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CBS News Radio Preparing Documentary on Unsolved Murder of Reporter George Polk

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CBS News Radio Preparing Documentary on Unsolved Murder of Reporter George Polk

CBS News Radio is preparing for an upcoming documentary that will air over Memorial Day weekend that investigates the unsolved murder of CBS News reporter George Polk.

In honor of World Press Freedom Day, CBS News Radio released a trailer for the documentary.

Polk was murdered sometime in early May 1948 while covering the Greek Civil War. His bloated body was found in the Aegean Sea on May 15th, 1948. The 34-year-old was shot in the back of the head in Thessaloniki, Greece.

An innocent man was ultimately sentenced to life in prison for assisting two other men who were framed in his murder before being released after proving he first arrived in the city two days after Polk’s murder.

Produced by CBS News Radio correspondent Steven Portnoy, Who Killed George Polk? investigates the details behind the murder, the CIA’s involvement, and a subsequent media cover-up.

CBS News Radio affiliates can broadcast the documentary between Friday, Mary 26th, and Monday, May 29th.

Rick Tocchet Returns to NHL on TNT Crew

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When Rick Tocchet departed as a studio analyst for the NHL on TNT to take over the vacant Vancouver Canucks coaching position, it represented a difficult moment for the network and his colleagues. In fact, Paul Bissonnette and Henrik Lundqvist performed a rendition of “Good Riddance” by Green Day to commemorate his time with the network and the memorable moments he provided viewers.

It was announced that Tocchet will be rejoining the network this weekend alongside studio host Liam McHugh and analysts Anson Carter and the aforementioned Bissonnette. He will serve as a guest analyst in the studio for TNT’s coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, Tocchet revealed that he had a variety of options to continue coaching in hockey, but ultimately turned it down to join the broadcast team on TNT and work with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports. His insight and expertise gained from coaching an NHL team during the 2022-23 season should prove invaluable to hockey fans aiming to garner insights into the game.

Tocchet will join a wide array of NHL players and personnel contributing to sports media coverage while actively being employed by a team. The network knew that he was being considered as a candidate for head coaching jobs throughout the season, softening the blow his exit had, but proving to be a significant loss nonetheless. In 36 games as the head coach of the Canucks, the team posted a 20-12-4 record – equating to 44 points – and finished 12 points out of the second Wild Card position in the Western Conference standings.

Mark Levin: I’ll End My Fox News Show If Viewers Are Serious About Boycott

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Fox News has continued to slip in the ratings after it unceremoniously fired primetime host Tucker Carlson last week. Conservative radio host Mark Levin — who also hosts a weekend program on the network — said he’ll end his Fox News show if people are serious about a boycott.

During The Mark Levin Show Thursday, he claimed that he has heard from fans and listeners that they are simply boycotting the network. He maintained that if that is truly the case, he’ll stop hosting Life, Liberty & Levin on Sunday evenings.

“I will only do these shows as long as you want them. And I don’t normally read comments. But we put that up on my own social sites, and some of you have said you’re boycotting the whole network so you won’t be watching the show. I will tell you this. I will be monitoring pretty much how many of you are watching this show. And if you’re gonna boycott my show too, I won’t do it. I don’t have to do it. I do it because I think you’ll like it…So, if that’s the attitude — and I don’t think it is, I think it’s a few morons who get online and just do what they do — it’s no skin off my nose.”

Levin added that while he assumes the majority of his audience isn’t boycotting the network, not hosting his Fox News program might be a welcomed change.

“I don’t think it’s any secret that I have enough money I don’t have to do any of these things anymore. I’m not patting myself on the head. Quite the contrary. I’m just saying, if people aren’t interested, and they want to boycott, fine. My wife might be thrilled. She says ‘We never take a vacation. We never have time off’.

“I’m only talking to those who are trying to stir the pot out there. If that’s your attitude — and I don’t most of you — you’re not hurting me. I don’t live for it. You’re not hurting me. I just try to do the best I can at everything I do.”

Levin launched Life, Liberty & Levin on Fox News in 2018, and signed a contract extension to remain with the network in November of last year.

David Zaslav: ‘This is a New CNN’ After Donald Trump Town Hall Announcement

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David Zaslav: ‘This is a New CNN’ After Donald Trump Town Hall Announcement

An announcement earlier this week that former President Donald Trump would appear on CNN for a New Hampshire town hall event raised eyebrows. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is defending the network, and the move, amid pushback.

“The U.S. has a divided government. We need to hear both voices,” Zaslav said during an appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box. “That’s what you see. Republicans are on the air on CNN, Democrats are on CNN. All voices should be heard on CNN.”

He then argued that with many news organizations looking to push political agendas, CNN shouldn’t be in that business.

