Tag: "CBS"
Thursday August 13, 2020
Gardner Announces Retirement. Having worked for Bonneville the past 12 years – the last three as senior vice president and San
Francisco market manager – Carl Gardner will be retiring at the end of this month. Bonneville International president Darrell Brown comments, “Carl has been a tremendous asset to Bonneville. We will miss his leadership, deep experience, and friendship.” Gardner transferred to the Bay Area from Seattle, where he spent nine years as the company’s vice president/market manager. In advance of that, he was an upper-level executive at Journal Broadcast Group for 17 years, leaving in 2008 as executive vice president of television, radio, and digital media. For more than a half-dozen years, Gardner was Journal’s Milwaukee-based president of radio operations. The University of Washington alum began his 43-year media career in Seattle and has worked in Denver and Portland, as well as San Francisco and Milwaukee. A past chair of the NAB Radio board and former member of the NAB executive committee, Gardner has had active industry involvement in other capacities, including membership on the Radio Advertising Bureau board of directors, Associated Press advisory board, and Washington State Association of Broadcasters board of directors. For the past seven years, Gardner has been part of the Seattle Sports Commission’s executive committee. Bonneville is expected to name Gardner’s replacement later this month.
RAB To Acquire NRTS. Founder/president of the National Radio Talent System, Dan Vallie, will advise the Radio Advertising Bureau as the RAB integrates the institute into the organization. With RAB’s oversight, the national “System” will 
continue to operate under its brand name and network of institutes across the country. RAB president/chief executive officer Erica Farber states that, “An integral part of the RAB’s mission is providing the industry with the tools and resources to help broadcasters attract new sales talent to the medium and enhance radio’s professionalism through training and support. The integration of the National Radio Talent System into the RAB delivers on the mission in so many ways. We are just delighted to continue to grow Dan Vallie’s vision and take it to the next phase.” According to Vallie, “The National Radio Talent System began as a labor of love to prepare the next generation of broadcasters, who can be hired today and be leaders in our industry tomorrow. Today’s visionary broadcasters, universities and sponsors working together have made it a reality. RAB has been there with us from the very first Radio Talent Institute. I’m confident the National Radio Talent System will continue to grow and maximize its potential, assuring the industry of young talent on through this 21st century. I truly believe over the next 100 years, radio will be the keystone of a golden age of audio, even more so by attracting young talent to the industry. People make the difference – always has been and always will be.” Entercom chief operating officer/RAB board chair Susan Larkin notes, “The future of our companies is dependent on the next generation of committed, prepared, and talented radio professionals. The National Radio Talent System is unique in that it provides a radio talent ‘farm’ for the industry, an incubator of well-rounded, well-educated college talent with a passion for radio. That’s why investing in this program is good for the RAB and the industry.” College students, recent graduates, and radio interns have to apply to be accepted into the intensive 10-day Institutes. Sessions include on-air, programming, sales, writing, news, sports, promotions, videography, podcasting, social media, engineering and management. Each student participates in RAB training and takes the exam to earn Radio Marketing Professional Certification (RMPC).
Davis Appointed iHM Greensboro VP/Programming. Most recently the senior vice president of programming for Entercom Richmond – Zac Davis – joins iHeartMedia as vice president of programming of Greensboro’s five-station cluster. Davis will report to iHeartMedia Greensboro president Kellie Holeman, who comments, “I am thrilled to welcome Zac to my team in Greensboro. I look forward to collaborating with him to continue developing these great brands. Zac brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity across all formats; I look forward to a long, prosperous partnership.” Davis adds, “I’ve really enjoyed my four years in Richmond, but always considered North Carolina my home. I’m thrilled to head back to Greensboro. After getting to know [those involved], I knew this was a special team.” The Florida State University grad previously was program director at iHeartMedia Hartford-New Haven and has held industry positions in Denver, Salt Lake City, and Raleigh, as well as in Melbourne (Florida), Stockton (California); and Myrtle Beach (South Carolina). In addition to WPTI “Your News, Talk, & Sports Station” (ninth, 4.2, July 2020, 6+), iHeartMedia’s Greensboro cluster consists of adult contemporary WMAG “The Best Variety of the ‘80s, ‘90s, & Today” (third, 8.8, 6+); WTQR “Q-104.1 #1 For New Country” (sixth, 5.7, 6+); rock WVBZ “105.7 Man Up!” (tenth, 3.7, 6+); and CHR WMKS “100.3 Kiss-FM The Triad’s #1 Hit Music Station” (#12, 2.4, 6+).
Weinstein, Donaldson, Hall To Occupy Washington’s Radio Booth. While the updated name of this particular NFL franchise might not
be the most creative – although an improvement over its controversial one – the Washington Football Team has unveiled its completely new radio crew for a potential 2020 season. Cumulus Media sports talk WSBN “ESPN 630 The Sports Capitol” afternoon host Bram Weinstein will handle play-by-play, while former defensive back DeAngelo Hall prepares to serve as an analyst alongside Julie Donaldson. Weinstein succeeds Larry Michael, who faces accusations of improper behavior toward female employees. Donaldson and Hall are replacing Chris Cooley and Rick “Doc” Walker. Weinstein explains that since 1979, “Only two people have had the privilege of holding the position of play-by-play voice of the Washington Football Team. With that in mind, and knowing what this team means to our community, I am humbled and honored to be given this opportunity. This is the fulfillment of a dream. This is also an exciting time to start with so much change happening in and around the franchise. I’m proud to have been selected to be part of this team.” Former NBCSW anchor/reporter Donaldson is the franchise’s newly-named senior vice president of media and remarks, “With DeAngelo’s experience as the ‘eyes’ of our defense for a decade, not to mention his work with the NFL Network, and Bram’s tenure as a sports broadcaster/Washington Football fan, we’ll be able to relate to – and involve – the players and fans like never before.” Hall adds, “I am incredibly excited and honored to be joining this storied franchise as the next gameday analyst. While I loved my time playing for Washington the better part of ten years, there is more I would have liked to have accomplished for the fans. This opportunity will allow me to make a lasting impact in a different way. We are heading into the future with Julie Donaldson and I am excited to be her teammate for this journey.” The franchise’s games will air on a network headed by Cumulus Media news/talk WMAL and cross-town Radio One-owned sports talk WTEM “980 The Team.”
TALKERS News Notes. Honoring the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, iHeartMedia’s WVON
“1690 The Talk of Chicago” afternoon talent Kimberley Egonmwan will host a virtual celebration to commemorate contributions of African-American women to democracy. The event will honor past and present “Women of the Movement” with a pictorial montage; a civic engagement call-to-action; and two panel discussions about how women have turned voting into power. Taking place on Zoom and Facebook Live, the celebration begins this Saturday (8/15) at 11:00 am, preceded by a 10:30 am civic engagement show featuring a 2020 census and election presentation by the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority connection committee. Among those scheduled to join Egonmwan are the first black female US Senator, Carol Moseley Braun; congresswoman Robin Kelly; historian Dr. Keisha N. Blain; political strategist Delmarie Cobb; 
and “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” contributor Stefanie Brown James … Montana Public Radio host/writer/producer Nora Saks is the recipient of Boston University public radio news/talk WBUR’s Daniel Schorr journalism prize of $5,000 for her podcast “Richest Hill,” a series on a notorious EPA superfund site. Named for the legendary CBS, CNN, and NPR reporter/analyst, the award honors public radio journalists under the age of 35. Saks will be honored at a virtual event next month (9/15) … Effective next Monday (8/17) on Good Karma Brands’ Madison sports talk WTLX “100.5 
FM ESPN,” Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams, and Zubin Mehenti grab the 5:00 am – 9:00 am slot. Fellow ESPN Radio talents Mike Greenberg (“Greeny”) and Max Kellerman will follow at 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm, and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, respectively. Vice president and market manager Keith Williams comments, “It is an exciting time to be an ESPN radio sports fan, with the opportunity to listen to ESPN Network’s new national shows that will provide incredible energy and varying perspectives. Fans will continue to hear from the locally-produced and informative Wilde & Tausch (9:00 am – 12:00 noon); 12-year radio host Jim Rutledge (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm); and then complete their day with the fast-paced entertainment of Greg Scalzo & 
Ben Brust (4:00 pm – 6:00 pm).” … A daily, two minute Josh Tolley-hosted feature – “The Business of Life” – is available from Fishnet Syndication. Topics pertain to faith, family, finance, politics, entertainment, and news. Fishnet Syndication partner Mike Tyler notes, “Josh has a long history of producing a fantastic radio show covering many hot topics to keep listeners coming back for more. Fishnet Syndication is always on the lookout for great shows and we know content is king.” Tolley adds, “I’ve had a very successful radio show with over 20 million listeners in 160 countries and in all 50 states. We know our decision to partner with Fishnet Syndication is the correct decision. Mike Tyler and Kent Jones have a long history in the radio industry and are well known for getting the job done.”
Entercom Launches “Battleground America.” The daily podcast available to listeners nationwide on Radio.com beginning next Monday
(8/17) is centered around this year’s presidential election and American politics. Entercom Greenville (South Carolina) news/talk WYRD “106.3 Word” morning show host Tara Servatius provides daily intel on American politics and culture. Entercom Greenville-Spartanburg senior vice president and market manager Steve Sinicropi remarks, “With election season in full swing, we want to give our listeners a wide array of premier political content, supported by reliable insight and diverse opinions. Tara does a fantastic job captivating her audience through her daily morning show and we look forward to amplifying her voice across the country on Radio.com to spark healthy discussions surrounding the 2020 election.” Servatius opines, “This election will be unlike any other and could change the way Americans live forever. I’m excited to share this afternoon snack with our local listeners who want their ‘Tara Show’ fix, as well as share my voice with those in other cities nationwide craving election talk radio as we rapidly approach November.” In episode one, Servatius will discuss her opinion about president Trump‘s 2016 win being a razor’s edge miracle and the probability of pulling it off again. New episodes will be available every weekday.
NAB Show New York Registration Opens Next Month. The ten-day (October 19 – 29) virtual event showcases advances in next-generation technology and will feature conferences, workshops, and exhibits focused on podcasting, television, film, online video, live events, and advertising. Executive vice president of NAB conventions Chris Brown notes, “We are continuing to evolve the digital event model to better serve the needs of the industry with a more robust platform and enhanced experience for participants. This solution allows us to serve a broader audience with expanded content, collaborative features and a longer, more flexible schedule that optimize opportunities for conducting business, networking and peer-to-peer learning.” Additional NAB virtual events taking place in October include the “Radio Show” (October 5–9), co-produced by the Radio Advertising Bureau, and NAB’s Sales and Management Television Exchange (October 14 – 15).
WBT, Charlotte Morning Host Pat McCrory is this Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. Former North Carolina governor turned WBT, Charlotte talk show host Pat McCrory is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series “The Michael Harrison Interview.” McCrory is heard weekday mornings on the Entercom-owned heritage station with co-host, newsman Bo Thompson, 8:00 – 10:00 am on a highly-rated show that addresses local, regional and national topics along with a blend of pop culture items and a heavy dose of “fun.” He has successfully held that position since 2017 after serving a four-year term as the Republican governor of North Carolina. His gubernatorial service was a wild ride during which he garnered a tremendous amount of national attention, both positive and negative, due to the controversy surrounding his signing of the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act – also referred to as”HB2″ – and became embroiled in the issue of transgender use of public rest rooms. There was a political backlash against that move which resulted in North Carolina being the target of numerous economic boycotts that resulted in the loss of revenue and jobs for the state. McCrory, who refers to himself as one of the first victims of the “cancel culture,” lost his bid for re-election following that episode by a razor thin margin. Prior to that, he had a long track record of being one of North Carolina’s most popular political figures. Before being elected Governor, he served seven consecutive terms as mayor of Charlotte and presided over the Queen City’s notable growth as a business and cultural center during that period. Harrison and McCrory candidly discuss a variety of topics from the impact of hyper political correctness on public discourse to current political issues. Don’t miss this! To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the player box marked “The Michael Harrison Wrap” located in the right-hand corner on every page of Talkers.com.
Kamala Harris Receives VP Nod, Mail-In Voting Debate, School Opening Struggles, and the Economy Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (8/12). The selection of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) as Joe Biden’s running-mate topped the TALKERS list of most-discussed stories on news/talk radio across America yesterday (8/12). It was followed by the debates over mail-in voting and the opening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other major topics included concern over the economy including unemployment, the stimulus package debate, as well as COVID-19 stats and projections according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Approximately two weeks ago, 21-year-old Payton Cannon was killed when her vehicle ran off the right side of a North Carolina road and hit a tree. Payton was the daughter of David “Ace” Cannon, better known as “Ace” from the syndicated “Ace & TJ” show that originates from iHeartMedia Charlotte CHR WHQC “Hits 96.1.” Payton’s childhood friend, Max McLaughlin, will drive a Mohawk Northeast-sponsored #1Payton’sPromise.org Toyota Camry in tomorrow’s (Friday, 8/14) inaugural Arca 
Menards Series race at the Daytona International Speedway. “Ace” comments, “We are very touched that Max has been granted permission to honor Payton in this way.” Ritchie “TJ” Beams adds, “The best part about this is Payton would absolutely love it.” McLaughlin is a second-generation driver and races for Hattori Racing Enterprises. He won his first race on a road course at Watkins Glen International last season. Payton’s Promise is a nonprofit charity set up to help when a community is in the need of immediate help from tragic events or when local support efforts need more assistance to get to their goals … Most recently doing afternoons at iHeartMedia San Francisco CHR KYLD “Wild 94.9,” Julian Nieh (“Julian on the Radio”) joins Hubbard
Broadcasting Seattle’s similarly-formatted KQMV “MOViN 92.5” for nights. KQMV brand and content director Cat Thomas comments, “Julian has always impressed me with his energy, excitement, and content. We are thrilled to have him join the team at ‘Seattle’s #1 Hit Music Station.” Nieh notes, “I’m beyond blessed to be added to a team of insanely-talented individuals and management. I’ve learned and been blessed to work with some of the best managers in this industry, and continue to do so. Much appreciation and thanks to Cat Thomas for bringing me aboard. I knew Cat was one of those special managers and all around good people when I met him last year.” … Former WPLJ, New York City music director/midday talent Melony Torres has joined Pandora as director of pop programming. Torres was with 
WPLJ when it was a Cumulus Media-owned hot AC; it’s now an Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian outlet … The classical music format on Nashville Public Radio’s WFCL will relocate to the HD2 channel of co-owned news/talk WPLN-FM in the fall. Posting on the station’s website, president chief executive officer Steve Swenson writes that WFCL will air “more of Nashville’s music” with “complete local curation.” WFCL’s new format, he indicates, will be a “vibrant soundtrack of Music City.” … Voiceover talent Jordana
Klein adds imaging duties at Cumulus Media Dallas CHR KLIF-FM “Hot 93.3.” Klein formerly was imaging director at Bell Media Toronto CHR CKFM “99.9 Virgin Radio” and imaging voice at Bell Virgin Radio stations throughout Canada … Starting next Monday (8/17), Damien Barling and Kenny Caraway (“D-Lo & KC”) take over 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm duties on Entercom Sacramento sports talk KIFM-AM “ESPN 1320.”
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Sumner Redstone Has Died. According to a statement from ViacomCBS, its chair emeritus and chief executive officer of controlling shareholder National Amusements, Sumner Redstone, has died. Redstone served as Viacom CEO from 1996 – 2005, and was executive chair of the Viacom and CBS boards from 2005 – 2016. He since was chair emeritus for both companies. A statement reads, “Sumner Redstone was a brilliant visionary, operator, and dealmaker, who single-handedly transformed a family-owned drive-in theater company into a global media portfolio. He was a force of nature and fierce competitor, who leaves behind a profound legacy in both business and philanthropy. ViacomCBS will remember Sumner for his unparalleled passion to win, his endless intellectual curiosity, and his complete dedication to the company. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Redstone family today.” Sumner Redstone was 97 years old.
Beasley Study: Boston Consumers Optimistic. Results of Beasley Media Group Boston-commissioned/ Strategic Solutions
Research-conducted polling indicate the majority of Boston-area consumers remain optimistic even during the COVID-19 crisis. Furthermore, a large percentage feel their spending is – or will soon be – back to normal. Beasley Media Group Boston vice president/market manager Mary Menna comments, “The company’s study is meant to help guide marketing partners on how to craft the most effective messaging with their advertising and give Boston area businesses critical data as to local consumers’ current state-of-mind and planned future behaviors. It was important for us to conduct this research to get a pulse on Boston consumers for our clients. People in Boston are optimistic that we will make it through the pandemic. That optimism shows true ‘Boston Strong’ grit and determination. They also understand the seriousness of the situation: The great majority of listeners – nine of ten – support wearing a mask, and they expect others to do so as well.” Strategic Solutions Research partner Hal Rood notes that, while shopping patterns have had to shift online, “It does not spell the end of brick-and-mortar establishments. The overwhelming majority of listeners still plan on making in-person shopping part of their mix, and that includes people under 35.” The survey was conducted July 6 – 16 among 1,532 listeners of Beasley Media Group Boston’s five radio stations: sports talk WBZ-FM “98.5 The Sports Hub”; classic hits-oldies WROR “105.7 ’80s & More”; WKLB “Country 102.5”; WBOS “Boston’s Rock 92.9”; and rhythmic hot AC WBQT “Hot 96.9.”
Local Ad Revenue Estimates Lowered. Continuing economic fallout owing to the coronavirus crisis has led BIA Advisory Services to adjust its estimate for 2020’s total local advertising market to $140.4 billion, which is down from April’s $144.3 billion. Albeit with this year’s anticipated strong political advertising, BIA’s updated forecast estimate represents a 6.1% decline from 2019. BIA’s senior vice president/chief economist Mark Fratrik explains that, “To update our post-COVID forecast from April, we analyzed the continuing impact on local advertising by the weakened economy, continuing job loss reports, and the downturn in some key business verticals. We believe a realistic view of the economy overall and the advertising marketplace is that, after a dramatic decrease in the second-quarter and a bumpy start to the third, the remainder of the year will turn positive, but end up with an overall decline in local advertising for the year.” As political campaigns continue to drift to online rallies and events, presidential and down-ballot candidates are spending significant dollars in local broadcast and digital advertising. Ever since its April prediction, BIA increased the expected political ad spend from $7.1 billion to $7.3 billion. Distributed share to different media includes $5 million to terrestrial radio; $138 million to over-the-air TV; $40 million to cable TV; and $26 million to online/digital.
COVID-19 Concerns Cause BFA Golf Tourney Cancellation. Owing to coronavirus-related safety fears, the Broadcasters Foundation of America has scrubbed its celebrity golf tournament fundraiser. Another big BFA money driver – the Philip J. Lombardo Golf Tournament traditionally held in conjunction with the NAB Show in Las Vegas – was cancelled as well a few months ago. Broadcasters Foundation chair Scott Herman remarks, “Our colleagues who find themselves in acute need due to a debilitating illness or accident need our help. This year, we are helping more broadcasters than ever before, and it’s imperative that we continue to do so. We cannot turn our backs on our colleagues.” Broadcasters Foundation president Jim Thompson adds, “We have three major fundraisers a year, and the golf tournaments are two of them. Our grant recipients worked in radio or television stations in markets across America.” The two golf fundraisers, along with smaller events, generate over $450,000 a year. In hopes of negating the losses, the Broadcasters Foundation is launching a plea for donations. Personal contributions can be made to the Foundation’s Guardian Fund. Corporate offerings are accepted through the Angel Initiative, while bequests can be made through the Foundation’s Legacy Society.
Mr. Master Marks Milestone: Million Spots Per Week. The company behind Automation Import Manager (AIM) – Mr. Master – has
processed and provided compliance for one million network spots per week nationwide. This coincides with Mr. Master announcing new AIM agreements with Neuhoff Communications (five markets/20 stations) and Forever Communications (three markets/26 stations). It has AIM renewal contracts with Entercom (44 markets/453 stations); Alpha Media (46 markets/226 stations); SummitMedia (nine markets/51 stations); and Forever Media (16 markets/63 stations). Mr. Master president Stu Jacobs states, “We are very proud that AIM has become such a widely accepted, and useful tool that helps networks, stations, and advertisers to quickly get the accurate information they need, whether they are working in-office or remotely. One million national network spots a week – 52 million spots a year – is a huge milestone for our company. We couldn’t have done it without our first-class team and the amazing clients who trust us with their accountability.”
