Date Posted: 1/12/2023
Scripps Local Media station ABC 7 WKBW in Buffalo, N.Y., demonstrates local broadcasters’ commitment to seeing their communities through the long-term recovery from natural disasters with their ongoing and in-depth coverage of December’s blizzard. Recent stories including a memoriam of the victims of the blizzard and pieces looking at the ongoing impact of the blizzard on the local economy.
Date Posted: 6/10/2022
The 24th annual Cares for Kids Radiothon from iHeartMedia radio stations in Albany, N.Y., raised $314,000 for the Bernard and Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Med.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming generosity shown by our community each year during Radiothon,” said Barbara E. Ostrov, MD, chief of service of the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital. “That support, along with the dedication of our sponsors and great media partners at iHeartMedia Albany, helps ensure that we can provide the best care possible for all of our young patients.”
“It is with a deep commitment to our community that iHeartMedia has continued its partnership with Albany Med and the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital this year to help raise funds and awareness of needs at the hospital,” said Howard Greiner, Area President for iHeartMedia. “All of us at iHeart want to do our part and we’re thrilled for the success of this year’s Radiothon.”
Date Posted: 5/31/2022
Bold Gold Media’s 11th Annual Thunder 102 and 104.5 Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon raised $61,729 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 2022. Over the years, this event has raised over $600,000. “This type of fundraiser is truly what local radio is all about, connecting the community with an amazing cause,” said Dawn Ciorciari, general manager of Bold Gold Media NY Operations.
Date Posted: 2/25/2022
Lite Rock 97.3 (WYXL-FM) Ithaca raised more than $13,000 for United Way of Tompkins County with the “Wine & Dine Radiothon” in February. For 13 hours, Dave Ashton and Jen Mattison of Lite Rock 97.3 hosted the live radiothon, where they auctioned a different restaurant and wine or beer pairing every hour to listeners with the highest bid. Restaurants donated $200 gift certificates and each Finger Lakes Region winery or brewery donated a case of wine or beer.
Date Posted: 12/6/2021
WSYR-TV’s Jeff Kulikowsky and Christie Casciano question Upstate Medical University’s Chair of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Dr. Chris Morley about COVID-19 in Central New York. The interview provided guidance and important information for viewers as the country continues to face the latest COVID-19 surge.
Date Posted: 9/14/2021
Audacy’s WFAN AM/FM New York City “Moose and Maggie” show broke the story on September 2 of the rescue of Yankees broadcaster John Sterling from his flooded car by fellow broadcaster Rickie Ricardo due to Hurricane Ida. Ricardo, who is the Spanish broadcast voice of the Yankees, was on his way home from the stadium when he received a call from a colleague about Sterling stuck in his car on a flooded street. Ricardo slowly made his way to where Sterling was on River Road in Edgewater after finally connecting on the phone due to spotty cell service and helped Sterling get out of the flooded car, wade through the water and into his car. It took about another hour to go half a mile to get to Sterling’s home and then an hour after that for Ricardo to make it to his home a mile away, but both were safe after the ordeal.
Date Posted: 9/14/2021
As the remnants of Hurricane Ida produced historic flooding in the Northeast on September 1, triggering the first ever flash food emergency for northeast New Jersey and New York City, NBC-owned WNBC New York, N.Y., informed their viewers how to stay safe before, during and after a flood. The station explained the differences between watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service, emphasized the importance of obeying evacuation orders and avoiding walking or driving through flood waters and warned people to wear the appropriate gear to clean up after the storm and be aware of the risk of electrocution.
Date Posted: 2/1/2021
ABC-owned WABC-TV New York will air content focused on Black History Month almost daily on air and online via their website. Programming highlights include pieces on the importance of understanding Black history as American history, pandemic frontline workers, vaccine concerns, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the next generation of leaders and activists. WABC’s “Here and Now,” an hour-long program dedicated to issues of interest to the Black community airing Sundays at noon, has aired an archive of past stories.
Date Posted: 12/17/2020
iHeartMedia’s
WLTW-FM New York City wrapped up its third annual "Hope for the Holidays" Radiothon on December 17 and raised an astounding $1,222,737 to benefit Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone. The fourteen hour radiothon was broadcast from the iHeartRadio Theater with station personalities
Paul "Cubby" Bryant, Christine Nagy, Helen Little, Rich Kaminski,
Nina Del Rio and Jack Kratoville. The group encouraged listeners to donate in support of the hospital and the children undergoing treatment there.
Date Posted: 12/2/2020
Sinclair Broadcast Group’s CBS affiliate WRGB-TV Albany’s anchor Anne McCloy has helped thousands of people access unemployment benefits during the ongoing pandemic. After she was approached by someone struggling to get through to the state’s unemployment office, Anne McCloy began investigating the backlog, eventually bringing the issue directly to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo during a press conference. Read the account of her work and the impact on ending the state’s unemployment claims backlog here.
Date Posted: 6/28/2020
iHeart Media’s WRVE-FM, WGY-AM and WGY-FM Latham, N.Y., was nominated for a Service to Community Award in the Radio – Medium Market category.
The stations held their 21st annual Cares for Kids Radiothon to raise funds and to support the programs and services offered at the Bernard and Millie Duker Children’s Hospital. On May 2-3, 2019, these three local stations held a 25-hour live radio broadcast to encourage donations to the hospital’s pediatric health care programs. Leading up to the live broadcast, a variety of preliminary fundraising events were held to increase donations and generate awareness about the hospital’s programs and services. Due to the campaigns and support from these three stations the community raised $330,620 while showing its support for the hospital team that works so hard to provide quality care for sick kids.
Date Posted: 5/5/2020
ABC owned-and-operated WABC-TV New York City presented a live town hall on April 30 to address the impact of COVID-19 on the African American community. The town hall was hosted by reporter Darla Miles and featured ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton.
Date Posted: 4/29/2020
Nexstar Broadcasting’s 15 stations in upstate New York hosted a virtual Town Hall meeting on April 28 regarding coronavirus with members of Congress to address to federal response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The town hall featured U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi, U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, U.S. Rep. John Katko, U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle and U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins.
The town hall originated on Albany stations ABC affiliate WTEN-TV and FOX affiliate WXXA-TV and was hosted anchor and political affairs reporter Tim Lake. It also aired on CBS affiliate WIVB-TV and CW affiliate WNLO-TV Buffalo; CBS affiliate WROC-TV Rochester; ABC affiliate WSYR-TV Syracuse; ABC affiliate WVNY-TV and FOX affiliate WFFF-TV Plattsburgh; NBC affiliate WBGH-CD and ABC affiliate WIVT-TV Binghamton; NBC affiliate WETM-TV Elmira; ABC affiliate WUTR-TV, FOX affiliate WFXV-TV and WPNY-LP Utica; and ABC affiliate WWTI-TV Watertown, NY.
Date Posted: 3/26/2020
North Country Radio’s WSLP-FM, WRGR-FM, WNBZ-AM and WLPW-FM Placid, N.Y., launched a public service campaign to encourage listeners to purchase gift cards from local businesses. “The Gift Card Challenge” PSA is available for use at radio stations across the country.
“We’ve been hearing from many of our listeners that they want to do something, anything to help out. Our on-air staff has been talking about buying gift cards already,” said WSLP Vice President Jim Williams. “The Gift Card Challenge PSA is a positive message that sums up the idea in a creative 60 second message.”
Listen to the spot here.
Date Posted: 1/22/2020
Entercom’s New York cluster partnered with WhyHunger on November 26 to raise a record-breaking $285,100 as a part of the 34th annual “Hungerthon” donation drive and auction. The all-day broadcast aired on WFAN-FM/AM, WCBS-AM, WINS-AM, WCBS-FM, WNYL-FM, WNEW-FM and WNSH-FM, as well as on their digital platforms. Auction items included a visit to the Entercom New York, an autographed Bruce Springsteen guitar and a VIP concert experience with Billie Eilish.
Date Posted: 1/22/2020
iHeartMedia WLTW-FM New York City raised $519,000 during its second annual “Hope for the Holidays” radiothon on December 19 to benefit Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.
The station’s on-air personalities hosted a live broadcast from Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital. The event also featured performances by Elizabeth Chan, The Currents Choir, and The Alternate Routes.
“We are delighted to be part of such a monumental cause in New York City,” said Program Director Chris Conley. “We are honored to partner with Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital in supporting children and families in the metro area that are going through treatment. We look forward to continue to grow this partnership in the years to come.”
Date Posted: 12/15/2019
Cumulus-owned WABC-AM New York City raised $205,000 on December 13 in its “Radiothon for the Kids,” which broadcast live from Cohen Children’s Medical Center. The money raised will go directly to Cohen Children’s Medical Center for patient care, equipment and pediatric research. The money will also support the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Program, which uses technology, play, art therapy, music therapy and pet therapy to reduce stress for children and their families facing hospitalization and illness.
Date Posted: 10/30/2019
Nexstar’s CBS affiliate WROC Rochester, N.Y., celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by producing and airing special stories each Monday during its 5:30 p.m. newscast. It aired the half-hour special, “Hidden History: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage,” three times. Governor Andrew Cuomo presented WROC with a proclamation for its coverage of Hispanic Heritage Month and its commitment to fair representation. “It is fitting that all New Yorkers share in the events that highlight the extensive legacy of accomplishment, success, and abundantly rich Latino customs and traditions,” he said.
“This is truly an honor, and the credit goes to our entire news team,” said General Manager Wendy Bello. “Our Hispanic Heritage initiative is a collaboration of impactful stories celebrating the proud heritage of Hispanic culture and its influence in the Rochester community.”
Date Posted: 9/13/2019
Cumulus-owned WGRF-FM Buffalo, NY., set a new donation record for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western New York. The station raised more than $300,000 during the 25th annual Make-A-Wish Radiothon. The 28-hour program was broadcast on location from the Eastern Hills Mall in Williamsville, NY.
“It’s a real honor to work with all the people who came together for 2019 Make-A-Wish Radiothon,” said Vice President and Market Manager Jim Riley. “Because Western New Yorkers responded so generously, Make-A-Wish will be putting smiles on faces and changing a lot of lives over the next year.”
Date Posted: 6/1/2019
Tribune’s CW affiliate WPIX-TV New York City sent Reporter Cristian Benavides and Photographer Kenneth Pelczar to Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, Central America’s Northern Triangle, to report what the conditions are like in the root of America’s migrant crisis. Meeting with church officials, local leaders, displaced workers and union representatives, the team gathered information for use in WPIX’s news series titled “Trapped in the Triangle,” to help viewers understand the driving factors behind the current waves of migrants from these countries to the United States.
“The story of migration from Central America is one of profound complexity. It’s about people not politics. We at [WPIX] are pleased to take our viewers to the heart of a region to discover why so many are willing to risk so much and to come so far,” said WPIX Vice President of News and Content Vickie Burns.
Date Posted: 5/6/2019
Scripps’ ABC affiliate WKBW Buffalo, N.Y., earned recognition by Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) for its work to uncover child sexual abuse inside the Catholic Church in Western New York.
WKBW won for its 2018 investigative series, Fall from Grace: How Buffalo’s Bishop Hid Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. As a result of its initial reporting, a source within the Buffalo diocese agreed to work with WKBW investigative reporter Charlie Specht and photojournalist Jeff Wick, providing the investigative team with evidence of a church cover-up. The FBI launched a criminal investigation centered on the leadership of the diocese, and more victims have come forward to tell their stories exclusively to Specht.
“The persistent and careful storytelling of Charlie, Jeff and the WKBW I-team brought to light a story with difficult subject matter and tragic consequences for the children involved,” said Brian Lawlor, Scripps’ president of local media. “We are proud of the team’s relentless pursuit of the truth and their commitment to holding the powerful accountable.”
