Industry News

Canada’s government-owned broadcasting network, CBC, cut Donald Trump out of its Christmas Day broadcast of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

Boxing Day saw the birth of funny men Steve Allen and Alan King, actors Jared Leto and Eden Sher, musicians Bob Carpenter and Chris Daughtry, and ‘America’s Most Wanted’ host John Walsh. The WSM Barn Dance began a Saturday night tradition on Nashville radio, soon becoming the ‘Grand Ole Opry.’ ‘Big Sister’ ended its 16 year run as a daytime soap on CBS Radio; Victoria’s 107.3 switched off the Christmas music, and introduced KOOL-FM, with ‘Today’s Best Music’; ‘The Shadow’ ended its 24-year radio run; and ‘Search for Tomorrow’ ended its 35 year run on first CBS-TV, and for the last five years, NBC. Obits Dec. 26th include Jack Benny, Jason Robards, Nigel Hawthorne, Fontella Bass, wrestler Gorgeous George, and LA sportscaster Stu Nahan. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

Willis also co-wrote the Broadway musical “The Color Purple” and the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance” — among hundreds of other songs including several Earth, Wind &Fire classics— and won a Grammy for the “Beverly Hills Cop” soundtrack.

While the audience is transported to fictional towns like "East Riverton," they're actually watching B.C., which has become the go-to place to film the made-for-TV holiday flicks. And picking out the locations has become a favourite pastime for locals.

Born on Xmas Day were Rod Serling, Jimmy Buffett, WKRP’s Gary Sandy, Barbara Mandrell, Sissy Spacek, and bandleader Leighton Noble, who lived out his retirement years in Victoria BC. Trail BC got its own radio station when the experimental 10AT signed on; Milton Cross hosted the first Metropolitan Opera broadcast; Bing Crosby performed ‘White Christmas’ for the first time on NBC radio’s ‘Kraft Music Hall’; and Walt Disney made his first foray into TV. Obits this day include Dean Martin, W.C. Fields, Eartha Kitt, Joan Blondell, and the ‘Godfather of Soul’ James Brown. ALL the broadcast milestones for Christmas Day INSIDE.

The NBC hockey commentator joked about being in a sexual threesome with studio host Kathryn Tappen and his wife.

Happy Birthday to Ryan Seacrest, Ricky Martin, Canadian Steve Smith (whom you know better as Red Green), and actor Mark Valley. The BBC aired radio’s first play, ‘The Truth About Father Christmas’; the ‘Voice of Firestone’ began its 27 years of light classical music on US Monday night radio; Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’ starring Lionel Barrymore (pictured) began its long run each yuletide on the radio networks; a Midnight Mass was televised for the first time on NBC, beginning a 71 year annual tradition thus far; and Perry Como made his TV debut as NBC televised radio's ‘Chesterfield Supper Club.’ Checking out on Christmas Eve over the decades were actors Jack Klugman, Charles Durning and Peter Lawford, CBS president Frank Stanton and producer James Komack. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

Rremember this about ratings: “Live by the book, die by the book.” Those numbers you’re bragging about could come back and bite you in the future.

While music-streaming platforms are on the rise, vinyl is having a moment, with records set to outsell CDs for the first time in more than 30 years, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.

It’s the day when Don McNeill of radio’s ‘Breakfast Club’ and James Gregory of TV’s ‘Barney Miller’ were born. As well it’s Happy Birthday to Harry Shearer, Susan Lucci, Patrick Watson and Eddie Vedder. The BBC began regular daily radio newscasts; NBC began programming its national radio network; the first complete opera (Hansel & Gretel) was televised on WRGB Schenectady; Swift Current got local TV service as CJFB signed on; the daytime soap ‘The Young and the Restless’ premiered on CBS-TV; and the ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ cartoon was televised for the first time. Obits for Dec. 23 include Dragnet’s Jack Webb, Canadian jazzman Oscar Peterson, comic pianist Victor Borge and actor Charlie Ruggles. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.