Albuquerque’s KQTM Aligns With Cage Side Seat MMA Media. The multi-layered broadcast relationship between Team Broadcasting Albuquerque sports talk KQTM “ESPN 101.7 The Team” and Cage Side Seat MMA Media includes weekly Jim “Gries” Grieshaber-hosted longform programming; daily UFC/MMA commentaries/features; and weekly guest appearances on live programming. KQTM president Joe O’Neill comments, “It’s great to work with Jim. He’s a national-level talent connected to the pulse of UFC/MMA. We look forward to bringing “Gries” to New Mexico.” Grieshaber adds, “We’re so pumped to partner with our friends at ‘The Team’ and the great MMA fans of Albuquerque. Albuquerque is hallowed ground in our sport. It is home of the mecca of MMA gyms Jackson-Wink MMA, the GOAT Jon Jones, and legends like Holly Holm, Carlos Condit, Diego Sanchez, ‘The Karate Hottie’ Michelle Waterson, and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. We’re coming strong with the best in MMA/UFC sports talk programming.”
Key Networks And Virtual Jock Partnering. In the barter basis arrangement, New Generation Radio product Virtual Jock will provide
syndication company Key Networks access to its on-air talent and programming services. Virtual Jock founder/president/chief executive officer Jason Kidd explains that right before launching Virtual Jock five years ago, “Many stations were downsizing and losing strong local talent in the process. Fast forward to now 
and the need is greater than ever before. Teaming up with Key Networks will allow us to take things to an even higher level, expanding and offering our major market talent roster to radio stations across all formats. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with them.” Key Networks president and chief operating officer Jim Higgins comments, “The ongoing disruption from COVID-19 has severely impacted every radio company. All have eliminated some on-air positions and daypart shifts as cost-cutting moves in order to retain financial stability. Virtual Jock can now assist these groups and others by offering a no-cost barter option to fill some of these numerous holes and to also reconnect with those disenfranchised listeners. We want to work closely with stations to fill this void as radio is beginning to rebound.” Chief revenue officer Dennis Green notes, “Jason [Kidd] and his team have developed a concept that offers stations a chance to bring top-notch talent across all formats to markets from coast-to-coast. Key Networks is delighted to partner with Virtual Jock to provide a marketing opportunity that is cost-effective for stations both large and small to have dynamic and proven talent on their air.” In addition to 24/7 formats, Virtual Jock currently offers 40 full-time/in-house voice talents, as well as fully-produced audio programs and imaging. New York and Orlando-based Key Networks is a Sun & Fun Media-affiliated company.
Shondaland Audio, iHeartMedia Release Original Podcasts. As part of an arrangement between iHeartRadio and Shonda Rhimes’
Shondaland Audio, three podcasts will debut this month: “You Down?”; “Criminalia”; and “Go Ask Ali.” Future podcasts will include “#Matter,” “American Coup,” and “Black Girl Lost.” According to iHeartPodcast Network president Conal Byrne, “Shonda Rhimes is an absolute creative powerhouse. Developing these first few shows together has indicated what a strong 
partnership iHeartMedia and Shondaland have formed with Shondaland Audio. The breadth and depth of content that’s in progress as part of this partnership is unparalleled. We’re thrilled to work beside the Shondaland team to bring Shonda’s unique storytelling magic to podcast listeners everywhere.” Shondaland Audio chief design and digital media officer Sandie Bailey states, “Podcasts allow for innovative and intimate storytelling and that’s exactly what this slate offers – deeply human stories through a range of genres and formats aimed to engage the varied and ever- growing podcast listenership. iHeartMedia has been an incredible partner in forming Shondaland Audio. I’m thrilled that audiences will soon hear more from our collaboration with this new offering of shows.” Rhimes oversees development of the slate; Bailey manages day-to-day operations. Previously launched “Katie’s Crib,” a bi-weekly podcast following “Scandal” and “Waitress” actress Katie Lowes joined the slate three months ago. It releases a new episode tomorrow (Thursday, 8/13) that features actress Gabrielle Union.
Veritone One Signs On With Nielsen’s Podcast Buying Power Service. Audio advertising and media agency Veritone One is now
subscribing to Nielsen’s Podcast Buying Power Service. Veritone One senior vice president of strategy and investment Conor Doyle comments, “As one of the largest podcast advertising agencies serving over 100 active clients across 15,000 podcasts, Nielsen’s research will help us refine our current placements and unlock market opportunities for new advertisers wanting to enter the medium. Access to consumption and audience data will attract brand advertisers who have been previously hesitant to enter the largely direct-to-consumer space. Integrating Nielsen’s unique insights along with our proprietary AI-based analytics and decades of experience will enable us to set a new industry standard in podcast advertising.” Nielsen Global Media executive vice president/managing director David Hohman notes, “Veritone One is an agency that is on the cutting-edge of advertising. We are excited to empower them as they turn their data into actionable intelligence with real-time campaign optimization. With more brand advertisers coming into the podcast medium, and Nielsen’s ability to analyze over 150 podcasts, Veritone One will be able to reach even greater success as an innovative industry leader.”
TALKERS News Notes. “Women To Watch” joins the lineup of Red Apple Media New York’s WABC “Talk Radio 77” this Saturday (8/15) at 8:30 am. It 
will commence as a 30-minute show, expanding to 60 minutes three weeks later (9/5) at a yet-to-be-determined time. The show’s founder/host Susan Rocco remarks, “I always wanted ‘Women to Watch’ to be the go-to media network for all stories related to women’s leadership and success. We are building a woman-owned, women-run media company to amplify the voices of women who are leading across all industries.” WABC’s senior vice president of programming Dave LaBrozzi notes his station, “is proud to support strong women by bringing this lively and inspiring weekly show to the NYC market.” The first guest featured on WABC will be The Weiss Agency executive vice president Heather Cohen, who comments, “‘Women To Watch’ is the place to go to hear inspiring stories by inspiring women. Susan [Rocco] is the consummate professional and her interviews are spot-on. I’m honored to be the first guest in the NY market.” Rocco states, “Heather Cohen is an exciting first guest for our new market. She’s a New Yorker, has worked in the industry and was recently elected chair of The Alliance For Women in Media.” Originated and still heard on Entercom Philadelphia’s WPHT “Talk Radio 1210,” Women To Watch has expanded to a national podcast and digital platform … Separate from his duties
as 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm host on Cox Media Group Atlanta news/talk WSB-AM & WSBB-FM, Erick Erickson today (Wednesday, 8/12) celebrates the one-year anniversary of doing self-syndication. His first affiliate was in Athens, Georgia (WGAU). Twelve months later, Erickson is on more than a dozen Georgia news/talk outlets. A one-man band, he does affiliate relations, and ad sales. Describing the experience as rewarding, Erickson explains, “Georgia’s swing state status makes a statewide program focused on the state a unique selling point. I try to be upfront, though, that I want to stretch outside the state after the election and keep growing nationwide.” … As noted yesterday (TALKERS, 8/11), president Trump chatted on-air with Salem Media Networks host Hugh Hewitt. That wasn’t yesterday’s only radio stop for the chief executive though as he visited with Fox Sports Radio’s (6:00 am – 9:00 am, ET) “Outkick The Coverage” host Clay Travis. Regarding college football and the coronavirus, Trump told Travis, “People don’t 
realize it’s a tiny percentage of people that get sick and they’re old. It just attacks old people, especially old people with bad hearts, diabetes, some kind of a physical problem or a weight problem. These football players are very young, strong people. Physically, they’re in extraordinary shape, so they’re not going to have a problem. You’re not going to see people dying. You can’t have empty seats. I’m not sure college football can do it, but we’ll have to see.” On the return of the NFL and the NBA, he commented, “Well, they want to open and they want to open badly and they’ve been working with government. I would say this – if they don’t stand for the national anthem, I hope they don’t open. Other than that, I’d love to see them open and we’re doing everything possible to get them open. They can protest in other ways. I don’t think they should protest our flag or our country. Basketball ratings are down to very, very low numbers. People are angry about it. They have enough politics with guys like me. They don’t need more as they’re going up for the shot. There was a nastiness about the NBA and the way it was done. I think the NBA’s in big trouble — bigger trouble than they understand.” … Taking the place of annual in-person tours that SiriusXM’s “NFL Radio” channel usually conducts, it will present 32
virtual NFL training camp shows – one for each NFL franchise. Starting today (Wednesday, 8/12), “NFL Radio” channel hosts will interview players, coaches, and team executives via video conferencing. SiriusXM senior vice president of sports programming Steve Cohen states, “Like all NFL fans, we look excitedly ahead to the 2020 NFL season. Even amid these very unique circumstances in which teams are reporting to camp, we remain dedicated to giving our listeners the most in-depth and comprehensive preseason preview of their favorite teams. Our experts include some of the most knowledgeable and well-connected people covering the game today. They will deliver a level of analysis on teams and players that you 
can’t get anywhere else.” … Numerous lineup changes next Monday (8/17) at Disney-owned/Good Karma Brands-operated sports talk WMVP will find “ESPN 1000 Chicago” airing two hours (5:00 am – 7:00 am) of ESPN Radio’s new national morning show with Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams, and Zubin Mehenti. Shifting from 6:00 am – 9:00 am to 7:00 am – 10:00 am is David Kaplan. He will partner with Jonathan Hood, who segues from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Meanwhile, Carmen DeFalco and John Jurkovic transition from 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm to 10:00 am – 12:00 noon, as ESPN Radio’s Mike Greenberg-hosted “Greeny” takes over the vacated 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm slot. Weekend hosts Chris Bleck and Adam Abdalla advance to 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, while Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman remain in afternoon drive (2:00 pm – 6:00 pm) … Citing pandemic-caused budget issues, Team Broadcasting Albuquerque sports talk KQTM “ESPN 101.7 The Team” parts ways with morning host Jim Villanucci and producer/host Sam Hauser. The station’s afternoon program – “Team Talk” – is being handled by a
revolving set of hosts. Formerly an on-air talent at Cumulus Media Albuquerque news/talk KKOB-AM, Villanucci joined KQTM two years ago. He previously worked at news/talk stations in Portland (KXL) and Las Vegas (KXNT). Before coming to “The Team” last year, Hauser served as sports director in Austin, Minnesota at KAUS and was a producer/board op in Miami at sports talk WAXY “790 The Ticket.”
Kamala Harris Receives VP Nod, Mail-In Voting Debate, School Opening Struggles, and Chicago Unrest Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (8/11). The selection of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) as Joe Biden’s running-mate topped the TALKERS list of most-discussed stories on news/talk radio across America yesterday (8/11). It was followed by the debates over mail-in voting and the opening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other major topics included Chicago unrest, Russia’s vaccine, stimulus relief, and the cancellation of Big 10 and Pac-12 college football according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. With Ryan Seacrest’s television partner Kelly Ripa taking yesterday 
(Tuesday, 8/10) and today (Wednesday, 8/11) off, his “Live With Kelly & Ryan” co-host those two days is Sisanie, his radio partner. The two work together on Premiere Networks’ “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” heard around the country from iHeartMedia Los Angeles CHR flagship KIIS “102.7 Kiss-FM.” Sisanie has filled in for Ripa several times the past few years … Last summer, Westwood One’s “Bob & 
Tom Show” asked David Rush, the world’s fastest juggler and breaker of over 150 Guinness World Records, to attempt shattering the record for most balloons popped in one minute using chopsticks. Rush established that mark in 2018 with 28 balloons, but that feat was subsequently broken. Rush set out to regain the title this past Sunday (8/9) – this time using hand pump-inflated, COVID-free balloon targets bearing “The Bob & Tom Show” logo. Halfway into the attempt, Rush recounts that he was “just barely on pace to beat the record,” but began throwing the chopsticks a little faster to pop 40 balloons in 60 seconds – a new world record. A big promoter of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education, Rush dedicates all his world records to that cause … WBVX “Classic Rock 92.1” names Dennis “Dead Air” Dillon 
program director/afternoon personality of the LM Communications Lexington (Kentucky) outlet. LM Communications owner/president Lynn Martin remarks, “We are pleased to welcome Dennis Dillon, who has a long history of presenting the very best classic rock music and now can present it to the best classic rock audience in Lexington. By introducing him to our locally-owned and operated radio group, we once again show that being a local voice rather than just a cog in a national wheel lets us provide something truly unique to the classic rock audience in Lexington. Dillon notes, “In a time when big corporations are moving away from local DJ’s in the community, I’m ecstatic to have found a home in the city I love with a locally-owned and operated company. I’ve always loved this genre and I’m already discovering that the ‘Classic Rock 92.1’ fans share that same passion.” Dillon previously worked in Cincinnati, Louisville, and Chattanooga … Former 
MusicMaster vice president of sales Jerry Butler joins Marc Radio Gainesville-Ocala as local sales manager for a cluster that includes alternative WHHZ “100.5 The Buzz”; country WPLL; rhythmic CHR WTGM “Magic 101.3”; classic hits-oldies WXJZ; and contemporary Christian WTMN & WRZN. Marc Radio general manager Dave Cobb comments, “Jerry brings the perfect mix of leadership, marketing, on-air personality, and programming savvy. He knows the radio industry inside and out. He is great at advising clients and introducing them to new products. He’s a great asset to our team.” Butler adds, “Our goal is to guide the local advertising community on how best to earn impressive returns on their investments in any, or all, of our radio 
station formats.” … After stunting by playing a weekend of all-Christmas music, Zimmer Midwest Communications Springfield, Missouri flips sports talk KWTO “The Jock” to adult contemporary “98.7 The Dove.” ZMC co-owner John Zimmer remarks, “It’s a great day for our company to enter the greater Springfield market with stations featuring the most powerful signals and largest coverage areas to serve the Ozark region. The greater Springfield region has been a great driver of growth in Missouri – we are proud to be of part of the expansion. We look forward to making a positive impact and difference for the community and businesses with our local solutions and stations to promote the economy of the Springfield region.” Kevin Howard and Liz Delany (“Kevin & Liz”) debut in morning drive next Monday (8/17). Core artists on “Lite Rock Favorites The Dove” include Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, and Sting.
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Talk Radio Legend Barry Farber Dead at 90. One of the founding fathers of the talk radio format, Barry Farber, died Wednesday evening (5/6). His daughter Celia Ingrid Farber announced via Twitter, “My father Barry Farber, beloved, died this evening, at 6:25 pm. He was home, in bed, and we were all with him. He turned 90 just yesterday. He told me recently that his concept of death was ‘going somewhere I’ve never been before, like Finland or Estonia.’ May God rest his soul.” Barry Farber began his talk radio career in 1960 on WINS, New York with his “Barry Farber’s WINS Open Mike” show, the only talk show on a rock ‘n’ roll station. He left for
WOR, New York in 1962 to do the evening show, which eventually led to his becoming the all-night host in 1967. He left WOR in 1977 to delve into politics as the conservative party candidate for New York City mayor and when that didn’t pan out, he joined WMCA, New York and did afternoon drive for the next decade. Farber, with the help of Michael Castello and the late Alan Colmes, formed an independent network called Daynet. That proved to be one of the forerunners of today’s independent talk syndication scene. Since 2009, Farber had been hosting a nightly talk show on CRN Digital Talk – something he did until his last live program last week. In 2012, Farber was honored with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from TALKERS magazine. Radio Pro Michelle Jerson interviewed Farber at the TALKERS conference in New York City that year. You can see it here. Newsmax founder Christopher Ruddy tells TALKERS he met Farber when he was 16 years old and they’ve been friends for 40 years. “I grew up listening to Barry Farber, a favorite of my mother who made his WMCA, WOR and WABC shows a staple of our kitchen radio. He was a thinking conservative, not a bomb thrower, who loved America, his Jewish faith, and Israel, as well as the 26 languages he spoke, many in dialect.” TALKERS magazine publisher Michael Harrison comments, “Barry Farber was one of the founding fathers of talk radio whose influential career spanned both the modern and pre-modern eras of the format. He described his longevity in the business as ‘being big in the old days and old in the big days.’ He was among the finest public speakers of his time and a true wordsmith who served as an inspiration for generations of broadcasters who strived to be artists as well as communicators.”
iHeartMedia Adopts Shareholder Rights Plan. Also known in the financial business as the “poison pill,” the shareholder rights plan is designed to prevent a hostile takeover bid. iHeartMedia states that its board of directors is approving “the adoption of a short-term stockholder rights plan in order to protect the best interests of all iHeartMedia stockholders during the current period of high equity
-market volatility and price disruption. The board adopted the rights plan at this time due to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on equity market valuations; the complex nature of the company’s capital structure; to enable all of iHeartMedia’s stockholders to realize the full potential of their investment in the company in light of the inherent resilience of the company’s cash flow model and patient capital structure; and to protect the interests of iHeartMedia and its stockholders by deterring any entity, person or group from attempting opportunistically to gain undue influence over or control of iHeartMedia through open market accumulation or other tactics without paying an appropriate control premium.” Specifically, under this plan “the board has declared a dividend distribution of one right on each outstanding share of iHeartMedia’s Class A common stock, share of Class B common stock and warrant issued in connection with the Company’s plan of reorganization. The record date for such dividend distribution is May 18, 2020.”
Crossover Media Group Sales to Rep Quick Hits Media. The recently launched Quick Hits Media and Crossover Media Group Sales have struck a deal for the latter to provide ad sales for Quick Hits. Quick Hits was recently launched by
veteran television journalist David Shuster and partners to “bring compelling conversations and expertise to news consumers via succinct, informative, 10-minute exchanges, covering the day’s top stories, that are polished, highly watchable and digestible on all screens.” Quick Hits says its team “boasts global journalism experience developed at news organizations including, among others, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, i24 
News, NowThis News, Associated Press, and Investigative Journal, and informed by assignments and postings throughout the U.S., U.K., Germany, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and East Africa among other locales.” Crossover Media Group Sales managing member Sue Freund states, “It’s a new world in which news consumption has skyrocketed and consumers more than ever are seeking information and insights that are presented clearly, comprehensibly and succinctly by globally experienced, big-picture journalists. David and his colleagues bring decades of experience and complementary backgrounds to the task of keeping viewers informed of the critical issues of the day from a worldwide perspective.”
iHeartMedia Unveils SmartAudio COVID Recovery Program. The “SmartAudio COVID Recovery Program” is a suite of three new SmartAudio products that iHeartMedia says enable businesses to utilize its “unparalleled data and scale to re-engage with their loyal customers, and find new ones, as the nation’s economy begins to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.” The company says
businesses will also be able to use the new products to deliver tailored advertising messages based on local market data to ensure businesses are reaching their customers with messaging that fits their circumstances. The three new products in the suite are: SmartAudio COVID Community Recovery Index, SmartAudio Brand Loyalists, and SmartAudio Unlimited. iHeartMedia president of revenue and data operations Brian Kaminsky says, “The massive disruption created by the pandemic has caused brand loyalties to shift as consumers adapted to limited supplies and financial constraints – making them rethink what is essential. The SmartAudio data platform uses iHeartMedia’s best-in-class audience data and real-time inputs to give brands the power to reconnect with their loyal customers and find switchers as they enter the market in a post COVID-19 world.”
TALKERS News Notes. Today (5/7), Entercom’s Kansas City sports talker KCSP “610 Sports Radio” is hosting “The Tyrann Mathieu Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief
Radiothon” to support children and families who are experiencing hardships from the global health pandemic. As part of the daylong event, KCSP will welcome celebrity guests at the top of each hour to help raise funds and awareness, including Chiefs safety and foundation founder Tyrann Mathieu, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, former Chiefs running back LeSean McCoy, and 
more…..iHeartMedia Denver’s KOA “NewsRadio 850 AM & 94.1 FM” is extending its broadcast agreement with the University of Colorado Athletics Department and its exclusive multimedia rightsholder, Buffalo Sports Properties, for a 77th season. The deal means listeners will continue to hear all Buffs sports, including football as well as men’s and women’s game broadcasts. Mark Johnson will return this fall as the “Voice of the Buffs” for his 17th season of play-by-play reporting for Buffs football and men’s basketball…..AdLarge Media announces that with the return of NASCAR on Sunday, May 17, at Darlington Raceway, Motor Racing Network and Performance Racing Network are delivering the races to radio stations across America. AdLarge Media chief revenue officer Don Wachsmith says, “NASCAR is back! It couldn’t be at a better time as the country is starved for sports. Long time NASCAR fans are going to be glued to the radio broadcasts of these races and new NASCAR fans are going to find out what the excitement is all about. One of the special aspects of NASCAR is the relationship between the fans and the sponsors who support the sport. I can’t wait for the radio broadcasts to get going and for our advertisers to make that connection with fans, new and old.”…..Cadence13 partners with Headspace to create a slate of new and original podcasts dedicated to mindful living. The first, Radio Headspace, will launch later this month and will feature a daily, short-form meditation podcast hosted by Headspace co-founder and former Buddhist monk Andy Puddicombe in an effort “to help listeners cope with the heightened stress of our changing world.” Cadence13 chief content officer Chris Corcoran states, “As our daily routines are changing and the world we live in has brought on an unprecedented uncertainty, Headspace continues to offer a more mindful experience. There’s never been a better time to bring the Headspace experience into podcasting, and we’re thrilled to be their partner in this important venture, and at this important time.”
