As the industry wakes up today in a world without CBS Radio, the result of the mega-Entercom merger, the FCC yesterday voted to "modernize" its broadcast ownership rules and to help promote ownership diversity in the broadcast industry by rolling back a series of longstanding media ownership regulations, like the Newspaper/Broadcast Cross-Ownership Rule that dates back to 1975. Broadcasters will now be allowed to combine ownership a newspaper in the same market, and could be allowed to own two of the top four stations in a city. The Commission also eliminated the Radio/Television Cross-Ownership Rule and Television Joint Sales Agreement Attribution Rule. And yes, a court battle is looming. These changes are happening as the FCC is considering whether to allow Sinclair Broadcast Group to merge with Tribune Media, creating a massive station group with control over 233 stations reaching 72% of the country. To the shock of pretty much no one, the vote adhered to a 3-2 party-line vote.

"The media ownership regulations of 2017 should match the media marketplace of 2017," said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai (left), describing the agency's actions as "dragging the broadcast rules into the digital age." As Variety reports, "These changes may yet be challenged in court, but if they survive, they will mark the most significant changes to media ownership regulations in a generation. They could lead to further consolidation and mergers among broadcasters, who have long argued that they need greater scale to compete with cable and Internet companies for local ad dollars."

In a dissenting opinion, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, said, "Instead of engaging in thoughtful reform, which we should do, the agency sets its most basic values on fire. They are gone. As a result of this decision, wherever you live, the FCC is giving the green light for a single company to own the newspaper and multiple television and radio stations in your community."

• In response to the FCC's actions, NAB President & CEO Gordon Smith, a former Republican Senator from Oregon, said, "NAB thanks the FCC for voting today to reform outdated broadcast media ownership rules. These rules are not only irrational in today's media environment, but they have also weakened the newspaper industry, cost journalism jobs and forced local broadcast stations onto unequal footing with our national pay TV and radio competitors. We are grateful the Commission has adopted a common-sense approach to media regulations that will foster innovation, reinvestment in investigative reporting and better service to our tens of millions of listeners and viewers."

In case you've been, say, submerged under the polar ice cap in a submarine for the past month or so, you know that Entercom Classic Rock KSWD (100.3 The Sound) signed off at 1pm Thursday, making way for the launch of the Christian K-Love format under new owner EMF.

Needless to say, emotions were running high in the hallways and in the control room as the digital countdown clock inexorably ticked down toward zero. On "Uncle Joe" Benson's final 10 at 10 feature, each of The Sound personalities got to pick a song. "One per DJ, please!" Benson exclaimed in his unmistakably deep voice. At 12:20pm, the full Sound staff gathered around the studio microphones to lead the audience in one last in-unison recitation of the station's slogan, "I FOUND THE SOUND!"

Chanley (pictured) then cracked the mic one final time to give the Sound's last Legal ID: "This has been KSWD/Los Angeles." Then, gesturing to his colleagues who jammed the studio, Chanley said, "This is The Sound... And this dream will self-destruct in 3... 2..." This emotional final farewell was captured on video and posted on The Sound Facebook page. 

At midnight ET last night, the merger between Entercom and CBS Radio became final. And that's when various radio puzzle pieces began to change position. One of the more notable moves was Entercom Country KSON/San Diego, which at the stroke of 9pm PT left its longtime 97.3 frequency and relocated up the dial to its new home at 103.7, which had been the location of its newly acquired Top 40 sister station, former CBS Radio property KEGY (Energy 103.7).

But fear not, Energy fans -- KEGY is indeed relocating to KSON's former 97.3 spot -- rebranded as Energy 97.3. The reasoning behind the swap was that KSON recently lost its simulcast partner, 92.1 KSOQ/Escondido, CA, which was one of the three stations, along with KSWD (100.3 The Sound)/Los Angeles and WGGI-FM/Wilkes-Barre-Scranton, PA that Entercom spun off to the non-profit Educational Media Foundation (EMF). It is said that 103.7 has a higher tower and a stronger signal in the northern portion of the metro to better cover the gap created by the loss of KSOQ.

While the Energy staff completes its move, we are told that programming will continue off-air, available only through the Radio.com app commercial-free until Monday, November 20 at approximately 5am PT, when the rebranded Energy 97.3 makes its formal debut.

