Top Radio News

Michael Buhrman Adds KUDL/Sacramento Brand Manager Duties

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Michael Buhrman

Entercom's KSFM-FM/Sacramento Brand Manager and afternoon host Michael Buhrman expands his role, adding similar duties for sister CHR KUDL-FM (106.5 The End). He's served as Brand Manager of 102.5 KSFM since May, 2018. Prior to this role, Buhrman was Assistant Program Director and Music Director for co-owned Rhythmic CHR KQKS-FM (KS107.5)/Denver and Program Director for KQKS-HD2 (Comedy 103.1) also in Denver.

"Michael's years of experience and successful track record make him the natural choice to bring his expertise and leadership to an already outstanding KUDL team," said Entercom Sacramento Senior Vice President and Market Manager Stacey Kauffman. "His passion, energy, creativity and optimism will serve both brands extremely well into the future."

"I am truly humbled and honored for the opportunity and privilege to take on the amazing set of call letters of KUDL here in Sacramento," added Burhman. "To be able to drive KSFM and KUDL is not a responsibility I take lightly, and I thank Stacey Kauffman, Joe Calgaro [Operations Manager, Entercom Sacramento], Doug Abernethy [Regional President and Market Manager, Entercom] and Pat Paxton {Chief Programming Officer] for this amazing opportunity."

WCBS-AM City Hall Reporter Rich Lamb Announces Retirement

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Rich Lamb

After an incredible 50-year career, including over 40 years with WCBS-AM/New York, City Hall Reporter Rich Lamb has announced his retirement, effective at the end of February. The news has garnered reaction on social media from a wide range of prominent New Yorkers including New York City mayor Bill DeBlasio, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres, Brooklyn Borough president Eric Adams, New York City Council speaker Corey Johnson and more.

"Rich is a one of a kind reporter and human being," said WCBS 880 News Director Tim Scheld. "He will be missed not just for his broadcast journalism and eloquent storytelling but Rich is a selfless friend, colleague and mentor whose influence and friendships can be seen across the New York City landscape in business, journalism and politics. Rich may be leaving, but he has left each one of us at WCBS 880 with something to help us carry on his legacy."

The following is a note sent to WCBS 880 staff from Lamb:

After 50 years in the broadcast radio news business, more than 40 of which have been spent at WCBS, the time has come. I plan to retire at the end of next month.

It has been a most extraordinary honor of a professional lifetime to have been a member of the WCBS radio team. Even as I write this notice of my imminent departure, a flood of fond memories crowds my mind with the names of the scores of exceptionally talented people with whom I have had the honor of professional association and friendship, too many to mention here.

My career began in 1970 in the Detroit market. After working at 3 stations there, in 1974 I landed at WXLO, New York, known then as 99X, a rock station. In the course of doing street work, the legendary WCBS political reporter Steve Flanders, after whom the plaza in front of City Hall is still named, urged me to try out for the reporter's position being vacated by the renowned Jerry Nachman. I assured Steve there was "no way" that would happen. But, in December of 1977, News and Program Director Lou Adler hired me. His first assistant Rob Sunde called to say the station had a budget issue, and that my start date would be February 26, 1978. Thus, I have requested that my last day will be February 26, 2021, 43 years to the day after my first assignment covering the "Polar Bear Plunge" in Coney Island.

Through all the news stories, great and small, beautiful and terrible, it has been my good fortune to have reaped the benefits of the skills, knowledge and camaraderie of my fellow professionals at this station. Here I want to make special mention of the "captain of our ship," Tim Scheld. Few managers in any business enterprise are beloved. He is, first for his unwavering professional standards and managerial abilities, but equally for his fairness, kindness and humanity.

I shall miss you all, and the privilege of what a colleague called "the best seat on the 50-yard line of life."

Sincerely,

Rich

Radio Workflow Earns Endorsement From IBA

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 26, 2021

The Independent Broadcasters Association has endorsed Radio Workflow as the preferred platform for broadcasters to manage the workflow of their traffic, billing, and production system.

"The endorsement by the Independent Broadcasters Association is exciting and humbling at the same time," said Robert Maschio, President, and co-owner of Radio Workflow, Inc. "We work tirelessly to exceed the needs and expectations of broadcasters, both small and large, worldwide. This recognition by the Association is meaningful to Radio Workflow and supports the endorsement of broadcasters who have achieved a better product, at a reduced cost, with our integrated platform".