Date Posted: 3/1/2019
Tribune’s CW affiliate WPIX New York created a four-part documentary series, “Only in New York,” that will air weekly beginning March 8. The series showcases highly controversial moments in New York City history, including a racially-charged subway shooting, the crack epidemic, two high-profile domestic abuse trials and the assassination of a rising political star. “Only in New York” features rare footage from the WPIX archives, expert analysts and new interviews.
Date Posted: 12/14/2018
Cumulus-owned WNSH-FM New York raised $154,000 for Children’s Miracle Network during its live “Miracle for the Kids” broadcast on December 14.
“This is one of the most magical days of the year at NASH FM 94.7,” said Program Director John Foxx. “Our community comes together and gives so much hope, love, and support to those who need it the most, the families of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.”
Date Posted: 11/1/2018
WINS-AM New York City, N.Y. was awarded the 2018 National Association of Broadcasters’ (NAB) Crystal Radio Award. Since 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards have recognized radio stations for their outstanding year-round commitment to community service. Among their outstanding public service, WINS-AM launched a show called “City Views,” which focuses on the work of local nonprofits.
Date Posted: 6/27/2018
NBC-owned WNBC-TV and Telemundo’s WNJU-TV New York City collected 1.9 million meals, which will restock eight food banks with 240 tons of nonperishable goods. The second annual “Feeding Our Families / Alimentando a Nuestras Familias” event was held April 28 in partnership with 254 Stop & Shop supermarkets and featured more than 1,000 volunteers, including anchors, reporters and station staff.
“WNBC is committed to fighting hunger and making a difference in every community we serve,” said General Manager Eric Lerner.
Date Posted: 6/1/2018
The New York State Broadcast Association (NYSBA) recently presented the “Serving New York” award to stations for service to their community conducted in 2017. The 59 winning stations from seven regions throughout the state hosted a variety of efforts that NYSABA representatives say “demonstrate the unique importance of broadcasting to the fabric of your communities.” Initiatives included telethons for hurricane relief, fundraisers to support childhood cancer research, school supply drives, winter coat collections and many more. Descriptions of the public service performed by each winner can be found here.
Date Posted: 6/1/2018
Tribune’s CW affiliate WPIX-TV New York City is broadcasting its morning news from 18 different zip codes in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut every Friday this summer. “Zip Trips” launched May 4 at Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx, near Yankee Stadium. “Taking a local TV newscast away from the studio to broadcast it live from a neighborhood is a huge undertaking… It’s risky, challenging and expensive,” said Paul Greely of TVNewsCheck. “But it’s also inventive, fun, unpredictable and very viewer-friendly.”
Date Posted: 4/30/2018
Univision-owned WXTV-TV New York City received multiple regional Emmys across eight categories. Notable wins include Emmys for Continuing Coverage and for “Tu Gente. Tu Voz.,” the campaign highlighting the deep connection between its local news team and the community. The Continuing Coverage award recognizes journalism led by News Reporter Yisel Tejeda and Cameraman/Editor Cesar Serra following the Jersey City incident in which police officers beat an innocent man who was engulfed in flames after escaping a car crash. Tejeda and Serra also received an award for Journalistic Enterprise.
Date Posted: 4/17/2018
Univision’s WXTV-TV and WADO-AM New York, in partnership with the Office of the Bronx Borough President, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, News 12 The Bronx, BronxNet and El Diario NY hosted “Enough is Enough, Ni Una Muerte Más” on April 17. The bilingual public forum in English and Spanish addressed concerns about gun laws in the nation, New York state, and New York City. Award-winning anchor Adriana Vargas and Emmy nominated anchor Jessica Cunnington moderated the panel, which included a Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark to address questions from the audience and those sent via Facebook.
View Video
Date Posted: 2/1/2018
NBC-owned WNBC-New York aired on February 4 the first interview with a man who grabbed $1.6 million of gold in an 86-pound bucket from the back of an armored truck in Manhattan in 2016 and disappeared.
WNBC tracked him down in Ecuador and provides an inside look at the robbery and his escape to South America. Watch the video here.
Date Posted: 1/1/2018
United Communications Corp.’s CBS affiliate WWNY-TV Watertown, N.Y. launched a 5 p.m. newscast titled “First at 5” in early 2018. The new broadcast will air live weekdays from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
“Our news expansion demonstrates our commitment not only to true localism, but to covering the issues most important to our viewers in all areas of Northern New York,” said WWNY-TV General Manager Ed Bassler.
“With the addition of a 5 p.m. news, 7 News will be presenting more than 27 hours of local news a week.,” said WWNY-TV News Director Scott Atkinson. “That’s a big, expensive commitment for a small TV station, but it’s one we’re proud to make.”
Date Posted: 1/1/2018
Entercom’s WCBS-AM, WINS-AM, WFAN-AM and WFAN-FM New York partnered with WhyHunger to raise awareness about hunger and poverty through its annual Thanksgiving radio tradition, “Hungerthon.” The campaign includes exclusive online auctions and radio promotions that continued through December 13. For the second year in a row, “Hungerthon” raised $1.1 million to invest in long-term solutions to hunger that will enrich communities and nourish people.
Date Posted: 12/15/2017
Cumulus’s WNSH-FM New York held it’s “Miracle for the Kids” live broadcast fundraising campaign on December 15. The event raised a total of $113,638 benefitting Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
Date Posted: 12/3/2017
Community Broadcasters’ WBDR-FM and WOTT-FM Watertown, N.Y., raised $103,000 in a radiothon for Children’s Miracle Network, held November 1 - 2. The funds stay local, supporting services at pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. Since 2001, the stations have raised nearly $2 million. Jim Leven, Community President and CEO, said, “I’m so proud of Lance Hale and Johnny Spezzano, who have been hosting the CMN Radiothon for nearly 20 years, for their tireless help. The north country audience is amazingly generous and help us to fulfill our mission as Community Broadcasters.”
Date Posted: 11/13/2017
Tribune’s CW affiliate WPIX-TV New York City gave $10,000 to a school for supplies and technology through its “Fuel My School” initiative. Thorne Middle School in Port Monmouth, N.J., was named the winner on November 13.
Date Posted: 11/10/2017
NBC-owned WNBC-TV New York City gets results through investigative journalism. Its special edition of “The I-Team Reports” on November 10 spotlighted positive changes from several stories. “High Rise” showed that construction workers on a high-rise project smoked what looked and smelled like marijuana during work. “Security Risks” at JFK Airport uncovered a culture of harassment affecting female employees. The city ramped up enforcement efforts following “Black Market Bogus Safety Cards,” an investigation produced jointly with Telemundo’s WNJU-TV that exposed a connection between fake safety training cards and dozens of construction-related deaths. “Mayor Arrested” tracked the story of a New Jersey mayor who pled guilty to corruption charges after ordering city construction teams to work on a relative’s business. “Taxpayer Triumph” showed how a WNBC investigation prompted the Administration for Children’s Services to significantly reduce its fees, saving taxpayers millions. The New York State Attorney General’s office continues to monitor companies posting fake reviews of local businesses, following WNBC’s “Phony Online Reviews.”
Date Posted: 6/23/2017
Fox-owned WNYW-TV New York City examined life at Rikers Island in a half-hour special report, “Street Soldiers with Lisa Evers,” on June 23. Reporter Lisa Evers hosted the town hall at the controversial correctional facility to look at the impact of new programs meant to rehabilitate 18 to 21-year-old inmates, many of whom were arrested for the first time and awaiting resolution of their cases. The program gave inmates, correction officers and program providers the chance to speak about their experiences.
Date Posted: 5/4/2017
iHeartMedia’s WGY-AM and WRVE-FM Latham, N.Y., held the “19th Annual Cares for Kids Radiothon” May 4-5. The five-hour live radio broadcast raised a total of $265,000 for sick and injured children at the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at the Albany Medical Center. “I’m proud of News Radio 810 & 103.1 WGY and 99.5 The River for joining our listeners to help local children and families seeking treatment at the hospital, which is an invaluable resource for the community,” said iHeartMedia Albany President Kristen Delaney.
Date Posted: 3/31/2017
Emmis’ WLIB-AM New York City raised more than $124,000 of St. Jude Children’s Hospital in a radiothon held March 12 – 13. Since its inception, WLIB has raised over $1.5 million for St. Jude. Watch video from the event here.
Date Posted: 2/15/2017
CBS Radio’s WINS-AM New York City has produced an eight-part series, “Living in Live Time,” and a related campaign called “I Decide Today,” to address cyber-bullying. The New York Education Department reports a 19 percent increase in the city’s public schools and a 31 percent increase in charter schools. The series includes dozens of interviews with experts, kids and celebrities. It also features two young women who had plastic surgery because they didn’t like how they looked in selfies.
“Part of our mission is to explore important issues but we also want to improve the lives and the communities we serve,” News Director Ben Mevorach told Radio Ink. “The response to our last series on the heroin epidemic and the heroin summit we co-hosted (more than 600 people attended) was so overwhelming, it confirmed for us that we were connecting in a meaningful and powerful way. We believe Living in Live Time can be used as part of the curriculum in schools across America and as a discussion starter in every family that has teens and tweens.”
Date Posted: 2/1/2017
Emmis’ WBLS-FM New York City released an original content series, “Living Black History,” beginning February 1 in honor of Black History Month. The series focuses on African Americans making history today, including Tamika Mallory, Arva Rice, Rev. Al Sharpton, Imhotep Gary Byrd, and Rev. Jesse Jackson. View the episode featuring Tamika Mallory here.
Date Posted: 12/1/2016
The New York State Broadcasters Association hosted its annual regional luncheons honoring the public service efforts of local stations. The “Serving New York Awards” recognize the extraordinary efforts of New York’s broadcasters in serving the public every day. View winners by region: Rochester, Buffalo, Long Island, New York City, Southern Tier, Central New York and Albany/Capital Region.
Date Posted: 11/28/2016
Alpha Media’s KSAL-AM and Y93.7 Salina, N.Y. assisted Saint Francis Community Services’ “Christmas for Kids” campaign by collecting hundreds of toys through on-air donations and several community toy drives from November 28 through December 13. “We are so thankful for Alpha Media in orchestrating the events to raise awareness and collect toys and clothes for the children of Saint Francis. This year, they made sure Christmas wishes came true for 70 individual children in our care, with an abundance of additional gifts to help meet the needs of the additional 700 kids served by Saint Francis in Salina and surrounding communities,” said Director of Marketing for Saint Francis Community Services Vickee Spicer.
Date Posted: 10/28/2016
Nexstar’s NBC affiliate WETM-TV Elmira, N.Y. hosted a debate on October 28 between incumbent Tom Reed and Democratic challenger John Plumb. Plumb and Reed vied for New York’s 23rd Congressional District seat.
Date Posted: 10/28/2016
Nexstar’s NBC affiliate WETM-TV Elmira, N.Y. hosted a debate on October 28 between Rep. Tom Reed (R) and John Plumb, his Democratic opponent for N.Y.’s 23rd Congressional District seat.
Date Posted: 10/23/2016
Three radio and television debates are planned for N.Y. 24th Congressional District race:
- October 23: State University of New York’s WRVO-FM
- November 3: Sinclair’s NBC affiliate WSTM-TV and Granite Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WTVH-TV Syracuse
- November 6: Nexstar’s ABC affiliate WSYR-TV Syracuse
Date Posted: 7/7/2016
Cumulus’ WABC-AM New York City was recognized by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) with 2016 Murrow Awards for Overall Excellence, Breaking News and Hard News. ABC received won the Breaking News category for its coverage of the San Bernardino Shootings and the Hard News category with its report “Attacks in Paris: One Week Later.”