• iHeartMedia Top 40 KKDM (107.5 Kiss FM)/Des Moines, IA has tapped Eric White as its new MD/afternoon personality and Imaging Director, effective November 27. White (left) arrives in Iowa from iHeartMedia Philadelphia, where he worked in programming, promotions and was on-air. He was also the PD and on-air talent for Temple University's online radio station, WHIP. White began his career as a programming intern at Beasley's WMMR/Philadelphia.

White will report to Greg Chance, SVP of Programming for iHeartMedia Des Moines, who commented, "Eric has skills in a lot of different lanes of our business. We look forward to working with him, driving his passion for radio and to build his career. I trust this will be another great chapter and member of 107.5 Kiss FM."

White said, "To say that I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity is an understatement. I'm incredibly excited to get to work, maximize my potential, and assist in continuing to show why 107.5 Kiss FM and the entire Des Moines cluster is one of iHeartMedia's best." White succeeds Dylan Salisbury, who last month was hired away by Entercom Top 40 WZPL/Indianapolis as MD/afternoon talent.

• One of the country's heritage Hot AC brands, Cumulus Media's 96-3 WDVD/Detroit is now seeking an exceptional talent to join its personality-driven line up as APD/midday personality Beau Derek exits. The right host will be connected to the music and pop culture, be involved in the community, be "a great "storyteller in 10 seconds or less" and be able to rock the socials.

Assistant Program Director and/or Music Director stripes are possible for the right candidate. Imaging/writing chops are a plus. Team players who have a minimum of five years of fulltime experience in major market are preferred. Qualified applicants are invited to send their packages, including aircheck, resume and cover to robby.bridges@cumulus.com. Cumulus Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Beau Derek can be reached at 734-233-8482 or beauderek@me.com. 

If you answered yes to all three, kindly rush your best stuff to APD/MD Savannah Jones at savannah.jones@entercom.com. This is a local part-time position, so only people located in close proximity to Portland, Oregon need apply. Entercom Portland/LLC is an equal opportunity employer. 

• We want to take this opportunity to send our love and best wishes to our longtime friend Jason Garte, President of The Mix Group, who, along with his lovely wife, Natally, just became parents for the third time -- daughter Milana Skye Garte was born on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at Miramar Memorial Hospital in Miramar, FL and weighed in at a healthy 9lbs!

An elated Garte said, "Just when you think you're doing the best you can and God has blessed you, blessed you again, blessed you again... and blessed you again -- guess what? He blesses you AGAIN!! Just moments ago my beautiful wife gave birth to our third baby and now second beautiful baby girl, Milana."

Addressing Natally, Garte said, "I will never be able to repay you and thank you for these blessings you have shared with me in your unending love and the gift of life in our now three angels -- Bella, Danny and Mila." Your best wishes can be sent to the Garte family at jason@themixgroup.com.

Alpha Media West Palm Market Manager Elizabeth Hamma commented, "Jason is a natural leader who brings a depth of knowledge in marketing, digital and events that will help us further drive results for our listeners and clients." Courtemanche remarked, "I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and helping the already high achieving West Palm Beach team soar to new heights."

The goal of this Radiothon is to raise $10,000 between 6am-6pm, and listeners are encouraged to visit NewCountry923.FM or 1065TheArch.com and give what they can. As PD Scott Roddy notes, "NO child should be without this Christmas. Please help our stations with this important fundraising effort."

• Today at 9am, Jerry Lee AC WBEB (Today's 101.1 More-FM)/Philadelphia will yank that Christmas lever, unleashing a torrent of good cheer from Andy Williams, Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey and everyone else.  

Included in Today’s 101.1 More-FM holiday music programming will be popular features such as "The Christmas Choir Competition," "The Santa Show," "Military Greetings," "The Christmas Music Countdown" and daily "Best Christmas Ever" contest giveaways. 

"Our listeners look forward to this all year long and they know that the holiday season doesn't really being until K103 flips on the nonstop Christmas music," said KKCW PD Chris Shebel. "Having Santa in the building to assist was just a bonus as he happened to be in Portland for a quick stop at Voodoo Donuts."

• iHeartMedia AC KQXT (Q101.9)/San Antonio is the latest convert to the all-Christmas club, yesterday at 8:30am. The station's regular personalities -- Murphy, Sam, Jodi, Jennie James, Robin Rock and Delilah will continue to be enjoyed throughout the day.

"For more than a decade, Christmas music on Q101.9 has been a holiday tradition," said Brian Gann, SVP of Programming for iHeartMedia San Antonio. "We are honored to once again bring the sounds of the season to the San Antonio community."