Ron Stone, President and Executive Director of the IBA added "This has been a long process of looking at systems that can enhance capabilities and eliminate redundancy. It has never made sense to me that every account on a station resides in multiple programs when it could be much easier. Radio WorkFlow offers traffic, CRM, production management, ROI analysis and very soon, will include a yield management system that finally gives pricing control back to the stations. This system is as robust as any... and more complete to meet the needs of any broadcaster, whether you own one station or many. While Radio WorkFlow is already priced extremely affordable, our relationship with them will yield an additional 20% discount for IBA members. We estimate on average, implementation will result in up to 50% savings for stations using similar and multiple systems to accomplish what this one software will do."

Duran Duran Celebrate Career on Pandora and SiriusXM

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 26, 2021

SiriusXM

SiriusXM and Pandora have announced the launch of two new talk and music programs for 2021 that delve into the music, career and influence of Duran Duran, the iconic, global super band whose work now spans four decades. Duran 40 on Pandora features the band's biggest hits and fan favorites from across their career, gathered in a new original format merging music and talk.

The collection includes all four band members along with special guests providing commentary on the making of, and inspiration behind the music. Special guests Mark Ronson and Nile Rodgers will join Duran 40 as they share personal memories and stories about Duran Duran's body of work. Pandora's Duran 40 will be hosted by the BBC's Claudia Winkleman; the program will be available via Pandora starting January 28, with broadcast versions airing on SiriusXM's Volume (channel 106) and First Wave (channel 33).

Additionally, Duran frontman Simon Le Bon will host "WHOOOSH!" beginning January 27 at 9pm ET on SiriusXM's Volume channel. "WHOOOSH!" is a weekly music show featuring Le Bon chatting and playing some of his favorite records including new discoveries. Le Bon is joined by Duran insider and band associate Katy Krassner as they discuss their latest song obsessions and new music that excites them.

"It all began as a lockdown thing," said Le Bon. "It dawned on me that the only music I was listening to was what I was working on, and the stuff that got me into a band in the first place. So I switched on my ears, and went on a trip down a sonic rabbit hole. What a revelation - there is so much great new talent, so much music out there. Katy is the foil that makes it all work. And so a radio show is born. WHOOOSH! - it's the sound of your mind expanding to take on a new idea."

"Duran Duran is one of the most influential bands of the last 40 years, and we are thrilled to welcome Duran 40 and WHOOOSH! on Pandora and SiriusXM for our listeners," said SiriusXM President and Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein. "Their hit songs, iconic videos, and extensive music catalog have been embraced by multiple generations of fans who can now hear the music and the great stories behind them from the band members themselves and an array of truly special guests."

Alpha Media Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 25, 2021

Alpha Media

Alpha Media has entered into a restructuring agreement with certain lenders to reduce its debt, as well as raise incremental capital to allow the company to navigate current market conditions and pursue growth opportunities. The company expects no disruption to its broadcast operations, customers or employees. Management will remain in place and continue to maintain its day-to-day operations.

To implement the restructuring, the company has filed a pre-arranged plan of re-organization, disclosure statement and voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Virginia. Certain of the company's existing lenders have agreed to provide new capital in the form of committed debtor-in-possession and exit financing. These lenders, together with management, are expected to collectively own 100% of the equity of the re-organized company, subject to regulatory approvals from the FCC.

The restructuring of the company's balance sheet will require receipt of bankruptcy court approval and certain regulatory, including FCC, approvals and satisfaction of other customary conditions. The vompany expects to conclude the restructuring process in the first half of 2021.

"We have made significant progress in aggressively deleveraging our business in recent years. As we proceed with our financial restructuring to improve our capital structure and manage through the ongoing downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the agreement we reached today will leave Alpha Media well positioned for a market recovery as a stronger and even more competitive company," said Alpha Media Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Proffitt.

Proffitt continued, "Our core business continues to perform well despite current market challenges. We will continue to invest in our talented teams to foster the unique culture that has been key to Alpha Media's success in delivering dynamic, diverse and exciting content to our communities."

Alpha Media said it will continue operating its stations without interruption, providing engaging news, music, sports and entertainment to its communities. The company's day-to-day operations will continue in the normal course during this process. Alpha Media maintains strong relationships with its advertisers, communities and listeners, and those relationships will continue.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is serving as Alpha Media's lead restructuring counsel in connection with this process, and Kutak Rock LLP is serving as Virginia counsel. Wiley Rein LLP is serving as the Company's FCC counsel. EY Turnaround Management Services LLC and Moelis & Co. are serving as the company's financial advisors.