Newsmax TV Inks Carriage Deal with Mediacom Communications. Cable operator Mediacom Communications operates primarily in the Midwest and Southeast, reaching approximately 1.4 million households and businesses. This
deal will put Newsmax TV in the company’s expanded basic package it calls Variety TV. Newsmax SVP of content distribution Andrew Biggers says, “Mediacom is one of the most respected operators in the industry and we’re pleased to partner with them in delivering Newsmax TV across their heartland footprint.” This pact means Newsmax now has distribution agreements with each of the top 10 pay TV operators in the U.S and Comscore reports Newsmax total household cume viewership is up over 200% from mid-2019, and viewership in the first quarter of 2020 outpaced the prior quarter by 74%.
COVID-19 Statistics and Projections, Unemployment Figures/The Economy, States Re-Opening, Black Jogger Slaying, and Presidential Race/Biden Allegations Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (5/6). The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S., the death toll, and projections about future infections; the expected release of the latest unemployment figures and the state of the U.S. economy; the numerous states planning to re-open their economies; the viral video revealing the shooting death of jogger Ahmaud Arbery by two white men in Georgia; and the presidential race and the sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Financial Advisor Ric Edelman Is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. One of the preeminent financial advisors on radio in America today, Ric Edelman – founder of Edelman Financial Services and Edelman Financial Engines – is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Edelman has been a major talk radio professional for nearly 30 years, currently airing on 80 stations coast-to-coast, as well as a longtime member of the TALKERS Heavy Hundred. He’s also produced several
award-winning specials for public television and is a #1 New York Times bestselling author with 10 books on personal finance, including a best-selling children’s book on money. Harrison engages Edelman in a remarkably candid discussion about the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the intricacies of the “lives versus livelihood” debate dominating the national conversation. In the process, they take a deep dive into the psychology of America’s consumer culture and the nature of personal debt as it applies to the nation’s emotional profile. Don’t miss this extraordinarily timely and informative conversation! To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the player box marked “The Michael Harrison Interview” located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Radio pro Dave Levora is back on the air in the Quad Cities after exiting iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOC-AM during the “employee dislocation” that took place back in January. He’s
co-hosting mornings on Regional Media’s KQCJ-FM as the station flips from adult hits to alternative as “Planet 93.9.” He tells Regional’s Illinois News Now that he was finished with radio until the company’s Fletcher Ford offered him the chance to build a radio station on his terms…..The Toledo Blade reports that country WKKO “K-100” weekend personality Craig Snyder is recovering from COVID-19 at Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Medical Center. He tells the Blade that the doctors say he is getting better. He’s been in the ICU for two weeks and was in a different facility for a week and a half prior…..Entercom Boston helped raise funds to provide 156,684 meals for people in need through the Greater Boston Food Bank. The “Feed New England Radiothon” took place on Tuesday (5/5) and was presented by local grocery chains Shaw’s and Star Market. Helping in the cause were celebs including pop star Joe Jonas, singer and songwriter Charlie Puth, singer and songwriter Noah Cyrus, legendary Boston comedian and actor Lenny Clarke, and New England Patriots safety and three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty.
Monday, March 9, 2020
Talk Radio Rises to Coronavirus Challenge. This past weekend seems to have marked a tipping point in America regarding public anxiety over COVID-19, still commonly referred to as the coronavirus. Fears and near panic have infiltrated the
beleaguered heath care systems of our communities, the stock market, and a number of inter-connected industries and public events. Add to that discourse about the problem in our politically oriented media have included the “weaponization” of issues per the troubling practice of each side tending to seek victory at the expense of truth. Most talk media broadcasters tell TALKERS that this crisis provides radio both the mission and calling to provide a significant degree of comfort and helpful information to the public – thus showcasing its pertinence as a vital medium in the 21st century. Broadcasters who spoke to TALKERS about this include: Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM; Mike Salk, Bonneville Seattle; Chris Little, KFI, Los Angeles; Joyce Kaufman, WFTL, West Palm Beach; Ryan Wrecker, KMOX, St. Louis; Harry Hurley, WPG, Atlantic City; Doug Stephan, nationally syndicated “DJV Show”; Dr. Daliah Wachs, GCN-syndicated host; Heidi Harris, KMZQ, Las Vegas; Jim Bohannon, Westwood One-syndicated host; Bob Lawrence, Saga Communications; Michael Berry, KRTH, Houston and in syndication; and Richard Neer, WFAN, New York. Read it here.
Monday Memo: Coronavirus Conundrum: It’s the story-of-the-week every week, and the public health sector is working overtime to keep it from becoming the story-of-a-lifetime. In this week’s column, consultant Holland Cooke reckons that “If listeners don’t hear ‘Coronavirus’ on your air, you’re wallpaper. If you are telling them something they haven’t yet heard elsewhere, they will listen more and tell others what they heard (and where).” And he outlines specific tactics. Read it here.
Coronavirus, Financial Markets Activity, Presidential Race, North Korea Fires Missiles, and Greece-Turkey Immigrant Violence Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The status of the coronavirus pandemic and public officials’ response to it; the world’s financial markets react to the coronavirus and the break of the Saudi-Russian oil pact that’s sent prices plummeting; the battle between Democrats Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders for the party’s nomination; North Korea fires more test missiles; and the violence over the refugee crisis at the Greece-Turkey border were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
KFYI, Phoenix Moves James T Harris to Mornings; Debuts ‘Russell & Hunter’ Afternoon Show. Phoenix news/talker KFYI moves “The Conservative Circus With James T Harris” from afternoon drive to mornings and launches the new afternoon drive show “Russell & Hunter.” The iHeartMedia station says, “‘The Conservative
Circus with James T. Harris’ is a highly entertaining look at the news of the day from an unapologetically conservative point of view.” Station PD Aaron Trimmer adds, “James T. Harris is an unrivaled talent in the world of talk radio. The success he has had hosting afternoon drive on 550 KFYI made him the obvious choice to now take over mornings.” Previous morning drive host Mike Broomhead exited at the end of his contract in January. He joined Bonneville’s crosstown news/talk KTAR-FM for mornings in February. iHeartMedia says Mike Russell and Rob Hunter bring more than 25 years of combined experience in Phoenix talk radio to afternoon drive. “Together, ‘Russell & Hunter’ will continue to serve Phoenix’s passionate conservative audience by being ardent defenders of small business, the 2nd Amendment and traditional American values.”
WABC, New York’s Curtis Sliwa Vows to Run for Mayor of New York. Longtime New York City talk radio host and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa tells the New York Post he intends to run for mayor of New York. Sliwa has not filed any
paperwork to officially join the race and he’s expected to continue co-hosting the 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm show with Juliet Huddy on Red Apple Media’s WABC, New York. The piece notes that Sliwa left the Reform Party recently and registered as a Republican. Sliwa points to six issues he says are the most important facing New Yorkers: crime in the streets, crime on the subways, the homeless, emotionally disturbed people, the New York City Housing Authority, and affordable housing.
Talent Changes Coming to Sports Talk ‘99.9 The Fan’ in Raleigh. The afternoon drive show at Capitol Broadcasting’s WCMC-FM, Raleigh is splitting up, with longtime hosts Adam Gold and Joe Ovies soon to be hosting separate programs.
Raleigh News & Observer sportswriter Joe Giglio is joining the radio station and will co-host the afternoon drive show with Ovies. Gold will host his own sports talk show from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. In a press 
release, station program director Dennis Glasgow comments, “It’s not often that you have the unique opportunity to get better when moving an air personality of Adam Gold’s stature to another timeslot and also add a sports reporting vet like Joe Giglio to an already established show, so we’re very fortunate. In the end our listeners are the big winners.” Gold’s new program will replace the regionally syndicated David Glenn show on WCMC-FM.
‘K-News 94.3 FM’ Palm Springs Host Bill Feingold Dies at 70. The Desert Sun reports KNWQ-AM/K232CX, Palm Springs talk radio host Bill Feingold died on Friday (3/6) at age 70. Feingold, who co-hosted the morning show with Kevin
Holmes on the Alpha Media station, was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer in August. It had spread to his lungs and bones. But Feingold underwent chemotherapy and returned to the radio program after showing improvement. Eventually, the cancer worsened, and he was hospitalized. During his time as radio host in Palm Springs, Feingold befriended such celebrity residents as Suzanne Somers and Gavin MacLeod.
Ed Wilson to Lead CMG’s CoxReps and Gamut. Sale executive Ed Wilson joins Cox Media Group to serve as executive chairman for its CoxReps and Gamut national ad platform businesses. CMG president and CEO Kim Guthrie says, “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Ed for years. He is a business builder and a natural
networker in both traditional and emerging media. His experience and industry relationships will serve him well in this role. We look forward to his perspective as we leverage our industry leading position to evolve these important businesses.” Wilson has served in leadership roles at The Tribune Company, FOX Broadcasting, NBC, and CBS. CoxReps’ chief operating officer Ann Hailer and Gamut SVP of client solutions Soo Jin Oh will continue in their current roles, reporting directly to Wilson.
Weekly ‘Day 1’ Show to Celebrate 75 Years on Radio. Every Sunday since April 1945, the weekly, half-hour Protestant religious program “Day 1” has aired on radio stations across the country. Although originally titled, “The Protestant Hour,” the
program from Alliance for Christian Media has never been a 60-minute show and when Reverend Peter Wallace started working on the show 19 years ago, it was decided the show’s name needed a change. Wallace tells TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian, “We came up with the name ‘Day 1,’ which sounds good in the media environment. We are on several news/talk stations [including Cox Media Group Atlanta flagship WSB-AM/WSBB-FM] so it fit into that milieu. It refers to when the program generally airs – Sunday – the first day of the week. It’s the day people generally go to church and has an inspirational, hopeful ‘first day’ of the rest of your life feel to it.” Read the full feature here.
TALKERS News Notes. Chicago media writer Robert Feder reports on two radio stories from the Windy City. First, WGN-AM sports reporter and podcaster Adam
Hoge is leaving the Nexstar Media Group news/talker to join cable’s NBC Sports Chicago where he’ll be a White Sox insider on the regional network. Second, crosstown sports talker WMVP “ESPN Chicago” is adding a nightly baseball show hosted by Jonathan Hood, effective March 23. The Good Karma Brands-operated station will air the show from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm…..According to a piece by Rob Tornoe at the Philadelphia Inquirer, WIP morning show producer Joe Weachter was released from a Florida hospital last Thursday morning after experiencing a health scare while on a flight from Philly to Tampa. Weachter was on the plane, along with morning host Angelo Cataldi and WIP personality Ava Graham heading to Florida to cover Phillies spring training when lost consciousness shortly after leaving his seat to use the restroom. Fortunately, Dr. Edward Dickinson – a professor of emergency medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania – was on the flight and, along with the assistance of an unnamed paramedic, treated Weachter who regained consciousness after about 10 minutes…..Seneca Women Podcast Network and iHeartMedia enter into a multi-year partnership to co-produce and distribute “a slate of high-quality, women-focused podcasts in the areas of women in business, leadership, current events, health and more, providing inspiring, purpose-driven and actionable content from a diverse range of women’s voices.” As part of the deal, new and existing podcasts on the Seneca Women Podcast Network will join the iHeartPodcast Network. iHeartMedia will now co-produce the hit podcast series “Seneca Women Conversations on Power and Purpose” hosted by Ambassador Melanne Verveer and Kim Azzarelli. “Seneca Women Conversations on Power and Purpose” will debut March 9 on iHeartRadio with 19 episodes in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Popular Twin Cities radio personality Brian Zepp returns to Cumulus Media’s rock KQRS as part of the “KQ Morning Show” with Tom Barnard. Zepp was an air personality
on the station for 19 years before exiting for a position at Orion Media‘s classic rock KBZN-FM, Bozeman, Montana “The Eagle” three years ago. He says, “After having been away from KQ for a couple of years, I’ve come to realize there is just no better experience in my profession than being a part of the ‘KQ Morning Show.’ It’s great to be reunited with Tom and the crew, but even sweeter being reunited with the KQ 
listeners.”…..In Dallas, Michelle Boros joins iHeartMedia’s hot AC KDMX, Dallas “102.9 NOW” as the new morning drive personality. Boros was most recently an air personality and music director at Entercom’s CHR KAMP, Los Angeles “97.1 AMP Radio.” Station program director Jay Shannon comments, “We’re excited to add Michelle to the ‘102.9 NOW’ morning lineup. Her years of experience along with her DFW background and roots make her the perfect fit.”…..Radio pro Gary Saunders joins Tracy Johnson Media Group to work on TJMG’s Personality Magnet Show Prep Service. Saunders has been serving as executive producer for the Compass Media Networks syndicated “DeDe In the Morning” program as well as APD for Service Broadcasting’s hip hop KKDA, Dallas…..Publicist Taryn Pray joins Nashville-based publicity firm Monarch Publicity. During her more than 13 years in the publicity biz, she worked with UMG Nashville and Sony Music Nashville before starting her own independent publicity company in 2013. Monarch Publicity’s clients include Chris Bandi, Chris Young, Craig Morgan, Laine Hardy, Matt Stell, Sara Evans, The Shires, Temecula Road, Tiffany Woys, and Music Health Alliance.
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Nielsen Begins Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM). Data delivery in five of the 46 markets converting to monthly reports is
effective with the just-concluded (July 2019) survey period. Effective with the launch of CDM, 94 Nielsen Audio metros will have monthly reporting (48 PPM markets and 46 CDM markets). The company maintains that CDM “positions radio on a level playing field with other media such as digital and TV” and will allow clients “to maintain a competitive edge with the ability to react more quickly to marketplace changes.” Moreover, Continuous Diary Measurement is expected to “help reduce ‘bounce’ in ratings with rolling samples designed to provide a more consistent and stable view of the market.” Nielsen Audio managing director Brad Kelly declares, “This is a transformative day for the audio advertising industry. For the first time, clients in these 46 markets will be able to transact on data monthly. There is no doubt Continuous Diary Measurement is a big step forward for the audio industry. With CDM, very large advertisers that rely on marketing mix models will be able to use the most current data available to get a better read on how radio drives sales results – the ultimate measure of ‘attribution’.” Connoisseur Media founder/CEO Jeffery Warshaw, chair of Nielsen Audio’s advisory council remarks, “This upgrade in measurement is a terrific demonstration of the progress we can make when the industry comes together and works with Nielsen to improve the service for our clients.” These markets will have CDM: Akron, Albany-Schenectady-Troy, Albuquerque, Allentown, Bakersfield, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charleston (S.C.), Chattanooga, Colorado Springs, Columbia (S.C.), Dayton, Des Moines, El Paso, Fresno, Ft. Myers, Grand Rapids, Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville, Greenville-Spartanburg, Harrisburg, Honolulu, Huntsville, Jackson (MS), Knoxville, Little Rock, Louisville, Madison, Mobile, Monterey, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Puerto Rico, Richmond, Rochester (NY), Shreveport, Spokane, Springfield (MA), Syracuse, Toledo, Tucson, Tulsa, Wichita, Wilkes Barre, and York. The survey period for the first monthly release of data covers April 25 – July 17; reports will be delivered between today (8/13) and one week from this Friday (8/23).
Coleman Cleared For Syndication Via Ramsey Network. Thirty stations in 25 markets (including Chicago, Denver, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, and
Indianapolis) are first to clear Ramsey Network’s caller-driven “Ken Coleman Show,” which has been heard the past two years on SiriusXM and as a podcast. Author and career expert Coleman “helps listeners discover what they were born to do” and provides “practical steps” as to how to get there. Ramsey Media executive vice president Brian Mayfield notes, “We are proud to bring listeners this kind of quality content. Ken brings a unique approach to a topic that people of all ages can relate to, so we’re thrilled the show is growing so rapidly.” News of Coleman’s entry into radio syndication coincides with the launch of his book, “The Proximity Principle: The Proven Strategy That Will Lead to the Career You Love,” which reached #1 on The Wall Street Journal bestseller’s list.
“America Works” Among ABC Radio Labor Day Specials. Three, three-hour specials will be provided to ABC Radio affiliates for use over Labor Day
weekend: “America Works,” “Labor Day Rock Rewind,” and “Raised on ‘90s Country Salute.” In “America Works,” ABC News Radio correspondent Aaron Katersky highlights important volunteerism people around the country who are participating in what transforms neighborhoods into vibrant communities. The program focuses on – among others – volunteer police officers, hospital visitors, and dog rescuers. Hosted by ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, “Labor Day Rock Rewind” celebrates 50 years of ZZ Top and features rock albums of 1969, 1979, and 1989 by artists such as Aerosmith, Beatles, Pat Benatar, Phil Collins, Eagles, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. Paying tribute to country music of the 1990s, Chris Young-hosted “Raised on ‘90s Country Salute” features songs inspired by the decade and insights on 90s hits. Country stars Maren Morris, Old Dominion, and Thomas Rhett share their favorite ‘90s country songs.
Our Sources Say NY Post To Debut A “Page Six” Podcast.Editors of The New York Post’s fabled “Page Six” gossip column, Maggie 
Coughlan and Ian Mohr, will host Sources Say: A Page Six Podcast; AdLarge Media digital audio business cabana is its exclusive ad sales partner. This will be the newspaper’s first attempt at podcasting, although more titles are said to be forthcoming. New York Post publisher and chief executive officer Sean Giancola states that with the introduction of “Sources Say,” the paper, “enters the podcast space with one of the most popular 
brands in our portfolio. ‘Page Six’ fans can now hear insider gossip and news on our podcast straight from our editors. Cabana’s demonstrated ability to generate revenue and help its content partners launch and grow podcasts made them the best choice for our ad sales partner. We look forward to working with the cabana team.” AdLarge Media and cabana co-founder/co-chief executive officer Cathy Csukas notes, “The New York Post and ‘Page Six’ are iconic media brands. We at cabana are excited to be a part of their entrée into podcasting. This is the kind of in-demand content that our podcast advertisers are asking for. As our relationship with the NY Post expands, we will have more highly-engaging podcasts to offer our advertisers.” The ‘Page Six’ section generates a large percentage of the 75 million unique monthly visitors to The New York Post’s digital network. Founded in 1801, The Post is the oldest continuously-published daily newspaper in the United States. PageSix.com and “Page Six Style” editorial director Maggie Coughlan joined “Page Six” in 2014. “Page Six” deputy editor Ian Mohr previously was New York bureau chief of The Hollywood Reporter and box office editor/film reporter for Variety.
Baumgard Boosted to iHM Huntington Market President. The promotion of iHeartMedia Huntington, West Virginia general sales manager Tracey Baumgard to market president takes effect immediately. Region president for iHeartMedia Pittsburgh and West Virginia Tim McAleer states, “I am extremely excited for Tracey to lead our Huntington market. Her extensive track record, combined with her strong leadership and knowledge on all aspects of the business, make her a tremendous asset to our team.” Baumgard, who has been with the cluster for 23 years, adds, “I’m thrilled to be leading the iHeartMedia Huntington team. I look forward to motivating and collaborating with the programming, business, and sales teams while helping to elevate the Huntington market to unmatched heights.” Her other roles there have been in traffic, accounting, promotions, and marketing. The eight-station iHeartMedia Huntington cluster consists of news/talk WVHU “News Radio 800”; news/talk WZZW; sports talk WIRO & WZWB “Fox Sports 1230 & 1420”; WAMX “Classic Rock 106.3 The Brew”; classic hits-oldies WBVB “B-97”; CHR WKEE “KEE 100”; and WTCR “103.3 TCR Country.”