“There are a number of advocacy networks out there. Our focus is to be a network, the best version of the facts, as the great Carl Bernstein would say, great journalism, and not just politics either,” “But when we do politics, we represent both sides. I think it’s important for America.”

When asked if the approach CNN could produce ratings in the current political and cable news landscape, Zaslav said ratings weren’t as important as finding balance in the CNN brand.

“We got a great political season coming. This is a new CNN. I’m proud of CNN. We’re on a great journey, and this country needs it. Journalism, facts, broad aperture…I believe in great brands. I believe in what Ted (Turner) created. It inspired me to get in this business. If you build a great brand, in a long time, you’ll have a lot more value…we’ve got a nice foundation, we’re focused on getting it right.”

When asked if CNN was an “advocacy network” under former CEO Jeff Zucker, Zaslav declined to answer.

Critics have argued that Trump’s role in the January 6th Insurrection, as well as his recent civil and criminal legal troubles, should preclude the network from propping up the candidate. However, at the interview’s conclusion, Zaslav argued that Trump is the Republican frontrunner, and the network has a duty to cover him like any other political candidate.

Boomer And Gio To Receive Head Start At TD Five Boro Bike Tour

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In New York City, approximately 32,000 cyclists will gather this Sunday to take part in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour. The annual program takes participants through parts of Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island and Manhattan to benefit charities around the city and teaches citizens how to safely exercise on the streets. Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti of WFAN will take part in the proceedings, racing on “Team Boomer” to raise both awareness and funding for cystic fibrosis.

“A couple of warm days over the weekend, which is much needed for us, on Sunday here in the city for the Five Boro Bike Tour,” Giannotti said. “We will shake off our stiffness from the game last night to ride a bike 40 miles in the city.”

CBS Sports Network will provide coverage of Esiason and Giannotti’s journey in the race, sending two camera people to capture the day. Yet these media members are not considered to be a part of “Team Boomer” itself, and will therefore be racing independently. Producer Stephen Waldron joined Boomer & Gio on WFAN via phone to explain how the network will go about presenting the occurrence.

“They’re going to try to follow you around as much as they can,” Waldron explained. “They’re in the race for themselves.”

Once Esiason and Giannotti discovered that the camera people are not a part of “Team Boomer,” they asked what will be done to account for the head start the team itself is receiving. Waldron replied that the network is trying to coordinate with the event to allow them to have a head start themselves, to which Giannotti said, “Okay, yeah, good luck with that.”

NewsNation VP: Expanding Round The Clock News Coverage ‘Tremendously Important’

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Cable upstart news network NewsNation recently completed an expansion to feature news content for 24 hours each weekday. Cherie Grzech, the network’s Vice President of News and Managing Editor of the outlet, said the move couldn’t have been a bigger priority.

“It was tremendously important,” Grzech told TVNewsCheck’s Talking TV. “Obviously, when a breaking news story happens, the American public wants to go to someplace they can trust and someplace they can get the news immediately. So, when we weren’t able to provide that in the middle of the day, that was a dimension and a milestone we really wanted to hit…it’s really been a great and exciting week for us with that 24/5 move.”

NewsNation launched a revamped midday and early afternoon lineup, and added shows like The Hill, hosted by Leland Vittert, and Elizabeth Vargas Reports. It also debuted new studios in New York in the WPIX building, which Grzech said showcased the network’s investment into becoming a player in the space.

“The studios in New York are absolutely exceptional. I was up there a couple of weeks ago, and to see the video wall that is in Elizabeth Vargas Reports‘ studio, which Cuomo will be in soon, that is just an amazing entity because you’re able to show so many different visual elements at the same time, [whether] graphics to have someone understand the story better or a live shot to take you to the scene.

The numbers, I mean, I think we have over 300 LEDs across the New York studio, and then our control room, if not the biggest, is one of the biggest control rooms in the country in any network setting. It really allows our personnel to see all of the various feeds that are coming in, not only from NewsNation, as we talked about, but from Nexstar, from other entities, so that we can be monitoring what’s happening across the country and bring it to the viewer as quickly as possible in the control room.”

Mitch Rosen Named VP & Brand Manager of 670 The Score, Ryan Porth Becomes PD

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Audacy is making a big moves in Chicago. Mitch Rosen as received a promotion. His new title is Vice President and Brand Manager of 670 The Score. He will also continue in his role as VP of the BetQL Network.

Rosen isn’t the only one receiving a promotion. Ryan Porth has been upped from assistant program director to PD. He will report to Rosen and oversee all of the Score’s on-air content.

“The Score has meant so much to me and my family since the day I walked in February of 2005,” Rosen said in a press release. “It’s about the people that work so hard every day producing content for our audience and amazing partners. I’m thrilled to continue expanding the role with the Audacy team and grow The Score brand into the future!”