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, McGuireWoods LLP, and Fletcher Heald & Hildreth PLC are serving as legal co-counsel to an ad hoc group of certain lenders, and GLC Advisors & Co. is serving as financial advisor.

Study Shows Podcast Advertising is Pandemic Proof

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 25, 2021

Westwood One

Despite the global pandemic, podcasting has remained a good media option for advertisers. According to Edison Research's "Share of Ear," podcasting's ad-supported audio shares among persons 25-54 more than tripled from 4% in Q3 2016 to 15% in Q4 2020. With podcast listening up, Cumulus Media and Westwood One partnered with Magellan AI, a source of podcast advertising analytics, to analyze podcast advertising occurrence data from the top 400 podcasts in the U.S. through Q3 2020. This week's Westwood One blog outlines the findings:

• Podcast advertising is pandemic proof: Ad volumes quickly recovered and surged to record levels: Compared to January 2020, September 2020 total podcast ad occurrences were up an incredible +58%.

• Despite the pandemic, the number of podcast advertisers soared +42% in September off April lows: While the pandemic did depress the number of podcast advertisers in April 2020, by May the number of unique podcast advertisers was nearly back to pre-pandemic levels. September 2020 saw a record 855 advertisers, a stunning +42% increase from April.

• Podcast over-commercialism has not arrived: Throughout 2020, the average number of ads per podcast hovered slightly under three ads. September saw the number of ads per podcast to jump to 3.3, a +22% increase from April.

• Financial and insurance category spotlight: Year over year, podcast investment in the financial category is up +72%. Overall, podcast spend in the insurance category is up +83% year over

Townsquare Media Announces Significant Share Repurchase

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 25, 2021

Townsquare Media

Townsquare Media has entered into an agreement to repurchase a minimum of 10 million of the 12.5 million shares of Class A common stock, shares of Class B common stock and warrants held by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management L.P. for $6.40 per security, which reflects a 19% discount from the closing price of the Class A common stock on Friday, January 22. The repurchase was approved by the board of directors following the recommendation of a committee of independent and disinterested directors.

With this transaction, Oaktree will be selling approximately one third of its Class A common stock, all of its Class B common stock (each share of which is entitled to ten votes per share on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders) and at least the majority of its warrants. The purchase price is expected to be at least $64 million, subject to the company's ability to elect to purchase additional securities at closing of the repurchase.

The closing of the repurchase is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including short form approval by the FCC. At closing, the repurchased securities will be retired and, subject to the Company's election to repurchase additional securities, the company's outstanding securities will be reduced from approximately 28 million to approximately 18 million. At closing, the composition of the company's board of directors will remain the same.

Additionally, fifteen months after the closing of the repurchase, the company has the option to purchase all of the remaining securities from Oaktree, and Oaktree has the option to sell all or a portion of its remaining securities to the company, at a purchase price per security of $6.40 in cash. Such purchase would be subject to customary closing conditions, including FCC short form approval.

"We appreciate the opportunity to facilitate this significant transaction with Oaktree and are excited about this repurchase, which secures the exit of a very long-term private equity majority shareholder that current and potential shareholders have described to me consistently as being an obstacle to investing more, or establishing a position, in Townsquare given the significant overhang Oaktree's holding represented," said CEO Bill Wilson. "This repurchase is immediately accretive to shareholders and we thank our Board of Directors for their vote of confidence in our medium and long-term business plan to grow revenue and profits."

"Oaktree remains fully supportive of the company and its prospects," said David Quick, a Townsquare Board Member since the Company's inception and Managing Director at Oaktree. "The Oaktree entities that own these shares are selling their interests in the Company because they are now beyond their fund life and are winding down." Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. served as financial advisor to the Special Committee in connection with the repurchase.

Taylor Wood Joins SBG as Director of Inventory Sales

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 25, 2021

Taylor Wood

Sun Broadcast Group has announced its newest hire, Taylor Wood, as Director of Inventory Sales. Wood has an extensive background in radio strategic planning and listening trends, having recently held the position of Senior Partner/Associate Director of National Radio Investment at GroupM. His new role will focus on building lineups that serve advertisers' needs and reach their audiences in the most efficient way possible, strategizing with agencies and clients to develop proposals that bring value to Sun Broadcast Group's partners.

