The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Reach Media has  filed a suit against Clear Channel over WVAZ cancellation of the Tom Joyner Morning Show and replacing it with the Steve Harvey Morning Show back in March. The suit filed  by Reach in Texas’ Dallas County District Court, alleges breach of contract by Clear Channel and claims that because the show was dropped without notice, Reach is owed more than $800,000 in affiliation fees and …

Radio Facts is reporting that for the second time in a little over a month Citadel Media’s afternoon syndicated radio talent Michael Baisden is being dropped in a major market for local talent. Clear Channel Urban AC WMXD will replace Baisden with local host Frankie Darcell moving back into the afternoon shift. In Los Angeles KDAY cancelled the Michael Baisden show in an effort to regain control of the station for local …

Newly signed Superadio talent Star had a judge toss out the federal lawsuit he filed against Clear Channel after CC Urban WWPR (POWER 105) New York fired him for making comments about a rival’s daughter in 2006.  Manhattan Federal Court Judge Peter Leisure ruled that Clear Channel “did not breach the employment agreement” when it took Star off the air.  Star, one half of the syndicated radio morning duo Star & …

Let’s be honest, Sarah Palin was a high school basketball point guard who went to a number of 2 and 4 year colleges before obtaining a Journalism degree while yearning for a career in the MEDIA. This very same woman who ascending to governmental positions of power by sheer likability, was miraculously chosen to run on a presidential ticket and who uses her apparent disdain for the media as a vehicle to stay in it,  …

Clear Channel syndicated radio host and Top 40 KIIS-F 102.7 KISS FM Los Angeles morning man Ryan Seacrest, has finalized a three-year $15 million dollar per year deal to continue hosting “American Idol” and develop programming for CKX, parent company of  “Idol” producer 19 Entertainment. The new deal, which reportedly triples his salary, makes Seacrest the highest-paid reality host in TV history and provides that Seacrest will be exclusive to CKX in broadcast TV primetime …

There is some interesting fallout from the Clear Channel Premium Choice initiative that frankly I hadn’t considered. Radio and Records recently removed 17 stations across four formats from its reporting panels due to policy violations regarding inclusion of syndicated networks on spin-based chart panels, as well as the amount of non-local programming a station is allowed to air. Apparently many CC stations have adopted the Premium Choice programming and centrally generated music logs 24/7,  …

Clear Channel “Premium Choice” talent Valentine returns to the Cleveland market today on Hot AC WMVX (Mix 106.5) replacing “Brian and Joe”. Valentine whose L.A.-originated morning show had been heard once before in Cleveland on Clear Channel’s CHR WAKS (Kiss 96.5) is part of the many schedule and talent changes resulting from last week’s Clear Channel “Second Wave” layoffs. Valentine also gets a new a new affiliate in Sacramento, at Clear Channel’s …

News out of the Clear Channel management meetings in Dallas has the company unveiling two new programming initiatives including what it calls “a multi-point plan to raise the bar for radio programming across all dayparts and platforms, including online and mobile.”  The plan includes the expected introduction of national and regional programming in a program called “Premium Choice” that the company says makes proven programming  and popular on-air talent readily available  to local PDs in all markets for …

Clear Channel WNCI Columbus based Dave & Jimmy morning show loses an affiliate in CHR WDKF “Channel 94.5″ Dayton. The syndicated show which was an early example of the CC “hub and spokes” radio programming model, is still on in six other markets including, WZKF “Kiss 98.9″ Louisville, WHKF “Kiss 99.3″ Harrisburg, WKKF “Kiss 102.3″ Albany, WAKZ “Kiss 95.9″ Youngstown, WLKT “Cat 104.5″  Lexington, and WLWD “Wild 93.9″  Lima, Ohio.

Premiere Radio Network syndicated morning host Steve Harvey obviously is feeling the need to defend himself regarding news of his replacing Tom Joyner on Clear Channel’s WVAZ in Chicago. In an interview with Phil Rosenthal in last Friday’s (4/10) Chicago Tribune, Harvey let off a little of his frustration at being pegged as the fall guy in the move that saw Joyner released as the V-103 morning talent after 13 years. Steve is right to …