Date Posted: 7/7/2016
NBC owned-and-operated WNBC New York City reporter Lynda Baquero host the “Better Get Baquero” investigative series, which has helped recover more than $1 million from scammers. “With something like this our audience can reach out to us with a specific problem and we can help them individually — at the same time we’re also passing along consumer information that can impact a larger audience,” Baquero said. The people helped include a man who had been over charged $2,400 by a student loan company, a woman was denied cancer treatment by her insurance company and a man who lost $4,000 to E-Z Pass because he did now know about a residential discount. The show also helped woman who received a $67,000 bill by her insurance company for an emergency medical helicopter transport because it had not been pre-approved in the moments before she collapsed and nearly died. A similar segment at Telemundo’s WNJU has recovered almost $1.5 million for consumers.
Date Posted: 6/25/2016
Cumulus Media’s WNTQ-FM Syracuse employees Amy Robbins and Rick Roberts emceed the annual “Ride and Run for the Rescue” on June 25. All proceeds went toward ending hunger in the community. A total of $140,845 was raised, which equates to 63,000 plates of food for hungry community members.
Date Posted: 6/25/2016
Nexstar’s ABC affiliate WSYR-TV Syracuse, N.Y. aired a debate on June 25 among the three Democratic candidates for Congress in New York’s 24th District. None of the candidates - Steve Williams, Colleen Deacon and Eric Kingson - has previously held elective office.
Date Posted: 6/23/2016
Univision Arizona and Univision New York offered community support after the Supreme Court’s 4-4 ruling on US versus Texas on June 23, to determine whether President Obama’s 2014 immigration relief programs can go into effect. They organized phone banks, town halls and clinics in partnership with the Arizona State Bar, MFV, The New York Immigration Coalition, the New York State New American Hotline, and Catholic Charities to provide up-to-date information about Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The DAPA and the expansion of DACA will not be implemented. Arizona saw more than 300 people attend the clinic and 130 families received one-on-one free legal advice from attorneys. New York’s town hall had 600 people in attendance.
Date Posted: 6/13/2016
Univision-owned WXTV New York City hosted a two-hour debate on June 13 for candidates for New York’s 13th Congressional District. Univision moderates asked questions, including audience submissions, to the eight Democrat and one Republican candidates on Social Security, affordable housing, minimum wage and retirement. Univision’s WADO-AM also partnered for the event.
Date Posted: 6/1/2016
Tribune’s CW affiliate WPIX-TV New York aired an award-winning investigation that triggered change for the homeless community. WPIX aired dozens of reports on New York City’s corporate homeless hotels, showing that anyone can walk in unchecked by any security and access the floors where the homeless stay. Homeless Services Commissioner Steven Banks then announced security reforms during an interview on WPIX. A growing number of elected officials in New York, including U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, have criticized the corporate homeless hotels.
Date Posted: 6/1/2016
Heartland Media’s NBC affiliate WKTV Utica, N.Y. raised $502,000 in the 25th annual telethon on June 1 for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals. The money funds programs and equipment for Maternal Child Services, including a portable neonatal heart monitor to ensure regulatory compliance. It also supports the area’s only Level II Special Care Nursery, which neonatologists staff around the clock.
Date Posted: 6/1/2016
Newport Television’S ABC Affiliate WHAM-TV Rochester discovered boxes containing sensitive personal and medical information in a warehouse owned by Rural Metro Ambulance. A formal police investigation was promopted upon the broadcast.
Date Posted: 5/11/2016
Cox Media’s WBAB-FM and WBLI-FM Long Island staff visited the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park, N.Y. to tour the facility and learn about their mission and fundraising initiatives. As a result, WBAB and WBLI are working with the Ronald McDonald House on several events, including the "Walk of Love" and their annual Gala. Ronald McDonald House will be the beneficiary of WBAB and WBLI’s Touch-A-Truck event, where listeners will be encouraged to donate non-perishable food and household goods.
Date Posted: 5/6/2016
iHeartMedia’s WGY-AM/FM and WRVE-FM Albany, N.Y. raised $280,000 for the Bernard & Millie Duke Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center in the 18th annual “Cares for Kids Radiothon,” May 5 – 6.
Date Posted: 5/5/2016
Tribune’s CW affiliate WPIX-TV New York City aired a six-part series, “Heroin A-Z,” from November 9 – 14, 2015. Reporter Mary Murphy and Investigative Unit Videographer Kenton Young covered many facets of the heroin crisis, including the highways where drugs enter the region, local families who have been shattered by heroin abuse and its devastating effect on the community.
Date Posted: 5/5/2016
WMHT’s PBS affiliate WMHT Schenectady, N.Y. hosted a community conversation on October 29 focusing on the heroin epidemic in the Capitol region of New York. Panelists included Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Dr. Michael Dailey of the Albany Medical Center and Micky Jimenez, RN, Director of Camino Nuevo. The conversation was recorded and broadcast on WMHT-TV on November 9 at 7:30pm. This conversation is part of ’The Dragon Lives Here: Heroin in the Capital Region,’ a multi-media collaboration between WMHT and the Times Union.
Date Posted: 5/4/2016
NBC-owned WNBC-TV and Telemundo’s WNJU New York City hosted 40,000 people at the annual Health and Fitness Expo, May 14-15 at MetLife Stadium. The expo’s free health screenings tested for cholesterol, vitamin D, kidney function and blood sugar level. Attendees could kick field goals, visit the Giants’ locker room and meet on-air personalities, former NFL Super Bowl champions and Gold Medal Olympians. “The Expo is not only unique, fun-filled and free to attend, but it provides visitors with the tools they need to live a healthier, more active lifestyle,” said WNJU General Manager Cristina Schwarz.
Date Posted: 4/5/2016
Townsquare Media, Inc. raised $1.4 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the group’s third national Country Cares radiothon, March 3-4. Townsquare stations in 16 markets, including Albany, NY; Owensboro, Kentucky; Lafayette, Louisiana; and Tyler, Texas, participated to help St. Jude continue their life saving treatments. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.
Date Posted: 4/4/2016
NBC-owned WNBC-TV New York City’s Consumer Investigative Center promises to answer every call and e-mail with a response in English or Spanish on WNBC and Telemundo affiliate WNJU. The center is led by consumer reporter Lynda Baquero and the investigative team. Since 2013, they have recovered more than $700,000 for consumers. "One of the most powerful benefits of local TV news is as an advocate for consumers — exposing bad business practices, scams, rip-offs, deadbeat deals and government waste and corruption," wrote TVNewsCheck reporter Paul Greeley.
Date Posted: 4/1/2016
Community Broadcasters’ WNKI-FM and WPGI-FM Elmira, N.Y. raised $96,000 during the Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon, held March 9 – 11. The money supports local children in the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units at Arnot Ogden Medical Center.
Date Posted: 4/1/2016
Heartland Media’s NBC affiliate WKTV Utica, N.Y. raised $96,000 in the “Stomp Out Cancer” telethon, March 23. The Mohawk Valley Health System Cancer Center will use the funds for a new 3D imaging mammography device to help doctors detect cancer early.
Date Posted: 3/24/2016
NBC’s owned and operated WNBC New York City received 13 Emmy Awards for investigative journalism. Examples of the featured reports include “Retailers Blow Hot Air” and “Ivy League Sex Offenses”. Read more about the station and its investigative efforts in TVNewsCheck.
Date Posted: 3/7/2016
E.W. Scripps’ ABC affiliate WKBW-TV Buffalo raised $1 million in the Variety Kids Telethon, held March 5 to benefit the Women and Children’s Hospital. The telethon featured Ashton Ross Smith, who battled a severe respiratory infection and pneumonia when he was six weeks old. Ross and countless other children are now thriving because of the care they received at the hospital.
Date Posted: 3/3/2016
CBS Radio’s WINS-AM New York City aired an investigative series on the heroin epidemic, hosted a heroin education summit on Long Island that drew 600 people and continues to use their digital assets to perpetuate the dialogue. Director of News and Programming Ben Mevorach spoke with Radio Ink on March 3, 2016 about the four weeks dedicated to investigating the issue, during which the WINS team embarked on hundred-mile journey throughout the community to interview first responders, family members and people who are addicted. Mevorach also spoke about the positive impact, including awareness of the state’s Overdose Prevention Act. View “Generation ‘H’: 1010 WINS Investigates The Heroin Epidemic.”
Date Posted: 2/18/2016
Tribune’s CW affiliate WPIX New York City established the “Fuel My School” project for New York City public schools. Students, teachers and parents from elementary, middle and high schools in the city’s 5 boroughs were invited to submit an essay explaining how their school makes a difference. WPIX announced Brooklyn Gardens Elementary as the winning elementary school and presented Principal Irene Spence with a $5,000 check to be used on school supplies or technology – the items the school cannot afford and feel would make a difference in the lives of their students. “We inspire children to cultivate a love for learning, spark their curiosity to discover their world, motivate them to achieve success, and have fun,” wrote second grade teacher Francheska Cepeda in her submission.
Date Posted: 2/16/2016
Broadcasting & Cable reported that CBS-owned WCBS-TV and WLNY-TV New York are the market’s only stations with a weather service on wheels, which delivers hyper-local weather data and images used on air.
The stations also used bonded cellular technology in their Mobile 2 vehicles to provide a live stream of storm coverage to mobile devices.
Date Posted: 2/16/2016
Media General’s ABC affiliate WTEN Albany raised a record $2 million during the 56th annual Center for Disability Services Telethon, held Jan. 31. Didi Gregorius of the New York Yankees and Jason Pierre-Paul of the New York Giants joined the WTEN morning team for the broadcast. The Center for Disability Services provides a number of resources to empower people with disabilities.
Date Posted: 2/1/2016
Cumulus’ WABC-AM New York City’s “Election Central with Rita Cosby” airs every Sunday night. Cosby’s guests have included Presidential candidates Jeb Bush, Rand Paul and Mike Huckabee. Listen to audio.
Date Posted: 2/1/2016
Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) unveiled the Univision Media Center at the New Venture Middle School in the Bronx on Jan. 29. This first-of-its-kind facility will help more than 300 students understand how a media newsroom operates, by providing experience with production and editing equipment. Univision media professional will also visit the school to provide training. This is the first of several Univision Media Centers planned for middle schools in the U.S.
Date Posted: 1/14/2016
Nexstar’s ABC affiliate WWTI Watertown, N.Y. launched a backpack program last winter to serve students in grades K-4 at Starbuck Elementary School, as 81 percent of students are in the free/reduced lunch program. WWTI’s Alex Hazard and Starbuck Elementary School’s principal designed PSAs asking for donations. Every Friday, even when school is not in session, 60 kids receive a backpack filled with 10 pounds of food. WWTI plans to expand the program to all five Watertown elementary schools in the near future. (Watch video).
Date Posted: 1/7/2016
Emmis’ WLIB-AM New York City held a radiothon to raise awareness for the Partners for Hope program, which collects monthly donations on behalf of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The station raised $121,000 to help end pediatric cancer. View photos here.
Date Posted: 12/10/2015
iHeartMedia Binghamton made sure many lonely seniors in nursing homes had a great holiday season. “Gifts for Goldens” is a Christmas wish tree for seniors in the Binghamton area. The station group teamed up with Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, a local nonprofit group focused on seniors helping seniors.
Date Posted: 11/12/2015
Connoisseur Media Long Island helped to welcome Stew Leonard’s Grocery to Long Island with their first annual “Long Island Turkey Brigade.” Stew Leonard’s Stores distributed 2,000 free turkeys to people in need. The stations introduced the company to many local agencies, non-profits, church groups and community groups who need extra help this season to feed families for Thanksgiving and beyond.
Date Posted: 11/6/2015
Hubbard’s NBC affiliate WHEC-TV Rochester, N.Y. aired “Special Report: Heroin in Schools” on November 5. The special examined the growing epidemic of heroin use among students, which claimed the lives of twenty local kids in one month alone.
Date Posted: 10/19/2015
Saga Communication’s WQNY-FM Ithaca, N.Y., personality Chris Allinger‘s "Walkin’ The Country" campaign collected $32,000 for childhood hunger. In September, he walked to every town in Tompkins County, collecting money for Food Bank of the Southern Tier’s "BackPack Program," which feeds children at risk of hunger. The total is expected to rise as money from collection boxes and online donations are added. View photos and video from his journey.
