Sabo Sez: The Smartest Minds in the Radio Room
By Walter Sabo
A.K.A. Walter Sterling
Host, The Other Side of Midnight
WABC, New York / Red Apple Audio Networks
When in doubt, I recall smart quotes from people in our business who are successful, well paid, kind, and future oriented. I have always focused on what’s next rather than what’s been. These observations drive good results:
“Citytv of Canada is the model local TV News and has been for 50 years.” – Strategist, John Parikal
“Progress moves in many directions. Imagine if cable came first, then someone invented a way to send shows over the air.” – publisher / broadcaster, Michael Harrison
“The goal is a playlist of one song.” – Al Brady Law, a kind mentor and brilliant programmer.
“An Urban station should sound like music bouncing off the rooftops in Harlem on a July night.” – Frankie Crocker
“Top 40 will always be a successful format because by definition it plays the most popular songs of the day.” – Allen Shaw, former vice chairman of Beasley Broadcasting.
“We have a business plan; our stations have to be number 1.” – Robert McAllan, president emeritus Press Broadcasting / founder of WTKS-FM Real Radio. Orlando / New Jersey 101.5.
“One day all music will be on FM and all talk will be on AM.” – Jean Shepherd, WOR Radio host, 1964.
GM Mickey Luckoff on why number 1 KGO, San Francisco moved like an express train: “I hire hosts who have done Top 40. I can teach them Talk; I can’t teach them Radio.”
“My staff just can’t barge into the studio when I’m on, they have to understand this takes concentration, the job is to get to the next thing.” – Howard Stern
“It’s a simple business; people make it hard.” – Edward F. Mclaughlin president EIB network.
“My business decisions are always based on common sense.” – John Catsimatidis, owner, WABC Radio.
“When we release a movie, I stand outside the theatre on opening night and talk to the audience members as they file out. That’s the best research we do.” – Leonard Goldenson, founding chairman ABC Inc.
“No, I don’t watch many TV shows because I know all the stories.” – Fred Silverman, program chief CBS, ABC, NBC.
About streaming music services: “There has always been a box of records next to the radio.” – Bob Pittman, CEO, IHeart.
Tom O’Neil, founder, RKO General Radio, “Pay whatever you have to for a morning man, a production director, and for equipment to make the loudest signal, the rest you’ll have to beg for.”
Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General, and many other leading media outlets. His company, HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers. His nightly show “The Other Side of Midnight” is heard on WABC, New York and the Red Apple Audio Network 1:00 am – 5:00 am. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com. He can be phoned at 646-678-1110.
aggression in Ukraine and helping bring the country back after COVID.” Biden tells Catsimatidis he believes the current political climate has made it difficult for people to judge his father’s presidency clearly, but said historians will eventually take a different view. “I think the historians will look at my dad’s presidency as an incredible success,” Biden said. The interview also touches on Hunter Biden’s recovery, the attacks he faced during his father’s presidency, the future of the Democratic Party, immigration, veterans, addiction and whether he would ever consider running for public office.
Harris joined Red Apple Media on May 4 as VP of news for WABC and the new Worldwide News Network, which launched May 23. Six weeks later, Red Apple promoted him to SVP of news and programming, expanding his authority across WABC, WWNN and Red Apple Audio Networks. On August 12 – roughly 100 days after his hiring – company CEO / owner John Catsimatidis announced Harris’s departure. Catsimatidis stated he had requested Harris’s resignation following a dispute involving a longtime employee returning from medical leave. Red Apple later attributed the separation to differences involving “leadership style.” Harris said he had decided to return to his longtime independent business developing broadcast technology products, but neither side identified a replacement nor fully explained in detail whether Harris resigned voluntarily or was dismissed.
Red Apple Audio Networks’ recently launched Worldwide News Network (WWNN) is stepping into the weekend business and financial news space with the launch of WWNN Weekend Business Reports, a new series of reports delivering timely, insightful coverage of the markets, the economy and the companies driving growth. The reports debuted on Hubbard Broadcasting’s WTOP in Washington, DC, this past Saturday, August 1, marking the first affiliate partnership for the new service.
