Broadcast Pioneers

30/07/2025

Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia announce its 2025 Hall of Fame Honorees and Person of the Year, ten outstanding professionals who represent the best in the broadcasting industry.

Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is delighted to name Sue Serio as the 2025 Person of the Year. Sue Serio has been the Weather Anchor on Fox 29’s Good Day Philadelphia since 1997. An Emmy award winner and supporter of numerous nonprofits, Sue was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2017.

The 2025 Hall of Fame Honorees, in alphabetical order:

Monica Avery, 14-time Emmy Award-winning producer at CBS News Philadelphia, KYW-TV

‘Lady B’ Bahiyyah Clark, Pioneer Hip Hop rapper and award-winning Afternoon Host of ‘The Lady B Show’ on Classix 107.9, WPPZ FM

George Cummings, Retired Assistant General Manager and Adjunct Instructor for
TUTV, Temple University Television, former Program/Operations Manager at FOX29, WTXF-TV

Jacqueline London, Emmy Award-winning anchor and reporter for NBC10, WCAU TV

Mike Monsell, Vice President – Marketing, Disney ABC Television Group, 6ABC, WPVI

Mike Quick, color commentator for Philadelphia Eagles radio broadcasts on WIP-FM 94.1 and former Eagles Wide Receiver

David Skalish, Director of Technical Operations at Audacy, Philadelphia
Andie Summers, Gracie and CMA winning host of ‘The Andie Summers Show’ morning show on 92.5 XTU, WXTU FM

David Yadgaroff, SVP and Market Manager for Audacy, Philadelphia

The 2025 class will be inducted at the annual Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame Gala, Friday, November 21, 2025, at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia.

The 2025 hosts of the BPOP Hall of Fame gala will once again be ‘Hall of Famers’ Jim Donovan and Scott Palmer. Jim Donovan, anchor of CBS News Philadelphia's morning and noon newscasts, is a 15-time Emmy Award winner and a 2015 inductee. Scott Palmer, Philadelphia Phillies Club Ambassador and beloved former WPVI Action News 6 sports anchor, was a 2005 Hall of Fame honoree.

Tickets for the 2025 Gala will be available through the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia website (www.broadcastpioneers.org) beginning in September.

24/07/2025

Broadcast Pioneers members were treated to an early and later tour of Beasley Media Group on Wednesday, July 16, in Bala.

Originating there are FM stations WXTU, WMMR, WBEN, WPEN (97.5 The Fanatic), WMGK, & WWDB-AM.

We were guided by members of staff and on-air personalities to see memorabilia, offices, and studios, regaling us with stories of special moments.

Present on the tour were BP members currently or formerly working for these stations.

Beasley provided both tour groups with a delicious lunch.

We look forward to continuing the tradition of annual summer tours of important broadcast related locations.

23/07/2025

Frank Maffei has died.

He was a good friend of Broadcast Pioneers, brightening many of our luncheons through the years with Danny and The Juniors, having been an original member of that recording group.

(In the comments is the obituary and funeral arrangements.)

Here is his Broadcast Pioneers bio, published in 2008 -

The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia https://share.google/c2OGKRD7Ct1v67bKH

05/07/2025

Long time KYW Newsradio reporter Al Novack has died.
Here is an article from Audacy.

Al was a Navy veteran and a lifetime member of the North Penn Volunteer Fire Company. He covered the Delaware Valley at WCAU before coming to KYW in 1990, where he stayed until 2014.

30/06/2025

We had a wonderful luncheon and program, Wednesday, July 18, 2025.

"Larry Magid and Pierre Robert in an intimate conversation celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Live Aid!"

The discussion brought back memories of the historic day in Philadelphia, that showcased the local and international stars of the era, with lots of "inside" stories.

23/06/2025

Broadcast Pioneers 1918 Hall of Fame inductee, Orien Reid, died Tuesday, June 17.

She did investigative and consumer reporting for KYW-TV and WCAU-TV. She was chair of the international Alzheimer's Association.

" 'She worked really hard to get to where she got,' said longtime TV colleague and friend Larry Kane. 'She had a unique voice and was extremely warm and radiant.' " --- is a quote from the Philadelphia Inquirer article, of June 20, 2025, which announces funeral arrangements.

“She worked really hard to get to where she got,” said longtime TV colleague and friend Larry Kane. “She had a unique voice and was extremely warm and radiant.”

19/06/2025

Sad news. Orien Reid has died.

Orien was an investigative reporter for NBC10, and was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2018.

More details will follow.

11/06/2025

CALL TO ACTION!
Ticket sales close Friday, 6/13, at noon.

OUR LAST THIRD Wednesday luncheon of the season!
Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia presents:

"Larry Magid and Pierre Robert in an intimate conversation celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Live Aid!"

On July 13, 1985 the world came to Philadelphia as the US host of Live Aid.
The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia will celebrate the 40th Anniversary with an exclusive look back at that day.

Guest Speakers:

Join special guests Larry Magid, co-founder of Electric Factory Concerts and executive producer of Live Aid, and WMMR-FM DJ Pierre Robert, for a one-on-one conversation about that perfect day in Philadelphia radio and television history. These two local legends of the city's music scene will share memories of the concert from behind and in front of the stage.