Listen live at Christmas102.com and on the Radio.com™ app.

PD Brett Andrews commented, "For as long as I can remember, WRIT and Christmas go hand-in-hand as a Milwaukee MUST! Everyone eagerly awaits the arrival of the jingle bells and we're excited to be once again bringing all the Christmas favorites to Milwaukee on 95.7 Big FM!"

KEZK PD Marty Linck said, "As St. Louis' official Christmas music station, KEZK is proud to once again provide the soundtrack for so many great local family holiday traditions."

• Cumulus AC WRRM (Warm 98.5)/Cincinnati traditionally switches to all-Christmas this time of year. This year PD Brian Demay had a funny feeling that silver bells would be ringing when he was told to expect an important call during his 5pm hour.

Sure enough, it was Santa (who knew?), who gave the go-ahead to pull the huge red and green switch in the corner of the studio... he mentioned something about the elves needing motivation in their North Pole workshop...

The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) this week hosted its annual Women Who Lead luncheon at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. Honorees included Caroline Beasley, CEO, Beasley Broadcast Group; Amy Emmerich, Chief Content Officer, Refinery29; Kathleen Finch, Chief Programming, Content & Brand Officer, Scripps Networks; Susan Swain, co-CEO, C-SPAN and Julie Talbott, President, Premiere Networks.

Keynote speaker Geraldine Laybourne, best known for her tenure at Nickelodeon in the '80s and '90s, and as co-founder of Oxygen Media and President of Disney-ABC Cable Networks, brought audience members to their feet as she wove current headlines of workplace harassment with poignant stories from her career. She closed her remarks by offering the rally cry "Woman up!" to reflect the great strides women have made in the industry and offer her support for continued progress.

Pictured 1, (l-r): Julie Talbott, Geraldine Laybourne, Kathleen Finch, Susan Swain, and Amy Emmerich. Photo 2: Caroline Beasley with Christal Radio President and AWM Chair-Elect Christine Travaglini. [Photos by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Alliance For Women In Media]

Sun Broadcast Group reaches yet another major milestone today as the company turns nine years old! The national radio network, headquartered in New York City and Boca Raton is home of the popular Shazam for Radio platform, Country Fried Mix with DJ Sinister, multiple syndicated shows hosted by Fitz, and Sun Latino among others. Throughout 2017, Sun announced many milestones including hitting half a million Shazams, a new partnership with Gow Media, they celebrated three years with Country personality Fitz, and massive increases in its affiliate lineup with more than 400 stations in both General Market and Hispanic.

And as it does each year, Sun has unveiled its new look and company slogan to take them through 2018. This year the creative team chose a very fitting mantra for the free-spirited and unique bunch -- "Be Free."

Sun Broadcast Group CEO Jason Bailey remarked, "In this ever-evolving space, the great partnerships we continue to enjoy across our industry are a true testament that we have stayed true to our mission from day one. We believe that working together and creating great strategic partnerships with other forward thinking, creative companies creates a stronger, better product for those listeners who consume it and the advertisers who support it."

Broadcast and music pioneer, Art Laboe is proud to announce he's been named Legendary Marshall for the 2017 East Los Angeles Christmas Parade, happening this Sunday, November 19 down Whittier Boulevard in Whittier, CA. Laboe (left) said, "East L.A. has always held a special place in my heart, ever since doing dance and show events in El Monte from the 1950s through 1970s. And it's an honor to be taking a cruise down Whittier Boulevard as the 2017 East Los Angeles Christmas Parade Legendary Marshal. Congratulations and thank you to Ernesto Morales, CEO of North Star Alliances, his company and the Whittier Boulevard Merchants Association for bringing this great event back to the community. I'm excited to see the people of East L.A. and our listeners and the joy on their faces as we usher in the holidays and Santa!"

This Sunday's parade will include spectacular floats, low-riders, marching bands, horse squads, Folklorico groups and celebrity guests, including the Grand Marshall Oscar De La Hoya, Celebrity Marshal Danny Trejo, East L.A. favorites and Chicano soul legends Thee Midniters, talent from Telemundo and ABC7 and Cece Valencia from 93.5 KDAY.

Laboe's radio show airs Sunday evenings from 6pm-midnight on Meruelo Media's 93.5 KDAY/Los Angeles and Riverside. Otto Padron, President of Meruelo Media remarked, "Art Laboe is an L.A. legend like Vin Scully and Chick Hearn... his work and brand are truly synonymous with L.A.'s music history and culture."