of negotiations reports ABC Action News. With the agreement, Bubba can no longer make any disparaging remarks about Schnitt's wife Michelle, or his children, according to Schnitt's attorney Wil Florin. If breached, the damages are $5,000 for each violation," Florin said. Although both sides now claim victory, Bubba doesn't quite see it that way. "The verdict will stand. And I'll be able to light up MJ on the air," Bubba said. Schnitt later appeared outside the negotiation room with his wife and attorney. Schnitt said he was prepared for any future remarks from Bubba, so long as Bubba keeps his family out of it. "I'm a public figure. And you can assail me. You can attack me. You can call me a short guy, say you don't like my hair, say my show is no good. That's fair game," said Schnitt. "This has been about protecting my family. My children, primarily," said Schnitt. And that's apparently what Bubba plans to do. He said later "I'll never take my boot off his neck, ever," Bubba said. As part of the settlement, Schnitt will drop his appeal, and Clem can't go after Schnitt for legal fees. So, it's over, right? RIGHT?

MSBC 25: What Radio Can Do To Keep AM/FM In The Dashboard

THE MOUTH, MARCH 15TH, 2013 –– This week in radio it's been pretty much a toss-up between smoke at the Vatican or AM/FM in the dashboard as the most discussed topic. Following a number of studies of potential car buyers, it's apparent they don't want auto manufacturers messing with their AM/FM car radio. A second look at Jacobs Media's Tech 8 & 9 studies - (Sky is not falling 3) which researched tens of thousands of adults, found a whopping 80% + picked the AM/FM radio as one of the leading features they wanted in a car. And while this and other studies offered some modicum of comfort, look no further than the second item on the list, CD Player, and you begin to wonder if the consumer really has the final say. Or, at least the ones that auto makers listen to. At MSBC 25 in Chicago, we've been working on a special "The Motor City Comes To Boot Camp" segment. Moderated by Fred Jacobs, it will feature top auto executives and others who'll once again discuss radios' future fate in dash. Most importantly, we'll ask what it's going to take to keep us there? Isn't that really the biggest issue. Stay tuned.

Clear Channel & Target Team With Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience

Clear Channel Stations, CW Network and Yahoo! to Air and Stream

THE MOUTH, MARCH 15TH, 2013 –– In case you haven't noticed, there's not a more popular artist right now than Justin Timberlake. In addition last week's blockbuster performance on SNL and his all week guest appearances on Jimmy Fallon's show, Clear Channel and Target want to further heighten the excitement of his 20/20 Experience. Both companies will host an exclusive iHeartRadio album release party with Justin Timberlake at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on March 18. Other components include a nationwide contest and a live, nationwide 30-minute on-air radio and TV broadcast. The album pre-promotion will culminate with a first-of-its-kind simultaneous two minute live roadblock on 850 Clear Channel stations introducing Justin's new music and kicking off the album release party. For added notice, Clear Channel Outdoor is staging a takeover of its digital billboards – hundreds of digital signs in markets across the country – that will feature a countdown clock to the album release party.

USRN Launches 'Serving Your Country" With Rambling Ray

Weekly 2-Hour Country Music Show is the First National Radio Program Dedicated to Saluting Men and Women in Uniform 

THE MOUTH, MARCH 15TH, 2013 –– United Stations Radio Networks has announced it will be producing and distributing a new Country Music program called "Serving Your Country" that will mix the Contemporary Country format with coverage of the activities in the realm of the U.S. military abroad and first responders at home. This 2-hour weekly program anchored by the award-winning morning man from WUSN/Chicago (US-99.5), Ray Stevens, also known as “Ramblin’ Ray.” Serving Your Country is an in-house creation and the first program created for commercial, over-the-air radio stations to be centered on news, interviews, commentary, stories and listener interaction revolving primarily around the everyday heroes who make up our nation’s military personnel. Numerous Country recording artists have already contributed segments to the program. The series launches during the broadcast week of April 1, 2013 with a weekend air date of April 6-7 for the first episode. Ramblin’ Ray Stevens’ career in radio began in 1987, and for the past 21 years he’s been part of the morning show at WUSN Chicago, known locally as US 99.5, CBS Radio’s Country outlet in that market.

