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77WABC Remembers Bernie McGuirk

Curtis Sliwa and Frank Morano anchored the coverage during the usual Bernie & Sid In The Morning timeslot. They welcomed a bevy of guests to discuss the life and legacy of McGuirk.

Barrett News Media

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77WABC was in the unenviable task of remembering Bernie McGuirk Thursday morning after the morning host passed away at the age of 64 after a battle with prostate cancer.

Curtis Sliwa and Frank Morano anchored the coverage during the usual Bernie & Sid In The Morning timeslot. They welcomed a bevy of guests to discuss the life and legacy of McGuirk.

Station owner John Catsimatidis told the crew he was told Wednesday evening that McGuirk was likely to pass. “I knew something was wrong because every Sunday I would go to church and light a candle for Bernie. And last Sunday, I lit a candle and I would send it to Bernie by texting it to him. And for the first time, I did not get an answer back. And I gulp in my stomach. There’s no other way to say it. You guys worked with Bernie for a long, long time, and you know how much more than I knew him. He was a great guy, he said it the way it was, and he people respected him because he would say it the way it was — the way he felt — without mincing any words. He has been missed for the last few months, and will be missed.”

Bill O’Reilly joined the program to discuss the legacy of McGuirk.

“It’s my honor to talk about McGuirk,” he said. “I always called him by his last name because that’s what Irish guys in New York do,” O’Reilly said before noting he and McGuirk have lived similar lives from their Irish home upbringing in the Bronx to news radio and television stardom.

“I put him on television with (Greg) Gutfeld for Gutfeld & McGuirk, as McGurik would demand, McGuirk & Gutfeld. And there were two together and me. And we would just kick it around. A fabulous segment, and he took that edge and brought it to WABC. When we think about Bernard McGuirk’s life, the capstone of his life was the enormous success he had with Rosenberg. I’ve said this before — and I don’t blow smoke with anybody, you guys at WABC know that — what Bernie and Sid have done in the morning is unprecedented. It’s never happened, not only in New York but anywhere in the country. You take a station that is basically over in the marketplace. Number 22 or 23. (John) Catsimatidis buys it, Lopez is there, they reconfigure the talent and now in the morning it’s number one.”

Sid Rosenberg spoke about the relationship he had with his co-host and friend.

“It’s a tough morning,” a somber Rosenberg said before thanking Sliwa and Morano for hosting the show, as well as those who had called in to remember McGuirk. “I spoke to Bernard last Wednesday — and I even made the comparison to Jim Caan’s character in Brian’s Song — his voice was so weak. We had a nice conversation. He thanked me for what I did at the Gala, and the last thing he said was ‘I love you’ and I said ‘I love you, too’. This is an immense loss. We knew this day was coming, but when it comes it’s not easy. Today’s not about me, but a lot of people turned their backs on me, but he never did. He never did. I’m just very sad today. Probably shouldn’t even call in, but I feel like I need to,” Rosenberg said as he fought back tears. “I’m gonna miss him.”

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Anthony Charles Costa

    October 12, 2022 at 7:31 am

    Stand up guy. Very unique and funny. Mcguruk was hysterical. Will be missed. Rest in peace BM.

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News Audio

Buffalo, Chicago, Milwaukee Top Markets for AM Radio

“The study shows thirteen markets that have at least 40% of listeners using AM radio. Ten of them are in the Midwest.”

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Nielsen has looked at information from the 2022 fall book to determine where AM radio is the most popular. The company released a list Thursday of 141 markets where at least 20% of radio listeners tune to AM radio in a given month. Cities in the Great Lakes region are all at the top of the list.

In Buffalo, 56% of radio listeners use the AM band in a month. The market’s most-listened to stations are both AM stations owned by Audacy – news/talk WBEN and sports talker WGR. Neither has an FM simulcast.

There is a tie for second place. 48% of listeners in Chicago utilize AM. Popular news stations WGN and WLS are both only available on AM as is the market’s heritage sports talk brand, 670 The Score. Milwaukee is the other market with 48% of listeners using AM radio.

AM radio remains very popular in the Midwest. The study shows thirteen markets that have at least 40% of listeners using AM radio. Ten of them are in the Midwest.

Last month, Nielsen used numbers from the 2022 Fall book to show that across the country, more than 82 million people rely on AM radio during a month. That is a third of all terrestrial radio listeners.

A hearing on Sen. Ed Markey’s AM For Every Vehicle Act is scheduled for Wednesday on Capitol Hill.

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Fox News Radio Reportedly Facing Cutbacks

“Freelance shifts still exist on the network and current freelancers have been offered other opportunities over the weekend. Staff employees were not impacted.”

Barrett News Media

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According to All Access, Fox News Radio is tightening the belt a bit. Job cuts and staff reassignments are on the way.

Most of the effected positions are filled by freelancers. Reporters and fill-in hosts could be effected.

“Fox News Audio has reduced the number of freelance shifts and adjusted its workflow on weekends,” a source told Perry Michael Simon. “Freelance shifts still exist on the network and current freelancers have been offered other opportunities over the weekend. Staff employees were not impacted.”

One full-time staffer has confirmed that he is out. News anchor Kerin McCue had been with Fox News Radio since 2012. He told All Access that he will exit some time this month. The report does not say if that is the result of these cutbacks or McCue’s own decision.

The network does have a lower-cost plan for the weekend. Some repurposed content from SiriusXM’s Fox News Headlines 24/7 will fill newscast slots.

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News Audio

Hubbard Broadcasting Celebrates 100 Years of Success

Maddy Troy

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Yesterday marked a momentous occasion for Hubbard Broadcasting. The family owned American broadcasting corporation has reached the impressive milestone of 100 years in operation.

From its modest beginnings with Stanley Hubbard’s inaugural venture into commercial radio back in 1923, the company has evolved into one of the world’s most esteemed and enduring family-owned broadcast corporations. Presently, boasting a vast network of over 50 stations spanning across more than 20 cities, including the highly regarded revenue-generating powerhouse, WTOP in Washington DC.

Hubbard Broadcasting maintains its status as a family-owned entity while remaining steadfastly committed to its core founding principles. The company has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. It pioneered the establishment of the very first national radio news service and holds the distinction of acquiring the first ever TV camera ever sold.

Hubbard continuously seeks novel and inventive avenues to connect with the public, as stated on the company website, “We continue to look for innovative ways to connect with people and the communities we serve through Television, Radio, Cable, TV Production and Digital Marketing.”

Hubbard radio station 100.7 KIK FM of Alexandria Minnesota posted a celebratory post on Facebook,“Here’s to Hubbard Broadcasting’s 100th Anniversay! We are proud to be part of this incredible legacy of innovation, info structure and ingenuity! Their passion for radio has redefined our country.”

Stanley S. Hubbard was joined by his family today and those that continue the family legacy of broadcasting excellence. He reflected on how his father, Stanley, first started in St. Paul a century ago, “They said we were crazy to start a television station. They said that news on TV would never work.” And now Channel 5 KSTP-TV is still going strong.”

As Hubbard Broadcasting reaches its centennial, it stands as a testament to the perseverance and vision of the Hubbard family, who have nurtured and guided the company throughout its rich history.

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