"Anyone who has ever bought or sold network radio knows Taylor Wood," said Sun Broadcast Group's President Warren Friedland. "His passion for radio runs deep and his understanding of national radio buys is unparalleled in our industry. Taylor is the perfect addition for Sun and complements the phenomenal sales team we have built."

Wood adds, "I am truly excited to join the Sun Broadcast Group and Gen Media Partners family. Sun has rapidly established itself as a leader in the audio space and continues to invest in new products and offerings at a time when Audio is experiencing a resurgence of attention from advertisers and agencies. I look forward to working with the team to help position the company for the next chapter and to continue the growth."

Taylor Wood's vast background includes over 15 years in radio. He began his journey as a Negotiator for National Radio Investment in 2005, then became an Account Executive for Clear Channel Radio in 2007. Wood later joined GroupM in 2010 and worked his way up with positions as Partner / Negotiator and Senior Partner / Supervisor.

Podtrac Issues Weekly Podcast Data Through January 24

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 25, 2021

Podtrac

Podtrac has released weekly podcast data for the week of January 18-24 finding downloads were down 6% over the previous week and up 14% over the corresponding period last year for Podtrac measured shows. The True Crime category showed the strongest week-over-week download performance rising 10%. The News category showed the weakest growth week-over-week at declining 12%.

Download growth for the 52-week period from January 20, 2020 to January 24, 2021 was +14% across all Podtrac measured podcasts. Week-over-week download growth for the week of January 18-24 was -6% across all Podtrac measured podcasts.

Download growth for the 52-week period from January 20, 2020 to January 24, 2021 was +2% for Arts, +1% for Business, +27% for Comedy, -21% for Education, +18% for History, +39% for News, +5% for Science, +3% for Society & Culture, -14% for Sports, and +9% for True Crime.

Week-over-week download growth for the week of January 18-24 was -5% for Arts, -6% for Business, +1% for Comedy, -6% for Education, +6% for History, -12% for News, -6% for Science, -7% for Society & Culture, -4% for Sports, and +10% for True Crime.

Entercom Launches ''BetQL Audio Network''

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 25, 2021

Entercom

Entercom has announced the launch of "BetQL Audio Network." The network, which follows the Company's recent acquisition of sports data and iGaming affiliate platform QL Gaming Group, will feature sports gambling programming heard across Entercom's robust portfolio of sports stations, which combined reach over seven million listeners per week1, as well as the RADIO.COM app and digital platform.

The network will be headlined by two widely popular daily shows - "You Better You Bet" with Nick Kostos and Ken Barkley, which received an average of over 670,000 monthly downloads since the start of the 2020 NFL season,2 and "BetQL Daily" with Joe Ostrowski and Ross Tucker, which was launched in September 2020 and formerly known as "BetSweats." Network programming will also initially include "BetQL Countdown to Kickoff," which has run throughout the NFL playoffs, with future programming expansion announced at a later date. Available nationwide via RADIO.COM, the fastest growing digital audio platform in the U.S., "BetQL Audio Network" will also be accessible via the BetQL mobile application and desktop platform and on-demand where podcasts are found.

As part of the network launch, KEZW-AM in Denver will relaunch as The Bet 1430AM, serving as a broadcast distribution channel for "BetQL Audio Network" content. The network will subsequently launch on 93.1 HD3 in Los Angeles. All programming will continue to be available in live and on-demand audio and video formats via RADIO.COM.

"With our acquisition of QL Gaming Group in November, we committed to leveraging our national scale to amplify the rapidly growing sports gambling landscape and deliver smart, data-supported sports-betting content to our listeners," said Mike Dee, President of Sports, Entercom. "By combining the BetQL brand and our deep collection of expert talent, this new network compliments our industry-leading local sports broadcast portfolio and will further enhance our position as a leader for sports betting programming."

"BetQL Audio Network" will be cross-promoted across Entercom's portfolio of 39 all-sports stations across the U.S. which includes WFAN 101.9 FM/660 AM (WFAN-FM/AM) in New York, SportsRadio 94WIP (WIP-FM) in Philadelphia and 670 The Score (WSCR-AM) in Chicago.

The Conclave Remembers Larry King with 1985 Keynote Speech

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 25, 2021

The Conclave has made available a long-lost recording of Larry King's keynote speech to Conclave X, held at the Radisson Inn in Plymouth, MN, in 1985. Shortly after signing his deal with Ted Turner to create a new talk show on CNN, King embarked on a nationwide tour of his existing radio affiliates to assure them he was not leaving radio anytime soon. Good to his word, he did both the television and radio shows from Washington, DC, until 1994, when he did his final radio program. On June 21, 1985, just three weeks after the airing of his first show on CNN, Larry King delivered a supremely entertaining collection of stories from his career to that point to Conclave X attendees.