Great food - fun people - good times.
11:45 am - Meet and greet
12:15 pm - Luncheon and show.
McCall Golf Club , 201 N. Lynn Blvd, Upper PA
McCall Golf Club has free parking.

The link below is the only way you can purchase tickets.
Last day to buy tickets is Friday June 13 , 2025, at noon.
Tickets are $35 for Members and $40 for Guests.

Eventbrite Link:

Broadcast Pioneers Present

28/05/2025

Click on the link in the post below, to buy your tickets for this outstanding Broadcast Pioneers luncheon/program, with Larry Magid and Pierre Robert, on the 40th ANNIVERSARY of LIVE AID!

28/05/2025

T'S OUR LAST THIRD Wednesday luncheon of the season!
Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia presents:

"Larry Magid and Pierre Robert in an intimate conversation celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Live Aid!"

On July 13, 1985 the world came to Philadelphia as the US host of Live Aid.
The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia will celebrate the 40th Anniversary with an exclusive look back at that day.

Guest Speakers:

Join special guests Larry Magid, co-founder of Electric Factory Concerts and executive producer of Live Aid, and WMMR-FM DJ Pierre Robert, for a one-on-one conversation about that perfect day in Philadelphia radio and television history. These two local legends of the city's music scene will share memories of the concert from behind and in front of the stage.

Great food - fun people - good times.
11:45 am - Meet and greet
12:15 pm - Luncheon and show.
McCall Golf Club , 201 N. Lynn Blvd, Upper PA
McCall Golf Club has free parking.

The link below is the only way you can purchase tickets.
Last day to buy tickets is Friday June 13 , 2025, at noon.
Tickets are $35 for Members and $40 for Guests.

Eventbrite Link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/broadcast-pioneers-of-philadelphia-june-18-2025-luncheon-tickets-1376194357369

28/05/2025

We all enjoyed the wonderful program, "TELEVISION FROM SIGN-ON TO DIGITAL", presented by two accomplished Broadcast professionals, Linda Munich and Neal Zoren.

It was held at McCall Golf Club , Upper Darby PA, 21 May 2025.

Two Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame "Person of the Year" recipients graced our May 21st luncheon, our 2018 "Person of the Year", Vernon Odom, and 2023 "Person of the Year", Tom Lamaine. We’re always very happy when our honored veteran broadcasters continue to support the organization.

14/05/2025

Don't forget our exciting upcoming luncheon!

Wednesday, MAY 21, 2025
At McCall Golf Club

Join us for this exciting presentation:
“TELEVISION: FROM SIGN-ON TO DIGITAL”

Guest Speakers
Well known Philadelphia media veterans:
LINDA MUNICH – 6abc
NEAL ZOREN – Delaware County Times columnist

11:45 am- Meet and greet
12:15 pm- Luncheon and program

LINDA MUNICH retired in 2014 as the Vice President of Public Affairs for WPVI-TV, Channel 6, in Philadelphia, an influential position she held for 24 years. She joined 6abc’s Public Affairs Department in May 1983, at which time she was a liaison between the television station and the community at large and host of several public affairs television programs under the aegis, “Perspective,” which she also produced. In addition to “Perspective,” Ms. Munich was the producer of the popular Saturday-night programs, “Prime Time” and “Visions.” She retained overview of these shows and others, such as “Inside Story” when she became head of Public Affairs in 1990. She was the first to introduce politics as public affairs programming and produced several debates ranging from local councils to the President of the United States. Prior to WPVI, Ms. Munich was in the Public Affairs, Promotions, and Business departments of WKBS-TV, Channel 48, and was also active in community affairs.

NEAL ZOREN has been published in some newspaper, magazine, journal, or blog every week of his life since 1969. He has also been a frequent guest on television and radio programs since the mid-1970s. He is best known for his commentary on all facets of culture, especially theater, television, and film. Since 1983, he has written a column and feature material for the Delaware County Daily Times. Today, his column appears in eight local dailies throughout the Philadelphia region. Mr. Zoren has been a regular panelist on many talk shows. He began on television as a movie and theater reviewer on WKBS-TV’s “Delaware Valley Today.” That is where he met Linda Munich, who tapped him to be her sidekick on Channel 48’s “Friday” and “Weekend.” Mr. Zoren also appeared frequently with Ms. Munich on “Perspective” programs at WPVI-TV. Also at 6abc, Mr. Zoren was a constant panelist on “AM Philadelphia.” During his career, he has interviewed many leading stars of film, television, theater, opera, music, dance, and literature. Mr. Zoren is also a published author and his books are available on amazon.com and other outlets.

Tickets:
$35 for members
$40 for guests
The link below is the only way you can purchase tickets.
Last day to buy tickets is May 16, 2025, at noon.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/broadcast-pioneers-of-philadelphia-may-21-2025-luncheon-tickets-1332038185069

McCall Golf Club
201 N Lynn Blvd, Upper Darby, PA 19082

McCall Golf Club has FREE PARKING across from the ballroom building as well as further down the parking lot towards the golf course.

NO WALK INS – No mailed-in checks, no refunds & no payment accepted at the door.

Questions can be sent to [email protected] or
call 215-780-5457 and leave a message. We will get back to you.