» We're Number One! According to the latest tabulation by M Street News/Talk is now programmed on more stations in the U.S. than any other broadcast radio format. As of November 2008 News/Talk programming airs on a reported 2064 outlets across the U.S., up some 40 stations over a year ago. Sports programming now airs on a reported 610 stations -- up 34 outlets vs. November 2008 -- giving News/Talk/Sports radio a total of 2,674 outlets nationwide. The number one music format remains Country radio with 2,024 stations, however that number is down 30 stations from a year ago. M Street posts tabulations of the total number of stations broadcasting in the U.S. by format each month.

» 'Tis The Season: Last week's 20th annual KIRO/Seattle Foster Child Holiday Magic Radiothon netted over $408,000 in donations during the 28-hour event. In partnership with local Seattle charity Treehouse the yearly fundraiser will make the season a lot brighter for more than 4000 local foster kids who will all receive holiday gifts as they come into the care system during the month of December ... Meanwhile, WSSP/Milwaukee's 2nd annual Toy Drive For Children's Hospital raised over $10,000 in cash and toys this year, more than double the total of last year's inaugural event. PD Ryan Maguire reports that a 26-foot moving van was "completely filled" with toys that were delivered to young patients at Brewtown's Children's Hospital last Friday night (12/12).

» Talk Media News Notes: Hot on the heels of last week's flip to Sports/Talk, KLLI/Dallas takes on new call letters KRLD-FM in conjunction with News/Talk clustermate KRLD-AM ... The Radio Television News Directors Foundation will honor ABC News and NPR commentator Cokie Roberts, CNN EVP Susan Grant and Google Chairman/CEO Eric Schmidt at the RTNDF's annual First Amendment Awards dinner on March 12, 2009 in DC ... Veteran KNX/Los Angeles morning anchor Dave Williams and KRLD/Dallas morning anchor Carla Marion are among those o-u-t in the latest round of CBS Radio budget cutbacks ... KERN/Bakersfield plans to switch frequencies with Christian Talk sister station KERI on December 29, giving the American General News/Talker a booming 50kw signal on 1180 AM.

» MBC Will Sell Windy City Headquarters: Citing a tough economy and the failure of disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to keep a promise of some $6 million in funding, the board of the Museum of Broadcast Communications has announced plans to sell MBC's still unfinished building in the heart of downtown Chicago. "This is a very disappointing development," said MBC President/CEO and founder Bruce DuMont about the sale plans. "However, the MBC board hopes that a new owner of the property will have a sense of history and community spirit and will want the museum to remain as a tenant." Thanking those who have supported the museum to date, DuMont added, "What began as a dream for many has turned into a nightmare thanks to Governor Blagojevich."

» Greetings From America's Troops: The crew at imaging group Road Kill Creative are offering stations free military greetings for the holidays for use on your News/Talk/Sports station's website. The greetings from troops are specific to your city or region and they are yours for the asking absolutely free. It's a pretty cool way to expand your station's holiday greetings onto your website and give some hometown heroes a chance to say hello to loved ones back home. You can check out a sample and get hooked up with your own set of holiday greetings and messages from our troops HERE.

Feeding SoCal Families: Holiday help is on the way for Southern California families down on their luck courtesy of KFI/Los Angeles' annual Operation Feed Our Families Radiothon to benefit the Salvation Army. Shown broadcasting live at last week's event is KFI's morning host Bill Handle (inset) and afternoon talk duo John & Ken. KFI says the 17-hour event has raised over $122,000 in cash and 46,000 pounds of food to date, with donations continuing to pour in this week.