"Larry's keynote speech is a Masterclass in storytelling," said Jay Philpott, Conclave Board of Directors. "He effortlessly paints the pictures of his upbringing in Brooklyn with later-to-be-famous friends Sandy Koufax (L.A. Dodgers pitching great) and Herb Cohen (bestselling author of You Can Negotiate Anything) to his early success in radio. Special thanks to ‘Radio's Best Friend' Art Vuolo, Jr. and Mark Baker for their help in restoring the picture and enhancing the audio from the original VHS tape on which this was recorded. We offer our deepest condolences to the family of Larry King and to his many friends and fans worldwide." The video is available now on the Conclave YouTube Channel HERE.

iHeartMedia Launches New Podcast Series ''Return Man''

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 25, 2021

iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia and McClatchy has announced "Return Man," a new narrative podcast investigating the mysterious death of former pro-football player Jim Duncan. The first episode of the eight-part series will be available January 26, distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network and available on iHeartRadio. The remaining seven episodes will post weekly each Tuesday beginning February 2.

Duncan was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1968, nearly two decades before the team moved to Indianapolis. According to the official account of his death, he entered the Lancaster, SC, police station on the morning of October 20, 1972. Police said the 26-year-old Duncan walked up behind a lieutenant, and without saying a word ripped the officer's revolver from his holster, stepped back, and shot himself in the head. For half a century, his family and an entire community have searched for answers.

Duncan was an NFL star as a kickoff return man and defensive back for the Baltimore Colts. He led the league in kickoff return yards in 1970, and that same season helped lead the Colts to the Super Bowl title. Two years later, authorities say, Duncan died by suicide inside the police station of his small hometown of Lancaster, SC. "Return Man" is based on the reporting of Bret McCormick, former sports editor for McClatchy's Rock Hill, SC news outlet, The Herald. In addition to the podcast, The Herald has created a seven-part text series and short documentary video about the case.

"Even though he died nearly 50 years ago, Duncan's death and the events that followed remain relevant in light of current events," said McCormick, who also narrates all eight half-hour episodes. "Officials seemed to wall off any hope of finding out exactly what happened on that day. And for decades, the remarkable life and perplexing death of Lancaster's only Super Bowl champion has been almost completely erased from the town's history."

Legendary Broadcaster Larry King Dies at Age 87

RADIO ONLINE | Saturday, January 23, 2021

Larry King

Legendary broadcaster Larry King whose interviews with world leaders, movie stars, and ordinary Joes helped define American conversation for a half-century, died Saturday. He was 87. King died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Ora Media, the studio and network he co-founded, tweeted. His son Chance King confirmed the death to CNN. No cause of death was given, but CNN had earlier reported King had been hospitalized with COVID-19. A longtime nationally syndicated radio host, from 1985 through 2010 he was a nightly fixture on CNN, where he won many honors, including two Peabody awards.

Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in 1933, King conducted an estimated 50,000 on-air interviews, welcoming everyone from the Dalai Lama to Elizabeth Taylor, from Mikhail Gorbachev to Barack Obama, Bill Gates to Lady Gaga. Especially after he relocated from DC to Los Angeles, his shows were frequently in the thick of breaking celebrity news. King was also known for his many marriages: He was married eight times, to seven different women. He often boasted of never over-preparing for an interview, and his relaxed style made him a favorite of guests and readily relatable to his audience. "I don't pretend to know it all," he said in a 1995 AP interview.

In a career that spanned half a century, King started in radio hosting "The Larry King Show," a late-night radio talk program on the Mutual Broadcasting System (MBS) from 1978-94, and hosted "Larry King Live" on CNN for 25 years before ending in 2010. He was the author of a number of bestselling books, wrote a longtime weekly column for USA Today, made more than 20 cameo appearances in movies and launched an hour-long pop culture podcast in 2020.

King dreamed of becoming a radio broadcaster while growing up, and in 1957 the 23-year-old King headed to Miami to break into radio. At first, despite his baritone voice, the only job he could find was sweeping floors at a small station, WAHR-AM, with the promise of a future on-air job when someone left. When the morning talent quit some two weeks later, the general manager put in AM drive and asked him to change his last name from Zeiger to King.

