An ayoda on radio

  As reported by numerous outlets , CBS is shutting down their entire radio operation. It's one of several cost-cutting moves initiated by Bari Weiss, who took over as the Editor-in-Chief of CBS News last October. In a memo sent to staffers from Weiss and CBS President Cibrowski, the decision reflects the continued transformation of the network's news operation: Bari Weiss, Tom Cibrowski Today, we informed our CBS News Radio team and approximately 700 affiliated stations that we will end the service on May 22, 2026. Unfortunately, this decision means that all positions within the CBS News Radio team are being eliminated. We understand how difficult this news is for our staff and their colleagues, who have worked side by side with us to cover some of the most significant stories of our time. While this was a necessary decision, it was not an easy one. A shift in radio station programming strategies, coupled with challenging economic realities, has made it impossible to continue ...

  He was often referred to as "Uncle" Joe Benson , indeed he was that friendly, familiar, and familial presence on the local dial. Don Barrett once described him as "an AOR legend, for 15 years he was the host of KLOS's Sunday night "The Seventh Day" program, highlighting entire albums with in-depth background stories." Benson had three stops at KLOS, with KLSX, Arrow 93 (KCBS-FM), and The Sound 100.3 (KSWD) also mics that he graced. Benson died this past Tuesday at the age of 76. Peter Larsen of the Orange County Register   offered a comprehensive review of Benson's career. Some highlights: I started in October of 1980 (at KLOS), and it was basically put on the record, ‘Here’s such and such by such and such,’” Benson says of many disc jockeys at the time. “I’d go, ‘You know one of the things about Jethro Tull was that Ian Anderson recorded the music first and then tried to figure out what the words were going to be, which is really kind of backwa...

Jeff Leonard organized another reunion of LA radio talent. We'll share a few pics over the next few postings (click on any photo to enlarge): Tom Patterson, Richard Turnage, David Grundt Claude Ortome, Gary Hamilton, Chris Hays Sharon Dale, Joe Collins, Don Jennett, Jeffrey Leonard Andy Lundlum, Mark Wallengren Bob Gowa, Carson Schrieber Pat Gaffey, Lee Wade, Richard Wagoner One week in: It's been just about a week since KNX and their sister station, KCBS-San Francisco, started simulcasting overnights. There was no fanfare and little acknowledgement that the stations were simulcasting when KCBS anchor Rebecca Goodeyon signed on, other than the traffic reports getting a bit longer (and LA freeways being identified with "the" as a preceding article) and weather forecasts offering Bay Area and SoCal info. Stories eliminated the lockout of either station's call letters. It still sounds as if there's some rough edges to smooth down. Bob Brill A major concern is wha...

  We're hearing that starting tonight, the two Audacy all-news operations in California will simulcast overnight programming. The same newscasts will be heard on both LA's KNX and the Bay Area's KCBS from midnight to 5 AM. It assumes commercials will still be customized for the local market. Rory Erikson, Joe Guimond In a possibly related matter, long time KNX overnight editor Rory Erikson  is leaving the station, moving morning editor Joe Guimond  to that shift. Erikson has been part of the station's award-winning editors for 31 years. Guimond served as the Assistant News Director at KFWB before moving over to KNX. He left the station in 2015 but returned to the station's editor's desk. A fond farewell: Former KNX Food News host Melinda Lee  has died. Lee succeded Jackie Olden  as host of the daily offering in 1986. She went to school in Brentwood before attending UCLA. A former corporate headhunter in New York, she retunred to LA to start The Perfect Setting, ...