CEO John Catsimatidis states, “Audiences around the globe deserve the facts about what is going on in our world and that is why we created the Worldwide News Network. We’re delighted to partner with BLR and look forward to working with them as we continue to expand our reach into more European markets and around the world.” Worldwide News Network SVP of news and programming Lee Harris comments, “Expanding beyond the U.S. is an important milestone for Worldwide News Network. We’re excited to partner with BLR to bring an authentic American perspective on world events. This is the first step in building an international network of partners who value trusted, high-quality radio journalism.”
testifying against his former boss in cases revolving around Stormy Daniels – has apparently made up with President Donald Trump. Or so says WABC owner John Catsimatidis. He tells the 
programming strategy and content development for WABC Radio and Red Apple Audio Networks. Red Apple Media owner John Catsimatidis states, “Lee is a game-changing talent. His ability to build winning content, lead high-performing teams, and understand what audiences want is second to none. As we continue growing WABC Radio, the Worldwide News Network, and Red Apple Audio Networks, Lee will play a critical role in shaping our future and driving our success worldwide.” Harris, who spent nearly 30 years as a news anchor at 1010 WINS, joined Red Apple Media six weeks ago. He says, “Red Apple Media is one of the most exciting and innovative companies in broadcasting today. Under John’s vision and Chad [Lopez’s] leadership, the company is building something truly unique in American media. I’m honored by this opportunity and energized by the challenge ahead. Together, we’ll continue creating compelling programming, expanding our national and international footprint, and delivering content that informs, entertains, and connects with audiences across the country and around the world.”
Billionaires make predominantly good investments, which is why they are billionaires.
syndication.” Red Apple says is has brought aboard former CBS Radio broadcast journalists Michael Wallace, Cooper Lawrence, Bill Rehkopf, and Matt Pieper as “the first major hires in what will be a rapid buildout of the network’s team of elite news anchors, correspondents, writers, and producers.” Harris says, “We are assembling top-tier journalists and building a modern radio news operation rooted in speed, authority, and facts – one that stations can rely on and listeners can trust.” Red Apple Media owner and CEO John Catsimatidis adds, “Our mission is to be the most trusted news gathering organization in media. We are creating a powerful, around-the-clock newsroom designed to compete at the highest level of broadcast audio news. Facts are what will drive the Worldwide News Network. We’re looking forward to our expansion in the European markets.”
Jay Clark was the first program director of WABC as a talk station. He set the tone and path for modern talk radio. This week I had Jay on as a special guest on the Red Apple Audio Networks all night show, “The Other Side of Midnight.” We celebrated the anniversary, May 10, (1982) of WABC’s switch from music to talk on the giant signal at 770 AM.
format in America. KGO was the killer biller in San Francisco. The execs who ran them were mighty proud: Ben Hoberman, Ed McLaughlin, Al Racco, Chuck Debere. Yes, they ran those stations, but they also invented the caller-driven talk format. There were other winning talk stations, but they were guest centric rather than listener centric (i.e. WOR, WGN). At the time, there were 43 stations listed as “talk” stations. 43. Not many models.
company outside of the New York City market. The station is currently airing a news/talk format of local, syndicated and brokered programming. Local air personalities include the daily morning show hosts Hank Stolz and Ben White (“Talk of the Commonwealth”) and longtime New England talk host Frankie Boyer who is heard in middays. Red Apple will assume operations under a local marketing agreement until the deal closes. Red Apple and Catsimatidis have made no indication of the company’s intent for future programming. 
Network, and Red Apple has recruited New York radio news legend Lee Harris to serve as vice president of news for WABC Radio and The Worldwide News Network. The company says, “The move positions WABC Radio and Red Apple Audio Networks for a dramatic next chapter, transforming the iconic New York news/talk station’s reach into a 24/7 global audio news presence fueled by streaming technology, smart speakers, mobile platforms, syndication, and digital distribution.” Red Apple owner John 
Catsimatidis says, “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.” Lee Harris was the morning news anchor at 1010 WINS in New York for 30 years. Additionally, he has advised broadcasters throughout Europe and Asia, helped launch Moscow’s Kommersant FM as a U.S.-style all-news station, lectured at television and radio outlets across China through the University of Missouri School of Journalism, and served as director of integrated operations and New York bureau chief for cable startup NewsNation. Harris comments, “John Catsimatidis has never thought small, and this venture is no exception. The Worldwide News Network is an ambitious, forward-looking news platform designed for how people consume information today. I am thrilled to join Red Apple Media and WABC Radio at such a transformational moment and help build a news organization with both national strength and international reach.”
University on Long Island. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “The selection of ‘Cats’ as keynoter is in keeping with one of the major themes of this year’s edition of the iconic industry event – radio, talk media, and entrepreneurism. John Catsimatidis is presently setting the greatest example of entrepreneurism at work in giving an injection of much needed energy, focus and life to the medium of radio.” Harrison will serve as facilitator of the presentation in a Q&A / interview style format – a role he has played before with the dynamic billionaire media, grocery, and energy mogul.
