In this week’s issue… Remembering NYC’s Reed, NJ’s McNally, Ottawa’s Knight – WABC-TV loses news director – Scott sues WBLS – Bigger signal coming to Finger Lakes – CBS adds “Now” newscasts
By SCOTT FYBUSH
(Programming note: It’s summer, we’re taking some vacation time here and there, and so it’s possible that there may be no NERW or a late NERW on some Mondays in July and August. Stay tuned to our Twitter feed @NERadioWatch or our Facebook page for updates.)
*One of the most iconic voices in NEW YORK oldies radio has died.
Don K. Reed started at WCBS-FM (101.1) when it was still a progressive rock station in 1971, moving over from mornings at WLIR a year before CBS flipped the FM signal into one of the country’s first (and by far biggest) all-oldies stations.
Back then, the doo-wop music of the 1950s was still less than two decades old, and Reed made the music his own, hosting overnights and his signature “Doo-Wop Shop” show on Sundays, playing music that often wasn’t heard anywhere else.
Less flashy than some of the other big WCBS-FM voices, Reed was a survivor, lasting the station’s entire run with oldies from its 1972 flip until the controversial 2005 move to “Jack FM.”
After the end of the original WCBS-FM, Reed remained active in the music and radio community, appearing on the new WCBS-FM’s “Radio Greats” for a few years after its 2007 return, hosting streaming shows and emceeing doo-wop concerts. He had reportedly been battling kidney disease before his death last week at 77.
The 2026 Tower Site Calendar was the final edition, and there will no longer be a Fybush Media Store.
We still have some old calendars and some books, so if you’ve been planning to buy some but just haven’t gotten around to it — this week is your last chance.
Go to our store now and get your favorite tower pin-ups!
Not sure what pictures are in which calendars? Ask Lisa — she’ll tell you.
Looking to get into station ownership? Our StationSale division has some great new listings for you, including a very successful multimedia combo including radio/digital/print in one of the finest small markets in the region, a major market FM translator opportunity, a profitable Midwest FM, an inexpensive entry into a fast-growing Western market, and a turnkey profitable FM/AM/translator small-market combo that’s ready for a new owner. Drop me a line at scott@fybush.com and I’ll set you up with an NDA and all the details…
And if your noncommercial FM station is ready to think about translators, there’s a filing window coming this fall from the FCC and it’s the perfect time to start making plans.
In this week’s issue… iHeart cuts leave some small markets vacant - Townsquare makes more NJ moves - Format shuffles in the Connecticut River Valley - Veteran meteorologists retire - Toronto AM seeks FM voice
In this week’s issue… FCC, licensees prepare for translator window - Ithaca exec moves on - Border gets the Lake back - Malloy returns to NJ 101.5 - AMs sell in MA, CT - Windsor vet retires
In this week’s issue… NYC veteran leaves desk - Bulldozers take down some Boston history - Public radio sale in PA - Family adds FM - CKNX celebrates centennial
In this week’s issue… NJ PBS enters new era - Adam 12's new Boston gig - Audacy relocates studios - NYC morning host plans retirement - CHUM, Flow retool in Toronto - Remembering Rocky Allen, Pittsburgh's Negri