Group Nine Media, iHeartMedia Announce Co-Produced Podcasts. The new slate will include at least one podcast from each of Group Nine’s four brands: NowThis, The Dodo, Seeker, and Thrillist, as well as one from JASH, part of the media company’s Los Angeles-based Studios team. Group Nine Network president Mickey Meyer states, “Storytelling is at the core of any forward-looking media brand in today’s industry. As a distributed media company and the leader on mobile, we’ve 
always met audiences where they are. Podcasting is certainly the place to be and iHeartRadio knows this better than anyone. We’re excited to partner with them to extend Group Nine’s brands and creative prowess into the audio space.” President of the iHeartPodcast Network, Conal Byrne, notes, “Group Nine’s brands create content that resonates extremely well with their dedicated and loyal fans. They are pioneers in social-first publishing and have built meaningful online communities that connect with audiences. We are excited to work together with them to co-produce an amazing slate of shows and extend their brands into the burgeoning podcast space.” All podcasts will be overseen by Meyer, and Group Nine vice president of new initiatives Brett Kushner. They will be executive produced by iHeartPodcast Network head of development Mangesh Hattikudur.
Burcham Succeeds Bramblett As Auburn P-B-P Voice. Per an announcement made yesterday (Monday, 8/12), Andy Burcham has been tapped to replace the late Rod Bramblett as the voice of Auburn University Tigers baseball, football, and men’s basketball. Bramblett and his wife, Paula, were killed three months ago in a car accident; a 16-year-old was charged with two counts of manslaughter in that tragedy. Auburn Sports Properties vice president/general manager Chris Davis remarks, “During the very difficult process of replacing Rod, it was clear that Andy Burcham was the right man to be the new voice of the Auburn Tigers. He is well-respected in his profession; by his coworkers; Auburn athletics coaches and administration; and in the community. He understands the importance of this role. Andy is a consummate professional who puts great preparation, execution, and passion into his work. Most importantly, he is a man of great character who loves and cares deeply for Auburn and what it represents. We can’t wait for the Auburn family to 
embrace him in his new role.” Athletics director Allen Greene states, “Simply put, Andy is unquestionably the right man for the job. His experience as a broadcaster is extensive and his affinity for Auburn is unrivaled. Having been part of the Auburn family for over three decades, Andy understands what sets Auburn apart and understands the passion of our loyal fan base. He deeply respects those who have come before him and will assume this role with a great deal of humility.” Burcham adds, “While it is a bittersweet time and I wish the circumstances creating this opportunity were different, I am honored to be following in the footsteps of such legends as Rod Bramblett and Jim Fyffe. With this job, you’re the voice of Auburn and represent [it] every day – I will never forget that. I’ve been in this community and broadcasting Auburn games for 31 years. I understand and love Auburn and its tradition.” Burcham and Bramblett worked together for 25 years. In addition to his play-by-play duties, Burcham will co-host “Tiger Talk” with baseball broadcast partner Brad Law, while Brit Bowen becomes play-by-play voice for Auburn women’s basketball and softball. Law will host football pregame and postgame locker room shows. Nashville, Illinois native Burcham graduated from Indiana State University (1983) with a degree in radio, television, and film. He did sports play-by-play for Indiana State, Illinois State University and Southern Illinois University before going to Auburn in 1988.
TALKERS News Notes. The newest addition to Comrex’s Access IP audio codec line, Access NX Rack, is now shipping. The Comrex Access rackmount was released in 2005 and is being updated to incorporate technical advances from the last decade. Access NX Rack includes AES3 or analog audio I/O, along with AES67 compatibility. AES67 tested to be compatible with all major AoIP systems and features an entirely new hardware platform. Access NX Rack can connect to Wi-fi and 4G modems, and supports a wide range of connection protocols and audio encoders. It’s driven via an HTML5-based web user interface. Access NX Rack is compatible with all Comrex IP audio codecs as well as the Comrex FieldTap smartphone app and is built around Comrex CrossLock technology. Included is HotSwap, allowing users to designate a wireless network as a backup that will only engage when the primary network has failed ….. After more than a year’s hiatus from radio, Spence Checketts will resurface next week as 
the 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm talent on Broadway Media Salt Lake City sports talk KALL “ESPN 700.” In addition to “The Drive with Spence Checketts,” he will continue his longform interview podcast, “Reality Check.” Checketts formerly worked cross-town at similarly-formatted KZNS “The Zone.” ….. Yesterday (Monday, 8/12) marked the two-year anniversary of 
the “Unite the Right” white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Even though more than 800 state and local law enforcement officers spent months preparing for the event, it not only turned violent, a counter-protestor (Heather Heyer) was killed. In noting the second anniversary of what has simply been referred to as “Charlottesville,” CBS-TV’s “CBS This Morning” hosted a round table discussion. Among those participating were Monticello Media Charlottesville news/talk WCHV “C-Ville 107.5 & 1260 News-Talk-Sports” program director/morning drive (5:00 am – 9:00 am) host Joe Thomas; “How To Be Antiracist” author professor Ibram Kendi; faith leaders; community activists; and the city’s police chief.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Los Angeles rhythmic CHR KPWR “Power 106” and co-owned KDAY “93.5 Hip-Hop Back in the Day” six-month interim program director Emmanuel “E-Man” Coquia is elevated to Meruelo Media’s director of
programming/content. He will oversee programming and music content for those two stations, as well as initial stages of Latin rhythmic cluster-mate KLLI “Cali 93.9.” Meruelo Media president/chief operating officer Otto Padron declares, “After an exhaustive nationwide search that attracted some of the most talented program directors in America, the choice was clear that ‘E-Man’ is our-man. ‘E-Man’ had a sensible plan and a vision that aligned perfectly with our goals to disrupt the industry with new hyper-local Los Angeles content. Above all, he had boundless confidence strengthened by a time-built arsenal of industry respect from the labels, artists, management, colleagues, and fellow Meruelo Media team members.” Coquia notes, “I am truly excited to continue to lead the incredible winning teams at our two iconic hip-hop radio stations in Los Angeles. I am also enjoying every minute assembling and developing the new ‘Cali 93.9’ team. To be a part of three major radio 
stations in Los Angeles that play hip-hop – current, classic, & Latin hip-hop/Reggaeton – is a very dope feeling, especially as a fan of these music genres.” Meruelo Media’s other Los Angeles property is newly-acquired (from Cumulus Media) rocker KLOS ….. Co-creator, co-executive producer, writer, lead on Amazon Prime and Apple TV’s “The Jamz,” Chris Petlak, is appointed director of digital content/night personality at Hubbard Radio Chicago hot AC WTMX “101.9 The Mix.” Hubbard Chicago vice president/market manager Jeff England comments, “It is sort of a homecoming for Chris. Back in 2011, he served as our first social media manager as well as a contributor to ‘Eric in the Morning.’ Chris will complement our already incredibly strong on-air lineup, and bring with him a wealth of digital and entertainment experience to help drive both the quantity and quality of our episodic digital content creation.” Petlak adds, “Returning home to join ‘The Mix’ and work for Hubbard Radio Chicago is an honor. I couldn’t be more excited to work with the
entire team at a station with such a strong Chicago legacy.” Musician and standup comedian Petlak co-hosts the “Not From Here” podcast ….. Rebranding KRBQ “The Bay’s Old School” as “The New Q-102.1 – The Bay’s Old School,” the Entercom San Francisco outlet is “providing the Bay Area with expertly curated gold-based rhythmic classic hits.” KRBQ will include airing mass-appeal titles from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Entercom San Francisco senior vice president/market manager Gregory Nemitz remarks “Q-102” has “already built a great audience. They have been telling us to play more of the familiar, rhythmic hits. With the relaunch of ‘The New Q-102.1,” a Bay Area station is finally playing more of the classics we all know and love.” Programming updates are forthcoming. Among persons 6+ in Nielsen Audio’s July 2019 report 
for San Francisco, rhythmic hot AC KRBQ is tied for #19 (2.1). In San Jose, it is up or flat the third straight time for a two-tenths increase (1.7 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.9, 6+) and ranks #19, as well ….. XTRA-FM “91-X” morning host John Moug (“The Moug Show”) exits the Local Media of San Diego-programmed alternative outlet. The program debuted approximately 18 months ago; co-host “Danielle” continues on “91-X” in the 5:00 am – 10:00 am slot ….. Former director of sports sales for Entercom Chicago, Peter Bowen, becomes director of sales at Townsquare Media Cedar Rapids. Market president and chief revenue officer Terry Peters comments, “Peter is a rare find, having an impressive pedigree and track record of sales leadership with some of the best multimedia companies in 
the United States. He has led some of the biggest brands in our industry with an extraordinary ability to build winning teams that deliver consistently strong results for our clients.” Bowen declares that he is “extremely excited to be joining the Townsquare team in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. It’s amazing to see the success of Townsquare’s radio and digital operation in Eastern Iowa, with no end in sight of how high we can go. I’m looking forward to being part of one of the most innovative media companies in the nation.” Bowen previously was senior vice president of sales for CBS Los Angeles; vice president and general manager of Chicago CHR WBBM-FM; and general sales manager for Chicago all-news operation WBBM-AM. Townsquare Media’s four-station Cedar Rapids cluster consists of adult contemporary KDAT “104.5 – Today’s Best Mix,” KHAK “#1 For New Country,” KRNA “Classic Rock 94.1,” and CHR KRQN “i-107.1 All The Hits.” ….. One-year KYSR “Alt 98.7” mid-day (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) talent Tamo Sein exits the iHeartMedia Los Angeles alternative outlet. She previously worked at similarly-formatted stations in Charlotte (WEND “106.5 The End”); Austin (KROX “101-X”): Norfolk (WROX “96-X”); and Richmond (WRXL “XL-102”). Taking Samo’s place until further notice is Hudson Hott, who does “Alt 98.7” Saturday and Sunday PM drive ….. Canadian-born Lucky Pierre, whose Los Angeles radio career spanned more than 35 (non-consecutive) years, has died. Included in his Los Angeles on-air tenure were stops at legendary KHJ in the early-1960s; roughly six years at KGFJ (whose personalities over the years included Hunter Hancock, Larry McCormick, Johnny Magnus, and Frankie Crocker); and a ten-year stint at a station he programmed and transitioned to dance, KUTE. It’s believed Lucky Pierre did his last greater Los Angeles on-air work in the late-1990s at suburban KACD (Santa Monica) & KBCD (Newport Beach), known then as “Groove Radio 103.1.”
Upstate Radiothon Raises $200,945. In the 12th annual radiothon for Children’s Hospital of Greenville Health System (GHS), seven Entercom Greenville-Spartanburg stations (“Greenville Upstate”) raised $200,945. The radiothon aired last Thursday (8/8)
and Friday (8/9) from 6:00 am – 7:00 pm . Donations help sustain 
programs/services that support children and families during a hospital stay. Entercom Upstate director of sales Devon van der Merwe comments, “This radiothon is a signature event for giving back by the Upstate community. It is such a labor of love for the entire Entercom family. For two days, the airwaves were filled with stories of hope and support. Entercom Upstate always looks forward to going the extra mile when it comes to supporting and aiding Prisma Health–Upstate. We have a passion for our loyal listeners and community and none are more special than the families at Children’s Hospital. Being able to give back is what makes our radio brands, our sponsors, and personalities so powerful.” GHS Children’s Hospital serves all of upstate South Carolina, western North Carolina, and eastern Georgia. Money raised during the radiothon impacts more than 400,000 patients and families each year. Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Upstate medical director Robin LaCroix, MD notes that, “Hospital stays can be intimidating emotional experiences for children and parents. Funds we receive from this radiothon are critical to ensuring that we can provide families with support and resources they need while they are in our care. Prisma Health and Entercom come together each year to make a difference in the lives of so many families in our region. We are so thankful to the community and especially to Entercom Upstate listeners for their continued support.” In addition to news/talk WYRD “106.3 WORD – The Upstate’s Talk Station,” and sports talk WORD-AM “ESPN Upstate,” the Entercom Greenville cluster consists of adult contemporary WSPA-FM “Magic 98.9,” CHR WFBC-FM “B-93.7 – #1 For Hit Music,” WROQ “Classic Rock 101.1,” WTPT “93.3 Planet Rocks,” and WFBC-HD2 “96.3 The Block.”
July 2019 PPM Data. Information for the July 2019 ratings period has been released for Charlotte, St. Louis, and Riverside. Nielsen Audio’s July 2019 survey period covered June 20 – July 17. Managing editor Mike Kinosian (Kinosian@TALKERS.com) provides his “Takeaways” from these three markets.
Charlotte
Spoken-Word Formats – On the heels of June’s +1.2 (3.2 – 4.4, 6+), Entercom news/talk WBT surrenders 75% of that bounty (3.5, -.9, 
6+) but repeats at #12. June’s huge increase precisely wiped away the overall -1.2 WBT lost in three straight declines (4.4 – 4.3 – 3.7 – 3.2, 6+).
While flat at 1.3 (6+), co-owned WFNZ “The Fan – Charlotte’s Sports Leader” bumps up from #19 to #18.
Thus far this calendar year, University Radio Foundation news/talk WFAE has remained in two-share range (6+) in all seven sweeps: 2.7 – 2.9 – 2.3 – 2.8 – 2.3 – 2.1 – 2.4 (#15 to #14, 6+). For the fourth time in the last five survey periods, South Carolina Educational Television Commission news/talk WNSC notches a .3 (.3 – .3 – .3 – .4 – .3, #22 to #21, 6+).
Charlotte Music Formats – Six of Charlotte’s top seven July 2019 finishers post a month-to-month fluctuation of at least one-half share. Topping that list is Radio One urban-rhythmic oldies WOSF, which not only flaunts a +1.4 (5.4 – 6.8, 6+), “105.3 RnB” vaults from sixth to first. A one-tenth June loss halted three straight gains that yielded eight-tenths (4.7 – 4.9 – 5.1 – 5.5, 6+). The last time “105.3 RnB” reached the six-share threshold (6+) was in “Holiday” 2016 (6.2). Dislodged from the top spot and slipping to a second-place tie is iHeartMedia adult hits WLKO (7.1 – 6.6, 6+). Recent shifts for “102.9 The Lake” include -1.2 (“Holiday” 2018); +1.1 (January 2019); -1.4 (February); +.5 (March); -.5 (April); +.8 (May); and -.5 (July). In advance of “Holiday” 2018’s -1.2, WLKO enjoyed eight straight months without a loss for a +3.7 (4.1 – 4.3 – 4.7 – 5.2 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 6.4 – 7.1 – 7.8, 6+). By chalking up a full-share improvement to 6.4 (sixth to fourth, 6+), co-owned WRFX “99.7 The Fox Charlotte’s Classic Rock” suspends four successive sweeps without an increase that resulted in a decrease of seven-tenths (6.1 – 5.9 – 5.9 – 5.6 – 5.4, 6+). This is the best 6+-stat for “The Fox” since September 2018 (6.4, as well). Steady in fifth-place, Beasley Media Group urban AC WBAV “V-101.9” adds one-half share, matching the 6.2 (6+) it logged in March. A combined -1.5 in June/July (7.5 – 6.9 – 6.0, 6+), cluster-mate WSOC “103.7 Country’s Hottest Hits” slumps from second to sixth. Prior to segueing to #2 in June, WSOC was on top the previous four months. A May improvement of eight-tenths delivered WSOC its strongest 6+-stat since November 2018 (7.5, as well). Its format rival, iHeartMedia’s WKKT “96.9 The Kat – Charlotte’s #1 for New Country,” is +1.3 in five successive positive or neutral moves (5.3 – 6.1 – 6.3 – 6.4 – 6.4 – 6.6, 6+) and advances from #3 to a tie at #2. Prior to logging a +1.2 in January, WKKT was -2.3 in December and “Holiday” 2018 (6.7 – 5.8 – 4.4, 6+). Radio One gospel WPZS “Praise 100.9 Charlotte’s Inspiration Station” is up four-tenths to 2.4 (#16 to #14, 6+), thus curtailing four consecutive down or flat trends that accounted for a -1.4 (3.4 – 2.9 – 2.8 – 2.4 – 2.0, 6+). Back-to-back losses by iHeartMedia CHR WHQC account for a full-share decrease (5.0 – 4.7 – 4.0, 6+) as “Hits 96.1” exits the top ten (#9 to #11) with its lowest 6+-showing (4.0) since November 2018’s 3.4. Beasley Media Group adult contemporary operation with similar call letters – WKQC “K-10.7 More Music/Better Variety” – follows June’s increase of nine-tenths with a July loss of one-half share (4.8 – 5.7 – 5.2, fourth to seventh, 6+). June’s 5.7 was its best 6+-performance since “Holiday” 2018’s 12.9 (#1). Off a collective full-share in three setbacks in succession (3.7 – 3.4 – 2.8 – 2.7, 6+), iHeartMedia alternative WEND “106.5 The End” remains at #13. A combined -1.2 in April/May (3.3 – 2.6 – 2.1, 6+), Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian WRCM recorded a one-half share increase in June (2.6, #14, 6+) but “Positive & Encouraging K-Love” vanishes from print in July. Elsewhere in the contemporary Christian arena, Radio Training Network’s WLFJ “HIS Radio” nearly quadruples (+.8) its 6+ AQH share in four straight positive or neutral reports .3 – .7 – .8 – 1.1 (#20 to #19), while iHeartMedia’s similarly-formatted WRFX-HD 2 nets one-half share via six straight sweeps without a loss (.1 – .1 – .3 – .4 – .4 – .5 – .6, 6+) and enters the top twenty at #20.
St. Louis
Spoken-Word Formats – In three setbacks in a row (7.3 – 6.6 – 6.2 – 5.2, 6+), Entercom news/talk KMOX is a cumulative -2.1, meaning April’s whopping +2.2 by the flagship of the Cardinals has virtually disappeared. Moreover, “The Voice of St. Louis” drifts from second to
seventh. Anchored at #18, co-owned KFTK “FM News Talk 97.1” is playing a game of April 2019 through July 2019 ping pong (2.1 – 2.3 – 2.1 – 2.3, 6+).
In three straight spikes (3.1 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 3.7, 6+), Hubbard Broadcasting sports talk WXOS netted six-tenths but “101 Sports” has that all erased with a July loss of that magnitude (3.7 – 3.1, -.6, #15 to #17, 6+). Effective later this year, WXOS takes over from KMOX as flagship of the NHL’s Blues.
Progressing from #16 to #15, University of Missouri news/talk KWMU has a March 2019 through July 2019 topline of 3.7 – 3.2 – 3.3 – 3.3 – 3.7 (6+).
St. Louis Music Formats – The three most recent shifts by Hubbard Broadcasting’s KPNT are +.6 (May); -.6 (June); and +.7 in July (6.0 – 6.6 – 6.0 – 6.7, 6+), as “105.7 The Point – Everything Alternative” inches up from third to second. Improving by seven-tenths in July as well and marching from ninth to fifth is its adult hits sibling WARH “106.5 The Arch,” which is up a full-share in June/July (4.7 – 5.0 – 5.7, 6+). Still in that Hubbard Broadcasting cluster, this marks the third month in a row at #1 for KSHE, which has its best 6+-stat (8.7) since March’s 8.9. The nine most recent shifts for “95 Real Rock Radio” are: +.5 (December); -.7 (Holiday” 2018); +2.0 (January 2019); -.5 (February); +1.3 (March); -1.6 (April); +.1 (May); +.9 (June); and +.4 (July). KSHE was tied with iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KLOU for February’s top spot. In March, KSHE took sole possession of first-place but had to share the lead again the following month; on that occasion, it was with Entercom news/talk KMOX. “Real Rock Radio” has had sole possession of the top spot in May, June, and July. Unchanged at #19, iHeartMedia-owned KLLT “Alt 104.9” nets two-tenths in seven straight sweeps without a loss, (1.7 – 1.7 – 1.8 – 1.8 – 1.9 – 1.9 – 1.9 – 2.0, 6+). The alternating (6+) December 2018 through July 2019 down/up pattern for Hubbard Broadcasting’s WIL ironically has “New Country 92.3” right where it was eight reports ago: 6.1 – 5.8 – 6.0 – 5.4 – 6.1 – 5.8 – 6.6 – 5.8 – 6.1(6+); WIL progresses from sixth in June to third. Meanwhile, iHeartMedia’s KSD “93.7 The Bull – #1 For New Country” regressed by seven-tenths in May; improved by one-half share in June; and now drops two-tenths (4.7 – 4.5, 6+) and carries on at #10. There’s virtually no June 2019 – July 2019 movement regarding the market’s two CHRs as KSD sibling, KSLZ “Z-107.7,” repeats June’s 4.0 (#12 to #13, 6+), while Entercom’s KNOU “Now 96.3” drops one-tenth (3.9 – 3.8, flat at #14, 6+). An overall -2.2 as a result of three successive setbacks (7.2 – 6.7 – 6.0 – 5.0, 6+), Gateway Creative Broadcasting contemporary Christian KLJY “99.1 Joy FM” fades from third to ninth. Not only does a loss of six-tenths to 4.1 (6+) send Radio One urban contemporary WHHL “Hot 104.1” out of the top ten (#10 to #12), it interrupts three successive bumps that accounted for a +1.0 (3.7 – 3.9 – 4.3 – 4.7, 6+).