Porth came to The Score in 2022 from 102.5 The Game in Nashville, where he had been since 2012. He also served as the executive producer of the Nashville Predators Radio Network.

“Ryan Porth came into The Score “Cubhouse” in January of 2022 and has fit in like a veteran,” said Rosen. “We are excited about his next step in helping to guide the future of Chicago’s sports powerhouse.”

“Mitch Rosen is The Score and has led his team for nearly two decades of unprecedented success,” said Greg Solk, vice president of programming and operations, Audacy Chicago. “He has a keen eye for talent and has the deepest relationships in Chicago sports media. We are all excited about the future of The Score with Mitch leading the way.”

KFAN Adds New Affiliate in Owatonna, MN

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KFAN Adds New Affiliate in Owatonna, MN

KFAN has picked up a new affiliate. Shows from the Minneapolis-based sports station will now be heard on 1170 AM and 106.3 FM in Owatonna, MN. 

Main Street Broadcasting flipped its conservative talker FOX News 1170 on Monday. In addition to the shows from Minneapolis, the station will also carry a local midday show called Mic’d Up Misfits. 

Mic’d Up Misfits is hosted by Jon Partridge. The show also features Jon Weisbrod, who runs The Husky Bulletin, a site covering local high school football and is now partnered with the station.

The station has rebranded as KFAN Owatonna. It is the third market to take KFAN programming. The other two are Mankato and Marshall, MN.

CNN Promotes Laura Coates to Chief Legal Analyst

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CNN Promotes Laura Coates to Chief Legal Analyst

CNN has announced Laura Coates has been promoted to the network’s Chief Legal Analyst.

Coates will continue to fill in as an anchor throughout CNN programming in addition to her new role as Chief Legal Analyst.

Jeffrey Toobin, the last Chief Legal Analyst for CNN, departed the network last year. His exit came two years after he was suspended for inadvertently exposing himself to WNYC and The New Yorker colleagues on a Zoom call during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She was previously in line to anchor the network’s 11:00 PM ET news hour, but CNN ultimately decided to expand Alisyn Camerota’s show to a two-hour program. In response, CNN employees raised concerns with management over the lack of diversity in the network’s lineup.

“The concern is that it’s all white people who don’t have experience anchoring — while surrounding them with [contributors who are] African American and people of color is a sleight of hand,” a CNN employee said at the time. “To have someone made anchor after five to six months’ experience is insulting to journalists of color who have been there for a long time and have established themselves as credible journalists.” 

In addition to her work with CNN, she is also the host of The Laura Coates Show on SiriusXM’s POTUS Channel 124. She recently moved to mornings on the station after flipping timeslots with Julie Mason.

Ronnie & TKras: Tom Brady is Going To Pass Up ‘$300 Million Retirement Job’

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Ronnie & TKras: Tom Brady is Going To Pass Up ‘$300 Million Retirement Job’

Earlier this week, Andrew Marchand got the sports media world’s attention when he said that he is hearing that Tom Brady is getting cold feet about beginning a broadcasting career with FOX. The future Hall of Fame just completed a three-year run in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers. Over on WDAE, Ronnie & TKras said Thursday that if Brady has cold feet about broadcasting, then maybe their hometown team won’t be where his playing days end.

“That is crazy stuff to back away from a $300 million deal with Fox,” Ronnie Lane said. “That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”

“That gig is not supposed to start until next year, 2024,” Tom Krasniqi answered. “I’ll tell you why he might back out – football! Football is still on his mind.”

Marchand said that he has heard Tom Brady is leaning “51/49” towards not joining FOX. The deal he signed with the network was announced before the start of last season. Following his retirement announcement earlier this year, Brady said that he would take a year away from the sport entirely before showing up on TV. His duties with FOX are supposed to include serving as color analyst on the network’s top game each week and serving as an ambassador for the FOX Sports brand.

Brady has three kids. Two of them live in Miami with his ex-wife Gisele Bündchen. His parents live in Northern California. With both the Dolphins and 49ers facing uncertain quarterbacking situations headed into the 2023 season, Krasniqi says you cannot rule out the idea that Brady may think it makes more sense to keep playing.

“He’s had every opportunity to say ‘No, nope, I’m retired. I’m not doing that anymore,’ and he hasn’t done it.”

The WDAE afternoon show is far from the first ones to point this out. Albert Breer, Colin Cowherd, and Phil Simms have all been on the record saying they do not believe we will ever see Tom Brady calling games on FOX.

Ronnie Lane says he was confident that Brady’s playing days were over. Now, he has second thoughts. It doesn’t mean that he understands why Brady would make that decision though.

“I know you’re loaded, but who backs away from a $300 million retirement job? I mean, that’s basically what it is.”

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