O'Reilly's No-Ad Zone

Before he cut to his first commercial break of the night on Thursday, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly teased a series of segments that would come, he said, "after these messages." But after only a one minute-long ad, O'Reilly was back on the screen, according to CNN.

The lone commercial to air during that break -- from the life insurance company Coventry Direct -- was one of only seven spots to run during Thursday's edition of "The O'Reilly Factor," providing tangible evidence that a widening advertising boycott against the top-rated program has taken effect.

Nearly 60 companies have dropped ads on the "Factor." This follows a New York Times report last week revealing that O'Reilly and his employer had reached settlements totaling $13 million with five different women who accused the host of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior.

The hour-long show typically runs as many as 40 different ads.   "The Factor" generated more than $178 million in ad revenue in 2015, according to Kantar Media.

A Fox News spokeswoman did not respond to CNN for a request for comment. Paul Rittenberg, the network's executive vice president of advertising sales, said earlier this week that the ad buys of the clients to raise concerns about "The O'Reilly Factor" "have been re-expressed into other FNC programs."

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Fast-Track Repeal of Net Neutrality Planned

By David Shepardson | WASHINGTON

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is moving quickly to replace the Obama administration's landmark net neutrality rules and wants internet service providers to voluntarily agree to maintain an open internet, three sources briefed on the meeting said Thursday.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, a Republican appointed by President Donald Trump, met on Tuesday with major telecommunications trade groups to discuss his preliminary plan to reverse the rules, the sources said.

The FCC declined to comment but Pai previously said he is committed to ensuring an open internet but feels net neutrality was a mistake.

The rules approved by the FCC under Democratic President Barack Obama in early 2015 prohibited broadband providers from giving or selling access to speedy internet, essentially a "fast lane", to certain internet services over others. As part of that change, the FCC reclassified internet service providers much like utilities.

Pai wants to overturn that reclassification, but wants internet providers to voluntarily agree to not obstruct or slow consumer access to web content, two officials said late Tuesday.

The officials briefed on the meeting said Pai suggested companies commit in writing to open internet principles and including them in their terms of service, which would make them binding.

Ajit Pai

It is unclear if regulators could legally compel internet providers to adopt open internet principles without existing net neutrality rules.

As part of that move, the Federal Trade Commission would assume oversight of ensuring compliance.

Three sources said Pai plans to unveil his proposal to overturn the rules as early as late April and it could face an initial vote in May or June.

Internet providers like AT&T Inc, Verizon Communications Inc and Comcast Corp have argued net neutrality rules would make it harder to manage internet traffic and investment in additional capacity less likely. Websites worry that without the rules they might lose access to customers.

AT&T and major trade groups sued the FCC in 2015 over the net neutrality rules.

Democrats and privacy advocates say net neutrality is crucial to keeping the internet open.

Pai in December predicted that net neutrality's days were numbered. He told Reuters in February he believes "in a free and open internet and the only question is what regulatory framework best secures that."

Pai and congressional Republicans have moved quickly to dismantle Obama-era telecommunications rules.

Trump on Monday signed a repeal of Obama-era broadband privacy rules a victory for internet service providers and a blow to privacy advocates.

Politico Pro reported some details of the meeting with trade groups on Thursday.

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Report: Simms Got Bad News From His Son

Phil Simms

CBS reportedly blindsided Phil Simms so badly with his demotion this week that Simms found out first from his son, before hearing from the network itself, according to The NY Daily News.

And Chris Simms said on Bleacher Report’s Simms & Lefkoe Podcast that this is probably what “disappointed” his father most: The manner in which he was kept in the dark about Tony Romo’s hiring to replace him in CBS’s No. 1 NFL analyst seat alongside Jim Nantz.

“I had to tell my dad first, before CBS or anybody, because I found out from an NFL insider,” Chris Simms said. “I forwarded the text message that I was sent and it basically said, ‘Hey, listen, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Romo’s being offered your dad’s job on CBS, that sucks, I’m sorry.' And my dad was in Barbados, and I had to forward the text message to him to let him know.

“I think if there’s anything he’s probably a little disappointed (about),” Simms continued, “is in that in general, just that I don’t think he feels like they talked to him right away (or) at least warned him to let him know that this was happening. That’s just not what you do to a good, hard-working employee that’s been for 20 years been kind of the face of your football station. I think from that it probably does hurt.”

Said a CBS spokesman, "Both Phil and his agent knew in advance of the announcement and CBS had been in regular communication with his agent prior to that."

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ESPN's Skipper Backs Sage Steele

Sage Steele

In the two days since ESPN announced Sage Steele would be supplanted as host of NBA Countdown by Michelle Beadle, Steele has been subjected to a fair amount of ridicule on social media.

Apparently, ESPN President John Skipper had seen enough and defended Steele in a statement to USA TODAY Sports on Thursday.

"Sage has done a wonderful job for us in a number of important roles," Skipper said. “As previously announced, her SportsCenter presence has grown and this week alone she has led our coverage from the men’s Final Four and the Masters. Sage definitively has a bright and long-term future at ESPN and my complete support."

Skipper and others at ESPN appear to be particularly irked by the fact that many  celebrated the move as a firing. While nobody at ESPN has publicly stated why the network made the decision so late in the NBA season to change hosts of NBA Countdown, Steele has appeared prominently on the network’s Masters coverage this week and also as the lead host of SportsCenter on the Road.

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Abilene Radio: Jeff Lyon To Manage Cumulus Cluster

Jeff Lyon

Cumulus Media has announced that it has appointed veteran radio broadcasting professional Jeff Lyon as Vice President/Market Manager for its four-station group in Abilene, TX.