Date Posted: 10/19/2015
Cumulus Media’s WGRF-FM Buffalo raised $140,000 in its Make-A-Wish Foundation radiothon, held September 17-18. This video, posted by Tegna Media’s NBC affiliate WGRZ-TV Buffalo, shows an excited three-year-old playing on his new "pirate ship." The "pirate ship" is a jungle gym he received through the program.
Date Posted: 9/14/2015
ESPN Sports WEPN-AM/ESPN New York 98.7 FM raised over more than $15,000 for the V Foundation for Cancer Research at its 11th annual Tee it Up Golf Classic. The event featured ESPN anchors Linda Cohn;, Trey Wingo, NFL analyst Trey Wingo; and former Patriots, Jets and Lions lineman Damien Woody;, former Giants players Shaun O’Hara and Jeff Eagles;,and former Jets players Ray Lucas, Marty Lyons and Greg Buttle.
Date Posted: 9/14/2015
Cumulus Media’s NASH-FM Newark, NJ held its annual Salute the Troops event on August 26. The event, which thanks members of the military, opened with a performance of the national anthem by a member of the Navy with overand featured 30 active Army members on stage.
Date Posted: 8/15/2015
NBC owned-and-operated WNBC-TV and Telemundo’s WNJU-TV New York teamed up with more than 30 animal shelters in the tri-state area on August 15 for a first-of-its-kind pet adoption initiative – “Clear the Shelters”/”Desocupar Los Albergues.” The effort was part of a national initiative spearheaded by the NBCUniversal owned television stations where local television stations partnered with animal shelters across the country to find new homes for homeless pets. Participating shelters waived adoptions fees. As a result of the stations efforts, more than one thousand animals were adopted in one day.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Cayuga Radio Group’s WFIZ Odessa, N.Y. hosted its annual “Build Your Backpack” program. The program is designed to give children and families in need the opportunity to pick up a backpack filled with school supplies for the upcoming year. The station does six stops where 50 backpacks are distributed.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Nexstar Broadcasting Group’s WETM’s “18 Cares” is a community service program that seeks to provide awareness to its audience about issues related to personal/community safety, health and wellness. “18 Cares” events are promoted within newscasts promotional announcements and public service announcements. These themed events are tied in with non-profit partners. Each month, a different issue is addressed. Over the past year, the station has promoted a number of issues each month including, water safety with the YMCA, pet safety, back to school safety, hunger awareness, breast cancer awareness, gun safety, and holiday toy drives.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Since the inception of the radio station in 1981, Townsquare Media’s WYRK-FM Buffalo has invited charitable groups and organizations to promote events on the air free of charge. And with the introduction of its website more than 15 years ago, those public service announcements are also promoted on wyrk.com. Organizations have access to the Events section and can add the specifics of their upcoming events themselves. As part of the “What’s Happening” feature.
The Buffalo Broadcast Association (BBA) launched a brand new “BBA Cares” community initiative this past year, which is specifically designed to give back- as an organization, to the local community. BBA created several television/audio PSAs for the Family Help Center, which provides services for families with children at high risk across the county. They also created another television spot for Mercy Flight, which provides helicopter transport services from accidents to hospitals across several counties in Western New York.
Both are non-profits. The BBA worked with their board members and the non-profit organizations to make it happen and provided them at absolutely no cost- everyone involved from our board donated their time and expertise.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Throughout the year the Entercom stations of Buffalo sponsor a number of public service campaigns. The stations act to promote and provide support for a number of events. The Women’s and Children’s Hospital is extremely important to Buffalo. In addition Veteran’s One Stop provides much needed support for Buffalo’s Veterans. The stations hosted a celebrity roast of hockey legend Mike Robitaille at the Seneca Niagara Casino. The event raised $7,500 for both Women & Children’s Hospital and Veteran’s One Stop of Western New York.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Citing a dramatic increase in drug use in Chautauqua County in 2015, News Director Dave Rowley, in cooperation with local law enforcement, greatly increased Chadwick Bay Broadcasting’s WBKX and WDOE’s coverage of local drug activity, arrests, and convictions. The stations now provide a comprehensive daily news coverage of this major issue impacting Chautauqua County, enhanced with bi-weekly live interviews with law enforcement officials and local elected leaders addressing the problem.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Nexstar Broadcasting’s WROC-TV Rochester, N.Y. partnered with a local agency, Tipping Point Communications, to develop a public service campaign focused on reintroducing Willow Domestic Violence Center through public service announcements, news stories and live studio interviews. The focus of the campaign will be to inform the public that Willow is prepared to provide services to not just women who are in abusive situations but children, men and even pets.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
National Public Radio’s WXXI-AM Rochester, N.Y. has partnered with The Golisano Foundation, the nation’s leading foundation dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual disabilities, for 10 years. The station and foundation developed a week-long program to help inform the community about the “abilities” of those we consider to be “disabled.” That first initiative, “Dialogue on Disability,” was an instant success, with radio, television and online programming reaching tens of thousands of people. Each year, “Dialogue on Disability” continued to grow and to have more impact. Due to this growth, the station approached the Golisano Foundation and proposed a partnership to focus on “inclusion.” With grant support of the Foundation, WXXI launched “Move to Include,” a year-long initiative to encourage our community to become more welcoming towards, and more inclusive of, people with intellectual disabilities.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Finger Lakes Radio Group’s WFLR-AM Geneva, N.Y. partnered with Kueka Comfort Care’s “Krossin’ Keuka” swim. For the seventh year, the station hosted event representatives to inform the public about the nonprofit organization and how the swim assists in their efforts to care for terminally ill area residents. The event raised just over $60,000.
Finger Lakes Radio Group’s WFLK/WCGR turned a listener promotion into an opportunity for listeners to donate food to Trevor’s Gift and to learn more about the March of Dimes efforts to help mothers whose babies have been born prematurely. “K101.7 and 104.5” hosted a “Ladies Night Out” in February with hundreds of are women coming to a local hotel to enjoy entertainment and local vendors. They were encouraged to bring food that is used to fill backpacks of nutritionally needy children in the Finger Lakes for use over weekends and vacations when students don’t have access to the school cafeterias. Additionally, the stations provided literature and an opportunity to donate to the March of Dimes. Attendees of Ladies Night out participated in these initiatives very generously and were pleased that we helped the community in addition to providing a reason to go out on a cold winter’s night.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Geneva Broadcasting’s WGVA-AM Geneva, N.Y. aired a series of anti-bullying public service announcements, written and voiced by local high school students. Promotions Director Tiffany Collinsworth spearheaded assemblies at high schools in the listening area, encouraging students to take an anti-bullying pledge. A contest was also conducted soliciting anti-bullying t-shirt and poster designs, giving away concert tickets to the winners.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Brittlecone Broadcasting’s Fox affiliate WSYT-TV Syracuse worked with local East Syracuse Minoa High School and their TV production classes to create anti-bullying PSAs featuring students. Additionally, the station sponsors ACR Health, a local AIDS Foundation, with their charity walk/ runs and produces PSAs and short form video for their internal use.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
iHeartMedia Syracuse, in partnership with the Onondaga County Agriculture Council, created a robust multi-media campaign that provided consumers in Onondaga County with the knowledge they need to buy food grown within their county. The campaign centered on the message of “Buy local. Buy Onondaga Grown.” Every retailer, restaurant, market, and farm stand offering Onondaga Grown food items was invited to participate by requesting a free kit containing small “Buy Local Onondaga Grown” stickers that could be affixed to signage, large window clings, posters, and more. The kit was also available as a free digital download. Participants were then listed at a web portal hosted at all five iHeartMedia radio station websites. Consumers now had a straightforward way to change their shopping habits to include Onondaga Grown products.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Nexstar Broadcasting’s affiliate WSYR-TV Syracuse runs teen safe driving campaign “Operation 9” from prom season through the summer. Through news coverage, PSAs, safety initiatives and a separate website, the station highlights how teens can stay alert and safe while behind the wheel.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Nexstar Broadcasting’s ABC affiliate WWTI-TV Syracuse learned of a local initiative that collected backpacks for in-need children. Through PSAs, the station began encouraging viewers to donate food and other items to the cause. Every Friday, backpacks are filled with nearly 10 pounds of food. Cash donations have exceeded $5,000.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Auburn Broadcasting’s WAUB-AM Auburn, N.Y. helped promote the local arts with regular guest appearances on the Finger Lakes Morning News by people with the Schweinfurth Art Center, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, the Hangar Theater, Auburn Chamber Orchestra and Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Hubbard Broadcasting’s NBC affiliate WNYT-TV Albany developed “STEM 13” to highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering anf math for the future of the community. The program increases awareness of STEM initiatives throughout the region, particularly for youth.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Pamal Broadcasting’s WYJB-FM Albany has participated in the “Walk A Mile in her Shoes” community march for the past four years. The event raises funds for and awareness of sexual assault victims. This year, the event raised over $47,000, which was donated to the Samaritan Hospital’s Sexual Assault & Crime Victims Assistance Program.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
iHeartMedia Albany has been a sponsor of the Leatherstocking Honor Flights Program for two years. This program was created to pay tribute to America’s World War II and Korean War Veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, DC to experience the Memorials in their honor at no cost to them.
Leatherstocking Honor Flight began operations in 2008 and to date has taken over 1,000 WWII Veterans to Washington, DC, the oldest veteran on a flight was 100 years old. Leatherstocking Honor Flight covers New York State’s Capital District, all surrounding counties, as well as Vermont and Western Massachusetts. These one day trips are funded entirely from donations and fundraisers from community businesses, organizations, and individual contributions.
To raise awareness and encourage donations, iHeartMedia runs promotional mentions on all seven stations: WGY, KISS, Fox Sports 980, PYX, and TRY to support this notable cause. iHeartMedia stations also secure local sponsors who run commercials to further support the Leatherstocking Honor Flights.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
Salem Media Group’s WMCA-AM New York provides support for a worthy cause with its donor campaigns each month. In this past year alone, the station sent children to school with the School Scholarship Program, provided food for starving children around the world with Food for Orphans, Feed the Children, and Food for the Poor, and provided safety and hope through organizations like Bible League and Christian Solidarity International. This past month, WMCA partnered with the Bowery Mission to provide meals for thousands of homeless and hungry men, women and children in the community. Over the span of two weeks, the station exceeded its goal by 20 percent, raising enough funds to provide meals for over 8,000 people.
Date Posted: 8/13/2015
CBS Television’s owned-and-operated WCBS-TV and WLNY-TV New York joined the fight against lupus by serving as the official media partners during the Alliance for Lupus Research’s New York City Walk with Us to Cure Lupus. Sports anchor and reporter Steve Overmyer served as an emcee for the event, which took place at Pier 86. Both stations promoted the ALR’s walk through PSAs, countdown spots, in studio interviews, on-air mentions during newscasts and weathercasts. Also, cbsnewyork.com featured a dedicated event page for the walk.
Date Posted: 8/6/2015
Cox Radio’s WBAB-FM Long Island’s emcee “Fingers” is the brainchild of the “WBAB Sticky Finger Run,” which raises funds to support woman affected by breast cancer on long Island. After partnering with Mather Hospital’s Fortunato Breast Health Center, “Fingers” looked for the perfect place to host a Motorcycle Run. The run ended at the Great South Bay Music Festival. No other motorcycle run on Long Island ends at a festival of this magnitude and provides such an exciting way for riders to celebrate after a successful ride. Since its inception in 2007, the WBAB Sticky Finger Run has raised over $180,000 for the Mather Hospital, as well as incredible awareness for the struggle of those suffering from Breast Cancer and their families.
