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WABC launches "Worldwide News Network"

R

Rollo-Smokes

In an effort to further the reach of WABC in New York, owner Red Apple Media is moving forward with plans to launch "Worldwide News Network". Red Apple CEO John Catsimatidis has even hired a veteran of news radio to run it: Lee Harris, former morning anchor at WINS, and who more recently held an executive position at Nexstar's NewsNation.

radioinsight.com

Lee Harris Joins Red Apple Media To Launch Worldwide News Network

Red Apple Media is entering the network news space with the launch of The Worldwide News Network and has announced
radioinsight.com radioinsight.com

OPINION: First, full disclosure ‐- As I have mentioned in the past, I deal with WABC/Red Apple directly as producer/editor of The Cats Roundtable, which airs on WABC, Red Apple Audio Network, and Salem Media's WNYM (my employer).

Red Apple is positioning Worldwide News Network not to fill some of the void being created by the impending closure of CBS News Radio, but to be an extension of WABC's MAGA-friendly, Trump-worshipping, Mamdani-hating, and conspiracy theory-pushing talk programing. But more than that, this is all about feeding Catsimatidis' ego and grandiose visions of him and his one station being bigger than they really are.

WABC is an internal mess behind-the-scenes. And while they can certainly be commended to being live-and-(mostly) local 24/7, the tone of the programing leaves a lot to be desired. But this is what happens when you have a billionaire owner who is more interested in throwing money around and chasing paying for clout.

With that said, I wish Lee Harris the best of luck.
 
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I've heard the Worldwide News Network during The Other Side of Midnight. So far, they are just 30 second spots with one featured news story twice an hour. Is this supposed to expand into an actual newscast like the TOH CBS News?
 
Rollo-Smokes said:
That would involve following a clock, which is something WABC doesn't do very well.
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It's weird that WABC has no other news during The Other Side of Midnight other than those WNN quickies. They do have area weather forecasts ( "Weather you can use before you snooze"). Heck, I hardly ever hear any commercials during that time, except that Staten Island law firm that sponsers a few things.
 
Those are no longer since they started this Worldwide News Network. Just area weather, and an occasional promo for the 5am News Hour with Noah Laden.
 
KilowattKat said:
I've heard the Worldwide News Network during The Other Side of Midnight. So far, they are just 30 second spots with one featured news story twice an hour. Is this supposed to expand into an actual newscast like the TOH CBS News?
Click to expand...

How long ago was that? The article states the Worldwide News Network is just launching, but some commenters here seem to already be familiar with it.
 
Rollo-Smokes said:
Red Apple is positioning Worldwide News Network not to fill some of the void being created by the impending closure of CBS News Radio, but to be an extension of WABC's MAGA-friendly, Trump-worshipping, Mamdani-hating, and conspiracy theory-pushing talk programing.
Click to expand...

Is Lee Harris really going to preside over that kind of content? I don't know him, but I always perceived him as a highly credible, unbiased newsman. That's certainly the image he had at WINS, and while NewsNation leans slightly right it's still far from the Crazy Train nutcase news being described here.

I'll admit I don't know his personal political stance, but this seems like it would be a surprising career shift for him, if true.
 
Theater of My Mind said:
Is Lee Harris really going to preside over that kind of content? I don't know him, but I always perceived him as a highly credible, unbiased newsman. That's certainly the image he had at WINS, and while NewsNation leans slightly right it's still far from the Crazy Train nutcase news being described here.

I'll admit I don't know his personal political stance, but this seems like it would be a surprising career shift for him, if true.
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My comment was based on how I interpreted Catsimatidis' own words from Red Apple's statement:
“Today’s digital technology gives us the power to deliver the truth instantly, not just across America, but across Europe and around the globe. WABC Radio is already heard in all 50 states and in 178 countries through our multi-platform distribution. The Worldwide News Network is the natural next step in building a global destination for fair, balanced, no-nonsense news people can trust.”
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In their narrow corner of the world, and to their small narrow-minded core audience, they are providing unbalanced, no-nonsense news. The rest of us know better.

I would hope that Lee Harris is above that all. But as time goes on and we see how this develops, we will see.
 
radioinsight.com

Station Sales Week Of 5/8: WABC Coming To Boston?

Community Radio Project sells 89.5 KICO Rico CO to San Miguel Educational Fund for $10. KICO currently simulcasts the seller’s Public Variety 91.5 KSJD Cortez. Gayle Russ donates their 59% share in Faith Broadcasting LLC with its Christan “Faith Music Radio” 1180 WGAB/93.1 W226CB Newburgh IN to...
radioinsight.com radioinsight.com

Well WCRN would have to be an affiliate of Red Apples "Worldwide News Network" given that Cats have a pending deal with this Boston station. I don't know how this will work out for now.
 
Y2kTheNewOldies said:
radioinsight.com

Station Sales Week Of 5/8: WABC Coming To Boston?

Community Radio Project sells 89.5 KICO Rico CO to San Miguel Educational Fund for $10. KICO currently simulcasts the seller’s Public Variety 91.5 KSJD Cortez. Gayle Russ donates their 59% share in Faith Broadcasting LLC with its Christan “Faith Music Radio” 1180 WGAB/93.1 W226CB Newburgh IN to...
radioinsight.com radioinsight.com

Well WCRN would have to be an affiliate of Red Apples "Worldwide News Network" given that Cats have a pending deal with this Boston station. I don't know how this will work out for now.
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You're stating the obvious.

What is certainly going to happen is Red Apple will simulcast WABC on the Worcester station most of the time. Because you know, people over there are clamoring for NYC-centric content. But we're veering off...
 
Steering this back to the topic of discussion, remember when I mentioned up-thread (Post no. 8) that WABC has issues following a clock?

Last night's (Friday 5/8) broadcast of Cats and Cosby, which is supposed to be a one-hour program (5p to 6p) but always runs several minutes past the top of the hour, ended at 6:10 pm. Mark Levin is then joined in-progress, four minutes after his live show started at 6:06p ET. And Levin starting at 6:06 is the excuse WABC uses for giving the 5:00 show extra time.

What they don't take into account (or honestly, don't care about) are their Red Apple Audio Network affiliates who have other commitments to get to at 6—and that includes WNYM. Though it's not in our contract with Red Apple, and even though we have our own live show with a host paying for the entire hour (Arthur Aidala), we are forced to carry Cats and Cosby from beginning to end (we can't cut them off until they finish with their Superman sign-off).

One thing Red Apple may want to do, especially if they intend to have Worldwide News Network updates at the top of every hour, would be to start using a format clock. This is Radio 101. The laissez faire modus operandi has got to go.
 


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