Industry News

A sales industry veteran, Gerry MacKrell, (pictured) spent 23 years at Corus Entertainment, most recently as Senior Vice-President of Sales

After more than four decades in the news industry, Global Edmonton station manager Tim Spelliscy (Center) will be retiring at the end of August

“We’re not going to reinvent sports radio,” he admitted as a frank reality. The format has persisted for more than two decades across North America — for good reason..

For the first time in the network’s 21-year history, MSNBC was the most-watched cable network during weekday prime (Monday-Friday 8-11 p.m.) in total viewers.

IT WAS JULY 25th … when the Canadian Marconi Company made the first trans-Atlantic two-way radio broadcast from Signal Hill, Newfoundland, to the S-S “Victoria” 1200 miles away… When 2XAG in Schenectady, NY (later known as WGY) became the first radio station in the U.S. to broadcast with a 50,000-watt transmitter…. When in pre-WWII New York City TV station W2XBS presented television’s first musical comedy. The show was Topsy and Eva …. ..and when NBC-TV’s “Midnight Special” featured songs by Neil Sedaka, Janis Ian, Jessi Colter, and Kraftwerk. Hostess for the week was Helen Reddy (pictured). ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

Nineteen groups representing media producers, writers, directors and actors are imploring Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly to overturn or send back the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s decision to lower the amount some broadcasters must spend on dramas, comedies, award shows, children’s programs and documentaries.

To his family he was a compassionate, creative, intelligent, curious, fearless, rebellious and strong-minded role model with an unforgettable sense of humour.

IT WAS JULY 24th .. when U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (pictured) stopped in the middle of his 4th ‘Fireside Chat’ on national radio and asked for a glass of water, which he then sipped… When the melodramatic “Romance of Helen Trent” debuted on midwest regional radio before becoming a CBS network staple three months later, and running daily for the next 27 years!… When NBC correspondent Edwin Newman became news anchor of the TV network’s ‘Today Show’…. ..and when the independent sales of three BC radio stations.. CJAT Trail. CJAV Port Alberni, and CKAY Duncan .. were approved by the CRTC. ALL the milestones for July 24th INSIDE.

IT WAS JULY 23rd … when the Telstar communications satellite made possible the first live TV broadcast from the US to Europe… When Toronto-born rocker Neil Young (pictured), at age 17, held his first recording session in the studios of Winnipeg radio station CKRC… When the FCC approved the AM stereo radio system; KTSA in San Antonio was the first to go stereo… ..and when the three-year old television network FOX-TV topped ABC, NBC and CBS in the ratings for the 1st time, thanks to “America’s Most Wanted.” ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE. Also, on this day in 2011, Amy Whitehouse died.

Heard had a lengthy roster of film and television credits throughout a career spanning four decades, including playing the forgetful father in Home Alone and its sequel.