Riverside
Spoken-Word Formats – Following seven consecutive sweeps without an increase (.4 – .2 – .2 -.2 – .1 – .1 – .1 – .1, #23, 6+), iHeartMedia 
news talk KKDD “1290 News Talk IE” is unlisted for the third ratings period in a row.
The November 2018 through July 2019 topline for co-owned KPWK “Fox Sports Radio 1350 AM” is: .2 – .2 – .1 – .1 – .1 – .2 – .1 – .2 – .1 – .1 (#21 to #20, 6+). For the 19th straight sweep, similarly-formatted/Los Angeles Angels-owned (LAA 1, LLC) KLAA “Angels Radio AM 830” is unlisted.
This is the fourth report in a row that San Bernardino Community College news/talk KVCR is below a one-share (.8 – .4 – .6 – .5, #17 to #14, 6+). In a repetitive April 2019 through July 2019 pattern (.1 – .3 – .1 – .3, 6+), Pasadena City College news/talk KPCC “The Voice of Southern California” is back in the top twenty (#21 to #16).
Riverside Music Formats – Powered by a robust +1.2 (3.2 – 4.4, 6+), iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR KGGI “99.1 Riverside’s Hottest Hit Music” leaps from sixth to fourth with its strongest 6+-stat (4.4) in exactly one year (4.9, July 2018). An overall -4.3 in seven straight declines (10.5 – 8.5 – 8.2 – 8.1 – 7.4 – 7.0 – 6.4 – 6.2, 6+), Entravision’s KLYY pulls the plug by notching a one-half share increase to 6.7 (6+); “Jose” is #2 for the fourth straight time. In advance of the April ratings period, “Jose” occupied the #1 spot 11 sweeps in succession. December 2018’s 10.5 marked the first time any Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario station reached double-figures (6+) since April 2015, when KLYY recorded a 10.4. “Jose” is now nine-tenths behind Anaheim Broadcasting classic hits-oldies outlet KOLA, which is #1 the fourth month in a row, but forfeits a full-share to 7.6 (6+). July’s decrease halts three straight upticks that yielded a combined +1.8 (6.8 – 7.2 – 8.0 – 8.6, 6+). Prior to May, the last time KOLA reached the eight-share level (6+) was February 2018 (8.4). KOLA finished second in 11 successive survey periods and went to #1 in April. In the Univision Radio cluster, Spanish contemporary KLVE “107.5 K-Love” is a collective -1.1 in three down or flat trends in a row (4.6 – 4.4 – 4.4 – 3.5, fourth to fifth, 6+), while regional Mexican sibling KSCA “LA 101.9” has lost six-tenths in June/July (3.0 – 2.9 – 2.4, 6+) but carries on in eighth-place. Immediately following three successive improvements that yielded a collective +1.6 (2.1 – 2.7 – 3.0 – 3.7, 6+), LC Media urban-rhythmic oldies KQIE “Old School 104.7” is a combined -1.4 via four downturns in a row (3.7 – 3.4 – 2.7 – 2.6 – 2.3, flat at #9, 6+). Two Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian outlets disappear from print in July: KLRD “Air 1 – Worship Now” (1.6, #11, June 2019, 6+) and KKLQ “Positive, Encouraging 100.3” (.7, #15, June 2019, 6+).
Thursday, May 2, 2019
TALKERS CONVENTION SPOTLIGHT: Navigating Year Three of the Trump Presidency. The president’s idiosyncratic governing style, his social media habits, and his war on the media have made the Donald Trump presidency one of the most challenging for talk radio hosts – but they’ve also made his
presidency a bonanza for hosts who handle it properly. Talkers 2019: Telling the Story, set for New York on Friday, June 7, is featuring Phil Boyce, who is Salem Media Group SVP/spoken word format and VP/operations Salem Radio Network, as he delivers a presentation titled, “Navigating Year Three of the Trump Presidency.” In this session, Boyce explains the programming strategies his Salem personalities use to capitalize on the Trump presidency. There is still time to register but the conference is rapidly approaching sellout status. To see the entire up-to-the-minute agenda and for registration/hotel information, please click here.
Changes Take Place at WICC, Bridgeport. Programmer Mike Bellamy exits news/talk
WICC-AM, Bridgeport, Connecticut as Connoisseur Media takes over operation of the station under an LMA. Connoisseur is acquiring the station as part of a swap with Cumulus Media. Bellamy, who’d been with the station for 12 years, announced his departure in a Facebook post. Bellamy also co-hosted the morning drive show with Tony Reno. He remains on board and air personality Melissa Sheketoff moves to the morning show as his co-host.
KYW, Philadelphia to Present ‘Jill on Money Live.’ Philadelphia all-news outlet KYW
Newsradio is presenting “Jill on Money LIVE” – a local event featuring CBS business analyst Jill Schlesinger at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel on May 22. The live chat is in support of Schlesinger’s first book, The Dumb Things Smart People Do with Their Money: Thirteen Ways to Right Your Financial Wrongs, and will focus on matters pertaining to retirement, college financing, insurance, real estate, and more. Schlesinger’s presentation will be followed by a question and answer session with audience members.
TALKERS News Notes. Talk show host Joe Madison is being asked to be the keynote speaker at the NAACP’s 110th annual convention taking place in July in Detroit. Madison hosts a daily morning show on SiriusXM’s Urban View channel. He’s being asked to address the Membership Luncheon on July 23…..The talk radio scene in Delaware gets a profile from Out & About
magazine’s Ken Mammarella, who talks with staffers from WDEL, 
Wilmington and WXDE-FM, Lewes for the piece. WDEL’s Rick Jensen, WXDE’s Dan Gaffney, WDEL programmer Chris Carl, and WDEL’s Allan Loudell, all talk with Mammarella for the story you can read here…..TMZ is reporting that Westwood One syndicated talk star and DailyWire founder Ben Shapiro and his family were the target of “serious death threats” and that the FBI has taken a suspect into custody in
Kent, Washington. The investigation and subsequent arrest of the suspect came after Shapiro filed a report with the Los Angeles Police Department…..Chicago media writer Robert Feder reports that WMVP “ESPN 1000” sports talk host 
David Kaplan has a new deal to remain in his other gig as a personality on NBC Sports Chicago. He hosts the weeknight “SportsTalk Live” program on the cable channel and his new contract will allow him to take on new duties, including “creating ‘fan-focused content’ over a variety of platforms.”…..Political commentator and activist Charlie Kirk is launching a new podcast on PodcastOne. “The Charlie Kirk Show” will feature “the inside scoop on the biggest news of the week and what’s really going on behind the headlines.” Kirk says he considers the new show “a report from the frontlines of the culture war, and what’s really going on from America’s college lecture halls to the halls of Congress.” The debut episode features an unfiltered interview with Donald Trump, Jr. and girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle…..SiriusXM is again offering subscribers comprehensive coverage of the this Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. The satellite radio service has a deal with Horse Racing Radio Network to cover all Triple Crown races – the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes – as well as the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The wire-to-wire race broadcast of the Kentucky Derby is provided by NBC Sports Radio and produced in partnership with HRRN and Westwood One.
WFDF, Detroit Adds Michael Baisden Show for PM Drive Time. Detroit talk station WFDF
“910 AM Superstation” is adding the Sun Broadcast Group-syndicated Michael Baisden show for afternoon drive, airing from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, starting May 6. The Baisden show is described as “four hours of music, engaging content, daily thought-provoking conversation, and is the premier destination for listeners to be entertained, inspired, and educated.” WFDF CEO Kevin Adell says, “I’m excited to bring Michael Baisden back to the State of Michigan on ‘910AM Superstation,’ the full-power station with 50,000 watts, because we do a super job,”
Trish Johnson Promoted to CFO of NAB. The National Association of Broadcasters announces the promotion of Trish Johnson to chief financial officer and SVP of finance. She
rises from her previous SVP and controller, finance position. NAB president and CEO Gordon Smith says, “In her two years at NAB, Trish and her finance team have demonstrated consistency and keen professionalism in steering our organization’s finances. NAB member stations are well served by Trish’s competence and leadership, and we are pleased to reward her with this well-deserved promotion.” Prior to joining NAB in 2017, Trish worked for Public Broadcasting Service and public TV station WETA-TV, Washington DC.
Barr Hearings/Mueller Report Aftermath, 2020 Presidential Politics, Rising Anti-Semitism Statistics, Southern Border Crisis, Trump Tax Returns/Business Records, Venezuela Unrest, NBA Playoffs Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (5/1). The testimony of Attorney General William Barr before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the wake of the release of the Mueller Report; the Democrats vying to face President Trump in 2020; the global rise in anti-Semitism and the attack on the LA synagogue; the status of the migrant influx at the U.S.-Mexico border; the attempts to get President Trump’s tax returns and his suit to prevent Deutsch Bank and Capital One from releasing his business’s records; the political instability in Venezuela; and the NBA playoffs were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. The deal that transfers ownership of three Panama City, Florida stations – adult hits WASJ-FM, classic rock WRBA-FM and country WKNK-FM – from Powell Broadcasting to Gulf Coast Broadcasting closes. Powell decided to sell the stations after suffering damages to the facilities and tower from Hurricane Michael in 2018. Gulf Coast paid $375,000 for the stations. Prior to the hurricane, Powell had sold WPFM-FM, Panama City to Educational Media Foundation for $472,000…..The Hollywood Reporter is premiering a new video
conversation series titled, “Emerging Hollywood,” hosted by The Breakfast Club’s Charlamagne Tha God. The weekly series will feature “on-the-rise voices in entertainment sharing their views on topics including inclusion, racial politics, gender, and body positivity.” The first guest is “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah. Charlamagne says, “I don’t do interviews. I do conversations. I love conversations because through conversation, you hear people’s stories, and through people’s stories, you get information and inspiration. That’s all I want people to get out of these conversations is information and inspiration.”
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
iHeartMedia Launches New FM Sports Talker in Milwaukee. The sports talk radio battle in Brew Town is getting serious as iHeartMedia flips CHR WRNW to sports talk as “97.3 The Game, Sports Talk That Rocks,” effective immediately. iHM already owns WOKY “The Big
920” that carries primarily FOX Sports Radio content. Across town is Entercom’s WSSP-AM/W289CB “105.7 FM The Fan” airing local sports talk during the day and syndicated fare at night. And, of course, there’s Good Karma Brands’ new FM sports talker WKTI “ESPN Milwaukee 94.5” that’s airing the same mix of local and ESPN Radio programming as sister suburban AM WAUK, Waukesha. Good Karma also owns news/talk WTMJ (thanks to its recent $16 million acquisition of the two stations from Scripps Media) which has the play-by-play broadcast rights to Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Milwaukee Bucks games. Getting back to “97.3 The Game,” the station will air a blend of local and syndicated content including: former Brewers beat writer and Milwaukee radio host Drew Olson, Milwaukee Bucks radio voice Ted Davis, WISN-TV sports director Dan Needles, FOX Sports Wisconsin’s Dario Melendez, Spectrum Sports’ Bob Brainerd, longtime market morning personality Kevin Brandt, a.k.a. KB, and Wisconsin Badgers sports voice Mike Heller. “The Game” program director Tim Scott says, “Sports talk in Milwaukee is about to change. Milwaukee is more than just a great sports town and ‘97.3 The Game’ will reflect that.”
Salem Launches Multimedia Ad Agency. In order to effectively sell its broad range of media options, Salem Media Group announces it has developed Salem Surround, “a nationwide multimedia ad agency with locations in 35 markets across the country.” The press release says that “in addition to selling audio and digital advertising on its 116 radio stations and
websites, Salem Surround offers a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services to develop and execute audience-based marketing strategies for clients on both the local and national levels.” Salem Media Group CEO Edward Atsinger adds, “From our beginning as just a few local radio stations to the nationwide multi-platform media company we are today, Salem has worked hard to stay in tune with our listeners, readers, clients, and partners to meet their growing needs. Salem Surround is yet another way for us to serve with excellence nationwide, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.” Company VP of digital marketing Jamie Cohen states, “With consumers spending more and more time on smart phones and tablets, the media landscape has become significantly more complicated for business owners and marketers to navigate. The one-size-fits-all marketing approach of just a decade ago has quickly become outdated. Combining the power of Salem Radio with a full-service digital advertising strategy will allow us to go above and beyond in meeting the needs of advertisers around the country.”
NBA’s Spurs Sign with Skyview Networks for Broadcast Services. The NBA’s San Antonio Spurs are working with Skyview Networks, using the latter’s radio distribution network and AdView Inventory Management software for its WOAI, San Antonio-based play-by-play
broadcasts. Skyview says its “AdView system provides inventory scheduling, revenue reporting, and affidavit reconciliation in one consolidated system. This allows the organization’s front office to manage the complex nature of play-by-play contracts with ease. Now the Spurs have access to detailed inventory tracking, which in turn generates instant affidavits to speed the billing and receivables process.” Skyview VP of business development Matt Stys says, “I am thrilled to call the San Antonio Spurs a partner. We are proud of the package of services we provide, and I am confident in the value the Spurs will receive with our high-quality distribution and streamlined inventory management system.”
Programmer/Researcher Roberts Succumbs to Cancer. Programmer and research expert Dave Roberts (Kelliher) lost his long battle against cancer last Saturday (11/24). The former architect and PD of San Francisco’s KRQR “The Rocker” became vice president of programming for the RKO Radio Networks and vice president of FM programming for CBS. He and RKO news vice president Dave Cooke formed Roberts/Cooke Media Research. In
addition to consulting news/talk outlets, Roberts provided research to television stations and retailers. His on-air credits included stops in San Francisco (KYA and KIOI “K-101”); Anaheim (KEZY); Riverside-San Bernardino (KMEN); Fresno (KYNO); and Honolulu (KPOI). SoundOut president/North America Rob Sisco hired Roberts at “K-101” in 1981. “Dave went on to host national radio shows and filled-in several times for Casey Kasem on ‘American Top 40,’” Sisco points out. “Jo [Interrante] and I hired him when we had IS Inc to host RKO Radio Networks artist profiles we produced, ‘Music Star Special,’ and ‘The Hot Ones.’ Dave narrated more than 250 shows for RKO. He was an amazing talent, a brilliant programmer and researcher, a delightfully nice man, and a dear friend to all who knew him. Rest in peace my dear friend – you are missed.” Of Roberts, veteran programmer (WGN, Chicago; WBAP, Dallas; WCCO, Minneapolis; NRG Media) Bob Shomper comments, “The absolute best research guy around – and an even better person.” RKO Radio Networks’ former director of affiliate relations Julie Spira states, “My heart aches seeing this news. I loved working with Dave at RKO Radio Networks. May he rest in peace.” John Evans notes, “We’ve lost another brilliant broadcaster. I was lucky to have worked with Dave at KYA from 1979 until [Rob] Sisco grabbed him for ‘K-101.’ We were doing great radio in those storied days and Dave was one of the best. His shows for RKO and IS Inc were top notch.” Owing to the fact Roberts held a Ph.D. in communications research from the University of Oregon, he was often called “Dr. Dave.” Surviving Roberts, who turned 70 earlier this month, is his wife – Walsh College (Troy, Michigan) president Marsha Kelliher. A private funeral for Roberts will be held later this week, followed by a memorial.
Talking Trump. Pictured above are former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski (right) and Citizens United president (and former Trump deputy campaign manager) David Bossie (left) at the ABC News Radio studios where they talked to affiliate stations about their new book, Trump’s Enemies: How the Deep State Is Undermining the Presidency (2018, Center Street). (Photo: ABC News)
Trump-Russia Investigation/Manafort Allegedly Violates Plea Deal, GM Announces Job Cuts, Climate Change Report, U.K. Facebook Documents, Undecided Congressional Races, Russia-Ukraine Aggression, Mars Landing, the Brexit Deal, and NFL Action Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (11/26). The anticipated release of Robert Mueller’s report on the investigation into potential connections between Trump campaign operatives and Russian agents and the related allegation from Mueller that former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort lied to investigators after making his plea deal; General Motors announces job cuts and plant closings in the U.S.; the U.S. government’s ominous climate change report and President Trump’s response; the U.K.’s possession of Facebook documents relative to the Cambridge Analytica data use scandal; the status of the remaining 2018 election results; global response to Russia’s military aggression in the Ukraine; NASA’s successful Mars InSight landing mission; the U.K.’s latest Brexit deal with the EU nations and its implications for U.S.-U.K. trade; and the weekend’s NFL action were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Pittsburgh Entercom-owned radio stations WBZZ-FM, “100.7 STAR” and country WDSY “Y108” are presenting “A Concert for Unity” to benefit the rebuilding of Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh, the site of the deadly assault on worshippers there on October 27. The event, live from Pittsburgh’s Byham Theater on Sunday, December 2, will feature Dan + Shay, FRZY, and The Andy Davis Band and will be broadcast live on both stations. All proceeds from the show are going to rebuild Tree of Life. Entercom Pittsburgh SVP and market manager Michael Spacciapolli says, “Pittsburgh suffered an unfathomable tragedy and our community has come together to support our neighbors in their time of need. Through the generosity of local Pittsburgh artists and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, ‘A Concert for Unity’ will directly support the rebuilding of Tree of Life.”…..Morning show personality Frank Lario exits Beasley Media Group’s country WXTU, Philadelphia where he was working alongside Andie Summers, who is holding down the show solo while a search is
on for a partner…..Programming pro Robyn Simone is named PD at Cumulus Media’s urban AC WLXC, Columbia, South Carolina “KISS 103.1,” effective December 10. During her career, Simone has served for 10 years with Radio One 
in markets including Detroit and Cleveland…..Sales pro Kimberly Parker is named general sales manager at Cumulus Media’s country WIVK, Knoxville. She most recently served as VP of advertising with the Las Vegas Media Group. She comments, “It’s great to be back in Knoxville. This is my home. I know the wonderful history and significance of WIVK in East Tennessee and I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to work with this talented and well-established staff.”…..Big Broadcasting’s KOKO-FM, Fresno flips from oldies to classic hip hop and R&B as “Jammin’ 94.3” entering into a deal with Envision Networks for programming and ad sales. Station program director Mike Marino says, “Our unique blend of old school and R&B throwbacks super serves an adult female audience ignored by other contemporary and gold-based radio stations in the market. Passion levels for this music are off the charts. Fresno will get the ‘feels’ from Jammin.’”…..Tragic news strikes iHeartMedia’s hip hop WWWZ, Charleston, South Carolina “Z93 Jamz” as authorities in Beaufort County report finding the body of 28-year-old Nathaniel Scott Jr., known on the radio as DJ Tough Love, in a wooded area where he’d been shot to death. Authorities are still investigating the matter.
Monday, April 30, 2018
Conservative News/Talk Radio Takes on the White House Correspondents Dinner. While listeners of news/talk radio were venting about what they overwhelmingly saw as unnecessary attacks on President Trump’s administration – most especially comedian Michelle Wolf’s targeting of White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders – at Saturday’s White House Correspondents Dinner, some news/talk radio industry players were also making their thoughts about the evening’s program known. WABC, New York news and talk personality Rita Cosby attended the event. (She’s seen above with Sarah Huckabee Sanders at a WHCD party and below with Kellyanne Conway at the event itself) Cosby tells TALKERS magazine that she’ll be offering her take to WABC listeners on the “Curtis and Cosby” show today. Meanwhile, Salem Radio Network V.P./news & talk programming Tom Tradup shares the letter he penned to Bloomberg White House correspondent and White House Correspondents Association president Margaret Talev:
Hi, Margaret…and congratulations!