Catsimatidis will be joined by more than 60 speakers comprised of legendary industry figures as well as fresh faces and rising stars. A detailed agenda including speakers and schedule – a “who’s who” of industry luminaries – will be posted in TALKERS this coming Tuesday (4/28). See the link below for the names of all speakers booked to date.
Harrison continues, “This important conference will illuminate the forward path of the expanding talk media universe, including all aspects of digital communications from AI and podcasting to streaming networks. As has been its tradition, this latest TALKERS conference will approach the onrushing future of the talk business from a radio perspective. This crucial gathering will cover the new undeniable realities of the radio business for those who not only want to survive but thrive as well. It will be about opportunities, networking, and entrepreneurism for individuals in talent, programming, sales, marketing, and management who are serious about staying in the game.”
a financial backer of the table tennis phenom played by Timothée Chalamet in the film. Safdie told Vanity Fair he liked Catsimatidis’ ‘larger-than-life regional businessman’ look, which he noticed when the mogul ran for New York City mayor in 2013.” Interestingly, a key focus in the piece is on Catsimatidis’ ownership of news/talker 77WABC. He writes, “Catsimatidis made millions from buying New York real estate on the cheap in the 1970s when the city was in deep economic trouble. So, he recognized a bargain when his Red Apple Media group bought WABC for $12 million from Cumulus Media.” 
Federation of Taxi Drivers, Fernando Mateo. The new show, “No Excuses with Fernando Mateo” airs Sundays and 6:00 pm. Station owner John Catsimatidis says, “There are 65 million Hispanics in the U.S. and New York City is home to nearly three million of this fast growing population… With Mateo as part of our on-air lineup, we can super serve the needs and interests of the Hispanic community.”
Mamdani that was shown at the Inner Circle, the annual press corps roast. Some Republicans are accusing Sliwa of cozying up to the Democrat mayor who beat him in November. But Sliwa, who is now part of the WOR, New York morning show, tells The New York Times that its hypocritical of Republicans and WABC owner John Catsimatidis to complain, noting that “Mr. Catsimatidis met with Mr. Mamdani last week and that Mr. Trump has met with the mayor in the Oval Office.” 
died at the age of 82. Anastos worked at the local New York affiliates of ABC, CBS and FOX. In recent years, he hosted a feature on WABC Radio titled, “Positively Ernie.” Red Apple Media Group CEO John Catsimatidis commented on Anastos’ passing saying, “Ernie was a friend for 50 years. He was always there for every charity and worked tirelessly to help people — especially New Yorkers.”
Station owner John Catsimatidis says, “Big name personalities define WABC Radio. Sean is a powerful addition to our Sunday lineup and another example of WABC’s unmatched ability to attract major talent and deliver must-hear talk. The show is going to be fast, fearless, and honest, with smart conversation, sharp opinion, and honest discussion about the stories driving the country.” Spicer comments, “WABC Radio doesn’t whisper, it leads! It is one of the most iconic and influential radio stations in the U.S. WABC Radio listeners expect truth, energy, and authenticity, and that’s exactly what I’m going to give them. I couldn’t be more excited to join the incredible 77WABC lineup.”
talking a little bit more on WABC radio in the near future.” That has become reality as Red Apple Media announces the launch of “The Pulse of the People,” starring Cuomo. The one-hour show premiered yesterday (2/1) at 5:00 pm. Catsimatidis states, “Today on WABC Radio we are introducing a new program, ‘The Pulse of the People,’ hosted by former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The show will focus on listener calls and open discussion about the issues, concerns, and views of New Yorkers. WABC Radio believes in bipartisan conversation and thoughtful discussion of solutions, and we invite listeners to tune in and be part of the discussion.” Cuomo comments, “This is a moment when our country has rarely felt more divided, politics more polarizing, and public discourse more toxic. ‘The Pulse of the People’ is about cutting through the noise and the rancor to have real, substantive, fact-based conversations about the issues that actually affect people’s lives. I’ve spent my career focused on making government work and getting results, and that’s the same straightforward, problem-solving approach I’ll bring to this program.”
the Post that he’s “been left with ‘tears in my eyes’ amid a bitter feud with his longtime ‘brother’ Rudy Giuliani — which escalated when the former mayor filed suit against him Monday.”
airing from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Concha has been hosting a Sunday show from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon and will continue in that role. Red Apple CEO John Catsimatidis says, “Joe is exactly the kind of smart, credible, non-nonsense voice we promised our listeners. Listeners trust Joe and his ratings success backs that up. We are delighted to add him to our weeknight programming.” Concha is a columnist, author, and FOX News contributor.