King moved to WKAT in 1958 and began hosting a four-hour radio show on location at Pumpernik's, a popular Miami restaurant, where he talked with celebrities such as Lenny Bruce, Bobby Darin and Ella Fitzgerald. In 1962, King was hired by WIOD/Miami and began doing an interview show from the houseboat that had been used on the TV private-detective series "Surfside 6."

He also became the color announcer for the Miami Dolphins broadcasts on WIOD and began writing local newspaper columns. While at MBS, he launched on CNN in June, 1985 with then New York Governor Mario Cuomo as the first guest. "Larry King Live" became CNN's highest-rated show.

Nielsen, AURN Sign Deal for Network Audio Measurement

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 25, 2021

Nielsen

Nielsen has announced that American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), the only African-American controlled RADAR rated radio network company in the U.S., has signed a renewal agreement with Nielsen Audio. With this agreement, American Urban Radio Networks continues its participation in RADAR, the only Nielsen audio service that provides commercial ratings and is a forecast of a network's audience delivery.

"We look forward to continuing our relationship with Nielsen," said American Urban Radio Networks President, Sales Andy Anderson. "Utilizing RADAR, the gold standard in network radio measurement gives us a unique advantage in both the urban and general market radio arenas."

"American Urban Radio Networks holds a distinctive place with African-American listeners, and we are pleased that they have chosen to continue our relationship," added Nielsen Audio SVP/National Audio Services Bruce Supovitz. "Radio continues to draw a large audience among African Americans, with 91% of adults 18 and over listening each week. American Urban Radio Networks is a leader in the industry and continues to reach this large audience."

RADAR radio networks provide Nielsen with commercial clearance records from thousands of affiliated radio stations, which are merged with listening information from a database of almost 400,000 respondents.

Benztown's Audio Tribute to the Late Larry King

RADIO ONLINE | Saturday, January 23, 2021

Benztown has put together an audio tribute to longtime CNN host and broadcasting icon Larry King, who died Saturday morning at 87 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The audio tribute can be heard HERE.

King hosted "Larry King Live" on CNN for more than 25 years. Known for his easygoing and casual interview style, King interviewed the famous and not-so-famous alike, including every U.S. president from Gerald Ford to Barack Obama, and took thousands of phone calls from viewers. He retired in 2010 after taping over 6,000 episodes and conducting over 30,000 interviews. The show established King as one of the most famous television journalists in America. He also wrote a column for USA Today for 20 years, until 2001.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, on November 19, 1933, King started his broadcasting career in radio in 1957, when he took a job as a disc jockey at WAHR-AM in Miami. He was then hired as a columnist for the Miami Herald in 1965. In 1971, he was arrested in Miami on charges of grand larceny, which led to his suspension from the station and newspaper where he was employed. Although the charges were dismissed the following year, King was not re-hired. He then left Florida and moved to Louisiana, where he worked as a freelance journalist.

By 1978, King returned to Miami and to WIOD, the station where he was employed at the time of his arrest. That same year, "The Larry King Show" launched as a syndicated late-night radio show in 28 markets. Within five years, the radio program was broadcast in 118 markets. The show won a Peabody Award in 1982. In 1985, "Larry King Live" debuted on CNN and throughout its 25-year run, was routinely CNN's most-watched program, and King was the network's biggest star. King left CNN in 2011, but kept working until his death, hosting "Larry King Now", a program that aired on Ora TV, Hulu and RT America.

The Benztown audio tribute to Larry King was written and voiced by Bill Royal and produced by Adam Hood.

iHM/Jacksonville Debuts the New Hallelujah AM 930

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 22, 2021

iHeartMedia Jacksonville has announced the debut of the new Hallelujah 930 AM, Jacksonvilles Inspriration Station effective immediately. The station will broadcast the best in contemporary, traditional and throwback Gospel music including songs from artists such as Kirk Franklin, Byron Cage, Fred Hammond, The Clark Sisters and more. Also featured will be the popular Gospel show "The Early Morning Praise Party with Dre Monie and Sherry Mackey."

"I am so excited that we are bringing the Hallelujah brand to Jacksonville," said Nicky Sparrow, Market President of iHeartMedia Jacksonville. "iHeart's Hallelujah family of Gospel stations are already loved by so many, and I'm confident that our listeners here in the Jacksonville market will genuinely connect with the station's uplifting music, on-air lineup, and overall message."