After viewing the disgraceful White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday—and your refusal on CNN this morning to denounce “comedian” Michelle Wolf and the mortifying, obscenity-laced attacks she directed at White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House counselor KellyAnne Conway and other Trump Administration officials in attendance last evening…you have actually achieved what I had always thought impossible: displaying less professional journalism and more outrageous bias than even The Associated Press. An astonishing accomplishment.
Given the fact that you, personally, invited the vile Michelle Wolf as the evening’s entertainment…and that rather than booing or leaving, members of your Association were seen on television guffawing over an onslaught of stupid “pussy” references, lame jokes about President Trump’s performance in bed, the suggestion that President Trump’s daughter is “full of shit” and sophomoric F-bombs for nearly 20 minutes…I hope President Trump never attends another White house Correspondents Dinner.
I know I won’t.
Tom Tradup
iHeartMedia Files Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization. This Saturday (4/28) filing in iHeartMedia’s Chapter 11 reorganization lays out the current plan for the company’s exit from bankruptcy protection. The Disclosure Statement states, in part, that “the proposed Plan achieves a value-maximizing restructuring that comprehensively addresses the Debtors’ funded debt obligations and positions their businesses for continued growth and long-term success. As a result of extensive negotiations with groups representing their primary stakeholders, the Debtors entered into a restructuring support
agreement on March 16, 2018. As a result, the transactions embodied by the Plan enjoy the support of Holders of nearly $12 billion of outstanding debt obligations across the Debtors’ capital structure (including outstanding indebtedness held by the Debtors and their Affiliates), as well as the Debtors’ equity sponsors. The Plan will reduce the Debtors’ funded debt by nearly two-thirds – approximately $10.3 billion – and will result in the separation of the iHeart business and CCOH businesses through either a Tax-Free Separation or a Taxable Separation (the ‘CCOH Separation’).”…Reorganized iHeart will emerge from chapter 11 with New Secured Debt of $5.75 billion that will be secured by substantially all assets of Reorganized iHeart with a 5 – 7 year maturity, as well as a new ABL facility that will, among other things, provide working capital and fund distributions under the Plan; Senior Creditors collectively will share, in the manner described in detail below, in (i) 100% of iHeart’s equity interests in CCOH (as separated from iHeart), (ii) $5.55 billion of the New Secured Debt, (iii) all Excess Cash, and (iv) 94% of the equity in Reorganized iHeart; Holders of Unsecured Debt Claims will receive their Pro Rata share of (i) $200 million of the New Secured Debt and (ii) 5% of the equity in Reorganized iHeart; and Holders of iHeart Interests will receive 1% of the equity in Reorganized iHeart.”
PPM Analysis: News/Talk. In this final analysis of Nielsen’s March 2018 PPM survey, managing editor Mike Kinosian takes a look at the 6+ performances of news/talk stations. iHeartMedia’s KOGO, San Diego and Emmis Communications’ WIBC, Indianapolis each record 6+ AQH share increases of more than half a share (+0.8 and +0.6, respectively) from the February 2018 survey. This during a period when only 34% of news/talk stations saw ratings increases. WIBC (+1.8) was one of five stations to see a year-over-year (March 2017 to March 2018) increase of more than one full share. Others were: iHeartMedia’s hot talk WTKS-FM, Orlando (+1.6); Cumulus Media’s WMAL-AM/FM, Washington (1.3); and iHeartMedia news/talkers KTLK, Minneapolis (+1.0); and WHJJ, Providence (+1.0). During Nielsen’s March PPM survey, only two news/talk outlets ranked #1 in their respective markets: Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta and Townsquare Media’s WKXW, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5.” See Kinosian’s complete report here.
Russo and Rosen Appointed to Executive Posts at Entercom’s Radio.com. The moves signal what Entercom is calling its “renewed commitment and strategic shift” regarding the Radio.com platform. Critics say that CBS’s focus on TV and video allowed the digital audio platform Radio.com to languish under its watch. Now, new owner Entercom is bringing aboard Pamela Russo as SVP and general manager and Christopher Rosen as editorial director. Russo will report to Entercom EVP of digital JD Crowley, who says, “This is an exciting time for Radio.com. We welcome both Pam and Chris’s expertise as
we accelerate our strategy to make Radio.com a daily habit for the millions of fans across our family of brands, entertaining and informing users with spoken-word audio, curated music and premium editorial.” Russo joins Entercom from Meredith Corporation (formerly Time Inc.) where she led digital strategy and operations for the company’s portfolio of entertainment, travel and luxury brands, including People.com, EntertainmentWeekly.com, TravelandLeisure.com and Departures.com, among others. Rosen is being charged with leading the content development, editorial and video strategy for Radio.com, overseeing content teams in New York and Philadelphia. The company says that “working alongside Entercom programming executives Jeff Sotolano and Liana Huth, Rosen will focus on developing exclusive and original national content for Radio.com’s national platform and portfolio of stations, while also working with local markets to surface their best content for national audiences.” Rosen joins Entercom from Entertainment Weekly, where he served as executive editor for the brand’s digital properties.
Michael Harrison Says Advertiser Boycotts Infringe Upon the Spirit of the First Amendment, If Not Its Letter. During a provocative conversation Friday evening (4/27) about advertiser boycotts being waged against the hosts of talk radio and television commentators such as Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham by their political critics, RT America “The Big Picture” host Holland Cooke asked TALKERS founder Michael Harrison if this practice infringes upon Freedom of Speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Cooke suggested that boycotts are also an expression of free speech. Harrison agreed, but only to a point stating, “The First Amendment guarantees you not to be censored by the government, with a few limitations here and there, but basically the First Amendment gives you free speech separate from government control and government censorship. It doesn’t provide you with a soap box and it doesn’t guarantee that other people can’t express their free speech rights in protest of what you said. So, the boycotts are a form of free speech – however, because commercial media today is so dependent on advertising revenue as its life blood, boycotts may not be an infringement of the letter of the First Amendment but they certainly are an infringement of the spirit of the First Amendment.” Harrison continued, “It’s hitting below the belt…it’s part of the game but it’s playing very dirty and it does threaten free speech in America because so many of our vehicles of free speech are dependent upon advertising.” To see the entire segment of Friday’s conversation, please click here.
WFAN-AM/FM, New York Keeps ‘CMB’ for Early Afternoons. With the return of Mike Francesa to the WFAN-AM/FM, New York “The Fan” program schedule
tomorrow, the Entercom station announces the new program lineup. Current 2:00 pm to 6:30 PM hosts Chris Carlin, Maggie Gray, and Bart Scott – “CMB” – remain with the station hosting the 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm show. An hour is cut off the “Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts” program (now heard 10:00 am to 1:00 pm), and Francesa’s “Mike On” show airs from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Prior to Francesa’s December departure from WFAN, his show aired daily from 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
Price: All I Learned About Resilience I Learned from ABBA. Business continuity expert Howard B. Price writes today to explain that all he’s learned about dealing as a broadcaster with the challenges of natural disasters and made-made calamities he learned from the pop supergroup ABBA. The former, longtime ABC news and technology & operations director of business continuity and crisis management says that within the titles of the group’s iconic songs lie the “inspiration and guidance for every resilience practitioner who aspires to rock-star status in the craft.” Read his piece here.
Michiana’s WTRC Raises $174,000 for Five Star Life. Pictured above is the staff of WTRC, Niles, Michigan “95.3 MNC” celebrating the $174,100 grand total raised recently during the radiothon to benefit Five Star Life – an organization that teaches middle-school children five core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, sacrifice, and courage in after-school programs. This is the eighth year that the Pathfinder Communications news/talk station has raised funds for Five Star Life.
TALKERS News Notes. Former Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur is joining Dickey Broadcasting Company’s sports talker WCNN, Atlanta “680 The Fan” for a regular Tuesday appearance on the late morning show with Nick Cellini and Chris Dimino. WCNN general manager David Dickey says, “I’m excited that Jeff will continue to help ‘The Fan’ provide Braves fans with the best coverage and most in-depth analysis of the Atlanta Braves. And we are thrilled that Jeff will continue to be an important member of the Dickey Broadcasting Company family…both in prime-time and in game-time content.”…..The NAB Education Foundation announces the election of six new members of the NABEF board of directors. They are: Graham Media Group’s Emily Barr, Cox Media Group’s Kim Guthrie, Sinclair Broadcasting’s Rebecca Hanson, Univision Communications Inc.’s Rosemary Mercedes, Perry Publishing and Broadcasting’s Kevin Perry and NBCUniversal’s Craig Robinson. The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to “serving broadcasters and the public interest by supporting and advocating community service, diversity, education and broadcasting issues and trends.”…..Wishes for a speedy recovery go out to New Jersey Broadcasters Association president and CEO Paul Rotella who recently underwent emergency surgery for acute diverticulitis. Rotella says that although there were complications, he’s on the mend and expects to be back working from his home office by next week…..Bonneville’s news/talk KTTH, Seattle hosted the quarterly “Freedom Series” debate on April 24, this time addressing the issue, “Guns and Our Children.” The station says the intent of the live community discussion “was to give the public an opportunity to talk through and find common ground on what’s normally a polarizing issue. The two-hour panel event was hosted at the Edmonds Center for the Arts in front of a sold-out audience of more than 600 people. Pictured below (photo courtesy of Ashten Linkhart) The panel featured KTTH hosts Jason Rantz (far right) and Todd Herman (second from right), King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht (center), and KIRO-FM morning host Dave Ross (second from left). KCPQ-TV, Seattle reporter Brandi Kruse (left) served as the moderator. Bonneville Seattle VP and market manager Dave Pridemore says, “Through the ‘KTTH Freedom Series’ events, it is our hope to help our communities work through the issues that are important to them, especially issues that directly affect their families. I was proud of how the station respectfully addressed this timely and highly emotional topic. It was clear from the size of the audience, as well as their passion for the station, our KTTH hosts are connecting with our listeners about these matters on a daily basis.”
White House Correspondents Dinner, Trump Threatens Government Shutdown/Caravan Asylum Seekers, Sprint and T-Mobile Announce Merger, Texas Voter ID Ruling, Pompeo Confirmed as Secretary of State, MLB Action and NBA Playoffs Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The flap over Michelle Wolf’s routine at the White House Correspondents Dinner; President Trump’s threat to let the federal government close in September if he doesn’t get funding for the Mexico wall, along with the related issue of “caravan asylum seekers” at the border; T-Mobile and Sprint announce plans to merge; a federal panel of judges rules Texas voter ID law does not violate rights of blacks and Hispanics; Mike Pompeo’s confirmation as Secretary of State; the weekend’s MLB action and NBA playoffs were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. At San Francisco hip hop outlet KRBQ “Q102.1,”Entercom promotes midday personality and music director Billy Vidal to program director. Entercom San Francisco SVP and market manager Gregory Nemitz, says, “Billy has a great understanding of this format and, more importantly, the Bay Area market. I have no doubt he will excel in his new role and will continue the upward trajectory of ‘Q102.1.’” Vidal has been with the station for the past three years. He rose to music director in June of 2017…..Alpha Media appoints Dave Numme content director for classic hits KBAY and hot AC KEZR. Numme was most recently serving with Hubbard Radio in Seattle. He previously worked in the Bay Area as program director for KITS, San Francisco and was vice president of rock/alternative formats for CBS RADIO. Alpha Media San Jose market manager Lori Heeren comments, “I am honored to be able to work with someone with Dave’s breadth of experience in radio and the Bay Area. He’s a perfect fit for our team in Silicon Valley!”…..Gene “Bean” Baxter returned to the air on Entercom’s alternative KROQ, Los Angeles on the “Kevin & Bean” show after more than a month off to deal with an undisclosed medical issue. Stryker had been sitting in on the morning show and returns to his afternoon drive show…..At the same time as Cox Media Group’s WPYO “Power 95.3” shifts from hip hop to CHR, operations manager and WPYO program director Steve DeMann exits…..Neuhoff Media brings Miggy Santos to Illinois to program CHR WSOY-FM, Decatur “Y103” and rhythmic CHR WWHX, Bloomington “Hits 100.7.” Neuhoff VP/programming Mike Shamus says, “Miggy brings experience and energy to a new concept for us. We’ve developed a special brand in the Twin Cities, Miggy has experience in winning with these types of projects. We’re excited to have him on our team.”
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Emmis Reports 2nd Fiscal Quarter Financials – Pro Forma Revenue Up 2%. Today, Emmis Communications CEO Jeff Smulyan reports earnings for the company’s second fiscal quarter (ending August 31). Year-over-year figures are not comparable due to the sale of KPWR, Los 
Angeles in August and January’s sale of its Terre Haute, Indiana stations. Net revenue for the period was $41.8 million, and that compares with $46 million a year ago. However, the company reports that pro forma radio revenue for the quarter was up 2%. Emmis’ New York, Austin, and St. Louis clusters gained market share during the quarter. Smulyan says, “There were bright spots this quarter, especially in New York, as our second quarter results were buoyed by record-setting ticket sales for Hot 97’s marquee event, Summer Jam, and ‘Hot 97’ has been the #1 rated station in the 18-34 demo for each of the last three months.”
PPM Analysis: News/Talk. Managing editor Mike Kinosian presents the second of four analyses of the performances of stations based on data from Nielsen Audio’s September PPM survey, today focusing on news/talk. In markets affected by the recent spate of hurricanes, listening to news/talk radio spiked, as is often the case. Across the board Kinosian reports that “slightly more than half of this news/talk sample is up between August 2017 – September 2017 (54%, 6+); 29% of the stations highlighted here are down; and the remaining 17% are flat.” When looking at year-over-year changes, “basically, one of every two stations on our news/talk sample registers an August 2017 – September 2017 increase (51%, 6+), while 42% decline; the remaining 7% are unchanged.” A total of 13 news/talk stations in PPM markets ranked in the top five in their respective markets in the September survey, with four – Cox’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta; CBS’ KMOX, St. Louis; iHeartMedia’s WLW, Cincinnati; and Townsquare Media’s WKXW, Trenton – ranking #1. See Kinosian’s entire report here.
Trump’s Attack on NBC Spurs Rebuke by RTDNA, Letter to FCC’s Pai by Senator. The Twitter attack on NBC’s reporting by President Trump caused the Radio Television Digital News Association to condemn the president’s words. NBC reported that the president requested a “ten-fold” increase in the U.S.’ nuclear arsenal. In denying the report, Trump
questioned whether it was “appropriate” to challenge NBC’s license for spreading “fake news.” The RTDNA responded with a statement from executive director Dan Shelley that reads, in part, “Today’s call by the President of the United States to challenge the licenses of networks is not only dangerous to the 
American people’s right to access responsible journalism, it represents a clear misunderstanding on his part of how much control the federal government can exercise as it relates to networks and cable channels.” Meanwhile, Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) fired off a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai urging him to “maintain the Federal Communications Commission’s charter as an independent agency and withstand any urges from President Trump to harm the news media and infringe upon the First Amendment…I ask for your commitment to resist the President’s request and call on you to publicly refuse to challenge the license of any broadcaster because the President dislikes its coverage.” He also asks for copies of any correspondence in which the White House has requested action against a broadcaster. Pai’s office has not issued a public response.
‘ESPNLA’ Adds Eric Davis to Afternoon Show. Former NFL star and sports media pro Eric
Davis joins the afternoon drive program on ESPN O&O KSPN, Los Angeles “ESPNLA.” He joins show co-hosts Marcellus Wiley and Kelvin Washington on the newly renamed “Afternoons with Marcellus, Kelvin and Eric” program, effective today (10/12). Davis continues his position with Travis Rodgers and Kirk Morrison as hosts of the pre- and post-game programs surrounding Los Angeles Rams radio broadcasts. Davis also currently works for FS1.
TALKERS News Notes. A leadership change takes place at Entercom’s San Francisco station group as vice president and market manager Steve DiNardo exits after five years with the company. The move comes as Entercom announces that it is divesting of urban AC KBLX, adult contemporary KOIT, and classic rock KUFX ahead of the CBS RADIO merger. After the deal is consummated, Entercom will operate sports talk KGMZ, all-news KCBS-AM/KFRC-FM, hot AC KLLC, rhythmic AC KRBQ, and alternative KITS. Currently, the CBS RADIO market manager is Doug Harvil…..In Cincinnati, iHeartMedia promotes D.J. Hodge to market president for the cluster that includes news/talk WLW, sports talk WCKY, news/talk WKRC and sports WSAI. Chuck Frederick exited that position earlier this year…..AudioHQ and TuneIn announce a deal in which the former will be the exclusive U.S. re-seller of TuneIn’s audio advertising inventory. TuneIn VP/head of global revenue and partnerships Bill Hartman says, “TuneIn’s audience is growing and our inventory continues to scale. We’ve been hyper-focused on content and creative solutions for our brand partners, including live-streaming music festivals, custom podcast series, and an emphasis on exclusive. Plus, we’re now producing a variety of content with our league partners as well as human-hosted, curated radio which are focal points for our selling efforts.”
Harvey Weinstein Scandal, Trump Attacks NBC, Deadly California Wildfires, Trump-North Korea Rhetoric, Iran Nuclear Deal, Boy Scouts to Admit Girls, MLB Playoffs, and NFL Protests Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (10/11). The escalating scandal surrounding movie mogul Harvey Weinstein; President Trump’s attacks on NBC and threatening to revoke its “license”; the wildfires in California’s wine country that have taken the lives of 23 with hundreds more reported missing; Trump’s exchange of war rhetoric with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un; the Iran nuclear deal and President Trump’s inclination not to certify Iran’s compliance with the pact; the Boy Scouts of America’s announcement it will allow girls to join; the Major League Baseball playoffs; and the controversy over NFL national anthem protests were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Delmarva’s Damien Buck Passes at 58. Radio pro Damien Buck died on Monday (10/9) at age
58 after a long illness. He’d been serving as production director at Delmarva Broadcasting’s news/talk WDEL-AM/FM and sister CHR WSTW, Wilmington, Delaware. WDEL states on its website that Buck had been with the company for 30 years. He also operated his own Buck Productions and did voiceover work for The Disney Channel.
Providence Radio Icon Jimmy Gray Dead at 72. Providence market radio personality Jimmy Gray, a.k.a. James Hargraves, died on Monday (10/9) at a nursing home at the age of 72. During his long career, Gray worked at WOR-AM, WPRO-FM, WHJJ-AM, WEBE-FM, and WCTK.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Rock icon Nikki Sixx announces he’s leaving his syndicated radio shows at the end of December in order to focus on new projects. The Premiere Networks-syndicated “Sixx Sense” nightly show, along with “The Side Show Countdown” and “The Side Show
Classic” will end December 31. Sixx has been working with Premiere on the syndicated programming since 2010. He’s stepping down to work on new projects that include his blossoming photography career, TV endeavors and the Broadway adaptation of his best-selling memoir, The Heroin Diaries: A Year In The Life of a Shattered Rockstar. Premiere president Julie Talbott states, “When we first partnered with Nikki in 2010, we set out to create a unique program from the perspective of true rock star, and that’s exactly what we did. We’re proud of the work we did together to make ‘Sixx Sense’ one of the most widely syndicated rock radio programs in the country, while establishing the ultimate platforms for rock music fans, as well as new and established artists. It’s been a pleasure working with Nikki, and we wish him all the best.”…..Last month it was announced that Chris Randolph would be joining Cumulus Media’s country WFMS, Indianapolis to host the midday show. Now, Blaine Thompson’s Indiana Radio Watch 
breaks the news that he will not take over that position after all, due to family reasons. Thompson reports that sister WNNF afternoon host Amanda Orlando will cover the midday show in the interim. Randolph had most recently been morning host at Alpha Media’s hot AC WXMA, Louisville…..At Cumulus Media’s country KUBL, Salt Lake City, “K-Bull 93,” program director Travis Moon is now hosting the afternoon drive show, moving Matt Ramone to the midday shift…..Pop superstar Ed Sheeran is seen here holding up a t-shirt he customized at iHeartMedia’s CHR WRVW, Nashville “107.5 The River.” Program director Jonathan Shuford tells TALKERS/RadioInfo that the station is auctioning off the t-shirt with 100% of the proceeds going to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
Westwood One Official Radio Partner for American Music Awards. Radio syndicator Westwood One announces American Music Awards programming as part of its deal as official national radio partner for the awards ceremony. The 2017 American Music Awards will broadcast 
live from LA’s Microsoft Theater on Sunday, November 19 from 8:00 pm to – 11:00 pm ET on ABC-TV. As part of Westwood One Backstage, more than 25 local stations and national programs will take part during rehearsals and event night for the awards show. Other programming will include: 30-second branded highlights, airing November 6 through November 19 that include format specific versions for hot AC, AC and CHR stations hosted by WPLJ, New York’s Jayde Donovan. Urban and urban AC versions are hosted by WNBM, New York’s La Loca. A two-hour nomination special will air the weekend of November 11. The Westwood One Backstage Radio Row Remote takes place on Friday and Saturday (11/17-18).
