Red Apple Audio Networks has announced the launch date and first hires for its “Worldwide News Network” following the addition of Lee Harris as VP/News.
The Worldwide News Network will commence operations at 12:00am Eastern on Saturday, May 23 immediately following the sign-off of CBS News Radio providing top and bottom of the hour newscasts.
Four outgoing CBS News Radio staffers are the first announced additions.
Michael Wallace joined the network in 2024 following the sign-off of 880 WCBS New York where he spent nearly 19 years. Wallace also anchored “Wall Street Journal This Morning” from 2000-05 and has held roles at multiple stations including KTRH Houston and WDBO Orlando.
Cooper Lawrence has been a features host, anchor and writer for CBS News Radio since 2022 and also held anchor roles at WOR, WCBS, WINS New York. She also co-hosted the syndicated “Cooper and Anthony” and “Cooper Lawrence Shows”, was part of the morning shows at WHTZ, WKTU, and WPLJ New York, and anchored mornings at WBLI Long Island.
Bill Rehkopf anchored at CBS News Radio from 2017-2020 and previously held anchor roles at KDKA Pittsburgh, WNEW Washington DC, and WCBS New York. Rehkopf also was Associate Editor at TheHill.com.
Matt Pieper was an anchor and writer at CBS News from 2018 until last October. He also has held anchor roles at WTWO-TV Terre Haute IN and “News 12” New York.
Red Apple says it is an “aggressive talent buildout” that “marks a substantial investment in journalism, and positions Red Apple Audio Networks as an emerging competitor in network news. It is a major strategic escalation for Red Apple Audio Networks from a growing syndication player into a significantly more formidable force in the audio content marketplace, further strengthening the company’s rapidly expanding footprint.”
VP/News Lee Harris said, “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 President Chad Lopez commented, “There is a huge opening right now for credible, immediate, no-nonsense reporting. Listeners want to know what happened, why it matters, and what’s happening next. That’s the lane Worldwide News Network is taking.”
Owner John Catsimatidis followed, “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.”
