Kerry Browning Lands at CNN Radio

[RoddyFreeman]

I heard him on a report today on WSB's "Atlanta's Morning News." He was introduced as "CNN Radio's Kerry Browning." He got caught in the Cox Radio/Atlanta budget cutback a few weeks ago after working at WSB for many, many years. It's nice to hear he's back on the air.

 

[fussbudget]

I am delighted Kerry has landed on his feet. He was just a few months shy of retirement with Cox, which shows that loyalty means nothing. I hope CNN treats him better.

 

[RhubarbFan]

I'am glad that CNN picked him up,there are several people from WSB and GST who have gone on to work for CNN radio. Andy Rose who was on GST is now with CNN radio. It would have been nice if Kerry Browning had been able to stay until his retirement,that may have played a role in Cox's decicison to let him go,I'am sure they gave him a early retirmnet package. He had ben at WSB back when they played music.

 

[Nimbusflux]

I heard the same report that referenced him as CNN Radio's Kerry Browning. WSB has been an affiliate of CNN's for a while. I wonder if this will be a direction they will go using more and more reporters and reports from CNN and WSB's channel 2 news room.

 

[ClarkKent]

I wouldn't be so quick to say this is any kind of "new direction." I've heard reports on CNN Radio (on other stations) done by WSB's John Lewis, and he's still with the station. Maybe it's part of some kind of partnership though.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

I wouldn't be so quick to say this is any kind of "new direction." I've heard reports on CNN Radio (on other stations) done by WSB's John Lewis, and he's still with the station. Maybe it's part of some kind of partnership though.

We really don't know what Kerry Browning's deal is. You mentioned hearing Jon Lewis on CNN Radio on other stations. I've heard WSB-AM newscaster and reporter Pete Colmes with a report on a CBS Radio News broadcast on another station.

The WSB/CNN arrangement has been in place for a long time, probably 10-12 years. I'm guessing WSB initially joined with CNN instead of CBS because CNN has always had a lot of name value in Atlanta. Now that's probably true in a lot of other markets.

Unfortunately, I'm guessing the radio layoffs that we've seen this year are just the start. I think 2009 will be a big year for layoffs and big contracts not getting renewed in markets across the U.S.

 

[70sdj]

Cox gives full insurance benefits if you are still working at retirement. That is why they stepped on his face with a hob nail boot. Very Sad.
What a group of phony watchamacallits those Cox people are.
Jim Kennedy and his bleeding heart friends in Buckhead vote for Obama and the "share the wealth" deal, but damn the people who have worked for you for nearly 30 years.
You have to be an a** kisser who enjoys showtunes to stay at WSB Radio now.

 

[fussbudget]

Regarding WSB's network affiliation, the station had a long and fruitful association with NBC. As NBC Radio was fading away, WSB signed with AP Radio. I'm not sure CBS was even available at the time. WGST was the CBS affiliate. If memory serves, WSB signed with CNN after WCNN coughed it up.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

Regarding WSB's network affiliation, the station had a long and fruitful association with NBC. As NBC Radio was fading away, WSB signed with AP Radio. I'm not sure CBS was even available at the time. WGST was the CBS affiliate. If memory serves, WSB signed with CNN after WCNN coughed it up.

Yes, WSB-AM was NBC in the old days...and so was WSB-TV.

When I moved to Atlanta in 1994, the national news reports aired on WGST came from ABC. And that continued for quite some time (including Paul Harvey). WGST might have been the CBS affiliate also, but I don't recall hearing anything from CBS from the time I came here in 1994.

 

[RichardWarner]

WSB was NBC and Mutual (spot carry only; we could use their actualities and Larry King). WGST was ABC Entertainment with live network at the bottom of the hour, and while it was also affiliated with CBS, it only carried features and integrated cuts into newscasts. Feeling was local was more important at the top of the hour.

 

[fussbudget]

WGST carried "World News Roundup" from CBS in the mid-1980's. In any event, I doubt WSB ever considered inking a deal with CBS.

 

[Art Sutton]

WSB Radio dropped NBC Radio Network, after being one of their charter affiliates, and picked up ABC Information Network and aired Paul Harvey. It was a big deal to ABC and Paul Harvey only to be dumped in a year or so. I can't remember if WSB Radio switched to ABC prior to TV or TV went first. I don't think the two were related regardless.

CBS and NBC were both hard to get all the way in the early 1980s and no doubt the most prestigious affiliation to have. Neither would take daytime only AMs and had iron clad rules about overlap with existing affiliates. At one point, I know NBC was a minimum of 50 miles distance. Just about any station could get one of the four ABC news networks; Information, Entertainment, Contemporary or ABC FM, but they did protect Paul Harvey affiliates from overlap. Mutual was another network which would take just about any station.

Speaking of Paul Harvey, if you haven't heard him lately, it's harder and harder to do so, it's a real shame. He sounds extremely weak and old. It's really embarrassing that he nor ABC can call it quits.

WGST carried "World News Roundup" from CBS in the mid-1980's. In any event, I doubt WSB ever considered inking a deal with CBS.

 

[fussbudget]

WSB-AM

Thanks Art. I had forgotten that WSB had an ABC affiliation. Whiz-bee dropped NBC in 1981 and by the mid 80's so did GE. Re: Paul Harvey, he will be there till either a): he dies or b): ABC tells him its over. I'm betting on a). Good Day!

 

[luvsradio]

WSB-AM was originally an NBC radio affiliate. The NBC chimes (from 'Must See TV') originated at WSB-AM.

WSB-TV was also an NBC-TV affiliate. Back in the 80's when WSB-TV changed affiliation from NBC to ABC the radio station did the same.

In the late 80's/early 90's - I don't remember the exact date, WSB-AM dropped the ABC radio affiliation. We've always been an AP radio affiliate. When CNN organized its radio network, we signed on and have been affiliates every since.

Pete Combs is a stringer for CBS.

Condace Pressley
Assistant Program Director
WSB-AM

 

[fortt3]

Thanks, Condace! You are always welcome here.