The cluster consists of:  Country KBCY 99.7 FM, Top40 KCDD 103.7 FM, Classics Rock KHXS 102.7 FM and Sports KTLT 98.1 FM.

Lyon joins Cumulus from Townsquare Media, where he was President/Chief Revenue Officer for its four stations in Victoria, TX, for 21 years. Prior to that, he was Vice President/General Manager for Sierra Industries, Inc. radio stations KSNM-FM and KXDC-FM in Las Cruces, NM.

Mark Sullivan, Regional Vice President, Cumulus Media, said: “We’re thrilled to have a manager of Jeff’s caliber joining our team in Abilene. Jeff brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that provides him with a strong foundation for success. We’re excited about what the future brings for him, our team in Abilene, our listeners and our advertisers.”

Lyon said: “I’m very excited to be part of the Cumulus family and look forward to relocating to the Abilene area. It’s great to with a group committed to the industry and its future.”

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Teens Can't Get Enough of Mobile Video

According to a Think with Google survey conducted by Ipsos, roughly seven in 10 teen smartphone users spend at least three hours per day watching video on their phones.

According to eMarketer, that’s a higher percentage of respondents than any other smartphone activity mentioned, including social networking.

Over half (51%) of teens said they spend three or more hours a day on social networks, and another 52% said the same about messaging apps.

Meanwhile, roughly four in 10 respondents said they spent 3 or more hours each day playing games.

Smartphone ownership, which often bolsters video viewing, is high among teens.

A December 2016 report from Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization supporting children and media, revealed that nearly eight in 10 respondents ages 13 to 18 owned a smartphone. In fact, teens were more likely to own a smartphone than a tablet, video game console or laptop.

But looking beyond smartphone usage, this demographic generally watches a lot of video content—on mobile, cable TV or streaming services.

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Chicago Radio: CBS Taking Stations To Ballpark

On Monday, April 10, coinciding with the Chicago Cubs home opener, CBS RADIO Chicago will broadcast live from Wrigley Field with on-air personalities on-site and conduct a series of live events for fans of the 2016 World Series Champions to enjoy.

From 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM, just before the opening pitch, 670 The Score (WSCR-AM), B96 (WBBM-FM), 93XRT (WXRT-FM), US99 (WUSN-FM) and 104.3 K-HITS (WJMK-FM) will be entertaining game attendees and fans. Additionally, 670 The Score’s Ron Coomer will be reporting on-field during the opening ceremonies and for the raising of the 2016 World Series Championship Banner.

“We’re looking forward to incorporating our five radio stations at the Cubs home opener where we will host a day of fun and engaging live broadcasts and events for our collective fans and listeners,” said Tim Pohlman, Senior Vice President/Market Manager, CBS RADIO Chicago. “We value our continued relationship with the Chicago Cubs organization as the exclusive radio home of this amazing team, providing our audience the ability to join us on what we hope is the road to another World Series Championship!”

CBS RADIO Chicago’s full schedule of events (All events are free and open to the public except where noted):

• 5:00 AM-6:00 PM: 670 The Score will have live updates with Mike Esposito (5:00 AM-9:00 AM), Julie DiCaro (9:00 AM-1:00 PM), and Matt Abbatacola (1:00 PM-6:00 PM) from the Park at Wrigley*
• 5:00 AM-9:00 AM: 670 The Score Live Broadcast with The Mully and Hanley Show from The BlueCross BlueShield Performance Stage, with a live cooking segment inside the CBS RADIO Culinary Kitchen; open to on-air winners and guests
• 5:00 AM-10:00 AM: K-Hits Live Broadcast with Dave Fogel from the Wrigley Field press box; by invitation only
• 5:30 AM-10:00 AM: B96 Live Broadcast with The J Show from the Park at Wrigley*
• 9:00 AM-1:00 PM: 670 The Score Live Broadcast with The Spiegel and Parkins Show from Yard House inside New City located at 1457 N. Halsted Street
• 10:00 AM-3:00 PM: US99 will have live updates with Kasper from the Park at Wrigley*
• 1:00 PM-6:30 PM: 670 The Score Live Broadcast with Jason Goff, Joe Ostrowski and Barry Rozner (1:00 PM-5:00 PM), a special pre-game show with Laurence Holmes and Mark Grote (5:00PM-6:00PM) and Mark Grote doing a solo pre-game show (6:00 PM-6:30 PM) at Houndstooth Saloon located at 3369 N. Clark Street
• 1:00-7:00 PM: 93XRT Live Broadcast and Webcast with Jason Thomas (1:00-3:00 PM), Marty Lennartz (3:00-5:00 PM), Marty Lennartz and Lin Brehmer (5:00-7:00 PM) from Yak-Zies located at 3710 N. Clark Street. Live performances include Waco Brothers, Split Single, The Shelters, Toronzo Cannon and Tributosaurus, plus a special guest appearance from 93XRT's A Regular Guy
• 3:00-7:00 PM: B96 will have live updates with Tyler from Casey Moran’s located at 3660 N. Clark Street
• 3:00-7:00 PM: US99 Live Broadcast with Stylz & Roman from John Barleycorn located at 3524 N. Clark Street with a live acoustic concert from Trent Harmon (5:30-6:00 PM)
• 6:30-7:00 PM: 670 The Score Live Broadcast with Pat Hughes and Len Kasper from the 670 the Score Broadcast Booth at Wrigley Field; by invitation only

*Live updates will occur on the south end of the Park at Wrigley located between Clark Street and Waveland Avenue and is open to the public. At 3:00 PM, only ticketed patrons will be allowed in the Park at Wrigley.
                                                                                                                     
All Cubs Radio games can be heard on 670 The Score with Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer over-the-air, online at http://www.670thescore.com, or through the Radio.com app for mobile devices.

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