News

Don't go launching your pirate radio station just yet. Even though the dysfunctional government in Washington cannot get its act together, the FCC will still be open. The FCC's Director of Media Relations Brian Hart said on Friday that if the government does shut down, "because of available funding, the Federal Communications Commission plans to remain open and pay staff at least through the close of business on Friday, January 26.”

(By Bob McCurdy) I've always found that the best way to make a sales point is to have someone else make it for you. Supporting information or an endorsement that comes from independent, well-informed sources is typically more readily accepted as fact. So what do the following respected media/marketing executives have in common?

(By Jeff McHugh) Question: If your show is on the air from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m., what time does your morning show start? Answer: Your show starts whenever your listener tunes in.

Chris Leonard is President of The Hawaii Association of Broadcasters. He also owns radio stations in Hawaii and was part of an NAB panel Thursday about the role broadcasters play in times of emergency. Leonard was just waking up when the alert that Hawaii was about to be hit by an incoming ballistic missile came in on his phone. Minutes later Leonard was in his car headed to his station when he heard his station air the chilling alert that "this is not a drill."

NewsWTVN-AM afternoon host John Corby died unexpectedly Saturday morning at the age of 61. Corby was a radio staple in Columbus for over 30 years. He had two tours with WTVN. He started as WNCI’s News Director and morning show co-host and then was a personality on 610 WTVN from 1984-1994 before he left for KDKA in Pittsburgh. He returned to 610 WTVN in 1997 in his current position as afternoon host.

According to Bloomberg, Spotify will begin offering news and political coverage with a goal of pulling listeners, and revenue from radio. Eight companies, including BuzzFeed and Refinery29, will produce new programming for a Spotify program called Spotlight. BuzzFeed is producing a four- to seven-minute daily newscast.

Alex Silverman has been promoted to Assistant Director of News and Programming for WCBS 880 Newsradio in New York. Silverman will help manage the day-to-day news coverage for the station, and its website and social media channels, in addition to his current reporting and anchoring responsibilities.

Major film roles, FOX Sports NFL predictions, and television appearances haven’t stopped comedic personality Rob Riggle from embarking on a new journey that gives fans access to his daily life and inner thoughts – a podcast. Sarah Tiana will be Riggle's co-host.

Dave Levora has been named morning host for Davenport, Iowa’s WOC 1420, “The Quad Cities Place To Talk,” effective January 29. Levora will serve as morning host on WOC’s AM Quad Cities, weekdays 5:30 – 9 a.m. with the station’s Program Director Dan Kennedy.

Cumulus Media-Syracuse’s WSKO (The Score 1260) is adding a new daily local sports show to its lineup. Drive Time Sports will broadcast weekday afternoons, 3-6 p.m. Host Paul Esden has served as executive producer and sports update reporter for the Bud & The Manchild show, also heard on WSKO 10 a.m.-noon every weekday.