Donovan McNabb & Mark Malone Team For "Under Center"

Under Center with McNabb & Malone” to Debut 3-7p ET on Monday, April 1st

THE MOUTH, MARCH 15TH, 2013 –– NBC Sports Radio announced that Donovan McNabb (left) and Mark Malone (right) will host Under Center with McNabb & Malone at 3-7pm ET Monday-Friday when the nationally-syndicated radio network rolls out 24/7 programming on Monday, April 1st. As a player, Donovan McNabb posted one of the best records in the NFL, averaging 10 wins per season over his 13-year career. Mark Malone, analyst for Dial Global Sports' Sunday afternoon NFL package, also hosts NFL Insider each week. Malone, an All-American quarterback at Arizona State and first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, played for 10 years in the NFL, quarterbacking the Steelers to the 1984 AFC Championship Game. McNabb says, “I am very excited to expand my relationship with NBC Sports Radio. I am also excited to partner with Mark Malone as we look to create a dynamic afternoon drive show for listeners around the country." Chris Corcoran, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Dial Global, adds, “We’ve got two quarterbacks, two leaders, two competitive former professional athletes and two current media personalities who know all sports—you know this is going to be a fun ride for sports fans!”

Pioneering CBS Radio Show Turns 75; Edward R. Murrow Made His First Broadcast [VIDEO]

THE MOUTH, MARCH 15TH, 2013 –– This week marked the 75th anniversary of the "CBS World News Roundup," the longest running newscast in history. According to CBS, It was 1938 when Adolph Hitler took Austria and marched the world closer to war. Americans were able to follow the events in a way it never had before, on the radio. "There's a certain air of expectancy about the city. Every one waiting and wondering where and at what time heir Hitler will arrive tomorrow," said a then-29-year old Edward R. Murrow, making his first broadcast for CBS Radio that night, from old audio. The program would become the "CBS World News Roundup," and the model for the modern newscast. Broadcast pioneers included Murrow, William Shirer, Eric Severeid and Charles Collingwood. On D-Day, Richard Hottelet covered the Allied invasion from a bomber above Normandy. He remains the last surviving member of the group of reporters known as the "Murrow Boys." "It wasn't all that scary, you know," he told CBS News recently. "When you're in a plane with other people, the fear is shared."

Loren & Wally Extend With WROR/Boston

THE MOUTH, MARCH 15TH, 2013 –– Seems like we've covering a lot of anniversaries in radio lately, and that's a good thing. Here's yet another. The venerable Loren & Wally (shown), who first cracked the mic at then WROR in 1981 (then WVBF), are apparently not going anywhere for a long time to come thanks to Greater Media awarding the iconic hosts with another long-term deal. “We’re thrilled to have a Boston tradition, the Loren & Wally Show, remain on 105.7 WROR for years to come,” said PD Ken West. “Our audience considers them family and looks forward to waking up and having fun with them every morning!” Loren & Wally also feature Tom Doyle on the show who handles voices, parody songs, and Lauren Beckham Falcone in news. Hank Morse (traffic), and produced by Brian "Lung Boy" Bell.

UH OH: Did Demi Lovato Take Subtle Shot At Taylor Swift? [AUDIO]

"Doesn't Just Flaunt Around With A Boyfriend To Sell Albums"

THE MOUTH, MARCH 15TH, 2013 –– One of the things you have to love about live radio is that big stars can't take things they said back. Often, this results in gossip sites locking in on the audio at the station's website (yes, they do listen) and sending thousands of inquiring minds to their website where you then get linked, too. This was likely the case yesterday as KDWB/Minny's Big D (shown below - no relation to.. Oh never mind) asked Demi Lovato why her fans remained so dedicated to her. What he got back quickly caught not only his attention, but the gossipverse as well. What she told Big D is that she actually interacts with her fans and doesn't just "flaunt around a boyfriend to sell a couple albums." Huh? Now who would do that?? Demi take a shot at Taylor Swift?, What about Selena Gomez? You don't think they would trek with guys like the Bieb' or Harry Styles just to sell albums, right? Justin Bieber to sell albums? Was Taylor just with Harry Styles to sell albums? LISTEN TO SHORT AUDIO

Now This Is More Like It: Nikki Covers Elle - [SANDRA ROSE]

Katy Perry Book To Detail Russell Brand Marriage Woes - [CONTACT MUSIC]

Halle Berry Tells Conan To Take His Pants Off - [HUFFPO]

SURPRISE: Op rah Named Forbes Most Influential Celeb' Again - [E]

UH OH: School Responds To Charlie Sheen's Twitter Rants - [LA TIMES]

REPORT: Fox's Gavin Smith Likely Killed - [THR]

TRAILERS WE LOVE: "Scary Movie 5" - [SLASH FILM]

Apolo Anton Ohno To Host 'Minute To Win It' - [TV MEDIA INSIGHTS]

Wayne Newton Selling Off Exotic Animals To Keep Finances Afloat - [INQUISTIR]

The Game Gets Tattoo of Obama On His Chest - [HIP HOP WIRED]