Date Posted: 7/17/2015
Cumulus Media’s WABC-AM New York host Rita Cosby and Sonoma Media Group’s KSRO-AM Santa Rosa, Calif. host Melanie Morgan hosted Move America Forward’s 8th annual "Troopathon" on June 25, which raised $280,000 to send care packages to U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Guests included Geraldo Rivera, Joe Theismann, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Dennis Miller, Adam Corolla, Ted Nugent, Tony Orlando and Nancy Grace. Watch the broadcast here.
Date Posted: 7/17/2015
CBS Radio’s WFAN-FM New York raised $400,000 during "Boomer & Carton’s True Blue Charity Softball Game" at Yankee Stadium on June 3. More than 17,200 people attended the event, which benefits the Silver Shield Foundation, the NYC PBA Widows’ and Children’s Fund and the families of three slain police officers: Brian Moore, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu. WFAN’s Dan Chozahinoff told Radio Ink it was "the single greatest night in the history of WFAN." View photos here.
Date Posted: 7/17/2015
Former CBS Radio President Dan Mason established the Dan Mason Family Audio Scholarship at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications to provide financial assistance to a Newhouse senior majoring in television, radio and film with an audio concentration. The first recipient will be chosen for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Date Posted: 6/15/2015
Former CBS Radio President Dan Mason established the Dan Mason Family Audio Scholarship at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications to provide financial assistance to a Newhouse senior majoring in television, radio and film with an audio concentration. The first recipient will be chosen for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Date Posted: 6/4/2015
Cumulus Media’s WPLJ-FM New York City morning show co-host Jayde Donovan surprises local pediatric cancer patients with new Apple iPads through her "Apple-a-Day" program. Donovan surprised a different local pediatric cancer patient with a new iPad each day in May on her morning show. At the "iPad Party" in Times Square, 20 children received tablets. "I’ve seen how this one small gesture can change a child’s outlook in such a positive way. This technology offers them a bridge into the world they are not currently able to be a part of," Donovan said. "My program is not going to change the world, but it can change that child’s world." More than 200 children have received an iPad through the "Apple-a-Day program" since 2011.
Date Posted: 5/6/2015
Townsquare Media’s WIBX-AM Utica, NY raised $2,000 needed to replace a prosthetic eye that had been stolen from a veteran. Within the first 90 minutes of the station’s broadcast, $1,800 was raised. A station host donated the remaining $200.
Date Posted: 5/2/2015
Bold Gold Media’s WDNB-FM Liberty, N.Y. held “ThunderBash 10” on May 2. The free concert included performances by country music starts Eric Palsay, David Adam Byrnes, and Cooper Boone, among others. Attendees were asked to bring a non-perishable food item, which were then donated to area food pantries.
Date Posted: 3/13/2015
iHeartMedia’s WDVI-FM and WHAM-AM Rochester, N.Y., raised $245,000 during the 14th annual "Drive for Miracles" Radiothon, held Feb. 12-13. All donations benefit the Golisano Children’s Hospital, which will cut the ribbon on a new facility this summer. Click here to read a few words from children who benefitted from the hospital’s services.
Date Posted: 3/13/2015
Nextar Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WROC-TV Rochester, N.Y., aired a special report on Feb. 12 called "The Rubber Room." The report exposed how teachers under investigation for misconduct were sent to the Alternative Work Location, dubbed "The Rubber Room." In the spring of 2014, the 15 teachers and administrators sent to the Alternative Work Location received their salary but were not given any work assignments, the report revealed.
Date Posted: 2/9/2015
Emmis Communications’ WBLS-FM, WQHT-FM and WLIB-AM New York partnered with Geico and Fedelis Healthcare this past holiday season to gather collect coasts for local communities. The third annual “Spread the Warmth” Coat Drive collected new and gently worn coats to support New York Cares, the New York City’s largest volunteer management organization that runs programs for around 1,300 nonprofits, public schools, and city agencies. The staff of WBLS, WQHT, and WLIB was on-site during the drive giving away prizes and entertaining the holiday shoppers that donated. Click here to see the recap video.
Date Posted: 2/9/2015
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Cumulus Media’s WFAS-AM, WPLJ-FM, WNSH-FM, and WABC-AM New York’s The Daily News Food Drive netted one million pounds of non-perishable food. City Harvest distributed the food to local organizations in mid-January. WFAS-AM personality Tom Joyner kicked off the challenge.
Date Posted: 2/5/2015
Univision Local Media’s WXTV-TV, WFUT-TV, WADO, WXNY and WQBU New York executed a week-long campaign that provided free information and resources about immigration and the executive order in February. All of the Univision stations participated and provided support for a number of events. The station hosted and manned a three-day phone bank for listeners and viewers that had questions. They hosted a town hall meeting with a panel discussion on immigration issues and describing the free resources that are available. The town hall was attended by more than 500 people. Univision news talent moderated the town hall event.
Date Posted: 1/13/2015
The New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) recently presented "Serving New York" awards to local broadcast radio and television stations across the state for their public service campaigns. The dozens of award-winning initiatives include awareness campaigns for mental health issues and suicide prevention; fundraisers for breast cancer research, Lupus treatments and bone marrow transplants; anti-bullying campaigns; education fairs; food, winter clothing and school supply drives; and hours of air time donated to cover the Special Olympics. Click on the city names to read more about how broadcasters serve their communities in the regions surrounding New York City, Albany, Binghampton, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo.
Date Posted: 1/13/2015
Cumulus Media’s WPLJ-FM New York City partnered with Make-A-Wish to grant 13-year-old Olivia’s wish to be a pop star for a day. Olivia, who has a life threatening brain tumor, visited WPLJ-FM’s Madison Square Garden studio for an interview with Ralphie, host of Ralphie Tonight, to talk about her album release and life as a pop star. Her superstar treatment included a Green Room stocked with her favorite foods, drinks and presents.
Date Posted: 1/8/2015
Media General’s ABC affiliate WTEN-TV and Fox affiliate WXXA-TV Albany teamed together for “Coats for Kids.” The program collects winter coats, which are then dispersed to area children in need. One local donation alone included 500 new coats.
Date Posted: 12/4/2014
Last month, a lake-effect storm hit Buffalo, N.Y., with more than 60 inches of snow accumulation in one day. By the time the snow stopped falling, more than seven feet blanketed the area. Reports show that more than 140 people were trapped in vehicles and stranded for up to 30 hours on a 100 mile stretch of closed road. The storm claimed at least 12 lives.
During its fall, local radio and television broadcasters provided wall-to-wall coverage, delivering critical updates on weather patterns, road closures and emergency information to local residents.
FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly, a Buffalo native, praised area radio and TV stations for their coverage. "They kept powering through the storm, committing umpteen hours of airtime, and bringing in teams from other parts of the country, making sure they had troops to get out the information," he said. "I was very impressed also with their use of social media — not only were people listening and watching their broadcasts, they were also getting their information out as fast as they could on different media as best they could."
NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith said, "Time and again, broadcasters devote countless resources to provide vital emergency information that can’t be matched by any other communications service. Broadcasters’ response to the unprecedented snow storms that hit upstate New York is yet another example of the dedication of local radio and television stations to serve their communities during times of need."
Date Posted: 12/4/2014
According to Inside Radio, Entercom Communication’s WBEN-AM Buffalo pre-empted programming for wall-to-wall coverage, critical information and community support. "This is a dangerous situation for people south of Buffalo," host Larry Hunter said. "That’s why we’re going to be here all night for you." A woman named Liza and her 12-year-old daughter had been stranded in their car for 18 hours. They were cold, hungry and afraid. After host David Bellavia asked nearby listeners with snowmobiles to help, the two were rescued. "This is what talk radio is supposed to be about," Bellavia said. "Helping people." Another call came from a man trapped at a gas station with 30 others in an area unreachable for emergency vehicles.
Other radio stations with expanded coverage include Western NY Public Broadcasting Association’s WBFO-FM Buffalo. WBEN-AM sister station WLKK-FM carried WBEN-AM updates on-air and on social media. WBEN-AM’s social media posts included galleries of listeners’ storm pictures. One aerial photograph had 10,000 shares and 740,000 views. "It’s the old storm spotter thing taken to the social media level," Entercom-Buffalo operations manager Tim Wenger said. "It’s amazing the ways we reach people and they reach us."
Date Posted: 12/4/2014
The Buffalo Broadcasters Association reports that Gannett’s NBC WGRZ-TV provided non-stop coverage during the storm, pre-empting its schedule beginning early on Nov. 18. Morning hosts John Beard and Melissa Holmes were on-air for more than nine straight hours. LIN Television’s CBS affiliate WIVB-TV and E.W. Scripps’ ABC affiliate WKBW-TV aired storm coverage in place of regular morning news shows, and offered expanded news programming throughout the day. TV and radio stations also aired live news conferences featuring Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
Ratings soared for the early evening newscasts in Buffalo. WGRZ-TV, WIVB-TV and WKBW-TV had a combined rating of 37.9, which is equal to or greater than the ratings for many Buffalo Bills games this season. FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly said later, "I think when all broadcasters are put to the challenge, they step up and meet their obligations and the community needs. This time it was Buffalo that was challenged but I see that throughout the country through all kinds of crises that they face."
Date Posted: 11/20/2014
Nextar Broadcasting’s ABC affiliate WSYR-TV Syracuse hosted a debate on Nov. 2 between U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei and challenger John Katko. Also in New York, Nextar Broadcasting’s NBC affiliate WETM-TV Elmira hosted U.S. Reps. Tom Reed and challenger Martha Robertson on Oct. 23. ABC owned-and-operated WABC-TV New York City hosted U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm and challenger Domenic Recchia on Oct. 17.
Date Posted: 7/9/2014
President of the New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) David Donovan described broadcasters’ response to the storm, "There is no doubt that the New York broadcast system continued to function and provide life-saving information during Hurricane Sandy. In many areas it was the only service available to connect the community with first responders." Donovan noted, "[New York’s broadcasters] are to be congratulated for their herculean efforts to keep the public informed."
Date Posted: 6/9/2014
Clear Channel’s Albany stations, WGY-AM/FM and WRVE-FM, hosted the 16th annual Cares for Kids Radiothon, a 30-hour live broadcast that supports the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center. The event raised nearly $650,000. WGY-FM Program Director Hosh Everett said, "It takes a dedicated team of hospital and radio station volunteers to make the Cares for Kids Radiothon a success, but the true heroes are the children and families being helped by these efforts. Their courage and willingness to share difficult and painful experiences -- along with their victories -- is truly what compels others to give so generously."
Date Posted: 3/17/2014
Trinity Broadcasting Network New York and Senator James Sanders Jr. presented "A Salute to Gospel" in celebration of Black History Month at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, hosted by Hazelle Goodman. Goodman became the first black actress to have a prominent role in a Woody Allen film and developed her one-woman show. Trinity Broadcasting Network set up a booth and gave announcements and giveaways at the event which brought in 350 attendees, and a variety of local entertainment.
Date Posted: 2/11/2014
Townsquare Media’s WDOS-AM, WSRK-FM and WZOZ-FM Oneonta, N.Y., partnered to raise money to repair the community’s Little League baseball field after vandals painted graffiti on the outfield fence and concession stand, damaged the PA system and burned down a dugout. During a two-hour simulcast, the stations raised more than $10,000, allowing the community to repair the $3,500 in damage and make enhancements to the field.
Date Posted: 1/10/2014
Emmis Communications’ WQHT-FM New York held a day of service, "Lift ’Em Up," a celebration to give the less fortunate a first-class evening of gourmet food and holiday entertainment. Emmis staff, along with several partner organizations and volunteers, provided a dinner feast and holiday market for 200 New Yorkers in need, as well as a raffle and performances from several well-known artists. Video of the event is available here.
