Puget Sound Radio

Happy Birthday to broadcast journalists Savannah Guthrie and Arthur Kent. It’s also the date when the late Sydney Greenstreet, Oscar Levant and Cokie Roberts were born. ‘The Glenn Miller Show’ began its 3-year, 3-times a week run on CBS radio; C-ISL AM 650 became Vancouver’s Oldies Station, and CKKS became ‘JACK FM.’ Don McNeill’s ‘Breakfast Club’ ended its 35 year run on ABC Radio; ‘Howdy Doody Time’ (pictured) started its 13 year run on NBC-TV; the prime time soap ‘Knot’s Landing’ debuted on CBS-TV, and The Doors played ‘Light My Fire’ on CBS-TV’s ‘Jonathan Winters Show.’ Among those departing forever Dec. 27th were Vancouver’s first TV anchorman, Tom Robinson, and music men Hoagy Carmichael, Freddie King and Vancouver’s Chris Gage. ALL the milestones for Dec. 27th INSIDE;

There was a bitter irony to what befell Canada’s local television and radio broadcasters when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Just as the need for local news and information rose, the advertising revenue that broadcasters rely on plunged as large sections of the economy were shut down to prevent transmission of the coronavirus.

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.

For the last five years, Matt and Terry Dimonte have gotten together for a podcast chat around Christmas time. Terry loves Christmas and its a chance to talk about radio and a whole lot more.

Vanessa Newman is the afternoon host at Z95.3 in Vancouver. She is a recipient of the British Columbia Broadcasters Performer of Tomorrow. Her radio journey starts in the late 90’s spending summers in Montreal with her Uncle Terry Dimonte from then Mix 96 and later CJAD.

Faith Hill performing "Joy To The World" on NBC's "Christmas In Rockefeller"

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.