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Doug Gottlieb to Join FOX Sports Radio. It was officially announced on Tuesday (3/21) that sports personality Doug Gottlieb would exit the CBS Sports Radio network after his final show on April 14 as part of a talent
shuffle. Now, FOX Sports Radio announces it is bringing Gottlieb aboard to host the 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET program on the network in addition to serving as a basketball analyst for cable’s FS1, and 
providing insights and analysis for “Skip And Shannon: Undisputed,” “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” and other programs. Gottlieb will debut on some 150 radio stations beginning April 24. Premiere Networks/FSR SVP of sports programming Don Martin comments, “We are honored to have Doug Gottlieb, one of the preeminent voices in the format, join our incredible lineup of sports entertainment personalities. Doug’s experience behind the mic, on TV, and courtside makes him an ideal addition to the FOX Sports family. We look forward to sharing his quick-witted, smart and outspoken brand of entertainment with our FSR audience.”
McMahon: The Tyranny of the Target Audience. Talent consultant Bill McMahon says the overreliance on teaching radio talent to focus on the station’s “target audience” can take the personality’s uniqueness out of the program. “When radio personalities are constantly told, subtly or directly, to look outside themselves for ideas for their shows, they suffer a loss of self-awareness and self-esteem. Their individuality and even their humanity are diminished. They gravitate to safe stereotypes about the ‘target audience.’ They rely on trending topics on social media and syndicated prep services.” Read more about what McMahon has to say on this topic here.
Cooke: Maddow’s Masterful Ratings Grab. Media consultant Holland Cooke says put the politics aside and, when it comes to critiquing MSNBC host Rachel Maddow’s revelation of President Trump’s 2005 tax return, learn from her teasing the scoop and using it to win a hotly contested cable news ratings battle. Read Cooke’s take on the matter here.
Talent Moves at WMVP, Chicago. At Chicago sports talker WMVP “ESPN 1000,” ESPN announces it is moving
the “Carmen & Jurko” show with hosts Carmen DeFalco and John “Jurko” Jurkovic from late mornings to early afternoon – 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm – and will shift David Kaplan’s “Kap & Co.” to the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon slot, effective April 3. ESPN 1000 VP/GM Jim Pastor states, “When ‘Kap & Co.’ debuted in September 2015, almost immediately it became the top sports talk show in its time slot. Now Kap’s fans will be rewarded with an extra hour each day right after ‘Mike & Mike.’ ‘Carmen & Jurko’ will take over at noon and will set the table for sports fans for the day ahead before handing off to ‘Waddle & Silvy.’ It’s been this lineup, along with ‘Mike & Mike,’ that has solidified ESPN 1000 as the top-rated sports talk station in the city.”
Potential Entercom Divestiture Trust Stations Revealed. Filed with the FCC is the list of radio stations that may end up in the Entercom Divestiture Trust to be operate by Elliot Evers of TDC Communications LLC. 
The list only indicates the stations that may end up in the trust. Fourteen stations will be required to be put into the trust (assuming Entercom doesn’t sell or swap any of the stations prior to the merger closing. The list includes Entercom and CBS stations. Entercom will announce the actual divestiture stations prior to the closing. Los Angeles: Entercom’s classic rock KSWD and CBS’ adult hits KCBS-FM; San Francisco: Entercom’s classic hip hop KRBQ, sports talk KGMZ, AC KOIT, urban AC KBLX and CBS’ news KCBS-AM/KFRC-FM, alternative KITS, hot AC KLLC, ethnic KZDG, and CHR KMVQ; San Jose: Entercom’s classic rock KUFX; Boston: Entercom’s rock WAAF, urban AC WKAF, news/talk WRKO, sports talk WEEI-AM, sports talk WEEI-FM, CBS’ news WBZ-AM, CHR WODS, and hot AC WBMX; Sacramento: Entercom’s rock KRXQ, alternative KKDO, classic rock KSEG, CHR KUDL, sports talk KIFM-AM, CBS’ hip hop KSFM, sports talk KHTK-AM, country KNCI, AC KYMX, and hot AC KZZO; Seattle: Entercom’s rock KISW, country KKWF, alternative KNDD, classic hip hop KHTP, CBS’ sports talk KFNQ-AM, adult hits KJAQ, country KMPS, and classic rock KZOK; San Diego: Entercom’s country KSOQ; and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton: Entercom’s country WGGI.
New Book Counsels Podcasters. A new advice book has been published that addresses the growing podcasting community. Titled, Viral Podcasting: A Proven Process to Earn a 6 Figure Income From Your Show (Rushmore Holdings, 2016), the book is written by serial entrepreneur, attorney and successful podcaster, Kerry Lutz. It
features a forward and contributions by noted radio consultant, Valerie Geller. The book teaches readers about sponsorships, marketing strategy, building an online brand, common podcasting mistakes to avoid, how to create content, and more. Lutz’s fundamental aim is to help the reader connect better with potential listeners. He includes a series of success stories about those who achieved their goals with his assistance. Much of the information was inspired by his Lutz’s own experience building the Financial Survival Network, a collection of info-packed podcasts by financial professionals. After more than five years building this community of podcasters, he claims it approaches “one million downloads per month.” Lutz takes the reader through numerous steps that helped him, citing specific anecdotal material. At the heart of successful podcasting, he says, is “quality content.” With that, Lutz says he has made “a nice living off of ad sales, sponsorships, and events.” To learn more visit the website www.viralpodcasting.com.
Radio Producer Opportunity. Family Research Council seeks a radio producer to support “Washington Watch,” its live, daily radio show featuring president Tony Perkins as host. The show discusses current issues in the news and frequently conducts interviews with members of congress and pro-family leaders from across the nation. The live, one-hour show airs Monday through Friday at 5:00 PM ET on the American Family Radio Network, Bott Radio, the KTLWN Network, and independent Christian radio stations across the country. There is also a weekend best-of show that airs on more than 370 radio stations. More information about this employment opportunity can be found online at http://www.frc.org/joblisting/radio-producer. Please submit your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and salary requirements to hrdept@frc.org. EOE.
Gorsuch Hearings, Obama Wiretapping Accusations, GOP Health Care Plan, Manafort-Russia Investigation, TheBlaze Suspends Tomi Lahren, North Korea Missile Program, Chicago Facebook Live Gang Rape, and NBA ‘Rest’ Controversy Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (3/21). Day two of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch; President Donald Trump’s controversial accusation that former President Obama ordered Trump Tower wiretapped and FBI Director James Comey’s testimony he has no information to support it; the Trump Administration and GOP plan to replace the Affordable Care Act; the investigation into former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort’s alleged connections to Russian agents; conservative media figure Tomi Lahren is suspended by TheBlaze for her abortion flip; North Korea’s taunting of the U.S. with its missile program; a 15-year-old in Chicago is gang raped live on Facebook; and the controversy over resting NBA stars were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. Oklahoma City CHR KJYO “KJ103” and country KXXY have a new program director. iHeartMedia announces J.J. Ryan assumes PD duties for both stations immediately. Ryan comes to OK City after having served with the company programming its Sacramento country KBEB “B92.5.” iHeartMedia Oklahoma area president Jon Phillips says, “We’re very excited to have J.J. back in Oklahoma and at the helm of ‘KJ103’ and 96.1 KXY. His energy and passion for radio and the community will certainly benefit our staff, listeners and advertisers.”…..Michigan morning radio personality Johnny Burke is returning to the airwaves on Krol Communications’ classic rock WRSR, Owosso “103.9 The Fox” in the Flint market, effective March 27. Burke – along with then-partner Blondie, a.k.a. Bonnie Belger-Holzhei – was a longtime morning host at WHNN, Bay City-Saginaw-Flint prior to its flip to adult contemporary in January of 2016. If you remember, Burke and Blondie started an Internet show and were sued by Cumulus Media over their non-compete. The court ruled largely in Burke and Blondie’s favor. Now, according to MLive, Burke will host “Johnny Burke Live” – without Blondie – but will be joined by newscaster Hal Maas, MLive chief meteorologist Mark Torregrossa, and sports personality Art Neil…..Radio One names Keisha Nicole midday personality at Houston hip hop outlet KBXX “97.9 THE BOX.” She was most recently with the company’s Indianapolis hip hop outlet WHHH “HOT 96.3.”
Round Two of February PPM Data Released. The second of four rounds of ratings information from Nielsen Audio’s February 2017 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including: Washington, Boston, Detroit, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Nielsen Audio’s February 2017 survey period covered February 2 – March 1. View all the 6+ numbers from subscribing stations here. Meanwhile, managing editor Mike Kinosian provides his “Takeaways” from all of these PPM markets below.
TWELVE TAKEAWAYS
1) Washington, D.C. – When Radio One-owned gospel WPRS was off by one-tenth in “Holiday” 2016, it ended five successive improvements that produced a cumulative +2.2 (2.9 – 3.2 – 3.4 – 4.6 – 4.9 – 5.1, 6+). “Praise 104.1” faltered by another eight-tenths in January but regains six-tenths (5.0 – 4.2 – 4.8, 6+), climbing from eighth to
seventh. Down in five consecutive sweeps resulting in a combined -2.3 (6.1 – 5.9 – 5.4 – 4.7 – 4.3 – 3.8, 6+), co-owned urban AC WMMJ rebounds with its third straight increase for a collective +1.6 (3.8 – 4.4 – 4.9 – 5.4, 6+) and remains at #4. In January, 
“Majic 102.3” trailed its direct competitor – Howard University‘s WHUR – by 1.1 shares (6+), but the lead is sliced to three-tenths as WHUR (steady at #3) forfeits the three-tenths it gained in January (5.7 – 6.0 – 5.7, 6+). Dusting itself off from a -2.3 in “Holiday” 2016, American University‘s WAMU “The Mind Is Our Medium” recaptures all of it in January and February (9.2 – 11.0 – 11.5, 6+). Over and above repeating at #1, WAMU matches the highest 6+-share in its PPM-history: 11.5, first reached in December 2016. In addition to WMMJ and WAMU, iHeartMedia’s WMZQ “98.7 Today’s Best Country,” which had been trending 2.9 – 3.2 – 2.9 – 2.5 – 2.9 (6+) – posts a one-half share gain as well (to 3.4, 6+), jumping from #15 to #11. Unchanged at #20 is WMZQ’s challenger, Alpha Media-owned WFLS “93.3 Today’s New Country,” up or flat for the fifth straight time (.4 – .6 – .6 – .6 – 1.0 – 1.1, 6+. The yoyo effect continues for Hubbard
Broadcasting-owned all-news WTOP, whose three latest (6+) fluctuations are -.7 (“Holiday” 2016); +1.7 (January 2017); and now -.9 (February 2017, (9.4 – 8.7 – 10.4 – 9.5, 6+). The end result is a +.1 with WTOP repeating at #2; its -.7 in “Holiday” 2016 curtailed three straight up or flat trends (8.7 – 9.2 – 9.4 – 9.4, 6+). Registering a 3.7 (6+) in three of the last four survey periods, Radio One urban contemporary WKYS (#11 to #14) drops six-tenths to 3.1, its lowest 6+-share since 3.0 last May. Steady at #18, CBS Radio sports outlet WJFK-FM “106.7 The Fan” dips by one-half share (2.0 – 1.5, 6+). Its main competitor – Red Zebra Broadcasting’s WTEM “ESPN 980” (1.9, #17, “Holiday” 2016, 6+) – is unlisted for the second straight month.
2) Boston – After debuting at #22 in January with a .9 (6+), Entercom’s WKAF “97.7 Boston’s #1 for R&B” tacks on seven-tenths to 1.6 (6+) as it enters the top twenty (at #20). Picking up seven-tenths as well (3.4 – 4.1, 6+) is CBS 
Radio’s WZLX “Classic Rock 100.7,” which cruises into the top ten (#11 to #9). By gaining four-tenths in January, WZLX pulled the plug on four straight negative trends that produced a collective -1.5 (4.5 – 4.1 – 4.0 – 3.7 – 3.0, 6+). Having progressed from second to first this time last month, Beasley Media Group-owned WROR (7.9 – 7.7, -.2, 6+) stays on top. “Boston’s Classic Hits” was +1.1 in December;
-1.4 in “Holiday” 2016; and +1.6 in January 2017. It was the market leader for 11 successive monthlies before being dislodged in December by adult contemporary sibling WMJX “Magic 106.7.” In advance of December’s +1.1, WROR had been down by a combined two full-shares over the previous four sweeps (8.6 – 8.4 – 8.1 – 7.4 – 6.6, 6+). Following massive January gains of +.9 and +1.0, respectively, talk-oriented public outlet WGBH-FM is up four-tenths (3.4 – 4.3 – 4.7, ninth to seventh, 6+), while Boston University-owned WBUR is down three-tenths (4.7 – 4.4, seventh to eighth, 6+). Prior to January’s increase, WGBH-FM had been down or flat the previous three sweeps for a combined -.6 (4.0 – 3.8 – 3.8 – 3.4, 6+). A cumulative +1.1 in back-to-back monthlies (3.4 – 4.1 – 4.5, October-
November-December, 6+), WBUR surrendered eight-tenths in “Holiday” 2016. Among commercial spoken-word facilities, CBS Radio news-talk hybrid WBZ-AM, which had put together five straight sweeps without a loss for a collective +1.7 (4.9 – 5.3 – 6.0 – 6.2 – 6.2 – 6.6, 6+), regresses by nine-tenths to 5.7 (6+), but carries on in the runner-up slot. Up six-tenths in January, Entercom talker WRKO relinquishes four-tenths (2.4 – 3.0 – 2.6, 6+), dropping from #13 to #15. Before reaching 3.0 (6+) one month ago, WRKO had been in 2.0 – 2.9 range (6+) for 23 ratings periods in a row. Among sports outlets, cluster-mate WEEI-FM surrenders the six-tenths it gained in January (4.8 – 5.4 – 4.8,
6+) but remains in sixth-place. Six-tenths ahead of it and unchanged at #5 is CBS Radio’s WBZ-FM “The Sports Hub” (5.8 – 5.4, -.4, 6+), flagship of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Up a combined seven-tenths in three successive sweeps without a loss (3.7 – 4.2 – 4.4 – 4.4, 6+), Beasley Media Group rhythmic hot AC WBQT “Hot 96.9” returns it all (3.7, -.7, 6+) as it drifts out of the top ten (#8 to #11).
3) Detroit – Considerable “bouncing” occurred when Greater Media transitioned WMGC from sports to urban-rhythmic oldies as “The Bounce” on July 1 of last year. It quickly posted back-to-back gains totaling a combined +7.3, vaulting from #23 (June 2016, .7, 6+) to #15 (July 2016, 3.1, 6+) all the way to #1 (August 2016, 8.0, 6+). Not only 
was it just a one-month stay at #1, “The Bounce” sputtered by -2.7 in September; -1.2 in October; and -.8 in November (8.0 – 5.3 – 4.1 – 3.3, 6+). Down by more than 50% since August 2016, “Bounce” quickly plummeted from #1 (August) to #5 (September) to #12 (October) to #13 (November). Now owned by Beasley Media Group, “The Bounce” not only has the distinction of recording the strongest (6+) January 2017 – February 2017 increase of any PPM-market outlet whose data was released on Tuesday (+1.6, 6+), it registers its third straight gain (3.0 – 3.3 – 3.6 – 5.2, 6+) and returns to the top ten (#12 to #7, 6+). Despite gaining one-tenth (4.4, 6+) to apply the brakes to six consecutive decreases that accounted for a cumulative -3.5 (7.8 – 7.7 – 7.5 – 6.0 – 4.9 – 4.5 – 4.3, 6+), WMGC’s former sports rival – CBS Radio’s WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” – backslides from ninth to tenth. After a one-month hiatus from the top spot, WXYT-FM returned to #1 in September and repeated there in October; “The Ticket” was #1 in April 2016, May, June, and July. Dislodged from the top spot in January when it eroded by roughly 60% (-8.5 to 5.2, 6+), iHeartMedia adult contemporary
WNIC rebounds with a one-half share increase to 5.7, vaulting from #6 to a tie at #2. The -8.5 by WNIC in January ended four straight improvements that netted +8.8 since September (4.9 – 5.2 – 5.7 – 6.8 – 13.7, 6+). Albeit down one-tenth (6.6 – 6.5, 6+), CBS Radio all-news WWJ – the station responsible for removing WNIC from #1 in January with a +.8 – repeats at #1. The 
six-tenths of a share advantage iHeartMedia urban AC WMXD “Mix 92.3” held over Radio One’s similarly-formatted WDMK “105.9 Kiss FM” vanishes as “Mix” drops two-tenths (4.2 – 4.0, #10 to #11, 6+), while “Kiss” gains four-tenths (3.6 – 4.0, #12 to #11, 6+). Frozen on 4.7 (6+) in December 2016 and “Holiday” 2016, “Mix” sputtered by one-half share in January. Tied with WNIC in the runner-up slot – where it appears for the third straight ratings period – is CBS Radio-owned WOMC “Detroit’s Greatest Hits,” which declines by seven-tenths to 5.7, its lowest 6+-share since August (5.4). Falling from third to sixth, Beasley Media Group’s WRIF “Rocks Detroit” follows January’s +1.4 to 5.9, the station’s best 6+-stat since its 5.9 in February 2016, with a one-half share dip to 5.4 (6+). Unlisted in January 2017, University of Michigan’s WUOM “Michigan Radio” (1.8, #20, “Holiday” 2016, 6+) returns at #19 (2.2, 6+).
4) Miami – Six-tenths of a share separates the market’s top four finishers, including Cox Media Group urban AC WHQT “Hot 105,” which vaults from fourth to first by breaking out a +.8 to 6.9, its finest 6+-showing since
September’s 7.1. Down or flat for six straight sweeps for a combined -1.9 (8.2 – 8.0 – 7.2 – 7.1 – 6.4 – 6.4 – 6.3, 6+), “Hot 105” notched a one-half share gain in “Holiday” 2016 but was off by seven-tenths in January. Dropping from first to second is Univision Radio’s WAMR “Amor 107.5” (7.0 – 6.8, -.2, 6+). Ironically, it was a gain of two tenths in January that pushed “Amor 107.5” from second to first; WAMR has now registered a 6.8 (6+) in four of the last six ratings periods. Ups/downs continue for Cox Media Group urban contemporary WEDR “99 Jamz.” When WEDR declined by one-half share in December, its string of consecutive trends without a loss that produced a +.7 ended at five (4.5 – 4.5 – 4.8 – 4.9 – 4.9 – 5.2, 6+). Rolling out a +1.1 in “Holiday” 2016, “99 Jamz” floundered by -1.5 in January but posts a +.8 in February (4.7 – 5.8 – 4.3 – 5.1, 6+) and climbs from seventh to fifth. There is a flip-flop regarding 6+-shares of the market’s two adult contemporary 
properties. To be specific, as Entercom’s WLYF “Lite FM” gains three-tenths (6.3 – 6.6, 6+) to remain at #3, Cox Media Group-owned WFEZ “Easy 93.1” drops three-tenths (6.6 – 6.3, 6+), slipping from second to fourth. A one-tenth gain in January enabled “Lite FM” to halt five straight down or flat ratings periods that resulted in a decrease of more than two full-shares (8.4 – 8.4 – 7.0 – 7.0 – 6.7 – 6.2, 6+); WLYF was #1 from July 2016 through October. Finishing first in November 2016, December 2016, and “Holiday” 2016, “Easy 93.1” has its fourth successive decrease (7.2 – 7.1 – 7.0 – 6.6 – 6.3, 6+) after a collective +1.1 (6.1 – 6.7 – 7.2, September – October – November, 6+). Linked at #10 are CHR rivals iHeartMedia-owned WHYI “Y-100 Miami’s #1 Hit Music Station” (3.7 – 3.8, +.1, steady at #10, 6+) and Cox Media Group’s WFLC “Hits 97.3” (3.6 – 3.8, +.2, #11 to #10, 6+). The two were tied at #12 in “Holiday” 2016 (3.6, 6+). After three successive improvements netting a +1.1 since November (3.5 – 3.9 – 4.1 – 4.6, 6+), Entercom classic hits-oldies WMXJ “102.7 The Beach” (sixth to seventh) is off by one-half share to 4.1 (6+). In seven straight sweeps without a decrease, Grupo Latino de Radio Spanish talk WSUA more than doubled its 6+-share (.6 – .6 – .6 – .6 – .6 – .8 – .9 – 1.3, 6+), but “Caracol 1260” loses one-tenth in February to 1.2 (#22, 6+).