Date Posted: 1/7/2014
Each year, WGY organizes The WGY Christmas Wish Campaign benefiting children in the Northeast, with a particular attention to critical care services and recreational programs for ill, underprivileged and homeless youths. Though taking place over the winter months, this multi-faceted fundraising effort reaches long and deep to help support local nonprofits in their year-round efforts to improve the lives of children 19 and under. In 2012, the campaign raised more than $94,000, directly benefiting more than 100 nonprofit children’s organizations who applied for grants from WGY. In addition to the administering of these grants, the station’s many activities included online and on-air promotions for the campaign, a live broadcast from a Breakfast with Santa Event, a 240 minute minithon fundraiser highlighting numerous local charities, testimonials and stories of impact and countless hours of support from WGY staff. What began as WGY’s wish has become a sustained and successful mission to fight for our children.
Date Posted: 1/7/2014
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, one of the hardest-hitting natural disasters to strike the northeast, Hot 97’s Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation was in first place to respond to the overwhelming needs of the community. During the storm, Hot 97 broadcast steadily throughout the multiple power outages, providing for some the only connection to news and information. In the days following, Hot 97 ran continuous informational announcements providing critical information about disaster-relief locations and assistance. In addition to the broadcast efforts, the station’s team reached out to influential artists and public figures to provide relief to the community through fundraising and by traveling the tri-state to give out coffee, soup, blankets, clothing and other much needed items. Hot 97 raised $157,500 in pledges and donated items, and coordinated the efforts of approximately 250 volunteers.
Date Posted: 12/6/2013
Entercom’s Buffalo radio stations teamed up with the Buffalo Sabres to hold a Thanksgiving turkey drive on November 21 to benefit local food pantries. For every turkey dropped off for the drive at the Entercom Buffalo offices, the Sabres gave away two tickets to an upcoming game to the donor. In total, 1,700 turkeys were donated, and 4,000 tickets were distributed.
Date Posted: 11/22/2013
ABC-owned WABC-TV New York sponsored a televised New York City mayoral debate between candidates Bill de Blasio and Joseph J. Lhota. The hour-long debate was held live at the WABC-TV studio and was moderated by WABC-TV news anchor Bill Ritter. Several other groups co-sponsored the debate, including Univision’s WXTV-TV New York, the New York League of Women Voters and the New York Daily News. Video of the debate is available here.
Date Posted: 11/22/2013
CBS-owned WCBS-TV New York broadcast two debates in October between Republican Gov. Chris Christie and Democratic challenger New Jersey state Sen. Barbara Buono. CBS radio and TV affiliates in New York and Philadelphia, the Asbury Park Press, The Record and William Paterson University sponsored the debates. "People are interested in seeing both candidates on the same stage together for the first time," David Turner, Buono’s campaign spokesman, told the Asbury Park Press.
Date Posted: 11/12/2013
Entercom’s WKSE-FM Buffalo treated four-year-old Cassidy, a little girl who is undergoing chemotherapy for kidney cancer, to a sweet Halloween. After Cassidy’s pumpkins were stolen from her front porch while she was in the hospital for treatment, Cassidy’s mom called WKSE-FM to ask if any advertisers delivered pumpkins. After personality Jud Heussler posted the story online, listeners donated pumpkins. Listen to Heussler talk to Radio Ink about why he loves radio, his connection with the Buffalo community and details on saving Cassidy’s Halloween.
Date Posted: 11/12/2013
Tribune Broadcasting’s CW affiliate WPIX-TV New York aired several Hurricane Sandy specials in October and republished coverage online. In "The First 36 Hours," WPIX-TV’s news crew discussed their experience being trapped by rising flood waters in Queens. WPIX-TV went on location in the hardest-hit areas on October 29, the one-year anniversary of Sandy, for "Still Standing: After Sandy." General Manager GM Eric Meyrowitz noted, "PIX11’s top priority is to serve our community, and we feel it is vital to provide continued support and highlight the issues and events that deeply affect the lives of our viewers."
Date Posted: 11/12/2013
The New York State Broadcasters Association hosted the "Serving New York" Awards, recognizing broadcasters that have served communities throughout the state. Representatives from the United Way of Boone County and the local American Cancer Society thanked broadcasters for their public service efforts. In all, eight "Serving New York" Awards were presented to stations in the Binghamton area region: Granite Broadcasting’s WBNG-TV, Clear Channel’s WMXW-FM, Northwest Broadcasting’s WICZ-TV, Nexstar Broadcasting’s WIVT-TV and WETM-TV, independently-owned WPIE-AM and WATS Broadcasting’s WAVR-FM.
Date Posted: 10/4/2013
Bold Gold Media’s WDNB-FM Liberty, N.Y., hosted the third annual Country Cares for St. Jude’s Kids Radiothon, a fundraising event for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, to help in the fight against childhood cancer. The two-day event, broadcast live on WDNB-FM, raised more than $38,000, with donations from listeners, local businesses and a local casino and raceway.
Date Posted: 9/10/2013
ABC-owned WABC-TV New York and WPVI-TV Philadelphia and Univision’s WXTV-TV and WADO-AM New York announced the stations will partner to host a debate for the two candidates running for New Jersey’s U.S. Senate seat on October 6. The hour-long debate will be taped and broadcast on air and streamed online.
Date Posted: 8/8/2013
ABC-owned WABC-TV and Univision’s WXTV-TV New York announced it will host the first major television debates for the New York City mayoral races in its studio this month. The Republican debate will be broadcast on August 11, while the Democrats will air on August 13. WABC-TV and WXTV-TV will also hold the first television debate for the Democratic candidates for New York City Comptroller on August 11. All the debates are being co-sponsored the New York Daily News and the League of Women Voters of the City of New York, as part of the "Vote 2013" series.
Date Posted: 7/8/2013
Smith Media’s WKTV Utica, NY raised over $187,000 through a telethon to benefit displaced residents and those whose homes and businesses were heavily damaged or destroyed by recent flooding in the Mohawk Valley and Utica. "Even viewers whose homes were damaged were calling in pledges," WKTV Station Manager Steve McMurray told TVNewsCheck. "I’m so proud of how Mohawk Valley residents stepped up to help tonight." The United Way of the Mohawk Valley and Greater Utica Area, a partner for the telethon, will distribute funds to agencies including the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities.
Date Posted: 7/8/2013
The New York Giants and NBC’s WNBC-TV New York hosted a Health & Fitness Expo at MetLife Stadium, with information on nutrition, dental health and issues specific to men, women and the elderly. Free screenings checked for health issues, including high cholesterol, diabetes, hearing and prostate health. Giants players and WNBC anchors, including sportscaster Bruce Beck, signed autographs. Activities included healthy cooking demos with celebrity chefs, Zumba, yoga, rock climbing and locker room tours.
Date Posted: 7/8/2013
Cumulus Radio’s WABC-AM New York and the annual Imus Radiothon for The Imus Ranch for Kids with Cancer raised $1.3 million this year. Since 1998, 1,000 children with cancer or blood disorders and kids who have lost siblings to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome have experienced the life of a cowboy at the Imus Ranch near Ribera, New Mexico.
Date Posted: 7/8/2013
Democratic and Republican candidates for New York Mayor will participate in two debates each, ahead of the September primaries. Candidates have met frequently in other forums, but the Campaign Finance Board (CFB) acknowledged that debates aired on local television and radio stations reach more voters. Debate sponsors include New York’s WNBC-TV (NBC), WNJU-TV (Telemundo) and WCBS-TV (CBS).
Date Posted: 6/3/2013
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, one of the hardest-hitting natural disasters to strike the northeast, Hot 97’s Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation was in first place to respond to the overwhelming needs of the community. During the storm, Hot 97 broadcast steadily throughout the multiple power outages, providing for some the only connection to news and information. In the days following, Hot 97 ran continuous informational announcements providing critical information about disaster-relief locations and assistance. In addition to the broadcast efforts, the station’s team reached out to influential artists and public figures to provide relief to the community through fundraising and by traveling the tri-state to give out coffee, soup, blankets, clothing and other much needed items. Hot 97 raised $157,500 in pledges and donated items, and coordinated the efforts of approximately 250 volunteers.
Date Posted: 3/1/2013
YMF Media’s WBLS-FM New York partnered with The Salvation Army and The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company to hold a food drive for Hurricane Sandy victims on March 22 at several locations in New York and New Jersey. "WBLS is proud to partner with A&P and The Salvation Army to help people affected by Hurricane Sandy," said WBLS Vice President and General Manager Deon Levingston. "We have been on the front line of this recovery effort, and it’s our honor to conduct this food drive to support the community."
News Corporation announced it will donate $1 million to help victims of Hurricane Sandy – $500,000 to the Mayor’s Fund for NYC and $500,000 for relief in New Jersey. The storm affected millions of people and, with the company’s global headquarters in New York City, had a direct impact on the communities within which many News Corporation employees live and work.
NBC Politics launched a new app for the iPad and iPhone to enhance election coverage. Key features include: an interactive "battleground map," a daily "tip sheet" from NBC Politics, live election results and social media features. In addition to candidate news and profiles, the app includes video from various NBC News programs.
People living in the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy tuned in to radio. Arbitron reported that from 7 p.m. to midnight on October 29, when Sandy first hit New Jersey, an average of more than one million people in the New York metro area were listening to the radio during any 15 minute period, a 70 percent increase over the same period in the week prior. The area in the Arbitron report consists of New York City, five counties in New York, nine counties in New Jersey and part of one county in Connecticut. Coastal area listenership exploded, with an increase of 367 percent in Stamford and Norwalk, Conn., 247 percent in Monmouth County and 195 percent in New Jersey’s Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties. The extensive storm coverage on a variety of formats highlights broadcast radio’s service to local communities. Sean Ross, a radio analyst in New Jersey, noted that "radio still has an authority that not every tweet has."
Cox Media Group (CMG) donated $75,000 to New York City-area charities impacted by Hurricane Sandy, including local chapters of Habitat for Humanity. In Norwalk, Conn., Cox Media’s WEZN-FM, WPLR-FM and WFOX-FM donated to the Family & Children’s Agency. "Our donation will support a relief fund that will help them recoup the losses due to the storm and will directly benefit the programs that have been disrupted and which are vital to many people in Fairfield County," Manager Kristin Okesson said in a statement. On Long Island, WBAB-FM and WBLI-FM supported Island Harvest, Long Island’s largest hunger relief organization. Parent company Cox Enterprises gave $100,000 to the American Red Cross. Cox’s employee relief fund has given $3 million in aid to more than 1,500 employees affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and other disasters since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
ABC’s national "Day of Giving" raised nearly $17 million for Hurricane Sandy relief. Throughout the day on November 5, the network urged viewers to contribute to the American Red Cross to assist victims of the storm. Major contributors included ABC news personalities Barbara Walters and George Stephanopoulos and Dallas Mavericks owner and star of ABC’s "Shark Tank" Mark Cuban.
Emmis Communication’s WQHT-FM New York distributed blankets, clothing, HD Radios and health products to Hurricane Sandy victims through its Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation. Clear Channel told Inside Radio that its stations’ donation drives brought in two tons of goods in New York and 200,000 pounds in Connecticut. Morning host Elvis Duran’s spokesperson told All Access that he personally donated $30,000, on top of joining Clear Channel’s collection efforts. Cumulus Media’s WABC-AM/FM promoted drop off locations for donations, while Cumulus’s WPLJ-FM held a six-day donation drive and sold #savestatenisland t-shirts to benefit victims.
Fox Television’s WNYW-TV New York stepped up on Election Day. Election officials set up tents at Public School 180 in Rockaway Park to allow residents displaced by Sandy to vote. Unfortunately, one of the two generators that was illuminating the voting tents stopped working. WNYW-TV offered its satellite truck to provide needed power. This video shows how an WNYW-TV truck helped to light the make-shift area so voters could see paper ballots.
