Industry News

Happy Birthday to Larry King, Dick Cavett, Ted Turner, Alan Young, Allison Janney, Meg Ryan and Jodie Foster. On this date the first mass market transistor pocket radio was introduced; the cartoon series ‘Rocky & his Friends’ debuted on ABC-TV; Linda Ronstadt appeared as herself on FOX-TV’s ‘The Simpsons’; a six-hour Beatles Anthology began airing on North American radio; NBC aired the 100th episode of their hit drama ‘ER’; Vancouvers X-FM 104.9 switched to All Christmas music, and a year later Victoria’s CHBE107.3 did the same. Ending their stay with us Nov. 19th were US sportscaster Bill Stern, songwriter Bobby Russell, producer Terry Melcher, Dick Wilson of Charmin toilet tissue ad fame, and Toronto-based classical actor John Neville. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

It is unclear how many jobs in total were cut in Tuesday’s layoffs, which focused on the studios in Agincourt, Ont., where TSN and CTV News are based.

Before Newcaps purchase of K96-3, Gray (Pictured) was instrumental in the launch of the Classic Rock station in Kelowna

It’s the date that brought us Linda Evans, Elizabeth Perkins, Owen Wilson, Imogene Coca, Johnny Mercer, Dorothy Collins, and Fox News Channel’s Megyn Kelly. Edward R. Murrow’s acclaimed documentary series ‘See It Now’ debuted on CBS-TV; ‘As It Happens’ started it’s nearly 50 year run on CBC Radio; the first CanCon rules for TV were announced; CKNW Radio boosted its power to 5,000 watts at 1320 KHz; ABC-TV aired Britney Spears’ first TV concert; and Fats Domino sang ‘Blueberry Hill’ on CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show. Nov. 18th claimed the lives of bandleaders Ted Heath and Cab Calloway, singers Dorothy Kirsten and Hal Dickenson (The Modernaires), composer Cy Coleman and actor Harold J. Stone. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

Off the Record, a popular daily half-hour talk show, will soon end its run on TSN after 18 years. Officially, OTR is “evolving,” with host Michael Landsberg staying on to produce shorter segments to be aired during the network’s nightly highlights show SportsCentre and online starting in the new year.

Media Hierarchy Activity Preferences, include broadcast radio, pureplay and simulcast Internet radio, owned music, social media sites, podcasting and other entertainmentmedia activity - Dave Van Dyke (Photo)

Happy Birthday to Canadians Gordon Lightfoot, Lorne Michaels and Rachel McAdams. Also born this date were the late Rock Hudson, Archie Campbell and Jack Lescoulie. Calgary’s CHQR began broadcasting at 810 KHz with 10,000 watts; Edgar Bergen and his dummy Charlie McCarthy became overnight sensations after guesting on NBC radio’s ‘Rudy Vallee Show’; Rush Limbaugh returned to the airwaves after a month in drug rehab;FOX-TV aired the US’ first condom ad; longtime CBS newsman Roger Mudd (pictured) began working for NBC News; and Elton John recorded his next album live on New York’s WABC-FM. Passing away Nov. 17th were Chicago radio children’s favorite Ireene Wicker, big band singer Bob Eberly, announcer Bill Baldwin, and country music’s Don Gibson. Details and ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

Also getting their walking papers today were a number of lesser known technical personnel from Victoria, and at least a dozen unnamed personnel at Bell operations in Vancouver. (SEE DETAILS IN THE COMMENTS THAT FOLLOW)

The most-watched and highest-rated broadcast of the fall was Fox's coverage of the Nov. 1 Seahawks-Cowboys game, which averaged 29.4 million viewers and a 17.0 household rating.