5) Seattle – Progressing by nine-tenths each are University of Washington-owned KUOW (5.8 – 6.7, steady at #2, 6+) and Entercom rhythmic hot AC KHTP “Hot 103.7 100% Throwbacks” (3.2 – 4.1, #13 to #7, 6+). In the three most recent ratings periods, KUOW is -.9 (“Holiday” 2016); +1.4 (January 2017): and +.9 (February). A combined
-1.6 in five successive sweeps without a gain (4.4 – 3.7 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 2.8 – 2.8), “Hot” gained four-tenths in January. Owing to a +.8 (3.0 – 3.8, 6+), public jazz outlet KNKX vaults from #16 all the way into the top ten (#9). On top for 12 straight sweeps entering the “Holiday” 2016 ratings period, Hubbard Radio CHR KQMV “MOViN 92.5 All The Hits” gave way to adult contemporary cluster-mate KRWM “Warm 106.9.” KQMV regained the lead in January though and repeats at #1 (7.1 – 7.2, +.1, 6+). As iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies KJR-FM “95.7 The Jet” improves by one-half share in back-to-back survey periods 
(4.6 – 5.1 – 5.6, fifth to third, 6+), co-owned KJR-AM “Sports Radio 950” (#28) sputters by eight-tenths and is down or flat for the fourth successive sweep for a collective -1.4 (2.3 – 2.2 – 1.7 – 1.7 – .9, 6+). Faltering by six-tenths each are CHR sibling KPWK “Power 93.3” (3.1 – 2.5, #14 to #17, 6+) and Bonneville talker KIRO-FM (5.7 – 5.1, third to sixth, 6+). Down or flat in four straight ratings periods for a cumulative -.9 (5.8 – 5.7 – 5.5 – 5.5 – 4.9, 6+), KIRO-FM recaptured most of it with a +.8 in January. From May 2016 to January 2017, “Power” stayed within 2.9 – 3.4 range (6+).
6) Phoenix – As the result of a +.2 to 2.6 (6+), The Yucaipa Companies’ hot AC KMVA “Hot” (#19 to #17) applies the brakes to five successive downward trends that accounted for a -1.3 (3.7 – 3.4 – 2.9 – 2.6 – 2.5 – 2.4, 6+).
Having recouped the -.7 from “Holiday” 2016 with a +.7 in January (4.3 – 3.6 – 4.3, 6+), iHeartMedia’s similarly programmed KMXP “Mix 96.9 Today’s Best Music” is off one-tenth to 4.2 (6+) as it slides from sixth to seventh. Three straight (modest) increases give Hubbard Radio’s KDKB a combined +.7 (2.3 – 2.5 – 2.7 – 3.0, 6+) as “Alt 93.3 Arizona’s Alternative” inches up from #15 to #14. On the heels of January’s +.7, Educational Media Foundation’s KLVA “K-LOVE” adds another one-half share (.6 – 1.3 – 1.8, 6+) to climb from #28 to #23. Recovering from January’s -9.9 (16.5 – 6.6, 6+), iHeartMedia adult contemporary KESZ picks up one-tenth to 6.7 (6+) and is #1 for the 30th successive ratings period. Owing to a -.4 to 2.2 (6+), Maricopa County Community College’s classical KBAQ “89.5 K-Bach” (#17 to #19) snaps at five its string of up or flat trends that netted a cumulative +.9 (1.7 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 2.0 – 2.0 – 2.6, 6+). In addition to logging its fourth straight decline for a combined -1.3 (3.2 – 2.8 – 2.5 – 2.3 – 1.9, 6+), Bonneville’s KMVP-FM “Arizona Sports 98.7” exits the top twenty (#20 to #21). Flat at #23, Entravision regional Mexican KLNZ “La Tricolor 103.5” is down or flat for the sixth consecutive ratings period for a collective -1.4 (3.2 – 3.2 – 2.9 – 2.6 – 2.1 – 1.8 – 1.8, 6+). A loss of one-half share (1.4 – .9, 6+) puts Hubbard Radio’s KAZG “Oldies 1440 & 92.7” at #30.
7) Minneapolis – The Twin Cities’ (6+) country share balloons by +1.4 as iHeartMedia’s KEEY “K-102 Minnesota’s Country Station” is +.9 (4.7 – 5.6, #12 to #6, 6+) and CBS Radio-owned KMNB “BUZ’N @ 102.9” 
improves by one-half share (3.4 – 3.9, steady at #13, 6+). Either up or flat for the fifth straight time, American Public Media Group’s KSJN “Classical MPR” (#17 to #15) is a combined +.9 in that timeframe (1.9 – 2.0 – 2.1 – 2.2 – 2.2 – 2.8, 6+). Meanwhile, this marks the third straight sweep without a decrease for University of Northwestern St. Paul contemporary Christian KTIS-FM (tenth to sixth), netting a +.8 (4.8 – 4.8 – 5.1 – 5.6, 6+). It is the best 6+-share for “98.5 Twin Cities Christian Radio” since September’s 5.8. Notwithstanding a -.1 to 7.6 (6+), Hubbard Radio’s KSTP-FM “KS-95 Today’s Variety” repeats at #1. In January, “KS-95” hung out a +1.3, stymying a dry spell in which the hot AC hadn’t had an increase since February 2016 (10.2 – 9.8 – 9.8 – 9.8 – 9.1 – 9.1 – 8.9 – 7.7 – 7.6 – 7.1 – 7.1 – 6.4, 6+). In those 11 straight sweeps of being either down or flat, “KS-95” was a combined -3.8. Ironically, format rival – iHeartMedia’s KTCZ was +1.3 in January as well, but “The Cities” not only suffers a -.5 (5.3 – 4.8, 6+), it drops out of the top ten (#8 to #11). KTCZ was a combined -1.2 in December and “Holiday” 2016 (5.2 – 4.6 –
4.0, 6+). Co-owned KFXN posted a +.5 in January, however, “Sports Radio FM 100.3 K-FAN” surrenders six-tenths in February (6.0 – 6.5 – 5.9, 6+), slipping from second to fourth. In December and “Holiday” 2016, “K-FAN” tumbled by a combined -2.5 (6+). With an 8.9 in October, it boasted the best 6+-share in its PPM-history. Nearly doubling its 6+-share from July 2016 to January 2017 in seven straight sweeps without a loss (1.5 – 1.8 – 2.0 – 2.0 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 2.5 – 2.9, 6+), Hubbard Radio’s KTMY “myTalk 107.1 Everything Entertainment” drops two-tenths in February to 2.7 (6+) and slides from #14 to #16.
8) San Diego – It’s tight at the top of San Diego’s February 2017 leader board with the ten best finishers separated by one share. Following four successive declines that accounted for a -1.6 (5.9 – 5.6 – 4.8 – 4.4 – 4.3, 6+), 
iHeartMedia hot AC KMYI “Star 94.1 San Diego’s Best Music Variety” rebounds with a gain of seven-tenths to 5.0, jumping from eighth to fifth. After regressing by six-tenths in “Holiday” 2016, Entercom-owned KSON-FM “New Country” dialed up a +.7 in January and adds six-tenths in February (4.0 – 4.7 – 5.3, 6+), progressing from #4 to a three-way tie at #2. Notching a +.6 as well is Univision Radio regional Mexican KLNV “Que Buena 106.5” (4.1 – 4.7, 6+), which enters the top ten (#12 to #7) with its best 6+-showing since April 2016’s 5.2. Going back to November, Tijuana FM’s similarly-formatted XHTY “99.7 La Invasora” (#22) has almost tripled its 6+-share in four straight up or flat trends (.6 – .9 – 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.6, 6+). Having jumped six-tenths in January, KPBS rings up another two-tenths (4.6 – 5.2 – 5.4, 6+) which is enough to propel the San Diego State University outlet from third to first. It is the strongest 6+-stat for KPBS in just over two years (5.5, 6+, January 2015). Seguing from first to second after just one month at #1 is iHeartMedia CHR KHTS “Channel 93-3 San Diego’s #1 Hit Music Station” (5.7 – 5.3, -.4, 6+). Somewhat ironically, the station at #1 immediately prior to “Channel 93-3” – CBS Radio adult contemporary-turned hot AC KYXY (4.7 – 4.4, -.3, fourth to ninth, 6+) – was also only on top for only a one-sweep stay. A +4.6 by KYXY in “Holiday” 2016 extended its string of up or flat trends to five (3.7 – 4.0 – 4.3 – 4.5 – 4.5 – 9.1, 6+). The +.6 by XLTN in January dissolves into a -.7 in February (3.6 – 4.2 – 3.5, 6+), with the Imagen Spanish contemporary outlet departing the top ten (three-way tie at #9 to #12). Registering three consecutive decreases for a collective -1.7 (5.3 – 4.5 – 4.2 – 3.6, 6+), Univision Radio Spanish adult hits KLQV “102.9 Mas Variedad” gained six-tenths in January but surrenders all of it in February (3.6 – 4.2 – 3.6, 6+) as it returns to #11 from #9. While this is the sixteenth straight time iHeartMedia’s KGB is within three-share range, “San Diego’s Classic Rock Music” is a combined -.8 in three straight declines (3.8 – 3.6 – 3.5 – 3.0, 6+) and spirals from #13 to #16. Dropping by one-half share as well is co-owned KLSD “1360 San Diego Sports Radio” (1.2 – .7, #24).
9) Tampa – Having already gained six-tenths in January, Beasley Media Group classic hits-oldies WRBQ “Tampa Bay’s Q-105” piles on nine-tenths more (3.9 – 4.5 – 5.4, 6+), leaping from sixth to third. This is the best 6+-performance for “Q-105” – off by one-half share in “Holiday” 2016 – since last September’s 5.6. Meanwhile, Cox
Media Group’s similarly-formatted WXGL “Classic Hits 107-3 The Eagle,” which posted a gain of one-half share in January, adds two-tenths (6.4 – 6.9 – 7.1, 6+) and stays in the runner-up slot. The last time “The Eagle” soared to the seven-share level (6+) was more than four years ago (7.0, 6+, October 2012). After five consecutive positive trends for a cumulative full-share increase (5.5 – 5.6 – 6.0 – 6.1 – 6.2 – 6.5, 6+), “The Eagle” was down by one-tenth in “Holiday” 2016. Up one-tenth 9.6 – 9.7, 6+), co-owned adult contemporary WDUV “Lite Favorites” is setting the pace for the 53rd successive ratings period; “Lite Favorites” was off by more than three shares in January (12.7 – 9.6, 6+). Locked on 5.1 (6+) in December 2016, “Holiday” 2016, and January 2017, similarly-programmed sibling WWRM “Magic 94.9” picks up one-tenth to 5.2 
(6+), yet actually backslides from third to fourth. Even though it regresses by one-half share in back-to-back sweeps (2.7 – 2.2 – 1.7, 6+), iHeartMedia’s WDAE “Tampa Bay’s Sports Radio” carries on at #18. Via four successive declines (6.3 – 5.8 – 5.4 – 4.9 – 4.5, 6+), co-owned urban contemporary WBTP “95.7 The Beat” (fourth to fifth, 6+) is a collective -1.8. Following four straight gains for a cumulative +1.3 (4.0 – 4.6 – 4.8 – 5.1 – 5.3, 6+), cluster-mate WFUS “US-103.5 Tampa Bay’s New Country Leader” surrendered -1.2 in “Holiday” 2016; gained six tenths in January 2017; and drops four-tenths in February (4.1 – 4.7 – 4.3, fifth to seventh, 6+). Just one-tenth behind is its format foe – Beasley Media Group’s WQYK – which is off two-tenths (4.4 – 4.2, 6+), slipping from seventh to ninth. Similarly, a neck-and-neck CHR battle is ongoing between Cox Media Group’s WPOI “Hot 101.5 All the Hits,” down for the fourth straight sweep (5.1 – 5.0 – 4.6 – 4.4 – 4.3, cumulative -.8, flat at #7, 6+) and iHeartMedia-owned WFLZ “93.3 Tampa Bay’s #1 Hit Music Channel” (4.3 – 3.9, -.4, unchanged at #10, 6+).
10) Denver – One-half share separates the top three finishers in February 2017 in this Colorado market. Within 5.3 – 5.9 range (6+) the past seven survey periods, KYGO busts out a full-share gain (5.6 – 6.6, 6+) that not only lifts it past the six-share threshold for the first time since last July’s 6.0, the Bonneville country outlet advances from
third to first. A full-share fluctuation in the other direction though sends iHeartMedia’s KTCL “Modern Rock Channel 93-3” (7.1 – 6.1, -1.0, 6+) from first to third. Eroding by -1.3 in December not only ended four straight up or flat sweeps for KTCL that produced a +1.3 (5.3 – 6.3 – 6.6 – 6.6 – 6.6, 6+), it concluded four consecutive months at #1. In back-to-back sweeps though, “Modern Rock Channel 93-3” was +1.8 (5.3 – 6.2 – 7.1, 6+). This is the fifteenth successive sweep that co-owned KBPI “Rocks the Rockies” (steady at #15) is in 3.0 – 3.8 range (3.4 – 3.5, +.1, 6+). Down six-tenths since December (6.0 – 5.7 – 5.4, 6+), Entercom’s KQMT “99.5 A Mountain of Classics” more than makes up for it with a +.8 to 6.2, rising from fifth to second, four-tenths behind KYGO. Flat or down (modestly) in each of the last three sweeps for a -.4 (4.1 – 4.1 – 3.9 – 3.7, 6+) KSE Radio Ventures hot AC KIMN “Mix 100 Today’s Best Mix” answers with a +.7 to 4.4, its best 6+-showing since last April (4.4 as well) and zooms into the top ten (#14 to #6). It’s a rollercoaster ride for classic hits-oldies sibling KXKL “KOOL 105 Denver’s Greatest Hits,” whose last three fluctuations are -.9 (“Holiday” 2016); +.7 (January 2017); and -.8 in February (5.7 – 4.8 – 5.5 – 4.7, fourth to fifth, 6+). Sputtering by seven-tenths are Bonneville‘s KKFN “Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan” (4.0 – 3.3, #11 to #16, 6+) and Colorado Public Radio classical KVOD (2.0, #17 – #20, 6+). “The Fan” was -.5 in “Holiday” 2016 and +1.1 in January 2017. A loss of six-tenths in November 2016 halted four successive up or flat trends which netted two full-shares (2.9 – 2.9 – 3.5 – 3.6 – 4.9, 6+); October 2016’s 4.9 represents the most potent 6+ showing for KKFN under PPM methodology. Meanwhile, KVOD had been up or flat the past five sweeps for a collective +1.7 (1.0 – 1.3 – 1.7 – 1.7 – 2.0 – 2.7, 6+). By faltering by six-tenths (4.7 – 4.1, 6+), co-owned KCFR freefalls from the top ten (#6 to #11). Fluctuations in calendar year 2016 for KCFR included +.7 (January); -.7 (February); +.7 (March); -.7 (April); -.7 (June); +.7 (July); -.8 (October); and +.6 (November). It began 2017 with a +.9 (January) and a -.6 (February).
11) Baltimore – Flaunting back-to-back robust increases of +1.2 (4.7 – 5.9 – 7.1, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WPOC “Baltimore’s #1 for New Country” climbs from fourth to third. Entering the “Holiday” 2016 sweep, WPOC had been 
in fourth-place the previous seven ratings periods, but fell to fifth, surrendering a combined -2.5 in three consecutive slides (7.2 – 6.9 – 6.3 – 4.7, 6+), including a -1.6 in “Holiday” 2016. Notwithstanding that it is unchanged at #5, Hearst Television’s WIYY “98 Rock” hangs out a gain of six-tenths (5.0 – 5.6, 6+). Without an increase in six consecutive sweeps for a cumulative -1.7 since June (9.8 – 8.6 – 8.5 – 8.5 – 8.4 – 8.4 – 8.1, 6+), Radio One’s WWIN-FM “Magic 95.9” added one-tenth in “Holiday” 2016 and seven-tenths in January 2017 to march from third to first. Even though it drops one-tenth (8.9 – 8.8, 6+), “Magic” stays at #1. While urban contemporary sibling WERQ holds the runner-up slot for the third straight ratings period, “Q-92 Jams” is down by one full share and without an increase since December (8.5 – 8.3 – 8.3 – 7.3, 6+). It is the lowest 6+-share for WERQ in nearly a year (7.3, 6+, March 2016). On top in the Washington, D.C. report (see above), American University‘s WAMU “The Mind Is Our Medium” is without a decrease in Baltimore for the fourth consecutive sweep (1.0 – 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.4 – 1.4, 6+) and remains at #15. Flat at #17, Washington Adventist University contemporary Christian WGTS more than doubles its 6+-share in Baltimore with its fourth successive up or flat trend (.5 – .6 – .8 – .8 – 1.1, 6+). For the seventh time in the last eight survey periods (and fifth in a row), WQLL “1370 Baltimore’s Greatest Hits” has a .3 (unchanged at #20, 6+).
12) St. Louis – Three-tenths separates St. Louis’ top three February 2017 rankers. Off by one-half share in January, Radio One urban AC WFUN “95.5 R&B + Old School For The Lou” roars back with a gain of nine-tenths (6.6 – 6.1 – 
7.0, 6+) to climb from fifth to third. Co-owned urban contemporary WHHL “Hot 104.1” recaptures the seven-tenths it squandered in January (5.1 – 4.4 – 5.1, 6+) and returns to the top ten (#11 to #7). The combination of iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies outlet KLOU (-2.8 in January) gaining three-tenths (7.1 – 7.4, steady at #1, 6+) and Emmis rocker KSHE staying flat at 7.1 (6+) breaks the first-place tie with KSHE segueing to #2; KLOU and KSHE ranked second and third, respectively, in “Holiday” 2016. Up a combined +1.3 in October and November (6.4 – 6.9 – 7.7, 6+), KLOU relinquished a -1.6 in December, but bounced back with a +3.8 in “Holiday” 2016. Before October’s +.5, KLOU had been down or flat the previous four sweeps (7.4 – 7.4 – 6.7 – 6.5 – 6.4, 6+) for a net loss of one full-share. The station that KLOU and KSHE jointly replaced at #1 this time last month – KEZK – lost approximately 50% of its 6+-share in January and fell to seventh. There is more bad news for the CBS Radio adult contemporary property as it sputters by an additional nine-tenths to 4.6 (6+) and departs the top ten (#11). Prior to January’s decline, KEZK put together four consecutive progressive trends that netted a +6.8 (4.3 – 4.6 – 4.9 – 5.8 – 11.1). Returning all but one-tenth of January’s +.7 (2.9 – 3.6 – 3.0, -.6, 6+), Hubbard Radio’s WXOS “101 Sports” falls from #14 to #16.
Following five straight increases for a collective +1.9 (2.3 – 2.4 – 2.6 – 3.1 – 3.3 – 4.2, 6+), Emmis talker KFTK stumbled by -1.2 in “Holiday” 2016; rebounded in January 2017 with a +1.4; but dips by -.5 in February (4.2 – 3.0 – 4.4 – 3.9, 6+), skidding from #11 to #13. Unlisted for the second consecutive month are Gateway Creative Broadcasting-owned contemporary Christian KLJY “99.1 JOY! FM” (4.5, #9, “Holiday” 2016, 6+) and co-owned, similarly-formatted KLJY-HD2 (.2, #20, “Holiday” 2016, 6+).