Major broadcast networks’ election night coverage included multiplatform initiatives and elaborate presentations. NBC turned Rockefeller Center’s ice rink into a massive U.S. map with states turning red or blue as results returned. CBS utilized eight TV studios and three state-of-the-art control rooms to produce its coverage, including virtual reality models of the House and Senate. ABC’s broadcast from Times Square included a special edition of "World News with Diane Sawyer," panels of political analysts, and historical context from Barbara Walters, who has interviewed every President since Nixon. Fox Broadcasting Company’s live coverage included analysis, exit poll data and live reports from the candidate’s campaign headquarters and footage from battleground states. Univision highlighted important topics for Hispanic viewers and offered Tu Cámara for users to upload videos and photos from the polls to share online. ABC and Univision also used YouTube’s Elections Hub.
Hearst Television’s "Commitment 2012" included a minimum of 12 minutes of daily political coverage discourse in our markets 30 days prior to the primary and general elections. In addition to news coverage, the stations provided local specials and 70 debates in markets across the United States. Stations that aired debates included KCCI-TV, Des Moines, KETV Omaha, KHBS/KHOG Ft. Smith, Ark., KITV Honolulu, KOAT-TV Albuquerque, KOCO-TV Oklahoma City, WCVB-TV Boston, WDSU-TV New Orleans, WESH Orlando, WISN-TV Milwaukee, WGAL-TV Lancaster, Pa., WLKY Louisville, WMTW Portland, Maine, WMUR-TV Manchester, N.H., WPTZ Plattsburgh, N.Y., WTAE-TV Pittsburgh and WXII Winston-Salem, N.C.
CBS donated $1 million to the Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. The network also created a series of hurricane relief PSAs, which have begun running on-air. CBS CEO Leslie Moonves also announced the network will match employee contributions to the recovery efforts through the end of the year.
The Walt Disney Company will donate $2 million to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, giving half to the Red Cross and half to local organizations. The company will also match employee donations to many relief organizations.
NBCUniversal held the "Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together" telethon on Friday, Nov. 2, on nine of its networks, including NBC. Today anchor Matt Lauer hosted the one-hour show which featured performances by Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera and others. In total, the "Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together" telethon raised more than $23 million in donations from viewers.
ABC-owned WPVI-TV Philadelphia and WABC-TV New York City experienced record online traffic during Hurricane Sandy. WPVI-TV’s website included live streams, updates on disaster aid, power outages, school closings, photos and video. The station had 13.1 million page views (mobile and desktop) on Monday and 9 million on Sunday. WABC-TV hit a record 7 million page views on mobile and desktop on Monday with advice for communicating after the storm, information on the NYC subway restoration plan and a plethora of eyewitness photos and video from users. Both station’s apps entered the top ten free news apps for the iPhone during the storm.
Following the hurricane, Emmis-owned WQHT-FM New York delivered aid to victims of the storm throughout the metropolitan area. WQHT-FM delivered clothing, HD radios, blankets and other items to shelters in New York City, Long Island and New Jersey.
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s WHTZ-FM received accolades in RadioInfo from radio consultant and Manhattan resident Walter Sabo: "Z-100 [WHTZ-FM] provided blocks of about 20-25 minutes of really important information, the stuff people need to know, followed by a top five song. Then when the song was over, they went right back into providing the information I needed for me and my family: transportation updates, health concerns, school and road closings, and safety guidance for another 20 minutes or so. It wasn’t long-winded, superfluous filler, but rather vital facts and stuff people could use."
Cox Media’s WBLI-FM West Babylon, NY’s morning host Dana Dinato’s street was flooded and closed, but according to an All Access interview with WBLI-FM’s program director, Jeremy Rice, Dinato said, "’Screw that,’ and drove through the roadblocks to do a 5 and 11 a.m. [show]. It was a stellar show! The phoners were amazing." In the storm’s wake, WBLI-FM used its twitter page to keep listeners informed with emergency updates and locations for food, water and other supplies.
FOX Television’s WNYW-TV and WWOR-TV New York City partnered to produce 100 hours of coverage in four days, including video of an NYPD rooftop rescue. WNYW-TV Vice President and News Director Dianne Doctor told TVSpy that due to gas shortages and miles-long gas lines, WNYW-TV contracted out private suppliers of fuel to keep the station’s satellite trucks running. WNYW-TV shared helicopters with CBS’s WCBS-TV to broadcast pictures of the devastation and to enter inaccessible areas. Doctor described reporter Dan Bowen’s experience in Seaside. "He was heating up his soup on the engine of his truck, and he said it was the best food that he had had," Doctor said. "You just saw the resourcefulness and the capabilities of some of these people."
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s WALK-AM/FM operated from the Suffolk County Emergency Management Center after being forced to evacuate. AM stations affected by floods shifted news to FM stations or partnered with local TV stations, including CBS owned WINS-AM, New York Public Radio’s WNYC-AM and Radio Disney Group’s WEPN-AM/FM. Buckley Radio’s WOR-AM stayed on-air and partnered with WNBC-TV.
This video from a PBS Newshour interview between Judy Woodruff and the Associated Press’s Warren Levinson confirms David Donovan’s statement. At minute 10:45, Levinson says, "I was over by the big substation that went out on East 14th Street this morning. And people didn’t have television. They didn’t have Internet. And somebody had taken his big portable radio and put it on the second floor in his window when the governor was giving a briefing. And you had a knot of people, like a semicircle of people, standing around it listening for what’s the latest information."
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s WGY-AM/FM and WRVE-FM in Albany, N.Y. raised a record $564,000 during the 14th annual two-day radiothon, an increase of more than 17 percent over last year. The money raised in the radiothon benefited Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center. "Our passion to support the radiothon every year never fails to be matched by the heartfelt donations from our listeners," said Clear Channel’s Kristen Delaney. "The daily stories of triumph and recovery from Children’s Hospital continue to inspire us."
Entertainment Industry Launches ’Got Your 6’
Numerous entertainment companies including ABC, CBS Corp., NBCUniversal, Fox Audience Strategy and the Entertainment Industries Council recently launched the "Got Your 6" campaign to assist veterans in their transition from military service to civilian life. Got Your Six is a military expression that means, "I’ve got your back, and you’ve got mine." The campaign is based on six pillars – jobs, education, health, housing, family and leadership – to help veterans reintegrate into civilian society. The new campaign will span numerous media platforms, and the message will be woven into future television and movie scripts. A public service announcement campaign featuring several celebrities has also been developed. For more information about the Got Your 6 spots, click here.
Emmis Communications Corporation’s WQHT-FM New York and the VetransAid Foundation provided over 150 free tickets for veterans to attend the station’s Summer Jam 2012. The VetransAid Foundation raises funds and awareness for veterans’ causes. WQHT-FM donated a portion of the Summer Jam 2012 proceeds to the Hip Hop Has a Heart Foundation. "Every war has a soundtrack and for so many soldiers, the sounds of the hip hop community lifted our spirits and gave us a much needed distraction we could bond around," said Iraq war veteran and VetransAid Foundation Advisor Mikey Piro.
In recognition of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, television stations across Syracuse partnered with the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center to raise awareness of physical, sexual and verbal abuse of children. Several television stations collaborated on an hour-long special entitled, "Protecting Our Children," which stations aired on April 25. "We all know that news stations compete," noted one local anchor, Julie Chapman, "but this issue is so important, that we decided to come together to let people know that we all care about our community and of course, our kids, and that there are resources out there where we can all do our part to stop child abuse." Click here to watch a video about the stations’ efforts.
Univision communications is enhancing its political coverage for the 2012 election cycle with Destino 2012. In addition to extensive interactive and on-air coverage, Univision is adding political commentary from analysts Helen Aguirre Ferré, Dr. Emilio Gonzalez and Fabian Nuñez.
"As Hispanics continue to grow in number and influence, and become even more engaged with technology and social platforms, Univision will continue to lead the efforts with providing unparalleled coverage regardless of where they consume," said Isaac Lee, president of news, Univision Communications.
The analysts will engage in roundtable discussions and interviews during several programs. Destino 2012’s online and mobile coverage of the primaries and the presidential campaign focuses on issues that significantly impact U.S. Hispanics. Users can find information on local elections, including policy details, voter registration forms and important dates.
Univision Radio listeners raised more than $5.25 million in cash and pledges to battle childhood cancer and other diseases during the annual St. Jude Promesa y Esperanza (Promise and Hope) Radio Event, benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This year, Univision activated 360-degree support of the event via its radio, television, online and social media platforms. A number of Latin celebrities reached out to fans through live interviews, PSAs, call-ins and continuous messages through their social media networks.
After a two week search based hundreds of listener nominations, a family in New Jersey received a holiday dream come true thanks to morning show host Nick Cannon’s “Breaking and Entering” Christmas. Cannon and his staff secretly entered the home of the unsuspecting family and placed tons of wrapped toys, electronics, and clothes under the tree. 92.3 NOW listeners made generous donations online to help out. The winning family received a catered dinner and a completely made-over living room with brand new furniture. As an added surprise, the family also came home to a brand new 2012 Toyota Camry in their driveway.
"Everyone deserves to have a happy holiday and Toyota of Hackensack was honored to be able to give a new Camry to the chosen family,” said owner Frank Holtham.
Both parents are going through chemotherapy while raising two young children. Due to their extensive medical bills, they are in need of financial help and couldn’t provide a proper Christmas for their children. They don’t know who was behind this holiday surprise, but the family was overjoyed to come home to a Christmas miracle.
CBS recently announced it has teamed up with Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne to shoot a new series of CBS Cares PSAs to increase awareness of colon cancer and encourage Americans to be screened early for the disease. “Ozzy and I are proud to be part of this innovative project by CBS,” said Sharon Osbourne who is, herself, a colon cancer survivor. “My life was saved by a colonoscopy that Ozzy urged me to have, and I hope everyone who sees the campaign will enter the sweepstakes and talk to their doctor about the importance of screenings.” The announcements will run on CBS Radio, CBS Television Network, CBS Outdoor and across a wide range of CBS Interactive platforms. To learn more about the CBS Cares Colonoscopy Sweepstakes, a chance to win a trip for two to New York City along with a free colonoscopy by leading colon cancer expert, Dr. Paul Miskovitz, M.D., visit www.CBSCares.tv.
Emmis Communications Corporation’s WQHT-FM HOT 97.1 Hip-Hop Has Heart Foundation donated hundreds of toys to three local organizations: Harlem Hospital, Emergency Rights, a nonprofit that informs New York residents of the many private and government resources available to them and Area 145 Daycare, an organization that prepares children for kindergarten and beyond. For the fifth consecutive year, HOT 97’s Hip-Hop Has Heart Foundation and its DJs gave children a reason to look forward to the season.
CHET-5 Broadcasting’s WDST-FM Woodstock, NY raised $100,968 for breast cancer research in this year’s Request-A-Thon and other Pink October Fundraising efforts. The money supports the Dyson Center for Cancer Care at Vassar Brother Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Listeners pledged donations, participated in an auction and attended three Pink October benefit concerts featuring Natalie Merchant and the Indigo Girls.
"The success was beyond our wildest expectations," said Radio Woodstock President Gary Chetkof. "Despite these tough economic times, the generosity of the listeners, volunteers, sponsors and artists took our breath away.”
Infinity Broadcasting’s WXRK-FM New York, 92.3 NOW, teamed up with Riccardo Maggiore Salon to raise money and awareness for breast cancer during the 11-day San Gennaro Feast in Manhattan’s Little Italy. At the 92.3 NOW booth, salon artists applied pink feather hair extensions for a $5 donation. Proceeds went to the Libby Ross Foundation, which offers unique support and wellness programs for women affected by breast cancer.
"Green, White, Red and Pink are a great color combination," said 92.3 NOW morning show host Nick Cannon. "It’s an honor to team with the Libby Ross Foundation, a charity that is making a huge difference in the fight against breast cancer."
The 2011 Broadcasters Foundation of America’s Celebrity Golf Tournament, held in Tarrytown, N.Y., raised more than $150,000 for broadcasters in need of assistance. The Foundation expects to grant $600,000 in aid this year, a 20 percent increase over 2010. Evercore Wealth Management sponsored the tournament. Greater Media Chief Executive Officer Peter Smyth and Katz Television Group President Jim Beloyianis served as co-chairs. More than 140 broadcasters, celebrities and athletes participated.
WGNA-FM Albany Morning Team quickly raised $30,000 for Irene victims. Townsquare Media’s WGNA-FM Albany morning hosts Sean McMaster and Richie Phillips held a 24 hour
Following the storm, eight Double O radio stations in Upstate New York simulcast a radiothon to raise money for the victims through the United Way of Delaware and Otsego County Disaster Relief fund. Double O listeners pledged $36,000 in donations, a huge success which George Wells, Double O’s regional manager says he has never seen before in his 30 years working in radio. Money raised during the radiothons is being used for food, shelter, prescription medications and back-to-school supplies by those impacted.
The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce recently awarded Bold Gold Media-owned WDNB-FM Liberty, N.Y., the Sullivan County Distinguished Service Award. Each year, the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce recognizes one local business for excellence in business and community spirit. Upon winning the award, WDNB-FM Thunder 102 Market Manager and General Manager Paul Ciliberto said, "This award is the result of community service between Thunder 102, our listeners, partner businesses and stars from the Nashville country music community, and we are proud to accept this award on their behalf."
Nick Cannon, host of the Rollin’ with Nick Cannon Morning Show on Infinity Broadcasting Group’s WXRK-FM New York, 92.3 NOW, and NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” brought truckloads of toys to the New York Hospital Queens Mets Care Room. Cannon collected the toys during his attempt to secure the Guinness World Record for the most hugs in one hour. Standing outside Citi Field, Cannon embraced 1,679 fans and missed the record by only 52 hugs. Paper Jamz from WowWee donated one toy for each hug Cannon secured.
“Regardless of the failed attempt, I am thrilled to do my part to put smiles on the faces of children who need it most,” said Cannon. “Thanks to everyone for coming out and to Paperjamz for donating thousands of dollars in toys. This was a great event and I look forward to making another world record try in the future.”
Infinity Broadcasting’s WXRK-FM 92.3 NOW teamed up with Riccardo Maggiore Salon to raise money and awareness for breast cancer during the 11 day San Gennaro Feast in Manhattan’s Little Italy. At the 92-3 NOW booth, salon artists apply pink feather hair extensions for a $5 donation. Proceeds go the Libby Ross Foundation, which offers unique support and wellness programs for women affected by breast cancer.
“Green, White, Red and Pink are a great color combination,” said 92-3 NOW morning show host Nick Cannon. “It’s an honor to team with the Libby Ross Foundation, a charity that is making a huge difference in the fight against breast cancer.”
After a passionate response from listeners to the song “Just Stand Up,” an all-star charity single benefiting Stand Up to Cancer, WHTZ-FM in New York, N.Y., found a way to continue support for the organization locally. WHTZ named Stand Up to Cancer the official charity partner for its signature event, the Z100’s Jingle Ball. Every year, tickets for the star-studded concert, which takes place in Madison Square Garden, sell out within minutes. This year’s 18,000 attendees saw performances by Leona Lewis, Kanye West, David Archuleta, Paramore, Lady GaGa and more. As part of its partnership with the charity, the station donated a portion of each ticket sale, hosted a special Web page promoting the cause and broadcast public service announcements throughout the end of the year. Funds raised will be used to further groundbreaking cancer research. “Z100’s Jingle Ball is a great way for us to work directly with our listeners to make a difference," said Tom Poleman, WHTZ senior vice president of programming. Mayor Bloomberg declared the day of the event “Z100’s Jingle Ball Day.”
Helping to make Christmas morning merry for area children, radio host Mark Piersma from WXUR-FM in New Hartford, N.Y., camped out for seven days as part of the second annual “Camp out for Kids” program. Organizers of the camp-out hoped to collect 10,000 toys by inviting listeners to deliver the items to Piersma, who camped out in front of a local pizzeria on Seneca Turnpike for a week. Even if listeners couldn’t make it to the camp-out, the station still encouraged them to donate. “Everybody’s doing toy drives this year, which is good, because that means more toys for the kids,” said Piersma. “So if you don’t get down to here, find somewhere that’s collecting toys.”
As part of its dedication to children, WLZW-FM in Utica, N.Y ., holds an annual radiothon for Children’s Miracle Network at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare. Over a two-day period, the station broadcasts for 22 hours from the hospital, using the airwaves to share the stories of families and caregivers. More than 100 live and recorded announcements aired before the most recent radiothon, which was the station’s 11th, urging listeners to tune in and pledge. More than $36,000 was raised to support women’s and children’s services at the hospital. In an additional effort, the station was media sponsor for the “Children’s Miracle Network Home Makeover” fundraiser, where listeners had a chance to win $100,000 or a makeover for their house. During the six-month campaign, the station conducted 12 live morning show interviews with the hospital event coordinator and aired nearly 700 promotional spots. The result: a sold-out drawing with the winning moment aired live and $350,000 collected for the hospital toward the purchase of equipment for patient care.
WYPX-TV in Guilderland, N.Y., harnessed the power of television to help a local foundation make a difference thousands of miles away in Africa. When the Joshua Foundation of New York first approached Chris Iorio, production manager and public affairs director of Ion Media Networks, of which WYPX is a part, it had delivered $1 million worth of critical medical supplies to Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, and was ready to embark upon a similar mission for Ghana and Malawi. With the help of a comprehensive marketing campaign launched by Iorio, the foundation raised enough funds to deliver $7 million worth of medical supplies during this second endeavor. The campaign included the production of public service announcements, which WYPX distributed to other broadcasters both locally and nationally, news coverage, press releases and two special editions of the station’s half-hour talk show "Subject Matters." A press conference at the send-off allowed the community at large to see how their generosity made it possible for boxes upon boxes of medicine to make it to those that might not otherwise survive. "I saw a great need, children and adults dying because they do not have the access to our prescriptions drugs, drugs that we may take for granted," Iorio said. "Being involved in the art of television production and broadcasting, I felt a need to utilize this gift to help make a difference in the lives of others."
Thanks to the persistent efforts of WSYR-AM in Syracuse, N.Y., central New Yorkers enjoyed the return of the Veterans Day parade. More than 50 veterans’ groups participated, and thousands of people came out to pay tribute, wave American flags and watch the procession wrap around downtown. The station promoted the patriotic celebration, which began and ended at the Syracuse War Memorial, with more than 600 public service announcements during the six weeks prior to parade day. In addition to assisting with setting up and breaking down the parade, WSYR personalities rode on a station float. Organizing the parade involved more than three months of planning, and 500 hours of sweat and dedication by WSYR staff. WSYR was a National Association of Broadcasters’ Crystal Award Finalist in 2008.
For two hours each week, the "Eco Radio Show," produced by WGY-AM in Latham, N.Y., covers broad topics concerning recycling, sustainability, conservation and alternative energy. The show also keeps listeners up-to-date about upcoming recycling events in the area. Taking it beyond talk, show host Pete Muscanelli created a two-day "Eco Recycling Show" at Empire State Plaza in Albany last year. The event attracted more than 2,000 people, including students from a dozen school districts, who learned about everything from recycling to new "green" technologies. The station also dedicated 160 live interviews on its morning news show during the year to address environmental topics with local experts. Discussions covered how to save the dwindling fish populations, cleaning the area’s rivers and the effects of oil production. WGY was a National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award Finalist in 2008.
The Kids Escaping Drugs Telethon celebrated its 20th year with WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, N.Y., by raising $680,000 for the Kids Escaping Drugs Renaissance Campus, the only youth treatment facility of its kind in the area. The money gives 12- to 21-year-olds that have struggled with addiction a second chance and funds education and prevention programs for adolescents and their families. During the telethon, viewers get a firsthand account of the struggles and victories of teens who have been helped by the facility. While the spring event is a seven-hour broadcast marathon, the effort is year-round for the station, an original partner and continuing sponsor of the campaign. News stories about the telethon start weeks before the event, and segments about drug abuse prevention and treatment air throughout the year. "If it weren’t for WGRZ and the telethon, we wouldn’t have as many children in western New York cured of chemical dependency," said Joanne Hudecki, executive director of the Kids Escaping Drugs Campaign. "When our first telethon aired, we had no campus. Without WGRZ’s drive and enthusiasm for us, we wouldn’t have this treatment facility."
Kids weren’t making it to school on time, so WBLK-FM in Buffalo, N.Y., decided to take action. The station’s "Non-Tardy Tuesday" campaign motivated students to make it to their desks before the morning bell. Each Tuesday, just prior to the start of classes, the WBLK staff made special school appearances and handed out gifts to students who arrived on time. The school with the best attendance record at the end the school quarter won an exclusive dance party with a national recording artist, courtesy of WBLK. Hundreds of on-air promotional announcements and space on the home page of the station’s Web site helped get students excited about the campaign. The station staff contributed 60 hours to get the program off the ground. The result: For the first time in several years, area schools’ student tardiness rate dropped by a small percentage.
New Yorkers have the good fortune of learning community affairs from one of the city’s most experienced advocates thanks to WLIB-AM in New York, N.Y., and its "Dialogue with Dinkins" show. Each week, the interview and call-in program features former Mayor David Dinkins, New York’s first and only African-American mayor to date. As a high-profile personality and statesman, Mayor Dinkins discusses issues including fair housing, police brutality, poverty, homelessness, public education and the city’s economy. Additional public affairs programming includes WLIB’s weekly "Sharp Talk With the Reverand Al Sharpton" and the long-running "Global Black Experience." Both shows regularly cover civil rights issues, race relations and socio-political issues in the city. "Sharp Talk" also broadcasts live from racial justice rallies, economic forums and other community events.
Thirteen hours of live broadcast on WOR-AM in New York, N.Y., brought in $380,000, a lucky number for Variety, The Children’s Charity, which benefits from the station’s "Operation Good Neighbor" radiothon. The money goes a long way in helping Variety continue to meet its goal of never saying no to a child in need. Donations collected through the 12th annual event were used to fund dozens of programs that benefit disadvantaged and disabled children in the area. Radiothon special guests included New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actors Hugh Jackman and Danny Aiello and local television anchor Rosanna Scotto. Throughout the day, syndicated programming was preempted for special segments and shows focused on children’s issues and Variety. In the days leading up to the event, WOR aired hundreds of promotional messages and public service announcements, and sent out a press release in support of Variety to more than 400 affiliated stations, trade press and media outlets. Staff members from every department contributed to the radiothon’s great success. "WOR’s ability to raise much needed funds for disabled children and their families is a testament to the amazing depth of the generosity of our loyal listeners," said WOR General Manager Bob Bruno. "I am proud to say that every dollar raised for Variety through WOR’s ‘Operation Good Neighbor’ radiothon stays within the tri-state community."
When school is out, it’s time for the highly successful children’s summer reading program sponsored by WSTM-TV in Syracuse, N.Y. The "Book Breaks" program marked its 21st year in 2007, when once again, station reporters, anchors and meteorologists took time out of their hectic lives to go to area libraries to read with local children. In fact, the station talent went to 14 different libraries and read to thousands of children throughout Onondaga County. The program is such a hit with children, parents and librarians that WTSM plans to expand it to another regional library system. This means even more children will be better prepared when summer ends and school is back in session. "WSTM’s ‘Book Breaks’ program is a wonderful way to help us promote reading each summer," said Genie DuPell, director of youth and family services at the Fayetteville Free Library. To promote the events, the station produced three 30-second promotional spots that aired 176 times from June to August. WTSM also created a public affairs segment that ran in a weekend newscast and aired two newscast segments on the reading events themselves.
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